Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk: Tsugunaga Momoko x Okai Chisato

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Tsugunaga Momoko X Okai Chisato

The 2 of them have asked their Hello! Project senpai 'How about making a unit with us?'
10 years ago they were as close as sisters, but now??

What was the sequence of events that led you to go around proposing such a thing to your senpai?

Okai: It was about 5 years ago, when they were making bonus footage for a concert DVD. The staff suggested that we try it out, it sounded like fun and we did it.

Tsugunaga: At the time, it was when Nakazawa (Yuko)-san and Yasuda (Kei)-san were still around, and there wasn't much involvement between the senpai and the kouhai, so I guess the idea came about as surely people would want to see us getting involved in all sorts of ways.The reason it was us who took on that role was probably due to our characters, that we'd forgive whatever the senpai said to us.

Okai: Actually, at the time, we called out to the senpai while reading the mood. However, while we called out to Nakazawa-san, Iida (Kaori)-san, Ishikawa (Rika)-san, our hearts were actually pounding. I wondered what would happen if they got annoyed. And, we did it once again about a year ago. It felt like a continuation from 5 years ago.

Tsugunaga: As there were hardly any senpai around, that time it was the kouhai. We'd go around to the H!P Egg girls, asking 'Who would you like to team up with?' We told them that not teaming up wasn't a choice (laughs).

Okai: That put even more pressure on them.

New Faces: Senpai's dancing (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, mainly asking about other members.

As new additions to H!P, the Kobushi and Tsubaki Factories also get an additional questionnaire - the 'New Face Maruwakari Special''.

Q5. Senpai whose dancing I like

Fujii Rio: Sato Masaki-san. She has flexibility as well as power. Take one look and you can't draw your eyes away from her.

Hirose Ayaka: Sato Masaki-san. She's flexible, it draws your eyes.

Nomura Minami: Sayashi Riho-san. I look up to her because of the way she uses her hair, angles, how she moves, everything's cool and beautiful!!

Ogawa Rena: I pay rapt attention to Sayashi Riho-san's super sharp and attractive dancing.

Hamaura Ayano: Sayashi Riho-san. I like her dancing because of how cool she is when she stops and builds up the dance.

Taguchi Natsumi: Ishida Ayumi-san. Her sharp dancing is really attractive, and she's flexible. I think that her tidy dancing is beautiful. My eyes are always fixed on her. I like her!

Wada Sakurako: Kudo Haruka-san. Her dancing is large and cool.

Inoue Rei: Fukumura Mizuki-san. I like how she puts in heart-thumping cuteness within her cool dancing.

Q5. Senpai whose dancing I like

Ogata Risa: Miyamoto Karin-san. Her dancing is sharp and really cool, and yet it's careful. I'd like to dance like that.

Yamagishi Riko: Sayashi Riho-san. Even dancing within Morning Musume。´15, Sayashi-san's cool and sharp. I'd like to try dancing with her someday!

Niinuma Kisora: Inaba Manaka-san. Her dancing is sharp, and it made me happy that she taught me about all these dances that I didn't understand. Her performance in the dance club is awesome as well!

Tanimoto Ami: ℃-ute-san. Because they're all good at dancing.

Kishimoto Yumeno: Hagiwara Mai-san. The way she moves is girly and seductive, yet sharp. I always watch her!!

Asakura Kiki: Sayashi Riho-san. Because her dancing has this cool sharpness to it, she moves with the rhythm, and she has facial expressions for each and every move.

Notes and observations:

• Looks like most of them like Sayashi's cool dancing, with 5 mentions.
• The only other person to be mentioned more than once was Maachan, with her flexibility seemingly playing a big role.

Other questions from this book

 

To all of you who have always been giving your support (Message from Konishi Ayano)

Message from Ayano

I lack the confidence to keep up with Tokyo Girls' Style, who have been gradually pushing on ahead as we entered this year.
To celebrate our fifth anniversary, we went through with our fifth anniversary commemoration concert, and seeing the smiles on the faces of the other members on that day
From the bottom of my heart, I was glad that the 5 of us went on until then, without any changes
And at the same time, I was satisfied to have got that far.

It just so happened that as we had some time to breathe after the concert, there was also the pain that I had been bearing,
So thinking once again about our activities so far, I had a chance to rest.

