AKB48 36th Single [Labrador Retriever] Senbatsu

During AKB48's concert in the National Olympic Stadium on March 29, the group performed its new single which will be released on May 21st and will contain voting tickets for the senbatsu election. The single is called  [Labrador Retriever].

As usual for a pre-election single, the number of senbatsu members is higher than usual: for this single a total of 36 members were selected, the highest number for AKB48 together with [Manatsu no Sounds Good] which also featured 36 girls. Center is Watanabe Mayu. 17* members from AKB48, 7 from SKE48, 6 from NMB48 and also 6 from HKT48 were selected.

AKB48 single senbatsu newcomers are: Owada Nana, Okada Nana, Nishino Miki, Kitagawa Ryoha, Yabushita Shu and Shibuya Nagisa.

*all numbers follow the new team system, concurrencies not counted

36th Single  [Labrador Retriever] Senbatsu
AKB48
Iriyama Anna, Okada Nana, Owada Nana, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kato Rena, Kawaei Rina, Kizaki Yuria, Kitahara Rie, Kojima Haruna, Kojima Mako, Shimazaki Haruka, Takahashi Juri, Takahashi Minami, Nishino Miki, Minegishi Minami, Yokoyama Yui, Watanabe Mayu
SKE48
Oba Mina, Kitagawa Ryoha, Kimoto Kanon, Suda Akari, Furuhata Nao, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena
NMB48
Ichikawa Miori, Shibuya Nagisa, Yagura Fuuko, Yabushita Shu, Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki
HKT48
Ota Aika, Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Tashima Meru, Tomonaga Mio, Miyawaki Sakura

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NMB48 9th Single [Takane no Ringo] First Day Sales

NMB48's 9th single [Takane no Ringo] went on sale on March 26th marking the end of the 48-related release rush. The single took the top spot in the Oricon Daily Charts selling 368,719 copies.

Sales jumped up from the previous single [Kamonegikkusu] which sold 270,447 copies on its first day, almost 100,000 less that the current single. [Takane no Ringo]'s first day sales are the second highest for NMB48, only [Bokura no Eureka] sold more on day one (420,906 copies).

NMB48's daily sales are close to SKE48's weekly sales and most probably NMB48's first week sales will surpass SKE48. I didn't expect that at all...

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SKE48 14th Single [Mirai to wa?] First Week Sales

SKE48's 14th single [Mirai to wa?] finished its first week selling 397,874 copies. The single ranked first in the Oricon Weekly Charts, the 10th time in a row that SKE48 takes the top spot in this ranking.

Sales dropped compared to the previous single. [Sansei Kawaii!] (first week: 449,003) sold about 50,000 copies more in its first week. In fact, [Mirai to wa?] has SKE48's lowest first week sales since [Oki Doki] (first week: 382,802) back in 2011.

[Mirai to wa?] also tops the Soundscan ranking, taking rank 1~4. Total sales amount to 118,750 copies which tells us that theater edition sales must be approx. 280,000 copies.

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NMB48 Kobayashi Rikako Announces Graduation

On March 22, Team BII member Kobayashi Rikako announced her graduation from NMB48. Her dream is to become a fashion designer and she wants to focus on that now. Graduation details will be announced on a later date.

Kobayashi Rikako joined NMB48 in early 2012 as part of the 3rd Generation. She was selected for Team BII when it was formed in October the same year. In September last year she had to temporarily stop her NMB48 activites due to a foot injury but came back in December.  


Kobayashi Rikako's graduation announcement
Original Message

I, Kobayashi Rikako, will graduate from NMB48.
I am sorry that this is such a sudden announcement.
I have the dream of becoming a fashion designer in the future. During my remaining school life I want to study fashion, and prepare myself for the next step, so I decided to graduate NMB48.
There was the shuffle recently, but in my head I had already decided to graduate even before the shuffle was held.
The two years I have spent together with such wonderful members and with all my fans was such a great time that I really, really cannot express it with words. I am really proud of being able to work as a NMB48 3rd Generation and as a Team BII member.
There is only little time left, but I'd be happy if you watch over me kindly until the end.
Thank you very much.

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AKB48 Group 37th Single Senbatsu Election To Be Held in June

This year again AKB48 and its sister groups will hold an election to decide senbatsu members. The 37th Single Senbatsu Election will take place on June 7th in Ajinomoto Stadium. Voting tickets will be included in the 36th single which will be relased on May 21st. This 36th single will also include an Oshima Yuko graduation song called [Kyou made no Melody].

Again this time, there will be a candidate system for the election meaning that the eligible members can decide whether they want to participate in the election. Eligible are AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48 members but also former AKB48 members who are now members of overseas groups, i.e. Nakagawa Haruka and Chikano Rina. For the election, the new shuffled team system will be used.

A novelty this time is the number of ranks: 80 ranks instead of 64. The ranks 65~80 will be the 'Upcoming Girls'.

The 37th single with the elected members will go on sale sometime in August.



