AKB48 4th General Election Early Results

Early results of this year's AKB48 Senbatsu Elections were just revealed on AKB48's official blog! This is just after a day's voting and is definitely not conclusive yet. There will still be a lot of changes as 6th June steps nearer. I hope that my favourite members get a higher ranking this year. My AKB48 oshi, Takajo Aki, was ranked at #12 last year and I hope she can get into top 10 this year. My SKE48 oshi, Matsui Rena was #10 last year and I hope she can get higher, at least #9 - at #7 in this early results, I hope Rena maintains there or even better, rise higher. Will be voting for them soon with my voting tickets.
All the best to the other members too, especially my favourites - Kashiwagi Yuki, Yamamoto Sayaka (NMB48 oshi), Iwasa Misaki, Ogiso Shiori, Ogasawara Mayu and Miyawaki Sakura (HKT48 oshi) - even though I don't have enough budget to vote for all of them.. T_T

1位 大島優子 15,093票
2位 柏木由紀 12,654票
3位 渡辺麻友 11,329票
4位 指原莉乃 9,337票
5位 高橋みなみ 8,955票
6位 篠田麻里子 8,619票
7位 松井玲奈 8,460票
8位 松井珠理奈 7,795票
9位 板野友美 6,595票
10位 宮澤佐江 6,280票
11位 小嶋陽菜 5,334票
12位 横山由依 4,301票
13位 高城亜樹 3,661票
14位 梅田彩佳 3,484票
15位 峯岸みなみ 3,396票
16位 北原里英 3,302票

17位 河西智美 3,227票
18位 山本彩 3,218票
19位 渡辺美優紀 2,976票
20位 高柳明音 2,471票
21位 佐藤亜美菜 2,392票
22位 島崎遥香 2,340票
22位 古川愛李 2,340票
24位 秦佐和子 2,312票
25位 増田有華 2,182票
26位 須田亜香里 2,149票
27位 向田茉夏 1,948票
28位 大矢真那 1,919票
29位 小木曽汐莉 1,788票
30位 武藤十夢 1,757票
31位 小笠原茉由 1,746票

32位 秋元才加 1,743票
33位 矢神久美 1,671票
34位 倉持明日香 1,653票
35位 木﨑ゆりあ 1,624票
36位 仲谷明香 1,348票
37位 矢方美紀 1,345票
38位 仲川遥香 1,244票
39位 松村香織 1,194票
40位 中田ちさと 1,188票
41位 藤江れいな 1,166票
42位 山田菜々 1,136票
43位 小林香菜 1,110票
44位 木本花音 1,039票
45位 岩佐美咲 1,023票
46位 平松可奈子 998票
47位 山内鈴蘭 988票
48位 石田晴香 985票

49位 宮崎美穂 970票
50位 大家志津香 964票
51位 片山陽加 955票
52位 多田愛佳 912票
53位 永尾まりや 818票
54位 福本愛菜 816票
55位 前田亜美 810票
56位 大場美奈 786票
57位 松原夏海 750票
57位 木下有希子 750票
59位 市川美織 702票
60位 野中美郷 701票
61位 菊地あやか 653票
62位 江藤彩也香 641票
63位 中西優香 618票
64位 田名部生来 616票

Nogizaka46 wins Sashihara Rino in First Day Sales

The result of the competition between Nogizaka46 and AKB48's Sashihara Rino was revealed!
Nogizaka’s 2nd single, 'Oide Shampoo', sold 111,000 copies, topping Oricon’s Daily Charts. While, Sashihara’s solo debut single, 'Soredemo Sukidayo', sold 57,000 units, and placed second in the charts.

This rivalry was actually planned out by the producer, Akimoto Yasushi, of both AKB48 and Nogizaka46, which coincidentally (part of the plan I would say) took place on the date of Aki-P's birthday.

Source: tokyohive/Oricon

UPDATE (3rd May):

Exact figures revealed in AKBINGO! yesterday 24:29.

SASHIBINGO??

On yesterday's AKBINGO!, it was revealed that Sashihara Rino requested for an episode of AKBINGO! to be dedicated to herself, titling 'SASHIBINGO!'. This is going to be so interesting! Can't wait to watch it next week - LIVE!

