66 posts tagged “kamei”

~Volume 2~



~Volume 3~



~Volume 4~

Anyone hungry?!

＾　＾

I ended up indulging in seven of them.....lol but they're not all for me of course as two are for my brother~. =) He chose Tanakachi and Gakisan's designs......(Gakki is his favorite at the moment~)

All of their designs were soooooo adorable and immensely *cute* so choosing was quite the challenge for me personally. XD I love when H!P does these type of personal releases where the members get to share not only their artistic talent but also their personal side with these types of drawings~. While Kamei's "kame" was a must for sure I then realized that Gakisans' was just too sweet♥ to not order~!

But in the end it was Junjun's personal drawing which really attracted me the most!!! ………(゜∀゜)………。...while Chiichan's wins for overall artistic presentation I think! =)

I ended up ordering two of Junjun's caps....one to *adore* personally while the other is for a future giveaway (promise I won't wear it!!! XD ) that will be posted here later on VOX. Please stay tuned a bit later as I'm thinking of tying in the giveaway along with the Sprint Cup Series "Chase" format which highlights the final 10 events of their season....so hopefully it'll be much more exciting and fun this way~! ＾　＾ It'll be a tad bit different from the earlier Berryz Koubou single giveaway earlier this year and I think it may be more fun and engaging this way too~.

And on a final mind lapse moment..…(^q^) I somehow managed to order C-ute's pv DVD single for "Bye Bye Bye!" twice in a mixup of sorts.....or more likely me just being incredibly absent minded it seems! (._.;) So in light of my mind numbness which occurs way too often it seems in moments like these....I'll give away C-ute's pv DVD single during the same giveaway as Junjun's cap, so there will be a second winner to be chosen randomly for entering whereas Junjun's cap will go to the overall best score when the "Chase" is final at Homestead Miami~. =) Tanoshimi kudasai~! ＾　＾

While I'm not sure if this can really be considered a series, I'm really enjoying the current string of individual DVD releases which have so far featured Airiin, Tanakachi, Momo and now Kamei with her DVD release "20 Dreams." While it's not unusual to have coinciding video releases to accompany shashinshuu releases I'm finding these lately to be quite different from those of the past as each has covered in a sense a specific theme pertaining to each member as it all started with Airiin golf♥! That remains one of my most favorite actually as she was just so much fun to watch on a mini golf course....complete with batsu penalties! And OMG I can't believe that they made her eat "that!!!!!!" :O I never did get around to posting some random Airiin screencaps or video from that release, maybe I'll put some up later. ^ ^

In a span of approximately 55 minutes Kamei treats us to some of her inner most thoughts while on location in scenic Okinawa. Whenever I see any footage or photos of Okinawa it just has such a warm and small town feel to their community and their architecture is always so amazing to see~! Unlike any of its predecessors, in large "20 Dreams" is a personal recollection which delves into a much more intimate look into an idol's aspirations, hopes and dreams as the title suggests and where other previous releases may have only scratched the surface, Kamei's narrative throughout covers anything from simple aspects such as hair color, dream bedroom & home design and fellow members to much deeper thoughts of family memories, specific childhood events, and future speculation. And throughout it's all delivered with cute sincerity and more than any other member in Momusu, Kamei possesses the uncanny ability to incorporate the most adorable random and honest laughter that I've ever seen. =)

And in addition to reflecting on the theme of age & dreams, we're also treated to the inclusion of interspliced segments which share additional shashinshuu making of footage furthuring the contents of the pb's brief DVD.

Definitely recommended viewing for any Kamei fan and it's really notable to mention just how greatly matured Kamei has grown leading up to this release. She's really amazing to listen to throughout her narrative!




 









沖縄のそば！！おいしいそう～！！＾　＾

食べたい！！たべたい！！

ちょっと休憩。。。。。。。o(*´∀｀)o゛♥

終わり！＾　＾

Adorable Tabe Mikako is second to be honored and here click play......


