Welcome to MELOS no Michi
an information and news blog dedicated to covering the latest news for: AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48

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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORqRZJStNR8/U-oJA1EpUwI/AAAAAAAABVw/n5GnQcYJz-U/s1600/baitoakb.png
AKB48 Is Looking for a Part-Time Member
Following OtonaAKB, AKB48 came up with a new form of temporary membership: part-time idol. Find out more about this new project here.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLqZ1JpXrV8/U-OKjnt0UbI/AAAAAAAABVE/2MglP_Vq5vw/s1600/team8.jpg
AKB48 Team 8 Makes Theater Debut
AKB48 Team 8 performed its first theater show on August 5. Get more information about the shonichi performance here!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ep-niMXl0o/U7wOG6n5NVI/AAAAAAAABO8/qHE1UGRXbsI/s1600/ske7thaudition.png
SKE48 Announces 7th Generation Auditions
SKE48 is looking for new members and this time the fans will be part of the decision about who joins the group!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzI9Ea3WPtk/U5SB_iN9kuI/AAAAAAAABMc/RjaZKG4hnbc/s1600/election2014.jpg
AKB48 37th Single Senbatsu Election - Final Results
AKB48 held its election for the 6th time and for the 1st time Watanabe Mayu won it. Check out the full results here!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZDt9IAE_Jo/U1fp17gN24I/AAAAAAAABGY/zjjtNNv8Y-A/s1600/calculationmethod.jpg
Details on the AKB48 Group Pennant Race
The AKB48 Group teams will compete against each other in a new event, the AKB48 Group Pennant Race. Points will be awarded based on theater ticket applications, theater version handshake ticket sales and sousenkyo votes.
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21 September 2010

AKB48 19th Single Janken Results

The Jankenpon Tournament is now over!
And the center for AKB48's 19th single is...

UCHIDA MAYUMI!
No, I am not freaking kidding! Never heard of her before? Well no surprise, this girl hasn't even made it into Undergirls once, let alone Senbatsu! This is her profile for those of you who don't know her. There are more pictures at the bottom of the post.
Name: Uchida Mayumi (内田眞由美)
Nickname: Ucchii (ウッチー)
Team: K
Birthdate: December 27th, 1993
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Height: 150cm
Bust: 80cm
Waist: 57.5cm
Hips: 86cm
Agency: AKS
Blog: http://ameblo.jp/uchidamayumi/
Singles Participated In
Hikoukigumo (RIVER Single B-side)
Stage Units
A4: 7ji 12fun no Hatsukoi (RS Stage Ver.)
B4: Kuchi Utsushi no Chocolate (RS Stage Ver.)
B4: Zannen Shoujo (RS Stage Ver.)
K6: Gyakuten Oujisama
Yamasato Ryota of Nankai Candies (a longtime AKB fan) was the referee. Special guest was legendary prowrestler Antonio Inoki. All the members were wearing their own choice of clothes (song outfits or personal clothes).
Oshima Yuko said after the tournament, "Ucchi said that she'll get the center and now she got it. So I hope she'll do her her best."

Anyway...
Full Results:
Image credit: Aditz85
Image credit: Malachite

Okay, before I give my opinions on this though, some bits and pieces of news to be shared!

Firstly, the 19th single, which is the one with the Janken Senbatsu, will be released 8th December 2010.

Secondly, the 18th Single (october one) PV was aired after the tournament, and the members also performed it. The title of the single is [BEGINNER], and the PV shows the members fighting using real-life simulation. Apparently they are inside a video game, and the PV gets rather gory. It also seems that the center girl is...... Maeda Atsuko again. What were you expecting......

Anyways HELL YEAH for dark song and gory PV! I'm bloody (pun intended) excited for BEGINNER!

UPDATE: CONCERT RECORDING OF BEGINNER

It's freaking amazing.


More after the jump
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AKB48 19th Single Janken Tournament

     Old post which supposed to go up a long time ago but I was lazy and forgot about it XD. Then I realised that the event is TOMORROW which lead me to spending the whole night writing this post.


