Announced at the Vol.11 - AKB48 6th Stage, the next concert would be by SDN48. Ever since the announcement of SDN48's disbandment, I have been wishing for one more SDN48 concert in Singapore, one last one. Was totally bursting with joy at the AKB48 concert when it was announced.
What's more, just a couple of days ago, it was revealed that my oshimen (favourite), Yukarin, would be coming through the SDN48 members' blogs! It was then announced earlier today the member list. I am so going to use this chance to cheer all I can for her and confess my love to her as much as possible before I won't be able to see them again. T_T
I am sure this concert would be the most touching, the most memorable and the most tear-jerking concert ever in my life.
Sales of the tickets would start tomorrow (1st February) noon on the official site, and 11am 4th February (Saturday) at the official shop in *SCAPE.
SDN48 announced that they would be releasing their 5th (and last) Single, titled '負け惜しみコングラチュレーション' ('Makeohismi Congratulation') on 7th of March and their first album on the 14th of March.
It was also revealed that 'Makeoshimi Congratulation' would be generic idol like, thus not having the usual sexy and seductiveness, and the members would be wearing school uniforms, which is considered proper for their graduation.
No other details are revealed as of yet. Below are the comments by the SDN48 members regarding the upcoming single.
Ever since the announcement of Yonechan and Nacchan leaving AKB48, I have been thinking whether Yonechan is still in Singapore, and have been watching the concert backstage, or had she flown back to Japan first.
Camped overnight at Changi Airport to send the AKB48 members off in the morning. This time I decided not to hang any photos on my neck as to prevent the blunder I made during the handshake session yesterday to happen again.
Did not really notice Yonechan the whole time and thought she left early until we watched the video clips fellow fans and I took. Although she is not one of my top favourites but I feel that I would be missing her and I hope she would be back soon.
And before I forget, I have to say that when the members enter the airport, Amina walks in 'like a boss'!! So cool yo. XD
Came out of the NTU admission talks early as I already got what I want to know and managed to be just in time for the 2pm time slot of the concert.
The concert kick-started off really good with 'Everyday Kachuusha', 'Aitakatta' and 'Iiwake Maybe' before the introductions. As usual, I totally enjoyed my time at the concert mainly due to the awesome song list. The unit songs, which I don't really remember which, after the introductions were different from the past few AKB48 stages in Singapore and are very good. After the MC that followed were the songs that I anticipated the most, 'River', 'Beginner', 'Ponytail to Shushu' and 'Hikoukigumo'.
The encore further hyped up the atmosphere (as always XD) with 'Flying Get', 'Kaze wa Fuiteiru' and 'Heavy Rotation'.
Throughout the concert I have been rooting for Nacchi (Sato Natsuki) the most as for among the member list for this concert, I love Nacchi the most.
During the handshake session after the concert I made a little blunder, which was really unexpected. I hung two photos on my neck with a large card holder, Nacchi on one side and French Kiss on the other, to show Nacchi and Mocchi respectively. Little did I expect that when I reached Umechan (Umeda Ayaka), she appeared speechless to me and start to look a bit disappointed while looking at the photo that I hung on my neck. Then came the moment of awkwardness where we looked into each other's eye without exchange of words before I was pushed by the staff to move on.
Did she remember me?? Oh no... I think I really disappointed her (´Д｀)
While outside after the 2pm concert, I recalled some of the questions that she asked during the handshake event before Vol. 2, AKB48's second stage in Singapore, where we were given so much time during the handshake session that we can run out of things to chat with the members. One of the questions was something like if I would be supporting her during the concert and in the future. I told her of course I would, which I meant that as part of AKB48 but I was fearing that she took it as supporting her as in oshi. Furthermore, I think I made quite an impression on her during the event.
And with the photo hung on my neck not being her, I think she thought that I oshihen (change of favourite member)!
Tried to remedy the situation by borrowing a Umechan photo from a friend of mine. I did not go for the 6pm time slot so I camped out side the warehouse entrance, where the AKB48 members would be for the hand shake session after the concert. Nacchi and Mocchi is positioned more inside while Umechan is at the end of the line. When the AKB48 members came out and positioned for the hand shake session, I called out to Umechan and showed her the photo I hung on my neck.
