AKB48's Official Rival Confirmed!

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

AKB48 22nd Single - 'Flying Get'

Screenshot of AKB48 performance at Ongaku no Hi (16th July)

Announced last night, the title for the AKB48's 22nd single would be 'フライングゲット' ('Flying Get'), which actually is a term that refers to preordering of items likes books, CDs and DVDs. Well the single is up for preorders! Hahax! XD

'Flying Get' would be used as the theme song for the drama, '花ざかりの君たちへ' ('Hanazakari no Kimitachi e'), or 'Hanakimi', which would be starring Maeda Atsuko and Kashiwagi Yuki.

A quick recap on the Senbatsu and Undergirls members,

Senbatsu:
Team A: Maeda Atsuko, Shinoda Mariko, Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Sashihara Rino,Takajo Aki, Kuramochi Asuka
Team K: Oshima Yuko, Itano Tomomi, Miyazawa Sae, Minegeshi Minami, Akimoto Sayaka, Yokoyama Yui
Team B: Kashiwagi Yuki, Watabane Mayu, Kitahara Rie, Kasai Tomomi, Sato Amina, Masuda Yuka
Team S: Matsui Rena, Matsui Jurina

Undergirls:
Team A: Nakagawa Haruka, Ota Aika, Oya Shizuka, Maeda Ami
Team K: Umeda Ayaka, Nito Moeno, Matsui Sakiko, Fujie Reina
Team B: Hirajima Natsumi, Miyazaki Miho, Komori Mika, Sato Sumire
Team 4: Oba Mina, Ichikawa Miori
Team S: Oya Masana, Suda Akari
Team KII: Takayanagi Akane, Hata Sawako
Team N: Yamamoto Sayaka

More details on the Senbatsu results can be found in my post here.

Album arts and track lists are not available yet. Would update on that once released. The single would be expected to release on the 24th of August.

CDJapan links:
Flying Get [Type A / CD+DVD / Limited Edition]
Flying Get [Type B / CD+DVD / Limited Edition]
Flying Get [Type A / CD+DVD / Regular Edition]
Flying Get [Type B / CD+DVD / Regular Edition]

UPDATE:

Type A (CD+DVD)

1. [CD] フライングゲット (Flying Get)
2. [CD] 抱きしめちゃいけない (Dakishimecha Ikenai)
3. [CD] 青春と気づかないまま (Seishun to Kizukanai Mama)
4. [CD] フライングゲット off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 抱きしめちゃいけない off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 青春と気づかないまま off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] フライングゲット Music Video
8. [DVD] 抱きしめちゃいけない Music Video
9. [DVD] 青春と気づかないまま Music Video
10. [DVD] 武闘映画「紅い八月〜頂上決戦篇」(Akai Hachigatsu ~Choujou Kessen (Drama Ver.))
11. [DVD] 「フライングゲット」ダンシングバージョン

Type B (CD+DVD)

1. [CD] フライングゲット (Flying Get)
2. [CD] 抱きしめちゃいけない (Dakishimecha Ikenai)
3. [CD] アイスのくちづけ (Aisu no Kuchizuke)
4. [CD] フライングゲット off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 抱きしめちゃいけない off vocal ver.
6. [CD] アイスのくちづけ off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] フライングゲット Music Video
8. [DVD] 抱きしめちゃいけない Music Video
9. [DVD] アイスのくちづけ Music Video
10. [DVD] 第3回 AKB48総選挙 ドキュメント映像 (3rd Senbatsu Election Documentary (26min. long))
11. [DVD] 武闘映画「紅い八月〜頂上決戦篇・予告」(Akai Hachigatsu ~Choujou Kessen (Preview))

 Theater Version (CD only)

1. フライングゲット (Flying Get)
2. 抱きしめちゃいけない (Dakishimecha Ikenai)
3. 野菜占い (Yasai Uranai)
4. フライングゲット (Instrumental)
5. 抱きしめちゃいけない (Instrumental)
6. 野菜占い (Instrumental)

Last Updated: 29th July

SKE48 6th Single - パレオはエメラルド (Pareo wa Emerald)

On the 28th of May, it was announced that SKE48 changed their record label from Nippon Crown to Avex Trax, and would be releasing their 6th single on the 27th of July, during Team S's performance at Nagoya, and Team KII's performance in Tokyo. The official website for SKE48 on Avex is http://avexnet.or.jp/ske48/index.html.

