Genki Rockets I -Heavenly Star- - Genki Rockets
ONE - Crystal Kay
Voice - Eri Nobuchika
Kaze no Tegami - alan
SOME BOYS! TOUCH - Maki Goto
Yami no Kuni no Alice / Hamon - D
Sketch for Summer - Eri Nobuchika
CROSS SEASON - Nami Tamaki
Sing to the Sky - ayaka
Secret - Maki Goto
PRECIOUS - MEG

Well not all of them are female vocalists. One of them is just a group that looks like female vocalists. I’ll leave you to find out for yourself which one it is.

Ethan doesn’t find any of the releases particularly bad, so most of the stuff on this list are worth trying out if you have the time.

Costume Hall of Shame: Next Time, Hire a Professional
Resonant Live Set List
More Happy Egg News

Celestia brings back her Costume Hall of Shame segment - although it might be a one off - and it looks like the snark hasn’t failed on Celestia just yet. Whilst I actually like gomaki’s get-up, or just being able to make out gomaki’s hot figure, the others are worth Celestia’s cheeky-toned time.

An earlier entry sees Celestia giving us the setlist for Morning Musume’s upcoming Resonant Live concert, and it’s lovely to see Lemon Iro to Milk Tea in the mix. It’s one of my favourite H!P songs of all time, and the 6th gen shine in it, even beloved Sayu. It’s her song in my opinion. Celestia tags each song with some of her thoughts too.

And lastly we have Celestia’s thoughts on H!P’s new egg unit Shugo Chara Egg!, at least I think that’s the groups name - I dont keep up anymore. Anyway Celestia briefly goes over the members of the unit and what she thinks of them thus far, and what they have to offer.

Glass no Pumps - Maki Goto
Okaeri - ayaka

Ethan has a very interesting viewpoint on Maki Goto’s Glass no Pumps single, even if it’s only because we veer down different paths in regards to her later H!P work. Anyway the write-up is relatively short, but I guess it’s easy to get into.

An earlier post sees Ethan reviewing ayaka’s Okaeri, and the A-side is supposed to have a nice arrangement, even including the dreaded bagpipe. The B-side has a more lively rock element about it, but it doesn’t really hold much on the instrumentation.

How to Use SEXY

Die of Gold Hikari has a track-by-track review of How to Use SEXY, the last Hello! Project album from Goto Maki. Die enjoys the album and does a really good job explaining why. I think that Die appreciates it not just for the quality of individual tracks but the diversity the album as a whole provides. There does seem to be a lot of experimentation here and it is somewhat difficult to pin down one genre that the album falls under.

Do you guys like me yet?

Recommended ogling!!!  Usa-chan has noticed that the current world financial crisis’ may be connected with with a current readership draught at Aoi♥Usagi.  The solution?  Plenty of busty eyecandy!!!  This might be the best set of H!P photos I have ever seen!  Konno, Rika, Nacchi and Gocchin look like they are auditioning for a Russ Meyer film!  Total win!

So enjoy the view.  Just don’t hurt yourself!

Maki Goto +10+

More eyecandy from Will, and there’s plenty of picture posts to delve through since Japanese Teen Idols was last linked on IW. Be sure to check them out. The lastest one is of a more mature Goto Maki, which is to say: rather large boobies.

Goto Maki is back on stage A-Nation 2008

Hello!Online has a bootleg of Gocchin’s brief appearance at A-Nation. She performed a cover of Diane King’s “Shy Guy”, a minor 90s R&B hit, and a song of her own. I think she sounds a little nervous and forgets her recent vocal re-training already, so I’d like to her the studio version of her song before deciding on that. But I like her choice of cover. I think this shows she will be keeping people guessing and she can make it at Avex. But…Recommended for your own rabid over-analysis!

Comebacks coming back

Comebacks seem to be all around Magi-Kat. And well, when in Rome, Magi-Kat returns to blogging.

On that note of comebacks, Magi-Kat talks about the comebacks of Goto Maki, Tsuji Nozomi, Ogawa Makoto and Iida Kaori. Magi-Kat’s enthusiasm apparently has not left during the hiatus and is on display here, especially towards Makoto.

