Momoiro Clover Z has become Sentai Rangers in a round about way with their new single and their first after under going a name change.
Their new song, “Z Densetsu ~Owarinaki Kakumei~“! Features the adorable idols taking on the role of Z Rangers. For this single the girls enlisted famed anime song singer Mizuki Ichiro, who’s well-known for singing the 1970’s anime theme, “Mazinger Z“ as back up singer .
While we only have a teaser PV so far, it has the makings of a fun loving single.
Momoiro Clover: Akari Graduation And Group Changes Their Name.
Sunday April 11, Momoiro Clover’s Hayami Akari officially graduated from the group.
As part of the graduation events the group dedicated their new song “Akarin ni Okuru Uta” (“The song to give Akarin”) as a gift for Hayami.
The remaining members also announced that her member color had been retired and that they would not be a new member to replace her. Instead, the remaining five will end their time as Momoiro Clover and walk a new path under a “new” name.
Because of the loss of Hayami, the group will start anew as Momoiro Clover Z
Up and coming young idol unit Momoiro Clover are heading to “GEISAI #15”. “GEISAI #15” is an art festival that will be held on March 13 at the Tokyo Big Sight East Hall 1
“GEISAI #15” features both professional and amateur artists showcasing their talents .Momoiro Clover are known for their high energy live performances and will bring a fun performance to those attending .
Momoiro Clover's Hayami Akari who recently announced that she was leaving the group, with very strong hints in her own speech due to growing frustrations at fan difficulties, took part in a recent Momoiro Clover event.
On the 25th, Momoiro Clover held a joint live at SHIBUYA-AX with rock band Shinsei Kamattechan. The group performed twelve songs in front of a crowd of 1,500.
The biggest news came from Akari herself, as it seems she may have regained her determination to overcome the things troubling her.
Akari said, “I’ve learned to challenge different things through being in Momoclo.”
While Akari did not clearly say that she is remaining in entertainment , it`s very likely that she is leaving the industry completely, she did with that statement leave the door open to remain in entertainment. Akari`s graduation is set for April 10,so Akari fans keep showing your support as she works to overcome the things troubling her.
Chai Maxx [Short version] Chai Maxx is the 2nd single with Mirai Bowl and will be “Chai Maxx“, will be used as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s show, “Onegai! Ranking“. While Mirai Bowl will be the ending theme for the anime “Dragon Crisis!”
Young Stardust Idol Kawakami Momoko [Momonaki age 14] is preparing for her major debut. The adorable young star will be will be shorting her name to “Momo” will be making her debut on April 6.
Momoko`s debut single “Daisuki da yo” is going to be used as the ending theme for the anime “Moshidora” that is scheduled to start airing on NHK on March 14th.
In support of her debut, Momoko will be hosting a number of mini lives on the following dates.
Feb 27 Lalaport Kashiwanoha in Kashiwa, Chiba
Fans who pre order her single will take part in a handshake and two-shot event.
March 8, she will be at Kinokuniya Hall in Shinjuku, Tokyo
For this mini live Momoko will also do a recital of “Moshidora” as well as a public recording event.
Tickets for this event can only be obtained by buying a related book from Shinjuku Kinokuniya
I really do not want to give a lot away as this is worth watching and the readers deciding how they feel about the video .I will say this, their costume women did a great job in picking out their second outfits. If Momoka`s second outfit and wig does not win your heart, then nothing will.
Time to hit replay,lol.
Oh almost forgot the CD version on Type A ,the PV is 9 min 20 sec long
A lot has been said about Morning Musume`s newest 9th gen member Ikuta Erina being a fan of AKB48 and how it has created an anti fan base.
The childish attitudes of anti-fans has struck again and caused another idol to give up her dreams, this time they have “driven out” the sub-leader of Momoiro Clover Hayami Akari.
It`s really no secret that she had the smallest fan base of the members ,for whatever the reasons Akari struggled to gain fans at the same rate of the other members and her self-esteem seems to have suffered to the point that she is giving up her dreams of being an idol at 16 years of age.
