Idol Frontline 2015: Messages to Berryz Kobo (Takagi Sayuki)

Following on from the interviews with Berryz, we have a small selection of active Hello! members giving their thoughts about Berryz. Last time we had Okai-chan, Maro, and Fuku-chan. We wrap up this part of the mook with an interview with Juice=Juice's monkey. I don't normally associate her with being a BeriWota, but Sayubee's always struck me as being a thoughtful young woman, so please enjoy what she has to say.

Juice=Juice Takagi Sayuki

• How did you feel when you found out that Berryz would be entering an indefinite hiatus?
'When I heard about their "Indefinite hiatus", I couldn't believe it, and it took some time even though I understood the words. Even though there are lots and lots more things I'd like to learn from them...... Thinking that, since then, I started to treasure the time rehearsing with Berryz Kobo-san, the time we stand on-stage together. Even though I still can't imagine a Hello! Project without Berryz Kobo-san, I'd like to burn the memories in my mind so that I don't regret it later'

• Where do you think the charms of the group Berryz Kobo lie?
'I'm sure there must have been lots of trying times, and times when they wanted to quit. There was also a change in the number of members, but the 7 members of the current Berryz Kobo-san, the 7 of them continued on this one path. I think that it's amazing to have 7 companions with whom you can talk about stories from 13 years ago. Those bonds make an appearance in their MCs and performances, they truly are a wonderful group.'

• Who is your oshimen in Berryz Kobo?
'Sugaya Risako-san. Ever since Juice=Juice and Berryz Kobo-san did a Naruchika tour, she's given me advice, we've messed around, we've become friends. Even though she's such an amazing person, unpretentiously, she was friendly to me, she's really a kind person. Her power of expression, singing, looks...... the things I've learned from Sugaya-san are endless. I love her'

• What Berryz Kobo song do you particularly like?
'"VERY BEAUTY". Firstly, I love the lyrics. Berryz Kobo-san have this image of having lots of unique songs, but singing this really simple, cute song suddenly changes that image, it really makes my heart skip a beat. I prefer listening to Berryz Kobo-san singing it over myself singing it. I wish we could have sung it together'

• Please tell us about a concert or event where Berryz Kobo left an impression on you
'Naruchika 2013 Autumn Berryz Kobo x Juice=Juice'. Going through that tour, I was able to come upon even more of Berryz Kobo's allure. We got to talk with them, watch them on-stage, stand on-stage with them, there really were lots of things that we felt and we learnt, and I'm sure that there were things that we were able to learn by following Berryz Kobo-san's example. Even while we were rehearsing, Berryz Kobo-san were always with us and we could feel how high-level they were, and when we got to do MCs together during the real performance, it was really cool how Berryz Kobo-san could converse while reading the mood, and I think that since the 7 of them have always been together, they're able to read the mood and know "Who'll speak here" in that way. They're so cool, I'd like Juice=Juice to catch up soon'

• To you, what sort of existence is Berryz Kobo?
'A presence that's close yet distant'. I think they're unreachable. I think that even after 10 years, our current selves won't reach Berryz Kobo-san's performance and power. Depending on the song, the change in the form of their power immediately hits you. They're unreachable, but I now treasure that I could learn by watching them up-close, and I'd like to make even a small part of that my own'

• Is there anything that you learnt from Berryz Kobo or that left an influence on you?
'Even though the way they dance and sing and their heights were all over the place, it's really amazing how the immediately come together where it counts, that burst of power is really something, it always moves me. I'd like it if Juice=Juice could do that too, and be able to bring out our power as a group with a bang!!! Simply said, there isn't anything I can do that is mine, but I learned from them'

• Please tell us about a memory or episode with Berryz Kobo
'This is obviously from "Naruchika", but it made me happier than anything when we kept in contact after Naruchika ended, and got to talk...... I had lots of serious discussions with Shimizu Saki-san, and as well as performance-related matters, I was also taught about a lot of important things as a person, such as how to give greetings'

