[2ch] Let's Celebrate！ This day marks the 5000th day since KIDS audition results were announced！！！ Natsuyaki Miyabi-san gives us a mass exhibition of memorable photos!! [picspam]

[This was way too late by the time I finished translating it.

Still late now... - by exactly 500 days.

Happy 5500 days to the Kids!]

1 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/08(火) 20:04:30.49 0.net
♡5000♡
http://ameblo.jp/natsuyaki-miyabi-blog/entry-12137058171.html
2016-03-08 19:01:11NEW !
Theme: Blog
Everyone everyone～～♡

Just a minute ago, something came up on BeriKyuu's LINE group. I checked while wondering 'Who is it？？', and it turned out to be a message from Shimi-chan ♪


And！ And！
I took a look, wondering 'What's up～～？？'


「Today marks 5000 days since we passed the KIDS auditions！！！」ヾ(*>∀<)ﾉﾞ
She sent us an announcement ♡♡♡

Amazing～～！！
We've hit 5000 daysーーー‼︎

It made me want to look at old pictures
And I wanted to show them to everyone ♡

I'll put UP several shots♪(ﾉ∇〃 )｡o○

When we all went to Paris～♪

How nostalgic～～♡

They held cosplay events at the time
I got to take photos with all sorts of people～～♪

2 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/08(火) 20:05:40.42 0.net
My favourites, Disney's Alice and Ursula ♡
They were at such a high level of quality～～♡
OMG, looking at these photos makes me want to go to Disneyland‼︎
Should I go sometime soon ♡♡♡

This last shot is one taken at Berryz' Budokan LIVEー☆

These 5000 days of friendship were awesome ♡♡♡

I love BeriKyuu ♡♡♡

Berryz Kobo x ℃-ute (Hello! Project BEST SHOT!! Vol.22)

The Hello! Project Best Shot series of mooks are periodic publications by Wani Books containing a selection of shots from recent photo books as well as a selection of shots taken for their magazine, UTB. From the two that I have, it looks like they also provide something new as a feature, probably to make it worth your while. For this edition, released early 2015, we have a BeriKyuu feature!

Shimizu Saki: I was reminded once again of what wonderful companions we have
Seeing the members of ℃-ute cry when we told them about our hiatus, I was reminded once again of these wonderful companions that we had. They understand our feelings, they're comfortable to be with, it's like we're one big family. I imagined that they would be surprised when we told them of our hiatus, but I never would have thought that they'd break down in tears. And since it was before our concert rehearsals, we were in a panic, thinking 'OMG! We made them cry before the rehearsals!!' (laughs).

When it comes to ℃-ute, I'm not worried at all about the other four besides Maimi (laughs). I think that Maimi might be feeling the pressure, suddenly becoming Hello! Project leader. And up to now, there have been times when she's depended on me, so I felt that it was inexcusable to make her suddenly go from that to being entrusted with everything. But since I knew that Maimi would properly watch over the kouhai with her gentleness and sense of responsibility, I expect that she'll be a good senpai.

My top BeriKyuu memory was when everyone celebrated my 21st birthday in the middle of BeriKyuu's tour. On-stage, Chisato thanked me for being born into this world, and those words made me really happy. It's sad to part, but in the future, I'd like to cheer ℃-ute on as a friend and as a fan. I too would like to learn lots of things, and do my best as a 23 year old woman.

Yajima Maimi: Doing our best to make up for Berryz Kobo
If you were to ask me about BeriKyuu memories, I'd talk about our very first movie, 'Koinu Dan no Monogatari'. That's when we started to deepen out bonds. We messed around together, and even got into fights, all sorts of things happened (laughs). Because of those memories, when I heard that Berryz Kobo would be entering a hiatus, for a moment, I was hit once again with how long we had been doing this. We had been so small, and yet the time had come for them to make such a decision.