     All of you reading should know about this event already via some other place. So, during the 2nd day noon session of the Surprise wa Arimasen Concert at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on 11 July 2010, there was an announcement which startled the entire AKB48 fandom.
The senbatsu for the 19th single released in December will be chosen by Janken tournament held in Nippon Budokan on September 21st.
     Top 16 members will be Senbatsu, the remaining girls will be sorted into Undergirls and Theatre Girls. All members of AKB48, plus 4 Kenkyuusei, are allowed to participate. The brackets have been decided by random draw by the girls themselves during the Concert. For those of you who don't know what Janken is, it's short for Jan-ken-pon, and westerners call it "Rock Paper Scissors".

Gameplay- Rock beats Scissors
- Scissors beats Paper
- Paper beats Rock
- There will only be 1 try (not inclusive of ties). Once a member loses, she is out of the competition.

     Senbatsu. It is a dream for a lot of girls in AKB48. Girls who aren't Acchan/Yuko/Mariko/Tomochin/Mayuyu/Takamina/Kojiharu/Yukirin etc etc. To be selected for Senbatsu, you have to be pushed heavily by the Management (to be "pushed" is something like "to be promoted"). A lot of those girls have not been in Senbatsu (counting from Oogoe Diamond onwards). Not counting the Senbatsu Election Singles, the Senbatsu members haven't really changed much.

     And now, they decide to select the Senbatsu members by a simple child's game. One of the simplest games ever invented by man with only 3 possibilities, used to decide one of the most heavily debated topics in the AKB48 fandom. Imagine the shock/surprise/happiness/anger/etc. etc. of the wotas! And what's more, they plan to hold the tournament in, get this, NIPPON BUDOKAN. Artists dream of performing there. It is literally a goal for many of them. And now AKB48 is using that place like a playground of sorts. Scuse me while I ROTFLMYAO!

more after the jump
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19 September 2010

Watarirouka Hashiritai Album [Rouka wa Hashiruna!] and Image DVD

Covers

Left to right: Type A, B and C

     Watarirouka Hashiritai will be getting their debut album this October, called [Rouka wa Hashiruna!](Don't run along the corridors!), as well as an Image DVD within the same month. The album will come in just 3 types, unlike their previous singles which came in up to 5 types. The tracklist features the 6 title tracks of their singles, Aoi Mirai, and 5 new tracks. Aoi Mirai is a rather surprising inclusion, as the only B-side to make the cut.

     The DVD (for the album) is almost officially confirmed to be more document-type and nothing related with the music at all. They include original movies (A/B) and the usual trading card bonus.

     For the Image DVD, more information will come later; the title hasn't even been announced.

Rouka wa Hashiruna! (廊下は走るな!)
Release Date: 13 October 2010
Price:
Type A, B: 3,200yen
Type C: 2,800yen
Rouka wa Hashiruna! (Ver. A/B/C)
[CD]

01. Neko Damashi
02. Hatsukoi Dash
03. Kanpeki Gu~no Ne
04. Doji
05. Aoi Mirai
06. AkKanbe Bashi
07. Kossetsu Romance
08. Mayu no Tame ni
09. Gyu
10. Yaruki Hanabi
11. Hiiragi no Tsuugakuro
12. Seishun no Flag
*meaning of the new song titles below

Image DVD
(TBA)

Release Date: 20 October 2010
Price: 3800yen

(Ver. A)
[DVD]
01. Tokoya Monogatari
Director: Takahata Hideta
Composition: Takasu Mitsuyoshi
(Ver. B)
[DVD]
01. Nahanaha.Mandi
Director: Takahata Hideta
Composition: Takasu Mitsuyoshi
Both Album and Image DVD have Bonus Poster for selected shops.

Order Links
CDJapan Type A
CDJapan Image DVD
HMV Type A
HMV Image DVD

*New song titles' meaning:
Neko damashi = Nekodamashi
Doji = Clumsy

Kossetsu Romance = Fractured Romance
Mayu no tame ni = For the sake of Mayu

Hiiragi no Tsuugakuro = Holly School Zone

    
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17 September 2010

Team Ogi Concert


Members of AKB48 in talent agency Ogi Production held a 2 day concert at the Shibuya-AX on the 15 and 16 September.

