New Team A [Renai Kinshi Jourei] Shonichi

On April 25, Team A started their new stage [Renai Kinshi Jourei]. The stage is a revival of Team A's 5th stage which was also redone by AKB48's Kenkyuusei and overseas by JKT48 and SNH48.


As with almost all of the new teams, some team members, in Team A's case 6 members, could not perform the shonichi show because the number of team members exceeds 16. Two members, Takahashi Minami and Kojima Haruna, have already been in Team A when [Renai Kinshi Jourei] was performed before but they got new unit positions now. 



AKB48 Team A [Renai Kinshi Jourei]
Performing Members: Iriyama Anna, Iwata Karen, Kawaei Rina, Kojima Natsuki, Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka, Takahashi Minami, Tatsuya Makiho, Nakanishi Chiyori, Nakamura Mariko, Fujita Nana, Furuhata Nao, Matsui Sakiko, Miyawaki Sakura, Muto Tomu, Yagura Fuuko

M01 - Nagai Hikari
M02 - Squall no Aida ni
M03 - JK Nemurihime
M04 - Kimi ni Au Tabi Koi wo Suru
-----MC1-----
M05 - Kuroi Tenshi (Kojima Natsuki, Kojima Haruna, Fujita Nana)
M06 - Heart Gata Virus (Shimazaki Haruka, Miyawaki Sakura, Yagura Fuuko)
M07 - Renai Kinshi Jourei (Iwata Karen, Kawaei Rina, Muto Tomu)
M08 - Tsundere  (Takahashi Minami, Tatsuya Makiho, Nakanishi Chiyori)
M09 - Manatsu no Christmas Rose (Iriyama Anna, Nakamura Mariko, Furuhata Nao, Matsui Sakiko)
-----MC2-----
M10 - Switch
M11 - 109
M12 - Hikoukigumo
-----MC3-----
M13 - Ano Koro no Sneaker

-----ENCORE-----
EN1 - AKB Sanjou!
EN2 - Namida no Shinkokyuu
-----MC4-----
EN3 - Oogoe Diamond

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AKB48 Kikuchi Ayaka Announces Graduation

On April 13, AKB48 member Kikuchi Ayaka announced her graduation. She wants to pursue a career in fashion. Her graduation show will be Team A's Senshuuraku on April 21 but she will continue to participate at handshake events until September 23.

Kikuchi Ayaka first joined AKB48 in late 2006 as part of the 3rd Generation and became an original Team B member but had to leave in 2008 because of a purikura scandal. She re-auditioned and came back to AKB48 as part of the 7th generation. She was promoted at AKB48's first Sokaku Matsuri in 2009 and became a Team K member but then was transferred to Team A at the following shuffle. She made senbatsu six times, ranked at the election twice (2012 and 2013 at #51) and was a member of the subgroup Watarirouka Hashiritai.

Ayarin was supposed to transfer to NMB48 this year but declined that transfer and also did not announce her candidacy for the election, now we know why.


Kikuchi Ayaka's G+ post about her graduation
Original Message

At tonight's theater show, I announced my graduation.
I began thinking about graduation at the occasion of the Watarirouka Hashiritai's disbandment live. It was an opportunity to take a break with my AKB48 graduation.
I wanted to move forward finding more things that I wanted to do, not as an idol but in the field of fashion or as a model. I properly thought about this before making my decision.
Even though I will graduate, there continue to be no stops on my way. My life is a one-time only thing so I want to work hard and move forward and forward without regrets.
My last show wil be on April 21, the senshuuraku of Yokoyama Team A will be my final one.
To my fans who support me: I am sorry for this soon date.
I will continue to participate at individual handshake events until September 23, so I want to make a lot of memories with you.
The senshuuraku is near but I want to treasure the short time I still have and give my best with full power!!
Please support me until the end.

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48Group New Team Stages To Be Rescheduled

Recently it was announced that Team S' 5th Stage scheduled for November 30th had to be delayed. The new shonichi date for this stage has now been revealed: it will be on February 27th, 2014.

But this is not the only news concerning new team stages. Team H's new stage, the first original one for HKT48, planned to start on December 22nd has been delayed too. A new date has not been mentioned.

Additionally, new stages for the other teams will have to undergo schedule changes as well. 


I guess many people expected this to happen. I did, but it is still disappointing. Why did they even bother to announce exact dates for all new stages even though it was clear they could not keep them?

