MOMONA 101 [ME:I 2nd Single "Hi-Five" on 8/28 ; #1 on Billboard HOT 100]

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ME:I will be on the cover of "smart" magazine May 2024 issue, release is March 25th. There will be 12 pages and a cardboard card.

https://store.tkj.jp/shopdetail/000000017390/

The men's fashion magazine "smart" is a monthly magazine published by Takarajimasha and goes on sale on the 25th of every month.

The DNA of "smart" is a "street bible for a new generation" aimed mainly at men in their late teens and 20s. It is not only simple and clever, but also delivers free and powerful Tokyo trends (fashion, beauty, and culture).

In addition to sneakers and other daily street wear, the magazine also offers a wide variety of high-quality, long-lasting "aspirational" adult items and outfits.

Men's beauty, which is gaining momentum as men's beauty awareness rises, carefully explains skin care, hair care, and fragrances for the entry-level segment. We are also quick to pick up on movements that have gone one step further, such as men's nail care and shared cosmetics.

The magazine pursues "real fashion" with "true heroes of Generation Z," including popular actors and artists, athletes, comedians, and influencers.

https://smartmag.jp/about/

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Real Sound will be publishing articles introducing and analyzing each ME:I member

ME:I Member #10: Ebihara Tsuzumi, The Utahime of the group who takes her fans and her music seriously.



When it was recently announced that ME:I had been selected for the cover and cover story of the regular edition of "ViVi April 2024" (Kodansha), the magazine was sold out on various online sites. This was another reminder to the world that even before their debut, they had already been highly regarded by the public.

From ME:I, which continues to gain momentum, we pick up the Utahime Ebihara Tsuzumi, who joined the group after placing 10th in the final ranking. We would like to examine her performance during the audition period and what kind of appeal she will bring as a member of the group.

The appeal of her singing voice is that it is so powerful that it soars high into the sky. When the auditions began, the first thing that surprised viewers was the placement test conducted at the beginning of the program. As soon as Ebihara's group sang "WANNABE -Japanese Ver." by the five-member Korean girl group ITZY, vocal trainer Lee Hong Ki was so taken aback that he said, "What is this, What is this?" He then asked Ebihara, "Can you sing a song for us?" She then sang Aimyon's "Ai wo Tsutaetaidatoka" with a guitar in her hand, and the words "so skilled" leaked out from the trainees and the trainer.



Ebihara's name is synonymous with singing. There is no doubt that she will lead the group as a vocal line with Takami Ayane and Iida Shizuku, whom we have already introduced.

The singing of these two songs, when I look back at them again, seem to have slightly different charms. In "WANNABE -Japanese Ver.", she never wavers while dancing hard, but sings high notes with a sense of stability as if she is on solid ground. In contrast, in "Ai wo Tsutaetaidatoka", she modulates the volume of her voice in the part where he should accentuate and in the part before that.




Of course, the appeal of her vocal variations is not limited to these two songs. Ebihara positively sang "Body & Soul" by SPEED in the group battle and "Hero" by Amuro Namie in the position battle. In both songs, I remember the expression on her face as she sang with a comfortable expression, with a high tone voice that seemed to penetrate with ease.

In other words, Ebihara's appeal is not just her ability to produce beautiful high notes or her skill. Another attraction is the way she delights her fans each time she sings, performs, and expresses her own interpretation of the concept of the song.

Ebihara also has the viewpoint of a supporter of idols. This seemed to be supported by the fact that at the end of the audition, when each participant was asked to put their treasures in a time capsule, Ebihara put in a case containing a collection of trading cards of the idols she had promoted. I think it is because I have been on the cheering side that I have a high resolution of how she should appear to her fans when she stands on stage.

The author believes that Ebihara will continue to develop her skills and be sincere to her fans after her debut. In this sense, we can expect not only singing and performance, but also creative activities such as stage direction and songwriting.

https://realsound.jp/2024/02/post-1579214.html
https://realsound.jp/2024/02/post-1579214_2.html

[HaruKaze]

ME:I posted their debut concept trailer. The video shows new visuals for the members.

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I love the concept! I'm excited for their debut!

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The concept trailer is trending #1 on Japan Youtube
https://yttrendz.com/youtube-trends/japan

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The headphones that Momona and the others are wearing, have a symbol from Gundam (earth federation space force) on them. It also has Anaheim Electronics label on the side too.









Momona in the future, is a sword wielding, Gundam pilot, protecting the planet.

