The Kago Ai Thread (加護亜依)

[shainingj]

some kinda policy of Up-Front!?!?!?

That means, as long as other 4th gen are in Up-Front... NO REUNION!!!   

[J-Triumf]

^ Don't count out your reunion hopes completely just yet, because it looks like Kago's ready to make a comeback!

http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/2013/08/15/%E3%81%94%E5%A0%B1%E5%91%8A/
http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0055591

She just announced that she's signed to a new agency called Ifuu Hyouhyou; I can't seem to find any info on the company other than Google results leading to that blog post and a 2ch thread discussing it.

In any case, congrats Aibon!

EDIT: Here's the agency's website - http://ifhh.jp

It's certainly a brand new company, having began operations in June of this year; right now she's the only talent signed. It's also a very slow website, so good luck accessing it.

Lots of news reports on her comeback:
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2013/08/15/kiji/K20130815006423640.html
http://www.narinari.com/Nd/20130822635.html
http://news24.jp/entertainment/news/1629586.html
http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1269385

As well as the obligatory computer animation report!

[JFC]

^
Looks like the hopes of her making a comeback might not be that far off after all.

Kago Ai is getting ready to return to the entertainment industry
August 23, 2013 @ 4:16 am

On August 23, former Morning Musume member Kago Ai revealed through her official website that she has started voice training and is getting ready to return to the entertainment industry.

Kago wrote, "My natural voice is a little husky. The voice wears with age." She continued, "I had voice training yesterday♪ in a way I've never done before... I wanted to change the quality of my vocals."

Kago recently announced that she would be resuming her activities through her new agency 'Ifuu Hyou Hyou'. According to the agency, she has also started dance lessons in preparation of her return.

FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/08/kago-ai-is-getting-ready-to-return-to-the-entertainment-industry

[JFC]

No idea how reliable the original Japanese source (Shukan Jitsuwa) is, but a "trademark" issue over one's actual name is definitely one of the more unique hurdles I've heard of anyone having to overcome.

Trademark problems next hurdle for ex-Morning Musume member Ai Kago

A conflict over the usage of the name “Ai Kago” may force the former member of the all-girl idol group Morning Musume into the porn industry, reports Shukan Jitsuwa (Sept. 12).

In an entry on her blog dated August 15, the 25-year-old Kago said that she would be joining agency Ifuhyohyo in an effort to resurrect her career. “For all my fans looking forward to my return, I hope to do my best,” she wrote.

One person not looking forward to her return is Kazuyuki Ito, the president of Mainstream, her former agency. The president says that a stipulation in the termination of her contract in March of this year was an inability to continue using Ai Kago, which is in fact her real name but also one that the agency claims to have registered as a trademark December 11, 2009.

According to Nikkan Sports (Aug. 21), Kago is her mother’s maiden name. “At the time the trademark papers were filed, her mother was calling herself Ikeda (the name of her father). So the trademark registration is not her real name,” a person from Mainstream is quoted.

The conflict is yet another twist in the troubled life of star.

Kago “graduated” from Morning Musume in 2004. Three years later, she dropped out of the entertainment world after being reprimanded by her agency at the time for a scandal in which was photographed smoking a cigarette. With Kago effectively blackballed in the industry, she joined Mainstream a year later.

In 2009, Kago engaged in an affair with actor Hidejiro Mizumoto. Mainstream, according to Shukan Jitsuwa, paid two million yen in consolation money to the actor’s wife, who had filed for divorce due to the relationship.

On September 7, 2011, Kago’s then boyfriend, Haruhiko Ando, a known affiliate of members of the Yamaguchi-gumi crime syndicate, was arrested for attempted extortion. Kago was interviewed by police at the time of the arrest.

Four days later, she attempted suicide by slashing her wrists inside her apartment in Tokyo. In December, she married Ando, who is in charge of agency Ifuhyohyo.

That same year, according to Nikkan Sports, Kago’s father changed his name from Ikeda to Kago.

Mainstream’s Ito says that he will take action if Kago continues with her plans to make a comeback. “If she goes on television using that stage name as it is, I’ll file a usage fee claim.” (The agency’s Web site still includes images of Kago.)

“Because television stations dislike trouble, they won’t use her unless she changes her name,” says an industry insider.

Speculation is that she is resuming her career due to financial trouble. With yet another door closing, the world of adult video may be her only option. “If she debuts in AV, it’ll be tough for her to get 50 million yen,” says the aforementioned source.

The price for injustice is heavy, laments Shukan Jitsuwa. (A.T.)

Source: “Ippon 5000manen AV debyuu,” Shukan Jitsuwa (Sept. 12, page 48)

Note: Brief extracts from Japanese vernacular media in the public domain that appear here were translated and summarized under the principle of “fair use.” Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the translations. However, we are not responsible for the veracity of their contents. The activities of individuals described herein should not be construed as “typical” behavior of Japanese people nor reflect the intention to portray the country in a negative manner. Our sole aim is to provide examples of various types of reading matter enjoyed by Japanese.

FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2013/08/30/porn-biz-may-be-next-stop-for-ai-kago/

I did some Google-sleuthing, and found what may be the Shukan Jitsuwa article on which this was based (verification by anyone who can read kanji would be appreciated).
http://wjn.jp/article/detail/2250470/

[J-Triumf]

The name issue doesn't seem to be stopping Kago from making moves: she appears to be starting a new group???
http://www.diamondblog.jp/girls_project/


Looking for girls from the Tokyo area from ages 15 to 21, with separate categories for music, lyrics, and costume. It seems to be a co-production between Diamondblog and her agency.

[Daisuki Daiiyo]

Some updates on Kago's Girl Group Project. They've started putting up video from the first round of auditions (from which, there are 15 finalists).










It seems that they're starting a second round of auditions too, in order to have more applicants to choose from. The deadline for the 2nd wave is January 19th, and the age limit for the second round has been raised to 25. I am hoping to see some entrants of that age make it in, it gives me hope lol. The interesting thing about the first group of finalists, is that Kaga Remi (former BackstagePass Member, the group that works and performs out of Tsunku's cafe) is among them. They're at the second round of screening now, and I think only 3 finalists from the original 15 passed? I'm not sure, my Japanese is pretty non-existant lol.

More photos of the auditionees here, along with info regarding the 3rd screening: http://www.diamondblog.jp/girls_project/member/1st_index.php

[kuro808]

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!

[b8067hc]

Happy Birthday Aibon, happy 24th bday (she's still that young!!!)

[oaxiac]

Happy Birthday Aibon! 

One of the first H!P related clips I saw -- Kago/Tsuji meet James Brown









http://sumomona.tumblr.com/post/75446873610/my-fave-little-idiots-practicing-english

[muppet]

Oaxiac san, James Brown clip is great fun!! Thanks!!

Happy Birthday to a beautiful and talented young woman!
Ai san will always have my best wishes for good health and much happiness,
To her and her family!

お誕生日おめでとうございます！！！




With thanks to this tumblr
http://piffon-miharu.tumblr.com/tagged/ai-kago

[oaxiac]

I caught the last few minutes of "The Haunting Lover" on a local cable channel yesterday.

Seeing Aibon dubbed in Tagalog has a surreal quality to it   

[JFC]

Hello!Online Twitter
Kago Ai's new group "Girls Beat!!" will release their debut single "Sekai Seifuku" on July 22

LINKS
- https://twitter.com/hello_online/status/474207575177576448
- http://www.diamondblog.jp/girls_project/member/

[oaxiac]

Hello!Online Twitter
Kago Ai's new group "Girls Beat!!" will release their debut single "Sekai Seifuku" on July 22

Aibon 

I can't wait to hear her sing again.

Original versions of the songs from the competition (note:These are just samples, the single may end up sounding quite different) :

       世界征服 (Sekaiseifuku)      http://creofuga.net/songs/28042
       Make Up The Happiness!!   http://creofuga.net/songs/29944

[JFC]

Follow-up on her new group's upcoming debut:

Kago Ai forms 3-member girls unit + debut in July
June 6, 2014

Kago Ai has formed a new 3-member girls unit called Girls Beat!!, and they will be releasing their first single "Sekai Seifuku" on July 22.
 
Girls Beat!! is a girls unit project in which the members, songs, lyrics, costumes, choreography, and performance will be decided by the fans. Currently, there are 3 members, who are Kago Ai, Kita Remi, and Himeno Ryona. They will hold their debut live on July 26 at Asakusa Rokku Yumemachi Gekijou. Following the unit's concept "one member, one talent", the girls will each show off their special skill during the live.

Source: natalie

LINKS
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/kago-ai-forms-3-member-girls-unit-debut-in-july
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/118222

[oaxiac]

[oaxiac]

Kago Ai’s new idol group Girls Beat!! will stream debut on niconico

It was announced the debut of idol group Girls Beat!! live from Asakusa Rokku Yumemachi Gekijou will take place July 26th on niconico live starting at 18:30 JST.

The group was formed after the Minna de Tsukuru! Girl Unit Project audition held earlier this year. It’s led by ex-Morning Musume Ai Kago and includes Ryona Himeno and former AKIHABARA Backstage pass member Kita Remi.

Girls Beat!! has the concept “one girl, one talent”; each girl showcasing their individual talent. If you weren’t aware (I wasn’t), Kago Ai is a skilled tap dancer, Kita Remi will show off her baton twirling, and Ryona Himeno is a human beat box. During their live, they will use their skills to perform the fourth single of the Morning Musume subgroup Minimoni ‘Mini Strawberry Pie.’

Their debut single ‘Sekai Seifuku‘ will be available July 22.

http://aramajapan.com/news/kago-ais-new-girl-group-girls-beat-will-stream-debut-on-niconico/3110/

[oaxiac]

[muppet]

oaxiac san, arigatou!!

Ai san looks so fit and happy in the tape,
and indeed she has become a beautiful woman!!

[JFC]

New website for the group: http://girls-beat.com/


And a short PV of what I'm guessing is their soon-to-be first single:

[oaxiac]