Guess what? 27th July is also the date of Matsui Rena's birthday!! Wow.. it's going to be a real awesome day ^^ (My SKE48 oshi is Rena >w<)

Type A (CD+DVD)

1. [CD] パレオはエメラルド (Pareo wa Emerald)
2. [CD] ときめきの足跡 (白組) (Tokimeki no Ashiato - Shirogumi)
3. [CD] 積み木の時間 (Tsumiki no Jikan)
4. [CD] パレオはエメラルド off vocal
5. [CD] ときめきの足跡 off vocal
6. [CD] 積み木の時間 off vocal
7. [DVD] パレオはエメラルド (music video)
8. [DVD] ときめきの足跡(白組) (music video)
9. [DVD] 「松井珠理奈の軌跡」 documentary movie (特典映像) (Bonus Footage: Matsui Jurina no Kiseki)
CDJapan Link
HMV Link
YesAsia Link

 Type B (CD+DVD)

1. [CD] パレオはエメラルド (Pareo wa Emerald)
2. [CD] パパは嫌い (紅組) (Papa wa Kirai - Akagumi)
3. [CD] 積み木の時間 (Tsumiki no Jikan)
4. [CD] パレオはエメラルド off vocal
5. [CD] パパは嫌い off vocal
6. [CD] 積み木の時間 off vocal
7. [DVD] パレオはエメラルド music video
8. [DVD] パパは嫌い (紅組) music video
9. [DVD] 「松井玲奈の軌跡」 documentary movie (特典映像) (Bonus Footage: Matsui Rena no Kiseki)
CDJapan Link
HMV Link
YesAsia Link

 Type C (CD+DVD)

1. [CD] パレオはエメラルド/ SKE48
2. [CD] 花火は終わらない/ セレクション8
3. [CD] 積み木の時間/ SKE48
4. [CD] パレオはエメラルド (off vocal)
5. [CD] 花火は終わらない (off vocal)
6. [CD] 積み木の時間 (off vocal)
7. [DVD] パレオはエメラルド music video
8. [DVD] 特典映像「SKE48紅白対抗水泳大会」special movie (Bonus Footage: SKE48 Red vs White Swimming Competition - special movie)
CDJapan Link
HMV Link
YesAsia Link

 Theater Version (CD only)

1. パレオはエメラルド (Pareo wa Emerald)
2. ときめきの足跡（白組） (Tokimeki no Ashiato - Shirogumi)
3. パパは嫌い（紅組） (Papa wa Kirai - Akagumi)
4. SKE48 6th single medley
5. パレオはエメラルド　off vocal
6. ときめきの足跡　off vocal
7. パパは嫌い　off vocal

Senbatsu members in 'Pareo wa Emerald':
Team S: Oya Masana, Kizaki Yuria, Kinoshita Yukiko, Kuwabara Mizuki, Suda Akari, Hiramatsu Kanako, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Yagami Kumi
Team KII: Ishida Anna, Ogiso Shiori, Takayanagi Akane, Hata Sawako, Furukawa Airi, Mukaida Manatsu
Team E: Kimoto Kanon

Shirogumi members in 'Tokimeki mo Ashiato':
Team S: Ono Haruka, Nakanishi Yuka, Hirata Rikako, Matsui Jurina
Team KII: Akaeda Ririna, Abiru Riho, Sato Mieko, Matsumoto Rina, Wakabayashi Tomoka
Team E: Shibata Aya, Nakamura Yuka
Kenkyuusei: Saito Makiko

Akagumi members in 'Papa wa Kirai':
Team S: Kato Rumi, Takada Shiori, Deguchi Aki, Matsui Rena
Team KII: Sato Seira, Yakata Miki
Team E: Ueno Kasumi, Umemoto Madoka, Kaneko Shiori, Hara Minami

Selection 8 members for 'Hanabi wa Owaranai':
Team S: Kizaku Yuria, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Yagami Kumi
Team KII: Ogiso Shiori, Takayanagi Akane, Mukaida Manatsu
Team E: Kimoto Kanon

Tsumiki no Jikan consists of all the SKE48 members.

Preview Videos uploaded on SKE48 Official Youtube Channel:

パレオはエメラルド

ときめきの足跡

パパは嫌い

Totally love the song 'Pareo wa Emerald' and especially the preview video. So much energy and so cheery! ^^Can't wait for its release.

AKB48 Singapore Theatre 'LIVE' Vol.4 - AKB48 3rd Stage

A friend of mine won 3pm tickets to the AKB48 3rd Stage from ANIMAX and gave me one of them. Was damn happy ^^ Now I am able to enjoy the awesome concert two times!

