High KING’s Neighborhood

Utada Hikaru~ to perform in Hawaii in 2010~!!

Earlier today I received some very exciting news from Anise & Cloves and this really involves one of J-Pops♥ most prestigious stars～☆！She debuted with such honors garnered through record breaking firsts in numerous sales and age categories~..and although I must shamefully (*´艸`) say that I've followed her music only through her early years from her debut with "Automatic" up till her third album (._.;)!....this is just such overwhelmingly exciting news for all Hawaii J-Pop♥ fans~! ＼(^o^)／☆ We truly haven't experienced an artist of this magnitude since Amuro♥Namie which seems so so long ago (;´□｀)！

From Anise & Cloves I've heard the early details that Utada's concert will be held on January 15th, 2010 at 8 pm at our very own Pipeline Cafe....(which has hosted past H!P events) furthermore tickets will go on sale this coming Saturday and are only and I say only $30! ＾　＾！I have a prior engagement at this time but I'm hoping to reshuffle something in my calendar to be able to attend too~.

A peek into the future...

While I was thinking of something to write about, I got to thinking about all the comings and goings of 2009 (More going out of H!P than coming into H!P) and how these events might affect H!P.

I decided to look take a look into the future (I'm a part-time psychic) I will now report my findings to you. So here they are, my predictions.

Morning Musume

- Koha graduates and MM leaves the spot empty for about 2-5 months

- MM holds an audition for the first time in years adding 2-4 new members (at least 2 of them from the Kanto region)

- The chances of Ai or Risa graduating rise, Reina is tapped to fill the sub leader position if either of them graduate

- There will be at least 3 tabloid stories claiming things from public drunkeness to boyfriends; those claims are never confirmed

C-ute

- Record sales will go up slightly

- C-ute will head to Hawaii again to do a Alo-Hello! PB and DVD; sales of the PB will be high

- Saki or Mai will have more presence in songs

- Devoted fans will follow Erika's modelling career

Berryz Koubou

- Captain will finally release a photobook, making her the last Berryz member to release a PB

- Risako will release 1 or 2 PBs; stores will quickly sell out

- There will be a tabloid story about Miyabi, Maasa, or Risako; blurry pics will be published

- No one will graduate

There you go! All that predicting made me a bit tired...

Morning Musume ~The 41st one~ & a chance to win Aichan's "Watashi"♥~!

Momusu in "Kimagure Princess"...

Morning Musume "Kimagure Princess" LE type A, B, C & RE CD releases

I was really quite apprehensive (ﾟﾍﾟ) of what this,...Momusu's now 41st single release would sound like as leading up to this weekend I've read as well as been told ( ﾟ∀(・－・)！quite a lot of varying opinions on the musical♪♪～ direction that Tsunku may be taking here with their latest offering~.

So with bated *breath* (・д・`*) I wondered if this could possibly be the very first Momusu single~ that I'm not very fond of? Hmm....so not the case so....um Henkka aka "Henttai" now (^-^*) you may still make fun of me being so easy to please and liking..."everything?"…(^q^)! I'm still waiting for their accompanying pv DVD single to arrive so for now there are at least two pv versions to enjoy in the meantime~ ＾　＾！

So this is Kohachan's last single with Momusu (;´□｀) and while I still long to hear more songs specifically written for graduating members as with "Never Forget" and "Koi no kioku", still this is a *wonderful* single to remember as Kohachan's last~. "Kimagure Princess" is no doubt a throwback song~ taking the listener way back to two most prominent singles...those being among Tsunku's most creative masterpieces I think...in both "Koi no dance site" as well as "Happy Summer Wedding."

Morning Musume's "Kimagure Princess" can be ordered here at Cdjapan.

Both Japanese & Korean versions of Morning Musume's "Kimagure Princess" can be ordered herer at YesAsia.

Morning Musume's "Kimagure Princess" can be ordered here at HMV Japan.

Admittedly at first after hearing of vocal manipulation and maybe possibly some oddness??....I was so expecting Tsunku to have penned a single among the likes of his most awesomely quirky ヽ(。´▽`。)ノ。"Chokotto Love♥!!"

Pucchimoni in "Chokotto Love"...

