And the winner is...

The contest is now over and we (my other judge and I) have decided a winner. Every single person did an amazing job on their entries so we thank you very much for making judging a fun thing to do. I wish I had more copies to give away, but there can only be one winner. And that person is.. JuulChii! Congrats! You deserve it! We both found your fanfic to be entertaining and skillfully written. You managed to capture all of Berryz's unique personalities into a short story that made us want to keep reading until the end to find out what would...

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Attracted to Reina

Reina's e-LineUP solo DVD, titled Attracted, recently released and the awesome folks at RS has subtitled it into English (note that the subs don't start until half-way through the video because there isn't any talking before that). ...

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Morning Musume Melodix talk + performance (english subbed)

On March 26th, Morning Musume appeared on the Japanese variety show Melodix! to promote their 45th single, Maji Desu ka Ska! They had a really interesting 8 minute talk and 3 minute performance. Again I thank yamiwonder for providing the main translation. I re-timed the subs, edited the grammar a little, and encoded it. Also, the song was unsubbed, so thanks to sei at onlylyrics.com for the lyrics and snoboat @ H!O for the translation. Without those people, this video would not be possible....

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Contest reminder

Just a reminder that the contest ends in less than 30 hours from now. Even if you haven't entered yet, it's not too late! Read more in this po...

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Morning Musume - Maji Desu ka Ska full PV

Airing on Japanese television sometime today or yesterday is Morning Musume's 45th single PV, Maji Desu ka Ska. You'll definitely want to watch as quickly as possible because UFA has been pretty strict regarding removing videos lately. I'll update with a download link whenever I find a high quality source to encode from. I really love this PV. It's pretty simple, but it's good. The close up shots and the Brady Bunch-esque shots were cool. The dance isn't bad. The song isn't my favorite, but it's growing on me. The girls really make this PV...

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Huge setlist is huge

So the setlists for the Hello! Project 2011 Concert DVDs are out. One of the DVDs was originally scheduled to release this Wednesday but it was one of the few releases that have been postponed. It's new release date is April 26th and will release alongside the second H!P 2011 Concert DVD on that date. Anyway, this post is actually about the Blu-ray version of those DVDs, which releases May 18th. It carries a price tag of 10000 yen (about $125), which sounds expensive, but it really isn't considering how many performances are on the DVD (86, yes...

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Tearjerking blog posts from C-ute

A couple of the C-ute members were finally allowed to update their blogs. All three of them (Maimi, Airi, Saki) wrote about the crisis in Japan. Starting with Maimi, I am going to take a couple of short quotes from each post. If you want to read the full translation (and you should because all three did a great job expressing their feelings), you can click on their names above. Maimi says, But, in those sad news stories, I watch each person struggle to survive as I fight against the pain in my heart. I was moved by how strong everyone is.Me...

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Berryz Koubou - Heroine ni Narou ka! Single V

On the single V is the normal PV, a close up version, and the making of. Heroine ni Narou ka! Normal P...

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Kikkawa Yuu - Kikkake wa You live 720p HD

Kikka performs her debut single on Uta no Rakuen. I'm really liking this song now that I've seen it live and seen some of the hand gestures that goes with the song. There's something about UFA and debut singles. Like every single group and soloist's debut single has been epic to me. I'm also really glad for Kikka because she waited a very long time to debut even though she probably was ready in her auditions. Now, she's gotten even better and I think in a year from now (when Aichan has moved on), she will be competing for H!P's best singer. Her...

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My favorite new feature of Firefox 4

Probably the biggest change to Firefox is what's called Panorama. It lets you visually see a preview of all of your open tabs and group them together. It's very, very useful for people like me that always has a million tabs open and struggle to find the one I want. The button is at the top right. Click and your tabs will look like this: All of your tabs are grouped together and you can see a preview of them. If you have, say, 30 tabs open, this...

