AKB48 6th Anniversary Celebration at AKB48 Theater

公演オープニングで「上からマリコ」をパフォーマンスするAKB48じゃんけん選抜メンバー。 (C)AKS  

AKB48 celebrated their 6th Anniversary on the 8th of December, the date that they debuted 6 years ago, at their very own theater in Akihabara, Tokyo. Once again Happy 6th Anniversary AKB48! お誕生日おめでとう~! (Happy Birthday!)
At the celebration, all members of AKB48 [Team A, B, K and Kenkyuusei (trainees)] performed on the stage, including the newly formed 13th Generation Kenkyuusei.

Here are the comments from three of the members on their blog (translated - from tokyohive):

[1st generation member, Team A] Maeda Atsuko wrote about her hopes for their 7th year, “We’ve really increased our number of members, so we’ve become a big family now (*^^*)” “I’ll do my best to work carefully so we can stand here and advance (into our 7th year). Please look after AKB48 in our 7th year as well ♪♪”

Oshima Yuko, 2nd generation member (later known as Team K) who debuted in April 2006, declared, “I was able to see our 10th anniversary that’s felt so far away. I never imagined I would feel this… Again, I want to brace myself and work hard to build up AKB!!!!!! We still have more to go~”.

3rd generation member (later known as Team B) Kashiwagi Yuki commented, “Starting with the fans, I will never forget my gratitude to all of you for supporting AKB!! I hope we can swiftly run into our 7th year.”

[My post on AKB48 6th Anniversary - My 3rd Anniversary]

More photos below,

JKT48 released a CM for 'Pocari Sweat' with 'Heavy Rotation'

Formed recently, JKT48 released a CM for 'Pocari Sweat' where they performed 'Heavy Rotation'.

The looks of the girls totally turned up to be so much better than my expectations! The thing that I feel they need to work on is the singing. Don't really feel that it's up to standard. I also felt that the tone is kind of near the lower side.. well, that can be worked on though.

There are also rumors of the release of their first PV is rather soon. Would be anticipating how would it be like.

AKB48 6th Anniversary - My 3rd Anniversary

Debuted in 8th December 2005, AKB48 started out with 20 first generation memebers, which are later known as Team A. After 6 years of journey, AKB48 have grown to become a very popular idol group in Japan and also spreading around the world at a really fast pace. Currently it consists of more than 48 members with 16 members in each of Team A, K and B, and 11 members in Team 4. Not to forget, 33 Kenkyuusei members (Research Students/Trainees), excluding Eguchi Aimi - the virtual idol made in collaboration with Glico's 'アイスの実' CM.

I shall not talk too much into the history, which I already posted on a page of this blog, and go straight to my reflection on my three years of AKB48 fandom. Thus, can be considered 3rd Anniversary for me.

NMB48 3rd Single - '純情U-19' ('Junjou U-19')

'純情U-19' performed in HEY!x3 Christmas Special on 19th December

NMB48 would be releasing their 3rd single on the 8th of February 2012, titled '純情U-19' ('Junjou U-19'). Senbatsu members and Shirogumi & Akagumi members are released while more details are yet to be released.