Pucchimoni "Chokotto Love" CD single & pv DVD collection

Still one of the best strange songs that Tsunku has written to date~...the first time I listened to "Chokotto Love" I was like..E~h?! (・_・)； but by my second listen I was is love♥ ………(゜∀゜)………。with this so fun song~! The pv is also quite priceless too~ so I've included the music video just below of my babbling here ↓↓↓。

(*sigh*) it was Sayaka's first and last single with Pucchimoni as she was soon to leave even Momusu (;´□｀)。。。and it also marked about the central moment of Japan going from their most unique 3" CD single format to the conventional full sized disc for singles~. I say 'central' because I always found it quite interesting that Pucchimoni's "Chokotto Love" came in a full sized CD jewel case while the disc itself remained as a 3" sized disc~. Songs and Tsunku's imagination just doesn't get much more fun than this single♪♪～！！Quirky *perfection* o(*´∀｀)o゛～♥。。。

Pucchimoni's "Chokotto♥love" (music video clip!)

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(click to watch~!)

Pucchimoni in "Chokotto♥Love"...

Gomaki is so *adorable* here~!

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" LE type A (inner jacket scan)

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" LE type A (cover scan)

01 気まぐれプリンセス

Morning Musume

Tsunku really tapped into his inner creativity from the past~ as the title track has strong interludes of an Arabic flavor along with Middle Eastern nuances~ all the while keeping with the flow of a straightforward pop song although you most certainly couldn't call it one~. I got a real kick out the vocal manipulation which are rather light though as compared to some that I've heard in the past....but during the verses their most prominent for sure~ and Kamei♥ so sounds like the *cutest* of chipmunks♥ while performing her solo lines~! (￣▽￣) Another fond ingredient of "Kimagure Princess" is its exotic side~ which is further enhanced with a dramatic appeal through the escalating string arrangements~.

02 愛して　愛して　後一分

Morning Musume

The coupling with track "Aishite aishite ato ippun" is much more of a standard dance/pop song but nonetheless also very catchy...I find it just fares maybe a little bit in comparison but after the title track it's difficult to to get latched onto this song in the same way but I'm sure in a few hours I'll need to declare my ~♥~ for this song too~ ＾　＾。

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" LE type B (cover scan)

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" LE type B (inner jacket scan)

Recently much of Momusu's LE's have included the now standard additional DVD~ leaving fans I'm sure wanting something just a little bit more out of the ordinary?....Here we'll receive the "Dance Shot Ver." of "Kimagure Princess"'s pv on LE type A, their "Close Up Ver." on LE type B (which is actually really mesmerizing!)....while the RE includes an application card for Momusu's release event which you need to be in Japan for~.

It's however LE type C which includes the most collectible extra♥!

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" LE type C (cover scan)

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" LE type C (inner jacket scan)

It includes five two~sided alternate cover jacket sleeves with one for each individual member as well as an alternate group photo~!

Everyone has most steely looks in these solo covers~ with Aichan♥ being the most capable of seducing the camera~! I've included complete scans of each extra jacket sleeve just below...

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" RE (cover scan)

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" RE (inner jacket scan)

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Momusu in "Kimagure Princess" (Dance Shto Ver.) pv...

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" (Dance shot version) music video~

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(click to watch~!)

"Butt" shaking in "Kimagure Princess"...(^q^)!

Lots & lots of "butt" shaking in "Kimagure Princcess"...!

Once you get passed the often occurring butt shaking that's in this pv~ (人∀`*)。。。you may notice sort of a cowgirl meets♥ Russian Tetris dance~ thingie sort of going on throughout the music video and it's really impressive to see nearly the entire pv shot in a single take as I only noticed one tiny bit where the editing room may have laced together two takes or perhaps it's in there as an effect that the director wanted?...in either case the dance choreography is quite intricate and most enjoyable to watch~!

Aichan♥ in"Kimagure Princess" (close up ver.)...

Momusu "Kimagure Princess" (Close Up Ver.) music video~

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(click to watch~!)

While I'm usually not too overexcited about most "close up versions" of pvs~, this one's quite the opposite as it's very sensually shot and the blurring effects add a nice nuance to the dark lighting~....I think it's actually one of the most sensually mesmerizing Momusu pvs to date~! And especially with Aichan♥ being the veteran mover/dancer in the group and even with a still camera with little room to move about I find her to be most *sexy* and "ヽ(。´▽`。)ノ。。！" in this clip~! You can also enter to win~ a newly sealed copy of Aichan's most recent shashinshuu titled "Watashi" （私） by *sharing* your thoughts on why Aichan♥ is one of Momusu's most endeared leaders~ here.....in a few days I'll be posting the giveaway post~ which may involve racing...hmm....(^-^*)！All entries must be posted here by November 14th to be eligible~ for the upcoming Aichan♥ shashinshuu giveaway post~. For a *peek* inside of "Watashi" please click here~ ＾　＾。　Wait that didn't sound right! (*´艸`)。。I meant the pb not me~! (ﾟﾍﾟ)！！！

Takahashi Ai giveaway shashinshuu

(*´∀｀*)～＊～。。。

………(゜∀゜)………。

o(*´∀｀)o゛♥♥♥

Aichan♥ in "Kimagure Princess"...

