Jurina is back

Right after AKB48's general election, Matsui Jurina was taking a break from all Idol activities, including 48group and also dropping out of Produce48. Jurina had health problems prior to the election and as they were getting worse she decided to stop all activities for a few months.
Well, now she has returned to perform with AKB and SKE again and she is slowly resuming other actvities as well. She is still not active on social media though.

In her absence, I as well other fans were of course worrying a lot about her. I think it was definitely a  good decision to take a break judging from her health problems (also concerning her mental health). It feels as if Jurina has been working for more than 10 years straight without ever really taking a break. Especially now with so many seniors graduating she must be stressed out even more. Knowing that she is a hardworker I think she has a lot of pressure as the number 1 in the whole 48group. Hence, I can also understand why she will not participate in the next single. Even more than her being active I want her to be healthy so I see her condition to be the most important. It makes me really happy that she had the chance to even take such a break and that she is now healthier and most importantly happier!

She won the election but she could not participate in any activities surrounding the single. Not even the filming of the music video. To keep up AKB48's important single schedule they did film a video - without her. This became a big issue.
I can kind of understand this decision from a marketing perspective as this single is important not only for the Senbatsu winner. Adding to that, they did not know when Jurina would return. Still, it is kind of sad to see this video, especially how it was produced. They did not simply film it without Jurina, they left drawings for her scenes. I guess these should later be replaced by real Jurina scenes but it is kind of weird to see. The whole story in this video is very emotional which does not make it better (and Sakura overshadowing Dasu by a lot).

The most surprising thing though was when a computer animated Jurina appeared in the dancing scenes:

Again, I understand that they had to release SOMETHING and the approach is not bad but this animated Jurina does look really weird. Seems like they just thought about how they would renew the scene later so it has this unfinished touch.
To be honest I do not really like it. The video as a whole looks beautiful and has some really nice shots and scenes but this feels quite cheap.

But I guess I cannot change a thing and I can definitely live with this.
I am just happy that Jurina is back being happy and healthy. I do also wonder how the remake version with Jurina actually being there will look like.

Jurina is back, as am I :)

Nogizaka46 being epic with Influencer

Are you ready for a review? I didn't write one in almost half a year, so let's do this

Today I'm going to review Nogizaka46's Influencer. It was released in March 2017 and it was their first single that sold 1 Million copies! CONGRATS! I feel like this single established them even more as a top Idol group! And on top of that it is one of my favourite songs of them ever.

I'm so in love, I just had to put these two covers (the other covers are cool too, btw). This is a double center of Maiyan and Naachan anyways, so it feels appropriate to show you both of these amazing women. It was really exciting to see this single being released in Japan, it was quite a hype. Nogi is so big right now, it's just so much fan to be a fan (if only I would've met Nanase though). I heard this song EVERYWHERE. Most people knew it and I just really love singing it at Karaoke!

Influencer is a fast dance number with some cool strings and awesome instrumentals in general.. Starting with lots of Bun Bun Bun, it gives an interesting first impression and an edgy vibe. While the verses are quite soft, the chorus is really dramatic and fast.. I like these kind of songs, because you have a nice build-up for the chorus. Here in particular I'm in love the melody and the voices. It makes sense to have more vocals in the chorus as it gives a full experience of what this group has to offer. The last chorus-y bridge starting with a quieter instrumental and Maiyan and Nanase's voices only, shows a different side and makes the end even more dramatic. The lyrics are, despite what some people think, not about the virus Influenza (it was quite strong in Japan though when this song was released). It's about a person who is an Influencer and how they are ''like the Earth and the Sun'', and one is always influencing the other. Maybe it is, after all, about the virus influencing people? Just kidding, but the lyrics are quite poetic and really well written.

Let's take a look at the video now:

It starts in a very big hall and we can see two people in the miidle

Of course, our lovely centers. Nanase and Maiyan!!

