℃-ute news for 12/31: New Year’s video

■ The members of ℃-ute appear in a new video on the official ℃-ute YouTube channel where they wish everyone a happy new year, and talk a little bit about the upcoming year, which will be the 10th anniversary of them joining Hello! Project through the Kids audition.

Maimi Sightings for 12/31

Hello! Project soloist Mano Erina uploaded a 3-shot of herself with Maimi and former S/mileage and H!P member Maeda Yuuka in an entry on her official blog.

In addition, Maimi’s profile picture on the website for Gatas Brilhantes H.P., UpFront’s futsal team, was updated along with the rest of the site.

Full translations of the other members’ entries can be found at blog!project.

Blog update: “Thank you”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 12/31 blog update, titled “Thank you“:

Good evening
It’s Maimi

It’s New Year’s Eve
The weather was really nice today
Good weather for the end of the year… It made me happy

Actually, today I went to see S/mileage’s event with Mano Erina-chan

I also met Morning Musume’s Fukumura Mizuki-chan at the venue

(1)

Today Maeda Yuuka-chan will graduate from Hello! Project.

Today was her final performance.

Yuuka has been active in Hello! Project for about 7 years,

and finally at the end of today, the curtains will close on Yuuka’s life in show business…

At the event, they showed a video from her activities as an Egg up until now.

There were also parts where she overlapped with ℃-ute,
and I couldn’t stop crying…

In addition, there was also an indies song medley…

It brought back various memories of myself with Yuuka.

Though I think there were a lot of happy things and difficult things for her, Yuuka said

“Because all of the fans, I could do my best“

Though she’s graduating, surely all of the fans will continue to cheer for her,

and because she’s carrying that support,
Yuuka has gotta be happy

I hope that the Yuuka who loves her family will make a lot of time with them,
and always laugh…

“Let’s go and eat together someday” we promised, and surely we can meet again

Yuuka, thanks for everything

Absolutely, absolutely be happy

Last is a picture with Yuuka
(2)

Well, in 3 hours it’ll be the new year

There were sad incidents in 2011, and it became a year where I again thought about the preciousness of life.

Naturally, more than ever, I found happiness and value in trivial things,

and so that I wouldn’t have any regrets everyday,
the feeling of “I want to have a wonderful day today too” grew inside me.

Each and every day this year, a lot of people supported me

The other members, all of the fans, the staff, family, friends…

I have a lot of gratitude for everyone who has supported me

Everyone always says “Thank you“, but those are my words

Like Yuuka also said, the cheering power from everyone is amazing

It gives me the power to work hard,
it makes me feel happy,

…hmm… I can’t convey this feeling of gratitude in words

I will reciprocate these feelings of gratitude to everyone with full-power

And then, we had the chance to work with various groups the second half of this year

I talked about it with everyone in ℃-ute too,
but because they were experiences like we don’t normally have, new discoveries were made, and I thought “I won’t lose“,

and though there were a lot of things I worried about, I think there were a lot of things I could do because I worried

In 2012 also, I will worry a lot and grow a lot

Please continue to support ℃-ute and Yajima Maimi next year too

Because of everyone who cheered for us in 2011, I was really happy

Thank you so very much

Let’s have a wonderful year together next year too

(3)

Maimi Sightings for 12/30

Berryz Koubou’s captain Shimizu Saki finished her series of posts showcasing Berikyuu members with a post about Maimi on her official blog. Captain shared a large 2-shot of the two together, and wrote how she respects Maimi as a leader and hard-worker.

Fellow ℃-ute member Suzuki Airi shared a 2-shot with Maimi in her update on the official ℃-ute blog.

Full translations of the other members’ entries can be found at blog!project.

Blog update: “Last day of work for the year”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 12/30 blog update, titled “Last day of work for the year“:

Good evening
It’s Maimi

Yesterday I walked around the city, and was surprised that there were less people than usual

Though the atmosphere of the streets feels busy at the end of the year, it completely changes to a laid-back atmosphere when the New Year’s holiday starts

Ah As expected, I love this end-of-the-year feeling

Everyone, well done on school and work this year

…but, there’s probably still people who haven’t finished their work for the year yet
I’m cheering for your hard work

Actually, we finished our work for the year with a filming today

“Happy New Year~” we said and seperated

Everyone, what are you doing now(*^^*)
Are you able to relax at home

Ah~ ah~ 2012, be a wonderful year(^-^)♪

For some reason, it feels like a change of attitude and a strange excitement,

and during New Year’s holiday, there are a lot of things I want to do and things I must do

I want to relax at home with my family

When I returned home yesterday, my pet dog Cologne was sleeping on the sofa with my dad

She slept in the exact same position as my dad(^-^)

Even how she sleeps looks like her owner…

She’s a poodle, and it looks like she was given a shampoo, so she was clean and fluffier than usual

Yeah My house calms me down and soothes me

Everyone, please have a wonderful New Year’s holiday too

Well well, lastly, a picture I took when we went home today…

(1)

Tomorrow is the last day of 2011

Please have a happy day

Maimi Sightings for 12/29

Fellow ℃-ute member Hagiwara Mai posted this shot of Maimi from the year-end party in her update on the official ℃-ute blog.

