AKB48 Unit Matsuri & Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013

AKB48 Theater manager, Togasaki Tomonobu, announced on his Google+ that AKB48's 'Unit Matsuri' and 'Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013' will be streaming on AKB48’s official YouTube channel live.

Schedule:
AKB48 Unit Matsuri 2013
23rd of January starting at 6:30 PM (JST)

AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013
24th - 27th of January starting at 6:00 PM (JST)

Source: tokyohive/G+

Damn... from Wednesday to Friday I will be in camp (National Service). Well, the streaming starts around during my dinner and after dinner there isn't anything up (hope so). Hope I am able to stream the Unit Matsuri and the first two days of Request Hour through my phone. (Can be done but it only depends on the 3G signal, which pretty much sucks most of the time in Kranji Camp.)
Will be posting the set list (results) here as soon as I can, along with any announcements made at the event.

UPDATE (23rd January):
Unit Matsuri

Kageana: Kashiwagi Yuki

00. Overture
01. 1994nen no Raimei

-MC : Takahashi M. | Shinoda M. | Itano T. | Kojima H.-

02. Shuumatsu Not Yet (Not Yet)
03. Naminori Kakigoori (Not Yet)
04. Hatsukoi Dash! (Watarirouka Hashiritai 7)
05. Zutto Mae Kara (French Kiss)
06. Lost The Way (DiVA)
07. Ikuji Nashi Masquerade (Sashihara | Murashige | Motomura | Nakanishi)

-MC : No Name-

08. Aruji Naki Sono Koe (No Name)
09. Kirigirisu Jin (No Sleeves/no3b)
10. Pedicure Day (No Sleeves/no3b)
11. Shoujotachi Yo! (All)

-MC-

12. Pajama Drive (AnRiRe)
13. Nage Kiss de Uchi Otose (Kizaki | Kimoto K. | Oshima R. | Kodama | Tomonaga)
14. Choco no Yukue (Matsui Rena | Shimazaki Haruka | Yogi | Miyawaki)
15. Kuroi Tenshi (Takahashi J. | Mukaida | Nagao)
16. Blue Rose (Fujie | Abe | Maeda A. Matsuoka)
17. Tsundere (Watanabe Mi. | Yamauchi S. | Tano)
18. Hatsukoi yo, Konnichiwa (Tashima | Yagura | Furuhata)
19. Kagami no Naka no Jeanne D'arc (Yamamoto S. | Iwata K. | Suga | Okada N. | Fujimoto M.)
20. Faint (Matsui J. | Moriyasu | Mutou)

-MC : Watanabe Mi. | Yamamoto S. | Matsui J. | Shimazaki H. | -

21. Otona no Jellybeans (Kashiwagi | Sashihara)
22. Kuchibiru Furezu (Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 | AnRiRe)
23. Suika! Baby (No Sleeves/no3b | DiVA)
24. Kanpeki Gu~ no ne (Not Yet | French Kiss)

-MC : Not Yet & French Kiss-

25. Fui Ni (Itano Tomomi)
26. 10nen go no Kimi e (Itano Tomomi)
27. Clone (Itano Tomomi)
28. Moshimo Watashi ga Sora ni Sundeitara (Iwasa Misaki)
29. Soredemo Suki da yo! (Sashihara Rino)
30. Masaka (Kasai Tomomi)
31. Hikaru Monotachi (Watanabe Mayu)
32. Shortcake (Kashiwagi Yuki)

-Encore-
EN1: UZA
EN2: Gingham Check (Center: Shimazaki Haruka)
EN3: First Rabbit
EN4: Manatsu no Sounds Good!

(Wasn't able to update as it goes so I took the list from Achuuru no Okouku)

UPDATE (24th January):
DAY 1

00. overture

100. (72) Gomen ne, Summer [SKE48 3rd]
Ishida, Kizaki, Takayanagi, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Mukaida, Yagami
99. (--) Boku no YELL [c/w Ponytail to Shushu]
Theater Girls

MC

98. (79) Sougen no Kiseki [K3rd]
97. (NEW) Bacchikoi K

MC

96. (--) Guuzen no Juujiro [c/w Sakura no Ki ni narou]
Under Girls

MC (Cow Cow)

95. (NEW) Tsugi no Season [c/w UZA]
Under Girls
94. (91) Kataomoi no Taikakusen [B4th]
Komori, Sato Sumire, Nito
93. (NEW) Yobisute Fantasy [c/w Ue kara Mariko]
Kashiwagi Team B
92. (NEW) Hoshizora no Caravan [c/w Kitagawa Kenji]
Shirogumi
91. (--) Manazashi Sayonara [KII 3rd]
Ogiso, Furukawa

MC

90. (16) Pareo wa Emerald [SKE 6th]
89. (27) Kimi to Boku no Kankei [Koko ni ita koto]
Itano, Shimazaki

MC

88. (35) Shoujotachi yo [Koko ni ita koto]
87. (--) Kesshou [c/w Oh my God!]
Shirogumi
86. (19) Oh my God! [NMB 2nd]
85. (--) Kokoro no hashi no Sofa [K6th]
Umeda, Oshima Yuko, Fujie

MC (Kato Rena, Takahashi Juri, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena)

84. (67) Sasae [K4th]

MC

83. (54) RIVER [AKB48 14th]
82. (37) Enjou Rosen [A6th]
Sashihara, Takajo

MC

81. (18) Beginner [AKB48 18th]
80. (25) Ponytail to Shushu [AKB48 16th]
79. (73) Tenshi no Shippo [B3rd]
Ota, Kato, Nakaya

MC

78. (47) Kuchiutsushi no Chocolate [B4th]
Iriyama, Kashiwagi, Yamauchi
77. (7) Kaze wa fuiteiru [AKB48 23rd]
76. (98) Dakishimeraretara [K5th]
Kasai, Kikuchi, Kuramochi

MC
Preview of "So long" PV

EN01. Kirigirisu-jin
No Sleeves
EN02. Yuuhi Marie
Team K
EN03. Moshimo Watashi ga Aozora ni sundeitara
Iwasa

MC

EN04. Everyday, Kachuusha
ALL

UPDATE (25th January):
DAY 2

75. (--) Wimbledon he tsurete itte [S2nd]
Kizaki, Suda, Yagami
74. (NEW) Seigi no Mikata janai Hero [c/w UZA]
Team B

MC

73. (NEW) Kiss datte Hidarikiki [SKE48 10th]
72. (62) Arashi no Yoru ni wa [B5th]
Kawaei, Komori, Suzuki, Miyazaki
71. (NEW) Aishite Raburu [SKE48 9th]

MC

70. (--) TWO ROSES [c/w 1!2!3!4! Yoroshiku!]
Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena
69. (--) End roll [K5th]
Umeda, Oshima, Kuramochi, Matsubara
68. (62) Kanojo ni naremasu ka? [K6th]
Team K

MC ("SONE" - Secret Base)

67. (NEW) Nante Bohemian [c/w Gingham Check]
Under Girls

MC

66. (21) Omatase Set list [KII 3rd]

