Elder Club Finally Graduates

[Shoujo Q]

Damn! I was away for this? I thought it wasn't till March. D: Poo! ;-;



Uhm, I'll never let go! You hear me, NEVA! D: Not till I turn 128 and decide to dump all my CDs in the frosty Pacific.





I think it all has to do with the fact that I didn't become a fan of H!P till after the 6th gen joined so I'm slightly attached to them. And besides, in all his many forms I liked Tsunku and his music and where Tsunku is, I go. D: I ain't here for the entertainment value of my H!P members, though it does help sometimes.

[Madara]

I'm sad. Some of those pictures in the Hello Online link really get to me. Yossi's tears! But especially Yuko handing off to Ai-chan. I love Ai-chan to death as a performer, but I think she needs a little more gravitas to take on this role. Granted, she’s developing it, at least as based on the last concert I saw her in (“Resonant Live”), but there's a big gap between her and Yuko. As well as between her and Kaori, Nacchi, Kei, Maki, Yossi, Miki and Rika. (Rika may not have had much gravitas either, but she made up for it by being awfully aggressive and competitive, two things I wouldn't accuse Ai-chan of being.) I’m rooting for Ai-chan, but she just doesn’t display the strong personality of the ones I mentioned. And after Ai-chan and Risa, who else is there to fill in the gaps? Do we have to wait for Saki Shimizu and Maimi Yajima to hit 21 or 22?



The big difference here is that, traditionally, the older members were mostly always around after graduating. They’d show up at all the H!P concerts. They did new songs/videos. Best of all, when I picked up the latest episode of “Hello Morning,” there they all were: Nacchi, Kaori, Yuko, Maki, Kei, Mari (sometimes), Rika, Aibon (for a while) and Nono, all participating alongside the current lineup of MM. They were there. They didn’t disappear after graduating.



Granted, I don't think they've been showing up on the TV show in the last two years anyway, but I haven't watched any of the newer TV shows since "Hello Morning" ended. And, to be honest, it took me a long time to catch up on viewing the TV eps. I had, plus a lot of the older material in general. So it hasn't really sunk in until now.



My point is that I doubt we'll see the older members interacting with the younger ones much from now on. And I'll miss that. That was a large part of the appeal for me.

[yuzuriha]

[quote name='PQ' post='58822' date='Feb 3 2009, 07:35 AM']Damn! I was away for this? I thought it wasn't till March. D: Poo! ;-;



Uhm, I'll never let go! You hear me, NEVA! D: Not till I turn 128 and decide to dump all my CDs in the frosty Pacific.





I think it all has to do with the fact that I didn't become a fan of H!P till after the 6th gen joined so I'm slightly attached to them. And besides, in all his many forms I liked Tsunku and his music and where Tsunku is, I go. D: I ain't here for the entertainment value of my H!P members, though it does help sometimes.[/quote]



Yeah I thought it was the end of March too and because of how weird they are with tickets here I wasn't even looking for them yet. And then Sunday I was in Shibuya and we walked by a scalper and there was a ticket and like THERE IS A PERFORMANCE TONIGHT and I wanted to cry because I have been sick and knew that if I wanted to go I'd have to skip work the next day. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':suika:' />

[alita87]

[quote name='yuzuriha' post='58923' date='Feb 4 2009, 07:15 PM'][quote name='PQ' post='58822' date='Feb 3 2009, 07:35 AM']Damn! I was away for this? I thought it wasn't till March. D: Poo! ;-;



Uhm, I'll never let go! You hear me, NEVA! D: Not till I turn 128 and decide to dump all my CDs in the frosty Pacific.





I think it all has to do with the fact that I didn't become a fan of H!P till after the 6th gen joined so I'm slightly attached to them. And besides, in all his many forms I liked Tsunku and his music and where Tsunku is, I go. D: I ain't here for the entertainment value of my H!P members, though it does help sometimes.[/quote]



Yeah I thought it was the end of March too and because of how weird they are with tickets here I wasn't even looking for them yet. And then Sunday I was in Shibuya and we walked by a scalper and there was a ticket and like THERE IS A PERFORMANCE TONIGHT and I wanted to cry because I have been sick and knew that if I wanted to go I'd have to skip work the next day. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':suika:' />

[/quote]



This was announced as the last group performance a long time ago though. Back right after they sent out the fanclub mailings describing the new fanclub set up (aka 3 weeks after freaking everyone out with the mere graduation announcement) they stated that they would be graduating during the winter tours. And then the title of the tour kinda said it all.



