POST #1000 DEDICATED TO RIKA ISHIKAWABecause if it weren't for her, this website wouldn't exist.


(I just found this on the Picroda...anyone wanna take credit?

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I COMFESS that when I first started becoming interested in Morning Musume, Rika didn't have an immediate impact on me. She was the last 4th gen member I learned about, and one of the later MM members whose name and face I was able to connect. But a combination of pure beauty and the connection with Yossy/4th gen/the '85ers meant a need to pay more attention to her, and the more I did the more I gained appreciation for her...the cute/funny English lessons with Ayaka, the Charmy character, the monologues in the middle of two of the most epic MM songs ever, the legendary interactions with Okamura and Kagaku-kun, the huge image switch into Hangry & Angry. And of course, let's not forget DAT ASS.

Gotta respect/admire the dedication and work ethic as well, with her holding the record for participating in the most H!P units ever. Even with TV shows teasing her about her intense fear of birds, as entertaining and silly as it was, it was also another point of respect to see her face her phobias head on like that in the quest to bring smiles to everyone. Some of you may remember that crazy thread I created last year in which I compared the MM girls to football player positions, but perhaps basketball might be a better comparison, and Rika comes off as the player who, despite having questionable shooting ability, I would want to start and keep on the floor, confident that she can last all 48 minutes making plays, diving for loose balls, and just giving 110% dedication. She's like the Ron Artest of this shit, except not as crazy and looks way better in a bikini.

Charming, athletic, confident, sexy, professional, a sweet voice that's hard to resist despite the musical limitations (and sometimes because of the limitations even). It's understandable that someone like her would have her fair share of haters, but I never worried about such people, because if anything they're the ones missing out.
To think, she was actually in my neck of the woods last October! Doing photoshoots even!

I do hope to one day see her in person, but until then I'll continue to admire her from afar, reading her blog and keeping an eye out for TV appearances and new music. Rika may not be my absolute #1 favorite, but she always manages to make a hard case to consider her.
石川梨華さん、ずっと頑張って下さい! 