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AKB48 Draft Meeting Results

 

On November 10th, all 48 groups held the first AKB48 Group Draft Meeting. Team captains together with four other representatives of their team picked new team members from a pool of 29 candidates.

After the candidates performed [River] and [Aitakatta] in groups and were questioned by hosts and the team captains, the actual draft took place. 20 girls were drafted. The most were picked by Team KII which chose 5 girls while Team S, N, M and H decided to draft only one.

Two girls were picked by several teams: Sutou Ririka by Team KII, Team E and Team N and Kawamoto Saya by Team B, S, KII, E  and H. The decision which team gets them had to be made by lottery which left Sutou with N and Kawamoto with B.

The drafted girls will now enter into negotiations with the respective teams and they still have the right to decline joining the team until December.

The girls who were not picked will be automatically in the final audition round if they decide to participate in the next AKB48 group auditions


The final results are:

Team A:
1st Round: Nishiyama Rena
2nd Round: Takita Kayoko

Team K:
1st Round: Gotou Moe
2nd Round: Shimoguchi Hinana

Team B:
1st Round: Yokoshima Aeri
2nd Round: Kawamoto Saya

Team S:
1st Round: Matsumoto Chikako

Team KII:
1st Round: Goudo Saki
2nd Round: Takatsuka Natsuki
3rd Round: Suzuki Nene
4th Round: Arai Yuki
5th Round: Souda Sarina

Team E:
1st Round: Koishi Kumiko
2nd Round: Takatera Sana
3rd Round: Fukushi Nao

Team N:
1st Round: Sutou Ririka

Team M:
1st Round: Takei Sara

Team BII:
1st Round: Iso Kanae
2nd Round: Naiki Kokoro

Team H:
1st Round: Yamamoto Mao

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Yokoyama Team A New Waiting Stage Setlist

On the 16th October 2013, there was a surprise at the Yokoyama Team A show. Instead of performing their standard Waiting Stage setlist, they performed a new setlist! This setlist is that of Team A's 4th Stage [Tadaima Renaichuu] apart from the unit songs are all different and not from that stage.

Check out the full setlist below:

M01. Tadaima Renaichuu
M02. Kuma no Nuigurumi
M03. Only Today
---MC---
M04. Kioku no Dilemma (Takahashi Minami, Matsui Sakiko, Iwata Karen, Sasaki Yukari)
M05. Candy (Yagura Fuuko, Watanabe Mayu, Kodama Haruka)
M06. Zannen Shoujo (Takahashi Juri, Kawaei Rina, Morikawa Ayaka)
M07. Tsundere! (Kikuchi Ayaka, Yokoyama Yui, Oshima Ryoka)
M08. Dakishimeraretara (Sato Sumire, Iriyama Anna, Tano Yuuka)
---MC---
M09. Darui Kanji
M10. Mr. Kissman
M11. Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta
M12. Bingo!
---MC---
M13. Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou
---ENCORE---
EN1. Love Chase
EN2. Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru
---VTR--- (with Sakura no Hanabiratachi BGM)
EN3. Nante Suteki na Sekai ni Umareta no Darou

See Pancho's google+ post for pictures of every song: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/114007873084322574127/albums/5935368626921569425

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AKB48 Nakamata Shiori Announces Graduation

Nakamata Shiori, member of Yokoyama Team A, announced that she will graduate from AKB48. The announcement was made during Nakamata's birthday show in the AKB48 Theater on September 9th. She explained that she wants to work towards a new dream of hers from now on.

Nakamata joined AKB48 in 2010 as a 10th Generation Kenkyuusei. After passing the entrance exam for the prestigious Waseda University she was promoted in February 2011 to reward her hard work, it was the first promotion for a 10th Generation Kenkyuusei. She later joined Team 4 when it was formed for the first time, and became a Team A member after Team 4 was disbanded.

Her graduation show is scheduled for September 15th and her last activity, a handshake event, will take place on September 23rd.



Nakamata Shiori's Comment
Original Message

During today's theater show I announced my graduation. I am sorry for this sudden announcement and for surprising my fans. I experienced different kinds of work during AKB48 and I have found the work, a dream, I really want to do. I plan to graduate from AKB48 and make preparations for fullfilling my dream. From now on I will work with all my strength towards this new dream. Thanks to those who have supported me until now. My remaining activities as AKB48 are my last theater show on 09/15 and the individual handshake event on 09/23 which will really be my last activity. There is only a short time left but please support me. I will explain my feelings in my blog and G+ so please take a look at it if you want.
Nakamata Shiori

This is no surprise. Nakamata didn't get any spotlight and rarely got to perform in the theater. It's sad to see this smart and hard-working girl go. I wish her all the best for the future and hope she can make her new dream come true.

