[1/23] Morning Musume's 52nd Single "Help me!!"

[Chatin]

Outside of Sakura, Riho has no competition for lead. Mizuki is incredibly well-rounded and competent, but there is nothing signature about her voice. It's pleasant, but I won't remember it.

[danzarely]

Outside of Sakura, Riho has no competition for lead. Mizuki is incredibly well-rounded and competent, but there is nothing signature about her voice. It's pleasant, but I won't remember it.

Agreed. Her personality is also... meh. She's a nice, sweet, funny girl. But she lacks any pop. She's never stood out of the group for me.

[AyuHikaru]

I actually agree that Riho has no competition.... right now. I don't think Sakura can do it yet because her presence is dwarfed by Riho's (Who, like her or not, has a HUGE stage presence and a big ol' X-factor). However, give Haruka, Masaki, Sakura, Zukki (If she doesn't graduate first...), and Mizuki (Who is starting to come into her own idol wise, she still needs some work popping, but the potential is certainly there) about a year or two and Riho won't need to hold the group on her shoulders anymore.

Once Sayu graduates I can see the group becoming Riho/Sakura lead, Masaki/Haruka/Mizuki sub-lead on vocals. I think Ayumi will be a visual center and dance lead, and that Eripon and Haruna will become popular on the variety circuit (I have a theory Haruna will be the new Sayumi once Sayumi leaves, but we'll see). I'm not actually sire about Zukki at this point... I thought she would fit in the variety thing because she's funny, but a bunch of people on Tumblr are arguing she's trying to change her image to a sexier one... I'm have no theory on her.

[Starra]

I'm scared Zukki's going to graduate. I really don't want her to (I love her), but... yeah. Even though Kei and Makoto (neither of whom were popular) stayed for quite a bit, I can't see Zukki sticking around for another 4 years, honestly.

It's a shame, and I don't want it to happen, but if it did, I wouldn't be surprised.

[Sohee]

a bunch of people on Tumblr are arguing she's trying to change her image to a sexier one... I'm have no theory on her.

Sexier? Hardly. 纏め役? Definitely. I have no idea of how to translate that to English (Dictionary says that means "mediator; peacemaker; troubleshooter; manager") so I'll just go and explain it. The role that Gaki had when Aichan was leader - not being "subleader" per se, but rather being the person who sums everything up and is good at talking. Aika was going a similar route towards the end (2011-2012) and seeing how Aika is Kanon's favorite senior, it makes a lot of sense that she would be trying to become like that as well. Kanon herself has mentioned (don't remember if it was a magazine or interview, one of those) that she wants to become better at "talking" (aka being the MC etc) and other members have said they've noticed this "serious change" in Kanon as well. She is no way near there yet, but I can definitely tell that she's working on it. Now that might, in the long run, make her sexier too as she gets older but who knows.

[Celedam]

^ And in that role, she'll get plenty of screen time, if they could just get on the shows…

[AyuHikaru]

a bunch of people on Tumblr are arguing she's trying to change her image to a sexier one... I'm have no theory on her.

Sexier? Hardly. 纏め役? Definitely. I have no idea of how to translate that to English (Dictionary says that means "mediator; peacemaker; troubleshooter; manager") so I'll just go and explain it. The role that Gaki had when Aichan was leader - not being "subleader" per se, but rather being the person who sums everything up and is good at talking. Aika was going a similar route towards the end (2011-2012) and seeing how Aika is Kanon's favorite senior, it makes a lot of sense that she would be trying to become like that as well. Kanon herself has mentioned (don't remember if it was a magazine or interview, one of those) that she wants to become better at "talking" (aka being the MC etc) and other members have said they've noticed this "serious change" in Kanon as well. She is no way near there yet, but I can definitely tell that she's working on it. Now that might, in the long run, make her sexier too as she gets older but who knows.

This makes a loooooot more sense than what people are saying on Tumblr and explains her toned down personality a lot better as well. Though, honestly, I prefer hilariously weird Zukki.

[koregaboku]

Outside of Sakura, Riho has no competition for lead. Mizuki is incredibly well-rounded and competent, but there is nothing signature about her voice. It's pleasant, but I won't remember it.

Mizuki for me is a chameleon. She pulls off MM. songs perfectly fine and you can put her next to Sayu and she can do Suki Dakara/Aishuu Romantic. But the thing with the duets though is that they're much more in the style of Sayu which is very distinct than in the the style of Mizuki. Mizuki could probably get put into a sexy/mature style shuffle (Cinderella Complex, Shiawase Desu Ka?, etc. etc.) and hold her own but she won't stand out.

Mizuki needs that moment or style that defines her.

And on Zukki:
Hearing about how much she adores Aika to me makes me really like/miss Aika that much more. If Zukki can get into that role it'd be great for her. I think the problem (?) with Zukki (and the other girls) is that they're at a precious time at their lives when they are forming identities except the other girls have more or less found them.
Riho=Ace
Ayumi=Dancer
Haruka=Tomboy
Haruna=Awkward/Gorgeous
Erina=KY
Masaki=Out of Control
Mizuki=Future Leader
Sakura=Ace 2.0
Where does that leave Zukki though? She has comedic chops but doesn't have natural tendency to get picked on the way Erina or Masaki does. She has a decent voice but not the stability yet so she'll probably won't get near sub-lead territory anytime soon.

Maybe she sees similarities between herself and Aika (who can be funny, but wasn't a gaijin like the Pandas, eccentric like Koharu, or airheaded like Eri and can decently sing but nowhere near the level of Ai-chan, Reina, Eri, or Gaki). I think it's really good for Zukki to be exploring her options, both personally and professionally.

[Parhelion69]

I think both Maachan and Haruna have passed zukki on the "funny" department, and they're much more interesting as well. Then she's not really popular and I can see getting into the bottom of the popularity rankings (if she hasn't already), so yeah, I think she'll be the first to graduate (unless there's some scandal, god forbids )


About singing:

-Fukuchan has a nice, soothing voice, but it's not really a voice that can be recognized as a main singer's, she's suited perfectly for being a third voice though (just like Eri)
-Kanon's voice is strong, but very unstable, and sometimes squeaks in a very noticeable manner. She's not reliable yet, and because of her low popularity, she may never get lines...
-Maachan has been improving a lot, but her voice is mostly the cute type. I think she's being forced to sing in that way (since we've heard really good singing from her, and she can imitate Sakura pretty well). I think herself is the secret weapon, and I believe Tsunk will surprise us giving her more spotlight in the future.
-Haruka's voice is very special since it's husky and it could be a very good third or even second voice. I'd like to hear much more from her. I think her problem is mostly stamina, I see her really tired on performances (you can tell by her tired face), and MM's singing while dancing is very demanding. Also, she's really young, and maybe management thinks it's just not the time to push her. I think we'll see much more from her as time passes though.
-Ayumi, Haruna and Eripon are still far from being great singers, but they aren't like, Koharu awful (and she got lines, and even solo releases! ), depends on their popularity really. I think Ayumi has the most potential out of them, could become popular specially since she's admired for her dancing skills, and she'll always be near the center, mainly on dance formations.


I believe it's a no brainer that Riho gets most of the lines alongside Sakura. She's the most stable out of the 9th and 10th gen, has plenty of stamina, and the center girl HAS to have at least some lines (I mean, it's expected, whenever you see a group, the front girl not only has to be there, she has to sing, at least a little)

And I really hope the group never becomes unison, I hate that. (thankfully, Sakura's addition shows us that's not gonna happen)

[lynnkung]

Has this single break the 100K mark yet?