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 純情U-19 [Junjou U-19]
2. [CD] 場当たりGO!/ アンダーガールズ [Baatari Go!/Undergirls]
3. [CD] 努力の雫/ 白組 [Doryoku no Shizuku/ Shirogumi]
4. [CD] 純情U-19 off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 場当たりGO! Off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 努力の雫 Off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 純情U-19（ミュージックビデオ） [Junjou U-19 music video]
8. [DVD] 努力の雫/白組（ミュージックビデオ） [Doryoku no Shizuku/ Shirogumi music video]
9. [DVD] 純情U-19（ミュージックビデオ　ダンシングバージョン）[Junjou U-19 music video Dance Ver.]
10. [DVD] 第1回NMB48紅白対抗料理対決（予選）[NMB48’s First White vs Red Cook-Off (Preliminaries)]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 純情U-19 [Junjou U-19]
2. [CD] 場当たりGO!/ アンダーガールズ [Baatari Go!/Undergirls]
3. [CD] 右へ曲がれ/ 紅組 [Migi e Magare/Akagumi]
4. [CD] 純情U-19 off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 場当たりGO! off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 右へ曲がれ off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 純情U-19（ミュージックビデオ） [Junjou U-19 music video]
8. [DVD] 右へ曲がれ/紅組（ミュージックビデオ） [Migi e Magare/Akagumi music video]
9. [DVD] 純情U-19 （ミュージックビデオ　ダンシングバージョン） [Junjou U-19 music video Dance ver.]
10. [DVD] 第1回NMB48紅白対抗料理対決（決勝） [NMB48’s First White vs Red Cook-Off (Finals)]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] 純情U-19 [Junjou U-19]
2. [CD] 場当たりGO!/ アンダーガールズ [Baatari Go!/Undergirls]
3. [CD] 恋愛のスピード/ NMBセブン [Renai no Speed/NMB Seven]
4. [CD] 純情U-19 off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 場当たりGO! Off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 恋愛のスピード off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] 純情U-19（ミュージックビデオ） [Junjou U-19 music video]
8. [DVD] 純情U-19 （ミュージックビデオ　ダンシングバージョン） [Junjou U-19 music video Dance ver.]
9. [DVD] NMB48 feat.吉本新喜劇 Vol.2 [NMB feat. Yoshimoto New Comedy Troupe Ver.2]
10. [DVD] 純情U-19メイキング [Junjou U-19 making]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Theater Version (CD only)
1. [CD] 純情U-19 [Junjou U-19]
2. [CD] 努力の雫/ 白組 [Doryoku no Shizuku/ Shirogumi]
3. [CD] 右へ曲がれ/ 紅組 [Migi e Magare/Akagumi]
4. [CD] ジャングルジム/山本彩 [Jungle Gym/Yamamoto Sayaka]
5. [CD] 純情U-19 off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 努力の雫/ 白組 off vocal ver.
7. [CD] 右へ曲がれ/ 紅組 off vocal ver.
8. [CD] ジャングルジム/山本彩 off vocal ver.

Senbatsu Members:
Team N - Ogasawara Mayu, Kadowaki Kanako, Kishino Rika, Kinoshita Haruna, Kotani Riho, Kondo Rina, Jonishi Kei, Shiroma Miru, Fukumoto Aina, Yamada Nana, Yamamoto Sayaka, and Watanabe Miyuki
1st Generation Research Student - Kinoshita Momoka
2nd Generation Research Student - Jo Eriko, Yagura Fuko, and Yogi Keira

Shirogumi
Yamamoto Sayaka, Yamada Nana, Ogasawara Mayu, Jo Eriko, Kadowaki Kanako, Kinoshita Haruna, Yogi Keira, Kishino Rika, Kodakari Yuka, Shinohara Kanna, Yamagishi Natsumi, and Okita Ayaka.

Akagumi:
Watanabe Miyuki, Fukumoto Aina, Jonishi Kei, Shiroma Miru, Kondo Rina, Kotani Riho, Kinoshita Momoka, Yagura Fuko, Hikawa Ayame, Yamaguchi Yuki, Murakami Ayaka, and Tanigawa Airi.

UPDATE (3rd January):
Part of tracklists and covers revealed

UPDATE (15th January):
Yamamoto Sayaka to make her first 'solo' debut' with a solo song 'Jungle Gym' in the Theater version of the single.

UPDATE (14th February):
'Junjou U-19' sold 329,000 copies in its first week and also topped the Oricon Single Ranking for the week of February 20th.
This would be their third single topping the Oricon chart in the first week.
This made them the first female artists to top the Oricon's chart with three consecutive singles, since debut.
They are also the first to sell more than 200,000 copies in the first week for three consecutive singles, since debut.
Congratulations NMB48!!

From tokyohive/Oricon

New skin for a new phone!

Got my new phone, Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, not long ago and I decided to make a skin for it.

Able to tell where this image is from? =3

AKB48 to hold their own 'Kohaku Uta Gassen'

It was announced on AKB48's official blog yesterday that they would be holding their very own '紅白歌合戦' ('Kohaku Uta Gassen') - a singing competition between Red and White Teams.

AKB48 would be participating and supporting NHK’s 62nd 'Kohaku Uta Gassen', which would take place on the last day of 2011, but before that, they would be having their own 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' where members are separated into Red and White Teams. It would be held on the 20th of December at Tokyo Dome City Hall.

UPDATE (15th December):
Viewers nationwide and overseas (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore) would be able to vote to decided which would be the winning team.

