Renako gets quizzed on the Olympics

(Excerpt from Hustle Press interview with Kobushi Factory)

-- By the way, Ogawa-san, do you know how often the Olympics are held? Once every how many years?

Ogawa: Once every four years!

-- Then, where was it held last?

Ogawa: Heheh, Brazil! (said with complete confidence) Ah, Brazil's this year. Well, the nearby France.

-- Um, nearby? You're close, but no cigar.

Hirose: We talked about this at an event recently (Hirose and Fujii silently mouthing 'London, London')

Ogawa: Ah, Lawson! (With a triumphant look on her face)

(Everyone laughs)

Ogawa: Well, it starts with an 'l' or an 'r'. Ah, Russia!? It's London!

-- You finally got there (laughs). Well, where will it be held in four years time?

Ogawa: Tokyo! Since it's mentioned in the lyrics of our new song!

Source: https://hustlepress.co.jp/kobushi20160725_interview/

Sweet Inspiration: A time when I slipped up (Tsugunaga Momoko, ℃-ute, Kobushi Factory) - Big One Girls No. 039

Question: Tell us of an unforgettable story where you slipped up!!

Inoue Rei
I woke up after napping on the sofa at home, and made it just in time for work. In my rush, I'd brought my luggage up two floors. My legs were worn out, you could hear the joints creak. After I was done with work, I went to the hospital. Turns out that I'd pulled a muscle. If only I had prepared properly.

Okai Chisato
This was at the New Year's Hello! Project concert two years ago. At the time, we had two different setlists. I was in the dressing room when a ℃-ute song, 'Love Take It All', started playing. I was dumbstruck, and then the singing started!!......
It turned out that we were doing the other setlist on that day. I only turned up when my singing lines started. Being in my 13th year at that point in time, I got a really good scolding, I'm really remorseful about it......

Ogawa Rena
In primary school, I was playing around with a shopping cart. I was too forceful, and the shopping cart ended up flipping over, with my head hitting the ground. I was bleeding and got carried off to the hospital. But it didn't hurt, perhaps because I was so shocked. Reflecting on it, I told myself that I shouldn't mess around with shopping carts. (laughs)

Suzuki Airi
When I was two or three, I went to watch my father at a golf game. The are fences at the golf course, right? I'd put my head through the fence, and couldn't pull it out! So I yelled out to my father in the middle of his match, crying out 'Papa, I can't get out!!' (laughs) Even back then, I was such a rascal,

Tasaki Asahi
During parent's day in my second year of primary school, the teacher asked us to raise our hands if we could answer a question. But not everyone raises their hands, right? I didn't know the answer, so I didn't raise my hand. But then the teacher said that it was fine to raise our hands even if we didn't know the answer. So I did raise my hand. Then I got picked. When I admitted that I didn't know the answer, I got laughed at...... I regret not having studied more. That's a story of when I slipped up.

Nakajima Saki
Before ℃-ute had even made our debut, we used to go around with Abe Natsumi-san on her concerts. We did skits at those concerts. I had completely forgotten one of my lines, so I left the stage in a rush and got a staff member to tell me my line. I said my lines without giving any thought to them, which is something I'll never forget. (laughs) It's something that I could do because I was still a kid. Did I cry on-stage? It's a memory that I really regret.

Tsugunaga Momoko
I don't fail. If pushed to say, I fail at failing. (laughs) Something's a failure only if you think of it as a failure. For example, I've honestly made mistakes while dancing at concerts. However, I try to make it not look like a slip-up. This technique is impressive: 'I didn't get it wrong, it was just that everyone else made a mistake'. (bursts in laughter) Do it decisively, with a confident face. In that sense, I don't fail. This question may be getting answered by all sorts of idols, but as a senpai in the idol world, I'd like to say one thing: Nothing's wrong with failing, but don't have regrets. Momochi-senpai would like to highlight this. That's how I'd like you to lead your lives.

Hagiwara Mai
When and we were performing 'Ganbacchae!' at a concert during our days as the Hello! Project Kids, my leg got caught on (Okai) Chisato's leg or something, which made me slip and fall. I bumped my head, and it felt like I got a concussion, I could actually see some chicks floating around. If I had fallen at school, then there'd be someone to help me. But at the time, I couldn't stand by myself.... Being in first grade, it was a huge thing to me to learn that I couldn't live by myself. (laughs)

Hasegawa Moemi
When I went to a theme park with family, there was an octopus (a ride shaped like an octopus, whose tentacles go up and down). But the moment I saw it, I thought that it was a monster and ran away. (laughs) I strayed away from my family and went missing for about two hours. My two brothers went on that ride, while I ran away... My father and mother probably had it tough.

