Japan 25-29 Oct 2014 Day 4

Its only my 4th day in Japan, yet it is also the 2nd last day. Actually on this morning, Maana from UUG has a solo event with handshake and cheki in her hometown, which is about 2 hours away by Rapid Train. But I decided not to make the journey there cause 1. I'm not her big fan. 2. The train journey is too expensive and time consuming. If it was Azu though, I would be there in a heartbeat.

I had already planned to go to Mount Takao before I was aware of the Maana Solo Event to I stuck to my plan. Mount Takao is a 20min away from Shinjuku by Local Train. I was kind of hoping that it would be like Minoh Park at Osaka. I was quite wrong. 

The Base of the Mountain

Due to its close proximity to Tokyo, Mt Takao is incredibly Touristy and crowded considering that it is a weekday. Many Foreign Tourist, Local Tourist and School kids on Excursion. First we have to take a very steep Cable Car to a mid way point. At its steepest point, I was hanging on possibly 80% of my weight. This takes about 7mins but feels much longer than that.

The very steep Cable Car

View from the Mid way point. The weather is Great!

Lucky Octopus

From the mid way point to the peak is an hour plus leisurely walk. There are flights of steps here and there and some parts are steeper than others, but plenty of chances to stop and catch your breath. The route is well paved. There are many shops selling souvenirs and snacks on the way. There is also 1 larger Shrine near the peak.  I used this chance to buy a Kuji type of Mamori. I was informed that my luck is so bad that I should just kill myself. On the other hand, it also gave me a small stone which promised to improve my love life, so I got that going for me which is nice. And much needed.  

The reason why I regret going is because the Autumn leaves are not turning red yet. Everything was still green which was so disappointing for me. 

At the peak the leaves are slightly more colourful

At the peak is a wide space where about 200 people have gathered to picnic. There are also tons of School Kids sitting in circles of about 20-30 kids each, having their lunch.

The view is not great either. 

There is nothing much for me here so I don't linger too long. On the way down, there are still many School Kids (5-7 years old) I am surprised that they would choose Mt Takao for their Excursion because the hike up is not that Kid-Friendly. Being the avid Eaves-dropper that I am, here is a sample to the conversations I hear.

Kid: I'm soooo tired, I cant walk anymore!
Teacher: Come on! You can do it! Just a little more! (This is a lie as I am going down and there is still quite a way up)

Adorables.

I see a camera crew filming 3 girls enjoying themselves on the hike

I bought the same snack they ate

Instead of taking the same Cable Car down, I opt for the chair lift. Best choice of the day. It is lovely.

One of my Better taken Shots

This was the Brochure. What a scam!!

 Come evening time, there are 2 events that I am interested in.

1. Dorothy Little Happy X Tokyo Girls Style 2 Man life in Shinjuku @ 6pm

2. Kikkawa Yuu Autograph Session in Shibuya @ 6.30pm

I know I am definitely going for Kikka's autograph, so I have to decide whether I should go go for the DLH event and just leave halfway. Having gone for a few Kikka events so far, I am very sure that even if I was to arrive late, I wouldn't have a problem. (Due to the few number of fans). 

So I head first to Shinjuku for the 2 man live. The venue is pretty far from the station so I take very careful note of how long it took me to get to there. It is a small Multi Purpose Hall with a fairly decent sized stage. I would say capacity of 500+

The door ticket price is 4000yen. It is a little pricy considering that I will leave halfway, but I say heck it. It is my 2nd last night in Japan so anything goes. The staff as me who I am there to see, I say TGS cause I know them longer. I take a quick peek at the goods but nothing interests me so yay, that's some money saved. Note the failed logic.

As I enter through the Door in the diagram, I didn't realise that there was a Girls Only Area. So I proceed to middle section for a better view, somewhere like the red dot. The floor is packed with Wota so I sort of squeeze my way through. Just then, one of the staff (I presume) calls out to me to inform me of the Girls Only Area. He guides me there. And I am amazed. There are just about 15 girls in the whole area compared to the 500 guys in the Entire floor. There is so much space that all the girls could lie down and roll around LOL. This is so strange because the guys around us are so packed and crammed right to the barrier and walls. I make myself comfortable right in front.

DLH goes first. This is only the 2nd time I am seeing them. I don't have an Oshi either, but I spend most of my time looking at Kana and Mimori. Kana looks like a skinnier version of Fukuda Kanon. And I have always noted a similarity in looks between Mimori and Mayuyu. I also like Koumi's smile a lot, so that could win me over too. Their dance is very strong yet synchronized. Something quite rare for Idol groups. They tend to be either Strong or Synchronized, but not both. Of course C-ute is another group which happens to have this quality.

