Watanabe Mayu 3rd Single [Hikaru Monotachi] Tracklist

The tracklisting for Watanabe Mayu's third solo single [Hikaru Monotachi] has been announced. The DVD tracklistings are still unknown. [Hikaru Monotachi] will be released in five editions on November 21st. Three CD+DVD editions, one CD only edition, and one CD＋α edition which shares the same tracklisting as the CD only edition. It is currently not known what extras you get with the ＋α edition.

It is the 2nd track on each CD which varies with type, whilst track 3 is the same on all types. This is [Sayonara no Hoshi], the theme song to the anime film Nerawareta Gakuen, which Mayuyu voices a character in.

The DVDs will feature videos of Mayuyu wearing school uniforms from each of the 47 prefectures of Japan. There will be 47 collectible cards of Mayu in these uniforms in the A, B, C and +α editions.

Watanabe Mayu 3rd Single
Hikaru Monotachi
ヒカルものたち
21 November 2012

Type A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi 02. Chiheisen no kanata wa doko ni aru? - Beyond the horizon - 03. Sayonara no Hashi 04. Hikaru Monotachi (instrumental) 05. Chiheisen no kanata wa doko ni aru? - Beyond the horizon - (instrumental) 06. Sayonara no Hashi (instrumental) [DVD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi PV TBA
Type B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi 02. Heart no Soup 03. Sayonara no Hashi 04. Hikaru Monotachi (instrumental) 05. Heart no Soup (instrumental) 06. Sayonara no Hashi (instrumental) [DVD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi PV TBA
Type C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi 02. 2-ri no Yoake 03. Sayonara no Hashi 04. Hikaru Monotachi (instrumental) 05. 2-ri no Yoake (instrumental) 06. Sayonara no Hashi (instrumental) [DVD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi PV TBA
Regular 1,200yen	[CD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi 02. Koio fun Jatta 03. Sayonara no Hashi 04. Hikaru Monotachi (instrumental) 05. Koio fun Jatta (instrumental) 06. Sayonara no Hashi (instrumental)
CD＋α 2,000yen	[CD] 01. Hikaru Monotachi 02. Koio fun Jatta 03. Sayonara no Hashi 04. Hikaru Monotachi (instrumental) 05. Koio fun Jatta (instrumental) 06. Sayonara no Hashi (instrumental)

NMB48 to get LODs

It was announced that NMB48 will finally get LODs (LIVE!! ON DEMAND) on DMM.com. Daily shows performed in the theatre are uploaded there and can be viewed against a fee. DMM is the service that also provides LODs for the other groups of the x48 family.

Further information and the exact start date will be announced on a later date.

NMB48 on DMM: http://www.dmm.com/lod/nmb48/ (under construction)


This was about time! Up until now we had only a few DVDs for NMB48. Looking forward to see more theater performances from them.

AKB48 3rd Film [Documentary of AKB48: No Flower Without Rain] Announced

The 3rd AKB48 film [Documentary of AKB48: No Flower Without Rain] has been announced and will start screening in cinemas in Japan from February 1st, 2013.

The film will be directed by Takahashi Eiki, who directed last year's [Documentary of AKB48: Show Must Go On], but not the 2011 film [Documentary of AKB48: To Be Continued].

Similar to the previous film, this documentary will take a look at the biggest events that have occurred to AKB48 throughout 2012, including the graduation of ace, Maeda Atsuko, and the momentous concerts at Tokyo Dome. The film will mostly feature interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, and is even said to touch on the topic of "forbidden love" for idols.

Official website: http://www.2012-akb48.jp/

A documentary film has now become a yearly staple of AKB48, but nonetheless, I am looking forward to it because it always provides insights we don't get so see elsewhere, and we get a valuable look at what is actually going on within the group and what some of the members are feeling.

Iwasa Misaki 2nd Solo Single to be Released in January

AKB48's Iwasa Misaki will release her 2nd solo single in January 2013. This was announced today at an event in Aqua City, Odaiba. Wasamin's first enka single [Mujin Eki] was released back in Feburary 2012, so it is almost a year between releases, however, enka tends to work on longer timescales than pop.

