AKB48's 2nd Big Reshuffle Effective Date

On the very first day of the AKB48's first ever Tokyo Dome concert, 'AKB48 in TOKYO DOME ~1830m no Yume~', AKB48's team big reshuffle was announced and that Team 4 will be discontinued. It was revealed yesterday at Iwate Sangyou Bunka Center during their handshake event that the reshuffle will be effective from 1st of November.

With the reshuffle, AKB48 will be back to three teams but with 22 members in Team A, 23 in Team K and 23 in Team B.
Team A will have their final concerts with their current members on the 29th, Team K on 24th, Team B on 22nd and Team 4 on 25th this month.

The set lists for each of the reshuffled teams are not announced yet at the moment and the teams will be taking turns to perform at the AKB48 Theater a performance called ‘Waiting Performance’, which features a set list chosen from AKB48 songs.
Even though each team consists of 22 or 23 members, only 16 will be participating.
I don't know how this is going to work and what will the remaining 6 or 7 girls do, but I shall wait and see what Aki-P have in mind next month.

The starting dates of SNH48 members Miyazawa Sae and Suzuki Mariya as well as JKT48 members Takajo Aki and Nakagawa Haruka are not announced yet.

Source: tokyohive/Sanspo

UPDATE (23rd December):
Takajo Aki and Nakagawa Haruka will debut as part of the newly formed Team J in JKT48 on the 26th of December. Team J will be performing "Renai Kinshi Jourei", that is a revival of AKB48 Team A's 5th stage (19th October 2008 - 27th May 2010).

Source: tokyohive/Oricon

Jo Eriko Graduates from NMB48

Yesterday, Jo Eriko (Team M) graduated from NMB48 after holding her graduation concert at NMB48 Theater in Namba, Osaka. She graduated from the group to focus on her studies and mentioned that she will be back, auditioning for NMB48 again when she is in high school.

Source: tokyohive/Sanspo

Watanabe Mayu 3rd Single 'ヒカルものたち' ('Hikaru Monotachi')

It was announced yesterday that Watanabe Mayu will be releasing her third single on the 21st of November. 'Hikaru Monotachi' is said be an up-tempo electronic track and the coupling track, 'Sayonara no Hashi', is used as the theme song for an upcoming anime movie 'Nerawareta Gakuen' (10th of November release) - where the protagonist is voiced by Mayuyu herself.

First press limited editions will get a DVD which includes a bonus footage of Mayuyu in different school uniforms from all 47 prefectures of Japan.

More details are yet to be revealed.

Source: tokyohive/natalie

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] ヒカルものたち [HIKARU MONO TACHI]
2. [Disc 1] 地平線の彼方はどこにある? -Beyond the horizon- [CHIHEISEN NO KANATA HA DOKO NI ARU? -BEYOND THE HORIZON-]
3. [Disc 1] サヨナラの橋 [SAYONARA NO HASHI]
4. [Disc 1] ヒカルものたち (instrumental)
5. [Disc 1] 地平線の彼方はどこにある? -Beyond the horizon- (instrumental)
6. [Disc 1] サヨナラの橋 (instrumental)
7. [Disc 2] ヒカルものたち (Music Video) [HIKARU MONO TACHI music video]
8. [Disc 2] ヒカルものたち (Music Video メイキング) [HIKARU MONO TACHI music video making]
9. [Disc 2] サヨナラの橋 (Music Video) (まゆゆ制服コレクション) [SAYONARA NO HASHI music video (Mayuyu Seifuku Collection)]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] ヒカルものたち [HIKARU MONO TACHI]
2. [Disc 1] ハートのスープ [HEART NO SOUP]
3. [Disc 1] サヨナラの橋 [SAYONARA NO HASHI}
4. [Disc 1] ヒカルものたち (instrumental)
5. [Disc 1] ハートのスープ (instrumental)
6. [Disc 1] サヨナラの橋 (instrumental)
7. [Disc 2] ヒカルものたち (Music Video) [HIKARU MONO TACHI music video]
8. [Disc 2] ヒカルものたち (Music Video メイキング) [HIKARU MONO TACHI music video making]
9. [Disc 2] 超・女神降臨?巨大マユユ、秋葉原に出現!!? [CHOU.MEGAMI KOURIN-KYODAI MAYUYU.AKIHABARA NI SHUTSUGEN!!?]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] ヒカルものたち [HIKARU MONO TACHI]
2. [Disc 1] 2人の夜明け [FUTARI NO YOAKE]
3. [Disc 1] サヨナラの橋 [SAYONARA NO HASHI]
4. [Disc 1] ヒカルものたち (instrumental)
5. [Disc 1] 2人の夜明け (instrumental)
6. [Disc 1] サヨナラの橋 (instrumental)
7. [Disc 2] ヒカルものたち (Music Video) [HIKARU MONO TACHI music video]
8. [Disc 2] ヒカルものたち (Music Video メイキング) [HIKARU MONO TACHI music video making]
9. [Disc 2] まゆたんって魔法つかえるの? [MAYUTANTTE MAHOU TSUKAERUNO?]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Regular Edition (CD Only)
1. ヒカルものたち [HIKARU MONO TACHI]
2. 恋を踏んじゃった [KOI WO FUNJATTA]
3. サヨナラの橋 [SAYONARA NO HASHI]
4. ヒカルものたち (instrumental)
5. 恋を踏んじゃった (instrumental)
6. サヨナラの橋 (instrumental)
CDJapan
HMV Online

