Hetappi Wink

Watarirouka Hashiritai 7's faux mascara commercial

Hetappi Wink (へたっぴウィンク) is Watarirouka Hashiritai’s 8th major single and their second this year as Watarirouka Hashiritai 7. It’s yet another infectiously catchy pop single with playful lyrics that Watarirouka fans love. But does it live up to the success of Valentine Kiss?

Once again, Watarirouka Hashiritai 7′s new single comes in a number of versions each with different covers and bonus tracks. All four version feature the titular song Hetappi Wink as well as Mama Grazie! (マンマ、グラッチェ！, a previous digital release that was used in the 7-Eleven Mother’s Day commercials).

The remaining bonus tracks for the four versions are Bikini wa Niawanai (ビキニは似合わない), Chikatetsu no Teddy boy (地下鉄のTeddy boy), Fuku wo Kita Ousama (服を着た王様) and Mirai no Koibito (未来の恋人) respectively. All four are rather forgettable as far as B-sides go, so don’t be too troubled about which version to choose.

Type A version.

Type B version.

Type C version.

Regular CD only version.

The concept of the new single’s video is that of the expanded Watarirouka Hashiritai members in the filming of a mock commercial for their (also imaginary) mascara brand. It turns out that front girl Watanabe Mayu is unable to wink properly and the rest of the video shows snippets of her trying to learn how to wink, before eventually still failing.

As one of our readers had pointed out, the video ends with “boss” figure giving in to Watanabe’s shortcomings, a testament to how much others would be willing to bend over for her (at least in this imaginary video world).

But this being Watarirouka, the concept takes a sideline to the group’s catchy new costumes and dance. This is yet another addictive sugar sweet pop tune, with that little hint of cheekiness that Watarirouka Hashiritai fans have come to love.

It may not have the lasting appeal of a cover on a classic song like Valentine Kiss but it certainly doesn’t disappoint either. While the style of AKB48 songs and videos have been wavering as of late, Hetappi Wink sticks true to Watarirouka Hashiritai’s established formula (much to the delight of their niche fans).

Maybe I’m being biased to the sinful club beats hidden in the start of the song’s verses but I might even consider Hetappi Wink to be the second best song to come out of the AKB48 family this year.