MC

65. (--) Cross [KII 3rd]
Iguchi, Takayanagi, Matsumoto
64. (--) Sakura no Hanabiratachi [A1st]
63. (56) Only today [A4th]
62. (32) Candy [B5th]
Ichikawa, Kasai, Sato Amina

MC

61. (40) Yuuhi wo miteiru ka? [AKB48 6th]
Itano, Oshima, Kashiwagi, Kojima Haruna, Shinoda, Takahashi Minami, Minegishi Minami, Watanabe Mayu
60. (76) Koi wo kataru Shijin ni narenakute [S3rd]
59. (--) Finland Miracle [KII 3rd]
Akaeda, Mukaida, Yakata
58. (48) Zannen Shoujo [B4th]
Uchida, Kikuchi, Watanabe
57. (NEW) Do Re Mi Fa Onchi [c/w Gingham Check]
Next Girls
56. (NEW) Kimi no c/w [Team Surprise]
Shimazaki, Takajo, Watanabe Mayu
55. (44) MARIA [K3rd]
Umeda, Kasai, Yokoyama
54. (4) Flying Get [AKB48 22nd]

MC

53. (31) Choose me! [c/w Sakura no Shiori]
Team YJ

MC

52. (46) Gyakuten Oujisama [A6th]
Uchida, Kikuchi, Minegishi
51. (NEW) Show fight! [c/w Gingham Check]
Future Girls

Announcement:
Manager shuffle/promotion

AKB48: Yuasa Hiroshi
SKE48: Shiba Tomoya
NMB48: Kaneko Tsuyoshi
HKT48: Ozaki Mitsuru
ALL 48 GROUPS: Togasaki Tomonobu

EN01. Ruby
Team A
EN02. Shortcake
Kashiwagi
EN03. Choco no Dorei
SKE48
EN04. Heavy Rotation

(Wasn't able to update as it goes on the first and second day so I took the list from stage48 forums)

UPDATE (26th January):
DAY 3

50 - Oogoe Diamond
49 - Junai no Crescendo

MC

48 - RESET
47 - Everyday, Kachuusha
46 - GIVE ME FIVE

MC

45 - Scandalous ni Ikou!
44 - Mitsubachi Girl
43 - Pioneer

MC

42 - Hazumisaki
41 - Omoide no Hotondo
40 - Jungle Gym (Sayanee solo!!!)
39 - Kuru kuru pa~
38 - HKT48
37 - Itoshisa no Accel

MC

36 - BIRD
35 - Kataomoi Finally

MC

34 - Manatsu no Sounds Good!

MC

33 - Nagiichi
32 - Oteage Lullaby
31 - Gugutasu no Sora (Google+ senbatsu members!!)
30 - Iiwake Maybe
29 - Warukii

MC

28 - Seishun no Lap Time
27 - Temodemo no Namida

MC

26 - Dakishimecha ikenai

Trailer of "Documentary of AKB48 - No Flower without Rain"

EN01 - After rain (Documentary of AKB48 OST)

MC

EN02 - Onegai Valentine (HKT48 debut single)
EN03 - Soko de Inu no Unchi Funjau ka ne? (Team B)
EN04 - Sore wo Seishun to Yobu Hi (Graduating SKE48 Members)

Announcement:
AKB48 Fair (4-day live concert - 6 stages)
Nippon Budokan
25th April 2013 (Thu) : SKE48
26th April 2013 (Fri) : NMB48
27th April 2013 (Sat) : HKT48 (day time)
27th April 2013 (Sat) : AKB48 (night time)
28th April 2013 (Sun) : AKB48 groups (2 stages - day and night)

EN05 - Flying Get (ALL)

UPDATE (27th January):
DAY 4

25 - Plastic no Kuchibiru
24 - Junjou Shugi

MC

23 - Shonichi
22 - Omoide ijou
21 - Kitagawa Kenji
20 - Avocado Jane~shi...
19 - Heart Gata Virus
18 - Kodoku na Runner!!!! (SDN48 ISH BACK!!!!! \o/ WOOOOOO!!!)

MC

Announcement:
SDN48 revival show @ AKB48 theater (31st of March 2013)

17 - Kimi no Koto ga Sukidakara (WOWOOOOOO!!! ♥ My all time fav!! Akicha!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥)
16 - UZA
15 - Kareha no Station (Rena!! ♥♥♥♥♥)
14 - Gingham Check
13 - Ookami to Pride

MC

12 - First Rabbit
11 - Juuryoku Sympathy

MC

10 - Nakinagara Hohoende

MC

09 - Yume no Kawa

MC

08 - Yokaze no Shiwaza

MC

07 - Team B Oshi
06 - Itoshiki Natasha
05 - Mushi no Ballad

MC (Hamakan)

04 - Heavy Rotation (Not No.1? =[)
03 - Ue kara Mariko
02 - Kiseki wa Maniawanai

MC

01 - Hashire Penguin (ぱるる!!!!!!♥♥♥)

MC:
Ozaki Atsushi - HKT48
Kaneko Takeshi - NMB48
Shiba Tomoya - SKE48
Yuasa Hiroshi - AKB48 assistant manager*
Togasaki Tomonobu - ALL 48 Groups + AKB48

EN01 - Waiting Room
EN02 - So Long!

Announcement:
AKB48 to hold an open-air live concert "AKB48 Super Festival" at Nissan Stadium (highest seating capacity in Japan)

EN03 - Manatsu no Sounds Good!

And that wraps up AKB48's Unit Matsuri and Request Hour 2013!

Hope that I am able to get the SDN48 revival show and go for the "AKB48 Super Festival" at Nissan Stadium o(>_<)o

AKB48 29th Single - '永遠プレッシャー' ('Eien Pressure')

It was revealed that AKB48 29th Single, which is the 3rd Janken single, will be released on the 5th of December. The senbatsu members of the single is as the past two janken singles, are decided by the Janken Tournament results.

"Shimazaki explained, “The song is about a girl with no self confidence,” and appealed to fans, saying, “When I first saw (the lyrics of the) song, I thought ‘How does Akimoto-sensei know what I think?’ Because it is an up-tempo and cute song, I will be happy if many people sing the song.”"

It was revealed that the b-sides will feature songs by SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48.

