Happiness: Friends PV

Happiness: Friends PV

Yesterday, I showed a short preview for Happiness upcoming single, “Friends“, today, I have the full version of the PV!

“Friends“, picks up from the point of their debut single , with strong dance performances that are not often seen from the more cutesy JPop releases that come from teen groups.

With stylish shots and group choreography, Happiness is developing into a very strong group under the guidance of Exile and looks set to set themselves apart from other groups in the years to come.

“Friends“, will be released on April 27th.





Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MGIA8T90

Kikkawa Yuu: Pre-debut Live.

Kikkawa Yuu: Pre-debut Live.

Kikkawa Yuu held a special “pre-debut” event at Shibuya Tower Records on April 3. This live tour was originally scheduled to send the Tohoku native to Nagoya, Osaka, and Sendai; however, with the March 11 "Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake", Sendai has been removed from the schedule.

A gathering of 500 fans showed up at   Shibuya Tower Records to support Yuu. Kikkawa performed her debut song, “Kikkake wa YOU!”, as well as all the B-sides from her first single as well as giving a short speech and setting up a donation box.

Yuu`s speech

“I’m so happy that I, Kikkawa Yuu, can sing in front of you all,” the Tohoku native said humbly to the crowd before her. “This time, it pains my heart to think that there are people who were affected by the earthquake and couldn’t come to this event even if they wanted to. But even though it’s something small, I can say with confidence that I want to go on singing so that I can have a chance to make everyone even just a bit more energetic by singing, and so that I can send my energy to the victims of the disaster.”

Up-Front Group Talents To Hold Charity Event

Up-Front Group Talents To Hold Charity Event

Up-Front Group and it`s stable of talent is going to hold a charity event on April 9 in Yokohama.

The event is called “Tohoku Earthquake Relief ‘Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu’ ~From Yokohama with love~”, and will be held at Yokohama’s Yamashita Park, which suffered damage during the massive Kanto earthquake of 1923.

The event will feature both Hello!Project and non-Hello!Project artists involved and at the end of the live stage ,everyone will perform KAN’s classic hit “Ai wa Katsu”. The song will also go on sale the same day as a  Recochoku .

Immediately following the event, the Up-Front artists will split up into two groups and take to the streets of Yokohama to collect donations at two selected locations . All revenues from both the single and the charity drive will be given  to the Japanese Red Cross Society in order to provide relief for those affected by the  earthquake and tsunami.

Morning Musume: Sayu, Mitsui, Riho Visit PON!

Sayu, Mitsui, Riho Visit PON!
Morning Musume members Michishige Sayumi, Mitsui Aika, and Sayashi Riho made a visit to the popular television show PON! To promote their new single “Maji desu ka Ska“which is on sale as I write this.

As part of the visit, the members talked about their childhood and pre-Morning Musume day's .During this segment Riho informed viewers that her last name is one of the rarest names in Japan, with only 12 registered families of which she is related to half of them. Riho is also related to professional baseball player Sayashi Tomoya. Riho also mentioned her goal was to meet all the registered Sayashi families.

The Sayashi family name for those who are wondering comes from a family of katana scabbard makers who lived near Himeji Castle.

Sayu talked about her athletic skills at age nine , her being on the “Most Hated" idol ranking, and Mitsui shares a dog story.

It sure feels strange to have members in Morning Musume like Riho who were not yet born, when their first single was released.



Download
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ENDG4AVN

JPOP CMs : Happiness ,S/mileage

JPOP CMs : Happiness ,S/mileage

Happiness

The group that some call the female version of Exile is back with a new single on April 27 , called “Friends”

S/Mileage :“Koi ni Booing Boo“

Someone in H!P is either a genius or a madman , we have cute young idols wearing pig ears and noses ,animated pigs ,pastel colors and a overload of cuteness .

Happiness



S/mileage

Majisuka Gakuen 2” CM

Majisuka Gakuen 2” CM

The highly waited for Majisuka Gakuen 2” drama will start airing on April 15.
And just like in season one, it`s the rule of the gangs ,this time Maeda leads the school against all challengers inside and outside the school .Can Maeda hold together what she gained control of in season one.

Johnny’s Groups Draw 389,000 Fans For Charity.

Johnny’s Groups Draw 389,000 Fans For Charity.