• Please give a message for Berryz Kobo
'Up to then, I'd always thought on the lines of "Just like the air we breathe, Berryz Kobo will always be around". The sudden announcement gave me a shock, and it hasn't hit me yet. Honestly, I want to watch more and more of Berryz Kobo-san's performances, I'd like to rely on Berryz Kobo-san's presence. But, for that to no longer be the case...... And so, burning the performances of the 7 members of Berryz Kobo-san into our minds, we'll take up the wonderful history of Hello! Project that Berryz Kobo-san have taught us, and picking up the responsibility, we'll do our best'

H!P's orthodox successor Ｊｕｉｃｅ＝Ｊｕｉｃｅ's ace ・ Miyamoto Karin is the true “ Miss Hungry Mentality”！

(Originally posted 28 January 2015)

Miyamoto Karin, the ace of the youngest group
 in the idol elite collective 『Hello！ Project』,
Ｊｕｉｃｅ＝Ｊｕｉｃｅ

She's the ５th person to be interviewed as one of this year's “Highly anticipated idols to look out for”、 selected by  「WPB ＮＥＷＳ」 in ２０１５！

Morning Musume。’１５、 ℃ーｕｔｅ and other groups belong to the elite idol collective  『Hello！ Project』。 Youngest among them is Ｊｕｉｃｅ＝Ｊｕｉｃｅ, who made their début in ２０１３。At the end of that year、 they received the New Artist Award in the ５５th Japan Record Award。

Appearing here is the ace of the school of proficient orthodox idols、Miyamoto Karin-chan！

＊　＊　＊

― And that's how it is！ You're here as a 「２０１５ idol to look out for」！

Miyamoto　It truly is an honour to be selected！　I think that I've got to leave some sort of impression on everyone who reads WPB ＮＥＷＳ！

― What a wonderful statement！　 You'd expect no less from someone who's called  「Miss Hungry Mentality」。

Miyamoto　No no、 that's not it！　It's normal！

― You're called 「Miyamoto-pro」 amongst the fans、 and it seems that there are all sorts of 「Miyamoto Karin legends」…。 First of all、 what sort of child were you？

Miyamoto　Ever since I was small、 I couldn't become number one, no matter how much effort I put in。 You could say I was awkward…。 Living in a delicate position、 I thought 「This is kind of complicated…」。 I wasn't good at art、 and I couldn't conclude discussions well…。

Words from fans that made you happiest (H!P Maruwakari Winter 2015)

The HaroPuro MaruWakari Books are released in conjunction with the twice-yearly Hello! Con tours. The contents usually take the form of questionnaires to the members, asking about other members.
This one, which came out for the 2015 Winter Hello! Cons, would be Berryz' last as well as Country Girls' first. It also pre-dates Kobushi Factory, who were announced at that Hello! Con itself. Thus, the usual questionnaires are supplemented with a Berryz Kobo special as well as a new members special (MM 12ki, S/mileage 3ki, the 5 new Country Girls).

Q9. Among the words that fans have said to you so far, which have made you the happiest?

Shimizu Saki: 'I think that Berryz Kobo have got to where you are now because Saki-chan is the captain'. Even though it's expected that I'll support those around me, to be told that...... I felt like crying.

Tsugunaga Momoko: 'I think that you're really cute'. While it made me think 'Eh!? Could it be that other people can't mention their true feelings!?' (laughs), those straightforward words made me happy!

Tokunaga Chinami: I got a fan letter with the clichéd praise 'Tokunaga-san is a genius'!

Sudo Maasa: 'You've gotten better at singing!' are words that make me super happy ♥

Natsuyaki Miyabi: A boy who was about 5 years old came to an event with his mother, he told me 'I like you♥', which made my heart skip a beat ♥♥♥ miya likes you too- ♥

Kumai Yurina: It surprised me to be told 'I like your voice', even though I myself don't like my voice. Also, it makes me really happy to be told 'I'd like to become a woman like Yurina-chan. I look up to you' by fans of the same gender!

Sugaya Risako: In the blog comments after we announced our hiatus: 'For these 10 years, you showered us fans with your love, and at the same time, we want you girls to be free, having given up various feelings to continue to shower us with your love for 10 years, we can only reply with words of gratitude' There were lots of comments written after that, but I already felt happy, I too was filled with gratitude.