Full translations of the other members’ entries can be found at blog!project.

Blog update: “Big year-end party”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 12/29 blog update, titled “Big year-end party“:

Good evening
It’s Maimi

There are only 2 days remaining in this year

2011 is ending

Today on the USTREAM program
“Hagiwara Mai desu ga… Nani ka??”

℃-ute’s big year-end party was broadcast live

(1.2)

First, we started with a present exchange, which we couldn’t do on Christmas

I won the present from Nacky

A cute clear file and totebag

(3)

Just now, my usual totebag became saggy, so from here on I want to use this one regularly

The clear file is cute, so it feels like a waste to use it But she went to trouble to give it to me, so I’ll use it carefully

Thanks Naka-san

After that,
we talked about the past year,

and had a karaoke party

Everyone also ate kimchee nabe

In addition, Chisato made ankake yakisoba and pickled cucumbers,

and Airi made kara-age and spring rolls

I made creme brulee and strawberry mille crepe for dessert

I worked really, really hard last night

Though it was the first time I’ve made strawberry mille crepe
Everyone said it was delicious, so I was happy

As expected, making confections? (sweets) is fun

At the year-end party, there were a lot of members who participated in the spur of the moment

Morning Musume’s Fukumura Mizuki-chan, Ikuta Erina-chan, Sayashi Riho-chan

We had a karaoke party together
Thanks to those 3

And then, Yuuka, who I haven’t been able to meet in a long time,

squeezed in during a break in her events

Though we had to split-up after about 5 minutes, I was really happy~

Yuuka Thanks

It became a fun year-end party this year too Thank you very much

After that was an event for the currently-showing movie “Ousama Game”

This was my last job at a public place this year

…Next time we meet or you see me, it’ll be 2012

Everyone, please stay well during the New Year’s break too

I want to send off the old year cheerfully also

Please continue to support me next year
Happy New Year~

Reminder: ℃-ute’s Big Year-End Party 2011

Broadcasting live with Ustream

This is just a reminder for everyone that in approximately two hours (1:00AM EST), ℃-ute’s Big Year-End Party 2011 will be aired live on the “Hagiwara Mai desu ga… Nani ka??” USTREAM channel. Last year’s party was also broadcast live on USTREAM, and the girls talked, ate, and sang karaoke, so expect something similar this year.

Maimi, Chinami to perform together at “HaroPuro ANNEX”

The Hello! Project official fanclub website has posted the news of another Berryz Koubou and ℃-ute collaboration, the fanclub event “HaroPuro ANNEX ~Berryz Koubou x ℃-ute = Sweet♡~”. Each day of the event features a different Berryz Koubou and ℃-ute pairing, and Maimi will appear and perform with best friend and Berryz Koubou member Tokunaga Chinami for two performances on 2/10.

Other pairings include Sudou Maasa and Okai Chisato (2/9), Kumai Yurina and Nakajima Saki (2/13), and Shimizu Saki, Sugaya Risako, and Hagiwara Mai (2/14). Buono! members Tsugunaga Momoko, Natsuyaki Miyabi, and Suzuki Airi appear to not be participating, likely because of their concert in Paris on 2/12. Full details of the event can be found here.

Blog update: “Happy birthday Yuuka”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 12/28 blog update, titled “Happy birthday Yuuka“:

Good evening
It’s Maimi

I’m sorry for the late update

Today is S/mileage’s Maeda Yuuka-chan’s birthday

Yuuka
We couldn’t meet recently, so I’ve felt lonely

Yuuka will graduate from Hello! Project at the end of this year.

The rehearsal for next year’s Hello! Project concert has begun,

but of course, Yuuka’s appearance is missing at rehearsal.

