Cent Chihiro Chicchi and Aini the End - Solo Debut Interview Part 3

"I had to face what I made on my own" - Aina

--Please tell me how you feel listening to each other's songs.

Aina: My Father really likes Ging Nang Boyz "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime", so it's really exciting to hear how it turned out. After listening to it, I told Chicchi that the beautiful part of the song has become even more beautiful. Only Chicchi can create this kind of atmosphere. Does the color change so much from the original song in the cover? I think so.

--For sure, there is the feeling of a unique atmosphere with Chicchi-san.

Aina: Lately, Chicchi isn't just cool. She isn't beautiful or ethereal either. She just feels like "Chicchi" (laughs). While collaborating with Legal Lilly, I felt like they were on the same wavelength. It was like Chicchi was no longer 1 person. I've listened to the song over and over imagining various things.

--Chicchi-san, what did you think after listening to Aina-san's "Kienaide"?

Chicchi: I knew the original song. However, I think it's different with this sound source. This kind of instrumentation changes it so much. But more than anything, I see a side of Aina I've never seen before in BiSH. It was thrilling to feel Ainia as she truly is, like she's naked.

Aina: I've seen it many times when I'm in the bath (laughs).

Chicchi: I haven't seen it for a while (laughs).

Aina: That's right. It's been about 3 yrs. since I was completely naked.

(*When Chicchi is talking about Aina in the earlier sentence, the literal translation is "naked". I thought "bare her soul" would sound better, but then Aina makes the joke and I decided it made sense to go with the literal version, lol)

--In that sense, Chicchi has also become naked with this release, and revealing the most important part of herself. Did you resist that urge?

Chicchi: I had no hesitation. I decided to put all of my love into it. It would have been useless to be cautious. For people who like Ging Nang Boyz, they're very special to them, so I would die if I did it half way. I put so much emotion into this.

--Aina-san, you also mentioned you had no hesitation when you began this project.

Aina: None at all. From the time I started this, I felt I wanted to do it from the bottom of my heart.

I had to face what I made all on my own. I listened to everyone's opinion, and decided I had to do it myself. Because it was the first time, it was really fun.

(*The second sentence was a bit difficult. The word Aina uses is "Mukiau" which means "Face, confront, approach" I'm still not sure the best way to phrase it, so I went with this. Maybe because she had the help of a producer, but the entire paragraph keeps talking about her doing it on her own)

"The balance between these 2 people is miraculous" - Chicchi

--In conclusion, regarding the activities in BiSH, I would like to ask your opinion of each others roles.

Chicchi: I think I see Aina as someone who isn't affected by her surroundings. She follows her own path, and feels like she doesn things naturally without forcing it.

Aina: When you put it that way, I think I can be Aina the End because Chicchi is there. Of course, since Chicchi is the Axis of BiSH's songs, every member can do whatever they like. However, even thought Chicchi is the axis of BiSH, I think that she has changed allot.

--What do you mean?

Aina: Early on, the image of a clear, transparent voice was strong. Then there was an astonishing change. Now, she has a cool voice that comes from her core. She works very hard towards whatever goal is in front of her.

(*The world Aina uses to describe Chicchi's voice in the first sentence is "Tomei". It means transparent, clear, etc. Something that isn't hidden. I couldn't really think of a better option, so I just when with both clear and transparent. In addition, Aina uses "Gamushyara" in the second sentence. It refers to somewhat of a single minded approach to pursuing ones goals, but I wasn't sure the best way to phrase it since saying Chicchi is single minded could have a negative connotation)

Chicchi: I'd say I think I've definitely changed.

Aina: It depends on the day as well. The tone and feeling of her voice changes based on the tension of the day.

Chicchi: That's right. Sato-san from the Live Production said something like "If you're not feeling well, BiSH's morale falls" and "When your tone is good, everyone else's gets better" (laughs).

--Is it a burden for Chicchi-san to bear the responsibility of being the axis of the group?