Wakatteiru no ni, Gomen ne (TV size lyrics translation)

Country Girls performed 'Wakatteiru no ni, Gomen ne' (Despite understanding, I'm sorry) as performed on TV Tokyo's Music Festival.
This was the first time they would be performing the song in front of an audience, and furthermore, it was on a live broadcast, so props to the girls.
This is a shortened-for-TV version, and while we wait for the official music videos, with the accompanying official translations, here's a quick one by me.


♪♪♪

Mai: '...Eh? I'm sorry, are you mad...?'
Chisaki: 'Hmph! You don't understand anything at all'

Once again, how many times has it been, how many times?
You're a bit insensitive, even though you can recite the digits of pi
But when it comes to things like anniversaries or saying 'I love you'
Romance the only subject you're bad at

You're a bit simple
The flow of your messages are predictable
A maiden's heart changes from one beat to the next
There isn't only a single answer

If we have a date together after school
On our way home, you curtly go 'See you tomorrow'
Doing things like holding hands
If you're a man, wouldn't it be good to act now?

'Sorry'?
If you understand
Show it through your actions
I'm waiting, see, see, see

That's enough of being so inattentive
I'll go back to someone
Ah, I was just making that up
I won't really do it - I said I'm sorry...

If you understand
Show it through your actions
I'm waiting, see, see, see

That's enough of being so inattentive
I'll go back to someone
Ah, I was just making that up
I won't really do it - I said I'm sorry...

Once again, how many times has it been, how many times

Mai: 'I didn't notice your feelings, I'm sorry...'
Chisaki: 'Nope. Me too, despite knowing how you are, I'm sorry...'
Momo: 'And one way or the other, they forgave one another. And they lived happily ever after.'

♪♪♪

When asked why she's dressed like a granny, Momochi simply explains that it's the outfit she's got for the new song - it stands out a bit, doesn't it suit her? ♥ (Crowd cheers)

Anyway, according to her blog post on that day, we'll understand better once we watch the full music video. Sounds like her usual promoting ways ☺.

Idol Frontline 2015: Messages to Berryz Kobo (Fukumura Mizuki)

Following on from the interviews with Berryz, we have a small selection of active Hello! members giving their thoughts about Berryz. Last time we had Okai-chan and Maro, and this time we'll hear from known BeriWota and Otomomochi, Morning Musume。´15 leader Fuku-chan!

Morning Musume。´15 Fukumura Mizuki

• How did you feel when you found out that Berryz would be entering an indefinite hiatus?
'They announced it in the summer of 2014, and Berryz Kobo-san's announcement occurred as we were closing in on the graduation Michishige-san whom I love, I ended up thinking "The H!P that Mizuki loves is changing..." I love Berryz Kobo, who chose to call it a hiatus with their fans in mind. Until the 3rd of March, as a fan and as one of their kouhai, I'll give Berryz Kobo-san lots of support'

• Where do you think the charms of the group Berryz Kobo lie?
'I think it's their "voices". Listening to the voices on a Morning Musume。 recording or CD, I have to search for which voice is mine. But for Berryz Kobo-san, you'll know who's who with just one listen. I think that each and every one of them have strong, unique personalities. When they're all together, their singing is powerful yet stable, it's cool!!!'

• Who is your oshimen in Berryz Kobo?
'Tsugunaga Momoko-san! I've always liked Tsugunaga-san from since I was small. I think that her 'Look at me!'-ness hits you with everything she's got! "Gag 100kai bun Aishite Kudasai" is painted in the colour of Momochi, I remember watching it hundreds of times! What I remember the most happened during a handshake event at the serial events for "Koi no Jubaku", Tsugunaga-san patted me on the head! I was really happy and she was super cute. But when I'm watching Berryz Kobo-san, I don't just look at Tsugunaga-san, I look at each and every one of them when it's all of them. The one I love is Tsugunaga-san, but I feel that I like the form of the 7 of them'

• What Berryz Kobo song do you particularly like?
'"Ohiru no Kyukei Jikan." At a concert, they played something like a PV, where the 7 of them did things like have a meal on the rooftop and cleaning up the classroom, I think it would be fun if there was a school like that. That's what the song makes me think about. I love the delightfulness of Berryz Kobo-san, how boisterous they feel.

