[Discuss] Personality shift?

[shadowstar]

So far, I've heard from a number of people that they liked Maki better back in her MM days and/or her early solo career because she seemed more warm and approachable back then, as compared to now where you would perhaps be more hesitant to strike up a conversation with her, for example.

And that ironically, she seemed friendlier and more open when she was much more popular, as compared to nowadays (lower sales, etc).

This is just what I've observed so far. What do you guys think?

[romi]

Her image has been changing alot...but not her personality at all I think. It's pretty evident in the making of videos, where you can see she has not change abit at all.

I can't say much details here, but from friends that has first hand encounters with her (as recent as a month ago), she is just as friendly as when she first debut. It has nothing to do with popularity or sales. I will not doubt our girl. Nothing has change at all.

I think what happens is that people cannot accept her more recent sexy image. ;_;

[Time Bokan]

In real life, she is just nicest person I have ever met.

[shadowstar]

Her image has been changing alot...but not her personality at all I think. It's pretty evident in the making of videos, where you can see she has not change abit at all.

I can't say much details here, but from friends that has first hand encounters with her (as recent as a month ago), she is just as friendly as when she first debut. It has nothing to do with popularity or sales. I will never doubt our girl. Nothing has change at all.

I think what happens is that people cannot accept her more recent sexy image. ;_;

I agree with you all the way, romi. I mean sure, her personality has matured to a certain degree, but that's natural. People can't expect her to act like a 13 year old forever.

I'm glad she still pulls silly faces at the camera after all these years, and remains playful and fun even though she's already an adult. I guess this newer, sexier image has given some people this idea that it results in a 'colder' or diva attitude.

Universus also talked about how nice and polite she was when he met her at the family restaurant, and that it's probably a result of her family, who are the same.

[xDeviLx]

She's just a bit peaceful and not reveal herself in public that much. While ayaya and rika have their own radio show to talk about how's their life going, Gocchin in another side keep her life private. And i agree with romi, there's s.th about her recent image that pp cant accept or not get used to yet. Her personality.., well from what i noticed, she's like a shy girl. If u notice her from backstage vid from hp concert 03,04,05, she probably talk less compare with the others and from what everyone know, Maki's personality is more mature than her age since her debut

[romi]

Yes!! That's right, our girl is shy!

[makistar]

I haven't had the luxury to meet her in person :evil:but from eye-stalking her for 6 years I feel that she's still the same shy girl from the audition.

[xDeviLx]

yeah ... look at the mc part of Maki and Rika in HPP06. When rika asks Maki to do a wink-eye like what she did in Love Machine PV. Her reaction was like.., "do i really has to do this? .. i'm shy ... " then she turn back and smile. That's mad cute

[Linus]

Her image has been changing alot...but not her personality at all I think. It's pretty evident in the making of videos, where you can see she has not change abit at all.

I can't say much details here, but from friends that has first hand encounters with her (as recent as a month ago), she is just as friendly as when she first debut. It has nothing to do with popularity or sales. I will not doubt our girl. Nothing has change at all.

I think what happens is that people cannot accept her more recent sexy image. ;_;

I agree with you at all.

[whiteAngel2]

i don't think she is shy or not confident i think she's just humble and modest type person and always been like that. Though really i have say her new image may not change her personality and probably still is the same person, but i think its very hard to see past this new image of hers which is why i think it can reflect on the way you feel current personality as a change from the past. For example that innocense aura she once had about her probably isn't as visible anymore, But she's grown up now can't be like that forever to continue on

[romi]

i don't think she is shy ....

For example that innocense aura she once had about her probably isn't as visible anymore

She is shy. ^^ It's hard to explain but it's true.

And about the innocense aura, it is as evident to me as before.

[shadowstar]

i don't think she is shy

Different people express their shyness in different ways. Some are open about their shyness and end up blushing and giggling over things for example, but others like Maki, remain quiet and seemingly "distant". But it's not an attitude problem, she's just shy in a different way.

[reine]

I agree with the general consensus here, personality wise she hasn't changed that much she was always reserved and shy even back in the MM days (notice in talk show she rarely talks unless she's talked to). It's the sexy image thing that many people can't seem to handle.

[whiteAngel2]

And about the innocense aura, it is as evident to me as before.

i guess thats my opinion

the shyness thing has she said this about herself before if yes ok case ended, if not then yes i agree, she does sometimes remain quiet or even distant but i don't see that a sign of shyness, Yeah she might not be the most talkative or self praising such as Yaguchi or Rika but i do think she does speak up when she wants to, which to me means she's not really afraid or shy at all. i just dont think you need to be the one to demand attention to be not considered shy.

[JFC]

In real life, she is just nicest person I have ever met.

You've actually met her?

[Yoshitsune]

yup gocchin is shy in her own way, and i suppose she doesnt wanna talk much about her own life because she dont want to coz any conversation that will be an advantage for the paparazzi, we all know how popular gocchin is, and the paparazzi is like stalking her 24hr, so its like shy + self-defensing same time.
back then when she was in mm, i suppose when one person is in a group they wont stalk u so much, but now gocchin is solo, so she just have to be a bit more careful of the paparazzi. so she is just being on-guard 24/7. her personality hasnt change at all, just being more careful ^O^ a few months ago i thought she had kinda change somehow like she was cold, she was extremely quiet on HMs but after watching some making of, like GNP, she was her adorable self again. then i realize back on hm she is just being her shy-old self when she is around every1. so she havent change, except being more n more like an artist and looking more beautiful everyday ^O^

[zoolander]

There is no shift in her personality from what I can tell. I think what people see as a change in personality is actually.

a. The natural maturing process that everyone goes through.
b. The fact that her last couple singles haven't lent her to show her goofy nature in the media as much.

I think if you saw her in her daily life or in situations where she can let loose, she would be the same as always. Even back in the day she could seem bored and quiet on some shows. But if she was on a show where she was allowed or forced to be involved, you could see how much her personallity really can shine, and I think the same is true today.

PS: I just watched the Hello Morning episode a few days ago with her 2004 fanclub Hawaii thing. I couldn't believe how open and friendly she was. It was really refreshing to see she genuinely enjoys being with her fans.

[devilayu]

I don't know if it's so much a personality change as it is coaching. There's no doubt in my mind that she has been trained to smile a certain way during interviews and has been coached to keep her idol image. That's why I like shows like Utaban a lot because the hosts shatter any kind of composure with their craziness.

[Time Bokan]

I think Gocchin is shy on her own way.
Actually I feel the shyness is her family thing. Most of their family are not talkative and quite shy.

Also Gocchin is a very humble, down to earth and straight-forward girl.
She isn't so good at hiding her feelings and pretending. But honest and frank.

I remember the one night when I met her in person for the first time back in 2004.
She was talking randomly in a place. There were like 20 some of us.
Some guys talked to her but I never did. I was just watching.
Then, on a moment, her eyes met mines. What would I do?
I just nodded to her with no reason.

Her reaction to that?
She did nothing. Not smiled. But not averted from my eyes either.
She was just looking at me. One mysterious glance.
You know, 80% of idols would choose to give a meaningless smile at the same situation.
But our innocent gocchin doesn't know how to fabricate impression.

I thought I was dreaming.
She is a true Goddess.

[YoukaiChica]

I agree with everything that everyone has been saying. I think Maki's personality hasn't really changed, but her image has been the thing to change. A friend and I were watching the making of Foxy Fungo and she mentioned that maybe they're trying to mature Gocchin because she has a slighty childish personality. Making faces and playing with the shadows. But that's what makes Maki so great. When she let's loose she seems like a normal person just dealing with her job.