Chicchi: I haven't felt any pressure at all. I just want to sing, so when I'm singing, I always enjoy it.

--How do you see each other as Vocalists? I think you have different personalities.

Chicchi: Ever since I met Aina, I've thought her voice is wonderful. I don't have a unique voice, so I think Aina's is great. Was it strong from birth?

--I think Chicchi-san's singing voice is also very strong.

Aina: I think so too. It feels really good when I sing after Chicchi. I absorb her singing into my body, and I feel like I can capture her flow when I follow her. That's why it's impossible without her (laughs). There was a time when Chicchi was away from BiSH, and I cried everyday. I can't even think of losing her. She's the most important person.

--You have a good influence on each other.

Chicchi: I can't imagine Aina not being here. I hear "The contrast of these 2 voices is good" said allot, so I think there's a miraculous balance between us. I'm scared to think about not having this (laughs).

--I think we've seen new charms from the two of you with these solo releases. Do you have plans for your next work?

Chicchi: It hasn't been decided at the moment. You can listen to the songs by Aina and myself, but there are 6 members in BiSH, and I think each one is different from the other. This was allot of fun, so if there's an opportunity to do it again, I think I'll take it!

https://natalie.mu/music/pp/bish07/page/3

Cent Chihiro Chicchi and Aina the End - Solo Debut Interview Part 2

"It feels like 1 Band" - Chicchi

--Members of Legal Lilly participated in Chicchi's recording of "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime".

Did you have a chance to talk with them?

Chicchi: Yes. I'm good friends with the Vocalist, Honoka-chan. I'm a fan of Legal Lilly, and like them allot, so when I decided to record "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime", I met with Honoka-chan and asked for her help. She said it would be her pleasure to help with the recording.

--Are Legal Lilly also fans of Ging Nang Boyz?

Chicchi: Not at all. No one in Legal Lilly follows Ging Nang Boyz. However, I thought I really wanted to work on the song with those people. I thought it would be better to record it through Legal's point of view, rather than imitating the style of the original song. We got together during pre-production, and talked about what to do with the Key (*As in what key the song should be in). We recorded it with the feeling that we were 1 band. I shared all the things I liked, and the members of Legal expressed how they wanted to approach the recording.

--So you feel like you made it together instead of a vocalist with a backing band?

Chicchi: It was amazing! We spent over 10 hrs. on pre-production alone, and then I worked on the arrangement for the entire song, which was a first for me. It was thrilling.

"My dream has come true that allot of instruments have entered" - Aina

--Aina-san, "Kienai de" was produced by Kameda Seiji. When did you meet him?

Aina: I've always really like Ringo Shiina, and I've seen videos of Kameda performing with her. I had the chance to meet him at the Viva La Rock in May. I admired the way the music and his live performance come together in a cool way. Now that we're both on Avex, I asked him "how would you feel about doing the arrangement?". He immediately replied, "Am I dreaming?" and accepted my request.

--Kameda-san's sound has allot of depth.

Aina: I wrote this song when I was 18, so I didn't know anything about Songwriting, the A melody, the B melody, or how to utilize Sabi (*Low Japanese vocals). I don't understand the meaning in this messy song (laughs). I only considered whether "the bass should enter here" or "is it better if the drums come in here". Because of that, this is a dream come, and I'm glad to have Kameda-san add bass and drums to the song (laughs).

--So did the final version turn out the way you imagined?

Aina: While staying true to the original composition, it was given the "Kameda treatment", and now the bass sounds amazing. It's actually become a cool song (laughs). After I received the instrumental, I danced the whole time while listening to it at home. That's why I want everyone to listen to it. It's filled with the sound of so many instruments.

--What was your impression during the recording?

Aina: I wrote "Kienai de" on a piece of paper after every Chu.

(*I wrote "Chu" since it's an onomatopoeia. I don't think I need to explain it since it's well known, but I don't understand the context for it. There's no kissing or mouse-like sound in the song, unless Aina means the "La, La, La" part. I don't know if there's a new context for it)

--Why did you do that?

