JPHiP Forum

The AKBar48 => AKB48 News & Releases => Topic started by: YKT on October 02, 2011, 03:30:46 PM

Title: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 02, 2011, 03:30:46 PM
This is a General News Thread for minor news.  Add-ons and discussions are welcome.   :welcome   If the news item generate lots of feedback and discussions, the admin/mods may create a dedicated thread.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 02, 2011, 03:35:14 PM
This just in 2011.10.02 11:52am, held today, members of AKB48 joined a campaign/promo at NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo - NAB Radio / NHK

Click to enlarge:

(http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/15199/84d562151982655.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/84d562151982655) (http://thumbnails56.imagebam.com/15199/c90e34151982657.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c90e34151982657) (http://thumbnails50.imagebam.com/15207/7728be152065883.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/7728be152065883) (http://thumbnails49.imagebam.com/15207/d15e26152065895.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d15e26152065895)
(http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/15215/f9934f152145921.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f9934f152145921) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15215/1aa578152145927.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/1aa578152145927) (http://thumbnails47.imagebam.com/15215/aebc2e152145931.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/aebc2e152145931) (http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/15215/972504152145937.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/972504152145937) (http://thumbnails52.imagebam.com/15215/dc47dd152145939.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/dc47dd152145939) (http://thumbnails37.imagebam.com/15215/cf8203152145945.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/cf8203152145945)
(http://thumbnails46.imagebam.com/15215/a09f61152145949.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a09f61152145949) (http://thumbnails54.imagebam.com/15215/ead8fe152145952.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ead8fe152145952)
(http://i.imgur.com/Rtz7Tt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/Rtz7T)(http://i.imgur.com/x3Kqet.jpg) (http://imgur.com/x3Kqe)(http://i.imgur.com/VFKGlt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/VFKGl)(http://i.imgur.com/wFVfyt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/wFVfy)
 
Sources:

http://life.oricon.co.jp/2002320/full/ (http://life.oricon.co.jp/2002320/full/)
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20111002-843878.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20111002-843878.html)
http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2011/10/03/014/index.html (http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2011/10/03/014/index.html)
http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/news/111003_akb48/ (http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/news/111003_akb48/)
http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2011/10/02/0004519353.shtml (http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2011/10/02/0004519353.shtml) which had this small pic

(http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2011/10/02/Images/04519354.jpg)


Video at the official NHK Site:

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20111002/t10015983161000.html (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20111002/t10015983161000.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 02, 2011, 03:36:48 PM
Quote
“Waratte Iitomo” adds AKB48′s Sashihara Rino and Johnny’s Jrs. Nozawa Yuki, Sanada Yumi

Posted on October 1, 2011 by tokyograph
 
Fuji TV has announced several new cast members for its popular variety show “Waratte Iitomo!” The new regulars are AKB48 member Sashihara Rino (18), comedian Watanabe Naomi (23), and comedian Yamazaki Hironari. In addition, the “Iitomo Seinentai” will get its first Johnny's Jr. members, as both Nozawa Yuki (18) and Sanada Yuma (18) are joining the team.

This past week, comedy duo Audrey, model Sasaki Nozomi, actress Manda Hisako, and talento Yamaguchi Tomomitsu all graduated as cast members of “Waratte Iitomo!” With the start of the fall season, Sashihara, Watanabe, and Yamazaki will be filling in the vacancies.

Sashihara will be a regular on Wednesdays, while fellow AKB48 member Akimoto Sayaka will be moved from Wednesdays to Fridays. At the age of 18, Sashihara is now tied with actress Adachi Yumi (30) for the record of the youngest woman to become a regular member on the show.

Watanabe will join the lineup on Mondays. Yamazaki will appear on Thursdays.

Nozawa and Sanada will be known as the unit “noon boyz,” serving as the show’s 16th “Iitomo Seinentai,” who work as assistants on the show, including doing the usual opening dance.

All of the new members will start appearing on the show this week.

Sources:
Sankei Sports

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/waratte-iitomo-adds-akb48s-sashihara-rino-and-johnnys-jrs-nozawa-yuki-sanada-yumi (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/waratte-iitomo-adds-akb48s-sashihara-rino-and-johnnys-jrs-nozawa-yuki-sanada-yumi/#more-21887)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 03, 2011, 03:20:27 AM
Akb48journal tweeted:

Quote
AKB48 new radio program, "AKB48 Radio Drama Theater" is starting today, every Monday~Thursday at 23.50~24.00 JST


(http://thumbnails52.imagebam.com/15221/54c62d152202515.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/54c62d152202515) (http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/15221/cd5521152202519.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/cd5521152202519)  (http://thumbnails45.imagebam.com/15214/2525d4152138444.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2525d4152138444) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15214/2525d4152138448.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2525d4152138448) (http://thumbnails27.imagebam.com/15214/8391f1152138452.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8391f1152138452) (http://thumbnails54.imagebam.com/15214/876de7152138454.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/876de7152138454) (http://thumbnails29.imagebam.com/15214/aa8693152138458.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/aa8693152138458) (http://thumbnails27.imagebam.com/15214/8e1193152138465.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8e1193152138465) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15214/c3729c152138467.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c3729c152138467) (http://thumbnails51.imagebam.com/15214/fe1110152138468.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fe1110152138468) (http://thumbnails36.imagebam.com/15214/147755152138473.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/147755152138473) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15214/d05d86152138476.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d05d86152138476) (http://thumbnails28.imagebam.com/15214/3d97e5152138479.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/3d97e5152138479) (http://thumbnails52.imagebam.com/15214/bd6fda152138485.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/bd6fda152138485) (http://thumbnails24.imagebam.com/15214/aa2a72152138490.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/aa2a72152138490)

Sources:

http://mantan-web.jp/2011/10/03/20111002dog00m200029000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2011/10/03/20111002dog00m200029000c.html)
http://career.oricon.co.jp/news/2002245/ (http://career.oricon.co.jp/news/2002245/)

UPDATE:

Posted the audio clip at a new dedicated thread as I expect more clips to emerge in the coming days:

http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30796.msg953061#msg953061 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30796.msg953061#msg953061)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 03, 2011, 10:05:57 AM
This just in 2011.10.02 11:52am, held today, members of AKB48 joined a campaign/promo at NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo - NAB Radio / NHK

Video at the official NHK Site:

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20111002/t10015983161000.html (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20111002/t10015983161000.html)


Vids now on YouTube!

AKB48 若い人"ラジオ"は魅力あるぞ! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIJXYqsTNes#noexternalembed-ws)

AKB48 ラジオの魅力をアピール (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2E-tJ8ZUR4#noexternalembed-ws)

AKB48 ラジオの魅力PRイベントで あのスーパースターが受難!? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2SugPl6Hyg#noexternalembed-ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 03, 2011, 03:46:08 PM
Confirmed: AKB48 will be performing at the Japan-Vietnam Music Festival

Quote
October, 03 2011 12:31:49
Ha Noi Opera House to host Japan-Viet Nam Music Festival

HA NOI – Celebrated Japanese musicians will be performing at the Ha Noi Opera House on Sunday for the second Japan-Viet Nam Music Festival.

Performers include Sugi Ryotaro, folk singer Godai Natsuko and the bands AAA, Exile, W-inds and AKB48.

Ryotaro has sung at numerous charitable events in Viet Nam over the last 20 years. In 1997, President Tran Duc Luong presented him with the Friendship Medal – the highest award for a non-Vietnamese citizen.

Natsuko has won numerous awards in Viet Nam, including the Gold Prize at the National Folk Festival in 1990 and the 13th MATSUO arts award in 1992.

The tour by W-inds, made up of lead singer Keita, and backup artists Ryohei and Ryuichi, last summer attracted an audience of 100,000.

The festival coincided with the Opera House's 100th anniversary.

The performance will be screened on the outside of the Opera House and aired on Viet Nam Television and Japan's NHK channel.

Ryotaro, Natsuko and the band W-inds also performed at the first joint festival in 2008. – VNS
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Pages/PrintView.aspx?ArticleID=216128 (http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Pages/PrintView.aspx?ArticleID=216128)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 07, 2011, 06:01:52 AM
^Thanks for the vid!

The writeup from (http://www.tokyograph.com/wp-content/themes/tokyograph/images/logo.gif)

Quote
AKB48 chosen as supporters for 62nd Kouhaku Uta Gassen

At a press conference on Thursday, NHK announced its PR “support team” (“ouentai”) for the 62nd Kouhaku Uta Gassen, to be held at the end of this year. Terry Ito will be a supporter for the 4th year in a row, and he will be joined this time by idol group AKB48. Although AKB48 has participated in Kouhaku for the last three years, this will be their first time as part of the “support team.”

The overall theme for this year’s Kouhaku is “1231 Ashita wo Utaou” (“1231 Let’s Sing of Tomorrow”). During the press conference, AKB48′s Oshima Yuko explained that the “1231″ represents December 31 (the day Kouhaku is held), while the succession of “1, 2, 3!” suggests a feeling of “taking a new step towards tomorrow.”

As part of AKB48′s duties for the “support team,” Watanabe Mayu revealed that the group plans to have an “AKB48 Daily Calendar Countdown” on the official Kouhaku website, where they will update it with a new message every day.

The 62nd Kouhaku Uta Gassen will take place from 7:15pm to 11:45pm on December 31.

Source:
Natalie
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 07, 2011, 10:01:00 AM
"AKB48DAY"  22 October 2011


(http://i.imgur.com/oA6p2.jpg)

Source: http://www.his-j.com/kanto/corp/group/event/akb (http://www.his-j.com/kanto/corp/group/event/akb)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 08, 2011, 12:49:30 PM
Umechan going to AKB48 Official Taiwan cafe on October 20, 2011:

Quote
10月20日(四) AKB48 Café OPEN 握手會、簽名會決定!!
AKB48 Official Taiwan cafe facebook

(http://i.imgur.com/m9MeP.jpg) (http://imgur.com/m9MeP)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 08, 2011, 05:08:29 PM
Further to the following post on October 3, 2011:

Confirmed: AKB48 will be performing at the Japan-Vietnam Music Festival
[...]


I uploaded a photo and Amp translated Mayuyu's latest blog post:



おはよーーーうございまーすー
 まゆゆですっ
Good Mooooooorning!
Mayuyu here~

今日からまゆゆは
 ベトナム
 に行ってきますー!!
 しばしのお別れです(>_<)探さないでください。

Today, I'm off to Vietnam!!
It's just a brief trip! (>_<) No need to look for me!

ベトナム音楽祭に出てくるんだお!
 楽しみ!がんばってくるお。
I'm going for the Vietnam Music Festival, you see.
Fun!

みんなもどうぞお元気で!
 まゆゆのこと忘れないでね!

ベトナムはじめてだから緊張するお(>_<)I'm nervous because it's my first time in Vietnam(>_<)

行ってきまーす(^o^)
まゆゆより
Bye!(^o^)
まゆゆより


From: http://blog.oricon.co.jp/watarirouka/archive/8683/0 (http://blog.oricon.co.jp/watarirouka/archive/8683/0)
Related: http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Culture_Art/2011/10/97155/ (http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Culture_Art/2011/10/97155/)

Buncha other girls going too, apparently.

(http://i.imgur.com/1szPx.jpg) (http://imgur.com/1szPx)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 09, 2011, 06:32:13 PM
Further to the following post on October 3, 2011:

Confirmed: AKB48 will be performing at the Japan-Vietnam Music Festival
[...]


I uploaded a photo and Amp translated Mayuyu's latest blog post:



おはよーーーうございまーすー
 まゆゆですっ
Good Mooooooorning!
Mayuyu here~

今日からまゆゆは
 ベトナム
 に行ってきますー!!
 しばしのお別れです(>_<)探さないでください。

Today, I'm off to Vietnam!!
It's just a brief trip! (>_<) No need to look for me!

ベトナム音楽祭に出てくるんだお!
 楽しみ!がんばってくるお。
I'm going for the Vietnam Music Festival, you see.
Fun!

みんなもどうぞお元気で!
 まゆゆのこと忘れないでね!

ベトナムはじめてだから緊張するお(>_<)I'm nervous because it's my first time in Vietnam(>_<)

行ってきまーす(^o^)
まゆゆより
Bye!(^o^)
まゆゆより


From: http://blog.oricon.co.jp/watarirouka/archive/8683/0 (http://blog.oricon.co.jp/watarirouka/archive/8683/0)
Related: http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Culture_Art/2011/10/97155/ (http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Culture_Art/2011/10/97155/)

Buncha other girls going too, apparently.

http://i.imgur.com/1szPx.jpg (http://imgur.com/1szPx)

AKB48 in Vietnam

日越友好音楽祭 AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Dv6LP--Bs#)
AKB48 - Kachuusha (Everyday) [Live Perf in Vietnam] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJaS6n6HV08#)
AKB48 LIVE IN VIETNAM - Flying Get & Everyday Kachyusa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH8V_8x-0rM#ws)

Everyday, Kachuusha performance in Vietnam

(http://i.imgur.com/q60EJ.jpg)

Source
http://www.vtv.vn/Article/Get/Dai-nhac-hoi-Giac-mo-ve-mot-nen-hoa-binh-Am-nhac-ket-noi-trai-tim-1779da814e.html (http://www.vtv.vn/Article/Get/Dai-nhac-hoi-Giac-mo-ve-mot-nen-hoa-binh-Am-nhac-ket-noi-trai-tim-1779da814e.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/zoN05.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 11, 2011, 05:08:00 AM
20111009 AKB48 - Flying Get + Everyday, Kachusha @ Japan -- Vietnam Music Festival 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC7yFT2bX64#)
[HD Fancam 1080p] AKB48 - Flying Get + Everyday, Kachusha @ Live In Hanoi Viet Nam (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37un9mLoc1s#ws)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDrl_ONc8IQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=37s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDrl_ONc8IQ&feature=player_detailpage#t=37s)

(http://i.imgur.com/6cYer.png)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 11, 2011, 01:46:41 PM
AKB Journal tweeted:

Quote
Sayaka, Tomochin, Tomo~mi, Kitarie, Reinyan, Sae, Yui, Mayu are selected as glasses senbatsu for 24th Japan Glasses Best Dresser Award.

(http://i.imgur.com/cKBbF.jpg)

More http://www.ioft.jp/ja/Concurrent-Events/24th-Japan-Best-Dressed-Eyes-Awards/ (http://www.ioft.jp/ja/Concurrent-Events/24th-Japan-Best-Dressed-Eyes-Awards/)

Kasai Tomomi not present.

(http://i.imgur.com/BIGJ2.jpg) (http://imgur.com/BIGJ2)(http://i.imgur.com/EREsK.jpg) (http://imgur.com/EREsK)(http://i.imgur.com/yjqxT.jpg) (http://imgur.com/yjqxT)(http://i.imgur.com/lznUO.jpg) (http://imgur.com/lznUO)(http://i.imgur.com/bdnnk.jpg) (http://imgur.com/bdnnk)(http://i.imgur.com/GCUJk.jpg) (http://imgur.com/GCUJk)(http://i.imgur.com/8oGkj.jpg) (http://imgur.com/8oGkj)(http://i.imgur.com/x6WGu.jpg) (http://imgur.com/x6WGu)   

Source:
http://mantan-web.jp/2011/10/11/20111011dog00m200022000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2011/10/11/20111011dog00m200022000c.html)
http://beauty.oricon.co.jp/news/2002607/?cat_id=NRK_TOP20110805 (http://beauty.oricon.co.jp/news/2002607/?cat_id=NRK_TOP20110805)
http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201110110277.html (http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201110110277.html)
http://news.thetv.jp/article/25233/ (http://news.thetv.jp/article/25233/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 12, 2011, 10:52:35 AM
AKB48 メガネ選抜 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ANYOGvgD8#ws)

Quote
AKB48 receives Megane Best Dresser Award
Posted on October 11, 2011 by tokyograph
 
The 24th Megane Best Dresser Awards, given annually to recognize celebrities who look good in glasses, were handed out Tuesday at the Tokyo Big Sight. AKB48 received the special prize as the celebrities whom people would like to see wearing glasses. Akimoto Sayaka, Itano Tomomi, Kitahara Rie, Fujie Reina, Miyazawa Sae, Yokayama Yui, and Watanabe Mayu were selected as the “Megane senbatsu members” to receive the award. Kasai Tomomi was also chosen but could not attend the ceremony due to health reasons.

AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi also received a Megane Best Dresser Award back in 2001 in the culture category.

Other winners this year included Tsuchiya Anna in the sunglasses category, former Fuji TV announcer Takashima Aya in the culture category, actor Mizutani Yutaka in the entertainment category, and pro soccer play Miura Kazuyoshi in the sports category.

Source:
Oricon

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-receives-megane-best-dresser-award/#more-22006 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-receives-megane-best-dresser-award/#more-22006)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: aefan_27 on October 12, 2011, 01:32:21 PM
AKB48「今後メガネをかけてほしい人」メガネベストドレッサー賞 111011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laEwtaArizM#ws)

AKB板野はギャップ萌え派? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMJP7qJ3_YI#noexternalembed)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 12, 2011, 04:34:56 PM
Harugon and Nattsumii are in “Koufuku Record” - a play that runs from October 17th through to 25th.

(http://i.imgur.com/1kqoR.jpg)

For the cast, click to enlarge:

(http://i.imgur.com/KKRwBm.jpg) (http://imgur.com/KKRwB)

Source: nihonnouta-caravan.com/koufuku
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 13, 2011, 04:58:11 AM
Japan TV News vids of AKB48 in Vietnam:

AKB48 ベトナムでもJ-POP人気! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLdPE-BeGCc#noexternalembed-ws)
AKB48 ベトナムで音楽祭 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ruXOqZXlY#noexternalembed-ws)

Japan TV News vids of the 24th Megane Best Dresser Awards:

AKB48 "メガネの似合う著名人"授賞式 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0hBJK6TBOI#noexternalembed-ws)
AKB48 選抜8人が特別賞に (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPrBglSf3Vg#noexternalembed-ws)
AKB48 メガネっ娘AKB (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt9Kv3HcDtI#noexternalembed-ws)

AKB48「今後メガネをかけてほしい人」メガネベストドレッサー賞 111011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laEwtaArizM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 14, 2011, 02:07:20 PM
Quote
Forty-eight member JPOP girl group AKB48, fresh from a trip to Guam for a starring role in last week's number two best selling game, are teaming up with Square Enix for what may end up being the biggest game of the year. AKB48's Yuko Oshima will be Final Fantasy XIII-2's official test player, Oricon reported today.

Oshima will appear in a commercial for the game. Square Enix hasn't yet released the commercial, but according to Oricon, it features Oshima in a business suit attending a morning meeting. She shouts out "Good morning," and after exchanging business cards with her fellow staffers, shows a disc containing a ROM of the game to the camera.

Oshima has also prepared a "manifest" laying out her promise to represent all players and share her positive and negative opinions about the game. She will be serving as the leader for 12 other official test players, and will work with her subordinates to deliver the latest information on the game.

The first Oshima spot will begin airing on the 15th.

Source: http://andriasang.com/comyk7/ (http://andriasang.com/comyk7/)



tokyoHIVE can't even spell her name right:

http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/akb48s-ohshima-yuko-becomes-an-official-final-fantasy-xiii-2-beta-tester/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/akb48s-ohshima-yuko-becomes-an-official-final-fantasy-xiii-2-beta-tester/)



大島優子 OL姿の新CM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s7dt4Hy4Ow#ws)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89611.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89611.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89612.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89612.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89613.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89613.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89614.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89614.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89615.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89615.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89616.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89616.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89617.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89617.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89618.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89618.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89619.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89619.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89620.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89620.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89621.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89621.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89622.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89622.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89623.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89623.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89624.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89624.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89625.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89625.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip89626.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip89626.jpg)
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2002717/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2002717/full/)

More news articles:
http://mantan-web.jp/2011/10/14/20111013dog00m200054000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2011/10/14/20111013dog00m200054000c.html)
http://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/geinou/geinou_news/contents/hot_20111014_020.html (http://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/geinou/geinou_news/contents/hot_20111014_020.html)
http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201110140002.html (http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201110140002.html)
http://news.walkerplus.com/2011/1014/2/ (http://news.walkerplus.com/2011/1014/2/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on October 17, 2011, 06:37:12 PM
AKB48 CM 月刊ヒーローズ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKEcFKPrnFU#ws)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip90500.jpg)
Official site: http://www.heros-web.com/campaign/ (http://www.heros-web.com/campaign/)

News article: http://news.searchina.ne.jp/disp.cgi?y=2011&d=1017&f=entertainment_1017_001.shtml (http://news.searchina.ne.jp/disp.cgi?y=2011&d=1017&f=entertainment_1017_001.shtml)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: mode107 on October 17, 2011, 09:09:57 PM
Shinoda Mariko joins “Ouran High School Host Club” movie cast

Quote
AKB48’s Shinoda Mariko has been revealed as a new cast member in the upcoming “Ouran High School Host Club” live-action movie, which was first announced in August with the same main cast as the drama series.

Based on the popular manga of the same name by Hatori Bisco, the live-action television adaptation aired this past summer, starring Kawaguchi Haruna and Yamamoto Yusuke. Like the original manga, the story revolves around an ordinary girl named Fujioka Haruhi at a prestigious high school who ends up involved with an unusual group of male students who have formed their own club as hosts.

Shinoda will play a half-Japanese character named Michelle, the daughter of a major corporation in Asia who moves from Singapore to Japan for a short study-abroad term. While Shinoda is typically known for her short straight hair, her character will have long curled hair. Other highlights of her character include some English lines and various costume scenes.

The “Ouran High School Host Club” movie premieres in theaters in March 2012.
http://www.tokyograph.com/news/shinoda-mariko-joins-ouran-high-school-host-club-movie-cast/#more-22080 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/shinoda-mariko-joins-ouran-high-school-host-club-movie-cast/#more-22080)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 18, 2011, 06:19:20 AM
http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48s-suzuki-mariya-stars-in-first-horror-movie/ (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48s-suzuki-mariya-stars-in-first-horror-movie/)

Quote
AKB48′s Suzuki Mariya stars in first horror movie
Posted on October 17, 2011 by tokyograph

(http://www.tokyograph.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/kokkuri_san.jpg)
Image from: Cinema Today

Suzuki Mariya (20), a member of AKB48’s Team B, has landed her first acting role in a movie. She will star in a horror film called “Kokkuri-san: Gekijoban,” based on a popular form of spiritual divination known as “Kokkuri-san” that has similarities to Ouija boards.

Kokkuri-san is often popular among young students in Japan. In this movie, Suzuki plays a high schooler named Eri, and her mother’s mysterious death leads her to confront a curse made through Kokkuri-san.

The movie is written and directed by Nagae Jiro (“2ch no Noroi Gekijoban”). Kataoka Asuka (33) will play a teacher, while retired gravure idol Umemoto Shizuka (18) will make her return to show business playing Eri’s friend.

“Kokkuri-san: Gekijoban” opens on November 26.

Source:
Cinema Today

映画『こっくりさん 劇場版』予告編 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3eoN6d6xV8#ws)

Edit official site:

http://manchikan.com/kokkurisan/ (http://manchikan.com/kokkurisan/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atarashii-michi on October 18, 2011, 06:48:17 AM
http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/akb48s-fujie-reina-attends-stage-greeting-for-enkiri-village/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/akb48s-fujie-reina-attends-stage-greeting-for-enkiri-village/)

Quote
(http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20111017_fujiereina_enkirivillage1-600x398.jpg)

On October 16th, AKB48’s Fujie Reina and actor Yagami Ren attended a stage greeting for their horror film, “Enkiri Village ~Dead End Survival~“.

Fujie, who plays the role of a vengeful ghost, appeared at the event in a refreshing white dress. She reflected, “I’m very happy that many people have gathered here today. During filming, there were a lot of bugs, so I got bit in about 7 places. But right now, it’s a good memory.”

Meanwhile, Yagami, who plays the village guide, commented, “My role is a character with an accent, so I played the role by using trial-and-error to create an original dialect for Enkiri Village.”

At the end of the event, Yagami promoted the movie saying, “Through ‘Enkiri Village’, I want people to feel the importance of people and bonds.” Fujie also stated, “When you watch this movie, you are able to feel the importance of relationships with people.” The stage greeting ended with a warm round of applause from the audience.

“Enkiri Village ~Dead End Survival~” is currently showing in Warner Mycal Cinemas at Hinode, Itabashi, Kohoku New Town, and Ichikawa Myoden. On October 22nd, Fujie and Director Tsubaki are scheduled to hold a stage greeting at Warner Mycal Cinemas Hinode.

(http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20111017_fujiereina_enkirivillage2-600x398.jpg)

Source + Photos: natalie

REN <333333333333
OUJI-SAMA is forever perfect~
love Yagami Ren <33333
Reinyan looks soooo pretty here~
love her outfit! <3 it's super cute!
those two look soooo adorable together!!!!!! >~<
really can't wait to watch this now! <3
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 19, 2011, 09:22:33 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/wvMGK.jpg) (http://imgur.com/wvMGK)

Quote
Yuko gets a wax figure at Madam Tussauds Tokyo in Odaiba Decks
Source: twitter.com/akb48journal

Edit:

AKB48 大島優子 触れるそっくりフィギュア登場 111019 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R97jiZ4jLFs#ws)


JIJIPRESS - click to view

大島優子、バストを触って確認!? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1joDbBDDTnM#noexternalembed)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 19, 2011, 11:11:02 AM
Article which appeared in The Atlantic today:

Quote
The 48 Japanese Schoolgirls Aiming to Take Over the World
By Patrick St. Michel

With its playful image, code of conduct, and many spinoff acts, the girl-pop collective AKB48 may be Japan's next great cultural export

About a month ago, 48 adult women dressed as school girls took to the stage at the historic Budokan arena in Tokyo, the same place where The Beatles made their Japanese debut. Fans streamed into the venue, and the proceedings were broadcast live in movie theaters across Asia—in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

But this wasn't a traditional concert. It was a rock-paper-scissors tournament, pitting the members of Japan's perhaps most successful contemporary musical act against one another. Two by two, each of the 48 members of AKB48—the six-years-in-the-running girl group that the Guinness Book of World Records has called the largest pop act in the world—approached the podium, stretched out their right arms, and touched knuckes. A striped-shirted ref then shouted "jankenpon," the Japanese name for rock-paper-scissors, and the pairs played the schoolyard game. At the end of the night, 25-year-old Shinoda Mariko won the March-Madness-like bracket, earning the right to be the center of attention for AKB48's 24th video, a release sure to further cement the group's massive popularity in Japan.

AKB has instituted rules ranging from "no smoking" to "no boyfriends" in an effort to keep fans' dream worlds safe

This is how AKB48 has risen to the top of the J-pop universe: as much through its catchy tunes as through its plentiful, accessible, non-musical antics. Founded in 2005 by Japanese music producer Yasushi Akimoto, who wanted to create a collection of "idols you can meet," AKB48 has achieved domestic ubiquity with a string of chart-topping hits, spin-off bands, TV shows, ads, unceasing autograph signings, and a few permanent theaters in major Japanese cities where its subgroups perform regularly. But Akimoto isn't content with domestic triumph. Earlier this month, it was announced that AKB48 would open two overseas branches in Jakarta and Taiwan, respectively dubbed "JKT48" and "TPE4." "The era of imitating the West is over," Akimoto said in 2010, when international locations were just rumors. "Now we export Japanese culture."

Akimoto's timing is right. Last month, the Japanese government unveiled a new logo—think the rising sun with racing stripes—for its "Cool Japan" campaign. The initiative, which takes its name from a 2002 Foreign Affairs article, aims to expand Japan's soft power globally even as its economic power wanes—a goal that's become all the more urgent following the March 11 earthquake.

But isn't Japan cool already? Anime, manga, Nintendo, and Hello Kitty rose to worldwide ubiquity decades ago and have stayed there. Yet "Cool Japan" hasn't succeeded in spreading Japanese pop music very far. The Japanese government made '90s-throwback-boy-band Arashi the official musical representatives of tourism in 2010, and this year the group starred in a video that aired in places like New York's Times Square, promoting tourism to Japan. Problem is, Arashi aren't likely to be recognized by the average person wandering around Manhattan, especially when the infomercial they star in is mostly in Japanese. Other groups, like theatric rockers X Japan, boast a cult-like following capable of selling out decent-sized venues, but nothing more.

AKB48 seems poised to change that. Already, the group has used multinational business tactics—economies of scale, franchising, incessant brand marketing—to polish an old Japanese trope: the singing school girl. In his book Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential, Brian Ashcraft writes that, following World War II, the Japanese turned to schoolgirl-aged performers for escapism and for hope in the future of the devastated country, and this trend persevered through the years. Akimoto himself has been involved with similar groups: He wrote lyrics for insanely popular '80's J-Pop group Onyanko Club, consisting of school-uniform-clad young women who seemed more approachable than the typical idol. AKB48 also borrowed dance steps from '90s megastars Morning Musume, an idol collective peaking at 16 girls strong that used its own morning show to promote itself. Morning Musume also split members into smaller bands—a technique AKB48 uses via mini-groups like Not Yet and French Kiss.

But AKB48's ambitions have been grander than any of their predecessors'. The act's base is a theater in Tokyo's Akihabara district, the center of Japan's obsessive, anime-loving otaku masses ("Akihabara" is where the "AKB" comes from). The group—split into three teams—performs every night of the week, endearing its members to a fan base willing to purchase multiple copies of new CDs (and in one case, 5,500 of them). In recent years, escaping AKB48 has seemed impossible even if one flees Tokyo. Akimoto has expanded his empire with locations and sister groups in the cities of Nagoya (SKE48) and Osaka (NMB48), and introduced a more "mature" unit dubbed SDN48 ("Saturday Night 48"), though the members of that particular iteration are scheduled to soon "graduate" from the group. He's also started annual events grabbing major media coverage: The band's official "election" gained news coverage sometimes rivaling legitimate political races. On top of all that, the group recently began a sketch-comedy show, and have announced plans to start a radio drama and an anime series.

But AKB48 aren't content with just saturating the Japanese music market. The jumbo-sized group frequently plays shows around Asia and also have performed in Paris, Russia, and New York. One can find official AKB48 stores in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, and the latter location will soon open a special theater where members will perform regularly. Plenty of other J-Pop artists have hosted special concerts around Asia, but none have set up an actual presence like AKB is planning to do in Jakarta and Taiwan, using local girls but adhering to the group's original principals.

Why AKB48, though? Musically, they sound unremarkable and reminiscent of the similarly marketed groups before them, the worst tendencies of Europop fused with dinner-theater cheesiness. There isn't much separating the Dance Dance Revolution throb of 2010 track "Ponytail And Scrunchie" from 2011's "Everyday, Kachūsha." What's more, if the world were looking for good and varied J-Pop, there isn't a shortage, from the infectious dance pop of Perfume to the genre-slithering of Kaela Kimura to the grandiose-done-right sounds of Ayumi Hamasaki.

Yet, like a lot of J-Pop and pop music around the world, the music plays only a small role in group's popularity. Ashcraft writes that one of AKB's strongest selling point aren't the tunes but the illusion of a personal connection. With four-dozen girls in the group blessed with different interests and personalities, Ashcraft says the group is "an idol smorgasbord where fans can find at least one idol to his or her taste." This manufactured connection is what drives listeners to become obsessive about the group.

Ultimately, AKB48 says a lot about Cool Japan and efforts like it. Although the people behind this cultural push have tried to emphasize more traditional aspects of the country—think textiles—the stuff that sticks has been pretty much the same for the past 20 years: anime, video games, cute characters—all things heavily associated with Akihabara. AKB48 isn't blazing a new path forward for Japanese culture; it's an extension of what has been selling but applied to music, and Akimoto's clever business strategy may be the only truly trailblazing aspect of the group. It's working, though. After Jakarta and Taipei have their theaters, China and Thailand may be next, Akimoto has said.

Even though AKB seems poised to march through Asia, it's hard to imagine their model having success in the West. Though Akimoto dreams of plopping a theater down in Italy, the culture of AKB48 is in direct opposition to the Western world's culture of celebrity. The West wants to know all the details about our celebrities—we want to hear about Beyoncé and Jay-Z's relationship, and Lindsay Lohan's struggles. Not so much with AKB48: Listeners want the fantasy aspect of it to remain intact, to the point that AKB has instituted rules ranging from "no smoking" to "no boyfriends" in an effort to keep fans' dream worlds safe. This just wouldn't work on a large scale in the West. Don't expect NYC48 anytime soon.