 

I'm very happy for Wasamin that her 2nd single has been announced. Congratulations! It is her dream to be an enka singer, so it is great that AKB48 is enabling this to happen. Her first single was really enjoyable so looking forward to this one!

NMB48 Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki to release photobooks

NMB48's Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki will both release a photobook, the first solo ones for NMB48 members. The photobooks will be released at the same day, November 20, and the girls will compete against each other in terms of sales. The one who sold more copies in the first week will get to appear in a solo CM.

The pictures for Sayanee's photobook were taken in her home town Osaka, Okinawa and Nankoku. It is said to show different expressions from her, from relaxed to smiling, in other words to show her from "360 degrees".

Milky's photobook was shot in her home town Nara as well as other places like Kumano, Tokyo, Osaka etc. and will show her cute everyday charm.

Both photobooks will come with a poster.

You can find a few preview shots on the Oricon website
.

Yamamoto Sayaka 1st Photobook (Yet Untitled)
Release Date: November 20 2012
Price: 1,500yen
Publishing Company: Shueisha



Watanabe Miyuki 1st Photobook (Yet Untitled)
Release Date: November 20 2012
Price: 1,500yen
Publishing Company: Kobunsha


A photobook competition? That's something new. Both girls are so pretty and cute and I am really looking forward to see more shots. 

NMB48 Team N Matsuda Shiori to Graduate

NMB48 Team N member Matsuda Shiori has announced on October 18 that she will graduate from the group. The reason is that she does not feel completely commited anymore and wants to be a normal girl again. Her graduation show will be on October 24.

Matsuda Shiori is a 1st Generation member of NMB48 and an original member of Team N. She had to take a break from her activities from September to December last year when she was suspended but resumed her activities from January 2012 on after a fan voting.

Shiokichi is only the second Team N member to graduate, following Mori Ayaka who graduated in June 2011. But she is already the fifth (!) NMB48 member to leave in the past few weeks.


Matsuda Shiori's Comment to her fans:
Original Message

I, Matsuda Shiori, will graduate from NMB48.
For already a little while I did not have the confidence to continue my activities in NMB48 like this and I was worrying that it might be better to focus on my studies and return to being a normal girl again.
I think to continue my activities with this halfhearted feelings is a nuisance to the members and the fans who supported me and thought that this will also show in my performance. I was really happy for being able to work in NMB48 until now and it was fun. I was able to do a lot of things you normally can't experience, I was able to meet a lot of people, and both the fun things and the hard things are all memories.
I don't regret neither auditioning nor graduating.
I am really thankful to everyone who has supported me until now: all members, all fans, all staff members, my family and friends.
Thank you.

I cannot say I am surprised. Shiokichi did not get much attention or spotlight since she came back. It makes me sad she is leaving. I wish her all the best for her future.

Team 4 Final Concert Setlist

During the Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle it was announced that there would no longer be a Team 4 within AKB48. On the 17th October 2012, they performed their final concert together as part of the Nonaka Misato, Ugoku 47 Prefectures National Tour. Their final performance together will be at the AKB48 Theatre performing their first stage [Boku no Taiyou] on the 10th October 2012 marked their 1st anniversary as Team 4. [Enjoy 4] is the Team 4 version of [Wasshoi B] that they also performed at their two September dates of this tour.