When you see the words written in her blog, you can see how much this has broken her down .Akari uses words such as feeling guilty and that she is just an unnecessary member of the group.
Akari formally told Momoclo fans last night at a fan event. Akari told Momoclo fans that she was not good enough to be an idol .Akari explained while crying, “My personality is not suitable to be an idol, and I was thinking that I should not be in ‘Momoclo.’ There was also a time when I had disliked ‘Momoclo.’ Akari did make it clear that she loves Momoclo and this decision was very painful to her to make.
Momoclo leader Momota Kanako also spoke and said the following “I have no words to say. To be honest, I really wanted to aim for ‘Kohaku’ with these six members. However, Akarin’s life is hers. All we can do is to support her with all our hearts.”
Akari will officially graduate after promoting their upcoming single on April 10 at Nakano Sun Plaza.
Being a parent of a girl who is in a field of entertainment ,I can say that I have zero respect for anti-fans .They are childish and do nothing for any industry with posting hateful comments on a celebrity's blog ,showing disrespect to them in public . So everyone forgive me when I say that they are the worst kind of fan.
When you play with the emotions of a young girl, who only wanted to be a singer and dancer. To entertain others with her smile and talents, you damage not only a little girl, her family, but also the members of her group.
Whatever her reasons ,it does not take a lot to figure out ,that her spirit is broken ,that this is much deeper then a girl ,who just decided that she would just stop being an idol.
Anti fans think that posting dislike for an idol or celebrity, is ok and that no one gets hurt.
Well people get hurt and for whatever the reasons, they give up their dreams.
Warning: If you get very emotional, or if Akari was your favorite member, this maybe hard to watch.
[Up-date the video has been removed .It was Akari telling her group and for 21 minutes the group cried ]
Momoiro Clover paid a visit to the Gokoku-ji temple in Tokyo on January 1. While there the girls prayed for success for their next single "Mirai Bowl" , a chance to appear on Kouhaku Uta Gassen .They also have a goal to turn the entire country pink ,which is what momoiro means.
If that was not enough, the girls also announced that they are going on a 44 concert nationwide tour. The tour will start January 22 at Zepp Osaka and will include an April 10 stop at Nakano Sunplaza.
“Mirai Bowl” will be released on March 9th and will be the theme song for the anime “Dragon Crisis“.
Momoiro Clover: Perform At World Broadcast MMA Event
Momoiro Clover, who has been active in promoting a major martial arts fight card in Japan, took part in the international broadcast of the event as the intermission show.
Clover performed in the center of the fight ring of a fight card that was televised in countries across the world.
Given that fight fans are not really idol fans and if you have seen any of the disrespectful remarks left by international fight fans when Clover did some earlier promoting for this event ,not knowing anything about this group or their very young ages ,little respect for the group will likely come from this performance as would an anime-con appearance.
Still it was a good experience for the group, that they have had a fun time being involved with.
Momoiro Clover Make MMA Predictions + Reni Unwell? .
This is a short video of Clover making their predictions on an upcoming MMA fight card. If you notice, Reni is looking unwell here. Recent news has come out of a questionable event done by Universal Records Japan.
It`s well known in the idol industry that idols face a weight limit to be active in most cases , not all mind you ,but a number of agencies have this rule.
The idol weight formula is traditionally this (Height -100) x0.9 ,however Universal reduced that to point 0.8 .For example Momoka`s “Idol weight” is this 147cm-100×0.8=37.6kg ,her last reported weight was 32.2kg
As part of this foolish media stunt, they weighed the members in public, everyone but Reni was under their “idol weight” Reni was 0.8 over and was ordered to cut weight and retake the test in two months.
When you look at her summer pictures to now, there is a noticeable difference in her face and weight .Enough for me to think there maybe something is not right with Reni.
Idols are under a tremendous amount of pressure to live up to these fantasy world expectations the industry has created for them. Publicly humiliating your talent is not something that should be a part of this industry.
