Favorite/least favorite idols' singing voices? (discussion)

[Virgofall]

A lot of us have our favorite idols and our disliked/hated idols. For this topic, I'm just distilling the topic of love/hate into the singing voices.
Why? Well, at day's end, iDOLM@STER is an idol series. Idols make music - and for many of us, I'm sure, we came into the fandom because of the songs of the idols, and it's generally the most accessible part of the franchise. Even for those of us who've been part of the fandom for a while and have grown likes and dislikes for idols, it isn't necessarily based on vocals alone. Some of us may be in love with an idol but not like their voice too much, or vice versa - so I thought there should be a topic on this point specifically, since it IS a vital part of the franchise.

Let's be civil about it, please, as with some topics this would probably be at least a little polarizing... now that that's been said, I'll start with my own input.
I'm a bit more biased towards ballads, techno and more rock-ish songs. A lot of the stuff on COOL&BITTER are songs I enjoy, if this helps one understand.

My top favorite idols, based on singing voice alone, are Takane and Hibiki, because for the most part, these two can sing many song varieties very well with few flaws. Ritsuko and Chihaya are also high here, but they're not nearly as versatile as Takane/Hibiki in my opinion. (Chihaya, especially, has softness issues. She's the last idol I want to hear singing 9:02pm; sorry >< )
I also like Miki and Iori's voices quite a bit. They're a little lower than the above four because I find that the cuteness in their voices tends to hurt them in some songs, Miki moreso than Iori. I, in general, tend to prefer Miki's "emotional" singing voice moreso than her "cute" one.
I have to say that, sadly, the idols I like least for their singing voices are Ami and Mami. More often than not, I find their natural energy a bit much for me. It DOES work to their advantage in some songs (outside their image songs, I mean) but otherwise, I typically prefer other idols when given a choice.

For idols outside the 765 stable, I won't be giving opinions of them because I do not know much about their voices. I do enjoy Eri's and Ryo's voices for what songs they DO have, though.

What about you? What idols' voices do you like the most or least, and why?
EDIT Fixed failing link.

[Naryoril]

I'm with you that i don't like the voices of Ami & Mami, as well as Yayoi for the very same reason: they sound too shrill.

For many songs i don't like Makoto's voice either, it just sounds strange. I'd say it's often too deep and feels out of place. For some songs it sounds really good though.

In general i like Chihayas voice, but that might also be due to the fact that the singer is very skilled.

Since i only really joined the Im@s community with the PS3 release of im@s 2 (and Dearly Stars somewhat) and i only liked 1 of her solo/duo songs in Shiny Festa, i didn't have much exposure to her singing voice, so i just checked some Youtube videos. I have to say i really like Azusa's singing voice, probably even more so than Chihaya's. Now i'm really looking forward to be able to produce her next month.

[Amazing_Grace]

Oh gosh, you shouldn't have done this. XD Now, prepare for the rant of a lifetime, because no joke, I'm going to discuss every idol there is.
Meaning 961, 876 and 765.
OK!
Heeeeere we go...:

Ai: I like Ai's voice, but it's not one of my favorites. She can sing, and she's fabulous at it, but sometimes she just...I don't know, belts too much? Which is odd considering my adoration of Makoto's angelic voice.
Yayoi: Yayoi's voice...I'll be honest, it's my least favorite. I mean, she's cute and all, but high notes just don't seem to work with her, and sometimes I feel like she struggles to carry the tune properly...? I don't know, I love Yayoi and all, but her voice is just "meh" to me.
Touma: Time for the rabid fangirls to come rip me to pieces. Ho boy.
I'm sorry guys, but I'm not a fan of Touma's voice. It's just...awkward to me. Like, you know that thing that lots of Japanese male singers do where they just...it's like, they sing from their throat. I dunno, his voice is nice, but it's not my favorite by far.
And is it just me, or does he sounds really similar to Hokuto in some songs...? Except Hokuto is less throaty and a bit deeper.