Aina: Because it was a song I couldn't attempt without doing so. At the beginning, since I was singing each part separately, I thought it was something different, so I had to remind myself I was singing 1 song.

(*There is another meaning for "Chu". It can refer to spaces for Street Parking. Because the parts were divided up in the song, maybe that's why she used Chu)

"There was no shouting in the original song, so I wanted to shout." - Chicchi

--Both songs are different from BiSH is releasng these days. Were there any pionts in the song that you careful about singing?

Chicchi: In BiSH, I do my best to listen to the advice of Matuskuma (Kenta)-san, and I think that makes the best use of my essence. However, this time, I sang just for myself. I listened to Honoka-san's opinon, but I tried not to think about it too much.

--Your straight forward singing voice is impressive.

Chicchi: Yes. I only focused on the Sabi and singing straight. I didn't think too deeply when I approached the song. More than singing well, I wanted to put all of myself into it.

(*I'm never quite sure how to translate "Massugu" when it's used in this context. It means "straight", "not bending", etc. In this context, they probably just mean singing simply)

--I see what you mean. Chicchi-san is said to be "very skilled at singing", but with this song, there's a feeling of simplicity with the way you sang it.

Chicchi: Especially during the first acapella part. I wanted to sing with the feeling like I was just walking around. I thought it would be good if it sounded natural. However, when the lyrics "Kimi ga hoshi koso kanashikere" come in, that's the saddest part to me. There's no shouting in the original song, but I wanted to shout those lyrics. So, in the end, the feeling of BiSH's Cent Chihiro Chicchi makes an appearance.

--Has Mineta-san already heard it?

Chicchi: It seems he has listened to it, but I haven't talked with Mineta-san himself about it.

However, the Engineer who recorded it was also in charge of Going Steady and Ging Nang Boyz. They said "This is the 3rd time I've recorded 'Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime'". They went on to say "You have a good head voice. I think it's really suited for 'Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime'", so I was really glad. Now I feel like I'm part of some sort of history (laughs).

--Aina-san's singing also feels like it has more of a private atmosphere than usual.

Aina: I agree. I don't know if I sang well. I didn't care much about pitch, and focused more on giving an impression of my private life. I wonder if that's good.

--The 2 of you are always singing to your fullest in BiSH, but it's interesting in your solos that you're thinking "I shouldn't sing too well".

Aina: I said earlier that I sang this song for my best friend. However, even though I'm singing with such strong feelings to one person, I believe they will reach anyone who listens to it. I think it's a song that will have a deep impact on absolutely everyone who hears it.

https://natalie.mu/music/pp/bish07/page/2

Cent Chihiro Chicchi and Aina the End - Solo Debut Interview Part 1

BiSH's Ania the End and Cent Chihiro Chicchi released their solo debut Single with the Double A Side "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime/Kienai de" on 9/19. Chicchi's is a cover of the famous Ging Nang Boyz song "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime". Aina sings an original song "Kienai de" that was composed before joining BiSH. It's Produced by Kameda Seiji.

Music Natalie interviewed the two of them about their Solo debuts, the production of the songs, and their standing positions and activities in BiSH.

"I wanted to sing a song that was close to someone's life" - Chicchi

--Aina-san, the solo song you're releasing this time is one you wrote yourself.

Aina: Yes, when I decided to make a solo release, I wanted it to be a song I'd written myself.

--You had the opportunity to sing as a Featuring Vocal with other Artists. How does this differ from that?

Aina: Whenever I sang as a Featuring Vocal, BiSH was always added to it. BiSH was something I always carried with me. It was my identity. However, this time, I wanted to forget BiSH, forget Aina the End, and tried to sing as one woman.

(*Aina doesn't exactly say Identity, but that sounded better than the literal translation of "Everything went back to BiSH")

--And Chicchi is covering the Ging Nang Boys song "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime".