Of course it's sad to part, but I hope that all of Berryz Kobo will continue to challenge all sorts of things from now on. Since I'd like us to maintain our unchanging relationship forever, I'd like to meet up with them occasionally. Since all of them will be going down new paths, it'll be fun to listen to their stories of a different world that isn't just Hello! Project. Probably by that time, all of Berryz Kobo will probably seem like such adults. Up to now, we've been in the same environment, and I think that they'll have a good look at worlds that we don't know about, so we can't let ourselves be left behind (laughs).

Berryz Kobo said to us, 'Do your best to make up for our part', and I feel that we can't let the things that Berryz Kobo have done in these 10 years disappear. For that not to happen, we have to keep continuing on. As Hello! Project leader's as well, I'd like to do my best with that resolve. Saki, are you worried about me? (laughs) Borrowing everyone's strength, I intend to do things in my own way.

Tsugunaga Momoko: I'd like to maintain an unwavering relationship
I really remember the first time we appeared at a Hello! Project concert, and all of us had to introduce ourselves. It was just a self-introduction, but we were really nervous. My comment was 'While we total 15 in number, I'll do my best to stand out!', but I haven't forgotten the sight of each and every one of us earnestly practising the comments we would be giving. Like who said what, and what we all said together. That shows you just how much we practised (laughs).

Berryz Kobo will be entering a hiatus, but I'd like to maintain an unwavering relationship with all the Berryz Kobo and ℃-ute members. I will still remain in Hello! Project, so I'd like to have a meal with the members of ℃-ute when we have concerts together (laughs). I plan to drop by their dressing room, so I'd be happy if they received me without any awkwardness. I'd like to have a relationship where it's possible that I might enter the room at any time (laughs).

Also, I'll be active as part of Country Girls after this, so I'd like to do my best to support the kouhai. Because the members of Berryz Kobo are from my own generation, I'm not used to all of the others being kouhai. I'd be glad if I could lead them by example. Also, I'd like to do my best to polish myself further. The other members of Country Girls are still undergoing compulsory education (laughs), so I'll be able to experience lots of things while they're at school...... I'll do my best so that my 2nd life as an idol won't be any lesser than my life in Berryz Kobo.

[2ch] 1 year has passed since Berryz Kobo's hiatus

1 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/02(水) 23:59:46.28 0.net
How fast

2 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:00:55.01 0.net
>>1
It went by quite quickly, didn't it?

3 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:01:12.62 0.net
Risako…

4 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:02:07.40 0.net
I was unable to go to their last Budokan
I still hold a grudge against my employer, even now

5 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:02:26.38 0.net
The time passed in the blink of an eye, huh?

7 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:03:02.67 0.net
My youth

8 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:04:41.86 0.net
I'd be fine if they didn't make a comeback, I just want to see the 7 of them together

10 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:05:21.75 0.net
Berryz Ikube！

11 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:05:41.73 0.net
Oi Oi Oi Oi

14 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:10:56.84 0.net
All the BeriWota I knew have all graduated
I wonder if they're doing well

15 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:13:20.99 0.net
It's not like I graduated from being an wota
I'm just on hiatus as a BeriWota

16 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:16:28.83 0.net
So yeah, it was exactly 1 year ago huh
I'm glad that Maasa messed around at the MC lol

17 ：名無し募集中。。。＠＼(^o^)／：2016/03/03(木) 00:16:33.95 0.net
In the end, I was unable to find something that gave me more joy than Berryz Kobo in this 1 year
Captain, help me

Dance teacher SHE-sensei comments on the Berryz members - CDJournal Mar 2015

――We would like to ask sensei about the impressions you had while you were watching each and every member。

I guess we'll go by order of age.

Captain (Shimizu Saki) is serious.
Even from our first meeting, she'd ask for review sessions after we finished with rehearsals,
And despite being small, we had discussions about the things she was unclear on,
While we had conflicts at times, she's always been serious since back then.

I think that she's a good girl, be it at work or in her private life,
But roughly when she was a senior high student......
She became unexpectedly funny (laughs).
Doing funny faces and using a weird way of speaking, she liked funny things.
She discovered that aspect at the end of her teenage years though.
Since then, I've often messed around with Captain (laughs).
It's just that, her comicality doesn't really show on-stage, does it?
I think that it's not that she doesn't want to bring it out,
But it doesn't appear because she's in charge of all sorts of things.