Ami/Mami: I'm being totally serious when I say I love the twins' voices. I know they, like, can't sing, but I just...when I listen to them, I hear a really beautiful voice buried under that...twin-ness. When they sing songs like Tonari ni..., Aoi Tori, or Futari no Kioku, that voice comes out better than ever, and it's just really beautiful.
Azusa: Azusa's voice is gorgeous. But sometimes I want to hit her with a bus.
Woohoo, I'm angering people left and right. It's called an opinion. I respect yours.
But, I dunno, sometimes she's just TOO soft, and it's TOO much vibrato, and it's TOO pretty. Like in a song like Overmaster. Just...I don't know. I adore her voice, but in some songs, I just...can't do it.
Haruka: Haruka. HARUKA.
I like Haruka a lot. She has a lot of songs that are just lovely. Moonlight Densetsu, Looking for Love, and both her solos on the Namassua Special 04 album are just incredible. But with some songs, I feel like Haruka is just...awkward. You know? So, I like her, but not as much as the twins or Azusa.
Hokuto: Hokuto's voice is gorgeous, but sometimes I feel the need to whack him on the arm.
I dunno. He just has his Touma moments. I best go put on a suit of armor before the fangirls arrive. But I like Hokuto's voice more than Touma's, it's deep and smooth and pretty.
Iori: I really like Iori's voice. It's cute, it's pretty, it's intense, it's wonderful. I guess the only reason she isn't higher on my list is because her voice can get a bit...boring, almost? Like she just sings what's written, flatly. And that doesn't stop her from having a fantastic voice. It's a personal thing.
Ritsuko: Ritsuko's voice is actually my...eighth favorite out of all the ones I've heard. It's unique. I feel like a lot of times, she's just trying too hard to be something she's not, but then you hear something like 1/6 no Yume Tabibito 2002, and you're like "...*U* SERENADE ME MORE ANGEL." I just like her a lot.
Ryo: Let's get real, guys--Ryo's voice is fabulous, whether he's singing as a man (like in DREAM) or like a girl (like in Dazzling World). His voice seems to have a nice balance of strong and soft, and he's decently versatile.
But, like Haruka, he's just...awkward. And that vocal awkwardness prevented him from reaching my top six.
Yukiho: I like Yukiho, but...sometimes, she's just too soft. Personally, I prefer her Yurika Ochiai (first vision) voice more than her Azumi Asakura (second vision) voice. It just seemed...stronger. But that doesn't stop me from adoring her voice to no end in a LOT of the songs she sings.
Shouta: Shouta has my favorite Jupiter voice. I mean, his voice is really versatile (listen to his Alice or Guilty and then Jupiter's version of Do-Dai and try to tell me I'm wrong), and it's smooth and pretty. It's just nice.
Also Kirito. XD While I'm on that subject, I ship Ai and Shouta just because of Kirito and Asuna. XD
Eri: Eri has the voice of an angel. It's so soft and gorgeous. In fact, the only reason she's seventh on my list is because I just adore my top six too much. But she has these soft, lilting vocals, and this beautiful voice, and I just love her.
But remind her to never, EVER sing like she does in HAPPEACE ever again. She tries too hard to be cute, and I just...don't like it.

Now onto my babies, not necessarily in order, except that Makoto is last and I ADORE HERRRRR <3:

Hibiki: Hibiki. HIBIKI. I love Hibiki.
Her voice is so...great. I mean, no matter what she sings, she sings it well. ..Except Here We Go!!, that one was terrible. Well, not "terrible", just...yeah.
I just really like Hibiki. She sings with so much energy. <3
Miki: When Miki sings in her "emotional voice" (thanks for that, Wrath, I'm using it), it's probably more lovely than Hibiki's to me. I mean, when Miki is getting really emotional and just singing her heart out, I wanna cry because amazing.
But her over-emphasis of "I"s is just...ear-shattering. Sometimes, as much as I adore Miki, I want to smash her head with a baseball bat.
Takane: What can I say, Project Fairy is lovely.
I adore Takane's voice. It's a bit husky and can get awkward, but for the most part, her thickness and the beauty of her voice is just fabulous. <3 I can't say much more.
Kotori: KOTORI COUNTS OK.
I. Am in love. With Kotori's voice. (But not as much as with Chihaya or Makoto.) Seriously, she's my third favorite. Her voice is just so pretty! I love listening to her sing, she has such a soothing voice, and it's just...beautiful. I wish she sang more.
Hnnng, Kotori. <3
Chihaya: If Chihaya weren't in my top six, I know at least nine people who would kill me. Thankfully for me, Chihaya's voice is very easy to fall in love with. It's just so smooth and gorgeous and magnificent and I just love her. XD The only reason why she's not at the top is because Makoto is perfect. <3 <3

