OK so I already wrote a post above but there are so many angles to look at this, watch me post again. lol
Let's look at the "requirements" again
as translated by the lovely lilcazza
10-17 year old girls who love singing, please gather around!
(1)私はとっても元気で明るいです!
(1)I'm really
lively and bright!
(2)私は歌が大好きなので、歌手になりたいです!
(2)I love to sing so I want to be a singer!
(3)私は芸能界にあこがれています!
(3)I want to be a part of the showbiz world!
(4)私はもっとカワイクなりたいです!
(4)
I want to be more cute!
(5)私の才能を見つけてください!
(5)
Please find my talent!
(6)私は今はまだ自信はないけど、いつかきっと輝く日が来るはずです!
(6)I have no confidence now but that bright day will come someday!
(7)私は自信はないけど、周りのみんなが推薦してくれるのでがんばります!
(7)I have no confidence but people around me recommended this so I'll try my best!
(8 )私が芸能界に入らなければ、この先芸能界はつまらなくなると思っています!
(8 )I have to enter the showbiz world, I think the showbiz world now is boring!
(9)私は芸能界でナンバー1になる自信があります!
(9)I have the confidence to be number 1 in the showbiz world!
(10)私はモーニング娘。(ハロー!プロジェクト)が大好きです
(10)I love Morning Musume (Hello! Project)
The ones I didn't bold I assume already apply to H!P Eggs because they won that audition already.
The bits I did bold are what I assume to be the most important requirements when it comes to choosing from the Eggs.
10-17 year old girlsAs it turns out, some Eggs would already be above the age limit: Hirano, Tanaka, Sengoku, Kikkawa and Furukawa. (But if the agency/Tsunku really wanted to choose one of these, I don't think their age would be an issue. Still, better be mentally prepared that these girls might be automatically OUT)
Even if the lowest age is 10, I somehow find it very difficult that a girl this young would actually be chosen, just because the songs that Momusu has recently released require some 'inner maturity' (Shouganai Yume Oibito), have more grown dance routines (Kimagure Princess) or require particular confidence/boldness in singing the lines (Moonlight Night) that I don't see a 10-year-old being able to do. So even if the audition says the minimum age is 10, in my mind I'm setting it to 12-13. ROFL
Based on this, at least Karin, Nanami and Haruka would be OUT.
I want to be more cuteIt should be remembered that most Momusu audition winners have been raw/hidden beauties or cuties, where it takes time for them to really bloom. Like when they're first chosen, fans go like "WTF IS THIS UGLY GIRL", then later see what it was all about. I'd say there are still many Eggs who are raw beauties (tho not exactly ugly), partly because of their age and partly because Eggs just don't get the same level of styling that MM, Berryz, C-ute, S/mileage do. So that's one reason why Eggs are still good to go.
Also, the girls who generally pass a MM audition have a totally new type of beauty; they're not really comparable to anyone who came before. Like Koharu didn't look like anyone, and Aika doesn't look like anyone. Luckily many Eggs fit this category. But there are some girls that instantly stand out as 'hey, that is new', whether in good or bad, and I specifically remember Manoeri giving me that impression when I first saw her (and now she's a solo singer). Some others like that were Kitahara, Fukumura and Takeuchi, possibly Satou as well.
Please find my talentEven if Eggs have had Shinjin Kouens, it's not nearly the same as being in Morning Musume. They've had some chances to test their talents, but I think they are still 'raw' enough for more discoveries. There is still potential to poke around. But I have to admit that the newer Eggs are at an advantage when it comes to this.
I'm really
lively and brightArguably one of the most important skills for a Momusu member is to SMILE. I think the reason why Kikkawa initially wasn't chosen for MM was because she didn't used to be much of a smiling girl (but I think she is now). So I'd just like to point out that Akari has a lovely, bright smile
(PLEASE CHOOSE AKARI)
Other than that, I think the "lively and bright" thing fits all of the H!P Eggs. They wouldn't have passed the Egg audition if it wasn't for it... So me babbling about this is a but redundant lol
ANYWAY Since I'm cheering for Akari, here is why she should be chosen:
- She is 15, possibly the best age for a new member (not disturbingly young, but not too old)
- She is a 1st gen Egg who's had training and experience, so even if there is still room to improve, she will be ready to go instantly on stage, which seems to have been a requirement for Tsunku in the Korean H!P audition (which was the most recent audition and gives an idea of what he's looking for NOW)
- Both in looks and talent she is promising, but still raw and could really bloom nicely
- She is lively and bright lol
- She can do both
songs and fierce songs, see Aa!
- Her voice doesn't resemble any previous MM member
- She's my favourite
- If there is any reason why she didn't make S/mileage, THIS should be it (aka, saving her for something else)
- She may not talk that often, but when she does, she usually says something unexpected (see her H!P DVD Mag talk)
- Because she's a 'good girl' who studies, I fear that unless she gets a more secure role in the idol world, she'll quit the business sooner or later to focus on studies.... and that would break my heart (not that Tsunku cares lol)