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Nakatsuka Tomomi To Graduate

AKB48 Shinoda Team A member Nakatsuka Tomomi announced her graduation during the theater show on May 20. In her comment she explained that she will turn 20 soon and now wants to take a "step forward". A graduation date has not been announced yet.

Nakatsuka Tomomi joined AKB48 as a 5th generation member in 2007. She was promoted in January 2009 to Team B and later became a member of Team K and then A. Tomomi ranked #9 in the first Janken Tournament in 2010 and hence became a senbatsu member for [Chance no Junban], her first and only time as senbatsu. Since she never ranked in the sousenkyo before, she did not even apply to participate in the current election.

You can read a translation of her graduation blog post below.   

Nakatsuka Tomomi's Graduation Comment
Original Message

What I want to tell

During today's theater show I announced my graduation. I was nervous... Feeling my heart beating fast I even got more nervous.
Since the start of this year, I was thinking about graduation. AKB became bigger and bigger and, honestly, even though I am a member of the same group I could not follow. I worried: Am I necessary here? Is it ok to continue like this?
But I was able to meet the other members I love, the stage shows were fun and everyone was always supporting me and cheering for me. I relied on this environment, and couldn't really come up with the decision to graduate.
When Nattsumii and Komori announced their graduations I saw a lot of comments saying "Kurisu will be okay, won't she?". I couldn't give an answer to that, I am sorry. I must have made you uneasy. So now I feel relieved somehow.
I was active in AKB for 5 years. At that time (when I joined) I was 14, 15 but this June I'll become 20. I thought this is a good opportunity to move one step forward. "When I become 20 I want to make a new start", with this thoughts in mind I decided to graduate.
I don't have a definite dream yet. But I have a lot of things I want to do. Because I know that this world isn't easy, I will work hard for myself so that I can first do the things I want to do. Also for you too. So that I can make a lot of happy announcements. When you are glad, it makes me glad and happy.
And there is something I wanted to say all the time: What I wrote when I announced my withdrawal from the election, is what I really feel. But I don't have any intentions to criticize Yuko-chan. I really do understand what Yuko-chan said. I just wanted to say that this isn't all. (Note: On Yuko's famous words about how votes are love from the fans, Tomomi commented that the fans' love reaches her even without putting it into votes.) Yuko-chan contacted me immediately. We talked about our feelings and understood each other so please don't worry. She is a beloved senpai I can respect from the bottom of my heart and rely on. Sorry for not finding the right words. I am really sorry that I caused you a lot of worry and trouble at that time.
The countdown has already begun, so I cannot waste a minute or second. Being thankful for every single thing, I'll run through with all my might so that I won't have anything to regret. That's probably what I can do now. So that I can say thank you to as many people as possible.
I'd be happy if you watch over me kindly till the end. Please treat me well.
Nakatsuka Tomomi

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AKB48 Zenkoku Tour 2013 Team A and B Setlists

AKB48 have finally started continuing their 47 prefecture National Tour of Japan [Nonaka Misato, Ugoku. ~47 Todoufuken de aimashou~]. This was started in April 2012 and 16 dates were completed between then and October 2012. No concerts had taken place since the Team Reshuffle. The first 2013 dates started with Shinoda Team A in Kagawa on 25 March 2013 and Umeda Team B in Yamaguchi on 26 March 2013. Like all dates on the tour, Nonaka Misato made an appearance since the tour is named after her.

The next two dates on the tour are Umeda Team B in Aomori on 1 April 2013 and Oshima Team K in Yamaguchi on 3 April 2013. For listings of all concerts and releases, don't forget to check the MELOSnoMichi calendar. For a list of all concerts performed on the tour, click here.

The setlists for both the concerts so far is below. The unit songs are identical to the current waiting stages, and a lot of the group songs are taken from them as well. Please note that only 16 members of each team appear at each concert.


