Hajimete no Keiken PV

[aisasami]

The promotional video for Mano's too soon new single is up on Dohhh UP!.



I really like this song and is next to Lucky Aura for my favorite Mano songs. I also like the promotional video, it is refreshing to see her dancing, being lively, and being too cute in the video. I wish the single asn't going to be released so soon after her debut single. It makes Otome no Inori seem like a failure single and/or that giving Mano too much of work.

[Shoujo Q]

It's cute.



I'm glad they recruited Kamei to be in the PV. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />



Also nice to see some eggs being used again. Go Eggs~! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/meh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/meh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/meh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />



Much better PV and song then her last one. I actually like it. And her voice doesn't bother me, it fits with this style of song better then her others. Either that or I just came to terms with her voice and haven't realized it yet to myself.

[Purin-chama]

I totally didn't like Mano in Ongaku Gatas, but as a soloist, I really like her. She's freaking adorable. The songs they have for her voice aren't annoying (she has a more smooth voice than others). It sounds like she's sung in choirs all her life, though, with way she pronounces things...



PV wise, I thought it was adorable and I REALLY liked it! The scene variety was nice. The turtle was cute. And I loved her in those sunglasses! Adorable!

The song is nice, and it gets stuck in your head (at least mine??).



It's nice how much they're pushing her because she's not your typical H!P artist... It's refreshing <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[MiniLovely]

What a cute song. I think a lot of her songs could be used for anime, they just have that sound.

The PV is super cute, I loved the turtle! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /heart.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />_ <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /heart.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> There's more going on in this PV than Otome no Inori, which allowed me to watch the entire thing, this time.

I'm glad the Eggs are getting more exposure lately, but they're kind of distracting from Mano here.

In that... They make Mano look less adorable. She shines much more in this PV when they're not present. (There's nothing to compare her to, hahaha.)

This is definitely a few steps up from Otome no Inori! I like it, overall. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... joyful.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[koolmon]

This is definitely my favorite Mano song. It's the most upbeat and the piano is really nice here. She doesn't really do so well with the ballads, so keep going with the upbeat route please!

[eri]

I REALLY liked this song. But, as soon as I saw the PV, I hated it. I....really dislike Mano. I don't know why - I tried. Something about her really bugs me.



Maybe it is her face - she looks like Sayumi with bigger eyes and a squashed nose and Renee Zellweger smirk? And I know this is absurd being that this is an H!P forum, but Mano's smile comes off as fakey fakey idol fake. Maybe she is too cliche as an idol and not enough in the ridiculous way like Aya was at her prime or in the I'm-on-drugs way like Koharu.





/hate.

[tsukinobyouin]

[quote name='mEri' post='63384' date='Apr 6 2009, 09:19 PM']And I know this is absurd being that this is an H!P forum, but Mano's smile comes off as fakey fakey idol fake. Maybe she is too cliche as an idol and not enough in the ridiculous way like Aya was at her prime or in the I'm-on-drugs way like Koharu.[/quote]



I kind of get a "fake" vibe from her, but in a different way. Like rather than fake as in putting on a false persona that's totally opposite of her real personality, she comes off as like.... "They told me to smile here so that's what I'm doing <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />" Like she doesn't know how to just be natural and have fun, she's stiff and trying too hard. Aside from that aspect of her, the PV is cute, I like the use of the eggs, and the song is much better than her others. The repetition during some of the verses is kind of anoying, but overall the song kind of has that sweet/innocent brand of cute of 80s idols.

[Tsuki]

I liked Otome no Inori better. Her looks and personality really have no bearing on me liking her music, since I can separate the two, idol or not.



I like her voice, and I like the songs she's been given. Ask me why, and I wouldn't really be able to answer. Likewise, I don't really understand the hate some people have for her.



It's nice hearing this kind of "fun" song from her, but I dunno, I liked Otome and Lucky Aura better. I'd rank it above Lalala-Sososo, but I liked that too.



Bunch of haters.

[eri]

[quote name='TnB' post='63390' date='Apr 6 2009, 07:17 PM']Like she doesn't know how to just be natural and have fun, she's stiff and trying too hard.[/quote]



This. Right on the head.

[freezingkiss]

This reminds me of something that should be in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, she sounds like a marginally better Miyuu Sawai. The song is boring, the PV is alright but it's not very memorable. I'm not a huge fan but I will admit she is absolutely Gorgeous! >__<

[Darkolumb]

Ugh. This whole solo thing for her really bugs me. It's like they don't know what the fuck to do with her. I mean, sure she's cute and has potential to be an interesting soloist. But it's like her producers can't figure out what direction to take her. The piano thing was interesting, but it's like she's either going to do sappy piano ballads or the generic HP pop songs.