For AKB48, though, it's one step at a time. The branches in Jakarta and Taiwan will be the group's first true international test, and Akimoto plans for the group to continue expanding within Japan as well. Yet if everything works out well, who knows where AKB's brand of plaid skirts and rock-paper-scissors tournaments will end up next?

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/the-48-japanese-schoolgirls-aiming-to-take-over-the-world/246843/ (http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/10/the-48-japanese-schoolgirls-aiming-to-take-over-the-world/246843/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 21, 2011, 01:58:52 PM
https://twitter.com/akb48journal (https://twitter.com/akb48journal)

Quote
AKB48'll have their own card battle social game at Gree, "AKB48 Stage Fighter".  Will be released at 10/25 along w/ CM.


(http://thumbnails29.imagebam.com/15502/5bd187155018927.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5bd187155018927) (http://thumbnails49.imagebam.com/15502/069842155018929.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/069842155018929) (http://thumbnails38.imagebam.com/15502/f69420155018930.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f69420155018930) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15502/12835f155018932.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/12835f155018932) (http://thumbnails53.imagebam.com/15502/b67660155018933.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b67660155018933) (http://thumbnails42.imagebam.com/15502/951543155018934.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/951543155018934) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15502/57004b155018937.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/57004b155018937) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15502/adfb71155018939.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/adfb71155018939) (http://thumbnails52.imagebam.com/15502/de06e4155018940.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/de06e4155018940) (http://thumbnails25.imagebam.com/15502/cfaace155018943.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/cfaace155018943) (http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/15502/c363ad155018944.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c363ad155018944) (http://thumbnails57.imagebam.com/15502/69432d155018947.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/69432d155018947) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15502/03c3c4155018950.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/03c3c4155018950) (http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/15502/77faa0155018952.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/77faa0155018952) (http://thumbnails50.imagebam.com/15502/e0b441155018955.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/e0b441155018955) (http://thumbnails42.imagebam.com/15502/ef0a13155018957.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ef0a13155018957) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15502/0c8c81155018961.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0c8c81155018961) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15502/ba86f7155018964.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ba86f7155018964) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15502/5495ce155018966.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5495ce155018966) (http://thumbnails41.imagebam.com/15502/c6ee08155018969.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c6ee08155018969) (http://thumbnails46.imagebam.com/15502/8b9418155018972.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8b9418155018972) (http://thumbnails47.imagebam.com/15502/962d15155018978.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/962d15155018978) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15502/26cf82155018982.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/26cf82155018982) (http://thumbnails34.imagebam.com/15502/8fcf71155018987.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8fcf71155018987) (http://thumbnails42.imagebam.com/15502/fe04ca155018993.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fe04ca155018993)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 22, 2011, 07:17:24 PM
"AKB48DAY"  22 October 2011


(http://i.imgur.com/oA6p2.jpg)

Source: http://www.his-j.com/kanto/corp/group/event/akb (http://www.his-j.com/kanto/corp/group/event/akb)

Followup
(http://i.imgur.com/kZCks.png)

From Kitarie's and Yuki's blog photos:

(http://i.imgur.com/KN8ZJ.jpg) (http://imgur.com/KN8ZJ)
(http://i.imgur.com/v2IUe.jpg) (http://imgur.com/v2IUe)
(http://i.imgur.com/77P3q.jpg) (http://imgur.com/77P3q)

More info:

http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/akb2011/ (http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/akb2011/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 25, 2011, 09:41:27 AM
Further to http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30758.msg955757#msg955757 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30758.msg955757#msg955757)

AKB48, EXILE, Kumi Koda receive letters of appreciation from the Japanese Government for performing at the Japan-Vietnam Music Festival earlier this month.

Takahashi Minami & Watanabe Mayu represented AKB48 per the video in the link below


Video and writeup
http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00210199.html (http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00210199.html)

English writeup
http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/akb48-exile-kumi-koda-receive-letters-of-appreciation-from-govt-for-hanoi-concert (http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/akb48-exile-kumi-koda-receive-letters-of-appreciation-from-govt-for-hanoi-concert)

Quote
AKB48, EXILE, Kumi Koda receive letters of appreciation from gov't for Hanoi concert

Entertainment Oct. 25, 2011 - 03:00PM JST

TOKYO —

The government on Tuesday presented letters of appreciation to all-girl pop group AKB48, singer Kumi Koda and all-male pop group EXILE for their contribution to fostering Japan-Vietnam relations by performing at a concert in Vietnam on Oct 9.

The concert was part of the second Japanese-Vietnamese music festival of friendship at Hanoi Opera House. It was broadcast live in Vietnam.

AKB48 were cheered on by about 3,000 fans who sang and danced along with the group. Also representing Japan besides AKB48, Koda and EXILE were goodwill ambassadors, folk singer Natsuko Godai and actor Ryotaro Sugi.

At Tuesday’s ceremony, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura handed letters to the singers and said Japan was proud of them and their contribution to Japan-Vietnam ties, Sankei Shimbun reported.

Japan Today

Other reports
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/10/25/kiji/K20111025001890370.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/10/25/kiji/K20111025001890370.html)
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=soc_30&k=2011102500395 (http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=soc_30&k=2011102500395)
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/news/web/html/211025033.html (http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/news/web/html/211025033.html)
http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201110250093.html (http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201110250093.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 25, 2011, 01:42:02 PM
AKB48やEXILEなどに感謝状~政府 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5ScMYot3Ug#ws)

(http://thumbnails44.imagebam.com/15579/c9af1a155780767.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c9af1a155780767) (http://thumbnails52.imagebam.com/15579/57abcc155780768.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/57abcc155780768) (http://thumbnails53.imagebam.com/15579/8d3717155780769.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8d3717155780769) (http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/15579/8cc43c155780771.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8cc43c155780771) (http://thumbnails54.imagebam.com/15579/6e84c5155780772.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/6e84c5155780772) (http://thumbnails29.imagebam.com/15579/0a67ad155780773.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0a67ad155780773) (http://thumbnails50.imagebam.com/15579/03f583155780775.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/03f583155780775) (http://thumbnails50.imagebam.com/15579/7fcd99155780777.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/7fcd99155780777) (http://thumbnails46.imagebam.com/15579/91e507155780779.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/91e507155780779) (http://thumbnails11.imagebam.com/15579/db329f155780780.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/db329f155780780) (http://thumbnails36.imagebam.com/15579/08ffed155780783.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/08ffed155780783) (http://thumbnails20.imagebam.com/15579/9b4391155780785.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/9b4391155780785) (http://thumbnails28.imagebam.com/15579/bcc3d2155780788.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/bcc3d2155780788) (http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/15579/abb6eb155780786.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/abb6eb155780786)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 26, 2011, 09:17:31 AM
Follow up:

AKB48'll have their own card battle social game at Gree, "AKB48 Stage Fighter".  Will be released at 10/25 along w/ CM.

Here's the CM

(CM) AKB48 ステージファイター GREE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dxi1ku54xk#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on October 26, 2011, 03:46:22 PM
Did not see this news posted anywhere, so..... Congratulatons to AKB48 and Exile for their official Government of Japan recognition!!! :cow: :deco: :)


From Kyodo News English service: http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/10/122275.html (http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/10/122275.html)

Gov't thanks AKB48, EXILE for fostering Japan-Vietnam ties
TOKYO, Oct. 25, Kyodo

Members of the popular all-female Japanese pop group AKB48, as well as the vocal and dance group EXILE, received letters of thanks from the government Tuesday for their contribution to friendship between Japan and Vietnam.

The performers took part in a Japan-Vietnam music gala event, which was held in Hanoi on Oct. 9 to express Japan's gratitude to Vietnam for its assistance in response to the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

''You, leading Japanese artists, put on a great performance'' in the concert, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, who handed over to the singers letters of appreciation sent by Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba.

''I'm honored,'' HIRO, the leader of EXILE, said at the award ceremony held at the prime minister's office, adding, ''I want to continue to contribute to society through entertainment as much as possible.''

''I'm glad to receive a great prize. I was nervous,'' Minami Takahashi, one of the key members of AKB48, told reporters.

The Japan-Vietnam music festival was launched in 2008 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This year's event was held at the suggestion of Ryotaro Sugi, an actor who is serving as a Japan-Vietnam goodwill ambassador.
==Kyodo

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on October 26, 2011, 05:29:50 PM
YKT san, thank you for all your posts regarding the recognition that Exile and AKB48 received from the government!!!! I hadn't checked this thread when I put up the Kyodo News service story.

Mayuyu was giving great moral support to Takamina!!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on October 29, 2011, 04:33:12 AM
Now I don't have an excuse for not remembering the prefecture Yukirin is from. (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30986.0) :P

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/2003207_201110280800590001319811861c.jpg)

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/th_2003207_201110280800747001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/2003207_201110280800747001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/th_2003207_201110280800898001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/2003207_201110280800898001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/th_2003207_201110280801030001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/2003207_201110280801030001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/th_2003207_201110280801180001319811861c.jpg) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/2003207_201110280801180001319811861c.jpg)

http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/akb48s-kashiwagi-yuki-chosen-as-the-face-of-kagoshima-prefecture/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/akb48s-kashiwagi-yuki-chosen-as-the-face-of-kagoshima-prefecture/)
Quote
On October 28th, it was revealed that AKB48 member and Kagoshima-native Kashiwagi Yuki was chosen for the prefecture’s image CM titled, “Honmono. Kagoshima Prefecture”. In this advertisement, she will be dressed in a traditional clothing style while bringing attention to various sightseeing spots and products in Kagoshima to the viewers.

Kashiwagi, who is surrounded in a beautiful environment from this prefecture, will appear in this CM with Lidth’s Jay on her shoulders, a blue bird that is the official bird of Kagoshima. As she goes around various tourist attractions such as the beaches of Yakushima and Amami Islands, she will also be featured while eating a gourmet shabu-shabu in a beautiful porcelain bowl.

The end of this CM will close with Kashiwagi stating their slogan, “Honmono. Kagoshima Prefecture”, with a beautiful symbolic cherry blossom tree in the background.

This CM will begin airing on November 1st in areas of Kantou, Kansai, and Chubu region of Japan.
Oricon: http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/2003207/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/confidence/2003207/full/)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 29, 2011, 03:16:04 PM
AKB48 in Vietnam (excerpt of the full telecast 111029)

AKB48 ベトナム (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YNtHon6bq4#ws)


Full telecast 111029 early AM

LOVE VIET NAM ~日越友好音楽祭〜【no3b・AKB48】 - 视频 - 优酷视频 - 在线观看 (http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE3MTUwOTI0)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 31, 2011, 07:46:33 AM
From November 1, 2011, AKB48 http://www.akb48.co.jp (http://www.akb48.co.jp) home page will be revamped and AKB48  will have a new ISP tie up ''AKB OFFICIAL NET'' http://www.akb48.ne.jp (http://www.akb48.ne.jp)

(http://i.imgur.com/7OTCb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Ql2ZF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Z09nX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tJYy7.png)

Presscon
(http://i.imgur.com/tMQHq.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/YSwyB.jpg)

Sources
http://mdpr.jp/021156710 (http://mdpr.jp/021156710)
http://rocketnews24.com/2011/10/31/147372/ (http://rocketnews24.com/2011/10/31/147372/)
http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2011/10/31/050/ (http://journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2011/10/31/050/)
http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2011/10/31/82535.html (http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2011/10/31/82535.html)
http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1110/31/news048.html (http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1110/31/news048.html)
http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2011/10/31/0004587103.shtml (http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2011/10/31/0004587103.shtml)
http://www.jiji.com/jc/p_archives?rel=j7&id=20111031141700-1691966 (http://www.jiji.com/jc/p_archives?rel=j7&id=20111031141700-1691966)
http://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/geinou/geinou_news/contents/hot_20111031_100.html (http://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/geinou/geinou_news/contents/hot_20111031_100.html)
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/10/31/kiji/K20111031001932330.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/10/31/kiji/K20111031001932330.html)
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/10/31/kiji/K20111031001932050.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/10/31/kiji/K20111031001932050.html)

UPDATE:  writeup by LYer at http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2011/10/akb48-service-provider-akb48-official.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2011/10/akb48-service-provider-akb48-official.html)

Quote
At a press conference on the 31 Oct 2011, Oshima Yuko came out holding a baby. A new scandal? No, of course not. The press conference was the launch of AKB48's new Internet Service Provider [AKB48 OFFICIAL NET].

Official Website: http://www.akb48.ne.jp (http://www.akb48.ne.jp)

 At 1,480yen per month, subscribers will get:
   - internet connection services
   - email that ends with "@akb48.ne.jp"
   - an extra vote for AKB48's Request Hour Setlist best 100 2012
   - an extra chance to win tickets to AKB48's theater performances
 and last but not least
   - AKBaby

 Yup. [AKBaby]. No sadly you won't get a chance to mate with your oshimen. It's a special service for subscribers to [AKB OFFICIAL NET]. Starting from November 1st, they can find out how they and their idol's baby will look. The slogan for this service is "Why don't we make a baby? On the net."

 If you were wondering, the baby shown above is the baby between Oshima Yuko and Noda Yoshihiko, the current Prime Minister of Japan.

 During the press conference, Oshima Yuko was asked what does her ideal family look like. She responded that she wants to have at least 2 children and to become a mother who can act as a close friend just like her own mother. Though she also mentioned that she has no plans for marriage and having children yet. Looks like it's career first for Oshima Yuko...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 31, 2011, 02:47:02 PM
Quote
OCTOBER 31, 2011, 8:58 PM JST

Japanese Pop Group Asks Fans: ‘Will You Make a Baby With Me?’
 
We all have our favorite celebrities. Some we pine after, concocting fantasies that sometimes end like fairytales in “happily ever after.”

But have you really, seriously considered what your baby with one-half of Brangelina, Scarlett Johansson or Jon Hamm when he’s not pretending to run an ad agency would look like? To the legions of AKB48 fans, the fanciful thought will not require so much imagination.

“Will you make a baby with me?” goes the proposition from Yuko Oshima, one of the singers that make up the 48-strong ultrapopular all-female pop group. (61 if you include members-in-training) Ms. Oshima’s question accompanies the group’s new online application called “AKBaby” released Monday.

AKBaby allows fans to see what their offspring would look like should its mommy be one of the five AKB48 girls selected for this project. Fans can email in a picture of themselves to be electronically combined with their favorite performer. A finished illustration of an infant that boasts, say, your lips and her nose is sent back as a “present.” On the official website, the result of one heavyset fan’s face combined with Ms. Oshima’s portrait is a wide-eyed bundle of joy. At Monday’s press conference, a video showed what an imaginary baby born between the 20-year-old singer and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda would look like.

It is the latest of an array of promotional schemes aimed to endorse yet another AKB48 project. This time it’s to draw attention to the launch of the group’s own Internet service plan called “AKB Official Net.” In addition to providing access to the Internet, the package grants access to exclusive AKB48 content and services, such as AKBaby. Other perks include being able to reserve seats to the group’s daily shows in Tokyo ahead of time and requesting songs to go on a compilation album of the group’s best hits, with others under consideration, according to the plan’s marketing company Fullcast Marketing in Tokyo. Consumers will also get free access to AKB48’s new fan club to be launched in December and will be outfitted with AKB48 email domain names. The Internet service package goes on sale Tuesday and will cost ¥1,480 per month, about ¥200 more than comparable packages to account for the extra content, according to the marketing group. Customers will need either optical or ADSL Internet connection provided by NTT East or West.

The Internet package and baby-face program is just one of many projects in the excited arsenal of the AKB48 nation. Created only in 2005, the pop ensemble has accumulated 23 singles, many of them No. 1 hits. It has spawned five spinoff sister groups, including one in Indonesia dubbed “JKT48.” The girls have been selected to be Japan’s cultural ambassadors and representatives in the wake of the March 11 disasters, stewards for various bodies including the Red Cross Japan, MTV Japan and most recently as one of the headlining groups at a music event in Hanoi promoting bilateral ties. Their daily shows in Tokyo’s Akihabara district are often sold out, “handshaking” events to greet fans are emotional mob scenes and the recent announcement of an original AKB48 TV anime series to debut next spring has kicked up an excited reaction from fans.

Part of the group’s draw is the democratic power it gives fans. Fans vote for their favorite performer to determine who will win a solo on an upcoming single, pass the public audition for a voice in the upcoming anime series, for example – or most recently, which girl they’d like to imagine having a baby with.

