^ I'm the same, in that I'm quite confused by the sometimes quite strong negativity going their way. Yes they have plenty of imperfections, but they're an Indies level Idol group. Given the standard that normally comes with that territory? The have members who can dance, and even sing... in tune... and quite well
and visually I personally think they're very high ranking. I can understand the musical style not being everyone's taste, but this is very much my taste so I guess I'm the target audience.
I'm glad there's a decent contrast between the Factory units though to me it's like KF have the more energic earlier period Berryz style and TF are being given the later more elegant and adult style they moved towards, so we get more dance music orientated stuff. Also the improvements are continuing, and Ami who needed to is doing that classic thing of improving in front of your eyes. The awkwardness has been replaced by her looking generally like she's having a lot of fun and she can now keep up with the dances. This was actually more evident in her shuffle performances at the H!P concerts, Risa was also notably good in hers and they didn't stick out at all as newbies at all.
Maybe I am looking at them through rose-tinted spectacles but at to me that's how Idols should be looked at, I'm always ready to dismiss a minor or even major flaw if there's still some good positives there.