It's not that they won't still be doing performances before then as HP, I mean Melon Kinenbi has several performances in these next couple of months, and many of the other girls have fanclub events. I'm thinking of going to Yuko's fanclub event in Okinawa myself.



You live in Tokyo so I would've thought it'd be much easier to get tickets. I traveled back exhausted on bus and still had to work on Monday.

Part of me wishes I'd gone to the saturday show too, a lot of my friends did and although this was my first time doing 2 in one day this would've been the one show I would've been able to survive going to all concerts of, since there were only 3.

[lemonmilktea]

[quote name='MoMusumefan21' post='58820' date='Feb 3 2009, 12:36 AM']OH yeah...No more LOVE MACHINE in concerts! How is this Morning Musume?! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... dammit.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> Maybe I am in the minority of people here that love that song and feel that song is what defined Morning Musume. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':wheely:' />[/quote]



I agree, I also think it defined the spunkiness, and cheer of the group.



Even though I personally wouldn't know, seeeing as I only got into H!P around the time of "Sexy Boy/ Ambitious."



And I too thought it was all supposed to happen in March, not knowing that they'd spread this out, so when I saw the topic of this thread, along with the pic of Yossie crying, it hit hard.

[freezingkiss]

^ I don't agree and most people here wouldn't. That song is so overplayed, I mean, at every Kouhaku for the past however many years! Blah!!

[yuzuriha]

[quote name='alita87' post='58933' date='Feb 4 2009, 09:48 AM'][quote name='yuzuriha' post='58923' date='Feb 4 2009, 07:15 PM'][quote name='PQ' post='58822' date='Feb 3 2009, 07:35 AM']Damn! I was away for this? I thought it wasn't till March. D: Poo! ;-;



Uhm, I'll never let go! You hear me, NEVA! D: Not till I turn 128 and decide to dump all my CDs in the frosty Pacific.





I think it all has to do with the fact that I didn't become a fan of H!P till after the 6th gen joined so I'm slightly attached to them. And besides, in all his many forms I liked Tsunku and his music and where Tsunku is, I go. D: I ain't here for the entertainment value of my H!P members, though it does help sometimes.[/quote]



Yeah I thought it was the end of March too and because of how weird they are with tickets here I wasn't even looking for them yet. And then Sunday I was in Shibuya and we walked by a scalper and there was a ticket and like THERE IS A PERFORMANCE TONIGHT and I wanted to cry because I have been sick and knew that if I wanted to go I'd have to skip work the next day. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

[/quote]



This was announced as the last group performance a long time ago though. Back right after they sent out the fanclub mailings describing the new fanclub set up (aka 3 weeks after freaking everyone out with the mere graduation announcement) they stated that they would be graduating during the winter tours. And then the title of the tour kinda said it all.



It's not that they won't still be doing performances before then as HP, I mean Melon Kinenbi has several performances in these next couple of months, and many of the other girls have fanclub events. I'm thinking of going to Yuko's fanclub event in Okinawa myself.



You live in Tokyo so I would've thought it'd be much easier to get tickets. I traveled back exhausted on bus and still had to work on Monday.

Part of me wishes I'd gone to the saturday show too, a lot of my friends did and although this was my first time doing 2 in one day this would've been the one show I would've been able to survive going to all concerts of, since there were only 3.

[/quote]



Well to be honest I was only reading what I was reading on here and when the board was down for all that time I got like no info. And I really live in Chiba, 3 hours away by train. The fact of the matter is though I'm not a morning person at all, like I CAN'T get up in the mornings, so on top of being sick I have been late every day this week as it was. A concert just would have been worse.



As for being easier to get tickets...there are no Lawsons in my town. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' /> Only 7-11s and I have to DRIVE to every one.



I'm just sad about not going, but I found out about it at LITERALLY the last minute.

[alita87]

[quote name='yuzuriha' post='59036' date='Feb 5 2009, 05:16 PM'][quote name='alita87' post='58933' date='Feb 4 2009, 09:48 AM'][quote name='yuzuriha' post='58923' date='Feb 4 2009, 07:15 PM'][quote name='PQ' post='58822' date='Feb 3 2009, 07:35 AM']Damn! I was away for this? I thought it wasn't till March. D: Poo! ;-;



Uhm, I'll never let go! You hear me, NEVA! D: Not till I turn 128 and decide to dump all my CDs in the frosty Pacific.