More details are yet to be announced.
Source: tokyohive/Sanspo

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー [Eien Pressure]
2. [CD] とっておきクリスマス [Totteoki Christmas]
3. [CD] 強がり時計 (SKE48) [Tsuyogari Dokei/ SKE48]
4. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー off vocal ver.
5. [CD] とっておきクリスマス off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 強がり時計 off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 永遠プレッシャー Music Video [Eien Pressure music video]
8. [DVD] とっておきクリスマス Music Video [Totteoki Christmas music video]
9. [DVD] 強がり時計 Music Video [Tsuyogari Dokei/ SKE48]
10. [DVD] チームB推し Music Video [Team B Oshi] (Voted by fans through Music Video Request)
11. [DVD] 29thシングル選抜じゃんけん大会ドキュメント (前編) [29TH SINGLE SENBATSU JANKEN TAIKAI DOCUMENT]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー [Eien Pressure]
2. [CD] とっておきクリスマス [Totteoki Christmas]
3. [CD] HA ! (NMB48)
4. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー off vocal ver.
5. [CD] とっておきクリスマス off vocal ver.
6. [CD] HA ! Off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 永遠プレッシャー Music Video [Eien Pressure music video]
8. [DVD] とっておきクリスマス Music Video [Totteoki Christmas music video]
9. [DVD] HA ! Music Video
10. [DVD] ファースト・ラビット Music Video [First Rabbit music video](Voted by fans through Music Video Request)
11. [DVD] .29thシングル選抜じゃんけん大会ドキュメント (中編) [29TH SINGLE SENBATSU JANKEN TAIKAI DOCUMENT]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー [Eien Pressure]
2. [CD] とっておきクリスマス [Totteoki Christmas]
3. [CD] 初恋バタフライ (HKT48) [Hatsukoi Butterfly / HKT48]
4. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー off vocal ver.
5. [CD] とっておきクリスマス off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 初恋バタフライ off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 永遠プレッシャー Music Video [Eien Pressure music video]
8. [DVD] とっておきクリスマス Music Video [Totteoki Christmas music video]
9. [DVD] 初恋バタフライ Music Video [Hatsukoi Butterfly music video]
10. [DVD] 桜の花びら 〜前田敦子 solo ver.〜 Music Video [Sakura no Hanabira ~Maeda Atsuko ver.~] (Voted by fans through Music Video Request)
11. [DVD] .29thシングル選抜じゃんけん大会ドキュメント (後編) [29TH SINGLE SENBATSU JANKEN TAIKAI DOCUMENT]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type D (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー [Eien Pressure]
2. [CD] とっておきクリスマス [Totteoki Christmas]
3. [CD] 永遠より続くように (OKL48) [Eien Yori Tsuzuku Youni / OKL48]
4. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー off vocal ver.
5. [CD] とっておきクリスマス off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 永遠より続くように off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 永遠プレッシャー Music Video [Eien Pressure music video]
8. [DVD] とっておきクリスマス Music Video [Totteoki Christmas music video]
9. [DVD] 永遠より続くように Music Video [Eien Yori Tsuzuku Youni / OKL48 music video]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Theater Edition (CD Only)
1. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー [Eien Pressure]
2. [CD] とっておきクリスマス [Totteoki Christmas]
3. [CD] 私たちのReason [Watashitachi no Reason]
4. [CD] 永遠プレッシャー off vocal ver.
5. [CD] とっておきクリスマス off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 私たちのReason off vocal ver.

Results of AKB48's 3rd Janken Tournament

Earlier today, AKB48 had their 3rd Janken Tournament which decides the senbatsu members for their 29th single. Here's the results taken from tokyohive..

=====

♤ Round 1: ♤

[A Block]
Iwasa Misaki vs. Minegishi Minami –> Winner: Iwasa Misaki
Nonaka Misato vs. Takahashi Juri –> Winner: Nonaka Misato
Itano Tomomi vs. Komori Mika –> Winner: Itano Tomomi
[B Block]
Takano Yui vs. Kobayashi Ami –> Winner: Takano Yui
Kimoto Kanon vs. Ishida Haruka –> Winner: Kimoto Kanon
Kitahara Rie vs. Chikano Rina –> Winner: Chikano Rina
[C Block]
Oba Mina vs. Ota Aika –> Winner: Oba Mina
Saeed Yokota Erena vs. Takajo Aki –> Winner: Takajo Aki
Yamauchi Suzuran vs. Kojima Haruna –> Winner: Kojima Haruna
[D Block ]
Tano Yuuka vs Kato Rena –> Winner: Tano Yuuka
Kuramochi Asuka vs. Kawaei Rina –> Winner: Kuramochi Asuka
[E Block]
Sato Natsuki vs. Sato Sumire –> Winner: Sato Natsuki
Nakaya Sayaka vs. Yokoyama Yui –> Winner: Yokoyama Yui
Nakata Chisato vs. Sato Seira –> Winner: Nakata Chisato
[F Block]
Moriyasu Madoka vs. Sato Mieko –> Winner: Moriyasu Madoka
Akimoto Sayaka vs. Ueno Kasumi –> Winner: Ueno Kasumi
Suzuki Shihori vs. Nakamata Shiori –> Winner: Suzuki Shihori
[G Block]
Nakanishi Chiyori vs. Yamagishi Natsumi –> Winner: Nakanishi Chiyori
Miyazaki Miho vs. Matsui Sakiko –> Winner: Matsui Sakiko
Hikawa Ayame vs. Miyazawa Sae –> Winner: Hikawa Ayame
[H Block]
Tanabe Miku vs. Izuta Rina -> Winner: Tanabe Miku
Kasai Tomomi vs. Matsubara Natsumi –> Winner: Matsubara Natsumi

*****

♤ Round 2: ♤

[A Block]
Iwasa Misaki vs. Uchida Mayumi –> Winner: Uchida Mayumi
Nonaka Misato vs. Shimada Haruka –> Winner: Shimada Haruka
Itano Tomomi vs. Kobayashi Kana –> Winner: Itano Tomomi
[B Block]
Takano Yui vs. Takagi Yumana –> Winner: Takagi Yumana
Kimoto Kanon vs. Kawakami Rena –> Winner: Kimoto Kanon
Chikano Rina vs. Watanabe Miyuki –> Winner: Chikano Rina
Takeuchi Miyu vs. Kobayashi Marina –> Winner: Takeuchi Miyu
[C Block]
Oba Mina vs. Nakagawa Haruka –> Winner: Nakagawa Haruka
Takajo Aki vs. Nito Moeno –> Winner: Nito Moeno
Kojima Haruna vs. Kotani Riho–> Winner: Kojima Haruna
Umeda Ayaka vs. Simono Yuki –> Winner: Umeda Ayaka
[D Block]
Tano Yuuka vs. Nakanishi Yuka –> Winner: Tano Yuuka
Oya Shizuka vs. Shinoda Mariko –> Winner: Shinoda Mariko
Kuramochi Asuka vs. Oshima Yuko –> Winner: Oshima Yuko
Maeda Ami vs. Morikwa Ayaka –> Winner: Maeda Ami
[E Block]
Sato Natsuki vs. Nakatsuka Tomomi –> Winner: Nakatsuka Tomomi
Yokoyama Yui vs. Sato Amina –> Winner: Yokoyama Yui
Nakata Chisato vs. Iwata Karen –> Winner: Nakata Chisato
Natori Wakana vs. Ichikawa Miori –> Winner: Ichikawa Miori
[F Block]
Moriyasu Madoka vs. Shinohara Kanna –> Winner: Moriyasu Madoka
Ueno Kasumi vs. Kikuchi Ayaka –> Winner: Ueno Kasumi
Suzuki Shihori vs. Hiramatsu Kanako –> Winner: Suzuki Shihori
Iriyama Anna vs. Abe Maria –> Winner: Abe Maria
[G Block]
Nakanichi Chiyori vs. Shimazaki Haruka –> Winner: Shimazaki Haruka
Matsui Sakiko vs. Nagao Mariya–> Winner: Nagao Mariya
Hikawa Ayame vs. Kashiwagi Yuki –> Winner: Kashiwagi Yuki
Fujita Nana vs. Suzuki Mariya –> Winner: Suzuki Mariya
[H Block]
Tanabe Miku vs. Takahashi Minami –> Winner: Takahashi Minami
Matsui Jurina vs. Nakamura Mariko –> Winner: Nakamura Mariko
Matsubara Natsumi vs. Katayama Haruka –> Winner: Matsubara Natsumi
Fujie Reina vs. Kojima Natsuki –> Winner: Fujie Reina

*****

♤ Round 3: ♤ [ Winners = Senbatsu Members!]