I think this just a part of my bigger problem with HP right now. HP now has four main artists and a few sub-units. Those four artists should have a definitive sound, image, and personality. and the sub-units should be there to mix things up a bit. But right now, the most consistent group in HP right now is Buono! a fucking sub-unit. Maybe I just have to wait to see what happens after the dust settles from the restructuring.

[Purin-chama]

Tsunku mentioned somewhere that he wanted to try a "new" solo approach with Mano than he did with others in the past. I don't even remember where I read that (Probably H!O?), but it's kind of interesting with the success she's had from all the pushing. Her debut sold pretty well, she's always in magazines, and she has that drama.

[BeForJess]

I guess I just don't get it, because even though it was upbeat, it bored me to tears. She just has no emotion or power in her voice to make me want to listen to the song.



She is super cute, she'd make a great model or maybe a tv host. I just can't get behind any of her music though.

[Tallgeese]

http://www.tbs.co.jp/koisuru_seiza/



If you didn't know, this is the theme song to her short net drama on TBS. They are basically 5 minute skits on astrological sings. She plays a different one each week. In the first one, she's an Aries trying to tell a guy she likes him. Nothing earth-shattering, but fairly cute.

[strawberryjam]

Adorable, fun, cheerful... I like it! <3 I will admit I would probably be completely uninterested in this song if it was like say Natsumi (even though I like her) releasing it. I am guilty. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whistling:' /> I just think I completely adore and am sold by her youthful charm. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /weeeh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[eri]

[quote name='strawberryjam' post='63457' date='Apr 7 2009, 04:32 PM']Adorable, fun, cheerful... I like it! <3 I will admit I would probably be completely uninterested in this song if it was like say Natsumi (even though I like her) releasing it. I am guilty. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whistling:' /> I just think I completely adore and am sold by her youthful charm. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /weeeh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />[/quote]



Hmm. I'd love it if it was sung by Natsumi from a decade ago. She had more charm in one off-pitch note than Mano does in a whole melody, squeezed through that freeze-dried smile.



Those TBS shorts are cute though. Mano, I've decided, is really cute if she just played it slightly cold. I don't know about this foray into dancing and pop songs - it just seems uncomfortable. Even if you're super-produced like Amuro was in the 1990s, the whole point of being an idol is to be disarming. That is why most of H!P has no discernible talent! It makes them seem more pure! But - TnB and BeforJess have identified the problem: she is so stiff that she comes off as fake in an unappealing way. It gives off this vibe like she really isn't cheerful and sweet: she's actually a bitch that plays cute in front of teachers and boys, ha! So, her stiffness only works when she stays within prissy-character confines -- like an uptight school girl or a piano-playing ojo-san.

[Liana]

Oh ManoEri. I have never, ever been able to get past 30 seconds of any one of her songs. And I'm a big believer in listening to a song multiple times before making a finalized judgement, so when I can't even get through a minute . . . Her voice hits ALL my pet peeves and every song sounds like a 1st grader wrote it. And I mean. I'm not into J-pop for the deep meaningful lyrics and have often defended vapid J-pop in the past. But seriously? Koix3 I can take. Natsux3 I can take. Yurax3 I can take. But. All. In succession? With only like . . . 3 notes over all? You're killing me, Tsunku. I mean really now. Yet, I find myself inexplicably liking her as a PERSON. I am just drawn to her cute 'lil face. I'm pretty sure she's a witch.

[AEUGNewtype]

This is actually really good. I don't really like any of her previous stuff much at all, though Lucky Aura is tolerable, but this song is pretty awesome, and so is the PV. I doubt this will be the standard from here out, but having backup dancers kicks ass, and her doing something besides standing around or sitting at a piano is pretty awesome. Will definitely download a single V of this.



I still hate her and think she's pretty annoying, but this music and PV are entertaining. Some people mention that she has no emotion or power in her voice, which is true, but it gives me a feeling that reminds me of how a lot of seiyuu or gravure idols are when they sing songs, where their voice sounds kinda detached or nervous in some way and it just works for some reason or another. It gives it a unique character.



Its funny how some people keep mentioning how she has this youthful charm, but all things considered, she's not really that young by H!P standards, or at least not as young as she seems. Every time I see her now since I found out her age, I keep having to remind myself she's actually like 18 and not 14.

The piano thing was interesting, but it's like she's either going to do sappy piano ballads or the generic HP pop songs.

What else do you expect them to do with her? There's not really any other approaches they can take with her, she's not an exciting personality or anything, she's a pretty cookie-cutter idol with some piano and songwriting skills. I wouldn't say this song is really generic, there hasn't been an H!P song quite like this, ever, as far as I can remember.

