Yeah its definitely a fitting time to do a reflection of the year. I started following Idoling!!! during the collaboration with AKB48 and from that time to 2010 now, quite a lot of things have changed. Throughout the 3rd gen's entrance to the show, the TV show has somewhat mellowed down a bit and there was too much of recycled segments. This year however, with the addition of 4th gen and Kadosawa being in charge of the show too this year is definitely an awesome year. I'd say this is my favorite season for Idoling!!! to date. The selection of 4th gen was genius and having maji de futari kiri-ng!!! was definitely a good step that the staff did. Most of the members have grown up so well now the show is getting on really good lately.
Top 5 members 1.
Kawamura 'Umeko' YuiI guess this comes without a question, with me being a Umeko fan and stuff. In 2010 though, Umeko has really changed a lot. Even in #704 everyone is saying that she's gotten livelier and it really shows with all her TV appearance. Prior to 2010, she's always got caught on camera staring weirdly at the camera
but now in her own way she's really getting a lot cuter. Although definitely its kinda sad to see the old Umeko that'd do just about anything gone but she's being happier now, and that's all that matters. It really seems that Maji De Futari Kiri-ng!!! really do her some good. And of course, thanks for saying you love Malaysia~A
2.
Kikuchi "Amimi" AmiI always rank Idoling!!! members according to preference every few months, and looking back at the list Amimi used to be around the 16th (only winning against Michelle) but now she's definitely 2nd. Right after the Maji de Futari Kiri-ng!!! Amimi is like a time bomb IMO , you know she's dangerous but you've no idea when is she going to explode. Thanks to her radio show too now she's really eloquent and smart about her remarks. IMO the best part about Amimi now is how good is she able to make use of her own character. In Ukiuki! MIX Girl - 201006 #3 (Kikuchi Ami, Okawa Ai) "for those who knows me for the first time, all these booing is not because they hate me its because that's the correct way to do". And she's a real tease... this has gotten even better in 2010. orz.
3.
Sakai 'Sakacchi' HitomiThe Miyazaki accent is just adorable but it was kind of obvious last year that she is holding back from using them as much. In fact, she hardly speaks at all last year. I guess this is also another member that's affected by Maji de futari kiri-ng!!! since this year Sakacchi is awesome. Aside from the epic sumo battle in the 2hour special she really talks a lot now and the accent can be heard really clear. It doesn't seem that she is troubled by her character anymore and that is great because Sakacchi is a lot of fun.
4.
Ojima 'Oji' ChikaShe's hyper, she's childish, she's passionate. The first 4th gen member to come out from the shell. Not much to be said about this girl yet since this is still her first year, but she has done a pretty good job in wrecking havoc in sumo which is awesome because the corner is somewhat forgotten last year. Plus its because of her we had the 3 round battle segment again.
5.
FonchiFonchi still doesn't talk much, still the very same Fonchi we had last year. The only reason she drop down in my list is because everyone else went up. I'd hope for her to appeal using her Vietnamese though it'll be a really strong weapon to her. But she did do a self intro in Vietnamese sometime ago this year, so that's cool.
Top 10 episodes (in no particular order)
1.
2009 Idoling!!! Awards #600The fact that they get Ishimoto Saori back for this show is already worth the mention. It has all the good stuff that 2009 has to offer in 1 hour and it also mark the beginning of the new proactive Amimi.
2.
Idoling!!! - 20100308 #607 Maji De!!! Futari kiri-ng!!! [#12 Kawamura Yui]The last 5 Maji De!!! Futari kiri-ng!!! are all really good material, since they are all the 5 most whacked out Idoling!!! members. Umeko's episode to me is a bit more fun because its a bit more serious than Amimi's but not as random as Suu-chan or Yurippe. You can still make sense with what she is saying but its wacky nonetheless. Plus this episode made Umeko more cheerful now ^^
3.
Idoling!!! - 20100409 #615 3kisei kara no shitsumon!!!The beginning of all the 3rd gen VS 4th gen rivalries. Its like a 2 totally different show after the CS slot is over, when Kaede took over the tone of the show totally swaps into a super silly self introduction.
4.
Idoling!!! - 20100423 #620 (HD) [OF!!!]IIRC the original 9 members have been saying things like wanting to think out for Masuno on how to improve himself, and in one of the Onegai! Onegai!! fan-sama!!! during the 2nd gen era Masuno also asked for the same thing. Its finally here, and its crazy. I kind of expected Kaede to give really weird answer, but I have no idea what'll it be. The girl just exceeds all expectation. Plus the simulation they did in the episode is epic, especially with Sakacchi getting dumped.
5.
Sumo Series [625,634,648,2hrs special][revival]1st gen's sumo might have really weird flavor to it (flour, stockings and etc), 2nd gen sumo was lame and boring and the sumo suit wasn't even interesting. This year, the sumo matchup is really burning up and everyone is really giving their all. Plus, we get to see Gotou playing a role in the show~
6.
Oshiete Joshi Daise-ng!!![639,649,679][revival]This segment is just perfect with the current lineup. Plus the girls looks like they really need some lesson anyways.
7.
Mania Idol!!! Dodgeball [665,666]I guess there's a good reason why they reserve Nomoto's action in episode 666, she's some little devil during dodgeball. She was beating the crap out of everyone else like cutting through butter...
8.
English Go go go! [703]Been wanting for an English segment and it has finally arrived. Although its nothing like Ayaka's surprise English lesson or any of Thane Camus class... Its chaotic and messy and No My God!!! makes my day.
9.
iisou Shiritori with newbie FujiTV announcer [682]Other than great play with the game, somehow the girls have leveled up their face for this game or something. It would've been very epic if Saitou Maiko joined the game too which is what she is supposed to do but unable to because her hit some monitor a day before and her head is injured. The windblower will open up her wounds again.
10.
Fans Sama Request - we're doing it in our normal clothings!!! [658]Everyone is in the show, personal clothings, Amimi lost her voice, good topics and for the first time ever to see Gotou to blush so much. What's not to like?
Top 10 appearances (Anything else not related to the TV show, any member)
1. Idoling!!! x YGA - Yoshimoto Prince Theater Open Kinen Live 6 DAYS Yoshimoto Shinkigeki with Idol
2. Kikuchi Ami's 1Ami9 radio Show
3. Ukiuki! MIX Girl (kikuchi ami)
4. Nabeacchi (Idoling!!!)
5. Ruri Umeko Nandemo Yarimasuka (Triathlon)
6. MiraMariacchi (Mira , Maria )
7. Keitai Oogiri Sen (idoling!!!)
8. Tokyo Idol Festival (Idoling!!!)
9. Otoko Obaasan (4th gen)
10. Courage Test - Gasshukoku Natsu Yasumi DVD Special
Top 5 songs (A- and B-sides, performances)
1. Poolside Daisakusen
2. Makehende
3. Go East! Go West!
4. Caramel Latte Nomi ni Ikou
5. Moteki No Uta (8th live encore version)
Top 10 releases (i.e CDs, DVDs, Gekkan, photobooks, icecream etc.)
1. Poolside Daisakusen
2. Idoling!!! x YGA - Yoshimoto Prince Theater Open Kinen Live 6 DAYS Yoshimoto Shinkigeki with Idol
3. Idoling!!! DVD Box
4. Natsu Yasumi-ng!!! 2010
5. Gasshukoku 2010 T-shirts
6. TIF's goods
7. Idoling!!! gravure DVD ura no ura
8. the Idoling!!! blu-ray in 3D
9. Umeko's calendar
10. Shinahachi live
wow... that took a long time to write...