New, simpler opening this time, but very pretty with the sky and the cutouts. I have officially passed the 10 episodes behind schedule mark XD but here’s a synopsis of 9 and 10 – two great, can’t be missed episodes.

Episode 9

This was a great episode! A-chan is the host this time – pedestal and all – and brings out her guest, comedian Yama-chan. It’s another love-related episode, this time: to help Yama-chan, single for three years, find a girl!

A-chan and Yama-chan go through activities for Yama-chan to choose. Yama-chan asks Nao to model her model walk. Afterwards, he cracks a very cold – and very poorly received – “venus” joke.

Next, Nocchi is asked to show her housewifely abilities. Let’s pause for a moment now, because Nocchi proceeds to don an apron and finely chop a banana. Moeee~

Next, stage two: how Yama-chan captures women’s hearts! Kashiyuka is reluctantly roped into doing a skit, where Yama-chan has “lost” something – and it’s his heart!

Kashiyuka is a little disgusted and not impressed at all.

Then Yama-chan does a gag that makes everyone – especially Sumiko – burst into laughter. As the next challenge, he shows his sports skills by fake-playing basketball.

Finally, A-chan asks Yama-chan to choose who he would pick out of the four – and he says none of them. Why? He needs to come clean to A-chan… the rest of the girls giggle…

As his pants drop down to show underpants that say “A-chan daisuki,” it’s clear why.

Episode 10

It’s the concert episode! Nao and Sumiko follow Perfume’s 5.31.2008 GAME Tour date in Yokohama. They’re both excited. Nao demonstrates her favorite Perfume song – as well as demonstrating why she’s a model and not a singer, because she is completely tone deaf. So yeah, they will attend the concert today!

They go around and talk to the fans for awhile – talking to/hitting on two male fans. When Sumiko tells the second guy, an A-chan fan, that her hands have touched A-chan, he reaches out to grab Sumiko’s hands. XD

They then cut to a studio segment filmed but not aired from episode one talking about how the group has been together for 8 years and such. There’s a VTR with more background on the girls.

The huge crowd gathers – and a few call out to “Nao-chan” and, eventually, “Sumiko” on the balcony. Talk about a big celebrity presence.

The concert gets underway. The highlight would have to be the “Secret Secret” performance clip shown – it’s just as amazing live as it was in the PV!

They show parts of more performances (GAME, Baby Cruising Love, Polyrhythm, Chocolate Disco) as well as a few MCs – where A-chan takes the chance to give Sumiko some shoutouts.

Both Nao and Sumiko have positive impressions of the concert. Nao enjoys the energetic live, while Sumiko is more touched by how Perfume are onstange and off and thanks them for putting on a good show.

Finally, it’s the last MC – Perfume all battle tears (some better than others) as they thank the audience for making their tour a success.

With Perfume offstage, the crowd turns to wave to Nao and Sumiko. Of course, they wave back. Sumiko, in completely high tension, screams out “I love Perfume” along with her trademark comedy catchphrase – the audience loves it.

Finally, Nao and Sumiko go visit Perfume backstage – Perfume are very happy to see them. It’s all smiles as Sumiko tells Perfume just how impressed she was by the concert.

Well, it looks like I’m really, really behind on these. Better late than never? As always, screencaps from veoh.

Episode 7

Today is Kashiyuka’s day to lead. She brings on a guy who is a love expert or comedian – I couldn’t catch his name or read the kanji. What the girls do today is ask him love questions. I don’t really understand what they’re talking about, but to the best of my knowledge/inference, Nao asks what he would do when received with food from a girl; Kashiyuka asks how/if he would call his girlfriend; A-chan asks his ideal date plan.

I don’t know what his answers are, but he apparently sucks, because after he gives his answer the girls all mark and score him. His scores are so painfully low (Kashiyuka even gave him a -10 on the last question.)

They tally up who gave him the most points, and A-chan wins… with a total of 12/30. (Pity points!) So she gets to have a nice date/session with him. And what does she talk about?

GAME album promotions. That’s my girl!