Whether this latest enterprise sparks or satiates curiosity is to be determined.

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/10/31/japanese-pop-group-asks-fans-will-you-make-a-baby-with-me/tab/print/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/10/31/japanese-pop-group-asks-fans-will-you-make-a-baby-with-me/tab/print/)

Shorter writeup

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-10-31/akbaby-shows-fans-their-future-children-with-akb48-idols (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-10-31/akbaby-shows-fans-their-future-children-with-akb48-idols)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 01, 2011, 03:44:59 AM
AKB stamps from Japan Post!

http://www.postal-jp.com/psc/goods/akb48_2011/index.html (http://www.postal-jp.com/psc/goods/akb48_2011/index.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/BDdWi.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/Z8a8e.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/K4Kdt.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: testament101 on November 01, 2011, 08:33:34 AM
AKBaby...not going to lie...this is kinda creepy...I think I'm going to stay away from this one.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 01, 2011, 10:01:05 AM
AKBaby...not going to lie...this is kinda creepy...I think I'm going to stay away from this one.

CM

大島優子 AKB OFFICIAL NET CM「わたしと赤ちゃん作らない?ネットでね」15秒編 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p00OZTS4VNc#ws)


Now I don't have an excuse for not remembering the prefecture Yukirin is from. (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30986.0) :P
.....
This CM will begin airing on November 1st in areas of Kantou, Kansai, and Chubu region of Japan.

CM

柏木由紀 鹿児島県観光PR-CM「本物。鹿児島県」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WFBYB6-OZ0#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on November 01, 2011, 10:29:47 AM
AKBaby...not going to lie...this is kinda creepy...I think I'm going to stay away from this one.

The thing that scares me most is that Mayu is part of this campaign  :nervous

AKB stamps  :twothumbs Luckily they used the generic profile pics, so I won't feel compelled to collect them.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: ishiyoshiftw~^^ on November 02, 2011, 02:17:41 AM
AKBaby seems super creepy to me... 0_0" The example picture they have of "you" is... Almost offending :sweatdrop: Not all AKB fans are fat guys!! D: (I'm a skinny girl, thank you very much!) Especially not that fat(the dude in the picture is huge! 0_0") Yeah...
Thank you YKT for keeping us up on all the news~ :D :heart:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: testament101 on November 02, 2011, 05:12:50 AM
The thing that bugs me the most about AKBaby now that I think about it is the fact that they're somewhat egging on the "bad" behavior of the idol otaku fans (which is nothing new).  I'm not going to be surprised when the fans come up to the girls and start asking them to have their baby (they probably already do this though) or worse...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 02, 2011, 07:16:55 AM
Another day, another ad/tie-in.

Looks like they are now promoting tutoring:

(http://i.imgur.com/5vboY.jpg) (http://imgur.com/5vboY)(http://i.imgur.com/4cS1x.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4cS1x)

http://www.trygroup.co.jp/index.html (http://www.trygroup.co.jp/index.html)

I recall Mayu Watanabe once had an ad tie-in with a home tutoring agency?
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 02, 2011, 03:10:39 PM
^CM


『呼び捨てファンタジー』 プレビュー 30s CM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxT1oRLBHJY#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on November 02, 2011, 06:53:22 PM
The Kagoshima promotion with Yukirin is really nice, and I am actually amazed that Japan Post has AKB48 stamps. Fantastic promotion for the group.

I agree the make a baby with me campaign is strange, but one aspect that I think is a bit funny is Yuko once again getting to enjoy her breast fetish....
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 07, 2011, 12:22:24 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/1RcCq.jpg)
(http://thumbnails49.imagebam.com/15794/5caabe157939755.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5caabe157939755) (http://thumbnails27.imagebam.com/15794/101ad1157939762.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/101ad1157939762) (http://thumbnails62.imagebam.com/15794/29517f157939767.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/29517f157939767)


Quote
Konami has announced that Haruna Kojima, member of pop group AKB48, will be the face of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection’s promotional campaign.

http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2011/11/07/the-metal-gear-solid-hd-surprise/ (http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2011/11/07/the-metal-gear-solid-hd-surprise/)

MGS HD EDITION , MGSPW HD EDITION 「こじはる潜入ムービー」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY8osApON0c#ws)

More

http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/3573/article/this-is-what-kojima-was-teasing-bring-low-expectations/ (http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/3573/article/this-is-what-kojima-was-teasing-bring-low-expectations/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 07, 2011, 12:38:07 PM
AKB stamps from Japan Post!

http://www.postal-jp.com/psc/goods/akb48_2011/index.html (http://www.postal-jp.com/psc/goods/akb48_2011/index.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/BDdWi.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/Z8a8e.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/K4Kdt.jpg)

Presscon today

(http://thumbnails38.imagebam.com/15794/ffd335157936246.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ffd335157936246) (http://thumbnails44.imagebam.com/15794/ba966b157936250.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ba966b157936250) (http://thumbnails41.imagebam.com/15794/8dd4b0157936257.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8dd4b0157936257) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15794/533b11157936260.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/533b11157936260) (http://thumbnails64.imagebam.com/15794/bdf156157936262.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/bdf156157936262) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15794/5f263f157936264.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5f263f157936264) (http://thumbnails67.imagebam.com/15794/8868f9157936266.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8868f9157936266) (http://thumbnails27.imagebam.com/15794/06be0d157936268.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/06be0d157936268) (http://thumbnails63.imagebam.com/15794/c42933157936269.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c42933157936269) (http://thumbnails39.imagebam.com/15794/dfcb0b157939750.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/dfcb0b157939750) (http://thumbnails45.imagebam.com/15794/1fffbb157939753.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/1fffbb157939753)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on November 08, 2011, 12:42:37 AM
That is the Pawnage of the century!!! I am truly in awe of the marketing power of AKB48. Too early to tell if the "Make a Baby With Me" campaign is their "Jump the Shark" moment, but getting the Stamps is something that AKB48 can always be proud of.:cow:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 08, 2011, 05:56:34 AM
That is the Pawnage of the century!!! I am truly in awe of the marketing power of AKB48. Too early to tell if the "Make a Baby With Me" campaign is their "Jump the Shark" moment, but getting the Stamps is something that AKB48 can always be proud of.:cow:

^Follow up...

Japan Post presscon

クイズッス 111108 AKB48が切手に (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABkegGc19Zc#ws)

In news, Akimoto Sayaka is promoting a Korean movie:

(http://i.imgur.com/G90Og.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4PazK.jpg)

Movie HP http://d7-movie.com/ (http://d7-movie.com/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on November 10, 2011, 01:35:57 PM
You want the truth AKB postage stamps? You can't handle the AKB postage stamps!!~

tokyohive: AKB48 stamps cause Japan Post Network homepage to crash (http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/11/akb48-stamps-cause-japan-post-network-homepage-to-crash/) XD
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on November 10, 2011, 02:02:54 PM
Japan Times has a very good entertainment section with dedicated writers, but they are not particularly kind to idols.
( http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111110l2.html (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111110l2.html) )

 In a well written critique of Kaela Kimura's new CD/DVD "8Eight8", writer Daniel Robson got a bit snarky towards the new AKB48 campaign:  "Unlike her contemporaries, Kimura won't invite you to make a virtual baby with her, doesn't expose any skin and eschews sappy songs about how innocent she is. She wrote or cowrote all the lyrics on "8Eight8," and she even takes the "total produce" credit; that is, she personally was involved in deciding the shape her album would take overall, a job too often entrusted to an A&R suit and not an artist".....

He goes on with a positive reveiew of Kaela's work, but takes her to task for the fact that some of her songs are used in ad campaigns: "But there's a fly in the ointment (or stuck to the web): Some of these tracks have been used for high-profile ad campaigns over the last year or so — and the stench of capitalism is indelible. So listening to the contagious "Ring A Ding Dong," you can't help but think of a certain mobile-phone brand. You know how inviting a vampire into your home renders you powerless to defeat it? Same thing goes for a CD full of jingles."
That was the part I disagree with- foreign film and music celebrities will fly to Japan, film some CM's for the money, knowing that their audience back home won't  see them in the ads, because somehow having your music used in an advertisement downgrades the music, or a film actor who does a series of televised Coffee ads in Japan, would never do the same in the home market, because being in a TV ad is considered a sign of being desperate.

I have gotten to know so many good bands and singers because I heard a jingle in a CM, and often the band is given credit in the CM. Same goes with music used in dramas. I have then looked the band up, started checking out their music and ending up buying CD's and really liking said band. I like the fact that in the Japanese entertainment world,  the work of popular music artists are integrated into television drama or anime shows, and that the fans do not have the same dismissive attitude about it as the writer in above piece does.

But I do want to thank the Japan Times entertainment writers, because they do a great job of promoting independent artists who are often locked out of the mainstream entertainment world, and those bands and artists are very talented, and deserve their chance to be highlighted. :cow:


Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 14, 2011, 09:59:07 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/YKyiG.jpg)

Source

http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2011/11/14/82929.html (http://www.rbbtoday.com/article/2011/11/14/82929.html)

According to the above site, Twitter Celebrity rankings - due to the June 09 election "AKB48" was ranked first. "Atsuko Maeda" ranked 3rd, "Watanabe Mayu" ranked 14th.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on November 14, 2011, 05:16:35 PM
Quote
Twitter stats for summer 2011: popular users and hashtags

Twitter Japan’s official blog revealed some statistics about its users and hashtags for the three-month period between July and September of this year, including information about which celebrities gained the most followers during that time.

Among the celebrities, actor Tanabe Seiichi had the largest increase in followers. With his unique illustrations and tweets, his account has greatly grown in popularity and is currently at almost 338,000 followers at the time of this writing.

Within the top 10, there are three AKB48 members: Shinoda Mariko at #2, Kojima Haruna at #6, and Itano Tomomi at #10.

The users with the largest increase of followers during that time span:

01. Tanabe Seiichi (actor) @tanabe1969
02. Shinoda Mariko (AKB48) @mariko_dayo
03. Becky (talento) @Becky_bekiko
04. Yoshitaka Yuriko (actress) @ystk_yrk
05. Ariyoshi Hiroiki (comedian) @ariyoshihiroiki
06. Kojima Haruna (AKB48) @kojiharunyan
07. Masayoshi Son (Softbank Corp. CEO) @masason
08. Gekidan Hitori (comedian) @GekidanHitori
09. Fujimori Shingo (Oriental Radio) @chara317megane
10. Itano Tomomi (AKB48) @tomo_coco73
11. GACKT (singer) @GACKT
12. Hamasaki Ayumi (singer) @ayu_19980408
13. Jang Wooyoung (2PM) @0430yes
14. Yu Darvish (baseball player) @faridyu
15. Nishikawa Takanori (T.M.Revolution) @TMR15
16. Miyasako Hiroyuki (Ameagari Kesshitai) @motohage
17. Ototake Hirotada (sportswriter) @h_ototake
18. Kevin Woo (U-Kiss) @Kevinwoo91
19. Tamura Atsushi (London Boots 1go 2go) @atsushilonboo
20. Owner of Shunsuke the Pomeranian @keep0109
http://www.tokyograph.com/news/twitter-stats-for-summer-2011-popular-users-and-hashtags/ (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/twitter-stats-for-summer-2011-popular-users-and-hashtags/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on November 14, 2011, 10:19:20 PM
Word on the street is shunsuke the Pomeranian is in discussion to start PMR48 as an all idol dog revue, with nightly shows at Roppongi Pet shop (still to be confirmed)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 23, 2011, 08:38:21 AM
Quote from: sikanwan
http://www.akb48.com.cn/content.jsp?id=102

The 4th overseas AKB48 official shop will be opened in Shangahi on 22 Nov.
Members attending are Miyazawa Sae, Yokoyama Yui and Kitahara Rie.

Address:
5/F, Super Brand Mall (http://www.superbrandmall.com/index/index_en.asp)
上海正大广场5F
Photos
(http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/16083/c386b4160828518.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c386b4160828518) (http://thumbnails25.imagebam.com/16083/7b1152160828520.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/7b1152160828520) (http://thumbnails39.imagebam.com/16083/01dfbf160828525.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/01dfbf160828525) (http://thumbnails51.imagebam.com/16083/a337de160828529.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a337de160828529) (http://thumbnails54.imagebam.com/16083/ecf7c4160828531.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ecf7c4160828531) (http://thumbnails44.imagebam.com/16083/87282a160828534.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/87282a160828534) (http://thumbnails47.imagebam.com/16083/54b6c6160828537.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/54b6c6160828537) (http://thumbnails60.imagebam.com/16083/d5cace160828541.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d5cace160828541)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 24, 2011, 12:48:51 PM
Quote
Dentsu Announces "2011 Hit Products in Japan"
This Year's Top Trends: Smartphones, LED Light Bulbs and Tokyo Sky Tree -

TOKYO, Nov. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Dentsu Inc. (tokyo:4324)(isin:JP3551520004)(president & ceo:Tadashi Ishii)(head office:Tokyo)(capital:58)(capital:967.1 million yen) announced today the release of its "2011 Hit Products in Japan" report. Produced as part of a series that has been chronicling hit products since 1985, the latest report examines and generalizes major trends that represented the "consumer mindset" in 2011. It is based on an Internet survey of Japanese consumers carried out in November 2011 by Dentsu Innovation Institute (DII).

The following top 20 products (including some popular content and social phenomena) were selected by the Internet survey respondents from approximately 130 popular items. The total scores in three categories - "recognition," "have/had interest" and "is/was popular" - were calculated to determine the top products of 2011. The figures in parentheses are last year's rankings. Previously unranked products are indicated with (-).

The proliferation of smartphones is continuing, and this product once again ranked No. 1. While information tools such as smartphones and tablets along with social media services such as Twitter rank in the top 20, the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake which occurred on March 11 can be seen in the No. 2 ranking for LED light bulbs and the first-time appearance of several energy-saving and eco-friendly products. The high rankings for Tokyo Sky Tree, Nadeshiko Japan and AKB48 can be attributed to the way in which they lifted a weary nation's spirits.

2011 Hit Products No. 1: Smartphones (1) No. 2: LED light bulbs (10) No. 3: Tokyo Sky Tree (new broadcasting tower scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2012) (7) No. 4: Nadeshiko Japan (the Japan women's national football team who won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Germany (TM) tournament) (-) No. 5: AKB48 (48-member all-girl theater/idol group with its own theater in Akihabara, Tokyo) (18) No. 6: Mana Ashida (a seven-year-old child actress, model, singer and celebrity) (-) No. 7: Hybrid vehicles (16) No. 8: Disaster prevention supplies and emergency food supplies (purchased in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake) (-) No. 9: Electric and battery-powered fans (although most Japanese homes are equipped with air conditioners, many families bought and used electric or battery-powered fans instead to conserve energy in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake) (-) No. 10: Digital broadcasting-equipped widescreen flat-panel TVs (4) No. 11: Munchable (chunky) chili oil (3) No. 12: Energy-saving home appliances (-) No. 13: Lady Gaga (-) No. 14: Automatic bread makers (-) No. 15: Tablet information devices (tablets) (19) No. 16: B-grade local gourmet food (term used for inexpensive local food eaten in a casual setting; A-grade refers to expensive gourmet food eaten in a formal setting.) (11) No. 17: Steve Jobs (-) No. 18: Twitter and other microblogging platforms (2) No. 19: Electric cars (-) No. 20: K-pop music groups (Girls' Generation, Kara and other Korean groups) (-)

Dentsu "Hit Product Recognition Survey" Overview



        Survey period:     November 5-6, 2011
        Survey subjects:   Men and women nationwide aged between 20 and 69
        Sample size:       1,000 (responses received)
        Survey type:       Internet survey
        Subject selection: Subjects were randomly selected from a list of registered monitors.
       


About Dentsu Inc.Please visit: http://www.dentsu.com/ (http://www.dentsu.com/)

SOURCE Dentsu Inc.



Quote
Smartphones show no sign of losing popularity in Japan where the mobile device type has been voted top of a consumer survey to identify the most popular products of the year.

Steve Jobs and LED light bulbs are two of the more obscure items listed on the 2011 Hit Products in Japan report which, run by advertising firm Dentsu, is no ordinary consumer product listing. In it, Lady Gaga rubs shoulders with other ‘consumer products’ like the as yet unfinished Tokyo Sky Tree building, bread-making machines, a child actress, the Japanese women’s football team and chili oil.

