Archive For September 2009
MorningBerryz Delighted By New C-ute Single
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: C-ute, Hello! Project | Comments (0)
This may be C-ute’s♥ best single♪♪~ yet! ＾ ＾ – Vox.
MB is so pleased with the latest release from C-ute that she even compares its quality to something Johnny’s Entertainment – she even names Arashi – would do! That’s quite a compliment, all things considered.
Personally, I saw Bounceback-era SweetS in the video and heard post-Bounceback SweetS in the music; I guess that first half can be taken as a compliment, at least.
Chemical Pictures Single Available On iTunes Japan
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Chemical Pictures | Comments (0)
So get your iTunes Japan card and buy a copy!
Kimono Edge Boy Has AAA Fourth Anniversary Live Pics
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AAA, avex trax | Comments (0)
Sairo has some interesting photos from the concert, though the last one – like many a AAA group action shot – looks like it’s a mis-step away from being an acrobatic gangbang porn video.
Jappydolls Has Yamasaki Mami
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Yamasaki Mami | Comments (0)
Mami Yamasaki ~ VYJ No.91 [2009.09] | Jappydolls.
This model has a nice, Hiro-esque look to her. Not as glamorous as Hiro, by any means, but still pleasing.
SNSD Shill For LG New Chocolate
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Girls Generation, SM | Comments (0)
So Nyeo Shi Dae does LG New Chocolate « K Bites.
This is an incredible photoshoot for SNSD! Very glamorous and sexy.
Morning Musume Sport Western Look
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Hello! Project, Morning Musume, reverse cowgirl | Comments (0)
The new profile picture of MM looks quite nice, I must admit. Cowboy hats on an H!P idol has always been a good thing, dating back to Sayaka in “Koi no Dance Site” and Kei in “Renai Revolution 21″ and especially Miki in “Go Girl! Koi no Victory”.
That said, what I really want to see with a western theme is Sayumi performing a reverse cowgirl. Yippee yi-oh ki-yay, motherfuckers!
Excellent Morningtime Post
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Hello! Project, Kusumi Koharu, Michishige Sayumi, Morning Musume | Comments (0)
I’m Bored Therefore I’ll Post « Morningtime.
Let’s see… babble babble… lots of fug pics… Oooh, Sayumi looking real hot with her hair done up Princess Leia-style… more pics I don’t care about… and The Koha in a pink skirt, looking like she’s waiting for someone to mount her from behind!
Yeah, this was an excellent blog post.
Child Of Empire Is A New Kpop Boy Band
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Child of Empire | Comments (0)
New 9-member boyband Child Of Empire to take the Kpop world by storm « K Bites.
It’s an interesting name for a band, befitting a historical epic starring Christian Bale and Sylvia Saint. The big question, though, is: how exactly will this boy band self-destruct? Facebook scandal, bar room brawl, plagiarism accusations, and contract disputes are already taken. So I’m guessing one of them will be caught fellating a farm mammal on live television.
Bambi Watanabe. Say It Again: Bambi Watanabe.
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Bambi Watanabe | Comments (0)
Bambi Watanabe ~ Watch PhotogenicWeekend | Jappydolls.
Is it me, or does that sound like the name of a Quentin Tarantino character? The sheer linguistic thrill of the B’s and W combined in such a way is intoxicating! Too bad the model herself isn’t anything special.
Karl Lagerfeld Invited Amuro Namie To Milan, Paris
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Amuro Namie, avex trax, Karl Lagerfeld | Comments (0)
namie news network – 2nd Anniversary: More Namie in Milan fashion week.
There’s no doubt about it now: Namie is a world-class fashion icon if she’s gotten the attention of Lagerfeld. It may be jumping the gun to expect this to lead to greater exposure for her music in the Western world… But if any Japanese artist can break through, I still contend it’d be her or Bennie K.
JYP Meets JaeBum In Seattle
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: 2PM, JYP | Comments (0)
Park Jin Young’s meeting with JaeBum in person in Seattle confirmed « K Bites.
While no one is sure what the two talked about, it’ll make for a great scene when they finally turn this whole, turgid drama into a movie or TV show.
For CK, Clothes Make The Wota At AKB-NYAF
September 30, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, New York Anime Festival | Comments (0)
CK’s Day Out…The New York Anime Festival (Pt. 1 of 2) – Vox.
Dashing and debonair CK gives us his account of the first half of his trip to New York to see AKB48. There’s a good deal of interaction with the idols, who mingled with fans quite generously and took a particular interest in CK’s AKB48/NHK T-shirt. The brilliance of this strategy can be seen in CK’s descriptions of suddenly finding six AKB members chatting with him and his friends in a casual manner. Moments like that are near impossible to come by in the idol world, and yet AKB went out of their way to provide such memories for their fans.
