Watching the video for "Cho Happy Song" two things stood out for me:
1. HOLY CRAP Risako looks amazing!
2. Why couldn't this Risako show up in New Jersey???
While many rag on her about her supposed weight issues (I never really thought of her as "fat", just simply having an oddly-proportioned body), my main gripe with her looks has to do with something she can control a lot more easily: her bangs. A lot of times I see her wearing this weird wall of hair above her eyes and it just makes her look awkward to me...but when she pushes it out of the way or leaves a split or two, she becomes incredibly gorgeous. It's crazy how one little detail changes my perception of her.
It pains me to say it but in a group where I'm having trouble deciding who's my favorite, Risako somehow remains my definite least favorite member of Berryz...which is an awkward thing to say because despite that status I still like her. Her personal hair choices aside, she's still generally cute and good looking, and it seems lately that she's finally getting that powerful singing voice under control, not sounding as "shout-y" as before when I first heard her in "Dschinghis Khan" and "Ryuusei Boy". Regardless of where she ranks in my book, it's clear she's an important member of Berryz Kobo and Hello Project and I'm glad that she's still around.