• Please tell us about a concert or event where Berryz Kobo left an impression on you
'I went to an event at the place that had become the abandoned school for "Jiriri Kiteru", and I begged my mother to buy me uchiwas of Tsugunaga-san and Sugaya-san. I also wanted the Tsugunaga-san spectacles case, but I wasn't wearing spectacles at the time, so there was no natural reason for my mother to buy it for me, so with a meaningless reason, "In the future, I'll definitely wear spectacles!", I asked for it and she bought for me! I still treasure it, even now. I've made an idealised school speech for each of the members of Berryz Kobo-san! Playing the game of deciding who among the 7 of them would find it good and applaud, Sudo-san and Tsugunaga-san gave huge applause!'

• To you, what sort of existence is Berryz Kobo?
'Ever since I was small, the idols in my generation were Berryz Kobo-san and C-ute-san, so I mimicked their hair when I went to school, and since I loved drawing manga, and I'd have the female protagonist have names like "Tokunaga Miyabi-chan" (laughs). Even when I went to bed at night, I'd go to sleep while constantly listening to these mini-discs that my mother had made.Now they've become a group that I can learn from closely, that I can have conversations with, it's such a wonder.'

• Is there anything that you learnt from Berryz Kobo or that left an influence on you?
'Naturally being weird! Without minding about what others think, it's great how all of them want to challenge the things that fit them. Connected to those feelings of "Wanting to produce themselves", they're able to think of setlists that all the fans would enjoy. Sudo-san cut the hair she had always kept grown out, formed bangs, all sorts of changes occurred, it excites the fans! I'd like to try out all sort of challenges too!'

• Please tell us about a memory or episode with Berryz Kobo
'When I went to Berryz Kobo-san's dressing room with a birthday present for Kumai-san, after getting excited with a "Ya-y, Kumaicho, how nice", Tsugunaga-san went "Fuku-chan, thank you for liking Berryz,' it surprised me so much that I cried. I left the dressing room saying "I love you!"'

• Please give a message for Berryz Kobo
'To Berryz Kobo-san, who have always been looking forward since your début. I can't believe that you'll be entering your indefinite hiatus in a bit. Even though you've said that it's your last single, I still think that there'll be a next one. Even though it's not hitting me at all, what I think is that it was a joy to support, to watch Berryz Kobo-san for 11 years. I think that the fans feel the same way. We really look forward to what sort of setlist berryz Kobo-san will do, what sort of outfits you'll wear! Will you end it with "Bye Bye Mata ne"? Or will you pump the place up and smile until the end?? All we can do is look forward to it. Even hereafter, I'll always love you.'

Suzuki Airi x Ishida Ayumi (Top Yell Sept 2014)

The summer of Japan! The summer of Hello! Cons!

'We are Hello! Pro's strongest tag team ★'

A direct hit from this 'senpai - kouhai' pair who are garnering attention!!

These 2 are making an appearance in the 2nd half! At any rate, Ishida Ayumi's adoration towards Suzuki Airi is something substantial. Even in this interview, she got so nervous that she'd often space out, we expect that her abundance of respect will be conveyed through the pages of this magazine.

On the opposite side, Suzuki was oneesan-like as well, and it left an impression, seeing her deliver warm advice. It would be great to see them together in a unit someday. Hyu-! Hyu!

Suzuki: I looked up to Takahashi Ai-san, so I'm thankful for Ayumin's feelings.
Ishida: The senpai that I hold in such high esteem is close to me. That's why Hello! Pro is the best.

It started with a 'turning' showdown!?

Ishida was inspired by Suzuki's kindness 

This is a story we heard from Sato Masaki-san and Kudo Haruka-san, but it seems that Ishida-san admires Suzuki-san to an abnormal extent.

Ishida: Yes, that's correct.

Suzuki: Ufufu. That makes me happy. That said, I too used to admire Takahashi Ai-san from ages ago. I liked her so much that it was disgusting. I was always wishing that I could become like Takahashi-san.