Limited Edition (CD Only)
1. ヒカルものたち [HIKARU MONO TACHI]
2. 恋を踏んじゃった [KOI WO FUNJATTA]
3. サヨナラの橋 [SAYONARA NO HASHI]
4. ヒカルものたち (instrumental)
5. 恋を踏んじゃった (instrumental)
6. サヨナラの橋 (instrumental)
HMV Online

Takahashi Minami top make a solo debut!

On the second day of the Tokyo Dome concert yesterday, it was announced that Takahashi Minami will be making her solo debut - at last!! She has been working so hard for not only AKB48 but also the whole '48' family as the main leader. She totally deserves her solo debut. Details on when will it be wasn't announced yet.

AKB48 28th Single - 'UZA'

The title of the upcoming AKB48 single is revealed and the song was performed for the first time during the AKB48's 3rd Janken Tournament at Nippon Budokan. In 'UZA', Oshima Yuko and Matsui Jurina are chosen as double centers - where this is the second time Jurina is chosen as center for an AKB48 single (The first time was 'Oogoe Diamond' where Maeda Atsuko and Jurina were chosen as double centers). The single is scheduled to be released on the 31st of October.

Like the previous Janken Tournament, I am very impressed with the new song 'UZA' ('Kaze wa Fuiteiru' for the previous) and can't wait for the release of the single and PV. Well, the singles released around this period of the year for the past few years are 'cool' themed after all  - Kaze wa Fuiteiru, Beginner, RIVER... and just happen that these few are my top favourites!

The other Senbatsu members for the single are:
Shimazaki Haruka, Watanabe Miyuki (AKB48/NMB48), Miyawaki Sakura (HKT48/first senbatsu), Yokoyama Yui, Minegishi Minami, Sashihara Rino (HKT48), Yamamoto Sayaka (NMB48), Kojima Haruna, Shinoda Mariko, Matsui Rena (SKE48), Kashiwagi Yuki, Itano Tomomi, Takahashi Minami, and Watanabe Mayu.
More details are yet to be announced.

Source: tokyohive/Oricon

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] UZA
2. [CD] 次のSeason (アンダーガールズ) [Tsugi no Season (Under Girls)]
3. [CD] 孤独な星空 (新チームA) [Kodoku na Hoshizora (New Team A)]
4. [CD] UZA off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 次のSeason off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 孤独な星空 off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] UZA Music Video
8. [DVD] UZA Music Video -Dance ver.-
9. [DVD] 次のSeason Music Video [Tsugi no Season music video]
10. [DVD] 孤独な星空 Music Video [Kodoku na Hoshizora music video]
11. [DVD] ギンガムチェック Music Video 〜高橋栄樹監督ver.〜 [Gingham Check Music Video ~Director Takahashi Eiki ver.~]
CDJapan [LE/Regular]
HMV Online [LE/Regular]