And so, I had time to take a good long look at myself,
I thought seriously about whether or not I should do it once again, and as a member of Tokyo Girls' Style
I had no confidence that I could continue on working hard, with my eyes on the same dreams as the others,
And while the 4 of them have been aiming even higher,
It was inexcusable for me to go on with such half-hearted feelings,
Was I not just dragging my feet? And thus, that is how I came to this decision.

When I made my debut, I was still very much a child, and enjoyed myself dancing and singing without thinking too deeply about it,
But as I developed physically, though I had so much confidence in singing, I couldn't sing well,
I was always out of form because I'd noticed the difficulties of singing while dancing, but I couldn't bring time to a halt.
As time gradually passed, my feelings weren't keeping pace, and countless times, I wanted to run away,
But standing on-stage, with the fans who received me warmly,
The time spent singing and dancing with everyone was the greatest, most enjoyable bliss... That's how I've been doing it so far.
I really do love performing live.

My current self stems from the fact that whatever happened,
All you fans would watch over me and cheer me on.
And also the members of staff who would take everything head-on, moving frantically.
My family, who gave me support and were my staunch allies no matter what happened.
And, the members whom I love, with whom I've shared the tough times and the fun times together,
With whom I've spent more time together in these 6 years than with my family.

It's thanks to everyone that I've been involved with.

Despite being really cared for and brought up by all sorts of people, I'm sorry that I couldn't live up to your expectations.

From now on, to not lose to the members who are pushing ahead gradually ,
I may be going on a different path, but I'll face forward, and do my best with confidence.

Finally
To everyone who's been giving your support until now, thank you so so very much.
I'm full of gratitude. I love all of you.

From now on as well, I beg for your kind support for Tokyo Girls' Style.

Konishi Ayano

Momochi no Kimochi: Jeans (Essay #8/22)

Here's a riddle.

'If chosen to match leg length,

hips don't fit,

and if matched to the waist

there's an excess at the legs,

What is it?'

That's right, the correct answer is 

jeans for Momochi. 

It's also written in the title (laughs).

With that said, cutting the cuffs off of jeans

is something I definitely have to do.

Some may be of the opinion that 

'You don't have to expressly go and get it cut, 

wouldn't folding it up be fine? ', 

but it's of a different scale. 

As it's quite a staggering length,  

I have to fold it so many times over 

that it stops the blood 

from going to my ankles, 

which grows into a big problem.

Before, girls with long legs 

would happily report 

that they'd finally found a store 

where they could get jeans 

with sizes that fit, 

which made me slightly irritated. 

You know, while there are stores 

that deal with jeans 

with built-for-foreigner lengths, 

I've never seen a store 

were they have Momochi versions. 

Can't there be a shop 

where they sell jeans 

for super Japanese physiques?

More from this book

Tsugunaga Momoko Photo Essay "Momochi no Kimochi"

Momoko Tsugunaga

Sayashi Riho - Go Step Forward Ahead (B.L.T. U-17 vol 32)

It's your first solo appearance in 'BLT U-17'! How was your photo shoot at Tsukiji Fish Market?

It was like I was spending time in a dream. Ehehe.

There were lots of delicious things, weren't there?

I've gotten interested in Tsukiji recently. Of course I enjoy the eating, but I also do enjoy taking shoots at places to eat. Because it's said that places food spots make great pictures (laughs). I'm glad to have done a shooting at a place where I shine.

What was your favourite at today's location?

I ate lots, but the tamagoyaki was delicious.

Do you prefer your tamagoyaki sweet? Or salty?

When I came to Tokyo, I had sweet ones for the first time, and got into them. I'll go with either! At home we have salty tamagoyaki, so it makes me feel like I want to have something sweet as a side dish. But sweet ones are delicious even when they're cold, right? Freshly-made salty ones are super delicious. I like both!

How passionate (laughs).  Well then, what food brings out the energy of Sayashi Riho?

I love anything if it's delicious though...... (laughs) Ah, but there's a store called 'Atomu' in Okonomi-mura though.

There's stores like that in Hiroshima?

There's a building like that, and in it are several stall-like stores. I've only been there once though. My parents have lived in Kansai, and the Sayashi household okonomiyaki is in the Kansai style.

Oh my! Even though you're from Hiroshima!!

That's right. So I unexpectedly hadn't had a proper Hiroshima okonomiyaki before. I went to that store for a shooting a year ago, and when I tried eating it, I was like, 'Okonomiyaki could be this delicious?' Like I could cry. It was like I was eating a completely different thing. It had an unforgettable flavour. The volume was good, the texture was good, the taste was good, it was awesome. I remember being impressed!