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Firefox 4 just made Firefox more awesome

Firefox 4 is Mozilla's biggest update to the popular browser in years. They made a ton of new changes, most of which are awesome. In this post I'll show you some of them. First, of course you'll need to download it if you haven't already: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/fx/ Right away you should notice some changes: The menu bar has been removed (you know, File, Edit, Tools, etc) to save space. Now its all hidden under that orange Firefox...

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Good and bad photobook news

First the bad: UpToBoy issue number 203 has been canceled. Normally I wouldn't care, but Airi was supposed to be on the cover, meaning we would have gotten tons of delicious pictures. Hopefully UFA will just randomly upload them somewhere. Now the good. Aichan's new photobook titled Love No. 10 (releasing on the 28th) now has a cover. Aichan's photobooks are always hot and this one is no exception. We already have a couple of previews. Warning:...

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New release dates

Some of the delayed releases now have new release dates. Morning Musume - Maji Desu ka Ska Single (4/6) C-ute - Chou Wonderful 6 album (4/6) Morning Musume - Rival Survival Blu-ray (4/13) H!P - 2011 Winter Concert DVDs (4/26) From the official site. I'll be interested in seeing who Morning Musume's new competition is and what their chances of getting a #1 are. A quick search reveals they will be facing a Johnny's guy, Tsuyoshi Domoto, but he seems to sell around 45,000 which is certainly beatab...

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Miyabi's Natural & cool

Today I have another eLineUP e-Hello solo DVD for you - Miya's Natural & cool. I think this one is my new favorite of the bunch. Miya is totally gorgeous. Now if only we could get a new PB. ...

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Contest info

Okay I decided what kind of contest I will run. I wanted everyone to have a chance to win so I will let you do whatever you want. You can draw, make a graphic, a fanfic, essay, OPV, video of you fangirling, or whatever. The only requirement is that it involves Berryz Koubou in some way - this is for a Berryz CD after all! I will judge your entries on a scale of 1-10 and I will also have an unbiased second judge do the same. Whoever has the highest total score will win. Entries are due by Wednesday, March 30th by 11:59 PM US Eastern Standard...

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Celebrating 20,000 views with a contest

I just passed 20,000 views yay! As a result, I am going to be running a contest. If you read my last post, you know I got a copy of the regular edition of Heroine ni Narou ka! in the mail with my Captain autograph. I actually have another package coming from CDJapan that I ordered a long time ago, which will have another Heroine ni Narou ka! in it. I certainly don't need two copies of the same CD, so I'm giving this one away! I haven't decided...

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My collection now has moar Captain

Captain is someone that I've crushed on for the longest time, so I thought its about time I got some special Captain goods. Yep, a Heroine ni Narou ka! Captain signed photo-board....

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Maji Desu ka Ska CM, Heroine ni Narou ka! CM 720p HD

While skipping through Bijo Gaku #49, I noticed the raw that I used still had the commercials left in. Two of the CMs shown were Morning Musume's new single, Maji Desu ka Ska and Berryz Koubou's new single, Heroine ni Narou ka! They are 14 seconds each and are in 720p HD. Maji Desu ka Ska CM I particularly loved this Heroine CM because it was great to see the close up shots in HD. ...

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Bijou Gaku #49 - Aika-senpai shows her claws (english sub)

First of all, I once again thank the translator yamiwonder because the translation belongs to him. I re-timed it, edited the subs a little, and hardsubbed it. Note: at the 9 second mark a blue border appears on the left and bottom of the screen - that is probably news/information about the earthquake/tsunami in Japan. I cropped out as much of it as I could (it is completely gone after the 15 second mark), but couldn't edit it out at the very beginning. This is a pretty interesting segment because we see the senpai members mentor 9th gen (especially...