Momo (Tsugunaga Momoko) is as she is.
That's probably everyone's impression of her.
She's got a high level of professionalism.
While I thought she was just a 'burikko' when she was small,
I think that she probably understands what the guests want the most,
And she studied up in order to understand them.

Recently, the girls have been proposing parts of their setlists at concerts and events,
But it's mostly led by Momo.
Like, how they'd like the stage direction to go.
She's not just making a fuss and having fun, she properly thinks it through.
But while it doesn't mean that the way she presents herself is just 'for business',
It normally does seem that way (laughs).

Also, I like Momo's butt. It's like pudding.
Let me talk about an amusing memory I have concerning her butt:
There was a time when her body was still expanding and growing a little.
As she was sitting down in a lady-like manner,
The back of her sweats ripped with a great sound. (laughs)
Her face went completely red. We had a great big laugh at that.

Twitter Tidbits: Mano and Maro being BeriWota

花音がなんで早く起きれるかというとね、こーやってアラームのラベルを変えてるからだよ。Berryz工房から着信？！え？！江戸から着信？！てなって起きてますいつも🐶 pic.twitter.com/1A85SB2hb2

— 福田花音(まろ) (@kanonfukuda) 2016, 1月 16

If you're wondering how I woke up today, it's because I changed my alarm label like this. Incoming from Berryz Kobo !? Eh!? Incoming from Edo!? That's how I always wake up

Photo 1:
Repeat: Never
Label: Incoming from Berryz Kobo
Sound: Be Genki -Naseba Naru!-
Snooze: On

Photo 2:
Incoming from Berryz Kobo
Tap to snooze

花音のツイート見て Be 元気聴き始めたなう👻👻 https://t.co/8ck2plkYPH

— 真野恵里菜(Mano Erina) (@erina_mano) 2016, 1月 16

I saw Kanon's tweet
Now listening to Be Genki

からの「ライバル」が流れて 思わず手の振りをやりそうになるが 電車の中なので必死に我慢。笑

— 真野恵里菜(Mano Erina) (@erina_mano) 2016, 1月 16

And now Rival is playing
Without thinking, I did the moves
But since I'm in the train, I'm desperately holding back. lol

@erina_mano 朝のBe元気はほんと最高だよ、、、❤️窓を開けて空気がうまいだけで幸せを感じられるもん...笑

— 福田花音(まろ) (@kanonfukuda) 2016, 1月 16

Be Genki in the morning really is the best... ♥ Just listening to it at the window and breathing in the fresh air makes me feel happy... lol

@kanonfukuda 今日は1日Berryz工房の曲で過ごすことにした😎😎

— 真野恵里菜(Mano Erina) (@erina_mano) 2016, 1月 16

Spent the whole day today listening to Berryz Kobo

@erina_mano ハロプロ愛さいこーう☺️💕

— 福田花音(まろ) (@kanonfukuda) 2016, 1月 16

H!P Love is the best

@kanonfukuda 卒業してからの方が より強まるハロプロ愛💓💓 ハロヲタに戻った😂😂

— 真野恵里菜(Mano Erina) (@erina_mano) 2016, 1月 16

The love H!P Love of people who have graduated
Becomes even stronger
Going back to being a HaroWota

@erina_mano ハロメンからハロヲタに戻る感覚わりとたのしいよね😌💗

— 福田花音(まろ) (@kanonfukuda) 2016, 1月 16

The feeling of going back to being a HaroWota from being a Hello! member is relatively fun

@kanonfukuda うちらにしか味わえない特権😎💓

— 真野恵里菜(Mano Erina) (@erina_mano) 2016, 1月 16

It's a privilege that only we can savour

Idol Frontline 2015: Messages to Berryz Kobo (Minewaki Ikuo, Tower Records CEO)

Minewaki Ikuo, CEO of Tower Records, is also well known for being a Kumai-chan wota. Something he's particularly notorious for is his collection of Kumaicho photos. It's not just that he collects photos of Kumai-chan, but his collection also includes photos that don't directly have Kumai-chan in focus. For an example of what I'm talking about, take a look at the picture of lovely little Momochi below. Now note the helpful little arrow pointing out Kumai-chan in the background. Yes, his collection also spans to include pictures like these.