AKB48 37th Single Senbatsu Election
June 7, Ajinomoto Stadium

Eligible Members
1) AKB48 SKE48 NMB48 HKT48 Members (except members who have announced their graduation until March 22nd)
2) Former AKB48 members who have completely transfered overseas (Nakagawa Haruka, Chikano Rina)

Time Period for Announcing Candidacy 
March 31st, 2014 4:30 pm~April 6, 2014 11pm

Rank System
37th Single Senbatsu: 1~16
Undergirls: 17~32
Next Girls: 33~48
Future Girls: 49~64
Upcoming Girls: 65~80

Eligible to Vote
1) Members of AKB48's Official Fanclub Nihon Hashira no Kai
2) AKB48 Mobile members
3) Members of AKB48's Official smart phone app
4) AKB48 Live on Demand monthly subscribers
5) AKB48 OFFICIAL NET members
6) SKE48 Mobile members
7) SKE48 Live on Demand monthly subscribers
8) NMB48 Mobile members
9) NMB8 Live on Demand monthly subscribers 
10) HKT48 Mobile members
11) HKT48 Live on Demand monthly subscribers
12) Voting tickets included in AKB48's 36th single (title TBA) limited/regular/theater edition

Voting Period
May 20th, 2014 10 am ~June 6th, 2014 3pm

Official Election Homepage
http://www.akb48.co.jp/sousenkyo/37thsingle/ 

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HKT48 4 Kenkyuusei Promoted and Nationwide Tour Announced

HKT48 finished their first tour with a double concert in Fukuoka on March 21st. The tour finale came with three announcements. Newly appointed AKB48 Group General Manager Kayano Shinobu appeared during the evening concert and announced the promotion of 4 Kenkyuusei: Ui Mashiro and Ueno Haruka were promoted to Team H, Ito Raira and Iwahana Shino to Team KIV.

Until this day, these four girls were the only 2nd Generation members left unpromoted in HKT48. They joined the group in autumn 2012. Once the new team systems starts, HKT48 will only have 3rd Generation members left as Kenkyuusei, 1st and 2nd Generation were all promoted or left.

The second announcement was a second tour for HKT48. This time they will not be restricted to their home region Kyushu but will perform in various regions of Japan. The dates are:

April 29 Chiba Makuhari Messe, Chiba
May 2    Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka
May 11  Nagoya Gaishi Hall, Aichi
July 13  Uminonakamichi Sea Side Park, Fukuoka (Outdoor)

Apart from these two news, a new TV show for HKT48 has also been announced: HKT48 no Goboten will start in May on TV Nishinippon and will be broadcasted every Saturday at noon.

For the setlist of the final concerts, please see this post.

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NMB48 Miura Arisa Promoted to Team M

On March 20th, Team M finished their first tour with a concert in Osaka City and the tour finale came with a surprise announcement. Kenkyuusei Miura Arisa was promoted to Team M.

Miura Arisa is a 3rd Generation Kenkyuusei who joined NMB48 in early-2012. She was one of the few 3rd Generation members who weren't selected for Team BII but she kept working as a Kenkyuusei and was now rewarded. With her promotion only one 3rd Generation member, Takayama Riko, is left among the Kenkyuusei.

Apart from the promotion, the tour finale also included a graduation ceremony for captain Shimada Rena who will graduate on April 7 with a final theater show.

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SKE48 14th Single [Mirai to wa?] First Day Sales

SKE48's latest single [Mirai to wa?] was released on March 19th selling 273,740 copies on the first day. The single ranked first in the Oricon Daily Charts.

Sales went down for SKE48, [Mirai to wa?] is clearly behind the previous singles. [Sansei Kawaii] was sold 349,835 times on day one and [Utsukushii Inazuma] even 416,341 times.

Those numbers don't look too well compared to SKE48's recent sales. For the past singles, first day sales broke the 300,000 mark clearly and once even surpassed 400,000. Is this because of the AKB48 Group serial releases with all sister groups releasing within a month? 

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HKT48 3rd Single [Sakura, Minna de Tabeta] First Week Sales

HKT48's 3rd single [Sakura, Minna de Tabeta] was released on March 12th and has now finished its first week. The single topped the Oricon Weekly Charts selling 276,799 copies. First day sales amounted to 227,322 copies.

[Sakura, Minna de Tabeta] has HKT48's best first week sales, slightly higher than those of [Melon Juice] which sold 268,897 copies in week one.

Looking at the Soundscan numbers, the single's different versions take rank 1, 2 and 4 selling a total of 80,088 copies. Which means that as usual the Theater Version was sold the most by far, with almost 200,000 copies.

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SKE48 Team E Kito Momona Announces Graduation

On March 16, another SKE48 member announced her graduation: Kito Momona, member of Team E, will leave the group in April. An exact date is yet to be decided.

Kito Momona is a 2nd Generation member. She joined SKE48 in 2009 and became a Team KII member the same year.  At the end of 2010 she was demoted to Kenkyuusei alongside some other KII members. After more than one and a half year as Kenkyuusei she was promoted to Team S in August 2012 and then transferred to Team E during the SKE48 shuffle last year. As announced during the Dai Sokaku Matsuri, she was supposed to go back to Team S but Momona chose a different path in life and will now leave the group.