Shinoda Team A in Kagawa
2013.03.25

M01. AKB Sanjou!
M02. Juuryoku Sympathy
M03. Iiwake Maybe
M04. Oogoe Diamond
---
M05. Skirt, Hirari (Tano Yuuka, Takahashi Juri, Kawaei Rina, Iwata Karen, Watanabe Mayu, Morikawa Ayaka, Oshima Ryoka)
M06. Junai no Crescendo (Kasai Tomomi, Yokoyama Yui, Nakatsuka Tomomi)
M07. Kuroi Tenshi (Nito Moeno, Iriyama Anna, Kikuchi Ayaka)
M08. Tenshi no Shippo (Takahashi Juri, Kawaei Rina, Oshima Ryoya)
M09. Ame no Pianist (Sato Sumire, Takahashi Minami, Matsui Sakiko)
M10. Glass no I Love You (Watanabe Mayu, Tano Yuuka, Iwata Karen, Morikawa Ayaka)
---
M11. Ruby
M12. Give Me Five!
M13. Happy A!
M14. UZA
M15. RIVER
M16. Ponytail to Shushu
M17. Tadaima Renaichu
M18. Only Today
M19. Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
---
EN1. Flying Get
EN2. First Rabbit
EN3. Hikoukigumo
EN4. Heavy Rotation

Umeda Team B in Yamaguchi
2013.03.26


M01. Shonichi
M02. Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara
M03. Virgin Love
M04. Seigi no Mikata Janai Hero
---
M05. Kimi no C/W
M08. Dakishimeraretara
M07. Imoide Ijou
M08. Gomen ne, Jewel
M09. Namida ni Shizumu Taiyou
---
M10. Flying Get
M11. Sokode inu no unchi fun jau ka ne?
M12. Nagiichi
M13. Yobisute Fantasy
M14. Single Medley (Eien Pressure, Iiwake Maybe, Gingham Check, Oogoe Diamond)
M15. Yuuhi wo Miteiruka?
---
EN1. UZA
EN2. RIVER
EN3. Team B Oshi
EN4. Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
EN5. So long !
EN6. Tanpopo no Kesshin

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AKB48 Three Part Drama Special [So Long!]

AKB48 will release a three-part drama special entitled [So long!]. Each part will feature one of the three teams and last one hour. The drama will air on three consecutive nights, from the 11-13 February 2013 on NTV. [So long!] is also the title of their forthcoming 30th single, released on the 20th February 2013.

The Team A episode will focus on Watanabe Mayu and Shinoda Mariko in a ballerina high school. The Team K episode is a tale of rivalry between Oshima Yuko and Matsui Jurina. The Team B episode is set in a school, with the theme being around graduation, focussing on Shimazaki Haruka as a student and Kojima Haruna as a teacher.

   

I'm looking forward to this drama, and it will no doubt help to establish the new teams more amongst fans. It is also interesting how they have chosen one "older" member and one "younger" member of each team sho is seen as a centre there. Note that the older member in each case is the team captain apart from Kojiharu instead of Umechan for Team B.

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AKB48 7th Anniversary Theatre Show Setlist

AKB48 celebrated their 7th Anniversary with a special performance at their theatre. This included all current AKB48 members and kenkyuusei, as well as SNH48 members Miyazaya Sae and Suzuki Mariya. Former AKB48 and SDN48 member Ohori Megumi performed in one of the songs, and also announced that she will be getting married to Kanazawa Tatsuya.

To start with, the three Teams each performed their new team songs from the [UZA] single. There was then a song by all the members who are primarily in sister groups but also hold a role in AKB48. Then songs were performed by each generation in turn, starting with the newest, and ending in the first generation. Since Nonaka Misato is the only remaining sixth generation member, she did not get a solo, but performed with two other members, and the aforementioned surprise appearance of former member Ohori Megumi. The set finished with AKB48's latest single [Eien Pressure] and their debut single [Sakura no Hanabiratachi].

AKB48 7th Anniversary Theatre Show
8th December 2012

M01 -  Kodoku na Hoshizora (Shinoda Team A)
M02 -  Scrap & Build (Oshima Team K)
M03 -  Seigi no Mikata Janai Hero (Umeda Team B)
M04 -  Heavy Rotation
---MC---
M05 -  End Roll (Kotani Riho, Matsui Jurina, Ishida Anna, Watanabe Miyuki)
M06 -  Kibou ni Tsuite (14th gen)
M07 -  Ougon Centre (13th gen)
M08 -  Oogoe Diamond (12th gen)
M09 -  7ji 12fun no Hatsukoi (11th gen)
---MC---
M10 -  Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka? (10th gen)
M11 -  RIVER (9th gen)
---MC---
M12 -  Tanpopo no Kesshin (7th gen)
M13 -  Himawari (Nonaka Misato, Akimoto Sayaka, Matsubara Natsumi, Ohori Megumi)
---MC---
M14 -  Only Today (5th gen)
M15 -  BINGO! (4th gen)
M16 -  Shonichi (3th gen)
M17 -  Sasae (2nd gen)
M18 -  Skirt, Hirari (1st gen)
---MC---
M19 - Eien Pressure
M20 - Sakura no Hanabiratachi

Congratulations AKB48 on seven years! This looks like a great setlist, showing the generations of the group. And many congratulations to Meetan on her engagement!