First of all, for idols, is it the case that you yourself joined the industry because there was some idol you looked up to?

Suzuki: In my case, I simply liked singing, so I took up the audition. Of course I liked Morning Musume., like Yaguchi (Mari)-san or Yoshizawa (Hitomi)-san... Something like what they now call a DD. It's just that, once I had started on this side, that changed a little. Just before I joined the Kids, there had been the LOVE Audtition 21 (in which the 5th gen were selected). Rather than saying I liked Takahashi-san, you could say she was the target of my respect... When Takahashi-san sang at Hello! Con rehearsals, I'd always be watching her at the front row. Takahashi-san was so cool even at rehearsals. She'd occasionally wave to me. 'Whoa, Takahashi-san is waving to me!', even that had me really worked up (laughs).

A comment to a member that you're good friends with (H!P Maruwakari Winter 2015)

The HaroPuro MaruWakari Books are released in conjunction with the twice-yearly Hello! Con tours. The contents usually take the form of questionnaires to the members, asking about other members.
This one, which came out for the 2015 Winter Hello! Cons, would be Berryz' last as well as Country Girls' first. It also pre-dates Kobushi Factory, who were announced at that Hello! Con itself. Thus, in addition to the usual questionnaires, it's supplemented with a Berryz Kobo special as well as a new members special (MM 12ki, S/mileage 3ki, the 5 new Country Girls).

Q5. Please give a comment to a member, something you can say BECAUSE you're good friends with that girl.

Shimizu Saki: Mai (Hagiwara Mai). I really like you!!! So whatever Mai does, I'll forgive you ♥

Tsugunaga Momoko: Tokunaga Chinami-san, we're already proper grown-ups, so let's take this opportunity to stop with pranks like putting ice in each others' shoes.

Tokunaga Chinami: Maimi, thank you for everything. Although I thought that we understood everything about one another since we're alllllllways together, I just found out the other day that Maimi enjoys and is good at making sweets (lol).

Sudo Maasa: Tokunaga Chinami! Maasa's smarter than you ♥♥♥

Natsuyaki Miyabi: A comment to Chan (Sugaya Risako). When we go for lunch together, Chan immediately shows her sleeping tendencies~. I understand getting sleepy from a meal, but next time we got for lunch together, do you best to stay awake-♥

Kumai Yurina: (Fukuda) Kanon~♥ Next time, I want you to guide us to your recommended spots at Disney ♥ (laughs)

Sugaya Risako: Maro ♥ I love everything about you!!! And thank you ♥

Idol Frontline 2015: Messages to Berryz Kobo (Okai Chisato & Fukuda Kanon)

Following on from the interviews with Berryz, we have a small selection of active Hello! members giving their thoughts about Berryz. Let's start with their contemporary Okai-chan and known BeriWota Maro.

℃-ute Okai Chisato

• How did you feel when you found out that Berryz would be entering an indefinite hiatus?
'I was shocked, I couldn't believe it, but as their contemporaries, we thought that we should be the ones to give Berryz the most support!'

Original commentary by 'Momochi' Tsugunaga Momoko on the selected ８ people who are making waves 「I'll introduce all of them to you as H!P's “belle representative”！」

“Oldest H!P Beauty” 「Momochi」 Tsugunaga Momoko
Gives a huge explanation about the ８ belles！

For the 「Spring H!P Belle Festival」 published in 『Weekly Playboy』 issue １７、 we have “Oldest H!P Beauty” 「Momochi」 Tsugunaga Momoko to make comments about these belles。

In 「WPB ＮＥＷＳ」、 we are publicly releasing the “Momochi commentary” that wasn't published in the magazine！　 Previously、 from among the ９ H!P belles、 Momochi talked passionately about her contemporary ℃－ｕｔｅ ・ Suzuki Airi-san。 （Previous article ⇒ http://wpb.shueisha.co.jp/2015/04/14/46529/） (Translation)

With that receiving an overwhelming response、 this time we'll be informed about the charms of the gorgeous ８ belles appearing in this magazine Sayashi Riho、 Kudo Haruka、Makino Maria（Morning Musume。’１５）、Sasaki Rikako（ANGERME）、Miyamoto Karin、 Uemura Akari （Ｊｕｉｃｅ＝Ｊｕｉｃｅ）、 Shimamura Uta（Country Girls）、 Hamaura Ayano（Kobushi Factory）！　The extremely extravagant follow-up!!