Episode 8

Now it’s A-chan’s chance to bring on a love specialist – and it’s the crossdresser comedian Maeken. After last episode, it’s now time to rate girls with the segment called a girl’s album. (PS: Look at Kashiyuka! She’s rocking a fierce fedora this episode.)

They’re shown VTR of girls getting guys, and rate them with 0, 1, or 2 “arus.” The first video is of a girl waiting for her boss around the corner, and accidentally “meeting” him. Perfume goes wild for this, and Kashiyuka reveals something about Perfume’s very cool dance teacher.

The second one has the woman being mature and aggressive. Nao loves this one. Nocchi also shares her experience of confessing to ten guys in a row in elementary school.

Afterwards it’s one of a girl judging on writing? not sure, and one of a girl who has to basically support her boyfriend with money. Results differ. Finally, Maeken announces a winner of the day – it’s Nao this time. No special prize like A-chan got, though.

These two episodes were pretty talk-centric and wordy – mostly talk, not so much activity, so I found it hard to understand, but I think I got the general gist of things anyways.

I am really behind on my HAPPY! episodes – oh, life – so I’ll be playing
catch-up for awhile. They’re going out of the studio for filming now, focusing not on celebrity blogs but on their own interests now. Screencaps from veoh again.

Episode 5

Today’s shoot begins outside! After a few jabs at Nishioka, Nocchi reveals that it is her idea that their episode have Nao, being a CanCam model and all, style them. And so they go!

First on the way though, they stop at Nao’s pick Kurodai for taiyaki, those fish-shaped breads except these are different from the traditional ones and have a cream center. Everyone approves.

Then they stop at Coucou, a pick of Kashiyuka’s that has random cheap and cute items. They bring out Hamada, their producer? The store’s producer? I’m not sure, but they urge Nishioka to use the items in-store to make a gag.

Hamada judges and… does not approve.

Then everyone else tries, and gets approval for all of their own dumb cheesy acts.

Nishioka tries again… and is, once again, denied.

They reach Grace Continental, which is Nao’s pick of a clothing store. She goes to restyling Nocchi, putting her into a cute flowy minidress. The new look is admired. Nocchi is a little embarrassed by how short and flowy it is, but Nao explains how it is fashionable. Nocchi is glad that everyone likes it. Then A-chan and Kashiyuka are to be restyled as well. Nishioka wants to be restyled as well – but they reveal it won’t be by Nao, but by the old producer.

Kashiyuka and A-chan’s looks are revealed, with Kashiyuka in a flirty one-piece dress and A-chan dressed maturely.

Next is Nishioka’s turn. What is the Hamada’s theme? Boku no Yume – “my dream.” XD She comes out in a crimson dress with a huge black hat – she looks good. (But Hamada sure has some pretty scandalous dreams…)

All the makeovers turned out pretty well – but it’s hard to mess up when each piece of clothing the Perfume girls wore is about 300US, with Nishioka’s dress more around $1000US.

Episode 6

The show starts in Akihabara this time! A-chan starts humming a strange tune, and when asked why – well, this is Akihabara after all! The show this time is about the newest electronics – topic chosen by Nishioka.

They arrive at the store, and Nishioka pulls out a stack of cash. Girl is ready to make some purchases! 8D

First they’re shown a giant, amazing Panasonic television. But its 5,600,000 yen – aka $56000US – so they go look at more reasonably priced televisions instead.

Next, they’re shown these new Sony Cybershot cameras that have smile detection – they shoot the picture when they detect you smiling. Everyone tries, and it works like a charm!

But then Nocchi tries… and however much she smiles, grins, winks, the camera just doesn’t detect her smile. Oh Nocchi… I think the VTR said the staff did tamper with it though, so it’s of no fault of Nocchi’s or her brilliant smile.

They move on to a fridge that not only keeps things cold, but could also keep things warm. The girls all have a nice cup of soup. Then they move on – but, wait, where’s Nocchi?

She’s relaxing on a massage chair, looking like she’s in bliss – before the machine hurts her. The salesman demonstrates all the different things the chair can do, which is pretty awesome. Then all the girls grab a chair each and relax.