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All 20 AKB48 Stages to be Released on CD as [Studio Recordings Collection]

All of the AKB48 stages will be released as studio recordings on CD on 1st January 2013 under the [Studio Recordings Collection] banner. Each will cost 3,000 yen and contain 2 CDs, the 2nd contain the instrumental versions of the songs. A total of 20 stages will be released, 6 from Teams A, 6 from Team K, 5 from Team B, 2 Himawari-gumi and 1 from Team 4.

Stages which have been performed by more than one team will get released in separate CDs for each team's version. It has not been yet stated whether these will be the original recordings or which which of the two casts will be used for the two Himawari-gumi stages. This is the first time some of the stages have been released on CD, although some are re-releases. All recordings will be re-mastered.

Here are all the stages which will be released:

Team A:
1st Stage: [PARTY ga Hajimaru yo]
2nd Stage: [Aitakatta]
3rd Stage: [Dareka no Tame ni]
4th Stage: [Tadaima Renaichuu]
5th Stage: [Renai Kinshi Jourei]
6th Stage: [Mokugekishi]

Team K:
1st Stage: [PARTY ga Hajimaru yo]
2nd Stage: [Seishun Girls]
3rd Stage: [Nounai Paradise]
4th Stage: [Seishuu Bell ga Naru]
5th Stage: [Saka Agari]
6th Stage: [RESET]

Team B:
1st Stage: [Seishun Girls]
2nd Stage: [Aitakatta]
3rd Stage: [Pajama Drive]
4th Stage: [Idol no Yoake]
5th Stage: [Theater no Megami]

Himawari-gumi:
1st Stage: [Boku no Taiyou]
2nd Stage: [Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai]

Team 4:
1st Stage: [Boku no Taiyou]

Below are all of the covers, apart from for Team 4 which has not been revealed yet:

Team A:

Team K:

Team B:

Himawari-gumi:

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New Team A Waiting Stage Shonichi Setlist

New Team A were the second team to perform their new [Waiting Stage] after New Team K's yesterday. They performed their set on 2nd November 2012.

The included members for this shonichi were:

Iriyama Anna, Iwata Karen, Oshima Ryoka, Kasai Tomomi, Kawaei Rina, Kikuchi Ayaka, Kotani Riho, Sato Sumire, Shinoda Mariko, Takahashi Juri, Takahashi Minami, Tano Yuuka, Nito Moeno, Matsui Sakiko, Yokoyama Yui, Watanabe Mayu

Missing Team A members:

Nakatsuka Tomomi, Sato Natsuki, Nakamata Shiori, Izuta Rina, Morikawa Ayaka, Kobayashi Marina

The full setlist is below, with the original appearance of the song in brackets and the shonichi members for the unit songs.

SETLIST:

M01 - Juuryoku Sympathy (Team Surprise)
M02 - Iiwake Maybe (single)
M03 - Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru (A3)
M04 - Ue Kara Mariko (single)
------MC1-----
M05 - Skirt, Hirari (A1, Tano Yuuka, Takahashi Juri, Kawaei Rina, Iwata Karen, Watanabe Mayu, Iriyama Anna, Oshima Ryoka)
M06 - Junai no Crescendo (A4, Yokoyama Yui, Kasai Tomomi, Kotani Riho)
M07 - Kuroi Tenshi (A5, Shinoda Mariko, Kikuchi Ayaka, Nito Moeno)
M08 - Tenshi no Shippo (B3, Takahashi Juri, Kawaei Rina, Oshima Ryoka)
M09 - Ame no Pianist (S2, Takahashi Minami, Sato Sumire, Matsui Sakiko)
M10 - Glass no I Love You (A2, Watanabe Mayu, Iriyama Anna, Iwata Karen, Tano Yuuka)
------MC2-----
M11 - RIVER (single)
M12 - Kodoku na Runner (SDN1)
M13 - First Rabbit (1830m)
------MC3-----
M14 - Sakura no Hanabiratachi (A1)
------ENCORE-----
M15 - Ponytail to Shushu (single)
M16 - Only Today (A4)
M17 - AKB Festival (Team Surprise)
------DOUBLE ENCORE-----
M18 - UZA (single)

