62nd Kouhaku Uta Gassen Review

My first week of test is finished so I can write a review now, yeay. The test which has been finished is Statistic Maths, Flash Animation, and Web Programming. Still one week more till holiday!! If I have time, I will write about CDTV special and Jhonnys Countdown too.

Okay. Kohaku Uta Gassen, aired for the 62nd times with Inoue Mao for the representative of red team and Arashi for the representative of white team. I decided not to go for a new year party because of my asthma and just watching Kohaku via my laptop. The theme for this year Kohaku is "Ashita o Utao" or "Lets sing for the future", and I posted about the performance list before. Kouhaku Uta Gassen finally saw the Red Team win after 6 consecutive losses, the Red Team received 343,045 votes while the White Team received 323,767 votes. While the rating for each district:

(District - Rating 1st half - Rating 2nd half)
Kanto – 35.2% – 41.6%  ||  Kansai – 34.1% – 41.9%  ||  Nagoya – 41.5% – 46.6%
Hokubu-Kyushu – 34.7% – 41.1%  ||  Sapporo – 37.3% – 41.9%  || Sendai – 39.4% – 47.0%
Hiroshima – 36.3% – 39.0% || Shizuoka – 42.9% – 45.6%  ||  Fukushima – 45.7% – 47.5%
Niigata – 44.2% – 48.9%  || Okayama/Kagawa – 32.1% – 38.6%

First Half Rating (based on artist)
Ayumi Hamasaki 34,4% || NYC 34,9%  ||  Angela Aki 34,6%  ||  Flumpool 34,7%  ||  AKB48 38,9%  ||  ★ Ashita o Utao ~ Kids Special~ (Suzuki Fuku, Ashida Mana, Disney, Arashi) 39,2%  ||  FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 38,7%  ||  Nishino Kana 35,7%  ||  AAA 37,1%  ||  Kawanaka Miyuki 35,6%  ||  Ken Hirai 36,4%  ||  Ayako Fuji 34,2% || Hosokawa Takashi 38,6% ||  Mizuki Nana 37,2%  ||  Porno Graffiti 35,1%  ||  Inawashirokos 35.1%  ||  Natsuko Godai 33,4%  ||  L'Arc~en~Ciel 34,9%  ||  Mizumori Kaori 34,1%  ||  Mori Shinichi 33,6%  || Shiina Ringo 39,4%  ||  ★ Ashita o Utao ~ Birthday Special 3.11~ (Natsukawa Rimi, Akikawa Masafumi) ~nodata~

Second Half Rating (based on artist)
KARA 38,4%  ||  Hideaki Tokunaga 37,6%  ||  Perfume 35,7%  ||  TOKIO 36,9%  ||  SNSD 39,9%  ||  Hiromi Go 40,7%  ||  aiko 39,2%  ||  Yuzu 43,1%  ||  Koda Kumi 42,7%  ||  Tohoshinki 42,6%  ||  ★ Ashita o Utao ~Nippon no Arashi~ (Arashi, Sakurai Sho on piano, Kohaku singer) 41.7%  ||  Hirahira Ayaka 42.1%  ||  Sen Masao 38.6%  ||  Lady Gaga 43.6%  ||  Kobayashi Sachiko 42,4%  ||  Nishida Toshiyuki 42,2%  ||  ayaka 40,2%  ||  Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi 42,1%  ||  Wada Akiko 43,2%  ||  Arashi 44.6%  ||  Ikimonogakari 45,2%  ||  Itsuki Hiroshi 41,6%  ||  Matsuda Seiko + Kanda Sayaka 43,4%  ||  Hikawa Kiyoshi 43,1%  ||  Sakamoto Fuyumi 42,1%  ||  Fukuyama Masaharu 43,6%  ||  Yumi Matsutoya 44,2%  ||  EXILE 45,7%  ||  Tendo Yoshimi 45,1%  ||  Saburo Kitajima 43,6%  ||  Ishikawa Sayuri 44,9%  ||  SMAP 48,2% || The winner announcement: Akagumi (11.42 pm) 49,7%