Another corporate head who's also notable for his support towards a H!P Kids act would be the president of Pizza-La, who supported Buono! by sponsoring their radio show, providing them appearances on commercials, and even a short concert tour.

Anyway, here's Minewaki-san, talking about Berryz:

Idol Frontline 2015: Messages to Berryz Kobo (non H!P)

Moving on from the messages from fellow H!P members, we now have some messages from non-H!P fans.

These were the people who had something to say to Berryz Kobo:

• Otani Masae (Former Melon Kinenbi)
• Hori Miona (Nogizaka 46)
• Yanagihara Kanako
• Iwao Nozomu
• Kato Takako
• Minewaki Ikuo
• Takenaka Natsumi
• Mikity Honmono (NichoHaro)
• Omori Nozomi
• Utamaru (Rhymester)
• Okite Porche
• Nanba Kazumi
• Takayuki Mizushina

One name I'm surprised isn't on the list is the now-#1 of the 48 collective, Sashihara Rino. If you're not familiar, Sasshi's a big Berryz fan, a Kumai-oshi in particular.

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!

┬┬┬

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.

┬┬┬

Berryz Kobo's messages to themselves

I was going through Berryz Kobo's music videos from their Final Completion Box, listening to the audio commentary. At the very tail end of the 2nd DVD, at the end of Love Together, I realised that there was an additional part where the girls individually gave messages to themselves, something that doesn't appear on the promotional version on YouTube.  The messages are short and sweet, so enjoy.

Yurina: 'Yurina, don't forget the many things you ENJOYed'

Saki: 'Captain, thanks for your hard work!'

Risako: 'Risako, continue to do your best from now on too, okay'

Momoko: 'Momochi, you definitely were cute'

Miyabi: 'Miya, you were able to make lots of wonderful memories, right?'

Maasa: 'Maasa, thank you for the enjoyable time'

Chinami: 'Chinami, thank you!'

Twitter Tidbits: Berryz Kobo Last Budokan

Fujie Reina (NMB48, Miyabi's cousin)

Berryz工房さん。 今日の武道館コンサートで活動休止か。 デビューから大好きだったグループだから本当に寂しい(つω・。`) #Berryz工房 #大好き pic.twitter.com/pjJBvZxbLM
— 藤江れいな (@nya_n017) 2015, 3月 3

Berry Kobo-san.
They'll be entering their hiatus with today's Budokan concert.
I've liked them since their début, so it's really sad (つω・。`) #Berryz Kobo #Love

Sashihara Rino (HKT48) & Kashiwagi Yuki (AKB48)

@345__chan 同じく。。私たちの青春。
— 柏木由紀 (@Yukiriiiin__K) 2015, 3月 3

Sasshi:
My feelings are at the Budokan。。。
Concerts、 handshake events。。 I can still remember them clearly, even now。 I won't be in attendance, but thank you for bringing hope to Sashihara。 You'll continue to always be a group that I love。

Yukirin:
@345__chan Same for me。。 It was our youth

Otani Masae:
I'll witness it for the 2 of you ❤︎

Berryz Kobo's final address to the fans

Thanks to Barks-san, we have transcripts of Berryz Kobo's final words to the fans at the Nippon Budokan, before they launched into their final performance of Love Together. You may want to prepare tissues.

