Idol News #1: Mano Erina & TGS

Idol News will be a new installment where I just list the recent idol news (single announcements, song previews, single sales etc) It's like Gaki's Idol Round Up for indie idols, except it's for more non indie idols (PASSPO☆, Tokyo Girls' Style, i☆RiS, etc,)

Previews for some songs off of Tokyo Girls' Style 3rd album, Yakusoku have been released on YouTube. Futarikiri is a catchy upbeat song, Suki to Sayonara is more slow and has an interesting instrumental, and Yakusoku is very interesting, and unique. All of the songs make me really excited for the album. Release date is January 30.

Futarikiri
 

Tsuki to Sayonara


Yakusoku

Covers

Also, Mano Erina has released the track list for her last album, Best Friends. Best Friends is a best of album that features many old favorites, plus a new songs. The covers are simple, and Mano looks mature.

Track list
1.NEXT MY SELF
2.Zenbu Daisuki (new)
3.Tasogare Kousen
4.Love&Peace=Paradise
5.Kono Mune no Tokimeki wo
6.Onegai Dakara...
7.Genkimono de Ikou!
8.Hajimete no Keiken
9.Minna, Arigato (new)
10.Otome no Inori
11.Seishun no Serenade
12.Song for the DATE
13.Haru no Arashi
14.Sekai wa Summer Party
15.Doki Doki Baby
16.My Days for You
17.Nerima Calling (new)

covers

Also If you didn't see Mano's last single, NEXT MY SELF, here it is

TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE: LolitA☆Strawberry in summer

Quite a while ago, Tokyo Girls' Style released a music video for LolitA☆Strawberry in summer, which is part of their Road to Budokan 2012 single. Bad flower was already released, and can be seen in this post. Discord, the b-side hasn't been released yet.

When I saw that the MV to this was finally revealed, I got so excited! I love SweetS. And I like that TGS is covering some SweetS songs. But I don't like the 3D animations that much, at least the ones that vocaloids often use. The dance moves always look so stiff and awkward. And because it's computer generated, the moves look way too perfect and synchronized. I'm glad their trying something new, but I just don't like the MV. This could have been a great MV, with the nice background and all. I hope that there's a version with the real members in it. Other than that, the song is awesome. I like the original version by SweetS, and it took a little warming up, but TGS's version is good too. It's somehow powerful sounding. I can't wait to hear what discord sounds like.

Live Version

TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE : Bad Flower

TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE is a group that I don`t listen to often ,simply because there are so many idol units and my interests are mostly around underground/Independent Idol groups .However some promo teases got me curious with this release and I am glad that I took the time to focus on TGS .

“Bad Flower” is one of the best if not the best release in my opinion they have released in their young career.

I especially liked the dark atmosphere as it reminded me of the atmosphere of an idol project that I am working on away from Pure Idol Heart ,and not to mention other idol groups that have danced into this dark atmosphere.

Their staff and the group did a perfect job in capturing the atmosphere and as a group the ladies vocals and performances continue to improve with each outing they have.


東京女子流＊[PV] Bad Flower【SSTVplus】 by f100003118117006

PIH Live House : TIF 2012 Special

This live house presentation is a Tokyo Idol Festival 2012 special with lives from the two-day festival.

Dorothy Little Happy [From Hot Stage]





The Smile Garden stage is one of the first events that you go to at the festival

Cheeky Parade



t.c.princess



Multi Act Jamboree







Another Stage that you attend is the Sky Stage

Tochiotome 25


Unless they get deleted ,i plan to bring you footage of the other stages that you experience at Tokyo Idol Festival. TIF is a two-day 50 mostly independent ,small major idol group’s festival ,which is semi hosted by Idoling!!!

Tokyo Girls' Style [Tsuioku] Short PV

Tokyo Girls' Style are back with their 10th single Tsuioku/ Taisetsu na Kotoba. This time, the girls' present us with something different for their 10th single: A ballad. With the girls' hugging and holding hands, it looks, not like fan service, but a heartwarming story about love between friends. It's a ballad, and will take some warming up to, but give it a chance!

Tokyo Girls Style' Rock You!