Looking forward to the second half of his account, especially the part where he finishes off a night at Scores with a trip to the cardboard condos under the Midtown Tunnel to score some crack and party with tranny hookers. Because we all know that’s the real tourist appeal of Manhattan, amirite?
Beyond the Sea On The Goto Maki Mini-Album
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: avex trax, Goto Maki | Comments (0)
SWEET BLACK feat. MAKI GOTO – SWEET BLACK « Beyond the Sea ~ The Style. Edition.
Lex makes fun of the cover before moving to the actual songs, finding a good deal of variety for better and worse (the hate for BIGGA RAIJI seems universal). Overall, he’s impressed with the range and finds hope for Gocchin as an Avex artist.
Tomomi-chan Is Wise In The Ways Of Love; Nontii Isn’t
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Kasai Tomomi, Noro Kayo | Comments (0)
Aitakatta! » DISC CHIYUUUUU!!! ehm… AX commentary Disc 2 pt. 1.
Cat continues her wonderful series, this time explaining how much Kasai Tomomi knows about love – or at least love songs – while Noro Kayo is apparently clueless. Methinks Nontii may need a heavy dose of Vitamin F to wise up on the matter. Maybe some time in the SDN48 Champagne Room will fix that.
Radiant Dawn Reviews New Aoyama Thelma Album
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Aoyama Thelma | Comments (0)
Thelma Aoyama – Emotions « Radiant Dawn.
Going track-by-track, Ethan finds this sophomore effort is better than her first album, but that there’s definite room for improvement in future releases.
Sugimoto Yumi Gets A Little Adult
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Sugimoto Yumi | Comments (0)
Yumi Sugimoto ~ A Little Adult II | Jappydolls.
Actually, a little more adult wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.
KAKKO-II.COM On An H!P Dream Team
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Hello! Project, Tokunaga Chinami | Comments (0)
KAKKO-II.COM » Blog Archive » Dream Team a.k.a. H!P Girls Top 10.
Zush waxes poetic on his ten favorite H!P girls. Of Chinami:
What is going on in her head when she has that famous blank face expression?
My guess? She’s singing to herself: “Feeling Seven Up, I’m feeling Seven Up / It’s crisp refreshing feeling / So crystal clear and light / America’s feeling Seven Up / And it just feels right…”
appears Looks At G-Dragon’s Influences
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Big Bang, G Dragon | Comments (0)
Nightmare on amalgam street « appears.
Anna considers the possible influences for the latest PV of the Big Bang member turned solo star. It’s a fun, snarky post with some well-chosen comparisons. Though personally, I’m reminded of the FRANKIE SAY T-shirts more than WHAM’s.
Amuro Namie Tops Public Image Satisfaction Poll
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Amuro Namie, avex trax, Miyazaki Hayao | Comments (0)
namie news network – 2nd Anniversary: Namie tops the public image satisfaction polls.
Choose your own joke:
1) Public Image Satisfaction? Is John Lydon involved with this?
2) So how was the poll conducted? “Excuse me, random member of the public, but are you satisfied with Amuro Namie?” “Why yes, yes I am satisfied with her!”
3) … and apparently, based on the photo, Colonel Sanders came in second place. Even in Japan, he knows how to do chicken right!
Kpop Female Supergroup Announced
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: 4 Minute, After School, Brown Eyed Girls, Kara | Comments (0)
One girl each from Kara, 4 Minute, Brown Eyed Girls, and After School are coming together to form a supergroup and release a single. This sounds real exciting – I mean, imagine if Kashiyuka, Acchan, Tachibana Kana, and Maeda Yuuka all got together to form a new group!
Wings of My Heart Has Seven Days
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, Faye Fang Kaew, Seven Days, Takajo Aki | Comments (0)
Wings of My Heart 3.0 » Seven Days’ “Luv” (Or: Seven Days La-La-La-La-Luv You) .
Juju goes off the beaten path to look at the Thai girlpop group Seven Days, which features a member of Faye Fang Kaew. Beyond Faye of FFK and another girl who looks like an AKB girl, Julia takes issue with the nerd-to-stud makeover scenario of their music video. I have to agree; I mean, if I had idols popping out of my calendar, I’d be too busy waiting with duct tape, candle wax, handcuffs, lubricant, and an agreeable midget to have time for a makeover.
we to U On The New Angela Aki Single
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Angela Aki | Comments (0)
Angela Aki – Ai no Kisetsu « we to U :: futarinomusic.
