French Kiss 5th Single [Romance Privacy] 1st Week Sales + Review

French Kiss' 5th single [Romance Privacy] sold 85,011 copies on the first week getting #2 spot on the Oricon charts.  This is a huge drop from their last single [Saisho no Mail] which sold 133,662 on it's first week.

Romance Privacy (ロマンス・プライバシー)

The new single is definitely atop Saisho no Mail and while this is of course your typical French Kiss song, I'm still not so a fan of it. The group's a-side are probably not to my taste but it's a generic idol like song and the verses sound really really generic to me. I love how the chorus goes though.

Rainy day

This has to be my favorite b-side. While their a-sides haven't impressed me, I do love the groups b-side. This is such a melodious ballad. I do think this should have been an a-side but at least we got a PV.

Bin no Futa (瓶の蓋)

I liked this track. It has that French Kiss style but still it's a very light song, a song that would make you drowsy and put you to a deep sleep. Though I hear Yukirin more than Mocchi and Akicha all over this song.

Biorhythm (バイオリズム)

 We get a fun song with really upbeat beats, Biorhythm isn't a fast paced disco song like I thought it would be when I first saw the name but it has got some nice beats which makes this a song unlike any other that French Kiss has done and I definitely love it.

Kazanbai (火山灰)

Yukirin's solo is flawless as usual. Her solos really hasn't disappointed me up till now and neither does this ballad. I hope we get to see different type of songs in her solo single and not just ballads though.

NMB48 Tour [~Mina-san, Chapu Chapu shimasho~] Setlists

NMB48 performed the 2nd Day of their Kinki Tour [~Mina-san, Chapu Chapu shimasho~] in Kyoto Prefecture on July 27th. While on the 1st Day both Team N and M performed, this time Team N and a senbatsu of 16 Kenkyusei performed.

Below you can find the setlist from this concert, as well as the one from the first one. This post will be updated whenever a new setlist is performed during the tour.

In other news: Kinoshita Momoka, who took an injury break since June 27th, will resume her activities during a handshake event on July 28th.


NMB48近畿ｺﾝｻｰﾄﾂｱｰ ～みなさん､ちゃぷちゃぷしましょ～
NMB48 Kinki Concert Tour ~Mina-san, chapu chapu shimasho~
Date: 18th July~ 21st August

First Show, Otsu Shimin Kaikan, Otsu (Shiga Prefecture)
Date: July 18th
Team N, Team M (without Kinoshita M), 5 Kenkyuusei (Nakagawa, Azuma, Ishida, Kobayashi, Takayama)
M01 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare! (Team N)
M02 - Flying Get (Team M)
M03 - Nande ya nen, Idol (N+M)
M04 - Mina-san mo go-issho ni (N+M, Speaking part: Jonishi Kei)
-----MC-----
M05 - Hatsukoi no Yukue to Playball (NMB Seven)
M06 - Nagekiss de Uchiotose! (Yagura Fuuko, Matsuda Shiori, Yoshida Akari, Kotani Riho, Yogi Keira, Murase Sae)
M07 - Warukii (Watanabe Miyuki;, Backdancers: Ishida, Azuma, Takayama, Kobayashi )
M08 - End Roll (Yamamoto Sayaka, Okita Ayaka, Kondo Rina, Kinoshita Haruna)
M09 - Tengoku Yarou (Ogasawara Mayu, Fujita Runa, Mita Mao, Kawakami Rena)
M10 - Itoshiki Natasha (Takano Yui, Shimada Rena, Ota Riona)
M11 - Migi e Magare (Akagumi)
M12 - Doryoku no Shizuku (Shirogumi)
-----MC-----
M13 - Yakusoku yo (Team M)
M14 - Yokosuka Curve (Team N)
M15 - Kobushi no Seigi (N+M)
-----MC-----
M16 - Nagiichi (Senbatsu, Yogi Keira for Kinoshita Momoka)
M17 - Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo
M18 - Oh My God!
M19 - Junjou U-19 (Yamaguchi Yuuki for Kinoshita Momoka)
M20 - Seishun no Lap Time
-----MC-----
M21 - Boku no Uchiage Hanabi (ALL)
----ENCORE-----
EN1 - Virginity (Senbatsu, Shinohara and Matsuda for Yabushita and Kato)
EN2 - NMB48 (Non-Senbatsu)
EN3 - Arigatou (ALL)


Second Show, Uji City Culture Center, Uji (Kyoto Prefecture)
Date: July 27th
Team N, 16 Kenkyuusei (Koyanagi, Koga, Nishizawa, Hayashi, Yamamoto H, Akazawa, Ueda, Kamieda, Kato, Kusaka, Kushiro, Kurokawa, Miura, Muro, Yabushita, Yamauchi)