Mari's Singing voice is wonderful. She says that it is a "healing" type of voice (I would classify Kikka's or Azu's as "healing" too) but I wouldn't call Mari-chan's voice such. It is a little too sharp to be a "healing" kind of voice. 

I know almost all the songs they perform and enjoy the performance thoroughly. I make eye contact with a number of the members, being a girl standing in the wide space. Like I said, Koumi's smile is very nice. My favourite song still being Koi no Hashi-whatever (Woh oh oh oh). Their fans are great too. All in all, a A-rated Idol group and Wota

By the time DLH is finished, it is 7pm and I am anxiously looking at my watch. TGS comes out. I was a big fan of them when Himawari no Hoshikuzu came out, Hii-chan just brought out the Lolicon in me. But in recent times, I have fallen out with them and am totally unfamiliar with their new songs. My problem being that Hii-chan is very awkward in certain situations and she totally doesn't bother with fan-service or "fishing". Whether she is just shy, or can't be bothered, I have no idea. Normally Idols warm up easier to Girl Fans, but Hii-chan is just as aloof with either. I may be wrong about this, but this is just my own opinion. 

I have watched them a few times before, and very often Aachan has severe pitching proclems. She is the 2nd main vocal of TGS and has a great, what I like to call "Avex" type voice. ON CD. During lives she cannot hit her high notes, nor keep in pitch for half of her lines.The first time I hear it, I thought that she was sick / having throat problems. But subsequently, it happens again and again. Every time this happens, she knows it and gives a face like she is about to cry. As a casual Fan, I am quite interested to know what is going on. Maybe TGS fans have an explanation for this. Yuri sings much better than her. And of course Hii-chan is pitch perfect as usual. 

They perform 2 songs, "Koudo no Himitsu" and another song I am not familiar with, and I am off to Shibuya.

I manage to get there in about half an hour, which means that I am about 1 hour late for Kikka's Autograph Session. But no worries there because there are still people queuing up. There are no more Normal Editions left (1080yen), so I settle for 2 Limited Editions (1700yen). Many Kikka Wota are still in their Office Attire, but some wearing Kikka shirts. I was instructed to write my name in Hiragana or Katakana on a slip of paper where Kikka can copy it off (Limited to 8 Characters), but I ask the staff if I can write it in English, and he gives me the OK. So I write "YUSHAN"

When I see Kikka, she recognises me immediately and say "Ah, you are from..." she forgets where I am from .... But her trusty manager beside her finishes "Singapore" in his dead-pan voice. YES, I always had a feeling he recognized me! His very purpose of being there is to Tsukkomi Kikka, this I have confirmed. She asks me how to read my name and I tell her. I would bet my life that she won't remember it though.

For my 2nd round, I told her that I am leaving the following day, and she gives a sad face, which made me give an even sadder face. I feel like crying now. She asks me when will I come back, and I tell her possible next spring and she brightens up and says that I can go watch Makenki Live. I say Yeah. I have a long Bye-Bye with her and exit the CD shop feeling very dead inside.

The fact that I won't be able to see Kikka until next spring, and all the wonderful memories from this trip just come crashing down on me. Dragging my heavy feet through the throngs of people in the middle of busy Shibuya, my heart ached dully.  

Japan 25-29 Oct 2014 Day 3

Day 3

On this day I try to squeeze a little sight-seeing in between my Wota Adventures. Sendai is just 25min away from Matsushima. Said to be one of the 3 most Beautiful Scenarios in Japan. The train ride is only 400yen so I thought, why not? Turns out, my train journey there ended up being 1 hour because the 25min is only for express trains. Just my luck that on that Lazy Monday Morning, there were no express trains.

My impression of Matsushima is that it is a small but extremely touristy seaside village. Lot of people from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Westerners (I can't tell the difference between Westerners) and also many Local Tourist.

A gorgrous day

 Upon reaching, I felt a little lost because there was too many things to see. Due to limited time, I opted for a 50min Ferry Ride(1500yen) to see the Landforms around the Bay Area. I would actually recommend this to people with a little more time, like maybe a whole day at Matsushima. So this was not the best choice I could have made. 

 Anyhow, I do enjoy the Ferry Ride. There are 2 Levels on the Sight-Seeing Boat "Ninomaru". The first level is for normal ticket holders and the 2nd level is for Green Ticket Holders. When I bought the ticket, there no indication that there was to be a first class "Cabin", but upon stepping on the boat, I realize that first level of the boat is so packed that it would be impossible to see anything. So I immediately bought the Green Ticket(600yen) and went to the upper floor where it is much roomier. No regrets there.