[A Block]
Uchida Mayumi vs. Shimada Haruka -> Winner: Uchida Mayumi
Itano Tomomi vs. Watanabe Mayu -> Winner: Itano Tomomi
[B Block]
Takagi Yumana vs. Kimoto Kanon -> Winner: Kimoto Kanon
Chikano Rina vs. Takeuchi Miyu -> Winner: Takeuchi Miyu
[C Block]
Nakagawa Haruka vs. Nito Moeno -> Winner: Nito Moeno
Kojima Haruna vs. Umeda Ayaka -> Winner: Umeda Ayaka
[D Block]
Tano Yuuka vs. Shinoda Mariko -> Winner: Shinoda Mariko
Oshima Yuko vs. Maeda Ami -> Winner: Maeda Ami
[E Block]
Nakatsuka Tomomi vs. Yokoyama Yui -> Winner: Yokoyama Yui
Nakata Chisato vs. Ichikawa Miori -> Winner: Nakata Chisato
[F Block]
Moriyasu Madoka vs. Ueno Kasumi -> Winner: Ueno Kasumi
Suzuki Shihori vs. Abe Maria -> Winner: Abe Maria
[G Block]
Shimazaki Haruka vs. Nagao Mariya -> Winner: Shimazaki Haruka
Kashiwagi Yuki vs. Suzuki Mariya -> Winner: Kashiwagi Yuki
[H Block]
Takahashi Minami vs. Nakamura Mariko -> Winner: Nakamura Mariko
Matsubara Natsumi vs. Fujie Reina -> Winner: Matsubara Natsumi

*****

♤ Round 4: ♤

[A Block]
Uchida Mayumi vs. Itano Tomomi -> Winner: Uchida Mayumi
[B Block]
Kimoto Kanon vs. Takeuchi Miyu -> Winner: Takeuchi Miyu
[C Block]
Nito Moeno vs. Umeda Ayaka -> Winner: Nito Moeno
[D Block]
Shinoda Mariko vs. Maeda Ami -> Winner: Shinoda Mariko
[E Block]
Yokoyama Yui vs. Nakata Chisato -> Winner: Yokoyama Yui
[F Block]
Ueno Kasumi vs. Abe Maria -> Winner: Abe Maria
[G Block]
Shimazaki Haruka vs. Kashiwagi Yuki -> Winner: Shimazaki Haruka
[H Block]
Nakamura Mariko vs. Matsubara Natsumi -> Winner: Nakamura Mariko

*****

♤ Quarter-Finals: ♤

Uchida Mayumi vs. Takeuchi Miyu -> Winner: Uchida Mayumi
Nito Moeno vs. Shinoda Mariko -> Winner: Nito Moeno
Yokoyama Yui vs. Abe Maria -> Winner: Yokoyama Yui
Shimazaki Haruka vs. Nakamura Mariko -> Winner: Shimazaki Haruka

*****

♤ Semi-Finals: ♤

Uchida Mayumi vs. Nito Moeno -> Winner: Nito Moeno
Yokoyama Yui vs. Shimazaki Haruka -> Winner: Shimazaki Haruka

*****

☆ FINAL WINNER ☆

Nito Moeno vs, Shimazaki Haruka -> Winner: Shimazaki Haruka

Wasn't able to follow/watch the tournament as it happen, as I am serving my National Service, sadly.

Anyways, the senbatsu members are as follows,
Center - Shimazaki Haruka
Best 8 - (in order) Nito Moeno, Yokoyama Yui, Uchida Mayumi, Shinoda Mariko, Abe Maria, Takeuchi Miyu, Nakamura Mariko
Best16 - Itano Tomomi, Kimoto Kanon, Umeda Ayaka, Maeda Ami, Nakata Chisato, Ueno Kasumi, Kashiwagi Yuki, Matsubara Natsumi

Source: AKB48 Mobile Twitter

Even though my kamioshi, Akicha didn't make it into Senbatsu again but am still happy with the results as my faourite members, Paruru got the center position and Yukirin made it into Best16!
おめでとう!!

Sashihara Rino 2nd Single - Sashihara Rino with AnRiRe '意気地なしマスカレード' ('Ikujinashi Masquerade')

Sashihara Rino will be releasing her second single titled '意気地なしマスカレード' ('Ikujinashi Masquerade') around this fall and the song will be used as the theme for the movie "Muse no Kagami, My Pretty Doll" starring Sasshi herself.

"Muse no Kagami, My Pretty Doll" opens on the 29th of September, and "Ikujinashi Masquerade" will be available for chaku-uta download on the 26th of September.

More details are yet to be announced.

Source: tokyohive/Yomiuri

The new single will be released under the name of '指原莉乃 with アンリレ' ('Sashihara Rino with AnRiRe'), where AnRiRe is a unit made up of AKB48 members, Iriyama Anna, Kawaei Rina and Kato Rena.

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード [Ikujinashi Masquerade]
2. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス [Soft Cream・Kiss]
3. [CD] ifの妄想 [if no Mousou]
4. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] ifの妄想 (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] 「意気地なしマスカレード」(Music Video 〜川栄李奈センターver.) [Ikujinashi Masquerade music video ~Kawaei Rina Center ver.~]
8. [DVD] 指原莉乃のおもてなし 〜アンリレとあったか鍋パーティー [Sashihara Rino no Amotenashi ~ AnRiRe to atta ka Nabe Party]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード [Ikujinashi Masquerade]
2. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス [Soft Cream・Kiss]
3. [CD] MajiでKoiする5秒前 [Maji de Koi Suru 5-byou Mae]
4. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] MajiでKoiする5秒前 (off vocal ver.)
7. [DVD] 「意気地なしマスカレード」(Music Video 〜指原莉乃センターver.) [Ikujinashi Masquerade music video ~Sashihara Rino Center ver.~]
8. [DVD] 指原莉乃 vs アンリレ さしこのクイズ大会 [Sashihara Rino vs AnRiRe: Sashiko Quiz]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード [Ikujinashi Masquerade]
2. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス [Soft Cream・Kiss]
3. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード 博多弁 ver. [Ikujinashi Masquerade Hakata Dialect ver.]
4. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス (off vocal ver.)
6. [DVD] 「意気地なしマスカレード」Music Video 〜映画『劇場版ミューズの鏡 マイプリティドール』特別編集版 [Ikujinashi Masquerade Music Video ~Muse no Kagami - My Pretty Doll ver.~]
7. [DVD] 指原莉乃の気ままに博多めぐり (初めての○○/水族館でギョギョギョ/長浜ラーメン屋台対談 指原莉乃×小林よしのり) [Sashihara Rino visits Hakata]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Theater Edition (CD Only)
1. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード [Ikujinashi Masquerade]
2. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス [Soft Cream・Kiss]
3. [CD] 遠い街へ [Tooi Machi e]
4. [CD] 意気地なしマスカレード (off vocal ver.)
5. [CD] ソフトクリーム・キス (off vocal ver.)
6. [CD] 遠い街へ (off vocal ver.)