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Okai Chisato - Kataomoi (english subtitled)

After my Youtube channel was suspended for the millionth time I had planned to stop subbing PVs and performances, but apparently more people care about these subs than I thought. And again no new releases of note are coming out anytime soon so subs like this can fill the gap. I'll probably work on one a week until new releases start coming out regularly again. So I decided to start with a Chisato solo. Chisato is awesome, Buono! is awesome, so surely Chisato singing a Buono! song is epic right? Of course it is! This was my favorite performance...

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Kamei Eri - Thanks

Continuing with some old videos that I need to encode is Kamei's last photobook before she left. It's called Thanks and this is a bonus DVD for it. ...

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Chapters within videos - how they can help you

I mentioned that my encode of Chisato's solo live vol. 1 is the first video I've uploaded here that features chapters. This post is meant to better explain what they are and how it can make watching things like concerts much more awesome. So first let me explain what they are. When you hear the word "chapter", you probably think about chapters in a book, which is good because chapters within a video serve a similar purpose. If you are reading a...

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Okai Chisato 2011 solo live vol. 1 download link

Since virtually all new releases and events for the month of March are either canceled or delayed, I decided now would be a good time to catch up on encoding some of the things I've missed. Today it's Chisato's first solo concert DVD. It's not as spectacular as, say, an Ayaya concert or something, but those that are familiar with Berryz and C-ute's solo lives at Pacific Heaven will know what to expect.  I was a little disappointed that...

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AKB48 and company to donate millions of dollars

Most of you know what I think of AKB48 - at least their music - but I can't help but report when they do something incredibly nice. Tokyograph and Kyodo news report that AKB48, their sub-groups, and their producer Akimoto Yasushi will donate a total of 500 million yen. That's over $5 million! They are putting that money in a special bank account where AKB fans can deposit more money to help the cause. I still could not care less for most of their...

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Canceled and rescheduled H!P events, releases, and concerts

Due to the ongoing crisis in Japan and the fact that much of Northern Japan is flooded and inaccessible, many Hello! Project events, releases, and concerts have either been rescheduled or worst case, canceled.  I will try and keep this post updated as new news is available. Morning Musume - Maji Desu ka Ska single (Release date rescheduled) - Rival Survival Blu-ray DVD (Release date rescheduled)  C-ute - Hawaii FC Tour (Canceled) - "1974 (Ikunaiyo)" play (Rescheduled) - 6th Album (Release date rescheduled) Kikkawa Yuu  - Debut...

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How to watch Japanese news and not be misinformed

If you want to continue to follow whats currently happening in Japan I would strongly suggest against watching news on TV. Foxnews is crap. CNN is slightly better but seems to love to be overly dramatic about the nuclear reactors and reports news hours late. I don't have BBC but I imagine it's better. Al Jazeera is good, but you can do better. There is an online streaming version of NHK World, which is an English version of the Japanese public TV station NHK. It's great, but it isn't live most of the time. My preferred option is using this...

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Alternative ways to help Japan (ranging from free to $1!)

First I want to say that I will not be making "regular" blog posts for a couple of days. The only thing on my mind right now is the crisis in Japan. Anyway, there are many charities and organizations that are currently in Japan offering help, but if you are interested in alternatives, there are ways to donate money towards tangible items as well as ways to give as little as $1. First the free option. Youtuber myargonauts will donate 50 cents to anyone that leaves a positive comment on this video. If you have a Youtube account, you have no excuse...

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Japan needs you

I edited my post yesterday, but this deserves its own post. If you're reading this blog you no doubt have some interest in Japan and you probably know about the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan yesterday. A natural disaster of this magnitude will cost a ton of money to fix so Japan could use your donations. I chose donate to the Red Cross because they are usually the first on the scene to disasters like this. The Salvation Army is also another good place where you can donate. Every little bit helps. Japan needs you! EDIT:...

