AKB48 23rd Single - '風は吹いている' ('Kaze wa Fuiteiru')

During their handshake event for their 22nd Single, 'Flying Get', at Nagoya Dome earlier today, AKB48 announced the title of their upcoming single - '風は吹いている' ('Kaze wa Fuiteiru') - which would be released on the 26th of October. More details are yet to be announced.

Type A (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] 風は吹いている [Kaze wa Fuiteiru]
2. [CD] 君の背中/ アンダーガールズ [Kimi na Senaka (Undergirls)]
3. [CD] Vamos/ アンダーガールズ ばら組 [Vamos (Undergirls Bara)]
4. [CD] 風は吹いている off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 君の背中 off vocal ver.
6. [CD] Vamos off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 風は吹いているMusic Video [Kaze wa Fuiteiru Music Video]
8. [DVD] 君の背中 Music Video [Kimi na Senaka Music Video]
9. [DVD] Vamos Music Video
10. [DVD] 風は吹いている Music Video [Kaze wa Fuiteiru Music Video (DANCE! DANCE! DANCE! ver.)]
11. [DVD] AKB48コント「フェロモン刑事」編 (特典映像) [Bonus Clip AKB48 Skit “Pheromone Keiji”]
CDJapan Link

Type B (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] 風は吹いている [Kaze wa Fuiteiru]
2. [CD] 君の背中/ アンダーガールズ [Kimi na Senaka (Undergirls)]
3. [CD] ゴンドラリフト/ アンダーガールズ ゆり組 [Gondola Lift (Undergirls Yuri)]
4. [CD] 風は吹いている off vocal ver. KAZE HA FUITE IRU
5. [CD] 君の背中 off vocal ver.
6. [CD] ゴンドラリフト off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 風は吹いている Music Video　[Kaze wa Fuiteiru Music Video]
8. [DVD] 君の背中 Music Video [Kimi na Senaka Music Video]
9. [DVD] ゴンドラリフト Music Video [Gondola Lift Music Video]
10. [DVD] 風は吹いている Music Video (DANCE! DANCE! DANCE! Ver.) [Kaze wa Fuiteiru Music Video (DANCE! DANCE! DANCE! ver.)]
11. [DVD] AKB48コント「タクシー」編 (特典映像) [Bonus Clip AKB48 Skit “Taxi”]
CDJapan Link

Theater Edition (CD only)

1. [CD] 風は吹いている [Kaze wa Fuiteiru]
2. [CD] 君の背中/ アンダーガールズ [Kimi na Senaka (Undergirls)]
3. [CD] 蕾たち/ Team 4＋研究生 [Tsubomitachi (Team 4+Kenkyusei)]
4. [CD] 風は吹いている off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 君の背中/ アンダーガールズ off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 蕾たち/ Team 4＋研究生 off vocal ver.

(News from tokyohive)

UPDATE (22nd September):
Post updated with track lists released. (From Natalie and tokyohive)

UPDATE (29th September):
Added PV from Dailymotion

UPDATE (30th September):
Post updated with album arts

Super SKE48 Festival

Took a short nap after reaching home from the airport and before heading down to *Scape. Reached *Scape at around past 11am to chat with friends. (More information on this weekend events in my previous post here)

Took some photos of some changes in *Scape, which was there for some time already actually, while waiting for the SKE48 Special Shop Visit and SKE48 & AKB48 Music Video Screenings to start. Wasn't able to go for the Cafe event as I wasn't able to get money to buy the tickets in time

The poster showing the member list for tomorrow's concert

Flowers from fans to congratulate Team KII on their first overseas stage

Changed to Japanese language a little while later

I entered the AKB48 Official Shop with some of my friends to take a look at the goods and started chatting with one of the staff for a while. As we were chatting, two SKE48 girls entered the shop and some of us were like 'eh? Isn't that... Shawako??'. It seems that the shop visit had started and the first two girls for the special shop visit were Hata Sawako and Goto Risako (can't really remember clearly but I think should be Risako). We were like so called the 'first customers' to be able to see Shawako and Risako in the store even though we were just talking with a staff inside. We were of course asked to get out by one of the managers shortly after since we are not intending to buy anything. XD

We were queued outside the shop awhile later to receive high-touch (or high-five) from the girls as they come out from the shop. Went into the theater for the screening soon after.

