Maeda Atsuko 2nd Single [Kimi wa Boku da] First Day Sales

Maeda Atsuko's first day sales of [Kimi wa Boku da] is 65,635 copies and #1 on the oricon chart. Acchan's first single [Flower] had a first day sale of 102,483 copies. So that is an almost 40K drop. Still #1 is #1 so congratulations Acchan!

She released a single after a year and I really didn't expect a 65K sales only, with Acchan's graduation and all, I expected this single to at least sell 90K. What do you think?

Watanabe Mayu to Release 2nd Single [Otona Jelly Beans]

Watanabe Mayu, who placed 2nd in the latest general election, will be dropping her second solo single on July 25th! The single is titled [Otona Jelly Beans].

The single will be available in 4 editions: A, B, C (with DVD), and regular (w/o DVD).

Watanabe's debut single [Synchro Tokimeki] managed to sell over 120,000 units in its first week of release, and achieved 2nd place on the oricon chart. Garnering more than 70,000 votes in this year's election, Watanabe finally accomplished her goal of placing within the top three. Will her new single's sales figure also reflect the momentum of her prominence in AKB?

Maeda Atsuko's 2nd Single [Kimi wa Boku da] Covers + Tracklist

The covers and tracklist of Maeda Atsuko's 2nd single [Kimi wa Boku da] being released June 20th has been revealed. The main a -side is being used as the theme song for the movie [Love Masao-kun ga Iku!] while the all type b-side [Migikata] is used as the ending for the drama [Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou].

The act 1 exclusive b-side [Toomawari] is being used as for Marumiya CM. Act 3 exclusive b-side [Sunday drive] is being used as the theme song for AKB's automobile club.

The DVD contains the music video for [Kimi wa Boku da] and also a drama version of the song. Act 1 DVD contains the making of the song, act 2 DVD contains a special interview about Acchan's graduation called [Korekara, Watashi] and act 3 DVD contains clips about her pet dog.

Maeda Atsuko 2nd Single
Kimi wa Boku da
君は僕だ
20 June 2012

Act 1 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da 02. Migikata 03. Toomawari 04. Kimi wa Boku da off vocal. 05. Migikata off vocal. 06. Toomawari off vocal. [DVD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da [Music Video] 02. Kimi wa Boku da [Drama Version] 03. Kimi wa Boku da [Making of]
Act 2 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da 02. Migikata 03. Aishi sugiru to... 04. Kimi wa Boku da off vocal. 05. Migikata off vocal. 06. Aishi sugiru to... off vocal. [DVD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da [Music Video] 02. Kimi wa Boku da [Drama Version] 03. Graduation Interview [Korekara, Watashi]
Act 3 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da 02. Migikata 03. Sunday drive 04. Kimi wa Boku da off vocal. 05. Migikata off vocal. 06. Sunday drive off vocal. [DVD] 01. Kimi wa Boku da [Music Video] 02. Kimi wa Boku da [Drama Version] 03. Bokutachi no Goshujinsama ~Aikentachi to Maeda Atsuko no Nichijou~

Sashihara Rino Debut Single [Soredemo Suki da yo] 1st Week Sales + Review

This week was Sashihara Rino VS Nogizaka46 with Nogizaka46 gaining #1 and Sasshi #2 with sales of 124,483 copies sold. Nogizaka on the other hand had a sale of 155,567 copies. Sasshi's theater edition sales was not counted as it contained 5 tracks and Oricon only considers singles with 4 songs as a proper single.

The theater edition sold around 12K and could have achieved a 136K weekly sakes but she still beat Mayuyu's [Synchro Tokimeki] by 1K. Mayuyu's first week sales is 123,237.

Soredemo Suki da yo

Upon first listen, you recognize right away that this is a song sung by an idol, cheerful, peppy, and full of raw energy. In the lyrics, Sasshi describes herself as an pessimistic girl lacking any charms whatsoever; but for the very sake of catching the eyes of her crush, she will put on a smile and turn into a bright and cute girl. The hook is undeniably catchy, and the most memorable part of this song is when Rino shouts 'suki da yo' at the top of her lungs.