Nonaka Misato, Ugoku 47 Prefectures National Tour Day 16, Ibaraki Date: 17 October 2012 M00 - Overture M01 - Heavy Rotation M02 - Everyday, Kachuusha M03 - Hatsukoi wa Minoranai M04 - Hashire! Penguin -----MC1----- M05 - Hajimete no Jelly Beans (Shimazaki Haruka, Kato Rena, Iriyama Anna) M06 - Blue Rose (Shimada Haruka, Nakamura Mariko, Nakamata Shiori, Tano Yuka) M07 - Wagamama na Nagareboshi (Ichikawa Miori, Nagao Mariya) M08 - Kuchiutsushi no Chocolate (Yamauchi Suzuran, Abe Maria, Takahashi Juri) M09 - Gomen ne, Jewel (Iwata Karen, Oba MIna, Kawaei Rina, Takeuchi Miyu) -----MC2----- M10 - Manatsu no Sounds Good! M11 - Ponytail to Shushu M12 - Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara M13 - BINGO! ------MC3----- M14 - Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka? M15 - 10nen Zakura M16 - Oogoe Diamond M17 - Iiwake, Maybe M18 - Beginner M19 - RIVER ------MC4----- M20 - Kaze wa Fuiteiru -----ENCORE----- M21 - Flying Get M22 - Enjoy 4 M23 - Boku no Taiyou M24 - Shoujotachi yo M25 - Gingham Check ------MC5 (Oba Mina)----- M26 - Arigatou -----END-----

   

I love Team 4 so it is hugely sad to see them go. I find it slightly strange that they didn't perform Chokakku Sunshine, and would have loved for them to perform the kenkyuusei songs Ougon Centre and Anti again. Their final stage performance is going to be full of emotion and I wish the girls well in their new teams.

Kasai Tomomi to Live off 10,000 yen for a Month in Reality TV Show

Kasai Tomomi will appear on reality TV show [1ヶ月1万円生活]. In this show, the contestants are given 10,000 yen to cover all living expenses for one month. This roughly translate to 125 US dollars, or 100 Euros, so it is a very tight budget, and the show is about how they survive living off this tiny amount of money.

At the end of the month, the contestant with the most amount of money left over is the winner. Kasai will be up against economic analyst Morinaga Takurou, and comedian Yoshimura Takashi from Heisei Nobushikobushi. The show will start airing from the 18th October 2012.

This show sounds hugely entertaining as the amount of money the contestants have to spend in a month is minuscule. It'll be very interesting to see how Kasai survives. In the past, Morning Musume member Michishige Sayumi appeared on the show and won.

NMB48 Kenkyusei Togo Sora leaves NMB48

Yet another NMB48 member has decided to leave: 3rd Generation Kenkyuusei Togo Sora decided to withdraw from NMB48 to focus on her studies. This was announced on October 11 and the decision came into effect the same day.

This announcement came only one day after Team BII was announced, which Togo did not made. Togo is already the 4th NMB48 member to leave since September 28, following Jo Eriko, Fujita Runa and Ota Riona.


Togo Sora's Comment to her fans:
Original Message

At last...finally...
The time has come I have to tell you.

I, Kenkyuusei Togo Sora, will withdraw from NMB48 today.
Thank you a lot for all that love you always gave me, no matter what time.

I talked to my parents about it several times, and I have accepted it...
but now even at this moment my heart is shaking.

It's been about 5 months since I debuted as a 3rd generation member.
Maybe people think it's to early to come to a conclusion.

I was worried about not being able to get into any selections (senbatsu) among the 3rd generation members,
and painful days without hope continued.
I do understand too, that I am not the only one for who it is painful.

On one side I think that I want to continue chasing my dream as a member of NMB48 together with the others...and that I have to work hard..., on the other side, my parents, who were unable to just watch, told me "There are times when it doesn't work out no matter how hard you work. It's not like someone is at fault, you're just a bit out of luck." If you really want to fulfill your dream (in entertainment business), why don't you concentrate on your studies now, which you should as a junior high student primarily do, in order to broaden your field of vision?".  For some reasons, I was relieved about these words, and as a result of worrying, I decided to focus on my studies.

I am completely satisfied seeing the Team BII members who debuted yesterday. I don't have any regrets left about my work.

It's just...parting with you is hard...

You, who alway supported me, who was full of worries, you, who cheered me on heartily, or recently said to me "No matter if you get into a team or not. Sora is sora. I'll always support you".

Management suggested a "graduation show" for me. I think to a Kenkyuusei like me, who has nothing to "graduate" from, "withdraw from activities" is the best decision. Please forgive me, who decided it this way, my selfishness.