Not much PVs were screened actually. A few PVs were just looped again and again, both AKB48 and SKE48 PVs. When they played the 'Beginner' PV (Original version - supposedly uncensored) I was initially rather excited but well... those gore parts were censored out with pixel blur. Kind of spoiled the whole feel of the PV but since the screening is open to all, can't be helped though.

Through the period of the music video screening more SKE4 girls visited the store and my friends and I like were coming in and out of the theater rather frequently for the high-touch with the girls

The screening started to play the AKB48 2011 Request Hour Best 100 LIVE at SHIBUYA AX when I was about to set off for my grandparents house, and it was followed by a stage performance by the cafe girls from the Official Cafe, and from what I heard, commentary by the SKE48 girls of the performance.

Welcoming SKE48 Team KII members at Changi Airport

According to the application on my iPod Touch I used to track flights, there would be two flights that would be touching down yesterday, one at after 5pm and another near midnight. Thought that it most probably would be the 5pm one and went down to the airport without checking the Team KII members' blogs beforehand, only to realize there are no barriers set up at the arrival hall and the Team KII members just blogged that they are preparing to set off soon. Which means, they would be reaching Singapore near midnight. Went back home for dinner before going down to the airport again at around after 11pm. Was rather concerned whether anyone did a board for Shiorin (Ogiso Shiori - 小木曽汐莉) as she is one of my favourites in SKE48 and I don't want her to arrive without a board that is supporting her. Used a A4 paper and some markers to make a last minute 'board' when I found out that no one did a board for her.

(Above photo added on the 4th September. The advanced birthday greeting was added in before the concert on the 4th)

I'm not sure if she saw my 'board' before exiting the gate but I am sure she saw it after exiting the gate and started walking towards the van waiting outside. She waved to me with such a happy face and even the way she wave shows that she was really happy! >w<

She spotted me while in the van and waved to me!! >w<

Only Churi (Takayanagi Akane - 高柳 明音) have not arrived to Singapore as she was busy and unable to take the same flight as the rest of the team. She would arrive most probably today evening. I missed the last train home and didn't really bother to check on the last bus so I camped overnight at Terminal 2's McDonald's yesterday.

AKB48 Sashihara Rino visiting *Scape on 6th September!

It was announced on the AKB48 Singapore Official Facebook page that 指原 莉乃 (Sashihara Rino) of Team A from AKB48 would be visiting *SCAPE on 6th of September (Tuesday) from 1pm to 2pm. Details of the visit are yet to be announced.

The announcement was totally a pleasant surprise! This would be the first time a Media Senbatsu member would be visiting Singapore since the launch of AKB48 Theater Singapore and second time in general, where the first time was 渡辺 麻友 (Watanabe Mayu) last year during STGCC (Singapore Toy Games and Comics Convention). I wonder what would be in store for us at *Scape. Heard that she's coming Singapore mainly for filming or something like a photo book shoot.

UPDATE (3rd September):

Latest Update!
13:00 - 06.09.11 (TUE)
指原 莉乃 Rino Sashihara Special Café Visit!

Each S$35 Session Ticket include:

1 x special food voucher for 1 meal item
(Any Pasta or Omu Rice / Curry)*

1 x complimentary drink during café event.

Customers with fully stamped point cards, may redeem their cards for one session ticket. Limited to the first 20 point card holders only.
Tickets on sale at the AKB48 Official Café Singapore from 12pm 04.06.11 onwards!

*Special Food Voucher is only valid till 06.10.11
Terms and Condition Apply.

(From AKB48 Singapore)

UPDATE (5th September):

Surprise Update! 06.09.11 (TUE) 指原 莉乃 Rino Sashihara will also be visiting the AKB48 Official Shop in Singapore from 13:30 onwards! To enter the shop and interact with her, customers must purchase official Rino Sashihara goods when in the shop. This opportunity applies to the first customers to enter shop within 20mins. Thank you! ^^

(From AKB48 Singapore)

OMG!! I must not miss the Shop visit! Since I cannot get the cafe visit tickets in time, I shall 'meet-and-greet' her at the shop visit with my board! If I can finish it up in time that is. =_=

Super SKE48 Festival This Weekend!

