I liked Meetan in this one. With the kids she had to be her natural self and couldn't play her role. I think it suits her much better.
This was an awesome epsiode, and furthers the reputation this show has for not always being as "fun" as 0じ59ふん, but always being more interesting. I have to admit that I'm really getting into Takamina these days. I've always appreciated her voice, but the Shibuya AX DVD put me on to just how hard she works, and how much she gives to each performance. Her look has matured a lot lately, and she's growing into a very attractive young lady, however, it's these TV shows that clearly illustrate what I hold to be her most endearing quality: She is a PHENOMENAL goof. Maybe I was just being a fanboy, but when she introduced herself and did that exaggerated "thumbs up", I burst out laughing. I mean, that was so her. And on a final note, I particularly liked this episode because when I start my teaching job in Japan later this year, about 20% of my classes will be with kids, many in this age group. I think they did a pretty good job. I don't know if I'll fare as well, given that I don't speak Japanese and have an irrational fear of hosing down naked Japanese toddlers!
I really enjoyed this episode, cause it was such a heartwarming and funny episode. I work with kids sometimes myself and it really makes me happy to see this, cause it reminds me of the things I do. It was nice to see the members out of their usual light and in such a different situation. I won't say anything more...Just Watch It!
i wish i was one of those kids...if i could stand naked in front of acchan and takamina i'd be so happy...
For those who're still clueless... Nemousu Terebi Vol 5! Overview (and some comments): A van carrying Noro, Megumi, Takahashi, and Atsuko pulls over to the side of the road to where Mai Mai is. (I doubt the girls were dolled up in idol fashion since Noro and Megumi clearly don't have make-up on.) Mai Mai yanks them all out, pulls them over to a playground, and shows them a some sort of live video feed from that host (who's name I still can't remember). He tells them that the four are supposedly the least maternal members of the group, and they'd make terrible mothers. Therefore, they have to take part in a daycare center for a day. (I'm not sure if those four are really the least maternal members. I'm sure there are other girls who are far less capable of being motherly, but they're don't stand out as much as these four. *shrugs*) Megumi and Noro are assigned to the 5-year-old group, while Atsuko and Takahashi are assigned to the 4-year-old group - and Mai Mai plays the role of supreme maternal member as she watches over the four (though it ends up being just commentary with this lady who appears to be the head of the daycare center). They go over the rules: 1.) Earn the children's trust, 2.) Don't let them get hurt, and 3.) Always watch over what they're doing. Noro then explains a traumatic event when she was little (which sadly I can't pick up since she said it so fast, and I'm so burnt out right now). Takahashi and Atsuko introduce themselves to their class. Takahashi tosses up the cheesy thumbs (which the class ignores, LOL). They then have the class clean up their things, but are overwhelmed by the children moving around. Meanwhile, Megumi and Noro introduce themselves to their class (and Noro manages to get the children involved to do her usual idol introduction). While Atusko is washing the tabletops, one of the little girls says that her neck hurts, and asks if she can go to the hospital afterwards. Atsuko has no idea how to respond, so she kinda nods it off (One of the staff members explains to her something that's barely audible, and Atsuko replies, "Oh, that's what's up" - but is still pretty clueless as to how to handle children. In the other classroom, the children get a bathroom back. They make a mad dash to what appears to be a unisex bathroom for children but because the room's so small, Noro has to play the gatekeeper (and then has clean up the mess, LOL). Next is pool time. Atsuko and Takahashi help dress up the children in their swimwear. (The children apparently change together in the same classroom...right.) Along the way, some of the children play around with Atsuko - by jumping on her back and groping her face (Er...yeah. ) Outside, Atsuko and Takahashi wash down the children before they enter the pool. The kids assault the two idols with water guns and splashes - while Mai Mai makes her comments from a safe, dry distance (not sure what she says, sorry :-(). Takahashi then steps and jumps right into the pool with the kids (LOL!).Afterwards, the two girls spray down the children - who line up all naked in front of them (Yeah...well, they do censor the children from the waste down, but still...). Then suddenly Atsuko gets a foot cramp (LOL!) and has to relinquish the hose to someone else. Meanwhile, Noro and Megumi play a relay race with the children using a massive ball. Megumi and Noro are the anchor's for their respective teams, but Noro loses to Megumi (and ends up apologizing to her team). Thereafter, they go inside and drink juice - and the children end up sharing their drink with Megumi (LOL! How she's so popular!) - and both Mai Mai and that lady comment on how much the children are flocking around her. The children love her so much that they decide to share some their massive kabuto beetles with her (Megumi totally freaks out while Noro plays it off all cool B-) Back to Atsuko and Takahashi - the girls eat lunch with the 4-year-olds. Mai Mai and that lady talk about how the girls eating with them encourages the children to eat all of their food (and how the two idols hardly look like adults, LOL). At the other classroom, the 5-year-olds are having lunch as well. One of the boys blatantly tells Noro he does like the food. On Megumi's side, I really couldn't understand the situation since there were so many people talking, but I think it had something to do with seating arrangements - I don't think that girl wanted to sit next to that boy. Megumi suggests that she can be moved somewhere else if she doesn't like