Nanako strikes first: fishing for handshake guests

A little over a month ago, Nagasawa Nanako suddenly turned from a shy former miko into a handshake monster. With a new series of handshake events now scheduled, for the new single, she has got in first in her blog with a direct appeal for guests to sign up to shake her hand.

"Come on, okay? (❁´ω`❁)  Pinky promise!"

"Don't forget the deadline!" The first round of reservations opens Thursday and closes Friday.

Reports from people who have shaken her hand are saying she seems to "go crazy". I remember the first report, that when someone said something about the stuffed animal she had with her, she said: "Don't look at him. Look at me!"

My sense is that she has decided not be shy or fearful, but to make this her own little safe fantasy adventure, to match the mood of the people coming to her. Like a true professional idol, she is finding a way to emerge from the shadows of the third line.

"It feels good to get up early!"

"So fresh."

She's also the first one in with her view of the new single. Aki-P told the members not to worry, that he had a good song ready. The members must now have heard it, since Naako says she agrees:

"The second single, following on from Silent Majority, is really a good song. Definitely, please get ready to enjoy it!"