The Best Of Japan
13 January 2008
I finally got a hold of Morning Musume's Spring 2004 concert. I've seen most of their concerts but could never find the 2004 one for some reason. Having now seen it I can say it's their best concert ever. I don't know why it isn't more widely available. It's perfect in so many ways. Firstly, the member line up is one of the best ever. All of the fourth, fifth and sixth generation members plus second generation Yaguchi Mari and first generation Iida Kaori; fourteen members in total. Secondly, the stage layout is brilliant. There's a main platform in the middle, then another smaller stage higher up in the middle of that. Four big screens are hung on metal pillars facing each side. Each corner of the middle platform has a walkway extending off it forming a big cross. It's the first and last time I've seen them use this configuration but it's spectacular. Thirdly, the song selection for this concert was almost perfect. You have all the big singles as well as some less often performed classics like Say Yeah! Motto Miracle Night (which was my favourite performance of the concert). The acoustics of the stadium added to the enjoyment of each song. Mini Moni also did their last performance before disbanding. The MC parts were great to watch, in particular the one where they drew pictures of each other in crayons. I'd love to have been there in real life. The atmosphere was amazing, even watching it at home. Simply a fantastic concert in every respect.
We're well and truly into the new year now and that means one thing - the start of a new drama season in Japan! Two in particular have caught my eye; Edison No Haha and Binbou Danshi Bombiimen. The first episode of Edison No Haha aired on Friday and I got a hold of a copy of the same day. I'd been looking forward to this series ever since hearing about it back in December. Itoh Misaki plays Ayukawa Noriko, a first-grade teacher. One day, a boy named Hanafusa Kento gets transferred into her class. He continually disrupts the class by questioning the logic of everything (like why does 1+1=2?). Noriko sees him as a troublesome student at first, a view shared by many other parents of the school. However, she slowly discovers that Kento is remarkably intelligent for his age and has the potential to be a genius. It's up to her to figure out how to nurture this boy in order to reach his full potential. It's a nice comedic drama that is enjoyable to watch. I was glad to see Tanihara Shosuke in it, he's a great actor who has excellent comic timing. Definitely one to keep watching.
Binbou Danshi Bonbiimen doesn't start until Tuesday but it's looking to be another funny drama starring Oguri Shun. I'll write more about that when I've watched it. In the meantime I have the Nodame Cantabile special to watch. I just know it's going to be awesome!
Posted byHocchan at 10:53 am
This concert (Best of Japan 2004)is the first Morning Musume DVD I ever ordered, and it renmains among the best. Yes, the central stage was stunning, but it was a real challenge for the group. They had to run up and down stairs continuously, and rotate constantly to the crowd could see them. But it was sensational. The dark blue outfits at the end were killer.
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