While erhanz likes all the tracks on this release, it’s the happy pop of “Emily” which earns the most enthusiasm this go-around. And of course, you can download the song to try them out for yourself.
CK Just Flew Back From NYAF And Boy Are His Wrists Tired
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, New York Anime Festival | Comments (0)
Intl Wota’s hunkiest jetsetter is still gathering his thoughts and words for AKB-NYAF, but in the meanwhile shares a clip. I’m sure his experience wasn’t quite like Pata’s, but was it at least better than Kimitsu’s? Or – horror of horrors – could he be Kimitsu’s Mr Too Tall and Jumpy…?
Pata Ridicules Otaku-Wota Rivalry
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, New York Anime Festival, stupid ass otaku, stupid ass wota | Comments (0)
Actually, you’re all a bunch of pathetic losers « Delicious Cake Project!.
Pata is on a roll, as he now decides to tackle the idiotic rivalry between otaku and wota that he’s witnessed at recent events. He points out all the ways such snobbery and hate isn’t only sad but self-defeating. And of course, this extends beyond AX and NYAF – at Comic Con this year, there was a good deal of friction between comics fans and the Twilight fans.
The one thing that’s missing from his essay is consideration of why such rivalries exist in the first place. What is the psychology of one kind of geek looking down on other kinds of geek? From my own experiences with such narrow-mindedness (and as someone who speaks fanboy, wota, otaku, and theory-head with some fluency), I’m thinking it’s a lack of self-esteem that forces the geek in question to cling a bit too much to his or her supposed expertise.
The identity of the geek is tied into the specific hobby and a finely nurtured sense of expertise derived from spending way too much time on that particular hobby. For the insecure and insular-minded, this intense head-up-ass situation reaches the point where anything that threatens the much-valued faux connosieurship is attacked for whatever reasons are handy. They don’t want to believe that their hobby is “just” a hobby, not by being compared to similar groups (which of course, they claim are nothing like their own group – this despite all the obvious evidence that can be heaped together) and not by the notion that one can casually enjoy that geek experience and just leave it at that (at which point, you’re not a purist or not expert enough). Being socially maladjusted, they mistake hair-trigger combativeness and self-serving elitism as “being passionate”.
In short, it’s no longer about enjoying one’s hobby. It’s about hiding behind it and not letting anyone peek around that hobby to see just how insecure and pathetic and lacking you think you are. And this doesn’t just apply to the obvious geek pursuits, but also to sports fans, indie music of all stripes, film buffs… If you can’t openly love and generously share your hobby, then it’s not making you truly happy – it’s just giving you an excuse to look down on others for fear of the same being done to you.
Pata understands this innately and shared his love of AKB accordingly. Our community would be better served if we can all do the same.
Minami Akina To Star In Manga-Adapted One-Minute Series
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Minami Akina | Comments (0)
“Utsurun Desu” goes live-action – Tokyograph.
I love Akina’s work – though not as much as AKINA’s – and hopefully this acting gig will lead to more bikini DVDs.
Former Johnny’s Idol Arrested
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Johnny's Entertainment, Narita Shoji, Otokogumi | Comments (0)
Otokogumi’s Shoji Narita arrested – Tokyograph.
Hey, if I had to deal with Johnny K’s grubby paws all over me, I’d still be smoking weed two decades later, too.
Namie Does Milan Fashion Week
September 29, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Amuro Namie, avex trax | Comments (0)
namie news network – 2nd Anniversary: Namie appeared on Milan fashion week.
I’m thinking that she’s trying to find a new outfit that’ll outdo the Ming the Merciless gown from the VMAs a couple years back.
Minna Star Rises Up From The Dead To Attend AKB-NYAF Concert
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, New York Anime Festival, stupid ass wota | Comments (0)
The one you didn’t see coming. « みんな☆.
I seriously thought Kimitsu had left blogging, but apparently she was just waiting for the right momentous event to bring her back. AKB48 in New York was just that event. She attended the concert with two friends, including another MIA blogger (Samantha from Egao YES Idols, another blog I miss a great deal), even though Kimitsu herself isn’t much of an AKB fan.
And unlike Pata, Kimitsu had to suffer the slings and arrows of stupid ass wota during the concert. She writes in her lively, snarky, skewering manner of what she had to endure, and that makes it okay. The concert itself sounds pretty appealing, even under her critical gaze, though I bet she wishes she could have tasered Mister Too Tall And Jumpy. Repeatedly.