Red Team
Captain: Takahashi Minami
Iwasa Misaki, Otsuka Shizuka, Kuramochi Asuka, Kojima Haruna, Shinoda Mariko, Takajo Aki, Nakagawa Haruka, Nakata Chisato, Nakaya Sayaka, Maeda Atsuko, Maeda Ami, Matsubara Natsumi, Akimoto Sayaka, Uchida Mayumi, Umeda Ayaka, Tanabe Miku, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Nito Moeno, Fujie Reina, Miyazawa Sae, Yonezawa Rumi, Ishida Haruka, Kasai Tomomi, Kitahara Rie, Kobayashi Kana, Komori Mika, Sato Sumire, Sato Natsuki, Suzuki Mariya, Chikano Rina, Hirajima Natsumi, Masuda Yuka, Abe Maria, Izuta Rina, Iriyama Anna, Kato Rena, Nagao Mariya, Fujita Nana, Kojima Natsuki, Natori Wakana, Morikawa Ayaka, Omori Miyu, Sasaki Yukari, 16 members of NMB48

White Team
Captain: Oshima Yuko
Oota Aika, Katayama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Itano Tomomi, Kikuchi Ayaka, Nonaka Misato, Matsui Sakiko, Minegishi Minami, Yokoyama Yui, Kashiwagi Yuki, Sato Amina, Suzuki Shihori, Miyazaki Miho, Watanabe Mayu, Ichikawa Miori, Kobayashi Marina, Shimazaki Haruka, Shimada Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu, Nakamata Shiori, Nakamura Mariko, Yamauchi Suzuran, Kawaei Rina, Iwata Karen, Saeed Yokota Erena, Suzuki Rika, Takahashi Juri, Tano Yuka, Hirata Rina, Muto Tomu, 13th Generation Research Students, 16 members of SKE48, 16 members of HKT48

What's more, Golden Village Vivocity would be having a simulcasting of the AKB48's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen'!
Details from AKB48 Singapore Official Facebook Page

Date: 20 December 2011
Time: 5pm
Venue: GV Vivocity Hall 2 and 11
Ticket prices: $40 (GV Movie Club Members), $45 (Public)
Tickets can be purchased from Golden Village Box Offices and the Golden Village website at www.gv.com.sg.

[Golden Village - Akb48 Kohaku Utagattsen 'Live' Show]

UPDATE (20th December):
AKB48's 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' would be aired live on their Youtube channel unlisted and Google+.

UPDATE (20th December):
White Team, led by Oshima Yuko won!

UPDATE (21st December):
Photos from Sanspo

Iwasa Misaki from AKB48 to debut as an Enka singer

Ever since Wasamin's (Iwasa Misaki) transfer to Nagara Productions from OgiPro in April, which houses many veteran Enka singers, I already felt that Wasamin's dream of becoming an Enka singer would very soon be fulfilled. In AKB48, she often performed Enka songs at AKB48’s events.

Announced yesterday, Wasamin would be making her solo debut as an Enka singer under Tokuma Japan Communications. This makes her the third in AKB48 to make a solo debut, after Itano Tomomi and Maeda Atsuko, and the first to debut as an Enka singer.

Wasamin is scheduled to debut on 1st of February 2012.

Wasamin commentedm, "I was surprised but very happy, as it’s been my dream to make a solo debut as a singer since I was little. It’s all thanks to the people who are always supporting me. I will continue trying my best as Iwasa Misaki with the mindset of standing on a new start line."

Source: Mantan Web|tokyohive

Sending off Riichan at Changi Airport

One might ask, 'Riichan? How about the other NMB48 members?'. Well, partly due to my careless mind and partly I wasn't able to camp over night at the airport as I have a test today.

I did took the first train this time but I was given bad news from fellow fans that the NMB48 members have left. They said that when they came over to Changi Airport Terminal 2 at around after 12am, there was a Japanese fan there who told them about half of the NMB48 members, including Sayanee, have already entered the check-point. And that the very moment that I arrived at Terminal 2, slightly before 7am, the remaining NMB48 members, probably including Maachun, are already entering the check-point at Terminal 3. They were simply waiting for a miracle to happen, what ever miracle it can be, thus waiting at Terminal 2 till now. I decided to wait too since it would be still too early if i go to school now and I also feel like trying my luck.

Amazingly, a miracle did happen! Riichan appeared! I was really surprised as I didn't expect any NMB48 members left behind as there's already two batches of flights (1am+ flight and 7am+ flight, which I missed). She was so called totally the miracle to us who missed the first two batches and we greeted Riichan warmly while sending her off. She looked really tired and did not really interact with us much. Understandable though, since they are only able to sleep a little after the tiring concert.