For me, this setlist doesn't sound as interesting as the New Team K one, I am pleased they performed two Team Surprise songs, including one that hasn't even been released yet! Compared to Team K, they chose less songs from other Teams and sister groups, concentrating on Team A. I am pleased to see the inclusion of an SDN song again, but it is funny that it (and First Rabbit) overlap with the Team K setlist. I think captain Mariko chose her song, Ue Kara Mariko, to be included, but since she doesn't perform in the theatre often, I hope Sakiko steps up to take the centre position like she does on one of the choreography videos.

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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.

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Maeda Atsuko's Graduation from AKB48

(Sorry for the late post on this, but we needed time to adjust our feelings before we could write anything readable.)

On August 27th 2012, AKB's "face" Maeda Atsuko graduated from the group. Her final show at the theater in Akihabara was streamed live on AKB48's official YouTube Channel, FujiTV and on selected big screens around Tokyo.

To commemorate her final performance with AKB48, a special show was held at the theatre. A full member Team A performance of their 6th stage [Mokugekisha] was followed by six special songs performed by:

Team A: Maeda Atsuko, Kojima Haruna, Shinoda Mariko, Takahashi Minami
Team K: Itano Tomomi, Oshima Yuko, Minegishi Minami, Miyazawa Sae, Yokoyama Yui
Team B: Kasai Tomomi, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kitahara Rie, Watanabe Mayu
Team S: Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena
Team H: Sashihara Rino

M01 - Skirt, Hirari (Itano, Oshima, Kojima, Shinoda, Takahashi, Maeda, Minegishi)
M02 - Aitakatta
M03 - Flying Get
M04 - Ponytail to Shushu
M05 - Everyday, Kachuusha
M06 - Sakura no Hanabiratachi

Before the last song was sang, all of the members had a chance to say their last words to Acchan. Here are partial transcripts of their messages.

Takahashi: “Once the concert at Tokyo Dome was over, we promised each other to come back. I’m honestly not worried about you at all. Do your best with what you want to do. You’re free to guest star in the theater anytime”
Kojima: “I love you so much. Please shake hands with me, as a fan.”
Minegishi: "The time I spent with you and the group was the best part of my youth."
Shinoda: "I know you've had it hard. I feel I couldn't help you much in that regard. I've invited you a lot to eat outside. When I'd see you eat a lot, I felt it was the least I could do to relieve you of some stress. Please do your best from now on"
Kashiwagi: "I admire you as a performer. Singing with you yesterday, I noticed how much I really like you"
Watanabe: "It's incredible you can put a smile on that many peoples' faces with your personality. Please keep doing that."
Sashihara: "I shouldn't have been on stage yesterday when the original Team A members were performing with you, but I was honestly happy when you told me to come up on stage with you."
Matsui Rena: "You have always been a special, higher presence to me. There's a lot of things I can learn from you as an actress as well"
Matsui Jurina: "We met for the first time at Oogoe Diamond. The more I'd see of you the more I'd respect you. You stayed over at my place and I did the same in return. Please welcome me to your home again"
Miyazawa: "When I was going to be transferred to SHN48, you said "Let's do our best together". I was so glad you said that."
Kasai: "I've tried to imitate your smile many times and wasn't good at it. I adore you as a performer and person. Congratulations."
Oshima: "Thank you for leading AKB until here. Thank you for being a worthy rival. There's lots of happy, lots of sad memories. But it's all good memories. Let's create new memories together."

At the end of the show everyone sang the song [Sakura no Hanabiratachi]. It was the song that AKB48 debuted with, and now also Acchan's last song as a member of AKB48.

The first time we got here, seeing the place, we were worried about being able to work towards our dreams. There were times when we all wanted to stop. But because we were all there for each other, because we all worked towards our dreams, we are where we are now.
I love this theater, and everyone that performed together with me and watched us.
I really can't tell whether it was long or shot, but it was the greatest seven years imaginable.

Melos: The day has finally came. Even though it's been long since it was announced, I still find it unbelievable that Acchan would graduate. And in the hours after the graduation show, I found myself thinking "what now?". It's so strange not seeing Acchan there anymore.

kieyuku: AKB48 will never be the same again. So many things have changed since the point I joined the fandom and Acchan's graduation is the biggest. It just doesn't feel like the same AKB48 I used to love. Growing more disinterested each day, Acchan's departure may be my trigger to leave. I'm only holding on for Rie but if nothing exciting is happening for her I can see myself abandoning the fandom.