”まる○まる○まる～まる～まる○○○○○(^-^*)/！

~Thank you for 200,000~ o(*´∀｀)o゛♥

Through the end of 2006 and throughout 2007 I didn't even know what a blog counter was (*´艸`)。。。until I saw it at Henkka's and added one from March of '08....and today 'MorningBerryz' has reached 200,000 visitors with over 234,000 hits within these past 19 months~. When I first began writing here I think there may have been maybe 2 or 3 visitors each day~ and now with over 10,500 visitors each month I am truly grateful for everyone supporting me always as it truly means so much to me~. While this blog has gone through so many of my odd writings~ (。ーωー。) and thoughts at times covering music♪♪～, idols♥, fiction, movies, t.v. shows, really strange thoughts..(._.;), dramas, personal life, racing♥ and many many other oddities I'm sure...・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。along the way~ I really want to say *thank you* so much for embracing me even with my numerous shortcomings as both a writer and a person~ (*≧m≦) as I hope to continue writing here for at least the next four months~.

I truly read each and every comment and PM left here taking everything to heart♥~ and although I know I've been late so often recently (ノロ≦。)！with replying it's really your comments and messages that have meant so much to me being here and writing this blog♥....I truly wouldn't be here without you♥~writing to me. *Thank you* so much for everything~!

♥MB o(*´∀｀)o゛♥♥♥~!

Godzilla is crowned MVP of World Series~!!! ＼(^o^)／☆

Godzilla♥ in the *plush*~ o(*´∀｀)o゛

Godzilla aka Matsui Hideki~♥!

おめでとうございます～！！！！＼(^o^)／☆～！！！！

~Godzilla in the World Series~ continued...

Godzilla♥ in the *plush*~ o(*´∀｀)o゛

Godzilla aka Matsui Hideki~♥!

...now 3 hits and 6 RBI's in this game....and yet the Yankees may let him go next season? I'm really confused...(ノロ≦。)！

Godzilla goes deep~...watching the World Series along with the rest of Japan~! ＾　＾

Godzilla♥ in the *plush*~ o(*´∀｀)o゛

Godzilla aka Matsui Hideki~♥!

It's just the top of the 4th inning..........but~! ＼(^o^)／☆

~Todays' arrivals...

Cdjapan order...♥

(*Sigh*...) here's Kindai's final issue...it feels so odd to just say that~ (;´□｀) but so *wonderful* that C-ute got the final cover!!! ＼(^o^)／☆ And there's a few surprises inside as I hope to have some scans to share hopefully within the week as well as with C-ute's "Alo-Hello!" shot here in Hawaii~ and the latest issue of UTB~!

Hmmm...I'm a bit hesitant to open up the sealing on Momusu's latest single "Kimagure Princess" (._.;)! as I'm a bit worried that this may be the very first single by them that I'm not going to like? (*´艸`)！！While I'm yet to hear a single note or vocal from this single I've just been reading a lot of not so good thoughts on it so I'm very hesitant to listen as their singles stare at me from across the room......

And Yay~! a complete pv collection from Arashi♥ is finally here~!!! o(*´∀｀)o゛So many awesome pvs that we can finally watch whenever we want too♥~! I haven't watched "Sakura sake" in such a long time...(´⌒｀。)！！So many pvs♥ here to love so I think I'll just play them over and over until someone♥ makes me stop!!…(^q^)!! If you don't hear from me for awhile you now know what happened.....(。ーωー。)！

Hello! Project Fall concert T-Shirts♥~!

Momusu & Koha♥chan "9 Smile" concert T-shirt sets...

Momusu & Koha♥chan "9 Smile" concert T-shirt sets

I was really happy (pun maybe intended (*´艸`)！) with so many of the happy/*Smile* T-shirt designs~ from the latest H!P concert tours~!! (*´∀｀*)。。。。。so the real dilemma came from which ones to choose??? (・c_・;)？Colors are important so that was one consideration but more importantly which members to choose as I was only allowing myself two member shirts from these releases~ (人∀`*)。

I really wanted two group shirts for sure...those being Momusu's and C-ute's and I really really so *adore* those happy face icons for each member on Momusu's...so so cute too!! as you first guess which belongs to each member from the front and then on the back of Momusu's shirt are the complete list of member's names next to their happy (^o^)'s~! Sort of like answers???.....maybe my imagination is much too strange~…(^q^)!

