Well, yes and no. It was a great year. But it wasn't exactly as whirlwind as the previous one.
Berryz Kobo started the year with Shimizu Saki, Tokunaga Chinami and Kumai Yurina going to Thailand to officially announce their concert in that country. They were chosen to perform there by fans in November of 2009.
The concert was a success, with several channels in Thailand and Japan showing concert and backstage footage. Even Oricon made a special site for the concert.
They also held their second Fan-club Tour in Hawaii. There were no crazy pranks this time and no memory letter reading too, I'm afraid. But still, they had the DVD and they had a PB out because of it so I guess most of us aren't complaining.
As for the music, 2009 may have been the year they broke out, but 2010 was their best musically. On March 3, 2010, they released their third double a-side single Otakebi Boy WAO!/ Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda! The single peaked at number 3, their highest ranking to date. Then came Maji Bomber! (released in July 14, 2010) and then finally, Shining Power (released in November 10, 2010).
Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda! (along with Ishimura Maiha's 2010 Etoile picture) was the big reason why I am once again following Hello! Project. The song was pleasing to the ears, easy to listen to, and wonderfully written and arranged. I've read people say that this is their song for Maiha (who they have no contact with at this point and probably doesn't know the song is for her anyway) though I haven't read any proof about that. And while many people didn't like it, I love Shining Power. The feel of the song was similar to Ryuusei Boy as both songs are really disco.
There's a little trivia that I have regarding the Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda! music video. In promo shots for the single, you can see Maasa's hairstyle. But in the video, she did not have her hair styled that way. All of their costumes and hairstyles were more or less intact...except hers.
Maasa had two events for this year. the first was held on January 19, 2010 and she performed Koi no Jubaku, Omoitattara Kichi Desse! with Chinami and Yurina, Dakishimete Dakishimete, Boogie Train '03 (yep, remember the video of that song? Chibi Maasa FTW), and Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT.
Her second event was held on June 1, 2010 and the songs she performed were Koi wa Hipparidako, Natsumatsuri, Semi, Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~, and Ai no Suki Suki Shisuu Joushouchuu.
And while Berryz Kobo had a pretty quite year (compared to their whirlwind 2009), Maasa starred in her first lead role in the movie Light Novel no Tanoshii Kakikata. For those who have seen the movie (for those looking for a subbed version, I recommend the one worked by KIDS, the group of no other than our very own Dran).
The movie received good reviews. It even got its run in the theaters extended, something that is quite unusual with most straight to DVD movies which usually has one or two dates in the movie houses to prep up the DVD. But this one was well liked and if you love to watch movies featuring Japanese High School students, this is one movie you shouldn't miss.
So we are down to one. Maasa has come a long way, don't you guys think?
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