I managed to give not an actual ranking in '17 - just in their respective groups. I think I'm gonna do that too, later, since I've already done the ranking machine thing.
- Iikubo Haruna
- Kanazawa Tomoko
- Haga Akane
- Aikawa Maho
- Miyazaki Yuka
- Yanagawa Nanami
- Hirose Ayaka
- Kamikokuryo Moe
- Uemura Akari
- Nakanishi Kana
- Kishimoto Yumeno
- Inaba Manaka
- Yokoyama Reina
- Takeuchi Akari
- Ogata Risa
49. Yamagishi Riko
50. Niinuma Kisora
These were obviously related to several events. Some Juice members, especially Aarii, ranking so high was definitely influenced by the world tour. They were amazing, and incredible in person. The 4 mentioned in this ranking left the biggest impression on me, but honestly 16-18 could easily be Sayuki, Ruru and Karin (I do think the first two are indeed in my top 20 with Karin making the top 30 at least).
Maho coming in 4th was pretty much influenced by her departure. She's always been high in my ANGERME rankings, usually 2nd, taking the lead now is more or less a goodbye to her.
Akane being 2nd is a bit of a surprise. She had an interesting year, and got quite a push. She is my 2nd favourite in MM after all, I just didn't expect her to get that place in the overall ranking as well.
Now, as in respective group rankings (and here's the '16 ranking to that):
Like a lot - like - okay - don't care - go away
Morning Musume:
1. Iikubo Haruna (-)
2. Haga Akane (-)
3. Yokoyama Reina (new)
4. Kudo Haruka (3)
5. Makino Maria (8)
6. Ogata Haruna (5)
7. Oda Sakura (4)
8. Ishida Ayumi (6)
9. Kaga Kaede (new)
10. Nonaka Miki (7)
11. Ikuta Erina (9)
12. Morito Chisaki (new)
13. Fukumura Mizuki (11)
14. Sato Masaki (10)
Personally, I thought MM had a very slow and shitty first half and a rushed second half of the year. They basically threw together a half-assed anniversary celebration and Duu's graduation, more or less additionally to Chisaki (I consider her more of a second half event, since she started performing with them during the summer concerts). Highlight of the first half was the spring concert tour, with probably the two best medley they've ever done (the first one that begins with OTT, the other one with Ikimasshoi). Unfortunately the singles were so-so for me, Jealousyx2 and Go Sign were quite good, but nothing like Mukidashi or Utakata the year before.
Considering the ranking a few things have changed. Starting from the bottom: Masaki and Mizuki change positions. Mizuki is boring, but Masaki's emotion's just are too much for me. As a human being I respect and like her a lot, but I like my idols to be a bit more balanced. Ikuta finally gets out of the least favourite trio and even going from "go away" to "okay". Somehow I think she has found her place in the group. I probably wouldn't miss her, but good for her. Yokoyan has become an instant favourite, Kaede will grow on me, I'm sure. Just give her something to work with, dammit! Also, biggest jump goes to Maria, going from "don't care" to "like" - she actually grew on me. She's also a bit too "aggressive" for my usual liking (I don't go well with hyper idols like for example Koharu or Mari), but in a group of very, let's say, behaving members it's good to have a crybaby. As in, a funny crybaby.
Oh yeah, I think Morito adds nothing to the group except for a cute face. But we have Maria for that. (And Yokoyan.)
ANGERME:
1. Aikawa Maho (2)
2. Kamikokuryo Moe (4)
3. Nakanishi Kana (-)
4. Takeuchi Akari (2)
5. Wada Ayaka (6)
6. Murota Mizuki (5)
7. Funaki Musubu (new)
8. Sasaki Rikako (7)
9. Kasahara Momona (8)
10. Kawamura Ayano (new)
11. Katsuta Rina (9)
What even was ANGERME's year? I feel like I don't remember anything about it. I think they had a stage play or something? And that digital single? I mean yeah Funakki and Kawamuu joined but then?
Once again Maho takes the top. Good bye, cute alien. The other three at the top move around all the time, the only real thing about this is that I came not to care that much about Takechan this year. She's still great. Rikako and Kassa move from "okay" to "like". There's just something about having a 14yo singing about her breasts. Just kidding. But Rikako was really enjoyable this year in my opinion.
The new ones, eh. I love Funakki. She has been my unbeaten fave in CG ever since Manakan left but I don't feel her yet in ANGERME. I mean, it's only been one single. But still. Maybe she blossomed in CG because all the others were really just average or below at singing while she has Takechan and Moe (and sometimes Murotan) in her new group. Kawamuu seems fun, her voice just doesn't fit the group.
I will never love Rina, sorry.
Juice=Juice:
1. Kanazawa Tomoko (-)
2. Miyazaki Yuka (-)
3. Yanagawa Nanami (new)
4. Uemura Akari (5)
5. Takagi Sayuki (4)
6. Danbara Ruru (new)
7. Miyamoto Karin (3)
World tour effect. They all left a good impression on me and I first thought Nanami destroyed my ranking, but then there was Uemuu who went from last to middle (and from "don't care" to "like"). Impressive. Karin however dropped, while she was great in Dortmund she loses a lot in character. Not that J=J are charismatic bombs to begin with, but for example Uemuu developed a somewhat entertaining big-sister-little-sister relationship with Nanami. Just something to add to her pretty face, and she's gotten better at performing, too.
Kobushi Factory:
1. Hirose Ayaka
2. Nomura Minami
3. Hamaura Ayano
4. Wada Sakurako
5. Taguchi Natsumi
6. Inoue Rei
7. Ogawa Rena
8. Fujii Rio
Boom, what a year. If we weren't in the middle of a concert tour I'd wonder what would happen on January 6.
Yeah, except for Taguchi the departures weren't much of a loss for me. Except for the first two nothing is 100% certain, except for Rei being somewhat boring for me this year. Not that she's bad, I just kind of didn't see her. Which is weird considering her being the co-center.
Also, I couldn't watch that ninja movie. It was too cringy.
Tsubaki Factory:
1. Kishimoto Yumeno (-)
2. Ogata Risa (-)
3. Asakura Kiki (4)
4. Ono Mizuho (7)
5. Akiyama Mao (3)
6. Tanimoto Ami (-)
7. Onoda Saori (5)
8. Yamagishi Riko (-)
9. Niinuma Kisora (-)
Surprisingly great year, but they get dropped as soon as UF decides to promote Ichioka's group.
There's not much to say. Kishimon still rules, and 2.-6. moved from "don't care" to more positive reactions towards them. Just one thing: Wasn't Saori supposed to be, I don't know, good? I guess she's not a horrible but singer but what else?
Also, where the hell has Kisora been all year? Kiki had more stage presence than her when she was home on hiatus.
Country Girls:
1. Ozeki Mai (-)
2. Funaki Musubu (-)
3. Yanagawa Nanami (-)
4. Yamaki Risa (-)
5. Morito Chisaki (6)
Eh. I mean. Sucks to be them. But my ranking didn't change at all.