NMB48 6th Single [Kitagawa Kenji] 1st Day Sales

NMB48 has released its 6th single [Kitagawa Kenji]  on November 7 selling 259,984 copies on first day. This means rank 1 on Oricon Daily Charts.

Sales dropped by about 10,000 copies compared to the previous single [Virginity], which sold 269,386 copies the first day, and are about 20,000 copies lower than NMB48's highest first day sales ( [Junjou U-19] with 280,367 copies).

The drop is not that big and second day sales (20,056) were slightly higher than those of [Virginity] (17,346), so depending on how this week goes [Kitagawa Kenji] can still beat [Virginity] in  first week sales.


I had wished for increasing sales but since it's only a 10 k drop that is still ok. Unlike the previous singles, there are no two-shot-events for Kitagawa Kenji. Considering this, they are actually doing well.

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AKB48 Music Video Request 2012 Results

The full results of AKB48's Music Video Request 2012 are in. Fans could vote for a song which did not already have a music video using voting slips inside the regular versions of the album [1830m]. The top three songs have had music videos made which are included in different types of AKB48's 29th single [Eien Pressure] (see the full tracklisting here for details).

The results up to position 20, with number of votes per song, are below:

1. Team B Oshi (7,236)
2. First Rabbit (4,244)
3. Sakura no Hanabira ~Maeda Atsuko solo ver.~ (4,173)

4. Shonichi (2,792)
5. Shoujotachi yo (2,600)
6. Nakinagara Hohoende (2,102)
7. Itoshiki Natasha (2,000)
8. Kimi to Boku no Kankei (1,941)
9. Yokaze no Shiwaza (1,828)
10. Hashire! Penguin (1,826)
11. Heart Gata Virus (1,776)
12. Only Today (1,525)
13. Omoide no Hotondo (1,366)
14. Avocado Jane~shi... (1,292)
15. Mammoth (1,280)
16. Plastic no Kuchibiru (1,250)
17. Temedemo no Namida (1,219)
18. Scandalous ni Ikou (1,084)
19. Sougen no Kiseki (1,038)
20. Kanojo ni Naremasu ka? (953)

Since Acchan has graduated, they have not filmed new footage of her for her solo music video, as they had previously announced they wouldn't use graduated members. Instead, they will use archive footage of her.

I'm not surprised that Team B Oshi won, although it's quite a boring choice. Team B were also well represented in the top five with Shonichi. The two lead songs from the documentary films and original albums, First Rabbit and Shoujotachi yo, also placed high. Personally I voted for Hashire! Penguin and was hoping for it to rank higherk only two votes away from #9. I wonder if the results from this will affect Request Hour voting in any way.

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New TV Show [AKB Ko Usagi Dojo] to Replace [Shukan AKB]

AKB48's weekly show [Shukan AKB] will be getting replaced with [AKB Ko Usagi Dojo] from 7th December. The show will air every Friday from 17:30 till 18:00. The show will be hosted by Terry Ito and Minegishi Minami.

There doesn't seem to be much info on this show yet, no official website, and little is known apart from Takahashi Minami will feature on the first episode. The name is curious though, and they seem to use the rabbit (usagi) theme in the studio background. Rabbits seem to feature a few times recently, with the song First Rabbit, and in Mayuyu's Otona Jelly Beans covers.

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AKB48 29th Single [Eien Pressure] Covers, Tracklist and Music Video Request 2012 Results

AKB48's 29th single will be titled [Eien Pressure] and released on the 5th December 2012. This song has senbatsu members decided by the 2012 Janken Tournament, with Shimazaki Haruka winning the centre position, she also has a solo cover on the Theatre Edition. This single will also contain songs by the sister groups SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48. This is the first original song for HKT48. There will be four CD+DVD Types A-D of this single as well as the CD only Theatre Edition.

The single will also include the three music videos which won Music Video Request 2012. These are:

1. [Team B Oshi]
2. [First Rabbit]
3. [Sakura no Hanabira] (Maeda Atsuko solo ver.)

Since they said they wouldn't film graduated members, the Maeda Atsuko solo PV will use archive footage.

The senbatsu members who won the place to be in this single via the Janken Tournament are (in winning order):

1st - Shimazaki Haruka
2nd - Nito Moeno
3rd - Yokoyama Yui
4th - Uchida Mayumi
5th - Shinoda Mariko
6th - Abe Maria
7th - Takeuchi Miyu
8th - Nakamura Mariko
9-16 - Kashiwagi Yuki, Itano Tomomi, Kimoto Kanon (SKE48), Umeda Ayaka, Nakata Chisato, Matsubara Natsumi, Maeda Ami, Ueno Kasumi (SKE48)

As well as including photos drawn randomly from [Eien Pressure] and standard b-side [Totteoki Christmas] in the first press editions, Types A-C will also include a photo from the sister group whose song is included on that Type.