[Amped]

ME:I Debut Single Promotion Schedule

https://twitter.com/official__ME_I_/sta ... 2551014447
https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxIWc2dy ... QBlHwI6CYi

2/26 Jacket & Artist Photo & Pre-Order OPEN
2/27-28 Image Teaser 'Waiting ver.'
2/29-3/1 Image Teaser 'Departure ver.'
3/18 Mood Photo #1
3/19 Mood Photo #2
3/22 Music Video Teaser #1
3/24 Music Video Teaser #2
3/25 Music Video

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ME:I Debut Single is titled "MIRAI" (Future), the title track is "Click"

Traveler heading towards the future

DEBUT SINGLE "MIRAI" is a work that contains hope for ME:I's new journey as they debut as "future idols". The title song "Click'' is a memorable debut song, which means to "Click" (like the sound of a suitcase opening) open a new future.

Jacket covers and tracklist

Limited Edition A


Packaging


CD
1. Click
2. Sugar Bomb

DVD
MIRAI Making #1 (Jacket Shoot, REC Behind)

<First press limited bonus>
1 application lottery ticket (serial number)
1 selfie trading card (1 randomly included from 11 types of limited edition A ver.)
1 character sticker (1 type)

Limited Edition B


Packaging


CD
1. Click
2. Sugar Bomb

DVD
MIRAI Making #2 (Lesson Behind and more)

<First press limited bonus>
1 application lottery ticket (serial number)
1 selfie trading card (1 randomly included from 11 types of limited edition B ver.)
1 character sticker (1 type)

Normal Edition


Packaging


CD
1. Click
2. Sugar Bomb
3. &ME (ME:I Ver.)
4. CHOPPY CHOPPY (ME:I Ver.)

https://me-i.jp/feature/mirai?lang=en
https://me-i.jp/news/detail/59?lang=en

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◆FC limited edition



Packaging


11 types of member solo jackets

COCORO (Product number: YRCF-90010)
MIU (Product number: YRCF-90011)
MOMONA (Product number: YRCF-90012)
RAN (Product number: YRCF-90013)
SHIZUKU (Product number: YRCF-90014)
AYANE (Product number: YRCF-90015)
KEIKO (Product number: YRCF-90016)
KOKONA (Product number: YRCF-90017)
RINON (Product number: YRCF-90018)
SUZU (Product number: YRCF-90019)
TSUZUMI (Product number: YRCF-90020)

1. Click
2. Sugar Bomb
3. &ME (ME:I Ver.)
4. CHOPPY CHOPPY (ME:I Ver.)

<First press limited bonus>
1 application lottery ticket (serial number)
1 selfie trading card (plain clothes selfie ver.) *Includes solo jacket and 1 selfie trading card of the same memb

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Artist Photo


Cocoro


Miu


Momona


Ran


Shizuku


Ayane


Keiko


Kokona


Rinon


Suzu


Tsuzumi


https://me-i.jp/feature/profile?lang=en

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In-Store Benefits
https://me-i.jp/news/detail/55?lang=en

"MIRAI" PREMIUM EVENT April 16th
https://me-i.jp/news/detail/56?lang=en

application lottery ticket (serial number) for "WithLIVE Meet&Greet"
https://me-i.jp/news/detail/58?lang=en

Online Store Bonuses by chain (Tower, HMV, Tsutaya, Rakuten Books, 7net, Universal Music Store, CDJapan, Amazon.jp, Other)

tweet

https://me-i.jp/news/detail/57?lang=en

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Official Mascot Cat character name : ME:EYE (ミャイ)

tweet

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Announcement to YOU:ME fans

tweet

tweet

Momona is the Leader of ME:I, and Ran is the Sub-leader! Congrats!

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Lapone recognizes CDJapan / Neowing as one of the CD shops to get an exclusive first press bonus

CDJapan has a bundled bonus for ME:I Debut single or you can buy them individually. CDJapan exclusive bonus is an A4-sized clear poster.
https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOIKT-1789

First press also includes the items i posted above (serial card, random trading card, random amulet card, sticker)

[Amped]

ME:I gets their own content on the Lemino app called "ME:I no Yume Mitai". It has to do with fulfilling the members "debut promises" of wanting to do what they want, after their debut was decided. They mentioned it before. Example : Tsuzumi wanting to do a pajama party with everyone, or Momona going to the top of Mt. Fuji to eat riceballs (Though that is not possible right now)

tweet

https://lemino.docomo.ne.jp/ft/0000026/ ... rce=lemino
https://natalie.mu/music/news/562686