These members are:
no3b: Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Minegishi Minami
Watarirouka Hashiritai: Watanabe Mayu, Oota Aika, Nakagawa Haruka, Hirajima Natsumi, Kikuchi Ayaka
AKB48: Iwasa Misaki, Komori Mika, Nonaka Misato, Matsubara Natsumi
SDN48: Urano Kazumi

Press event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5DImLQC5BM

Ah before I post the setlist, heres an announcement during the concert.
no3b Album will be released on 01 January 2011!!
Well now back to the setlist.
After the jump
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AKB48 Team KISHIN, AKB48 X Bijo Saishu

Two new photobook collaborations from AKB48.

Mado Kara Sukaitsuri ga Mieru
Release date: October, 2010
Price: 2940yen
ISBN:9784093637282
Order Links
http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/3910547

The first collaboration is called [Team KISHIN from AKB48]. The name originates from the photographer for the photobook, Shinoyama Kishin (篠山紀信). He is a famous photographer in Japan mostly known for producing nude photobooks of girls. Yes you read that right. NUDE.

The members of Team Kishin are:
Kuramochi Asuka, Maeda Ami, Oba Mina, Takeuchi Miyu, Shimada Haruka and Mori Anna.

Team KISHIN will be releasing a photobook sometime on October 2010. The title of the photobook is [Mado kara sukaitsuri ga mieru], which translates into "From the window, I can see the Sky Tree". The Sky Tree being the Tokyo Sky Tree of course. Currently, there is no info or preview of the photobook. I'm betting that there will be lots of implied nudity though.

AKB48 x Bijo Saishu
Release Date: 09 Oct 2010
Price: 1500yen
ISBN: 9784062166331
Order Links
HMV / CDJapan

The second collaboration is with the whole AKB48 this time. The photographer for this photobook is multi talented artist Asami Kiyokawa. The book is a collection of pictures of AKB48 members as animals and flowers.

From the previews, it looks incredibly stunning. I really can't wait to see more. Some of the transformations are a genius! Umechan as a Siberian Husky, Ayarin as a Lion, Nacchan as Shiba Inu, I can totally see those. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to skip this book because I'm already low on budget. I already ordered my Mizugi Surprise Happyo 2010

Examples of her work other can be found on her website:
http://www.asamikiyokawa.com/

More after the jump
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15 September 2010

AKB48 Members to appear in dramas and films

Updated 15/8: Added Maeda Atsuko's Drama Q10

Several members of AKB48 will be appearing in dramas and movies.


X Game
Kikuchi Ayaka and Nakagawa Haruka will star in horror film titled [X Game] (batsu game) alongside actor Hirofumi Araki. The film is directed by Yohei Fukuda and is based on a suspense novel of the same name by writer Yusuke Yamada. The film will release on 18 September 2010.

In the film, four young people find themselves in a classroom and forced to participate in the "X Game". Games include "Thumbtack on a chair," "Pencil Guillotine," "Clip," "School Lunch," "Slap," and the "Death Penalty". Kikuchi will play the part of Hideaki's girlfriend Rikako, while Nakagawa has been cast as Hideaki's first love from his elementary school days.


Hitori Kakurenbo: Shin Gekijoban
Masuda Yuka will star in horror film [Hitori Kakurenbo: Shin Gekijoban]. The movie is actually a newer version of [Hitori Kakurenbo: Gekijoban] which released last year. The film is directed by Yamada Masafumi, who also directed the original film. The film will release on 31 July 2010

Masuda plays high school student Shiori, who hears at school that someone has played a game of "hitori kakurenbo," a variant of "hide and seek" that involves invoking a supernatural curse against someone. Shiori discovers a post on an old online message board that mentions killing with a curse, and soon she finds herself in troubling circumstances.