M01 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare! (Team N)
M02 - Flying Get (Kenkyuusei)
M03 - Nande ya nen, Idol (N+KKS)
M04 - Mina-san mo go-issho ni (N+KKS Speaking part: Kotani)
-----MC-----
M05 - Hatsukoi no Yukue to Playball (NMB Seven, Yabushita for Jo)
M06 - Nagisa no Cherry (Main: Kato)
M07 - Warukii (Watanabe Miyuki; Backdancers: KKS)
M08 - Senaka kara Dakishimete (Yamada, Fukumoto, Ogasawara, Jonishi, Kadowaki, Matsuda, Shiroma)
M09 - Bird (Yamamoto S, Yamaguchi, Kishino)
M10 - Ame no Doubutsuen (Elephant: Yabushita, Chimpanzee: Yamauchi, Rest: yet unknown, will be updated)
M11 - Boku ga mou sukoshi daitan nara (Akagumi)
M12 - Saigo no Catharsis (Shirogumi)
-----MC-----
M13 - B Stars (KKS)
M14 - Yokosuka Curve (Team N)
M15 - Kobushi no Seigi (N+KKS)
-----MC-----
M16 - Nagiichi
M17 - Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo
M18 - Oh My God!
M19 - Junjou U-19
M20 - Seishun no Lap Time
-----MC-----
M21 - Boku no Uchiage Hanabi (ALL)
----ENCORE-----
EN1 - Mousou Girlfriend (Senbatsu)
EN2 - NMB48 (ALL)
EN3 - Arigatou (ALL)

Third Show, Nara Centennial Hall  (Nara Prefecture)
Date: August 1

Same setlist and members as first show except for two changes:
M06 - Rider
M13 - Haru ichiban ga fuku koro

Fourth Show, Wakayama Municipal Auditorium  (Wakayama Prefecture)
Date: August 8

Same setlist and members as second show in Kyoto plus:
E04 - Virginity

Fifth Show, Kobe International House (Hyogo Prefecture)
Date: August 15

Same setlist and members as second show in Kyoto

Sixth and Seventh Show, Orix Theater, Osaka (Osaka Prefecture)
Date: August 21st
Team N+Team M+Kenkyusei (Total 52 members)

M01 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare!
M02 - Flying Get
M03 - Nande ya nen, Idol
M04 - Mina-san mo go-issho ni
-----MC-----
M05 - Mousou Girlfriend
M06 - Nagekiss de Uchiotose
M07 - Nagisa no Cherry (Main: Kushiro )
M08 - Warukii
M09 - Senaka kara dakishimete
M10 - Ame no Doubutsuen
M11 - Bird
M12- Tengoku Yarou
-----MC-----
M13 - Sunahama de Pistol (Namba Teppoudai Sono Ichi)
M14 - Hatsukoi no Yukue to Playball
M15 - Yakusoku yo
M16 - B Stars
M17 - Yokosuka Carve
M18 - Kobushi no Seigi
-----MC-----
M19 - Nagiichi
M20 - Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo
M21 - Oh My God!
M22 - Junjou U-19
M23 - Seishun no Laptime
-----MC-----
M24 - Boku no Uchiage Hanabi

----ENCORE-----
EN1 - Virginity
EN2 - NMB48
EN3 - Arigatou

Nogizaka46 3rd Single [Hashire! Bicycle] Tracklisting

The tracklisting for Nogizaka46's 3rd single [Hashire! Bicycle] have been revealed. The single will be released on 22nd August 2012. It will be released in three CD+DVD editions and one CD only edition. The DVD contents are not yet fully announced, although it is known that the Type A coupling song [Namida ga Mada Kanashimi datta Koro] has a PV which was shown on their official website for a limited time only. There will also be individual member "casual trip" dating videos.

Nogizaka46 3rd Single
Hashire! Bicycle
走れ!Bicycle
22 August 2012

Type A   1,600yen	[CD] 01. Hashire! Bicycle 02. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri 03. Namida ga Mada Kanashimi datta Koro 04. Hashire! Bicycle (off vocal.) 05. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri (off vocal.) 06. Namida ga Mada Kanashimi datta Koro (off vocal.) [DVD] 01.  Hashire! Bicycle PV TBA
Type B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Hashire! Bicycle 02. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri 03. Hito wa Naze Hashiru no ka? 04. Hashire! Bicycle (off vocal.) 05. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri (off vocal.) 06. Hito wa Naze Hashiru no ka? (off vocal.) [DVD] 01.Hashire! Bicycle PV TBA
Type C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Hashire! Bicycle 02. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri 03. Oto ga Denai Guitar 04. Hashire! Bicycle (off vocal.) 05. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri (off vocal.) 06. Oto ga Denai Guitar (off vocal.) [DVD] 01. Hashire! Bicycle PV TBA
Regular 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Hashire! Bicycle 02. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri 03. Kairyuu no Shima yo 04. Hashire! Bicycle (off vocal.) 05. Sekkachi na Katatsumuri (off vocal.) 06. Kairyuu no Shima yo (off vocal.)

