September 30, 2009

Morning Musume 'Kimagure Princess' artist photos

New Morning Musume artists photos have been put up on the official Hello!Project website for their next single 'Kimagure Princess.'

These will probably be the last to feature Kusumi Koharu.














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Yeah, a bit slow today -___-" everyone else has already posted these up.
But I can't say I'm too fond of these outfits, especially since their costumes for the last two singles have been really nice...

And why does Morning Musume get new artist photos for a single that hasn't even come out yet, and Buono! is still stuck with their photos from MY BOY, which was two singles ago.
Yeah, yeah... Morning Musume is getting popular again... >.> but Buono!

Oh, has anyone else noticed how Niigaki has chosen a lot of outfits that are more covered up lately? Girls with body image problems tend to opt for baggy figure-hiding outfits. Is it a sign!? This plus her recent severe weight-loss.... o.o


B.A

September 28, 2009

Banana Image Collection Corner: Hello!Project DVD Magazine vol.19

Yaaayyy! A new section!!



Today, while avoiding homework and or procrastinating (as usual), I decided to start collecting Hello!Project images! But not just any images... The ones that come in sets!! You know, like when they're all doing something together, later (or before... i don't know) they'll take individual shots, but all with the same backgrounds and lighting etc.

ANYWAY! I thought I'd start this new 'Banana Image Collection Corner' and share all the pictures I've gathered! YAY!

So, for the first ever Image Collection, the theme is... *drum roll*
Hello!Project DVD Magazine vol.19 ~Champuru Talk!~

Tanpopo# : タンポポ#


Pucchimoni V : プッチモニV


Shin Minimoni : ミニモニ。


High-King : ハイ・キング


Aa! : あぁ!


ZYX-α : ZYX-α

(I was wondering, when this group was announced, why they'd put 8 people in it when originally there was only 6... And now I know! D: Ume-san and Koharu!!)

Zoku v-u-den : 続・美勇伝


These pictures were the ones that inspired me to make this section. The backgrounds are so colourful, and all their outfits are just as colourful! Each sub-unit has matching outfits too! They're really nice pictures!

There's also these pair pictures from each segment of the DVD magazine, although I'm still missing some =\
I'll be sure to put them here if I do find them though!

Takahashi Ai (高橋愛) & Miyamoto Karin (宮本佳林)


Sugaya Risako (菅谷梨沙子) & Hagiwara Mai (萩原舞)


Niigaki Risa (新垣里沙) & Fukuda Kanon (福田花音)

(ZOMG! Niigaki's hand is SOOO boney!! DX Eat something!!)

Junjun (ジュンジュン) & Tokunaga Chinami (徳永千奈美)


Kumai Yurina (熊井友理奈) & Takeuchi Akari (竹内朱莉)


Suudou Maasa (須藤茉麻) & Umeda Erika (梅田えりか)


Tanaka Reina (田中れいな) & Nakajima Saki (中島早貴)


Linlin (リンリン) & Okai Chisato (岡井千聖)


Shimizu Saki (清水佐紀) & Saho Akari (佐保明梨)

Kusumi Koharu (久住小春) & Wada Ayaka (和田彩花)


Mitsui Aika (光井愛佳) & Natsuyaki Miyabi (夏焼雅)

Yajima Maimi (矢島舞美) & Ogawa Saki (小川紗季)

Kamei Eri (亀井絵里) & Mano Erina (真野恵里菜)


Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ) & Tsugunaga Momoko (嗣永桃子)


Suzuki Airi (鈴木愛理) & Maeda Yuuka (前田憂佳)



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I hope you like this new section and continue following us at Hello!Banana :D


B.A

September 25, 2009

Banana Translation: ºC-ute 'Kindai' Magazine

These are the latest ºC-ute's magazine appearance =D (Nov 2009)




Yajima Maimi, Umeda Erika, Suzuki Airi,
Nakajima Saki, Okai Chisato, Hagiwara Mai

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Their newest single would be their 10th single, and it'll be the last single within these current members.

Airi: While having our recordings, my impression to this song is that it's a very forward-looking, refreshing ºC-ute song.
Nakky: Usually, we sing by the impression of the lyrics and the rhythm, and changing a bit on how we sing for expressions, but this time, I just sang without thinking any of that. Having in mind that this will be the last time singing with Erika, for some reason, the lyrics seems as if it's a message song for us from Erika.
Ume-san: The part where we sing, "Even when we get lost, and even days that you forget something", we gather up and stand in a line and grab each others' shoulders, and I can just feel this warm, happy feeling inside me to the fact that I got to be part of them.

Exactly. The highlight of this PV is there. When you guys first started out, you guys had this awkward hight difference, but now, it got so smooth. For some reason, looking at that smooth lineups, it just kills me.