You wouldn't see this kind of excitement in a normal interview! You're a completely different Riho-chan from usual (laughs). You don't have any preferences?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that up to this point in time, I've never met a food I didn't like.

You do say some complicated things sometimes (laughs). But normally, senior high schoolers are the generation who are completely picky.  Would you like to tell people like that something?

That pea-green person!

That's right. Ikuta Erina-chan (laughs)

I love eating so much, despite carrying that burden while eating (laughs).

It's the physique, right? Riho-chan, the fans often mention it right, like you're becoming a ponyo (laughs).

They do (laughs). But now I'm told that I'm flat-chested. If I reduce the amount I eat a little, I immediately slim down. The amount you eat definitely shows in your body, right?

By the way, the direct theme of this talk is 'place', but as an example, what's a place that calms you down?

Places like Mejiro are calming.

What? The Mejiro on the Yamanote line!?

Yes. I've gone there alone, to Mejiro. I went to eat shaved ice.

Is that so.

It's a nice district. Even though it's in the city, it's relaxing. The food stores were fulfilling as well. It would be nice to live there.

You've done some full-blown research there (laughs).

I looked it up. It was summer, so I wanted to eat something cold, at a delicious shaved ice store. They poured on syrup that was made from real strawberries that had been boiled down ♥

What basis do you use to look for stores?

I normally like to go to places that have gotten popular. I do have an interest in food. If I could build up my commenting ability, perhaps I might become a food reporter? Like (NiTele's) Miura-announcer.

You'd be forgiven for going ponyo as well (laughs).

That's right! (laughs)

So we'll be going with Mejiro for a calm place?

Ah, Omotesando too.

You're putting in fashionable places (laughs).

Teeheehee. In the past I used to yearn for places like Harajuku and Shibuya, but they didn't feel like places that suited myself. Neither the clothes nor the streets. And then I probably chose grown-up clothes and streets.

Calming and relaxing, yup.

I've changed, because I was in primary school when I joined. Everyone gives up their frilly clothes to their sisters (laughs).

{As renowned as she was for her singing and dancing, I'll remember Sayashi for one thing above all:

That's right, perving on Fuku-chan.

That said, I wish Riho all the best with her future endeavours.

I hope that she'll still pop up from time to time.

Perhaps perving on some hapless foreign classmate.}

New Faces: Goal or Rival (H!P Maruwakari Summer 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, mainly asking about other members.

As new additions to H!P, the Kobushi and Tsubaki Factories also get an additional questionnaire - the 'New Face Maruwakari Special''.

Q8. Member you have your eyes set on as a goal? Or your rival?

Fujii Rio: My goal is to become a person that everyone likes, like Yajima Maimi-san. My rival is Horie Kizuki-chan. She's good at singing and dancing, and it seems that the Kenshuusei call her 'Fujii's Successor'.

Hirose Ayaka: My goal is Fukuda Kanon-san. My rival is Danbara Ruru-san.

Nomura Minami: Okai Chisato-san's my goal. I look up to Okai-san who can naturally do tsukkomi, follow ups, boke. My rival is Danbara Ruru-chan. She's good at singing, and I wish that I could become able to move people's hearts like Ruru-chan!

Ogawa Rena: My sights are set on Sugaya Risako-san and Kudo Haruka-san. My rival is Kaga Kaede-chan. Her dancing is sharp and her singing ability is high.

Hamaura Ayano: My goal is Tsugunaga Momoko-san. Because she can sing, and dance, and talk, and act, she's the perfect idol. My rival is Kaga Kaede-chan. She's working hard on her singing and dancing, so I don't want to lose.

Taguchi Natsumi: My goal is Suzuki Airi-san. She's good at singing and dancing, and she's cute and kind at MCs. I look up to her! My rival is Kaga Kaede-chan. Her dancing is really attractive and her singing is unique and lovely. I can't let myself lose to her.

Wada Sakurako: My goal is Okai Chisato-san. She's cool. My rival is Kaga Kaede-chan. As her contemporary, I look up to her stylish dancing, but she's my rival.

Inoue Rei: My goal is Hagiwara Mai-san. Since I think that we've got similarities in that we're the youngest in our own groups, and we've got unique voices, I should make the most of it. My rival is Horie Kizuki-chan. Because we've been getting lessons in the same classes since we were in the Nice Girl Trainees, and she's good at singing and dancing.

