Henkka’s Neighborhood

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The world so needs more pvs like this one! o(*´∀｀)o゛

~♪♪~

~Happy Easter!~


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Initially I was feeling a little empty while watching the pvs for Manoeri's "Otome no inori" single as I just felt that the production was a bit too plain and simple........now fast forward after a few days of soaking in this pv and I've totally changed my mind~!

The simplicity becomes complimentary towards the song itself as "Otome no inori" is quite an elegant song with each piano note♪ resembling tiny soft footsteps amidst a clear white canvas. In addition, Manoeri's vocals are arguably sowewhat plain....however I find her voice to be that of youth's charm~......and so much in the vein of UFA's approach for marketing her. While surely her vocals will change over time I wouldn't mind really at all if her voice remained this way for years to come. =)

It was really adorable to see how really taken Manoeri is with the piano♪♪ set up for her...mid giant cube~!....as she carefully surveyed it's chords, construction and even went to have a peek underneath for a second. ＾　＾ Her *adorable* giggles are of pure honesty with no restraints......I'm finding this aspect of her to be quite reminiscent of one most adorable Kamei~! Although at this point in time Kamei's honest "giggles" are much more explosive and ♥~pirate~♥ like at times in comparison…(^q^)

Thoughts on the song itself as well as its coupling with track can be found here at my previous blog. =)

Mano Erina's "Otome no inori" pv DVD single can be ordered here at Cdjapan.

Mano Erina's "Otome no inori" pv DVD single can be ordered here at YesAsia.


The pv DVD single which was released on March 25th has a running time of approximately 23 minutes and includes the original as well as a "piano version" of "Otome no inori"'s pvs. It was actually a nice surprise to see during the making of segment that the giant pink box which serves as her stage with piano is real and not of a blue screen post production making. As a premium amount of attention has been the aesthetics of Manoeri's releases....ie: 4 different versions with four different cover art work designs to speak of, much of the making of segment is dedicated to the various photo shoots which were utilized for those release covers....with the second half of so being dedicated to the actual pv's making of. Cute little breaks here and there disclose the often giddy side of her personality along with a few question & answer moments~. =) And each wardrobe change....(and there are quite a lot of them for this one pv!)....is highlighted with a little show and tell by Manoeri as she displays and tells of her likes of each one.....for me seifuku usually always wins but her yellow and white outfits are sooooo cute too~!

At 560 yen Kindai's monthly publication stands as one of the most affordable.....(lol I say affordable as I usually end up paying anywhere from $21-$25 for a single issue after shipping charges have been added on)...as well as one of the more diverse idol/entertainment publications out there. What I mean by diverse is that when I first came across this magazine I was quite puzzled by its format initially as I couldn't really tell whom they were catering to.....fangirls?....male wota?......but after considering the approach that Kindai has taken in making themselves attractive to both aforementioned groups it's simply pure genius on their part that they have managed to snag a greater audience by um...confusing me at first!…(^q^)

Kindai also presents its readers with everything from male/female eyecandy to interviews, drama previews, in depth interviews with your favorite idols, general idol news, glossy pull outs, occasional stickers!....and lots of more content!!

For the May issue I scanned the features for C-ute, Momusu, Kohachan, Berryz Koubou, Manoeri, cute Nino♥!, gorgeous Matsujun♥!, always adorable Ueto Aya, Aibakun! and Ishihara Satoko.

The Johnny's boys are featured in articles presenting their new spring dramas with Nino in TBS's "DOOR TO DOOR"....Matsujun in TBS's "Smile".....and Aibakun in "Green Fingers"....hmm here we call it having a green thumb. =) Seeing C-ute with a 6 member lineup reminds me sadly of Kannachan's hiatus from the group due to bunion......omg that looks so awfully painful (´⌒｀。). Get well soon Kannachan~! C-ute just isn't C-ute without you~! I wanted to include a partial translation of Manoeri's question & answer and I may have that up a bit later time allowing. Ueto Aya always looks so amazing and I love her CM spot being highlighted in her pictorial........but really next to Matsujun always looking so handsome in "Smile" I'm really liking C-ute in their feature....so adorable as they continue to grow into young ladies........Maimichan is already there! But then I'm sad again thinking of Kannachan's absence.....(;´□｀). Get well soon Kannachan.....I'm sure all C-ute fans miss you so much~. ＾　＾