I ended up choosing Koha♥chan's solo T-shirt set and it really became an easy decision as this is perhaps her very last T-shirt set as a member of H!P...(;´□｀)！！！This most likely will never be worn as it's rather like a last collector's item from one of Momusu's most *adorable* members~ and definitely their most energetic!!! っo(*´∀｀)o! Momusu's included a nine photo set while Koha♥chan's came with a two photo set (always ♥ the fighting pose~!!!) as well as a cute wristband which also bears her happy face icon~♥ ＾　＾。

Here are the accompanying photos...in order♥:

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Koha♥chan's is my favorite♥ in this set as she's so *adorable* here showing which smiley♥ is hers~! (￣▽￣)

...and Koha♥chan's set:

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Fighto~ pose~♥!!

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C-ute & Manoeri fall concert T-shirt sets...

C-ute & Manoeri fall concert T-shirt sets...(back)

C-ute's latest concert T-shirt set includes six member photos and their "Cutie Jump" tour logo~ all in a sort of army green?....and I'm just happy to have one last Ume photo from her final tour with C-ute..I can't believe she's graduated already (;´□｀)。。。while Manoeri's was so much a must have as not only do I love red but it's also her debut solo concert T-shirt set~ o(*´∀｀)o゛♥！Manoeri's also includes two photos as well as a name wristband~. The piano silhouette jumped at me from when I very first saw Manoeri's design and it's so so so so so so perfect!!! Her girl next door idol image + piano♥ = pure ~♥~! o(*´∀｀)o゛。

Here are the accompanying member photos...once again in order♥:

...and Manoeri's set:

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(Fighto~! pose♥!)

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Minna *kawaii* ne~♥!

＾　＾。

松たか子　君となら「Blu-spec CD」リリース！！

Matsu♥Takako

Matsu Takako "Kimi to nara" (first pressing)

With the same laser process that goes into Blu ray discs, Sony has yet again improved clarity and now in the audio market where their audio releases have begun to appear since last year~. Happily their Blu-spec CD technology doesn't require one to purchase a new player to be able to listen♪♪～ to them as they're compatible with all standard CD players ＾　＾。

Matsu♥Takako's latest single release utilizes this very technology~ and here we're given 3 most *beautiful* songs to listen to~ っo(*´∀｀)o!

Both the title track "Kimi to nara" ("When I'm with you") as well as track two "Kitto tsutaete" (I'll definitely tell [you]" ) are very relaxing and *sweet* light contemporary jazz compositions while the third track "500 Miles" falls more as a standard ballad~. A full arsenal of musicians were assembled for these recordings and it really gives each song so much depth down to the subtle strings~.... the sometimes "Brubeck" like jazz piano chords~ as well as the light tingling of the percussion~. Matsu♥Takako's vocals shine so sweetly as she's become so accomplished in this sense with such an elegant delivery, but perhaps it's her song writing that's so very impressive as she continues to pen much of her own music as she composed both lyrics & music in entirety for tracks one and two~. More on Matsu♥Takako and her beginnings and history in drama, movies and music can be found here~....with additional posts here ＾　＾。 I apologize so much for the now broken video clips in some of those linked posts (;´□｀) but perhaps one day I'll be able to redo them~.

Matsu Takako's "Kimi to nara" can be ordered here at Cdjapan.

Matsu Takako's "Kimi to nara" can be ordered here at YesAsia.

Matsu Takako's "Kimi to nara" can be ordered here at HMV Japan.

Matsu♥Takako "Kimi to nara" first pressing (cover scan)

01 Kimi to nara

Matsu Takako

02 Kitto tsutaete

Matsu Takako

Matsu♥Takako "Kimi to nara" first pressing (inner jacket scan)

03 500 マイル

Matsu Takako

Matsu♥Takako in "Time for music"...

"Kimi to nara"'s first pressing includes an additional DVD...it's a rather short clip though at just over 4 minutes but I found it to be a most entertaining collage of stills, road and in studio footage which were taken from '08~'09 in Los Angeles for the documentary "Time for music" with Matsu♥Takako being joined by a large array of fellow musicians~!

Matsu♥Takako "Time for music" document...(clip)

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(click play~! above)