This is the fourth graduation announcement for SKE48 in a week. Two Kenkyuusei, Orito Aisa and Yamamoto Yuka, as well has Team S member Deguchi Aki had already declared their leave before today.

Kito Momona's graduation announcement
Original Message

I have an announcement for you. I, Kito Momona, will graduate from SKE48 in April.
The reason is that, last year I turned 20 and I had several things to think about, like what do I want to do, and how do I want to go on from here, and this is the result of my consideration. Of course I loved working as an idol, and parting from you all and parting from the other members makes me feel lonely, but I made the decision to do what I want to do and decided to graduate.
So I don't think of this as a sad parting. Please continue to support SKE48 and to support me, Kito Momona.
I still have time until April, so it would be great if I am able to create a lot of memories.
Thank you.

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JKT48 Revealed 3rd Generation Members & First Preliminary Sousenkyo Result

On 15th March 2014, JKT48 hold an event titled [JKT48 Flying Get Concert]. It's a mini concert to celebrate the release of JKT48 5th single [Flying Get] and to introduce JKT48 third generation as well.

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Subunits Not yet and DiVA are back

Over the past days it was announced that two subunits from the AKB48 group are back again: Not yet with an album and DiVA with a new song.

Not yet, consisting of Oshima Yuko, Sashihara Rino, Yokoyama Yui and Kitahara Rie, will release their first album titled [already] on April 23, more than a half year after their last release [Hiri Hiri no Hana]. Interesting is that the release date is set after Oshima Yuko's graduation. A release event for May 10 is also scheduled. What will happen with the group afterwards has not been announced yet. The tracklist for the album can be found below.

The other unit, DiVA, has made a new song, a cover of  [WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Toki ni wa Okose yo Movement], a number one hit from 1995 by H Jungle With t. The music video is currently only distributed via the Softbank app UULA, a preview can be seen on the UULA Youtube Channel. Whether an official single release will follow is not known. DiVA now consists of graduated member Akimoto Sayaka, SNH48 and as recently announced concurrent SKE48 member Miyazawa Sae, Umeda Ayaka who transfers to NMB48, as well as the 6 backdancer members that were casted for DiVA'S previous single. Former member Masuda Yuka is not part of the new DiVA. DiVA's last release already dates back two years: the single [Lost the way] was released on March 21, 2012.







Not yet 1st Album
already 
23 April 2014

Type A
[CD]
01. Shuumatsu Not yet (1st single)
02. Naminori Kakigoori (2nd single)
03. Pera Pera Perao (3rd Single)
04. Suika Baby (4th single)
05. Hiri Hiri no Hana (5th single)
06. Hirahira (1st single coupling)
07. Hug Tomo (2nd single coupling)
08. Uminari yo (3rd single coupling)
09. Tsugi no Pierce (5th single coupling)
10. Aikata (3rd single coupling)
11. Moto Kare ga Kekkon Suru Toki (3rd single coupling)
12. Kibou no Hana (4th single coupling)
13. Bakuhatsu Professor (5th single coupling)
14. guilty love (4th single coupling)
15. May (Yokoyama Yui solo, 4th single coupling)
16. Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete (new song)
17. Title TBA
[DVD]
Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete (MV) + special footage


Type B
[CD]
01. Shuumatsu Not yet (1st single)
02. Naminori Kakigoori (2nd single)
03. Pera Pera Perao (3rd Single)
04. Suika Baby (4th single)
05. Hiri Hiri no Hana (5th single)
06. Hirahira (1st single coupling)
07. Hug Tomo (2nd single coupling)
08. Uminari yo (3rd single coupling)
09. Tsugi no Pierce (5th single coupling)
10. Fumou no Yoru (3rd single coupling)
11. Warau ga Ii (1st single coupling)
12. Girisha no Kamotsusen (2nd single coupling)
13. Moshimo Te wo Tsunaideitara (5th single coupling)
14. Mienai Sora wa Itsudemo Aoi (Yokoyama Yui with friends (from AKB48, 5th single coupling)
15. Bokutachi no Offshore (2nd single coupling)
16. Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete (new song)
17. Title TBA
[DVD]
Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete (MV) + special footage

Type C
[CD]
01. Shuumatsu Not yet (1st single)
02. Naminori Kakigoori (2nd single)
03. Pera Pera Perao (3rd Single)
04. Suika Baby (4th single)
05. Hiri Hiri no Hana (5th single)
06. Hirahira (1st single coupling)
07. Hug Tomo (2nd single coupling)
08. Uminari yo (3rd single coupling)
09. Tsugi no Pierce (5th single coupling)
10. Sunao ni Naritai (1st single coupling)
11. Fuusha ga Mieru Machi (3rd single coupling)
12. Sasayaka na Boku no Teikou (5th single coupling)
13. Vermeer no Tegami (2nd single coupling)
14. Nakinagara Hohoende (Not yet version, 1st single coupling)
15. Aisareru to Iu Koto (Not yet version, 4th single coupling)
16. Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete (new song)
[DVD]
Sekai no Kaze wo Bokura wa Ukete (MV) + special footage