Extract from Wikipedia about AKBINGO!:

AKBingo! is a Japanese television variety show starring Japanese idol girl group AKB48 and hosted by owarai duo Bad Boys (バッドボーイズ Baddo Bōizu?). The show is broadcast every Wednesday at 24:29 JST (Thursday 0:29 JST) on Nippon Television. Its opening theme song is called Aitakatta, which is performed by the group themselves. In every episode, the group did many activities which includes quizzes, sports, and news from the groups.

UPDATE (3rd May):

This episode is so damn hilarious! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ

Do watch it when it's still available on youtube (or you know where to get *wink*)!

...or try Youtube search.

Sashihara Rino Solo Debut - 'それでも好きだよ' ('Soredemo Sukidayo')

At the beginning of the year, it was revealed that Sashihara Rino would be making a solo debut in a drama, 'ミューズの鏡' ('Muse no Kagami') in March and will also be releasing her debut single later on. The details of the singles were just revealed and the singles will be released on the 2nd of May. The cover song 'Soredemo Sukidayo' is being used as the theme song of the drama Sasshi is starring in.

Type A (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] それでも好きだよ [Soredemo Sukidayo]
2. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ [Hatsukoi Hills]
3. [CD] 恋愛総選挙 〜指原莉乃 solo ver.〜 [Renai Sousenkyo]
4. [CD] それでも好きだよ (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] 恋愛総選挙 〜指原莉乃 solo ver.〜 (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] それでも好きだよ (Music Video) [Soredemo Sukidayo music video]
8. [DVD] 33人の指原莉乃×中村太洸〜Part I〜 (あなたの左/ダイニングテーブル/蕎麦/ローラーコースター/スキップ/ポップコーン/お好み焼き/占い/緊張/突然の訪問/ナベ会)
[33nin no Sashihara Rino×Nakamura Taiko ~Part 1~ Anata no Hidari/Dining Table/Soba/Roller Coaster/Skip/Popcorn/Okonomiyaki/Uranai/Kinchou/Totsuzen no Houmon/Nabekai]
9. [DVD] それでも好きだよ -「ミューズの鏡」特別編集版- [Soredemo Sukidayo -”Muse no Kagami” Special Edited Version-]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] それでも好きだよ [Soredemo Sukidayo]
2. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ [Hatsukoi Hills]
3. [CD] 愛しきナターシャ [Itoshiki Natasha]
4. [CD] それでも好きだよ (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] 愛しきナターシャ (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] それでも好きだよ (Music Video) [Soredemo Sukidayo music video]
8. [DVD] 33人の指原莉乃×中村太洸 〜Part II〜 (待ち合わせ/ごめんなさい/弁当/記念撮影/柏木飯/嘘/自宅にて/カレー/目移り/ボーリング/いつか、、、)
[33nin to Sashihara Rino×Nakamura Taiko ~Part 2~ - Machi Awase/Gomennasai/Bento/Kinen Satsuei/Kashiwagi Meshi/Uso/Jitaku Nite/Curry/Meutsuri/Bowling/Itsuka,,,]
9. [DVD] Everyday、カチューシャ/ものまねAKB [Everyday, Kachuusha / Imitate AKB]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] それでも好きだよ [Soredemo Sukidayo]
2. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ [Hatsukoi Hills]
3. [CD] Yeah! めっちゃホリディ [Yeah! Meccha Holiday]
4. [CD] それでも好きだよ (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] Yeah ！めっちゃホリディ (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] それでも好きだよ (Music Video) [Soredemo Sukidayo music video]
8. [DVD] 33人の指原莉乃×中村太洸 〜Part III〜 (いいですか?/チョイス/サイン/高所恐怖症/トロンボーン/ルージュ/焼肉屋/ビリヤード/Yシャツ/BBQ 前編/BBQ 後編)
[33nin no Sashihara Rino×Nakamura Taiko ~Part 3~ Iidesuka/Choice/Sign/Koushokyoufushou/Trombone/Rouge/Yakinikuya/Billiard/Yshatsu/BBQ Part 1/BBQ Part 2]
9. [DVD] 指原莉乃本人解説による 指原莉乃1st ソロシングル「それでも好きだよ」ライブ時における美しいMIX およびコール講座 [Sashihara Rino’s commentary]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type D/Theater Edition (CD only)