It took but just one drama for me to totally adore her so much as her role in "Yamada Taro Monogatari" was written to funny , witty and cute perfection! The track above is by Arashi and served as the drama's theme song.............it makes me think of awesome air guitar every time since watching this drama~! ^ ^ Definitely one of the most cute and fun drama openings ever!

 



I have yet to be swept away by AKB48 fandom but I thought these were photos were so cute and here they are honored with the "Jet Coaster" award by UTB! ^ ^





The February issue also has a section dedicated to up and coming stars of tomorrow...and here I just had to scan Uehara Miyu's feature as I just ♥ her sweater!!....hmmm...I have no idea what the writing is supposed to mean, but I think that's why I ♥ it so much! :P Japanese clothing with random English words always wins! \(^o^)/♥

Shugo Chara's Saho Akari, Wada Ayaka, Maeda Yuka and Fukuda Kanon get a two page question & answer feature and read on below to find out just why Kanon is so great an monomane (impressions)!! ^ ^


And what's most endearing about this article in particular is that the girls came up with their own questions for each other. :)


BK' resident giant...I mean um tallest member, sorry! :P ....Kumachan shares 7 secrets about herself and while her noted physical aspects are interesting, I find the her stomach's favorites to be most fascinating. The drawing is cute too....let's see we have some cocoa, chocolate, salad, spaghetti and candy amongts others faves. ♥


This month's special collaboration features C-ute's Chisa, Nakki and Kannachan in a Christmas candle making event! Working with such tiny items is so much of a challenge and all 3 candles are finished with flying colors but if I had to choose my favorite it would have to be Nakki's....just based on how busy it is. I'm thinking the more stuff the merrier! ^o^


Interestingly some of the upcoming shashinshuu ads are in black & white while others are featured in color....I'm still a bit puzzled as to how these are chosen and why WaniBooks would choose to not promote all of their own upcoming publications in full color. :/ Still Rikachan looks absolutely beautiful in the shots above promoting her pb release which will arrive on shelves on January 19th!! It's just so overwhelming how quickly H!P members are coming out with these pb releases as has been the trend for some time now. :O I may have to build a "secret" bookshelf behind one of the walls in my room very soon if this pace keeps up for much longer! :P


Aside from Kamei, Manoeri, and Kamei this may be the cutest photo shoot in this entire issue! I'm now learning that AKB48 like H!P, loves its units and these three are so adorable! ^ ^ Here we have first, Kojima Haruna who really reminds me of Ichikawa Yui even more so in some of the following photos, Takahashi Minami, and Minegishi Minami.....hmmm......there seems to be a lot of Minami's in AKB48!....just noticed another member named Minami on the previous page! ^ ^

Haruna looks to be one of AKB48's most glamorous members while Minegishichan looks about as cuddly as can be....lol I'm probably way off though as an AKB48 fan out there will soon point out! :P Wouldn't it be strange if I started listening to their music because I found this particular photo shoot to be off the scale cute? Hmm....sort of fits my profile though, not sure if that's a good thing though. :P


I admit I was getting a bit worried as the number of remaining pages were dwindling down and Kamei was yet to appear..........I kept thinking....her shashinshuu was just released recently, so surely she must be featured in this issue somewhere! Whew~! it looks like UTB packed in quite a H!P punch at the very end of this issue with features on Kamei, Manoeri and the continuing photographic feature on one of H!P's most cute!....Maimichan. Kamei's features off shots from her "20 Hatachi" pb while Manoeri's two page feature proves yet again just why she's quickly becoming UFA's it girl! It's also nice to see a full color ad for Manoeri's upcoming shashinshuu release. :) Maimichan's feature is the most extensive here and it features an awe inspiring backdrop of Autumn's many soft colors and tones making for a most elegant collection of photos....so fitting for her beautiful and delicate looks...or more directly, beautiful perfection. ^ ^ I'll stop babbling now....here are the rest of the scans. =)