Watanabe Mayu 2nd Single [Otona Jelly Beans] 1st Day Sales

The first day sales for Watanabe Mayu's second solo single [Otona Jelly Beans] are out. She sold 38,109 copies to place number 3 in the Oricon Daily Chart. A long way off the 1st place sales of 172,299 and quite a way behind the 2nd place single's sales of 44,396.

Mayuyu's first single [Synchro Tokimeki] sold 50,145 on day one, so this is quite a drop. Although the other AKB48 soloists also saw drops in sales from their first to second singles.

AKB48 Album [1830m] Tracklist + Covers

The tracklist for AKB's album [1830m] is out. The 2 disc CD album comes out on August 15 contains some old tracks plus a lot of new ones. CD 2 contains all new tracks. We also finally get the zenza girls song studio recorded!. The track [Gu~ Gu~ Onaka] is a song from 2010 used for Mezamashi Campaign CM. While [Daiji na Jikan] for Wonda CM, [Yasashisa no Chizu] for Red Cross CM and [Itterasshai] for Wonda Morning Shot CM.  The theater version of the album excludes tracks 11, 13, 14 and 15 from disc 2. Check out the tracklist:

AKB48
1830m
15 August 2012

2CD+DVD Back Cover 3,200yen Theater Edition Back Cover

[CD 1] 01. First Rabbit 02. Ougon Center 03. Miniskirt no Yousei (Izuta Rina, Saeed Yokota Erena, Hirata Rina) 04. Ue kara Mariko 05. Anti 06. Lemon no Toshigoro (Kobayashi Marina, Natori Wakana, Sasaki Yukari, Muto Tomu) 07. Renai Sousenkyou (YM7: Takajo Aki, Kasai Tomomi, Komori Mika, Sato Sumire, Miyazaki Miho, Takeuchi Miyu, Sashihara Rino) 08. Yasai Uranai 09. Everyday, Kachuusha 10. Hashire! Penguin 11. Romance Kakurenbo (Omori Miyu) 12. Tsubomitachi 13. Jeung ya Freud no Baai 14. Flying Get 15. Kaze wa Fuiteiru 16. Sakura no Ki ni Narou 17. GIVE ME FIVE! [CD 2] 01. Hate (Team A) 02. Plastic no Kuchibiru (Shinoda Mariko) 03. Omoide no Hotondo (Takahashi Minami, Maeda Atsuko) 04. Iede no Yoru (Team K) 05. Scandalous ni Ikou (Kojima Haruna, Oshima Yuko) 06. No-kan (Team B) 07. Avocado Jane~shi (Watanabe Mayu, Sashihara Rino) 08. Chokkaku Sunsshine (Team 4) 09. Bokutachi wa Ima Hanashiau Bekinanda (Kashiwagi Yuki, Itano Tomomi) 10. Sakuranbo to Kodoku (Kenkyuusei) 11. Daiji na Jikan (Kojima Haruna, Shinoda Mariko, Takahashi Minami, Maeda Atsuko, Itano Tomomi, Kashiwagi Yuki, Watanabe Mayu, Oshima Yuko) 12. Itsuka Mita Umi no Soko (Up and coming girls: Watanabe Mayu, Iriyama Anna, Kawaei Rina, Shimazaki Haruka, Matsui Jurina, Oshima Ryoka, Kato Rena, Kizaki Yuria, Yagami Kumi, Kimoto Kanon, Yamada Nana, Watanabe Miyuki, Jo Eriko, Sugamoto Yuko, Kodama Haruka, Miyawaki Sakura) 13. Gu~Gu~ Onaka (Maeda Atsuko, Fujie Reina, Sato Sumire, Iwasa Misaki, Nito Moeno, Ishida Haruka, Sato Amina, Komori Mika, Maeda Ami) 14. Yasashisa no Chizu (Shinoda Mariko, Takahashi Minami, Yokoyama Yui, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kato Rena, Iriyama Anna, Shimazaki Haruka, Kizaki Yuria, Kodama Haruka, Jo Eriko) 15. Itterasshai (Kojima Haruna, Shinoda Mariko, Takajo Aki, Takahashi Minami, Maeda Atsuko, Itano Tomomi, Oshima Yuko, Minegishi Minami, Yokoyama Yui, Kashiwagi Yuki, Watanabe Mayu, Sashihara Rino) 16. Aozora yo, Sabishikunaika? (AKB48+SKE48+NMB48+HKT48) 17. Sakura no Hanabiratachi (Maeda Atsuko) [DVD] Choreography (2:30 min ver) -Everday, Kachuusha -Flying Get -Kaze wa Fuiteiru -Ue Kara Mariko