AKB48 29th Single
Eien Pressure
永遠プレッシャー
5 December 2012

Type A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Eien Pressure 02. Totteoki Christmas 03. Tsuyogari Tokei (SKE48) 04. Eien Pressure (off vocal.) 05. Totteoki Christmas (off vocal.) 06. Tsuyogari Tokei (off vocal.) [DVD] 01. Eien Pressure (Music Video) 02. Totteoki Christmas (Music Video) 03. Tsuyogari Tokei (Music Video) 04. Team B Oshi (Music Video Request 2012 Music Video) 05. 29th Single Senbatsu Janken Tournament Documentary (Part One)
Type B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Eien Pressure 02. Totteoki Christmas 03. HA! (NMB48) 04. Eien Pressure (off vocal.) 05. Totteoki Christmas (off vocal.) 06. HA! (off vocal.) [DVD] 01. Eien Pressure (Music Video) 02. Totteoki Christmas (Music Video) 03. HA! (Music Video) 04. First Rabbit (Music Video Request 2012 Music Video) 05. 29th Single Senbatsu Janken Tournament Documentary (Part Two)
Type C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Eien Pressure 02. Totteoki Christmas 03. Hatsukoi Butterfly (HKT48) 04. Eien Pressure (off vocal.) 05. Totteoki Christmas (off vocal.) 06. Hatsukoi Butterfly (off vocal.) [DVD] 01. Eien Pressure (Music Video) 02. Totteoki Christmas (Music Video) 03. Hatsukoi Butterfly (Music Video) 04. Sakura no Hanabira (Maeda Atsuko solo ver.) (Music Video Request 2012 Music Video) 05. 29th Single Senbatsu Janken Tournament Documentary (Sequel)
Type D 1,470yen	[CD] 01. Eien Pressure 02. Totteoki Christmas 03. TBA 04. Eien Pressure (off vocal.) 05. Totteoki Christmas (off vocal.) 06. TBA (off vocal.) [DVD] 01. Eien Pressure (Music Video) 02. Totteoki Christmas (Music Video) 03. TBA (Music Video)
Theatre Edition 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Eien Pressure 02. Totteoki Christmas 03. Watashitachi no Reason 04. Eien Pressure (off vocal.) 05. Totteoki Christmas (off vocal.) 06. Watashitachi no Reason (off vocal.)

The booklet of Type C (and possibly the others) can fold out to make a house:

This is an interesting single in practice because of all the gimmicks. Sales have been dropping recently and the Janken single traditionally has low sales. To counter this they are enlisting at least three things. Firstly, the sheer amount of Types, it is rare to get a 3rd Type (excluding the Theatre Edition), let alone a 4th, this Type D. Secondly there is the inclusion of all the sister groups. SKE48 and NMB48 have become increasingly popular and HKT48 is new, this being their long-awaitedfirst song - coming before their debut single on Universal in 2013. Finally there is the Music Video Request. Team B Oshi isn't a surprise win. Acchan's solo is interesting, since she has now graduated the group, and this must have helped it gain votes. First Rabbit seems to be getting pushed now as well, appearing in both New Team A and New Team K's Waiting Stages.

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New Team B Waiting Stage Shonichi Setlist

New Team B were the last team to perform their new [Waiting Stage] after the team shuffle. They performed their set on 3rd November 2012.

The included members for this shonichi were:

Ishida Anna, Ishida Haruka, Ichikawa Miori, Iwasa Misaki, Umeda Ayaka, Oba Mina, Kashiwagi Yuki, Katayama Haruka, Kato Rena, Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu, Fujie Reina, Minegishi Minami, Yamauchi Suzuran, Watanabe Miyuki

Missing Team B members:

Oya Shizuku, Nonaka Misato, Komori Mika, Tanabe Miku, Nakamura Mariko, Kojima Natsuki, Natori Wakana

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

SETLIST:

M01 - Shonichi (B3)
M02 - Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara (RIVER c/w)
M03 - Virgin Love (K2)
M04 - Seigi no Mikata ja Nai Hero (UZA c/w)
------MC1-----
M05 - Kimi no c/w (Team Surprise, Shimazaki Haruka, Ichikawa Miori, Takeuchi Miyu)
M06 - Dakishimetara (K5, Kojima Haruna, Kato Rena, Fujie Reina)
M07 - Omoide Ijou (S3, Minegishi Minami, Umeda Ayaka, Katayama Haruka)
M08 - Gomen ne, Jewel (K4, Watanabe Miyuki, Yamauchi Suzuran, Ishida Haruka, Iwasa Misaki)
M09 - Namida ni Shizumu Taiyou (Team Surprise, Kashiwagi Yuki, Oba Mina, Ishida Anna)
------MC2-----
M10 - Flying Get (single)
M11 - Kiss Shite Son Shichatta (B3)
M12 - Nagiichi (NMB48 single)
M13 - Yobisute Fantasy (Ue Kara Mariko c/w)
------MC3-----
M14 - Yuuhi wo Miteiruka? (H1)
------ENCORE-----
M15 - Team B Oshi (B5)
------MC4-----
M16 - Gingham Check (single)
M17 - Tanpopo no Kesshin (B4)
------DOUBLE ENCORE-----
M18 - UZA (single)

New Team B's setlist looks quite fun to me. I'm glad they did their new team song and the last janken single team song, just like K did but A skipped, and nice that an NMB48 song is there. It is great to see the inclusion of Team Surprise songs as they have never been performed before.