"Here's the consolidated update! There's really no reason not to head down to *SCAPE this weekend!

Super SKE48 Festival! 03.09.11 (SAT)

SKE48 fans, here’s what we have installed for you!

1. SKE48 & AKB48 Music Video Screenings
From 2pm onwards till 7pm, come by with your friends to enjoy a non-stop video marathon of all your favorite music videos from both SKE48 and AKB48! Taking place at the *SCAPE Warehouse, this is a free event for all to enjoy! ^^

2. SKE48 Special Café Visit!
There will be 2 Sessions for the day!

Session 1 ~ 12:00 Featuring SKE48 Members:

阿比留李帆 Riho Abiru
小木曽汐莉 Shiori Ogiso
古川愛季 Airi Furukawa

Session 2 ~ 15:00 Featuring SKE48 Members:

松本莉奈 Rina Matsumoto
赤枝里々奈 Ririna Akaeda
石田安奈 Anna Ishida
向田茉夏 Manatsu Mukaida

Each session ticket is S$35.00 and will include one food menu item, and includes many fun filled activities. Session tickets on sale from 6pm 01.09.11 (THU) at the AKB48 Official Café Singapore!

3. SKE48 Special Shop Visit!
Catch various SKE48 members throughout the day on Saturday at the AKB48 Official Shop! The members will be making many appearances throughout the day at the Shop! More details to be announced!

Don’t forget! There’s also Sunday’s performances by SKE48’s Team KII! Get your tickets here! http://www.akb48.com.sg/

Are you ready? See you all at *SCAPE for an incredible SKE48 weekend! 1!2!3!4! ヨロシク!

AKB48 Official Cafe Singapore Event Terms and Conditions apply:

1. Each customer may only purchase ticket(s) for one session. To ensure that everyone gets a fair chance to attend the cafe events, each customer is only allowed to purchase tickets for one session. You may, however, purchase multiple tickets per session.

2. Groups of more than five (5) will be allocated seats in designated areas of the café.

3. Recording devices, such as (but not limited to) DSLRs, Compact Cameras, Video Cameras are not allowed during the Cafe Event. However, customers may take photos using their mobile phones.

4. The AKB48 Official Cafe Singapore is not HALAL certified. All food served is not HALAL.

5. AKB48 Singapore’s decision(s) are final and will entertain no correspondence. It also reserves the right to amend any of the rules or implement additional rules without prior notification."

This weekend is really going to be so awesomely packed with SKE48 that I think I guess I would be stuck at *Scape for almost the whole of the weekend! Hope I can just get enough money before the cafe session 1 tickets and the 6pm concert tickets run out T_T I want to meet-and-greet Shiorin.... Shawako and Akane too!
Anyways, even if I can't get the money to buy the tickets in time I am so going down to *Scape for the two days! XD

More information of the SKE48 2nd Stage in my previous post here.

UPDATE (3rd September):

'SKE48 Special Shop Visit!
Throughout SAT 03.09 - Catch Team KII SKE48 members as they make their rounds at the AKB48 Official Shop Singapore! Simply purchase S$20 worth of products and above to have your point card stamped by SKE48 members! Terms and conditions apply.'

(From AKB48 Singapore)

AKB48 22nd Single 'フライングゲット' (Flying Get) First Week Sales

Reported on Oricon News, AKB48 created yet another mark on the Oricon chart with their 22nd Single 'フライングゲット' (Flying Get) selling more than 1.354millions copies in the first week. This made the single the best first-week-sales in the history of Oricon! The second placing now is AKB48's 21st Single 'Everyday、カチューシャ' (Everyday, Kachuusha), which sold about 1.334million copies in the first week.

AKB48 started to top the Oricon weekly-sales chart since their 14th Single 'RIVER' in 2009, which makes them on tie with the legendary idol duo Pink Lady, who released “Chameleon Army” nearly thirty-three years ago, on having nine chart-topping singles consecutively and also the status of a female group with the highest number of million-seller singles in a row.

That's totally awesome! Way to go AKB48! Congratulations!! ^o^

My recent post on the AKB48's 22nd Single first day sales here.

(Source: tokyohive|Oricon)

UPDATE (19th September):

The sales of the AKB48 22nd single reached 1.5 million, 4 weeks after it was released, with it's latest weekly sales at 23,000 copies. This makes it the 2nd consecutive single to reach 1.5 million sales, where 'Everyday Kachuusha' sold 1,573,000 copies in total.