Chicchi: I don't have any songs that I've written myself, so I wanted to record something that was filled with everything I like.

--Were there any other songs that you thought of?

Cicchi: No, that was one I wanted to do the most. When I said, "what song do I want to sing?", Mineta-san's (Kazunobu Mineta/Ging Nang Boyz) was the only one that came to mind.

--Out of all the Ging Nang Boyz songs, why did you choose this one?

Chicchi: When I was a Senior in High School, I was getting into Punk and became addicted to Going Steady. The song that meant the most to me at that time was "Yoru Ouji to Tsuki no Hime".

--But Chicchi-san is a generation later than Going Steady, right?

Chicchi: Yes. When I became familiar with them, they had become Ging Nang Boyz, but Going Steady name was still lingering. Even so, that was the one song that saved me from loneliness back then. The song itself became like a "Night Price" to me, so covering it at this time, maybe other people will feel the same way I did back then. I felt like I wanted to sing that kind of song on my own.

"I decided to sing this song for my best friend" - Aina

--"Kienai de" is a song that Aina-san wrote when she was 18, right?

Aina: That's right. It's the first song I wrote in my life.

--Were you active as a Singer at the time you wrote it?

Aina: I was singing on the street back then. However, I thought it would be nice to have an original song (laughs). So I decided to try and write one.

--Do you remember when you wrote this song?

Aina: I remember everything. I thought about the lyrics while lying in bed. I asked a fried to help me, and we made sort of a demo tape.

However, I didn't have proper equipment, so I plugged my Ear Phone into my Computer and sang into it (laughs). I recorded it properly at another friend's studio later.

--Why did you decide to release such an early song?

Aina: I have a very close female friend, and about 3 years ago her Mother died. She called me in the evening, and in a rather carefree way said "My Mother has died. Isn't that worrisome?". Even though she was talking casually, she was crying terribly. I began to tremble and didn't know what to say. Then, after being silent for a while, my friend said "sing Keinai de".

--So did you sing it over the phone?

Aina: No. I was trembling. My face turned white and I couldn't sing. Later, I really regretted not being able to sing for her over the phone, so when we discussed what I was going to sing for this solo, I chose "Kienai de" without hesitation. I want to sing for that girl. Now I have the confidence in myself that I can sing at any time.

https://natalie.mu/music/pp/bish07

Ebichu x BiSH

*Originally posted on Onehallyu on Feb. 19, 2018.

This is an Interview with BiSH and Ebichu. I forgot that they did a collab last Nov. and only just came across this Interview a couple weeks ago (This explains Ebichu's cover of Orchestra that I found on YouTube). I'm including a few select pics.

"Orthodox Idols and Punk Idols are like White and Black"

On October 12, "Tokufuku Live Connect! Vol. 2" will be held at Shinkiba Studio Coast. This event of the "Connect=Connect" with the Artists who would like to join in future programs and events. This time, the appearance is Ebichu and BiSH. Ebichu is the orthodox Idol with their singing and dancing, while BiSH are called the "Instrument-less Punk Band" in the Idol scene and is a group with distinct characters. They're said to have a heretical presence which is clearly different from the group they're appearing with. Although meeting for the first time, when talking, it turned out both groups have been fans of each other for a long time. At today's event, their should be unforeseen developments due to the chemical reaction between the two of them.

-- This is your first time meeting, what kind of impressions do you have of each other?

Yasumoto (Ayaka): I like BiSH's songs very much. I've listened carefully to "Promise the Stars". They have a cool image.

Hoshina (Mirei): The 3 of us went to Karaoke and sang it.

BiSH: Really?! We're glad.

Yasumoto: Personally, I listen to it all the time (*not sure if she means just the song or BiSH's music in general) Anyway, I like the song. The lyrics resonate. They have many songs girls of the same age can relate to. Even at school, many girls listen to it.

Chicchi: I'm glad! We also talk about Ebichu.

Momoko: To be honest, there are many BiSH fans who like Ebichu.