Type D (Playbutton)
[CD]
01. Shuumatsu Not yet (1st single)
02. Naminori Kakigoori (2nd single)
03. Pera Pera Perao (3rd Single)
04. Suika Baby (4th single)
05. Hiri Hiri no Hana (5th single)
06. Hirahira (1st single coupling)
07. Hug Tomo (2nd single coupling)
08. Uminari yo (3rd single coupling)
09. Tsugi no Pierce (5th single coupling)



I am glad about DiVA coming back, I always liked them. Not sure what to think about Not yet. The album title [already] is a contradiction of the band name Not yet, raising speculation that it is a sign that the group has come full circle and will follow Watarirouka Hashiritai 7's example: one last album and than disbanding. On the other hand, DiVA shows that a subunit can also continue with graduated members. Well, we'll see.

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Team S Deguchi Aki Graduates SKE48

SKE48 Team S member Deguchi Aki has announced during her birthday show on March 13th that she will be graduating from the group. She wants to focus on becomíng a singer. The graduation will be in April, further details will be revealed on a later date.

Before becoming an SKE48 member, Deguchi Aki had already been an AKB48 Kenkyuusei. She joined AKB48 in 2007 as part of the 4th Generation but graduated the same year. Being originally from Mie, a region close to SKE48's home base Nagoya, she decided to make a comeback and applied for SKE48 when it was formed in 2008. She became part of the 1st Generation and later an original Team S member. As part of Team S she was also senbatsu for the 1st single [Tsuyokimono yo]. She never made senbatsu again nor ranked in the election, but last year, at SKE48's Request Hour, her duet song with Sato Mieko [Anata to Christmas Eve] was voted no. 1 by the SKE48 fans. Her graduation brings down the number of 1st Generation members left in SKE48 to 5.


Deguchi Aki's graduation announcement
Original Message

Thank you for holding such a wonderful birthday show today. The past year as a 25 year old was a very intensive one of my life. Being able to sing [Anata to Christmas Eve] as number one song at the Request Hour last year was a really big event for me, and as part of SKE48 I was able to stand (on the stage) in the Nagoya Dome, which also had been my dream. Thanks so much to all those who supported me till now.
Making use of this opportunity today, I have something to tell you. I, Deguchi Aki, will graduate from SKE48 in April. This is a forward-facing/looking graduation. As a 1st Generation member, I have been active for approx. 6 years and I really was able to learn a lot.
Because of this, graduating will be very sad. But because I want to study singing professionally from now on in order to advance on the way to my dream of becoming a singer, I will graduate SKE48. From now on a lot things will happen, but I want to live on with the memories I have made in these 6 years in SKE48 in my heart.
The exact date is yet undecided, so I will tell you later on. Please continue to support SKE48 and Deguchi Aki.

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AKB48 SKE48 NMB48 HKT48 Charity Show Setlists

Three years have passed since on March 11, 2011 a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku region of Japan. Every year since then, the AKB48 Group held charity shows for the affected areas in their theaters on March 11 as part of the Dareka no Tame ni Project. This year again, shows were performed at the same time in the four group theaters.

Before the theater performances, members of each group visited three places in the disaster-hit area. At 2:46 pm, the time the erthquake had happened, a moment of silence was held. Afterwards, the visiting members performed a live show at each of the three places.

The theater performances then started at 6 pm. All four theaters and the three Tohoku venues were connected through a live broadcast and the charity song [Tenohira ga Kataru Koto] was performed at the same time at all 7 venues.

Below you can find the setlists from all four theater shows.


AKB48
Video shown
Live connection to the other 6 venues
M01 - Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M02 - Nagekiss de Uchiotose! (draft members)
M03 - Manatsu no Sounds Good!
M04 - Oogoe Diamond
M05 - Kaze wa Fuiteiru

M06 - Gingham Check
M07 - Everyday, Kachuusha 
M08 - Love Shugyou
M09 - Kimi no Hitomi wa Planetarium
M10 - Dareka no Tame ni

SKE48
Video shown
Live connection to the other 6 venues
M01 - Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M02 - Bokura no Kaze (Team S)
M03 - Ai no Kazu (Team KII)
M04 - Boku no Taiyou (Team E)
M05 - Mirai no Tobira (Kenykuusei)
M06 - Okidoki (Team S)
M07 - Aishiteraburu (Team KII)
M08 - Kataomoi Finally (Team E)
M09 - Kaze wa Fuiteiru
M10 - Mirai to wa?
M11 - Dareka no Tame ni

NMB48
Video shown
Live connection to the other 6 venues
M01 - Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M02 - Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru (Team N)
M03 - Seishun no Laptime (Team N)
M04 - Todokanasou de Todoku Mono (Team M)
M05 - Tanpopo no Kesshin (Team M)
M06 - Nante Suteki na Sekai ni Umareta no Darou (Team BII)
M07 - Only Today (Team BII)
M08 - Kimi to Deatte Boku wa Kawatta (Kenkyuusei)
M09 - Dareka no Tame ni