Hatsukoi Hills

The main b-side of this single is another standard fare idol song. Compared to the title track, Hatsukoi Hills has a calmer and less rockfish melody. Though this track may sound rather generic the first few listens, it grows on you when set on repeat. The refrain is lovely and sugary sweet as Sashihara uses a more youthful and natural voice to sing her feelings.

Renai Sousenkyo

This is originally a song performed by all of YM7 to celebrate their victory over YJ7. The autotune is very obvious in this song, and you can tell that Sasshi is straining to hit those high notes. Her voice falls rather flat, and I don't think this song works very well when sung solo. Tune-wise, the instrumentals are nicely strung together, and the guitar work is also a pleasant additional touch.

Itoshiki Natasha

A nice change of pace from the rest of the single, Itoshiki Natasha is a rock number with a more mature and cool feel. Easily one of best stage songs performed by Sasshi. She may not be a standout singer, but is nonetheless a great entertainer who does well in infusing passion into her performances.


Yeah! Meccha Holiday

A cover of one of Matsuura Aya's hit songs. As we all know, Sasshi is known to be a big wota herself; she is fans of many idols, and especially admires idols groups such as Morning Musume. and C-ute from Hello!Project. I love that she is able to add her own special touch to this song. Tsunku, H!P's producer, is known for writing very wacky songs from his idols, and I believe this track fits perfectly with Sasshi's eccentric personality. This rendition of a nostalgic idol hit is really top Sashihara quality!

Itano Tomomi Single [10nen go no Kimi e] 1st Week Sales + Review

Itano Tomomi's 3rd solo single [10nen go no Kimi e] ended its first week in second place,  losing only to popular boy group SMAP.  The single sold nearly 73000 units, which is less than either her first or second singles, but still fairly decent.  Hopefully the declining trend in sales will pick back up for subsequent releases!














This single featured several different versions, and included a B-side song for which Itano wrote her own lyrics.

In any case, on to the review!


10nen go no Kimi e (10年後の君へ)

Nostalgic music box is what the opening sequence reminds me of.  This song is perfectly the genre of song that gets to me - sort of a melancholy fast ballad.  I love the verses, probably more so than the chorus itself (although I'll admit the chorus is catchy too), and the backing rhythm is just wonderful - some sort of chacha?  I adore how Tomochin sounds when she sings low, and this mood of song really fits perfectly with the slightly husky/raspy timbre that she tends to have.  I wish she didn't sound so forced when she sings higher/louder - that's the only that really detracts from my enjoyment of this song.  Take care of your vocal chords, Tomochin!!

Clone

Her transition into head voice is actually really good in this song!! If only her high range always sounded this nice.  I love the juxtaposition of her head voice with the purr that she gets in her voice when she drops to the lowest notes.  As for the song itself, I feel sort of neutral about it - the melody I don't find particularly compelling, but it does have a very bad-ass sort of feel about it that I think Tomochin does a good job of portraying.  It makes me think of dancing in a crowded nightclub, is what it does :-P

deal feat. NO-FACE

Angst seems to be the theme du jour.  I love the little opening flourish, but I wish she didn't sound like she was pushing her sound again.  Her little adlibs are just lovely though!  The song itself doesn't really catch my ears.  The melody isn't that catching, maybe even a little boring, nothing particularly memorable about it.  I'm... not at all a fan of Mr. Way-too-auto-tuned Backup-singer-rapper...  Overall, I can't say I'll really spend a lot of time re-listening to this song, given that Tomochin doesn't exactly sound her best here and the song just isn't to my taste.

Always I need you

Love love love this song!  Maybe just because I like the sort of Euro-trance feel of the beat and background instrumental.  It definitely got stuck in my head and had me sort of dancing around my room to it ^_^ The constant drumbeat and the synth-ey sound just sound like the right combination to go with the song.  Definitely a song I can groove to, plus Tomochin sounds really good here!  She for certain needs to stick to a lower range - it'll be healthier for her voice and she just sounds so good low!

lose-lose

This is the song she lyricized herself, so I was really eager to hear it.  I think she did a nice job!  Maybe more consecutive repetitions of specific phrases than I think sounds good, but hey, I can't do any better :-P  The composition itself is pretty nice - I'm not a big fan of some of the intervals used, but at least it makes the melody interesting and the backing beat is pretty catchy.  I especially love the bridge section - it's pretty and she carries the sound nicely there.