Chicchi: I really love "Super Hero". They feel like Super Idols.

Momoko: There are allot of members, but they all seem to be on good terms.

-- From the viewpoint of Ebichu, what do you think is interesting about BiSH that you don't have?

Hoshina: Watching how Fashion is transmitted. I think that girls can feel sympathy and get support. I think that Ebichu has a nice and friedly, like the feeling of flying, while BiSH is cool.

Yasumoto: I admire them. At Lives, I've heard there are dives and they do intense things. Since it's not something we do in Ebichu, I was shocked.

Kobayashi (Kaho): "Punk" also really stands out in their PV. There is no Punk in Ebichu.

Yasumoto: We say Punk allot (laughs).

Kobayashi: They have a cool image.

Chicchi: I'm glad. Thank you.

-- What does BiSH think about Ebichu?

Chicchi: Unlike BiSH, there is a pure aura (laughs).

Momoko: I know it.

Chicchi: It's like Ebichu has a White image while BiSH is Black. Their like proper Idols, always shining. BiSH, as you said earlier, is Punk (laughs). I've also gone to see them Live.

Yasumoto: Really?! I'm glad!

Chicchi: I thought the power of shining was good.

Momoko: Since we don't have it.

Hoshina: To shine can be frustrating, right. (*not sure how to translate what she says. It's a direct response to what Momoko said).

Yasumoto: Actually, my age isn't that of a Junior High School student, but my heart still is.

Chicchi: But it's not so bad to be a Junior High School Student. I want to return to that...

-- If Ebichu is White and BiSH is Black, what kind of group does BiSH think of themselves as?

Momoko: As I said earlier, I think that there is familiarity with Ebichu, however, when meeting BiSH right now, it's often said "they're surprisingly small, aren't they?" and "they're not scary at all".

Aina: We write lyrics ourselves, and I also do the choreography by myself, but rather than doing a job I'm told to do as an Idol (*this was a bit hard to translate), "I don't want to do things I don't want to do", so I think we are selfish girls.

Hoshina: I think that's cool.

Aina: In that sense, I really admire Ebichu, and I think they really do shine. Even in the Live it comes through. It feels like the Super Idol I was talking about a while ago.

-- In BiSH, where do the ideas for the lyrics come from?

Momoko: The lyrics are written individually, so I think that persons nature comes out. I wonder what kind of life that person had led.

Chicchi: That's exactly how it is.

Momoko: Just looking at the lyrics, you can tell who wrote them. For example, Aina has bugs in her lyrics for some reason, which has been going on for a while.

Chicchi: Mostly, is about losing control in the world. It's intersting isn't it?

Momoko: That kind of Punk feeling comes from Aina (laughs).

Chicchi: I can only write "Hot" lyrics (laughs). (*I don't think she literally means hot. She says "Atsukurushii") what does Momoko say? It's Momoko's World. I love it though. I feel like a song writer.

Aina: It's creative, isn't it. For example, looking at the sky, everyone thinks of the color blue, but I think Momoko sees a different color. It's a different point of view. Each member is different.

-- What's the most important thing for a Live?

Yasumoto: There are members with different sensibilities and different expressions, and after all, it's a group with many members, each part must be properly aligned. There's freedom when you do it yourself, but when doing it together, you have to keep the performance sharp.

Hoshina: Surely. Recently, I've become concious of this.

Chicchi: It's very serious. Because we have 6 people with strong personalities, perhaps each one comes through. As I said within BiSH, I guess it will happen every time.

(*This was a bit hard to translate. I think she was saying that, even though you have to work together as a group when performing live, because the 6 members have such strong personalities, their individuality can't help but come through, so there might be some rough edges)

Aina: I feel like I can't be defeated all the time. I do not want to be defeated because I want to win.

-- Does that mean you don't want to lose to the other members? (*Not sure if they mean to Ebichu in the collab or the other members of BiSH)

Chicchi: It's like that with everything (laughs). Even the fans.