Tech products do not dominate the rankings as one might expect, but smartphones once again top the list, as they did last year, and tablet devices climbed four places to stand fifteenth overall.

The tragic events of earlier this earlier year played a key role in shaping the remainder of the top 20 list, as Dentsu explains in a press announcement:

The impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake which occurred on March 11 can be seen in the No. 2 ranking for LED light bulbs and the first-time appearance of several energy-saving and eco-friendly products. The high rankings for Tokyo Sky Tree, Nadeshiko Japan and AKB48 can be attributed to the way in which they lifted a weary nation’s spirits.

Japan is famed for preference of its own products and culture, which makes Steve Jobs’ position as a new entry in seventeenth significant. The death of the Apple CEO was profoundly felt in Japan, where Apple’s iPhone 4S continues to sell well after KDDI joined Softbank as a vendor of the device.

It is somewhat surprising to see that Twitter (which grouped with other microblogs in the survey) has dropped from number two last year to eighteenth this year. The service is widely used in Japan — as the company’s co-founder Jack Dorsey recently noted — but rather than Japanese people tiring of Twitter, it is more likely that its establishment as a mainstream platform has made it is less novel than other items on the list.

Nonetheless, here is it is the list of top twenty consumer products, which were derived from a survey of 1,000 Japanese consumers taken in November – last year’s ranking for each product is in brackets.

Smartphones (1)
LED light bulbs (10)
Tokyo Sky Tree (new broadcasting tower scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2012) (7)
Nadeshiko Japan (the Japan women’s national football team who won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany (TM) tournament) (-)
AKB48 (48-member all-girl theater/idol group with its own theater in Akihabara, Tokyo) (18)
Mana Ashida (a seven-year-old child actress, model, singer and celebrity) (-)
Hybrid vehicles (16)
Disaster prevention supplies and emergency food supplies (purchased in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake) (-)
Electric and battery-powered fans (although most Japanese homes are equipped with air conditioners, many families bought and used electric or battery-powered fans instead to conserve energy in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake) (-)
Digital broadcasting-equipped widescreen flat-panel TVs (4)
Munchable (chunky) chili oil (3)
Energy-saving home appliances (-)
Lady Gaga (-)
Automatic bread makers (-)
Tablet information devices (tablet PCs) (19)
B-grade local gourmet food (term used for inexpensive local food eaten in a casual setting; A-grade refers to expensive gourmet food eaten in a formal setting.) (11)
Steve Jobs (-)
Twitter and other microblogging platforms (2)
Electric cars (-)
K-pop music groups (Girls’ Generation, Kara and other Korean groups) (-)

http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2011/11/24/smartphones-steve-jobs-and-led-light-bulbs-all-prove-big-in-japan-in-2011/ (http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2011/11/24/smartphones-steve-jobs-and-led-light-bulbs-all-prove-big-in-japan-in-2011/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 04, 2011, 10:53:23 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/lixFw.jpg)

Quote
Final Fantasy 13-2 Costume by AKB48's Yūko Ōshima Decided
posted on 2011-12-03 16:15 EST
Fans vote for DLC costume for character Serah in upcoming Square Enix RPG
The official site for Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII-2 game's beta testers revealed on Saturday the winning costume designed by AKB48 member Yūko Ōshima that will be featured in the upcoming game. The costume will be available as a free downloadable content item for the character Serah after the game has been released.

The website held a popularity contest in November for two costumes co-designed by Ōshima. The winning "Exposure and Defense" costume (pictured at right) received 16,927 votes, and the other "Red Riding Hood" costume (pictured below) received 10,678 votes.

Ōshima previously starred in a commercial for the upcoming game that featured her attending a Final Fantasy XIII-2 development meeting and proposing her costume ideas.

Ōshima is also acting as a beta tester for the game.

Square Enix will release the game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles in Japan on December 15, along with a limited-edition PlayStation 3 Final Fantasy XIII-2 Lightning Edition Ver.2 bundle. The United States will then receive the game on January 31, and Europe will receive it on February 3.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-03/final-fantasy-13-2-costume-by-akb48-yuko-oshima-decided (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-03/final-fantasy-13-2-costume-by-akb48-yuko-oshima-decided)





Quote
AKB48 tops DAM’s 2011 karaoke rankings
Posted on December 1, 2011 by tokyograph

Daiichi Kosho, the company behind the DAM karaoke machines, has released its karaoke song and artist request rankings for 2011. The biggest artist of the year was AKB48, who had three songs in the top 10, including “Heavy Rotation” at #1. AKB48 was also the top requested artist, finally breaking EXILE’s streak of ranking #1 for the past three years.

Korean groups KARA and Shoujo Jidai had the #2 and #3 songs, respectively, though they were not in the Top 20 for the artist ranking.

Data for the rankings was collected between January 1st and November 30th.

AKB48 – Heavy Rotation
KARA – Mister
Shoujo Jidai – Gee
GReeeeN – Kiseki
AKB48 – Aitakatta
Ikimono Gakari – Arigatou
AKB48 – Ponytail to Chouchou
Takahashi Yoko – Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis
Hitoto Yo – Hanamizuki
MONGOL800 – Chiisana Koi no Uta
Sakamoto Fuyumi – Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru
AI – Story
AKB48 – Everyday, Kachuusha
EXILE – Lovers Again
Shonan no Kaze – Junrenka
Ishikawa Sayuri – Amagigoe
Koda Kumi – Ai no Uta
Shonan no Kaze – Suirenka
Nishino Kana – Aitakute Aitakute
Kaoru to Tomoki, Tama ni Mook – Maru Maru Mori Mori!
Ozaki Yutaka – I LOVE YOU
GReeeeN – Aiuta
Spitz – Cherry
Kobukuro – Sakura
BEGIN – Shimanchu nu Takara
EXILE – I Wish For You
Remioromen – Konayuki
Yuzu – Eikou no Kakehashi
HY – 366 Nichi
Hilcrhyme – Shunkashuutou
Kobukuro – Ryuusei
Ayaka – Mikazuki
Nishino Kana – Best Friend
Sasuke – Aoi Bench
Remioromen – 3gatsu 9ka
Nishino Kana – Kimi tte
Ishihara Yujiro – Kita no Tabibito
KARA – Jumping
Ayaman Japan – Poi Poi Poi Popoi Poi Popii
EXILE – Ti Amo
BUMP OF CHICKEN – Tentai Kansoku
Itsuki Hiroshi – Oshiroi Hana
Porno Graffitti – Agehachou
Yoshi Ikuzo – Sake Yo
T-BOLAN – Hanashitaku wa Nai
Kawanaka Miyuki – Nagasaki no Ame
Tendo Yoshimi – Futari no Funauta
SMAP – Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana
Fukuyama Masaharu – Sakurazaka
Teresa Teng – Tsugunai

The top 20 artists were:

AKB48
EXILE
Hamasaki Ayumi
Koda Kumi
Arashi
Mr.Children
Nishino Kana
Ikimono Gakari
Kobukuro
Kitajima Saburo
Misora Hibari
Itsuki Hiroshi
L'Arc~en~Ciel
Ishihara Yujiro
Southern All Stars
BUMP OF CHICKEN
GReeeeN
Fukuyama Masaharu
Shonan no Kaze
B'z

Source:
Barks

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-tops-dams-2011-karaoke-rankings/#more-22733 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-tops-dams-2011-karaoke-rankings/#more-22733)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 05, 2011, 03:56:03 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/VVeHz.png)


AKB48 TAKES EQUAL PARTS CHOIR, SLUMBER PARTY AND BEAUTY PAGEANT, MIXES WELL

Jumbo Musical Group Is a Marketing Machine Unrivaled in Japan

Published: December 04, 2011

The 60-plus-member girl group AKB48 is based on the idea of "idols you can meet every day" and is seen all over Japanese media. They perform daily shows at a theater in Tokyo's geek mecca of Akihabara that are so popular the tickets are sold by lottery. An oh-so-Japanese blend of sweet and sexy, innocent yet suggestive, the girls from Teams A, K, B and their members-in-training sell not only bubble-gum pop but also products ranging from coffee to "cram" schools -- specialized courses that help students meet specific goals, such as gaining entrance to university.

"They are the second-most beautiful girl vs. the No. 1 beautiful girl," said Noriko Hayashi, strategic planner at Beacon Communications in Tokyo. "The biggest difference compared to idols from past generations is, with past idols we think they don't go to the toilet or eat McDonald's. But [AKB48] will make funny faces and talk about dirty jokes. They've come down to the same level as consumers -- that's the biggest appeal."

That appeal has spread across Asia, with official AKB48 stores in Hong Kong and Taiwan and a cafe in Singapore serving Japanese fusion food alongside helpings of AKB48 videos and occasional visits from group members. Singapore, a hub city that draws visitors from around the region, is also home to AKB48's first overseas theater, where group members perform a few times a month.

Fans include girls who want to be in the band, and guys who want to be with the band members. Management maximizes engagement by allowing fans to vote for the girl they think should be the top group member. Ballots are included with the purchase of a CD -- perhaps explaining why three consecutive singles sold 1.3 million copies or more, each within one week, earlier this year.

Mr. Akimoto has launched spinoff groups in other Japanese cities and last month announced the inaugural class of JKT48 in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. "JKT48 will become a bridge between Indonesia and Japan," he was quoted as saying.

It's not clear what changes will have to be made for Indonesia, a majority Muslim country, as AKB48 treads a fine line between "kawaii" (Japanese for "cute") and over-the-top.

The most-viewed video on its YouTube channel -- NSFW, and with more than 55 million hits -- features the young women pillow-fighting in lingerie, eating candy and kissing each other. And a recent ad that raised a few eyebrows showed idol Yuko Oshima nursing an infant with the message, "Would you make a baby with me?" Fans can upload a photo of themselves, which is combined with the idol's photo to create an image of a fictitious baby. The promotion is for the AKB48 internet service, which includes an AKB48.net.jp email address and exclusive content for subscribers.

Japanese advertising giant Dentsu just ranked AKB48 No. 5 on its list of "2011 Hit Products in Japan," citing the band's contributions to lifting spirits after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country.

http://adage.com/article/special-report-hottest-global-brands/hottest-global-brands-akb48/231340/ (http://adage.com/article/special-report-hottest-global-brands/hottest-global-brands-akb48/231340/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 09, 2011, 04:30:07 AM
Note: N-Monitor counted all commercials that aired on NTV, TBS, Fuji TV, TV Asahi, and TV Tokyo from January 1st, 2011 until November 30th, 2011. These do not include the appearances in and promotions for their own CDs, DVDs, chaku uta, movies, music videos and so on.

Top Ranking Female Celebrities With The Most Commercials 2011

01 – Oshima Yuko (19)
02 – Shinoda Mariko (17)
02 – Maeda Atsuko (17)
03 – Itano Tomomi (16)
04 – Ashida Mana (15)
04 – Takahashi Minami (15)
05 – Ueto Aya (14)
05 – Kojima Haruna (14)
05 – Becky (14)
06 – Kashiwagi Yuki (12)
06 – Watanabe Mayu (12)
07 – Sashihara Rino (11)
08 – Aibu Saki (10)
08 – Sasaki Nozomi (10)
09 – Amami Yuki (9)
09 – Kichise Michiko (9)
09 – Miyazawa Sae (9)
09 – Takei Emi (9)
09 – Minegishi Minami (9)
09 – Yokoyama Yui (9)

Source: N-Monitor via Oricon


http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/12/oricon-reveals-the-cm-king-queen-of-2011/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/12/oricon-reveals-the-cm-king-queen-of-2011/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 16, 2011, 12:32:48 PM
Presscon

AKB大島、FFコスチュームに「寒いっ」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs7qK538CLc#ws)

Quote
On December 15th, AKB48’s Oshima Yuko attended a countdown event for the upcoming Square Enix game, “Final Fantasy XIII-2” at the Bic Camera Yurakucho.

Wearing her personally designed costume, Oshima commented, “The female characters in FF are exposed, but they’re strong. That’s the kind of outfit that I wanted to make. I’m satisfied with the outcome.”

The ‘Final Fantasy’ series is a popular RPG that has over sold over 100 million units worldwide. This new game is the sequel to “Final Fantasy XIII”, which was released back in 2009. It’s available for PS3 and Xbox for 7,980 yen (approximately $102 USD).

Singer-songwriter Fukui Mai also attended the countdown event, where she sang the game’s theme song, “Yakusoku no Basho“.

(http://i.imgur.com/PkUdM.jpg)
Source & Image: Mantan Web
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on December 21, 2011, 01:58:13 PM
AKB48 2012 Goody Bags are now up for sale: 7 Net Shopping (http://www.7netshopping.jp/spc/static/akb48/akb_2012fukubukuro.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 28, 2011, 07:06:00 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/2qNwH.gif)
Quote

DECEMBER 28, 2011, 12:51 PM JST

The Man Who Made AKB48
By Kenneth Maxwell and Andrew Joyce

(http://i.imgur.com/32YhM.jpg)
Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Yasushi Akimoto and Google vice president Bradley Horowitz smile with Japanese all-girl pop group AKB48 members.


In his nearly 40 years in showbusiness, Yasushi Akimoto has seen it all. From writing the last hit for enka legend Hibari Misora before her death, to making a movie in New York with Yoko Ono, the 55-year-old pop producer has covered all the bases.

But even for Mr. Akimoto, 2011 has been a banner year, thanks to his biggest creation — AKB48. The girl group, with a total of 92 members currently, including up and coming “research students,” has rewritten the record books this past year. All five best-selling singles this year were AKB48 songs, with lyrics by Mr. Akimoto. The last three hits sold a million CDs each on their first day of release. According to chart compiler Oricon, AKB48 grossed total sales of about $215 million in 2011.

On the cusp of plans for a major expansion of his project overseas, with sister groups in cities like Jakarta and Taipei, Mr. Akimoto sat down for a rare interview with The Wall Street Journal on the 26th floor of a block overlooking Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Gardens.

Shrugging off the odd sign of tiredness from the hectic schedule that coming with retaining personal control of all things AKB48, the producer discussed the origins of the group, gave his take on why it’s grown from a first audience of just seven people, mused on prospects for exporting his project far and wide, possibly including the U.S., and answered the key question: How do you sell a million CDs in a day?

An abbreviated transcript of the interview follows.

How would you explain AKB48 to American readers who has never heard of them?

In America, performers are chosen through strict auditions of thousands of people, and those with the most talent have to go through difficult lessons and coaching before they’re “complete” and can finally stand on the stage. AKB48 girls are “unfinished.” In other words, they’re still not very good at singing or dancing. The fans are supporting the girls and cheering them on as they gradually get better – as they become the finished article – that’s what AKB48 is all about.

How does AKB48 differ from some of the Korean girl bands and other idol groups that are currently popular in Japan?


The biggest difference with K-Pop is the fact that AKB48 are “incomplete.” “Complete” means these groups make their debut after they have auditioned and practiced, but AKB48 are unpolished and fans can watch them progress—that’s the difference.

Why does the AKB business model work? In basic terms, how were you able to sell one million singles on the first day of release?

I often say we need to have content that is striking. What do I mean by that? It’s something that quickly grabs hold of you and doesn’t let you go. At first, there were only seven people in the audience at the AKB theater [for the band's first-ever show in its own purpose-built theater], and I wasn’t worried at all. All I wanted to know was whether those seven people liked what they saw. If they really liked it and were impressed, then I knew the number of people would grow. AKB48 are different from other ordinary artists in that they provoke this kind of feeling. That is one major reason why they have become so successful. I think the closest comparison is with die-hard baseball fans – they go to the key games no matter what it takes…it’s the same kind of feeling with AKB48. You can tell your favorite girl that their dancing has improved, or their singing has got better, or that they’d look better with short hair. The fans are also a part of the production team for AKB. That sense of solidarity, of being on the same team, is why it’s fun. Of course, having multiple types of CDs may be part of the reason why AKB catches peoples’ attention…but lots of artists do that. That alone would not make the CDs sell.

Many fans buy multiple copies of AKB singles to try to improve the prospects of their favorite members. Some people say this means the band’s success is not quite what it seems – that a core group of fans are responsible for much of the success. What do you think about this?

To sell one million singles it’s not enough just to have a core group of fans who each buy multiple copies. Of course there are fans that buy a lot of singles, but the important thing is that people who don’t know anything about AKB start to take notice, think it looks like fun and buy the singles too.