Miss Moonlight: I have to admit I've never been a big Acchan fan but I respect her for dealing with the pressure of being AKB's ace and for all the efforts she made in the past seven years. I wish her all the best for her future career. I don't know how the group will develop from now on, but Acchan leaving is a big turning point for sure.

Sammy: No Acchan in AKB anymore..... for a while I think AKB would be a bit weird for me with not seeing Acchan there anymore. She was a very important part of AKB since the beginning and I hope all the dreams she has comes true. Good luck Acchan.

HoneyRoastedPeanuts: We're lucky we were able to experience this important moment in the group's history and the years leading up to it. It's the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. AKB
Acchan, you've finally made it. Good luck with whatever you're doing from now on.

emptystring: While Maeda is not my oshi, I felt that she was the best choice for the center and she did the best she could. Her AKB career was quite legendary and all future centers will inevitably be compared to her.  I think her graduation was also very well planned and she went out in great style, accomplishing her dream (and the dream of the entire franchise) by performing at Tokyo Dome. I wish her the best. I am also very excited and anxious to see the next chapter of AKB franchise with the new teams.

Jul3: Acchan held a special place within the group which doesn't look likely to be filled. She had this star presence which didn't just make her shine, but the entire group. When she smiled, the whole of AKB48 shined brighter. Acchan's graduation, combined with reaching the "dream of Tokyo Dome" is an era for AKB48. Who knows what the future holds, both for AKB48, and for Maeda Atsuko.

Ying: It will take a while for me to feel accustomed to an AKB without Acchan. I really took for granted what she has done for the 48 franchise. She has become immensely popular, so much to the point that the she no longer fits the idol, and is now an entertainer who can step into the real world without the group name weighing her down.

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AKB48 TOKYO DOME Concert Team Shuffles

During the first day of AKB48's 3 day concert at Tokyo Dome, it was suddenly announced that the Teams of AKB48 will have their members shuffled. Team 4 will be abolished and AKB48 will return to its 3 Team system, but with more members in each Team.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11336894458.html

This is the second time AKB48 has got it's Teams shuffled, the first was in August 2009 during AKB48's Budokan Concert.

Among the shuffle announcements, Team A's Captain Takahashi Minami was appointed as AKB48's General Manager. She will still be a member of Team A, but Shinoda Mariko will take over her duties as Captain. Oshima Yuko and Umeda Ayaka will also be replacing the Captains of Team K and Team B respectively.

But the shuffles were not limited to just within AKB48. Takajo Aki and Nakagawa Haruka have been transfered out to JKT48, Miyazawa Sae and Suzuki Mariya to SNH48. Ota Aika was also transferred permanently to HKT48, the five of them will no longer be part of AKB48. Kitahara Rie and Yokoyama Yui have also been appointed as dual members, and will participate in both AKB48 and SKE48/NMB48 activities.

Even though each Team is overloaded and has 22/23 members currently, they will still perform with 16 members for Stage performances in the Theater.


The full shuffle list below


AKB48 General Manager:
Takahashi Minami

New Team A
Captain: Shinoda Mariko
Takahashi Minami (ex Captain of Team A)
Kasai Tomomi (ex Team B)
Sato Sumire (ex Team B)
Sato Natsuki (ex Team B)
Watanabe Mayu (ex Team B)
Kikuchi Ayaka (ex Team K)
Nito Moeno (ex Team K)
Nakatsuka Tomomi (ex Team K)
Matsui Sakiko (ex Team K)
Yokoyama Yui (ex Team K) [Also a member of NMB48]
Iriyama Anna (ex Team 4)
Iwata Karen (ex Team 4)
Kawaei Rina (ex Team 4)
Nakamata Shiori (ex Team 4)
Takahashi Juri (ex Team 4)
Tano Yuka (ex Team 4)
Izuta Rina (Formerly w/o team)
Kobayashi Marina (Formerly w/o team)
Morikawa Ayaka (Formerly w/o team)
Oshima Ryouka (Promoted)
Kotani Riho [Also a member of NMB48]