1. [CD] それでも好きだよ [Soredemo Sukidayo]
2. [CD] 初恋ヒルズ [Hatsukoi Hills]
3. [CD] 恋愛総選挙 〜指原莉乃 solo ver.〜 [Renai Sousenkyo]
4. [CD] 愛しきナターシャ [Itoshiki Natasha]
5. [CD] Yeah! めっちゃホリディ [Yeah! Meccha Holiday]


UPDATE (22nd April):
Sasshi will be producing an idol event called '指原莉乃プロデュース　第一回ゆび祭り～アイドル臨時総会～' ['Sashihara Rino Produces Dai Ikkai Yubi Matsuri ～Idol Rinji Soukai～'] and the various idol groups invited to perform are Idoling!!!, Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku, SUPER☆GiRLS, Tokyo Joshiryu, Passpo☆ and Watarirouka Hashiritai7. It would be held at Nippon Budokan on the 25th of June and tickets are priced at 345円 (after her nickname 'Sashiko')

The idol event is one of the events that will be held for fans who bought the singles. There will also be another event, before the 'Yubi Matsuri', called 'アシカとさしこの歌謡トークショー' ('Ashika(Zalophus) to Sashiko no Kayou talk show') at Ikebukuro Sunshine Aquarium on 26th and 27th of May.

Source: tokyohive/Walker Plus

The 'Yubi Matsuri' sounds so awesome.. How I wish i am able to go for the event! TAT

Nogizaka46 - 2nd Single 'おいでシャンプー' ('Oide Shampoo')

Last month, it was announced that AKB48's official rival, 乃木坂46 (Nogizaka46), will be releasing their 2nd single on the 2nd of May - the date Sashihara Rino (AKB48) would be making her solo debut. More details were just revealed.