Musashino-sen no Shimai
Nakata Chisato and Nakaya Sayaka will star in movie adaptation of manga series [Musashino-sen no Shimai] (Sisters of the Musashino Train Line). The film also stars Kato Natsuki. Nakaya will play the role of Pandora, who is the sister of Ran (played by Kato). Nakata will play a popular net idol that works at the same maid cafe that Pandora works at. The release date for the movie has not been set.

The story is about two sisters, Ran and Pandora. Ran is is depicted as the internet-addicted older sister, while Pandora is the adorable younger sibling. The sisters adore gothic lolita fashion and reside in a luxurious apartment, despite maintaining NEET (“Not in education, employment or training“) lives.  Yet tension is introduced when Pandora lands a job in one of Akihabara’s maid cafe, making Ran very hostile against her.


Haru Miyako & Big Foot vs Death Capitoron
Nakata Chisato will also appear in the movie [Haru Miyako & Big Foot vs Death Capitoron]. There is no other information about the movie at time of posting.


Reinoryokusha, Odagiri Kyoko no Uso
Oshima Yuko will star in comedy-mystery drama [Reinoryokusha, Odagiri Kyoko no Uso]. The drama airs every Sunday night at 23:00 starting October.

In the drama, popular actress Ishihara Satome will play Kyoko Odagiri, a beautiful psychic who uses her powers to help the authorities solve crimes, though she doesn't have any powers in actuality, only her superior intuition. Oshima Yuko will play the role of an unusual company president in the drama


Q10
Maeda Atsuko will star as the main female heroine in the love-comedy drama series [Q10] (pronounced "kyu-to", the same as "cute"). She will act as Q10, a girl who is actually a robot. The series will air every Saturday night at 21:00 starting October on NTV.

She will act alongside Sato Takeru, playing the role of Fukui Heita. The drama is based on an original script, Nobuta wo Produce, written by Izumi Kizara. In the drama, Heita is an ordinary high school boy with a kind heart but no real interest in romance until a transfer student named Q10 joins the class. Together, the two end up causing trouble at school, and Heita even begins falling for Q10.

A kiss scene between the two is planned.



Videos after the jump
Read more ...

14 September 2010

AKB48 and SKE48 2011 Calendars

Updated 14 September - All calendars' release dates delayed to end-October, Matsui Jurina calendar cancelled.

A number of AKB48 and SKE48 members will be releasing calendars for the year 2011. There will be a total of 25 calendars to be released.

Members releasing solo calendars
AKB48:
Sato Amina, Minegishi Minami, Oshima Yuko (wall calendar), Oshima Yuko (table calendar), Kasai Tomomi, Sashihara Rino, Akimoto Sayaka, Maeda Ami, Miyazaki Miho, Takahashi Minami, Kitahara Rie, Kojima Haruna, Miyazawa Sae, Fujie Reina, Itano Tomomi, Yonezawa Rumi, Maeda Atsuko, Watanabe Mayu
SDN48:
Urano Kazumi, Sato Yukari
SKE48:
Matsui Jurina

Group calendars
Nattou Angels Z, Watarirouka Hashiritai, SKE48 (wall calendar), SKE48 (table calendar)

Prices for solo wall calendars are 2,415yen (tax included). The prices for the others varies.

So my thoughts.... Definitely gonna get Amina's calendar of course :) . hehehe. SKE48 gets a calendar but AKB48 doesn't? But I think that's because they have a later release date and it hasn't been announced yet just like what happened last year. Hmmm so Watarirouka Hashiritai and even Nattou Angels Z gets a group calender but not No3b? That's strange. But at least all the members in No3b will get solo calendars so thats fine. And wut? Yukirin doesn't get a solo calendar? I think she's popular enough. Same goes for Rena and Mariko.


Release dates are not confirmed, most have been pushed back to end-October. Different shops are listing different release dates.

