...just wait till you see what Ohta got me from Mall-City! Paul always finds the most amazing H!P merchandise and a little over a month ago he discovered some of the most unusual H!P t-shirt designs. He has a complete listing and post about them here! :)
I've never heard of Mall-City before and they look to be an affiliate of H!P & UFA. If you check their site you'll find some quite original H!P merchandise there that aren't available on the official H!P store's site. This is such an unexpected and wonderful idea as UFA has created a t-shirt line which bears the drawings of Momusu members. These set of drawings are from Momusu's DVD Magazine Vol.13 and there's a segment on this DVD where the members of Momusu play a game where each member draws a particular part of another member's face while the member being drawn doesn't participate in her own drawing. So this really really strange portrait of Kamei was drawn by all of her fellow members in a collaborative effort!! :) If you check Paul's post which I've linked above I think you may agree that Kamei's portrait is by far the strangest looking one out of all of the member portraits and that's exactly why I chose it! :P Kamei is so well known for her...ah.....mazui artistic skills and it's such an endearing quality of hers but to see the other members create an image of her which looks like it could have possibly been drawn by Kamei herself is quite hilarious! The t-shirt comes with a single photo showing each member with their prized piece of candid art! :)
The back of the t-shirt bears a single logo with the group and member's name and this simplicity is actually a nice touch as the front is quite busy with drawing and name logo below it. The shirt is quite large and I do wonder why UFA doesn't offer smaller sizes although with a few washings it may just shrink a bit. The shirts are made of high quality material so you can be assured that it will last for many wearings making them a nice investment in usable merchandise. :)
While browsing Mall-City's site I also couldn't resist this beautiful set of Nakazawa Yuko UFA photos!! This set is from her 2007 special Christmas live event and these are really the most beautiful photos of Yukosan that I now own. She looks so radiant in these photos and the red really suits her strong personality perfectly! Below are scans of the photos :)
Comments
Maybe you could sell tickets to your place and give tours for Japanese tourists as the H!P museum? :) I bet they'd be amazed! Didn't someone say that most Japanese don't have the space for a lot of physical items?
BTW, my new Ayu Guilty Cd and the Yuna Truth and Yuna x Celine A World to Believe In Cds I ordered from yesasia came in today! Just ripping them now.
ooops forgot to link this today...if it's not covered I'll get round to it 2moro :P
I saw that DVD mag 13 recently and was a really good one, and seeing the member's effort of Kamei on a Kamei shirt!
Yuko-san looks really amazing I agree, and I think it's because they have not tried to do to much to her. I like how simple everything is, like the hair and the dress.
That was really quick!! Sometimes YesAsia takes awhile but it really seems to be hit and miss as I've heard both praise and horror stories from fans who've ordered from them. I don't mean to tempt you to spend any more money than you already have! (gomen!) but Ito Yuna is releasing a new album on February 20th titled "Wish" (SRCL-6733) and the limited edition will come with a DVD containing some of her recent pvs including her duet with Celine Dion. There's also a regular edition available without the DVD. Celine Dion is also releasing something new in Japan...well it's a collection so I guess it's not really new. Celine Dion "Complete Best" EICP-953. Being that I don't have all of her albums I thought this was a really great way for me to acquire all of the songs that I love by her in one place! I think this release is exclusive to Japan. Okay I've rambled enough!
Yukosan's styling is so beautiful in this photo set and I agree, the simplicity really adds to it! I hope that Yukosan finds love soon, I think she's so sweet and deserves it!!
I love the E.T. picture! XD I have to find a better way to display my Kohachan shirt considering it's much too big for me so I only wear every once and a while and leave it on my desk (for visual enjoyment :D) most of the time.... I can't wait to collect more merchandise so my room can be H!P filled! I now have my walls covered in posters from albums/singles :P My room is currently suffering from hideous wallpaper syndrome so the posters are well loved XD Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a lot when I make it to Japan! (I think this summer!!! :D)
I LOVE these shirts! The pictures are so goofy and show off the members "creativity" XD I really liked the DVD mag. 13, watching them get worried and laugh about their drawings! I think Kame's picture is one of the best!
Yuko is stunning! I love her blonde but the brown makes her so elegant ^.^ The first picture is amazing and my favourite~~and she looks so cute in the last one!
I've never have anything but good luck with yesasia so far, and I've been a customer for about two years. You certainly save on shipping costs! They have warehouses in Hong Kong and California. So, some deliveries are really quick! :)
Goodness! Please remind me about Yuna's new CD! I will try to pre-order tomorrow. But I might forget? Thank you again for bringing her to my notice. :) Her duet with Celine has been freshly ripped, and will be on the Princesses (shhhh!) new Pink iPod Nano G3 for Valentines! (Plus the video) ^^
I've never really rated Yuko as one of the attractive members of H!P, I really dislike her hair when it's blonde and just her overall look has never really appealed to me...that was until I saw these photos! I remember when I first saw them on the Mall City website, I couldn't get over how amazing she looked, I was really tempted (in fact I still am) to order myself a set. The photos make her look amazing.