And not to forget, to be able to see Paruru (Shimazaki Haruka) TWO TIMES!! XD If you have noticed in my previous post here, the main reason that I decided to go for this concert and not save up first to recover from the damage on the wallet I received from buying the 'AKB ga Ippai' is to see one of my top favourtie AKB48 members perform in person, support her and yes, to shake her hand. >//< Have been following her since before her promotion to Team 4, as she was not only a real cutie but also has a lot of potential.

 The Paruru board I made to support her (more of like to show her my love? >//<)

The 3pm concert was really surprising to me. Most of the real wotas (those that move and shout along during the concert) are concentrated on the left side of the warehouse while most of the people on the right side are really quiet. Sitting on their seats while enjoying the concert for some, and standing to try to see the concert more clearly once in a while for the rest.

For those in the family seats I can understand but I can't understand those around me! They were so not hyped enough!! At the right side I would say only my friends that were just behind the rows of the family seat section and myself are shouting and moving along during the concert. Which does not even make up to ten people. (By the way, I did not arrive very early as the 3pm ticket I got is 'J', which is last to enter the warehouse. My friends got a different letter so we were separated. More information on the new system of entering the concert is posted here)

So in other words, out of the whole crowd at the right only a group of people in the middle and myself at around the back were cheering and moving along during the concert. And I have to really point out that as I was separated from my friends, it meant that I can say I am the only one there standing up, waving my light stick vigorously non-stop throughout the concert (and also the handkerchief waving during the song, ひこうき雲 - Hikoukigumo) and shouting like mad in my area. =_= Hey people! More energy please!! Don't just give me those awkward stares. Enjoy the concert! There's even one middle-aged man who was in front of me who left before the concert ended... I was like 'whut??' (o_o)

Putting the not-hyped-enough-audiences-aside, the concert was totally awesome! I was totally very high whenever Paruru appeared! o(>w<)o omg...

Like the SDN48 concert two weeks ago, the handshaking session was placed after each of the 3pm and 7pm concerts. (In Vol.1 and 2 - AKB48 Stage 1 and 2, the handshaking session was on the day before the concert and there would only be three chosen members and to qualify for the handshaking session, one must spend at least SGD15 in the Official Shop) This can be good in a way as everyone who went for the concert got to shake hands with the performing members and instead of 3, it's with 16 AKB48 members! The con is, it would be rather rushed and there was not much chance to chat much with them. The handshaking session on the day before the Vol.2 - AKB48 Stage 2 was actually quite long, with more than enough time to talk to the members. (My post on the handshaking session on the day before Vol. 2 here)
During the handshaking session, quite a handful of the AKB48 members pointed out at the board I made and said things like 'きれい' (pretty) and '凄い' (amazing), especially Harugon (Nakagawa Haruka) who gave me a thumbs up indicating 'Good Job'. >w< Paruru thanked me again for the board too.

It's back to normal in the 7pm concert, where the whole crowd, including most of people in the family seats were standing up and cheering along during the whole of the concert. That's the way to enjoy a concert! ^^
I carried the board along during the handshaking session again and quite a handful recognized me! Referring me as the guy with the Paruru board, especially Harugon. Was actually quite sorry for Harugon as she was still so sweet on both the handshaking session on the 3pm and 7pm concert, even though I was only supporting Paruru (both during the concert and on my board) >_<

Loitered around outside the warehouse for awhile, waiting for the whole handshake event to end, before going to the back of the *Scape (back door of warehouse) to get the chance to see the AKB48 members, especially Paruru, one last time.

A video I took while waving my board and trying to spot Paruru at the same time

The camera was pointing up at the sky at many occasions as I was waving the board while trying to spot Paruru so much that I did not take note of where my camera is pointing =X

Sadly, I did not manage to spot Paruru.

In general, I totally did not regret in going for this concert even though my wallet is very tight already but what I really regretted is to have not enough time and money to get or make a proper gift for Paruru. TAT I doubt she would remember me with just my board (or photos of it on her phone). The next time she comes for a concert in Singapore, I would certainly make sure I have a gift ready for her. Or at least, a letter! D<

The next stage (AKB48 Singapore Vol. 5) was announced and like what I have  hoped for, SKE48 is going to have their first 'LIVE' in Singapore on the 27th of July!! Banzai!!