I think it all has to do with the fact that I didn't become a fan of H!P till after the 6th gen joined so I'm slightly attached to them. And besides, in all his many forms I liked Tsunku and his music and where Tsunku is, I go. D: I ain't here for the entertainment value of my H!P members, though it does help sometimes.[/quote]



Yeah I thought it was the end of March too and because of how weird they are with tickets here I wasn't even looking for them yet. And then Sunday I was in Shibuya and we walked by a scalper and there was a ticket and like THERE IS A PERFORMANCE TONIGHT and I wanted to cry because I have been sick and knew that if I wanted to go I'd have to skip work the next day. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

[/quote]



This was announced as the last group performance a long time ago though. Back right after they sent out the fanclub mailings describing the new fanclub set up (aka 3 weeks after freaking everyone out with the mere graduation announcement) they stated that they would be graduating during the winter tours. And then the title of the tour kinda said it all.



It's not that they won't still be doing performances before then as HP, I mean Melon Kinenbi has several performances in these next couple of months, and many of the other girls have fanclub events. I'm thinking of going to Yuko's fanclub event in Okinawa myself.



You live in Tokyo so I would've thought it'd be much easier to get tickets. I traveled back exhausted on bus and still had to work on Monday.

Part of me wishes I'd gone to the saturday show too, a lot of my friends did and although this was my first time doing 2 in one day this would've been the one show I would've been able to survive going to all concerts of, since there were only 3.

[/quote]



Well to be honest I was only reading what I was reading on here and when the board was down for all that time I got like no info. And I really live in Chiba, 3 hours away by train. The fact of the matter is though I'm not a morning person at all, like I CAN'T get up in the mornings, so on top of being sick I have been late every day this week as it was. A concert just would have been worse.



As for being easier to get tickets...there are no Lawsons in my town. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' /> Only 7-11s and I have to DRIVE to every one.



I'm just sad about not going, but I found out about it at LITERALLY the last minute.

[/quote]



Ahh yeah and it was reported on H!O but honestly with how people over there still seem to assume the people who graduated have no jobs (not getting it no matter how many times it's repeated they are still under HP til April and still working and going into other fanclubs) I wouldn't trust their info.



But it's been on the HP site for months, that's really the best place to get new info, asides for release info which is usually released on the cd management's site beforehand.



Or join the fanclub, then you get all the info and preorders on many tickets. And you seem to get tempted into going to more and more concerts.



Lawson's isn't the only company that sells tickets, all conbinis do, just not all concerts have codes for all conbinis. But there is always direct sale where you just jot down the info given and send a furikomi by post office.







I have mixed feelings about love machine, but it really was the "theme" song of the older generation. Then I'd consider "Mr Moonlight/The Peace" as the next gens theme song, then for current I picture it as Mikan as it seems to capture the spirit of the current group. While I think the song doesn't fit Morning Musume, I do have a feeling it will still be performed by M-line.

[Madara]

I'm a big "Love Machine" fan but I don't mind it being retired. I don't like seeing it performed when none of the original eight are involved. Besides, I can always watch it being performed the way it should be on the original PV and on plenty of old concerts that I have.



Alita, I really enjoyed reading your account of the concert on your blog and I think it's very cool that Yossi waved at you a second time. (C'mon, you should have bragged about it here--you've earned it!) I hope to read more.



There were a few references I didn't understand, so I'm hoping if I ask about them here, there'll be enough other readers who'd find the info useful. If not, tell me to PM you or respond to your blog or whatever you think is best, if you don't mind answering these questions:



What's Shugo Chara Egg?



Who's Yukidon?



What's "ikemen"?



And, finally, is the Miki-sama you referred to Miki Fujimoto? If not, then who was it and did Miki Fujimoto perform at the concert?



Thanks.

[Pflaume]

[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']What's Shugo Chara Egg?[/quote]



Shugo Chara Egg is a group formed for the show Shugo Chara. Much like Buono, they sing theme songs for the show. The group's composed of 4 H!P eggs. Google them for any more detailed information, as I don't know Egg names.



