#3 Babyraids Launch a Counterattack on Criticism from Netizens in Posters for their July 13th Solo Live at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall

| Idol | Posted by TokyoGirls'Update on Jul.11.2014

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In the midst of Japan’s rainy season, idol group Babyraids is standing strong against a storm of criticism aimed at them from netizens as they prepare for their solo live at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on July 13th. Starting from July 4th, Babyraids began uploading promotional posters for the concert on their website and Twitter account which addressed some of the criticism they had been receiving from netizens.

On the July 4th poster, the comment “In Babyraids, there’s one girl who’s awful at dancing isn’t there?” (Babyraids tte, hitori dansu heta kuso na ko iru yo ne?) is shown next to a solemn Rio Watanabe. Her reply “I’m sorry. I’ll practice more.” (Sumimasen, motto renshuu shimasu) is shown in much smaller print as if she was whispering in a trembling voice. The tweet which came with the hashtag #自虐ポスター (masochistic poster), received 356 retweets and was favorited 371 times in addition to a lot of comments expressing encouragement and admiration for Babyraids’ courage.

The July 5th poster features the comment “Isn’t everyone in Babyraids ugly?” (Babyraids tte, mina busaiku da yo ne?) next to Nao Takami who is purposely making a weird face. Her reply is “I just dance intensely” (Dansu ga hageshii dake nan desu). That tweet received 194 retweets, many comments of support and was favorited 235 times.

The July 6th poster’s comment “It looks like tickets for Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall haven’t sold out yet” (Babyraids tte, Hibiya Yaon no Chiketto mada urikiretenairashii yo) accompanies a smiling Manatsu Hayashi, who responds with “There’s still time left. You can buy tickets here.” (Ato sukoshi nan desu. Chiketto no konyuu wa kochira!) and an arrow pointing to a QR code. That tweet was retweeted 186 times, favorited 197 times, and again received several positive comments.

July 7th’s poster addresses criticism received due to a Babyraid’s song being featured in 2013’s massively popular NHK morning drama “Ama-chan” with the comment “Babyraid’s only hit was ‘Koyomi no ue de wa December’ wasn’t it?” (Baby Raids tte, “Koyomi no ue de wa December” no ippatsuya desho?) to which a grinning Rikako Ohya replies, “We are super thankful for that one hit!” (Kono ippatsu ni chou kansha!) Within an hour of being going online, that tweet received 166 retweets, more positive comments, and was favorited 116 times.

July 8th’s poster shows the comment, “Babyraids passing out tissue packets makes me angry” (Babyraids toiu aidoru ga tisshu kubari shiteite haratatsu). Babyraids is known for passing out promotional tissue packets in places like Shibuya and even outside the Nippon Budokan right before AKB48’s 2013 Janken Senbatsu Tournament.

A determined-looking Erika Denya responds with, “We will persist until you will take the tissues” (Moratte kureru made nebarimasu). That tweet was favorited 293 times, retweeted 212 times, and received over four dozen encouraging comments.

July 9th’s poster attacks Nao Takami and Rikako Ohya for failing to be selected in the 5th generation audition for Idoling!!! with the comment, “Aren’t there also two girls who failed the audition for Idoling!!! in that group?” (Beibii Reizu tte Aidoringu!!! oudeishon ni ochita ko ga futari mo irun deshou?). A defiant Takami standing next to Ohya pantomiming tears rolling down her face answer with, “Don’t open up those wounds” (Kizuguchi wo…eguranade…) as the other members look on from behind. That tweet was met with 332 retweets, 27 comments, and was favorited 337 times.

The final poster in the series, posted on July 10th addresses those who doubt Baby Raids’ ability to become popular enough to perform at the Nippon Budokan, one of Japan’s most famous arenas with the comment, “Won’t Baby Raids disband anyway, without performing at the Budokan?” (Beibii Reizu tte douse Budokan yarezu ni kaisan surun darou?). Standing as a united front, all five members of the group stare straight out and reply, “If we give up, it’s game over” (Akiremetara soko de shiai shuuryou desu yo). The last tweet in the “masochistic poster” series was retweeted 239 times, favorited 276 times, and received 30 comments.

With this series of posters, it appears that Baby Raids not only has thick skin when it comes to anti-fans, but also a sense of humor when it comes to their situation. If it is indeed, as it has been termed in the media, “The Warring States Period of Idols” (Aidoru Sengoku Jidai), then only the strong will survive. For the time being, Baby Raids have pushed back a wave of attackers but, that was just another minor skirmish. One of their biggest battles will come on July 13th at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall.

Babyraids Densetsu no Raibu! Ganko Ittetsu  July 13, 2014
Doors open: 4:00pm
Start: 5:00pm
Location: Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, Hibiya Koen 1-3, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Designated Seating: 5000円
Official website (Japanese): http://babyraids.lespros.co.jp/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/babyraids

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TokyoGirls'Update

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