NMB48 Okita Ayaka promoted to Team M + 5th Single and tour announced

NMB48 finished its Osaka prefecture tour Osaka Juuban Shoubu on May 31st, and the final day brought several announcements with it.

First of all, Kenkyuusei Okita Ayaka was promoted to Team M. She took the spot of Kodakari Yuuka who graduated in April due to health problems. Okita Ayaka was one of the two 1st Generation Kenkyuusei left who neither made Team N nor M. Now Koyanagi Arisa is the only 1st Generation Kenkyuusei left.

Additionally, it was announced that NMB48's 5th single will be released on August 8. The single will come in the usual 4 types: A, B, C and Theater Version. No other details are out yet.

Apart from that another NMB48 tour was announced. After the Osaka Prefecture Tour, the group will now tour the whole Kinki/Kansai region with one concert in every prefecture of the region. The temporary title for the tour is Kinki Juuoumujin Tour (近畿縦横無尽ツアー, roughly translated: Kinki do as one please Tour).

The dates are:
7/18 Shiga Prefecture, Otsu Shimin Kaikan
7/27 Kyoto Prefecture, Uji City Culture Center
8/1 Nara Prefecture, Nara Centennial Hall
8/8 Wakayama Prefecture, Wakayama Municipal Auditorium
8/15 Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe International House International Hall
8/21 Osaka Prefecture, Orix Theater

Congratulations to Aapon! I am so happy she was finally promoted!

NO NAME [Kibou ni Tsuite] Single Release Date Announced

The new subunit NO NAME consisting of AKB48's Watanabe Mayu, Sato Sumire, Sato Amina, Ishida Haruka, Iwata Karen, Nakaya Sayaka - SKE48's Yagami Kumi, Hata Sawako and NMB48's Mita Mao, which was formed for anime AKB0048 will be releasing their single [Kibou ni Tsuite] on August 1st.

[Kibou ni Tsuite] is the current opening of the anime while [Yume wa Nandomo Umarekawaru] as the ending. Both these songs will be on the single along with another new song. The single will be available in two types A and B. Type A will have the actual members as the cover and PV for [Kibou ni Tsuite] member version, while Type B cover will have the illustration of the girls from the anime and an anime PV version.

I'm so excited because those two songs currently used for the anime are gorgeous, and I'm tired of looping the TV size. Can't wait for a full version.

Not yet [Suika BABY] / Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 [Shounen yo Uso wo Tsuke!] 1st Day Sales

Not yet and Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 respectively took #1 and #2 spots today selling 58,113 and 38,033. Not yet's last single [Perapera Perao] had a first day of 70,669 copies with Warota7's [Kibou Sanmyaku] having a first day of 55,423.

That's a drop for both the subunits and could be because of the election i .e people buying the voting single so as to vote for members than buy this, still those are pretty decent first day sales, so congrats to both!

SKE48 [Aishiteraburu!] 1st Week Sales + Review

SKE48's 9th single [Aishiteraburu!] sold 472,327 copies in it's first week, grabbing the #1 spot. SKE nearly gave us a scare on the first day when they only sold 98K but was obviously due the theater editions not being shipped because the next day there was an instant surge of 288K.

[Kataomoi Finally] though had a first week sale of 495,809 so they were 23K short from winning their previous single. None the less, 472K is great and this single should be able to cross 500K too.

Aishiteraburu!

I love [Aishiteraburu!] SKE's upbeat songs are always amazing. This is like [Oki Doki] but like with lots and lots of sugar. The type of sweetness that people would like though, not an overdose. The song just literally makes me want to scream "I RABU YOU" and "Aishiteru!". I expected the summer single to be a bit like [Pareo wa Emarald] but then it was something I liked more than last year's summer single.