 The full preview for Tokyo Girls' Style 9th single Rock you! / Onnaji Kimochi -YMCK REMIX was uploaded on avex track channel a few days ago. I love the grayish tint that the PV has to it. It's simple, fun, and the girls look fierce and tough sporting simple military themed outfits.This is hands down, one of Tokyo Girls' Style best singles. TGS has been flawless, releasing good single after good single consistently.

TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE: Love Like Candy Floss PV

TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE: Love Like Candy Floss PV
The little darlings of Avex are back with another release, this time TGS is covering former AVEX group SweetS 2004 single "Love Like Candy Floss ".

This single is really a little more mature for this aged group, however the new modern feel of the song and the video shoot make up for that problem.

The PV tells a cute story and has a nice ending.

This is one single that TGS may end up both winning and loosing at the same time . SweetS still has a loyal fan base, even after no longer being a unit; and this video is meeting some resistance from SweetS fans.

Anytime you do a cover track, it`s often a win-loose situation for the artist as every little thing will be judge by the original.


Overall, it is a very nice video and single remake.




To be fair to both groups
The original done by SweetS

Tokyo Girls` Style: 5th Single A SweetS Cover Song.

Tokyo Girls` Style: 5th Single A SweetS Cover Song.

[News Catch Up]

[This came out a few days ago and completely slipped my mind to report with everything else going on]

On February 9, TGS will release their fifth single; it will be a remake of SweetS “Love like candy floss.” This is a very special song to TGS as it was their pre debut practice song and has been used in their live stages since their debut. SweetS by the way was also an Avex group ,which is one reason , the song is open for them to cover and TGS ,seem to be following in their seniors footsteps as role models.

The single will come in four versions DVD first press limited edition type A, DVD first press limited edition type B, CD+DVD type C, and a CD regular type D.

Type A will feature a DVD with documentary footage and live performances, type B will come with a 30 minute short called “Otekake Maybe” , type C will come with the title track’s music video and making of feature.

TGS`s updated version.



SweetS version w/ Japanese & English Subs

Tokyo Girls` Style: Idol Life Is Hard Work.

This is just a video from TGS USTREAM archive of them working at A-Nation 10 ,moving from one event to another without any breaks .Like all idol groups ,they simply move around on the orders of their managers  ,with only minutes to review what they are doing.

Funny thing with the way one of their managers is dressed, she looks not much older then TGS.
Idol life is hard and the more popular you are the more demands are placed on you.

In Morning Musume`s peak they often spoke of sleeping only three hours a day and getting 5 days off a year . On AKBINGO! you can see that the members of AKB48 are lacking sleep.

It`s the little things that both Major and Indie idols do that go unnoticed by media that often lead to added popularity  .TGS  while not a featured artist in AVEX  is working hard on the little things to make a name for themselves , one fan at a time.

TGS takes all this in with the carefree youths that they are and at times show, they are still children in a highly competitive industry dominated by idols much their senior.

Even if your not a big fan of TGS  ,this  journey  into the lives of TGS is entertaining and they never  see a camera they don't want to entertain in front of.



To see more of TGS at A-Nation and at other events .
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tokyogirlsstyle

TGS Next USTREAM Lives
LIVE*013 event – September 23rd at 1PM

LIVE*014 event – September 23rd at 4PM

Tokyo Idol Festival Broadcast

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.

To review
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2010/07/tokyo-idol-festival.html

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

Tokyo Idol Festival

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.








Group Home Page
Afilia Café


Current list of groups scheduled to appear can be seen here.
Current Line Up
 TIF 2010

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.

Updated Line Up

Tokyo Girls’ Style 3rd Single PV

TGS has a new single   Ganbatte Itsu Datte Shinjiteru [I always believe in luck] scheduled for release on July 21.  For a group that is young as they are, they have wonderful voices; however, they are slow out of the gates in terms of sales. This is likely AVEX one mistake with this unit so far as they released them without any Independent build up and instead are having them build a fan base off of each single.

While AVEX is letting the group build a fan base off each single, they are not wasting anytime, as this is their third single since May 5.  With no real fan base prior to their first release to support the group, I would not be surprised if AVEX releases a new single for them, every other month for the rest of this year

On related news

On April 29, 2010, the group was the opening act for label-mate AAA's AAA Heart to Heart Tour 2010 tour stop. More events like that and TGS will not have to worry about building a fan base.