Daiji na Jikan (starts from 1:50)  Gu~Gu~ Onaka   Yasashisa no Chizu   Itterasshai

Nogizaka46 3rd Single [Hashire! Bicycle] Covers Revealed

The covers for Nogizaka46's 3rd single [Hashire! Bicycle] have been revealed. The single will be released on 22nd August 2012.

Type A features Ikoma Rina whilst Type B features Sakurai Reika. Type C features Ikuta Erika and Hoshino Minami. The Regular CD only edition features Hashimoto Nanami, Shiraishi Mai, Matsumura Sayuri, and Nishino Nanase.

Type A and B

 

  

Type C and Regular

It seems odd to me to only feature so few members on the covers, with two solo covers at that. I'm also surprised that none of the covers used the striking costumes from the promo image and PV.

Sashihara Rino Special Send-Off Show Setlist

On 23rd July 2012, Sashihara Rino performed her final show as a member of Team A. Sashihara has already started performing as the 17th member of HKT48's Team H, after her transfer there from AKB48.

To mark her final appearance, a special show was performed in the AKB48 Theatre with all of the Team A members. This show started out like a normal performance of Team A's 6th Stage [Mokugekisha], however after the unit songs, the show turned into a special farewell party. Team A performed three singles, followed by [Itoshiki Natasha], Sasshi's unit song from Team B's 4th Stage. She then performed her debut solo single [Soredemo Suki da yo] before HKT48 appeared on stage to perform two songs. The show ended with both Team A and HKT48 performing together, marking Sashihara's transition. Finally, Oya Shizuka read out a letter from Kitahara Rie.

The full set list is below:

Zenza Girls: 1. Miniskirt no Yosei Team A (performing half of A6): 2. Mokugekisha 3. Zenjin Mitou 4. Ibitsu na Shinju 5. Akogare no Pop Star MC 6. Ude wo Kun de 7. Enjou Rosen 8. Itoshisa no Accel 9. Hoshi no Mukougawa 10. Saboten to Gold Rush Team A special Sasshi send-off: MC 11. Heavy Rotation 12. Iiwake Maybe 13. Manatsu no Sounds Good! MC 14. Itoshiki Natasha Sashihara Rino solo: 15. Soredemo Suki da yo MC HKT48: 16. Te wo Tsunaginagara 17. Chime wa LOVE SONG HKT48 & Team A: MC 18. Aitakatta 19. Sakura no Hanabiratachi Oya Shizuka reads out letter from Kitahara Rie.

Nonaka Misato to star in [Hitori Kakurenbo Gekijoban Shin - Toshi Densetsu] Movie

Nonaka Misato will play the lead female role Kurata Sakura in the movie [Hitori Kakurenbo Gekijoban Shin - Toshi Densetsu] to be released September 1st.

Micha and co-star Ayukawa Taiyo are members of their high school movie club. They are shooting a film around the game hitori kakurenbo (hide-and-seek alone). This is some kind of occult game one plays alone at 3am. It involves putting some of your bodily samples (eg/ your fingernail clippings) in a teddy bear/doll, and summoning a spirit into it in your bathroom. Then you play hide-and-seek with it, with the aim being to stab the teddy bear with a knife, then spitting salt water or sake all over it, before setting it alight. If you lose the game, the spirit will possess your body.

This is not the first movie to be made about hitori kakurenbo, with the first released in 2008.

Watch the trailer below:

Official website: http://manchikan.com/toshidensetsu/

Kashiwagi Yuki Solo Concert Setlist + Single Announcement

Kashiwagi Yuki performed her first ever solo concert on July 13th at Nakano Sun Plaza to 2000 lucky fans who won tickets through a lottery connected with her [Yu, Yu, Yukirin...] photobook. She performed a full set of songs, including those from AKB48, French Kiss, and other idol groups.

During the encore, it was announced that Yukirin would be releasing a solo single. No release date is yet set for this. After the announcement, Kuramochi Asuka and Takajo Aki joined her on stage to perform two songs as French Kiss, including their lastest single [Romance Privacy].