HKT48
Video shown
Live connection to the other 6 venues
M01 - Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M02 - Kaze wa Fuiteiru
M03 - Flying Get
M04 - Oogoe Diamond
M05 - Hatsukoi Butterfly
M06 - Suki!Suki!Skip!
M07 - Wink wa Sankai
M08 - Melon Juice
M09 - Sakura no Hanabiratachi
Encore
E01 - Sakura, Minna de Tabeta
E02 - HKT48
E03 - Dareka no Tame ni

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SKE48 Kenkyuusei Orito Aisa and Yamamoto Yuka Announce Graduation

On March 10th, two SKE48 Kenkyuusei, Orito Aisa and Yamamoto Yuka, announced that they will graduate from the group. Both girls want to focus on their studies. Orito Aisa will graduate in April and Yamamoto Yuka in March. Her graduation show will be held on March 22nd, one day before Mukaida Manatsu's who will graduate on March 23rd.

Orito Aisa and Yamamoto Yuka are both 6th Generation Kenkyuusei who joined SKE48 about a year ago in March 2013.  

Yamamoto Yuka's graduation announcement
Original Message

I, Yamamoto Yuka, have decided to graduate from SKE48 at the end of March.
I think I surprised you and also the other members with this sudden announcement, but as a result of lots and lots of worrying I have decided to graduate.
After my graduation, I will move towards my dream and make an effort at my studies.
There is not much time left for me, but I will do my best, so please support me.

Orito Aisa's graduation announcement
Original Message

I, Orito Aisa, will graduate from SKE48, too.
I love SKE48 and I also love this stage show, but while working here I also found a new dream and from April on I will be a high school student. There were a lot of things I worried about, so I decided to focus on my studies.
I will graduate in April, and, as I have done before, I will work with all my power until then, so please support me till then.

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HKT48 3rd Single [Sakura, Minna de Tabeta] First Day Sales

HKT48's 3rd single [Sakura, Minna de Tabeta] was released on March 12th selling 227,322 copies on its first day. The single clearly topped the Oricon Daily Charts.


First Day Sales are slightly higher than those of [Melon Juice] which sold 222,984 on day one and also above those of the debut single [Suki! Suki! Skip!] (205,278 copies) making the current single HKT48's top seller in terms of first day sales.

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NMB48 Kenkyuusei Shimazaki Momoka Announces Graduation

On March 8th, NMB48 Kenkyuusei Shimazaki Momoka announced that she will graduate the group because she wants to focus on her studies. Her graduation show is scheduled for March 14th and her last activity will be a handshake event on March 15th.

Shimazaki Momoka who is currently NMB48's youngest member joined the group in December 2012 as part of the 4th Generation. She is the fifth 4th Generation member who leaves NMB48.

This is the second graduation announcement for NMB48 in a week. On Monday Nakagawa Hiromi had already announced her leave. Her graduation show is one day before Momokas.


Shimazaki Momoka's graduation announcement
Original Message

I, Shimazaki Momoka, will graduate from NMB48.
At age 11, I joined NMB48 as part of the 4th Generation. Now I am 13 and in the time until today, I have been able to make various experiences, I was able to get support by many people, I was able to spend a really happy time, and I am grateful for that.
But while being active (in NMB48), I worried about balancing NMB48 and my studies.
I thought "If I graduated now, I would not be able to meet all those people again who supported me" and so I tried my best. But I also thought, if I didn't choose studying now I would not be able to advance, so in order to be able to advance on the way to my dream, I now chose to graduate NMB48.
I am really sorry for not being able to repay all those who at times supported, at times  encouraged me. I will never forget the love I have received from you. I also will never forget the people who took care of me in NMB48. I want to make use of all the things I have learned (in NMB48) and work hard with all my power in order to grow into a wonderful adult. I will focus on my studies, and definitely fulfill my dream.
Also I will treasure the time I have left in NMB48 until my graduation. Please support me until the end.

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[GUIDE] How to Vote for JKT48 6th Single Election

JKT48 will hold the General Election Senbatsu system for their upcoming 6th single. They will be the first overseas sister group to hold such a system. Therefore, their current single [Flying Get] is being the single that will determine the result.

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AKB48 Looking for a Member Aged 30+

On March 4th, AKB48 made a surprising announcement: they are holding an audition for [Otona AKB48] (Adult AKB48) looking for a member aged 30 and above. The membership will be only temporary but the new member will participate in AKB48 events like handshake events, stage shows and also concerts.

There is no upper age limit for the applicants, it also does not matter whether they have experience in the entertainment industry or not. Marital status doesn't matter as well. Application period started on March 4th and will continue until March 28th.The second audition round (interviews) will be hold on April 5th and the final dance and vocal audition on April 12th where one new member will be selected. 

