°C-ute's immortal ‘Jump!,’ Part 1: The jumps

いつまでも
あきらめない

 

Itsu made mo
akiramenai

 

I'll never, ever
give up

 

­– Hagiwara, “Jump!” (translation courtesy Projecthello.com).

 

 

“Jump!” is a song that never gets old. At least five DVD renditions of this astonishing °C-ute song are available out there, and it’s time to rate those five versions. In essence, then, this is a poll, which is to run as long as this series does, even afterward, as long as this blog lurks in cyberspace. Here are the five shows to be rated by anyone caring to enter this discussion:

 

*** 1. Feb. 25, 2007, Nenkin Kaikan, Tokyo: “Hatimata yo! Cutie Show,” °C-ute's inaugural tour. “Jump!” was the lede number, and it was an explosive start to what ended up being one of the greatest, if not the greatest, opening concert for any group anywhere. It collapsed in a gusher of tears for the normally icy-veined °C-ute members as the endless, chanting standing ovation was overwhelming.

 

*** 2. April 22, 2007, Nenkin Kaikan, Tokyo: “Golden Hatsu Date,” another °C-ute tour, when it was evident fans didn’t get enough from the first tour. Instead of starting the concert, “Jump!” ended it – with a bang.

 

*** 3.  July 29, 2007, Saitama Super Arena, Saitama: “Hello Project 2007 Summer” concert, in which “Jump!” morphed into a massive, 70-singer extravaganza at the end of what was an already amazing concert. Costuming was otherworldly, as was the sight (and shake) of all 70 Hello Project girls and 20,000 Saitama Arena fans jumping at the same time.

 

*** 4. Sept. 10, 2007, Final stop on °C-ute's “Cutie Circuit” tour, possibly at the Yokohama Blitz but can’t be sure, and my Kanji isn’t that good to pull it off the DVD cover. This is the best “Jump!” performance, in my view, despite being before the smallest crowd and the most austere set.

 

*** 5. Sept. 30, 2007, Yokohama Blitz, part of “Houkago no Essence” tour. Remarkably, these seven girls carpeted Japan with no fewer than three major tours in 2007, and “Jump!” was a big part of them all.

 

Voting options: Anyone wanting to cast a vote can best do it by sending an e-mail to radicalpatriot@yahoo.com. In the “subject” line, just write “Jump! Vote” followed by the order of preference, if you’re familiar with the five versions. If you don’t have them handy, then consider the screencaps I’ll be using throughout this series, which might provide enough of a basis for a vote.

 

Or you can simply write comments on these “Jump!” posts, any time during the series, saying anything you want about this topic. Right now, I plan on posting between six and 10 parts, each dealing with certain facets of the song.

 

This segment, Part 1, deals with the actual jumps in “Jump!,” and there are many. Note that, in the last three of four shows, °C-ute's members executed an average of about 30 jumps per "Jump!" effort. These were not dainty little bunny-rabbit hops. They were brutal, gymnastic-style leaps, and they landed hard on their ankles every time. Think these jumps were anything less than bone-crushing? You try it. You'll be lucky if you don't break off your legs below the knees. These jumps, especially those on Sept. 30, were ankle-smashers.

 

The first DVD of “Jump” saw °C-ute performing on a rather confined stage, so some cutesy hand signs had to sub for jumps at the start of the song. However, later, the girls actually did leave their feet, and the “Jump!” legend was born.

 

The second major appearance of “Jump!” took place during the April 2007 tour, and instead of leading off the show, as Tsunku is prone to do, he reverses field and ends the show with “Jump!,” sans the encore. The jumps really started to get higher and more numerous.

 

Third stanza was in late July, when Tsunku – again, as he is always prone to do it seems – used it for the entire Hello Project gang to blow out a major, major number with glittering costumes, thunderous sound and an almost maniacal crowd at Saitama Super Arena. Everybody, and I mean everybody, jumped, including the many thousands in attendance. It was an earthquake.

 

“Jump!’s” legend continued unabated twice in September 2007. The first DVD was °C-ute's final stop on the “Cutie Circuit,” and the venue is unclear (it could be Yokohama Blitz, but my Kanji just isn’t that good). The Sept. 10 performance of “Jump!” was, in my view, the best of them all. °C-ute rocked, and it was a small crowd with dubious sound and shaky videography. But it was gritty and sensational. Sensational.

 

And, finally, the Yokohama Blitz on Sept. 30 (see the image at the top of this post). This is when °C-ute unleashed the unholy monster of a song, “Tokaikko Junjou,” but they again ended the show with “Jump!” The girls jumped as high as anyone could, considering their tiny size yet superhuman strength. It was just astounding. The physicality is truly cosmic.

 

*** Part 2 will deal with the legendary “Chisato Whoop.” Get your votes and comments in. You will enjoy this series as it unfolds.

 

This is Rad signing off – for now.