I made a lot of precious experiences and I spent a happy time.

I'll continue to always support NMB48.

You who supported me, the staff members, first of all the theater manager, who guided me, my senpai, the 3rd Generation members who were always with me...I am full of thankful feelings to them all.

Thank you a lot

Kenkyuusei Togo Sora

I don't know Togo well so I can't say much about her decision. I can only say: I just don't like to see so many girls leave.

SKE48 [Request Hour Setlist Best 50 2012] Setlist

SKE48 held their 3rd ever Request Hour Setlist Best 50 2012 on 11-12 October 2012. Voting tickets were found within their 10th single [Kiss Datte Hidarikiki]. The first day results are in from 50-26 and showed surprising drops for some of their singles.

On day two, last year's winning song, the Matsui Rena solo song [Kareha no Station], dropped to number three. The winner was [Hazumisaki], a coupling song from single [Gomen ne, Summer], which only placed 15th last year. Kitahara Rie made her SKE48 debut during the encore - this follows the announcement of her dual AKB48/SKE48 membership during the Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle.

The full results are shown below with last year's results in brackets.


SKE48 Request Hour Setlist Best 50 2012
Zepp Nagoya

Day One
11 October 2012

50. (22) Shoujo wa Manatsu ni nani wo suru?
49. (29) Te wo tsunaginara
48. (19) Aozora Kataomoi
47. (9) Banzai Venus
46. (23) Temodemo no Namida
45. (NEW) Sunenagara, Ame
---MC---
44. (42) Dareka no sei ni wa shinai
43. (NEW) Ai no Iro
42. (NEW) Disco Hokenshitsu
---MC---
41. (32) Hanabi wa Owaranai
40. (NEW) Nante Ginga wa akarui no darou
39. (20) Choco no Yukue 
38. (NEW) Kamigami no Ryouiki
37. (NEW) Halation
---Footage from the theater---
36. (4) Oki Doki
35. (--) Nagisa no Cherry 
34. (37) Namida no Shounan
33. (16) Tenshi no Shippo
32. (NEW) Endroll
31. (NEW) Kamoku na Tsuki
---MC---
30. (NEW) Kiss datte Hidarikiki
29. (11) Mangekyou
28. (3) Pareo wa Emerald
27. (NEW) Aishite Raburu
---MC---
26. (18) Glory Days
---ENCORE---
EN01. Gingham Check
EN02. Everyday, Kachuusha
EN03. Ponytail to Shushu
EN04. Oogoe Diamond
EN05. Kaze wa fuiteiru

Day Two
12 October 2012

25. (NEW) Dakishimeraretara
24. (NEW) Wagamama na Nagareboshi
23. (28) Junjou Shugi
22. (34) Kizashi
21. (8) Gomen ne, Summer
20. (36) Anata to Christmas Eve
---MC---
19. (14) Koi wo kataru Shijin ni narenakute
18. (30) Bazooka-hou Hassha
17. (31) Usotsuki na Dachou
---MC---
16. (21) Kodoku na Ballerina
15. (NEW) Kataomoi Finally
---MC---
14. (2) Omatase Setlist
13. (17) Wimbledon e tsureteitte
---MC---
12. (14) Cross
11. (13) Manazashi Sayonara
10. (NEW) To be continued
---MC---
9. (NEW) Mushi no Ballad
8. (26) Nice to meet you
---MC---
7. (NEW) A-un no Kiss
6. (6) Finland Miracle
5. (7) Ookami to Pride
4. (NEW) Me ga itai kurai hareta Sora
3. (1) Kareha no Station
2. (5) Omoide ijou
1. (15) Hazumisaki
---ENCORE---
EN01. Mitsubachi Girl
EN02. Sono saki ni kimi ga ita
EN03. Shikatte yo, darling!
EN04. Hola hoop de GO! GO! GO!
EN05. 1! 2! 3! 4! Yoroshiku!
EN06. Nakama no Uta

NMB48 6th Single [Kitagawa Kenji] Covers+Tracklist out

NMB48 has released the covers and tracklist for its 6th single [Kitagawa Kenji] which will go on sale November 7. The single will come in four versions: Type A, B, C and the Theater Version.