I do not know if Reni is sick, however the signs are starting to point to her not reacting to that event in a healthy way. Reni is the oldest member and in the old idol rules, her days are considered less then her members .It doesn`t make it right, it`s just how it is. That alone is enough pressure to trigger unhealthy reactions.
Back in October Momoiro Clover released their latest single "Pinky Jones" included in the single was two other A-Side singles.
One of those coupling A-Sides was Kimi to Seki. Kimi to Seki takes the unit in a new and maybe not so pleasing direction for some fans and for others it`s a walk down "fan service" road.
In “Kimi to Sekai”, we have Momoiro Clover dressed in leather motorcycle outfits and “bad girl” styled hair and eating ice cream in suggestive shots . Overall, the video is just "fan service" , that depending on how you view "fan service" is a cute video or not so much.
I left off that they are selling their TV show on DVD
Momoiro Clover made another trip to Music Japan to perform their new single “Pinky Jones” .Backstage before the performance Clover entertained the members of Perfume with Kanako`s flexibility skills.
Momoiro Clover is growing into a wonderful idol unit. Do not be surprised if they are the next group to have a breakout single. I really think the best is yet to come from this group.
Momoiro Clover, are about to step up their venue size.
On December 24, Momoiro Clover will hold their first solo concert hall event after spending their time in smaller locations and in-store lives. The event will be called “Momoiro Christmas in Nihon Seinenkan ～脱皮：DAPPI～”
In an even better sign of things to come for Momoclo , they sold out this important venue to developing idols Nihon Seinenkan in just 30 minutes.
Starting November 10th Momoclo will be promoting their videos through TV Asahi`s Tele-asa douga web site. http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/douga/
The build up to the Nihon Seinenkan concert will be filmed in November for a documentary DVD .
It`s exciting times for Momoclo fans as they are now truly leaving the comforts of Independents and spreading their wings to chase the national idol dream.
On November 10 ,Momoiro Clover will release a new single “Pinky Jones” .It`s amazing what changing to another record label can do for a group as Momoiro Clover’s costumes keep getting more and more creative.
For “Pinky Jones” someone on staff has been watching American Westerns as the girls are dressed in Native American-inspired costumes .According to the member’s blogs the complex costumes created some difficulties in the video shoot, with headpieces, bracelets flying off and forgetfulness to wear other smaller pieces.
The song is your traditional Momoiro Clover style song, and even if you happen to dislike the song ,which maybe hard to do as it`s a good song the costumes, dance and, video will draw you in. The video is not high cost, yet Momoiro Clover makes the best of it and puts on a spirited performance to complete a video that leaves you pleased with the growth of the group.
Also with the single is another video for “Kimi to Sekai”. In “Kimi to Sekai”, we get another set of costumes and theme .In this video we have Momoiro Clover dressed in leather motorcycle outfits and “bad girl” styled hair.
The 15-second preview offers very little to the final product other then Momoiro Clover sitting on motorcycles eating ice cream.
This single is also different from other releases as this is a triple A-side with the two songs mentioned above and Coco ☆ natsu as the third A-side.
Pinky Jones
UPDATE
Live Version
Kimi to Seki Preview
UPDATE
Full Live Version
Momoiro Clover will be supporting this release with a store tour.
The tour is called
“Momoiro Clover Second Debut Tour Aki no Jin ~Tenka wo Torini Ikuze-! ~“at the following locations.
