Last Idol - Season 4 Begins: Full Scale Variety, "Last Idol, Yoroshiku!"

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 2.

Alternates:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5xf9og
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5xf480
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5xfm01

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Re-cap of episode 1.
- Re-airing of the lipsynced performance from the first episode.
- Intro of Orin (1st challenger).
- Picks up with her picking Aizawa Aimi to battle.
- Introduction of the judging panel:
--- Yuzo? (i have no idea who this is)
--- Singer songwriter Oomori Seiko
--- Song producer CarlosK
--- Ling Tosite Sigure drummer Masatoshi "Pierre" Nakano
- Orin performs "For the First Time in Forever" (Umarete Hajimete; 生まれてはじめて) from the Disney movie "Frozen".
- Aimi performs "Kinjirareta Futari" (禁じられた2人) by AKB48.
- Oomori Seiko announces Aizawa Aimi to be the winner of the battle.
- Comments from both girls.
- Comments from Ringo Musume members in the audience.
- Oomori Seiko explains the reasoning?
- So much crying.
- Preview of episode 3.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- The lipsyncing of the group's song is still stupid; she had to sing live in the battle, and it wasn't great. Just let your mediocre voice flag fly.
- Orin was robbed.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 3.

Alternates:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ybl3f
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ybqhk
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ybz08

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Re-cap of last week (Aizawa Maimi vs Orin).
- Re-airing of the main song performance.
- Revealing the next Challenger, Koga Yako (古賀哉子).
- Background on Koga Yako. She's studying to be a dental hygienist, was a finalist for the Miss Seventeen competition in 2012, was one of the Grand Prix winners in the Princess Ichigo 2016 competition.
http://ichigohaihi.net/ichigo/2016_entry.php
http://ichigohaihi.net/ichigo/2016_entry/01_koga.php

- Koga nominates Aizawa Ruka (position #7).
- Koga performs "Zankoku na Tenshi no Teeze" (残酷な天使のテーゼ) by Takahashi Yoko, from the "Neon Genesis Evangelion" anime series.
- Aikawa Ruka performs "Silent Majority" (サイレントマジョリティー) by Keyazaki46.
- Judge Yuzo (?) announces Koga as the winner of the battle. She will take up position #7, Aizawa is out of the group.
- Judge, member, backstage reactions.
- Preview of next week.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- I actually thought Ruka was more interesting. I hate her song choice (are they all required to sing 48/46 songs?), but she
seemed more charismatic. Yako was just there and seemed kind of blank.
- However, I'm happy to see members will actually end up changing throughout.

Image spoilers:

Spoiler: show

Koga Yako (there are pictures of her all over the place)

[Nayoko-Kihara]

• It's been announced that an audition for a second group will take place soon, and those that were provisional members of the first group or failed challengers may have another chance. I don't know any further details.
惜しくも対決に敗れた暫定メンバーおよび挑戦者は、
決定した7人組グループとは別に近日始動するセカンドユニットへの参加可能性があります。
https://last-idol.jp/

• The Project Site for the show was opened on August 12th. Along with basic history, show participation, etc. information on the members, if you sign up (free, I don't know if it's Japan-only) you gain access to exclusive videos of the members and can gain EXP for your account (I have no idea what this is for).
https://last-idol.com

• Episode 4.

Alternates:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5z7sy4
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5z9vdc
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5z82pd

