Kouhaku Utagassen 2012

[SomethingWild]

The year flew by and the line-up for this year's Kouhaku Utagassen has been confirmed:



Note worthy:
- First appearance by Momoiro Clover Z
- First appearance by YUI
- First appearance by Kyari Pamyu Pamyu
- First appearance by Golden Bomber
- SKE48 appearing as a separate group from AKB48
- No K-pop artists whatsoever
- No Morning Musume despite earlier Oricon prediction

Links:
http://natalie.mu/music/news/80514
http://natalie.mu/music/news/80578

Official site: http://www9.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/

[spec8]

First appearance by Yui right before going on hiatus. :-/

Well, it's a good lineup of artists again, that's for sure. Go "akai teamu"!

[JFC]

- First appearance by YUI

I have to admit, I was surprised when I saw this. I would've figured that she's had a big-enough presence in the J-Music world over the past few years that would've seen her appear on here at least once or even twice before.

- No Morning Musume despite earlier Oricon prediction

Le sigh.

[tsutomo]

well, imo, it's totally comprehensible why they let HP out and put momokuro in. just look at the sales.

I usually don't watch this crap (boring as heeeeeeeeeell) but this year, IF I remember of it in time, I'll watch... the idol groups, ayumi, koda, perfume, mika, yuki, nana... interesting lineup. maybe could have been added some kaela or juju.

[SomethingWild]

well, imo, it's totally comprehensible why they let HP out and put momokuro in. just look at the sales.

Yes, let's look at the sales!

Momoiro Clover Z
Mugen no Ai: 39,858
Otome Sensō: 67,596
Saraba: 73,745

Morning Musume
Renai Hunter: 41,036
One Two Three: 100,598
Wakuteka Take a chance: 81,682

Monring Musume has consistently sold more than Momoclo Z this year. You were saying?

In addition, let's add Kyari to this comparison:

Kyari Pamyu Pamyu
Tsukema Tsukeru: 13,100
Candy Candy: 9,913
Fashion Monster: 21,634

Huge difference with MM's sales this year!

In sum, sales aren't a deciding factor in who gets invited. I think a big portion is media appearances as well.
Momoclo has been in pretty much every big show. Kyari has become an entertainment figure as well.
Same goes for Golden Bomber, because I can't even remember their music but I have seen them in various shows.

[eyeless]

^
Actually I agree with you, sales is not the only factor. But for Momoclo's pride, I have to point this

Number of sales until today

Momoiro Clover Z
Mugen no Ai 82,458
Otome Sensou  104,180
Saraba 73,745

Morning Musume
Renai Hunter 49,232
one two three 110,475
Wakuteka 88,977

So, this sentence "Monring Musume has consistently sold more than Momoclo Z this year." is not true 

I don't have to mention DVD & Bluray sales right? as well as digital sales

[tsutomo]

ok, my bad. I thought they were selling way more than Momusu since they appear a lot more everywhere in campaigns, ads... while Momusu... I can't even remember the last time I saw them. thought they were getting gold certifications in all their releases.

though it still stands the fact that it is comprehensible why they were invited and Momusu, not. right?

[SomethingWild]

Yeah, all fair points. I just wanted to point out MM's first week sales have been a lot better than they used to be in the past years.

Very excited about Momoiro Clover Z. If they do Mugen no Ai I'm hoping for another choir/live guitars performance like at that Xmas live.

About YUI, I also would have expected her to have appeared in around 2008/2009. As far as I know she just came back from a hiatus