Me ga Itai Kurai Hareta Sora / 5th Generation Kenkyuusei

The 5th gen Kenkyuusei's get a song for themselves which is available in all types. Promoting the new gens I guess? [Me ga Itai Kurai Hareta Sora] is actually a ballad, and a pretty decent ballad. It's not bad but it's not the best in this single either. I found this to be the weakest track in the single, but that's just me because ballads rarely impress me.

Halation / Selection 8

When I first heard [Halation], the first thing that went on my mind was "Where has this Selection 8 been all my life?". Halation is probably the highlight of this single for me. It's got the members whose vocals are amazing. It's also the song that has a cool vibes to it, that I usually prefer. Best song in the single for me!

Aun no Kiss / Shirogumi

Shirogumi as usual gets the cute song. Usually Shiro's song even if they are cute always isn't the most impressive, if you compare the songs with Aka's. Last single's [Hanikami Lollipop] was amazing and while even this is your typical Shiro song, I like Aun no Kiss.

Nante Ginga wa Akarui no Darou / Akagumi

Akagumi has another dark song in their belt with [Nante Ginga wa Akarui no Darou]. I happen to be a sucker for such songs by the way. The verses are nothing new but the chorus part is what really attracts me to this song. It's also a song that would fit a anime ending, very anime-esque in my opinion.

AKB48 Tokyo Dome Concert / Maeda Atsuko's Graduation Date Announced

Team A Captain Takahashi Minami today via YouTube announced the date for AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert. The date has been set for August 24th to 26th, a three day concert.

Aki-P said Maeda Atsuko will graduate the next day after the concert ends, at the AKB48 theater. Hence Maeda Atsuko's graduate date is to be August 27th.  At the moment, how to get the tickets for the concert have not been revealed.

Tokyo Dome has been the dream of AKB48 and its going to be huge. I'm very interested in the announcement in TDC. I know there is going to be some shocking announcement. And now we also so know when Acchan will graduate. What do you guys think?

 

AKB48 Wins 3 JASRAC Awards

The 30th JASRAC Award was announced on May 23rd, 2012.  AKB48 took home the Gold Award with Heavy Rotation, Silver Award with Ponytail to Shushu, and Bronze Award with Beginner.

This is the first time in the JASRAC Award history that the first 3 places are all won by the same artist.

On top of the 3 awards, 2 more AKB48 songs were included in the Top 10.  They are Everyday, Kachuusha at 4th place and Aitakatta at 6th place.

According to the website, the award is "bestowed based on the share of royalties contributed during the one-year period of April 2011 to March 2012".  This includes royalties from CD, DVD, Karaoke, Interactive Distribution (such as ringtones, internet-only releases, etc).

The English website for JASRAC award is here - http://www.jasrac.or.jp/ejhp/about/award.html

The Top 10 Domestic Works are as follows:

Gold AKB48 "Heavy Rotation"
Silver AKB48 "Ponytail to Shushu"
Bronze AKB48 "Beginner"

4th place AKB48 "Everyday, Kachuusha"
5th place Ikimonogakari "Arigatou"
6th place AKB48 "Aitakatta"
7th place EXILE "Motto Tsuyoku"
8th place EXILE "I Wish For You"
9th place Background music from "One Piece"
10th place "Theme from Gebageba 90 minutes!"

AKB48 [Manatsu no Sounds Good!] 1st Day Sales

[Manatsu no Sounds Good!] first day sales is a whooping 1,170,554 copies. Being a election single this was expected but its also their highest first day sales ever. Last year's election single [Everyday, Kacchusha] had a sale of 942,475 on first. [Flying Get] and [Kaze wa Fuiteiru] both had 1,025,952 and 1,045,937 respectively.

The single has shipped over 2 million copies to shops, and who knows maybe slowly they will reach the 2 million mark?

AKB48 27th Single General Election 2012 - Preliminary Results

The preliminary results of AKB48's 27th Single General Election have been announced today. Do keep in mind that this is only 10% of the votes, and the final result will definitely have a lot of changes.