The whole area reminded me greatly of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam which I had just visited. This is more submerged than Ha Long Bay though. And Ha Long bay has more Greenery on the Islets as well which made for nice stops. 

This is the Guardian of Matsushima Bay. When Godzilla comes to wreck havoc on Japan, he will rise up and defeat the beast with Lasers shooting from this eyes

 There are names and explanations of all the little islands around the Bay Area in English and Japanese. Matsushima was the strong hold of Warlord Date Masamune, if you are a Japanese History buff, you might get many of the significant events. The only Date Masamune I know is from the anime "Sengoku Basara", so once again as the saying goes, "In one ear, Out the other". 

It is very windy and slightly chilly on the boat. But the weather is really perfect. I think its because Maimi has left Sendai

There is still a little time for me to explore when I disembark from "Ninomaru" I visit a nearby Island, peek at a busy looking Shrine and walk the shops.

 A bridge linking one of the islets to the Shore 

Mission Accomplished: Selfie at Matsushima Bay

I have to catch my highway bus back to Tokyo at around 12 so I regretfully leave the place. I wish I had a little more time here, but I won't be coming back. It is a little too touristy for my liking.

The bus journey is supposed to take 5.5hours. However, there is a jam on the highway (AGAIN!) and it is delayed by 1 hour. I reach Tokyo at 6.30pm instead of 5.30pm. My event at Shibuya has already started. I previously had a bad experience trying to find live houses in Shibuya so I was all prepared to get lost. Surprisingly, I find the Live House (Shibuya Glad) without incident. Thanks to the very well down Map on their Website.

Managed to google up a Picture Reference of the Live House from the Stage point of View. A very effective layout. Why can't more live houses be like this?

The layout of this live house is very friendly. The floor area can fit about 100 people. Then there are 2/3 Step Terrace standing area for the not-so-brave, This terraces are very tall so if you stand there it is very easy to see the performer. I love this place instantly.

18:55～19:20 椎名ぴかりん

When I enter Pikarin is already performing. She sings live and dances so awkwardly. She is very very cute though, so I will forgive her. At least she tries unlike some other idols.

There is a group of young girls (JK) standing right in front of the stage wearing very Fashionable clothing and cute hair. I suppose they are fans of her Modelling

Before she starts Toroamachu, everyone on ground level kneels down. This is very comical

19:20～19:45 寺嶋由芙 

Terashima Yufu. I did some research on her before coming so I thought I knew what to expect. Her songs have a little country style pop in it. In real life it is not as boring as I thought it would be, and she has her own mix. She has a good voice too.

She mentioned that Mainya, Kikka and her have a Line Group chat (Which they rarely use anyway).

Googled out a picture of her wearing Fuasshi Theme. FTS I WANT THAT TOO!

19:45～20:10 小桃音まい

I was very keen on seeing Mainya in real life for the first time. When I watched her videos on youtube, I was kind of skeptical that she sings live because it sounds a little too good to be true. She really does sing live, but with a soft backing vocal track. Her voice is very thin though so I think that even if she goes off key it is not very noticeable. Her songs are completely IDOL-like songs. She is so comfortable on stage and it is really a pleasure to watch her perform.

I love her songs. Her live is also very interactive as she gets the Wota to participate during the Marching Parts. Many of the Kikka fans around also actively participate in her performance.

I am very impressed. I would love to see her again.

After the whole thing I take a cheki with her. The first thing she said to me was "Hajimemashite" Its 

such a simple thing to say yet only less popular idols can say this because they probably can remember every single person they handshake with. Even such its nice to hear such a thing, and is really one of those words I hear that make me wan to take to her more.

I tell her Im from Singapore and I like her songs. 

My Gosh she is so tiny in real life. She doesn't look small at all on stage  

20:10～20:35吉川友(※握手会＝20:35～) 

When Mainya leaves the stage all the Kikka wota rush to the front. Im standing in 2nd row wearing my Kikka T shirt. But the Ojisan in front of me insists for me to stand in front. I'm not too sure whether its because I am a girl or because he wasn't wearing Kikka T. Probably both.

I am real happy to stand in front. Because its a live house, she is SO NEAR. Such an awesome live from Kikka. She didn't have any problems with her mic this time so her singing is great. As she is already the 2nd last performer and having to perform AFTER Mainya is very good for her too. The audience is so pumped up. She sings my All Time FAV Kikka song "Zutto Zutto Zutto Kimi ga Suki da"

I am right in front so we make eye contact at least 10 times. Lol!