Makoto: Ho boy. Here comes the gush.
Makoto. MY BABY. MY. BABY. <3 <3 <3
I just...I just adore Makoto's voice! I know in some songs she like, can't sing. At all. (*cough cough Start Star cough Do-Dai cough cough Kiramekirari cough*)
And then.
AND THEN.
THEN YOU LISTEN TO ALL THESE OTHER SONGS SHE SINGS AND SHE'S JUST
The ONLY style of song I've ever not liked her in is the cute style, and even a lot of those she's amazing in! But have you ever just listened to her sing, like, really listened? (Kyun! Vampire Girl, Futari no Kioku, Swallowtail Butterfly ~Ai no Uta~, Megare (not the full version, as perfect as that one is. ))
She puts SO MUCH emotion into the emotional songs, her voice is smooth and gorgeous in pretty songs like Futari no Kioku or Tonari ni... (OK, not Aoi Tori, that one's not good), and I'm a sucker for deep, thick, alto voices. I'm so impressed by her range, and...
My final argument?
THIS.
(I know it's Manual Vocaloid, but I mean, come on, it sounds JUST LIKE HER, and they take existing voices, so...)

And thus ends my Super Rant of Really Long Gushy Ranting.
Now, to take cover. *hides under a metal bridge*

[Maka]

Least favorite is- and I'm gonna be in the minority here- Old Yukiho's. I really like her voice in the arcade songs- her version of Positive is my favorite- but in later songs she gets so whispery and really soft. And while it works for some songs, it's really grating on some others- I always want her to start singing harder and with more emotion every time I listen to her songs. I like Yurishi more than Azumin when it comes to her speaking voice, but I don't miss her singing voice.

Although my all time least favorite is probably Riina's from CG. I know her entire schtick is that she's a cutesy girl who wants to be a hardcore rocker, but her voice is sooooo overly cutesy and squeaky. Twilight Sky is still one of my least favorite CG songs just because of her voice.

ML has some less than stellar vocalists as well- a lot of them- but I'm not as invested in ML so I can't really talk about any of them. I know Roco's character song gave me a really bad headache though.

I'm really blah on Ryou too. His voice is just... Really bland to me.

My favorites are...!

Miki, for her sheer range. She sounds awesome on both relations and Furufuru Future. I love characters who can pull of that kind of range well.

Azusa on slow songs. She doesn't do Overmaster or more emotional songs well, but Tonari Ni... is just amazing with her voice.

Ami and Mami, because their voices are so energetic and unique. I even like them on stuff like relations and Meisou Mind.

And finally Eri, because I love Kana Hanazawa.

[SakuraMaxX]

Azumin killed Yukiho

[MetalPredat0r]

I'm gonna be honest here. I don't have much experience with listening to a lot of iDOLM@STER songs. (Yes, gun me down and call me a heretic). I do listen to a lot of songs, but not as much as any of you guys. I'm personally more of an instrumental music kind of guy. Plus, I'm not as judgmental on Japanese voice acting as I am with English voice acting. But I'll give my two cents anyway for the fun of it.

Eri: Perfection! Do I even need to go further? I've gushed enough about this girl already.

Chihaya: She's called the vocalist of 765Pro for a reason. Asami Imai's voice is just amazing to me and, iM@S or not, any song she's in is pure gold to me.........as long as it's not this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT4CnbobOvA) You can replace the lyrics to this with Bee-Boo-Boo-Boo-Bop and it would make no difference to me.

Hibiki: Now THIS is one hell of a voice! I have never heard a song where Hibiki was bad in. Her voice just radiates energy to me and I enjoy every second of her on the mic.

Minami: I like her voice, but its a bit schizophrenic to me. Her voice in Venus Syndrome and her voice in her cover of Amairo no Kami no Otome sound so different to me that I feel like I'm hearing two different people. I guess you can say this is also a plus as it can show that Aya Suzaki has range.

Shiho: God, I love her voice. I didn't think too highly of Shiho, along with the others from Million Live. But her song, Liar Rouge is just.....fantastic to me. Cannot get that out of my head and Shiho is becoming one of my favorites as of now.

As for least favorites........I can't exactly list any since, again, not as judgmental. I guess I can say that Touma's voice in BANGxBANG sorta....bugged me for some reason, but that's about it.

[DeviantProtagonist]

I'm very partial of Eri, myself. She has this sort of deadpan, yet gumptious tone that really sets her way in much of her songs. That, and it's Kana Hanazawa.

I've grown very fond of Hibiki, too. Not only does her Okinawa background give her an interesting dialect, but she has great range of voice -- she can do soft and hard songs all for the merrier.