UTB has long been giving away signed cards and polaroids over the years.....and all I can say is want want want want! Especially Maimichan, Manoeri, and Kohachan's signed polaroids.........but AKB48's Tomomichan has made herself into the cutest reindeer of them all..I think I want hers! All one would have to do is mail in the provided postcard which is attached near the back of every issue for a chance to receive one...although it's highly unlikely that UTB would mail me one outside of Japan even if my postcard were to be chosen. >_< Well one can dream right! ^ ^

Perhaps if I didn't have to work at 2 a.m. this morning I would have been able to stay awake just long enough to actually open up the FedEx delivery which arrived early in the evening yesterday......and with that I probably wouldn't have forgotten to wish my favorite Momusu member a Happy Birthday~!!!.......being that her latest shashinshuu release was in the box. >_<


So before my already belated birthday wish to Kamei gets any older.....Happy Birthday Kamei~~~~a very very happy 20th~~!!! ♪♪\(^o^)/♪♪

Kamei's birthday was on the 23rd so if you're reading this from Japan then I'm actually two days late. :P

If there were a way to play an influence I'd write WaniBooks right now and remind them to have Kamei grace their very next issue! But with the lack of H!P covers lately this does seem highly unlikely and mostly just a dream of mine. ^ ^ Kamei's latest pb release is a beautifully presented hard cover photo book and it includes WaniBook's favorable treats such as pictured outer covers as well as a making of DVD with an approximate running time of 11 minutes.

Order Kamei Eri's "20 Hatachi" from Amazon Japan.

Order Kamei Eri's "20 Hatachi" from HMV Japan.

"20 Hatachi" is Kamei's 7th overall pb release and her 6th by WaniBooks making her one of UFA's favorites when it comes to photo book releases, therefore giving us a very well documented pictorial of all that is Kamei since joining Momusu and becoming one of Japan's cutest and most adorable idols ever! ^ ^

While her previous releases "Maple" and "Eri" (her shashinshuu zenshuu) took quite a leap into presenting a much matured image of Kamei which was so beautifully done, "Hatachi" was produced with a very noticeable aim to give back some of that honesty in Kamei's warm and often times giddy aura coming through with flying colors here. From traditional kimono to casual to beach attire to evening dress to play time clothing, Kamei's natural charm and "lightness" shine through it all. And whether carefully orchestrated or shot with an on the fly look, the seemingly eternal well of Kamei's youth and playfulness surfaces without restraint or forcefullness. Kamei is a sharp contrast from her fellow generation in Reinachan's strength and Sayu's deeply rooted "nyan nyan" personality (sorry that was the first thought that came to mind as I pondered Sayu's image :P ) as hers is of a somewhat less obvious....and somewhat subtle in her sweet & gentle charisma which flows from her being just as the rivers flow.

And through it all when it comes to physicalities, for me personally Kamei just has the most beautiful eyes in all of H!P.....and there's just so much personality and truth in them............sometimes soft, sometimes piercing. Kamei also has such perfect form as in not too thin but just right! In an age where sometimes overly thin models tend to grace just about ever fashion magazine that you pick up, it's really a frightening and sometimes unhealthy image that's being pushed and presented to girls everywhere....so in short I think that in terms of a physical role model, Kamei is also perfect in that regard. ^ ^

Below I've chosen and scanned 25 of my favorite photos from "Hatachi" in addition to the cute birthday collage posted above and I was trying to choose at least one photo from each separate photo shoot so to hopefully give you a good idea of just what to expect when ordering this latest beautiful offering from H!P & WaniBooks.

Hmmmm...I really could go on and on about Kamei for hours as she's my current favorite Momusu member and 2nd overall favorite H!P member who will ascend to #1 in that regard when Nacchi graduates (´⌒｀。) next March...but before things get out of hand here in Kamei ♥ land I'll get to the scans right away! :P

 

♥ her shirt!! ^ ^



♥♥♥




So beautiful!!