It was slowly did I realize Sayanee and the other NMB48 members are attending school today, thus need to return to Japan as soon as possible after the concert. Should have realized this earlier. It won't change anything actually though since I can't camp over-night. It must be really hard on the NMB48 members. Hope they are okay! (> <) 頑張って!!

My post on the NMB48 concert yesterday here.

AKB48 Singapore Theater 'Live' Vol.10: 'NMB48 1ST STAGE' (Team N)

Was super excited and was anticipating for NMB48 Team N's first stage in Singapore A LOT. Sadly, the very next day is the start of my Mid-semester Tests, thus even though I came up with a excuse to come out of house today, I couldn't come up with a 'valid' excuse to stay over night yesterday at the airport to welcome the NMB48 members when they arrive.

Bought the the ticket for the second time slot from the store when sales start and got ticket for the first time slot from a friend few minutes before the concert start. Was really sad as I initially wanted to buy the concert t-shirt but when I arrived, it was already all sold out. Should have went down to get it yesterday!

The concert was totally awesome and my attention was mostly placed on Sayanee (Yamamoto Sayaka), followed by Maachun (Ogasawara Mayu). They are my top two favourites in NMB48 and Sayanee is my oshimen (top favourite).
The setlist of the concert is as listed below,

-overture-
Seishun Girls (青春ガールズ)
Beach Sandal (ビーチサンダル)
Kimi ga Hoshi ni Naru made (君が星になるまで)
-MC1: Introductions-
Blue rose (Fukumoto Aina, Yamamoto Sayaka, Ogasawara Mayu, Kishino Rika)
Kinjirareta Futari (禁じられた2人) (Yamada Nana, Yoshida Akari)
Ame no Dobutsuen (雨の動物園) (Watanabe Miyuki, Kondo Rina, Mori Ayaka, Shiroma Miru, Jonishi Kei, Kadowaki Kanako, Kinoshita Haruna)
-MC2-
Fushidara na Natsu (ふしだらな夏) (Ogasawara Mayu, Jonishi Kei, Kinoshita Haruna, Fukumoto Aina, Yamada Nana, Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Yoshida Akari)
Don't disturb!
Virgin love
Hizukehenkousen (日付変更線)
-MC3-
Boku no Uchiage Hanabi (僕の打ち上げ花火)
-Encore-
Yakusoku yo (約束よ)
Korogaru Ishi ni Nare (転がる石になれ)
Cinderella wa Damasarenai (シンデレラは騙されない) (Was in the original N2 set list but not in today's set list)
*Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shōjo (絶滅黒髪少女)
*Oh My God! (オーマイガー!)
*AKB48 Medley (Beginner, Chance no Junban, Ponytail to Shushu, Heavy Rotation)
*Everyday, Kachuusha (Everyday、カチューシャ)

I got really crazy, jumping and waving my light sticks (and also my D-I-Y supposedly-ultra-bright yellow LED light sticks) for almost the whole of the concert for both time slots. There are just so many songs that I enjoy in the set list!

One of my top favourtie, 'Seishun Girls', totally made an awesome kick-start. 'Blue Rose', right after the introductions, was the song I have been anticipating the most as not only does it sound really good, the performance in general totally ROCKS!! To add on, it was performed my two most favourite NMB48 member, Sayanee and Maachun, with two more NMB48 members that I also love a lot, Ainyan (Fukumoto Aina) and Rikanyan (Kishino Rika).

The very next song 'Kinjirareta Futari' was also one of my favourite as it's very melodic and frankly speaking it was also because Yukirin (Kashiwagi Yuki) was one of the singer of the song in AKB48 Team B's first stage in Japan.
'Virgin Love' and 'Boku no Uchiage Hanabi' were also my favourites in the set list.

With so much epicness before the encore, a lot of energy was already drained but it was really just appetizers. The encore was the real deal! Almost everyone lost ourselves and I was forcing out what ever energy that I still have. By the way, this was not all as about two and a half hours time later (6pm), I had a round two! My hands and in fact almost my whole body are still aching even till now. I totally did not give a thought about my tomorrow's test to be honest. Oops!

