Morning Musume's Aika explodes, Spring 2008

Aika Mitsui barely has a line in Morning Musume’s “Resonant Blue,” lede number in a whopper of a Spring 2008 DVD. Why, then, is she the dominant front girl in that song?

 

Only Tsunku can answer that question, but his “new beginning of Morning Musume” has a new star. Aika did it all despite what was reported to be an appendicitis attack that nearly sidelined her completely in February (this latest concert was taped in May).

 

A report on Aika’s condition can be found here:

 

http://radicalpatriot.vox.com/library/post/time-to-pray-for-aika.html

 

No doubt Morning Musume needs some kind of new energy. The Spring 2008 tour was … well, OK for the most part. Most of the major hits of the historic troupe were presented, with first-class costuming as always. Many were merged into outstanding and nostalgic medleys.

 

But it was clear that something was missing. In the “Bomb Girl” concert last fall, Morning Musume used some explosive songs (pun intended) to carry that show, the first major independent tour without Miki and Yossie.

 

This time around, it just wasn’t as cohesive. The absence of a strong lede voice was much more evident in May. Aichan and Risa, as good as they are, strained to carry the vocal load. The supporting cast perked along as always, but that anchor voice remains a missing ingredient.

 

Now Aika might not have the voice, but she sure has the presence and Tsunku has made the very most of it. Spring 2008  was a very different kind of Morning Musume show, and it actually came out fine in the end.

 

Everywhere, though, was the smoldering presence of Aika, whose tenure with Morning Musume is barely 18 months young. In that time, she has had but one major solo, “Otoko Tomodachi,” detailed here:

 

http://radicalpatriot.vox.com/library/post/otoko-tomodachi-aika-makes-history.html

 

However, reports of an “injury” to Aika in February sent shock waves throughout the Japanese idol-music world. In the end, her ailment was tracked to an inflamed appendix and, according to reports, a choice was made not to operate.

 

That can be dangerous if the appendix, a little sausage-sized organ located at the lower right of anyone’s large intestine that has an unknown purpose, bursts. Note that Aika wore a heavy bandage all across her belly in this DVD – not a good sign. It is reminiscent of Saki’s heavily bandaged knee and thigh for Berryz Kobo during the vaunted “Battle Concert” with °C-ute in April.

 

Saki's wrapped appendage can be seen at the end of this post:

 

http://radicalpatriot.vox.com/library/post/how-c-ute-won-epic-battle-concert-crown.html

 

Could addiction to prescription pain killers be far behind for these singers?

 

In any event, regardless of physical obstacles, the era of Aika has arrived – whether or not any of us is ready for it.

 

This is Rad signing off – for now.