The full setlist of the concert is below, with the original artist in brackets.

01. Kakkowarui I Love You! (French Kiss)
02. Aru Aki no hi no Koto (French Kiss)
03. BINGO! (AKB48)
04. Sora mo Toberu Hazu (Spitz)
05. Chocotto LOVE (Pucchimoni)
06. Momoiro Kataomoi (Matsuura Aya)
07. Nagisa no Balcony (Matsuda Seiko)
08. Sekai no Namida (French Kiss)
09. Chinmoku (French Kiss/solo)
10. Rainy Day (French Kiss)
11. Kanzanbai (French Kiss/solo)
12. Yokaze no Shiwaza (AKB48/solo)
13. Flying Get (AKB48)
14. If (French Kiss)

Encore:
15. Dragon Fruit no Tobegoro (French Kiss)

Performed with French Kiss:
16. Saisho no Mail (French Kiss)
17. Romance Privacy (French Kiss)

Yukirin played the piano during the performance of [Sekai no Namida].

The announcement of a solo single was a great birthday present to Yukirin, whose 21st birthday was only two days after this concert. Her solo songs with both AKB48 and French Kiss are always really lovely so I'm looking forward to this single and really pleased for her.

New SKE48 Horror Mobile-drama [Gakkou no Kaidan]

Not exactly "new", but I'm clearing up some old news that weren't posted

Several members of SKE48 have been casted in a new horror drama made available exclusively to mobile devices, [Gakkou no Kaidan]. A revival of the hugely popular film of the same name released in 1995, this is SKE48's first time attempting a horror drama. Mobile distribution will start on 20 July, 2012 on BeeTV, and will be updated every Wednesday and Saturday.

Gakkou no Kaidan will be a total of 15 episodes, each a different short story about 10mins long featuring either 1 or 3 SKE48 member(s). Interestingly, the SKE48's aces Matsui Rena and Matsui Jurina will not be acting in the short stories, but instead will do the narration at the start of every episode.


Gakkou no Kaidan
学校の怪談
School Ghost Story
Official Website: http://pre.beetv.jp/pages/kowai_natsu/
TV Network: Bee TV
Start Date: 20 July, 2012
Schedule: Every Wednesday and Saturday
Cast: SKE48



Narrators: Matsui Rena, Matsui Jurina

Episode 1: Hyouite kuru (Oya Masana)
Episode 2: Odoriba no E (Ogiso Shiori, Hara Minami, Umemoto Madoka)
Episode 3: Ichimatsu Ningyou (Takayanagi Akane)
Episode 4: Hannin no Senaka (Kizaki Yuria, Yagami Kumi, Hiramatsu Kanako)
Episode 5: Jintai Mokei (Suda Akari, Furukawa Airi, Matsumoto Rina)
Episode 6: Wakare no Kyoku (Yagami Kumi, Mukaida Manatsu, Kato Rumi)
Episode 7: Oshizuka ni (Kimoto Kanon)
Episode 8: Mary-san (Kizaki Yuria)
Episode 9: Yoisho (Kuwabara Mizuki)


Honestly I've never liked horror shows, and this one already freaks me out just from the trailer (OH GOD THOSE EYES). I'll try to give the show a go though. Whether I manage to stay alive through the series will be another thing. SKE no tame ni!

French Kiss 5th Single [Romance Privacy] 1st Day Sales

French Kiss placed #2 on the Oricon Daily Chart with first day sales of their 5th single [Romance Privacy]. They sold 47,194 copies, whilst first place NEWS sold 121,097 copies of their single Chankapana.



French Kiss's 4th single [Saisho no Mail] did reach number one on its first day salesm, with 66,582 copies, but released a day earlier than is standard. [Romance Privacy] also fails to beat the first day sales of their 3rd single [Kakkowarui I Love You!] which sold 56,334 copies.

These sales figures are quite a drop for French Kiss, hopefully they will pick up during the week. However, all members did rank lower in this years senbatsu election than last years, and the AKB48 release schedule is quite crowded at the moment.

NMB48 Tour Setlist+4th Generation Audition

NMB48 has held the first concert of their Kinki tour [Mina-san, chapu chapu shimasho] in Shiga prefecture today. It's NMB48's second tour after they already toured Osaka Prefecture. While the last time only Team N performed, this time Team M and some Kenkyusei also participated. Check out the setlist below.

As we are used from x48, today's concert came with an annoucement. The 4th Generation auditions will be held from August 1 on.