And here come all the members! I like the black&white styling

Wow, I'm in love with Maiyan's sharp face features. And the lipstick *-*

And Naachan looks so soft.. They are both so different, but they both represent Nogi equally

I'm in love with this style and these lipsticks

Beautiful Misa in the house

Damn, I can't believe Ashurin is all grown up (and even centered a single before)

Miona salutes Nogizaka forever

Manatsu is as funny as ever xD

Reika is still the most beautiful! She may not be my favourite member but I like her so much

Ikuchan and Sayuringo letting us know that this song is calles Influencer.. Thanky guys

Kazumi and IKOMAAAA (can't believe she graduated)

Yuri and Hina <3
Okay, this dance is simply amazing.. And so hard, I tried to do it

I can't believe I'm crying over graduated members now.. Why did you leave Marikaa?

This font looks like a cheap movie title

Why so serious Sayuri?

Uh, Maiyan at a different place now.. With some interesting plants in the background

And of course her bae Nanase is here too

These two are amazing.. And I love the purple light

Why so beautiful??

why are they doing that?

Awww innocent Ashu..

What are you doing kid?

Miona: We're not kids

Okay, so at first I wasn't sure how to feel about these outfits.. But I really like the colours and now I'm kind of digging them

Everyone looks cool in this video, even Manatsu

Wakatsuki looks almost sad though

So cool!

Aaaah Sayurin

And Ikuchan looks like a model

I love these women.. I would die for these women..

Dramatic hair

Okay, all of these stills are so beautiful, I can't

I want this picture of Sayurin everywhere

So cool..

I love these colours.. the mix of blue and purple might be my favourite colour combination

And the dance is so cool! I regret not learning everything of it when one girl was teaching it at the Idol club (she was amazing)

I would completely fail at this though

Short haired Naachan is so lovely

Even if it's only half of her face, you can simply tell it's Ashu

What are they doing at a bar though? Drinking?

So nice to see Kana in this single

She makes me laugh all the time, but here she is just really cool

Looking closer at the outfits, this is some fish scale look

They make it look so easy.. It's hard af

Finally some time to relax

No time to relax.. never

NAACHAN x PYNK

The high quality of this video

Ashurin touching Kazumi and Kazumi just ignoring her..

Who might this be?

Ashurin: I don't care.. I only want Kazumi

Kazumi: No

Sayurin looks like a doll

Ooooh it's Miona with her

Miona: No touching the Ringo please

Is that Manatsu with wakatsuki? Where is Wakasama's wife Reika?

Here she is.. (with Misa?)

A WOMAN!!

Marika looks like a vampire here XD

I like her being center.. and I like the outfits

Minami is a real doll though

Nice to see Hinako in this video. More 2nd gen representation

Marika looks so serious

YASSSS

This is some beautiful sh*t right here

I'm really digging Ikoma and Kana's looks in this

Who are you kabedonning?

Themselves?

Feeling the Ikoma loss right now

I mean WHAAAT

A SU KA!!

Finally, my girl Ranze *-*

Is Wakatsuki just laughing at Kazumi or is she evil?

Can you believe this beauty?

I'm in love with Naachan's hair!

More dancing! And some red light

Should I feel threatened?

I want Maiyan's skirt

Who are you?
Nanase: Oh come on..

Maiyan in purple light

And the shadows, wow

Step away

It's the double center we deserve!

I like how the outfits are slightly different in colour or shape

Cutie Asu

They are judging you

NICE

Stop, in the name of love!

This arm movement though

I simply love this group!

So fast..

WE ARE NOGIZAKA46!!

The end of the epic Influencer!

The video gives no clue as to what's happening in the song, but it's a masterpiece on its own. An epic dance with beautiful outfits and interesting colour schemes not only in the clothing but also in the background and the lighs? Count me in for it, this is absolutely amazing. Okay, I have been watching this video since it was released more than one year ago, but it still impresses me today!! The members look stunning and I like this classic look (and red lipstick for the win). The purple/ blueish outfits grew on me and I do like them a lot. Seeing the members doing this hard dance and looking so amazing made me respect them even more. I do understand why so many of them have modelling careers.. wow. Nanase made her sad look turn into a dramatic battle with Maiyan's sharp bitch-face. These two are like the two sides of one coin and I just hope we will see them like this for some time longer (I'm scared they are gonna graduate soon..). But everyone in this video was doing a great job!

That's basically it, I hope you could follow my thoughts. Definitely an epic song and video, Nogizaka46 at its peak!