The AKB48 Group teams will compete against each other in a new event, the AKB48 Group Pennant Race. Points will be awarded based on theater ticket applications, theater version handshake ticket sales and sousenkyo votes.
The covers have been revealed for Watanabe Mayu's 4th single [Rappa Renshuuchuu]. The single will be released on the 10th July 2013 in 5 types. Three CD + DVD types, A, B and Limited Edition, and two CD only types, Regular and Limited Edition which comes with an artbook.
The cover for the limited edition with artbook is fan design held by an online contest. Mayu herself helped judge the winner. 13 runner-up entries will appear in an illustration book that will be included in that edition. View the winner and 13 runner-up entries at the official pixiv site here.
Type A Type B Regular
LE (CD + DVD) LE (CD + artbook)
The other interesting thing is that this song is a collaboration with OreSkaBand (オレスカバン):
Personally, I think Mayu looks lovely on the covers, but not a fan of the designs at all. Similarly, the style of the chosen fan covers isn't my kind of style. I have high hopes of her collaboration with OreSkaBand though, as they sound excellent.
The official AKB48 blog has announced some new details of their Five Dome Tour. There will be graduation ceremonies for Shinoda Mariko, Akimoto Sayaka, and Itano Tomomi at three of the 11 concerts. The last handshake events for these three members has been set for 7th July 2013. Graduation theatre performances will be announced at a later date.
In addition, graduated ace Maeda Atsuko is set to appear at the Sapporo Dome concert! She recently tweeted that she was recording a music video overseas. AKS states that her 3rd single will be released in September and that she will perform her new single (and possibly) more at the concert.
The official blog post also announced that a new unit will debut at the Sapporo Dome concert as well.
Full dates of the dome concerts and special events:
20 July 2013
21 July 2013
31 July 2013
7 August 2013
8 August 2013
16 August 2013
17 August 2013
22 August 2013
23 August 2013
24 August 2013
25 August 2013
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Sapporo
Osaka
Osaka
Nagoya
Nagoya
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Tokyo
Shinoda Mariko graduation ceremony
Maeda Atsuko appearance, and new unit debut
Akimoto Sayaka graduation ceremony
Itano Tomomi graduation ceremony
It's sad to see these three prominent members of AKB48 leave in such a short space of time. The new unit announcement is strange, as the sub-units seem to be dead nowadays, with the focus of soloists instead. The return of Acchan to an AKB48 stage is a big surprise, and follows on from her appearance in The Return Of Team Surprise. I don't know what association she has with Sapporo apart from appearing in some Sapporo Beer adverts. She is looking really great recently though, and I'm looking forward to her musical activies.
Presale for SNH48's first EP [Heavy Rotation] started yesterday on 13th June 2013.
There is currently only one version of the EP, containing 3 songs and their instrumentals as well as a bonus of a member photo card and group photo, a DVD, and a handshake ticket. Every 5th copy sold also comes with a ticket to have a 2-shot with a member of your choice and every 10th copy sold comes with a bonus autograph.
It is available for 78 yuan on SNH48's online shop but only to those living in China. SNH48 1st EP Heavy Rotation 无尽旋转 13 June 2013
78yuan
[CD]
01. Heavy Rotation (无尽旋转)
02. RIVER (激流之战)
03. Sakura no ki ni Narou (化作樱花树)
04. Heavy Rotation (instrumental)
05. RIVER (instrumental)
06. Sakura no Ki ni Narou (instrumental) [DVD]
01. Heavy Rotation (Music Video)
02. RIVER (Music Video)
03. Sakura no ki ni Narou (Music Video)
04. March 31st handshake event BTS
AKB48's Enka soloist Iwasa Misaki will be releasing her first Enka album, and is taking up requests from the fans for songs to cover on the album. Song submissions have started on 20th June, and will end on 10th August. The results will be revealed sometime on late August. The album does not have an official release date yet.
Official Website: http://www.tkma.co.jp/moshisora/ Iwasa Misaki previous released 2 Singles, [Mujin Eki] and [Moshi Watashi ga Sora ni Sundeitara], both of which will be included in the album. She has covered various enka songs in her singles such as [Seto no Hanayome],[Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki, as well as Enka version of AKB48 songs like Flying Get[ and [Heavy Rotation].
Fans can request for songs to cover through voting tickets included in various magazines, distributed during Iwasa Misaki's events or by printing the .pdf in the link below and sending it to the address included in the slip.
During the AKB48 32nd Single Senbatsu Election held last weekend at Nissan Stadium, SNH48's Miyazawa Sae took 10th place and during her speech, she announced that she does not wish to become a concurrent member in Team K.
Sae's concurrent membership between SNH48 and Team K was announced in April earlier this year, at the finale of the AKB48 Group Rinji Soukai concert held in Nippon Budokan. Before that she was just a member of SNH48, after being transferred full-time during AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert in August 2012.
This is the first time a member has rejected their concurrent position, it is not clear if her request will make it through. As of time of posting, her profile on the AKB48 Official Website is still up and still notes her as a concurrent member of AKB48 Team K and SNH48.
