Suzuki Rika Graduates from AKB48

Suzuki Rika, a 12th Generation KKS, graduated from AKB48 on March 31st, 2012. She graduated from AKB48 because she wanted to focus on her studies. On March 30th, 2012, she posted the following message on Google+: Suzuki Rika  -  Mar 31, 2012  -  Mobile  -  Public 2012/3/31 I will graduate from AKB48 tomorrow. This was a monumental decision in my life. But I don't think this is the wrong choice. Because the choices everyone else made have not been wrong. When standing at the crossroads of life, people make different choices and no one knows if it's the...

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NMB48 4th Single Titled [Nagiichi] + Senbatsu Members

NMB48 has announced the title and senbatsu for its 4th single, set to be released on May 9th. The single will be called [Nagiichi] (ナギイチ) which is short for Nagisa de ichiban kawaii GIRL!! (渚で一番かわいいGIRL!!/ the cutest girl on the shore/beach). It was also announced that one of the couplings will be a solo song by Watanabe Miyuki. This will be the second solo for an NMB48 girl after Yamamoto Sayaka's Jungle Gym, which was a coupling on the last single Junjou U-19. Senbatsu members for this single are: Team N: Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Yamada Nana, Fukumoto Aina, Ogasawara Mayu, Jonishi...

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[HONG KONG] Genki Japan in Hong Kong Event Report

Maeda Atsuko, Nakagawa Haruka and Masuda Yuka visited Hong Kong from March 26th, 2012 to March 28th, 2012, to attend the [Genki Japan in Hong Kong] event as the official cheering squad. The trio arrived in Hong Kong on Monday morning. However, due to the number of fans waiting in the arrival hall, airport staff escorted them outside using the VIP route, away from the sight of fans. Some fans have been waiting since last night to welcome the girls. The first event took place on March 26th, 2012 at 8pm. MC for the event is a comedian duo called Mukoangie. They briefly talked about the purpose...

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Nogizaka46 New TV Show [Nogizaka Roman] Will Start April 2nd

Nogizaka46 will be getting a second regular TV show [Nogizaka Roman] starting April 2nd, 2012 on TV Tokyo. The new show is just 5 mins long and airs nationwide just past midnight, Monday to Thursday. It will feature the Nogizaka46 senbatsu members reading various Japanese literature. Image videos of the members will also be broadcast on the show. Nogizaka Roman 乃木坂浪漫 Official Website: - TV Network: TV Tokyo Air Time: Monday ~ Thursday, 24:53 ~ 24:58 Broadcast starts: 02 April 2012 Cast: Nogizaka46 Ooh yeah new TV show for Nogizaka! But if it's just reading...

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Mitsumune Kaoru to Act in Drama [ATARU]

AKB48 13th gen Kenkyuusei Mitsumune Kaoru will be acting in a new spring drama titled [ATARU], starring Nakai Masahiro of SMAP. The drama will air every Sunday, 21:00 JST, on TBS starting from 15 April 2012. Kaoru will be acting as Ishikawa Yui of Police Forensics Department, Mobile Forensics Squad. She graduated from Police Academy with excellent results, and was picked for the Mobile Forensics Squad. But as she loves goukon (joint party), the moment the clock strikes 5, she will start trimming her nails and playing with her mobile phone. Kaoru said, "It's...

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SKE48 9th Single to Release on May 16th

Announced during Team S's Theater show on March 26th, SKE48's 9th single will release on May 16th, 2012. The single will come in the usual TYPE A, B, C and Theater versions, no title as of yet. SKE48 9th Single untitled 16 May 2012 May is looking to be an expensive month for releases. We have Nogizaka46 and Sashihara Rino releasing on May 2nd, NMB48 on May 9th, SKE48 on May 16th and most importantly AKB48's election voting single on May 23rd. I just hope that the wotas saving up for the election single will not hinder SKE48's sal...

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[SKE48 no Magical Radio 2] Will Start April 3rd

SKE48 fans rejoice! There will be a new season of [SKE48 no Magical Radio] starting next week! Although there has not been any official word about the new season, it was shown on the TV guide for next week. Magical Radio 2 will start on April 4th on Nippon TV, 01:19 ~ 01:49. (though for this blog we will use the extended 24-hr timing because it is more commonly used for TV schedules) SKE48 no Magical Radio 2 SKE48のマジカル・ラジオ2 Official Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/magical/ TV Network: Nippon TV Air Time: 25:19 ~ 25:49 Broadcast starts: 03 April 2012 Cast: Yagam Kumi, Kizaki Yuria, Hata Sawako The...