Kirei!



Kawaii~!


Awwww now I'd like play tennis with Kamei!! Lol! I wonder if I'd stand a chance?



♥ this photo!!!!




Her outfit is cute here!!

^ ^

Up-Front Works continues to be rather creative with their Event V DVD releases which are sold during special release events and Momusu's latest features in addition to a "ANOTHER VER.-" which is a nice alternative to the original version, 3 separate versions which feature three members each. The trios include a "Takahashi, Kamei, and Linlin" version...a "Niigaki, Kusumi, and Mitsui" version...and a "Michishige, Tanaka, and Junjun" version. One thing to love about the Event V's cover/inner jacket artwork is that they're wearing the outfits which appear in the pvs versus the alternate outfits being worn on the other release editions for this single...love the black and silver a lot though but it's still nice to have the outer packaging represent what's inside. The groupings really do spread out the wealth of appeal and talent in Momusu in a most even way I think but I can't lie, the first trio of Aichan, Kamei and Linlin kills me the most!!! Just hard not be biased here :P...Aichan + Kamei = ♥ no matter what. ^o^ But truly each pv of a favorite trio has the charismatic dynamics of Momusu divided up in a perfect way making each version just as fun to watch as the next! And what's great about getting to see the group broken down this way is the longer amount of screen time in which each member enjoys with less members in each close up ver. pv to share with and it's always fun to see the choreography going on at times when members are void of any vocal lines...and that lends itself to some further discoveries such as.................


...the special award which must be given to Sayu for her rendition of the best "Jiggly dance" (you know when the keyboard calls for it and each member stands in place bouncing up and down in a most entertaining sense.) without question...she just puts the "J" in "Jiggly" by far the best for whatever reason as I'm still not sure why but up close and personal and for a greater duration of time she wins. :P And speaking of up close and personal, a second award must be given to Reinachan for being the closest to the camera when it counts!....like through the entire pv. The director may have been asking Reinachan to take a step back from the camera to give them some room for the shot but Reinachan clearly was having none of that...she's right up in your face the entire time, ♥ that!! I was kind of hoping that with her being so close to the camera that at some point she would either kiss it or slap it but unfortunately for fans neither occurred although my fingers were crossed the whole time. :P An award must go to Aichan for her amazing kick!!!! Not since Mikitty has a member of Momusu kicked butt so well in a pv! And a lot of that flexibility must be attributed to her years of previous classic dance training! She Mikitty and Rikachan should have a "kick off" one day or perhaps just one of those cheerleader line dances..that would be amazing! What am I talking about? :P


And here's the alternate "ANOTHER VER.-" pv:
And being that I never got around to a separate post regarding the original pv DVD single...just a few thoughts here.


While UFA has generally been aiming at even more extensive coverage in their pv DVD singles it's interesting for whatever reason that "Pepper Keibu" has a much shorter running time of 17 minutes while most group pv singles have exceeded the 20 minute mark as of late. But with this shorter running time the producers did employ a much different approach to the "making of segment" as the editors used a much less "formatted" sense in putting the footage together. It's without a doubt much more candid in its structure as the chronological order of cover shoots to dance shoots are pretty much jumbled up with lots of cute and fun footage intertwined between them in a spontaneous sense. I really loved watching the "making of" in this style as it keeps things lively and unpredictable and it's perhaps much more entertaining for fans when done in this fashion rather than being so "structured" and specific. ^-^ And I'm yet again reminded while watching the extra footage that despite all of the Kohachan bashing that goes on, Momusu would be a much less fun group without her without doubt....she always reminds me of just how much character and "AMP" energy she brings to the table each and every time no matter the circumstances or event....now that's indispensable. ^-^ The camera loves Reinachan and Reinachan loves the spotlight...they just go hand in hand so well and in a much welcome way. :) The producers did a wonderful job of transitioning the pv from a 70's look with the slightly "grainy" appearance, going to today's slick resolution working it seamlessly with the songs' feel...I thought that was brilliant. The staff in charge of the designs used for the stage backing, lighting, and member outfits captured the sheek 70's with a wonderfully simplistic and yet effective aura and the pv direction itself in all of its simplicity made the overall production that much more profound in this very sense. Ahh...the aurua of ABBA lives on.....sorry for babbling...owari.

