The thing I ask myself now is this...

"What happened to the UtaPri fandom I knew?" I guess we are going to need some context on this huh? Do you remember 2014 and 2015? I do and they were great years! I had really started my first year on this platform in 2014 after I started watching the UtaPri Anime's first season on DVD and it was GREAT! It wasn't like Season 2 was...that was the Gold Standard but the season itself was a great one and I had gotten introduced to some of the characters that would become a part of of my life for a good amount of time...at least until Season 4 but we'll get there, I watched the 1st season on DVD and Season 2 on Crunchyroll and they were great times and at the time I remember seeing QN and liking ALMOST all of them and I say that because ,back then, I wasn't a huge Reiji fan...I know I know but its how things were as his personality wasn't something I was into. Ai's was a completely different story because of how analytical he was ,Ranmaru was the rocker that I liked A LOT and then there was...that guy...you know who! Yep...Camus! I don't know what drew me to him ever to be honest. Looking back on it I felt like a damn fool because nothing about him really relates to me and that makes things hard NOW to really embrace him as a character so I don't. I HAVE unfairly punished the other three members of QUARTET NIGHT for this and that I actually feel bad about but...yeah Now when I watched Season 2 there was a Trio that we all know now that debuted called HEAVENS and look we all know this that ,back then, I despised almost the entire Trio save for Kira (That dude just stayed out of trouble while Eiichi was being extra and Nagi was a brat...how could you really dislike the dude) so seeing them get beat was something I relished and then I went on about my day. Now before Season 3 (and I remember this still) the fandom actually did a thing where we took the chibis from Music 2 and we flooded the dashboard with them. It was a great thing we did and I still have a very fond memory of this. I think we also did it for season 4 which was really cool! But Season 4 something happened that I wasn't expecting and that was a..

"DIVISION!!!!" (Yes I love me some John Bercow...deal with it!) Okay so what happened? Well in Season 3 HEAVENS re-debuted as a 7 person group as we all know and they were supposed to be the opposition to STARISH and QUARTET NIGHT...this is where I think problems started to occur. See before (and then during) that season I had made it a goal to try and understand each of the different personalities of the HEAVENS members that were being introduced into the series. The big issue that came up really started in Episode 9 and really hadn't relented for a good long while until I blocked certain people (one of them used to follow me on twitter) and honestly I'm surprised I went most of the year this year without any Eiichi hate on my TL...it was honestly refreshing There were two episodes that genuinely confused and frustrated me when it came to the fandom S4/E5 - Visible Elf S4/E9 - Next Door Why these two? I'll tell you While we know that Episode 9 dealt with the subject of Abuse so did ,in its own way, Visible Elf because while the former dealt with both physical and mental it can be argued that the episode 4 episodes prior the HEAVENS member in it suffered "unintentional" mental abuse because ,if Shion wasn't being yelled at, why would he run from Cecil and then lock himself in the closet back at the HEAVENS Loft. Oh that's right...that never happened and we can excuse it right? The weird thing is that in "NEXT DOOR" that could be considered WORSE when it is depicted where Raging put his hands on Eiichi (his Eldest son) and then went in on him. Oh and we can't forget he called him a "Loser" which is always a fun thing to call your kid right? But that was forgotten and all that is remembered is that "Eiichi Broker Otoya" Funny how this fandom works isn't it? Oh but the weirdness of the fandom doesn't end there because you see now we get to talk about the recent bouts of ENTITLEMENT that they had not the least of which had to do with Shining Live shutting down their Global server and people being legit MAD about that despite the fact that they don't owe anyone an explanation. That would be like be going into Sentai's DMs and demanding to know why the heck they took UtaPri off of Crunchyroll where probably most of the fandom watched it? It ain't my business but I know I'll never buy from them again and rather buy the R2 DVDs because I genuinely didn't like what they did. But I guess my question is this Dear UtaPri fam, Why do you think you were owed a merge for the EN/Tradational Chinese servers when you got (and technically didn't deserve) 4 seasons of the Anime Maji Love Kingdom You got the UtaPri (Shining Agency) Special And are getting STARISH Tours Fam you ain't entitled to ANY of this and yet you got it! The ONE TIME a company says"No" and you decide to be vile and disgusting people. What happened to the people I knew in the fandom? If you are still around you come find me and we can talk but until then... I don't want to hear from you