Throughout the entry, Magi-Kat talks about blogging. I’ve gone on prolonged hiatuses and nearly quitting blogging as well; thus, I find it nice to see someone who also goes through this and decides to keep it up. Magi-Kat talks about being a perfectionist. I think it is tough to be a perfectionist when it comes to blogging, if not impossible.

Every entry is not going to be a hit. There will be some subpar entries - even ones that you thought would be good - and I feel that being able to roll along with that fact is important. That’s not to say that one shouldn’t want recognition or praise. I guess I just want to suggest to continue blogging and forcing readers to take notice instead of getting downtrodden and ready to walk away.

A look back at…the 2001 fanclub singles.

aiwish472 reviews the Morning Musume Solo Fanclub Special CD. She looks at the tracks from each member, particularly enjoying the ones from Goto Maki, Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika.

Morning Musume calendar 2001…a look back. (continued)
久住小春最新写真集。。。小春日記。(PB WARS ep. III..Has Koha joined the darkside?!)
Morning Musume calendar 2002…a look back. (continued)

Recommended ogling. MorningBerryz continues his look at some old Morning Musume calendars. The 2001 calendar featured the 4th generation members for the first time. I’d have to say that my favourite shot from this calendar is the January photo with Yuko and Rika. They look the most relaxed and happy in their photo. The warmth in their expressions is definitely heart warming for the winter months.

Up next, MB goes through Koha’s latest photobook, and he was also surprised with the sexy Koharu portrayed here. Though, he gives some evidence of Koharu heading in this direction from back in 2006… Thong shot on Musume Dokyu, anyone? .. XD Going through this post was my first time going through her whole photobook, and I still have to say I’m amazed that this PB goes from the sexy black outfit to the pink, balloons and puffy hair…

And finally, MB has Momusu’s 2002 calendar to share. Here we have a café themed calendar, and the 5th generation’s introduction in Momusu calendars. I’d have to say the gokkie page would have to be my favourite one within these photos.. They’re such cute little newbies, I can’t help it!

Ikimono Gakari - KOI SURU OTOME
Maki Goto - SOME BOYS! TOUCH
Ami Suzuki joins Yasutaka Nakata - FREE FREE / SUPER MUSIC MAKER

It seems like Melody of Feel Like Dance has a new review every day. I’m really impressed by the sheer amount of blogging. The reviews are detailed and cover a wide range of music, as evidenced by the three here. We have the rock side in Ikimono Gakari, pop/R&B from Goto Maki and technopop from Suzuki Ami.

Morning Musume’s calendars…a look back.

Recommended ogling. MorningBerryz found his collection of Morning Musume calendars while going through some storage, and has very kindly decided to share the older (and rarer) ones with us. In this post, he starts off with the Momusu’s calendar from 2000.

I’m liking the Nov./Dec. photo best because Nacchi’s got a cute hat. I can’t wait to the next calendar! 4th gen should make an appearance on that one!

Maki Goto +09+

Will’s latest post has some semi-old photo’s of Goto Maki donning mid-length hair and mid-size boobs. There’s nothing else to really add to that, but I am liking the brown top Maki’s got goin’ on. Be sure to check out a few older posts which haven’t been covered yet. I’m liking Iida as the librarian, book keeper or whatever.

Maki Goto to perform at a-nation ‘08

Gocchin to perform at the a-nation festival in late August. Also appearing: her nails. And a bunch of people. Famous people! That sell a lot of records! Really it’s no joke. So…be there?

Another great H!P Winter Concert!

Recommended reading. Madara has another H!P concert review, and he thoroughly enjoyed this one. Reading this review has made me want to go back and re-watch this concert. Through the entire setlist, Madara found only one major flaw, which really piques my interest. One thing that startled me was his mention of liking 3rd generation Tanpopo more than 2nd gen. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered someone with that preference. (And just a side note: 1st gen Tanpop was Kaori, Mari and Ishiguro Aya - before the 4th generation Morning Musume members joined up).