TOP 7 Performance (based on the rating):
1. SMAP  48.2%  ||  2. EXILE  45.7%  ||  3. Tendo Yoshimi 45.4%  ||  4. Ikimonogakari 45.2%
5. Ishikawa Sayuri 44.9%  ||  6. Arashi 44.6%  || 7. Yumi Matsutoya 44.2%

Arashi and Inoue Mao have total 6 times changing clothes means there is 6 type of clothes. The show’s ending achieved ratings as high as 49.7% at 11:42 pm, but it was unable to reach the 50% mark. And my favorite part, the Disney and Arashi collaboration for kids special got 39.2%, I can re-watch this part endlessly xDD And aiko-san with her Koi wa Superball only got 39.2% and AKB48 which I was so worried the stage will crushed with that much of member all on the stage got 38.9%. Our JKT48 is joining AKB48 on stage, so proud of them, but I still think they are still did not deserved to be on Kohaku. And Hallyu artist on Kohaku? rawr still can't have a good reason why they are in but m-a-y-b-e because Japanese admire them of their plastic and want them to show "dream". Okay, no offense, this is just my opinion.

~First Half~

 

--opening-- 

Each other team representative, Inoue Mao and Arashi, open the event with Nadeshiko Japan team (the team of woman football of Japan) as they will have Olympic this year (2012). Sakurai Sho for Olympic's caster please!!

 1)) Ayumi Hamasaki - progress
The first performance from Red team, had been invited for Kohaku for 13 times. The white dress is really stunning, like which always she wear. The performance itself is really amazing, having piano and biola, and the dancer. WOW. Rating for her is around 34.4%. (more info about Ayumi Hamasaki)

 2)) NYC - Yume Tamago + 100% Yuuki
The first performance from White team, this is their 3rd times being on Kohaku. NYC or NYC boys, stands for Chinen Yuuri (HSJ), Yamada Ryosuke (HSJ), and Nakayama Yuma (Jhonnys Jr.). While performing two songs, they are performing with 247 Jhonnys Junior behind them. Cute performance but.. yes, too much people on the stage xDD I kinda understand why Ohno said "kawaii power" xDD And Matsumoto-san being such a yasashii-senpai with saying "Yokatta yo" xDD Rating for them is around 34.9% (more info about NYC boys)

3))　Angela Aki - One Family
Red team. Invited for the 6th times on Kohaku. She is pregnant, and performing with piano and I got so amazed *__* Cool-beauty on piano is so lovely. I do admire the mom who is pregnant and I hope he can deliver the baby healthy and well. Good luck, Angela-san ^^ Rating for her is around 34,6% (more info about Angela Aki)

4))　flumpool - Akashi
White team. Invited for the 3rd times. flumpool are singing with the choir from Miyake area's high school students which is the victim of the great earthquake 2011, make it more sentimental. They got 34.7% (more info about flumpool)

5))　AKB48 - Kohaku 2011 AKB48 Special MIX ~Ganbarou Nippon!~
Red team. This is their 4th times to be on Kohaku. AKB48 is a all-girls idol group which have a lot of members. This time they are joining their sister group, HKT48 from Hakata, and JK48 from Jakarta (Indonesia), and their total is 210 people, all over the stage (too much people on stage, I'm so afraid the stage is going to breaking down xDD). Kohaku 2011 Special Mix contain of Kaze wa Fuiteiru, Flying Get, and Everyday Kachuusha. I'm going to die, Mayuyu is really cute with her two ponytails, and Acchans's hair is really cuuuuuuuuuuute xDDD I feel so happy when I heard Matsumoto-san saying "Indonesia no Jakarta.." even I know he is just want to introduce JKT48 xDD Rating for them is around 38.9%  (more info about AKB48)