How did you come by the nickname of “the shark of showbusiness”?

When a fire sparks, I’m always to be found where it’s burning the strongest. People see me always at the front, always in the front row, and they think “Wow, that guy must be lucky.” But it’s not luck…I am actually the one lighting these fires. Once the fire is lit, I’m not trying to control it…I watch how it moves and spreads, and handle it depending on each situation. The wind always changes its direction.

Why Akihabara?

At first, I had the idea of starting something in Shibuya or Harajuku but, there weren’t any good venues there. I was told about a good spot in Akihabara. At that time Akihabara was starting to gain wider popularity… as an area known for otaku culture it was becoming ‘hot’…so I thought that would be interesting. At first, I wasn’t thinking about the number of members. Primarily it was an experiment –to see what would happen if I created a theatre and held a revue on a daily basis. From the beginning I thought a lot about what to name the group. Something like, for example, “Cherry Pie” would have sounded too much like other groups. Besides, AKB48 was still in its development stage. You often see cars that are still in development with names like AZ-9 or something — I wanted a name with a similar effect…an inorganic feeling.

How involved are you in the day-to-day running of AKB48? Do you write the songs? Lyrics? Are you in the studio?


I do everything. I listen to a lot of songs everyday and think of how I might arrange certain songs. Then I write the lyrics. From there I think about how the song should be promoted, or what to do for television programs, or what to do about online games or merchandise. So I do everything.

Are you a businessman or an artist?

I’m a producer; I’m the producer of AKB48. It’s like being an architect designing a building. I think about what color the walls should be, what shape the windows should be, and also the lighting. I think about where the furniture should be placed. Of course, various specialists get involved to help with the building, but I still have to watch carefully and say “That’s the wrong window,” or “Those curtains are wrong”… I have to watch everything.

What kind of development is possible in Asia for the AKB48 format?

I’ll hold auditions locally for groups like Jakarta 48 and Taipei 48. They will sing in their own languages and the audience will see people similar to them perform. It will definitely become popular. Then Jakarta 48 will perform in Taiwan, and Taipei 48 will perform in Jakarta. They’ll visit various places in Asia. Finally, there could be an Asia version of the election to see who is the most popular in Asia [regular elections among fans who buy AKB48 CDs select which members are rated the most popular]. By then America and England would take notice and may start to think that something extraordinary is happening here.

Who/what are your inspirations?

The most important thing is excitement for something new. As we get older, we are surprised by fewer and fewer things, but as children we are constantly amazed. That excitement becomes less frequent as we grow up. What I try to do is make something new, like AKB48, and try to capture that special kind of excitement. That’s my job…to create that feeling of excitement we have as children.

Which western artists do you most admire, or would like to collaborate with?

I think Lady Gaga is impressive. Just having good songs or lyrics won’t sell CDs, but rather how much buzz you can create…whether you can define current trends. When Lady Gaga came to Japan, she brought a Hermes ‘Birkin’ bag. That in itself is interesting – that someone with an anti-establishment attitude would carry such a classic, conservative bag. But she had also written a message to her Japanese fans, in Japanese, on the bag in marker pen. I thought that was really cool…to graffiti such an expensive, traditional bag. The producer, or maybe it was Lady Gaga herself, who came up with that idea really understood the current times. Just having good music alone is not enough.

The commercials that AKB48 appear in seem to be targeting men? Are you targeting male fans?

Not at all. When it started I needed a target, but once the fire was lit I just let it burn. It’s up to the direction of the wind. I’m not trying to specifically target men through the commercials that AKB48 appear in…rather, anything is fine. But it’s not enough just to have AKB48 appear in a commercial…I do things that are new, that are likely to create an impact. That’s how it grows and develops. So the commercial needs to add fuel to the fire.

At first, what kind of people did you target?

Of course, I targeted the kind of people who like ‘idols.’ That’s why I made a small theater in Akihabara, with young girls singing and dancing in a revue. I targeted people who would find that interesting and fun. Certainly at first those kinds of people were buying two or three copies of the CDs each. But the important thing is that 95% of AKB48 fans have never been to the theater…even if they want to go, they can’t. It’s like Christians; they can’t really visit Jerusalem, but they are still able to pray at their local church. That might be what JKT48 in Jakarta will be like, or in Taipei. Those fans want to come and visit the “head temple” in Akihabara, but that’s not the whole of it – they also have a great local version that they can support.

A lot of AKB48 fans do seem to be men. Is that a group that you are particularly looking to target?

I’m not targeting anyone. I’ve been in this business for nearly 40 years, and I’m telling you that you can’t do it like that. It would be too forced…you can’t tell people what they like. The important thing is that, once the fire is lit, I’m not trying to control it…I watch how it moves and spreads. AKB48 have all-round appeal. There’s no bias on one side or another. Boys like them because they think the girls are cute and fall in love with them. Slightly older men want to cheer them on and support them, as they would their little sisters or daughters. Girls who like AKB48 want to be like them…they want to be on the same stage.

For people in the U.S., the image of AKB48 may seem strange: Teenage girls dressing up in miniskirts and school uniforms. Many people may think that this is not an empowering image for girls. What do you think about this?

Some people in America might say that AKB48 would never work there, but to me that is an opportunity. They think the only things that can succeed are the things that they are already doing. America is the country that said Elvis Presley shaking his hips was bad…so it’s clear that this kind of view will be there. But when people think “this will never work”– that is precisely when you can make a hit. Businessmen might think about such risks. But I’m not a businessman, I’m a creator, and so I see this as a big chance.

AKB48 has performed in charity concerts to help efforts to provide relief for victims of Japan’s March 11 disasters. Do you have any thoughts about how Japan can recover?

First of all I think Japan has to stand together with Tohoku. We shouldn’t buckle under the pain. But on the other hand we shouldn’t forget that pain. What matters is how we can rise again with this pain. AKB48 may just be an idol group… I don’t for a minute think that they can save Japan… but I think there are things they can do. So other businesses and individuals can do their bit too.


http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/12/28/the-man-who-made-akb48/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/12/28/the-man-who-made-akb48/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 28, 2011, 12:46:19 PM
Quote
Japan Goes Gaga Over a 92-Member Girl Group
AKB48 Sells Millions of Singles, Coffee, Too; Sponsor of the 'Heart Bra'

TOKYO—Pop quiz: What act sold a million copies of its last three singles the first day of release? Not Lady Gaga.

It was Japan's AKB48, a group of 92 mostly teenage girls, armed with sugar-sweet pop tunes and sometimes-suggestive lyrics ("My school uniform is getting in the way") that has saturated the country's popular and commercial culture. The group is set to play a key role in Japan's traditional New Year's Eve four-hour-plus pop-song spectacular.

One day recently, members appeared on nine network-television shows and six radio programs, and blanketed magazine racks. An "AKB48" search on Google Japan yielded 175 million results.

From a core fan base of adult men, the group is broadening its appeal to include younger girls. Top brands ranging from Google to Shiseido shampoo have signed up to be associated with the group. As Japan continues to struggle with its prolonged economic slump, AKB48 has become a one-group stimulus package.

Peach John, Japan's answer to Victoria's Secret, said an AKB48-sponsored Heart Bra aimed at teenage girls sold out in days. Drinks maker Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. said choosing group members to promote its Wonda line of canned coffee—a salaryman staple—boosted sales nearly 7% over the first half of the year.

The secret of success isn't pop perfection, says the man behind AKB48. Quite the contrary.

"AKB48 are unfinished," says Yasushi Akimoto, AKB48 lyricist, producer and mastermind. "Other groups make their debut after auditioning and practicing, but AKB48 are unpolished. Fans can watch them progress," Mr. Akimoto says.

"Boys like them because they think the girls are cute. Slightly older men want to cheer them on, as they would little sisters or daughters," he says. "Girls who like AKB48 want to be like them." Following AKB48 is like rooting for your favorite baseball team, Mr. Akimoto says.

Mr. Akimoto has replicated AKB48's success with sister groups in other cities in Japan like Osaka and Nagoya, but the group is less well known outside the country so far. Now the producer is ramping up plans to launch versions around Asia. In Jakarta, JKT48 is currently rehearsing. Groups are planned for Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and China. AKB48 cafés and stores have opened in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Mr. Akimoto doesn't rule out a move in the U.S.

"Mr. Akimoto is not just developing an artist, he's developing a business model," says Alan Swarts, a vice president at MTV Japan, who asked AKB48 to present a June charity concert for victims of this year's earthquake and tsunami.

One key ingredient: fan access and participation. CD releases come complete with lottery tickets for a chance to attend a "handshake event" to meet members, or with ballots for popularity contests for members, with the top vote-getters performing on coming singles or appearing in music videos. Many of AKB48's hard-core otaku, or geek, fans buy dozens, or even hundreds of copies of the same CD to give their favorite girl a boost in rankings, or to win a chance to meet her in person.

At a recent AKB48 concert, 21-year-old factory worker Tomoyuki Yamada showed up in a elaborately embroidered black gown bearing tribute to favorite band member Tomomi Kasai. "With AKB48, you have each member making her own efforts, and as a whole you can see that everyone in the group is trying her best. That's what I like about them," he says. Mr. Yamada says he bought 210 copies of a recent single—at 1,600 yen apiece, that's a total of 336,000 yen, more than $4,300—to give 210 votes for Ms. Kasai in the most recent election. She finished 16th.

The sheer number of girls in AKB48 means that members in different aggregations can perform almost every night at their own theater in Tokyo's Akihabara district, the heartland of Japan's otaku culture.

Mr. Akimoto says he chose to base the group in Akiba, as it is known for short, in order to tap into growing interest in escapist products like comics, anime films and videogames that have come to represent Japan's pop culture overseas. The group takes the AKB part of its name from Akiba; "48" was added to convey the idea of a somewhat secret, prototype project in development, Mr. Akimoto says.

At 55, Mr. Akimoto seems an unlikely impresario, sober-suited and wearing thick-rimmed glasses. But even before launching AKB48 in 2005, he had a long track record in showbiz. He gained fame in the 1980s as the man behind Onyanko Club ("Kitten Club"), another all-girl pop phenomenon, and he married one of its singers. He has published novels and directed films. He is vice president of the Kyoto University of Art and Design, and he has appeared at government conferences promoting what is called "Cool Japan."

Mr. Akimoto's success with AKB48 has spawned numerous studies for would-be pop moguls, ranging from books on "The Economics of AKB48" and "The Art of Grabbing the Heart," to articles in business magazines on the group's "360-degree marketing."

At the AKB48 show, members perform a revue of simply choreographed routines in front of a roughly 95% male audience. The music is typical Japanese pop: fast-paced numbers with high-pitched, singalong choruses.

Audiences wave glow sticks, sing along to hits and yell the names of their favorite girls. After the two-hour show, security staff keep a close watch as the audience files out, each fan very briefly high-fiving and exchanging a greeting with performers.

Mr. Akimoto recruits new members through auditions, with girls as young as 13 joining as "research students."

"The best thing is that there are lots of girls around the same age, so we can all work together," says Rie Kitahara, 20, after a performance. Ms. Kitahara is currently ranked No. 13 in the popularity elections. "The hardest thing is that we can't be like normal girls—having boyfriends is not allowed," she says, as she stands under a sign in the theater lobby that reads "Japan's Most Sophisticated Show."

But helped by the country's largest advertising agency, Dentsu Inc., the group has also been aggressively marketed to a more mainstream audience. Among women, individual stars have become popular for their personal off-duty styles, some way removed from the AKB48 schoolgirl uniform look.

This past summer, Atsuko Maeda, ranked No. 1 in the latest election, made her movie debut in a feel-good blockbuster about a high-school girl who finds herself coaching a baseball team. Another leading member, Mariko Shinoda, was featured in her own fashion magazine, "Mariko." Vogue Girl Japan featured four members last year.

"AKB as a whole is something that is born out of a male way of thinking," says the magazine's creative director, Sayumi Gunji. But while women may not be convinced by the group as a collective, she says, "this or that member is popular" with girls looking for stars' fashion tips.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203733304577101733547361496.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203733304577101733547361496.html)



"AKB48 Stage Fighter"
(http://t.imgbox.com/aavrCU4w.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/aavrCU4w)

More at http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0038177 (http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0038177)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 31, 2011, 06:39:44 AM
Quote
AKB48 wins 53rd Japan Record Award
Posted on December 30, 2011 by (http://i.imgur.com/gwcV3.gif)
 

The 53rd Japan Record Awards were held on December 30. Although most of the award winners were announced last month, there were still two big awards to be revealed: the Japan Record Award, and the Best New Artist award.

The Japan Record Award is the event’s biggest award, going to one of the 10 Best Song winners. This year, idol group AKB48 won for the first time. The members took the stage in tears to receive the award, then launched into a performance of their winning song, “Flying Get.”

The Best New Artist award, chosen from the four New Artist winners, went to the group Fairies, who debuted with the single “More Kiss / Song For You” this past September.

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-wins-53rd-japan-record-award/#more-23125 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-wins-53rd-japan-record-award/#more-23125)

(http://t.imgbox.com/aarw7tbC.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/aarw7tbC) (http://t.imgbox.com/aaqOGACp.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/aaqOGACp) (http://t.imgbox.com/aatBB1xC.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/aatBB1xC) (http://t.imgbox.com/aaxfXaax.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/aaxfXaax)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 03, 2012, 05:46:30 AM
Quote
News

Young Magazine Launches 6 New Manga in 7 Weeks
posted on 2012-01-02 13:00 EST

Manga from TV show with AKB48's Mayuyu, Kogyoaika Volleyboys' Murata, others

(http://i.imgur.com/W57U8.jpg)
Kodansha's Young Magazine is launching six new manga series between last week and February 6. In this year's combined 4th/5th issue which actually shipped on December 26, Kogyoaika Volleyboys creator Hiroyuki Murata started Dr. Saotome. The title character of this human drama is an overbearing doctor with the looks of a yakuza gnag member, and he works at a hospital full of other unconventional staffers. Murata's Kogyoaika Volleyboys high school comedy inspired a sequel manga, a video anime project, and several live-action projects. Katsumi Tatsuzawa (Furondo) will then launch Poncho, a manga about a mysterious boy playing high school baseball, in the next issue on January 7.

(http://i.imgur.com/F0ZZa.jpg)
This year's seventh issue will have two new series: the previously revealed GTO spinoff manga Inohead Gargoyle by GTO creator Tohru Fujisawa, and a manga inspired by a January live-action show starring AKB48 idol group member Mayu Watanabe ("Mayuyu"). The title and other details of the latter manga have not been announced, but AKB48 creator Yasushi Akimoto created and planned this manga that Akihiro Nakamura is drawing. Watanabe inspired other manga in the past.

Daisuke Watanabe is launching a suspense action manga called Hanjū (Demibeast) in the ninth issue on January 30. Finally, Shōhei Sasaki will start the second "season" of Kakumei Senshi Inudō Sadao (Revolutionary Warrior Sadao Inudō) in the 10th issue on February 6.

Source: Comic Natalie
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-02/young-magazine-launches-6-new-manga-in-7-weeks (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-01-02/young-magazine-launches-6-new-manga-in-7-weeks)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 06, 2012, 04:47:35 AM
Quote
AKB48 becomes the top-selling girl group in single sales
by HPriest

With the results of the latest Oricon weekly charts, it was confirmed that popular idol group AKB48 finally managed to become the top-selling girl group in single sales with a total of 11,787,000 sold copies since their debut.

AKB48 needed a total of 25 singles along with five years and eleven months since their debut in 2006 in order to overtake fellow idol group Morning Musume. The previous record held by Morning Musume was 11,774,000 sold copies with 56 singles and a history of thirteen years and eleven months since their debut. Third place belongs to no other than Pink Lady with 11,037,000 sold copies (23 singles).

Member Takahashi Minami commented, “The big excitement of having won the Japan Record Award has yet to calm down, when we already get astonished again with such an unimaginable big number. We are delighted (to have achieved so many sales) and are really grateful towards our fans.”

By the way, a staggering 7,346,000 of the 11,787,000 sold copies were by their five million sellers in 2011 alone.