This project is a cooperation with Papico, an ice cream brand from Japan's famous sweets company Glico which is why the selected adult member will also work as "image character" for the brand appearing for example in its CM. The Papico campaign is planned for the period from April 12th until August 31st. With the campaign end, the Otona AKB member automatically graduates AKB48.

AKB48 imitators Kintaro and Yahata Kaoru have already expressed interest in auditioning.

Official audition homepage: https://papico-otona-akb48.jp/

CM for the audition:

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AKB48 35th Single [Mae Shika Mukanee] First Week Sales

AKB48's 35th single [Mae Shika Mukanee] was released on  February 26th and has finished its first week. The single sold 1,091,406 copies making AKB48 once again the top of the weekly Oricon Ranking.

As was the case for the first day sales, numbers went up from the Janken single [Suzukake Nanchara] which sold 1,033,136 in week one. But sales of [Mae Shika Mukanee] don't reach the sales numbers of the three singles before that: [Sayonara Crawl], [Koisuru Fortune Cookie] and [Heart Ereki].

Nevertheless, it is the 15th time in a row that an AKB48 single sold more than a million copies in its first week.

In the Soundscan Charts, the different types take ranks 1~6, with the limited editions on the first three positions. As total, they sold 236,005 copies. The difference between this and the Oricon sales is 855,401 which should be the number of theater editions sold.

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JKT48 5th Single [Flying Get] Released

JKT48's 5th single [Flying Get] went on release on 5th March 2014 . This single is a version of the song which was originally AKB48's 22th single which was centered by Maeda Atsuko.

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NMB48 Kenkyuusei Nakagawa Hiromi Announces Graduation

On March 3rd, NMB48 Kenkyuusei Nakagawa Hiromi has announced her graduation from NMB48. She decided to go to vocational school and follow a different path in life. Her graduation show will be on March 13th and her last activity will be a handshake event on March 15th.

Nakagawa Hiromi joined NMB48 in mid-2011 as part of the 2nd Generation. Unfortunately she was never promoted, so after being a Kenkyuusei for more than two and a half years she now decided to leave.


Nakagawa Hiromi's graduation announcement
Original Message

I, Nakagawa Hiromi, will graduate from NMB48.
In the two and a half years since joining NMB48 I have seen the work of people supporting those on stage and became fascinated by it. The wish to learn about this awakened in me.
The things I have made my goal the whole time were: being promoted to a team, and doing away/abroad shows (note: referring to shows at the theaters of the other 48groups) with my beloved Kenkyuusei members. My feelings towards these two goals were by no means a lie.
I also felt that my feelings towards these goals were growing every day with your support. That is why I have also thought that it might somehow be possible to pursue two things at the same time: my goals I have continously chased until now, and my want to follow a new path. But I thought that by doing so I would end up doing both things half-heartedly. This I did not want to happen. As a result of thinking as well as I could about my future and about what I want to do, I chose the way of going to a vocational school from April on and graduating NMB48.
To all those who supported me this whole time: thank you for cheering for someone like me all the time.
For me, the members and the two and a half years I have spent with you all are a big treasure. I want to make use of all those things I have learnt in NMB48 and to advance on a new path looking forward. 
I would be happy if you pushed my back.
Thank you so, so much for everything until now.

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SKE48 14th Single [Mirai to wa?] Tracklist and Covers

SKE48 will release their 14th single called [Mirai to wa?] on May 19th. While the title and senbatsu have been known for a while, covers and tracklists are out now too.

The single will be released in five types: A, B, C, D and Theater. As couplings, the single contains team songs as well as songs by the new units Dragon Girls and GALAXY of DREAMS, the second one being a unit to promote Samsung Galaxy. The Theater Version features a song by the remaining 2nd Generation members.

SKE48 14th Single
Mirai to wa?
未来とは？
19th March 2014

Type A Limited 1,600yen

Type A Regular 1,600yen

[CD]
01. Mirai to wa?
02. GALAXY of DREAMS (GALAXY of DREAMS)
03. Mayflower (Dragon Girls (Kyuuryuu-jou)
04. Mirai to wa? (off vocal)
05. GALAXY of DREAMS (off vocal)
06. Mayflower (off vocal)
[DVD]
01. Mirai to wa? (MV)
02. Mirai to wa?  ~2014.02.02 SKE48-tou Kekkai Shukai "Hako de Ose!" (@Nagoya Dome)~
03. GALAXY of DREAMS (MV)
04. Special Footage: Kenkyuusei "Matsumura no Aikata wo Sagashi Kikaku" Kenkyuusei ni Nise-Saiminjutsu-shi ga Hatsu-Dokkiri! ("Searching a partner for Matsumura" A fake hypnotist gives the Kenkyuusei their first dokkiri)