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Massive earthquake, tsunami hits Japan

So I awoke this morning checking my email and my RSS feeds like normal when two particular items gave me a scare. This blog and the H!O twitter both report that an earthquake of historic magnitude hit Japan earlier. I read the Japan Times, an online English newspaper about Japan and they report that it was an 8.8 on the Richter scale, which is almost as high as the scale goes. It is the hardest earthquake to hit Japan, well, ever. But thankfully the death toll isn't record numbers. It did hit around Tokyo, but all H!P members and staff are okay...

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Kiss Me Aishiteru single v, Zassou no Uta single v

Again, both of these aren't exactly new, but I had a small backlog of things to encode. On C-ute's Kiss Me Aishiteru single v is the normal PV, a close-up version, and the jacket and PV making of. On Buono!'s Zassou no Uta single v is the normal PV, the Live at the Garage Ver. PV, and the making of. Kiss Me Aishiteru Normal PV Kiss Me Aishiteru Close Up Version Kiss Me Aishiteru making of Zassou no Uta normal PV Zassou...

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Playing with Momoko

The latest e-Hello DVD release is Momoko's Momoplay DVD. It was released a day before her birthday, but I didn't have time to encode and make a post about it then. If you ever wanted to go on a virtual date with Momoko, here's your chance. ...

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Berryz Koubou's 7th album covers

Normally I don't post about this kind of thing, but I'm in a Berryz mood so why not. The limited edition is on top and the regular on the bottom. The covers themselves aren't anything groundbreaking, but I don't really care because the girls look absolutely wonderful. Seriously, Chinami <3 In case you didn't know, this album is getting an official US release and you can buy it at HelloStoreUSA for a fraction of the normal Japanese price....

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Fukumura Mizuki is next

to get a special eLineUP DVD. For those of you that aren't familiar with this series, it's like photobook making DVDs, except without the photobook. And without bikinis. Normally that would suck, but the girls are pretty enough to captivate me for one hour without doing much of anything. And just in case you missed it, I encoded Nakky's, Risako's, and Momoko's and Miyabi's DVDs will be coming soon. Now back to Mizuki. At the beginning of the...

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Heroine ni Narou ka first week sales

After getting their first daily #1, news of Berryz's Heroine ni Narou ka single's first week sales are out. They sold 22,428 copies. Its about 1000 lower than Shining Power (23,450), but significantly higher than Maji Bomber (13,958). They are becoming consistent again, which is great. They also are ranked #7 for the week, which is pretty cool considering their 7th anniversary just passed. If you haven't got your copy yet and you want to help...

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Berryz Koubou DVD Magazine Vol. 26

I haven't watched it yet so I'm not sure exactly what it's about, but upon quickly skimming through while uploading, it looks to also tie into their journalist/news/magazine reporter them for their new concert. It seems like it's like one of my favorite Japanese gameshows called Run For Money where celebs are chased by men in black suits in a glorified game of tag. If you get tagged, you're out. Survive the time limit and win money. I'll have to...

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Berryz are #1!!

For today at least, Berryz Koubou are ranked #1 on the Oricon daily charts, selling 5893 copies. To my knowledge, this is the first time Berryz has ever gotten a #1 ranking (even for one day). C-ute did it right before Erika left (Everyday Zekkouchou!!) and of course Morning Musume has accomplished that feat multiple times. Congrats Berryz - you deserve it! Especially outselling the likes of Arashi and AKB48 (if just for one day). After a couple...

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C-ute Kiss Me Aishiteru Event V Download link

On the Event V are solo versions of the PV for each member. These PVs are a mix of close ups, dance shots, the ball chair ver., and metal balloon ver. with the camera focusing on just one member per PV. Suzuki Airi solo versio...

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Maji Desu ka ska's B-side preview

Thanks to amped for the original mp3 file. I edited the audio a bit to make it a little better. The song is called Motto Aishite Hoshii no and will be the b-side on Morning Musume's 45th single titled Maji Desu ka ska. If you like what you hear (I do!), you can pre-order the single, which comes out on the 23...