While Norikochan is deep in thought above thinking about her future......I thought I'd share a bit of her musical♪♪ career and early idol side. =)

Shiina Noriko began appearing in numerous idol publications including UTB and Weekly Young Magazine in the late 90's leading up to her honor of being named Fuji Television's "Visual Queen of the Year" in 2001. But unlike previous years which featured only a single winner, 2001 would present four idols being named to this popular title.......but I always felt that Norikochan *shined* the most of the four that were chosen that year and she would prove to be very worthy of the Visual Queen award as she ventured into additional modeling, t.v. dramas and yes~! music!!

While I did very much enjoy her appearance in the drama "LxIxVxE" where she was so adorable....(I was so sad that she was picked on though..(;´□｀) )......I haven't been able to see her in much else from our broadcasts here. :/

Shiina Noriko album and single releases can be ordered here at Cdjapan.

Norikochan's music debut came on April 21st, 1999 with the arrival of her single "Aosora dakega sorajanai" while she was popular in idol publications at the time. While so many idols have tested the musical waters over the years what's notable about Norikochan's debut is that her vocals even at this early age and stage of her career, is that they were already most polished sounding and powerfully focused.

But I always feel that first impressions are most important whenever trying to introduce an artist.....or anyone cute for that matter..(￣▽￣), so before hearing her debut here's my most favorite Norikochan song. =)

Songs just don't get much more instantly catchier than a composition like "Do re mi fa so ra shi do"........the bouncy and rolling piano rhythm and sweet melody is sure to attract and this being just her third single, Norikochan's voice is already so developed here~! "Do re mi fa so ra shi do" was released on April 19th of 2000. LOve love love! this song!! ~♥~
The first pressings of her singles feature picture label discs as well as photo cards being included with her singles "Propose" and "P.S. GOOD-BYE."

Before presenting her singles in order I thought that we'd first listen what would be her final single...."Propose" was released on June 26th, 2002 and featured a clear jacket insert which provides a wedding veil for Norikochan's cover image when placed over it in the case. =)

"Propose" shows Norikochan as a fully developed vocalist....the song has light melancoly undertones as this deeply emotional song celebrates one's happiest day~.

The coupling with track "Kataomoi" is euphoric mid tempo light rock tune.......

Shiina Noriko released a total of seven singles and 1 album between 1999 and the summer of 2002 and by her 5th single release she was actively composing lyrics for the majority of her releases which always adds a nice personal touch to one's music. ＾　＾ And happily she has just returned to music after a lengthy hiatus as she released a new single titled "Dakara waraunda" just a few days ago on April 1st. (*´∀｀*)♪♪ I've yet to receive it though.....but it should be here soon~.

Here you can just see how young Norikochan was at the time of her debut! She looks so little! =) Her vocals however seem to be years ahead of her appearance as you'll hear in the following tracks "Aosora dakega sora janai" and "Hana ga saku hi." Both are great straightforward pop tracks.

Norikochan's 2nd single "Isu" was released on October 27th, 1999. It's still remains as one of her more dramatic
recordings with it's dark melody and slightly moody lyrics.

"Isu'"s coupling with track "Taiyou no you ni"....though simple and relaxed does possess a nice steady groove as well a subtle sweet flamenco touch during its breaks. Still more or less a straight pop track but catchy nonetheless.

Even near the height of Momusu's success it seems that song writer/producer Tsunku was able to fit an outside project into his busy schedule..........Shiina Noriko's 4th single release was penned by Tsunku in both lyrics & music for both songs and even features his back up vocals on the title track! It's amazing what a small world we all live in with Tsunku here! =) In particular I really love the coupling with track "Sukina hito wa kimi dake dayo" for it's whimsical sweetness~♥.

