THE AAA PIMP POST and my take on AAA :) (Part II)
PART II (The Members)
Now that you've survived part I of the pimp post...
Similarly, you must have seen the same information so many times but since I try to include as much information as possible, there might be some information that's new to you :) I include my thoughts and observations too. Let me re-state this again. Please do not bash me if our opinions differ! I hope you won't hate me if it so happen that I'm not too much of a fan of your favourite members/songs. Likewise, I will not dislike you for hating my favourites :) Comments (if any) are, of course, very welcomed and loved. :)
DISCLAIMER: Information are from various sources, too many, I simply cannot remember >_< WARNING: LONG POST AHEAD! and be ready for the smileys spam (yes, I do use A LOT of smileys when I type XD)
AAA consists of 7 members, 2 female and 5 male. AAA released their first photobook, AAA artistbook / The First Attack, in 2005.
MEMBERS:
Nishijima Takahiro
Uno Misako
Urata Naoya
Hidaka Mitsuhiro
Atae Shinjiro
Sueyoshi Shuta
Ito Chiaki
Nishijima Takahiro
(西島 隆弘 ニシジマタカヒロ)
Nickname: Nissy
Date of Birth: 1986.09.30
Place of Birth: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Height: 170cm
Blood Type: O
Favourite Colours: Red, Transparent
Member Colour: Orange
BEFORE AAA
Released a single, Precious/ Tomaranai (プレシャスラヴ／止まらナイ), under the name of a 5-member all-male group, japs. Passed AVEX audition in 2003. Was a backup dancer for Ami Suzuki and appeared in Delightful (he's got a little solo towards the end of the PV, also performed in 56th Kouhaku Uta Gassen as backup dancer), Hopeful, and Eventful.
IN AAA
Nissy is one of the male lead vocalists of the group. Among the members, he is closest to Hidaka and Shuta. Does not have any solo song up-to-date.
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
Released photobook NISSY in 2008.
TV
Koisuru Hanikami
Delicious Gakuin
On-Time
Mirai Seiki Shakespeare
Ghost Friends
TUMBLING
Nihikime no Dojo
MOVIE
Love Exposure (Best Newcomer Award in Grand Sponichi)
Sayonara Itsuka
Soup Opera
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
LOVE LETTERS
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
Harold and Mould
Avex 20th Anniversary Musical Kokoro no Kakera
Linda Linda Lover Soul
GLORY DAYS
PV APPEARANCES
Hatsune Okumura's Koi, Hanabi
2BACKKA's Namida
Nissy's one of my favourite members of the group and I guess is probably one of the most popular member in the group, too. He's got really smooth vocals and quite a wide range (middle to high, I would say). I like his ad libs and "Minna de!" (XD) during live performances. He cries easily especially during the speeches live performances (never failed to NOT cry >_<) and never seem to be afraid of showing his true feelings to people. He's like born to perform and totally belong to the stage. I like his dance moves, which are sharp and precise. He has a bubbly and easy-going personality (his smile totally brighten anyone's day!). He is the most well-rounded member in the group (really living up to the group's name >_<) and is, up-to-date, the member with the most non-AAA activities. I thought he looks a lot (and I do mean A LOT) younger with bleached hair than black hair (brown is fine too :D).
TRIVIA: He has one piercing on each ear and has the ability to shift his eyes rapidly (the speed's amazing, as seen on Channel@ x AAA). He has rather long toes (o_O) and knows how to play the guitar too.
Uno Misako
(宇野 実彩子 ウノミサコ)
Nickname: Uno-chan
Date of Birth: 1986.07.16
Place of Birth: Edogawa, Tokyo
Height: 160cm
Blood Type: O
Favourite Colours: Purple, Yellow, Luminous Yellow-Green, Luminous Pink
Member Colour: Purple
Attended Shirayuri College but quitted.
BEFORE AAA
Passed AVEX audition in 2002. Released three songs Groovin', Good Time, and Now Is The Time which are included in SLOW DANCE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK.
IN AAA
Misako is the lead female vocalist in the group (up till recent releases when both female members were equally involved in singing). Among the members, she is closer with Naoya and Shinjiro (?). Solo Song, As I Am, is released in album HEARTFUL.
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
Released photobook UNO in 2010.
