The classic idol scene is experiencing a revival. But of course, some of us never faltered in our loyalties, right?
12/15/02
Nanno (Minamino Yoko) recently appeared in the December issue of "LEE" magazine - a fashion mag. She reports that during the months of September until late November, she was onstage for a live performance of "Teruterubouzu no Terukosan." She had absolutely no break. She looks great on the cover doesn't she?
10/08/02
Ok, I'm late with this news (I have school and a job, whaddya want?). Onyanko Club recently had a televised reunion! They also recorded their first single since their farewell in 1987. The songs are "Dokyusei" c/w "Shomikigen." The single is due for release in November 20. The TV Special was taped and the DVD and VHS will be released in December 4. A CD of the reunion is also scheduled to be released in October (or was it November?).
Alumni that appeared were:
#4 Nitta Eri
#6 Kihara Aki
#8 Kokusho Sayuri
#9 Nagoya Mika
#13 Utsumi Kazuko
#14 Tomikawa Harumi
#15 Tatsumi Rika
#17 Junoichi Sanae
#19 Iwai "Yuuyu" Yukiko
#22 Shiraishi Mako
#28 Yokota Mutsumi
#29 Watanabe Minayo
#32 Yamamoto Susan Kumiko
#33 Fukawa Tomoko
Note: Shiraishi Mako is missing in the photo as she had 4 kids to attend to. And if you caught her concert tour a couple years ago, you'll notice that Nitta Eri's voice hasn't changed at all since she was a kid - and that's the way we like it!!
Several Onyanko Club alumni are also releasing CDs on the "Golden Best" series:
Kawai Sonoko (double CD!)
Ikuina Akiko
Kokusho Sayuri
Watanabe Minayo
Junoichi Sanae
07/22/02
BIG FREAKIN' NEWS! Asaka Yui, The Candid Girl - has gotten married!! She got hitched on July 21, 2002 to her longtime drummer. This was a secret marriage and revealed only afterwards. She announced it on her personal website. We wish her all the happiness in the world.
06/05/02
Nanno (Minamino Yoko) has a new TV drama called "Ikkakusenkin Yume Kazoku" where she plays the main role. It's a comedy about 3 housekeepers that play the lottery and win 100,000,000 en. It's scheduled to air from 06/08 - 06/21. And Nanno's birthday is coming - so wish her a happy one ya slobs!06/01/02
Nakamura Yuma is starring in a new TV drama in which I hear the character she plays is quite similar to Kazama Yuma of Sukeban Deka III. Her co-star is Agatsuma Kayo from Onyanko Club. Interesting cast since the two girls also did a concert tour together last year.8/28/01
Mari Iijima Live at Genghis Cohen - Sept. 9th 7PM
Genghis Cohen is at 740 North Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles,
just north of the corner Fairfax and Melrose.
There is a web site at http://www.genghiscohen.com
You could say Hello to Mari after the gig!
New Album "Right Now " and the video " The Making of Right Now " is available at http://www.marimusic.com
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Nishida Hikaru has recently announced her engagement to some "commoner." Don't know the name of the dude, I don't pay much attention to the guys.
11/27/00
Well, Shizuka fans - that dreaded time has come - she's getting married! Yep, Shizuka just announced her engagement to Dorkus Maximus (hey, I forget the guys names, ok?) plus another bombshell - she's 4 months pregnant! It had to happen sooner or later.
11/21/00
I've known about this for a while now, but I haven't posted this news because I was in denial and simply refused to acknowledge it - former Onyanko Club leader Kokusho Sayuri has gotten married!!! Yep, #8 finally hitched-up with an old schoolmate. I don't know the name of the lucky bastard, but there you have it. I'm bitter, but at least Nami's still single (she's saving herself for me y'know)
11/12/00
Well peeps, if you didn't get your ticket to the Nitta Eri concert on November 18, your outta luck - it just sold out.
10/19/00
Ok kids, the one and only Yui will be playing the Astrohall in Shinjuku, Tokyo on Christmas eve, December 24. Tickets are $50 each and includes an exclusive new single available only at this concert. Lie, cheat, steal or kill to get there, as long as you get there!
AND... Peach Balloon has announced it's Super Idol Respect Night Version 5 - Nakamura Yuma of Sukeban Deka III and supergroup Onyanko Club's member #48 Agatsuma Kayo! December 12, 2000. Tickets are 4000en in advance and 4500en at the door. Man! What a gig that should be! Live versions of "Panic!" and "Sekirara e Iko" in one night! Again held at the Code Club in Shinjuku. Maybe Kayo will invite one of her Onyanko Clubmates.