UPDATE (26 September):
Covers and tracklists released

AKB48's 3rd Janken Tournament - AKB48 29th Single Senbatsu Janken Taikai

At the handshake event of AKB48's latest single 'Manatsu no Sounds good!' in Saitama Super Arena earlier today, it was announced that AKB48 will be holding their 3rd Janken Tournament on September 18th at Nippon Budokan for their 29th Single.

This year, 68 67 official members from AKB48, including Matsui Jurina (SKE48 Team S/AKB48 Team K) and Watanabe Miyuki (NMB48 Team N/AKB48 Team B), 1 AKB48 Research Student, 8 SKE48 members, 6 NMB48 members and 3 HKT48 members will be joining the main tournament.
Since Sashihara Rino was transferred to HKT48, she will have to compete in HKT48's preliminary tournament and get into one of the three available spots for HKT48 in order to get to the main tournament.

Last year, Mariko won the center position but to my disappoinment, none of my top favourites made it into the Senbatsu positions. Can't be helped though, it all depended on luck. Guess they weren't lucky enough last year.

I hope that this year at least both Akicha (Takajo Aki) and Rena (Matsui Rena) can make it to Senbatsu positions!

I guess I won't be able to witness the tournament 'live' and can only rely on news released later on, that will be fed to my RSS feeds that I can read when I can while serving the nation... (•A• )

Source: tokyohive/Mantan Web

UPDATE (1st July):

Results of NMB48's preliminary tournament held yesterday at NMB48 Theater in Nanba, Osaka:
Shinohara Kanna (Team N)
Kotani Riho (Team N)
Yamagishi Natsumi (Team M)
Hikawa Ayame (Team M)
Kawakami Rena (Team M)
Takano Yui (Team M)

31 members of NMB48 Kenkyuusei competed first, where Kushiro Rina won and competed with 30 official members (Team N and Team M).

Watanabe Miyuki (Team N/Team B) will be participating in the main tournament directly thus was exempted from the preliminary tournament.

Source: tokyohive/Oricon

UPDATE (6th July):

Results of SKE48's preliminary tournament held yesterday at SKE48 Theater in Aichi:
Nakanishi Yuka (Team S)
Hiramatsu Kanako (Team S)
Sato Seira (Team KII)
Sato Mieko (Team KII)
Ueno Kasumi (Team E)
Kimoto Kanon (Team E)
Kobayashi Ami (Team E)
Takagi Yumana (Team E)

Similar to NMB48, one victor from SKE48 Kenkyuusei competed with the official members (Team S, KII and E). Matsui Jurina (Team S/Team K) will be participating in the main tournament directly thus was exempted from the preliminary tournament.

Source: tokyohive/natalie

Results of HKT48's preliminary tournament held earlier today at HKT48 Theater in Fukuoka:
Moriyasu Madoka (Team H)
Nakanishi Chiyori (Team H)
Eto Sayaka (Kenkyuusei)

Similarly, one victor from HKT48 Kenkyuusei competed with the HKT48 official members in Team H.

Sadly, this concludes that Sashihara Rino won't be able to participate in the main tournament.

Source: tokyohive/natalie

UPDATE (9th July):

Pairings for the main Janken tournament were announced yesterday at Tokyo Big Sight.
During the event, Masuda Yuka (Team B) announced that she will not be participating in the tournament as she recently passed the auditions for a musical (Wiz ~Oz no Mahoutsukai~) and will be having lessons from August.

Iwasa Misaki vs. Minegishi Minami
Iwasa or Minegishi vs. Uchida Mayumi

Nonaka Misato vs. Takahashi Juri
Nonaka or Takahashi vs. Shimada Haruka

Itano Tomomi vs. Komori Mika
Itano or Komori vs. Kobayashi Kana

Masuda Yuka (withdrawal) vs. Watanabe Mayu

Takano Yui (NMB48) vs. Kobayashi Ami (SKE48)
Takano or Kobayashi vs. Takagi Yumana (SKE48)

Kimoto Kanon (SKE48) vs. Ishida Haruka
Kimoto or Ishida vs. Kawakami Rena (NMB48)

Kitahara Rie vs. Chikano Rina
Kitahara or Chikano vs. Watanabe Miyuki (AKB48/NMB48)

Takeuchi Miyu vs. Kobayashi Marina

Oba Mina vs. Ota Aika
Oba or Ota vs. Nakagawa Haruka

Saeed Yokota Erena (HKT48) vs. Takajo Aki
Saeed or Takajo vs. Nito Moeno

Yamauchi Suzuran vs. Kojima Haruna
Yamauchi or Kojima vs. Kotani Riho (NMB48)

Umeda Ayaka vs. Eto Sayaka (HKT48)

Tano Yuka vs. Kato Rena
Tano or Kato vs. Nakanishi Yuka (SKE48)

Otsuka Shizuka vs. Shinoda Mariko

Kuramochi Asuka vs. Kawaei Rina
Kuramochi or Kawaei vs. Oshima Yuko

Maeda Ami vs. Morikawa Ayaka

Sato Natsuki vs. Sato Sumire
Sato or Sato vs. Nakatsuka Tomomi

Nakaya Sayaka vs. Yokoyama Yui
Nakaya or Yokoyama vs. Sato Amina

Nakata Chisato vs. Sato Seira (SKE48)
Nakata or Sato vs. Iwata Karen

Natori Wakana vs. Ichikawa Miori

Moriyasu Madoka (HKT48) vs. Sato Mieko (SKE48)
Moriyasu or Sato vs. Shinohara Kanna (NMB48)

Akimoto Sayaka vs. Ueno Kasumi (SKE48)
Akimoto or Ueno vs. Kikuchi Ayaka

Suzuki Shihori vs. Nakamata Shiori
Suzuki or Nakamata vs. Hiramatsu Kanako (SKE48)

Iriyama Anna vs. Abe Maria

Nakanishi Chiyori (HKT48) vs. Yamagishi Natsumi (NMB48)
Nakanishi or Yamagishi vs. Shimazaki Haruka

