Daily Yomiuiri reported:

Voice actress Haruko Momoi said she took the Anime Kentei, or animation competency test, last year simply because she thought it would be fun. She also found it rather unusual that such a test is offered on paper when similar otaku-related qualification exams are usually done on the Internet in a more casual manner.

“The test was conducted in a university classroom like any other serious test with the presence of examiners and under strict rules about time and so on,” said Momoi, who passed Level 3 of the Anime Kentei (aniken.jp/outline.html), which was started by the Association of Japanese Animations last year to expand the popularity of animation and nurture animation-related knowledge.

“Since there were tricky questions, you needed to have wide animation-related knowledge to pass Level 3. I think I barely passed it,” said Momoi, showing the gold certificate of achievement she carries in her wallet. “There also was a question, for example, about the U.S. Anime Expo or on animation making tools.”

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“Momoi Halko returns with a double-A sided CD single featuring two upbeat, energetic tracks used as an ending theme to the anime series ‘Mission E’ and her Bunka Hosa program. ”

ARTIST: Momoi Halko

CD SINGLE: Feel So Easy!

LABEL: avex entertainment

CATALOG #: AVCA-26889

DURATION: 19:40

RELEASE DATE: August 27, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Feel so Easy!
2. 天空のスプライト
3. Feel so Easy! - Karaoke
4. 天空のスプライト - Karaoke

Momoi Halko returns with her latest CD single “Feel So Easy!/天空のスプライト”. Her first CD single in nine-months which is amazing considering there is so many Momoi Halko-related merchandise available every month.

“Feel So Easy!” is the ending theme to the anime series “Mission E” and the latter which is used as an outro to Momoi’s Bunka Hoso program “Momoi Haruko no Cho! Momoi”.

Both tracks are upbeat, synth-based dance tracks. Full of energy and showcases Momoi’s energy and vibrant style. Momoi tends to have quite a few singing vocals, so for those who were wondering which vocal she uses in this track, she uses her high pitched cute vocals.

“Feel So Easy!” is used for “Mission E”, the second series continuing from the hit anime series “CODE-E” produced by Studio DEEN.

The second track “天空のスプライト” (Sky Sprite) is another upbeat track, in a similar synth-based pop track like “Feel So Easy!” but Momoi sings in her normal tone.

And for those who are familiar with Momoi Halko’s music, these energetic songs are what her fans love (especially when they can sing and dance to it at a live concert with glow sticks).

The remaining two tracks are the karaoke versions of the first two songs.

As for the CD insert, the insert features lyrics to both tracks on one side and photos of Momoi on the other. There is a wrap around cover that features artwork from “MISSION E”.

If you are a fan of Momoi Haruko, you kind of know what kind of music you will be getting. Typically high energy, upbeat, sugary pop tunes which Momoi would sing with her various singing voices (high pitched/cute, low or normal).

And these two tracks are very full of energy and I have no doubt in my mind that fans will enjoy the songs on this CD single.

I was a bit surprised there was no CD+DVD versions like previous CD singles.  Especially since her new website features the music video.  But nonetheless, all in all, another fun CD single from Momoi Halko!

Check out more of our reviews at J!-ENT’s World Groove

Buy this CD Single:

Feel so Easy!

Haruko Momoi

“’sunday early morning’ has suddenly become my favorite Momoi Halko album! An exciting, well-produced album that is different from previous albums that captures an exciting side of the Queen of Akihabara”

ARTIST: Momoi Halko

ALBUM: Sunday early Morning

LABEL: avex entertainment

CATALOG #: AVCA-26638

DURATION: 56:15

RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Sunday Early Morning
2. Romantic Summer -momo-i version-
3. 21世紀
4. RADIO DAYS RADIO NIGHTS
5. Enter!
6. 今、あなたが好き
7. Party!
8. ハイ・エナジー -momo-i version-
9. ルミカ
10. ナイト・で・ないと
11. Thunder Shot!
12. Good morning!
13. Get Wild

Ever since we interviewed Momoi Halko and having to research her past material and review each album, my interest has peaked for Momoi’s musical and voice acting works.

I have to admit that since her move to avex entertainment, the production values of her music has risen considerably and I see her music get better and better.

With the release of “Sunday early Morning”, this album has quickly become my favorite album from Momoi. Not only is it full of energy on all tracks but the music production is just great.

The title track “Sunday early morning” was a shock because the music is very Osawa Shinichi-like (of Mondo Grosso). The song is an all English track but because a vocalizer is used, you get that RAM RIDER-ish style of vocals but all in all, a fun track. Just a note that although in English, the English is almost like Puffy Ami Yumi’s “Asia no Junshin” which literally doesn’t mean anything. Lyrics in the song such as “they low no two karma, comin’ choose/near geek mars, the couple/honesty/now day cycle”. Hehe… it might not make sense but its still fun.

The second track “Romantic summer -momo-i version- features another track of her hit song. It has that 80’s style of feel but with modern digital tweaking. A very fun track to listen to!

The third track is her last CD single “21 Seiki”, another fun track which is more rock-based with the digital blips included.

The fourth track “RADIO DAYS RADIO NIGHTS” is another track that features a hyper, up-beat sound and Momoi singing high pitched. Not as high pitched as the next track…

The fifth track “Enter!” is sung in Momoi’s high pitched seiyuu voice and begins with “enter! x 8 and “anime” repeated in the beginning. Another fun track!