1. [AKB / K] Oshima Yuko	15,093
2. [AKB / B] Kashiwagi Yuki	12,654
3. [AKB / B] Watanabe Mayu	11,329
4. [AKB / A] Sashihara Rino	9,337
5. [AKB / A] Takahashi Minami	8,955
6. [AKB / A] Shinoda Mariko	8,619
7. [SKE / S] Matsui Rena	8,460
8. [SKE / S] Matsui Jurina	7,795
9. [AKB / K] Itano Tomomi	6,595
10. [AKB / K] Miyazawa Sae	6,280
11. [AKB / A] Kojima Haruna	5,334
12. [AKB / K] Yokoyama Yui	4,301
13. [AKB / A] Takajo Aki	3,661
14. [AKB / K] Umeda Ayaka	3,484
15. [AKB / K] Minegishi Minami	3,396
16. [AKB / B] Kitahara Rie	3,302
17. [AKB / B] Kasai Tomomi	3,227
18. [NMB / N] Yamamoto Sayaka	3,218
19. [NMB / N] Watanabe Miyuki	2,976
20. [SKE / KII] Takayanagi Akane	2,471
21. [AKB / B] Sato Amina	2,392
22. [AKB / 4] Shimazaki Haruka	2,340
22. [SKE / KII] Furukawa Airi	2,340
24. [SKE / KII] Hata Sawako	2,312
25. [AKB / B] Masuda Yuka	2,182
26. [SKE / S] Suda Akari	2,149
27. [SKE / KII] Mukaida Manatsu	1,948
28. [SKE / S] Oya Masana	1,919
29. [SKE / KII] Ogiso Shiori	1,788
30. [AKB / KKS] Muto Tomu	1,757
31. [NMB / N] Ogasawara Mayu	1,746
32. [AKB / K] Akimoto Sayaka	1,743
33. [SKE / S] Yagami Kumi	1,671
34. [AKB / A] Kuramochi Asuka	1,653
35. [SKE / S] Kizaki Yuria	1,624
36. [AKB / A] Nakaya Sayaka	1,348
37. [SKE / KII] Yakata Miki	1,345
38. [AKB / A] Nakagawa Haruka	1,244
39. [SKE / KKS] Matsumura Kaori	1,194
40. [AKB / A] Nakata Chisato	1,188
41. [AKB / K] Fujie Reina	1,166
42. [NMB / N] Yamada Nana	1,136
43. [AKB / B] Kobayashi Kana	1,110
44. [SKE / E] Kimoto Kanon	1,039
45. [AKB / A] Iwasa Misaki	1,023
46. [SKE / S] Hiramatsu Kanako	998
47. [AKB / 4] Yamauchi Suzuran	988
48. [AKB / B] Ishida Haruka	985
49. [AKB / B] Miyazaki Miho	970
51. [AKB / A] Katayama Haruka	955
50. [AKB / A] Oya Shizuka	964
52. [AKB / A] Ota Aika	912
53. [AKB / 4] Nagao Mariya	818
54. [NMB / N] Fukumoto Aina	816
55. [AKB / A] Maeda Ami	810
56. [AKB / 4] Oba Mina	786
57. [AKB / A] Matsubara Natsumi	750
57. [SKE / S] Kinoshita Yukiko	750
59. [AKB / 4] Ichikawa Miori	702
60. [AKB / K] Nonaka Misato	701
61. [AKB / K] Kikuchi Ayaka	653
62. [HKT / KKS] Eto Sayaka	641
63. [SKE / S] Nakanishi Yuka	618
64. [AKB / K] Tanabe Miku	616

TEAM DISTRIBUTION

A: 15/15, K: 11/15, B: 9/15, 4: 5/16, AKB KKS: 1/27

S: 9/14, KII: 6/16, E: 1/13, SKE KKS: 1/21

N: 5/16, M: -/15, NMB KKS: -/33

H: 0/16, HKT KKS: 1/5

[GUIDE] How to Vote for AKB48 27th Single Election [Through CD Only]

So the explanation video on how to vote has been released. I'll try to explain it you, how to vote for this year's election. The voting video isn't very difficult to understand either, so you may watch that as well.