[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']Who's Yukidon?[/quote]



Maeda Yuki, H!P's resident enka lady. Also google this, if you don't know her.



[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']What's "ikemen"?[/quote]



A good-looking guy.



[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']And, finally, is the Miki-sama you referred to Miki Fujimoto? If not, then who was it and did Miki Fujimoto perform at the concert?[/quote]



Yes. Way back when during her solo career, the wota used to do a chant that roughly translated to "Punish me, Miki-sama!" It was weird and epic, and it's a reference to that.

[Madara]

[quote name='Pflaume' post='59062' date='Feb 6 2009, 03:10 AM'][quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']What's Shugo Chara Egg?[/quote]



Shugo Chara Egg is a group formed for the show Shugo Chara. Much like Buono, they sing theme songs for the show. The group's composed of 4 H!P eggs. Google them for any more detailed information, as I don't know Egg names.



[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']Who's Yukidon?[/quote]



Maeda Yuki, H!P's resident enka lady. Also google this, if you don't know her.



[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']What's "ikemen"?[/quote]



A good-looking guy.



[quote name='Madara' post='59053' date='Feb 5 2009, 11:21 AM']And, finally, is the Miki-sama you referred to Miki Fujimoto? If not, then who was it and did Miki Fujimoto perform at the concert?[/quote]



Yes. Way back when during her solo career, the wota used to do a chant that roughly translated to "Punish me, Miki-sama!" It was weird and epic, and it's a reference to that.

[/quote]





Thanks, Pflaume, much appreciated. I'm happy that Miki was there. I wasn't really sure of her status within (without?) H!P these days.



I'm a big fan of Yuki Maeda, I just never heard her referred to by that name. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... cratch.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I tend to limit myself to nicknames that are shorter than their actual names (with Aibon and Ai-chan the obvious exceptions).

[alita87]

I'm not really sure where Yuki's nickname came from, as it was around before Ai Ai Daiko so can't be a reference to that. I just got used to hearing it shouted at karaoke and so learned when to shout it at concerts.



For Miki-sama, ya gotta admit that her bitchy appearance and attitude does make her the perfect one to ask for punishment from x_x. The chant is still used during Romanic Ukare Mode, it seems to be the main wotagei song that's almost as wild as the moshing expected during This is Unmei.



In my experience ikemen is more complicated than just good looking guy. It is that... but it implies so much more. It implies being beautiful looking in some ways like a host, and yet having toughness. And usually it has the image associated of a guy who's a lot of work to take care of, even if his outer image is tough. It's become incredibly popular here lately thanks to one comedian (Kano Eiko) who actually doesn't fit the definition very well but atleast in outer image has launched this ikemen craze. And that's probably what they were going for with Cute's style in Forever Love.

[Ap2000]

[quote name='neshcom' post='58705' date='Feb 2 2009, 05:36 AM']Does this mean no more LOVE Machine performances? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hawhaw.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />[/quote]



Considering H!P is never ever again going to be at Kouhaku, they won't need it. haha

[neshcom]

[quote name='Ap2000' post='59091' date='Feb 5 2009, 10:43 PM'][quote name='neshcom' post='58705' date='Feb 2 2009, 05:36 AM']Does this mean no more LOVE Machine performances? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hawhaw.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />[/quote]



Considering H!P is never ever again going to be at Kouhaku, they won't need it. haha

[/quote]

<img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... imshot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

[ashivers]

^ At first I got so pissed at Eiko for... well just for his persona. But, during the new years special, I think it was on the 1st of Jan, he stuffed the timing up of something they were doing live. And it was so cute how he reacted and all and I felt so sorry for him but he was trooping on and being all embarrassed and trying to stay in character at the same time... and now I don't mind him pretending to be ikemen when he's not XD



Anyway, on topic; there were a lot of parts of this concert which I was like just thinking "PURE WIN! PURE WIN! PURE WIN!!!" over and over, and there were the parts that made me feel like, even though it was the GRADUATION concert, it wasn't thought out quite enough. Like the ending, and only a few of the song choices, felt a little out of place for me. I also think its good to promote new stuff and the future of H!P, but to be honest its almost as if for once, I didn't want to hear Mano (who, poor girl, sounded pretty sick), Berryz, C-ute, nowMM or even BUONO!!! (like wtf?!) singing their own songs for the last concert. I enjoyed the songs, but it was kinda like.. its the EC's last concert, so it should be about them. I liked the setlist, just, I felt the final concert should've been a bit more EC focused to make it more special. Oh, and ICM should've sung the Chinese version. OMG. I love ICM but, their Japanese pronunciation was very.. noticeable.

