Recently there was a shocking news claiming that Akimoto Yasushi is producing a new group, not another '48' sister group though, but an official AKB48 rival called 乃木坂46 (Nogizaka46), under Sony Music label. (AKB48 was once under DefStar Records, a sublabel of Sony Music, before the switch to King Records. AKB48 wasn't that popular before the switch). The person in-charge of the project mentioned this during an interview, 'As I thought, "Nogashita Sakanatachi" was huge. It is a chagrin that Sony's staff feels. So this time, it is with that feeling that we will strike hard with this project. This will be a serious competitior and strike AKB48 hard.' The article was from Weekly Playboy, where Eguchi Aimi appeared in and revealing that she was CG.
I was initially in doubt as to whether it would be a real rival or just some temporary project for commercial means. However, it was just officially confirmed that 'Nogizaka46' would be a real project! Wonder how it would be like but I shall see how it goes. Not really anticipating for some serious rivalry but then, am not entirely not anticipating. =X
It was revealed that the the name, 'Nogizaka' (which is not abbreviated) derived from SME's Nogizaka Building, the final audition location. As for the '46', it was said to be "Even if we have less members than AKB48, we wont lose".
The first round of auditions, which is the applications, started yesterday and ends on 20th July. The second round, the interviews, will be taking place in 7 cities (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa) on 6th to 7th August. The final round, which consists of dance and vocal is scheduled to be held on 20th to 21st August. Nogizaka46 would then debut in September.
Girls aged 12 to 24 are welcomed and overseas foreigners are also accepted for the auditions. 20 members would form the first generation members, a CD debut under Sony is planned, and they would be having their own theater at the SME Nogizaka Building.
On top of all these, a variety show (like AKB48's 1ji0ji, AKBINGO!, etc) of their own would start this October, titled 'AKB48 History', with the channel and time slot still unknown. (Wonder why that title)
Sounds interesting and maybe through this more people might be able to see how AKB48 struggled when they first debuted? After typing this post, I kind of looking forward to how it would be like when Nogizaka46 is formed! XD
Nogizaka46 Official Site
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