This year's election system:

1-16: Senbatsu

17-32: Undergirls

33-48: Next Girls

49-64: Future Girls

You can both for this year's election in 10 ways:

1. Through purchase of 26th single [Manatsu no Sounds Good!] (you get a voting card inside the CD, 1 card per CD but only in Regular editions and Limited editions, you don't get a voting card in the theater edition)
2. Member of AKB48 official fan club
3. Member of AKB48 Mobile
4. Member of AKB48 official smart phone app
5. Member of SKE48 mobile
6. Member of NMB48 mobile
7. Member of HKT48 mobile
8. Subscriber to AKB48 Live on Demand!
9. Subscriber to SKE48 Live on Demand!
10. Subscriber to AKB48 OFFICIAL NET SERVICE.

Note: You only get to 1 vote per membership.
I'll be only showing you how you do it via the CD because for the others, you need a membership and also since this is mostly for international fans. But if you do have one, all you need to do is login through the respective site and vote.

Through the CD

1. You go to http://akb48-sousenkyo2012.jp (the site will open on the day voting starts)
2. You access the team member pages. Click on チームから検索.
3. Find the member whom you wish to vote for. 
4. There should be a two set of  numbers on your card like the one highlighted above. Punch those given numbers on the 2 boxes. The first line of number in the first box and second set of number in the below one.
5. Click on 「投票する」 after you've done that. And you're done!

The voting starts from May 22nd, 10 am JST till June 5th, 3 pm JST.

Hope this was helpful. Happy voting!

French Kiss and Itano Tomomi New CM [Rain Style Collection] + French Kiss' New Song

French Kiss has been appointed as the image character for Seven Net Shopping's "Rain Style Collection" along with Itano Tomomi.

There will be two CMs, one will feature Tomochin's song [lose-lose], French Kiss' new song [Rainy day] will be used for another. French Kiss version of the CM starts airing on TV Asahi from May 22nd to June 4th and will be also used at the ending for Fuji TV's program "Uchikuru!?".

French Kiss' 5th single which will be released on July 11th therefore [Rainy day] could be coupling song or the title track itself. Most likely this is the name of the single but hasn't been officially announced. The costumes for the CM was designed by Akicha.


Both the CMs can be viewed here with respective song as the background.: http://www.7netshopping.jp/spc/images/eco/feamovie.html Part 1 is Tomochin Version and Part 2 is French Kiss Version.

Maeda Atsuko's 2nd Single [Kimi wa Boku da] Covers + Tracklist

The covers and tracklist of Maeda Atsuko's 2nd single [Kimi wa Boku da] being released June 20th has been revealed. The main a -side is being used as the theme song for the movie [Love Masao-kun ga Iku!] while the all type b-side [Migikata] is used as the ending for the drama [Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou].

The act 1 exclusive b-side [Toomawari] is being used as for Marumiya CM. Act 3 exclusive b-side [Sunday drive] is being used as the theme song for AKB's automobile club.

The DVD contains the music video for [Kimi wa Boku da] and also a drama version of the song. Act 1 DVD contains the making of the song, act 2 DVD contains a special interview about Acchan's graduation called [Korekara, Watashi] and act 3 DVD contains clips about her pet dog.