She tells us that she will get busy with her Stage plays in the coming months so she won't be having lives during that period. She also speaks about why she likes being a soloist (Since this is a Soloist event)

After her live, there is supposed to be a handshake session, but since all the performances ran late, she had to rush off for her SHOWROOM streaming at 10pm. I was sad that I couldn't speak to her to tell her what a good job she did. I am sure she gained some new fans from this event. This is the kind of event that Kikka really shines and outdo her competitors. 

20:35～21:00 小池美由

This is a crazy idol. I generally don't like to diss idols because I like being diplomatic. But this idol is really not my type. 

When she says "OK! The next song is gonna be my last song!" NORMALLY the audience gots "EEEEEH" but for Koike Miyu, the wota are well trained and all say "YAYYYYY" Best part ever.

I love Soloist idols, and I have come up with a couple of reasons why they are superior to other idols

Reasons Why Soloist are the best Idosl 

1. Their fans are the nicest people ever. No rivalry within the fanbase
2. Their MC is great. They have to entertain all by themselves
3. They are very "Strong" people. They have no one to rely on but themselves
4. Their Dancing and Singing skills have to be a notch higher than others. Having the stage all to themselves, there is no chance for other members to "distract" you from their lacking in abilities

The very purpose of having a Idol Group is to have diversity. Some members can be good at a certain thing and bad in certain things. It makes things interesting. Because Soloists don't have this, they have to be good at everything. If they make a mistake, there is no one else to cover it up. All the attention is focused on them

They are very attuned to the wota because their MC is very dependent on it. Whereas Idol Groups tend to talk among themselves during MC and ignore the Wota. Soloists can't do this, thus their MC skills and ability to think on the spot and react to the Wota is at a different level than most Idols in Groups.

For these reasons, Soloists have my greatest respect. Well, Kikka that is. She is the best Soloist in the industry at this point.

My Dinner at Royal Host. At 11pm, you can hardly call it dinner.

By the time the live ends, it is about 11pm. In Shibuya at that timing, it feels really dodgy. I go to Royal Host to have my dinner and then head to Ikebukuro to look for my hotel.

Japan 25-29 Oct 2014 Day 2

Day 2

Today is C-ute day! And Kikka day, but then again, everyday is Kikka day.

My breakfast

I sleep in a little and around noon I head back to the Tower Records I was at the day before. Kikka is there in her Samba outfit again. She wears this literally everyday. I wonder how she washes it actually cause its so fiddly.

She performs a few songs. And also one of her earlier songs "To Be..." which is a extremely underrated Kikka Song. (To be fair, I think all Kikka songs are underrated). And "Twinkle Days", a Vocaloid song from her album "Vocalist". This song is so difficult to sing as it has many falsetto parts. Not your usual Idol fare. Kikka has a little trouble with this. But I'm so in love with this song that I couldn't less.

And of course her 2 new single songs.

After I go back to Singapore, she starts using a new Outfit (ABOUT TIME! She was using the outfit since Summer! Obviously not a very suitable outfit in Winter) Her new outfit is as a "Hunter" with lots of black and white feathers. A really outrageous looking thing if you ask me, not unlike her Samba outfit. Coincidentally, Hunting in Japanese is also pronounced as (Kari) (狩). Just riding on UUG's wave up, not a bad plan.

During MC, she asks everyone if they know what Local Specialty Food she ate in Sendai. Since the most popular Local Speciality in Sendai is Gyuu Tongue, everyone mumbles "Gyuu Tongue". But Kikka proclaims proudly "No~!" She ate some Mochi thingy.

Also she asks the wota, who is seeing me for the first time? This is a fairly common question for Idols to ask, but not common for wota to answer truthfully. Coincidentally, all the people who raise their hand were standing on 1 side of the area by the CD Shelf, presumably so that they can make a quick exit. So Kikka says "I see~ This is the new people corner then". Kikka never fails to entertain.

I buy a handshake again knowing I won't be collecting the CD.

Kikka "Thank you very much"
Me " Do you recognize me?"
Kikka "Yeah I remember your face."
Me "I'm from Singapore!"
Kikka "Oh Yeah, Singapore!"
Me "Do know where that is?"
Kikka "Yeah... My geography is not that good but I think I know where it is"
(I can tell she is just trying to smoke me, I'm pretty sure she has no clue)
Me "Its where the Merlion comes from!"
Kikka "..? OH the thing that spits out water...?!"
Me " YEAH!!"
Kikka " Does it also have gold stuff? Cause I always imagine that lions spitting out water in gold and stuff"
Me "????"
Manager "That's wrong."