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Recap of last week.
- New performance of the group's song, with the new member in position #7.
- Introduction of the new challenger, Asahi Kana (朝日花奈). She's a member of indie group Tokyo Rockets, the sister group of Party Rockets GT. She was formerly the leader of a group called Girls Symphony (少女交響曲); she graduated on May 21, 2017. Before that she was a member of METROPOLIS and was a solo gravure model/idol.
https://girlssymphony.net/
-- She was a solo gravure model/idol; she released several DVDs between 2013 and 2015.
http://actresspress.com/%E6%9C%9D%E6%97 ... %E5%A5%88/
- Asahi challenges Yasuda Airi, position #4.
- Asahi Kana performs the 1974 song "Yasashisa ni Tsutsumareta Nara" (やさしさに包まれたなら) by singer and composer Matsutoya Yumi (松任谷由実).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yumi_Matsutoya
- Yasuda Airi performs "Arifureta Kotoba" (ありふれた言葉) by dream pop band Kinoko Teikoku (きのこ帝国).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinoko_Teikoku
- The judging panel has changed.
- Choreographer (PASSPO, UP UP GIRLS, etc) Takenaka Natsumi (竹中夏海) announces Yasuda Airi as the winner; she keeps her position.
- Reactions.
- Backstage comments from Asahi.
- Preview of next week.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- Finally some interesting / unexpected song choices.
- Finally (after two battles, my impatience ) one of the seven not singing an 48/46 affiliated song.
- I wouldn't have cared much either way regarding who was chosen this time. They were both equally as okay.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 5.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x606bxc
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x605fz5

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Episode starts right away with the challenger nominating.
- Challenger is Takiguchi Kirara (滝口きらら). She is a former member of KAGUYA (graduated March 2017). I believe
she's still working as a talent, but that's from grazing her Twitter. Her sister is Takiguchi Hikari, a member of the group drop.
https://twitter.com/k_takiguti

- Takiguchi Kirara nominates Nagatsuki Midori, position #5.
- Takiguchi performs "Natsu Matsuri" (夏祭り) by Whiteberry (ホワイトベリー).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteberry_(music_group)

- Nagatsuki performs "Yasashii Kiss o Shite" (やさしいキスをして) by Dreams Come True.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_Come_True_(band)

- The judge called on today is rock musician and award-winning author Ootsuki Kenji / Ohtsuki Kenji (大槻 ケンヂ).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenji_Ohtsuki

- Kenji announces Nagatsuki Midori as the winner. She keeps her position.
- Comments / reactions.

- There are two battles in this episode.
- The next challenger is introduced; Ikematsu Airi (池松愛理). She was a member of Rev. from DVL starting in 2015. The group disbanded
on March 31, 2017. (This is the group the famous "once-in-a-thousand-year" idol Hashimoto Kanna was part of.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rev._from_DVL

- Ikematsu challenges Yamada Mahiro, position #6.
- They each perform dance routines with minimal singing, instead of a full vocal battle.
- Singer MAIKO is called on to judge. She announced Yamada as the winner, letting her keep her position.
- Comments / reactions.
- The Last Idol group performs their song "Bandwagon".
- The show ends with backstage comments from Ikematsu.

Personal thoguhts:

Spoiler: show

- Kirara got points from me just for her song choice. That song is -ALWAYS- fun.
- Midori is the only girl from the initial lineup that I like, so this is the first time I've felt even the slightest bit conflicted about who I would have picked.
- Well shit, Midori can actually sing.
- I have no opinions on the mostly-dance battle. They were both mediocre from what was shown, but the entire battle was skimmed over so quickly I don't even care. Ikematsu is pretty is really all I think after watching that.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 6.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6101ru

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Immediately open with introduction of the new challenger, Takahashi Mayu (高橋真由). She was a winner
of the fashion magazine Popteen Semi-Grand Prix competition. She hasn't really done any entertainment
work yet.
- Takahashi nominates Majima Wakana, position #1 (center).
- A VTR is aired, featuring some details on Majima's background and being put in the center position.
- Takahashi performs the song "Nijiiro" (にじいろ) by Ayaka (絢香).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayaka

- Majima performs "Warukii" (わるきー) by NMB48.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NMB48

- The voice over MC gets super hardcore because OMG center position up for grabs.
- Judge Sugiyama Kazuhiko(?) announces Majima as the winner of the battle, she keeps her position.
- Crying, comments, more crying.
- Comments from the deciding judge.
- Performance of the group's song "Bandwagon".