As usual Type A and B include Akagumi and Shirogumi songs called Renai Higai Todoke (Love damage report) respectively Hoshizora no Caravan (Caravan of the starry sky). Type C includes Fuyushougun no Regret (General Winter's Regret) a song by Namba Teppudai Sono Ni, the new version of the unit Namba Teppoudai Sono Ichi. Additionally a song called In Goal will be included in all versions and the Theater Version will also have the song Nemuku naru made hitsuji wa dete konai (Until I become tired the sheep don't appear/come out).

NMB48 6th Single
Kitagawa Kenji
北川謙二
07 November 2012

TYPE A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji 02. In Goal 03. Hoshizora no Caravan / Shirogumi 04. Kitagawa Kenji (off vocal ver.) 05. In Goal (off vocal ver.) 06. Hoshizora no Caravan (off vocal ver.) [DVD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji (Music Video) 02. Kitagawa Kenji (Dance Version) 03. Hoshizora no Caravan / Shirogumi (Music Video) 04. 2nd NMB48 Swimming Tournament (Part 1)
TYPE B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji 02. In Goal 03. Renai Higai Todoke/ Akagumi 04. Kitagawa Kenji (off vocal ver.) 05. In Goal (off vocal ver.) 06. Renai Higai Todoke (off vocal ver.) [DVD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji (Music Video) 02. Kitagawa Kenji (Dance Version) 03. Renai Higai Todoke / Akagumi (Music Video) 04. 2nd NMB48 Swimming Tournament (Part2)
TYPE C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji 02. In Goal 03. Fuyushougun no Regret/ Namba Teppoutai SonoNi 04. Kitagawa Kenji (off vocal ver.) 05. In Goal (off vocal ver.) 06. Fuyushougun no Regret /Namba Teppoutai Sono Ni (off vocal ver.) [DVD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji (Music Video) 02. Kitagawa Kenji (Dance Version) 03. Fuyushougun no Regret (Music Video) 04. NMB feat. Yoshimoto Shinkigeki Vol.5 05. Kitagawa Kenji Making of
Theater ver 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Kitagawa Kenji 02. Hoshizora no Caravan / Shirogumi 03. Renai Higai Todoke / Akagumi 04. Nemuku naru made hitsuji wa dete konai 05. Kitagawa Kenji (off vocal ver.) 06. Hoshizora no Caravan / Shirogumi (off vocal ver.) 07. Renai Higai Todoke / Akagumi (off vocal ver.) 08. Nemuku naru made hitsuji wa dete konai (off vocal ver.)

Kitagawa Kenji Senbatsu
Team N: Ogasawara Mayu, Kadowaki Kanako, Kishino Rika, Kotani Riho, Jonishi Kei, Shiroma Miru, Fukumoto Aina, Yamada Nana, Yamamoto Sayaka, Yoshida Akari, Watanabe Miyuki
Team M : Tanigawa Airi, Yagura Fuuko
Team BII: Kato Yuka, Yabushita Shu,  
Team yet unknown : Yokoyama Yui

Shirogumi
Team N: Ogasawara Mayu, Kondo Rina, Yamamoto Sayaka, Yoshida Akari
Team M: Azuma Yuki, Okita Ayaka, Kinoshita Momoka, Takano Yui
Team BII: Akazawa Hono, Yamauchi Tsubasa
Kenkyuusei: Hayashi Momoka
Team unknown: Yokoyama Yui


Akagumi
Team N: Kinoshita Haruna, Fukumoto Aina, Yamaguchi Yuuki, Yamada Nana, Watanabe Miyuki
Team M: Kawakami Rena, Shimada Rena, Hikawa Ayame, Mita Mao, Yagura Fuuko
Team BII: Kurokawa Hazuki, Muro Kanako


Namba Teppoudai Sono Ni
Team N: Matsuda Shiori
Team M: Yagura Fuuko, Yamagishi Natsumi, Yamamoto Hitomi, Yogi Keira
Team BII: Katou Yuuka, Kushiro Rina, Yabushita Shu






 

NMB48 Team BII Members Announced

During the last part of the NMB48 2nd Anniversary Special Live on October 10, the members of  Team BII were revealed.

