…I did it again, didn’t I?

Woops.  Looks like I went on another long hiatus unannounced?  At least this one wasn’t a year and a half long? I apologize, friends.  I know I disappointed a lot of people last time and I’m sure I did it again.  I was depressed and shit and blah blah whatever.

Hopefully I can get back into blogging here within the next few weeks.  Really, I just wanted to let you guys know about this research paper I’m working on.  I just transfered to the University of Colorado at Boulder and I’m taking one of those ridiculous 3-week courses.  On the plus side, though, the class is Japanese Pop Culture.  Man, I am learning so much.

But anyway.  My research paper.  I’m writing it on idols.  Particularly, AKB48 and Morning Musume.  Even more particularly, the marketing of these groups towards each male and female fans, both positively and negatively.  I’ve read just about all the scholarship on idols and idol culture at this point.  Seriously, I’ve just learned so much that has shed so much light on issues that I’ve seen us in the English-speaking wotasphere struggle with so long.  We’re taking our Western ideas out of context with a very, very Japanese ideal.  It’s made me reconsider a lot of the things that have sent us all up in arms over the years but seemingly not the Japanese wota.

To keep you interested, I am using Wota in Translation as a primary source.  My professor absolutely loves it.  Henkka, you will be sourced in my research paper.

Anyway again.  I can’t wait to share with you some of what I write (though not all if it unless somehow I get kicked out of school for plagiarizing myself–I’m definitely waiting until I get my final grade).  I know a lot of you will be like “WOAH.  THIS IS SO INTERESTING.”  as I was.  Also, I’m a great academic writer (better than this informal shit if you can believe it </sarcasm>).  I won’t be able to un-realize all that I’ve realized doing my research, either, so my blogging might have a fundamentally different outlook that it did before.

That said,  I still cannot fathom for the life of me either why Tanaka Reina was so popular or why she was considered the perfect Morning Musume member.

That is all friends.

I will see you soon.

Help me!! …No, Seriously, I need help.

Holy shit.  Morning Musume just released the dance shot for their newest single, a la Wakuteka, called “Help me!!”

Remember that time when I thought “Wakuteka Take a Chance” had the best choreography I’d ever seen from the group?

Yeah, I take that back.  This is by far the best I have ever seen Morning Musume.  

Old Song, New PV

My favorite electropop group, Perfume, just released a PV for “FAKE IT,” the b-side off of the Nee single released almost two years ago.  I’m not 100% sure why this is just being released now, but check it out!

AKB48 (and Friends) Team Shuffle

At AKB48’s first day of a 3-day concert at Tokyo Dome, the manager of the Theater supposedly shocked everyone, including the members, by announcing the second AKB48 Team Shuffle.  Last time we had a shuffle, it really wasn’t such a huge deal because there weren’t any spin-off/sister groups, nor were there any graduations involved, nor were any of my favorites being shifted around.  I’m a bit grumpy about the changes we’re seeing.  

℃-ute Aitai Aitai Aitai na Review

The PV for ℃-ute’s “Aitai Aitai Aitai na” is out!

These girls are like a good wine, they just keep getting better and better over time.  They’re no Berryz, but compared to a year or two ago, this is such a great improvement!  For the most part, I really love this PV!