The handshake session was really unforgettable too, for both sessions (2pm & 6pm concerts). At the first session, I confessed my love to Sayanee.. I mean told her that she is my most favourite member in NMB48 and want to be her top fan. She got very delighted and thanked me very sincerely while holding to my hand even more tighter. (´∀｀)♡
When I reached Maachun, before saying 'ありがとうございます' (Thank you), I added in 'あああ! まーちゅん!!' with so much passion that made her though that she is my oshimen (most favourite) and like Sayanee, became super delighted and held on to my hand tightly. Uh ohh... Never mind! She's my second favourite so it's okay (^ ^") It became more obvious that she thought I oshi her during the 6pm concert's handshake session, where just right after I let go of the hands of the member before Maachun, even before I turn to face her, she grabbed my hands and shook so sincerely, thanking me even before I opened my mouth! Σ(゜゜)
In general, the whole handshake session was really good and most of the members were referring to and commenting about the t-shirt I was wearing. (I wore a 'for Japan' tee by 'The Design Society' where proceeds would be donated to the Touhoku earthquake struck areas)

As usual, straight after the handshake session of the 6pm concert, I rushed straight to the back of *SCAPE to get a good spot at the van area.
Sayanee sat at the seat just in front of the seat that I am facing while Maachun sat at the seat just behind and here came the awkward moment..

Initially, I was showing Sayanee a heart made with my hands (can say the same as the moe-moe-kyun one but reaching out to her). She waved to me happily and took photos. Soon after, Maachun spotted me (while I already put my hands down luckily), pointed and waved so happily to me. Well, I gave her a heart made with my hands too and what she did in return totally melted my heart and gave me the final blow, she gave me back a heart made with her hands! Oh dear... o(>_<)o ♡
Shortly after, Sayaka started video recording us fans, while the van moved a bit. I gave Sayanee a heart again and she pointed her camera straight at me right away! I think she even took a photo too before the van started to move off.
Super awkward to have two favourites in a group. While I was giving a heart to one, I was worrying the other would see. This really shows two-timing is not good huh.. hahax!

Ah well, shall rest and wake up early tomorrow to send the NMB48 members off at the airport, with an excuse to my parents that I need to settle some stuff in school before having my test. ('x' )

By the way, I also collected quite a lot of stuff I ordered through my friend,

Three French Kiss 4th Single 'Saisho no Mail' (Types A, B & C) , two Wasamin (Iwasa Misaki) photos, one Rena photo, and the Everyday Kachuusha single (Theater ver) was from another friend.

I opened my 'Saisho no Mail' singles to see what photo cards I get and shockingly, I got Akicha (Takajo Aki) - my kamioshi (most top favourite of all among all the '48' groups) - for all three!! I was like, 'OMG... What are the chances of getting all three my top favourite?!?! This must be fate!' I wanted at least one Yukirin (Kashiwagi Yuki) though as I already have one Akicha and one Mocchi (Kuramochi Asuka). Just happened that a fellow Akicha fan did not get any Akicha and have a Yukirin to trade with one of my Akicha photo card.

Collected many light stick from fellow fans for 'raw materials' for my personal project (･ω ･ )

NHK’s 62nd ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen‘ line-up

'紅白歌合戦' ('Kohaku Uta Gassen') is a year end (31st December) music event in Japan, the largest scale, where female artists compete with male artists in front of a panel of judges.

The artist line-up of NHK's 62nd 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' was released yesterday through live stream on Kohaku’s official website.

紅組 (Red Team - females)
aiko
Ashida Mana
Ayaka
Angela Aki
Ikimonogakari
Ishikawa Sayuri
AKB48
KARA
Kawanaka Miyuki
Kanda Sayaka
Koda Kumi
Godai Natsuko
Kobayashi Sachiko
Sakamoto Fuyumi
Shiina Ringo
Shoujo Jidai
Tendou Yoshimi
Natsukawa Rimi
Nishino Kana
Perfume
Hamasaki Ayumi
Matsuda Seiko
Matsutouya Yumi
Mizuki Nana
Mizumori Kaori
Wada Akiko

白組 (White Team - Male)
Akikawa Masafumi
Arashi
Itski Hiroshi
Inawashirokos
EXILE
NYC
Kitajima Saburou
Gou Hiromi
Suzuki Fuku
SMAP
Sen Masao
Tohoshinki
TOKIO
Tokunaga Hideaki
AAA
Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi
Ishida Toshiyuki
Hikawa Kiyoshi
Hirai Ken
FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
Fukuyama Masaharu
flumpool
Hosokawa Takashi
Porno Graffitti
Mori Shinichi
Yuzu
L’arc~en~Ciel

This time, AKB48 not only would be participating in the event but also be official supporters of the show, where they are featured on the official website doing the count down of number of days to the show.
I love this show a lot. So many favourite singers in a single event performing. Can't wait to watch it!