September 19th – Chiba – Lalaport HMV
September 20th – Kanagawa – HMV Yokohama VIVRE
September 23rd – Kanagawa – Yokohama animate
September 25th – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
September 25th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
September 26th – Kanagawa – Tressa Store
October 2nd – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
October 2nd – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
October 3rd – Kanagawa – Yokohama animate
October 9th – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
October 9th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
October 10th – Kanagawa – Yokohama LaLaport HMV October 11th – Chiba -Lalaport HMV Kashiwa [Updated]
October 15th – Osaka – Tennoji animate
October 16th – Osaka – Nihonbashi animate
October 16th – Aichi – Nagoya animate October 17th – Aichi -OZON & Spiral [Live House] [Updated]
October 23rd – Fukuoka – Fukuoka Tenjin
October 24th – Kanagawa – Yokohama animate
October 30th – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
October 30th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
October 31st – Saitama – HMV Moraju Shoubu November 3rd – Tokyo -Lalaport Toyosu [Waterfront Mall] [New]
November 6th – Tokyo – AKIHABARA Gamers [11:00]
November 6th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft [17:30]
November 7th – Saitama – HMV Urawa Misono
November 8th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
November 9th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
NEW November 11-Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
12-Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
13-Saitama Aeon Laketowm
16-Tokyo-Sunshine City
20-Saitama-Shosan Plaza
21-Saitama-Stellar Town
UPDATE
I forgot to mention that starting Oct 9, Momoiro Clover will be on NTV every Saturday Night Idolchin
In August, I posted about the 30+-idol group, 8 venue Tokyo Idol Festival . The TV broadcast was aired recently and you can watch it here from the link at the end of the post.
As there are a number of parts to this and with Youtube`s record of deleting I am going to supply a link instead of posting all the parts.
TIF was an Idol Festival held on August 7-8 for Idol groups not in Hello!Project or with 48 after their name . In some ways, it was like Disneyland for wotas ,two days of Idol groups ,fan events , idol games and concerts .
There are 100`s of Idol groups and agencies in J-POP Idol genre and most of us have nothing to do with H!P or the 48`s as a higher percentage of J-POP Idol groups and agencies are in the Independent ranks . Which has it`s own culture and ways of doing things and depend heavily [embrace] on wotas,active touring ,free events and festivals such as these along with regional, cable and satellite network programs .
Many of these groups are some of the best-kept secrets in Japan ,which is one reason why this event was started to showcase and promote these idols.
Some of the main groups at the festival that we have talked here on PIH were Idoling!!! , SUPER*GIRLS, Tokyo Girls` Style,Afilia Saga East and Momoiro Clover.
Event roster is here ,if you cannot read Japanese well , the pink boxes will take you to the group’s homepages . Fuji TV Tokyo Idol Festival
Broadcast Link
Show starts at 00 with SUPER*GIRLS Broadcast Link
If your willing to give them a chance and experience this genre from outside of what H!P or the 48`s have to offer , there are some really some good groups at the festival and you will enjoy this broadcast.
By the way Idoling!!! Brought their sub units as well, so Idoling!!! Members show up several times. The girls also are part of special units under their management companies
To open their move to King Records, Momoiro Clover will go on an in store tour. Momoiro Clover will start their tour on September 19 and it will be called “Momoiro Clover Second Debut Tour Aki no Jin ~Tenka wo Torini Ikuze-! ~“
The tour will be the lead up to their King Records debut single “Pinky Jones”.
Pinky Jones will be released on November 10, and will include three songs. It will come in three different limited editions and a regular edition.
The CD contents are
1. Pinky Jones – Ending theme for the anime “Yosuga no Sora”
2. Coco ☆ natsu – Theme song for their movie “Shirome” (released on August 13)
3. XXX[To be announced] – will be used as theme song for a game (details will be revealed later)
If your in the neighborhood from Sept 19 to November 9 ,you can catch the “Momoiro Clover Second Debut Tour Aki no Jin ~Tenka wo Torini Ikuze-!~“ at the following locations.
September 19th – Chiba – Lalaport HMV
September 20th – Kanagawa – HMV Yokohama VIVRE
September 23rd – Kanagawa – Yokohama animate
September 25th – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
September 25th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
September 26th – Kanagawa – Tressa Store
October 2nd – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
October 2nd – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
October 3rd – Kanagawa – Yokohama animate
October 9th – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
October 9th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
October 10th – Kanagawa – Yokohama LaLaport HMV
October 11th – TBA
October 15th – Osaka – Tennoji animate
October 16th – Osaka – Nihonbashi animate
October 16th – Aichi – Nagoya animate
October 17th – TBA
October 23rd – Fukuoka – Fukuoka Tenjin
October 24th – Kanagawa – Yokohama animate
October 30th – Tokyo – Tachikawa animate
October 30th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
October 31st – Saitama – HMV Moraju Shoubu
November 3rd – TBA
November 6th – Tokyo – AKIHABARA Gamers
November 6th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
November 7th – Saitama – HMV Urawa Misono
November 8th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
November 9th – Tokyo – Tokyo ishimaru soft
Momoiro Clover members are married .The young Idols who are all under the age of 18 walked the road of marriage on August 23 .Before you all pass out; there is a story behind this.