It’s a somewhat strange feeling…

Yesterday I sat in the corner of the studio and ate with Berryz Koubou’s Tokunaga Chinami-chan,

and Chii suddenly said
“This time last year, we ate together here with Yuuka-chan…“(;_;)

That’s right, this season last year we had rehearsal for a Hello! Project concert,

and when I was eating with Chii during a break,

Yuuka came over carrying her meal,
and asked “Is it alright if I eat with you two(^-^)”,

and we talked a lot…

Yuuka really loves her family,
so she happily talked about her them

Surely, up to now, her family closely supported her in happy times and difficult times…
And then, from now on too…

Though I don’t know if I’ll be able to meet Yuuka, I hope that she always stays as the Yuuka who loves her family…

I’m grateful that she was born…

Even though I can’t meet her, our time spent together in Hello! Project will never fade and neeeeever change

She really soothed me lots and lots,
she washed my heart clean, and I’m glad that I met Yuuka

I’ll always love her

Surely, 17 will be a turning point in her life. I hope she grabs ahold of a wonderful future

Be happy

Happy 17th birthday

Nagoya “Cutest” event, date of Maimi’s next solo performance

The official Hello! Project website added two updates today regarding Maimi. The first is news of a second event for ℃-ute’s recently-released photobook “Cutest”, which will be held on 1/16 at Hoshino Shouten’s store at Kinki Nippon Tetsudou Pass’e in Nagoya, and will feature Maimi and fellow ℃-ute member Okai Chisato.

The second update is a list of those who will be performing solo songs during the “Funky-chan” concerts of the Hello! Project 2012 winter tour, and it reveals that Maimi’s solo performance will be during the evening concert on 1/7.

Blog update: “Big year-end party”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 12/27 blog update, titled “Year-end party“:

Good morning
It’s Maimi

It’s sudden, but today I have an announcement

We’re doing it again this year

℃-ute’s big year-end party

It will broadcast live on the 29th
on the USTREAM program
“Hagiwara Mai desu ga… Nani ka??”
at 3:00PM

Last year Airi had to work as part of Buono!, so she couldn’t appear,

but this year all members will be present

I’m happy(^-^)v
Airi is also really looking forward to it

Though on that day,
there’s also an event for the currently-showing movie “Ousama Game” after the big year-end party

I’ll be careful not to eat too much…(^-^;

The 29th is the last time this year I’ll appear in front of everyone

Alright I’ll really, really enjoy it
Definitely check it out please

And then, in the magazine “UTB” on sale now, I wear a long-sleeved kimono together with Mano Erina-chan

(1.2) Red and white long-sleeved kimonos
Mano-chan is white, and I’m red

In addition, we had a photoshoot in adult-like dresses

The photoshoot was really fun
Please definitely check this out too

Well Changing the subject,
today there’s a rehearsal for the Hello! Project concert that starts on 1/2

Though I have a lot of unease, I have no choice but to do my best

During the break, I go over things with various members, and they really save me

I gotta do my best

Well well, today I’ll go with a fighting spirit too

(3) Last is a picture of some beautiful Christmas lights

It’s the picture I was talking about when I wrote
“Someday, I’ll upload a picture” in an earlier update

Since I was taking it from inside a taxi, I couldn’t take it well,

but it really is beautiful…

Well then, everyone, let’s have a wonderful day today

Until tomorrow’s update

Blog update: “I love Berikyuu”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s 12/26 blog update, titled “I love Berikyuu“:

Good evening
It’s Maimi

The collaboration tour with Berryz Koubou ended yesterday

When I first heard that we’d have a concert tour with Berryz Koubou

I was anxious

Because for a long time I’ve thought “Berryz Koubou’s individuality is really strong, and their charm is amazing“…

So, I talked a lot with all of the members of ℃-ute…

Berryz Koubou passed the same audition and are the same generation, so there are things that people around us will compare,

and amongst us too,
we have the feeling of “I don’t want to lose“

For this reason, I had a lot of impatience at first…

But as the rehearsals added up,
Berryz Koubou’s members taught us Berryz’s songs,
and we taught them ℃-ute’s songs,

and in addition, we could say things like
“Would it be cooler if we did it like this”
that we couldn’t with just ordinary rivals,

and cooperating together, our friendship became even stronger…

“This is real friendship” I reaffirmed

When I noticed it, the feeling of “I want to make this the best concert which only these 2 groups can do” had become stronger than the others

With that feeling I challenged the tour this time,
and each venue was a full-house

I was extremely, extremely happy
I am really grateful…

Honestly, before the collaboration tour began,
“Will Berryz Koubou’s fans appreciate ℃-ute”
I worried

But, when we actually stood on stage, I felt the venue gradually became one, and I was really happy

Therefore, so that more and more people notice us, I gotta work hard

Everyone who came to the collaboration concert,
and then everyone who cheered for us even though they couldn’t come…
Thank you so very much

And then, and then, I’m grateful to all of the staff who supported this tour too

They prepared a surprise at yesterday’s final performance, and it was really moving

Yesterday became the last concert of the year,
I felt a lot of people’s warmth,
and it was a really happy concert