Q8. Member you have your eyes set on as a goal? Or your rival?

Ogata Risa: My goal is Miyamoto Karin-san. I look up to her as 'The Idol' with her flawless dancing and singing. The gradual changes of expression on her face means that you can't tear your eyes off of her when she's on-stage! My rivals are the Kenshuusei. There are lots of girls who are better at me in dancing and singing, but I'll be doing things while thinking 'I'll catch up to them someday!'

Yamagishi Riko: Nomura Minami-chan. Because we joined the Kenshuusei on the same day, and she's my sole contemporary. 'Nomu' is in Kobushi Factory, and I'm in Tsubaki Factory, so from now on as well, as friends and as rivals, I'd like the both of us to work hard in the spirit of friendly competition.

Niinuma Kisora: The senpai I have as my goal is Ishida Ayumi-san. Her profile is pretty, her dancing is sharp...... I really like her. My rivals are Yokogawa Yumei-chan, Danbara Ruru-chan, and Funaki Musubu-chan. Since we're all in the same generation, but they're quick to learn songs and dances, and they're able to express themselves.

Tanimoto Ami: My goal is Suzuki Airi-san. Because her face is cute, her figure's great, and she flourishes in all sorts of arenas. My rivals are my contemporaries.

Kishimoto Yumeno: Tsugunaga Momoko-san is quick-witted, she's good at showing herself, and her singing is stable, she's my goal. She shines powerfully when she's singing or dancing, so I'd like to be able to not lose to that.

Asakura Kiki: Sayashi Riho-san. She's the senpai that I like as well as the senpai I have as my goal. My rivals are the rest, Since we made our début in Hello! Project at the same time, I don't want to lose, and I don't want to lose to my weak self either.


Notes and observations:

• This also feels like it was actually two questions that got changed into one question, since most of them seem to answer them separately.
• Named twice as a goal: Momochi, Airi, and Chisato
• Most named as a rival was Kaga Kaede-chan (4 mentions). Others named more than once were Danbara Ruru (3 mentions) and Horie Kizuki (2 mentions). Kizuki technically has an extra mention as Ami's mention of her contemporaries would include her.

Other questions from this book

 

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk: Tokunaga Chinami x Kumai Yurina

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Tokunaga Chinami X Kumai Yurina

I don't feel it's the case right now, but were you said to be similar in the past?

Kumai: People did say that. Then we were put into the 'Toku-san Kumai-san' pairing,  where the two of us sang and read out poems.

Tokunaga: At the start, we were always together at tours. At the concerts we did with W-san ('2004 Summer First Concert Tour "W Standby! W & Berryz Kobo!"', '2005 Summer W & Berryz Kobo Concert Tour "High Score!"'), we sang 'Aa Ii na' and 'Robokiss'.

Kumai: We were called something like 'Dekkai W' (Huge W) (laughs).

Tokunaga: However, we didn't really know that we resembled one another. But one day, when I went to McDonalds, I didn't notice that I was being reflected on a mirror, and I said, 'Ah, Kumai-chan, good morning~', and was like 'Eh?' (laughs).

Kumai: It's been a while since I heard that story (laughs).

It's quite the humorous incident (laughs).

Tokunaga: That was the first time that I thought we resembled one another.  My mother who was behind me had a good laugh watching it. 'Why are you waving at the mirror?' (laughs).

ʕ♡˙ᴥ˙♡ʔʕ♡˙ᴥ˙♡ʔʕ♡˙ᴥ˙♡ʔ

Tokunaga: Indeed, it's amusing to say that we're similar, but it also meant that we lacked individuality. After we had done it to death, the 2 of us gradually stopped being paired once I cut my hair short.

Now, the 2 of you are different types.

Kumai: That's right, we're different in height as well (laughs).

Momochi no Kimochi: Convenience Stores (Essay #7/22)

I go once a day.
I've always thought that convenience stores
don't play by the rules.

When you want to just buy a drink,
it's purposely placed deep inside, right?
To get to it,
they've rigged lots of eye-catching traps,
like newly-released sweets.
Isn't it a detestable system!

When I'm in a rush,
I'd just pass through and grab a drink,
but when I've got time to waste,
with their suggestion to 'take this little opportunity',
while putting chewing gum or cough drops into my basket,
I'd get a drink at the end
and head to the cash register.