Momoiro Clover have moved to the same record label as AKB48 and to celebrate it, the label sent out wedding invites to media to announce the marriage between Momoiro Clover and King Records.
Momoiro Clover wore wedding dresses for the big day. To celebrate this wonderful event in their lives, the young women are releasing a digital single Coco Natsu.
A PV preview of the single, shows Momoclo`s new costumes a mix of Island summertime, swimwear and school uniform all in one.
Here is the single preview portion of yesterday’s Momoiro Clover USTREAM show.
I do not know how everybody else will feel, however I really like Koko ☆Natsu [Coconuts] .It`s upbeat, fresh sounding and from the little dance tease the girls do in the preview, it looks like they really enjoyed making the PV.
Momoiro Clover have announced that their next single"Koko ☆Natsu" will be broadcast live July 27 at 19:00 Japan Time.
The event will be broadcast on their USTREAM and Nico Nico Accounts
NOTE: for Nico ,you must create an account ,for USTREAM no account is needed "Koko☆natsu" special program with Momoclo
Broadcast Information
27/JULY open18:30 start19:00(Japan time) USTREAM Momorio Clover USTREAM
Clover had to leave the broadcast and currently their staff is continuing to preview not only the single, but different mixes of the song that feature the individual members.
As for the single that Clover previewed, it just maybe one of the best Idol songs to come out in sometime, that does not have a name with the number 48 attached to it.
It`s an easy song to get into and the member mixes that the staff is playing is just as good.
Right now we are unable to see the PV ,however Clover did a little of the dance and it`s going to be a great video from the sound of their excitement and how much the staff keeps saying laughing and the excitement they are expressing in the live broadcast.
Momoiro Clover will be joining several other groups from Maid Café Idols to traditional Idol units in the Tokyo Idol Festival on August 7-8 at Yoshimoto Prince Theater @ All Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
Idols that we are currently covering scheduled to appear are
Clover, Idoling!!! , Tokyo Girls` Style
Maid Café Idol unit Afilia Saga East are also scheduled to appear
By the way, I decided to include Afilia Saga East in the video portion of this update because any Idol group with members named Kurumi Lala Milk, Kohime Lit Pucci, Yukafin Doll and Rose Gardenfairy, to name a few needs to be mentioned, lol.
F.Y.I. They are members of a magic school themed Maid Café franchise, which is why the cast [as they are called] in every café has these anime type names.
In addition, they have singles that they release and live events, just like any other Idol unit. There are a number of these Idol units and they are generally centered in Akihabara and are supported by Wota and Anime Otaku in Akihabara and other cities with café franchises.
July 10 Update Super Girls has been added along with three other units making a total of 12 groups Updated Lineup
July 18 Update
The festival lineup now features 28 Idol groups .If you are expecting to see the likes of Hello! Project or the various units named 48, you can wash that idea away. Akiba and other Independent Idols dominate this festival.
The largest Idols to date at the festival are Idoling!!! , Super*Girls, Tokyo Girls` Style, Momoiro Clover.
If your open to experience a different type of Idol group ,that may never get the media attention that say an AKB48 or Morning Musume get ,then these idols are worth checking out. As I have said before, there as far more Idols in Japan, then the ones that work for H!P or have 48 attached to their names. Each are as hard working and have dedicated fan bases as the major powers, the only difference is the size of the companies they work for.
You can reach their home pages by clicking the pink bar in their profiles.
