(Bit Late I Know) Looking Back on 2013

Overall, I would say that in the mad world of Hello!Project 2013 pretty much took over where 2012 left off. The prominence of electronic music continued to rise, the groups became, if anything, even more dance focused and we saw more one-off units courtesy of Satoyama/Satoumi.

I doubt anyone remembers but this time last year I had a list of 'Hopes for 2013'. And now is the perfect time to see whether any of my dreams were realised.


Hopes for 2013

• Morning Musume. C-ute and S-mileage continue in their current style - This definitely happened.
• Berryz finally find a niche . . . please? - This never really happened...
• Better quality album tracks for all - S/mileage had a great album this year but other studio albums have been naff.
• Some more serious Buono! No more of the fluffy 'sherbet' nonsense. - Buono seems to have died a bit of a death.
• Less cheap looking concert costumes. - There were some nice ones in the summer concert I suppose.
• A successful acting career for Mano - In the unpromising world of ex-idols I'd say she's doing alright.
• More MVs shot outside? - Once again, thanks Satoyama.
• New photobooks for Risako and Miyabi - Miyabi-yes!, Risako-this year maybe?

 Best Single

 This double A-side single was the perfect representation of this era of Morning Musume and put their previous effort (Brainstorming/Kimi Sae Ireba Nani Mo Iranai) to shame.

Best Album

S/mileage's second studio album was, in my opinion, one of the best Hello!Project albums in recent year. Full of great singles such as 'Suki yo Junjou Hankouki' and 'Samui ne' and quality album tracks such as 'Shin Nippon no Susume' and 'Otona no Tochuu' this album is far and away the best one H!P has offered this year.

Best Outfits

Back to 'Ai no Gundan'. These outfit were just brilliant. This isn't the best picture but I love the fact that they are uniform but still have variety, match the theme of the song and looked great in the dance.

 

I also have a bit of a soft spot for these retro ensembles from Juice=Juice. I love the more casual vibe this new group have been given in terms of outfits and these are just adorable. And they look even better in the dance shot of the music video for 'Hajimete no Keiken Chuu'.

Best Music Video

I don't think there's been any particular stand outs this year but I do rather like the stylish feel to this one.


Members that have stood out well in  2013!

•  Fukumura Mizuki - Her performance level is so much higher than it was a year ago and since Reina's graduation she has moved into the forefront. 
• Ishida Ayumi - Ayumi is now much more than Riho's sidekick and has a powerful presence that I can't really describe
• Shimizu Saki - Saki can really work both the camera and the audience now and if she was a more consistent vocalist I am sure would be at the front with Miya and Risako
• Nakanishi Kana - With the whole 'Yataruchan' campaign Kana has really come into her own and found her niche within the group. Her singing and dancing have also improved considerably and I think we could be seeing a lot more of her.
• Kanazawa Tomoko - I don't think many people new much about Tomoko before she was placed in Juice=Juice but I immediately found myself wondering how she wasn't an idol already. One to watch, definitely.