NMB48近畿ｺﾝｻｰﾄﾂｱｰ ～みなさん､ちゃぷちゃぷしましょ～
NMB48 Kinki Concert Tour ~Mina-san, chapu chapu shimasho~
Date: 18th July~ 21st August

First Show, Otsu Shimin Kaikan, Otsu (Shiga Prefecture)
Date: July 18th

M01 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare! (Team N)
M02 - Flying Get (Team M)
M03 - Nande ya nen, Idol (N+M)
M04 - Mina-san mo go-issho ni (N+M, Speaking part: Jonishi Kei)
-----MC-----
M05 - Hatsukoi no Yukue to Playball (NMB Seven)
M06 - Nagekiss de Uchiotose! (Yagura Fuuko, Matsuda Shiori, Yoshida Akari, Kotani Riho, Yogi Keira, Murase Sae)
M07 - Warukii (Watanabe Miyuki;, Backdancers: Ishida, Togo, Takayama, Kobayashi )
M08 - End Roll (Yamamoto Sayaka, Okita Ayaka, Kondo Rina, Kinoshita Haruna)
M09 - Tengoku Yarou (Ogasawara Mayu, Fujita Runa, Mita Mao, Kawakami Rena)
M10 - Itoshiki Natasha (Takano Yui, Shimada Rena, Ota Riona)
M11 - Migi e Magare (Akagumi)
M12 - Doryoku no Shizuku (Shirogumi)
-----MC-----
M13 - Yakusoku yo (Team M)
M14 - Yokosuka Curve (Team N)
M15 - Kobushi no Seigi (N+M)
-----MC-----
M16 - Nagiichi (Senbatsu, Yogi Keira for Kinoshita Momoka)
M17 - Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo
M18 - Oh My God!
M19 - Junjou U-19 (Yamaguchi Yuuki for Kinoshita Momoko)
M20 - Seishun no Lap Time
-----MC-----
M21 - Boku no Uchiage Hanabi (ALL)
----ENCORE-----
EN1 - Virginity (Senbatsu, Shinohara and Matsuda for Yabushita and Kato)
EN2 - NMB48 (Non-Senbatsu)
EN3 - Arigatou (ALL)

HKT48 [Love Party] at Space World

On July 14th, HKT48 hosted an event named [Love Party] at Space World, near Fukuoka. The mini-live was open to 750 people who had tickets to the theme park that day. Children were invited on-stage to dance with HKT48 during their performance of Aitakatta and received a free t-shirt.

The setlist of their performance was:

1. Te wo Tsunaginagara
2. Chime wa LOVE SONG
3. Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara
4. Kimi to Niji to Taiyou to
5. Aitakatta
6. Heavy Rotation
7. Manatsu no Sounds Good!

HKT48 are involved in other promotional events at Space World until September. Visitors can win signed goods, try food recommended by members, and there is the chance of even bumping into a member, or hearing one make one of the announcements.

Official website: http://www.spaceworld.co.jp/events/hkt48/index.html

This event looked really fun! Its great to see HKT48 performing more outside the theatre, and Space World looks like it could be a fun theme park to visit if you are ever in the Fukuoka area.

Masuda Yuka withdraws from Janken competition and Tokyo Dome concerts

At Team B's National Tour Concert on July 10th, Masuda Yuka announced that she will not be participating in AKB48's Tokyo Dome Concerts. She had previously announced that she would not be partaking in the Janken tournament to decide the senbatsu members for AKB48's 29th single.

The reason for her withdrawal is to concentrate on rehearsals for Miyamoto Amon's version of The Wizard of Oz, which starts on September 28th, 2012. Yuka was cast in the lead role of Dorothy in the musical. The musical will tour Yokohama, Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya until November.

Performing a concert at Tokyo Dome has long been a dream of AKB48, so for Yuka to withdraw, this musical must be really important. I wish her all the success and hope this acts as a launching point for the rest of her career.

Matsui Sakiko to star in upcoming movie [Bingo]

Matsui Sakiko is to star in the movie [Bingo] which will be released in cinemas on September 22nd. This horror movie was written by Yamada Yuusuke and directed by Fukada Youhei.

Set in the year 20XX, the film revolves around a game of human bingo where the losers are subject to the death, facing immediate execution. The unlucky prisoners all sit in a big grid, hoping their number doesn't come up in the lottery.

Watch the teaser trailer, as introduced by Sakippe, below:

Matsui Sakiko To Host [Yomikyou Symphonic Live] TV show

Team K's Matsui Sakiko has been chosen as the host of a new classical music show [Yomikyou Symphonic Live]. It is scheduled to air once a month starting 15th August, 2012 on Nippon Television. The show will follow the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (Yomikyou).

