Kudou Haruka12, from Saitama
Haropuro Egg for 1 year, 6 months
Husky voice
Why she'd be a good pick:
It's Haruka! She's an amazing talker and has tons of theater experience as an Egg.
Plus she's utterly cute!
Why she might not be picked:
Being this young and experienced already, she might have overconfidence issues.
Might be too young, as shown by her crying her eyes out in next week's preview.
I'm still waiting for Tsunku to make a group out of her, Karin, and Nanami.
Iikubo Haruna16, from Tokyo
[don't know what this part says]
Why she'd be a good pick:
Very distinctive looks.
She's got a deer-like look to her that is very striking.
Distinctive = memorable.
Why she might not be picked:
Too old. She's 16 already!
The last time someone her age was picked without special circumstances was in 1998.
Satou Masaki12, from Hokkaido
Piano lessons since age 2
Mom is a huge fan of Morning Musume
Why she'd be a good pick:
Fresh looks.
Lots of musical experience, so she should have good pitch and rhythm.
Hokkaido!
Why she might not be picked:
Really having to stretch here, but her face might not be as memorable.
I think she has a good chance if her youth doesn't get the best of her in the camp.
Tashima Meru11, from Fukuoka
No prior singing or dancing experience
[don't know what this part says]
Why she'd be a good pick:
Seems to have good energy and smile when singing.
Good raw material for polishing: she could benefit greatly from a H!P makeover.
Gives me kind of a Zukki vibe.
Why she might not be picked:
Doesn't look or sound that great.
Even with a Zukki vibe, she doesn't compare favorably.
Oogami Hinako13, from Osaka
4 years jazz dance, 2 years karate
Self-declared H!P otaku
Why she'd be a good pick:
Distinctive looks, but see below.
Why she might not be picked:
Frankly, her looks kinda creep me out.
Miyagi Ayumi11, from Osaka
6 years dance experience
Dreams of being a talent like Yaguchi Mari
Why she might not be picked:
Didn't make a big impression...
Why she'd be a good pick:
...Which is why Tsunku might pick her.
(I know, backwards isn't it?)
Miwa Satsuki12, from Osaka
Tried out for 9th gen audition
Admires Takahashi Ai
Why she'd be a good pick:
Enthusiastic enough to try out multiple times.
Why she might not be picked:
Looks aren't that distinctive.
Ishida Ayumi14, from Miyagi
2 years singing and dancing experience
High-powered performer
Why she'd be a good pick:
Has impact.
Has kind of an old-timey idol look.
Why she might not be picked:
Her smile looks like she's going to eat someone. O_O
Possible previous performance work might be a minus?
Tanaka Fuuka12, from Miyagi
6 years singing and dancing experience
Dreams of being a talent like Yaguchi Mari
Why she'd be a good pick:
Eye-catching even from 2 seconds of footage from last week.
One of my top picks.
Why she might not be picked:
I can't really think of a valid reason.
Murakami Sara13, from Miyagi
No prior singing or dancing experience but
good sense of rhythm from drums & taiko
Why she'd be a good pick:
Good rhythm is critical for performance.
Her voice sounds great already, which is only made more appealing by the fact that she's untrained.
She seems like she could add some bite to the lineup.
Why she might not be picked:
Can't think of a valid reason.
Overall, my favorites in order are Kudou Haruka, Tanaka Fuuka, Murakami Sara, and Satou Masaki.
Going through with my interpretation of Tsunku-logic, I'm thinking one or two picks, maybe 3 at the most.
Sadly, I think that would mean Haruka won't make it out of those 4.
Also, I wonder if the notes for Miyagi Ayumi and Tanaka Fuuka were mixed up?
They are near-identical, which is a little odd to me.
It's also a little odd how there's so many girls from Osaka and Miyagi in these finalists, especially considering that no previous members have ever come from those prefectures.