Seifuku Resistance (Itano Solo Ver.) (制服レジスタンス (板野ソロ Ver.)

One of those stage songs that I now think of as very much a Tomochin trademark style (and I mean this in the best of ways - she is darn good at pulling off this type of song).  I've always loved the way she sounds (and looks XD) in the stage videos I've seen of this song, and she does not disappoint here!  The song is extremely catchy, and her voice is smooth as melted butter.  I cannot express in words what this does to me... I love it!  Her voice purrs in all the right places and breaks at all the right moments ^_^

Sashihara Rino's 300 Google+ Updates Challenge

Starting today at 6 pm JST Sashihara Rino will, over a period of 24 hours, attempt to update her Google+ status 300 times.

Sashihara Rino's Google+ account: http://plus.google.com/104375100134443203420

This is the third time for Sashihara to undertake a challenge of this kind. In 2010 and 2011, she attempted to dethrone fellow team member Maeda Atsuko as number 1 in the Ameba blog ranking by updating her own blog "Sashihara Quality" one hundred times (two hundred in 2011).

The following ad was printed in today's morning edition of the Yomiuri Shinbun:


Translated by HRP

Good morning! It's Sashihara, all fresh and energetic but with way too much on her hands.

Something incredible has happened: they're going to put my Google+ update in the newspaper. And not just that - a whole page!
It looks like I will have to write some really interesting things unless I want to put a swift end to my writing career. What am I saying; it hasn't even begun yet. As far as I understand, the very words that I'm writing right now will be printed on one whole page in Yomiuri Shinbun.
Please check today's morning paper.

But even I don't have anything in my repertoire that is worthy enough of getting its own newspaper advert and be read by people all around the country. In that case, there's really only one thing that comes to mind. It all began when shooting "Shuukan AKB"...

Two years ago, I challenged myself to make one hundred blog updates in 24 hours. We upped the number to two hundred last year. And this year...

I will update my Google+ account status 300 times starting at 6 pm. today. The challenge begins right after today's broadcast of "Shuukan AKB" (starting at 5.30) and ends tomorrow at 6 pm.
There's no special meaning to this. I just haven't found another way yet. For now this is the one thing I know I can excel at.
So please endure me for today. Or better: let me prove myself today.

My long day starts now!!! Wish me luck, everyone!

P.S.
I will be updating my status 300 times, so feel free to remove me from your circles if that should bother you.

Sashihara Rino / Nogizaka46 1st and 2nd day sales

Sashihara Rino's debut single [Soredemo suki da yo] as well as [Oide, Shampoo], 2nd single of Nogizaka46 were both released on Wednesday after weeks of media covering an artificial rivalry between the two.

Even with extensive "doping" on Sashihara's side, Nogizaka46 went on to almost double Sashihara in number of units sold. Oricon reports first day numbers as 56,879 and 111,222 sold units respectively.

After two days, Sashihara and Nogizaki46 are at 86,447 and 132,774 sold units respectively.

Today avex staff issued a statement, apologizing that theater edition (Type-D) sales of Soredemo suki da yo amounting to approximately 12k units had not been counted by Oricon. According to avex's statement, Oricon considers a release to be a single as long as it doesn't exceed a 4-song limit (not counting "off vocal" tracks). Apparently Sashihara's cover of Matsuura Aya's 2002 hit "Yeah! Meccha Holiday", exclusive to the theater edition, was counted as a fifth track and not as the "bonus track" it was originally intended to be.

While she might not have been able to beat Nogizaka46, Sashihara did outsell Watanabe Mayu's solo debut "Synchro Tokimeki" by about 8k units (50,145 / 1st day).

Maeda Atsuko's 2nd Single Titled [Kimi wa Boku da]

Maeda Atsuko's 2nd single has been titled [Kimi wa Boku da] and the release date has been set for June 20th. The single will be the theme song for the movie [LOVE Masao-kun ga Iku!]. The movie hits the theaters on June 23rd and is based on a true story about a Labrador named Masao.