Let's Discuss: Broccoli's new app

So if you haven't heard then allow me to give you the skinny

This is an article that was posted a few days ago and it was about a "Game App" that Broccoli was working on...yes you heard that part right because this one ISN'T under the control (to the best we know) of KLab whom currently still runs the JP server for Shining Live. Now what is fascinating about this is we have only the one screenshot in the post (which is also on Broccoli's Press Release) with STARISH standing on a stage. I THINK (and I could be wrong) but I think these costumes come out of "Maji Love 2000%" which is INTERESTING if you know anything about "Start Dates" for the Anime seasons See the Date for "Maji Love 2000%" was April 8th of 2013 and this image was posted on April 14th of 2023...yes friends this is literally around the 10th Anniversary of that season! I find it fascinating that they are actively doing a callback to that season in their own way but then again when you also think about the fact that they are also going to be incorporation "Raging Entertainment" now its gonna be a lot of fun! Yes kids...HEAVENS makes their official game debut! Now we have to ask some questions 1. Visual Novel or Rhythm game? If you ask me I think this will be another Rhythm Game BUT I think they will take the approach that Happy Elements does when it comes to EnStars in that they are going to do long chapters with segments voice acted per usual. I also think however that the story will actually lead to something (The UtaPri Awards Showdown. SSS ,or maybe a new contest) so that the game doesn't feel "Aimless" which was a big criticism of mine 2. How would songs unlock? If this is a Rhythm game I think we are going to see more of the Happy Elements approach in that songs will be unlocked after events and that there maybe be other ways too (like the equivalent of a "Live Fes" from EnStars). so there is that also. 3. If It's not a Rhythm Game at first could we see "Idol Training game"? Oh sure! Like since we have Shining and Raging Entertainment its not out of the possibility to see that happen. Like literally in EnStars (Basic and Music) there is "Yumenosaki Academy" and "Reimei" so if we go the route of a game like "ES Basic"...sign me up! If you notice that I am using the "Happy Elements" approach its because of the fact that they OWN their games so they don't have to ask for permission to get songs from someone. I think that might have been a problem for Shining Live a little bit because KLab never owned the content for it. I imagine having to ask for permission a lot is quite the tab Now the big thing is this When does it release? We just really heard about this a few days ago so I suspect that we'll not hear about it again (at least in terms of a title) in June when the 13th Anniversary happens. At that time (if we do hear about it then) I suspect the name and game format to be explained and (POSSIBLY) the "Sunset" of SL for the JP server. I only say "Possible" because it still has a lot of players but again this is all speculation on my part. If you ask me about Dolce Vita...I still think that game could be announced also but then Broccoli would have to think about this: If you announce Dolce Vita that HAS to be the only game announcement for the year. You CAN announce the name of the new Game App but I wouldn't announce a release date because people might be more interested in Dolce Vita honestly. I also think that if they do announce that this new game is a Rhythm game and people don't get a proper update on Dolce Vita then there is gonna be a problem. We know about the "BackPri" issue and how that didn't go well with people so I could see that being a real PR issue if something isn't said about DV Anywho fam that is all I have for right now but I am curious to what you think about this because I am really hyped no matter WHAT it turns out to be...not gonna lie I'll be happy as hell if we get a new rhythm game but sad if that means getting rid of Shining Live altogether. Take care fam and talk to you again soon

The "UtaPri Detective" has come out of retirement We'll be discussing the news about Broccoli's new app soon enough I promise you.. BUCKLE UP!

It's back and this time it BROKE someone! So if we all remember there was a video about the "half A Press Challenge" for Super Mario 64 and the video pretty much became a meme IIRC In this video Twitch Streamer Maximillian Dood reacts to the video that we all came to know and love and well...let's just say I don't think he properly recovered!

Did you know?

There is a show on NHK called "Pop Music Club"? I didn't! I knew about "Songs of Tokyo" and J-MELO (and now also "Uta-Con" and that show) But what I also didn't know is who it featured You see...the show features Johnny's Juniors and today one of the groups they had on was "NEWS" (I actually heard of them because of a fan fic referencing the song "Overdrive"). But the other one? Oh I'm sure UtaPri fans have heard of the group but in case you HAVEN'T...it's this one

YEP! They (from my understanding) are the stars of the show so in honour of my first viewing of the programme... HERE YOU GO!

