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What is Appeal of Momoiro Clover Z? A Story of Momoclo’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen 2014
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What is the appeal of the idol group Momoiro Clover Z? Some say it is their work ethic, while others say it is the sense of community at their events. Although it is difficult to explain, even in Japanese, I would like to provide a story from their recent appearance on the 65th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2014, which may help provide some insight into how they attract people to them.
Rehearsal of NHK Kouhaku Utagassen 2014. Photo is from Natalie.
On the morning of December 29th, news spread among fans that Momoka Ariyasu, the member of the group that wears green, had come down with the flu, and was under doctor’s orders to stay home and rest despite the NHK Kouhaku Utagassen being on December 31st. There was only 2 days left.
Momoka Ariyasu. Picture is from her blog “Momo Power Juuden Tokoro”
All Mononofu (fans of the group) knew that NHK Kouhaku Utagassen 2014 would be a special one as it was something they had always dreamed of since their debut. They had their dream come true in 2012 and 2014 would make it the third time for them, but for the past two appearances, not all of the members were able to stay until 11:45pm when the broadcast ends (Japanese law forbids anyone under 18 to be on live television after 10pm.) As all the members of the group were over 18, this would be the first time that all of them could participate in the program from beginning to end. Furthermore, the fan-minded members of Momoiro Clover Z had planned a special performance named “My Dear Fellow with Mononofu Japan”. They explained that, “We want to perform on stage with our fans!!”
1. Momoiro Clover Z readied 5 white dresses for the performance at NHK. Fans wrote messages to the members on the dresses using pens in the colors of each member at the 2-day Momoiro Christmas Live. So, members would perform on stage wearing dresses covered with the messages from Mononofu written in their colors.
2. Backup vocals for the performance was sang by Mononofu, previously recorded at Momoiro Christmas Live.
3. The dance was a special “Kabuki version” created specifically for the Kouhaku performance.
Because of all this planning, the third challenge would be the most important so, fans felt extremely disappointed that Momoka couldn’t perform. Of course, Momoka herself must have taken it the hardest, so they were careful not to be so vocal about it. She did not update her blog after December 27th; perhaps because she was worried about her fans taking the matter too seriously. She blogged on January 3rd, 2015 for the first time since the announcement of her flu, apologizing for the absence and thanking staff members and fans for their support, and reporting about her week at home.
The 4 members of Momoiro Clover Z backstage at NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen. Photo is from the blog of Shiori Tamai “Tano-Shiorin Seikatsu”
As a result, Momoiro Clover Z performed at NHK Kouhaku Utagassen 2014 on December 31st with four members. Members and NHK made adjustments for Momoka’s absence, by changing the staging plan. Members performed in their color-painted dresses, with parts of Momoka’s green dress attached. They performed with a mask of Momoka and all the penlights distributed to the audience in NHK Hall changed into green in the interlude. A big Nutcracker doll of Momoka (which was used at Momoiro Christmas) was introduced into the backstage of NHK. These last-minute adjustments made in response to Momoka’s absence moved fans of Momoclo and viewers alike.
The 4 members of Momoiro Clover Z backstage at NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen with the Momoka Nutcracker doll and Funassyi. Photo is from the blog of Ayaka Sasaki “A-rin no Hoppe”.
Momoka was scheduled to return at the January 6, 2015 performance but she was unable to recover from flu in time and cancelled performances on 6th and 11th and a talk show on 9th. As a result, her comeback was the live “Gekkan TAKAHASHI” (Monthly TAKAHASHI) on January 18, 2015 and on the afternoon of the same day; they held a 1-hour “Santa Secret Live” for fan club members. To celebrate the return of Momoka, they had once again made special arrangements for her to start the event.
The 5 girls appeared on the stage before the overture rang out, and began with “My Dear Fellow with Mononofu Japan!!” The leader of the group, Kanako Momota shouted, “We just tied up the loose ends which were left over from last year!” With all five members, they were finally able to have the performance that they had been working so hard to have at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen and close the door on 2014.
This story moved a lot of Mononofu but, who don’t really follow Momoiro Clover Z, like the millions who were watching NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, might not have grasped what was happening. It might have been something that only the group and the fans could have understood but, as people read news articles about Momoka’s illness and absence, they came to understand the context. So, they were involved in the relationship between fans and the members without even realizing it.
Momoiro Clover Z is not just an idol group but also very human, bringing people together. The pure relation among the members and fans also involves outsiders. It has attracted a lot of people, and will continue to attract many more in the future.
Momoiro Clover Z Official Website : http://www.momoclo.net/
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nori
nori: is a fan of Ayaka Sasaki (A-rin) of Momoiro Clover Z since the first glance of her IDOL performance on YouTube in 2011. Hoping to be of some help them in becoming world-famous group, and world-famous "A-rin"!
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