Aina: Chicchi will suddenly say "I don't want to lose to anyone!".

Yasumoto: I'd never say such a thing!

-- Where does this competitive spirit come from? (*He actually sayd "Hungry" Spirit, but I use competitve instead)

Chicchi: It was established over the last 3 years. In the beginning, there wasn't this kind of feeling, but that is what BiSH has become. We're not the same as anyone else. If you come in that way, I began to think I didn't want to lose any scenes. I started to say something like that to myself (laughs).

-- Do you think that Ebichu has grown during their activities?

Hoshina: In the beginning, most of the members had never done any singing or dancing, so the feeling was that the dancing wasn't good and the singing was unstable. We started getting frustrated. From that point on, we were able to stop sending out something like our catchphrase. I think that's why each member changed and one of the reasons the group has changed.

(*this was a bit difficult. I mostly had trouble with the middle. I wasn't exactly sure what she was talking about regarding the members struggles early on. However, the catchphrase she's referring to is "Unarticulated dance and shaky vocals". I take it as meaning, as they improved, they got to a point where the catchphrase no longer applied them)

-- That's very regrettable isn't it? (*referring to members leaving I think)

Yasumoto: The members have changed, but when no. 12 Nakayama Riko joined, we ourselves changed. There's was some fear. I wonder if I changed then.

-- Do you tink BiSh has had any opportunities to change?

Chicchi: BiSH changed allot when Ayuni D joined last year. The 3 of us are original members, but it changed how we felt. Even thought 2 members of the group who joined later became seniors,  it sesms like the feelings and performance aspects have changed. Last December, a had a month to improve myself. From that point on, the opportunity to communicate with members increased.We talk allot about what we want to do as BiSH, so naturally the conciousness has changed.

-- Could you talk about each other's favorite songs? You've already mentioned a few.

Hoshina: The members often listen to "Orchestra". We also sing it together in the dressing room. When we came today, we just arrived when you were rehearsing it. The moment we heard it, we were like, "What?!" (laughs).

Momoko: I really like "Natsu Daze Jonny".

Hoshina: That's unexpected (laughs)

Aina: Allot of Live Idol Images are often given to fans, and among them Ebichu might be the most well known. Because we do the choreography ourselves, I often see allot of images. Ebichu's choreography is interesting and the costumes match well with the movement. Everything's cool, isn't it? Of course, I don't listen to the songs, so I'm always watching the performance.

Yasumoto: After it's over, we're always muddy aren't we?

Kobayashi: There's no makeup left when it's over (laughs).

-- How do you spend your time before the Live, is there anything that you always do?

Aina: Everyone in BiSH does.

Chicchi: I stay on the Toilet.

Momoko: It's incredibly annoying.

Chicchi: I like to take my time, I stay there forever. It's the place you feel safe. Sometimes I get angry.

Momoko: When there is only one toilet, right? I double my shoelaces. They would unravel and come off. Tying them is really suited for your fighting spirit.

(*At first, I wondered what tying shoelaces had to do with the toilet, but then I realized that it was unrelated. Momoka just made a brief comment about Chicchi hogging the toilet to wrap it up and then moved on to talking about her pre-live preparations, lol)

Aina: I imaging singing in the bathroom, and sing 1 phrase of a song I like. When it comes to live singing, I get nervous. After I make the atmosphere for singing the most fun, I go out onto the stage.

Hoshina: Ebishu is fine. Everyone does different things. We all take time for meditation. Just before going out on stage, the members and managers close their eyes, and say what today's Live will be like.

Aina: That's so modern, isn't it.

Momoko: Right now, meditation is popular for mindfulness, isn't it.

Aina: That's good, let's do it. I'd definitely like to do it together at the 2 Man.

Yasumoto: It's agreed then!

-- Lastly, tell us about your enthusiasm for the Live.

Chicchi: I think that BiSH and Ebichu are different as groups, but we'll give you a Live that is BiSH-like. I think that BiSH fans, Ebichu fans, and everyone will have a fun day.