AH!!!! they should put the cat on a t-shirt yes! and all her other past works...it would be kind of quirky pop-art almost, and there would certainly be a market for it...i.e. you and me at least XD. regarding the DVD magazine, I fell in love with Sayu's little pose segment - I dont know what you call those - and I had it on repeat a few times lol, you can even hear the camera man make a noise as he was shocked by it lol. Sayu is one of those idols that brighten up my day the most, and I know Idol life can be hard, but she if she sometimes doubts herself, I want her to know that she's made me smile many times lol.
Awww, I feel the same way, and I hope Yuko really does find love too, I used to joke about her getting together with SMAP's Nakai-san, as I thought they were very playful together on Utabans and such...plus i think it'd be a fun couple, even to this day.
I was so surprised by this idea...that they actually created shirts out of these joint effort drawings! :) Kamei's is the strangest isn't it? Everyone knows how poorly she draws and it's funny that hers turned out looking like this despite her not having any hand in its creation. Knowing it was Kamei maybe the other members purposely made it odd! :)
These photos of Yukosan are definitely my favorites and yes the last one so kawaii!!
I don't mind it being large! ^^ The shirt is very well loved, on or off! :D It's understandable there is a "one size fits all" policy, considering they wouldn't know which sizes would sell out fast and you don't want a shirt that's too small! It's cool to know that everyone (including the members) are all connected by the same shirt! :D
I like Kame's shirts strangeness XD It suits her don't you think? The members put in an interesting effort~ I wouldn't be surprised if they thought to match "Kame's drawing" :D The oddness balances well!
on a random note: I'm very happy with this concerts photo sets! All the H!P members look so stunning! The simplicity suits the older members so well, and the "frilly" dresses for the younger members make them look both elegant and cute! :D I'm curious to see the concerts too~ the elders concert looks to be a contender for my favourite concert!
Nakaikun and Yukosan would make a great couple! Both have strong personalities but in different ways so I think it would create an ideal dynamic in their relationship. They were really great on Utaban back then....hmmm I wonder if he ever had a crush on her or vice versa.... :)
Pictures Ayu II's room exploding as the seams! ^^
You sure know I remember that 'cat' heheh. It really would be perfect t-shirt art, in perhaps abstract ways. I think Kamei would be happy if she saw two guys walking down the street with her cat on their shirts.
Sayu really has grasped the concept of what it is to be an idol, shes really relaxed with it now, and as far as I can tell, it seems to come off more naturally than it used to, and she certainly appears to be more grounded and down to earth with it...whilst still keeping up with the cute, when she can :P I suppose it's just natural progression as an idol and as a person.
Hmmm, I always thought Yuko had a thing for Nakai-kun, but not so sure if it really worked the other way round. But it would've been nice.
I just noticed that a new H!P Winter live box set is being released on March 16th!! And they've even included the H!P awards event too! I sometimes wonder if the members get to choose their individual outfits when they shoot these concerts as it would then be a true extension of their personalities.
My room is definitely reaching it's capacity! But with a bit more re-organizing perhaps I can make more space...I need to stop shopping! :P
Oddness_is_what_made_me_first_love_H!P_:D
I_think_some_of_the_members_at_least_have_a_hand_in_choosing_something...
like_colour_skirt/shorts_etc...some_members_probably_want_to_help_with_
design_but_probably_not_all_do...I_would_love_to_see_"original_H!P_
member_designs"__^.^
sorry_for_the_strange_typing...I_spilt_water_on_my_keyboard_today...DDD:
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Ah yep, dont know what to say without making a blog about Sayu, lets just say then that I totally agree about how she's done nothing wrong on HM@. I'm really looking forward to the new show too, and I'm not going to ask for it to be brilliant, just consistent most of the time, and fun. I really hope there will be a host, as I loved anything Yuko did when she was on HM too. She laughs all too easily, but the honesty in that is very rewarding for me as a viewer. Makes the whole situation feel a little more human when you had Yuko having a go at a young Sayu playing the cutesy card and her laughing at Makochan or Keichan's skit characters. Those being a few examples. But like you said, she had that maternal instinct too, to want to look out for everyone. You can tell by how she dishes out her Yankee persona, it's always with a loving care. Or am I talking blah blah? XD
She seems very down to earth and since she's from Hawaii, all the more reason, since you are there and The Princesses visit there quite often. They need role models of successful Asian women. Maybe you all can meet her one day! :)
I should make a video of the iPod Nano playing one of her songs?! ^^
Gonna have to get you a "Transformer" room for your birthday!! Maybe they have one from the seat of the Returner movie set? ^^
Hahah my room is in need of a bit of magic to make it larger!