The sixth track “Ima, Anata ga Suki” which is the slow jam on the album. A very beautiful ballad! Piano and keyboard driven but a very awesome ballad nonetheless.

The seventh track “Party!” is another Momoi high energy song with the high-pitched voice.

The eight track is “High Energy - momo-i version” and the ninth track is “Lumica”, both which have been featured on previous albums before.

The ninth track “Night de Night” (or “Naito de Naito”) is a high-energy track with a Euro influence, hyper para para feel to it.

The tenth track “Thunder Shot!” is rock driven, high energy and I can already imagine her performing this track in concert and fans going crazy with their light sticks.

The eleventh track “Good morning!” features another track with almost a gabber-style of beat and another song that utilizes the vocalizer with Momoi singing “Good Morning! Ohayo!”. A cute, energetic song!

The final track “Get Wild” is a cover of the TM Network song. The song features a euro style of hyper-beat style and overall a fun and cool cover of the hit dance song.

The packaging of this album is a slip cardboard box featuring the CD and a booklet. The booklet features Momoi Halko stickers which include her logo, the peach, her Roland keyboard, Nintendo Powerglove and even her waitress outfit and vectorized images.

The CD insert is more or less a folded poster. Track listings on one side and poster featuring different photos of Momoi Halko on the other side.

All in all, a very cool, energetic, cute and fun album by Momoi Halko.

I actually enjoyed the songs on this album more than previous other albums. Especially the production value of the music and you get a good balance of Momoi singing in different octaves and you get the sugary sweet pop, the rocking tracks and the beautiful ballad. What more can you ask from a Momoi album?

For those who missed the music videos from her CD singles, there is no DVD included on this album but a simultaneous release titled “Haruko Momoi Best Clip” was released the same day.

All in all, another cool album from the Queen of Akihabara!

BUY THIS ALBUM!

Sunday early morning

Haruko Momoi

ARTIST: Momoi Halko

CD SINGLE: Rumika

LABEL: avex entertainment

CATALOG #: AVCA-26537/B

DURATION: 21:31

RELEASED on November 14, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Rumika
2. Chuo Line
3. Rumika (Karaoke)
4. Chuo Line (Karaoke)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 4 minutes

1. Rumika (music video)

Halko Momoi returned in November 2007 with a new CD single titled “Rumika” and coupling song “Chuo Line”.

The first song “Rumika” is used as the intro theme to the series “Kawaii!! Jenny” (an interesting take on Sentai series and animated series such as “Sailor Moon” but utilizing dolls).

Momoi’s song is a fun, enjoyable pop song by Momoi and personally, I can see her hardcore fans memorizing the lyrics and shouting in unison during the performance of this song. And watching the opening theme for “Kawaii! Jenny”, the song works well as the opening theme. The theme song is sung in Momoi’s normal singing voice and not a high pitched voice or seiyuu-ish voice, for those that are curious

As for the coupling song, “Chuo Line” which is the train line that runs between Tokyo and Nagano. The song is used for the ending theme for “Dream Factory the Debut” which is literally a show that takes on auditions for voice actors and was aired from July through September 2007 on TBS.

The song by Halko is a beautiful acoustic and electric guitar driven ballad. A very beautiful ballad and compared to other ballads that she has done, this one features Momoi singing more in a higher voice and possibly one of the beautiful ballads to come from Momoi.

The music video features Momoi with her Roland AX-1 and ehr Nintendo Power Glove on her right hand (what kind of music video would it be without her two trademark props) and the video goes back and forth from Momoi playing the instrument, sitting on a ledge and putting sand in a bottle and Momoi outdoor with Tokyo buildings in the background.

As for the CD insert, just a basic tri-fold featuring a photo of Momoi with her power globe and Roland AX-1. Inside is the lyrics for both songs.

I was very impressed with the CD single. It happens to be one of Momoi’s finest CD singles released so far and “Rumika” is an enjoyable and catchy pop song and “Chuo Line”, very beautiful and charming.

All in all, if you are a Momoi Halko fan, definitely a CD single that’s worth picking up!

Greetings everyone,

After Anime Expo 2007, there have been several Momoi Halko fans wondering if whether or not Momoi Halko would want to come back to the US. Because of J!-ENT’s previous article coverage with Momoi Halko, I requested from her management for an official statement from Momoi-san to help squash any rumors and also to discuss her experience at Anime Expo 2007.

The following is written by Momoi Halko, translated in English by J!-ENT (Japan) Hiroshi Tagawa.

Photo courtesy of Avex Entertainment, Inc.

=========================================================================
To my American fans,

Hi, this is Momoi Halko.

About 2 weeks have passed since I got back to Japan. I have talked about ANIME EXPO 2007 in the United States to my Japanese fans on my radio program.

The American fans are wonderful and I was moved very much. I appreciate that they accepted my feelings that are from my songs.

The fans were very excited as they held their glow sticks in their hands and I was very happy.

On my last day for my live performance, all staff of Anime Expo 2007 worked very hard and did a good job to make my live performance successful.

From the first day, there were was a bit of trouble and I wrote them on my personal blog on my website, but the staff of Anime Expo 2007 understood my feelings, my thoughts and me.

Now I appreciate that I could do a wonderful live performance with their great cooperation.

I feel that Anime Expo is a very important place where American fans, Japanese fans and anime producers can hold hands and be closer with one another.

I hope that American fans, Japanese fans and all of us could be closer and have a friendly relationship with each other.

I am very happy that many people from other countries came to my live performance this time. I would like to have an exciting live performance for you again!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Momoi Halko