Original Release Dates / Order Links
22 September 2010
Amina Sato
06 October 2010
Minegishi Minami
Oshima Yuko
Kasai Tomomi
Nattou Angel Z
Sashihara Rino
Oshima Yuko (Table)
Akimoto Sayaka
Maeda Ami
Miyazaki Miho
Takahashi Minami
Kitahara Rie
Kojima Haruna
Miyazawa Sae
Fujie Reina
Itano Tomomi
Urano Kazumi
Sato Yukari
10 October 2010
SKE48 Table Calendar
SKE48 Wall Calendar
Matsui Jurina
13 October 2010
Yonezawa Rumi
Watarirouka Hashiritai
Maeda Atsuko
Watanabe Mayu

Some previews after the jump
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AKB48 PSP Video Game [AKB1/48 Idol to Koishitara...]


And the selection of AKB48 merchandise expands with...a video game!?? Yes, you read that right, AKB48 will have its very own game released under Bandai Namco Games for the Sony Play Station Portable (PSP).

So what's this game about? [AKB1/48 Idol to Koishitara...] (AKB 1/48 If I Were to Love an Idol…) is a love simulation game. In this rather fanservicey-sounding game, all 48 members of AKB48 appear, and the concept is that you have to choose 1 and reject the other 47.
Wait, what? Can you even do that? Wow. Why can't we just accept them all. Damn TOs*.
Apparently all of the members love you (the player), and you have to dodge all of their confessions and attempts to get with you, ending up with 1 girl.

The game will use 10,000 photographs of the members, as well as about 80 minutes of video of the members confessing their love to the player and full voice recordings of all the members' dialogue.

Official website: http://psp-akb48.channel.or.jp/

More pictures: http://www.famitsu.com/news/201009/images/00033476/JCLJnNhyM2afkc8g7z2qh2t42r2Ogq3J.html

AKB1/48 Idol to Koishitara...
Release date: 23 December 2010
Versions:
First Press Edition : 10,479yen (First Press Only)
- Game
- Bonus UMD Disc with videos not included in the game (approx. 120min)
- 10 BLTs
- Making-Of DVDs (2 discs, approx. 240min)
- Lifesize Kiss Mark (48 included)
- Changeable Jacket (24 covers, 48 sides)
- Special Box

Limited Edition: 7329yen (printed until the end of March 2011)
- Game
- Bonus UMD Disc with videos not included in the game (approx. 120min)
- 3 BLTs (first press only)

Normal Edition: 5229yen
- Game
- 1 BLT (first press only)

Premier Special Pack: 36,729yen
- AKB Playstation Portable
- Changeable Kiss Mark Battery Covers (48 included)
- Game
- Bonus UMD Disc with videos not included in the game (approx. 120min)
- 10 BLTs
- Making-Of DVDs (2 discs, approx. 240min)
- Lifesize Kiss Mark (48 included)
- Changeable Jacket (24 covers, 48 sides)
- Special Box


More after the jump
Read more ...

AKB48 x "Kaspersky Research Lab"



AKB48 has yet another collaboration - this time with a antivirus software company. Kaspersky is the fourth-largest global vendor of antivirus software products.

10 members of AKB48 kenkyuusei(or Research Students) were selected as "AKB48 Kaspersky Research Lab", a PR unit to advertise Kaspersky's virus software for about 3 months. The 10 members are - Oba Mina, Shimada Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu, Ichikawa Miori, Abe Maria, Kato Rena, Yokoyama Yui, Mori Anna, Nagao Mariya and Kanazawa Yuuki.

But that's not all. Coming 28th September, at the unit's official site, the 'head lab professor' - a popular official AKB member, will be revealed.


News: http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment ... 07077.html
Official AKB x Kaspersky Site: http://akb48-kasperskylabs.jp/

More after the jump
Read more ...

09 September 2010

SDN48 Debut Single [TBA]

SDN48 will be releasing their debut Single on 24 November 2010. The Senbatsu for this Single has been decided via an election by the fans, position in election will determine the position in the Single.

There are 3 methods to vote
1. voting by TV Asahi's mobile site (1 vote per day, per phone)
2. reading the member's gree blogs (1 vote per entry you read)
3. downloading the profile picture of the member you want to vote from TV Asahi's mobile site.

Voting has started since 02 June and ended on 05 September. The votes have been tallied and the results were announced just a few hours ago.

