by Zunu » Sun Aug 23, 2015 9:55 pm
It's pretty much a lock that they're not going to get weekly #1 at this point but the important thing is that they maintain momentum on their own terms. This is a group that has passed a few vital post-Michishige tests. First, they've maintained relevance with the public when not only are there no more original golden era members, but there are no members left who had even worked with golden era members. Their ties to the past have been severed. Second, they have successfully welcomed and integrated a new generation without relying on Michishige's unifying talents. (Note the subversive Sukatto PV intro where the generations are being introduced completely out of order). Third, with Miki's English, Kanon's body changes and now Eripon's acrobatic skills they're really starting to reinforce the notion that this is a very diverse group of young women with various traits, interests and talents, not just a front girl and a bunch of backup singers/dancers that only hardcore fans know anything about. Sayumi got the Morning Musume. brand back on its feet but now, without her, the group is emerging even stronger. And they've achieved this despite the added tragedy of Tsunku no longer being able to vocally promote the group. So too bad about Oricon's weekly #1, but I know who my weekly #1 is.
tending to put ~ on song titles since 2002