Stand back! I will perform room-expanding magic! *poof* (Oh crap! Now you are 50ft tall!) Hope I can remember the un-expanding incantation!
(Do you remember Bewitched, where the dotty old aunt was always messing up her spells?!)
it's great that you agree with me! :) Sometimes I don't know what I'm saying. Ah, Sayu and Yuko made such a great pairing, that sometimes I enjoyed the news segments the most on an episode, especially with Kamei's character there. Yes, it really was shortlived right? oh well. I always said it should be a sitcom with those news segments. Like friends and monica's livingroom, momusu's news set with the glass table and the cushions could be the HM alternative.
Instead of a Friends format, how about setting it in a school Dorm? That way there could be a whole lot of them and focus on certain characters each week. And get guy J-popers for the other dorm. ^^
aww thanks MorningBerryz, maybe I can write Yuko's biography? heheh, although I want her to find that special someone first. Really is a shame, and I know we said this before about her, but Nono already has ultraman hubby and a child. I'm happy for them of course ^^, just trying to place some perspective. I remember being so nervous around the time they announced HM would be changing. I think I've calmed down a bit now.
ah who would fit the roles for H!P 'friends'? hmmm, maybe get the arashi guys down to play the male leads. Although I'm a huge admirer of Nissy from AAA, so I'd want him in there, even though he is a little feminine so maybe that wouldn't work. The girls? I'm scared to name them. You do it lol.
@Mikey: school dorm thing is one option, but maybe that'd go better for AKB48 lol, since there is so many of them. How about 'lost' format? but with happier outcomes.
Yeah, more BR action!! (although I think that I'm at least partly responsible for distracting you lately!) ^^
Haha I had this incredibly goofy idea that the entire cast of our imaginary "Friends" would be comprised of just H!P members! :P Okay all girls...that's just weird isn't it?!! :P I'm thinking about the cast right now.....
A article was brought to my attention today, and I assume the ratings were reliable, but it said HM@ has dropped to 0.8% ratings. I'm with you about hoping Bericu will be a winner.
hmmm, well I suppose having the whole cast H!P would mean more places XD. Maybe you could have Taka-san and Nakai-kun making guest appearances. Yuko has been in a dorama or two right? although I'm not sure if they were big roles. I remember seein a clip and she was a teacher in a school. I kind of want to track that drama down.
I will try go easy on you, even though it's not easy. ;) I was thinking that perhaps replying to all your responses in one reply might make it easier for you? Don't told me to it though - it's very hard for me to restrain myself from responding immediately. ^^
I have been watching Ghibli/NASCAR/Jeff Gordon/LV Reaceway Youtube videos on my iPhone all morning. When you get your new computer, you should think about doing a Gordon tribute video featuring J-pop! I don't think that its been done yet (NASCAR/J-pop)! <3
I love classical guitar!! I was just going to ask you if you played acoustic. I am so weak for stuff like Julian Bream's Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez(!) Ole! I would love to hear you play... How about those Gypsy Kings??
You know that he wrote that song about his young son, who fell off a 10th story balcony and was killed, right? :(
They'd need a much larger couch too! Nakaikun could be Gunther! :P I haven't had a chance to see Yukosan's recent dramas...let me know if what you think of them if you find them.
I think that was a result of the lowering ratings; the new HM@ I mean, and I suppose the Bericu show will be an attempt to try and stabilize show ratings. I hope it'll work, as adding C-ute and BK - two groups who have come on in leaps and bounds recently - should hopefully turn things around a little. I think a lot of it has to do with the actual show concept too, and hopefully they'll have some good people behind the scenes.
ah, Nakai-kun would be a more outspoken version of Gunther, and it might be a nice twist :P. I'll try and look out for those Yuko-san dramas in the future
Ah I never heard about that tragedy and that's so sad. :( I've heard the Gypsy Kings before...but that was a really long time ago...flamenco music I think. Paco Delucia, John Mclaughlin, and Al DiMeola are favorites too but I definitely can't play anything like them!!! :P Plus my pinkie injury doesn't help either. The doctor said that they can "break it and reset it" and I said "okay I'll think about it..." and I never went back! :P It's really 100% functional and straight...I just can't extend it out all the way but it really doesn't affect me in any other way except for guitar playing. I think that Django Reinhardt (that may not be the correct spelling! :P ) played with 3 fingers due to a burn injury so I really have no excuses whatsoever!!
This is the second time that this has happened but my VOX account has stopped sending me all of my comment notifications so I know that I'm missing out on some of them. I hope that they fix it soon and I'm really sorry if I'm missing some of yours.