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- Mayu looks like a nervous mixture of Iikbuo Haruna and Arihara Kanna.
- Neither of them had particularly interesting song choices, but Majima did better.
- I get why they air the performance of "Bandwagon" every week, but it still feels like a waste of time unless someone gets swapped out after losing a battle.
- Next week's challenger looks interesting to me.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 7.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x61rq9w
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x61rrch
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x61qy0p
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x61rstp

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Episode starts with MC and new judges addressing the current 7 members.
- Challenger revealed; Misaki (みさき), former member of Pramo (プラモ), Aither, and RHYMEBERRY (ライムベリー).
- Misaki nominates Koga Yako, position #7. Koga previously defeated Aizawa Ruka in episode 3.
- Misaki performs "Hashire!" (走れ!) by Momorio Clover (ももいろクローバー).
- Koga performs "Aruite Iko" (歩いていこう) by Ikimono-gakari (いきものがかり).
- Judge Hikasa Reina (??) is chosen, announces Koga Yako as winner of the battle. She keeps her position.
- Responses, statements, reactions.
- Misaki literally falls to the floor crying backstage.
- The same performance of "Bandwagon" with the current seven is aired again.
- It's revealed that the group's debut single will be a major release under Universal Music in December 2017. They mention both western and Japanese artists under Universal; Justin Beiber, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Fukuyama Masaharu, DREAMS COME TRUE, Perfume.
- Next week a 14 year old will be the challenger.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- It was smart to try and go after the lowest spot.
- I think this is the first time the judges table has been entirely female.
- Misaki should've won. Not because she was a better singer, but because she tried to actively engage her audience and was smart enough to choose a song that fit her and allowed her to slip in some of what she would've learned during her time in RHYMEBERRY. Kago literally stood still and screamed out a ballad.
- The longer the show runs, the more I think it's heavily pre-staged.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 8.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x62oklt
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x62ol9t

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Show starts with a recap and talk.
- New challenger is revealed, Suzuki Haruka (鈴木遥夏).
- Suzuki is one of the youngest challengers at 14 years old. She has no real idol experience. She is a 5th generation member of the PR/modeling group Solado Girls (ソラドガールズ) that is connected to the store "SoLaDo takeshita-dori" in Harajuku. The members are winners of the 2017 SoLaDo Image Model competition.
- Her focus is on dance. She's been dancing since 1st grade elementary.
- Her mother is in the audience.
- Suzuki nominates Yamada Mahiro, position #6.
- Suzuki performs "Yobisute Fantasy" (呼び捨てファンタジー) by AKB48.
- Yamada performs "Mou Sukoshi no Yume" (もう少しの夢) by Nishino Nanase (西野七瀬) from Nogizaka46 (乃木坂46).
- Judge, Novelist Hayashi Mariko (林真理子) announces Suzuki Haruka as the winner of the battle.
- Suzuki dethrones Yamada Mahiro and takes the #6 position; she is now the youngest member of the group.
- Statements/reactions from the girls.
- The camera follows Yamada backstage as she cries, and Suzuki joins Last Idol on stage.
- The other members are crying (and making it awkward for her).
- Suzuki appears on stage with the group again, in full costume, to perform "Bandwagon".
- More comments from Yamada backstage.
- Next week's challenger revealed (but the video cuts off early).

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- Suzuki is cute.
- I see we're back to 48/46 songs again. And the choices were getting so interesting.
- Finally another decision I agree with.

