[bulmasman]

I can't give a completely unbias answer in all of this for the simple fact that MM/H!P has pretty much become my favourite music group/agency whatever you wanna call it, (surpassing Ayu etc...).

I don't think they give Japan a bad image in the slightest, it's only down to the Western view of it where problems arise imo. It's not normal to see young performers in the charts etc... here in the west, and if you do it's generally some lame throwaway song.

I have purchased one photobook, Tanaka Reina's Alo Hello one, and i have to say i love it. It's tastefully done, none of the poses are really sexual, the photo's just depect her having a good time and enjoying herself for the most part.

Personally I have no qualms at all with the whole photobook section of the merchandise since idol singers have been releasing them since the 80's, it's a staple of the Idol music scene, so it's extremely unfair to target H!P for their PB releases.

Also, there's PB's are only an added part of the fandom, not a main factor by any means. I love the girls not so much for their looks, but their personalities. I don't think i've laughed so much before as when i watch clips of them on shows like Utaba or their own show's such as Hello Morning or Haromoni@. They're funny, entertaining and a complete joy to watch.

As for the music, it's been stated a few times now but there have been some talented musicians employed to work on these songs, not to mention Tsunku writing near enough every lyric. Sure, some song's may not be that deep, but then you also get stuff like Furusato which is really quite a touching song.

Also, to those who say the girls have no talent, or very little, i'm guessing you haven't seen the Ribon no Kishi musical. It opened my eye's to just how talented the group is, being able to carry a stage musical.

I'm not so surprised by this thread though at all. For the non-fans i can see how it can be slightly off putting, but half the time a lot of these people have never really given the group a proper chance or actually tried to understand the fandom beyond the whole "they're young and in bikini's" thing. Still, i'm not gonna tell people their opinion's are wrong, or that they should stfu, and i'm happy that this thread didn't descend into those types of remarks.