New Team K
Captain: Oshima Yuko
Akimoto Sayaka (ex Captain of Team K)
Itano Tomomi (No change)
Uchida Mayumi (No change)
Matsui Jurina (No change) [Also a member of SKE48]
Kuramochi Asuka (ex Team A)
Maeda Ami (ex Team A)
Matsubara Natsumi (ex Team A)
Nakata Chisato (ex Team A)
Nakaya Sayaka (ex Team A)
Chikano Rina (ex Team B)
Kitahara Rie (ex Team B) [Also a member of SKE48]
Kobayashi Kana (ex Team B)
Masuda Yuka (ex Team B)
Miyazaki Miho (ex Team B)
Sato Amina (ex Team B)
Suzuki Shihori (ex Team B)
Abe Maria (ex Team 4)
Nagao Mariya (ex Team 4)
Shimada Haruka (ex Team 4)
Fujita Nana (Formerly w/o team)
Mitsumune Kaoru (Promoted)
Muto Tomu (Promoted)

New Team B
Captain: Umeda Ayaka (ex Team K)
Kashiwagi Yuki (ex Captain of Team B)
Ishida Haruka (No change)
Komori Mika (No change)
Watanabe Miyuki (No change) [Also a member of NMB48]
Oya Shizuka (ex Team A)
Iwasa Misaki (ex Team A)
Katayama Haruka (ex Team A)
Kojima Haruna (ex Team A)
Fujie Reina (ex Team K)
Minegishi Minami (ex Team K)
Nonaka Misato (ex Team K)
Tanabe Miku (ex Team K)
Ichikawa Miori (ex Team 4)
Kato Rena (ex Team 4)
Nakamura Mariko (ex Team 4)
Oba Mina (ex Captain of Team 4)
Shimazaki Haruka (ex Team 4)
Takeuchi Miyu (ex Team 4)
Yamauchi Suzuran (ex Team 4)
Kojima Natsuki (Formerly w/o team)
Natori Wakana (Formerly w/o team)
Ishida Anna [Also a member of SKE48]


SKE48
Kitahara Rie [Also a member of AKB48]

NMB48
Yokoyama Yui [Also a member of AKB48]

HKT48
Ota Aika (ex Team A)

JKT48
Takajo Aki (ex Team A)
Nakagawa Haruka (ex Team A)

SNH48
Miyazawa Sae (ex Team K)
Suzuki Mariya (ex Team B)

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Maeda Atsuko's Graduation Show Details

In exactly 1 week, Maeda Atsuko's graduation show will be held at the AKB48 Theater. Starting at 18:00JST on August 27th. After 6 and a half years in the group, she will finally move on from AKB48.

As expected of the graduation of AKB48's ace, a staggering 229,096 ticket applications have been sent in for Acchan's last show in AKB48. Unfortunately the AKB48 Theater can only accommodate 250 people, meaning that the chance to win a ticket is 1 in 916.

But not all is lost for fans. Acchan asked management for an opportunity to greet all the fans, including the ones that won't be able to see her last appearance at theater. And so before the show starts, starting at 15:30JST, Acchan will be driven around the streets around Akihabara station in a procession about 650m long, past the Don Quihote, to bid farewell to the public.

Acchan's gradaution show will be broadcast live on the HEY!HEY!HEY! special [HEY!HEY!HEY!Kinkyuu 2-jikan Special Konya ga Saigo! Maeda Atsuko AKB48 Sayonara Raibu-sei Chuukei] on Fuji TV starting at 19:00JST. The first half of the program will show the history of AKB48, important memories for Acchan, and messages from various AKB48 members to her. The second half of the program will be the live broadcast from the theater.

There will also be live streaming of the show on Google+ and Youtube. Google+ will be collecting messages for Acchan starting on the 21st via the hashtag #maeda0827

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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.

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Sashihara Rino debuts with HKT48 and joins Team H

Sashihara Rino made her debut as a member of HKT48 during the 5th July theatre performance of [Te wo Tsunaginagara]. Sasshi's transfer to HKT48 was announced just three weeks ago, on ANN radio. Sashihara performed during all the team songs, and took part in the unit song [Glory Days]. A large number of flower wreaths were laid out in support for her by fans outside the HKT theatre entrance.

At the end of the performance, it was announced that Sasshi would be joining Team H. This move makes Team H the only 17 member team. Her profile now appears in the Team H section of the official website, and still remains on the AKB48 official website as well. Her final performance with Team A was set to be 20th June, but this was delayed as the date clashed with Matsubara Natsumi's birthday show. A new date for her final performance with Team A has yet to be announced.

In other Sashihara Rino news, she will be a regular on the variety shows Tamariba starting on 11th July on TNC, and Asadesu KBC starting on 12th July.

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