At this point I am laughing already, not just at Kikka's fail but also at the Manager's very tact put down of Kikka.

"Bye Bye~"

Awesome stuff

Now I go to C-ute!

I am taking everything from 2CH for reference cause I don't remember the exact details, just the rough story

セットリスト
OA テーブル席空いててもカウンター席／ハロプロ研修生　※1
01. The Power (BD：曲途中から研修生全員)
02. 愛ってもっと斬新
MC
03. ジュリエットジュリエット (BD：アウトロで浜浦加賀)
04. 「大好き」の意味を教えて!
05. ひとり占めしたかっただけなのに
06. FARAWAY
07. 【チャレンジアクト】
08. ベーグルにハム&チーズ (BD：研修生全員)　※2
09. YES! しあわせ
10. 誰にも内緒の恋しているの
MC【モンスターなエピソード】
11. 【ソロメドレー回替わりシャッフル】
12. Big dreams
13. 最高級のエンジョイGIRLS／中島岡井萩原
14. ディスコ クイーン／矢島鈴木
15. Midnight Temptation　※3
16. 最高ミュージック
17. Love take it all
18. 世界一HAPPYな女の子／鈴木萩原 (BD：浜浦小川加賀)
19. 都会の一人暮らし／矢島中島岡井 (BD：浜浦小川加賀岸本)
20. 都会っ子 純情（2012神聖なるVer.）
21. 悲しきヘブン (Single Version)
22. Kiss me 愛してる
23. Danceでバコーン! (BD：研修生全員)
ENCORE
24. まっさらブルージーンズ（2012神聖なるVer.）
MC
25. SHINES (BD：研修生全員)

I bought this C-ute Pen Light

I am sad that they didn't perform Iza Susume Ready Go as it is one of my fav encore songs. Instead they sang SHINES, which is great as well, just not as good.

One of the songs that left a great impression on me is "FARAWAY". I have not heard this song before as it was a B-Side to one of their earlier singles. This song awesomely showcases their singing. I do hope they sing it again.

Setlist wise, not great... Because they haven't had a new album since Sep 2013, they sing mostly recent singles and OLD album/b-sides. Also, there is no REAL concept for this Tour. The concept is supposedly "Monster" and Halloween-centric but they hardly do anything related to this topic. They do some acrobatic stunts, I know that Nakky injured her Head while practicing this, but on stage it really isn't that impressive like the Flag Dance or the Treasure Hunting thingy.

I really do wish that Up Front will give them a new Album. I know that Tsunku is not well, but this timing is so critical for C-ute's future success in the coming 1-2 years.

元気くん→舞美
手毬唄→中島
都会のネオン→愛理
雨→まいまい
輝け放課後→千聖

They take turns to sing each other's song. Maimi sings Yuke Genk Kun (MaiMai's Solo Song) which I have been tortured over and over by MaiMai's singing. I guess this is what they call Karma. Nakky does a terrible job at trying to sing Airi's, (laughs) I don't blame her, that song is too difficult.

MC Monster Episodes

MaiMai talks about her taxi experiences:
1. Ojisan Taxi Driver says MaiMai is cute as asks her if she is a Model.
2. MaiMai asks the Ojisan Taxi Driver to turn back halfway as she has forgotten something. Ojisan Taxi Driver does so without complaint and says "We must go back to get that Import Item" MaiMai spazzes over how cute said Ojisan Taxi Driver is

Nakky overslept. She woke up at the timing that she is supposed to be at the Shinkansen Station. Manager calls her and tells her if she doesn't reach by T-time, she won't make it for the Aomori Shock On event (At Aomori duh). Nakky gets ready in a shockingly short time (5 min, Chisato says thats impossible and it should be closer to 10 mins) and has her parents sent her to the station. On the way to the station, she searches the internet (Our equivalent of Yahoo!Answer) for the quickest way from Platform X to Platform Y. And viola! Someone has asked the same question before. She uses the route recommended and gets on the Shinkansen just in time. BRAVO JAPANESE INTERNET USERS

At the very end, Maimi cues the whole of C-ute to say “C-ute deshita!” but instead she says “Arigatou Gozaimashita”. People, this is the future leader of H!P

In between the Afternoon and Evening concerts, I go to a nearby Shopping Mall to eat my dinner.

Mentaiko Pasta and Salad

On my right is a Ichioka Rena (KSS) Ojisan Ota. He goes BATSHIT CRAZY whenever Ichioka comes out. This is one of the few times I am turned off by a KimoOta. Everyone stares at him when he goes into his "ICCHAN ICCHAN ICCHAN" mode.