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NMB48 Hikawa Ayame on Injury Break

It was announced on NMB48's official blog that Team M member Hikawa Ayame will take a break from NMB48. She has a leg injury and needs time to rest and do rehabilitation.

There is no information on how long this break might take.


Hikawa Ayame's comment:
Original Message

Since about 3,4 months ago, my leg injury and physical condition hasn't been good and there were times I was abesent from work and stage shows. I think if I continued to drag on (this situation) like this I would cause troubles, and as a result of talking to the staff, I will take a short break.
It's inexcusable and arbitrary, but please give me a bit time.
I don't know when I will be able to come back, but I will do my best at treatment and rehabilitation to get well as fast as possible.
I am really sorry.

Hikawa Ayame

 I wish her all the best for her recovery and hope she will be able to come back soon.

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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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New Team K Waiting Stage Shonichi Setlist

New Team K were the first team to perform their new [Waiting Stage] after the team shuffle. They performed their set on 1st November 2012. The setlist included songs from most previous Team K stages, as well as songs from each of the other teams, and each of the sister groups, as well as album, single and coupling songs.

The included members for this shonichi were:

Akimoto Sayaka, Abe Maria, Itano Tomomi, Oshima Yuko, Kitahara Rie, Kuramochi Asuka, Shimada Haruka, Suzuki Shihori, Nakata Chisato, Nakaya Sayaka, Nagao Mariya, Fujita Nana, Maeda Ami, Masuda Yuka, Mutou Tomu, Matsubara Natsumi

Missing Team K members:

Uchida Mayumi, Miyazaki Myao, Kobayashi Kana, Chikano Rina, Sato Amina, Matsui Jurina

Note that Matsui Jurina was originally scheduled to perform but due to illness was replaced with Matsubara Natsumi. Mitsumune Kaoru was set to be in New Team K but graduated before their first appearance.

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

SETLIST:

M01 - Seishun Girls (K2)
M02 - Nounai Paradise (K3)
M03 - Saishuu Bell ga Naru (K4)
M04 - Scrap & Build (UZA c/w)
------MC1-----
M05 - Himawari (H1, Shimada Haruka, Suzuki Shihori, Masuda Yuka, Maeda Ami)
M06 - Kataomoi no Taikakusen (B4, Kitahara Rie, Nagao Mariya, Matsubara Natsumi)
M07 - Arashi no Yoru ni wa (B5, Abe Maria, Kuramochi Asuka, Nakaya Sayaka, Mutou Tomu)
M08 - Anata to Christmas Eve (A1, Akimoto Sayaka, Itano Tomomi)
M09 - Glory Days (S2, Oshima Yuko, Nakata Chisato, Fujita Nana)
------MC2-----
M10 - Tadaima Renaichu (A4)
M11 - ALIVE (Chance no Junban c/w)
M12 - Honest Man (B5)
M13 - Hashire! Penguin (Ue Kara Mariko c/w)
M14 - Kodoku na Runner (SDN1), Tsuyokimono yo (SKE48 single), Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo (NMB48 single)
M15 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare (K2)
------MC3-----
M16 - UZA (single)
------ENCORE-----
M17 - Heavy Rotation (single)
M18 - First Rabbit (1830m)
M19 - Sougen no Kiseki (K3)

I haven't seen the show so can't comment on the performance, but this looks like an interesting mix of songs from all over the AKB48 repertoire. Indeed, one of the most interesting things is the inclusion of songs from all the sister groups (including SDN48!). Previously it has only been the sister groups performing AKB48 songs, so it is good to see it the other way around. As a Team 4 fan I'm a bit bitter about Hashire! Penguin, and hope Team K don't perform it at Request Hour, what with Suzuran's pushing of it at the senshuuraku. It will be interesting to see how these new teams work with the extended number of members, and how they will be rotated, and if the kenkyuusei will play a role in them.

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AKB48 28th Single [UZA] 1st Day Sales

AKB48's 28th single [UZA]'s 1st day sales are in. It placed 1st on Oricon's daily charts, selling 884,602 copies. This is lower than the last single [Gingham Check]'s 906,617 copies. This is the first sub-900 thousand copy selling first day sales for any AKB48 single since their 20th single [Sakura no Ki ni Narou], which sold 655,344 copies.

AKB48 single sales have been relatively steady since they broke the 900k first day sales barrier with Everyday, Kachuusha, but this is the lowest for quite some time. It is simply AKB48's sales levelling off? Or is it perhaps related to Acchan's graduation. Speculate away. This single came in one extra type and contains Request Hour 2013 Set List Best 100 voting tickets as well as added sales incentives.

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Watanabe Mayu 3rd Single [Hikaru Monotachi] Covers

The covers for Watanabe Mayu's 3rd solo single [Hikaru Monotachi] are out! There are 5 types. The limited edition type will contain a illustration book featuring images from a variety of different artists.

Type A and B

 

Type C and Regular

Limited Edition

Also, enjoy the following high resolution images:

For a full tracklisting, please see this post.

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