Maeda Atsuko to graduate from AKB48

A really shocking news was revealed during the last day of the AKB48's Saitama Super Arena concert (Day 3) earlier today. I wasn't at the location to hear it for myself and was unable to witness it but from the oncoming twitter feeds during the concert, I learned that Acchan announced her decision to graduate from AKB48.

Even though I support Yuko more than Acchan, I still felt at a lost at the fact that Acchan will be leaving AKB48. She's been the cover girl of AKB48 for so long and I think I might still need some time to get used this, even though I am not really a supporter of her.

No details of the graduation were revealed yet.

Anyways, if this truly is for the best for her, I shall support her decision and wish her all the best in her future careers and life. I really loved her solo single and hope that she continues as a solo singer after leaving AKB48.

Image from Nikkan Sports

UPDATE (27th March):
Translation of a post on Acchan's Official Blog

Good morning everyone

I’m in Hong Kong right now

These days sure are going by fast

I’ve been thinking about a lot of things and my report to all of you is coming a bit late

I, Maeda Atsuko, will be graduating from AKB48

I announced it at Saitama Super Arena the day before yesterday

Even though I came to that conclusion, I was full of anxiety up until that very moment

At the Saitama Super Arena everyone was having fun, singing and dancing and all of the members were really shining

The fans in the audience had nothing but smiles on their faces

I really thought it would be great to continue as it is.

But, during the encore when we were singing our songs, I saw the guest seating full of penlights and I really felt happy.

So, I have to go out on my own now and I wanted to properly announce it to everyone.

And
Then I said to Takamina (Takahashi Minami) who was right next to me, that “I am going to announce it.”

With those few words, it was the beginning for me to start running (towards my dreams)

I have been given so many chances, that I need to be the one to take the first step

Because if I don’t those behind me won’t be able to continue after me

Hearing everyone support me after my announcement at Saitama Super Arena, well that was the warmest moment of my life

It made me realize that I was not making a wrong decision.

Of course I can also hear people saying, “don’t quit!”

And that made me feel really happy

The members have been shedding tears for me and have genuinely been concerned for me

I am so so happy that I am able to feel all of this love

The members will always, always be my friends, no matter what happens

So, I want to be able to give the members proper and reliable advice in the future

I still can’t sort the thoughts out in my head

Regardless
“AKB” is the best

Akimoto-san
Thank you so so much for warmly watching over me despite my selfishness, my extreme selfishness

You’ve looked out for me ever since I was 14 years old

If Akimoto-san wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be where I am today

Please let me continue to have conversations about various things with you in the future

Fans

I’ve been reading a ton of your comments

Thank you guys for giving me your support

Please continue to look after me in the future

I love my fans and everyone around me.

Source: tokyohive

UPDATE (24th May):
With the release of the Tokyo Dome concert dates, and that Acchan would be graduating on the day after the concert, the date of her graduation is set to be on the 27th of August.

5 Promoted to Team 4 & Announcement of Team 8

Also announced at the Saitama Super Arena concert (Day 2) earlier today, 5 Research Students are promoted to Team 4 - Kato Rena, Kawaei Rina, Iwata Karen, Tano Yuuka, and Takahashi Juri.

加藤 玲奈

Kato Rena

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: れなっち

生年月日: 1997年7月10日

出身地: 千葉県

川栄 李奈

Kawaei Rina

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: りっちゃん

生年月日: 1995年2月12日

出身地: 神奈川県

岩田 華怜

Iwata Karen

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: カレン

生年月日: 1998年5月13日

出身地: 宮城県

田野 優花

Tano Yuuka

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: たのちゃん

生年月日: 1997年3月7日

出身地: 東京都

高橋 朱里

Takahashi Juri

所属事務所: AKS

ニックネーム: じゅり

生年月日: 1997年10月3日

出身地: 茨城県

Profiles taken from AKB48 Official Site

Congratulations on their promotion!! \(^o^)/

Due to concerns of many Research Students still not promoted, Akimoto Yasushi Producer announced on Google+ later in the day that 'Team 8' will be formed. More details are yet to be revealed.

Hmm... So Team 4 isn't a temporary group and as expected in my post last time, Team 8 will be created.

Matsui Jurina (SKE48) & Watanabe Miyuki (NMB48) to join AKB48 Temporarily

Announced at the Saitama Super Arena concert (Day 2) earlier today, Matsui Jurina from SKE48 Team S and Watanabe Miyuki from NMB48 Team N will be temporarily joining AKB48's Team K and Team B respectively. The news brought strong reactions from the crowd

Akimoto Yasushi, the producer, posted about it on Google+ soon later.