No other details have been revealed but Acchan's song [Mikigata] which is the ending for the AKB/JE drama [Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou] is probably one of the b-sides.


This is probably Acchan's last song as an AKB member and I'm really looking forward to it, because listening to Mikigata, she has definitely improved. 

Sashihara Rino to Produce [Yubi Matsuri]

Sashihara Rino will be the producer for an idol event, called [Yubi Matsuri], an event where you can see the performances of all the current talked about idol groups.  It will be held at Budokan!

The groups participating are:

Idoling!!	Sashihara Rino	Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku
SUPER☆GiRLS	TOKYO GIRLS' STYLE	PASSPO☆
Watarirouka Hashiritai 7

Date: 25 June 2012
Venue: Nippon Budokan
Ticket price: 345 Yen

Venue opens at 17:03:45
Concert starts at 18:03:45

The recurring numbers 3, 4 and 5 = Sa (3) Shi (4) Ko (5)


There are 2 ways to get tickets:

1) There will be a form enclosed with Types A, B and C of Sashihara's solo single, which goes on sale on May 2nd, 2012.  Filling out the form and sending it back will automatically enter participants into a lottery for the right to purchase tickets to this event.  The form also asks participants to choose either a Single Seat or a Pair Seat.  The seats for this lottery are better, as they are near the front of the venue.

2) Participants will need to visit the official sites of other performers to find out different ways to obtain the right to purchase tickets.  These seats are behind the ones allocated for Sashihara's single.

Sashihara Rino Single [Soredemo Suki da yo] Tracklist

The tracklist for Sashihara's debut single has just been unveiled on her official website. Her first CD release will be available for in-store purchase starting May 2nd in four editions (regular types A, B, C, along with theater ver. D). On this same day, Sasshi will compete with rival group Nogizaka46 on the Oricon chart!

Aside from releasing 33 date simulation videos, Sashihara will treat her fans to a special cover of Matsuura Aya's [Yeah! Meccha Holiday]. Other songs included in this release are a solo rendition of [Renai Sousenkyo], a one-shot tune by YM7, and [Itoshiki Natasha] from Stage B4.


Sashihara Rino 1st Single
Soredemo Suki da yo
それでも好きだよ
02 May 2012

TYPE A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo 02. Hatsukoi Heels 03. Renai Sousenkyo ~Sashihara Rino solo ver.~ 04. Soredemo Suki da yo (off vocal) 05. Hatsukoi Heels (off vocal) 06. Renai Sousenkyo ~Sashihara Rino solo ver.~ (off vocal) [DVD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo (Music Video) 02. 33 Sashihara Rino x Nakamura Kouta ~Part I~ 03. Soredemo Suki da yo (Muse no Kagami) Special Edited Version
TYPE B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo 02. Hatsukoi Heels 03. Itoshiki Natasha 04. Soredemo Suki da yo (off vocal) 05. Hatsukoi Heels (off vocal) 06. Itoshiki Natasha (off vocal) [DVD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo (Music Video) 02. 33 Sashihara Rino x Nakamura Kouta ~Part II~ 03. Everyday, Kachuusha / Monomane AKB
TYPE C 1,600yen	[CD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo 02. Hatsukoi Heels 03. Yeah! Meccha Holiday 04. Soredemo Suki da yo (off vocal) 05. Hatsukoi Heels (off vocal) 06. Yeah! Meccha Holiday (off vocal) [DVD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo (Music Video) 02. 33 Sashihara Rino x Nakamura Kouta ~Part III~ 03. Sashihara Rino [Soredemo Suki da yo] MIX Explanation
TYPE Theater 1,000yen	[CD] 01. Soredemo Suki da yo 02. Hatsukoi Heels 03. Renai Sousenkyo ~Sashihara Rino solo ver.~ 04. Itoshiki Natasha 05. Yeah! Meccha Holiday

33 Sashihara Rino x Nakamura Kouta ~Part I~
01. Anata no Hidari
02. Dining Table
03. Soba
04. Roller Coaster
05. Skip
06. Popcorn
07. Okonomiyaki
08. Uranai
09. Kinchou
10. Totsuzen no Houmon
11. Nabe Kai

33 Sashihara Rino x Nakamura Kouta ~Part II~
01. Machiawase
02. Gomenasai
03. Bentou
04. Kinen Satsuei
05. Kashiwagi Meshi
06. Uso
07. Jitaku Nite
08. Curry
09. Meutsuri
10. Bowling
11. Itsuka...