Sugaya Risako

Everyone、 thank you very much for today。

Including our time as the Kids、 we've been in Hello! Project for 12 and a half years、 and it's unimaginable that we'll be closing the books on it today。 I seriously have no idea what would be best to say today、 but it was really fun。

All sorts of things happened in these 12 and a half years、 there were a lot of things that were fun and enjoyable、 but honestly、 there were tons of times when it was tough、 honestly、 there were a lot of times when I thought about dropping everything and going somewhere（cries）。

But I think that it was due to the presence of my family and the staff-san around me、 everyone around me, the fans that are here、 that I've been able to do it until now。 Thank you so very much。

It's a pity that my voice is like this、 but since I've sung with everything I had until now…… I've got no regrets。

Honestly、 everyone、 thank you so very much。

The Berryz Note

In Berryz Kobo's 7th anniversary photo book, there's a 'news article' on the 'Berryz Note'. To those who aren't familiar with the Berryz Note, it's a notebook that was passed among the members when Berryz Kobo first started out. They also had 'Berryz meetings', where they'd sit down and discuss about the group. Both of these are often mentioned by the members when talking about the early days of the group, and they tend to be credited for keeping the group of primary schoolers in line when they were first starting out. These days, it's in the care of Captain. This is one of the rare looks at it.

Information leak crisis

The item that supported the unity of the members

We have successfully obtained the

'Berryz Note' 

As we started with the interviews in this book, when the members talked about the initial formation of Berryz Kobo, the words that almost surely come up are 'Berryz meetings' and 'Berryz note'. Unseen by the general populace up to now, not even seen by the staff, we have successfully obtained that legendary 'Berryz note' from Captain Shimizu Saki-chan

Here are some parts of what's written in the pictured extracts of the notebook. They're actually pretty hard to read, being handwritten and in 'kiddy' language, but the internet provided (here, see 674 & 677)

19 When being cautioned、 concentrate。→ Do not raise your hands。
20 Even at rehearsals, don't cut corners. Do things seriously。
21 When talking about trivial things, do not ask 「Say that １ more time」。
22 Act promptly。
23 Don't advise people on things you can't do。
24 When working, do not get angry even if there is something that you dislike。
25 Do not lean on others when sleeping。
26 Be firm in responding。→ Answer quickly。
27 Do not step on things like cords。
28 Do not apply make-up yourself。
29 Do not varnish with nail polish。
30 Do not put luggage on top of the sofa。
31 Gather all the luggage together。
32 Knock on doors→ If so, give a reply。
33 If you say 「I give up」, give up。
34 Do not use other people's things as you please。
35 Do not tell people who are sleeping 「Don't sleep」。
36 Do not place your feet at places like the top of desks。

55 Before concerts, be cheerful。
56 Look at the clock and take action。
57 Do not get mad even when giving advice。
58 When in the middle of changing outfits and there are people outside, stop changing outfits and quickly get inside
59 Bring writing implements。
60  As much as possible, everyone should be involved in tidying up rooms。
61 Do not do the homework of others。
62 Do dance and singing practices (reviews) seriously。（ＭＣs too）
63 Do not think 「That's obvious」。→Do not forget how you felt when you started。
64 Do not play around with the microphones。→Even when checking the sound×。
65 If you do something bad, say 『I'm sorry』。
66 When doing a concert recording, bring along the ＭＤ・ＣＤ。
67 Go （enter） toilets by yourself
68 At interviews, try as much as possible to not say the same thing。
69 Do not turn back when on the Shinkansen。
70 Do not badmouth people。
71 When riding buses （taxis）, fill them up from the front。

'What is this......' I said to what Saki-chan was holding out in front of me, fragments of a notebook that had turned hollow, its contents thinning out. Eh, this is......

'That's right. Actually, there's things like unrelated scribbles, notes taken at the time, lots of irrelevant things were written on it, those parts were torn out and disposed of''

Speaking about interesting content, it indeed would cover the 137 articles (For some reason, the 137th article is blank...... And so there are 136 substantial articles), a volume that beats even the Constitution of Japan. From entries like  'Whatever it is, do it without losing steam' 'Do things without being told the same thing over and over' 'Act promptly' (as per original), 'If you do something bad, say 『I'm sorry』。', things that grown-ups couldn't help but agree with, 'Keep quiet in buses', 'Do not tell people who are sleeping 「Don't sleep」。', 'Do not do the homework of others', 'Do not immediately sing when you receive the lyrics sheet for a concert', these regulations bring to mind how they were. If they were opposed, that would mean Berryz Kobo would be in a bad state (laughs). Sadly we are unable to show you all the pages, but with the pages you can see, I think you'll be able to experience how they were like when they freshly made their début!