The team consists completely of 3rd Generation members. Yabushita Shu seems to be center of Team BII and Kamieda Emika was announced as captain. Two years after it started NMB48 is now finally complete with all three Teams.

Team BII will continue to perform the [Aitakatta] Stage they already performed as Kenkyuusei.

Team BII
Akazawa Hono
Ishizuka Akari
Ijiri Anna
Ueda Mirei
Umehara Mako
OotaYuri
Katou Yuuka
Kamieda Emika (Captain)
Kusaka Konomi
Kushiro Rina
Kurokawa Hazuki
Kono Saki
Kobayashi Rikako
Muro Kanako
Yabushita Shu (Center)
Yamauchi Tsubasa

So Team BII consist completely of 3rd Generation members...I think it's a good generation so that is ok, but I hoped for some 2nd Generation KKS, who have been in the group longer, to make it.
Now all spots are filled and Yokoyama Yui is not in. She is in NMB48 Senbatsu but does not have a team spot, I am a bit surprised.

NMB48 New Team M announced

As part of the NMB48 2nd Anniversary Special Live, Team M held a show at the theater on October 9 revealing its new line-up.

Three Kenkyuusei, Azuma Yuki, Koyanagi Arisa and Yamamoto Hitomi, have been promoted to Team M to replace the three girls who left. Yagura Fuuko will be the new center of Team M and she took over Jo Eriko's position in the currently ongoing stage show. Azuma Yuki took over Fujita Runa's position, Koyanagi Arisa is in Ota Riona's spot and Yamamoto Hitomi now does Yagura Fuuko's former position. Shimada Rena remains captain.

New Team M Line-up
Azuma Yuki (promoted)
Okita Ayaka
Kawakami Rena
Kinoshita Momoka
Koyanagi Arisa (promoted)
Shimada Rena (Captain)
Hikawa Ayame
Takano Yui
Tanigawa Airi
Mita Mao
Murakami Ayaka
Murase Sae
Yagura Fuuko (Center)
Yamagishi Natsumi
Yamamoto Hitomi (promoted)
Yogi Keira

I am happy about this new line-up. When they announced there was going to be a "New Team M", I was a bit afraid they'd shuffle NMB around. I am glad they didn't. And Koyanagi Arisa, the last remaining 1st Generation KKS, was finally promoted. Congratulations!

NMB48 2nd Anniversary Special Live Team N Setlist

To commemorate NMB48's 2nd anniversary Team N performed a special show in the theater on October 8. Originally, the Shonichi of N3 was scheduled for this date, but because N3 had been delayed, Team N performed a special setlist.

Some non-Team N members joined Team N for some of the songs and Yokoyama Yui also made an appearance in the theatre to perform [Kitagawa Kenji], NMB48's 6th single. The PV of the single was also shown for the first time.

The 2nd Anniversary Special Lives will continue with New Team M on October 9, and Team BII the following day.