Type K (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] UZA
2. [CD] 次のSeason (アンダーガールズ) [Tsugi no Season (Under Girls)]
3. [CD] スクラップ&ビルド (新チームK) [Scrap & Build (New Team K)]
4. [CD] UZA off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 次のSeason off vocal ver.
6. [CD] スクラップ&ビルド off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] UZA Music Video
8. [DVD] UZA Music Video -Dance ver.-
9. [DVD] 次のSeason Music Video [Tsugi no Season music video]
10. [DVD] スクラップ&ビルド Music Video [Scrap & Build music video]
11. [DVD] ギンガムチェック Music Video 〜高橋栄樹監督ver.〜 [Gingham Check Music Video ~Director Takahashi Eiki ver.~]
CDJapan [LE/Regular]
HMV Online [LE/Regular]

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [CD] UZA
2. [CD] 次のSeason (アンダーガールズ) [Tsugi no Season (Under Girls)]
3. [CD] 正義の味方じゃないヒーロー (新チームB) [Seigi no Mikata Janai Hero (New Team B)]
4. [CD] UZA off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 次のSeason off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 正義の味方じゃないヒーロー off vocal ver.
7. [DVD] UZA Music Video
8. [DVD] UZA Music Video -Dance ver.-
9. [DVD] 次のSeason Music Video [Tsugi no Season music video]
10. [DVD] 正義の味方じゃないヒーロー Music Video [Seigi no Mikata Janai Hero music video]
11. [DVD] ギンガムチェック Music Video 〜高橋栄樹監督ver.〜 [Gingham Check Music Video ~Director Takahashi Eiki ver.~]
CDJapan [LE/Regular]
HMV Online [LE/Regular]

Theater Edition (CD Only)
1. [CD] UZA
2. [CD] 次のSeason (アンダーガールズ) [Tsugi no Season (Under Girls)]
3. [CD] 大人への道（研究生楽曲） [Otona e no Michi (Research Students)]
4. [CD] UZA off vocal ver.
5. [CD] 次のSeason off vocal ver.
6. [CD] 大人への道 off vocal ver.

Hmm... somehow I prefer the performance of 'UZA' at the Janken tournament than the PV... but the PV actually is kind of addictive too. Can't stop looping it again and again. =X

UPDATE (10th October):
Covers and tracklists revealed
Source: tokyohive/King Records

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!!

Matsui Sakiko Solo Debut - '呼吸するピアノ' ('Kokyuusuru Piano')

Last month it was announced that Matsui Sakiko will be making her solo debut as a pianist with her piano album release on the 3rd of October. Sakiko is currently a senior majoring in piano in the Department of Instrumental Music at Tokyo College of Music, and the only AKB48 member enrolled in a music college. Before the announcement last month, Sakiko had already been performing her piano skills in several AKB48 concerts and I totally love it whenever she's playing the piano.

With her solo debut, Sakiko will be the 6th from AKB48 to become a soloist - since she will debut earlier than Yukirin - and the first to debut as a pianist.

Source: tokyohive/Sanspo

The cover of the CD+DVD version was illustrated by fellow AKB48 member, Sato Natsuki, which was chosen from amongst many other illustrations drawn by other AKB48 members. The cover of the CD-Only version was directed by another AKB48 member, Ishida Haruka.

Source: tokyohive/natalie

Definitely a must buy for me. Been waiting for her debut as a pianist for quite some time already!

CD + DVD version
1. [Disc 1] 心の譜面 [Kokoro no Fumen]
2. [Disc 1] 会いたかった [Aitakatta]
3. [Disc 1] フライングゲット [Flying Get]
4. [Disc 1] 歌う血液~宇津井健の加圧トレーニングのテーマ~ [Utau Ketsueki ~Utsui Ken no Kaatsu Training no Theme~]
5. [Disc 1] Everyday、カチューシャ [Everyday, Kachuusha]
6. [Disc 1] 魂の移動~ぐぐたす民のテーマ~ [Tamashii no Idou ~Gugutasu-min no Theme~]
7. [Disc 1] Beginner
8. [Disc 1] ポニーテールとシュシュ [Ponytail to Shushu]
9. [Disc 1] ヘビーローテーション [Heavy Rotation]
10. [Disc 1] 桜の木になろう [Sakura no Ki ni Narou]
11. [Disc 1] ピアノ・ソナタ 第18番,K.576,ニ長調より 第I楽章 (ボーナストラック) [W.A. Mozart Piano Sonata No. 18 in K. 576]
12. [Disc 2] 魂の移動~ぐぐたす民のテーマ~ (Music Video) [Tamashii no Idou ~Gugutasu-min no Theme~ (Music Video)]
13. [Disc 2] 歌う血液~宇津井健の加圧トレーニングのテーマ~ (特典映像) [Utau Ketsueki ~Utsui Ken no Kaatsu Training no Theme~ (Special Footage)]
14. [Disc 2] メイキング映像 [Making Footage]
CDJapan
HMV Online