Twitter Tidbits: Juice=Juice confess to Berryz Kobo

Berryz工房への告白、最終日。 個性豊か💕で、団結力💪があって本当に素敵なグループだなといつも感じてました♥️真面目にふざけるBerryz工房さんがとっても大好きです🌼☀️（宮崎） #juicejuice #berryz
— Juice=Juice (@_Juice_Juice) 2015, 3月 2

Confessions for Berryz Kobo, the final day.

Rich in personality ♥ with strong unity, I always felt that you were a wonderful group♥
I really love the Berryz Kobo-san who get serious when they're messing around ☀️ (Miyazaki)

”Berryz Kobo”, the idols loved by Thailand, interviewed in Bangkok

Berryz Kobo have held 2 performances so far in Bangkok、 they've covered a song by Thai national singer Bird McIntyre （『cha cha SING』）、 they're known to be idols deeply acquainted with Thailand。 These girls have announced that they'll enter an indefinite hiatus on the 3rd of March 2015、 and even the fans in Thailand were enveloped in grief。

In the midst of that、 it was announced that the members of Berryz Kobo would be making an appearance starring as themselves in the Thai film 「「The One Ticket Tua Por… Reak Por（The One Ticket ตัวพ่อ...เรียกพ่อ）」、 to the great joy of fans。 In addition to that、 it was announced that they would be holding a live event 『Berryz Kobo NARUCHIKA 2015 in Bangkok』、 a huge, final gift for the Thai fans。

The day before the concert on the 3rd of February、 we heard what all the members had to say in a hotel in Bangkok。

Captain and vice-captain talk about Berryz Kobo's tour and last single

Berryz Kobo autumn 2014 concert tour ~ Professional ~

Commemorating the 10th year anniversary of their début 

Will be opening from the 18th of October!

'It's been 4 years since we had an autumn tour to ourselves. The members of Berryz Kobo were extremely insistent on the particulars of the setlist, repeatedly having discussions on the song selections, time and time again. Captain (Shimizu Saki( and (Tokunaga) Chinami were extremely particular about it, but I guess the most insistent was Momo (Tsugunaga Momoko). However, the feeling that we want to give all of the fans something that's as good as possible, it's something that's shared by the 7 of us.' (Natsuyaki)

Their parting final single will be on sale on the 12th of November!!

'Romance wo Katatte / Towa no Uta'

'"Romance wo Katatte" is a song in the cute camp, something that's unusual for Berryz Kobo. Since we've had a lot of funny songs and cool songs so far. Everyone's smiling in the music video, and you'll be able to see the members being their natural selves.' (Shimizu)

'"Towa no Uta" is an energetic song that can pump up a concert. Since for Berryz Kobo, it's our last single. At the very end, I'd like to capture 1st place.' (Natsuyaki)

{Skoban: Miya... I wish that that last bit comes true (T_T)}

[Fan Report] A Night at Minakami Onsen

(This is a translation of Japanese fan's Salaryman Kobo NEO's blog post about the special concert that Berryz Kobo held at their 2014 bus tour. The wonderful accompanying illustrations are by him as well.)

For Berryz Kobo's fanclub bus tour, we went to Minakami Onsen in Gunma prefecture.

Today, we had an 8-shot with all 7 members of Berryz Kobo, a time-restricted apple picking event, and to top off the day, there was a special concert.
That concert was really, really fun. Berryz' power to entertain was explosive, and they pulled it off wonderfully.
I'm keeling over with intoxication and fatigue, but I thought I'd write about it at length.