She was totally delighted, pointed at the photo, gave and thumbs up and a 'Yossha!' gesture. Oh my... she look so cute!! >//< Only if I am able to film that moment down!
Went to the back of *SCAPE see the AKB48 members again as they took their van back to their hotel before heading back home and prepare for camping overnight at the airport.
It was announced on AKB48's Official Blog very early today (03:40am) about their decision to leave AKB48 and later in the morning on AKB48 Singapore's Official Facebook page that Yonechan would not be performing in the concert today.
I, Hirajima Natsumi, have decided to withdraw from AKB48 and Watarirouka Hashiritai. I’m sorry for this sudden announcement.
I am terribly sorry for making all this trouble for everybody.
All of you who have always cheered for me, the members, and the staff members, everybody who is involved in AKB48, I am truly sorry.
Though I’m leaving AKB48 and Watarirouka Hashiritai, I will try my best as Hirajima Natsumi to be able to see you all, and to be able to receive your support someday again, from here on.
I am very sorry.
I, Yonazawa Rumi, have decided to withdraw from AKB48’s activities as of today.
I’m sorry for this sudden announcement.
Now, I’m have feelings of both gratitude and apologies for all of you who have been supporting me up until now.
Thank you very much for these past 5 years.
I’ve always received great support from all of you this whole time.
From now on, I will continue my activities as an individual.
I apologize for making all the trouble for the members, the fans, and AKB48.
I am terribly sorry.
Yonezawa Rumi
No official reason were given for this sudden unpleasant news but it was said that their personal photos were leaked on their personal twitter, including some with guys in the photo. I wish them all the best, that it would clear up soon and that they would be back in AKB48.
Went down to the airport today after school to welcome the AKB48 members arriving for the concert tomorrow. The member list this time doesn't have my top favourite members in it thus did not make any board or prepare any gift. Took videos of their arrival with my phone though.
Would be at a NTU admissions talk so I not sure if I can make it in time for the concert tomorrow. Hmm... =[
Earlier today, NMB48 revealed the members of their new team, Team M. 島田玲奈 (Shimada Rena) was chosen to be the captain and the 16 members of Team M are,
Ota Riona, Kawakami Rena, Kinoshita Momoka, Kodakari Yuuka, Shimada Rena, Jo Eriko, Takano Yui, Tanigawa Airi, Hikawa Ayame, Fujita Runa, Mita Mao, Murakami Ayaka, Murase Sae, Yagura Fuuko, Yamagishi Natsumi, and Yogi Keira.
Started following and loving NMB48 since the release of their debut single and loved them even more when I experienced their stage performance when they came to Singapore. My top favourites of NMB48's Team N and NMB48 in general are Yamamoto Sayaka (oshi) and Ogasawara Mayu.
I have high hopes on Team M and hope that they can perform in Singapore in the near future.
My top favourite of Team M is Jo Eriko as she was already one of my favourites when she was still in Kenkyuusei (Team Research Students).
Last year, it was announced that Watanabe Mayu will be making a solo debut on the 29th of February. The covers were revealed yesterday for the four versions (Type A, B , C and Regular), featuring 'Idol Mayuyu', 'Stylish Mayuyu', 'Usa Shijimi' and 'Natural Mayuyu' respectively. Each single (first press) will include an original trading card and an event entry ticket. More details are yet to be revealed.
Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] シンクロときめき [Synchro Tokimeki]
2. [CD] 三つ編みの君へ [Mitsuami no Kimi he]
3. [CD] ラベンダーのジュータン [Lavender no Jutan]
4. [CD] シンクロときめき off vocal
5. [CD] 三つ編みの君へ off vocal
6. [CD] ラベンダーのジュータン off vocal
7. [DVD] シンクロときめき (Music Video) [Synchro Tokimeki music video]
8. [DVD] シンクロときめき (Music Video メイキング) [Synchro Tokimeki music video making]
9. [DVD] 渡辺麻友花嫁修業 料理研究家・結城貢先生に弟子入り! [Watanabe Mayu "Training for married life"] CDJapan HMV Online
Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] シンクロときめき [Synchro Tokimeki]
2. [Disc 1] 三つ編みの君へ [Mitsuami no Kimi he]
3. [Disc 1] マユユロイド [Mayuyu Roido]
4. [Disc 1] シンクロときめき off vocal
5. [Disc 1] 三つ編みの君へ off vocal
6. [Disc 1] マユユロイド off vocal
7. [Disc 2] シンクロときめき (Music Video) [Synchro Tokimeki music video]
8. [Disc 2] シンクロときめき (Music Video メイキング) [Synchro Tokimeki music video making]
9. [Disc 2] 渡辺麻友史〜History of Mayu Watanabe〜 CDJapan HMV Online
Type C (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] シンクロときめき [Synchro Tokimeki]
2. [Disc 1] 三つ編みの君へ [Mitsuami no Kimi he]
3. [Disc 1] サバの缶詰 [Saba no Kanzume]
4. [Disc 1] シンクロときめき off vocal
5. [Disc 1] 三つ編みの君へ off vocal
6. [Disc 1] サバの缶詰 off vocal
7. [Disc 2] シンクロときめき (Music Video) [Synchro Tokimeki music video]
8. [Disc 2] シンクロときめき (Music Video メイキング) [Synchro Tokimeki music video making]
9. [Disc 2] 宇佐しじみ38歳。私の日常お見せしまゆゆ [Usa Shijimi Sanjuuhassai. Watashi no Nichijou Omiseshi Mayuyu] CDJapan HMV Online
Regular (CD only)
1. シンクロときめき [Synchro Tokimeki]
2. 三つ編みの君へ [Mitsuami no Kimi he]
3. 新宿優等生 [Shinjuku Yuutousei]
4. シンクロときめき off vocal
5. 三つ編みの君へ off vocal
6. 新宿優等生 off vocal CDJapan HMV Online
UPDATE (26th February):
Watanabe Mayu will be holding an internet live on 29th of February. It will broadcast live from Tokyo, and will be available on Ameba Studio and or USTREAM AmebaStudio Channel. It will be a 15mins live, starting at 6:45 pm JST, followed by a talk session, with local fans, from 8:30 pm JST. Mayuyu would be performing her solo debut song 'Synchro Tokimeki' and a coupling song, voted through a poll on the 27th on AKB48’s official website.
There will be release event starting 20th of March, and the total of 6 events in 2 locations will vary, including singing event and handshake event.
UPDATE (1st March):
'Synchro Tokimeki' topped the Oricon Daily Charts with 50,145 copies of the single sold! Although kind of lower than expected, but still Congratulations to Mayuyu! ^o^
Started airing in Taiwan since yesterday, advertising Sanrio's products in Madarin. Lunar New Year theme was used and 'Heavy Rotation' was used in the background.
I am still anticipating for advertisements by AKB48 to be aired in my country. Hope this CM means that my anticipation is going to be not that impossible soon! >w<
'Ramune no Nomikata' is a song from SKE48 Team KII's third stage and due to it's huge popularity, it is decided to be released as a single, on the 14th of March. The song ranked second in the 'SKE48 Request Hour Set List Best 50 2011 ~ Fan Sorezore no Kamikyokutachi~' as part of their 'Omatase Set List'. More details are yet to be announced.
I personally love the KII 3rd stage and the song 'Ramune no Nomikata'. Am totally anticipating for the release of the single!
'Aitakatta Kamoshirenai', Nogizak46's version of AKB48's 'Aitakatta'
Didn't really expect much from Nogizaka46 initially but when they performed their version of AKB48's 'Aitakatta', 'Aitakatta Kamoshirenai' in their TV show - 'Nogizakatte Doko?', I was totally amazed.
They are doing real good for an unpolished fresh new group! Now their debut single is really something to anticipate. I see some serious rivalry now =w=
By the way, this is AKB48's Aitakatta back in 2006:
The member list for the AKB48 6th stage in Singapore, and also the first stage in Singapore for 2012, was just revealed and tickets sales will begin sale on www.akb.48.com.sg on 14th of January at 12pm. Physical sales and collections of tickets will begin on 17th of January at 11am.
The stage would be on the 28th of January.
And as usual, there's two time slots, 2pm and 6pm.