CD Only version
1. 心の譜面 [Kokoro no Fumen]
2. 会いたかった [Aitakatta]
3. フライングゲット [Flying Get]
4. 歌う血液~宇津井健の加圧トレーニングのテーマ~ [Utau Ketsueki ~Utsui Ken no Kaatsu Training no Theme~]
5. Everyday、カチューシャ [Everyday, Kachuusha]
6. 魂の移動~ぐぐたす民のテーマ~ [Tamashii no Idou ~Gugutasu-min no Theme~]
7. Beginner
8. ポニーテールとシュシュ [Ponytail to Shushu]
9. ヘビーローテーション [Heavy Rotation]
10. 桜の木になろう [Sakura no Ki ni Narou]
11. ピアノ・ソナタ 第18番,K.576,ニ長調より 第I楽章 (ボーナストラック) [W.A. Mozart Piano Sonata No. 18 in K. 576]
CDJapan
HMV Online

AKB48's 2nd Big Reshuffle!

On the very first day of the AKB48's first ever Tokyo Dome concert, 'AKB48 in TOKYO DOME ~1830m no Yume~', TGSK (AKB48 Theater’s manager Togasaki Tomonobu) appeared with yet again a shocking news. (Every time he appears for a speech, the speech always got to be big issue huh.)

As title has said, AKB48 is going to have a big reshuffling of the members between the teams for the second time. (The first time was on August 2009)
Team 4 will be disbanded and the members will be added into Team A, K or B. Which means that Team 8, mentioned last time, will not be formed.

Leadership roles also changed where Takahashi Minami was appointed as the General Manager of the AKB48 groups, Shinoda Mariko takes over the Team A captain position, Oshima Yuko is now the captain of Team K and Umeda Ayaka - transferred to Team B - is now the captain of her new team.

All these are still just the icing by the way. What was more shocking is that with the 'Study Abroad Program' which was mentioned last month, Miyazawa Sae and Suzuki Mariya will be transferred to SNH48, while Takajo Aki and Nakagawa Haruka will be transferred to JKT48.

Akicha... JKT48... I couldn't take it any more yesterday and stayed away from the twitter feeds while suddenly the hash tag for Tokyo Dome was flooding with excited Indonesian tweets.
(No offence intended but seriously the twitter feeds just flows non stop regarding Akicha's and Harugon's transfer to JKT48 - where almost all of the tweets are in Indonesian. Wasn't upset about the the flood of Indonesian tweets but more of the transfer.) I would've felt much better if at least was transferred to SNH48 where she will learn Chinese and thus enable me to be able communicate with her with bits of Chinese if I get to meet her!

Anyways, here's the list of the whole reshuffling:

Takahashi Minami:　Team A captain→ AKB48 Groups’ General Manager

Shinoda Mariko: Team A→Team A Captain（Former Team A captain: Takahashi Minami）
Oshima Yuko: Team K→Team K Captain（Former Team K captain: Akimoto Sayaka）
Umeda Ayaka: Team K→Team B Captain（Former Team B captain: Kashiwagi Yuki）

Yokoyama Yui: Team K→Team A＆ NMB48
Kitahara Rie: Team B→Team K＆ SKE48
Ishida Anna: SKE Team KII→SKE48＆ Team B
Ota Aika: Team A→ HKT48
Miyazawa Sae:　Team K→SNH48
Suzuki Mariya: Team B→SNH48
Takajo Aki:　Team A→JKT48
Nakagawa Haruka: Team A→JKT48

