Well, it’s been a few months since my last post. I guess I’ve been meaning to post more but I find it a hassle to post images, so from now on this blog will likely be the most boring blog of H!P blogs ever (just kidding, look at the posts posted ‘earlier’ for something with more pictures). Anyway, on with this gong-show!
Long story short, I don’t care all that much for ‘Golden Age Morning Musume’ for a number of reasons, but the real reasons are as follows:
1. It’s too much history, and that is what it is – history.
I don’t want to go into this too much indepth, but it feels like there’s always this historical presence looming over everything that current-day Morning Musume does, and I don’t think that’s necessary. I think current-day Morning Musume should be judged on their own merits, instead of being measured against the accomplishments of girls who existed in different times and different circumstances. Also, as somebody who wishes to see Morning Musume go on, I really wish people would just stop bringing up things that happened close to ten years ago. Things have changed, MM has changed, so why couldn’t their standards change? History is useful to know, and it’s great knowing that MM has this great legacy, but when you’re living in the shadow of a legacy it casts a shadow over every accomplishment you make, and as a fan of the current girls I don’t want to see that. *(More on this in point 4).
2. Old MM was a completely different beast.
They were generally older, more outgoing, had more publicity, had less polished performances (in my opinion), and had the benefit of a fresh start to do anything to make MM into what it was. And while I can respect old MM for their work, it’s not the MM that made me interested and take note, which was the 9th generation.
3. It’s too much work for more casual fans to get into.
I wish fandom was more inclusive sometimes. I got to know older MM partly because I joined the H!P fandom in 2005, and even then there was still a lot to catch up on. But expecting new fans to know the 10-year+ history of MM and originating members? I don’t think that’s helpful to growing the fandom, and any idol unit could always use new fans. But the most important reason is…
4. I didn’t see these girls start, and that makes all the difference to me.
Yes, I can still watch audition videos of when Aibon joined, and yes, I can still see the early awkward days of Maki, but things really aren’t the same. There is no same vested interest in the girls because you already know how they turn out (Smokey, and Avex retiree). You know it’s not in real time; you know what the stakes are already, you know, so there is no room to hope and no room to sit on the edge of your seat as you watch them work in real time trying to achieve their dreams. And for some, the history’s interesting. Maybe for some discovering people who’ve been on this journey is enough. But for me, I don’t think it’s enough, because I think a lot of these girls deserved so much more for what they put in. So I’d rather not look at the foregone conclusion, if it’s all the same to other fans.
Even more, I’d rather not look at a foregone conclusion in history when there are interesting, talented girls doing things right now where your caring about their outcome can change things, even if it’s only by buying one measly single. Because that’s part of the idol dream being sold, and I’m as much a sucker as the next fan.
So that’s why I don’t care about Golden Age Morning Musume – I respect them for their accomplishments, but I didn’t see them from the start, I didn’t await their new releases one after another, and their end product didn’t appeal enough to me to make the history worth it. I care about the current generation of Morning Musume because they are new, they are fresh, they are talented, they are unfinished, and in some ways that’s what idoldom is about – finding somebody to root for. And I think that’s enough.
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On another note, I’m back to blogging for a bit, but I’ve no idea if I’ll keep this up. Look forward to more long-winded and over-thought posts the next time I have to procrastinate! :>
Personally I think the ‘golden age’ Mo-musu was so much better than the current evolution. Morning Musume have become a budget version of AKB48 etc. Tsunku needs to step it up and go back to the old school ‘just cause it’s a laugh’ J-Pop. It was great, because it was cheesy, not in spite of it.
I think it’s interesting that a lot of the reasons that you are so disinterested in older MoMusu (the weirdness, the lack of polish, all of the history to it) is why I love them. Back then, they seemed more raw to me, more just like goofy girls who didn’t give a shit, which made me feel more connected to them. However, I can see why current MoMusu would appeal to people instead, so I respect your opinion.
Usually I do not article on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to complete so! Thanks, quite nice article.
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