TV
Karera no Umi VIII
On-Time
Hitomi
Otome
Mirai Seiki Shakespeare
Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi (Episode 37)
Massugu na Otoko
Nihikime no Dojo
MOVIE
The Grudge 2
Rendezvous!
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
LOVE LETTERS
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
OTHER MUSIC PROJECTS
The Grudge 2 Soundtrack ("End of this Way", which she wrote the lyrics)
If you ask me to list the members from most liked to least, I would say Misako's the last (NO, DO NOT GET ME WRONG! I STILL LIKE HER!). I liked her cuteness during the earlier years of AAA while watching back the older stuffs but I'm not really for the recent styles she's been fixed to go with. Of course, she's got really strong vocals with quite a versatile range (able to hit high notes WITHOUT using falsetto, like in ZERØ and Samurai Heart) :) She is the only member who has 'ventured' into Hollywood with "The Grudge 2". I think she looks best with short hair but is pretty with long hair, too.
TRIVIA: She's got piercings on both ears and a navel piercing and she has three front teeth. She is the strongest (in the group) in English, having stayed in UK for a summer before.
Urata Naoya
(浦田 直也 ウラタナオヤ)
Nickname: Naoya-kun
Date of Birth: 1982.11.10
Place of Birth: Mitaka, Tokyo
Height: 177cm
Blood Type: B
Favourite Colours: Luminous Yellow-Green, White, Green, Silver
Member colour: Green
BEFORE AAA
Was a backup dancer for Hamasaki Ayumi and Ami Suzuki. Appeared in Ayumi's Greatful Days (He was the one with a cap in blue and red sleeveless top in the PV) and Ami Suzuki's Eventful (along with the rest of AAA male members).
IN AAA
Naoya is the leader of the group and is one of the main male lead vocalists. He is also the tallest member in the group. Among the members, he is closer with Misako and Shinjiro (?).
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
TV
Mirai Seiki Shakespeare
Nihikime no Dojo
MOVIE
Heat Island
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
RADIO
Radio 'n Fire
AAA Urata Naoya no Ike! Urata Naoya
OTHER MUSIC PROJECTS
TURN OVER under the name URATA NAOYA
Many people thought that Naoya totally belonged to EXILE but hey, Naoya's the dearest leader of lovely AAA! He is like a big brother taking care of six other members. Even though he is the leader, he enjoys having fun with his fellow members, acting like a big baby sometimes >_< His vocals is one of my favourites in the group with quite a versatile vocal range (although songs like Saikyou Babe and Bomb A Head! seems to be a little high for him towards the end). I especially like his falsettos which he can handle really well (Tabidachi no Uta and Mosaic). IMO, he looks better with bleached than black hair (the current hairstyle is half of each though. And I only knew how the back of this hairstyle looks like after watching the third episode of Nihikimeno Dojo, it looks kind of cute in a funny way >_<)
TRIVIA: He's got three tattoos (one each on both forearms and another on the shoulder blade) and four (?) ear piercings. Is the only member to run his own personal blog, titled "Existence" (which is what the tattoo on his inner right forearrm says).
Hidaka Mitsuhiro
(日高 光啓 ヒダカミツヒロ)
Nickname: Daa-chan, Dakahi
Date of Birth: 1986.12.12
Place of Birth: Chiba, Chiba
Height: 170cm
Blood Type: O
Favourite Colours: Blue, Green
Member Colour: Yellow
Attended Waseda University but quitted.
BEFORE AAA
Joined Johnny's Jr. in 2001 (same time as NewS member, Keiichiro Koyama) before he was a member of AAA. Was a backup dancer for Ami Suzuki and appeared in Eventful.
IN AAA
Hidaka is the rapper of the group and writes his own rap lyrics for AAA songs. Among the members, he is closest to Nissy and Shuta. Solo song, TWO ROADS, is released in single HEART AND SOUL.