Miyazawa Sae and Suzuki Mariya, even though being fully transferred to SNH48 nearly a year ago, have not performed together with SNH48 even once due to problems getting their getting work permits. They have only made occasional appearances with SNH48 including the recent [Pray for Ya’an, Star Flowers Blooming For You] Concert where they appeared in one MC.
"Thanks so much to all who have supported me until today. This past year was a year of changes for me. I made a lot of decisions, and there were also times it was so frustrating that I wanted to run away. But what encouraged me to move forward at such times was last year's election result. Last year's bond between me and my fans and the great amount of love from them. This helped me and even at the time when I got a concurrent position and couldn't really make a move forward, this encouraged me. Currently there is talk about the "new generation" of AKB, and indeed they are all cute and in good shape. But when it comes to what is most important in the 48 group "to give your all/work with all might" and to perform, I think I still don't lose to my kouhai. And I have a sudden annoucement. Recently my concurrent position in AKB48 was announced at the Budoukan concert, but I want to only work as SNH48 from now on. Their potential is still not visible at all and I also don't know when I will be able to stand with them together on a stage, but I don't want to show an uncool side of me, so I want to put all my power into SNH48 alone. Since I was chosen Senbatsu I am going to show a lot of the new me in the next single so that my fans and all those who support the 48 group will come tho think that Miyazawa Sae is necessary in Senbatsu. That's how I am, so please continue to support me. And thank you so much. (Host: When did you decide to focus on SNH48 alone?) Just now. Right here. I heard that SNH48 members will come here today and seeing them I came to think that I want to do my best together with them. To be honest, you cannot yet see any progress in SNH48. That's why I will make them progress!"
As announced during the AKB48 32nd Single Senbatsu Election last Saturday, AKB48 Team A Captain Shinoda Mariko will be graduating from AKB48.
The announcement was made by Mariko herself, in the middle of her speech for obtaining the 5th position for AKB48's 32nd Single. She also requested for her graduation concert to be held at her hometown of Fukuoka, during the Fukuoka Dome concert which will be held from July 20th to 21st (Sat ~ Sun).
Mariko will still be participating in AKB48's 32nd Single, slated for release sometime in August, but will stop all promotional activities after she graduates.
"First of all, thank you for so much support. Last year I said "please come with the intention to crush (us senpai)", after that a year passed where I could feel that a lot of kouhai are doing their best in order to live up to these expectations. Watching today('s event), I also thought that so many kouhai are doing their best. I was really happy and I realized that the 48 group can still go further up. Seeing my kouhai, my energetic kouhai, I decided to make one decision. I, Shinoda Mariko, will graduate from AKB48. I am not saying I was really crushed or so, but to see the energetic and powerful backs of my kouhai I became so happy. I have nothing to regret concerning AKB48. Graduation...("Mariko" calls from the audience) Thank you. My kouhai are trying to make one step forward, so I decided to step one step forward too. I thought that I want to have my graduation in my hometown, so, though it's sudden, please let me graduate during next month's Fukuoka Dome concert. I think the AKB48 group can still aim further up. I'd be glad if I could still watch over the members even after I graduated. That I could continue my life in AKB48 these past 8 years is because my fans who supported me were there. To me all fans who supported me are my treasure. Thank you. (Host: When and with what feeings did you decide the graduation?) Every year I thought I would graduate in that year. Wanting to lead my life with full power, I thought about graduation every year. But seeing everyone's energy this year, my kouhai have pushed me forward, that's how I feel. Last year I said "come with the intention to crush", but I also thought watching over everyone for a year and then hand over my seat would also be typically me, so I came to this year's decision. (Takahashi Minami asked to comment on this: It's lonely! Mariko is almost from the same generation and to part from her feels really lonely. But she really was always someone who walked ahead and seeing her walking forward I just want to push her back. I have seen her back (walking forward) a lot and today her back just looks so cool to me. She has moved forward....) Because I think our general manager is needed in AKB48 I want her to do her best here for 30, no for 100 years. (Host: What is AKB48 for you?) When I joined AKB48 I didn't have any confidence in myself, but the fact that so many people support me made me confident and I feel as if I was changed as a person. I have no regrets."
Hayley: As a Mariko oshi, I wasn't surprised with the news. Upset, of course! But not honestly surprised. The most surprising thing was the date she chose. It's okay to want to graduate in your home town, but she's leaving before other members who announced their graduation months before her. I'd hate to make this sappy, but Mariko has been very inspirational to me. Call her my role model, my make-believe older sister, whatever! I would always try harder and reach for farther goals because of her and because of AKB48 as a whole. As Takamina said, it's going to be really lonely! But Mariko has been doing some amazing things with her career. She doesn't need AKB48 anymore because she has her own image. Since the date is so unfortunately soon, I've been scrambling to raise the money to see her once in concert (even made an indiegogo. hint hint!). All we can say to her as her fans is congratulations and good luck! She will surely be missed from the group, but I know she'll continue to do amazing things! You will forever be my number one oshi! Mariko, you beautiful and wonderful and amazing and perfect woman.. CONGRATULATIONS!! Good luck after AKB48.