Team K
Mayumi Uchida 内田 眞由美
Ayaka Umeda 梅田 彩佳
Miku Tanabe 田名部 生来
Moeno Nito 仁藤 萌乃
Misato Nonaka 野中 美郷
Rumi Yonezawa 米沢 瑠美
Team B
Amina Sato 佐藤 亜美菜
Natsuki Sato 佐藤 夏希
Shihori Suzuki 鈴木 紫帆里
Mariya Suzuki 鈴木 まりや
Yuka Masuda 増田 有華
Hmm... I think I shall give it a pass for this time. Ordered too many stuff (all '48' related) and don't have the spare cash at the moment. Furthermore, I doubt I would be able to make it to the concert after going to the NTU talks on their courses. Maybe at the most, I would drop by later in the day to view the concert through the TV screen outside the concert grounds (*SCAPE 2F Warehouse).
A handshake event by Kashiwagi Yuki, Komori Mika, and Maeda Ami was held in Shanghai, China yesterday. Out of 4,000 fans who applied, only 1,300 were chosen to attend the event.
I hope Yukirin would come Singapore also, at least for a shop visit or handshake event T_T
Last year, it was announced that SUPER☆GiRLS would be releasing their 2nd album 'EveryBody JUMP!!' on the 1st of February 2012. The album would be having 13 tracks, including 'がんばって 青春' ('Ganbatte Seishun'), 'ＭＡＸ！乙女心' ('MAX! Otome Gokoro'), and '女子力←パラダイス' ('Joshiryoku←Paradise').
They held a free mini-live and handshake event at Yoyogi Park as part of their promotion for their album yesterday and it attracted a rather huge crowd of about 5000 fans!
AKB48 REQUEST HOUR SETLIST BEST 100 2012 (TOP 100 Countdown 2012), will take place January 19 to 22. This is the fifth year of the annual New Year's concert event, and an opportunity for idols and fans to reflect on their achievements for the past year. AKB48 fans voted for their favorite songs from October 25 to November 30, 2011. The top 100 songs will be performed by the members of AKB48, SKE48, SDN48 and NMB48 in an epic 4-day concert event.
On January 23, for the first time ever, the AKB48 unit groups will perform a 1-day event concert - AKB48 Unit Festival. Featuring popular AKB48 units: Not yet, DiVA, French kiss, no 3b and many more!
Hmm... I do not have Golden Village Movie Club Membership and let say I want to go for all five days.. $45 x 5 = $225! Woah, that's some serious damage to the wallet right before the Lunar New Year! I just hope that there would be online streaming again, just like the AKB48's Kouhaku Utagassen.
UPDATE (19th January):
Live screening of Day 1 & 2 are cancelled at Golden Village Vivocity
It was announced during the handshake event for AKB48’s 24th single, 'Ue kara Mariko', that Sashihara Rino, from AKB48 and also in sub-unit 'Not Yet', would be making her solo debut in March under avex trax. The single would be used as the theme song for the drama she would be starring in, 'Muse no Kagami', which would start airing on 14th of January.
This makes her the 5th member from AKB48 to make a solo debut, after Itano Tomomi, Maeda Atsuko, Iwasa Misaki and Watanabe Mayu. Congratulations Sasshi!! \(^o^)/
Not only I was quite shocked by this sudden announcement for a moment, Sasshi herself was rather taken aback upon hearing the news.
Am really anticipating to the release and am already wondering what could the style of the songs be like.
It was just blogged on Ameba by Kashiwagi Yuki (from AKB48 and sub-unit 'French Kiss') that French Kiss is currently working on their 5th single and that their first album would be released within this year. More details are yet to be announced.
Like their 4th Single, 'Saisho no Mail', I am going to support their 5th Single and 1st Album, full force! >D
On 13th December last year, it was revealed that AKB48 25th Single would be Sakura-themed, which was rather expected as all the singles released around this season of every year have been Sakura-themed. The track lists and Senbatsu members for the single were just released and it was also revealed that the PVs were directed by Sugita Shigemichi, known for his 'Kita no Kuni Kara' series and the movie, 'Saigo no Chushingura'. The single would be releasing on 15th of February 2012.
Type A (CD + DVD) - Limited/Regular
1. [CD] GIVE ME FIVE!
2. [CD] スイート&ビター (セレクション6) [Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6)]
3. [CD] NEW SHIP (スペシャルガールズA) [NEW SHIP (Special Girls A)]
4. [CD] GIVE ME FIVE! Off vocal ver.
5. [CD] スイート&ビター Off vocal ver.