Upon doing that,
there'd be dango by the side,
and while thinking
'There it is, the final trap',
it'd definitely go in my basket......

Well, it doesn't count as my loss though.
It'd be frustrating if I'd let myself
get caught in the trap without knowing,
but I take it with full understanding,
so I think of it as my win.

Every day, I secretly hold a battle
with the convenience store.

More from this book

Tsugunaga Momoko Photo Essay "Momochi no Kimochi"

Momoko Tsugunaga

Going on a trip (H!P Maruwakari Summer 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, mainly asking about other members.

This one, which came out for the 2015 Summer Hello! Cons, would be the first without Berryz Kobo, and the first with Kobushi and Tsubaki Factories. As new entries into H!P, the members of the two Factories also got a 'New Face Maruwakari Special', which has additional questions for the girls.

Q8. You're going out with some members...... Please tell us who they are and what your plans are!

Yajima Maimi: Wada Ayaka-chan has said to me, 'Let's go to an art gallery together next time', so I'd like to make that a reality! We'd meet up at lunchtime and go have lunch at a stylish cafe, where we'd talk up a storm. Then, I'd like Ayacho to guide me around an art gallery and explain the paintings to me, and then we would go around to see some temples ♥ I'd like the 2 of us to walk outside when it's nice and sunny while being inspired by the old buildings we're looking at ♪

Nakajima Saki: I'd like to bring all of Morning Musume。´15 to Chichibu for strawberry picking! A number of them have told me that they'd like to try it.

Suzuki Airi: Somehow or the other, it'd be with the members of ℃-ute (laughs). I'd like to have a 3 days 2 nights trip with them. A BBQ or onsen or amusement parks would be nice.

Okai Chisato: If Ikuta's around, then I don't mind whoever else is with us (laughs). Since it seem like she can talk by herself the whole time, I'll leave it to Ikuta.

Hagiwara Mai: Morito Chisaki-chan, Ikuta, Maachan, Chisato, Mai. I'd like to go for a BBQ with these members ♥

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute Cross Talk: Sudo Maasa x Hagiwara Mai

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hello! Project Kids in 2012, a book entitled Rival - 12 shoujo no 10-nen monogatari - (The 10-year legend of the 12 girls) was released. The book contains 2-page discussions between various pairings of the girls, covering all 66 possible combinations. In the process of reading this book, I'll be putting up some highlights as I read through the interviews.

Sudo Maasa X Hagiwara Mai

ôôô

Your signatures incorporate illustrative elements, but did you think up your signatures yourselves?

Sudo: I thought it up together with my mother. It's my name written in cursive style, with hearts added. In my 8 years in Berryz Kobo, it hasn't changed.

Hagiwara: Mai's was set by my manager-san at first. Since then, it's changed 2, 3 times. I changed various things, putting in serious consideration to be able to write it quickly. Trying to write them out in a notebook, I ended up with something easy to write. At first, there were cute illustrations included since I was a kid, but it was pretty time consuming when I had to write it out one-by-one (laughs).

I'd like to ask you about those times. Do you remember your first encounter?

Hagiwara: I remember it well. Maasa-chan had dyed hair, and she was such a beautiful girl. I think that I didn't know the word 'beautiful' at the time, but you were a girl with a pretty face.

Sudo: Mai-chan was really cute, and because she was still in her first year of primary school, her face was like a baby's, her eyes were droopy. Seeing her, I thought she was adorable.

Hagiwara: Maasa-chan's home is close to mine, so when we were in the Hello! Project Kids, we always went home together.

Sudo: I would head home in the same direction as Mai-chan and Chisato. We were always together when we were in the H!P Kids. Our parents were friendly as well, and Mai-chan's oneechan and my imouto were the same age, and they become friends too (laughs).

Did you go out together as whole families?

Sudo: Our houses are really close, and we go shopping at the same time, so it's like our parents would meet at the neighbourhood supermarket.

Hagiwara: Our sisters mixed together because of that, so we all hung out together.

Sudo: After our lessons ended, we'd go and have a meal together on our way back. But Mai-chan was still small, so after the meal, she'd just fall asleep like that at the family restaurant. It was cute to see her sleeping on her mother's lap (laughs).

ôôô

How will you be like in 10 years time?

Hagiwara: Eh, what'll we be doing?

Sudo: Mai-chan's fashionable, so I feel like you'll be doing something related to clothes. 

Hagiwara: Ah, I'd like to do that! That said, I feel like Maasa-chan will be doing a careful job.