Maimai: Right now, I'm really feeling and thinking about those words in this song. On our last concert live, I think I will be able to sing each every single song by thinking about the lyrics and expressing them. I'm definitely going to cry when we sing this song!

When they first met up as a group, you guys sung all these love songs and had to act mature to fit in with the song, and it looked very cute, but by listening to the coupling song, "Amai Wana", you guys really have it.

Chissa: Most of the ºC-ute's singles are love songs, and it was fun to imagine those situations and express it, but at the same time it was hard to understand the real meanings to something that we haven't experienced yet. But because we've been training our minds, for "Amai Wana", I just thought, "okay, this main character must be a mature lady" and sung respectively.

Being one of a grown lady, and as an adult, and being able to understand the feelings of a character. You guys really grown up *sob*

Maimi: ºC-ute has really grown into a group where we're able to sing all sorts of songs types. "Amai Wana" is so ROCK, and so mature, and something we've never had before, but from the first time I've heard this song, it just clicked. I hope we could keep growing like the character in the song grows up.

From the member whose about to jump into her new dreams from the 25th of October, Final Tour, Umeda Erika, we would like to hear some words from you.

Ume-san: Ever since I've dreamed to be a singer from Grade 3, I went to singing schools, and here I am now, and I know I wouldn't be here right now doing these things without you guys out there and I really appreciate it. Thank you. Even from now on, I will not forget how grateful I am, and I will try my best in my future. Thank you very much.


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Hagiwara Mai

- Looking back 4 years ago and comparing it to now...
I think everyone has changed. Everyone sees themselves as a pro, and comparing our live videos, it's so different. Back then, everything was too much, but now, I think we are more relaxed on everything we do. (We look more mature too, don't we?) There are a lot of people who says that too. lol Because I thought I was not going to grow much in height. So I drunk 2 glasses of milk everyday. And so..... I'm so glad I passed Nacchan (Nakajima)! lol

- What are the highlights of the new song, "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!"?
It makes you really happy, and the dances look very cool, such a nice song. I feel the same way where we sing, "We just have to work a little bit harder than that guy". I hope everyone has some lines where they can feel the same way.

- Any words to Umeda Erika who will be graduating soon?
Erika-chan, you are like my sister, and so there are a lot of things I've learned from you. Fashion of course, and because you've lived longer than me and has more experience in life. lol There are still a lot of things that I want to learn from you, Erika-chan, but I know you have a dream to become a model, so I want to support you. And don't forget about ºC-ute okay? And sometimes please teach me more about fashion.

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Okai Chisato

- Looking back 4 years ago and comparing it to now...
To be very honest, when I was younger, I didn't really care about how I looked. I didn't care about my hairstyles. lol In the morning, I could have gone to school without doing my hair, but now, I iron my hair every morning. So I think I have changed in that way. (I'm more girly now?) Maybe? Sometimes, I feel like, "I don't care anymore!" but yea.. lol
Oh yea, and back then I was always so full on learning all the time, but now, I have time to think in my mind in terms of how we sing, facial expressions and dances.

- What are the highlights of the new song, "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!"?
This new song, we have a lot of unisons, like we dance the same move, sing the same line. I would like everyone to listen carefully to the unisons, and want them to see our cool ºC-ute dance moves.

- Any words to Umeda Erika who will be graduating soon?
Erika-chan, you are such an important in my life along with my family. So seeing you off is so sad, and it's such a big change, but I would like to do my best as a 5 member ºC-ute, and want you to keep being proud of us. I hope we all could power up, and somehow work together again in the future.


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Suzuki Airi

- Looking back 4 years ago and comparing it to now...
I think my voice gone deeper. I used to have such a thin voice, and i used to hate it, and wanted to have a stronger, deeper voice. So I thought about all sorts of ways to change it. And I think I have been successful... The way I act towards singing has changed too. Like, I's been recommended to listen to English songs, so I've been listening to it.
Oh, and my looks has changed too. I went from primary school to middle school, so it's normal. But my height isn't that much different. lol

- What are the highlights of the new song, "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!"?
On the First Limited Edition DVD, there are clips of us making 'Tako-yaki', and 'Okonomi-yaki'. I think we've showed how we are as ºC-ute on that scene well, so I would like everyone to watch it too.

- Any words to Umeda Erika who will be graduating soon?
Erika-chan, I have spent most of the time with you as a ºC-ute member, and even in the HelloProKids member, so we know so much about each other, and we got to talk about a lot of things together. You are older than me, but you are so fun and kind. When you say, "that clothes that you are wearing now is cute", I can wear those clothes with pride. Let's make a lot of fun memories together until your graduation. Oh, and don't forget that you were supposed to take me to Yokohama, okay?