Johnny’s recently completed a three day fund-raising event at Tokyo’s Yoyogi National Stadium .Every Johnny’s member  took part in the three day event with SMAP, TOKIO, Arashi, KAT-TUN, NEWS, and Kanjani8 leading the event .

As the event ended SMAP’s Kimura Takuya thanked fans, saying, “Thank you to all of you for lending us your help, two days ago, yesterday, and today.”

Johnny’s Marching J will continue for as long as needed with various events planned across the country.  Johnny’s is also donating their heavy lift concert trucks to transport goods to the earthquake victims.

No word how much money or goods were collected from 389,000 fans that came to the event.

Yaotome Hikaru: Earthquake And Family

Yaotome Hikaru: Earthquake And Family

Hey! Say! JUMP member Yaotome Hikaru is currently attending Johnny’s “Marching J” earthquake relief events and for him this relief event is very personal.

Yaotome`s family is currently living in evacuation shelters, company workplace and communications are difficult right now.

Hikaru said that the apartment, where his older brother and wife live in Tagajo-shi was damaged by tsunami and earthquake. The first floor was flooded and they lost their gas and water.  As a result, his sister-in-law is taking refuge in his parent’s house along with her child, while his brother is residing in a company house. Hikaru admitted that he was very concerned with not only his family but for his 4-year old niece and 6-year old nephew. He also admitted that he has not been able to talk to any of his friends from his hometown Miyagi Prefecture.

So keep his family in your thoughts.

Morning Musume Earthquake Relief Campaign

Morning Musume Earthquake Relief Campaign

Today marks the start of first Morning Musume tour with the 9th generation .What started out as a welcoming celebration for the 9th gen members on March 11 turned into the “Great Tohoku Earthquake” relief drive. Like all artists large and small Morning Musume are doing their part to bring comfort to the shattered lives.

Leader Takahashi Ai wrote on her blog a message with details of the most recent thing that the group is undertaking. After giving personal donations, the members are organizing a fundraising campaign.

Written April 2, 2011 by Ai:  

“We, Morning Musume, will begin our spring tour on 4/3 at Oomiya Sonic City.

Right now, everyone is focusing on helping the victims and restoration from the “Great Tohoku Earthquake”.

We, Morning Musume, have also been thinking about what we can do to help even just the littlest bit.

After a discussion with the members, we have decided to hold fundraising activities in the lobby of the venue for as long as time allows.

We would be so grateful to everyone who contributes even a little bit at tomorrow’s venue whether you are coming or going.

Thank you.”

SKE48 New TV show - "Itte Koi 48"

Taking advantage of their first Oricon no. 1 hit single "Banzai Venus", SKE48 is wasting no time to ride the momentum as they have a new regular TV show "ItteKoi48", which begins airing  1st May 2011 on TV Kanagawa (TVK), every Sunday from 11:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m..

So rather than limiting themselves in Nagoya, where SKE48 are basing their activities, this show will aid SKE48 to be more recognizable to a wider audience and taking them one step closer to becoming major national idols.

The 30-minute weekly show limited to only SKE48 members, will be hosted by comedians Arino Shinya(Yoiko) and Kuro-chan (Yasuda Dai Circus) whom are both well reputated in the showbiz as a expert on idols. I am not sure about Kuro-chan but I do know that Arino has been regularly invited to TV talk shows that discusses idol topics or is idol-related.

This is significant because apparently this show is not your regular AKB studio variety show with comedic games and outdoor shootings, but rather a documentary style reality show. ItteKoi48 aims to showcase a different and natural side of the girls' personality, as opposed to what we normally see when they perform on stage in their concerts.

The SKE48 members will need to depend on every ounce of their own abilities and on the critiques and advises of the two hosts to make this show work. The members will take part in the show in rotation, starting with Kizaki Yuria & Kinoshita Yukiko(Team S), Matsumoto Rina & Goto Risako (Team K II) and Isohara Kyoka (Team E).

Sounds like a show that has a more serious undertone, but is interesting nonetheless. Perhaps in time, they will get a golden hour timeslot like AKB48 did, if this show becomes a hit.

Kuro-chan (Yasuda Dai Circus)

Arino Shinya (Yoiko)

EDIT: Minor addition of the show format