Momusu steals hearts during first day in L.A.

Reina, right, and Koharu, fall 2007: Both charmed adoring fans in Thursday's AX 2009 opening in L.A.

All nine Morning Musume members looked comfortable and charming during their history-making first full day Thursday at Anime Expo 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Fans new to Morning Musume were visibly stunned by their poise and the beautiful, tiny, light-colored sundresses they wore -- Reina and others in the group required pastel shawls because the air conditioning was so cold. Aika was present, bad toe and all, and no word was mentioned on her condition. It looks as if all nine will perform Friday as scheduled.

Thursday's Q&A opened with a video that included Morning Musume's original 1997 lineup, above.

Highlights included Reina playing a "rock, scissors, paper" game with a fan during a Q&A session in Petree Hall before an estimated 800 fans -- a crowd size that is rare for such a session, which normally draws far fewer people with most guest artists at Anime Expo.

Reina and the fan tied, flashing the "scissors" sign simultaneously, but then Reina took it to him by flashing "scissors" again, with the fan flashing "paper." In the ancient kid's game, the scissors cuts the paper and wins. The paper will cover the rock, and win, and the rock breaks the scissors.

The fan asked beforehand is he would "receive punishment" if he lost. The interpreter said he would receive punishment whether he woin or lost. The punishment? Act like a cat.

"Meow," the fan murmured. Fans roared. Glowsticks fired up. It got crazy. Reina, Kusumi, Risa and Aichan got the most attention, as did LinLin, who spoke English throughout to the cheers and fist-pumps of the amazing crowd. Newcomers were charmed. The old guard was thrilled. Many flew in from the East Coast.

From left, JunJun, LinLin and Risa, summer 2008. LinLin spoke to fans in English at AX 2009.

Photos and video recordiong was not alowed duiring this session, again a rarity since these sessions are often used as promos for the convention nand its guests. Not this time. Anyone caught with a camera out, even in someone's lap, was escorted out of the room, their camera confiscated and their convention credential revoked. Harsh.

However, it was much looser in the 9 a.m. opening ceremonies when Morning Musume wasa trotted out with the other guests of honbr for Anime Expo 2009. Photros were allowed, but only from a distance.

Momusu, 2005: Thursday's lineup still included, from left (back row), Kusumi, Aichan and Sayumi.

Enthusiasm is high. The historic U.S. debut concert is Friday, 2 p.m. PDT. Layout for the concert looks superb. It is in a spacious performing hall with full-blown lighting and sound. However, there is no stadium-style seating so sight lines will be very difficult for anyone in the back.

Still, it all looks so cool! History in the making.

This is Rad signing off -- for now.