♪  Ashita o Utao~ Kids Special~ ♪ 

This is my favorite segment. First is Ashida Mana and Suzuki Fuku with the earthquake victim kids are singing and dancing together on Maru Maru Mori Mori. Cuteness OVERLOAD xDD When Mana-chan and Fuku-kun come down to the stage, Mana-chan is dropped from the stair but Mana-chan is still laughing and smiling. Yes Mana-chan, you will be an idol someday xDD I love how Matsuken look at them like a parents xD

Then continue to Ashida Mana and Suzuki Fuku singing "Hoshi ni Negai o" (wish upon a star) . And Arashi and Disney come singing and dancing together on "Chiisana Sekai" (it's a small world) and then all of the singer and earthquake victim come and sing together. Not forgetting ..., the one act as Inoue Mao-san's child on Ohisama come too. Cuteness OVERLOAD xDD I'm flailing too much on this segment.  The Arashi pair with Disney is Ohno + Chip and Dale, Sakurai-san + Donald Duck, Aiba-san + Daisy Duck, Nino + Goofy, and Matsujun + Mickey Mouse. Not forgetting Minnie Mouse as the queen of this show. I repeating this part endlessly xDD My favorite part? You don't have to ask xDD Ashita o Utao Kids Special segments got 39.2%.

6))　FUNKY MONKEY BABYS - Soredemo Shinjiteru
White team. Invited for the 3rd times on Kohaku. They are singing with Japanese Male Ouen-dan behind them. Interesting, I keep distracted by the Ouendan's expression. They got 38.7% (more info about FMB)

7))　Nishino Kana - Tatoe Donna ni
Red team. Invited for the 2nd times on Kohaku. The mini red dress she wear is really look good on her, but once again I don't like her make-up. She is much good on natural make-up rather than the one she used this time. This song is a theme song of a drama (which I forgot the name =P). She got 35.7% (more info about Nishino Kana)

8))　AAA - CALL
White team. Invited for the 2nd times on Kohaku. AAA stands for "Attack All Around". The dance are always amazing and the vocal is really fit in each other. I love the costume and their hair-styling. They got 37.1% (more info about AAA)

9))　Kawanaka Miyuki - Nirinso
Red team. Invited for the 24th times on Kohaku. She is an enka singer. AKB dance wih white dress with Papaya Dancer behind her. She is really beautiful (* A *) In the verse of the second "Omae.. Anata", Acchan do a wrong movement xDD ah you! xDD Her rating is around 35.6% (more info about Kawanaka Miyuki)

10))　Ken Hirai - Itoshiki Hibi yo
White team. Invited for the 7th times on Kohaku. His high-pitch voice is really amazing. Black suit Hirai Ken-san. I can't believe he is really japanese :P He got 36.4% (more info about Ken Hirai)

 11))　Fuji Ayako - Ayako no Okuni Jiman dayo ~Ganbarona Tohoku!! Kohaku Special~
Red team. Invited for the 17th times on Kohaku. She is an enka singer. Singer from Kouhaku are participating too. I can see TOKIO with white happi. Kokubun-san was failing a lot ahahahah so much fun to see them xDD She got 34.2% (more info about Fuji Ayako)

12))　Hosokawa Takashi - Nebuta ~Ganbarona Tohoku!! Kohaku Special~
White team. Invited for the 35th times on Kohaku.AKB48 come with red and pink happi. And TOKIO still there, flailing xDD Then Fuji Ayako-san come to join too. He got 38.6%  (more info about Hosokawa Takashi)

13))　Mizuki Nana - POP MASTER
Red team. Invited for the 4rd time. She is the Queen of Anisong and she is singing with cheerleader. Even I love anisong, I don't know this song ahahahaha. She got 37.2% (more info about Nana Mizuki)

 14))　Porno Grafiti - One More Time
White team. Invited for the 10th times. I love how the vocalist got such a unique vocal. They are look so gorgeous with suit. They got 35.1% (more info about Porno Grafiti)