[yuzuriha]

Well I never think to check the H!P official site for whatever reason. And like I said I've never been to a concert here, I just remember getting up early because my dad gave me the OK to get WaT tickets and I got to Lawson's and they were already sold out. That's as far as my knowledge goes.



As for the fanclub...I meant to join when I got here, got really busy and forgot, and now I'm only here another six months so...not really worth it I guess.



I WILL make it to a concert before I leave though! I will drag Ryan along while he's here! We'll go see MKB or something! YARRR

[alita87]

[quote name='ashivers' post='59093' date='Feb 6 2009, 12:55 PM']Anyway, on topic; there were a lot of parts of this concert which I was like just thinking "PURE WIN! PURE WIN! PURE WIN!!!" over and over, and there were the parts that made me feel like, even though it was the GRADUATION concert, it wasn't thought out quite enough. Like the ending, and only a few of the song choices, felt a little out of place for me. I also think its good to promote new stuff and the future of H!P, but to be honest its almost as if for once, I didn't want to hear Mano (who, poor girl, sounded pretty sick), Berryz, C-ute, nowMM or even BUONO!!! (like wtf?!) singing their own songs for the last concert. I enjoyed the songs, but it was kinda like.. its the EC's last concert, so it should be about them. I liked the setlist, just, I felt the final concert should've been a bit more EC focused to make it more special. Oh, and ICM should've sung the Chinese version. OMG. I love ICM but, their Japanese pronunciation was very.. noticeable.[/quote]



I guess since I'd just gone to the elder concert in Osaka a couple of weeks previous I was happy to be able to see some of the Wonderful stuff since I didn't go to their concert (frankly their setlist was crap). Happy I wasn't the only one to notice that Mano sounded sick. Some may say she always has a bad voice but both other times I've seen her in concert she's sounded great, she just sounded really stuffy that day. I'm always happy to see Forever Love just because the costumes are pure win (if only some of the girls were a couple of years older). And Berryz was great too, even if Captain didn't seem to be by my awesome seats all that often. I think since it was supposed to be the joint concert it would've been a little unfair to have it purely EC focused ( I mean it was alongass concert), but it would've been nice if as a tribute they gave the wonderful hearts girls some older songs. God, I would have loved to hear a Shekidol song even though non of those girls is around anymore.



Well ICM was a lot better in the afternoon, singing and questionwise. Course their question in the afternoon was significantly easier than their question they got stuck with at night. I still think Youko has the best pronounciation, but she did even during the auditions when she sang I Wish and Ayaya's song.



I can't wait for the dvd though. They better not focus completely on Koharu during her song, Aiko and Francis are too adorable to ignore.





[quote name='yuzuriha' post='59110' date='Feb 6 2009, 05:58 PM']Well I never think to check the H!P official site for whatever reason. And like I said I've never been to a concert here, I just remember getting up early because my dad gave me the OK to get WaT tickets and I got to Lawson's and they were already sold out. That's as far as my knowledge goes.



As for the fanclub...I meant to join when I got here, got really busy and forgot, and now I'm only here another six months so...not really worth it I guess.



I WILL make it to a concert before I leave though! I will drag Ryan along while he's here! We'll go see MKB or something! YARRR[/quote]



Ahh yeah for most concerts you need to either do fanclub or resign yourself to auctions. I haven't gotten as bad, but most of my friends apply for the max number of concerts (usually a max of 10 in a tour) just to make sure you get some. I've just always been lucky X_x.



MKB is impossible to get without fanclub from what I've heard, their countdown live had general admission but it was only a few tickets so they were gone right away. Those if you really want one for their tour you can always pm me and I can let you know when they come up in the fanclub newsletters and get some.



Musume is pretty easy to get general to as long as it's not the last performance and not a graduation tour. Which since they haven't announced a graduation yet I'm assuming they won't.



BTW, I'm still taking the "I'll have a shitload of Naichau Kamo, if you wanna just pay me the shipping I'll send you one" apps. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... umbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

And the solo editions of the Musume fall tour are out now if anyone wants me to order for them.