Type A (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] おいでシャンプー [Oide Shampoo]
2. [CD] 心の薬 [Kokoro no Kusuri]
3. [CD] 偶然を言い訳にして [Guuzen wo Iiwake ni Shite]
4. [CD] おいでシャンプー (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 心の薬 (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] 偶然を言い訳にして (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] おいでシャンプー -Music Video- [Oide Shampoo music video]
8. [DVD] 偶然を言い訳にして -Music Video- [Guuzen wo Iiwake ni Shite music video]
9. [DVD] 生田絵梨花×ヒロシュー [IKUTA ERIKA*HIROSHU]
10. [DVD] 伊藤万理華×有元沙矢香、山本真希 [ITO MARIKA*ARIMOTO SAYAKA.YAMAMOTO MAKI]
11. [DVD] 衛藤美彩×二宮崇 [ETO MISA*NINOMIYA TAKASHI]
12. [DVD] 川後陽菜×山田篤宏 [KAWAGO HINA*YAMADA ATSUHIRO]
13. [DVD] 川村真洋×渡邊直 [KAWAMURA MAHIRO*WATANABE NAO]
14. [DVD] 齋藤飛鳥×阿相クミコ、山田一仁 [SAITO ASUKA*ASOU KUMIKO.YAMADA KAZUHITO]
15. [DVD] 斎藤ちはる×大形美佑葵 [SAITO CHIHARU*OGATA MIYUKI]
16. [DVD] 斉藤優里×榮良太 [SAITO YUURI*SAKAE RYOUTA]
17. [DVD] 桜井玲香×内村宏幸 [SAKURAI REIKA*UCHIMURA HIROYUKI]
18. [DVD] 西野七瀬×萩原健太郎 [NISHINO NANASE*HAGIWARA KENTAROU]
19. [DVD] 松村沙友理×佐藤有一郎 [MATSUMURA SAYURI*SATOU YUUICHIROU]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] おいでシャンプー [Oide Shampoo]
2. [CD] 心の薬 [Kokoro no Kusuri]
3. [CD] 水玉模様 [Mizutama Moyou]
4. [CD] おいでシャンプー (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 心の薬 (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] 水玉模様 (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] おいでシャンプー -Music Video- [Oide Shampoo music video]
8. [DVD] 水玉模様 -Music Video- [Mizutama Moyou music video]
9. [DVD] 安藤美雲×松田一輝 [ANDO MIKUMO*MATSUDA IKKI]
10. [DVD] 生駒里奈×青山裕企 [IKOMA RINA*AOYAMA YUKI]
11. [DVD] 市來玲奈×掛川康典 [ICHIKI RENA*KAKEGAWA YASUNORI]
12. [DVD] 岩瀬佑美子×村山和也 [IWASE YUMIKO*MURAYAMA KAZUYA]
13. [DVD] 柏幸奈×青松拓馬 [KASHIWA YUKINA*AOMATSU TAKUMA]
14. [DVD] 高山一実×松本博樹 [TAKAYAMA KAZUMI*MATSUMOTO HIROKI]
15. [DVD] 永島聖羅×石井貴英 [NAGASHIMA SEIRA*ISHII TAKAHIDE]
16. [DVD] 橋本奈々未×杉本達 [HASHIMOTO NANAMI*SUGIMOTO TOORU]
17. [DVD] 畠中清羅×佐藤大輔 [HATANAKA SEIRA*SATOU DAISUKE]
18. [DVD] 大和里菜×フラッシュハリー [YAMATO RINA*FLASH HARRY]
19. [DVD] 和田まあや×岩元正幸 [WADA MAHYA*IWAMOTO MASAYUKI]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] おいでシャンプー [Oide Shampoo]
2. [CD] 心の薬 [Kokoro no Kusuri]
3. [CD] 狼に口笛を [Ookami ni Kuchibue wo]
4. [CD] おいでシャンプー (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 心の薬 (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] 狼に口笛を (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] おいでシャンプー -Music Video- [Oide Shampoo music video]
8. [DVD] 狼に口笛を -Music Video- [Ookami ni Kuchibue wo music video]
9. [DVD] 伊藤寧々×デハラユキノリ [ITO NENE*DEHARA YUKINORI]
10. [DVD] 井上小百合×森田一平 [INOUE SAYURI*MORITA IPPEI]
11. [DVD] 白石麻衣×長崎愛 [SHIRAISHI MAI*NAGASAKI AI]
12. [DVD] 中田花奈×手塚眞 [NAKADA KANA*TEZUKA MAKOTO]
13. [DVD] 中元日芽香×マツモトジュンイチ [NAKAMOTO HIMEKA*MATSUMOTO JUNICHI]
14. [DVD] 能條愛未×鈴木真人 [NOUJO AMI*SUZUKI MAKOTO]
15. [DVD] 樋口日奈×池田圭太 [HIGUCHI HINA*IKEDA KEITA]
16. [DVD] 深川麻衣×入江和宏 [FUKAGAWA MAI*IRIE KAZUHIRO]
17. [DVD] 星野みなみ×川島小鳥、箕浦建太郎 [HOSHINO MINAMI*KAWASHIMA KOTORI.MINOURA KENTAROU]
18. [DVD] 宮澤成良×カツヲ [MIYAZAWA SEIRA*KATSUWO]
19. [DVD] 若月佑美×岡川太郎 [WAKATSUKI YUMI*OKAGAWA TAROU]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Regular (CD only)

1. [CD] おいでシャンプー [Oide Shampoo]
2. [CD] 心の薬 [Kokoro no Kusuri]
3. [CD] ハウス! [House!]
4. [CD] おいでシャンプー (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] 心の薬 (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] ハウス! (off vocal ver.)
CDJapan
HMV Online

Senbatsu Members:

Ikuta Erika / Ikoma Rina / Ichiki Rena / Inoue Sayuri / Iwase Yumiko / Saito Yuuri / Sakurai Reika / Shiraishi Mai / Takayama Kazumi / Nakada Kana / Nishino Nanase / Hashimoto Nanami / Hatanaka Seira / Hoshino Minami / Matsumura Sayuri / Miyazawa Seira

Shichifukujin ('七福神' - 乃木坂46 equivalent of AKB48's '神7' ['Kami7']):

Ikoma Rina / Sakurai Reika / Shiraishi Mai / Takayama Kazumi / Nakada Kana / Hashimoto Nanami / Matsumura Sayuri

Source: tokyohive/natalie

This would be the first official rivalry between an AKB48 member, Sashihara Rino, and AKB48's official rival, 乃木坂46! This is going be really interesting. Am anticipating how it would turn out. Good luck to both sides!