J Dramas I am watching

Ended Get Ready (Literally watched the Series Finale as my intro to the series...bonus is that I found out AFTER THE FACT that Kotono Mitsuishi was in that series as a Fortune Teller!) Still Going Themis's Law School Classroom (Started this on Wednesday as it is when I got the channel TV JAPAN) Hold my Hand at Twilight (This one might take an episode or two to get me in the right spot) ------------------------------------------------------------- Yes I have officially jumped into the world of J Dramas and let me tell you man...DAMN has this been a trip in the past 3 days ESPECIALLY with "Get Ready" tonight! The episode I got to see of that show legit had me in tears and this is after Themis's nearly did it on WEDNESDAY! There is just something about the storytelling and pacing of shows like these that make me go "Damn yo...can I get some more of this injected into my veins please?!" There is something to be said about the Acting ,Storytelling ,pacing of the episodes that lends credence once again to my theory that a GOOD Anime/Drama makes the episodes just fly by but one where the pacing of an episode (or hell a series in general) can make it a slog and then you start clockwatching and no viewer EVER wants to do that right? Hell I started watching SUMO WRESTLING and all I know is I better not turn my head because it'll be over in a second if I do right?! "Get Ready" had an interesting concept from the synopsis I read after the episode went off the air where its about a team of "Black Market Doctors" and apparently they are kind of superhuman! Now while that premise sounds bloody absurd there was something about it that makes me want to get a hold of the series from the beginning because of the impact that finale left on me...like damn what the hell you hit me in the feels that hard and now you're gone?! Damn that's cold! Like I watched "Themis's" on Wednesday and that show NEARLY broke me and then tonight sent me over the edge legit! It's honestly a wondrous thing about how these types of stories can be told and I even sent a tweet to TVJAPAN on their QRT for Themis and then for "Get Ready" tonight about how those shows were the kind of thing I really like and its true! I've been missing this kind of thing where ,even if there is a language barrier right, the emotion of a scene or the intensity of the dialog can really convey to me what the actors are trying to get across and I just love that and I will say that till I am blue in the face because...just DAMN! Anyways sorry but I had to actually get on here and mention about my journey into J-Dramas already and next Friday I'll tell you a story about how a show that I have been wanting to see for about a year and a half to 2 years finally ends its own journey with me Talk to you then :-)

Alright this is gonna drive me nuts

Does ANYONE remember the name of the "Show" in the UtaPri Universe that Tokiya and Masa performed "Original Resonance on? Yes I need this for research

Have I ever told this story?

It's March 15th ,2022 And on this day I had my curiosity get the best of me and I decided to ask CDJapan a question that said the following What J-Pop Artist do you think would even come CLOSE ENOUGH to be popular enough in the United States to come to the East Coast and perform a concert? Now I know that some might think that question is too specific but let's be clear...I'd love to go to Philadelphia someday to see a concert from someone in that genre someday. CDJ suggested the following BAND-MAID Crossfaith NEMOPHILA Apparently also I found out Miyavi comes to Philly and he is under LDH...interesting and I say that only because I never have ever seen an advert on any website INCLUDING YOUTUBE (then again I hang out on the JP server there so there's that) that would ever advertise that. Part of the reason I even asked this question was because I thought given the popularity of some Artists in the West (and especially those that appeared as performers of Anime OPs and EDs) would have fans that want them to finally come over to the East Coast. To the absolute best of my knowledge here are three Groups/singers that have performed on the East Coast and especially the NY area KAMIJO X Japan Yoshiki (solo) Oh and Also The GazettE...not sure how I forgot them Now I should be clear that they might not have hit the genre I was thinking of but I know that they have all performed in New York and I wanted to try and test the waters for about 2 hours shorter to Wells Fargo to see who people could tell me. Here is something I always forget though The more well known the act the more EXPENSIVE they would be to get too..sure I admit that I misjudged that but the reason I specifically said "Popular Enough" is because you figure that ,if the Act was well known enough in an area then people are gonna go ,sell out the building, then you get them for an extra night or two and you make up the money plus some. Yes I know that is my naiveness coming into play and I might be misjudging things (wait till later when I do my post about Japanese channels for cable vs. Korean because that is an interesting tale let me tell you) but I'm trying to figure out what I am missing really. There has to be THAT Artist that is big enough that Philadelpia ,one of the biggest music capitals on the East Coast (okay okay I'm biased) that people would sell it out in droves and maybe I'm missing who that person is? Any help friends

Here are some UtaPri Q's for you

So its the beginning of 2023 and I was thinking that I haven't done a "UtaPri Q" thing in a while but ,where as sometimes I can try to predict the questions someone would ask ME and then I would try to answer it the best I could, this time I'm going to ask YOU some questions and I want your best guesses (because we can't predict Broccoli at all even when I genuinely try). Not all of these questions are about THIS YEAR per se but rather in general so give me your best answers as there is no right or wrong to these ready 1. When will the next "stage show" be? 2. What will the next Animated Project be and what will its release date be? 3. (This one is specific to this year) Does "Dolce Vita" finally get a release date at the next Anniversary? 4. (Again specific to this year) Will Broccoli announce more than 1 CD Project for HEAVENS this year? 5. (Yes or No) A "Reboot" of the UtaPri Project will be Announced (if yes what year?) 6. Will Crunchyroll get back the UtaPri series within the next 5 years? 7. Will Shining Live completely shutdown within the next 3 years or will another company take it over (Bandai Namco ,Happy Elements ,Coly etc.) 8. Within the next 3 years will another Western Anime Distributor try to acquire the license for the series? 9. When Dolce Vita eventually does release do you see an English version (or fans making an English patch for it)? 10. Do you see KLab surviving the backlash for the shutdown of the Global Server of Shining Live? 11. Do you see UtaPri making it to the 20th Anniversary? YEP 11 Questions...these were some I was thinking about for a while but I wanted to put to you properly. I look forward to seeing your answers/opinions on these questions and remember...there is no right or wrong on these at all