Berryz Koubou has Berryz Koubou’s qualities,

and ℃-ute has ℃-ute’s qualities

If we can use the large amount of motivation we received from Berryz Koubou while staying true to ℃-ute’s qualities,

I feel that ℃-ute will be able to take another step forward without fail

Having a tour together, I discovered more of Berryz Koubou’s amazing points than ever before

Just that made me advance one step

So that ℃-ute can power-up more and more in 2012,

we will do our best

Well then, here

(1) Since the final performance is over, I can publically show the outfits

And then, the friends I love and treasure
(2) A shot after the performance

Lastly
(3) This is a happy place

I’m really grateful to everyone

Thank you very much

p.s.
I apologize for updating late

Blog update: “Merry X’mas”

Here’s the translation for Maimi’s Christmas (12/25) blog update, titled “Merry X’mas“:

Merry Christmas
It’s Maimi

Christmas has arrived

I feel nostalgic for when I was young on Christmas Eve,
and I tried to fight my sleepiness thinking
“I won’t sleep until I meet Santa“…

“Santa won’t come if you’re not a good child Look, if you don’t go to bed early, Santa won’t come“…

I was often told

In the end, I fell asleep before I knew it,
and even though I didn’t have an alarm clock, I jumped out of bed around 6A.M. and cheerfully unwrapped my presents…

About this time this year too, I wonder if there are children who are like me back then who are cheerfully unwrapping their presents…

I’m in a somewhat nostalgic mood…
I’m remembering various things~

When my mom put me to bed,

she’d always put my open hands on both sides of the pillow,

and say “It’s so you can grab a lot of happiness…”

and squeeze my hands

One day, when I asked
“Hey, what happens if I do this“,

“You grab a lot of happiness in these hands” she said

I feel a lot of love
Santa doesn’t visit me anymore,

but I feel a lot of gratitude for Santa, who has given me a looooot of dreams

I have a cousin who is still young, so I still feel that a lot

Surely my cousin has received a wonderful present from Santa…

Now then, changing the subject, yesterday was the fanclub event continuing from the day before,
“CutieLand 6″

During the handshake corner,
when I heard “Thank you for everything this year”
and “Have a good year next year…”
I felt 2011 is ending

But but, for sure we are more grateful to everyone, including those who couldn’t come to the event

Seeing everyone’s smiles,
receiving everyone’s warm words
(Not just in person, but including letters, blog comments, and e-mails to the radio show too)

it puts me in a sincerely happy mood
I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart

Is it the effect of my mom’s charm
I’m grabbing a lot of happiness…

There are a lot of things I want to tell to everyone,
but I will keep it to myself until the last update of 2011

And then, on this Christmas day in Hamamatsu
is the closing day of the collaboration tour with Berryz Koubou

At last, it’s the final…
I feel too lonely…

So that no regrets remain, I will burn up

My worry is…

Yeah… the weather

I wonder if snow is alright

Well I become cheerful if I think about a white Christmas…

But… as long as the bullet train doesn’t stop

3 years earlier, when ℃-ute visited Hamamatsu on tour, the heavy rain stopped the bullet trains, and all of the fans who came from far away were stranded,

and I remember it took us 3 hours to return home by bus

Like, if I really think about it,
it also rained when we went to play at a certain amusement park in Shizuoka…

In the end we didn’t play, and when we went to that amusement park again because of our regret, it also rained…

When I went to Shizuoka for the filming of the currently-showing movie “Ousama Game”, it also rained…

Incidentally, when I appeared at the filming for the Nippon TV serial drama that starts on 1/11, “Suugaku JoshiGakuen”, it was aaaaallways raining…

Though I wanted to take a picture of the beautiful Mt. Fuji, I wasn’t able to…(￣▽￣;)

Why is the weather bad whenever I go to Shizuoka…

Ehhhhh(/- -)/

I will tanobaru without worrying about it

Just… I hope the bullet train doesn’t stop…

Because then everyone won’t be able to return home again…(–;)

I beg you, weather

Alright Today I’ll have the best day

p.s.
Because it’s Christmas day, the pictures are

(1) Santa-shot

(2) Christmas tree-shot

(3) Tree and reindeer combo

Everyone, have a wonderful Christmas…

I’m sorry this entry is so long Thank you for reading this far

Maimi Sightings for 12/24

Fellow ℃-ute Okai Chisato uploaded this group shot with Maimi, Nacky, and Mai in her update on the official ℃-ute blog.

Fellow ℃-ute member Suzuki Airi shared this 2(3?)-shot with Maimi in her update on the official ℃-ute blog.

Full translations of the other members’ entries can be found at blog!project.