Miyazaki Miho vs. Matsui Sakiko
Miyazaki or Matsui vs. Nagao Mariya

Hikawa Ayame (NMB48) vs. Miyazawa Sae
Hikawa or Miyazawa vs. Kashiwagi Yuki

Fujita Nana vs. Suzuki Mariya

Tanabe Miku vs. Izuta Rina
Tanabe or Izuta vs. Takahashi Minami

Matsui Jurina (AKB48/SKE48) vs. Nakamura Mariko

Kasai Tomomi vs. Matsubara Natsumi
Kasai or Matsubara vs. Katayama Haruka

Fujie Reina vs. Kojima Natsuki

Source (image & table): tokyohive/natalie/Sanspo

AKB48's Sashihara Rino transferred to HKT48

A few days ago, a scandal relating to Sashihara Rino (AKB48 Team A) was reported on 'Shunkan Bunshun'. (Article here, translations here)

Photo from http://akb48sokuhou.doorblog.jp/archives/53960331.html

I was rather skeptical about news partly as it was revealed after the AKB48 General Elections and that the publication was known to have reported false scandals before. I believe that it's a doing of a Sasshi's hater, in response to her fast rise in ranking - entering 4th in position this year.

Genuine or not, I already expected that Aki-P (Akimoto Yasushi Producer) would not just do nothing about it. I was starting to fear that Sasshi might need to be suspended.

Surprisingly, it was just revealed on ANN that Sasshi will be transferred to HKT48, instead of being suspended. Looking at the bright side first... she's won't be graduating but... I strongly feel that this is totally not a good solution.

On ANN:

秋元康「いろいろ考えました。どうすればいいのかと。指原がどういう形であれ、AKBを応援してくれるファンの方に過去だけど誤解を招く形の行動をしたことは間違いないです。指原莉乃は明日からHKT48に移籍します」

Translation
Akimoto Yasushi: I’ve thought about it for a long time. What should I do. Because of Sashihara’s misleading behaviour in the past to the fans who have supported AKB. Sashihara Rino will be moving to HKT48 tomorrow.

So instead of suspension, Sasshi would be given a chance to start afresh in HKT48. Even though Sasshi is one of my top favourite AKB48 members and would not want her to graduate just because of that news article but I strongly disagree with the decision of transferring her to HKT48. A punishment might just be unavoidable but with this transfer, it feels as if that HKT48 is being punished as well - for apparently no good reason!

With HKT48 Team H being full and that Sasshi is being transferred as a 'reset', I am guessing she would be joining the Team Kenkyuusei.

I initially am only feeling very sad for Sasshi's plight and with this I am really worried for HKT48 too. Hope everything would somehow turn out to be okay and that HKT48 would not be affected in a bad way.

UPDATE:
Sasshi's last concert performance would be on the 20th of June

Source: AKB48 Official Blog

UPDATE (17th June):
Sasshi's last concert postponed to July as to not clash with Natsumi Matsubara's birthday party on the 20th of June.

Source: AKB48 Official Blog

UPDATE (19th June):

Sasshi's profile have been officially removed from Team A and placed under HKT48 header in the AKB48 official site. Her profile is also under a team in HKT48 official site called 'チーム未定' ('Team Unconfirmed').

Sasshi's profile removed from Team A

Under HKT48

In Team 'Unconfirmed'

UPDATE (5th July):
Sashihara Rino will be joining Team H

And now Team H consists of 17 members.. hmm...

AKB48 4th General Election 27th Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo Results

The release of results of the AKB48 4th General Elections just ended and it is as follows:

選抜メンバー (Senbatsu Member)
1位 AKB48 チームK 大島優子 (Oshima Yuko)108,837
2位 AKB48 チームB 渡辺麻友 (Watanabe Mayu) 72,574
3位 AKB48 チームB 柏木由紀 (Kashiwagi Yuki) 71,076
4位 AKB48 チームＡ 指原莉乃 (Sashihara Rino) 67,339
5位 AKB48 チームＡ 篠田麻里子 (Shinoda Mariko) 67,017
6位 AKB48 チームＡ 高橋みなみ (Takahashi Minami) 65,480
7位 AKB48 チームＡ 小嶋陽菜 (Kojima Haruna) 54,483
8位 AKB48 チームK 板野友美 (Itano Tomomi) 50,483
9位 SKE48 チームS/AKB48 チームK 松井珠理奈 (Matsui Jurina) 45,747
10位 SKE48 チームS 松井玲奈 (Matsui Rena) 42,030
11位 AKB48 チームK 宮澤佐江 (Miyazawa Sae) 40,261
12位 AKB48 チームB 河西智美 (Kasai Tomomi) 27,005
13位 AKB48 チームB 北原里英 (Kitahara Rie) 26,531
14位 AKB48 チームK 峯岸みなみ (Minegishi Minami) 26,038
15位 AKB48 チームK 横山由依 (Yokoyama Yui) 25,541
16位 AKB48 チームK 梅田彩佳 (Umeda Ayaka) 24,522

アンダーガールズ (Under Girls)
17位 AKB48 チームＡ 高城亜樹 (Takajo Aki) 23,083
18位 NMB48 チームN 山本彩 (Yamamoto Sayaka) 23,020
19位 NMB48 チームN/AKB48 チームB 渡辺美優紀 (Watanabe Miyuki) 19,159
20位 AKB48 チームK 秋元才加 (Akimoto Sayaka) 19,121
21位 AKB48 チームB 佐藤亜美菜 (Sato Amina) 17,009
22位 AKB48 チームＡ 倉持明日香 (Kuramochi Asuka) 14,852
23位 AKB48 チーム４ 島崎遥香 (Shimazaki Haruka) 14,633
24位 SKE48 チームKⅡ 高柳明音 (Takayanagi Akane) 14,111
25位 SKE48 チームKⅡ 秦佐和子 (Hata Sawako) 13,920
26位 AKB48 チームB 増田有華 (Masuda Yuka) 13,166
27位 SKE48 チームS 大矢真那 (Oya Masana) 12,142
28位 SKE48 チームS 矢神久美 (Yagami Kumi) 11,712
29位 SKE48 チームS 須田亜香里 (Suda Akari) 11,323
30位 SKE48 チームKⅡ 古川愛李 (Furukawa Airi) 11,179
31位 SKE48 チームS 木﨑ゆりあ (Kizaki Yuria) 10,554
32位 SKE48 チームKⅡ 小木曽汐莉 (Ogiso Shiori) 9,596