元気くん→千聖
手毬唄→舞美
ネオン→まいまい
雨→中島
輝け放課後→愛理

Now Maimi attempts Edo Temari Uta II. She does a halfway decent job though I wouldn't recommend her to sing it again. Airi sings Nakky's Kagayake Houkago PERFECTLY. Nakky must have been backstage crying.

Also bought this C-ute no Hi Maimi Towel. So cute!

MC Monster Episodes

Airi frequently oversleeps. To combat this, Airi's mum will give her a wake up call where ever she is. So one day while she is on tour, she accidently fell asleep without informing her Mum of the wake up time! Amazingly, the next morning Maimi calls on her hotel phone to wake her up! And there are about 40 miss calls on her cellphone from her Mum.

Apparently, Airi's Mum became very worried that Airi couldn't wake up so she phoned Maimi's Mum who phoned Maimi(who doesn't require wake up calls to wake up on time XD) to give Airi a wake up call.

At which MaiMai interjects "So when are you gonna stop relying on your Mum to wake you up?"

(Wota erupts with laughter)

Airi laughs and says that she has started to train herself to wake up on her own from now on.

I want a wake up call from Maimi too...

I am really impressed with MaiMai's Tsukkomi here, it's just too perfect.

Chisato's family is commenting on how cute MaiMai is recently. Chisato's 7 year old Sister says to Chisato "MaiMai is too cute lately, you are in trouble"

Stories about Chisato's family are always entertaining.

Looks like this but the words are in white

After the Evening Con, I see a Young Tall Ikemen Maimi Oshi wearing the same Pink "New York" Beanie that she wears on the tour. I am insanely jealous.

As it is my last night in Sendai, I buy a Gyuu Tan Bento to eat. Just for Lulz. Kidding, I love Gyuu Tan

Inside of the Gyuu Tan Bento

Japan 25-29 Oct 2014 Day 1

Day 1

I finish up work and head to the Airport. This is my first time in ages taking SIA so I'm excited! I was also really looking forward to this trip because my schedule is packed with Lives and Events.

The tricky part is when I arrive. My flight is scheduled to arrived at 8.00am the next morning. In order for me to catch the free UUG mini live and handshake at11.30am in Sendai, I have to catch the Keisei Morning Liner at 8.15am from Narita Airport Station. That means I have less then 15 minutes to exit the plane, clear immigration (No check in Luggage) and rush to the train station to catch my train. I am fully aware of how impossible that is.

When I reach immigration, there are not many people. There is still hope! However, there are few counters open at such an hour. I do my best to rush through, but as expected, I reach the train station at 8.16am and my train has just left. I console myself by telling myself that I tried my best. I have no choice but to wait for the next morning liner at 8.35am.

Not a stock Photo

I reach Ueno to take the Shinkansen to Sendai. However the first 2 trains departing to Sendai are full (Even Jiyuuseki, the man the counter asks me if I don't mind standing. I say "no thanks".) I have no choice once again but to take the train half an hour behind the one I had intended to take. 15 Minutes behind schedule from Keisei Line and 30 minutes behind schedule for Shinkansen, that's 45 minutes late for my event.

As expected, the train is full. I even had a hard time looking for a Jiyuuseki. By the time I reach Sendai it is 12.15pm. Although the Event Venue is just next to the train station, it still takes me about 10minutes to reach the Tower Records where the event is held. As I arrive, UUG are just saying good bye to the wota and the area is packed. All the wota are using their phones/cameras to take pictures of the girls. This is surprising because normally Photo Taking is not allowed. I sadly say Bye Bye to them.

Managed to take 1 photo before they left

After checking into my hotel, I still have some time to kill before Team Makenki Live. I take a slow walk to see what Sendai has in store for me.

A Park I walked past

The trees are considerably more brown than when I was in Japan earlier in the month

I arrive at the venue and buy 2 CDs. 1 for a chance to win a Signed poster (which I didn't win) and 1 for handshake. For the previous Makenki Live in Osaka 2013 (At that time they weren't called Team Makenki yet), as long as you buy any goods, you can get handshake with that groups members. Because I had bought a Kikka T, I shook hands with Kikka 3 times and UUG 1 times. But for this Makenki Live, handshake tickets come only for selective items. This is sooo irritating for me because I have items I wanted to buy but now decided not to because they don't come with handshake. I settled for 1 time handshake with UUG, because there are 7 of them which makes it seem like a better deal.