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
TV
Mirai Seiki Shakespeare
Nihikime no Dojo
MOVIE
Sayonara Itsuka
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
RADIO
ATTACK And Act the Fool! in DANCING GROUP
OTHER MUSIC PROJECTS
SPONTANEOUS under the name Geeny in three-member group Mother Ninja (activities ceased since 30 March 2010)
First look at the male members of the group and I must say I thought that he's got to be the best looking one in the group :) He's got an amazingly fast tongue (ZERØ). He doesn't sing a lot in the group mainly because he raps for the group but he's got a pretty good voice (Kirei na Sora in 2nd AL) and I really like his voice in Hasta la Vista, too. IMO, he looks best with short hair (current would be best). He used to keep a goatee but I thought he looks better clean-shaven :)
TRIVIA: He knows how to beatbox and has the ability to speak really fast. He is quite strong in language. Ah, yes, he DOES know how to play the piano too ^-^
Atae Shinjiro
(與 真司郎 アタエシンジロウ)
Nickname: Shin-chan, Shinji
Date of Birth: 1988.12.26
Place of Birth: Uji, Kyoto
Height: 170cm
Blood Type: O
Favourite Colours: Blue, Black, White, Silver
Member Colour: Blue
BEFORE AAA
Appeared in Ami Suzuki's Eventful as backup dancer.
IN AAA
Shinjiro is the youngest member of the group. He is less vocally involved in AAA songs and appear to be more of a dancer in the group. Among the members, he is closer with Naoya and Misako (?). Solo song, Crying Freeman, is released in boys-only album, CHOICE IS YOURS.
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
TV
Karera no Umi VIII
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo
Delicious Gakuin
Mirai Seiki Shakespeare
LOVE GAME (Episode 5)
TEIOH
Nihikime no Dojo
MOVIE
Shugo Tenshi
Ramune
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
Kenshuu Idamashii
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
Gun Mage
Now to another of my favourite member (tied in first place with Nissy for my favourite male member XD). Well, he's easily the least 'open' member of the group (aside from Naoya, who's never ever cried during concerts, he's another member who doesn't show his tears easily). After watching the older live performances, I thought he has become even more shy as the years goes by >_< (seemed to me he was pretty much open in the earlier performances?). He doesn't sing a lot in the group. He's got kind of a coarse and deep voice which tend to get muffled (that is so for his singing voice too but I guess it can't be helped, afterall, his voice is like that to begin with!). I thought he did quite a good job when singing songs that are not AAA-style (like the song he sang in LOVE GAME episode 5) >_< I loved his performance of Deai no Chikara in 4th AL :D
I'm glad his recent hairstyle is straight finally. I thought perms and braids just does not suit him >_<
TRIVIA: He had a nose piercing (which he don't wear now *am glad* XD), five ear piercings (two on the right ear and three on the left ear of which the one at the top seems to be the most recent one?). He has rather small hands (>_<) and had his teeth fixed in 2007 (?). He always (if i remember correctly) uses smileys for the titles of his blog posts.
Sueyoshi Shuta
(末吉秀太 スエヨシシュウタ)
Nickname:Shuuty
Date of Birth: 1986.12.11
Place of Birth: Sasebo, Nagasaki
Height: 167cm
Blood Type: A
Favourite Colours: Black
Member Colour: Pink
BEFORE AAA
Released CD, STAR OF STARLIGHT VOL.4, under the name of a four-member all-male group, FRIENDS. Appeared in Ami Suzuki's Eventful as backup dancer.
IN AAA
Shuta is the shortest male member of the group. Among the members, he is closest to Nissy and Hidaka. He, like Shinjiro, is also less vocally involved in AAA songs and appear to be more of a dancer in the group. Solo song, ZAPPER, is released in boys-only album, CHOICE IS YOURS.
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
TV
Karera no Umi VIII
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo
Nihikime no Dojo
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
Love Musical
I always thought Shuta had the best hairstyles during the 3rd AL, Natsumono era and depArture era. He is not the limelight kind of person and is always in the background of the group, like someone who always strive for the best but never asks for anything in return (aww...). Even though he seldom sings, his vocals is actually my second favourite in the group, after Nissy and Naoya's, who are tied in the first place XD (Listen to Rising Sun and you've just got to love his voice in it :D). His voice adds an R&B feel to songs (Hurricane Riri, Boston Mari in 3rd AL). He really puts in his all whenever he dances and his dance moves are just sleek (Aitai Riyuu).
TRIVIA: He has four ear piercings in total (one on the right ear and three on the left ear).