Iwata Karen: Team 4→Team A
Abe Maria: Team 4→Team K
Watanabe Mayu: Team B→Team A
Kojima Haruna: Team A→Team B
Mutou Tomu: Kenkyuusei→Team K
Oba Mina: Team 4→Team B
Akimoto Sayaka: Team K（No transfer）
Nakamata Shiori: Team 4→Team A
Ichikawa Miori: Team 4→Team B
Kasai Tomomi: Team B→Team xA
Kato Rena: Team 4→Team B
Matsui Jurina: SKE48 Team S ＆ Team K（No transfer）
Nakamura Mariko: Team 4→Team B
Nakata Chisato: Team A→Team K
Nito Moeno: Team K→Team A
Oya Shizuka: Team A→Team B
Maeda Ami: Team A→Team K
Tano Yuuka: Team 4→Team A
Itano Tomomi: Team K（No transfer）
Iwasa Misaki: Team A→Team B
Kobayashi Mirina: Team A (promoted in June 2012)
Sato Amina: Team B→Team K
Shimazaki Haruka: Team 4→Team B
Sato Sumire: Team B→Team A
Ishida Haruka: Team B（No transfer）
Matsui Sakiko: Team K→Team A
Kuramochi Asuka: Team A→Team K
Katayama Haruka: Team A→Team B
Kotani Riho: NMB48→NMB48 ＆ Team A
Nakaya Sayaka: Team A→Team K
Yamauchi Suzuran: Team 4→Team B
Morikawa Ayaka: Team A (promoted in June 2012)
Uchida Mayumi: Team K（No transfer）
Fujie Reina: Team K→Team B
Kawaei Rina: Team 4→Team K
Izuta Rina: Team A (promoted in June 2012)
Mitsumune Kaoru: Kenkyuusei→Team K
Natori Wakana: Team B (promoted in June 2012)
Tanabe Miku: Team K→Team B
Sato Natsuki: Team B→Team A
Iriyama Anna: Team 4→Team A
Chikano Rina: Team B→Team K
Kashiwagi Yuki: Team B（No transfer）
Nagao Mariya: Team 4→Team K
Takeuchi Miyu: Team 4→Team B
Kikuchi Ayaka: Team K→Team A
Suzuki Shihori: Team B→Team K
Oshima Ryoka: Kenkyuusei→Team A
Fujita Nana: Team K (promoted in June 2012)
Kobayashi Kana: Team B→Team K
Minegishi Minami: Team K→Team B
Kojima Natsuki: Team B (promoted in June 2012)
Nakatsuka Tomomi: Team K→Team A
Shimada Haruka: Team 4→Team K
Watanabe Miyuki: NMB48 ＆ Team B (No transfer）
Masuda Yuka: Team B→Team K
Takahashi Juri: Team 4→Team A
Nonaka Misato: Team K→Team B
Miyazaki Miho: Team B→Team K
Matsubara Natsumi: Team A→Team K

Source: tokyohive/Oricon

Reshuffling might not sound to be a good thing just when AKB48 is peaking at it's popularity, but well, it's not that bad also. AKB48 still did very well after the first major reshuffle back in 2009. With Acchan graduating from the group and now the major reshuffle, it feels as if AKB48 is really 'reborned' and the new team compositions indeed do feel really fresh. Shall see how it goes as time past, just like last time!

Grabbed from somewhere in Facebook:

Credits to the person who created this for easier viewing.

UPDATE:

Akicha posted on her Google+ account yesterday after the concert that she was the one who chose to transfer to JKT48.

'皆さんこんばんは！

今日は東京ドームコンサート初日でした！
先輩たちがかかげてきた
東京ドームの舞台に立てたこと
嬉しくて感動したと同時に
いつも以上にすごく緊張しました。

これが目指してきた目標の重みなんだ。
と身をもって感じました。



そして今日はみなさんにお知らせがあります！

AKB48は組閣しました。
それに伴い
私、高城亜樹はJKT48に移籍します。


発表されたとき
舞台からはたくさんの表情が見えました。

移籍を知って泣くメンバー。
驚きを隠せないファンの方。
泣いている方もいました。

ビックリさせちゃってごめんなさい。

この移籍は自分の意思で決めた移籍です！

今私のAKB48での活動や、個人的な活動
すべてを考えてみると
私には、踏み出す勇気がなくて
まわりに流されるがまま
今この状況まで来た気がします。

でも、今のままでは
立ち止まってしまいます。
そしたら夢もそこで終わってしまいます。

自分で一歩踏み出して
何かに挑戦していかなければ
終わってしまう気がしたんです。


私は、将来の夢を叶えるために
AKB48に入りました。
たとえ夢にたどり着くまでに
長い時間かかっても私はいいと思っています。
今このAKB48という恵まれた環境で
夢にたどりつくまで
いろんな経験をしたいんです。