Thoughts on "Pepper Keibu" the song, can be found here. ^-^

Volume 1

♥Chu!♥

Hmmmm......I wonder what's amusing in the fridge? She looks so cute in this outfit but I don't think she could go outside with it. ;)

Deep thoughts with Kamei Eri...

"Heheheh I saw you peeing in the bushes again!" ^o^

Momusu's most unconventional.

"Kameipiano" ^o^

♥♥♥

Beautiful dress...

♥Kirei!♥

Momusu's cutest.

This may be my favorite outfit in "Maple."

...and just when you thought it couldn't get any stranger it does! ^-^ Just the thought of a H!P member air freshener (I love how they spelled it "FRESHNER" =D ) is giddy in its own sense! When I saw this I had to have one! ^-^ Has me now wondering....okay....if Miya smells like "tropical" as indicated above on the label then what do the other members of H!P smell like? :P Well I'll be honest, I really just want to know what Kamei smells like....no no no not in the way that you may be thinking!! :O, but as an essence. I'm thinking strawberries...or maybe pineapple, or could she smell like papaya? Definitely not lemon or sauerkraut or even pickles. :P Then again why would anyone smell like a pickle?! :P But it would have to be the sweetest because she's so adorable so I'm sticking with strawberries for sure! ^-^ I love the warnings on the back!!...what not to do with a Miya air freshener!! :O Just imagine how bizarre it would sound to go like that!....."what happened officer?"....."Looks like the Miya air freshener took another one tonight." :O


But what this all gets me to wondering is, what is the most unusual H!P merchandise item out there? I ♥ collecting odd things well because I'm odd :P....and it seems that new ones keep popping up every so often. Still waiting for UFA's release of the "Riiferigerator" due out some time I'm certain but in the meanwhile I have just three to choose from so far that I think qualify as a going beyone the call of oddness and perhaps that's an understatement in itself. =D You probaby remember the Kamei Italian parsley that Paul @ Hello!Blog got for me! :)....... .......and then there's of course the Nacchi linen box! :) Who would've thunk it?!!! :O So what's stranger here? And if you have something odd H!P related pleeeaaaaase share!!!! \(^o^)/ Oh and while you decide...here's my favorite H!P song of 2008 so far to listen to...the year's not over yet so this may change but It's going to take something really awesome to overtake......... ^ ^

I don't know why but it feels like I haven't been this excited about a new J-Pop release in ages!...and you've all heard me swoon over releases time and time again but bear with me...I'm just on another cloud with this one! ^o^ Groovy!, Right On!, Afro!, Righteous! Okay now that I've got the lingo out of the way I can begin. :) If you're like me you pretty much missed that entire 70's era but luckily through our parents listening habits you may have become enlightened in the wondrous sound that is the 70's....and one day I do promise to watch "Saturday Night Fever" on DVD. :) The 70's were a glitter with outspoken fashion and coming out of the decade of "love" the remnants did linger on as heard in many songs and personalities of the decade. The styling and outfits on all 3 editions are heavily reminiscent here with a loud and sharp approach to the decade and it looks like all of our favorite Musume's have undergone a makeover of sorts as they all sport new looks....well that is all except for some reason Reinachan looks exactly the same. :/ Hmm....maybe she knocked out the hairstylist and told them where to go! :P Either that or the hairstylist(s) ate the very last of the meat at the company all you can eat H!P lunch buffet before Reina had a chance to pick! :O And we all know what happens to those that dare mess with Reinachan's meat! =) SEXY looks for all here and with Reinachan standing at the center of it all on all 3 editions it gave me the initial impression that perhaps this was her "feature" single of sorts.........I'm not hearing that in the recording but having not viewed the pv(s) just yet the visuals may tell another story but for that I'll  just have to wait as I'm holding out watching the pvs until the actual DVD release is delivered mid next month. Kamei has regained that Egyptian Queen appearance along with Linlin......not sure I'm acutally liking Linlin's look here as much though. Hot awards go to Gakisan, Aichan and Reinachan...they just appear to scorch the most in the visuals of this release thus far. Okay now that you've got your brand new disco ball hung high on the ceiling and your lava lamp plugged back in we can continue....(by the way what is the purpose of the lava lamp?) :/