ネクストガールズ (Next Girls)
33位 AKB48 チームＡ 岩佐美咲 (Iwasa Misaki) 9,297
34位 SKE48 研究生 松村香織 (Matsumura Kaori) 9,030
35位 SKE48 チームKⅡ 向田茉夏 (Mukaida Manatsu) 8,552
36位 AKB48 チームＡ 仲谷明香 (Nakaya Sayaka) 8,505
37位 AKB48 チームＡ 中田ちさと (Nakata Chisato) 8,315
38位 AKB48 チームB 宮崎美穂 (Miyazaki Miho) 8,173
39位 AKB48 チーム４ 永尾まりや (Nagao Mariya) 7,809
40位 AKB48 チームK 藤江れいな (Fujie Reina) 7,782
41位 AKB48 チームB 小林香菜 (Kobayashi Kana) 7,195
42位 AKB48 チームＡ 前田亜美 (Maeda Ami) 7,168
43位 NMB48 チームN 福本愛菜 (Fukumoto Aina) 6,912
44位 AKB48 チームＡ 仲川遥香 (Nakagawa Haruka) 6,890
45位 AKB48 チーム４ 田野優花 (Tano Yuuka) 6,694
46位 NMB48 チームN 山田菜々 (Yamada Nana) 6,683
47位 HKT48 チームH 宮脇咲良 (Miyawaki Sakura) 6,635
48位 AKB48 チームＡ 片山陽加 (Katayama Haruka) 6,602

フューチャーガールズ (Future Girls)
49位 AKB48 研究生 武藤十夢 (Muto Tomu) 6,428
50位 AKB48 チームB 石田晴香 (Ishida Haruka) 6,333
51位 AKB48 チームK 菊地あやか (Kikuchi Ayaka) 6,185
52位 AKB48 チームＡ 多田愛佳 (Oota Aika) 6,140
53位 AKB48 チームK 松井咲子 (Matsui Sakiko) 6,058
54位 AKB48 チーム４ 山内鈴蘭 (Yamauchi Suzuran) 6,027
55位 AKB48 チームK 仁藤萌乃 (Nito Moeno) 6,025
56位 SKE48 チームE 木本花音 (Kimoto Kanon) 5,982
57位 AKB48 チーム４ 大場美奈 (Oba Mina) 5,969
58位 AKB48 チーム４ 市川美織 (Ichikawa Miori) 5,963
59位 AKB48 チームＡ 大家志津香 (Oya Shizuka) 5,933
60位 NMB48 チームN 小笠原茉由 (Ogasawara Mayu) 5,919
61位 AKB48 チームB 佐藤すみれ (Sato Sumire) 5,706
62位 SKE48 チームKⅡ 矢方美紀 (Yakata Miki) 5,606
63位 SKE48 チームS 中西優香 (Nakanishi Yuuka) 5,592
64位 AKB48 チームB 小森美果 (Komori Mika) 5,398

Not really in the mood or calmed down enough to comment much largely due to my disappointment with Akicha's drop in ranking. Even the number of votes she received is much lower than what she got last year!

Well, looking at the bright side she's still the centre of Undergirls.. (which is largely taken up by SKE48 members - a real big surprise to most fans!) and I hope for the next 君のことが好きだから (Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara).

Come to think of it, Sasshi jumped in rank so much, even above Mariko-sama! Totally shocking but after some thinking, makes sense with all the push she received recently.

Anyways, was really glad that Rena - SKE48 oshi - maintained her position and did not drop, that Sakura - HKT48 oshi - got into #47 (Next Girls), and that Sayanee - NMB48 oshi - risen from #28 last year all the way to #18 (Under Girls) this year.

Shall comment more tomorrow. Now, let's wait for the election speech by the Top Senbatsu member, Oshima Yuko, later at 23 00 JST. (http://www.akb48plus.com/senkyo)

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

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

AKB48 26th Single - '真夏のSounds Good!' ('Manatsu no Sounds Good!')

Announced at the Saitama Super Arena Concert today, AKB48 will be releasing their 26th single, '真夏のSounds Good!' ('Manatsu no Sounds good!') on 23rd of May. 'Manatsu no Sounds Good!' will feature the largest Senbatsu in AKB48's records, with 36 members, where 15 of them would be their first time in Senbatsu - inclusive of 11 from AKB48's Team 4, and 1 from HKT48 (Kodama Haruka). More details are yet to be announced.

 

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 真夏のSounds good! [Manatsu no Sounds Good!]
2. [CD] 3つの涙 [Mittsu no Namida]
3. [CD] ちょうだい、ダーリン [Choudai, Darling!]
4. [CD] 真夏のSounds good! Off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 3つの涙 Off vocal ver.
6. [CD] ちょうだい、ダーリン Off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 真夏のSounds good! Music Video [Manatsu no Sounds Good! music video]
8. [DVD] 真夏のSounds good! Music Video-Dance ver.- [Manatsu no Sounds Good! music video -Dance Ver.-]
9. [DVD] 3つの涙 Music Video [Mittsu no Namida music video]
10. [DVD] ちょうだい、ダーリン Music Video [Choudai, Darling! music video]
11. [DVD] AKB 48 27thシングル 選抜総選挙 出馬メンバー プロフィール映像＜Type-A＞
[AKB48 27th Single Senbatsu Elections Member’s Profile Clips ＜Type-A＞]
CDJapan [LE/Regular]
HMV Online [LE/Regular]

 

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 真夏のSounds good! [Manatsu no Sounds Good!]
2. [CD] 3つの涙 [Mittsu no Namida]
3. [CD] ぐぐたすの空 [Gugutasu no Sora]
4. [CD] 真夏のSounds good! off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 3つの涙 off vocal ver.
6. [CD] ぐぐたすの空 off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 真夏のSounds good! Music Video [Manatsu no Sounds Good! music video]
8. [DVD] 真夏のSounds good! Music Video-Dance ver.- [Manatsu no Sounds Good! music video -Dance Ver.-]
9. [DVD] 3つの涙 Music Video [Mittsu no Namida music video]
10. [DVD] ぐぐたすの空 Music Video [Gugutasu no Sora music video]
11. [DVD] AKB48 27thシングル 選抜総選挙 出馬メンバー プロフィール映像＜Type-B＞
[AKB48 27th Single Senbatsu Elections Member’s Profile Clips ＜Type-B＞]
CDJapan [LE/Regular]
HMV Online [LE/Regular]

Theater Edition (CD only)
1. [CD] 真夏のSounds good! [Manatsu no Sounds Good!]
2. [CD] 3つの涙 [Mittsu no Namida]
3. [CD] 君のために僕は… [Kimi no Tame ni Boku wa…]
4. [CD] 真夏のSounds good! off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 3つの涙 off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 君のために僕は… off vocal ver.