時間がかかってもいい。
私は私のペースで夢に近づいていきます。


だからファン皆さん！
私の夢が叶うまでどうか
見捨てないでください。


いつか夢がかなったとき
皆さんに恩返しがしたいです。'

From bits of translation by Bilingual48's tweets:

'I am sorry about the surprise. I requested for this transfer.
After thinking about where I am currently, I realized that I got here by going with the flow because I don't have the courage to make my own path. I am now at a standstill and my dreams won't come true if I am stuck.
I joined AKB48 because I want to make my dreams come true, even if it takes a long time.
I want to experience many different things in the gifted AKB48 environment until my dreams come true.
It's ok if it takes a long time. My dreams will come true at my own pace. Please do not abandon me at least until then.
When my dreams do come true, I will repay everyone.'

Well, if it's really her decision, I shall respect it and of course no matter what still continue to support her - like what a real loyal fan should do! All the best to her!

Acchan's Graduation Concert Streaming Live and Goodbye Parade in Akihabara

On the 27th August, Maeda Atsuko will be performing for the last time in the AKB48 Theater and the number of applications for the tickets was totally overwhelming.

On 8th of December 2005 only 7 audience showed up for the first concert - which was also Acchan's first theater performance - when the theater can actually hold 250 people. Over time as AKB48's popularity grew with Acchan as the 'face of AKB48', demand of tickets for each concert grew till a state where applications have to go through lottery to see which lucky 250 applicants get to watch the concert in the theater.

The concert on 27th of August 6pm, which will be Acchan's graduation concert, received a whooping number of 229,096 applications - more than 30,000 times of Acchan's first performance in 2005. Acchan wanted to at least greet those fans who failed to be selected in the lottery and thus plans of her parade were made, to say goodbye to her fans. She will parade around the AKB48 stage in Akihabara around 3:30 PM on the 27th of August and the route will be from Tashiro Doori right outside the AKB48 theater to the overpass above Akihabara Station on the JR Yamonote line.
(Due to security concerns, the parade is cancelled.)

Source: Oricon/tokyohive

And also due to the high demand for the tickets to watch the theater performance on that day, it was decided that the concert will be streamed live via the group’s Google+, YouTube and Fuji TV’s ‘Hey! Hey! Hey!‘, starting at 6pm JST.

Additionally from today, fans are able to use their Google+ accounts to send a personal messages to Maeda by submitting a message via your Google+ account (registration required) with the hashtag '#maeda0827'. A flower petal-shaped confetti printed with the message and Google+ profile name will fall onto the stage during the show.

Source: Oricon/tokyohive

UPDATE (23rd August):
Acchan's parade in Akihabara cancelled due to security concerns

Source: tokyohive/natalie

UPDATE (26th August):
List of performing members revealed

岩佐美咲 (Iwasa Misaki)
多田愛佳 (Ota Aika)
大家志津香 (Oya Shizuka)
片山陽加 (Katayama Haruka)
倉持明日香 (Kuramochi Asuka)
小嶋陽菜 (Kojima Haruna)
篠田麻里子 (Shinoda Mariko)
高城亜樹 (Takajo Aki)
高橋みなみ (Takahashi Minami)
仲川遥香 (Nakagawa Haruka)
中田ちさと(Nakata Chisato)
仲谷明香 (Nakaya Sayaka)
前田亜美 (Maeda Ami)
松原夏海 (Matsubara Natsumi)
武藤十夢 (Muto Tomu)
板野友美 (Itano Tomomi)
峯岸みなみ(Minegishi Minami)
大島優子 (Oshima Yuko)
松井珠理奈 (Matsui Jurina)
宮澤佐江 (Miyazawa Sae)
横山由依 (Yokoyama Yui)
河西智美 (Kasai Tomomi)
柏木由紀 (Kashiwagi Yuki)
北原里英 (Kitahara Rie)
渡辺麻友 (Watanabe Mayu)
松井玲奈 (Matsui Rena)
指原莉乃 (Sashihara Rino)

Source: tokyohive/Sanspo

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