Source: Sanspo, Oricon
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/01/akb48-becomes-the-top-selling-girl-group-in-single-sales/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/01/akb48-becomes-the-top-selling-girl-group-in-single-sales/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: almond on January 06, 2012, 05:20:21 PM
The official AKB48 YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48) has started subtitling the PVs in English, Chinese and Korean. The subs aren't the best, but dammit, it's a start.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 07, 2012, 06:26:51 AM
Quote
Today, Kashiwagi Yuki has given us a double surprise! She announced on her official ameblo blog that AKB48 subunit French Kiss will be releasing a 5th single as well as an album! At the moment, no details have been given out, Yukirin has only said that their working on the single and album.

French Kiss' popularity is slowly growing along with Yukirin's as well. Their last single [Saisho no Mail] is their highest selling single till now and was also their first weekly #1. I'm glad that there is going to be a new single and an album. At the same time, these songs could be used for stages. I'm still hoping 2012 will have many new stages though.

Yukirin's official blog post: http://ameblo.jp/yuki-kashiwagi-we/entry-11128805320.html (http://ameblo.jp/yuki-kashiwagi-we/entry-11128805320.html)
POSTED BY SAMMY AT http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2012/01/french-kiss-announces-5th-single-and.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2012/01/french-kiss-announces-5th-single-and.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: almond on January 08, 2012, 03:50:11 PM
Quote from: Aki-P @ G+
みなさん、心配しないで。
あのメンバーのソロも、ちゃんと考えています。

"Everyone, don't worry. I'm thinking about that member's solo debut too" (Rough translation)

Apparently there will be another member going solo.

If this is not Takamina, Imma go over to Japan and bitch slap Aki-P.
(Or at least spam the crap outta his G+ page)

Also!

no3b's app has been renewed and is now region-free!! It's available for both iPhone (http://link.ameba.jp/125758/) and Android (http://link.ameba.jp/125759/)!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 12, 2012, 09:27:28 AM


New tie up with 7 eleven for Valentine's Day
(http://i.imgur.com/trV07.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dFBQZ.jpg) (http://imgur.com/dFBQZ)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: almond on January 12, 2012, 02:07:11 PM
The AKB48 girls have official translation pages now. They're available in English, Thai, Indonesian, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. You can find the pre-made circles on the main AKB page. (https://plus.google.com/117147321771860727748/posts)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 15, 2012, 07:47:21 AM
Quote
JAPANESE IDOL GROUP AKB48 FOUNDER YASUSHI AKIMOTO ON CNN’S TALK ASIA

(http://i.imgur.com/Z3gFA.jpg)

The renowned music producer, lyricist, television writer and university professor shares his secret to success and responds to critics

Yasushi Akimoto, the producer of Japanese idol phenomenon AKB48, sits down with ‘Talk Asia' this week for an in-depth interview. Akimoto shares with Anna Coren what inspired him to start the group and his plans to expand his pop empire, even though the band already holds a Guinness World Record for the world's largest pop group. Talk Asia also goes backstage at the AKB48 theatre in Tokyo to meet some of the stars, plus travels to Jakarta to follow the auditions of ‘JKT48', a new spinoff sister group being formed in Indonesia. Akimoto also responds to criticism that some of his lyrics are too suggestive to be sung by young girls.

Please find excerpts from the interview with Yasushi Akimoto below. The full interview transcript will be available upon request after the first airing of the show.

‘CNN's Talk Asia' must be credited for any use of this material.

ON THE FORMATION OF AKB48

YASUSHI AKIMOTO, PRODUCER: None of the girls have strong personalities, but once they get together, they bring about chemical reactions. In other words, all the girls are quite ordinary but when they get together, and each one comes into the picture, you can see their charm.  So, I thought that's interesting.

AKIMOTO: Because the girls are really cute, the attraction for some people is that they imagine them as their girlfriends or their idols. Girls who are around the same age as the AKB girls try to become like them and work really hard towards that. With the older generations, it's not that they are striving to realize their dreams like AKB, but they want to cheer the girls on.

ON COMPARING AKB48 WITH TALENT SHOWS IN THE WEST

AKIMOTO: I think we can't stack up against the strength of entertainment in the West. It is very difficult to find talents of that level of singing, acting and dancing in Japan. Praising their [American Idols'] talents and buying their CDs are a form of entertainment, but AKB is not the case. It is about people who want to apply for American Idol but are not very good at singing. They want to dance on Broadway but [are] not really good at it. We show the process of their growth, that they are trying and making efforts, which is different from the West. I don't think we can win if we compete on their turf.

ON EXPANDING THE AKB48 BRAND

AKIMOTO: Because news of AKB48 has spread by way of our website, people say they want to see the performances live, that's why we created new teams with people who were born in Nagoya and Osaka. Kids in those areas can audition as well.

AKIMOTO: People in Indonesia were interested in AKB48. That is why we decided to try it in Jakarta. Kids watched AKB on the internet and they want to do the same, but they don't know whether they have talent. Also it's difficult [for them] to go to Japan to audition.

ON RESPONDING TO CRITICISM ABOUT HIS LYRICS

AKIMOTO: I was often asked how someone like me who is over 50 can write songs for young kids. I remember what it was like when I was a teenager. When I look back, there were sexual things and other things around that interested me. I change them to be not dirty, but more romantic in my lyrics.

AKIMOTO: Unless I take up the issues the girls are facing, as a songwriter, the issues won't get addressed. There are kids out there who want to take off their school uniforms and misbehave, and I am depicting realities in their lives in which they wonder whether it's ok to think that way. I'm not forcing them. I'm picturing their private lives partly based on my imagination or newspaper articles or TV news.  I watch what their generation is doing, the issues of bullying, suicides and sugar-daddy traps and turning them to my song themes.

ON AKB48'S ROLE IN JAPAN'S EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI RELIEF OPERATION

AKIMOTO: Japan is in pain and AKB48 wants to spread energy to everyone, first and foremost. And of course, we would like to continue our support activities. Among other things, I would like to send a message with AKB48 that you can make your dreams come true. I would like to deliver this message not only to Japan but also to people all over the world. Dreams do come true, but how it is realized might be more or less than what you had expected.

Highlights of Yasushi Akimoto's interview with ‘Talk Asia' will be available online at www.cnn.com/talkasia (http://www.cnn.com/talkasia).

http://www.cnnasiapacific.com/press/en/content/757/ (http://www.cnnasiapacific.com/press/en/content/757/)



120113 CNN Talk Asia 秋元康 1-2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEVrmNU9XBY#ws)
120113 CNN Talk Asia 秋元康 2-2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARC1yEkuxrA#ws)



Podcast (English)

http://podcasts.cnn.net/cnn/services/podcasting/audio/talkasia/talkasia0113.mp3 (http://podcasts.cnn.net/cnn/services/podcasting/audio/talkasia/talkasia0113.mp3)

TRANSCRIPTS

http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1201/13/ta.01.html (http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1201/13/ta.01.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 17, 2012, 09:40:58 AM

Quote
AKB48'll have their own card battle social game at Gree, "AKB48 Stage Fighter".  Will be released at 10/25 along w/ CM.

Quote
On January 17th, social networking service GREE announced the results of ”The 1st Competition Battle Event“, an event for the social game, “AKB48 Stage Fighter“.

“AKB48 Stage Fighter” is a card battle game based on AKB48’s competition for the center position. The event took place from December 28th to January 11th. In the event, players of the same ‘oshimen’ joined forces to complete missions and battle other teams with their card decks. The winner of the battles collected “center auras” from the losing team, and the total number of “center auras” collected determined the ranking.

The members who topped this ranking is said to provide an original song for the game, and will appear in its CM.

Check out the results below!

-

8th Place: Kitahara Rie (Team B)
 Number of auras: 106,106

7th Place: Nagao Mariya (Team 4)
 Number of auras: 122,475

6th Place: Iwasa Misaki (Team A)
 Number of auras: 130, 691

5th Place: Watanabe Mayu (Team B)
 Number of auras: 140,006

4th Place: Miyazawa Sae (Team K)
 Number of auras: 160,775

3rd Place: Yokoyama Yui (Team K)
 Number of auras: 177,112

2nd Place: Kashiwagi Yuki (Team B)
 Number of auras: 181,990

1st Place: Oshima Yuko (Team K)
 Number of auras: 196,208

Source & Image: INSIDE and Oricon

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/01/oshima-yuko-claims-center-position-for-social-game-akb48-stage-fighter/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/01/oshima-yuko-claims-center-position-for-social-game-akb48-stage-fighter/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 21, 2012, 02:47:41 PM
2011 Oricon music industry report: AKB48 achieved 15% market share of singles
Posted on January 20, 2012 by (http://i.imgur.com/wwzcN.gif)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZwL9w.jpg)
Image from: Oricon
Quote
This week, Oricon released its annual music market report, which covers sales for singles, albums, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Last month, the company already revealed the rankings for the top-selling artists in various categories, but the new report contains information about the industry as a whole as well. The data also re-confirms the magnitude of idol group AKB48’s success, indicating a 15% market share of the single sales that Oricon tracks.

As announced last month, AKB48′s total artist sales amounted to 16.28 billion yen. This accounted for 5.4% of the entire music market in 2011, which was over 314.1 billion yen. Arashi, who ranked #1 in total artist sales in 2009 and 2010, dropped to #2 in 2011 with a 5.1% share, thanks largely to their 10.17 billion yen in DVD sales.

AKB48 was most successful in the singles category, having released 5 singles that all sold more than a million copies. Their total single sales amounted to nearly 9.59 billion yen, helping push the singles market up 16.9% from the previous year to more than 62.0 billion yen. In other words, AKB48 captured 15.46% of the singles market.

AKB48′s record label, King Records, achieved 21.23 billion yen in sales, up 145.5% from the previous year (14.59 billion yen). This gave them a 6.8% share of the overall market in 2011, putting them in 4th place out of all music companies in the industry. The year before that, they ranked 7th. Counting singles only, King Records held a 20.3% share of the market.

Sony Music Entertainment was #1 for the 3rd year in a row, with total sales of 51.88 billion yen and a 16.5% market share overall. Avex was #2 with 41.66 billion yen and a 13.3% share, and Universal Music ranked #3 with 36.38 billion yen and an 11.6% share.

A separate industry report revealed by the RIAJ on Friday shows that overall music production in 2011 (CDs, DVDs, etc.) grew by 1% from the previous year, after having shrunk for the past 5 years before that. CD single production showed the biggest increase, up 23% to 62 million copies.

Sources:
Oricon
Mantan Web
Sponichi Annex

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/2011-oricon-music-industry-report-akb48-achieved-15-market-share-of-singles/#more-23266 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/2011-oricon-music-industry-report-akb48-achieved-15-market-share-of-singles/#more-23266)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: MaxMcKay on January 21, 2012, 07:05:07 PM
Bad news: AKB48's wiki site was hacked by a soccer fan
http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/01/19/arsenal-hacker-1-akb48-wikipedia-page-0/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/01/19/arsenal-hacker-1-akb48-wikipedia-page-0/)

Good news: Have you ever read anything funnier?
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: boykun on January 21, 2012, 08:24:05 PM
lol. I wouldn't mind Wenger managing AKB, he'll give chances for younger/less known members play. /gunner

Sadly Arsenal not doing as well as AKB -__-


Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on January 21, 2012, 08:38:42 PM
Sadly Arsenal not doing as well as AKB -__-
Or the Spurs :V

/me prepares to delete this post after the games tomorrow

Interested to see if the vandal was anyone we might know. There's gotta be some other bored Arsenal/Spurs fans around, and they seem the most likely candidates.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 26, 2012, 06:39:25 PM
Credit ethereal_limbo

Source: Only★Star "Favorite Female" Survey

Published on 21 Jan 2012

Quote
Magazine Only★Star conducted a survey that was filled in by 500 women, asking them who their favorite female in each respective field is (talent, actress, ...).


Favorite Girls' AWARD 2012 - Idol Category

#1 Oshima Yuko (AKB48)
#2 Mariko Shinoda (AKB48)
#3 Kojima Haruna (AKB48)
#4 Watanabe Mayu (AKB48)
#5 Maeda Atsuko (AKB48)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: MaxMcKay on January 27, 2012, 08:51:03 PM
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11148085263.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11148085263.html)

Yonechan and Nacchan have resigned from AKB48, effective immediately.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on January 27, 2012, 09:25:16 PM
^

Quote
Today, Hirajima Natsumi and Yonezawa Rumi both requested to resign from AKB48.

I apologize for the announcement being so sudden.

Below are messages from the both of them to their fans:

I, Hirajima Natsumi, will hereby resign from AKB48 and Watarirouka Hashiritai.
I'm sorry this announcement was so sudden.

I'm terribly sorry to have caused trouble for everyone.
To everyone who supported me, the members, the staff, and everyone involved with AKB48, I'm really sorry.

I'll separate myself from AKB48 and Watarirouka Hashiritai, but I hope you'll cheer me on so that I can meet all of you again as Hirajima Natsumi.
I'm terribly sorry.
Hirajima Natsumi

-----
I, Yonezawa Rumi, will hereby resign from AKB48 as of today.

I'm sorry this is such a sudden announcement.

To everyone who supported me, I'm both full of thankfulness and the feeling that this was inexcusable.

Thank you for these 5 years.
I was always supported during this time.

I'll continue my activities solo from now on.

I'm terribly sorry that I caused trouble for the members, the fans, and for AKB48. I'm really sorry.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on January 28, 2012, 05:11:53 AM
From a personal standpoint, I am a big fan of Watarirouka Hashiritai and thus will really miss Natsumi. Not knowing as much about Rumi, her  departure may not have the same impact to me, but everyone of the members has fans, and it is a sad occasion when the end to one of your favourite's career comes because of boyfriend scandals.   But the agreement is that to be an idol in groups like AKB48 or Hello!Project, the girl must agree to have no boyfriends.

For girls who start at age 11 or 12, I think it is an easier agreement to make, as they probably don't have a huge interest in dating at that age anyway. But when idols get near adulthood, I would think some of them regret not experiencing dating during their high school years.

I just hate to see that the most memorable event in their career might be that they were forced out due to a scandal. Forgetting the years of rehearsal, grueling performance schedules, meeting fans at handshake events, smiling during performances even when they may feel ill or overworked, isn't fair, and their positive action and hard work  is what they should be remembered and thanked for.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atarashii-michi on January 28, 2012, 09:51:50 AM
I am honestly going to cry... Nacchan is my favorite member.... </3
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: carenduna on January 28, 2012, 10:52:41 AM
I am also a big Watarirouka Hashiritai fan, and was incredibly saddened to hear the news of Nacchan's departure. Her vitality and lovely smile will be greatly missed, and I hope whatever path she takes in her career, will see her happy and successful.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on January 28, 2012, 01:45:43 PM
Six years of hard work just gone like that. A hardworking 1st generation member leaves without a proper send off. That's just sad.
WH's handshake event today can't be a happy event either. Once again, I hope the people there won't say hurtful stuff to the other girls.


Aki-P comment:

Quote
It was a regrettable announcement.
It was the result from a discussion between the girls, their managers and staff, so I agreed.

I don't want to specifically blame them. If they were normal students then there will be no problem.

But they're members of AKB48 and have to obey AKB48 rules.
"Well how about that other member?"
Considering the rumours, there are probably people pointing fingers.
That is the many yellow cards that the managers or staff put out for them.

They only broke the rules of AKB48 and not the rules of society. Even if they quit AKB48, they are saying they want to remain in the entertainment business, so I will support them from now on.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Yagami.Rai on January 31, 2012, 06:51:02 PM
LOL They're trying to tie the necktie for each other~ XD
AKB48 CM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toLcNuyBrhc#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on February 03, 2012, 11:39:30 PM
Kashiwagi Yuki and Miyazawa Sae will be the seiyuu for the anime adaptation of “Marimo no Hana: Saikyō Butō Shōgakusei Densetsu.”

Writer: Akimoto Yasushi
Artist: Yuuko Kasumi.

Yukirin will perform Marino and Sae will perform Masaru.

http://natalie.mu/comic/news/63830 (http://natalie.mu/comic/news/63830)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on February 07, 2012, 07:39:12 PM
Quote
AKB48 member Akimoto Sayaka (23) will star in an NHK drama for the first time next month. The show, titled “Asadora Satsujin Jiken,” will be broadcast over two consecutive nights around the end of March.

Akimoto will take on the role of Miho, who is appointed as an assistant producer for a morning television drama. One day, a giant daruma doll is discovered in the studio, making it impossible to film the drama. The chief producer (played by Kokusho Sayuri) orders Miho to “expel” the daruma, and for some reason she gives her a “Ghost Countermeasure Manual.”