Maeda Atsuko 2nd Single
Kimi wa Boku da
君は僕だ
20 June 2012

Act 1 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da 02. Migikata 03. Toomawari 04. Kimi wa Boku da off vocal. 05. Migikata off vocal. 06. Toomawari off vocal. [DVD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da [Music Video] 02. Kimi wa Boku da [Drama Version] 03. Kimi wa Boku da [Making of]
Act 2 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da 02. Migikata 03. Aishi sugiru to... 04. Kimi wa Boku da off vocal. 05. Migikata off vocal. 06. Aishi sugiru to... off vocal. [DVD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da [Music Video] 02. Kimi wa Boku da [Drama Version] 03. Graduation Interview [Korekara, Watashi]
Act 3 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da 02. Migikata 03. Sunday drive 04. Kimi wa Boku da off vocal. 05. Migikata off vocal. 06. Sunday drive off vocal. [DVD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da [Music Video] 02. Kimi wa Boku da [Drama Version] 03. Bokutachi no Goshujinsama ~Aikentachi to Maeda Atsuko no Nichijou~

Aki-P G+ Post About Maeda Atsuko's Graduation

Aki-P recently made G+ post concerning about the talk he had with Acchan :

A few days ago, I had a meeting with Maeda Atsuko. We had passed each other at the studio and finally had a proper talk since Saitama Super Arena.

Things about AKB, about the other members, about the juniors, about  the fans and about Maeda's own future. One by one, we talked about these things. I was deeply moved, that the once shy 14 year old Maeda who would shut herself from everybody is now a 20 year old girl who thinks of not only her but everybody around her as well.

As usual, she has the same shy expression but that minute, you can see the look of straight forwardness in her. I think that shyness is the remains of Acchan she was back in those days.

Hence, it has been decided that Maeda Atsuko will graduate from the concert of Tokyo Dome and after a performance in the AKB theater the next day.
(Detailed schedule will be announced at a later date)

Best of luck, Maeda Atsuko!

I think this means that Tokyo Dome concert date will be announced very soon.

NMB48 4th Single [Nagiichi] 1st Week Sales

NMB48's 4th single [Nagiichi], released on May 9th, finished its first week on rank 2 in the Oricon charts with sales of 375,785 copies. First place was taken by Arashi who sold 526,106 copies of [Face Down].

The single had a rather reluctant start with sales numbers clearly behind [Junjou U-19]'s First Day sales, but sales picked up and on May 12th the single ranked first in the daily charts with 91,990 copies sold that day.

Even though it is the first time that an NMB48 single did not reach weekly #1, [Nagiichi] is still a success. First week sales surpassed those of [Junjou U-19] (329,438 copies) by about 45 k.

Congratulations to the girls!

AKB48 Kenkyuusei Mitsumune Kaoru to Star in a Movie [Joshi Camera]

AKB48's 13th gen Kenkyuusei Mitsumune Kaoru will be starring in a new movie Joshi Camera as the lead role. The movie is set to be released in winter.

The plot line revolves around four college students who return back to their hometown and through photos, they realize the importance of family. Kaoru is also currently starring in the J-dorama ATARU and the AKB/JE Dorama, Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou.


I've come to accept the fact that Kaoru will be pushed a lot, as she has prior experience, hence why the sponsors want someone like her. The article of this movie also said, that she might be the future ace which I think is a bit too much because let's face it, Kaoru is over experienced to be a member of AKB, and she's still a kenkyuusei who has yet to prover herself as a member. The elections are coming up and no doubt Kaoru will rank but which number will she rank in is the question.

SKE48 9th Single [Aishiteraburu!] 1st Day Sales

The first day of [Aishiteraburu!] is something very unexpected. It's still #1 but with a sale of 98,952 which is pretty low if you compare to 285K, first day of [Kataomoi Finally].

There are two possible theories to this low sale: either the theater editions didn't get shipped on time or this is because of the election single that's coming up next week. But I'd really love a official statement from the management concerning such a drop in first day sales.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

I was really shocked when I saw the sales, I mean not even 100K. Hoping something went wrong with the shipment, that's why this drop in sales.

no3b to Release 9th Single [Copy Time]

No Sleeves new single is apparently titled [Copy Time] and is to be released on June 27th. As usual the single comes in 4 types: Type A (Kojima Haruna Ver.), Type B (Takahashi Minami Ver.), Type C (Minegishi Minami Ver.) and a regular version.