Hirose Ayaka
I was asked by my mother to stir-fry some onions, so I cut them up and fried them. I had it going on a low flame, but I let my eyes stray for just a moment, and it ended up getting completely burnt. (laughs) I have to really sharpen up my cooking skills.

Yajima Maimi
I wet myself in my sleep when we were on the plane when I was going overseas with my family. (laughs) I was three, but I can still really remember the details of that incident. I cried a lot. There are photos from back then. My mother had her coat buttoned up, and it looked like she was wearing a dress. The cabin attendant was in a panic as well. I remember the seat being covered with a transparent sheet, and sitting on top of that.

Digging into the '8 mysteries' of Kobushi Factory (Top Yell Jan 2017)

H!P's biggest mysteries

We dig into Kobushi Factory's '8 mysteries'!!

One can't help but say that Kobushi Factory's mysteries are some of H!P's biggest mysteries.
This time around, we attack them directly about eight of these mysteries.

Ultimately, what sort of answers will they respond with...

Mystery number one
Why are all of you always so loud!?

Taguchi: Hmm... You're immediately going for the group's biggest mystery. (laughs)

Hamaura: But honestly, what's the real reason?

When you're on tour or doing promotional activities, you're always together with the members, aren't you? Don't you run out of things to talk about?

Taguchi: Now that you mention it, what do we normally talk about......?

Hamaura: We generally start by reporting what happened during the day.

Isn't that what little kids do at home, reporting to their mothers what happened during the day?

Hamaura: Well there is that. (laughs) Which reminds me, we often talk of family as well. Actually, we get to hear lots of stories, like why someone got into a fight with their mum in the morning. Those are pretty funny.

Taguchi: Family stories are a staple.

Hamaura: For example, Ogawa Rena-chan's mother has the same personality as Ogawa Rena-chan.

It must get pretty crazy in the Ogawa household!

Ogawa: Maybe I'm in my rebellious phase, but whenever my parents say something, I always talk back. Then I get a really intense scolding. But at night, they'll throw me a 'Ganbarenako again today!'

Taguchi: It's weird to use say things like 'throw' when referring to your parents. (bitter laugh) But Rena definitely loves her mother. That's the reason why they often clash. She'll say things like 'I really hate you! You don't understand anything!' Immediately after that, with a wheedling voice, she'll call her, 'Mama~? I'm coming back home now, ok~♥'.

Hamaura: The funny thing is that when we talk about our families, we'll act it out.

Act it out? In what sense?

Hamaura: Everyone gets a role, like 'father', 'mother', 'myself'. We have fun acting out not just the Ogawa household, but the funny Taguchi household as well.

Mystery number 2
There are rumours that Hamachan is the boss-in-the-shadows. Is that true!?

Hirose: It's true! She's guilty!

Taguchi: You're calling her 'guilty'? (bitter laugh) She's not a suspect...

For the fans who have been watching her since her H!P Kenshuusei days, it's hard to imagine the sight of Hamaura-san mercilessly taking control.

Hamaura: Is that so? Near the end of my tenure as a Kenshuusei, I was relatively quite in charge. And it was simply due to me being more senior in years.

Taguchi: That's true, they might have a slightly different image of her if they've watched her since she was in primary school. Since she was really small. But we've grown.

Hamaura: They generally know what I'll nag about. It's when they just up and change the choreography of their own accord, doing the moves differently from what our sensei taught us!

The nuance of the dance is forced to change because they insert their own adjustments to the moves?

Taguchi: Nothing so presumptuous. For example, as Kenshuusei, we got to dance 'Piriri to Yukou!' on the same stage as Berryz Kobo-san. At the time, even though the correct move was to spin our arms right, everyone except me spun their arms left. I'd even reminded them before the rehearsals. I'd told them to spin their arms right at that point. That's when I got angry.

Hirose: You really blew your top then~. What's more, everyone was telling you to correct yourself since you were the odd one out. Even though you were the only one who was correct. (laughs) She then reminded us that she had already mentioned that we should spin our arms right earlier, before the rehearsals. Then Hamachan gathered us all up for a huge lecture. Just as the song title means 'Let's spice things up!', things got spicy backstage. (laughs)

Taguchi: When it comes to performing, Hamachan is the most serious. Even when she says that we've got to stir things up, she always wraps things up perfectly. On the other hand, Fujii Rio-chan and I will check whether we're doing the right thing by looking at Hamachan.