On the show, Sakippe will interview conductors and musicians, and also give us some behind-the-scenes footage of training sessions and backstage activities.

Sakippe has a rich background in classical music. Currently studying in the Tokyo College of Music, she has being playing the piano since childhood and even performed Chopin's Revolutionary Etude live at AKB48's Yoyogi Concert. Her solo piano album is planned for later in the year.


Yomikyou Symphonic Live
読響シンフォニックライブ
TV Network: NTV
Schedule: Monthly, 3rd Wednesday of every month
Air Time: Wednesday 26:29 ~ 27:29
Broadcast starts: 15 August 2012
Official Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/yomikyo/

Host: Matsui Sakiko

This is a great opportunity for Sakippe to showcase her classical music knowledge and is a great way to introduce idol fans into classical music, bridging the gap between the two different genres.

AKB48 27th Single Titled [Gingham Check]

The title of AKB48's 27th single has been announced to be [Gingham Check] and will be released on August 29th. The senbatsu for this single was elected by fans, the full results of which can be found here. Oshima Yuko was voted number one and thus takes the centre position in the single.

The song was first performed on the July 14th broadcast of Ongaku no Hi which you can watch below:

The Future Girls coupling song is titled [Show Fight] and is being used in the following HP Ultrabook CM:

The style of this single is very reminiscent of Nogizaka46 both in the music and in the checked outfits worn in the debut TV performance. It is quite different from the previous election winning songs but I like it a lot.

AKB48 New Album Titled [1830m] and Track Details Revealed

AKB48's new album has been titled [1830m]. This title matches that of the forthcoming concerts [AKB48 in TOKYO DOME ～1830m no Yume～] scheduled for August 24-26. Performing a concert at Tokyo Dome has long been AKB48's dream, with their official blog title meaning "The Path to Tokyo Dome". 1830m is the distance between their theatre in Akihabara and Tokyo Dome, so reflects the journey they have taken to reach their goal.

[1830m] will be released on August 15th on 2xCD + DVD. It will feature 30 tracks including:

- First Rabbit
- Ougon Centre
- Miniskirt no Yousei
- Ue Kara Mariko
- Anti
- Lemon no Toshigoro
- Renai Sousenkyo
- Yasai Uranai
- Everyday, Kachuusha
- Hashire! Penguin
- Romance Kakurenbo
- Tsubomitachi
- Jung ya Freud no Baai
- Flying Get
- Kaze wa Fuiteiru
- Sakura no Ki ni Narou
- GIVE ME FIVE!

The DVD will contain PVs of
- Everyday, Kachuusha
- Flying Get
- Kaze wa Fuiteiru
- Ue Kara Mariko
- Also choreography bonus footage is planned

These songs are a mix of single tracks, theatre edition tracks, Zenza girls songs, and the song from the movie [Documentary of AKB48: Show Must Go On]. This means there is a possibility of up to 13 new songs. Akimoto Yasushi previously stated on NHK Radio that there may be 12 new songs, and has mentioned on Google+ that he was working on a solo song for Shinoda Mariko for this album.

As per the single releases, the Theatre Edition of the album also includes a handshake ticket. The novelty of the three handshake events associated with this album is that there is also the possibility of winning a 2-shot photo of yourself and the member you have a ticket to.

AKB48 14th Generation Kenkyuusei Revealed

Six new members of AKB48 have been announced as the 14th generation of Kenkyuusei. They are:

Uchiyama Natsuki (25 September 1995, Kanagawa)
Okada Nana (7 November 1997, Kanagawa)
Kojima Mako (30 May 1997, Tokyo)
Nishino Miki (4 April 1999, Shizouka)
Hashimoto Hikari (17 June 1997, Kanagawa)
Maeda Mitsuki (5 October 1998, Tokyo)

The first performance by any 14th generation members was Natsuki, Mako, Miki, and Mitsuki performing the Zenza girls song [Lemon no Toshigoro] at the 9th July Team K theatre performance of [RESET].

NMB48 5th Single [Virginity] Covers Revealed

The covers for NMB48's 5th single [Virginity] have been revealed.

While Type A and B feature half of the Senbatsu members each, Type C cover is a two shot of Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki, and the cover of the Theater Version shows the five frontgirls Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Yamada Nana, Fukumoto Aina and Ogasawara Mayu.

Which cover do you like the most?

Type A, Type B

Type C, Theater Edition

Type A and B are cute but nothing special. Type C cover is really unusual, I like it. It is also nice they decided to put more girls on the theater version cover than the usual three.