Yamamoto Azusa Tries Girl-On-Camel Action
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: camels, Yamamoto Azusa | Comments (0)
[IV]Azusa Yamamoto ~ azuPARK | Jappydolls.
No, I don’t mean that kind of girl-on-camel action. I just mean she rides on a camel’s back in this video. Beyond that, it’s the usual bikinis and underwear posing and looking hawt stuff.
Sawajiri Out and Kuroki In For Yamato Movie
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Kimura Takuya, Kuroki Meisa, Sawajiri Erika, Space Battleship Yamato | Comments (0)
Meisa Kuroki to replace Sawajiri in “Yamato” – Tokyograph.
Poor Erika, I’m sure she’s just misunderstood. All she needs is an agency that will love her and put up with all her bitchy and arrogant “quirks”. In the meanwhile, Sister Angela is heading to space with Kimutaku! Maybe they’ll paint her green and let her do a harem dance. Oh wait, wrong franchise…
SaeYaka Answers Audience Questions at NYAF
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, Akimoto Sayaka, Miyazawa Sae, New York Anime Festival | Comments (0)
SaeYaka, Team K and AKB48 Paradise: AKB48 in New York; Saturday 26th.
Sae enjoys sleeping and ABBA. Wow, and to think I couldn’t appreciate her any more than I did before!
Pata Continues To Be Badass At AKB-NYAF
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, badass, New York Anime Festival, Pata, stupid ass wota | Comments (0)
The Idols You Can Meet: Bonus Round « Delicious Cake Project!.
Pata continues to have the idol world handed to him on a plate and to ignore the stupid ass wota that would ruin the experience. Best of all, he actually got to interact briefly with his wife, Minegishi Minami.
I’ll be flying home with memories I will never, ever forget.
And I believe him! Though at this point, he’ll probably have to marry Miichan for real since no other woman will match up to his expectations. That twinkle in his eyes dating back to September 27, 2009 will haunt his every relationship from this day forward. But hey, can you blame him? It’s Miichan!
Yamapi Will Do Five Solo Concerts
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Johnny's Entertainment, Yamashita Tomohisa | Comments (0)
Tomohisa Yamashita’s first solo concerts – Tokyograph.
He should promise that at the very last concert he’ll bare that famous ass of his and flex it repeatedly for the camera. I guarantee you that JE fangirls will literally slaughter each other for a chance to get tickets to that show.
Wendy Is Surprised That Tastes Change Over Time
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Berryz Kobo, Hello! Project | Comments (2)
Wendy is horrified at her preferences for Berryz last year. In another decade, I’m sure she’ll be horrified that she wasted her time on H!P at all, instead of studying and getting into a good college and finding a decent job that didn’t involve medical experimentation with frightened animals that leaves her waking up screaming in the middle of every night. Or something like that.
Acchi Muite Pie!!! Shares Idoling!!! Season 2 DVD Box
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Idoling!!! | Comments (0)
Acchi Muite Pie!!! — Idoling!!! News and Media: Idoling!!! Season 2 DVD Box.
This would be a good way to finally get to know this group of idols and – Holy Crap! 44 GB? Am I supposed to wait four or five freaking months for this torrent to finish?
Suzuki Sachiko To Star In Movie
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Suzuki Sachiko, WINK | Comments (0)
Wink’s Sachiko Suzuki stars in movie – Tokyograph.
Newly minted AV Idol Sachiko is now set to appear in a movie, showing off her body yet again with a see-through outfit for the film’s poster. Anybody want to lay odds on Sachiko doing full-on hardcore AV in the coming months? I’m thinking there’s a 50-50 chance, but that just may be me wavering between really wanting to see her fuck on-camera and wanting her pure WINK-ness to remain as unsullied as it can be (at this point).
Kpop Brings On The (Barely) Jailbait
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: f(x), Wonder Girls | Comments (0)
Kpop ushers in its new batch of maknaes! « K Bites.
So maknaes means youngest, which is sure to get my attention… but come on, 1994 is the most recent birthdates for major Kpop idols? That’s fifteen! By that point, Shihono Ryo was a seasoned pro and the H!P Kids were showing signs of wear and tear. Haven’t the Koreans heard of Frances and Aiko? Well, maybe they have, and they ran away screaming and gouging out their eyes…
Iwata Yuki Leaves SDN48
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48, Iwata Yuki, SDN48 | Comments (0)
Yuki Iwata leaves SDN48 – Tokyograph.
