My vote for for Kouhaku opening act: Aladdin!
Tanoshii! Suzanne on Arashi No Shukudaikun

I’m probably the only one who didn’t know this but Satoda Mai is already in another group?!…(finds way out of cave…) and they’re making an appearance on the Kouhaku this year which is exciting news for Zdorama. Although it may just be wishful thinking and hoping, Zdorama would love nothing better than to see the six member group Aladdin open up this year’s show and there’s a definite prestige that goes to both the opener and latter performers.  He notes that likey we’ll see another performer open up but that doesn’t stop him from sharing his nominated song “Hi wa mata noboru” which is definitely channeling a stage musical aura and really this song is pure joy so if you visit please do give it a listen. ^ ^ It looks like YouTube has been pulling the plug on uploads of their videos but with just a quick search I was able to find an unyanked (sorry that’s not even a word is it? ) version of this single as well as other performances. Zdorama also shares the origins of the members in the group and I had one of those dumb moments while reading their names……”Satoda Mai”…hmmm so there’s another girl with the same name in this group as in H!P? But after being struck by the stupid stick I did “figure it out.”

Oh and as I always seem to have Arashi on the brain these days his next post really struck a chord with me…you see I actually don’t get the recommended daily allowance of Arashi as prescribed by my “doctor” and these withdrawal symptoms can be worse than PMS it seems so lucky for me and for you if you also suffer as there’s a nice array of screencaps to take you through an episode of “Arashi No Shukudaikun” where Suzanne of “Aladdin” (yes it’s an all Aladdin ♥fest today!) is their special and very pretty I must say guest! ^ ^ You know I’m always fascinated and curious to know just how do Japanese natives decide on English names when choosing a “stage name” and in this episode we learn of the name “Suzanne’s” origin but the real fun starts afterwards when she begins giving the members of Arashi “nicknames” as well! \(^o^)/ One of those nicknames makes me hungry…another makes my mouth feel dry (don’t ask!)…one sounds cool!….another whimsical but wait, didn’t that guy in Luna Sea already trademark that one?! There’s a bit of scenario dating but if you like your girls cute & sexy be sure to check out that last photo of Suzanne!…and maybe it’s just me but it seems that a tatami mat has the powerful and yet mysterious ability to get girls to lay down on them in alluring positions with not much clothes on, so if you’re a guy and want some of that you better start redoing your floors right away~! Here’s a link for tatami mats and yikes they’re really expensive!! :O

Happy Birthday to….
wanna hear the TRUTH?

Misa of Cutie Party reviewed two Johnny’s groups: NEWS and ARASHI. She’s got an interesting take on their recent singles, and I found myself laughing to myself throughout these posts. As for NEWS’ Happy Birthday, Misa has a positive review, and she gushes over Massu in her very amusing screencaps for the PV. On the other hand, Misa has a negative review of truth, ARASHI’s latest single. Even though I adored truth, Misa doesn’t like it. However, even though Misa made fun of Matsumoto Jun (BLASPHEMY!), I found her MatsuJun-bashing great and refreshing after hearing so much about his hotness from others. All in all, Misa’s definitely got different way of thinking about Johnny’s boys, and I would totally recommend reading these posts.

AAA 3rd Anniversary Live Outfits // Urata!!! // Other weird outfits
How much does Raid disagree with Japan?
SQS #006

Raid’s latest post features plenty of cotume photos from AAA’s 3rd Anniversary Live DVD, and Raid unleashes some praise for the choices, and a little bit of that snark too. Shuta and Nissy look tasty-tastic in those tie printed t-shirts, and as Raid himself points out, Chiaki looks terrifying throughout. Oh, and I couldn’t agree more on the assessment of the before and after analysis on Hidaka’s haircut. He really did look like a pot smoking hippie didn’t he?

An earlier entry sees Raid pitting his opinions against general Japan - as he nicely puts it - coming out with various dialogues on the current top charting singles. Much of the analysis on the singles are done really well, I must admit, because without getting slowed down by the detail of each song, Raid manages to pursue the heart of his opinions with confident prose. I only wish I had it in me to review quite like this, because the writing appears easy. I can tell you, it is not. This one’s an enjoyable read.

And last but not least we have Raid’s 6th SQS segment, this time featuring a recent Arashi photoshoot. Matsujun’s still got it - that tarted up geek look. Keep on living the dream Matsu.

My Ten favorite J-media males and females for 2008 (Males)
SQS #005
Old Ohmiya clip

Raid’s latest entry has his top ten rankings of J-media males - gasping at Ken Hirai’s position - and the reasons behind the positionings are always interesting to read. I see some fandoms never change though, eh raid ;). A nice and easy to navigate, pleasing on the eye layout from Raid - as is typical of him nowadays - which helps the read along.