15))　Inawashirokos - I love you & I need you Fukushima
White team. This is the first time they got invited to Kohaku. By the way, their vocal heard like Sambomaster. They got 35.1%

16))　Godai Natsuko - Kinmokusei
Red Team. This is her 18th times on Kohaku. She is an enka singer. Such a beautiful flower set behind her. And, kabuki? Such a beautiful enka! She got 33.4%

17))  L’Arc～en～Ciel - CHASE
White team. They got invited for the 5th times. They are more and more look like a visual band. Tetsu look so tired, while Hyde look like he is a visual band vocalist xDD Hyde way of talking is somehow look like Gackt. Tetsu's red long coat is really catcing your eyes. They got  34.9% (more info about L'arc~en~ciel)

18))　Mizumori Kaori - Shounai Heiya Kazeno Naka
Red Team. Got invited for the 9th times. Idk what is the dancer do back her? classic ballet? ritmic? ah but it is really interesting and beautiful. She got 34.1% (more info about Mizumori Kaori)

19))　Mori Shinichi - Minato Machi Blues
White team. This is his 44th times for be invited on Kouhaku. He is singing all alone but he is really good. He got 33.6% (more info about Mori Shinichi)

20))　Shiina Ringo - Carnation – Akagumi nara Dare Demo
Red team. This is her first time to be invited on Kohaku as a solo singer. Her short hair is really cute, but her red dress is somehow look like a pumpkin, cute. Beside of her pumpkin cloths, her hands while playing guitar is really beautiful.Then the second song is "Onna no ko dare demo" Behind that red pumpkin clothes, she had a soft pink ballet dress inside. She is singing with old style jazz band. I was really amazed with her.She got 39.4% (more info about Shiina Ringo)

 ♪  Ashita o Utao Special ~Happy Birthday 3.11~   ♪ 

 Inoue Mao-san's special corner. For each soul has lost, new soul will born. It is a great loss after the great earthquake, but a lot of new soul will born too. So, for the soul which has lost and has born, Natsukawa Rimi-san and Akikawa Masafumi-san singing Asu to Iu Hi ga.

~Second Half~

21))　KARA - KARA 2011 Special Medley
Red team. Korean Artist. This time is their first time to be invited on Kohaku. Their Special Medley consist of Jet Coaster Love and Mr. . I love their red dress, but I wonder they have to remove the skirt on Mr. They got 38.4% (more info about KARA)

 22))　Tokunaga Hideaki - Jidai
White team. This is his 6th time to be on Kohaku. He got 37.6% (more info about Tokunaga Hideaki)

23))　Perfume - Laser Beam
Red team. Has invited to Kohaku for the 4th times. As usual, whatever they wear, it look good. This red/orange dress is suit for them. With their cute voice and tecno music make the dance look more amazing. They got 35.7% (more info about Perfume)

24))　TOKIO - Miageta Ryusei
White team. This is their 18th times to be on Kohaku. Another senpai-kohai talk with Arashi, and they are bullying leader again xDD Aaah Kokubun Taichi on piano xDD man on piano, again xDD They got 36,9% (more info about TOKIO)

25))　Shoujo Jidai - GENIE
Red team. Korean Artist. This is their first time to be invited on Kohaku. I love their yellow-black dress. I love how the cameramen shoot their leg, yes Korean female artist always had a well-care leg ahahaha They got 39.9% (more info about Shoujo Jidai/SNSD)

26))　Go Hiromi - Go Smile Japan
White team. This is his 24th times on Kohaku. His voice is really good and somehow he still look young on his age. He got 40.7% (more info about Go Hiromi)

 27))　aiko - Koi no Superball
Red tea,. This is her 10th times to be invited on Kohaku. I love her song and her voice, jazzy but so cheerful. She got  39.2% (more info about aiko)

28))　Yuzu - Hey Wa
White team. This is their 4th times to be on Kohaku. Hey Wa can be read too as Hey Kazu :P I always love their song and their guitar sounds.  They got 43.1% (more info about Yuzu)