AKB48 [Team Surprise] formed for Pachinko tie-in, with 12 new songs

On 12th July at Yokohama Arena, Team Surprise was announced as a tie-in for Pachinko company Kyoraku.

The Team Surprise members are:

Team A: Maeda Atsuko, Takahashi Minami, Takajo Aki, Shinoda Mariko, Kojima Haruna
Team K: Oshima Yuko, Itano Tomomi, Yokoyama Yui, Miyazawa Sae, Minegishi Minami
Team B: Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kitahara Rie
Team 4: Shimazaki Haruka
SKE48 Team S: Matsui Rena
HKT48 Team H: Sashihara Rino



As this is a tie-in for a pachinko machine, all members selected are 18 or over. At the event, Team Surprise, minus the absent Sashihara Rino, performed [Manatsu no Sounds Good!], [Heavy Rotation], [Flying Get], and a new song [Juuryoku Sympathy].

[Juuryoku Sympathy] will be the first of 12 new songs, with one unveiled each week. A CD release of these 12 songs is planned for the future. The songs will be arranged like a typical AKB48 stage, with unit songs. The composition of the unit songs are as yet unknown, apart from one consisting of Maeda Atsuko, Oshima Yuko, and Kashiwagi Yuki.

You can hear a clip of [Juuryoku Sympathy] below:



Official websites:
http://akb48-surprise.jp/
http://www.kyoraku.co.jp/product_site/2012/akb48

It is interesting that so many new songs will be released for this, particularly with the new album just around the corner. I wonder whether they will ever perform this live as a stage. We can also see Paruru appearing amongst standard senbatsu members again, and I am pleased for her. This is also a big leap from last years pachinko tie-in unit [Sukeban Girls] which only consisted of three members and two new songs.

NMB48 5th Single called [Virginity]+Tracklist announced

NMB48 has now revealed the title as well as the tracklist for their 5th single set to be released August 8. The single will be called [Virginity].

As previously reported, the single will include couplings from the usual Akagumi and Shirogumi as well as a new unit Namba Teppoutai Sono Ichi. Akagumi's song is called Sonzai shitenai mono (Things that do not exist), Shirogumi's Bokura no Regatta (Our Regatta) and Namba Teppoutai Sono Ichi's song will be Sunahama de Pistol (Pistol on the Beach). Apart from those the single also includes the CM song Mousou Girlfriend as well as a song called Chotto Nekoze.


NMB48 5th Single
Virginity
ヴァージニティー
08 August 2012

TYPE A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Virginity 02. Mousou Girlfriend 03. Bokura no Regatta / Shirogumi 04. Virginity (off vocal ver.) 05. Mousou Girlfriend (off vocal ver.) 06. Bokura no Regatta/ Shirogumi (off vocal ver.) [DVD] 01. Virginity (Music Video) 02. Virginity (Dance Version) 03. Mousou Girlfriend (Music Video) 04. Bokura no Regatta / Shirogumi (Music Video) 05. Special Clips "Oyasumi eizou" First Part
TYPE B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Virginity 02. Mousou Girlfriend 03. Sonzai shitenai mono / Akagumi 04. Virginity (off vocal ver.) 05. Mousou Girlfriend (off vocal ver.) 06. Sonzai shitenai mono/ Akagumi (off vocal ver.) [DVD] 01. Virginity (Music Video) 02. Virginity (Dance Version) 03. Mousou Girlfriend (Music Video) 04. Sonzai shitenai mono / Akagumi (Music Video) 05. Special Clips "Oyasumi eizou" Second part
TYPE C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Virginity 02. Mousou Girlfriend 03. Sunahama de Pistol/ Namba Teppoutai Sono Ichi 04. Virginity (off vocal ver.) 05. Mousou Girlfriend (off vocal ver.) 06. Sunahama de Pistol /Namba Teppoutai Sono Ichi(off vocal ver.) [DVD] 01. Virginity (Music Video) 02. Virginity (Dance Version) 03. Mousou Girlfriend (Music Video) 04. Sunahama de Pistol / Namba Teppoutai Sono Ichi (Music Video) 05. NMB feat. Yoshimoto Shinkigeki Vol. 4
Theater ver 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Virginity 02. Bokura no Regatta / Shirogumi 03. Sonzai shitenai mono / Akagumi 04. Chotto Nekoze 05. Virginity (off vocal ver.) 06. Bokura no Regatta / Shirogumi (off vocal ver.) 07. Sonzai shitenai mono / Akagumi (off vocal ver.) 08. Chotto Nekoze (off vocal ver.)

On other news, it has also been announced that the DVD of the 2nd Generation Kenkyuusei Stage [Party ga hajimaru yo] will be released on August 21.