The record of selling 1.5 million copies for 2 consecutive singles has been accomplished by B’z in 1993, Mr.Children in 1994, and in 1996, KinKi Kids in 1998, and Utada Hikaru in 2000. AKB48 is thus the first female group in history to achieve this.
(adapted from tokyohive)

AKB48 Singapore Theatre 'LIVE' Vol.6 - AKB48 4th Stage

Didn't intend to go for the concert today initially, mainly due to lack of spare cash =[ Went down to *Scape with just intending to get a concert flyer and go back home. However, thanks to a very kind person I got to enter the 2pm concert!! ^o^ (eh wait.. I thought I should be studying for my Power System Analysis examinations already?? o_o)

Anyways, before the concert I got news from the friend which I ordered Rena photo sets through that one more of the sets arrived. Costed me SGD21 =X Well, Matsui Rena is my SKE48 oshi (favourite). =p
Here it is,

 As for the SDN48's 3rd Single 'Min.Min.Min.' ^

I preordered through a friend in the forum, Girls of 48, and got it from her after the concert. Thanks! ^^

(Received the Kohara + Serina photo from the single)

This concert can be considered one of the best I gone so far, not because of the member list (don't have any of my favourites this time in the performing member list), but because of the experience I had while at the most back row. There was so much space at the back that me and my friends went very high during the concert, jumping more than usual, along with all the wotagei actions and shoutings - which are usually rather toned down while we were around the middle rows, due to space constraint and having people behind us. There was so much 'exercise' for my hands and legs that I was totally exhausted at the end and so much shouting that my throat went very sore, considering I just fell slightly sick this morning. XD
The handshake that followed the concert was rather okay. More of like touch and go for most of the AKB48 girls. =[ I still missed the SKE48 and SDN48 handshake sessions as they so much more friendly, holding on to my hand (or rather all the people's hands) with some even as if not willing to let go. =X

Walking around outside the warehouse and the AKB48 Official Shop for awhile after the concert and saw a Japanese guy with a ton of the AKB48's 22nd Single 'Flying Get' Theater version photos. Spotted 4 Akicha (Takajo Aki) and a friend of mine took 2 of them while I took one.

Had a real hard time closing the deal. =X The Japanese guy wanted to traded it for only full set Singapore Theater photos so I offered both my Haachan (Haruka Katayama) and Nakayan (Sayaka Nakaya) full Singapore Theater June sets for just the single Akicha 'Flying Get' Theater photo but he also don't want and said he looking for Team 4 full sets, which I don't have. =[
I tried to offer SGD15 but he also gave me the 'No no'. He asked if can trade with my the two 'Marutto AKB48 Special 2' Team 4 photos, which are the Maria and the Paruru+Miyumiyu+Ranran. This time was a 'No no' from me. Totally not worth. Those photos are Singapore exclusives for the magazine and is in very limited amount, and the Akicha photos can be found very easily on auction sites while those Singapore exclusive magazine photos are not.

Had no choice but to offer a higher cash price and I got it at SGD20

 Looks a bit too China-like =X but well.. I'm still okay with it.
She's my kamioshi (Most favourite) XD

More information on the concert in my previous post here.

Welcoming AKB48 members at Changi Airport

Have been pondering very long whether to make the Abe Maria board as I am very sure she would remember the Paruru board (with awesome load of 'stalker' photos) that I made last time when she arrive with Paruru and Miyumiyu for the Official Cafe launch. However, I can still remember that time no one did a Maria board and most of the support and love from the fans went to Paruru and Miyumiyu. She looks kind of sad that time and walked real fast. She already reached the van outside when Paruru and Miyumiyu are still walking slowly together, with a massive amount of fans following. Maria only had a couple of fans following her that time if I remember correctly.

After the Vol. 4 concert, I find her not bad and started following her, and starting to like her. =p Decided to make a board for her partly due to my my slowly growing interest for her and partly fearing that history happened again and that there's no board to support her. I want her to be happy when arriving in Singapore =[

After all the pondering and stuff, I only had two hours to plan & design, scavenge for materials, and make the board out itself. Wrote a small message which means 'Congratulations on promotion to Team 4!'

with a photo of her slot in in the custom-made-photo-holder I fitted on the board...

and with LEDs turned on!