Setlist

＃１　Anshinkan
＃２　Passion E‐CHA E‐CHA
MC　(Everyone) Greeting
＃３  Mythology
＃４　Waracchaou yo BOY FRIEND
＃５　Yuuki wo Kudasai
MC 　Maasa・Kumai-chan・Risako
～From here 「Messing around corner」
＃６　Yurushite-nyan Taisou　Captain・Miyabi-chan
＃７　Gag 100kai Aishite Kudasai　Captain・Momochi・Chinami　No Nyuu Festival
＃８　Kozukai Up Daisakusen　Maasa・Kumai-chan・Risako
＃９　Watashi no Mirai no Danna-sama　Miyabi-chan・Risako＋ Sea bream dancers （Captain・Chinami）
＃10 ROCK Erotic　Momochi in male role ・ Maasa ＆ Kumai-chan in female role
＃11 Cha Cha Sing　Everyone
MC　(Everyone)　About the messing around corner
～
＃12 Berryz Fields
＃13 Hero Arawaru
＃14 Munasawagi Scarlet
＃15 Yo no Naka Barairo
MC　(Everyone)　Impressions of today
＃16 Arigatou Otomodachi


The first outfits were the encore outfits from the recent Budokan concert.
In a rare turn of events, Momochi had only the left side of her hair done up, and that unexpectedly made my heart race. (^_^;)

Momochi's hairstyle at today's concert

With 'Anshinkan' at the start and the long-unperformed 'Passion', the audience's voltage was already charged up, but we were splendidly bowled over by the 'messing around' corner in the middle!
According to Captain, these were the members' selfish requests being realised, but first up was 'Yurushite-nyan Taisou' by Captain in her kindergarten cosplay (this was familiar) and, unexpectedly, Miyabi-chan in lieu of Momochi.

Yurushite-nyaa~n

Continuing on with 'Gag 100', at the middle section where Chinami goes 'No~Nyuu' (And it's been 5 years since Chinami last went 'No~Nyuu'), it became a 'No~Nyuu' call & response festival between those on-stage and the venue. I should note that unexpectedly, Captain's NoNyu was sexy-cute.

For 'Kozukai Up Daisakusen', Maasa was the mother dressed in an apron, Kumai-chan was a primary schooler lugging a randoseru (a knapsack associated with elementary schoolchildren), and Risako appeared in a kindergarten kid cosplay!

Seeing Kumai-chan with a randoseru, a sight unseen since her Nyoki Nyoki Champion randoseru graduation ceremony, everyone present shed tears of gratitude.

For 'Watashi no Mirai no Danna-sama', the two sea bream backdancers were doing as they pleased.
Berryz are the only idols that can make lying down on the stage look good! (^_^;)

We're sleepy....

As for 'Rock Erotic', Momochi made an appearance as a lovely lady dressed in a man's attire! With her two larger, beautiful partners in baggy clothes, seeing her sing and dance with a smug face was the biggest moe point of the day! 
At the MC, Momochi went 'Maasa and I are really fitting partners, aren't we?~' By the way, Kumai-chan complained that the waist was tight, so doing anything beyond one song would be impossible~ (^_^;) 

Momochi Erotic?

There are all sorts of things that I'd like to add, but even a whole night wouldn't suffice.

Returning to the inn after the concert, we received presents personally from the members.
(An aluminium bottle)
And having soaked in the bath, we partied!
On one hand we had voices going 'That was super fun! Berryz saikou!', while some voiced out sentiments on things that couldn't be helped, like 'Perhaps today might have been the last "Nonyu"~', or 'Even though it's so much fun, it's coming to an end~'.

Well, with everyone having used up their strength, there seemed to be a pile of corpses in the middle of the room,
Since we've got an early start tomorrow, I'm putting down my pen here.