Type B Limited 1,600yen

Type B Regular 1,600yen

[CD]
01. Mirai to wa?
02. Neko no Shippo ga Pin to Tatteru you ni  (Team S feat. Bose (member of hip-hop group Scha Dara Parr))
03. Mayflower (Dragon Girls (Kyuuryuu-jou)
04. Mirai to wa? (off vocal)
05. Neko no Shippo ga Pin to Tatteru you ni  (off vocal)
06. Mayflower (off vocal)
[DVD]
01. Mirai to wa? (MV)
02. Mirai to wa?  ~2014.02.02 SKE48-tou Kekkai Shukai "Hako de Ose!" (@Nagoya Dome)~
03. Neko no Shippo ga Pin to Tatteru you ni  (MV)
04. Special Footage: Team S "Hajimete no Joshi-kai" Member no Honne wo Profiling (Team S "First Girls Gathering/Girls Party" Profiling the real motives of the members"

Type C Limited 1,600yen

Type C Regular 1,600yen

[CD]
01. Mirai to wa?
02. S-ko to Usohakkenki  (Team KII)
03. Mayflower (Dragon Girls (Kyuuryuu-jou)
04. Mirai to wa? (off vocal)
05. S-ko to Usohakkenki  (off vocal)
06. Mayflower (off vocal)
[DVD]
01. Mirai to wa? (MV)
02. Mirai to wa?  ~2014.02.02 SKE48-tou Kekkai Shukai "Hako de Ose!" (@Nagoya Dome)~
03. S-ko to Usohakkenki  (MV)
04. Special Footage: Team KII "Freestyle Rap Battle with DARTHREIDER" KII Member ga Hatsu-Rap ni Chousen (Team KII "Freestyle Rap Battle with DARTHREIDER" The KII members try to rap for the first time)

Type D Limited 1,600yen

Type D Regular 1,600yen

[CD]
01. Mirai to wa?
02. Machiawasetai  (Team E)
03. Mayflower (Dragon Girls (Kyuuryuu-jou)
04. Mirai to wa? (off vocal)
05. Machiawasetai (off vocal)
06. Mayflower (off vocal)
[DVD]
01. Mirai to wa? (MV)
02. Mirai to wa?  ~2014.02.02 SKE48-tou Kekkai Shukai "Hako de Ose!" (@Nagoya Dome)~
03. Machiawasetai  (MV)
04. Special Footage: Team E "Member no Naka ni Iru Hetareeze wo Sagase" Hajimete no Uragiri
 (Team E "Find the 'hetareeze' among the members " The first betrayal)

Theater Version 1,000yen

[CD]
01. Mirai to wa?
02. Bokura no Kizuna
03. SKE48 14th Single Medley
04. Mirai to wa? (off vocal)
05. Bokura no Kizuna (off vocal)


Mirai to wa? - Senbatsu
Team S: Ishida Anna, Oya Masana, Kizaki Yuria, Matsui Jurina
Team KII: Oba Mina, Shibata Aya, Suda Akari, Takayanagi Akane, Furukawa Airi, Yamada Mizuho
Team E: Azuma Rion, Umemoto Madoka, Kimoto Kanon, Furuhata Nao, Matsui Rena
Kenkyuusei: Kitagawa Ryoha

GALAXY of DREAMS
Team S: Kizaki Yuria, Matsui Jurina
Team KII: Shibata Aya, Suda Akari, Takayanagi Akane, Furukawa Airi
Team E: Kimoto Kanon, Furuhata Nao, Matsui Rena
Kenkyuusei: Kitagawa Ryoha

Mayflower - Dragon Girls
Team S: Ishida Anna
Team KII: Kato Rumi, Suda Akari, Takayanagi Akane, Takeuchi Mai, Futamura Haruka, Furukawa Airi
Team E: Umemoto Madoka, Kinoshita Yukiko

Bokura no Kizuna 
SKE48 2nd Generation
Team S: Abiru Riho, Ishida Anna, Isohara Kyoka, Saito Makiko, Mukaida Manatsu
Team KII: Uchiyama Mikoto, Kato Tomoko, Kato Rumi, Takayanagi Akane, Furukawa Airi, Matsumoto Rina
Team E: Iguchi Shiori, Kito Momona, Yamada Reika

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NMB48 9th Single [Takane no Ringo] Tracklist and Covers

NMB48 will release their 9th single on March 26th and further details about this single are out now. It is called [Takane no Ringo] (literally: apple from a high peak; may be translated to: unattainable apple). Covers, tracklist, song line-ups and a short PV have been revealed too.

The single will be released in 4 types: A, B, C and Theater Version. As usual, coupling songs by Shirogumi, Akagumi and Namba Teppoutai are included. Type A, B and C limited contain voting tickets for NMB48's Request Hour Setlist Best 50.

As for senbatsu, Murase Sae and Shibuya Nagisa make their NMB48 single senbatsu debut, after already being part of senbatsu for [Kimi to Deatte Boku wa Kawatta], NMB48's coupling song for [Suzukake Nanchara]. Kadowaki Kanako and Yogi Keira are out.