I eat lunch before my handshake. Tempura Don and Tofu

Surprisingly, The Possible has the longest Handshake queue, followed by UUG and then Kikka. As I am lining up for UUG handshake, I can just see Kikka next door with the same few Yuu-Friends (What Kikka wota call themselves) looping her handshake. I regret not buying her handshake, but as I am wearing Azusa's orange, its not very nice.

Azusa gets very excited to see me again. She is so cute and we jump together. Maana says "Hisashiburi" to me, I tell her I'm surprised she remembers me. I wish her good luck for her Solo Event the day after. I am pretty sure the other members don't recognize me. Yet.

After this we all line up to enter the Venue. My ticket number is pretty good at 150+. I see the same guy from @Jam HK (Miiko Oshi). He insists to give me his ticket, which he said is an extra ticket, the number is 127 which is not much lower than mine, so I refuse at first. BUT this guy is so sneaky, he tells all the wota around me that I am from Singapore and so I should stand in front. I am so embarrassed now because everyone is looking at me and urging to go to the front. So I say Ok, ok and thanking him as we move up the queue. As if this is not enough, he then announces AGAIN to everyone around my new queue number that I am from Singapore. We make small talk and he leaves to join his friends. Paiseh Max. But he is a really nice guy.

Congratulatory Flowers for Kikka from Yuu Friends

Later on I find out that since there is a girls only area, that small advance in queue number doesn't really make a difference since I am still standing next to the girls who were from my previous queue number. There are 2 girls in front of me from the stage and both of them are short (most Japanese girls are anyway) So I am very happy with my position. Most of the girls are UUG fans with a few Posi fans scatter around. 2 of the girls in front are Posi Wota. There are no girl Kikka Wota which is sad. (However, at subsequent events, I see some of these girls again, but wearing Kikka Ts, so I guess they are H!P/Ex-Egg DDs)

宮城 仙台Rensa　セットリスト

As in their 3 Man live last year, they drew lots to decide the order of performances. Kikka wins so she goes last. As they have mentioned before, this is not really ideal. UUG should be last cause their performances are most "High". Posi should go first to bring up the mood, followed by Kikka's which will be considered a "Resting Time"

MC-wise, the people who have the most sense at MC are Kikka, Robin, Gotuu and maybe Hashimon. Unfortunately all of UUG are terrible at MC. Konatsu and Maana might have a little over the rest, but they are still boring as hell. I might be bias but some of the things Kikka says are the darn-est. And with Robin as tsukkomi, it makes for an entertaining MC. Much different from UUG solo lives.

歌う順番を決めるくじを引くメンバーが前に出るシーン
When deciding the order of Performances by drawing lots

新井「うちは仙台出身の仙石が行きます」                                                              Maana "Sengoku comes fron Sendai so she will do it"

吉川「仙石が行くなら吉川行きます」                                                                      Kikka "If Sengoku goes Kikka goes too" 

橋本「二人が行くなら私行きます」                                                                    Hashimon "If the 2 of you do it, I will do it too" 

（会場歓声） (Wota laughs) 

吉川「わがままボディーです！」                                                                             Kikka "Wagamama Body desu!" 

仙石「マシュマロボディーです！」                                                                           Miiko "Marshmallow Body desu!" 

橋本「爆弾ボディーです！」                                                                              Hashimon "Bakudan Body desu!"

（会場大歓声） (Wota laughs) 

吉川「後ろで見てる人達は謙虚ボディーということで～」                                                Kikka "So the people behind us are modest Bodies~"  

（会場爆笑） (Wota explodes with laughter) 

新井「何も言い返せない・・・」                                                                    
Maana "I have nothing to say..." 

Yeah I admit it, I took this from 2ch. You don't expect me to remember every single thing right!?

１．無限、Fly High!!

This song. Kikka is the only one with solo lines so this song is fantastic for Kikka wota. Everyone is really familiar with this song by now so its great fun. The moves are also very simple so those who wan to Furi Copy can do so whole-heartedly.

２．イタダキを目指せ!

３．イチバンガールズ!(ショート)

４．UPPER ROCK(ショート)
５．ジャンパー!
６．チョッパー☆チョッパー
７．アッパーカット！

８．Beautiful Dreamer

All at once we are treated to an Amazing setlist. I'm totally in love with the 2 new songs "Itadaki wo Mezase!" and "Beautiful Dreamer" I notice that Azusa is very obviously becoming the 1 true center (and Ayanon/Miiko sub center), whereas in the past it might have been Miiko/Akari due their Egg status. Akari has been clearly push to the back lines now, its such a pity because I love her singing voice. Moritty had also mentioned in Showroom that she was very disappointed not to have any solo lines in "Beautiful Dreamer"

Maana has the first line in Beautiful Dreamer but her rhythm sense is quite terrible actually so she misses the timing for her first line. Maybe after they perform this a few more times she will get the hang of it.