This news is obviously related to the graduation of Yonezawa Rumi and Hirajima Natsumi, which vacated one spot in Team K and one in Team B. It was said that until suitable candidate is chosen to take up the two spots, Jurina and Miyuki will temporarily be joining AKB48.
That aside, I am actually more concerned of the health of both of the girls as they are still young, especially Jurina. While Jurina is in SKE48, she's so dedicated and puts in her all in every thing she do that she falls ill often due to over-exhaustion. To be in both SKE48 Team S and AKB48 Team K at the same time, it really makes me worry for her.

Anyways, I shall wish them all the best hope their health is placed on top of their idol career!

AKB48's First Tokyo Dome concert announced at Saitama Super Arena Concert!

Kicking start the concert at Saitama Super Arena earlier today, AKB48 announced that they will be holding their first concert at the Tokyo Dome! It brought such strong cheers from the crowd that even on live streaming through Youtube, I can also hear the crowd's cheers in the background while the announcement video clip played.

Date of the Tokyo Dome concert is not revealed yet.

1830 is actually the distance in meters between the Tokyo Dome and the AKB48 Theater

UPDATE (24th May):
It was revealed on Youtube by Takahashi Minami that the dates of the concert would be on the 24th to the 26th of August.

Extra Update (26th August):
Acchan's speech at the Tokyo Dome concert final day -

「私は小さいころから人見知りでした。誰かに話しかけられても、すぐにお母さんの後ろに隠れてしまうような子でした。そんな私でも、今、4万8000人の皆さんの前に立っているのがとても不思議で、幸せでいっぱいです。

正直、すごく寂しいです。ですが、自分で決めた道です。前に、ここから歩き出したいと思います。

こんな私を、AKB48のメンバーの一員として、ここまで応援してくださった皆さん、本当に、本当にありがとうございました。

（あっちゃんコールに約1分間、頭を下げ続ける）

これからも、AKB48のことを応援よろしくお願いします。こんなにたくさんの方に、背中を押していただけて、旅立つことができる私は、本当に幸せ者です。AKB48は、私の青春のすべてでした」

Source: Oricon

Translation from tokyohive:

“I was shy ever since I was small. Whenever someone talked to me, I would immediately hide behind my mom. It’s a mystery that a person like me can stand in front of 48,000 people right now. I’m full of happiness.

Honestly, I’m very sad. However, it’s the path I’ve decided for myself. I would like to take a step forward from here.

To everyone who has supported someone like me as a member of AKB48 until now, thank you very very much.

(Maeda keeps her head lowered during a minute of Acchan call.)

Please continue to support AKB48 in the future. I’m really a fortunate person to be able to start my journey with so much people supproting me from behind. AKB48 was my entire youth.“

AKB48's 'Saitama Super Arena Concert' Day 1 to be aired LIVE on Youtube

It was just announced on the AKB48 Official Ameba Blog that the 'Saitama Super Arena Concert' will be aired on Youtube LIVE and Google+ on the first day, which is tomorrow!
The concert will start airing from 5PM SGT and is planned to end at about 7:30PM SGT

Original post:

'2012-03-22 21:51:39
さいたまスーパーアリーナ　コンサート1日目をYouTubeでライブ配信！！
テーマ：ブログ
2012年3月23日（金）18:00より行われるコンサート「業務連絡。頼むぞ、片山部長！inさいたまスーパーアリーナ（初日）」をYouTubeでライブ配信することが決定しました。

当日は、ぐぐたす選抜がぐぐたす選抜曲「ぐぐたすの空」を初披露します。

また、現在「AKB48 STREAM ぐぐたす選抜プロジェクト（http://www.akb48plus.com/ ）」サイト内でユーザーから募集している「空」の写真が「ぐぐたす選抜」とコラボレーションし、ステージを盛り上げます。

この模様は、YouTubeの「AKB48 Official Channel!（http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48 ）」での生中継に加え、各メンバーのGoogle+ページでは、オリジナル映像により配信されます。

【配信時間】18:00（20:30終了予定）

【配信先URL】
AKB48 Official Channel!（http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48 ）
AKB48各メンバーのGoogle+ページ（「AKB48 Now on Google+」特設サイトURL：http://www.google.com/intl/ja/+/project48/ ）'
From AKB48 Official Blog

Oh nooo.. I would be working till 6:15PM! Guess I may miss almost half of the concert T_T I see if I can watch through my phone while working... =X