UPDATE (11th April):
Track lists revealed

Itano Tomomi 3rd Single - '10年後の君へ' ('10nen Go no Kimi e')

Announced last month, Itano Tomomi will be releasing her third solo single on the 25th of April. More details were just revealed. The single will be released in four versions - Type A, Type B, Regular and Theater. The coupling of the Regular Edition is written by Tomochin herself.

Type A (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] 10年後の君へ [10nen Go no Kimi e]
2. [CD] Clone
3. [CD] deal feat. NO-FACE
4. [CD] 10年後の君へ -Instrumental-
5. [CD] Clone -Instrumental-
6. [CD] dealfeat. NO-FACE -Instrumental-
7. [DVD] 10年後の君へ Music Video
8. [DVD] 10年後の君へ Making Clip
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] 10年後の君へ [10nen Go no Kimi e]
2. [CD] Clone CLONE
3. [CD] Always I need you
4. [CD] 10年後の君へ -Instrumental-
5. [CD] Clone -Instrumental-
6. [CD] Always I need you -Instrumental-
7. [DVD] Clone Music Video
8. [DVD] Clone Making Clip
CDJapan
HMV Online

Regular (CD only)

1. 10年後の君へ [10nen Go no Kimi e]
2. Clone
3. lose-lose
4. 10年後の君へ -Instrumental-
5. Clone -Instrumental-
6. lose-lose -Instrumental-
CDJapan
HMV Online

Theater (CD Only)

1. 10年後の君へ [10nen Go no Kimi e]
2. Clone
3. 制服レジスタンス (板野ソロVer.) [Seifuku Resistance (Itano Solo Ver.)]
4. 10年後の君へ -Instrumental-
5. Clone -Instrumental-
6. 制服レジスタンス (板野ソロVer.) -Instrumental-

A single that I have been highly anticipating. Totally love Tomochin's solo singles, mainly because her vocals are really awesome! Love the style of her songs too!

UPDATE (4th April):
Track lists revealed

UPDATE (1st May):
'10nen Go no Kimi e' sold 73,000 copies in its first week and placed second in this week’s rankings - topping in the top three spots for three consecutive singles, up to par with former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (with 'Te o Nigitte Arukitai', released back in May 2002) as a female solo artist and a female artist from a group. Congratulations!

Source: tokyohive/Mantan Web

AKB48 in Japan Pop Culture Concert 2012 (Washington D.C.) to be streamed on Youtube

Noticed the banner at the top in Youtube? AKB48's live performance in 'Japan Pop Culture Concert 2012' which took place in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, March 27th will be streamed on YouTube at AKB48's Official Youtube Channel and Google+ tomorrow! The concert was one of the events in the National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20th - April 27th which celebrates spring, Japan's gift of cherry blossom trees in 1912, and the friendship between America and Japan. (Background information adapted from AKB48 Singapore Official Facebook).

Time: 1st April, 8PM ~ 10:30PM JPT

Performing Members：
Team A: Asuka Kuramochi, Aki Takajo, Minami Takahashi
Team K: Ayaka Umeda, Reina Fujie, Sakiko Matsui, Minami Minegishi, Sae Miyazawa
Team B: Shihori Suzuki
Team 4: Maria Abe, Miori Ichikawa, Anna Iriyama
Trainee：Rina Kawaei, Natsuki Kojima, Juri Takahashi, Rina Hirata

There would be a Hangouts video chat between AKB48 members and Marty Friedman before the live performance.

AKB48 4th General Election - 27th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo

AKB48 3rd General Election

Announced at the last day of the AKB48's Saitama Super Arena concert (Day 3) earlier today, AKB48's 4th General Election - 27th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo - will be held on the 6th of June at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.

This time round, HKT48 wil also be included, adding up to grand total of 243 candidates to vote for. There's a little change to the seats this time round with 64 seats divided into four groups - 1-16, 17-32, 34-48 and 49-64. There will not be any 'Media Senbatsu' grouping, which was used to be for the top 12 members in the past three elections. In the past, top 21 members are considered 'Senbatsu members' while 22nd to 30th (1st election) or 40th (2nd and 3rd election) are considered 'Under Girls'. Now, the top 16 is considered Senbatsu members and will make official media appearances while the 17th to 64th position are considered 'Under Girls' which will be divided in to three groupings for three different coupling tracks.

Voting tickets will be included in AKB48's 26th Single.