Image spoilers:

Spoiler: show

The SoLaDo store:


2017 5th Gen Solado Girls (Suzuki on the far left and far right respectively):


Suzuki:

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Episode 9.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x63o1tm
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x63o6lx

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Intro is very dramatic this episode.
- Next challenger introduced directly after the opening video; Yatsurugi Sakura (八剱咲羅).
- She's a member of the indie yankii group C-Syle. I think she likes AKB48.
http://www.c-style4649.com/member_1.html

- Yatsurugi nominates Nagatsuki Midori (position #5).
- Her groupmate is in the audience.
- Yatsurugi performs "TOMORROW" originall by Okamoto Mayo (岡本真夜).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayo_Okamoto

- Nagatsuki performs "First Love" by Utada Hikaru (宇多田ヒカル).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utada_Hikaru

- Judge Kurata Mayumi (倉田真由美), mangaka, is called on to announce the winner.
- Mayumi announced Nagatsuki Midori as the winner. She keeps her position.
- A quick moment for reaction and statement from Yatsurugi.
- Immediately into the second challenger of the episode.
- Second challenger is Matsumoto Momona (松本ももな). She was formerly an exclusive model for JS Girl (JSガール) and a member of the local idol group Amorecarina (アモレカリーナ); she graduated on November 5, 2016.
- Matsumoto nominates Majimawa Kana (position #1, center).
- Matsumoto performs "Aozora ga Chigau" (青空が違う) by Keyakizaka46 (欅坂46).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyakizaka46

- Majimawa performs "Nagisa no 「. . .」" (渚の『・・・・・』) by the Onyanko Club subgroup Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (うしろゆびさされ組).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushiroyubi_Sasaregumi

- Judge Shirato Yuusuke (白戸佑輔), a composer, lyricist, and arranger, is called on to announce the winner.
- Shirato announces Majimawa Kana as the winner. She keeps her center position.
- Judge gives his reasoning. Girls react and comment; Matsumoto backstage.
- They perform "Bandwagon" again; I think they actually let them sing mostly live this time. That's the biggest shocker of this episode.
- Something about a project at the end, but the video cuts to commercials and ends.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- I like singing competition shows, so I'm going to keep watching. But there's never any tension or excitement in these episodes; hardly any of the challengers are ever chosen as winners. I expect the sitting member to keep her seat in every single episode, and exactly that happens like 98% of the time.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

BIG REVEAL: 2nd Unit, Good Tears! First post updated!

Members:
Takashi Mayu
Orin
Aizawa Ruka
Asahi Kana
Ikematsu Airi




Episode 10.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64ku7c

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Episode starts with a teaser? for the episode.
- BIG REVEAL: The anticipated 2nd Unit, featuring battle losers, is revealed!
- Members of the 2nd Unit, named Good Tears:
-- Ikematsu Airi (battle #5)
-- Asahi Kana (battle #3)
-- Aizawa Ruka (battle #2, former holder of Last Idol position #7)
-- Orin (battle #1)
-- Takahashi Mayu (battle #6)
- Good Tears perform a song called "Namida no Kamen" (涙の仮面; Mask of Tears).
- Comments from the Good Tears members and Last Idol members.
- New challenger revealed! Abe Nanami (阿部菜々実) from the avex idol group Pax Puella (パクスプエラ). She's been doing entertainment activities since she was 3 years old. She previously appeared in a cram school commercial. (http://www.youtube.com/embed/0GcSjzaRY-8).
http://paxpuella.net/index.html

- Abe nominates Majima Wakana (position #1, center).
- Abe performs "Kanashiki Amefuri" (悲しき雨降り) by °C-ute.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cute_(Japanese_idol_group)

- Majima performs "DNA Rhapsody" (DNA狂詩曲) by Momoiro Clover Z (ももいろクローバーZ).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momoiro_Clover_Z

- Judge Oomori Seiko is called on to announce the winner.
- Comments from both girls.
- Oomori Seiko announces Abe Nanami as the winner of the battle. Majima Wakana immediately loses her center position and is no longer part of the group.
- Reactions, lots of tears.
- Majima takes a bow and leaves the stage.
- It's once again awkward and tense between the established members and the new center.
- For the first time, no new performance of "Bandwagon" is aired.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- Why does the second unit have more expensive looking costumes than the main unit? What's up with that.
- Their song is more interesting too.
- I was wondering if anyone would ever sing a Hello! Project song! Of course it was a °C-ute number.
- I never cared much for Majima, but this new girl isn't particularly interesting either. Swapping for the same thing in my eyes.
- She sang a Hello! Pro song, OF COURSE SEIKO PICKS HER.