Some not that good photos I took while fanboying at the airport:

ahh... Maria... the photo is blurred! I can't see Maria clearly!! >_<

Maria's back...

Ah... Objective accomplished! She looks so much happier this time! =D

Didn't go down to *Scape after that, where the AKB48 members would be having their private event - meal in the cafe, followed by going down to the warehouse, to familiarize with the concert stage I guess. Had to tidy my room plus I would be having an exam on Monday. Have to study... eh wait, why aren't I studying now... o_o Shall start studying soon!

Got this photo from a friend at the airport...

Rikako's Senbatsu Elections poster photo

And before I headed down to the airport, I grabbed my letter from the mail box and opened it while at the airport, and I got this! ^^

Yuko and Mayuyu 7-11 exclusive photo
Won it as part of my 'happy bidding' on eBay =p

Before I go to revise on my exam, I would like to post the little, but rather long and interesting history of my board, or rather, the scrapbook I used to make my board.

AKB48 Singapore Theatre 'LIVE' Vol.7 - SKE48 2nd Stage

As posted previously, the AKB48 Singapore Theatre 'LIVE' Vol.7 would be the SKE48's second stage. When I heard about the member list first hand when I was at *Scape myself (helping my friend buy the cafe special visit tickets), I did not believed it until I saw it myself online. It would be a full Team KII stage!! OMG!! THIS I MUST NOT MISS!!

Anyways, the details posted on AKB48 Singapore Official Facebook page:

'04.09.11 (SUN) AKB48 Singapore Theater 'Live' Vol.7 - SKE48 STAGE 2
Member Performing List!

Presenting Team KII!

赤枝里々奈 Ririna Akaeda
阿比留李帆 Riho Abiru
石田安奈 Anna Ishida
小木曽汐莉 Shiori Ogiso
加藤智子 Tomoko Kato
後藤理沙子 Risako Goto
佐藤聖羅 Seira Sato
佐藤実絵子 Mieko Sato
高柳明音 Akane Takayanagi
秦佐和子 Sawako Hata
古川愛季 Airi Furukawa
松本莉奈 Rina Matsumoto
向田茉夏 Manatsu Mukaida
矢方美紀 Miki Yakata
山田澪花 Reika Yamada
若林倫香 Tomoka Wakabayashi

Online tickets sales will start today 26.08.11(FRI) from 6pm at the official AKB48 Singapore website! http://www.akb48.com.sg/'

Akane! Shawako! Shirorin! Omg... It's hard to decided what board to make XD Maybe I shall just do one with all the members on it!

AKB48’s “Heavy Rotation” creates new record on Oricon’s Karaoke Ranking! - tokyohive

AKB48’s 17th single “Heavy Rotation”, which was released back in August of 2010, has come in at number one on Oricon’s Karaoke Ranking this week, making this their 43rd consecutive week at number one! Up until now, ORANGE RANGE’s “Hana” has held this record for six years with 42 consecutive first place wins.


“Heavy Rotation” was the result of AKB48’s “2nd Senbatsu General Election”, where Oshima Yuko took first place and was in the center position for the first time. This track was second to AKB48’s first million-seller “Beginner” in Oricon’s 2010 Yearly Ranking, selling 713,000 copies.


“Heavy Rotation” officially entered the karaoke ranking on September 13, 2010 at #12. It gradually moved up in rank until November 1, 2010, where it finally took the first place position and has continued to keep it for 10 months. More than a year after its initial release, “Heavy Rotation” is still in the TOP100 single ranking and is a song people love to sing at karaoke.


–

1. AKB48 – “Heavy Rotation” : 43 weeks (November 1, 2010 – August 22, 2011 [still going])

2. ORANGE RANGE – “Hana” : 42 weeks (November 29, 2004 – September 12, 2005)

3. GReeeeN – “KISEKI” : 37 weeks (June 23, 2008 – March 2, 2009)

From: tokyohive
Source: Oricon

Heavy Rotation is indeed an all time favourite amongst fans, or even amongst casual listeners. I love the song a lot as it's really catchy and cheerful. ^^ Way to go AKB48! Congratulations! =D