Nishioka decides to buy the less expensive television they saw – but notices something wrong. Why is the bill so high? Perfume and Nao chorus together their thanks… apparently, they each grabbed one of those cybershots and want Nishioka to pay for it. XD Nishioka is surprised, expecting Perfume to do this, but even Nao?! But all of them, even the salesman, stay adamant. Nishioka Sumiko, always pwned. XD

Overview of episodes 3 and 4 of HAPPY! – animals and massages. This show really is really random and cute. Screencaps from veoh this time!

Episode 3

The show starts off with the usual introductions. Perfume says that Nocchi can count all the different classes of numbers (aka tens, hundreds, thousands, etcetc) and she does – ridiculously. Do Japanese really have the “unbelievably large” class of numbers or is that just a Nocchi thing? XD Either way, because she did it, Sumiko has to do one of her acts as a punishment game.

They go into the show’s theme: pets. Of course, there’s Kashiyuka’s hamsters and Nao’s cat and dog. They also go through other celebrities who have, amonst other things, rabbits, bugs, and tigers.

A-chan acts as the host and announces that with the theme, there will be quiz questions amongst the girls – with a prize for the winner. What’s the great prize? A-chan whips out a signed copy of “GAME.” XD Nocchi and Kashiyuka deny their involvement with her.

The first animal the handler brings out is a flying possum – all the girls immediately go into cute spazzes, especially Kashiyuka, who immediately goes over the hold the little thing.

Next is a mini-pig – which the girls also all marvel over. Kashiyuka is the one who’s really into it, taking the pig for a walk on its leash.

But with the next animal the girls aren’t nearly as enthusiastic – it’s a chameleon. Even Kashiyuka stays away. Sumiko urges Nocchi to hold the chameleon – and Nochi, scared of it, desperately refuses.

Kashiyuka was afraid at first, but finally takes it into her hands. Nao also comes over, and takes the chameleon. The other three girls stay far away. They do a little demonstration with the chameleon, showing how it uses its tongue.

The episode ends as so – Kashiyuka is fondling the little possum, Nocchi is hugging the pig, and Nao awkwardly holds the tree branch that the chameleon is sitting on. XD

Episode 4

The episode starts off with Sumiko and Nao being asked their ultimate, ideal proposal. Nao-chan’s is totally plain – a restaurant proposal. Sumiko’s, however, is long and convoluted, and involves Jack Bauer from 24. But after her long description, A-chan promptly cuts her off – again. XD

The theme for today is relaxation. Before the show, they did a test of some sort to determine overall stress level. The least stressed people are Kashiyuka, Nocchi, and A-chan (oh, you carefree girls), and second most stressed of everyone is Nao.

“You really don’t have to announce who’s the most stressed!” but A-chan does so anyways.

They go look at celebrity blogs that featured different massage methods to calm you down, and then brought out massage experts.

The first lady is brought out. Kashiyuka asks her hold old she is, and everyone is shocked that she’s already 53. She takes them through some ar stretching exercises.

The second lady apparently can really distort her face! She does face-based massages, including this really weird and apparently difficult exercise you do with your tongue.

The last is a man who does something known as Pain Cure Treatment Stretch. He does exercises with all the girls, then brings out a mat to massage one of the girls. Sumiko, being the ultra stressed one, goes ahead and receives it.

The massage is odd (look at that last move!) but does it work? They measure her stress levels again, and – lo and behold – it went down by a lot. Guess all those convoluted massage methods work after all.

HAPPY! is a new NTV show on Friday nights hosted by electropop trio Perfume, CanCam model Tokuzawa Naoko, and comedienne Nishioka Sumiko. On the show, they go over celebrity blogs and also have fun information for the girls to play around with. It’s something like a high-tension girl’s variety show – bringing an odd mix of female celebrities together for interesting show presence and talking about topics girls would enjoy.

I actually don’t understand much what the show is about but it’s a short lighthearted watch, even if I don’t understand much Japanese. It’s a five person show, but it’s obviously focused on Perfume, and has lots of cute moments with all the girls. …And, let’s be honest, it’s not like I’m genuinely that interested in celebrity blogs as much as in seeing Perfume. (Sorry for the bad quality screenshots, I youtubed these two episodes.)