Hirose: It's not that she's got a good memory, it's that she's got a serious personality. She doesn't remember the moves just by happenstance. But girls like Taguchi Natsumi-chan are able to grasp the general movement, but when they get to the studio, they'll panic and ask for help. That's a common situation. (laughs)

Poor thing. There's no need to name names. (laughs)

Hamaura: No, it's the truth. She promised me in the past. That once we became Kobushi Factory, she would stop that. So from then onwards, I stopped teaching her.

That sounds like something a drill sergeant would say. (laughs)

Taguchi: Did you hear that? Hamachan, you're a real Spartan. (laughs)

Hoshibe Sho's liner notes on Kobushi Factory's songs

Here are translations of some of the liner notes written by Hoshibe Sho on his songs contained in Kobushi Factory's first album, Kobushi Sono 1.

Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan

Dosukoi! With Humility and Audacity

Released in September 2015, this was Kobushi Factory's major debut song.

Using the original, Japanese-style song on the demo track as the base, it was turned into a three chorus configuration, and finished up as more of a rock song.
The theme of the lyrics is 'Don't forget your initial resolution'.
I think that in competitions, love, work, and other things, one's initial resolution begins to fade as one continues on with them for a long while.
With that as the theme of their debut single, as those girls sing it while they perform sumo moves, I'm sure that it will be carved into their chests no matter how many years pass.

In comparison to the Kobushi members, while there is a difference in ages between myself and them, I happen to think of them as my 'contemporaries'.
As fellow amateurs that debuted in 2015, let's always treasure that frame of mind.
And let's all steadily study hard, so that we become people who 'Continuously bring forth things of value'!

Hoshibe Sho

Kobushi Factory in Me magazine

Excerpts from Kobushi Factory's 27th July 2016 interview with Me magazine, where Kobushi Factory members Fujii Rio, Ogawa Rena, and Hamaura Ayano promote their single Samba! Kobushi Janeiro / Bacchikoi Seishun! / Ora wa Ninkimono.

⚾⚾⚾

Firstly, let's have you introduce one another! How do the two of you see Fujii Rio-san?

Hamaura: Fujii-chan is our subleader, the oldest in the group! She keeps making puns, and she doesn't tire of it (laughs). The other members may give her the cold shoulder, but she doesn't get discouraged, so she's got a strong heart.

Ogawa: I personally like her face! Besides that, she's smart, and she's got good reflexes! Even though she's the oldest, she often plays around, but that contrast makes her cute.

Fujii-san, please give us your current favourite gag!

Fujii: My current number one is 'Kono isho, iissho~!' (This outfit is great)! I highly recommend it!! (laughs)

Hamaura: I like Ogawa Rena-chan's singing, just listening to her singing calms me down. Also, when she gives me a tsukkomi with a 'What is it~', she's really strong! While she possesses girlishness, she also got this boyishness to her... (laughs).

Fujii: She looks like a cool-headed beauty, up until she opens her mouth (laughs). The things she says are truly miraculous! While we're doing a talk, she'll be the only person talking nonsense. It's funny how she'll deviate from the rest. Hamaura Ayano-chan is stoic, a real perfectionist! However, she becomes useless when she loses steam, it's really cute~.

Ogawa: With her good figure and skilful dancing, she doesn't have a single flaw! What's more, she's recently been saying that I'm cute, so you know, I think she's fallen for me~. She looks at me a lot.

Hamaura: The heck are you talking about? (laughs)

What do the girls manage in Kobushi Factory? (Top Yell July 2016)

The roles of each and every one of the eight members!

What does that girl manage in this Factory?

The members themselves determined the roles!

As you might expect from the group who have inherited the DNA of Berryz Kobo, champions of 'diversity in personality', the eight members of Kobushi are exploding with 8 different flavours.

In 2016 at the moment, this is the refinement of the strongest personnel!