The titles sounds pretty interesting. I'm really hoping it to be  something like [Kuchibiru Furezu...]

no3b is always the most shafted AKB unit, their dates are always post poned, so lets hope that this single releases on the date given.

Not Yet 4th Single [Suika BABY] Covers + Tracklist + PV Preview

The covers, tracklist as well as the PV preview for Not yet's 4th single [Suika BABY] is out. Slated for release on May 30th, the single comes in 4 types. Yokoyama Yui's solo as mentioned earlier is found in Type C and titled [May].

Type D also has the cover of the one time AKB48 subunit ICE from AKB48's [Aisareru to Iu Koto]. The song was made for the anime ICE and was never released as single. The lyrics for the track [guilty love] were written by Kitahara Rie.

The preview of the PV was released as well and I am finding the choreography to be very cute.
Not Yet 4th Single
Suika BABY
西瓜BABY
30 May 2012

TYPE A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Suika BABY 02. Kibou no Hana 03. Fumouna Yoru 04. Suika BABY off vocal. 05. Kibou no Hana off vocal. 06. Fumouna Yoru off vocal. [DVD] 01. Suika BABY (Music Clip) 02. Not yet  [Hajimete no Suite]
TYPE B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Suika BABY 02. Kibou no Hana 03. guilty love 04. Suika BABY off vocal. 05. Kibou no Hana off vocal. 06. guilty love off vocal. [DVD] 01. Suika BABY (Music Clip) 02. Suika BABY offshot
TYPE C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Suika BABY 02. Kibou no Hana 03. May (Yokoyama Yui solo) 04. Suika BABY off vocal. 05. Kibou no Hana off vocal. 06. May off vocal. [DVD] 01. Suika BABY (Music Clip) 02. Peraperao Premium Event
REGULAR VER. 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Suika BABY 02. Kibou no Hana 03. Aisareru to Iu Koto (Not yet ver.) 04. Suika BABY off vocal. 05. Kibou no Hana off vocal. 06. Aisareru to Iu Koto off vocal.

PV Preview

SKE48 Team E 2nd Stage [Saka Agari] Shonichi

Today was SKE48 Team E's 2nd stage [Saka Agari]'s Shonichi. [Saka Agari] being originally Team K's 5th stage and  performed for the first by another Team.

Sad part was that there was still no promotions, Kenkyuusei's were still filling in the spot for the 3 members that graduated (Nakamura Yuka, Yamada Erika and Mano Haruka). That is indeed very disappointing. Now that Team E's 2nd stage has begun, we will see promotions in the near future? Hopefully.


SKE48 Team E 2nd Stage [Saka Agari]
SKE48チームE2ndステージ「逆上がり」
Kage-ana: Umemoto Madoka

M01 - Tenohira
M02 - Saka Agari
M03 - Hitei no Requiem
M04 - Sono Ase wa Uso wo Tsukanai
-----MC1-----
M05 - End Roll (Hara Minami, Umemoto Madoka, Saito Makiko (KKS), Isohara Kyoka)
M06 - Wagamama na Nagareboshi (Kimoto Kanon, Shibata Aya)
M07 - Ai no iro (Ueno Kasumi, Sakai Mei, Takeuchi Mai, Tsuzuki Rika, Iwanaga Tsugumi (KKS), Furuhata Nao (KKS))
M08 - Dakishimetararetara (Kaneko Shiori, Kobayashi Ami, Takagi Yumana)
M09 - Mushi no Ballad (Yamashita Yukari)
-----MC2-----
M10 - Furishite Maneshite
M11 - Umi wo Watare!
M12 - Machikado no Party
M13 - Fan Letter

-----ENCORE-----
EN1 - Fugiri
EN2 - Hanpa na Ikemen

-----MC3-----
EN3 - Aishiteraburu!
EN4 - to be continued