My #FicAuthorProblem

Okay besides the fact that I SUCK at time management to actually put out a fic here me out on this one About...oh close to 2 years ago I had this idea for a K Project fic that I was going to write...now the problem isn't "If I'm going to write it because the answer is YES but let me continue Okay first you need to understand my process for planning a fic beit "Mulit-Chapter" or "Oneshot" Whenever I write a fic I always have to know the ending of a story FIRST because if I don't then I don't have an idea of where I am ending (or close to it) and then planning out the rest of the story based on that ending. This usually is the best case for me and I can usually bang out the story quickly after the fact. NOT THIS TIME! This particular "K Project" fic had ONE ENDING...ONE G-- DAMN ENDING and I somehow didn't write it when I knew that. This brings me to now! In the time that I have had to NOT write this fic a character came into my mind and when that happened it took the original ending (which was already going to be dark as hell) and made it even DARKER which now requires far more mental prep than I thought previously because ,if you know me, I can't write dark stories unless I have a lot of mental preparation for it. This one ending with this ONE CHARACTER literally postponed a story I had every intention of doing almost 2 years ago and made me have to rethink its ending because of how much of an emotional rollercoaster it was going to be Will I get to writing this fic? Yeah eventually but I already know one thing: If this fic's ending has to change AGAIN then damn...I might not get to write it which sucks because I think its gonna be a hell of one to write but we shall see

Here is a question I was wondering about

In 2019 after "Maji Love Kingdom had its showing in the states Sentai Filmworks removed the series (along with others that they owned) from the site known as Crunchyroll... The question is this: How many people ,in the almost 4 years since that happened, have moved on from the UtaPri series and on to other series (Idol or otherwise)? I had this question up on my twitter and then took it down for some reason (I'm going to repost it soon) but its something I wondered about here. I'd actually love to hear what you had to say about this and look forward to any answers in the reblogs or replies to it Take care

Alright last post tonight I swear

I tried playing the English version of Twisted Wonderland when it released and I saw this blonde dude that legit looked the spitting image of "that guy" from UtaPri and I closed app and uninstalled...no I'm not kidding

I always wanted to ask this Question

How many people that have been in the UtaPri fandom genuinely don't care about the character routes in the games? I'm actually serious about this question and let me tell you why Tomorrow is going to be January 7th and it will be my 9th year associated with UtaPri despite not being as connected to the fandom as I used to be and I remember how I got introduced to the series...it was literally a gif of Ren from the Anime and then that got me interested in the actual Anime part of the franchise. HOWEVER... What this didn't make me do is become as interested in the Otome/Visual Novel games as a lot of people might be in the fandom but that was more because the songs in the Anime actually got me interested in buying the songs and then also playing the Music games of which I own all 3 games. Like the idea of the Romance in the series (and yes I get it that it was an Otome first) wasn't a bad thing so...I get that but I also know that the biggest draw for me when I watched each episode was whatever song they were going to play in it. Why do you think that ,to this day, "Crystal Time" holds the record for the longest time I ever played a song on a loop (it was 3 weeks for anyone that doesn't know)? The other thing for me was always going to be this What characters did I see myself the most in and honestly...yeah we know already who that was right? The characters whom (currently) don't have any actual character routes in the games which sucks but eh...what can you do right? The best thing really is try to watch when they WERE in the Anime and see if you can figure out WHY you relate to them so much (which I did) and then you're good. Now does this mean that ,if/when HEAVENS get routes in a UtaPri game, I'm going to detach from them? NOPE! Here is what it WILL do for me It will either confirm or bust the ideas in my head about the backstories of the different members (of which...I had a lot of theories trust me) so there is that...but simultaneously I don't NEED or crave that content from them to love them more than I already do you know? I know that sounds odd but trust me my mind works in mysterious ways...hell ask me how much I love reading "deep dives" from twitter about characters in EnStars and the answer for that is A LOT but I'll try to explain that later down the line. So this brings me back to my original question If you were someone whom ,like me, came into the UtaPri fandom through the Anime and later the Music games then I have to ask you this: Did you ever feel like you needed the game routes to really embrace a character or were you satisfied enough with what you found out through the Anime series itself? Like I said for me it was more about the Music at times...well until Season 4 and then we know what changed and its been that way since 2016 (arguably even 2014 when I saw S2 for the first time). Let me know fam and I'll talk to you later :-)

I'm legit surprised that..

For a whole season we did NOT have to see Satsuki in UtaPri (and thank God for that)

Welp...

It's been over 6 months since EnStars' English game released and I am nearly rank 110 already as a (mostly) F2P player... I THINK...I have a problem