Image spoilers:

Spoiler: show

New group picture:


New center, Abe Nanami:

[Nayoko-Kihara]

- Last Idol's first single, "Bandwagon", on CDJapan. Release date is December 20, 2017. According to CDJapan there are four Limited Editions (A, B, C, D), each including three songs and a DVD, and the third song on each version is different. The DVD has the music video for the main title track and a music video for a b-side. The full tracklists are not on the site yet.
• LE A
• LE B
• LE C
• LE D

- A pre-order live & handshake event has been announced for October 25, 2017 at Tower Records Shibuya B1F CUTUP STUDIO. Participating idols include all Last Idol current/provisional members, the 2nd unit Good Tears, and the 2nd unit candidates Majimawa Kana (former position #1 center), Nagatsuki Midori (former position #5), Yamada Mahiro (former position #6).
http://www.universal-music.co.jp/last-idol/news/2017-10-18/?utm_source=Direct

Episode 11.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x65ly62
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x65m4xz
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x65lxvp
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x65m3yr
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x65m3mr

Summary:

Spoiler: show

- Episode continues on from the last with thoughts from the newest member, Abe Nanami, who just overtook center position.
- The group performs their song "Bandwagon" with the new center member.
- Rockstar and idol fan Marty Friedman is seated at the judges table.
- The director for Last Idol's first music video is announced: Yukihiko Tsutsumi. He directed TRICK, 20th Century Boys, SPEC, and many other
dramas, specials, and films. He was the director of AKB48's "Flying Get" MV.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukihiko_Tsutsumi
http://asianwiki.com/Yukihiko_Tsutsumi

- The next challenger is revealed, 22 year old Nishimura Honoka (西村歩乃果). She's a hair stylist, makeup artist, and model.
- Nishimura nominates Yoshizaki Aya (position #2). This is her first battle nomination.
- Nishimura performs "Girl's Rule" (ガールズルール) by Nogizaka46 (乃木坂46).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nogizaka46

- Yoshizaki performs "Nantetatte Idol" (なんてったってアイドル) by Koizumi Kyoko (小泉 今日子).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dko_Koizumi
http://www.generasia.com/wiki/Koizumi_Kyoko

- Judge Uno Tsunehiro, writer, is called on to reveal the winner of the battle.
- Uno announces Yoshizaki as the winner, she keeps her position.
- Reactions and comments from the winner and loser.
- A second challenger is revealed for this episode, Kamohara Rena (蒲原令奈). A video of her singing
gained over 1M views on YouTube this year.
https://youtu.be/6hz3DqTM430

- Kamohara nominates Nagatsuki Midori (position #5).
- Kamohara performs "Good-bye days" by YUI.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yui_(singer)

- Nagatsuki performs "Harujion ga Sakukoro" (ハルジオンが咲く頃) by Nogizaka46 (乃木坂46).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nogizaka46

- Judge Yoshida Go (??) is called on; he announces Kamohara Rena as the winner.
She will immediately take position #5.

- A very tear-filled reaction from Midori. She says she'll give up on being an idol, but is
encouraged to continue trying by the judges. They show filmed comments on the battle/members from two judges,
including Marty Friedman (Marty: ". . .zettai akiramenaide" (絶対諦めないで; absolutely do not give up).
- A preview for next week, including the next challenger - a 13 year old.

Personal thoughts:

Spoiler: show

- Good for them on the director.
- Nishimura was way easier to listen to, but the judges decisions only match mine like 4% of the time.
- My interest in the group post-show just dropped near to nothing since their first song is mediocre and Midori was the only member
I kind of liked. Audition for H!P instead.

Image spoilers:

Spoiler: show