Fujii Rio: Factory Manager that Keeps the Time
For a while, it was me and Fujii-chan who were the ones who made sure that the group kept to time. But honestly speaking, I'm the kind of person who's no good at keeping the time. Fujii Rio-chan is the only person who can handle Kobushi's time. (Taguchi)

Hirose Ayaka: Factory Manager for Sexiness
She covers up for the sexiness that I lack, despite me being the oldest. When she sings, you can feel a sexy nuance in her expression and singing. Of course, looks-wise, I think she's the most mature looking among us. (Fujii)

Nomura Minami: Factory Manager for Cooking
She's Kobushi Factory's lunch lady. She's really good at cooking. When I hung out at her house before, she made tomato pasta for me. That was really delicious! Even the way she put together the serving made it look like something that had been dished up by a restaurant. (Taguchi)

Ogawa Rena: Factory Manager that Produces Unique Replies
Every statement of hers is miraculous. Anything and everything she talks about is weird. Like how she mistook for Asano Atsuko-san for for Yosano Akiko-san (sarcastic laugh). Simply put, her biggest charm is her ability to make you want to comprehend her. (Fujii)

Hamaura Ayano: Factory Manager who is the Boss-in-the-shadows
We actually call her the 'Boss-in-the-shadows'. On that note, she's told me, the leader, that I'm unreliable once I step off the stage. When we're backstage, the person who brings together everyone's opinions is Hamaura Ayano-chan (Hirose)

Kobushi Factory on the New Artist Award

♣♣♣♣♣

The biggest change since the last time you were here was that you were chosen for the 'Japan Record Award New Artist Award', right? How was it when you first heard about the award?

Hirose: We had the day off on the day of the announcement, so we were contacted by e-mail: 'We have something to discuss, so please all gather up tomorrow'. I thought that all of us were going to get a scolding (laughs). We contacted one another, wondering what was up. And then we got another message, and we knew it was about the New Artist Award. In one stroke, the dread gave way to a sense of relief (laughs). But at the same time, the New Artist Award is awarded to artistes that have been active over the past year, so it hadn't really hit us that we would be receiving that award, that we would be standing of the stage of the Japan Record Award on the 30th of December. As we got closer to the day, we slowly started feeling it, and happiness gave way to a desire to win the Best New Artist Award.

Nomura: I was at home as we had the day off, and received a message. I was with my mother, and my phone indicated that I'd got a message. I thought that it was from one of the members or a friend, so I didn't take a look. And then, my mother received a message at the same time as I did. When I was about to check to see if it was something work-related from our manager-san, my mother had already checked the message. With joy on her face, she excitedly called out 'Minami, Minami!' I wondered what was up, and as it turned out, we had received the Japan Record Award New Artist Award. I remember seeing my mother being so happy for the first time, it came as a surprise!

Hamaura: I was at home on that off day as well, but receiving that message made me really happy. Whenever I get any announcements, I always go on my bed.

Uh, what (laughs)?

Hamaura: I get on top of my bed and announce it! And when I announced 'We got the Japan Record Award New Artist Award~!' from atop my bed, my whole family were glad and happy for me!

Wada: When I got the message, I was by myself. There wasn't anyone around me, and I didn't feel it too much. I generally don't get hit by emotions, but after a bit of time had passed, I realised that we'd be standing on that stage on the 30th, which made me happy.

Moreover, you got the Best New Artist Award! Did it lead to a change of mood?

Hamaura: The Best New Artist Award was a huge award, so the eight of us in Kobushi Factory had to give a performance that had to live up to it. We all braced ourselves.

Nomura: Since we had received the Best New Artist Award, I felt that I had to take another look at our usual conduct. Even more than before, I should follow the rules, and take care of my looks.

♣♣♣♣♣

New Faces: Face I like (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''.

Q6. Senpai whose face I like

Fujii Rio: Kudo Haruka-san. Her angel face is wonderful.

Hirose Ayaka: Kudo Haruka-san. She is indeed the angel-face ♥

Nomura Minami: Wada Ayaka-san. I like hers!

Ogawa Rena: Hagiwara Mai-san. I love how regular her facial features are.

Hamaura Ayano: Sato Masaki-san and Suzuki Airi-san and Tsugunaga Momoko-san. Sato-san's eyes and mouth sparkle. For Suzuki-san, her smile. I love Tsugunaga-san's silhouette and eyes and mouth.

Taguchi Natsumi: Suzuki Airi-san. Particularly her face when she's laughing.

Wada Sakurako: Suzuki Airi-san. She can make all sorts of facial expressions, but I like the face she makes when singing in particular.

Inoue Rei: Hagiwara Mai-san. Her face is pretty and cute. I particularly like her face when she's laughing.

Q6. Senpai whose face I like

Ogata Risa: Fukuda Kanon-san. I love her singing and dancing, but what I like most about her is her face. Her eyes are wide, and I like the way she smiles without really showing her teeth. Normally she'll have her bangs down, but on the rare occasion that her bangs are raised, it suits her as well. At any rate, I like everything!

