What do you know, post #999, and I'm using it in support of the 9th generation.
The screenshots I've providing here are from 2001 when Yuko was on her way out of the group, and I think she says all that really needs to be said about Morning Musume. So far the most prominent complaint I've seen towards the new girls is their ages and the resulting age gap that will now exist...yet one only needs to look at the history of the group to see that there has been precedent for this kind of thing. In fact, there are two points in MM's history that come to mind where they established such a pronounced age gap, and both of those times were followed by eras of prosperity for the group. If history holds true, I think we have plenty to look forward to this year for Hello Project.
Just look at who we have coming into the group. It's tempting to compare them to 6th gen, especially how it's 3 new girls with a veteran (who coincidentally goes by the name of Mi* Fu* )...but I think another valid comparison might be to the legendary 4th generation. Kanon and Erina seem to show excitement for each other in that one Tsunku meeting scene, which reminded me of the Tsuji-Kago comraderie that was being built during the Asayan audition training camp. Riho looks ready to put in work right off the bat and will probably adapt quickly to whatever's thrown at her, much like how Rika was able to take on any challenge that came her way. I guess that leaves Fuku-chan to be compared to Yossy, but I'm not sure how to make the connection...they're both the tallest of their respective generations?
Plus DJ Maimai almost had it right in regards to the youngest ever members...9th gen is actually the youngest of the non-solo generations, beating out none other than 4th gen for lowest average debut age (13 years 2 months for 9th, 13 years 9 months for 4th). Youth movement at a time when the oldest member is in her mid-twenties? All we need now is for Dance Man to start taking over the arrangements again.
If the goal of the auditions is to immediately take on the AKB juggernaut, then I'm now convinced more than ever that the right girls were chosen for the job.
As some of you may know, I'm still a relative n00b to the H!P fandom, this new generation along with the recent triple graduation being the first major roster overhaul I get to witness in real time. When I first jumped on board in 2009 I thought I arrived just in time to see things start to pick up again for Morning Musume, what with the Anime Expo appearance and UFA officially opening its commercial doors to western markets...but as it turned out, my personal speculation of a coming return to glory was shot dead, as 2010 seemed to play out like the group might be on its last legs: members leaving, lowest single sales in group history, getting eclipsed by the competition. However, now that the graduations are done and the new kids have been selected, perhaps my optimistic speculation was simply one year premature....that perhaps I, despite my severe lateness, actually did pick a great time to become a fan. I guess we'll see how things play out this year, as Morning Musume still continues to exist and survive somehow.
WTF AM I DOING POSTING AT 5 IN THE MORNING
Topic: The Morning Musume 9th Generation Thread (Read 177393 times)