Ongaku Gatas and the Manoeri factor

Prediction No.2 made here back in December was that Ongaku Gatas would perform its two singles at the Hello Project Winter 2008 Awards Show. And, yes, that prophecy also came true on Jan. 26-27 at Yokohama Arena. What was not expected was that Gatas’ inaugural single would be twirled into a major Hello Project extravaganza later in the show, but that is a tale for another day. Right now, everyone is just coming to grips with … the Manoeri factor.

 

So the stunning part of Ongaku Gatas’ huge run, culminating in what have to be termed sensational showings in both the Wonderful Hearts theater tour and the climactic Yokohama Arena shows, was that less than a couple weeks later, Mano was out of Gatas and into a nebulous “solo career.”

 

Looking back, this move makes zero sense, for both Mano and Ongaku Gatas. Both sides deserve better. There remains no logical explanation, but there is one central truth: Seeing Mano and Gatas was breathtaking, and as it turns out, historic. This was Mano’s swan song, but nobody knew it. For three performances over two days, Ongaku Gatas was up there six times, and every time they finished, the wotas wanted more. You could feel it all over the place.

 

Let’s get one thing out of the way. At that time, there was absolutely zero indication that Mano had somehow upstaged other Gatas members – including old-timers Yossie, Satoda, Rika, Konno and Korenaga – leading to her getting the “big head” and, in turn, getting squeezed out of the group.

 

In fact, Ongaku Gatas showed a seamless blend of the aforementioned vets and the youngsters – Mano, Nocchi, Sengoku, Yuri and Mika. It was explosive in January. The second single, “Yattarouze!,” primary topic of this essay, was a bouncy delight – and no doubt a popular addition to any wota’s iPod jazzercise playlist.

 

But the giant elephant in the living room remains Manoeri, or lack of. Either she got a raw deal, or she got in the way somehow – or it’s all true, that Tsunku has seen the second coming of Goto Maki and made the move. Gatas will survive this, but in the long run, it will affect fan perceptions, and spread fears that other tightly knit groups – such as the exploding Berryz Kobo and °C-ute septets – will be threatened with similar raids.

 

In any event, Gatas was an asskicker not once, but twice, and it was a beautiful thing to see Yossie, Konno and Rika literally get their kicks out there. Gatas is a fast-and-loose, relaxed team, and the former Eggs are major contributors, especially Nocchi, who suddenly can blossom into the star of that younger set without being under the shadow of the wildly popular Manoeri.

 

For purposes of this post, there exists no suitable translation for “Yattarouze!” other than the title, roughly translated, means “Let’s Do It!,” a familiar Hello Project refrain (not to be confused with Morning Musume's "Do It Now!"). But, somehow, the single was buried deep into the Oricon ratings and, as yet, as not emerged as a popular title, sales-wise.

 

But then, like “Mikan,” it is clear that “Yattarouze!” is tailor-made for "live" performance. Like the soccer games for which Gatas is also famous (with Konno still, hopefully, an adept goaltender, and Miki Fujimoto a guest player), the walking leaps and extended arms are definitely wota material in its most splendid and energetic form.

 

Rika, a.k.a. Charmy, as always, was pretty much out of control, but that's a good thing. Yossie keeps the crew laughing and loose, and it was a privilege to see this living legend race up and down the walkways, launch pads and main stage as nimbly as her much younger counterparts.

 

Now if, somehow, Manoeri could just come back …

 

This is Radicalipton signing off – for now.