He makes note of the presence of the H!P Kids and how much they’ve grown in the past 5 years, before finishing it off with his reasoning for liking older H!P concerts over the more recent DVDs.

Multiple Updates

Kaystar has an E/N entry that goes over a bunch of news. She has some words about Kanbe Miyuki, lets me know there is yet another Korean girl-group (called TOUCHS, very subtle) and has a few thoughts about Goto Maki going to Avex.

So I’m saving all my Engrish for you, avex

Highly Recommended. Pengie shares a very short clip of Gocchin, but it’s long enough to show off what she learned taking singing lessons in LA (because after you’ve been singing with H!P for almost a decade, you need them apparently). Her singing alone is impressive and I think it puts to rest her being brought in as another Koda Kumi, or anything similar to what’s on Avex. Her English is somewhat less so and my hope is she takes some accent reduction lessons if she’s trying for that. (Because…there’s a joke I don’t even need to make in there.) But even if she sticks to Japanese, she’s well on her way to becoming the kind of talented and respected singer I’m not very interested in.

But it’s hard not to feel proud of her growth.

You can do what you want with that line.

Gocchin joins Avex; Slasha not surprised (Slasha’s Tatami Mat)
Gomaki signed to Avex (Shanimuni Paradise)
Avex’s newest diva, Maki Goto (Update: Video) (HNPH)
Things Are Looking Up (Hello!Blog)
Well, I Guess I’m Back! (And so is Gocchin) (H!P Wonderland)
..::Goto+Avex=Vouge::.. (Eternal ~♥~)
[lol avex] Welcome back, Gomaki! (Pink Wota)

Slasha looks at the jump to Avex. It is tough to take her evidence (dancing and voice lessons?) as concrete proof that Maki was going to Avex, but it does appear that was a part of Maki’s plans.

Tsukiki at Shanimuni Paradise is another blogger who sees the next stage of Maki’s career being like Koda Kumi.

Anna from HNPH has pretty much accumulated all the images, videos and news links related to this story. If anyone was looking for the story in full, here is the place to find it.

Paul Thomas has a very thought-provoking response. Most of the reactions have assumed that Maki has made the move from H!P to Avex to work a more mature style. However, Paul points out that other H!P members have had mature songs in the past. Perhaps it was the potential of finding new audiences by leaving the stigma of H!P and joining Avex that motivated Maki? I don’t think that is something we can figure out by guessing, but it is worth considering.

HPObsession returns to H!P Wonderland to coincide with Maki’s return to the entertainment industry. I like the idea that HPO suggestions, that Maki had outgrown H!P by Suppin to Namida, and not Glass no Pumps as one would expect.

amyrulez doesn’t mind the switch from H!P to Avex, but is not thrilled with the appearance. At least around these parts, this is definitely not the most prevalent view. However, it is not too surprising that some would feel this way, as sexy first-cute second images are rare in H!P.

Vee says what we all know about Avex.

Maki Goto starts anew with Avex (Tokyograph)
Makking Gold 2 (strawberrie)
Gotou Maki signed by music giant Avex! ^-^ (MorningBerryz)
Goto Maki sync with Avex…while Tsuji cakes Yuko (Nekocafe’s World!)
GOCCHIN IS BACK (Morning☆Kuri)

Tokyograph has the news.

Strawberrie suggests that anyone who is disappointed in the change - that is to say, that Gomaki will no longer be an idol - to change their mindset.

MorningBerryz does a good job detailing the differences between Avex and UFA. MorningBerryz argues that while there may not have been anything wrong with the material of her later career in H!P, Avex would probably have done a better job promoting it. Like others, MorningBerryz sends out support to Gomaki.

Nekocafe is extremely happy and excited over the news.

Kuri hopes that Gomaki in Avex will fulfill her “chocolately fantasies.” While I have no idea what that implies, I’m very intrigued.