Ito Chiaki
(伊藤千晃 イトウチアキ)
Nickname: Chaki
Date of Birth: 1987.01.10
Place of Birth: Aichi Prefecture
Height: 153cm
Blood Type: B
Favourite Colours: Shades of Red, Pastel Colours, Charcoal Grey
Member Colour: Red
BEFORE AAA
Passed AVEX audition in 2004. Performed BoA's Shine We Are in Find the STAR Singer & the STAR Song! .
IN AAA
Chiaki is the shortest member and younger female member in the group. She was less vocally involved in AAA songs other than in girls-only song (in the earlier releases). Recently, Chiaki's been put to the front to be one of the main vocalists. Like Nissy, does not have any solo song up-to-date.
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
TV
Karera no Umi VIII
FC2
Mirai Seiki Shakespeare
Hachimitsu to Kuroba (Taiwanese Version)
VENUS Search
Nihikime no Dojo
MOVIE
Heat Island
STAGE
Theater of AAA~Bokura no Te~
Super Battle Live Delicious Gakuin~DELICIOUS 5 Shijou Saidai no Teki~
OTHER MUSIC PROJECTS
Hachimitsu to Kuroba (Taiwanese Version) OST
Chiaki's my second favourite member of the group (after Nissy and Shinjiro in the first place). I thought she really look a lot like Ayumi during Break Down era (Coincidentally enough, one of her favourite singers IS Ayumi >_<) I do prefer her vocals over Misako's and I REALLY LIKE HER VIBRATO!!! Chiaki can definitely sing :) (Listen to the small part of Heart and Soul she sang during the rehearsal for the song's PV in the making of Heart and Soul in the DVD of the Heart and Soul single). Many said that her singing range is of the lower registers but I think her range is more of the middle to high range (she seemed to have some difficulties reaching the lower notes in songs like Jamboree! and the verses in a piece of my word). I thought that Chiaki looks best with long curls (MUSIC!!! and Tabidachi no Uta) or short hair (Get Chu! or Break Down).
TRIVIA: She has piercings on both ears and knows how to play the piano. She is also able to do a small introduction of herself in Mandarin.
ALL-TIME FAVOURITES OF AAA PICTURES
MY TOP TEN REASONS FOR LIKING AAA
(not in any particular order)
1. THEY DO NOT LIP-SYNC. No matter how bad they may sound or how complicated the dance choreography is, they just do not lip-sync.
2. AAA is a coed group. There aren't many in the industry. I guess this has its plus points as you can fangirl/fanboy over both the female and male members at the same time XD
3. Because it's such a big group, AAA seldom have the need to use backup dancers. So, basically, you can see all seven occupying the whole stage. For the same reason, live performances are never boring :D
4. You cannot deny how great their stamina is, to dance AND sing (with near-perfect pitch) at the same time, and you can hardly hear/see them getting out of breath. They are equally well-versed in both areas as well.
5. They are probably one of those artistes who worked doubly hard but does not gain as much recognition but as fans, we know we still love them :)
6. They write a blog post on the assigned day of the week (Sunday-Shinjiro, Monday-Hidaka, Tuesday-Misako, Wednesday-Nissy, Thursday-Naoya, Friday-Chiaki, Saturday-Shuta). This makes them seem 'real' enough too >_<
7. Their music vary from different genres. No matter what mood you are in, you are sure to find a song that will suit you! They handle different songs really well, be it upbeat, rock, happy songs or slow, touching ballads!
8. They are a lively bunch who doesn't seem to run out of energy XD
9. You can totally see their personalities through behind the scenes and concerts. They don't hide, they do laugh or cry like they are not in front of the camera (That's how we are able to see their crazy and funny moments XD)
10. Lastly, I like AAA for who they are. No matter how great performers they are on stage and how perfect their performances are, keep in mind that AAA is still human and is not perfect but I like them just because they HAVE imperfections. This goes to show they have the 'normal' side too. There is no such thing as "AAA is better with/without XXX". All the members and their different personalities are what make them to be Attack All Around :)
CONGRATULATIONS ON SURVIVING THIS UBER LONG POST! (I didn't know I could write that much. OMG! >_<) Thank you very much for your attention and sorry for my long-winded-ness (OOPS XD) Again, comments (if any) are very welcomed and loved :)
♥ AAA
For those who have not seen:
THE AAA PIMP POST and my take on AAA :) (Part I)