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Deciphering the AKB48 Official Diary 2012-2013

AKB48's [Official Diary 2012-2013] book was released on Friday, March 23, 2012. In the diary were profiles and more information of all AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, and even JKT48 members. Also in the diary was a calendar that showed all the birthdays of those members and other important dates. But upon closer inspection, they have also included a number of strange codes with possible hidden meanings. The dates and codes of some of these matches with important dates in AKB48, like their 7 year anniversary on 12/8. Most of the rest though were not so easy to figure out, and that's where you...

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[Gyoumu Renraku] Concert Agency Promotions

During the last day of the AKB48 [Gyoumu Renraku] concert in Saitama Super Arena, several agency promotions were announced. AKB48 Iriyama Anna, Yokoyama Yui → Ohta Pro Yamauchi Suzuran → Hori Pro Ichikawa Miori → Production Ogi Nakamata Shiori → Watanabe Pro Oba Mina, Abe Maria → Japan Music Entertainment Shimazaki Haruka → Big Apple Shimada Haruka → office48 Nagao Mariya → Irving Nakamura Mariko → Shinei Production Takeuchi Miyu → Oh Enterprise SKE48 Yagami Kumi → Watanabe Pro Matsui Rena → Grick Takayanagi Akane → Avex Entertainment These...

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AKB48 4th Senbatsu Election (27th Single) Decided

The AKB48 4th Senbatu General Election was announced during the final day of AKB48's [Gyoumu Renraku. Tanomu zo, Katayama-buchou!] concert. The 4th Senbatsu General Election will be choose the senbatsu members for the 27th Single, tickets will most likely be included in AKB48's 26th single [Manatsu no Sounds good!]. The final event will take place in the Nippon Budokan on June 6th. This time, the Election will have 64 ranks, divided into 4 equal groups. 01~16 Senbatsu 17~32 Under Girls? 33~48 Under Girls 2? 49~64 Under Girls 3? This means there are more spots this...

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Maeda Atsuko Announces Her Graduation

Maeda Atsuko, the face of AKB48, has announced her graduation tonight on the final day of AKB48's [Gyoumu Renraku. Tanomu zo, Katayama-buchou!] concert in Saitama Super Arena. No graduation date has been announced at this time. Maeda Atsuko's graduation speech I am a first-generation member and have been here since I was 14. This was my life. It was a big decision. And I will make a second important decision. I am going to graduate. I have caused some troubles because of my mood swings, but thanks for everyone's help, I am here today. To perform in Tokyo Dome was a dream since I was...

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AKB48 Concert [Gyoumu Renraku] Set List

POST WILL BE UPDATED AS WE GO ALONG Gyoumu Renraku. Tanomu zo, Katayama-buchou! 業務連絡。頼むぞ、片山部長！ Date: 23 ~ 25 March 2012 Venue: Saitama Super Arena Skip to Day 1Skip to Day 2Skip to Day 3 DAY 1 (23/3) Kage-Ana: Katayama Haruka M00 - Overture M01 - GIVE ME FIVE! M02 - First Rabbit M03 - Shoujotachi yo M04 - Everyday, Kachuusha -----MC1----- M05 - Shonichi (Team A) M06 - Only Today (Team A) M07 - Bacchikoi K (Team K,  under: Omori Miyu) M08 - Korogaru Ishi ni Nare (Team K, under: Omori Miyu) M09 - AKB Sanjou (Team B, under: Izuta Rina) M10 - Team B Oshi (Team B, under: Izuta Rina) M11...

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[Gyoumu Renraku] Concert Member Promotions and Transfers

Some really crazy things happened during Day 2 of AKB48's [Gyoumu Renraku] concert. Well let's start with the good news. First up, the remaining 5 members of AKB48's Team 4 have been decided, and were announced at the end of the concert. Promoted to Team 4 Kato Rena Kawaei Rina Iwata Karen Tano Yuka Takahashi Juri They join the 11 current members of Team 4, bringing the total to 16 Abe Maria, Ichikawa Miori, Iriyama Anna, Oba Mina, Shimazaki Haruka, Shimada Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu, Nakamata Shiori, Nakamura Mariko, Nagao Mariya, Yamauchi Suzuran Then now for the really whacky...

