I was watching another episode of VS Arashi (probably my favorite Arashi program now that Himitsu No Arashi-Chan’s gone south in recent months) and the guest challengers they had were three pairs of guys and gals called collectively “Oniisan-Oneesan” who were all some kind of Children’s’ Television Program hosts on NHK or something. At first I thought they ALL were from the same program, but as I re-watched it, it seemed like the three pairs were all from different shows.
Unbelievably chipper and genki, they made for a particularly FUN and EXCITING episode, and because of their involvement, the show seemed even merrier and happier than usual- heck, they even engaged the audience (not to mention Arashi and plus-one guests Bananaman) in a rousing SINGALONG! Yes!
Out of all of the teammates though, there was this one girl that really stood out for me, she was so sweet and pretty, and whenever she smiled (which she did a LOT of in this episode) her nose wrinkled into the cutest beaming face!
I couldn’t wait for them to start introducing the individual members so I could find out who she WAS, and when they finally called upon her, I found her name was simply “Ryoko-Oneesan”, as all members went by their first names and the oniisan or oneesan tag! So kawaii!
Probably the moment that stole my heart was when Ryoko (along with fellow Oniisan / Oneesan sister Shoko) went up against Sho, Ohno and Bananaman’s Shitara in the “Rolling Coin Tower” game. This became a challenge of EPIC proportions, because when they usually play the game, the stack of coins falls after only a few rounds, but in this one particular case, the stacking went on for an unprecedented 10 rounds, and I can’t REMEMBER the thing getting so HIGH!
Ryoko-Oneesan looked so cute with her initial stacking...
And got more excited /terrified as the stack got higher and higher…
And when the thing came around for the ninth round, she even had to cheer out loud when she made it though!
By this time, the stack of coins was getting SO high, I think it's the first time I saw so many of the contestants having to used booster blocks to reach the top of the stack...look at that tower!
Aahn, unfortunately, the cards (or rather, coins) were stacked against her, and as the tower made its way to her in that tenth round, the thing began wobbling as she attempted to stack her coins and then IT ALL CAME DOWN! Poor Ryoko!
Nonetheless, she and her genki compatriarts remained upbeat and happy throughtout the other challenges including the Pinball Runner and Bound Hockey, and you couldn’t contain their exploding happiness when they swooped in to eventually WIN THE GAME!!!
Sigh…I’d really like to find out more about this adorable gal, but with only the words “Ryoko”, “Oniisan-Oneesan” to go from, it’s like REAL DETECTIVE WORK! *edit: Her name is Ryouko Tsunoda!
*Subs by the Refrain Subbing Team!*