9/25/00
NEWS FLASH! Nitta Eri concert! November 18 at Luna's Club in Tokyo. Get a plane ticket or ride your Maaka na Jitensha, but get there!
8/5/00
NEWS OF THE YEAR! In a recent television interview (August 26), Nanno (Minamino Yoko) expressed her intention to return to the concert circuit! YES!! Nanno back on stage! She is one of THE idols of Japanese pop! Yoko is now preparing to tour probably by next year or so. I'll be there for sure! How about you?
Ok peeps, the Yucchi concert has come and gone. If any of you mihas out there actually went to the gig, I'd love to hear a concert review. I'll feature it here and of course give you full credit for it and a special gift. It would be great if you could also include a few photos of Ms. Yuka on stage. And maybe a songlist of the performed tunes.
7/18/00
If you're lucky enough to be able to watch Japanese TV - catch Yui Asaka in a new show called "QUIZ." I swear the girl hasn't aged a day!
Noriko Sakai has gigs coming up on October 9 (Saitama) and October 14 (Nakano, Tokyo). Tickets go on sale the 2nd week of July. Don't hold your breath expecting Nori-P era songs though...
Sony has released a new CD collection of Minamino "Nanno" Yoko songs - "2000 Best". This collection spans her entire recording career. A good buy if you missed the "Nanno Singles I" and "Nanno Singles II" CD collections or don't have any Nanno stuff at all. Details here: http://bit.sonymusic.co.jp/Special/GT/000621/my.html Sorry, it's in Japanese only.
Peach Balloon has secured for the next gig - Yuka Onishi!!! Yucchiiiiiiii!!!! Here's your chance to see the cute, adorable Yucchi chan in concert! It's guaranteed that she will sing "Chance wa Ichido Dake" and "Shadow Hunter". The date is set on August 18, 2000 at the "Code" club in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Tickets go on sale on 7/9/2000. 4,000 en for one ticket (includes 1 drink), 4,500 en at the door (might sell out though, so get yours ahead of time). A word of warning - Japanese summers are hell on earth. Oh, ummm... Metano is opening. Don't ask me who they are, I don't know either. Now, if we can only get my honey, Nami Shimada to do a gig...
Word has it that Haruko Sagara is doing well in Los Angeles working with her film production company and has landed a role in an upcoming movie. Omedeto gozaimasu Haruko chan! When the film makes it to the theaters I wanna see all of you there! I know where you bums live! More details as they're leaked to me...
As for Minayo, she has just recently released a new book titled "Itsumademo Idol!" This very nice, softbound, full color book is 95 pages long and features chapters on her career, her childhood, her marriage, her new son, food, her days in the Onyanko Club, her nail boutique, and her full discography. Tons of photos! A great bargain at only 1429 en! No Minayo fan should be without this. Many thanks for the copy Ami! Love ya!
Shizuka Kudo was recently spotted trying to get away from the media with her new boyfriend. Leave her alone guys, she deserves a private life when she needs it.
Mami Yamase has been doing the talk show circuit promoting her new cooking book "Mami's Recipes". I was lucky enough to catch her doing a few shows while I was in Tokyo and she demonstrated a few dishes. Looks real yummy! Still baby-faced and baby-voiced. Cute as ever. Just don't sample your own cooking too much Mami!
Yukiko "Yuuyu" Iwai just gave birth to a new baby girl. No word yet on the name. Just have to wonder how a little thing like Yuuyu can manage to deliver a baby...
Akina Nakamori has just signed on to a new production house: Raku Music Productions and will be giving her Millenium Christmas Dinner Show on December 22 and 24, 2000. Wish I could be there. Hope things finally turn for the best for Akina - she's had a very tough time these past few years. Ganbare Akina chan! For more info and details, please visit the very excellent "Akinaland" website: http://www.hkstandard.com/~nakamori/
Rumor has it that Australia is planning to do a new Sukeban Deka series. I hope this is just a nasty rumor. Remember what Australia did with Ultraman? My flesh crawls just thinking about it.
A belated congratulations to Midori Yamazaki on her marriage. Hey, Mi-chan! Write to me!
Not exactly the latest news, but just in case you've been living in a cave the past year, Pony Canyon has issued the 10 CD series "Onyanko Club A and B Collection". These are single releases from the Onyanko Club and anybody that was ever in the group. If you missed the original LP releases in the 80s, here's your chance to redeem yourself.