Sudo: What is that? What do you mean!?

Hagiwara: Whatever work you do, I feel you'd do a perfect, careful job. Because in my mind, you're reliable, and you're capable at work. I think that your preciseness won't change even after 10 years. But even if we do different things, because we live close-by, I feel that we'll meet at the supermarket now and then (laughs). Because we do meet one another there, even now.

ôôô

More interview excerpts from this book

New Faces: Idol you'd like to become (H!P Maruwakari Summer 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, mainly asking about other members.

As new additions to H!P, the Kobushi and Tsubaki Factories also get an additional questionnaire - the 'New Face Maruwakari Special''.

Q9. What sort of idol or artiste would you like to become?

Fujii Rio: I'd like to properly study and turn over that image of 'idol=idiot'

Hirose Ayaka: I'd like to become an idol that's cool enough that even girls would love me! Someday, I'd like to be talked about as the number 1 in singing ability in H!P!!

Nomura Minami: I'd like to become an idol who is loved by lots of people, and can move people's hearts!!

Ogawa Rena: I'd like to become so famous that there won't be anyone who doesn't know about Kobushi Factory and Ogawa Rena.

Hamaura Ayano: A perfect idol who can sing and dance and talk and act, an artiste.

Taguchi Natsumi: I'd like to become an artiste that can move people who listen to my voice and make them think that it's amazing. Without forgetting to smile, I'd like to become a gentle idol.

Wada Sakurako: I'd like to become an idol that anyone knows and recognises.

Inoue Rei: I'd like to become an idol that everyone dreams of. That I'd cheer up and lift up the spirits of those who watch me.

Q9. What sort of idol or artiste would you like to become?

Ogata Risa: I'd like to become an idol that's not just known within Hello! Project, but known by lots and lots more people. For that to happen, I'd like to firstly become Hello! Project's Number 1 by absorbing lots of things from the senpais.

Yamagishi Riko: Like ℃-ute-san who can give a performance that can't be pulled off by your usual idols, I'd like to become a person that everyone looks up to. To make it happen, I'd like to challenge various genres, so that Tsubaki Factory will be known by as many people as possible!!

Niinuma Kisora: A cute idol who sings cute songs! I'd like to be able to realise the clothes and hairstyles we do on-stage!!

Tanimoto Ami: I'd like to become an idol who can do anything.

Kishimoto Yumeno: I'd like to become an idol who's loved by many, and will someday be admired.

Asakura Kiki: I'd like to become a person who's looked up to, who can deliver smiles better than anyone. No, that's what I'll definitely try to become!

Other questions from this book

 

Momochi no Kimochi: Novels (Essay #6/22)

I was told,

'At university, you'll have a lot of chances to read printed text, 

so it's better if you get used to it', 

so I read books just before entering university.

I started off with getting used to the words 

through phone novels,

and what was recommended to me next was

Higashino Keigo's 'The Devotion of Suspect X'.

Surprisingly, I read through it quickly,

and the story was crafty,

A magnificent reversal had been prepared at the end,

I was like 'Mystery novels are interesting!', 

I got completely into them.

With my switch having been flipped once,

I was always reading,

perhaps going through 1 whole book a day.

When I read on the train on my way home,

I was kept doubly in suspense

As I worried both about the story 

and about missing my stop.

However, it's not idol-like 

to enjoy books where a murder unfolds,

so I'm counting on you

to keep this a secret

between just you and Momochi ♥

More from this book

Tsugunaga Momoko Photo Essay "Momochi no Kimochi"

Momoko Tsugunaga

The upheaval by new leader Fukumura Mizuki, evolving MoMusu。

－ You're releasing another triple A side single this time。 Which is your favourite song？

Hmmー、 that's a difficult one… The song that's very Morning Musume。-ish is 『Sukatto My Heart』。 It's got the Morning Musume。-ness that I enjoy, the outfits remind me of 『The Peace!』, there's a huge mirrorball that gets lowered as we dance in the MV, reminiscent of 『LOVE Machine』, and the sound is a full-throttle Tsunku♂-san sound, it's full of things I love！ It also excites the fans at concerts as well when we perform it、 I love it。