sitting there, but the girl starts to cry (awwwww!) - and then Noro calls her on it (awwww...). Megumi tries to apologize to the little girl, but then another girl cries. The lady with Mai Mai then explains how when the tension starts rising among the children, they can start crying out of nowhere. Back to Atsuko and Takahashi: they read to children a story before tucking them all in for an afternoon nap. (Damnit, I think the whole world needs an official nap time!) At the other classroom, the children have a brief Q & A period with Megumi and Noro. One of the girls asks who they love, and Megumi tries to explain (I think) how she doesn't have anyone that she likes. One of the children laughs, and then Megumi laughs. Megumi explains how it's true, Noro says (indirectly, I think) that it's too personal of a question, and then the teacher steps into end the conversation with a clever cover-up, "Isn't it nice how she loves you all?" (I can't catch all of the details, but I really think that's what's up.) As the 5-year old children prep for bed, some of the boys are I guess...hitting on the girls (in their own child-like sort of way? It's hard to explain). Noro walks around, lays down besides some of the girls - and falls asleep herself (LOL!). Mai Mai walks by and wakes her up by pinching Noro's nose. The four girls meet outside during the nap period, and Noro explains how all of the children seem to love Megumi. Mai Mai comes along and asks the girls who would want children after spending half of a day at the daycare center - all the girls but Noro raise their hands. Atsuko would like three children - the more, the merrier. Megumi explains how she was asked, "How many children do you have?" Mai Mai also comments (I think) on how good Megumi is at handling children, and she replies how there are four children with her as the eldest, so she's used to taking care of the children. Then Noro proposes present for the children. After the break, the girls go back to their respective classrooms to wake up the children. One of the little boys is slow to wake up - and is pretty grumpy when he finally gets up (LOL!) Atsuko and Takahashi present their present in the form of a game game where they partially draw a character (or rather Takahashi draws and Atsuko just sits next her ), and the children guess who or what they're drawing. The first one is Pikachu (which the kids get quickly) and the second one is some character I have no clue about (but apparently the children know who it is). In the end, Takahashi gives the drawings away. The children then thank the girls for the day. The children make a bit of a tunnel-thing by lining up in two lines and forming archways with their hands. One of the little girls starts to cry (awwwww), and then Takahash starts to cry (AWWWW!!!). In the other classroom, Megumi and Noro play a song on the organ. Before they play, the two girls give their thanks (and start to get really emotional). Noro plays, "Omoide no Album" ("(Photo) Album of Memories") while everyone else sings along. The children line up to shake their hands, and then the two idols get really emotional (some of the children cry, too). In the playground, the girls share their feelings on the whole experience. Takahashi thinks the children are cute, and wants children of her own. Atsuko comments how the children were so obedient and pleasant. Megumi explains how the children really moved her, and how she definitely remember them. Sadly, I really couldn't hear what Noro said because she said it so low (though I think it has to do with the look of endearment in the children's eyes). The four girls gather together in the playground, and pretty much wrap up the show. Megumi and Noro are teased for crying so much, and they all say their thanks to the staff. However, Takahashi blurts out, "I want children!" Maeda's like, "You're only seventeen." But still, Takahashi shouts, "I want children!" Highlights: A lot happened in this episode, but I'd have to say the biggest highlight would have to be Megumi. With all the sexiness she puts off during the shows, she really showed a nurturing side. Takahashi surprised me, too, since she came off as very maternal for such a young girl (and I totally didn't realize until this episode that she's already 17 ). Overall Opinion: I liked this episode - a lot, too. It showed a different side of all of the girls - personality-wise for Megumi and Takahashi, and physically for Noro (it's a bit comforting seeing her without make-up...sorta makes her seem more normal and relateable). Sadly, my opinion for Atsuko hasn't changed - to me, she's still just...Atsuko. Also, I'm very surprised at how the Japanese are open to nudity among children. They share the bathroom together, the change into swimsuits together, they get washed down together - it's really different from what I grew up around. And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! An overview of this week's Nemousu! As usual, I apologize for the length. Moreover, I apologize for missing details or incorrect information - especially for this post since I'm now seriously feeling burnout and even a bit of sickness from so much work and errands. Nevertheless, I hope this helps everyone understand the show a bit better. Until next time, y'all take it easy. B-)
Thanks for that Gideon. Currently, it's the best episode. I remember H!M also got one or two episode where they went to places like this but this one was more "AKB" with the nudity LOL. Wow... I wonder how the R can come so early.
Crap! That was a typo! Thanks for catching that. I'll fix it right now. I knew I should have proofread it before posting...
Another great overview and review from gideon. We thank you for all your effort. I agree with you on Atsuko, she didn't really shine like the other girls did. Megumi and Takahashi were so motherly with the kids it was surprising to see such a different side of them. Noro was doing her best too, and now I have new found respect for Takahashi, Noro, and Megumi after seeing them in this weeks episode. They should do this again, but with 4 different girls...I think that would work out quite well.
