10th Generation First Photosets

If you'd like to pick up 10th generation's very first Morning Musume photosets, then you should head on over to HSU.  I think they're really nice and since it's their very first goods, I think it's somewhat special.

Ai Takahashi's Graduation Concert

Last night (this morning, whatever) or wherever you are, Takahashi Ai officially graduated form Morning Musume and Hello!Project after over 10 years of having that as a part of her life.  As I woke up this morning, it hit me that she was no longer going to be involved in H!P activities, and we wouldn't see her anymore in future concerts and singles.  This hit home.

I don't have much to say right now, since I don't have much information on the concert details as to what happened or what was said during the ceremony speeches.  A few noteworthy moments in my opinion were that Aika (on wobbly crutches) came on stage to say her goodbyes and give her speech.  Just the picture alone got me emotional.  While Gaki was giving her speech, it was noted Aichan said to her "Gaki-san, i'm sorry, but i'm graduating now."

To end this short post here is picspam of shots of the concert.

Ganbatte Aichan~

It's Almost Time

So i'm sure we are all familiar with the fact that it's the last week of Ai-chan's graudation, but the biggest moments are yet to come.  Tomorrow (9/28), the 10 generation Morning Musume audition winners will be revealed.  And then on the 30th, Aichan will officially graduate, passing on the title Morning Musume to Niigaki Risa.

Tomorrow is a big day, seeing as the line-up for Morning Musume will once again change.  I wonder how many new members will be added?  How many would you like to see?

In other Ai-chan related news, here's a clip of her Memorial DVD:

It's rather hard to watch, because you can tell how emotional Aichan gets while speaking.  Risa also shows up towards the middle of the video and surprises her, which induces a rather interesting reaction from Aichan.  In midst of their discussion, Risa has a graduation message from Ogawa Makoto especially for her. It's going to be an emotional couple of days for all of us.

On a goods related note, the new goods for Aichans concert look pretty awesome.  The entire list of goods can be found here, from their official website.  Some noteworthy goods are (in my opinion are the shirts and towels) are nice enough to pick up.  I'm definitely getting some.  Are you?

Ai Believe ~ Takahashi Ai Graduation Setlist

I want to start off by saying Thank You to everyone who is participating in my first raffle!  The amount of you that participated is astounding!  I wish I had as many Maasa cards to give out to all of you.  I'm still leaving the contest open until Monday, September 5th 9:00pm PST.

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The setlist for Takahashi Ai's graduation concert has already begun, and the setlist has been released to the public.  This is what we're in store for:

1. Mr. Moonlight

~Opening VTR~

2. Konno Chikyuu wo Honki de NEgatterun da yo

3. Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai

~MC~

4. Resonant Blue

5. Yamete yo Sinbad

6. My Way~Joshikou Hanamichi~

~Reina/Erina/Riho/Kanon MC~

7. Suki da na, Kimi ga (Sayumi/Mizuki)

8. Kono Ai wo Kasanete (Ai/Gaki)

~Ai/Gaki MC~

9. Suki na Senpai (Ai/Gaki)

~Sayumi/Reina MC~

10. Yume Kara Samete (Ai)

~Ai Believe VTR~

11. Songs

12. Give Me Love

~MC~

13. Special Medley

~MC~

14. OK Yeah

15. Only You

16. Maji Desu Ka Ska

~MC~

17. Bravo

Encore:

~MC~

18. How Do You Like This Japan?

~MC~

19. Tomo

Evening Setlist Changes:

~2nd MC swaps Reina for Sayumi~

7. Silver no Udedokei (Gaki/Reina/Riho)

10. Jishin Motte Yume wo Motte Tobitatsu Kara (Ai)

13. Special Medley Changes

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Wow, first thing I noticed was that there are quite a few MC's!  I guess there's a lot to talk about.  During the first MC, it will be explained why Aika isn't participating in this concert, but i'm sure by now we all know why.  It's rather sad that she wont be able to participate.  I'm hoping she recovers as quickly as possible.  There's also been rumors going around that because of this injury, she's going to graduate early, but that's probably just the haters doing what they do best.  I try to deflate those rumors as I walk past them.

Second thing I like to point out is that the italicized performances above are new songs from the upcoming Momusu album 12Smart.  I'm really curious to see what those new songs are going to sound like.  I hear Silver no Udedokei is going to have Risa rapping?  That sounds pretty awesome to me.

I'm curious about the second VTR as well.  It's a segment where all the members are going to talk about Aichan.  That's usually something that's seen in DVD Magazines or Graduation DVD's, so I wonder what that's going to be like.  This concert seems pretty interesting so far, even though the outfits are rather meh.  I would have liked to see something really flashy, since it is the queen of H!P's graduation after all.  But that's another story.