Asako-chan

You're My Friends - Airi Acapella Version.. (taken from Kibun Tenkan DVD)
Airi's voice is so smooth~

subbed by KIDS

Having young Aichan next to graduating Aichan was just so bittersweet.

aww yes this is what I thought! it was really emotional.. suki na senpai in general brings up so many emotions ;0;


okay, here you go

Spoiler

http://i56.tinypic.com/30ndop0.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/2zebl38.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/2mmskdf.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2q3yhjl.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/9aqpa8.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/28r37gx.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/15guvyh.jpg

she's just flawless *_*
and the last one is actually no month, so I thought I could use it as a huge poster

5th gen

I have something I want to share!
I found this article about just now.
http://type99.net/20...0/hello_12.html
It's from 2004. It talks about how Risa went from being hated by the Japanese fans to being liked.
It's quite touching.
I thought it was a nice thing to post since she's gonna be a leader in a few days!

Here's a little translation I did (there might be a few errors):

Spoiler

Niigaki Risa entered Morning Musume from the 5th Gen auditions.
With all her mind on becoming a Morning Musume member, she enrolled in a talent office as a child actor just to be a little closer to the world of show business.
At that time, commercials starring her for a toy company were also discovered, and claims about a "connection" began to spread.
She went to the audition place with all her family. On the way back, she climbed the Tokyo Tower with them, and prayed "I want to be in Morning Musume" facing to the TV Tokyo offices.
The ones who supported her dream of becoming a Morning Musume member were her family.
She made it clear in a magazine, saying:
"I think I became a Morning Musume member because of my family", and it distorted into "I accept I became a member because of connections!"
In TV appearances, even after just getting in she presented herself as "Morning Musume's Niigaki Risa", and called Mr. Moonlight "our song".
It was an expression of happiness about her fullfilled dream, and the sense of responsability of being a member.
However, taken out of context, she became to get flamed.
In lessons, while wiping away her tears she firmly said things like "I won't cry" "Because crying in front of people is embarrasing, right?" and laughed.
That was seen as "cheeky".
Everything she did was seen as the opposite.
At her first concert, people from the audience shouted things like "Just quit!" "Die!" to her. There were also "fans" who put up signs saying "Go home". Even for a young 12 year old girl, there was no mercy from the spectators. She was also flamed on the internet. Her fanclub goods didn't sell at all. Since her eyesight was good, she saw everything from the stage. However, she didn't hold a grudge against them. Not even complaining once, she didn't let her smile vanish. She always wrote "thank you" in messages to fans.
In a poll for Morning Musume members, there was a field titled "Things that have been hard since you've been a Morning Musume member"
The only blank one was Niigaki's.
Her objective, Goto, graduated, and her admired Nacchi wasn't there no more. The younger loved-by-everyone Tsuji and Kago were also gone. The 6th generation joined. The 5th generation wasn't the center anymore. Niigaki didn't want to be a "burden member" with the lowest position.
One day, she changed.
Just as featured in the lyrics for Joshi Kashimashi monogatari, she cut her bangs.
Niigaki Risa passed to the next stage, with no real reason.
Perhaps her own decision. It was just like a manhood attaining ceremony. (LOL)
Looking to grow out of her "neglected member" position, she began exploring "idol cuteness".
Somehow, her awkward smile turned into a real one.
The atmosphere enclosing Niigaki, began changing little by little.
In the internet, there were also more voices claiming
"Niigaki has become really pretty, huh" "I think Gaki-san is cute"
Niigaki wanted to be the personification of what Yoshizawa Hitomi once said:
"Idols are the hope to live"
If she worked hard, she'd land somewhere.
Once again, there's nothing to do but admire Tsunku's words in the auditions:
"This kid will definitely turn into a beauty in the future".
A true personality and fresh reactions, and that "annoyingly cute" charm she created.
Here's a future Morning Musume leader.