Single V: Ai no Dangan

This single-V is an absolute must for Berryz Kobo fans. While the song itself is only about average, the real appeal is just how stunning the girls look in those form-fitting red patent vinyl jumpsuits and black leather boots. These are seriously sexy outfits, but also entirely age- and body-appropriate for these seven--unlike the hot pants and gold tube tops worn by C-ute in the video for "Kiss Me Aishiteru" earlier this year, which gave off a disturbing teen hooker vibe. The costumes here have more of a female action star look to them, reinforced by scenes of the girls sitting astride motorcycles, with hair flapping in the breeze. They're sexy for themselves, not just for the fans. The main video is very well put together, with a substantial portion of dance footage mixed with motorcycle shots and medium close shots when they sing, all done in the studio with assorted backgrounds, including a giant video screen with taped footage of themselves singing. Their silhouettes are displayed in a series of colored panels. "Another Dance Shot Version" is included on this DVD, although I would have preferred the main Dance Shot Version which came with the CD single (Type A), which is now out of print. I hate having to go to YouTube to watch the videos I like. I want them on DVD. "Another Dance Shot" basically keeps the girls in long shot for the entire song. Best of all, the DVD comes with 23 solid minutes of photo shoot and "Making of" footage. In a welcome new touch, the complete song plays again over the photo shoot, rather than an instrumental version, something I'm not sure I've noticed before in one of these Single-Vs. The girls all look extraordinarily beautiful here and they wear those hot jumpsuits the entire time. Saki's hairstyle, in fact, is much nicer in the photo shoot than in the video. She is, by far, the prettiest here. Miyabi is sleek and breathtaking, the most beautiful I've ever seen her. Chinami is an absolute knockout--the camera totally loves her. Risako's finally getting comfortable with being sexy and she breaks out her inner red hot mama. Why they don't make photobooks out of these photo shoots I'll never understand. As for the song itself, I found it catchy and pleasant, if not among the group's best. It offers plenty of opportunities for the girls to harmonize and gives them all ample solo lines in the bargain. What's not to enjoy?