29))　Koda Kumi - Ai wo Tomenaide
Red team. This is her 7th times to be on Kohaku. Another pregnant woman here, even we can't see it too much because her pregnancy is still on young age.  I love the dress and how beautiful the stage and the lightning with the penlight are waving when she is singing.  She got 42.7% (more info about Koda Kumi)

 30))　Tohoshinki - Why? (Keep Your Head Down)
White team. Korean Artist. This is their 3rd times invited to Kohaku. Actually, I don't really interested with Korean artist, but their dance are stunning! They got 42.6% . Anyone recognize that Tohoshinki is always performed before Arashi? remember the FNS "accident" hmm suspicious and remember the last fanwar because tohoshinki's fans are consult arashi because of the height difference. arwr I hate fanwar :( (more info about Tohoshinki/TVXQ)

♪    Ashita o Utao ~Nippon no Arashi 「Furusato」 ♪ 

 Once again, Arashi sing Furusato on Kouhaku and this time, Sakurai Sho on piano ♥  (you know how much I love a man with piano xDD and Sakurai Sho? okay perfect I love both and how intense he is on the piano ♥ even I dont know it is really his "intense" or just a nervous face xD) Using the remodel piano which has broken because of the earthquake, implying that we can live again with a new spirit. Tohoku victims' are singing too via the VTR, and the other Kohaku singers are joining in the middle too. I'm crying a lot on this segments. They got 41.7%

 31))　Hirahara Ayaka - Ohisama ~Taisetsu na Anata e
Red team. Invited to Kohaku for the 8th times. I love her dress and how she is really beautiful with Ohisama VTR on her back. She got 42.1% (more info about Hirahara Ayaka)

 32))　Sen Masao - Kita Guni no Haru
White team. This is his 16th times to be invited on Kohaku. An enka singer. He got  38.6%

♪   Ashita o Utao~ Sekai kara Messeji  ♪

Hasebe Makoto on Black Suit. A message VTR from Jacky Chen, who I thought he already died, sorry xDD And a streaming performance video from New york, Lady Gaga singing "You and Me" with Piano, and "Born this way" with her dancer along. I wonder how she can see with that kind of glasses. Lady Gaga got rating of 43.6%

33))　Kobayashi Sachiko - Onna no Sakaba
Red team. Being invited for Kohaku for the 33rd times. This year she come with an awesome set too. This time she brought along a dragon with. Eh? I don't know if it is a dragon or a barongsai. But they said "sishio" so.. a lion? err. Ma ii ka. ahahaha she got 42,4% (more info about Kobayashi Sachiko)

34))　Nishida Toshiyuki - Ano Machi ni Umarete
White team. This is his 4th time for being on Kouhaku. He got 42.2% (more info about Nishida Toshiyuki)

35))　ayaka - Minna Sora no Shita
Red team. This is her 5th times on Kohaku. This queen with angel voice is singing with a band behind her. She have a really amazing voice. She got rating of 40.2% (more info about ayaka)

36))　Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi - Hitotsu
White team. This is his third time to be on Kohaku. He is singing outdoor, and the lightning is totally stunning and amazing. Beside of his voice, he is singing with a guitar and a bit harmonica.  He got 42.1% (more info about Nagabushi Tsuyoshi)

37))　Wada Akiko - Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata
Red team. This is her 35th times to be on Kohaku. Even I have a scary image of her, she is wearing a really good and nice yellow-greenish dress. I love that dress. She got 43.2% rating. (more info about Wada Akiko)

38))　Arashi - 2011 Kohaku Special Medley
White team. This is their 3rd times to be on Kohaku. Okay, my favorite artist. The medley consist of Meikyuu Love Song, some dance, and Hatenai Sora. I don't really like their costume this time, it is just not fit with the background VTR, because the color scheme are the same. I still like their last year golden suit. But I love the CG they use on the background when they dance so it makes like you are playing some games. They got rating of 44.6% (more info about Arashi)