T2ya appears as the composer for both tracks on Norikochan's 5th single "Okina anata chisana watashi" and this is the first release in which she began going by only her last name Shiina. "Okina anata chisana watashi" was released on August 1st, 2001 and the title track is really wonderfully sugary and upbeat~. Its hightly orchestrated coupling with track "Kanaria" bears a much more dramatic tone giving this single a memorable contrast in styles especially when listened to back to back........Norikochan's vocals immaculate throughout.

Shiina Noriko's 6th single release "Koi no fuusen" shows a real departure and leap from her previous vocal stylings....here her range just sprouts wonderfully and is especially notable during the chorus portions. I like to think of "Koi no fuusen" as being one of her all out fun songs.....such a joyous beat wrapped in a warm melodious tortilla........I think someones *hungry" (.....but it's much much too late to eat right now :/ )


Shiina Noriko's first shashinshuu is titled "tabiato" and it's quite an unusual size for a pb as it measures 7 1/2" X 10" approximately.............here's just a few scans that I chose to give you an idea just in case you're interested in ordering. Hmmm I need to check to see if it's still in print......... her shashinshuu is quite thick as it's 128 pages all shot in scenic Thailand! They have some of the most pristine beaches that I've seen!!!!......and I live in Hawaii. :o

She's soooooo cute!!! and beautiful!!! Enjoy these scans:

........she has one of the best *pouts* ever!

.............hmmm hasn't everyone at one time or another done this?! XD ....or is it.......um just me?...and Norikochan?…(^q^)


~The following shots are from her "Visual Queen of the Year 2001" DVD which has a running time of just over 30 minutes.....really much shorter than the standard length of idol DVDs today but back in 2001 this was about the average for most releases. The DVD also features an extra track in which Norikochan speaks at length about her future goals and hopes as well as.........her ideal and not so ideal thoughts on men. Hm this may be useful for all men out there I think! =) This extra track runs about 10 minutes and features Norikochan in an intimate one on one setting as she lays on a hotel bed towards the camera.....as in the very first photo in this post way atop. ＾　＾

I scanned the inside of the DVD jacket which is to the left and it explains the interactive portion of her DVD. It's like a wota's dream come true in a sense as you're able to edit and piece together set portions of the DVD program into the order of your choice.......albeit it's a bit limited as this was way back in 2001 but still I find this feature to be so unique as I've yet to come across another idol DVD which hands the viewer such control over what they're watching. =)

And lastly before I go to sleep, here are just a few screencaps from "Premio" Shiina Noriko Visual Queen of the Year 2001...........

Did I already mention how cute and adorable she is.....

This past Sunday I was watching an old episode of SmapXSmap as we have a few video rental stores which sell or rent Japanese t.v. programs.....this disc was from one of their discounted sales bin. I was watching a few of them in a row but I think the bistro guest was Sawajiri Erika on this episode whom has very much a sweet tooth to speak of!

The ending musical guest was Chara whom I hadn't listened to in what seems like ages and ages and she and Smap who accompanied her opened up with "Swallowtail Butterfly~ai no uta~"........I actually felt *goosebumps* at sound of the very first notes♪♪! It was quite a nostalgic moment as I hadn't taken out and listened to any of my Chara CDs in quite a long time! o(*´∀｀)o゛I only own 3 of her releases from the late 90's and Chara, who composes much of her own lyrics & music is quite diffcult to categorize musically as within a single album you'll come across songs ranging in feelings from folk to jazzy to r&b/house like.....but none of it seems to quite all into a pure "pop" format which is quite remarkable considering she sort of would be filed under "pops" in a record store I imagine.

Here's "Swallowtail Butterfly..." a most memorable song from the "YEN TOWN BAND" soundtrack. It really possesses a beautifully dramatic melody and it's quite nostalgic hearing it now. Chara's vocals are however very much one of an acquired taste and I mean this in a wholeheartedly sense! =) 'Acquired taste' as in my father telling me that "beer will one day taste good".....hmmm still waiting for that day!...although Chara's interesting vocals could come around to one much sooner. :P ...And I find myself at odds trying to find the right words to quite describe them accurately......breathy, raspy, whispery?, raw.....truly undefined. ＾　＾

A friend of mine thinks I'm sort of weird whenever I listen♪♪ to Chara.......XD lol but it's okay~!