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AKB48 26th Single Announced [Manatsu no sounds good] + Senbatsu

AKB48's 26th Single was revealed on Day 2 of the [Gyoumu Renraku] concert in Saitama Super Arena. The title of the single is [Manatsu no Sounds Good] and will release on May 23rd, 2012. The new AKB48 single will have a staggering total of 36 senbatsu members, a first for them. Previously the most number of members in senbatsu was 26 in Everyday, Kachuusha. The last time there was this many members singing in the A-side of a song was back in 2007 with BINGO!. AKB48 26th Single Manatsu no Sounds good! 真夏のSounds good! 23 May 2012 Team A: Kuramochi Asuka, Kojima Haruna, Sashihara...

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AKB48's Tokyo Dome Concert Announced!

At the beginning of yesterday's AKB48 [Gyoumu Renraku] concert in Saitama Super Arena, it was announced that AKB48 will hold a concert in Tokyo Dome. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV5LU0UuZSw The announcement VTR started with the numbers "1830M", and Takahashi Minami, the de facto leader of AKB48, was shown walking out of the Don Quixote building that houses the AKB48 Theater. As the number counted down, important scenes of AKB48's history were shown. The first AKB48 performance, AKB48's big break with RIVER, the senbatsu elections, the team shuffle, their Kouhaku performance,...

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Minegishi and Watanabe will appear on VOGUE JAPAN

Minegishi Minami and Watanabe Mayu will be appearing in the May issue of VOGUE JAPAN which will go on sale on March 28th. Official Website: http://www.vogue.co.jp/ Miichan and Mayuyu will be endorsing Dior's new lipstick line. For this photoshoot, these two AKB members will shed off their usual self and take on a whole new different persona, showcasing their "adult" side. Dressed up in pink beige clothing to emphasize the lipstick, they will appear on 10 pages of the magazine There will also be a making of footage of this photoshoot along with interview...

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AKB48 Concert [Gyoumu Renraku] YouTube Stream Announced

AKB48's concert at the Saitama Super Arena will start tomorrow! Good news for those who can't make it, it will be streamed live on YouTube and Google+! Currently only streaming of Day 1 of the [Gyoumu Renraku Tanomu zo, Katayama-buchou!] concert has been announced. The streaming will start at 18:00 JST on AKB48's Official YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48 It will also be streamed on the members Google+ pages, most likely with different cameras like the previous concert streams. http://www.google.com/intl/ja/+/project48/...

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Iwasa Misaki's First Regular Radio Programme [Iwasa Misaki no Konbanwasamin]

Iwasa Misaki got her first regular radio programme on TBS Radio, [Iwasa Misaki no Konbanwasamin]. This programme is part of the [Music Navigator ~Kinou to Kyou no Kousaten~] which starts in April 2012 and airs 3:00 ~ 4:00 daily from Monday to Friday. During the programme, Wasamin will talk about her favourite pets, share late-night snack recipes, and do some challenges. . [Iwasa Misaki no Konbanwasamin] will be aired on Tuesdays at 03:00 ~ 04:00, starting from 03 April 2012. Iwasa Misaki no Konbanwasamin 岩佐美咲のこんばんわさみん Official Website: http://www.tbsradio.jp/navi/ Network: TBS Radio Broadcast...

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SKE48 Team E 1st Stage [Pajama Drive] Senshuuraku Announced

Today at Team E's stage performance, they announced the Senshuuraku (closing of the stage) of their 1st stage [Pajama Drive] to be on March 28th. [Pajama Drive], originally performed by AKB48's Team B, was performed by Team E for their 1st Stage since January of last year. The title of the new stage, as well as the Shonichi (opening of the stage) will be revealed later. March 28th will also be the last stage performance for Mano Haruka and Yamada Erika, who announced their graduation for the end of March. They will still perform at the SKE48 concert on April 14~15 at the Nippon...

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Sashihara Rino [Soredemo Suki da yo] Covers + PV Preview

The covers for Sashihara Rino's debut single [Soredemo Suki da yo] were released today. There are 4 different versions, TYPE  A, B, C, D. Check them out below, click the images to view the full sizes. TYPE A, TYPE B TYPE C, THEATER VER A preview of the PV has also been released on Avex's YouTube channel. Quite a lot of details already released this early on. In the PV, Sasshi will play 3 different characters, each showing once side of her personality. Sashihara Rino: Royal-type idol (TYPE A, TYPE B covers) Rino: Negative schoolgirl (TYPE C cover) Sashiko: Plain freeter (TYPE...