33 Sashihara Rino x Nakamura Kouta ~Part III~
01. Ii desu ka?
02. Choice
03. Sign
04. Kousho Kyoufushou
05. Trombone
06. Rush
07. Yakiniku Ya
08. Billiard
09. Y Shirt
10. BBQ Zenpen
11. BBQ Kouhen

'Renai Sousenkyo' Preview


'Itoshiki Natasha' at AX2011

Sasshi covers Yeah! Meccha Holiday

Itano Tomomi Single [10nen go no Kimi e] Covers + Tracklist

Covers and tracklist have been released for Itano Tomomi's 3rd solo single [10nen go no Kimi e].

Three versions are planned for this single - two limited editions and one regular edition. Each edition features the same A and B-side songs, but includes a different third track. Most notably, Tomochin will be penning the lyrics for the regular edition third track, lose-lose.


10nen Go no Kimi e will be an emotional middle ballad with strings arrangement, and its lyrics describing the complex feeling of being in love.



I, for one, greatly look forward to what lyrics she comes up with!


Itano Tomomi 3rd Single
10nen go no Kimi e
10年後の君へ
25 April 2012

TYPE A 1,600yen	[CD] 01. 10nen go no Kimi e 02. Clone 03. deal feat. NO-FACE 04. 10nen go no Kimi e ‒instrumental- 05. Clone ‒instrumental- 06. deal feat. NO-FACE‒instrumental- [DVD] 01. 10年後の君へ Music Video 02. 10年後の君へ Making Clip
TYPE B 1,600yen	[CD] 01. 10nen go no Kimi e 02. Clone 03. Always I need you 04. 10nen go no Kimi e ‒instrumental- 05. Clone ‒instrumental- 06.Always I need you ‒instrumental- [DVD] 01. Clone Music Video 02. Clone Making Clip
TYPE Regular 1,600yen	[CD] 01. 10nen go no Kimi e 02. Clone 03. lose-lose 04. 10nen go no Kimi e ‒instrumental- 05. Clone ‒instrumental- 06. lose-lose ‒instrumental-

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 14.

Now this dream has come true, at 20 years of age, I have to work hard towards my next dream.

I have worked hard for the past 6-1/2 years. I have to move onto my next dream at the age of 20.  I am anxious and worried because I don't know what will happen. But for the kouhai, I have to take the first step towards this.  No details have been decided.

No graduation date has been announced, but it will most likely be at the end of the AKB48 Tokyo Dome Concert since she said it was her goal. The date for that has not been announced either. It was not mentioned if she will still take part in the AKB48 Senbatsu election this year, but she will still be part of the 26th single [Manatsu no Sounds good!]

Update: Akimoto Yasushi finally posted on G+ about this.  You can see the translations on Bilingual48.


I am just at a loss for words. I didn't expect Acchan to graduate yet. She's only 20, and still has a lot of future for her in AKB48. I was expecting one of the older members like Mariko to graduate first because of her age, but definitely not Acchan. I guess it is inevitable, graduation is part and parcel of idol groups. But AKB48 will be very different without Acchan. She might not be my oshi, but she is among the people I respect the most in my life.


Quoting a line from her solo single Flower

一番美しいFlower
(The most beautiful of all flowers)

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 time: Tuesday 03:00 ~ 04:00

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 D cover)

The PV was filmed in the Oita prefecture, Sasshi's hometown, and during the bicycle scene you can see the 'natural' Sashihara.





Soredemo Suki da yo will release on May 2nd, the same release date as Nogizaka46. It will also be up on Chaku-uta from March 28th. Now that Sasshi has shown her guns, now lets see what Nogizaka has to counter with.