Aina: That's the way.

Momoko: Of course, I don't want to lose, but regardless of winning or losing, everyone will have fun at the venue, right.

Yasumoto: Because we do not do Lives with other groups very much, we're getting excited. Like BiSH said, it's a Battle. In the end, I was glad that we could do it together. I want to make a Live where fans of each others groups will want to see them again.

(*I'm not sure if she means "other groups". She uses "Taiban" and I wasn't sure if it meant "opponent",  so I picked something that sounded friendlier)

https://www.up-now.jp/articles/id/67258

The interesting thing about this is that Ebichu are considered the Traditional Idols. It's kind of funny because they have their eclectic side and have done some heavy songs. I guess when paired with BiSH, they would be considered the more straight forward of the two.

10th Anniversary of DJ OZMA's infamous performance that got him banned for life from NHK

*Originally posted on Onehallyu on March 17th, 2017.

I’ve been listening to some Kishidan lately and started thinking about DJ OZMA, lead singer Ayanokoji Sho's alter ego. If you’re not familiar with the DJ OZMA persona, he mainly performed covers of JPop and KPop songs and was known for his wild live performances and MVs. At live events, he performed with the DJ OZMA Family, which included several vocalists and dancers. DJ OZMA was active from 2006 – 2008 and has reappeared a few times since then.

While I was going through OZMA’s Wikipedia page, I realized it’s been a little over 10 yrs since his infamous performance at the 57th Kohaku Uta Gassen, NHK’s annual year-end song festival. I did a quick search and couldn’t find a post about it. It’s a little late, but I thought I’d give it a mention.

Here are the details from DJ OZMA's Wikipedia page:

“Ozma first came to prominence in early 2006 and is notorious for his performance at the 57th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, during which his female dancers stripped themselves of their outer clothing on stage to reveal unitards painted to resemble the nude female body while wearing a patch resembling a mushroom which covered the genitals. The station had to later clarify, in light of complaints, that the dancers were clothed, despite their appearance. For this performance, Ozma received a lifetime ban from performing at the NHK.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Ozma

The page from the event goes into greater detail about the incident and it's fallout if you want some further reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/57th_NHK_Kōhaku_Uta_Gassen

Mysterious Idol Project Involving Omori Seikio

On Sept. 9th, a new Twitter account was opened and made this one and only post using the hashtags #ZOC and #大森靖子 (Omori Seiko). The only text is "Start" and "Presented to the public soon".

【ZOC】

始動。

近日公開。#ZOC #大森靖子 pic.twitter.com/Z0CTyUoInk

— ZOC (@ZOC_ZOC_ZOC) September 9, 2018

People started speculating what it means. Only Seiko is visible in the group photo. The other members identities are unknown. There's a song titled "ZOC Shikkenshitsu (ZOC実験室)" on Seiko's new album "Kusokawa Party", so this must be where the name comes from.

なに、、、新アイドルグループ？
大森靖子さんセンターかな？
サクライケンタさん？
この衣装めちゃくちゃカッコイイ

could it be a new idol group? Oomori Seiko as center? Sakurai Kenta sound producer? I already like the look, the outfits are really cool#ZOC #大森靖子 https://t.co/qfwbPtiQn7

— ラップスター［アンズピア推しの新米］🍚 (@VizMajor) September 10, 2018

I thought they might reveal the identities of each member over the course of several weeks, but on Sept. 17th, their debut MV was released and all the members were revealed.

MV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=XtEiKlzpHfE

ZOC @ZOC_ZOC_ZOC

000 共犯者 大森靖子💘 @oomoriseiko
001 藍染カレン❤️ @aizome_karen
002 戦慄かなの💙 @CV_Kanano
003 香椎かてぃ💜 @KatyHanpen
004 西井万理那🧡 @namahamu0822
005 葵時フィン💛 @Fin_Fin_Fin__
006 兎凪さやか♡ @sss_ri_3_e#ZOC pic.twitter.com/ESYXKhyGfq

— 大森靖子🌏🃏超歌手 (@oomoriseiko) September 18, 2018

5 of the other 6 members have had some level of involvement with the Miss iD Contest. I've looked into this before, and as best I can understand, the purpose of the competition is to challenge what it means to be a girl and create a new female identity. I'm not sure what the winner gets, but I assume it's a contract for Modeling, Acting, etc.

