気づいたら片想い

broderic on February 10, 2018

“Kidzuitara Kataomoi” almost beat out the previous single to be my all time favorite. The 8th single and Nishino’s first center. Such a beautiful song.

I made the mistake in the seventh single post. It wasn’t the first story MV. That honor goes to the sixth. I did not post a video for that one, because VEVO doesn’t have one. But if I did, you would’ve been witness to the second Nogi center, Shiraishi Mai, the most beautiful of Nogi members.

With Shiraishi gaining center, Nogizaka entered the Warring Centers Era. From the sixth to the twelfth single, Nogizaka would go through five different centers. Shiraish the beutiful. Miona the usurper. Nishino the beloved. Adorkable Ikuta. Ikoma the first. The one who won out though is Nishino. She centered three during this time. The Warring Centers Era is what I considered the golden Nogi age. They were fresh and rising. It came to an end with detente: Dual Centers. But Nishino still won. She never got bad songs. Ikuta may be my oshimen. Nishino is my love.

バレッタ

broderic on February 9, 2018

The seventh single is my favorite. This MV is the first of their story telling MVs. It’s a very interesting one. I wish the bulk of it we could hear the song rather than the movie effects. The song is very good.

The selected members is great, too. Eto, Kawago, and Himetan’s first senbatsu. Asuka returns. Hori is airdropped into center — first 2nd Gen to center. She was only a member for 6 months. Surprise.

The “Nogizaka tte, Doko?” episode of this single’s selection is also my favorite. Kashiwa played a great role — her happy face before she graduated. I wish she had stayed longer. But the new senbatsu member’s cried their eyes out so amazing. I wish you could see it. I wish I could see it again.

Need another song like this, please.

君の名は希望

broderic on February 7, 2018

I didn’t post Seifuku no Mannequin yesterday, because I already posted it in the past week and I didn’t want to clutter my timeline.

The fifth single. Kimi no Nawa Kibou. Some consider this their best song. Lots of fans do and maybe they tell the more casual fans it is. It certainly is their most important. This is the song that they sang on their first appearance at Kouhaku.

This is Ikoma’s last center of the early singles. After this she’s done. And the fandom may have rejoiced. Not me. I love Ikoma so she could be center any time. Sadly, maybe the last.

走れ!Bicycle

broderic on February 5, 2018

The third single from Nogizaka46. It’s also the third they released in 2012. And the mix goes…

Saito Yuuri Cleaned My House

broderic on February 5, 2018

I awoke around 2:30 this morning. Then I checked SHOWROOM to see who was going to do the Nogizaka46 in Asia show. Saito Yuuri. I couldn’t keep awake. I passed out with her cheerful voice in my head…

Two Nogi idols show up at my house. Not sure why. We hanging. They end up cleaning the clutter.

I must confess I’m an idol fan. That I am a Nogi fan.

Saito Yuuri gives me that “No shit, Sherlock” look. She can guess from the posters hanging around my house, and from all the Nogi merchandise she put away. Yeah, about that…

Woke up and she was still genki. Rolled over and back to sleep. If only…

おいでシャンプー

broderic on February 4, 2018

Oide, Shampoo! It gets machine translated as Here, Shampoo! But I don’t think that is right.

Nogi’s 2nd Single. One of my favorites from their early era, because of the closing lyrics. So fun to do the mix at the end. I wish I could do it at one of their lives…

ぐるぐるカーテン

broderic on February 4, 2018

Nogizaka46 is coming up on their 6th Year Anniversary. It’s already been a tumultuous ending to their fifth year with two first generation graduation announcements (as of today). But us fans can look forward to their 6th Year Birthday Live… in July!

Traditionally, they would’ve held it on the 22nd of the month. It’s the date of the release of this song, Guru Guru Curtain, their first single.

So as we countdown to the 22nd, let’s just enjoy their songs. Forget about the graduations. Smile at the senbatsu members. And continue to support the group.

Mary and the Witch’s Flower

broderic on February 4, 2018

Mary and the Witch’s Flower is the first film from some of the animators from Studio Ghibli after the chief anime director Hayao Miyazaki stopped making films. They had to do something. They did this.

The film is very similar to many of the Ghibli films you have watched. I’m not sure if that’s on purpose. It is based on an English children’s book which many of Ghibli films were: Arrietty, Howl’s, Marnie. This one’s based on a book called, “The Little Broomstick.” A story of a young girl finding herself in a magical world. Sounds familiar right? There is flying, too! And a broomstick and cat familiar! Studio Ghibli is alive!

Now if you think that it was a good idea to follow the Ghibli template, you will like this movie. Many Ghibli fans will be pleased. I was a little. But I wish to see more from my anime. I think Studio Ponoc, the film makers, have a bright future. They can stick with the tried and true, but I know that they have something in them to make an anime masterpiece.

Overall, I’ll watch most anime flicks that come to the States just because I want more of them to come to the States. You should, too. If this comes to a theatre near you, please watch it.

3 of 5 stars.

The Shape of Water

broderic on February 3, 2018

The Shape of Water feels like a referendum on the times we are living in. In particular, the antagonist feels like today’s man. Doing what he wants and not caring for anyone else like a Republican. No need for women. No need for workers. All American. No to fish men.

The Shape of Water secured tons of award nominations. I’m very doubtful that it deserves it. It’s decent, but the director has done better. I think it may win a few of those awards, but not the big one, Best Picture.

3 of 5 stars.

卒業を待ってみたところで

broderic on February 1, 2018

Might as well give you something to understand where we’re coming from.

Nogizaka46’s fourth single, Seifuku no Mannequin (制服のマネキン), “Mannequin in a school uniform.” Up until this release, they weren’t cool. Then they were. Ikoma centers. Too cool. Too cool.

I consider this song where they start becoming the idols they are today.