1 post tagged “moe”

Before I fell in love with the cuteness that is Shugo Chara! (not only because Buono! did the theme), I often contemplated that entry I had promised myself I would do. That entry would analyze a very important aspect of my identity as a Hello! Project/Linkin Park fan, a common topic on IM conversations I had with my online friends, the one I mentioned on my thank you post. Ah yes, it's the one you have been dreading - the one where I analyze my apparent obsession with Koharu Kusumi and Chester Bennington, who are like apples and oranges.

The Why of Kusumi Koharu's "Kawaii"

H@ppy Ku$um1

Now, we are all familiar with the "Miracle Girl," right Won the second set of 7th Generation auditions, voices an anime character who wanted to become an idol to be with the boy she loves, formed a unit with Hagiwara Mai of °C-ute (according to (Japanese/English) Wikipedia, Kira*Pika supposedly disbanded in Episode 77 but I've seen Hikaru in previews of later episodes), and is living Tsukishima Kirari's dreams somewhat. Kusumin was the best selling soloist in 2006 and is really beginning to "sparkle" like an idol.

Now, here's the big question: why do I like her, especially since I found her ugly in her first few pictures (I even said that she looked drunk in one of her audition photos)? What made me like her so much? I heard she sounded horrible in a comment on YesAsia on "Iroppoit Jirettai" and I even...

Wait, wait a minute. I have noticed a correlation between my love for Kusumi and her "Kirarin" stage. Yeah, her little verse in  "Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari 3" gave me a better idea of her voice but as she released her solo work, I became a bigger fan of Kusumi, all the way to the level of now! Koharu is just so kawaii and her miracle is a beam of hope and energy into Morning Musume and beyond. As we can see from sales, she is a miracle in that she's putting more money in the pockets of the UFA guys but while I wasn't exactly expecting a "second Gocchin" (not that I cared much about her. Sad she left H!P but it was probably for her own good) but Kusumi-chan is a miracle all by herself in her little Koharuppoi way. Her very name means "little spring" or "Indian summer" so it may just be another indication (or a product of a fan's vivid imagination. Then again, it's vivid imaginations that created outfits like the shown "Happy" outfit and songs like the extremely catchy yet fiercely hated "Hana wo Puun").

Now is the part you'd want to know my favorite songs by Kusumi. That's a somewhat hard question to answer since there are so many favorites from the Kusumi collection but this is about the charm and cuteness of Koha-chan. She holds that possibility for H!P it's not funny. Plus, she has this ability to send me into a smile almost whenever I see her (unless she's smiling. If she's doing that, I return the favor almost instinctively). I noticed this essay goes on and on and on without exactly eplaining the cuteness of Kusumi Koharu and her appeal, even fi she seemed to have filled the void left by Mini Moni and later W! Then again... it's for the most part unexplainable why I like Kusumi just as much as I like... a certain guy from Phoenix.

The Why of Chester Bennington's "Moe"

Anyone who had to deal with teenagers and modern rock had to have heard his name or the name "Linkin Park" somewhere. Either as a positive mention in a fan's journal or in a scathing criticism of the American music industry, you might've heard of these guys from California (or, in Chester's case, Arizona). Heck, even Kd admitted to being a Linkin Park fan in IroIro Aru Sa! vers. 1.0! (Sorry, O Mighty Princess of Snark, of whom I consider one of my blogging inspirations and idols. Forgive me! As soon as I find that post, I'll link it!).

I became acquainted with Chester's "unique" vocals (I put it in quotes because my LP obsession caused me to learn that a few other male singers I listen to have similar voices to him, albeit with subtle differences) when a friend of mine sent me "Breaking the Habit" through AIM. I don't know why I consider him "moe." Yeah, he is handsome, has a slight "Valley Boy"-ish accent (which apparently died down by the time they filmed the "Shadow of the Day" video, though he wasn't speaking with the same tone as the previous episodes of "d'Fused" (a making-of show on FuseTV) that featured their videos). Maybe, like Kusumi, Chester possessed this strange yet delightful little charm, this charisma.

In fact, due to the fact I used to (and still do, to a somewhat small extent) listen to Shibuya-kei, where soft, child-sounding females were a bit of a norm, I grew a thing for soft-voiced male singers and Chester, despite his screams, growls, and hollering (as much as it's damaging to your voice), fits the bill perfectly. Being able to use this wide-ranged voice to suit the song is a sign of talent (which beats out Kusumi in this department. Even if they sing in different genres, Chester's vocals are undoubtedly stronger than Koharu's). We've heard his harshness in the likes of "One Step Closer," "Numb," and "Bleed It Out" but the softness of Sir Bennington's voice comes in with "Breaking the Habit" and "Shadow of the Day." In fact, imo, he sometimes(?!) sounds younger than he is (unlike 15-year-old Kussun, Chester's 31!).

Aisde from his talented voice, Chester possesses this... now, I'm rambling again. He's handsome, talented, and someone I respect and admire, not only as some rock star, but mostly as a person. After all, what kinda pulled me into LP was how "real" the lyrics were. Of course, since I wasn't much of an angsty teen to begin with (when I was introduced to the band the first time, I was a generally happy person), it took a while. It took Minutes to Midnight (and a New Year's resolution) to make me a (hardcore) fan again. I would go on to explain more but I'd end up repeating myself. Plus, it's a slight mystery as to why I like Chester and had gotten the sick mind to call him "moe" (which, as anime fans know, is a special form of "cuteness" and calling a 31-year-old rock star "cute" would get you some evil eyes. Then again, Sir Bennington's in a class of his own), and put him on the same level as a "weak-sounding J-idol" (despite her weakness, Koharu has potential and, like Chester, I admire her moreso as a person. There is a chance she would have the same attitude about her fans as Ishikawa Rika-san but that's another post).

Phew... what have I rambled about again? Ya know, this post wasn't exactly what I wanted to express. Then again, as I've said many times, my fandom for Koharu Kusumi and Chester Bennington is a labyrinth of reasons that would lead into a neverending series of mystery and wondering. Bright side: it's part of who I am! Magi-Kat, the blogger bold enough to juxtapose J-idol pop with American metal like a Fauvist, the one who puts "Nobody's Listening" after "Ramutara" (of which she listens to as much as Kirari "Ramutaa rattattaa ratta..."'s through the song) on her playlist, the one who adores listening to "Sexy 8 Beat" on her computer and "Hybrid Theory" on the stereo. She even considered making a comic of Koharu snubbing Chester's nose while singing that "horrid" song! (That's a death wish!). Now that you've had a glimpse of another one of Magi-Kat's sides, I humbly encourage you to enjoy the fireworks show because "Morning Meteora" is on the air!