Here's the statement from ZOC's official site:

"ZOC is the abbreviation of "Zone of Control". It's a term used in War and Role Playing Simulation Games. To put it simply, it refers to the concept of "Controlling the Domain" in games. With this in mind, we advocate the meaning "Don't isolate solitude". In this Unit, ZOC means "Zone Out of Control" and we will define a place where belonging and supreme isolation co-exist.

ZOC is fixed as well as fluid. It is elastic and forms various shapes. ZOC is connected and influences ZOC (*I don't really get what she's saying is in this sentence. It's all very esoteric). I'm not ZOC's Producer. We fight together, we play together. We are allies with the same empty, black hole in our hearts. And we would like you to become an ally of ZOC too."

- Omori Seiko

The next section goes further into the concept of the group:

"This is not an "Omori Seiko Produce".

For a long time, Idol Culture in Japan has been defined as the absolute relationship between a Male Producer and a young Girl, like a "Teacher and Student" or a "Parent and Child". However, in the last couple years, we have reached a cross road. With the "decline of the boom", there comes a period of inevitable change and we see the shape of something new. ZOC shows the opposite of Idol Culture up to this point with adults raising girls without ego. It's the story of girls becoming independent and becoming the person they want to be.

Omori Seiko said:

"Don't Produce. I'm a member, a producer, and a kindred spirit. In short, we are allies."

On her new album, "Kusokawa Party", she recorded the song "ZOC Shikkenshitu (ZOC Laboratory)" and released the MV for it as a Unit with 7 allies/members.

Among the members, 5 of them are alumnis of the Audition Project "Miss iD" which challenges the idea of what it means to be a girl. Omori Seiko has served on the selection committee since 2014."

It remains to be seen how much involvement Seiko will have in the group moving forward. ZOC will already be performing as 6 members at an upcoming event on Sept. 23rd. I'll be keeping my eye on this project to see how it evolves over time.

Japan Unveils The Latest In VR Technoloy

Confection Company Uha Mikakuto has launched a "Present Campaign" for their line of Puccho candy. They first introduced the "Puccho A-N 4D Goggles" back in Spring for their first campaign. While looking through the VR Goggles, Singer and Actress Hashimoto Kana would lift a candy and the motorized hand on the device would place it in your mouth.

For their second campaign, Uha Mikakuto has taken it one step further. Enter the Puccho 4D A-N Goggles AGOKUI!

＼今度は顎クイぷっちょあーん!?／
【ぷっちょあーん 4Dゴーグル AGOKUI】
フォロー＆RTで当たる!（10/31締切）
①@pucchokun をフォロー
②この投稿をリツイート
③抽選で２名様に当たるチャンス！#ぷっちょあーん #顎クイ #橋本環奈
詳細→https://t.co/kf1wpxI99z pic.twitter.com/WWjJHmf3Qa

— ぷっちょ【公式】 (@pucchokun) September 3, 2018

Agokui is when you lift someones chin (Ago means chin and Kui is onomotopeia for the sound of lifting the chin). It's meant to be a romantic gesture to give the impression that a kiss could be coming. This "heart thumping" action became trendy in 2015. Some women have admitted they like the idea of the men they're attracted to being "playfully" forceful. The Agokui is exciting because it's one step before kissing.

In the CM for the Campaign, Hashimoto Kana returns and plays a dual role as an Ikemen Boy and a Girl practicing Kendo.

For a chance to experience the 4D Goggles Agokui, you need to follow the Pucchokun twitter account and retweet the post. There will be a raffle, and 2 winners will be chosen.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000032056.html