01. Ohori Megumi
02. Sato Yukari
03. Noro Kayo
04. KONAN
05. Urano Kazumi
06. Umeda Haruka
07. Serina
08. Kato Mami
09. Kohara Haruka
10. Ito Kana
11. Akita Kazue
12. Fukuyama Sakura

A big congratulations to Meetan. Seems like her big break has finally come. Personally, I voted (read blogs) for CinDy and Yukarin. They both got into Senbatsu so i'm happy. Can't wait for the Single!

I'm surprised that Nonti ranked higher than CinDy. After all in the AKB48 Senbatsu Election (2009), Cindy ranked 17th while Nonti didn't rank at all (she was too far down). She must have gained quite a lot of fans since she transferred to SDN. Maybe also because she is the co-host of Suppon no Onnatachi. KONAN is another one who got a high position but it's not really a surprise. She is/was a famous race queen and have been around for a long while, so she has many fans reading her blog. She is/was also part of Ebisu Muscats.


Position Announcement (via Suppon no Onnatachi)



(credits to aakun, Jasey, Koba)
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AKB48 18th Single [TBA]

AKB48's 18th single, right after the election single, has been announced for quite some time, even before Heavy Rotation was released, but it was only recently that some information was revealed.

For now, we still don't know the title or tracklist details, but the single will have the usual Type A, Type B, and Theatre versions, with first press editions coming with handshake tickets.

Based on fans reading the members' blogs, we also know the 18th Single's senbatsu. It reverts back to a 16-member senbatsu once again, and the list for Senbatsu is said to be pretty much confirmed even without official announcement.

Senbatsu
A: Kojima Haruna, Sashihara Rino, Shinoda Mariko, Takajo Aki, Takahashi Minami, Maeda Atsuko
K: Itano Tomomi, Oshima Yuko, Minegishi Minami, Miyazawa Sae
B: Kasai Tomomi, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kitahara Rie, Watanabe Mayu
S: Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena
Undergirls A (temporary name)
A: Iwasa Misaki, Oota Aika, Nakagawa Haruka, Maeda Ami, Katayama Haruka
K: Kikuchi Ayaka, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Fujie Reina, Yonezawa Rumi, Nito Moeno, Matsui Sakiko
B: Ishida Haruka, Oku Manami, Komori Mika, Sato Sumire, Hirajima Natsumi, Miyazaki Miho
S: Yagami Kumi
KII: Ishida Anna, Takayanagi Akane
Undergirls B (temporary name)
A: Oya Shizuka, Kuramochi Asuka, Nakata Chisato, Nakaya Sayaka, Matsubara Natsumi
K: Akimoto Sayaka, Uchida Mayumi, Umeda Ayaka, Tanabe Miku, Nonaka Misato
B: Kobayashi Kana, Sato Amina, Sato Natsuki, Suzuki Mariya, Chikano Rina, Masuda Yuka
S: Oya Masana
MINT
A: Katayama Haruka, Maeda Atsuko
K: Matsui Sakiko, Nito Moeno
B: Kasai Tomomi

The Undergirls lists are not confirmed and could have members switching around. Also, the speculation here is that the single will follow Gomen ne, SUMMER's style of having two sets of Undergirls for each Type.

As explained by Jasey in the stage48, "Even though B seems a bit more like Theater Girls, most people don't think Sayaka, Mocchii and Amina would be in Theater Girls so they're thinking that they're doing it more similar to how SKE did for their last single."

I do agree with this viewpoint, as the girls' popularities seem to have spread out somewhat between the two lists. It's not even, that's for sure, but I really don't see Kikuchi, Nakatsuka and Sakiko being "promoted" to Undergirls if there is a theater girls. I like them, but they aren't really pushed. I really hope that it is Undergirls A and B, because Oya Shizuka being in Undergirls of some form makes me happy.

In addition, we also have MINT doing the coupling song, "Kimi ni Tsuite", for the single, since they won the Team Pigg battle in Ameba.