Due to Maeda Atsuko's decision to graduate, she will not be participating in the elections.

Voting starts on 22nd of May 10am JST and will end on 5th June 3pm JST.

Source: Oricon

Takajo Aki is a for sure must vote for me and second in line will be Matsui Rena. Wished I had more money to order more single so that I can vote for more of my favourite members! TAT

Maeda Atsuko to graduate from AKB48

A really shocking news was revealed during the last day of the AKB48's Saitama Super Arena concert (Day 3) earlier today. I wasn't at the location to hear it for myself and was unable to witness it but from the oncoming twitter feeds during the concert, I learned that Acchan announced her decision to graduate from AKB48.

Even though I support Yuko more than Acchan, I still felt at a lost at the fact that Acchan will be leaving AKB48. She's been the cover girl of AKB48 for so long and I think I might still need some time to get used this, even though I am not really a supporter of her.

No details of the graduation were revealed yet.

Anyways, if this truly is for the best for her, I shall support her decision and wish her all the best in her future careers and life. I really loved her solo single and hope that she continues as a solo singer after leaving AKB48.

Image from Nikkan Sports

UPDATE (27th March):
Translation of a post on Acchan's Official Blog

Good morning everyone

I’m in Hong Kong right now

These days sure are going by fast

I’ve been thinking about a lot of things and my report to all of you is coming a bit late

I, Maeda Atsuko, will be graduating from AKB48

I announced it at Saitama Super Arena the day before yesterday

Even though I came to that conclusion, I was full of anxiety up until that very moment

At the Saitama Super Arena everyone was having fun, singing and dancing and all of the members were really shining

The fans in the audience had nothing but smiles on their faces

I really thought it would be great to continue as it is.

But, during the encore when we were singing our songs, I saw the guest seating full of penlights and I really felt happy.

So, I have to go out on my own now and I wanted to properly announce it to everyone.

And
Then I said to Takamina (Takahashi Minami) who was right next to me, that “I am going to announce it.”

With those few words, it was the beginning for me to start running (towards my dreams)

I have been given so many chances, that I need to be the one to take the first step

Because if I don’t those behind me won’t be able to continue after me

Hearing everyone support me after my announcement at Saitama Super Arena, well that was the warmest moment of my life

It made me realize that I was not making a wrong decision.

Of course I can also hear people saying, “don’t quit!”

And that made me feel really happy

The members have been shedding tears for me and have genuinely been concerned for me

I am so so happy that I am able to feel all of this love

The members will always, always be my friends, no matter what happens

So, I want to be able to give the members proper and reliable advice in the future

I still can’t sort the thoughts out in my head

Regardless
“AKB” is the best

Akimoto-san
Thank you so so much for warmly watching over me despite my selfishness, my extreme selfishness

You’ve looked out for me ever since I was 14 years old

If Akimoto-san wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be where I am today

Please let me continue to have conversations about various things with you in the future

Fans

I’ve been reading a ton of your comments

Thank you guys for giving me your support

Please continue to look after me in the future

I love my fans and everyone around me.

Source: tokyohive

5 Promoted to Team 4 & Announcement of Team 8

Also announced at the Saitama Super Arena concert (Day 2) earlier today, 5 Research Students are promoted to Team 4 - Kato Rena, Kawaei Rina, Iwata Karen, Tano Yuuka, and Takahashi Juri.

加藤 玲奈

Kato Rena

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: れなっち

生年月日: 1997年7月10日

出身地: 千葉県

川栄 李奈

Kawaei Rina

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: りっちゃん

生年月日: 1995年2月12日

出身地: 神奈川県

岩田 華怜

Iwata Karen

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: カレン

生年月日: 1998年5月13日

出身地: 宮城県

田野 優花

Tano Yuuka

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: たのちゃん

生年月日: 1997年3月7日

出身地: 東京都

高橋 朱里

Takahashi Juri

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: じゅり

生年月日: 1997年10月3日

出身地: 茨城県

Profiles taken from AKB48 Official Site

Congratulations on their promotion!! \(^o^)/

Due to concerns of many Research Students still not promoted, Akimoto Yasushi Producer announced on Google+ later in the day that 'Team 8' will be formed. More details are yet to be revealed.

Hmm... So Team 4 isn't a temporary group and as expected in my post last time, Team 8 will be created.