Episode 1

The opening introduces everyone – standard introductions. The Perfume girls marvel at how cute Naoko looks. Check it out where A-chan pulls off a high-pitched version of Nishioka’s introduction “Nishioka Sumiko da yooo” that leaves her speechless. XD

Afterwards, the VTR goes over Naoko’s blog – and finds a piece about a restaurant about tomatoes. Cue a cart filled with heirloom tomatoes pushed out! Everyone enjoys it like fruit, except for Kashiyuka, who doesn’t like tomatoes. They make her try one – and the look on her face is priceless. They then get a bottle of 15000 yen tomato juice ($150 for tomato juice, really now Japan?). A-chan pours it out (spilling a little, which makes Nishioka make a ruckus, which A-chan shoos off) and they drink. Of course everyone says it’s delicious – except for poor Kashiyuka.

Next, the VTR goes over Perfume’s blogs – Kashiyuka’s hamsters, Nocchi’s picture of a gecko, and A-chan’s… sign. The announcer tries his best to imitate Perfume by reading in a high pitched voice and making all the cute sounds on the blog… it doesn’t work for him, but it sounds funny to me. They talk over those – apparently Kashiyuka gives the hamsters high speed heart massage? I have no idea but the way Kashiyuka does it is adorable.

To end, there’s a small portion of “Polyrhythm” performed live. On the side, Naoko and Sumiko murmur “kawaii” to each other over and over. Even they are not immune to the charm of Perfume!

Episode 2

Perfume marvels over Naoko’s look again. They go over a few celebrity blogs that talked about foods, then they bring out some of the featured foods. The vegetable cakes from Potager look especially delicious, but apparently the taste… is questionable. They’re cute looking cakes that are vegetable flavored – I can’t imagine how it’d actually taste. They also bring out the pastries that have their faces printed onto it – and they decide to cut and share Nishioka Sumiko’s, much to her joking protest.

They go to the talk session, where Naoko talks about skincare. Next, since Naoko or some other CanCam model talked about curry nabe (hotpot) on her blog, the girls share a pot. They talk over things like diet and exercise – and then Nishioka goes to show her aerobic headstand exercise, which I hope is just a joke because it looks painful. And right during the headstand, the girls end the show – cheeky girls. Lastly, there’s a cute promo for Perfume’s “GAME” album.

This show is quite enjoyable – I’d like it better if I could actually understand (will I ever figure out Naoko’s advice on skincare?) but it’s pretty short and fun, and the girls have nice interactions. It’s an unlikely mix of hosts, but it works out. A-chan pretty much takes hold of the show, but everyone else has their moments too. Perfume, and A-chan especially, seem to like picking on Nishioka, and it is pretty funny. I’ll blog this for now as it does seem pretty interesting (and, well, because it’s somehow become my life mission or something to help the world love Perfume ).

Remember hearing about Arashi’s new prime time variety show? The one that will focus on “social and cultural topics” that tokyograph made it sound all serious and stuff?

“Himitsu no Arashi chan” will start airing on TBS in April. They’ve held a press conference for the show. Now, I don’t know if they will be talking about social and cultural topics… but what I do know is, their promotional poster consisted of member’s secrets that you can get… by unzipping their pants.

(Let me just say it now: Aiba and Sho are looking gooood. Nino, please get a haircut.)

And if that promotional stunt isn’t enough for you, just what are these deep, thought-provoking secrets that you can get from Arashi’s pants? (from ames_909 at LJ)

Ninomiya Kazunari
To be honest, lately, I’ve been using a vinyl bag.

Aiba Masaki
The number of times I’ve mistaken my TV remote for my cellphone and taken it out with me: four times.

Sakurai Sho
I don’t know how to tie my own necktie.

Matsumoto Jun
In actuality, my fly is unzipped pretty often too.

Ohno Satoshi
To be honest, even now I’m still afraid of Nostradamus’ prophecy.

Oh boys.

Just looking from the very interesting promotion, Arashi no Himitsu chan looks like a show to definitely check out. After all, if Arashi is willing to let us reach into their pants, the least we can do is watch their show.