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The story
On the Hello! Project board, reactions poured in after Tsubaki Factory’s Nishimura Otoki was spotted with her bangs down at the “Shakunetsu” (Scorching Heat) concert. What started with fans saying they didn’t recognize her at first snowballed into a full-on discussion of how strong the 2nd- and 3rd-generation “Icchan” members are, with Nishimura’s transformation fueling the whole thread.
Meanwhile, some pointed out that showing her forehead had actually been her own choice since her trainee days, and there was back-and-forth about the timing of when hairstyle and makeup restrictions get lifted.
What people said
Scorching Heat
You started a thread without even prepping an image? Bold move.
This isn't a King anymore, it's a Princess. ("King" is her nickname)
Not gonna lie, I straight up didn't recognize her at first.
Called it — Tsubaki was gonna be the next one to blow up.
First-gen "Icchan" was a total whiff, but the 2nd- and 3rd-gen "Icchan" are way too strong.
With "King" and "Little Kyame" both popping off, is Tsubaki finally having its awakening? (fan nicknames for members)
Re: #28
What about the Hinaazu? (fan nickname for another member's fanbase)
What about the Hinaazu? (fan nickname for another member's fanbase)
It's been a year as of 8/16, so hairstyle and makeup restrictions are lifted now.
Re: #37
Even though she was on hiatus more than half that year?
Even though she was on hiatus more than half that year?
Freeloaders gotta wait till next week's Hello! Station. ("freeloaders" = fans who can't attend and rely on free streams)
Re: #41
DAAAAMN IIIIIT
DAAAAMN IIIIIT
Scorching Heat's pulling in some newcomers, huh.
Re: #46
It's an event only diehard otaku go to — there's no such thing as "newcomers" there.
It's an event only diehard otaku go to — there's no such thing as "newcomers" there.
@
And so, with that, I successfully closed the book on my life as a Hello! Project otaku at Makino Maria's graduation concert — and my reincarnation kicked off at Tsubaki Factory's first Scorching Heat show.
Nishimura Otoki was incredible.
No exaggeration, it was like Takahashi Ai's spirit was possessing her. And if it turns out Nishimura isn't even a fan of Takahashi Ai, I apologize for saying this, but that's genuinely how it felt to me — not today's Takahashi Ai, of course. There's still technical growth needed, but at the key moments, wow.
Getting hit with a "wait, is that Takahashi?" feeling right out of the gate on reincarnation round one — Hello! Project is scary.
Oh, and aside from the shuffle unit, I had my eyes on Ishii Izuha the whole time. She's the safe, stable, reliable pick there — a real sure thing.
And so, with that, I successfully closed the book on my life as a Hello! Project otaku at Makino Maria's graduation concert — and my reincarnation kicked off at Tsubaki Factory's first Scorching Heat show.
Nishimura Otoki was incredible.
No exaggeration, it was like Takahashi Ai's spirit was possessing her. And if it turns out Nishimura isn't even a fan of Takahashi Ai, I apologize for saying this, but that's genuinely how it felt to me — not today's Takahashi Ai, of course. There's still technical growth needed, but at the key moments, wow.
Getting hit with a "wait, is that Takahashi?" feeling right out of the gate on reincarnation round one — Hello! Project is scary.
Oh, and aside from the shuffle unit, I had my eyes on Ishii Izuha the whole time. She's the safe, stable, reliable pick there — a real sure thing.
Re: #48
So you're not actually graduating from being an otaku after all, huh.
So you're not actually graduating from being an otaku after all, huh.
"King's" performance is the kind that, if you're a Hello! Project otaku, goes in through your ear canal, grabs your brain, and shakes it.
Re: #54
I've heard that exact same thing said about Zōfū too. (nickname for another performer)
I've heard that exact same thing said about Zōfū too. (nickname for another performer)
Re: #57
Being comparable to Yōfū is a pretty big deal though. (a highly regarded performer's nickname)
Being comparable to Yōfū is a pretty big deal though. (a highly regarded performer's nickname)
No exaggeration, it felt like Yūkarin and Kikichan combined, then divided by three. (nicknames of veteran idols)
Re: #72
That's overselling it.
That's overselling it.
Re: #72
Shouldn't it be divided by two, lol
Shouldn't it be divided by two, lol
I was like, how many heads tall even is this girl?
Re: #79
Well, she's got long limbs and a tiny face.
Well, she's got long limbs and a tiny face.
Bringing up an OG's name and saying "she looks like so-and-so" rubs people the wrong way no matter which member it's about. (OG = veteran/former member)
Re: #111
And the person whose name gets dragged into it ends up getting unfairly hated on too.
And the person whose name gets dragged into it ends up getting unfairly hated on too.
Just imagining an insanely good singer "Lesser"… (member nickname)
Re: #115
If she starts doing the blog-post shtick too, that'll be perfect.
If she starts doing the blog-post shtick too, that'll be perfect.
Wasn't showing her forehead something she started once she became a trainee?
I remember her saying that back when she lived a normal life, she had bangs —
pretty sure I saw that on Ōkami. (nickname for the Hello! Project fan board)
I remember her saying that back when she lived a normal life, she had bangs —
pretty sure I saw that on Ōkami. (nickname for the Hello! Project fan board)
Re: #128
She's had her forehead out since the day she joined as a trainee.
She's had her forehead out since the day she joined as a trainee.
*This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5ch (Hello! Project) thread “[Breaking] Tsubaki Factory’s Nishimura Otoki Gets Bangs, Undergoes a Visual Awakening.”
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