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Nakajima Saki

- Looking back 4 years ago and comparing it to now...
I used to be one of those people who need to get to know about a person before I can open up, and didn't talk much. On the day of our Kids Audition, I was just sitting all by my self in the waiting room. And so, Mai-chan? or was it Chisato? came and sat next to me for comfort, but I dragged my seat away. So they came closer, and I stayed away, and back and forth. lol But now, everyone says I have changed, and that I am so open and talks a lot.
Oh, and I was not good at facial expressions. All the PVs I had, I put on a smile. But now, I can change my expressions according to what the song is like.

- What are the highlights of the new song, "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!"?
For this new song's PV, we danced on the building top using cranes and everything. And even I think it's soo cool. PV is a must-watch.

- Any words to Umeda Erika who will be graduating soon?
Erika-chan, you were like my ideal sister. You knew your fashion, your dance moves and your poses when taking photos. But between us, you made us laugh a lot. Even if you become a model, please stay as you are now.

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Yajima Maimi

- Looking back 4 years ago and comparing it to now...
I used to be really slim, and everyone used to say, "are you eating okay?". I used to really hate my eating time. If I had time to eat, I wanted to play more. But now, I love my eating time, and I'm getting more fit. lol When I was in ZYX, they told us to make a "cool" facial expression, but I didn't know how. Back then, I thought "Cool-expression" meant "Serious-look"... lol

- What are the highlights of the new song, "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!"?
Our new song is such a happy, refreshing song. Our PV really fits well. I would like everyone to watch it.

- Any words to Umeda Erika who will be graduating soon?
When I first heard about Erika graduating, I emailed her because I was so worried. And so, Eri replied, "If our members said something really stubborn, you can just say what you need to say firmly. It's not going to tear us apart" and I thought, she really understands us.
Even when you graduate, Eri, ºC-ute will continue do our best, and I knew you wanted to be a model for a long time, so I want to support you. When your magazines are out someday, I will definitely buy them, so please do your best.

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Umeda Erika

- Looking back 4 years ago and comparing it to now...
Back then, I was never calm. Even now, I'm still like that, but back then, it was non-stoppable. During concert MCs, I used to laugh out loud, and talked a lot. lol It was almost like I was like the only one there. lol But after 4 years, I can read the atmosphere, and tell when I'm about to talk, and when I'm about to nod.

- What are the highlights of the new song, "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!"?
The highlights are the lyrics. Maybe because it fits me perfectly right now, but the lyrics tells you to challenge yourself and keep looking-forward. From this song, I thought even if I graduate, I'd do my best, and gave me strength and power. So I would like everyone to listen to "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou", and feel the same way too.

- Any words to Umeda Erika who will be graduating soon?
To Maimi: We were the same age, and so we got to know each other a lot. When I graduate, you'll have to do all the leading now, but if you need help, I will be willing to help you anytime.

To Nakky: You, Nakky, sometimes can be weak, but tries to act strong. But I know you are so reliable and strong, so I am not so worried. You have the power to pull everyone together, so I hope you will be able to support Maimi. I have faith in you.

To Airi: You have such a love-able personality, so I want you to stay as you are. Don't let anybody boss you around, and please don't loose yourself and stay strong.

To Chisato: Chisato really cares about members - like when somebody's sick, she goes straight to our staffs and asks for medicine and stuff. And on the other hand, she is a mood-maker and makes everyone laugh. Please stay the same and do your best.

To Mai-chan: Mai-chan can be so spoiled like what the young ones are meant to be, but there is something inside her telling to grow up so quickly. If you are worrying about something, don't forget that you can rely on other members of the group. They are like your sisters.

To the Fans: All the support I had from you has really helped me a lot. I believe that I'm able to stand here because of you guys. I will not forget that you are always there, and I will do my best for my coming future. Thank you very much.

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Ume-sa~~~n! T-T I'm gonna totally miss her!


B.B

Berryz Koubou upcoming DVDs!



Berryz Koubou have announced a new Single V clips collection DVD!
This will be their forth one, and is said to
Include the original PVs of:
• Jingisukan
• Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance
• MADAYADE
• Dakishimete Dakishimete
• Seishun Bus Guide
• Rival
• Watashi no Mirai no Danna-sama
• Ryuusei Boy

Plus the Dance-shot PVs of:
• Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance (Dance Shot ver.)
• MADAYADE (Dance Shoto ver.)
• Dakishimete Dakishimete (Dance Shot ver.)
• Seishun Bus Guide (Dance Shot ver.)

The Close-up PVs of:
• Jingisukan (Close-up ver.)
• Rival (Close-up ver.)

With additional bonus clips from:
• Watashi no Mirai no Danna-sama (Another ver.)
• Ryuusei Boy (Another ver.)
• Watashi no Mirai no Danna-sama (Making-of)


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Sugaya Risako is also to release her first Solo DVD!

It will be released on 2 December, however the title of the DVD is unknown.
This also eludes to the idea that she will be getting a 4th photobook! But I'll update again when the news is official :D


B.A