Maki Goto joins Avex (Shiny Days)
Hands Up, Who Saw This Coming? (Stuck in a Pagoda)
Attention: Life After H!P Does Exist (Wings of my Heart)
It’s Gocchin TIME! (J-Riff)
Gotou Maki signs with avex (unchained)

Charmy☆Renai looks forward to the material that Maki will be releasing under Avex.

CJ goes over the Koda Kumi connection and anticipates material similar to Kuu-chan.

Julia goes over the end of Goto Maki’s H!P career before looking towards the next phase. Personally, I love the releases at the end of her H!P days as well. Julia has an interesting emotion over Gocchin’s decision: pride. It makes sense to me. As a fan of someone, you quite often will support whatever they do - but that doesn’t mean you can’t hope for certain career decisions. If they take those career decisions, why not have joy over what that person decides?

Riff goes over the possible paths that Maki can take. Again, the comparison to Koda Kumi is almost unavoidable. However, as Riff argues, even if she does become the next Koda, there is something about Gomaki that keeps her from being entirely alike.

Pengie is excited about the move to Avex and pledges to follow Gomaki’s next move.

As you’d expect, there were plenty of reactions to Goto Maki joining Avex. I’ll be spreading out the reactions over the next few posts.

Goto Maki Signs with Avex! [Update: Official Website] (Totally Hello!Project)
Goto Maki signs with Avex! (Hello!Girl)
Is it Fate? (H!P Fangirling like Nobody’s Business)
GomAvex! Goto Joins Avex (TokioZimmer’s Blog)
The “Go To” Gal (The J-Pex)

Totally Hello!Project reiterates the news.

Hello!Girl chastises Hello!Project. I feel it is an accurate point when the entry claims that Maki “seems to be the one person from Momusu everyone in Japan names immediately once you say you are a fan or Morning Musume.” I know that the story today is talking about what Maki could possibly do in Avex, but I still feel it is relevant to discuss her departure from H!P.

DJ_MaiMai has what appears to be translated stories on the story. It is really emphasizing that singing is something Maki wants to focus on from here on out. After reading this, it makes it ever the more apparent the difference between idol and non-idol. DJ_MaiMai also muses on the connection between Maki and Koda Kumi.

Ryou of TokioZimmer has the news and lots of pictures to boot.

JPex considers possible avenues for Gocchin. It is definitely interesting to see someone who doesn’t think Maki will turn into the next Koda Kumi. There is an implication in here that there are some people who would be against such a direction and, well, I’d like to meet these people. Pex has an interesting theory on what Maki could become instead of the Koda Kumi clone.

Goto Maki signs with Avex (Hello!Online)
Sanspo

Goto Maki is now officially part of Avex. She will be a part of Rhythm Zone. There are new pictures of her to go along with the announcement.

Certainly this will provoke reactions as the rumors of Gocchin joining Avex have been around for some time. There have been posts in the past speculating what would happen if she joined Avex. It will be interesting to see what style her music and image will take, although I think it is assumed by most that it will be similar to Koda Kumi. We look forward to whatever reactions, ideas or theories any blogs post about this news.

The hair styles of Hello! Project
Up! Front Agency creates phsycopath
Two years of waiting for . . Ogawa Makoto

Actually Sakura Ichigo says she likes music from classical to heavy metal but in her blog there seem to be focus mostly on H!P artists. She has posted already three entries in June and they all are worth of checking.

I’ve never kept my eye on Hello! Project girls coiffure so it’s quite interesting to read SI’s remarks on those ever changing hair styles of various girls. Well, I must admit that there are TWO girls whose hair style changes I know very well and also those are mentioned in SI’s post.

In her second blog entry Sakura Ichigo talks about some evident things related to this so-called-Miya-scandal. SI is disappointed that those kissing scenes are even called as scandal. She makes a good point when saying:

“It is ethically wrong to fire a person because of their love interest. That kind of paragraph should be erased from their contract. It’s discrimination towards women. Girls should have basic human rights.”

Can’t agree more.

Lastly SI feels happy because Makoto is back to business and she wonders what kind of role H!P is offering for Mako now. Is Ongaku Gatas a good option? I think it could be. And I also hope that Makoto is going to be regular member in haromoni@ again.