Chasing Idols in the Rain

Rain is my good luck charm.

On the day I saw Hikki in concert … it rained in the afternoon.
On the day I saw AKB48 in concert and met MY WIFE … it was raining that morning.
It didn’t rain at all during Momusu’s appearance at Anime Expo … and of course, I missed getting their autographs.

So when I woke up on Saturday morning and heard an unfamiliar sound outside my bedroom window—I thought, “What the hell California?! It hasn’t rained all week!”

But right then, I knew … a rainy Saturday was the perfect day for chasing J-idols.

The Idols You Can Meet: Ai Kago Edition

I believe this video speaks for itself

I’ll write up a report of the whole thing later.

Neon Genesis Buono!: Death and Rebirth (part 4)

Late Summer, 2009

Dr. Kawashima!
“Yes, sir?”
I mean, that is your title, isn’t it? Doctor? As in, knowing stuff about the human body and health and diseases and stuff?
“Well actually, I’m not that kind of a doctor … I’m just a neurologist who designed that Brain Training game for Nintendo DS and then everyone started copying it and—”
Well, that’s not important. I have a mission for you.
“What’s that?”

Neon Genesis Buono!: Death and Rebirth (part 3)

Fall, 2008

“WHAT IS THIS? What is the meaning of this?!”
this pronoun. 1. the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned 2 the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion…
“That’s not what I meant! I mean … what is this, this pyon pyon, fumu fumu, yeah yeah? Hah?”
That, Mister Tsunku, is the greatest lyrical hook since “Who Let the Dogs Out?! WHOOP, WHOOP, WHOOP, WHOOP!”
“Shut up! I … I can’t believe you and your people produced Shugo Chara Egg’s debut single behind my back like this!”
It worked, didn’t it? All the kids are humming it.
“Well, I can’t deny that. But what about the ending song?! What is this ‘Lotta Lotta Lotta Love’ or whatever? And who came up with that fantastic guitar riff that permeates the whole song? It’s like, tied with ‘Renai Rider’ for the best Buono! single EVRAR!! And I had nothing to do with it!”
I know, right? Isn’t it great? You just provide the girls, and the awesome music provides itself.

Neon Genesis Buono!: Death and Rebirth (part 2)

Winter, 2008

“But are you sure they’re ready for a first album?”
Mister Tsunku, are you saying you don’t trust us?
“Well of course I trust you, but—”
Did we not take your carefully selected trio and catapult them onto a path of idol stardom?
“I guess so…”
And did we not give them a debut single that was surprisingly catchy and accessible, yet still possessed of complexity and a certain edge that makes it stand out from the typical idol song?
“Well yes, that’s true …”
And did they not follow up with a second single that is arguably one of the greatest Hello! Instrumentality Project songs OF ALL TIME?
“Don’t forget all the stuff I wrote with Dance*Man—”
The hell with Dance*Man! That was half a decade ago! That’s like three generations of Morning Musume in idol years! In case you haven’t noticed, Buono! is something NEW! Something FRESH! It’s AMAZING!! And you dare question whether they are ready for a first album?