39))　Ikimonogakari - Aruite Ikou
Red team. This is their 4th times to be on Kohaku. I love the red dress of the vocalist, her voice is unique. I love that. Their rating is 45.2% (more info about ikimonogakari)

40))　Itsuki Hiroshi - Furusato
White team. This is his 41st times to be on Kohaku. I don't really get it, but maybe he is talking about Japan as his furusato. I love the background he use, the four season of Japan. He got 41.6% (more info about Itsuki Hiroshi)

41))　Matsuda Seiko, Kanda Sayaka - Ue wo Muite Arukou
Both from red team. The eternal idol Matsuda Seiko-san is on her 16th times, but Kanda Sayaka is new. They are mother-daughter combi. They are performing live from their new year countdown concert. They got 43.4% (more info about Matsuka Seiko)(more info about Kanda Sayaka)

 42))　Hikawa Kiyoshi - Jounetsu no Mariachi
White team. Invited for Kohaku for the 12th times. I don't really get it what is his genre, Mariachi is Mexican deshou? Or I am wrong? But beside of that matter, his smile is dazzling and shining. That is the prove why he is called "the prince of Enka". I love it. He got 43.1% of rating. (more info about Hikawa Kiyoshi)

43))　Sakamoto Fuyumi - Yozakura Oshichi
Red team. Invited for the 23rd times. Another beautiful enka performance on Kohaku. I really love to see the kimono and sakura on the background. She got rating of 42,1% (more info about Sakamoto Fuyumi)

44))　Fukuyama Masaharu - Kazoku ni Narou yo
White team. This is his 4th times on Kohaku.  As usual, he is performing from his new year countdown at Yokohama. Another sweet and warming performance with little bubbles flowing in the end of performance. He got 43.6% of rating. (more info about Fukuyama Masaharu)

45))　Matsutouya Yumi - (Minna no) Haru yo, Koi
Red team. The second times on Kohaku.  The song is really catchy yet warming and the other Kohaku singer is joining her to sing it. She got 44.2% of rating. (more info about Matsutoya Yumi)

46))　EXILE - Rising Sun
White team. The 7th times on Kohaku. They are performing with a warm lightning and make them look so shining, especially Takahiro with his dazzling smile. I have a lot of fun taking caps of Takahiro =P They got 45.7% (more information about EXILE)

47))　Tendou Yoshimi - Ai Sansan
Red team. It is his 16th times to be invited on Kohaku. She is an enka singer. Ai Sansan is a song of Misora Hibari, and it is a song for a memorial of her. She got 45.1%

 48))　Kitajima Saburou -Kaerokana
White team. It is already his 48th times on Kohaku. He is singing with man choir behind him, but I think I see some people who be FMB's Ouendan too xDD  He got 43.6% (more info about Kitajima Saburo)

 49))　Ishikawa Sayuri - Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki
Closing performance from Red team. It is her 34th times to be on Kohaku. Such a beautiful stage effect and CG she used (*A*) She got 44.9% (more info about Ishikawa Sayuri)

 50))　SMAP - SMAP AID Kohaku SP
Closing performance from White team. It is their 19th times to be on Kohaku. The medley consist of "not alone ~shiawase ni narou yo~" and "Original Smile". I feel that the stage and the audience become one. It is so fun to see them singing and the interaction between the audience. They got 48.2% (more info about SMAP)

-Closing and winner announcement-

voting time

Akagumi win!

And the vote goes to akagumi and this show closed at 11.42 pm with rating of 49,7%. Inoue Mao was crying a lot that she is win. So finally after 6 consecutive loses, red team faces win. Then 62nd Kohaku Uta Gassen  closed with "Hotaru no Hikari"

Hotaru no hikari

Thanks for reading till the end.

See you next year on 63th Kohaku Uta Gassen~

with love, ifat ♥