NMB48 9th Single
Takane no Ringo
高嶺の林檎
26th March 2014

Type A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Takane no Ringo 02. Isshuukan, Zenbu ga Getsuyoubi nara Ii no ni 03. Prom no Koibito (Shirogumi)  04. Takane no Ringo  (off vocal) 05. Isshuukan, Zenbu ga Getsuyoubi nara Ii no ni (off vocal) 06. Prom no Koibito (off vocal) [DVD] 01. Takane no Ringo (MV) 02. Takane no Ringo (MV Dancing Version) 03. Prom no Koibito (MV) 04. Special Footage [Oshaberi-gumi] (First Part)
Type B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Takane no Ringo 02. Isshuukan, Zenbu ga Getsuyoubi nara Ii no ni 03. Mizukiri (Akagumi)  04. Takane no Ringo  (off vocal) 05. Isshuukan, Zenbu ga Getsuyoubi nara Ii no ni (off vocal) 06. Mizukiri (off vocal) [DVD] 01. Takane no Ringo (MV) 02. Takane no Ringo (MV Dancing Version) 03. Mizukiri (MV) 04. Special Footage [Oshaberi-gumi] (Second Part)
Type C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Takane no Ringo 02. Isshuukan, Zenbu ga Getsuyoubi nara Ii no ni 03. Yama e Ikou (Namba Teppoutai Sono Go)  04. Takane no Ringo  (off vocal) 05. Isshuukan, Zenbu ga Getsuyoubi nara Ii no ni (off vocal) 06. Yama e Ikou (off vocal) [DVD] 01. Takane no Ringo (MV) 02. Takane no Ringo (MV Dancing Version) 03. Yama e Ikou (MV) 04. NMB48 feat. Yoshimoto Shinkigeki Vol. 8
Theater Edition 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Takane no Ringo 02. Prom no Koibito (Shirogumi) 03. Mizukiri (Akagumi) 04. Kasa wa Iranai 05. Takane no Ringo  (off vocal) 06. Prom no Koibito (off vocal) 07. Mizukiri (off vocal) 08. Kasa wa Iranai (off vocal)

Takane no Ringo - Senbatsu*
Team N: Ichikawa Miori, Ogasawara Mayu, Kotani Riho, Shiroma Miru, Jonishi Kei, Yamamoto Sayaka, Yoshida Akari, Watanabe Miyuki
Team M:  Takano Yui, Tanigawa Airi, Murase Sae, Yagura Fuuko, Yamada Nana
Team BII: Kato Yuuka, Yabushita Shu
KKS: Shibuya Nagisa

*since the new teams aren't active yet, the team line-ups before the shuffle are used

Prom no Koibito - Shirogumi
Team N: Kadowaki Kanako, Kishino Rika, Kinoshita Haruna, Yamamoto Sayaka
Team M: Okita Ayaka, Murakami Ayaka, Yagura Fuuko, Yamagishi Natsumi
Team BII: Ishizuka Akari, Ijiri Anna, Kamieda Emika
KKS: Odan Mai

Mizukiri - Akagumi
Team N: Kondo Rina, Yamaguchi Yuuki, Watanabe Miyuki
Team M: Kawakami Rena, Kinoshita Momoka, Mita Mao, Yamada Nana, Yogi Keira
Team BII: Kusaka Konomi, Kushiro Rina
KKS: Miura Arisa, Yamao Rina

Yama e Ikou - Namba Teppoutai Sono Go
Team N: Shiroma Miru, Nishimura Aika, Hayashi Momoka
Team BII: Akazawa Hono, Ota Yuuri , Muro Kanako
KKS: Kawakami Chihiro, Nakano Reina

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AKB48 Nonaka Misato Announces Graduation

AKB48 Team B member Nonaka Misato has announced her graduation during a broadcast of AKB48 no Anta, Dare? on February 28. Details about her graduation have yet to be announced. After the broadcast Micha commented on her blog about her decision. A translation of the post can be found below.

Micha joined AKB48 in 2008 as part of the 6th Generation. During AKB48's first shuffle in 2009 she was promoted to Team K and later shuffled to Team B. Unfortunately she never was a prominent member of the group, but in 2012 AKB48 named their 47 prefectures tour after her calling it Nonaka Misato, Ugoku. ~47 Todoufuken de Aimashou~. After her graduation, Takajo Aki will be the only 6th Generation member left in AKB48.


Nonaka Misato's blog post about her graduation
Original Message

Hello.
Yesterday during the live broadcast of 'AKB48 no Anta, Dare?' on NOTTV I announced my graduation. I am sorry for this sudden announcement.
I have been thinking about graduation for a while now. I also have consulted Akimoto-san and my manager. It is not a graduation I have decided because of the recent shuffle.
This is my 6th year since joining AKB48. I think I really was able to change through joining AKB48. The time I have spent in my beloved AKB48 is really special and precious (^^). I won't talk about memories yet! The date of my graduation is not yet decided and I still have time, so until the day I graduate I want to learn a lot and make many memories.
To all those who always support me...I am sorry for surprising you. When I remind myself of the smiles and memories I made with everyone I spent my time with until now, I feel lonely...But we still have time! Let's laugh a lot together. I love you all.
I will do my best until the end. Please support me.
Nonaka Misato

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