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DiVA [Lost the way] 1st (and 2nd) Day Sales

DIVA's 3rd Single [Lost the way] released today... well yesterday actually for reasons I do not understand, and sold a total of at least 33,896 copies. Oricon sales: http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/d/2012-03-19/ Probably due to the national holiday in Japan, Lost the way was released on the 20th instead of the 21st. It managed to achieve 5th place on the charts, with sales less than 12k (Oricon only reveals daily sales for top 3 positions). My guess is this number doesn't include pre-orders which are counted in on Wednesdays, that's why the sales are so low. So this is as close...

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[HONG KONG] AKB48 will be part of Genki Japan Expo

AKB48 will be performing two mini-concerts at the Genki Japan Expo in Hong Kong, which is held from March 23rd, 2012 to March 27th, 2012. Official Website: http://genkijapan.jp/jp/index.html The Expo has two purposes - to express gratitude for all the earthquake recovery help Japan received from Hong Kong, and to encourage more people to visit Japan by showcasing the newest trends/attractions of Japan. The most anticipated attractions of the Expo are the two mini-concerts held by AKB48, on March 26th and March 27th. 700 tickets for each show were allocated, and they were...

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Majisuka Gakuen 3 to start in July?

Akimoto Yasushi published one of his indirect announcements on Google+ last night, mentioning a secret meeting possibly for Majisuka Gakuen 3 today. Akimoto Yasushi  -  10:04 PM  -  Mobile  -  Public There will be no announcements at 11pm today. I have many things that I can't tell yet, like that the new Google+ senbatsu song will be performed on the first day of the SSA (Saitama Super Arena) concert, or that the Google commercial will be shown on the evening of the 22nd in Google+ faster than anywhere else, or that Majisuka 3 will be scheduled for July,...

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SDN48 [NEXT ENCORE] Weekly Sales + Review

SDN48 has grabbed their first ever weekly #1 with their album [NEXT ENCORE]. This will be the group's final release as all 39 members wit ll be graduating at the end of this month. The album sold 48,085 and won them their first ever #1 which they have been trying to to achieve with all their previous singles. Since this is a best album and there was only one new song, I'll just give the review for that. 1 Gallon no Ase (1ガロンの汗) [1 Gallon no Ase] isn't your traditional SDN song, instead its your typical Under Girls song. Even though its like a UG song, it is a very nice lively song. In...

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AKB48 CAFE & SHOP HAKATA Opens

AKB48 opened its third CAFE&SHOP outlet in Hakata, Fukuoka yesterday on March 20th. Official Website: http://akb48cafeshops.com/wp/hakata/ The opening ceremony was held the day before, on March 19th, with Katayama Haruka, Sato Amina, Kitahara Rie, and Nakamata Shiori attending. HKT48 members Kodama Haruka, Matsuoka Natsumi, and Sugamoto Yuko were also present at the ceremony. The AKB48 CAFE&SHOP Hakata is actually located in the Chuo ward, and is quite some distance from the HKT48 Theater. It is the third such outlet following Akihabara and Harajuku, which opened last year in...

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NMB48 to Appear as Regulars in Quiz Show [Brain Athlete]

As seen from Watanabe Miyuki's blog, NMB48 will be appearing as regulars in a quiz show on Nihon TV [Brain Athlete]. It is a weekly show which will start airing from 01 April 2012 onward. It will be shown at 16:55 ~ unknown (duration of each episode is still unknown) starting from 01 April 2012. NMB48 will be sending 3 members every week to participate in the quiz show. [Brain Athlete] was only aired twice in 2011 before it was discontinued, so not much information could be found about the show. Honestly speaking, I'd rather they do Naniwa Nadeshiko Season 2 than having the girls do...

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AKB48 New Collaboration with [Tokyo Pastel Sand]

AKB48 will collaborate with Tokyo Pastel Sand to promote it's marshmellow snack, sold exclusively at Tokyo and Shinagawa stations. Official Website: http://www.tokyopastelsand.jp/ The marshmallows come in 3 flavours: Strawberry, Green Tea, and Chocolate Orange. Currently only the Strawberry flavour is on sale, and will only be available until mid-April. The Green Tea (maccha) flavour will be sold from mid-April to mid-May, and the Chocolate Orange flavour from mid-May to mid-June. The marshmallows come in prices of 1,350yen for 9 pieces, or 2,400yen for...

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