A sort of return.

Whilst I reading over old posts from 2009 and 2010 I was struck by a few completely self-serving and simultaneously illuminating thoughts: 1. During my time blogging I felt consistently inadequate. No word or phrase ever entirely details what I'm trying to convey. I hate the process of writing for this very reason. 2. What I might have remembered as mediocre entries (to say the least) in terms of this blog were actually quite amusing to me in retrospect and not at all poorly written. 3. My life has changed tremendously since the conception of this blog, but I wouldn't necessarily say it was for the worse. I see my current self in many of my former entries and despite the differences in my current outlook, I actually LIKE the girl who started this blog as much as I like the woman I am today.

I still have much to say on the subjects of Japanese pop music, feminism, figure skating and moon-speak so I'll try to make a more conscious effort to update. I'm unsure as to who, if anyone, still comes through this nonsense from time to time, but if for nothing else, I can write for myself and in the future smile as I re-read my entries.

My AKB48 Top Five!

As evidenced by my recent post fangirling over their latest kick-ass B side, AKB48 is probably my number one J-Pop group at the moment. I don't know the name of every girl in every stage yet (here's a hint: there are at least 48), and I don't know how I feel about the show choir aspects of watching stages (if I did it would be Stage K, fyi), but the singles have been, as of late, way better than the tired shit Hello! Project is regurgitating. Also, wow, these girls are exceptionally fun and cute! So without further ado or parenthesis: かわいい!!!

5. Erena Ono

Why? Her presence. Could be her smooshy little lolibait face, could be the fact she makes you feel like a complete pedophile for admiring her dancing, but when I watch an AKB48 video I always am drawn to whatever Erena's not doing.

4. Minami Minegishi

Why? She's the stellar superstar dancer of AKB48! And despite looking about all of 15 years old, in a recent interview with the other members they named her "charm points" as being rebellious and thighs. Ahem.

3. Sae Miyazawa

Why? This is a picture of Sae after her parents were killed and her house was burned to the ground. Maybe. I don't know what must happen in her life, but she is so goddamn happy that I want to bottle her essence and use it in place of my Lithium.

2. Sayaka Akimoto

Why? Because I think that her and I could spend the rest of our lives together in a little house near a lake with two cats in the yard and Erena Ono as our adoptive daughter and we would be so happy with this arrangement that gay marriage would be legalized just by the evidence of our happiness. Also, she's the best singer in AKB48 (imho, haters).

1. Tomomi Kasai

Why? I've read that her "droopy eyes" always make her look "emo". I've read that her voice is so high and annoying it can set off car alarms. I've read that she may or may not be able to read and her ability to divide two digit numbers might be lacking. However, she is my number one. I love that she loves her cat "Naa-chan". I love that she seems sort of demented and insane in a lovable, darling way. I think she's a fine dancer, singer and presence. Mostly I think her "droopy eyes" make me fixate on the kind of physical discrepancies (for lack of a better phrase)that I find absolutely delicious. That's right. She beat out Sayaka for having droopy eyes. And goodnight.

Hello Project Ranking 2010 Groups

Rika Ishikawa's Ipod

This picture was totally posted on her blog the other day when she was showing off her decoden (phone decorating) skills. While she's pretty good at sparkles, what caught my eye is what she was listening to when she took the picture.



If you're old and can't read the screen it says RADIOHEAD - IDIOTEQUE

Turns out Yossy's dream girl and I have something in common.

Asian "Urban" Pop You Should Listen To.

Despite evidence (my blog) to the contrary, there is actually non bubblegum or ballad Asian pop in existence. While there is quite a bit of pretty laughable A-HipHop/Rap out there, there are a few gems in the interpretation of "urban music" (a term I sort of deplore, but can't find a replacement for) in Asian culture. Taiwan and S. Korea do an especially good job of coming out with fresh rhythms and decent concepts.

The elements are all similar to late 80s/early 90s Western pop/hip hop really. Typically you have a female soloist for the refrain, a male lead, the subject matter is ultimately pretty light, and the style of the PV is a bit like the opening of Fresh Prince, with some exceptions of course. Here are a few of my favorites, that to me at least, demonstrate that while there may not be a terrible amount of substance behind most J/C or K Hip Hop, the creativity level is still far surpassing a lot of Western Top 40 hits.

J-Urban:

Heartsdales feat. Soul'd Out: Candy Pop!



So'fly!: LAST SUMMER



K-Urban:

E.via: Hey! (E.via is banned from Korean radio due to her inclination to rap about fucking, so enjoy it here!)



F{x}: Chocolate Love (electro pop vers.) (I know f{x} isn't technically k-urban, but I have to love on Amber, for being the cutest androgynous Korean rapper I've ever seen)



T-Urban:

Elva Hsiao: Biao Bai



Free Style: Y (Please Tell Me Why)

AKB48 - Majisuka Rock'n Roll (PV)

AKB48's single "Majisuka Rock'n Roll" screen captures and my thoughts, because this is my new favorite PV!

The story starts with Acchan who I won't bother to screencap here, because I find her so offensively dull, as a little Willow like nerd attending some bad-ass yakuza high school where everyone looks ridiculously hot.

First up:
I will call this "bad girl" look the "ethereal bad girl who has a name like Heaven or Misty or something who makes you feel sexually confused by in middle school". Tomo is working her shit out here. Look at that stare. Haruna on the left and whoever on the right seem to be working their Garland swag as well.

I couldn't forget about my lovely Sayaka on the left working my favorite high school bad girl look: "I'm sullen and I don't want to be here". The pout asks for a pony, but the hair asks only for a healthy amount of conditioner.

I hate to say that Yuko is clearly going for the sexy-dyke bad girl look in this PV, but check out that eighties curl and contemptuous smirk. She's totally drawing me in. I also dig her spaced teeth and the way she looks like she's about to kick someone in the balls.

I wish there had been kabuki bad girls in my high school. That's it, really.


This scene is clearly the most awesome scene on the PV. Badass goth loli girls. A personal favorite. There's actually quite a lot of fighting in this PV. Goth loli's come in by smiling sadistically, then kicking over another girl who sprawls over the classroom floor. Cinematic win!

The final fight with Acchan. I love Mariko in the hideous fur coat. I wanted to get a decent cap of her closeup this PV, but when her mouth is open it really ruins the effect.

SULLEN LOVE ACCHAN. This is the only time I have ever cared for this idol, but when a girl takes off her glasses and stares at me listlessly I suddenly find her very relevant. Unfortunately, this will probably be the only time I find her compelling. Ever.

Hello Project Live!