－ The members got that so-called 「Tsunku♂ sound」？

We did！ We were like 'Here it comessssss'！ Taisei-san made『Ima sugu Tobikomu Yuuki』 for us、but there are a lot of of places where it repeats at places similar to Tsunku♂-san's songs、 like how 『Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki』 has an A melody、 B melody、 and chorus, then it has an interlude… I think that this song had us working at our facial expressions the most。 There are a lot of lyrics that suit our current selves、 and as the title suggests、 'We want to do this and that、 we want to rush out right now！' That's the sort of song it is、 it's fun to sing。 I want you to be moved listening to it。

－And 『Oh my wish!』。

For the first time in Morning Musume。's history、 we tried splitting the dancing and the vocals for 『Oh my wish!』… I enjoy singing the most, so I was honestly in the dumps when I was told I'd be dancing… But、 I've never had a song so far where I had to work hard on just dancing、 so I did my best thinking that I should strengthen my dancing。 Dancing without holding microphones、 we could therefore do it intensely, like「To this extent, huh」… The singing is cool and charming、 but I definitely definitely want you to keep an eye on our dancing！

New Faces: Meal with senpai (H!P Maruwakari Summer 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, mainly asking about other members.

As new additions to H!P, the Kobushi and Tsubaki Factories also get an additional questionnaire - the 'New Face Maruwakari Special''.

Q2. Senpai I'd like to go and have a meal together with

Fujii Rio: Yakiniku with Takeuchi Akari-san. I'd like to talk a lot with Takeuchi-san, and she's really cute when she's eating, so I'd like to watch that!

Hirose Ayaka: Ikuta Erina-san. She's really funny, so I think it'll get exciting ♥

Nomura Minami: I'd like Fukumura Mizuki-san to recommend something to eat. I think that she knows what's yummy, and I feel whatever Fukumura-san recommends will be delicious. I feel like she'll take the lead.

Ogawa Rena: I'd like to go for yakiniku together with Fukumura Mizuki-san.

Hamaura Ayano: I'd like to go and have ramen with Okai Chisato-san. I think that Okai-san will definitely know about all sorts of ramen stores.

Taguchi Natsumi: Suzuki Kanon-san. Because I feel that it'd be fun as she seems like she'd know about a lot of delicious things. I'd like to go for okonomiyaki or monja or yakiniku. I feel that if we're eating together, everything will be delicious!

Wada Sakurako: Miyazaki Yuka-san. I'd like for us to go and have sundubu together and talk a lot.

Inoue Rei: Suzuki Airi-san and Okai Chisato-san. Because it feels like it'd be a lot of fun together with them. I'd like to try going for a buffet.

Q2. Senpai I'd like to go and have a meal together with

Ogata Risa: I'd like to go to a slightly high-class restaurant with Fukumura Mizuki-san. Fukumura-san's really kind, so I feel that it would be fun to be together with her.

Yamagishi Riko: Nakanishi Kana-san. When I talked with her before, she was easy to talk to, with her cheerfulness and friendliness, so I'd like to go for a meal with her. What we'll have to eat is whatever we feel like eating at the time (laughs). I'd like to go to a store recommended by Nakanishi-san.

Niinuma Kisora: I'd like to go and have sweets with Fukumura Mizuki-san! Because I feel like Fukumura-san would know about a lot of good stores, and it would be a joy to be together with her.

Tanimoto Ami: Nakajima Saki-san, but not for a meal, I'd like to have tangerines together with her at the kotatsu (laughs).

Kishimoto Yumeno: I'd like to go with Okai Chisato-san to a buffet. I feel that we'll eat a lot, talk a lot, laugh a lot.

Asakura Kiki: I'd like to go for monjayaki with Tamura Meimi-san. Together with her, I'd like to make and eat the currently in-fashion monjayaki, while gazing at the always smiling Tamura-san.. I'd like to try talking about musicals.


Notes and observations:

• Fuku-chan (4 mentions) looks to be the most popular senpai to go for a meal with, with Okai-chan coming next (3 mentions). I think Ogata Risa hints why she'd be a popular choice. After all, the senpai has to pay for the kouhai, right? *wink wink* And the optimum strategy would be to go for the person who'd be able to give you the most bang for your buck, right? Note that this argument doesn't really hold water with Okai-chan though.
• Yakiniku was the most mentioned dish (3 mentions), with monjayaki coming second (2 mentions).
• Two people also mentioned buffets. To add more detail, both of them chose Okai-chan as a partner as well. What does this bode for Okai-chan?...
• Some didn't specify a dish, and two went for the non-committal 'I'll let my partner choose'. Girls, make up your minds.

Other questions from this book