＊　＊　＊

― The “Momochi commentary” received rave reviews from the readers of the magazine as well as  WPB ＮＥＷＳ 。 This time、 we would like to ask for quick-draw commentary on ８ people！　And with that、 we'd like to ask about the ３ belles of Morning Musume。’１５。

Tsugunaga　In autumn last year、 Morning Musume。 added ４ new members to their ranks and there was the graduation of Michishige Sayumi-san, so they experienced quite a sudden change, didn't they。 And since then, the ace RihoRiho's （Sayashi） sense of responsibility has become really strong、 and I get this impression that she suddenly became this level headed onee-san over this half year。

― Indeed、 you can feel something like an aura in this gravure shoot！

Tsugunaga　In the middle of being pressured from all angles、 RihoRiho has this really high level of awareness of 「Having to show something that goes beyond expectations as Morning Musume。's centre」！　About ２～３ years ago、 Tanaka Reina-san who was a member at the time took a break from a concert because she was in poor health。 RihoRiho took over Tanaka-san's parts、 and she was able to do it properly on-stage、 but she herself had this completely uncomfortable face。 When Momochi said to her 「That was cool！ You did it」 she went 「No、 it's not enough to finish with just “doing it properly”。 It's regretful that I couldn't include something to give some added value…」。

― That's pretty stoic！　Her level of awareness is high。

Tsugunaga　If it had been Momochi、 I'd be like 「Yaaーy！　Did you see that？　Momochi pulled it off！」 with a smug face （laughs）。 But in her present state、 RihoRiho  has this spirit where she's never satisfied。 Like 「That's important」「It's cool」。I'm learning from my kouhai。

― For Tsugunaga-san to go as far as to say that！　Sayashi-san's amazing！

Tsugunaga　Besides that、 she's got a great grown-up face that she inadvertently shows at moments！　At RihoRiho's current age、 she has both cuteness and maturity。 And so、 both types of those ambiances appear。 Well、since she's an inspired girl to that extent、 perhaps she's studying on how to make use of it。 If that's the case、 don't get completely fooled！ （laughs）。

[2ch] The relationships within Juice=Juice

Establishing Juice=Juice's hierarchy

1 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:31:56.40 0.net

2 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:32:50.72 0.net
It's so crazy realistic that I pulled back

3 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:33:04.21 0.net
Miyazaki-san, keeping inconspicuous in the middle, is pulling the strings behind-the-scenes

4 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:34:10.98 0.net
Like this is anything new lol
You'd know this even without seeing it

5 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:34:52.02 0.net
Chansan is always at the bottom

6 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:36:30.83 0.net
Is Uemuu the empress?

7 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:38:25.27 0.net
The only one who fits is the bottom-most

8 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:40:13.26 0.net
No matter how you look at it, it's in order

10 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:48:43.21 0.net
If that's the case, then Takagi would be higher

11 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/27(月) 23:54:03.73 0.net
Miyazaki-san is like the under-the-surface empress

15 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/28(火) 00:36:31.80 0.net
Isn't it simply by order of height

17 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/28(火) 01:09:50.49 0.net
Aarii with her lips on kntm's drink is cute

19 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/28(火) 01:17:00.49 0.net
Karin's an elementary schoolboy

20 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/28(火) 01:21:22.57 0.net
kntm's pose is reminiscent of beer commercials from ages ago

24 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/28(火) 01:32:37.15 0.net
In the world of women, when taking photos
It's natural to think that the person foremost in the middle wields the authority 

33 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2014/10/28(火) 04:04:48.15 0.net
Are those Smirnoff bottles?

Idol Frontline 2015: Interviews with Berryz

And here's what I've been reading recently:

Just as the cover suggests, Berryz Kobo are the main feature in this year's edition of the mook.
It starts out with individual interviews of the Berryz members, where they look back on a 2-year time period in the past, starting from when they became the H!P Kids.