[Darkolumb]

[quote name='The☆AEUGNewtype' post='63518' date='Apr 8 2009, 09:25 PM']What else do you expect them to do with her?[/quote]



I dunno, give her songs that aren't a snorefest? You CAN make songs with a piano that don't sound like they were written by a dead composer. I would love to see Mano do stuff like Vanessa Carlton. Hell, there are even a ton of artists out in japan that do cool piano stuffs. She never really was popular but Eri Nobuchika is another great example. Idol music is practically non-existent these days. Even under the "pop" genre, H!P hasn't put out anything remotely pop sounding since the golden era. I can't figure out when the line between idol and artist became so one sided that the music is basically just filler for putting cute girls on tv.



I hate to bitch and bitch (who am i kidding i love to vent) But i'm tired of seeing H!P put out these new projects with absolutely nothing to them. Are they making that much money off fans that they've simply stopped caring about the product?

[AEUGNewtype]

[quote name='Zaku' post='63583' date='Apr 11 2009, 05:43 AM'][quote name='The☆AEUGNewtype' post='63518' date='Apr 8 2009, 09:25 PM']What else do you expect them to do with her?[/quote]



I dunno, give her songs that aren't a snorefest? You CAN make songs with a piano that don't sound like they were written by a dead composer. I would love to see Mano do stuff like Vanessa Carlton.

[/quote]

This almost makes sense, but they're trying to keep the songs within the realm of playability for her and stay within the range of her abilities, both with singing as well as piano playing so they can keep that motif going with her career, but also to keep light of being an idol and having that innocent, normal sound to her songs. Giving her songs like Vanessa Carlton, for instance would be extremely out of place with a homely young girl singing it, since the songs are powerfully and emotionally written. Carlton's image and sound always personified the late 90s "I'm a badass, independent, emo chick" thing. This negates the possibility of both of the things you said.

[tsukinobyouin]

Idol music is practically non-existent these days. Even under the "pop" genre, H!P hasn't put out anything remotely pop sounding since the golden era. I can't figure out when the line between idol and artist became so one sided that the music is basically just filler for putting cute girls on tv.

What would you describe as "idol music"? Idol isn't really a genre of music, it's a genre of entertainer. The line between "artist" and "idol" isn't usually separated by genre of music, just the type of activities done by and expectations for each. Koda Kumi is different from Morning Musume not because of her music style, but because she is only expected to go on music shows as a singer. She doesn't have to do variety shows, put out photobooks, do plays or dramas, or follow a no-boyfriend rule. True, most idol groups (especially female) tend to put out pop music, but pop evolves. Just because H!P music isn't all bouncy/happy/goofy like it was in the golden era, doesn't mean it's not pop. What would you call what H!P has been putting out since then? I guess you could classify some of the really recent MM/C-ute/Berryz stuff as R&B, but I've always thought of it as "R&B-influenced pop" rather than true R&B. Or for Buono - rock-influenced pop, not true rock. Even if H!P groups were to seriously stray from pop, as long as they're expected to do much more than just put out singles, they're still pretty different from regular "artists."

I hate to bitch and bitch (who am i kidding i love to vent) But i'm tired of seeing H!P put out these new projects with absolutely nothing to them. Are they making that much money off fans that they've simply stopped caring about the product?

I do agree with this though, at least in respect to Mano Erina. I think this particular song is a step in the right direction for her, but they (the management powers as a whole) haven't really made the choice of her for soloist make much sense yet.

[BeForJess]

[quote name='Zaku' post='63583' date='Apr 11 2009, 06:43 AM']Even under the "pop" genre, H!P hasn't put out anything remotely pop sounding since the golden era. I can't figure out when the line between idol and artist became so one sided that the music is basically just filler for putting cute girls on tv.[/quote]



Actually, I think that a lot of the songs that have come out recently are some of the best material H!P has put out in a long time, probably since the golden era. A lot of new groups showing promise, also. We are seriously lacking in the soloist department though...



While Mano may definitely be just an excuse to promote a cute girl, I truly love a lot of music H!P puts out, regardless of whether the face that is singing it is gorgeous or not. But I wouldn't group all of H!P in with her, there are some new young talents that are just starting to shine who I think are going to become really impressive! And not just in the face. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... >/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dammit:' />

[Ap2000]

[quote name='BeForJess' post='63449' date='Apr 7 2009, 11:02 PM']I guess I just don't get it, because even though it was upbeat, it bored me to tears.[/quote]



Fully agreed.

I like to see some photos now and then of ther on the H!O picboard, but I don't know why anybody would want to listen to that boring generic stuff of her.