Yamagishi Riko: Nakajima Saki-san. She's beautiful and cute. It's super adorable how she winks and averts her gaze in the middle of concerts. I like when her hair's down as well as when it's in a ponytail. At any rate, I like everything about Nakajima-san, who goes well with anything!!

Niinuma Kisora: Yamaki Risa-chan. Risa-chan's eyes are large and slightly tawny, it's really cute!

Tanimoto Ami: Suzuki Airi-san, Makino Maria-san. Because their faces are my type.

Kishimoto Yumeno: Nakanishi Kana-san. No reason in particular, but she's pretty!

Asakura Kiki: Yajima Maimi-san. I think she's a really beautiful person. I feel like a glow flows out from her face.

Notes and observations:

• With 4 nominations, the most liked face by the new faces turns out to be magazine model Airi! After her, MaiMai and Kudo received 2 votes each.

• By group:
  ℃-ute - 8
  Morning Musume。´15 - 4
  ANGERME - 3
  Country Girls - 2

Other questions from this book

 

New Faces: Figure I like (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''.

Q7. Senpai whose figure I like

Fujii Rio: Yajima Maimi-san's slender limbs and hip muscles are the best.

Hirose Ayaka: Yajima Maimi-san and Wada Ayaka-san. I envy their long legs......

Nomura Minami: Suzuki Airi-san. She's flourishing as a model in a fashion magazine, I look up to her!

Ogawa Rena: Yajima Maimi-san. I admire her sleek psoas muscles.

Hamaura Ayano: Suzuki Airi-san, Hagiwara Mai-san, Ikuta Erina-san, I always pay a lot of attention the waists of these three!

Taguchi Natsumi: Suzuki Airi-san appears in a lot of magazines, and any sort of clothing suits her.

Wada Sakurako: Yajima Maimi-san. Because she's tall in stature, her legs are long, and her face is small, she's beautiful.

Inoue Rei: Wada Ayaka-san. The lines of her slim upper arms are pretty.

Q7. Senpai whose figure I like

Ogata Risa: Hagiwara Mai-san. Whatever she wears, be it skirts or trousers, I always think that she's got a nice figure whenever I watch her~.

Yamagishi Riko: Hagiwara Mai-san. When they wore midriff-baring outfits at ℃-ute-san's concert, Hagiwara-san's waist was really slender. Her clothes are stylish, and I think that her figure is nice, whatever she's wearing.

Niinuma Kisora: Wada Ayaka-san and Kudo Haruka-san. Wada-san and Kudo-san are slim, and their knees are pretty too.

Tanimoto Ami: Suzuki Airi-san, Iikubo Haruna-san. I envy how they're really slender and tall.

Kishimoto Yumeno: Uemura Akari-san. When I saw her silhouette from afar, she was really stylish.

Asakura Kiki: Hagiwara Mai-san. She's got a slim waist and long legs. She looks cool in trousers, they really suit her.

Notes and observations:

• ℃-ute takes it all. H!P's oneesan group are the biggest representatives for this question, with Maimi, Airi, and MaiMai bagging four nominations each. Ayacho comes a close second with three votes.

• No, seriously, MaiMai's waist still boggles my mind. Look at how tiny it is! It's like she's distorted reality, her proportions don't make sense...

Other questions from this book

 

New Faces: Singing I like (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''.

Q4. Senpai whose voice & singing I like

Fujii Rio: Takeuchi Akari-san's voice when she's speaking is clear, like an announcer's. I like her distinct singing voice too.

Hirose Ayaka: Fukuda Kanon-san's voice is cute, I like it.

Nomura Minami: I love Wada Ayaka-san's voice! Her cute vocal quality is nice~ I like the way she talks too. I particularly love how her face and voice light up when she's talking about Buddha statues!!

Ogawa Rena: Takagi Sayuki-san. Her singing ability is at a high level. I look up to her.

Hamaura Ayano: Suzuki Airi-san, Takagi Sayuki-san, Tsugunaga Momoko-san. I like it when Sayuki-chan brings out high notes in her natural voice! Even when she's singing normally, I like Suzuki-san's attractive, gentle voice. I like Tsugunaga-san's strong voice when she's raising her pitch.

Taguchi Natsumi: Suzuki Airi-san's singing always gives my heart a squeeze, so I love it. Of course, I like her voice too! I also like her airy and gentle way of speaking. It's really adorable how you have no idea what she's saying, which makes me think that she's cute no matter what!