TBA
Release Date: 27 October 2010
Price:
Type A/B Regular ver- 1600 yen

Order Links
HMV: Type A / Type B
CDJapan: Type A / Type B
YesAsia: Type A / Type B

(Credits: Mr Waffle, Jasey)
Read more ...

French Kiss Single [Zutto Mae Kara]

08 September:  Updated with more information
03 August: Updated with Covers, Tracklist



     [French Kiss] is a new Subgroup from AKB48 and it consists of Kashiwagi Yuki, Takajo Aki, and Kuramochi Asuka. They will be releasing a single under the record label Avex on 08 September 2010. The Single will be titled Zutto Mae Kara and the song will be used as the ending theme for the 6th Season of the ongoing sports anime series "Major". Zutto Mae Kara translates to "Since a long time ago".

     The coupling songs for Zutto Mae Kara differ according to the type. There are a total of 3 different types. Type A has Yokaze no Shiwaza, which is Kashiwagi's solo ballad song in Team B 5th Stage. Type B has Aru Aki ni hi no Koto, a lighter song compared to Zutto Mae Kara. And finally Type C has Temodemo no Namida. Originally a duet sung by Kashiwagi Yuki and ex-member Saeki Mika, this version however is a trio between all 3 members. Kashiwagi sings her own lines, while Kuramochi and Takajo share Saeki Mika's lines.

     I'm really excited for this unit. After all, it has Mocchi and Yukirin, 2 of my top 3, in it! At first glance, Mocchi doesn't seem to fit in with Yukirin and Akicha, but then the anime "Major" is a  baseball anime, the drama that they will be doing is baseball themed, even the PV is. Mocchi's father was a famous professional baseball player (now retired). I wonder if Mocchi can play baseball too?

     The song itself is awesome! Definitely going to buy it. It has a great tune and Yukirin's voice was  perfect for it. Even though this song was 50% Yukirin, it's a great song so I'll let that slide. Though I have to say Mocchi's voice sounds the best in the song. Sorry Akicha fans but I have to say that Akicha doesn't have much vocal ability and it sounds a little off when put together with the other two.

     The PV is fine I guess, nothing stunning. Just the regular drama type PV. Or maybe my expectations are too high.

Zutto Mae Kara  (ずっと前から)
Release date: 08 September 2010
Price:
  Type A: 3150yen
  Type B: 3150yen
  Type C: 1260yen
Zutto Mae Kara (Ver. A)
[CD]
 
01. Zutto Mae Kara
02. Yokaze no Shiwaza 
03. Zutto Mae Kara (off vocal)
04. Yokaze no Shiwaza (off vocal)
[DVD]
01. Zutto Mae Kara - Promotion Video
02. Zutto Mae Kara - Drama Clip
Zutto Mae Kara (Ver. B)
[CD]
 
01. Zutto Mae Kara
02. Aru Aki no hi no Koto

03. Zutto Mae Kara (off vocal)
04. Aru Aki no hi no Koto (off vocal)
[DVD]
01. Zutto Mae Kara - Promotion Video
02. French Kiss Special short story
Zutto Mae Kara (Ver. C)
[CD]
 
01. Zutto Mae Kara
02. Temodemo no Namida
03. Zutto Mae Kara (off vocal)
04. Temodemo no Namida (off vocal)

First Press bonus includes an event ticket and a trading card (1 random out of 3)

The DVD included in Type A contains a video clip  for "Zutto Mae Kara," but it will also come with an original drama, also  titled "Zutto Mae Kara." The youthful love story has the three girls playing managers of a school baseball team, and part of the story  involves a romance with the team's ace player. The drama is being handled by television, film, and music video director Ten Shimoyama.

Order Links
HMV: http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/search/index.asp?keyword=zutto+mae+kara+akb48&site=&target=SEARCH&type=sr
CDJapan: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/search3.html?q=zutto+mae+kara&media=&r=any&step=20&order=score
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%82%B8%82%C1%82%C6+%91O%82%A9%82%E7+%83t%83%8C%83%93%83%60%81E%83L%83X&x=0&y=0

More after the jump
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