6. [CD] NEW SHIP Off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] GIVE ME FIVE! Music Video
8. [DVD] スイート&ビター Music Video [Sweet & Bitter Music Video]
9. [DVD] NEW SHIP Music Video
10. [DVD] GIVE ME FIVE! MAKING 前編 [GIVE ME FIVE! MAKING Part 1]
11. [DVD] 美しいMIX講座 [Utsukushii MIX Kouza]
Type B (CD + DVD) - Limited/Regular
1. [CD] GIVE ME FIVE!
2. [CD] スイート&ビター (セレクション6) [Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6)]
3. [CD] 羊飼いの旅 (スペシャルガールズB) [Hitsujikai no Tabi (Special Girls B)]
4. [CD] GIVE ME FIVE! off vocal ver.
5. [CD] スイート&ビター off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 羊飼いの旅 off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] GIVE ME FIVE! Music Video
8. [DVD] スイート&ビター Music Video [Sweet & Bitter Music Video]
9. [DVD] 羊飼いの旅 Music Video [Hitsujikai no Tabi Music Video]
10. [DVD] GIVE ME FIVE! MAKING 後編 [GIVE ME FIVE! MAKING Part 2]
11. [DVD] 美しいoverture&アンコール講座 [Utsukushii overture & encore Kouza]
'NEW SHIP' – Special Girls A
Team B: Sato Sumire
Team 4: Ichikawa Miori / Iriyama Anna / Shimazaki Haruka / Yamauchi Suzuran
Research Students: Iwata Karen / Kato Rena / Kawaei Rina / Takahashi Juri / Tano Yuka
SKE48 Team S: Kizaki Yuria / Matsui Jurina
SKE48 Team E: Kimoto Kanon
NMB48 Team N: Watanabe Miyuki
HKT48: Kodama Haruka
JKT48: Melody Nurramdhani Laksani
'Hitsujikai no Tabi' – Special Girls B
Team A: Iwasa Misaki / Oota Aika / Katayama Haruka / Kuramochi Asuka / Kojima Haruna / Takajo Aki
Team K: Akimoto Sayaka / Umeda Ayaka / Kikuchi Ayaka / Fujie Reina / Matsui Sakiko / Minegishi Minami / Miyazawa Sae / Yokoyama Yui
Team B: Kasai Tomomi / Kashiwagi Yuki / Kitahara Rie / Sato Amina / Masuda Yuka / Watanabe Mayu
Team 4: Shimada Haruka / Nagao Mariya
SKE48 Team S: Matsui Rena
SKE48 Team KII: Takayanagi Akane
UPDATE (13th January):
Radio Preview
UPDATE (23rd January):
Covers released
UPDATE (26th January):
It was revealed that the full 'GIVE ME FIVE!' PV would be a 34 minute long drama-styled format. It would be the longest PV AKB48 ever have and would be directed by Sugita Shigemichi.
An extract on how the PV would be like:
The music video takes place at a part-time high school, and centers around several students. “Ogata Atsuko” (Maeda Atsuko) is a girl whose parents are divorced, and she works hard at a ramen store for her alcoholic father. “Kobayashi Yuki” (Kashiwagi Yuki) suffers from the trauma of being bullied in the past. Takahashi Minami plays “Ichikawa Minami”, a girl who’s quick with her hands but never sticks to anything very long. Finally, we have Oshima Yuko, who portrays “Osawa Yuko”, a determined girl who lies about her age and works at a brothel in order to pay off her parents’ debt.
One day, the girls join the school’s music club based on the recommendation of their teacher, “Mamushi” (played by Jinnai Takanori). They form a girl’s band named “Baby Blossom” with their other classmates.
Through this band, these lost girls finally find a place where they feel they belong, and discover a joy in overcoming difficulties. With several thoughts in their hearts, they slowly approach the day of graduation…
UPDATE (14th February):
Free AKB48 ‘Baby Blossom’ guitar picks were distributed at JR Shinjuku Station at JR Shinjuku Station (North), in commemoration for the release of their latest single, “GIVE ME FIVE!”. The guitar picks were pasted on the poster and could be taken off by peeling them off.
The guitar picks are designed to match the exact guitar picks used by the band, Baby Blossom (Maeda Atsuko, Kashiwagi Yuki, Oshima Yuko, and Takahashi Minami).
Within an hour, the total of 5000 guitar picks were all taken.