JKT48 is going to hold their newest TV program [JKT48 Missions]. This will be their second TV program after [JKT48 School] which was broadcast from April - June 2012.
The program is a kind of variety show where JKT48 members will be given various missions and challenges to be completed. The trailer of the program is already shown in relevant station tv commercials and programs.
The first episode will air on 23 June 2013. The program will air at 10.45 AM on TRANS7 every Sunday.
Watch the official trailer for [JKT48 Missions] below:
SKE48 have announced that the three New Teams, as shuffled at the Gaichi Hall concerts on 13th April 2013 will start performing new stages from July. Rather than being new original stages, these stages will be stages previously performed by AKB48.
The three new teams had performed together at the Nippon Budokan concert on the 25th April but the old teams have continued to perform their current stages in the theatre.
The captains of the new teams, Team S: Nakanishi Yuka, Team KII: Takayanagi Akane, and Team E:Matsui Rena, together with staff and management, came up with a shortlist of which previous AKB48 stage each team will perform. These are:
New Team S:
A4th [Tadaima Renaichu]
K4th [Saishuu Bell ga Naru]
K6th [RESET]
New Team KII:
A5th [Renai Kinshi Jourei]
A6th [Mokugekisha]
B5th [Theater no Megami]
New Team E:
A4th [Tadaima Renaichu]
H1st [Boku no Taiyou]
H2nd [Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai]
The voting period will be from 13-15 June 2013 and the voting will be open to SKE48 Mobile Fanclub members and SKE48 Live On Demand subscribers. The announcement of the result of the vote will be on the first day of the new performances, scheduled for late July.
Additional details of which teams have previously performed the proposed stages:
New Team S
[Tadaima Renaichu] - AKB48 Team A 4th Stage, AKB48 Kenkyuusei 1st Stage
[Saishuu Bell ga Naru] - AKB48 Team K 4th Stage,
[RESET] - AKB48 Team K 6th Stage, AKB48 Kenkyuusei 5th Stage
New Team KII
[Renai Kinshi Jourei] - AKB48 Team A 5th Stage, AKB48 Kenkyuusei 3rd Stage, JKT48 Team J 1st Stage
[Mokugekisha] - AKB48 Team A 6th Stage
[Theater no Megami] - AKB48 Team B 5th Stage, AKB48 Kenkyuusei 4th Stage
New Team E
[Tadaima Renaichu] - AKB48 Team A 4th Stage, AKB48 Kenkyuusei 1st Stage
[Boku no Taiyou] - AKB48 Himawarigumi 1st Stage, AKB48 Team 4 1st Stage, AKB48 Kenkyuusei 6th Stage, JKT48 Kenkyuusei 2nd Stage
[Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai] - AKB48 Himawarigumi 2nd Stage
It's good that the New Teams will come into action, and not surprising that they don't get original stages, given the lack of them in all of the AKB48 groups. However, with the AKB48 and HKT48 Teams getting "waiting stages" comprising of new setlists containing old songs, SKE48 buck this trend by performing actual previous stages.
It has been 3 days since the election ended, but we finally completed our election commentary for the AKB48 32nd Single Senbatsu Election (5th Senbatsu Election)! Three tiring days to compile all our feelings about the election into one single post. Without further ado, here we go!
Commentators:
Melos
Jul3
Sammy
Miss Moonlight
Crests
wanzo
emptystring
All election member speeches was translated by Miss Moonlight Usage of the speech translations is allowed but only with credits and a link back to this post.
AKB48 has just concluded it's 32nd Single Senbatsu Election (5th Senbatsu Election), and a new center was crowned tonight! The previous election winner Oshima Yuko was ousted from her throne and taking her place with a 20k vote difference between them was HKT48's Sashihara Rino!!! It's a completely new direction in AKB48's book. The release date for the 32nd Single will be 21st August, 2013.
Sashihara took the crown with 150k votes, 50k more than the top spot last year. The total number of votes for just the members in Senbatsu has also increased by an amazing 429k.
An interesting outcome of this year's election is that half of the members in the top 64 are sister group members, inclusive of 1 graduated member. A total of 30 AKB48 girls ranked this year, compared to 34 from the sister groups combined (SKE48: 17, NMB48: 8, HKT48: 3, JKT48: 1, SNH48: 1, Graduated: 1)
Also, each of the 4 sections have centers from different groups. Future Girls is centered by Yabushita Shu from NMB48, Next Girls by Sato Amina from AKB48, representing Under Girls is Shibata Aya from SKE48 and finally the Senbatsu center is HKT48's Sashihara Rino..
However not all was happy news during the election. Upon reviving her rank, AKB48's oldest member and Team A Captain Shinoda Mariko announced her graduation from the group. She has requested that the Fukuoka Dome concert will be her graduation performance. Fukuoka is Mariko's birthplace. It is still unknown her role in the next single.
SNH48's Miyazawa Sae has also announced that she will be rejecting her concurrency in AKB48 Team K, which was announced at the AKB48 Group Rinji Soukai Concert two months ago, to focus solely on SNH48.
All credits should go to the people who provided the information. We are just the middleman collecting all the information from a wide variety of places and collating it in one place.