Something fascinating about music in general is how its defining moments and changes have all come in decades. Music fans speak of the 50's, the 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's and now...all in increments of 10 years isn't that funny how things have just worked out that way thus far? :) So when someone says: "That's so 80's..." you know exactly what they mean albeit its abstract sense.


Momusu has effectively brought back to life in an all new era the 1976 release by Pink Lady and while apprehension may have at first filled me up prior to its arrival...that's all evaporated now. Perhaps a retroactive nostalgic period has hit H!P......or maybe it's just that Tsunku has gone lazy...just kidding!...but it's quite something not seeing the always familiar Tsunku name in the lyrics and music writing credits but what it does offer to fans is something outside and fresh. Presenting to a younger audience a piece of work that is so far back in memory that no doubt the majority of fans today may not have even been born during its original release can present a challenge I imagine. But the production behind "Pepper Keibu" does so with flying colors gaining a perspective of the now with the infusion of the past seamlessly and oh so effectively. And while Aku Yuu's composition may have been given the treatment and nuances of today's stylings it for the most part has seemingly been kept to a discreet level, allowing the original song composition to shine through without losing any of its original appeal. Awhile back I was treated to a visual and musical introduction to the 70's mega hit group ABBA by Zdorama and having only known very few of their songs beforehand it was quite an eye/ear opening experience putting it lightly! ABBA released some of the most catchy music of the decade and although I don't know of any ties here, "Pepper Keibu" whole heartedly seems to capture that ABBA magic in it's uber catchy melodic sense and hooks which hopefully are filling your room at this moment if you clicked play above. ^-^ The vocal arrangements specifically are channeling ABBA in the layers of harmonies and phrasing used most notably during the pre-chorus and chorus itself. I'm talking pure ♥ here!! Not to be outdone by its sister track "Romance" in its own right should have made this a double A-side outright. Also penned by Aku Yuu, "Romance" is an equally well written groove fest with a bit of a more even temperament but in no way is it any way less alluring musically or vocally. At just 3:40 long this track is rather short but it makes the best of it during this duration and in particular I find Aichan's vocals to lead the way here rather poetically. Disco Queen? Perhaps! ^-^ Well I'm off to watch the 20 minute jacket making of and interview segments which are all part of the bonus DVD accompanying the LE jacket A version so from here the rest will be the visuals captured from this momentous release. LE jacket B brings back the much yearned for extra photo booklet collectible with outer slip case!!...a most welcome return would be putting it mildly for sure as I think most fans would prefer this over DVD extras in general so hopefully there will be more of this to come in future releases as well. ^-^ All three editions came with those serial numbered event cards which are only useful if you happen to live in Japan, and that being the only extra accompanying the Regular Edition...well that and the alternate cover art as well. :) Best looking jacket? Well I have to go with LE jacket B by far due to the member full profile images which sets it apart from the other two versions. In closing, what an amazing release for Momusu coming off the success and mature impact of "Resonant Blue"...surely the future looks and sounds bright whether it be original or cover tunes. :)  
And now for a look inside the much anticipated photo booklet... ...I've scanned it front to back. Enjoy! ^-^ Aichan & Gakisan so beautiful here!!! I have a feeling Reinachan's upcoming pb will eclipse all her previous releases!
Such incredibly styling throughout! Groovy!