Oyasumiyabi~

(Hope you enjoyed the report as much as I did. If you did, might I recommend you give some props to SK NEO-san. His Twitter handle is @sk_neo.)
Original blog post

Berryz' closing statements from their 2014 Budokan Live

Sugaya Risako
Continuing on from yesterday, this is the 2nd day in a row for us to appear at the Budokan, and yet, I was really nervous. Compared to when we were last at the Budokan, on the 29th of November last year, haven't I managed to retain my composure?
Even though I'm not that great at dancing, when it comes to singing, I enjoyed the feeling of performing with everyone again and again throughout the day.
Next year in April, Berryz Kobo will enter an indefinite hiatus (Note: The April reference was a slip-up on Risako's part, it should be 'spring'. Of course, the other members rib at her for it), we're all putting our strengths together and doing our best, so we beg for your kindness.

Kumai Yurina
We first stood here at the Budokan about 10 months ago, and I was so excited that I slipped from the stairs over there and got injured. The injury still remains. Standing on this stage of dreams, it's still a surprise to me that we're standing here again so soon, while I've still got that injury, so I'm happy! I'm also getting a bit on in years, as it's taking its time to heal (laughs).
When we were doing 'Rival' at this concert, I was in the best position to take a view of the whole venue. That view was truly amazing, it brought me joy from the bottom of my heart. It's a wonderful memory that'll last a lifetime... (She fumbles her words at the end)

H!P Summer 2014 KOREZO: Share it if you like it (Part VII - 29 Aug)

For the KOREZO! performances held during the current Hello! Con (Summer 2014), there's a corner where the girls can bring up photos they want to highlight. A  Facebook page has been set up, entitled 'Hello! Pro Ki ni Ittara Share'. (H!P Share it if you like it). 

Here's a selection of what piqued my interest. As the page says, if you like any of these photos, then 'Like' and 'Share' them on Facebook. Links are in the first line below the photo, the post titles. They're also announcing the number of 'likes' and 'shares' each photo has gotten at the concerts, so you can show your support by doing so.

If you missed them - Part I (12, 19 & 26 July), Part II (27 July), Part III (2 Aug), Part IV (3 Aug), Part V (9 & 16 Aug), Part VI (17 Aug)

Photograph from　S/mileage　Tamura Meimi
I've never really been asked by the fans to show my swimsuit-clad figure、
But now、 for the very first time in public in this country, here's a daring shot of me in a swimsuit in my private time！
It's a shot from when I went to the pool with my family when I was 2～3 years old。
I apologise if that dotted swimsuit went overboard on sexiness（lol）

Berryz' Post-Announcement Thoughts

Hello! Project Station #78 covers Berryz Kobo's hiatus announcement, as well as a post-announcement message directly after the concert where they made the announcement. Haro Wota has translated the announcement, which appears at the very beginning of the video. I'll be focusing on the post-announcement message, which starts about 7:59.

Twitter Tidbits #4: Berryz Hiatus Edition

This first one isn't exactly from Twitter, but it's succinct and relevant enough to sneak in here.

Extract from Sanspo newspaper:

[Berryz Kobo] went to inform ℃－ｕｔｅ directly in their dressing room.
Both groups were born of and split from the Hello! Project Kids, where they were brought together through an audition as 'younger sisters' for MoMusu., so there were strong bonds between them.
Crying together with them, ℃－ｕｔｅ leader Yajima Maimi (22) acknowledged that 'We were always together from when we were small, so all sorts of things came back to me. Since this is their decision, we too wish to support them.'

As always, Mano Erina's first thoughts sum up the general mood. Even to the last line, at least for me.

大阪でのお仕事終わりとともに この目でタイムラインに流れる文字を見たら感情が溢れ出た(T_T) 予想外すぎて、心の中ぐしゃぐしゃ。 また1つ、この世界を目指していた頃の憧れがなくなっちゃう。 ももちゃんに会いたいな。
— 真野恵里菜(Mano Erina) (@erina_mano) 2014, 8月 2

As my work in Osaka came to an end
My eyes went over the words being mentioned on my timeline, and I started brimming over with emotions  (T_T)

It was just too unexpected、my mind’s in a mess。

One more presence that I looked up to from when I was gunning for this world, will no longer be around。

I want to meet Momo-chan。