Wada Sakurako: I like Miyamoto Karin-san's cute and gentle singing voice.

Inoue Rei: I like Hagiwara Mai-san's unique and cute voice and her way of singing. I like Kanazawa Tomoko-san's voice, which is clear and carries well, no matter what register she's singing in.

Q4. Senpai whose voice & singing I like

Ogata Risa: Sayashi Riho-san. She performs so beautifully at concerts, but her voice is cute when you talk to her normally, I love that difference.

Yamagishi Riko: Takagi Sayuki-san and Tamura Meimi-san. Takagi-san has always been good at singing from when she was a Kenshuusei, and her ad-libs are particularly cool! I'd like to be able to perform them like Takagi-san! When I saw Tamura-san acting in a play, that difference between her powerful voice and her cute looks was wonderful.

Niinuma Kisora: Suzuki Airi-san. She's really good at singing and she can pull off all sorts of singing styles, I admire her!

Tanimoto Ami: I like how Miyamoto Karin-san's singing really resonates.

Kishimoto Yumeno: Tamura Meimi-san. The way she sings is cool and I like her voice.

Asakura Kiki: Uemura Akari-san. When I got to participate as the challenge act at Juice=Juice's concerts, I thought that her voice really had depth to it. I'd like to listen to it forever.

Notes and observations:

• With 3 nominations each, Airi and Sayuki score the most mentions.Other with more than one mention were Karin-chan and Meimi, with 2 each.
• Group-wise7 mentions: Juice=Juice
  6 mentions: ANGERME
  4 mentions: ℃-ute
  1 mention: Country Girls. Morning Musume。´15 
• Notable by her absence is the Suppin Utahime, Oda-chan herself. Given that she was a fellow Kenshuusei that came in roughly the same time as the rest, perhaps she isn't seen as as a senpai. Technically speaking, some of them like Hamachan and Tagucchi are her senpai in the Kenshuusei.

Other questions from this book

 

New Faces: Senpai as Oneesan (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''.

Q3. Senpai I'd be happy to have as an oneesan

Fujii Rio: Miyazaki Yuka-san. She seems really gentle. I want to dress her up.

Hirose Ayaka: Miyamoto Karin-san. She'd be a gentle oneechan, and I'd like to listen to a lot of her stories.

Nomura Minami: If Wada Ayaka-san was my oneechan, I could be together with Wada-san every day. I'd like to try playing with dolls with her.

Ogawa Rena: Okai Chisato-san is really funny and fashionable, so I feel like she'd bring me along to go shopping if she was my oneesan.

Hamaura Ayano: In my mind, Ikuta Erina-san is always kind to her juniors, so I feel that she'd look out for me if she was my oneechan.

Taguchi Natsumi: Takagi Sayuki-san. I love her since she's always been kind, ever since I was in the Kenshuusei. If she was my oneesan, I'd be with her every day. Sayuki-chan's kind to everyone, she's wonderful!

Wada Sakurako: Miyazaki Yuka-san. It feels like we'd be close sisters who wouldn't fight.

Inoue Rei: Miyamoto Karin-san. I feel that she'd be gentle and caring.

Q3. Senpai I'd be happy to have as an oneesan

Ogata Risa: Miyazaki Yuka-san. Because she seems that she'd be really kind. I feel like she'd also help me with my studies.

Yamagishi Riko: Suzuki Airi-san. In my mind, she's this level-headed oneesan, and it feels like she'd give me information about all sorts of things. Occasionally she'd calm things down by making puns, I think that we'd be a lively family!

Niinuma Kisora: Sayashi Riho-san. Because when I talked with her before, she made me feel warm inside.

Tanimoto Ami: Hagiwara Mai-san. Since she has this image of being kind, so I'd like her to spoil me if she were my oneesan.

Kishimoto Yumeno: Iikubo Haruna-san! If I had a fashionable oneechan, maybe I'd become fashionable too.

Asakura Kiki: Yamaki Risa-san. I'm bad at doing my hair, so I'd like to get it done by Yamaki-san every day, as I hear that she's skilful. I think she's definitely a gentle person.

Notes and observations:

• And the oneechan award goes to Miyazaki Yuka, with 3 nominations! Karin-chan came second with two.
• And so, despite being in the middle of the pecking order, Juice=Juice as a group have the most nominations. ℃-ute and Morning Musume。´15 tie for second with 3 nominations from each group.

Other questions from this book

 

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

 

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