“Mr. James, why are you so gung ho about this?” “Because investigative reporting is the lifesblood of American journalism. Besides, I lost my golf date this afternoon so I’m kinda bored.”

broderic on September 4, 2021

Whelp. It’s Nogizaka46’s third single of the year and their twenty-eighth overall. Also, it’s another new center for this single. Three to match the three singles released. The center is from fourth gen, Kakki Haruka. To be honest, I’m not on the Kakki bandwagon completely. I think I have trouble with the fourth gen, but it isn’t her fault. It’s me.

Anyhow, like the song. Like the center. Like the group. I cannot wait for the release at the end of this month.

Nogizaka46 at 10 Years

broderic on August 21, 2021

On this date ten years ago, Nogizaka46 was formed. Thirty-six members chosen to be the official rivals to AKB48. What can they do against the idol group who at the time was in their golden age and at their most popular?

For the first few years it was a struggle always in the shadow of their rivals. They did have a small smattering of success. They were competitive. Their idol identity was that of ojousama — upper class ladies. They persevered and persevered and they hit their stride in their fifth year, 2016. Making it such that they were real competitors to their rivals. And in the next year, they overtook them.

Their 10th anniversary finds Nogizaka46 at the top of the idol world. From humble beginnings to greatness, it’s been a wild ride. Let’s hope for another ten more.

おめでとう！

Hit Campaign Big Success

broderic on June 26, 2021

It was six years ago when I fell in love with Nogizaka46. It was all because of Nishino Nanase leaping from Macau Tower bungie jump. If an idol puts so much effort in promoting their single they would jump off tall heights, then I will be supporting them for forever.

Then we get to their latest hit campaign for the 27th single. They jumped from planes. They stood under cold, thundering waterfalls. They’re bungie jumping off of tall bridges. And it is the bungie that I want to focus on today.

It’s 215 meters, and the new center, Endou Sakura, makes the leap. Also, Yoda Yuuki leapt. Yoda who I kept wondering if she would ever spark joy for me. Third generation Nogi who entered back in 2016. She’s really popular in the fandom. Yet, I still haven’t connected.

I wanted this single for her to show me why. IMO she should’ve been center, and I was disappointed when it was revealed to be Sakura. But she gets the chance to jump off a bridge as well. Yoda was swell, and she embraced it. She flew like a flying squirrel. Now I think I understand the Yoda Yuuki. I am all in.

I’ve fallen in love with them all over again.

「ごめんねFingers crossed」

broderic on June 9, 2021

Before we forget. Nogizaka46 27th single on sale now! It’s solid and maybe it heralds a new musical direction for the group. The members are the same as always though… cute AF.

Oh Man, It’s Down

broderic on April 27, 2021

The iPad, I think, is finally bonked. I hit update for the latest iOS, but it has been rebooting for the better part of the day. It progresses with the update, but then… kaput. Reboot.

Plugged in it kept doing that dance, so I took it off of life support and let it drain its battery. I just tried connecting to it with my laptop and it is still the same.

The problem was always there. For the past year, it would periodically reboot unexpectedly. It would first freeze then restart. Sometimes it would do it in succession. Something was definitely wrong with it. Sadly, I think I will be without an iPad for quite sometime then.

Godzilla vs. Kong

broderic on April 7, 2021

It has been a year since I’ve seen a movie in the theaters. Only something big can get me to risk it in an enclosed space with people even while the rona is still romping around. Big as in kaiju big! Godzilla vs. Kong.

I was watching the theater’s site for how many people will show up for the opening Friday. The cheaper tickets in the cheaper auditorium was filling up, so I took a chance and bought a seat in a slightly more expensive auditorium, the one I don’t really like, but it had not many people watching. Plus, they close out the seat next to you. I didn’t have to worry as there maybe was about a dozen people watching in the auditorium that could’ve seated eighty.

I was completely worried. I did not feel comfortable all the while I watched the film. I wonder if I am infected in anyway. But it was fine to be back. I really went for the popcorn. That is all different as I couldn’t pour my own butter so it wasn’t as great as I was hoping it to be.

The movie was fine. Lots of action. No idea why they needed people. Kind of copped out in the end. Meh for the first film to watch in the theaters. Maybe I won’t worry too much for whatever’s coming, and maybe it will be a much better film.

3 of 5 stars.

Eizouken Likes

broderic on January 28, 2021

The Eizouken anime was big last year. Funny thing about it, there was also a live action drama starring my favorites, Nogizaka46, in particular the member trio of Yamashita Mizuki, Saito Asuka, and Umezawa Minami. All through the year, because the movie was delayed, the mangaka of Eizouken was always tweeting about it which made me laugh because I thought he was becoming a big time wota. Now he’s helped with an alternate version of the 26th single, and now I know he is a big time Nogi wota. Eizouken keeps on giving!

僕は僕を好きになる

broderic on January 26, 2021

Nogizaka46’s 26th single released today. Yamashita Mizuki is the center for this one. She’s the first non-1st Generation member to center a single outside of an air drop. She’s also one of my favorites, so you know that I’m supporting her. Yes. I have the CDs already.

It’s such an important release for the group, and I hope it does well.

The title is translated as “I will come to like myself.” I should listen to them. You should, too.

Best Films of 2020

broderic on December 17, 2020

Nothing. I may have only seen a handful of films in theaters before the Rona hit. I haven’t been back. I’m too scared.

Going to movie theaters was a fun thing for me. The fact that I haven’t been back in a while, that I don’t know if I’ll ever go back, and that they may all disappear is just another of those things that 2020 has robbed us of.

The best film of 2020? I don’t think I have the heart to muster up such a sad, sad list.