An earlier entry sees SQS segment number 5, and this time we’re given Arashi’s Ohno Satoshi and a little bit of Ikuta Toma. Screen captures are taken from the MAOU drama, and Raid’s impressed by Ohno’s acting.

If you needed further proof of how much Arashi ‘love each other’, then check out this post from Raid, snipped from his old blog with screen captures of a tv segment involving the JE giants. The screen captures are both homosexual, sweet, and strangely endearing, and then a little more homosexual. Good times.

movie review: “letters from iwo jima”; (2007)

Okay, so it’s actually just Nino and it’s the war movie he starred in, but it’s not like you see Johnny’s boys on jrocknyc very often, is it? I’ll take what I can get.

CHEMISTRY - Life Goes On
GARNET CROW - Yume no Hitotsu
Arashi - Truth / Kaze no Mukou he
Mai Hoshimura - Hikari

A nice, diverse selection of music reviewed and provided for download. The first impression on Garnet Crow is favorable, and Arashi’s “Truth” gets some love as well.

ARASHI- truth / Kaze no Mukou e

Recommended reading. I always get a distinct pleasure in seeing somebody give in to something they think isn’t good for them and enjoying it. And I’m not just talking about music, but for now let’s stick with that. Kahori admits to listening to KAT-TUN and gives The Fire Island of Johnny’s a fair shake with this single. She winds up liking it, and is now interested in the group. You know, it’s only a short step from here to pedolicious Hey! Say! Jump and the smexy lusciousness of Ryo-kun…

スーパーアイドル末永遥　に。。。はるかーど
嵐 と タッキ－＆翼 in duet “super idol magazine” August 2008.

MorningBerryz’s latest entry features Seunaga Haruka. Include a nice dose of pictures and detailed descriptions of the photobooks and cards on show, and you have an enjoyble read perfect for discovering or finding out more about this gravure idol. Seunaga Haruka also starred as the pink ranger in Go! Go Sentai Boukenger, and I think thats pretty damn awesome. Recommended reading and ogling.

An earlier post sees MorningBerryz sharing some Arashi scans from duet - a music and idol magazine. I’m glad to see that Matsujun still looks like a tarted up dork, and I still want to be his best friend. Always. Anyway, there’s some Tacky & Tsubasa scans in there, too, just for good measure.

Arashi - One Love

Oroitsme does a track-by-track review of Arashi’s One Love, and the analysis of the A-side is spot on, that the melody grates easily, but the chorus is a superb slice of pop. The other tracks get a fair rating which suprises me, because I thought the FINAL Remix feat. WISH, Love so sweet & One Love was complete and utter pants.

“愛するより飛ぶ”? Not here, at least.

Kimitsu does a nice write-up on Arashi’s latest single, One Love, and she has a look at the b-side, too. When Kimitsu can be arsed, her exploring the sound of the tracks is actually very good. She’s never excessively abstractive, instead being unfussy and to the point. Include the usual bias to ground the piece in a way that most blogs should adhere to, and you have an enjoyable and competent read.

Arashi- One Love [22nd Single]

Amaiyume reviews Arashi’s latest single, describing it as “made for smiling along to”, which strikes me as a pretty good description. This single is definitely a winner for Amaiyume. She even loves the bagpipes.

One Love - ARASHI Review!

First off, Amimi admits that °Absol-ute °C-ute will not be absolutely about °C-ute, which is something I find strangely appropriate. Amimi loves the song but not everything else. I would suggest that, in Amimi’s case with this single, Arashi fails as idols. I guess the exception to her situation would be MatsuJun, but MatsuJun is the exception in all of our cases. Amimi also notes that they are at a wedding, which is totally legal here in Massachusetts and in California. The only hurdle left for Arashi would be those pesky polygamy laws.

Happy Music

Julia shares her thoughts on the “happy” genre of music, sorting out what she likes from what she doesn’t. Then she shares some happy news of her own and the music that expresses her current feelings. Listen to every song that she mentions if you want to turn around a bad mood or feel like celebrating something, because this is a whole lot of happy all in one place. What makes me the happiest is that there is no mention of certain Morning Musume member’s third solo single.

An actual entry about Johnny’s

NewS in particular seems to be her gateway drug.

When I heard songs by male groups I used to roll my eyes in disgust- then what happened? Along came a good-looking guy…

Iza04 relates the story of how she became a NewS fangirl, leading her into interest in Arashi and KAT-TUN as well. I say it’s time for any of you who are still resisting to follow her example and give in to the pretty boys. Why yes, I do have an evil ulterior motive here.

Arashi- One Love

Oroitsme quite enjoys the song, especially the chorus. It’s full of love, rainbows, and sappiness, so pretty much par for the course for Arashi.

More This and That

Celestia muses on various matters, including getting her hands on pricey KAT-TUN tickets, the changes on their show Cartoon KAT-TUN, and finally some Arashi eyecandy to even things out a little.