Was wondering why would the management skip one concert (should be a concert every two weeks but Vol.5 is a month away) and place SKE48 1st stage on a weekday where people either have school or at work. Checking my calender, I noticed something that I can't pass it as coincidence. 27th July is the date where SKE48 release their 6th single 'Pareo wa Emerald' AND most importantly, RENA'S BIRTHDAY!! I was thinking that the date is intentional and there must be something up the management's sleeves. Could it be that Rena would be celebrating her birthday in Singapore? Or could it be something to do with their new single? Or maybe both? Am so excited!! XD I shall hope for the best then, and save money for a gift and a board for Rena! She's my Oshi in SKE48!! >//<

Camp Overnight at Airport & AKB48 Official Cafe launch

It was a really incredible experience for me from yesterday to today. At around late night yesterday, I went down to Changi Airport in hope that I can catch Paruru (Shimazaki Haruka) if she were to arrive in the morning. Have been worrying who would be gracing the cafe launch this afternoon as it was not announced on AKB48 Singapore's Facebook, nor the official site.

(Usually there are two flights from ANA each day to Changi Airport Terminal 2. One at around 5am plus while the other at around 5 - 6pm. The girls from AKB48, according to the pattern, takes ANA from Narita or Haneda International airport. They may take Singapore Airlines, if they were delayed by some reasons and were unable to catch the ANA flight. So normally, when there's an event in the afternoon, the girls would arrive at around end of 5am, if not delayed, and for the concert, they would arrive in the evening on the day before.)

Intended to study but in the end... It's not easy to concentrate there plus when I am supposed to be sleeping. Spent most of the time talking. =X

Initially they were to land at 5:55am on the NH151...

My board for ぱるる (Paruru) ^^

Some final touches

...The girls seemed to missed the ANA flight thus arrived later (6:30am) on the SQ633

They are fnally here! Takeuchi Miyu, Shimazaki Haruka, Maria Abe accordingly.

Paruru is so cute! Her fist have been on her lips for quite some time already while still behind the glass doors. Maybe shocked? surprised? =D

Ah! She spotted me! (camera angle different as this photo is taken by my friend, Vannyssa) She looks happy ^^

Paruru: -waves-

Me: -waves back- >//<

Coming out...

...and walking towards...

...towards...

...me! She walked towards me the moment she came out of the Arrival Hall glass door!! (again, as the photo is taken by my friend, the angle different. My camera was out of luck, so no photos for me at the airport ToT she was so close to me, thanked me for the board, gave a high-five and waved to me yet I wasn't able to take a single photo!! TAT)

 She's such a cutie! >//< So much cuter in person!

 Miyu is a real cutie too, but I am more of a fan of Paruru ^^"

 taking photo~ (according to the direction, seems to be my board! =D)

 She looks happy! ^^ I am happy too!

Me: -waves board and goes closer-
Paruru: -spotted me saying hi, while waving the board and taking photo with my phone-

Taking photo of each other o(>w<)o

Me and my friend's boards

Went home for a short while before heading down to *Scape for the Official Cafe opening (Recently blogged about the official cafe opening here). There was already quite a handful of people queuing outside *Scape when I reached at around 10am. Somehow they still have the last queue number of the unofficial queue numbers for the sales of photo sets and my friend gave it to me. Kind of surprise to me as I thought I would confirm miss it since I did not queue early and there are already many people in queue. I did not want to get the photo set anyways, as for the last queue number the most probable set left would be Team K. I am not aiming for Team K as I have more favourites in Team A.So I decided to help someone buy a Team K after I bought what I want from the shop, the 見逃した 君たちへ」～AKB48グループ全公演～(Minogashita Kimitachi e, AKB48 Group Zenkouen - For you who missed it, AKB48 Group Complete Performance), which would include a photo. Received Love-tan (Ota Aika), which I used to trade over a Akicha photo from the AKB48 Singapore May photo set.

The AKB48 Singapore Official Cafe at *Scape Level 3

Promoting the AKB48 Ice Cream Set, which really did work. I went to get it when I entered =X

This one should be Maria's autograph...

erm... whose? Doesn't look like Paruru's...

This should be Miyu's

The menu! Was stunned when I first see the prices! (The AKB48 circular sticker seems to be blocking something...)

Member photos according to their teams...

There were also photos around to cafe to add on to the atmosphere

Blocked words revealed. 'Prices are subjected to 10% service charge and prevailing taxes'

-claps claps claps-

AKB48 Ice Cream Set - Tea break menu
Frankly speaking... it tastes great!! Pricing wise similar to Swensen's, taste is also on par too... I would it's totally worth it! Considering that in addition there's the AKB48 atmosphere in here with PVs playing on big screens... Great experience! Would love to pop by again, if wallet allows XD

There was a lucky draw as an opening special... but well, no luck. Did not win =[

I think I forgot to mention. They do provide free lime water! (but of course you wouldn't go in just for the water hahax! XD)

It was a totally great experience for me from yesterday night and the whole of today I would say! ^^