NMB48 2nd Anniversary Special Live Team N
Date: 8th October

M01 - Mikazuki no Senaka
M02 - Nande ya nen, Idol 
M03 - NMB48
 -----MC-----
M04 - Renai no Speed (Yamamoto, Watanabe, Yamada, Fukumoto, Ogasawara, Jonishi, Shiroma)
M05 - Uso no Tenbin (as above)
M06 - Sunahama de Pistol (Namba Teppoudai Sono Ichi: Kotani, Matsuda, Hikawa, Murakami, Yagura, Yogi, Katou, Yabushita)
M07 - Skirt Hirari (Shinohara, Shiroma, Kinoshita H, Yoshida, Kondo)
M08 - Bird (Kishino, Yamada, Yamaguchi)
M09 - Tengoku Yarou (Ogasawara, Kadowaki, Fukumoto, Jonishi; Backdancers: Kotani, Yoshida, Matsuda, Kondo, Kinoshita H, Shinohara)
M10 - Warukii (Watanabe; Backdancers: Kobayashi, Ishida, Nakagawa, Takayama)
M11 - Jungle Gym (Yamamoto)
M12 - Mattemashita, Shingakki (1st Akagumi)
M13 - Boku ga Maketa Natsu (1st Shirogumi)
 -----MC-----
M14 - Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo
M15 - Oh my God!
M16 - Junjou U-19
M17 - Nagiichi
M18 - Virginity
 -----MC-----
M19 -Seishun no Laptime

----ENCORE-----
EN1 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare
EN2 - 10nen Zakura
EN3 - Kaze wa fuite iru
 -----MC-----
EN4 -Yakusoku yo (Team N, Yagura, Murakami, Hikawa, Yogi, Kato, Yabushita)
EN5 - Kitagawa Kenji (Senbatsu)

NMB48 Team M Ota Riona to graduate

On October 4, just one day after Fujita Runa announced her withdrawal from NMB48, another Team M member has announced to leave. First generation member Ota Riona will graduate from the group to focus on her studies. A graduation date will be announced on a later date.

On September 28 Jo Eriko graduated, on October 3 Fujita Runa left and now Ota Riona will go too. This makes three Team M girls in only a few days.Is this a coincidence or does it have to do with the announcement of New Team M on October 9?


Ota Riona's translated message
 Original Message

I have an announcement for you.
I, Ota Riona, will graduate from NMB48.

Two years ago I passed NMB48 (the audition) as a 1st Generation member. My whole family was very happy.

I was also chosen for the Shonichi of the "Dareka no Tame ni" stage show on January 1st, but I could not get into Team N. As a 1st Generation Kenkyuusei, frustrated, I learned a lot of positions. I remember the time when all 1st Generation Kenkyuusei said "Let's all be promoted together". I was very happy when I was chosen as a Team M member in January this year.

I chose a high school in Osaka and came alone from Gifu to Osaka. Because I was working hard by myself, I was also worrying about balancing my studies, and three months ago I started to think about graduating.

My dream is to become a singer and actress. For now, I want to focus on my studies, make time to find myself once again, and then move towards my dream from scratch again.

I am really thankful that I was able to make a lot of precious experiences normal girls cannot make in my two years in NMB48. The 8 months I was able to be active in Team M were a lot of fun. Thank you really. I love NMB48.

Because I have not given up on my dream, I want to continue doing my best in my own pace from now on too.

Lastly, to the fans who have supported me, staff, all members: thank you for everything.

Nogizaka46 4th Single Senbatsu Revealed

The senbatsu for Nogizaka46 4th single was announced on today's [Nogizakatte Doko?]. The release date and title have not yet been set. The senbatsu is:

Ikuta Erika
Ikoma Rina
Hoshino Minami
Sakurai Reika
Hashimoto Nanami
Shiraishi Mai
Matsumura Sayuri
Akimoto Manatsu

Noujou Aimi
Saito Asuka
Wakatsuki Yumi
Inoue Sayuri
Fukagawa Mai
Ichiki Rena
Nishino Nanase
Takayama Kazumi

Instead of a kami 7, there is a hachifukujin, eight "lucky gods". These members will get the media spotlight. These are the first eight members in the above list, those not in italics.

One surprise is Akimoto Manatsu, above, who withdrew from the group to study shortly after its formation. She makes her reappearance here and it straight into the hachifukujin. She has stated her surprise at this selection and is anxious to how the fans will treat her but wants to do her best to be recognised as a Nogizaka46 member and accepted by the fans.