As I mentioned, UUG MC are kind of Bland compared to the others.

※曲順は正解かどうか不確か。ショートver.のものもあり。 

(The ordering is not confirmed. There are short versions too)

９．勇気スーパーボール！

１０．恋がダンシン！
１１．Lovely! Lovely!
１２．なんじゃこりゃ？！
１３．希望と青春のヒカリ
１４．さぁ来い！ハピネス！
１５．全力バンザーイ！My Glory！

I am not a Posi fan so I only have heard some songs before but not knowing the title of the Song. I remember Nanjya Koreya just being so epic. Akkyan's face is smaller in real life than in her pictures. There was one point where the took her water and turned around to drink, she gave this SUPER DOYA GAO (Dao Face in Singlish) I fell in love with her at that instant.

Posi's singing is so freaking solid. They can sing well and they know it. UUG has SO much to catch up on. At this point only Azu can fight with them in terms of singing (besides Mororin and Gotuu) The rest of UUG needs to really work harder.

Also all their songs have the old-school-H!P-feel, so good singing is vital to their songs. (Think MM around Sexy 8 beat)

In one of Posi's songs, Akkyan and Gotuu have a solo segment where they say Lovey Dovey things to each other. Honestly I have never heard this song before haha. Just at this moment, Azusa and Ayanon run out from backstage to separate the 2 and the song cuts off. They each insist that Akkyan loves them more than Gotuu. Gotuu just stands there giving her innocent smile. They then ask Akkyan to choose who she likes best out of the 3 of them. Akkyan is boring, she says she likes all 3 of them. lol.

For the rest of the song Azusa and Ayanon join in Posi though it is clear they don't know the song very well. XD

１６．URAHARAテンプテーション

１７．「すき」の数え方
１８．世界中に君は一人だけ
１９．ダーリンとマドンナ
２０．Sweetie
２１．あまいメロディー

Yay Finally Kikka. She has some problems with her Mic. I think that she might not have been able to hear herself sufficiently, she kept signalling to the sound room to up her Mic. As a result she sings relatively un-confidently and doesn't hold her high/long notes. Its such a pity because Kikka's real draw is her soothing voice and this was a big chance for her to gain new fans. Even as such, she does not go out of tune.

I love her "Sekai jyuu Kimi wa hitori dake". It's got the Kikka essence, the kind you get goosebumps when you hear it. And her usuals "Darling and Madonna" and "Sweetie" the crowd please-rs. Pleased me plenty too :D

She mentioned that when having her lives, she likes to walk along Shoutengais' when she has free time. Conveniently, just outside the Sendai Rensa is a Shoutengai! Before the live, she took a walk along it to see what kind of reactions she will get from her Samba outfit. Surprisingly nobody reacted to her because it is near Halloween and everyone else was dressed up as well.

２２．ヤングDAYS！！
２３．水色
２４．永遠ファイヤーボール！
２５．ずっとずっとずっと君がスキだ
２６．全力！Pump UP!!
２７．サマービーム

Now its collab time. Everybody gets on stage and gets a few lines of each song. The interaction between groups is great. You would expect Kikka is stick to Miiko the whole time, but no! There was 1 time where they were singing together and Kikka was obviously Ignoring Miiko and giving the Annoyed face when looking at Miiko (SO FAKE)

And another time Kikka had cornered Miiko and just stared Miiko down while she cowered next to wall. All while singing. Kikka also keeps trying to put her hand around Miiko's waist but Miiko keeps trying to push her away.

All this is hilarious but I feel kinda sorry for Miiko. Kikka is wearing really high heels while Miiko is wearing short platforms so Kikka is at least a head taller than Miiko. But if its Kikka maybe I wouldn't mind.

For Summer Beam (Although its not Summer at all), There is a part in the middle that goes like this "OOO-na hito te wo tatake" *clap* *clap* So they make up new lyrics to suit all members of Makenki. Apparently they tried to prank Moritty by call her out when she wasn't informed to do so, but she was too blur and walked out anyway without realizing it was a prank.

２８．ライとも（チーム・負けん気新曲）

This song didn't have an impression on me at all. Or maybe I was just tired

Im so hungry I try to eat the box. Chirashi Zushi @ 20% off !

My Dinner and Deserts and Snacks