Jpop: SKE48

If you have already written about the Japanese mega-group AKB48, and then continue to touch upon jpop idol groups, soner or later you will run out of excuses for not writing about their sister group SKE48. They are *another* girl group consisting of 48 girls, but with the simple difference that they are based in Nagoya. Being created after AKB48, they of course will have their fans and opponents, but they basically do the same kind of music. You like AKB48, you should like SKE48 and vice versa.
Their new single is the ending theme for a super-(too)-cute anime but the video instead takes place in a futuristic setting that obviously takes some inspiration from movies like Blade Runner. But why did they have to match a video like this with the song name "Chicken LINE"?!... :-P

• SKE48 - Chicken LINE
• SKE48 - Beautiful Lightning (美しい稲妻, full version here)
• SKE48 - Unrequited Love Finally (片想いFinally)
• SKE48 - 1! 2! 3! 4! I'm Counting on You! (1!2!3!4! ヨロシク!)
• SKE48 - Even Kiss is Left-Handed (キスだって左利き)
• SKE48 - Clumsy Sun (不器用太陽) 
• SKE48 - 12 December Kangaroo (12月のカンガルー)
• SKE48 - Slave to Chocolate (チョコの奴隷)

Jpop: Nogizaka46

I have written about the Japanese mega-group/phenomena AKB48 before, and there is really too much of this certain type of idol jpop to need me writing about it, but one of the explicit challengers to AKB48 is supposed to be Nogizaka46 ("We can be as good with two fewer members"...). I can't see the difference mostly, but "Life is Beautiful" is a better than average with some interesting visuals and a emotional tone that goes beyond most of standard idol pop. A little.

• Nogizaka46 - Life is Beautiful (命は美しい)
• Nogizaka46 - Uniform mannequins (制服のマネキン)

Jpop: Hoshino Michiru (星野みちる)

Ex-AKB48 member, Michiru's songs are of an almost retro quality of sound, with soft mellow synth-laden songs that would feel find in an 80s movie. The new "Night /EIEN Voyage" (I have several alternative translations, but I think this is the official one) is a cozy piece to relax to.

• Hoshino Michiru - Night Voyage (星間連絡船)
• Hoshino Michiru - Away… (離して、、、)

Jpop: World Order - Have a nice day

I just love World Order and their synchronized dances, but they somehow overdid themselves this time with "Have a nice day" by going to Akibahara in Tokyo, the worlds number one nerd district. They went and visited electronic stores, maid cafes, AKB48 (of course!) and all the other stuff I love or remember. This video is pure love and made me cry from happiness. I even went and changed the name of my blog to the current one, as I acknowledged to myself how easily I cry from happiness, just like AKB48's (ex)-member Yuko Oshima (Start at 8:20 if you're in hurry).

• World Order - Have a nice day