Ritsuko has been a fickle for some, but I also love her voice. It is quite unique in her own way, and I feel she excels in the harder vocals, particularly Overmaster. I wish her seiyuu took more anime roles for me to gush over.

For an utmost favourite, then to no one's surprise it's Chihaya. First and foremost, Asami Imai. Then there's that constant magnificence that I can't put my finger on -- let's just say her voice swoons me over to hell and back.

[Virgofall]

Surprised this is such a popular topic. I have to agree with quite a few of the points made, it does help give some new insight on my own likes/dislikes, and why I like them myself. (I'm sure some other replies have done the same for some of you.)

You're welcome, Grace XP Have to honestly say that, while I'm not fond of Miki as a character, that voice is what keeps me from completely pretending she doesn't exist, because it just sounds that good in quite a few songs.
Ironically, maybe the reason Iori isn't as much a favorite of yours is probably the reason I really enjoy her - she's a cute voice, but, she's really low-energy and a bit muted when compared to other idols in her age range. She's one I prefer keeping on support, though - and probably for that reason. I find her really good as a support voice, not quite as a main.
I have to agree with you where Azusa stands, though. She's a great voice, but there's some songs... she just shouldn't do.

You're not entirely minority there, Maka; while Hase can work with some songs better than Asakura, I generally prefer the new Yukiho's singing voice overall. You can actually hear her in groups ._.;

...I think that's actually a big part of why I initially grew so fond of Ritsuko's voice to begin with, Deviant, thinking on it. I do agree with some other points that she's a bit much for some songs, but for harder vocals, she is fabulous. She's actually pretty good on Honey Heartbeat's rap too, and I don't find that something a lot of the characters do too well.

A lot of the idols I didn't mention in my earlier post I find to either be "so average it hurts" or "so hit/miss I'm not quite sure how to feel" -
Really average -
Haruka (...but of course.)
New!Yukiho
Not really a whole lot to say about the above two. They're just... there.

Really divisive (to me) -
Yayoi (Her... accent, for lack of a better word, makes her voice really distinctive... overly so. I don't find her as sounding bad nor good most of the time, just... off. There're some songs, though, where that accent really works to her advantage, such as Ai Like Hamburger, which is a song I normally dislike.)
Azusa (stated above, pretty much Grace's reply verbatim)
Makoto (I find her pretty similar to Chihaya, but not nearly as good or as bad. However, her deep voice gives her issues somewhat similar to Azusa's but in reverse.)
Old!Yukiho (Too quiet most of the time. Not a bad singer... just too quiet.)

[Amazing_Grace]

You're welcome, Grace XP Have to honestly say that, while I'm not fond of Miki as a character, that voice is what keeps me from completely pretending she doesn't exist, because it just sounds that good in quite a few songs.
Ironically, maybe the reason Iori isn't as much a favorite of yours is probably the reason I really enjoy her - she's a cute voice, but, she's really low-energy and a bit muted when compared to other idols in her age range. She's one I prefer keeping on support, though - and probably for that reason. I find her really good as a support voice, not quite as a main.
I have to agree with you where Azusa stands, though. She's a great voice, but there's some songs... she just shouldn't do.

I do like Miki, so maybe that helped me like her voice, but I think she's just stunning in songs where she isn't trying WAY TOO HARD to be cute. I adore her M@STER version of Marionette no Kokoro. It's so...emotional, and amazing. <3~
I like Iori's voice a lot, it's just...not my style? I tend to prefer singers who overload their songs with emotion and really...just make it their own.
Yeah...Azusa has some songs that just scream perfection, and others that scream "NO!!" XD

Just thought of a big reason I adore Makoto's voice that I didn't mention earlier.
Hiromi Hirata. She just sounds like she's having so much FUN! When she sings, she's not thinking about "Oh, I don't think this sounds good," or "Maybe I should tone down." She's just singing because it's FUN. You can hear it in her voice, just that she doesn't even care how she sounds as long as she's enjoying herself. And I LOVE that. <3

[JNiles]

Somewhat related... it's not exactly a "least favorite" but I have trouble telling some idols apart in ensemble songs where you can't predict who's going to be singing next.  It drives me crazy when I can't identify who's who; it definitely diminishes my enjoyment.  There's this one rapidfire stretch in Idol Power Rainbow where I'm completely left in the dust.  Perhaps I have poor listening comprehension.

The ones I have the most trouble picking out are the new Yukiho and Haruka.  I wonder if this is caused by studio alterations.