'真夏のSounds good !' preview

ぐぐたすの空 preview

'Manatsu no Sounds good!' Senbatsu Members

Team A:
Kuramochi Asuka, Kojima Haruna, Sashihara Rino, Shinoda Mariko, Takajo Aki, Takahashi Minami, Maeda Atsuko

Team K:
Itano Tomomi, Oshima Yuko, Minegishi Minami, Miyazawa Sae, Yokoyama Yui

Team B:
Kasai Tomomi, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kitahara Rie, Watanabe Mayu

Team 4:
Abe Maria, Ichikawa Miori, Iriyama Anna, Shimazaki Haruka, Shimada Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu, Yamauchi Suzuran, Iwata Karen, Kato Rena, Kawaei Rina, Takahashi Juri

SKE48:
Kizaki Yuria, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Takayanagi Akane, Kimoto Kanon

NMB48:
Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Jo Eriko

HKT48:
Kodama Haruka

Source: tokyohive/Daily Sports Online

As usual, I will be rooting for Akicha (Takajo Aki) and Rena (Matsui Rena), my oshi from AKB48 and SKE48 respectively. Wished I can vote more but again, budget problems... TAT

UPDATE (25th March):
Senbatsu Members revealed
General Election to take place in June

UPDATE (5th April):
Track lists revealed

Source: King Records

UPDATE (18th April):
Single covers and PV preview revealed

UPDATE (12th May):
Gugutasu no Sora PV preview revealed

UPDATE (23rd May):

'Manatsu no Sounds Good!' topped the Oricon Singles chart for 22nd May, with 1,170,554 copies!

Source: Oricon Style

Not only that, the single shipped over 2 million copies on the day of release! Breaking their previous record of 1.6 million with their 23rd single, 'Kaze wa Fuiteiru'.

Source: Sponichi Annex

Congratulations!!

AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48 holding charity performances on 11th of March

In memory of the tragic Tohoku Earthquake that shook Japan last year, AKB48 and their sister groups SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48 will be holding a charity performance, titled “Tohoku Earthquake Reconstruction Support Special Performance ~Dareka no Tame ni Project~“, on March 11th.

The charity performance will be held at each of the groups theaters in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka. All members of the groups (including Research Students) are scheduled to participate in these performances. The lives will start approximately 16 minutes before the earthquake struck, at 2:30 pm, and will end at 4:00 pm.

After the disasters, AKB48 launched their charity project, “Dareka no Tame ni“. Their efforts have raised over 1.25 billion yen (around $15.3 million USD), and they have also donated 30 vehicles to Iwate, Fukushima, and Miyagi for the new school term.

From: tokyohive

Source: Oricon

Wow.. that's a real great amount that is being raised. Even I feel proud for them!
Wish that I am able to watch the charity performances... =(

UPDATE (9th March):
“Tohoku Earthquake Reconstruction Support Special Performance ~Dareka no Tame ni Project~“ will be broadcasting live on their Official Youtube channel! (2:30pm JPT)

Source: AKB48 Official Blog

UPDATE (11th March):

AKB48劇場
M01 風は吹いている(4会場)
M02 誰かのために(SDN含む全会場)
-- overture --
M03 走れペンギン(4)
M04 呼び捨てファンタジー(B)
M05 ALIVE(K)
M06 胡桃とダイアローグ(A)
M07 会いたかった(12期までの研究生)
M08 Beginner(13期研究生)
M09 フライングゲット
M10 Everyday、カチューシャ
M11 ヘビーローテーション
M12 桜の花びらたち(全会場)

SKE48劇場
M01 風は吹いている(4会場)
M02 誰かのために(SDN含む全会場)
-- overture --
M03 片想いFinally(S)
M04 愛の数(KII)
M05 青空片想い(E)
M06 オキドキ(研究生)
M07 バンザイVenus
M08 Dear my teacher（初代研究生）
M09 1！2！3！4！　ヨロシク！
M10 パレオはエメラルド
M11 ごめんね、SUMMER
M12 桜の花びらたち(全会場)

NMB48劇場
M01 風は吹いている(4会場)
M02 誰かのために(SDN含む全会場)
-- overture --
M03 三日月の背中(1期)
M04 NMB48(3期)
M05 青空のそばにいて(2期)
M06 右へ曲がれ
M07 努力の雫
M08 純情U-19
M09 オーマイガー！
M10 絶滅黒髪少女
M11 僕は待ってる(全員)
M12 桜の花びらたち(全会場)

HKT48劇場
M01 風は吹いている(4会場)
M02 誰かのために(SDN含む全会場)
-- overture --
M03 手をつなぎながら
M04 チャイムはLOVE SONG
M05 Innocence
M06 ロマンスロケット
M07 大好き
M08 スカート、ひらり
M09 ヘビーローテーション
M10 遠くにいても(21名)
M11 桜の花びらたち(全会場)

SDN48劇場
-

Credits to Eriol & TGSK

HKT48's Team H

The members of HKT48's Team H were revealed at a press conference at HKT48 Theater earlier today. HKT48 is AKB48’s fourth sister group based in Hakata, Fukuoka, first introduced during AKB48’s handshake event at Seibu Dome last October with 21 first generation members.

The 16 members of Team H are Anai Chihiro (Captain), Ueki Nao, Kumazawa Serina, Kodama Haruka (Center), Komori Yui, Shimono Yuki, Sugamoto Yuko, Tanaka Natsumi, Taniguchi Airi, Nakanishi Chiyori, Matsuoka Natsumi, Miyawaki Sakura, Murashige Anna, Motomura Aoi, Moriyasu Madoka, and Wakatabe Haruka.

Abe Kyoka, Imada Mina, Eto Sayaka, Nakanishi Ayaka, and Fukagawa Maiko would be in Team Kenkyuusei (Research Students).

Other than at the AKB48's Kohaku Uta Gassen, I have not experienced their stage performance or seen them perform before. Shall anticipate for their single then (since I am unable to fly to Japan for the past few months and for the next two years too).

From: HKT Official Site/tokyohive/Mantan Web

24 girls passed the first stage of auditions for HKT48

Yesterday concludes the first auditions for HKT48 at the Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk in Fukuoka city, Fukuoka. Many girls from all over the Kyushu area auditioned and 24 passed this first round of auditions. They would now be going through dance and singing lessons before being becoming official members.

Aki-P (Akimoto Yasushi) commented that, 'We want them to become idols that have the support of the whole region.'

HKT48 Official Site: http://www.hkt48.jp/index.html

HKT48

Announced during AKB48's handshake event on Sunday, there would be an additional group to the '48' project, called HKT48. Based in Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu, applications are already starting to be accepted.

Initially, Aki-P (Akimoto Yasushi) has already been targeting the Hakata ward of Fukuoka since 2008 - thus 'HKT', abbreviation of HaKaTa. During the launch of SDN48, he stated that the next group would most likely be HKT48, followed by groups in Osaka and Sapporo. NMB48, based in Osaka, was launched first instead in October of last year.

This time HKT48's theater would be in the Hawks Town Mall of Fukuoka’s Chuo ward, rather than in the neighboring Hakata ward.

Applications for the auditions are now open to girls aged 11 to 22 till 31st May. Foreigners are also welcomed to apply.

Official Site of HKT48: http://www.hkt48.jp/index.html

More '48' groups, good or bad news? There are a lot of people who love the idea of having one group for each prefecture in Japan, while on the other hand there are people who think that it's too much. Well, you can actually clearly see which side most fans would be at and which side most haters would be at. I would definitely be supporting the expansion and I hope this can add more variety with each group having their own distinct touch. ^^
On the other hand... that means more people to compete in the senbatsu... that's bad... =[
Hahax! XD Shall be looking forward to the line up of the first generations!