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Recent 9th Gen Bijou Gaku appearance english sub download

With permission from the translator, yamiwonder, I have hardsubbed the video he/she translated so that it can live on forever. Watch in 720p for the best quality. If you liked this video, go ahead and thank yamiwonder over at his/her channel because without him/her, this video would have went unsubb...

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Berryz 2011 Spring Concert awesomeness

In case you haven't noticed, I've been in a Berryz mood as of late, especially with Airi dropping out of my #1 ranking for the first time in a year (Captain now holds that spot). On the 3rd, Berryz celebrated their 7 year anniversary and also kicked off their 2011 Spring concert tour. The setlist is as follows (thanks to MaikuBano @ H!O for the romaji translations) 1. Heroine ni Narou ka! 2. Special Generation Movie 3. HAPPY! Stand Up MC 4. Joshikai The Night (New song) 5. Onna no Pride (New song) 6. Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi Skit 7. Munasawagi...

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Morning Musume 9th Gen video with English subs

From the latest Bijou Gaku episode, 9th Gen gets to practice with their senpai group members. Hurry and watch because Bijou Gaku episodes don't last on Youtube for long. To see my hardsubbed version of this video and to download it, visit this po...

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Berryz Heroine ni Narou ka Limited DVDs download link

First, a thanks to freespin @ H!O for the ISO torrent. I hadn't seen the ISOs anywhere so thanks to him for uploading his copy. On the limited A DVD is the Dance Shot Version. On the limited B DVD is the Dance Solo Mix Version. This version is pretty awesome because it shows the girls dancing by themselves....

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Happy Anniversary Berryz!!!

Today marks the 7th year that Berryz Koubou have been a group. This makes them the second oldest group, right behind Morning Musume of course. Congrats Berr...

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Double dose of DAWA

S/mileage leader Wada Ayaka recently released her first photobook and her first solo image DVD quickly followed. You'll find download links to both of those at the end of this post. But first here are some screenshots. The first set is from the making DVD included with her photobook. ...

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Berryz TV promotion download links

The other day Berryz appeared on PON! and had a talk to promote Heroine ni Narou ka and a couple of days before that, they appeared on Happy Music for a short talk and performance. Like I said in the post linked above, I encoded both the PON! talk and the Happy Music appearance. Berryz Koubou - PON! talk (3/2/11) Berryz Koubou - Happy Music talk + Heroine ni Narou ka performance (2/26/11) Both are in 720p HD. The PON! talk is 9 minutes long...

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Airi's movie drama DVD thing has a trailer

As announced last year, Airi will star in a straight-to-DVD drama called Keitai Kanajo which releases April 6th. You can view the trailer by going to the official website: http://www.geneonuniversal.jp/movie/sp/k-kano/index.html This is going to be so awesome. I wish I knew more Japanese to translate it when it releases. Hopefully a group will pick it up so that we can enjoy it in subtitled fo...

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Kikkawa Yuu's 1st PV preview

A preview for Kikka's debut single Kikkake wa YOU! PV has appeared! It's only a minute and a half but I can already see some actual effort went into making this PV. I don't know what's up with UFA this year but the vast majority of the PVs have been nothing short of amazing (especially compared to the usual). I'll hold off full judgment until I see the full PV, but Kikka is off to a great start! If you want to make her March 30th major debut a success then buy ...

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Berryz on TV

For promotion of their new single, Berryz Koubou appeared on that same morning show as Kikka, called PON. It's pretty rare to see Berryz on TV these days so seeing this and the Happy Music appearance are welcome sights. I'll post download links to this and the Happy Music talk + performance if/when I can find a good quality raws to encode. The single was just released today so if you like this song, grab yourself a co...

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Kiss Me Aishiteru first week sales

C-ute's latest single, Kiss Me Aishiteru sold 21,827 copies for its first week. This makes it C-ute's second highest selling first week in a year, only losing to Aitai Lonely Christmas (23,682). If you want to help this single sell well, you can buy ...

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