Look, she’s 28. In idol terms, she should’ve been taken out to pasture and made into glue already. Still, I suspect that this departure was instigated by yet another nasty incident in the still-a-rumor-only SDN Champagne Room.
Aitakatta! Shares More AX Commentary
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: AKB48 | Comments (1)
Aitakatta! » AX Commentary Disc 1 pt 2..
Thanks again to Cat for sharing these tidbits of commentary… But wouldn’t it be cooler if the girls were more candid and sounded more like girls their age when talking about other girls? Like, “Oooh, she’s a bitch, I just wish she’d die and let someone else be number one.” “She is such a slut, especially in that tiger stripe bikini.” “I can’t believe people think that tall, goofy, big-nosed girl is hot. I mean, come on, show some taste…”
Enjoying The Good Episodes Before The Bad Ones Start
September 28, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Boku no Imoto, Nagasawa Masami, Odagiri Joe | Comments (0)
HamsapSukebe – Ramblings of a jobless bum.: Boku no Imoto eps 1-4.
Akiramike’s happy to finally get these initial episodes of the drama, despite warnings that it’s a rapid downhill slide from there. Having been forewarned, he does see the start of suckage as the episodes progress, though his selection of screencaps this time makes the series look tempting anyway…
Beyond the Sea reviews new Angela Aki single
September 28, 2009 | raddie | Tags: Ai no Kisetsu, Angela Aki, Beyond the Sea, review | Comments (0)
Lex reviews the latest Angela Aki single, Ai no Kisetsu. Lex offers up a bit of snark for his latest review, saying Aki’s newest release may take a while to sink in and the ~upbeat and inspirational~ shtick is getting a little stale, while the B-sides are the saving grace.
Raid My Minibar Shares Latest Squee
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Big Bang | Comments (0)
Raid My Minibar: Don’t get laid. Get Raid..
That thud you hear? It’s the sound of Raid’s hard-on breaking through the internet.
Yoko Kumada And Her Sexy Magic Orchestra
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Kumada Yoko | Comments (0)
Yoko Kumada ~ Sexy Magic Orchestra | Jappydolls.
Looking at the pictures, I see no orchestra, nor any magic acts. I guess she’s hoping the sexy will carry her along and we won’t notice the rest was missing. So really she could have called it Sexy UFO Chamber Quartet On Fire and we’d all still be drooling over her hawtness and not thinking twice about the title.
Gravure Idol Trio Release First Music CD
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Bakunyuu Sangokushi | Comments (0)
Gravure idol trio to release first CD – Tokyograph.
Just because they’re gravure idols doesn’t automatically mean their attempt at music is going to be a train wreck. I mean, sure, it’s a 99% certainty – but we can hold out for the 1% miracle, right?
And hey, their DVD will be worth watching at least once or twice. Probably with the sound turned off.
unchained radio Returns
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: pengie, unchained | Comments (0)
unchained » Blog Archive » unchained radio: pengie’s color.
pengie brings back her podcast show, so all of you download it and listen to it and appreciate just how adorable her voice is!
Biker Gang Chases After School
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: After School | Comments (1)
After School threatened by 20-member bike gang « K Bites.
It’s like an episode of Sons of Anarchy meets an episode of Hello! Morning or something. Anyway, it looks like these bikers were fans of the group, so I’m sure nothing untoward was meant beyond some random gang rape and minor vandalism.
All Your Base Are Belong To Namie
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Amuro Namie, avex trax | Comments (0)
namie news network – 2nd Anniversary: Previews of ‘GISELe’ November 2009.
I was thinking something seemed odd-looking about these photos, and then the comments section made clear what that was exactly.
MorningBerryz ♥ Matsu Takako
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Matsu Takako | Comments (0)
Matsu♥Takako~ 10 years of footsteps….. – Vox.
Matsu♥Takako love~ continues… – Vox.
The news of an impending release from the Jpop legend leads to a pair of appreciative posts from MB, one for her tenth anniversary collection from last year and another for a 2004 concert DVD.
Chemical Pictures Thanks You
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: Chemical Pictures | Comments (0)
On the cusp of an unclear – but very hopeful – future for the band, Elec posts a couple of wonderful photos. Dolorous Haze is definitely rooting for them!
Two Wonder Girls Briefly Return To Korea
September 27, 2009 | Ray Mescallado | Tags: SM, Wonder Girls | Comments (0)
WonderGirls SoHee and YooBin back in Korea temporarily « K Bites.
It’d be funny if they decided they didn’t like Korea anymore, posted that on Facebook, and got exiled to the States. But hey, I’m sure the Jonas Brothers would be willing to put them up for a while.