[vaeldi]

ah, one of the most frequently asked question, you could start a war with this question, you know?

anyway, i'll just put my (extremely subjective) list of favorite main 765 idol based on singing voice in descending order and some commentary

1. chihaya: her (VA's) vocal range is amazing, she could hit some real high notes such as in "Nemuri Hime" and and low notes such as in "Tori no Uta". and her ability to sing bossa nova, baroque pop, and other kind of songs are simply astounding. technical stuff aside, her not too high or too low voice really got me.

2. Miki: it really amazing when i hear her voice fit really well for singing diabetes inducing cute songs such as furu furu future and song with darker tone such as relations, but, so far, none of her song really hit my mark

3. Haruka: well, maybe i put haruka here because she's my most favorite girl, but, her singing voice isn't that bad, but not that really special as long as she sticks to songs without high notes. at least one of her song "Waratte" sounds really good though, there is one part in that song which tickles me

4. Kotori: while she's not one of the idol, her voice is really nice, though not so special. the reason why i put her here mostly because 2 of her songs, Hikari and Kimi ga Erabu Michi

5. Hibiki: well, same reason like miki, but, hibiki's songs are not really dark in tone, but more of techno? that song with ba dump ba dump. reason why i don't put her same level as miki is because of her songlist

6. Takane: her voice is really deep, too deep for me. until i hear her sings overmaster i can truly appreciate her voice, at my first though her voice is meant to sing slow songs such as kazahana, but when she sings flower girl, her voice surprisingly fit in cheerful sweet pop songs.

7. Azusa: ah yes, the oldest member, her adult aura mean she's supposed to sing slow jazzy sounding music. and the answer for that is "9:02 PM" really nice sounding. the reason i don't put her up high is because of her voice in "lovely" literally split my ear, ne ne ne~

8. Ritsuko: her voice isn't good or bad, just fine for me, her voice doesn't really stand out

9. Iori: too, much, kugyuu (i've just watched all seasons zero no tsukaima, all of the ED songs were sung by Kugyuu)

10. Makoto: Makoto's songlist are very, very, very nice, most of her songs are my favorite, but, her deep almost man like voice kind of bug me

11. yukiho (old and new): well, what tickles me about her old VA is her sort of whispery voice, when she sings it's just doesn't really connect to me. while her new VA's problem, she can't hit some really low notes, evidence in "Koi". anyway, i still prefer the new VA, because of her songlist

12. Yayoi: her voice is really, really bursting with energy, even when she sing songs that supposed to be sad. not that i hate her voice, but her voice is just too, energetic (i'm a melancholic person)

13. the futami twins: really, i don't hate their voices, it's just their voices are too loli for me

all in all, each of their respective voice are very unique, and each voice play a certain role that only their voice could fill, so, i can't find any of their voice dislikeable.


-Special Mentions-

-Takagaki Kaede: if she's one of the 765 main cast, i will put her above chihaya. for some unexplainable reasons, her voice literally shook my heart, it's too bad she only had 2 songs, but those 2 songs are all very, very, very, very great

-Eri Mizutani: Kana Hanazawa, Nuff said

[Amazing_Grace]

Somewhat related... it's not exactly a "least favorite" but I have trouble telling some idols apart in ensemble songs where you can't predict who's going to be singing next.  It drives me crazy when I can't identify who's who; it definitely diminishes my enjoyment.  There's this one rapidfire stretch in Idol Power Rainbow where I'm completely left in the dust.  Perhaps I have poor listening comprehension.

The ones I have the most trouble picking out are the new Yukiho and Haruka.  I wonder if this is caused by studio alterations.

I think the more you listen to the idols individually, the easier it gets to tell them apart. I've listened to so much iDOLM@STER that I've gotten to the point where I can be listening to a song with all thirteen of them singing at once, and I can actually hear certain idols.

In any case, I think a small difference between Haruka and new Yukiho is that new Yukiho has a lot of "breath" in her voice and sounds very husky when she sings. Haruka has a bright tone and her voice has a tendency to...crack, almost? She's a bit "pitchier" than new Yukiho.
Does that help at all? ^^"

[Maka]

I've listened to enough main idolmaster music to be able to tell the idols apart (I remember Amimami's part on LOST really threw me though) but for the life of me I cannot tell any of the Passion idols apart. In Orange Sapphire I can sort of tell which one Kirari is because she has a more unique voice, but the rest all sort of sound the same to me.