All Current AKB48 Stages to Finish in October, [Waiting Stages] with New Teams to Start in November

It was announced at the handshake event today in Iwate prefecture that all four of AKB48's current stages will end this month. The senshuuraku of each of the four stages are:

Team A - [Mokugekisha] - 29th October 2012
Team K - [RESET] - 24th October 2012
Team B - [Theater no Megami] - 22nd October 2012
Team 4 - [Boku no Taiyou] - 25th October 2012

From 1st November 2012, the New Teams announced during the Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle will perform [Waiting Stages]. These will consist of a selection of existing AKB48 songs. These Waiting Stages will continue until new stages are ready for the new teams. Only 16 members from each of the three new teams will participate in each performance. With these members rotating from show to show. Read the member lists for the New Teams A, K and B here.

SKE48 4th Anniversary Concert Setlist

SKE48 celebrated their 4th Anniversary by holding a special concert at Zepp Nagoya on the 5th October 2012. Of note is that graduated members returned to participate in unit song, these are marked in bold in the setlist below. The concert can be bought on the download service DMM.com which sells SKE48 Live On Demand performances (in Japan only). New dual AKB48/SKE48 member Kitahara Rie only appeared via videolink.

SKE48 4th Anniversary Concert
5th October 2012
Zepp Nagoya

M01 - Kiss Datte Hidarikiki
M02 - Gomen ne, Summer
M03 - Aozora Katamaoi
M04 - Tsuyokimono yo
---MC---
M05 - Omoide Ijou (Furukawa, Ishida, Yakata, Yamashita Moe)
M06 - Kono Mune no Barcode (Kimoto, Tsuzuki, Kato R, Ono Haruka)
M07 - Pajama Drive (Matsui J, Umemoto, Kinoshita, Mano Haruka)
M08 - Namida no Shounan (Kuwabara, Matsui R, Takagi, Hiramatsu, Goto, Maeda Eiko, Ichihara Yuri)
M09 - Okami to Pride (Suda, Akaeda, Mori Sayuki)
M10 - Wimbledon e Tsureteitte (Furuhata, Ueno, Kobayashi A, Takai Tsukina, Mori Sayuki)
M11 - Classmate (Uchiyama, Saito, Kito, Iguchi, Takai Tsukina)
---MC---
M12 - Temodemo no Namida (Oya, Ogiso, Nakamura Yuka)
M13 - Choco no Yukue (Kizaki, Yagami, Sakai, Matsumoto, Shinkai Rina, Hirata Rikako)
M14 - Cross (Hara, Matsui J, Suga, Wakabayashi Tomoka)
M15 - Kagami no Naka no Janne D'Arc (Hirata, Nakanishi, Sato S, Deguchi, Takada, Yamada Erika)
M16 - Mangekyou (Matsui R, Yamada Rei, Abiru, Hata, Kaneko (Matsushita Yui, Ono Haruka)
M17 - Onna no Ko no Dairokkan  (Sato M, Mukaida, Yamashita, Shibata, Takeuchi, Hirata Rikako, Shinkai Rina)
M18 - Ame no Pianist (Takayanagi, Isohara, Kato T, Yamashita Moe, Matsushita Yui)
---MC---
M19 - Hula hoop de GO!GO!GO! (Team S)
M20 - Shikatte yo, Darling! (Team KII)
M21 - Mitsubachi Girl (Team E)
M22 - Sono Saki ni Kimi ga ita (Team KKS)
---MC---
M23 - Aishiraburu
M24 - Katamaoi, Finally
M25 - Oki Doki
M26 - Pareo wa Emerald
M27 - Banzai Venus
M28 - 1!2!3!4! Yoroshiku
M29 - Tegami no Koto
---VTR--- (Kitahara Rie)
M30 - Nakama no Uta
---ENCORE---
M31 - Rakuen no Kaidan (Team KKS)
M32 - Kizashi (Team E)
M33 - Seifuku no Me (Team KII)
M34 - Saka Agari (Team S)
M35 - Hanabi wa Owaranai
---MC---
M36 - Kaze no Fuiteru
M37 - SKE48