2002-2003: Sugaya Risako
2004-2005: Kumai Yurina
2006-2007: Natsuyaki Miyabi
2008-2009: Sudo Maasa
2010-2011: Tokunaga Chinami
2012-2013: Tsugunaga Momoko
2014-2015: Shimizu Saki

Some excerpts I'd like to share:

┬┬┬

Interview with Miyabi about 2006 and 2007

--- Buono! started your activities in [2007], right?

Natsuyaki: The 3 of us were suddenly called up and told 'You'll be forming a unit'. Our individual personalities were different, so I wondered what sort of group it would turn out to be. And after that, I heard that 'Buono! is going to do rock', and I got worried, wondering if those two would be all right (laughs). I've never been one to act all cutesy, so I'd be all right, but the 2 of them are cutesy, mild-mannered, and in my mind I was like 'Rock?' It was really strange, but when we did the theme song for the anime 'Shugo Chara', the 3 of us made a good combination. As our personalities didn't overlap, it made for a nice balance instead.

--- So far you had only been part of a 7 person group, so wasn't it disheartening to perform as a 3 person group?

Natsuyaki: It felt a bit lonely at rehearsals when it was the 3 of us, but when we stood on-stage, it shook my nerves that there would be a higher chance of being noticed compared to when I was in Berryz.

--- Did anything change once you started with Buono! activities?

Natsuyaki: People around me said things like my way of singing changed, or that my performances had gotten better than before. Berryz sings with the characteristic tendencies of Tsunku♂-san, or put in an easier-to-understand way, the inflection at the end of words are raised. For Buono!, we were warned about raising the inflection at the end of words, so we didn't sing in an idol-like way, we sang like we were in a band, and I think I learnt a new way of singing. Berryz activities are currently top priority, but someday we'd like to resume activities as Buono!

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Interview with Momoko about 2012 and 2013

--- Since Tsugunaga-san had experience with practical teacher training, did you make use of what you learnt at university with your solo song?

Tsugunaga: I thought that I would write about my experience with 'Momochi! Yurushite-nyan♥Taisou' in my graduation thesis, but I didn't have the courage (laughs). It's just that, now that I've learnt about child psychology, I think that Tsunku♂-san is able to grasp the mind of a child.

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Spring's Pure Whistle (H!P Kenshuusei - UTB June 2014)

Here's a H!P Kenshuusei interview from June 2014, in a school and club setting. A year on, almost all of them have been allocated into groups, though we sadly lost one along the way. For now, let's take a look at these rising rookies from a year ago.

1001 Nights - The 17th Night: Miyazaki Yuka

Here are some highlights from Miyazaki Yuka's 1001 Nights Hello! Shop talk, held on 12th February 2015. As usual for these events, fan reports on Twitter are my sources. Hashtag was #北陸新幹線, which says Hokuriku Shinkansen. This is relevant due to its newly opened extension, linking Tokyo to Yuka-chan's home prefecture of Ishikawa.

The first part of the talk was Miyazaki Yuka's Top 10 favourite things in Ishikawa, giving our girl an opportunity to boast about the great things in her now better-connected home town. (reference)

10. Chirihama Nagisa Driveway (Hakui City)

9. Kaga-yasai vegetables

8. Mitsukejima

7. Kanazawa Station

6. Notoji (restaurant)

 5. Hyakumangoku Matsuri

4. Higashi Chaya District

3. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art 

2. The sushi stores

1. Kenroku-en

ChisaAi on being songstresses in H!P

(Excerpt from Entame March 2013)

--- The winter Hello! Cons have started.

Okai: This time around, it's interesting. I can't spoil anything in detail, but each group sings songs from a different group. And so, we're really baring our spirit of rivalry. But, I want to be thought of as the coolest.

Suzuki: Yup! Since it feels that ℃-ute definitely have been zoomed-out from Hello! Cons so far. It's often said that '℃-ute have a small presence in Hello! Cons'.

--- Who says it?

Suzuki: Our dance teachers...... And also ourselves (laughs). But this time we'll sing with confidence!

Okai: That's right. This time, the 2 of us will sing 'Kanashiki Heaven'.