The screenplay is written by Hokimoto Shinya, a director and writer for the Comedy Unit Isokawake troupe.

Kiriyama Renn, Chris Peppler, Rokkaku Seiji, and Aijima Kazuyuki have also been cast.
The drama will be a new experiment for NHK as its first “multi-channel drama.” It will be broadcast on multiple channels, with the main channel containing only the main story. At certain points, the sub-channels will differ from the main channel, showing scenes from inside Miho’s imagination. Viewers will be given signals indicating when to change channels to view those extra scenes.

Production for the drama began on Tuesday. Although the show is scheduled to air on 2 consecutive nights, NHK has not yet announced specific broadcast dates or times.
Source: http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48s-akimoto-sayaka-to-star-in-nhks-first-multi-channel-drama/ (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48s-akimoto-sayaka-to-star-in-nhks-first-multi-channel-drama/)

Related:
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2006730/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2006730/full/)
http://mantan-web.jp/2012/02/07/20120207dog00m200048000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2012/02/07/20120207dog00m200048000c.html)

Sounds.. crazy.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 08, 2012, 08:07:31 AM
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57371627-1/otaku-band-akb48-morphs-into- (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57371627-1/otaku-band-akb48-morphs-into-)$200m-business/

Quote
Otaku band AKB48 morphs into $200M business
(http://i.imgur.com/HyP9D.jpg)
With a reported $212 million in record sales in 2011, AKB48 is one of the highest-earning pop groups in the world.

What if the vice president of your university were a genius producer who had put together an insanely successful pop group of 90 singers and then approved the creation of identical doll versions of them?

Weird? Not for Kyoto University of Art and Design and Yasushi Akimoto, the Steve Jobs of otaku (supergeeks) in Japan. The school just hosted a hit exhibition of dolls based on the gals in the band he produces, AKB48.

At 90 members, AKB48 is the Guinness-certified world's largest pop band. Its members are all females in their teens and early twenties, and all its bubble-gum singles top the charts on the day of their release.

The music is, shall we say, an aquired taste; it sounds like arcade game tunes drenched in a massive one-part vocal harmony. Yet intense otaku fandom has lifted the hydra-headed, miniskirted band to the highest levels of Japanese acceptability. It's even acting as Japan's unofficial representative in China.

The original idea behind the group, which was founded in 2005 with 20 girls, is "idols you can meet." At an AKB48 theater in Tokyo's Akihabara electronics district, otaku who are lucky enough to have won tickets in a lottery run by the band can see some of their idols onstage. The men dance to the songs, wave glow sticks, and get to briefly meet the performers after the show.

But the adulation doesn't end there. AKB48 also runs popularity contests for the girls, and fans get to vote with tickets included in CD packages. Some otaku spend thousands of dollars buying the same disc to give their favorite member a better chance of winning the contests.

Akimoto has added to the band's ranks so they now number some 90 girls, including various teams, captains, "trainees," and one, Aimi Eguchi, who's a computer-generated character.

On the human side, the youngest trainees are only 14 years old.

Indeed, AKB48's videos sell young faces, young flesh, and more than a bit of titillation, with bikini dances and locker-room romps; YouTube views rank in the tens of millions.

That's nothing new in pop, but AKB48 has seen unbelievable success recently: 16.28 billion yen ($212 million) in 2011 CD and DVD sales alone, according to compiler Oricon. That's more than what Forbes' chart-toppers U2 makes.

The accuracy and impartiality of Oricon's charts has been questioned before, and it could be way off now. Yet even if the latest AKB48 numbers are inflated, there's no denying the band has gone mainstream in its popularity.

In Tokyo's gadget nirvana Akihabara, AKB48 has expanded to a cafe and movie theater screening concert footage; huge posters of the group can be seen at Akihabara Station.

Meanwhile, Shiseido hair products, Glico candy, Asahi drinks, Peach John lingerie, and other big brands have entered endorsement deals with the girls. Even the staunchly conservative Japan Post has started selling AKB48 stamps; fans crashed its Web site when the product was announced.

AKB's tentacles have spread to other parts of Japan, and even Indonesia, sprouting clone groups and waves upon waves of merchandise. Producer Akimoto apparently wants to take the concept to other Asian countries as well. Is there a universal appeal?

"Boys like them because they think the girls are cute," Akimoto explained to The Wall Street Journal. "Slightly older men want to cheer them on, as they would little sisters or daughters."

Somehow I doubt there would be as much cheering without the bikinis and miniskirts.

But Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba seems to agree with Akimoto, and recently recruited AKB48 girls to act as goodwill ambassadors to China to improve the countries' often rocky relationship.

The girls will try to boost Chinese tourism to Japan, which dropped off following last year's massive earthquake. In their thigh-highs and ponytails, they'll outshine anything else Tokyo could send.

As for the dolls, fans are clamoring to take them home. Created by design studio Petworks, they're 10 inches tall and just about identical to the real thing, right down to the coiffures and eyelashes.

They're not on sale yet, but it's probably just a matter of time before otaku will be able to get their own little piece of AKB48 to love and cherish forever.

(http://i.imgur.com/XimUr.jpg)
When Japan Post announced AKB48 stamps, fan zealotry crashed its Web site.
(Credit: Japan Post)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 09, 2012, 04:36:59 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/C9AvX.jpg)
Out on Blu ray and DVD on April 27, 2012

Source http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2006826/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2006826/full/)
http://mantan-web.jp/2012/02/09/20120209dog00m200053000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2012/02/09/20120209dog00m200053000c.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 10, 2012, 03:47:09 AM
Yukirin is coming to Taiwan and Hong Kong!   :O :bow::panic: :banghead:  :rockon:

Quote
「Kashiwagi Yuki of AKB48 is coming to Taiwan and Hong Kong!」

Sorry for keep you all waiting!
Kashiwagi Yuki is the captain of Team B, AKB48. She won the second runner-up award in Senbatsu Election 2011 and is one of the most popular members in the group. She is now planning to come to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
During 25th to 28th Feb., Kashiwagi yuki will come to Taiwan and Hong Kong to shoot photos preparing for her next photo book. <-- {really hope this isn't a typo}

Of course, there will also be hand-shaking events in both Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Schedule and other details will be announced soon!

http://www.facebook.com/notes/akb48-official-shop-hong-kong/akb48%E6%9F%8F%E6%9C%A8%E7%94%B1%E7%B4%80%E7%B5%82%E6%96%BC%E8%A6%81%E4%BE%86%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E5%8F%8A%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%95%A6/373721319321450 (http://www.facebook.com/notes/akb48-official-shop-hong-kong/akb48%E6%9F%8F%E6%9C%A8%E7%94%B1%E7%B4%80%E7%B5%82%E6%96%BC%E8%A6%81%E4%BE%86%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E5%8F%8A%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%95%A6/373721319321450)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on February 18, 2012, 10:30:28 AM
[JapanToday] - AKB48 members take part in mini-concert in Beijing to thank China for 3/11 support (http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/akb48-take-part-in-mini-concert-in-beijing-to-thank-china-for-311-support)
Quote
BEIJING — Six members of popular all-girl idol group AKB48 performed at a mini-concert in Beijing on Friday night to thank China for its support for relief efforts in the Tohoku after last year’s March 11 disaster.

[Mainichi] - AKB48 members take stage in Beijing to thank China for quake support (http://mdn.mainichi.jp/arts/news/20120218p2g00m0sp047000c.html)
Quote
BEIJING (Kyodo) -- Six members of Japanese all-girl pop group AKB48 took the stage in Beijing on Friday in a mini concert, expressing gratitude for support provided by Chinese people following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 19, 2012, 05:12:51 PM
Quote
Video Research Ltd. has released the 2011 edition of its annual report on TV commercial data. In particular, its ranking of celebrity screen time revealed that actress Ueto Aya received the most exposure in 2011 in the Kanto, Kansai, and Nagoya areas, largely due to her appearances in the SoftBank and Asahi commercials. Dante Carver, who also appears in the SoftBank commercials, rose from 22nd to 6th in the Kanto region.

In the Kanto region, Ueto has always ranked in the top 20 since 2004, reaching as high as #2 before 2011. In 2011, she was #1 by a wide margin, with 239,550 seconds (more than 66.5 hours) of screen time over 14,884 commercials. Counting all three regions in the report (Kanto, Kansai, Nagoya), she had 723,555 seconds (almost 201 hours) over 42,712 commercials.

Idol group AKB48 also had a breakout year. While none of the members ranked in the top 20 during 2010, this time three members were in the top 10 with four more in the top 20.

The top 20 in the Kanto region are listed below. (2010 rank is in parentheses.)
Ueto Aya – 239,550 seconds – 14,884 commercials – (#2)
Owada Kensuke – 182,550 seconds – 9,754 commercials – (#496)
Oshima Yuko – 179,895 seconds – 11,098 commercials – (#562)
Maeda Atsuko – 171,855 seconds – 10,558 commercials – (#1,343)

Nagatomo Yuto – 168,435 seconds – 9,101 commercials – (#2,722)
Dante Carver – 168,135 seconds – 10,281 commercials – (#22)
Shinoda Mariko – 162,015 seconds – 10,441 commercials – (#562)
Sakurai Sho – 156,465 seconds – 7,664 commercials – (#146)
Matsuki Rina – 154,425 seconds – 7,483 commercials – (#37)
Takei Emi – 153,345 seconds – 9,298 commercials – (#1,341)
Kojima Haruna – 143,685 seconds – 8,943 commercials – (#562)
Takahashi Minami – 141,675 seconds – 8,745 commercials – (unranked)
Itano Tomomi – 140,385 seconds – 8,907 commercials – (#769)

Ayase Haruka – 139,155 seconds – 8,245 commercials – (#35)
Fukuyama Masaharu – 136,155 seconds – 8,203 commercials – (#17)
Higuchi Kanako – 132,420 seconds – 8,004 commercials – (#9)
Kashiwagi Yuki – 127,965 seconds – 8,111 commercials – (#4,286)
Mukai Osamu – 126,885 seconds – 7,932 commercials – (#65)
Sasaki Nozomi – 125,295 seconds – 7,952 commercials – (#32)
Ninomiya Kazunari – 122,770 seconds – 7,186 commercials – (#26)

Sources:
Sankei Sports
Video Research Ltd.
http://www.tokyograph.com/news/ueto-aya-finally-becomes-cm-queen/#more-23602 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/ueto-aya-finally-becomes-cm-queen/#more-23602)





Quote
During an event at Seibu Dome in Saitama on Saturday, idol group AKB48 announced another major donation to the Japanese Red Cross. More than 580 million yen is being given toward the earthquake relief efforts. Combined with their previous donations, AKB48 has raised a total of more than 1.25 billion yen in aid.

After the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, AKB48 began collecting donations for the relief efforts through their “Dareka no Tame ni” charity project and at various events. Those donations, plus a portion of the revenue from their CD sales, amounted to 668,916,085 yen up until February 18 of this year. They announced that they will contribute an additional 585,259,888 yen, bringing the total amount to 1,254,175,973 yen.

On top of that, the group will also donate 30 vehicles to the prefectures of Iwate, Fukushima, and Miyagi (10 to each). There are also plans for AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48 to hold charity concerts at their respective theaters on March 11 (the anniversary of the earthquake).

Sources:
Sankei Sports
Oricon
http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-charity-efforts-have-raised-1-25-billion-yen-in-donations/#more-23592 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48-charity-efforts-have-raised-1-25-billion-yen-in-donations/#more-23592)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on February 25, 2012, 09:41:45 AM
Quote
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip103790.jpg)

It is official; Tomochin will finally be making her first trip to meet her China fans as part of the Genki Japan campaign mentioned previously. There will be 3 stops in total, namely Beijing, Shanghai followed by Hong Kong. Tomochin, Ume-chan and Yui will be going to Shanghai for a special performance and a meet & greet session. It will be the first time Tomochin gets to meet her huge chinese fanbase and I am feeling excited for this whole event already.

Due to the large number of people who wants to meet the girls, the organisers have set up a lucky draw system for the event. Results were announced earlier today via email and at the moment, there is a lot of activity over on the Chinese forums on exchanging of tickets for preferred time slot out of the 2. Let’s all hope that the security and reception will be awesome for the girls and that they will have a safe and memorable trip!
http://tomoland.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/tomochin-goes-to-china/ (http://tomoland.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/tomochin-goes-to-china/)

Oh snap! Both Tomochin AND Umechan! Let's visit China! XD
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on February 25, 2012, 11:50:55 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/0qVtw.png)

Interesting chart and an interesting post:
Charting the success of the 48′s (http://shoujikimedia.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/charting-the-success-of-the-48s/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 29, 2012, 11:13:53 AM
Quote
AKB48, Nakai Masahiro, and Esumi Makiko will host a new TBS song program starting at April
--akb48journal



Quote
Nakai Masahiro, Esumi Makiko & AKB48 to be the MC for TBS’ new music program
by Shiso on February 28, 2012 at 9:47 pm


It was announced that SMAP’s Nakai Masahiro, actress Esumi Makiko, and idol group AKB48 has been chosen as the MC for a yet-to-be-titled music program on TBS which will start in the middle of April.  The music show will feature three or four artist groups every week, and will comprise of performance and discussion segments.

AKB48 member Takahashi Minami commented, “For AKB48, this is our first experience to be the regular MC for music program.  All members are very excited about this.”  Every week, around 10-16 Senbatsu AKB48 members will appear on the program along with Nakai and Esumi, and two or three of those members will take turns as the MCs.

The new music program will be aired every Tuesday at 9:00 PM on TBS.
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/02/nakai-masahiro-esumi-makiko-akb48-to-be-the-mc-for-tbs-new-music-program/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/02/nakai-masahiro-esumi-makiko-akb48-to-be-the-mc-for-tbs-new-music-program/)



Quote

TBS to start new prime time music show with Nakai Masahiro, AKB48, Esumi Makiko
Posted on February 29, 2012 by tokyograph

TBS has announced that it will launch a new prime time music show in April. The last time the network had a prime time music program was “THE MUSIC HOUR” in 2010. Like that show, SMAP’s Nakai Masahiro (39) will be the MC, but this time he will be joined by AKB48 and actress Esumi Makiko (45).

The new show does not yet have a title, but it is described as a mix between a live performance show and a variety show, combining music, talk, and news segments. TBS plans to have 2 or 3 artists appear as guests each time.

It is said that about 10 of AKB48′s main members will appear each week, but 2 or 3 of them will be rotate as the show’s MCs, hosting alongside Nakai and Esumi.

The show will air on Tuesdays at 9:00pm, beginning in April.

Sources:
Mantan Web
Natalie

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/tbs-to-start-new-prime-time-music-show-with-nakai-masahiro-akb48-esumi-makiko/#more-23707 (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/tbs-to-start-new-prime-time-music-show-with-nakai-masahiro-akb48-esumi-makiko/#more-23707)



A dedicated thread will be started once we have more info like a title...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 01, 2012, 11:11:53 AM
AKB48 Official Diary

First official diary features AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, and JKT48. Includes diary covers of all groups, profile of all members, monthly calendar (April 2012 - March 2013) featuring birthdays of all members, weekly schedule featuring their memorial days, and more.

CDJapan (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1091380)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 02, 2012, 01:59:20 PM
Now class, we will have  an open book test at the end of the quarter. Please pick up your textbook at the student store.....

No one passes "Idol 101" with a score below 70, and the quarterly open book tests are 35% of your total grade, so get the book and read it!!! :otomerika:

NMB48、全メンバーを大公開 {with thanks to JIJIPRESS } (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj1GZNUZRlE)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: LovelyGaki on March 06, 2012, 04:58:54 AM
Quote
AKB48 achieves a Guinness World Record for their 90 CMs for ‘Wonda Coffee’
by halicolipocky on March 5, 2012 at 10:35 pm

Back in February, AKB48 broadcasted 90 solo member’s CMs for Asahi’s ‘Wonda Coffee Morning Shot’ and has now received a Guinness World Record for broadcasting the “Most Number of Same Product Television Endorsement within 24 Hours”! The broadcast of all 90 versions of the CM (restricted in Kanto, Kansai, Tokai region) took place on February 28th, and defeated the previous Guinness World Record for broadcasting 60 commercials in 24 hours.

This endorsement, became a hot topic as it featured every single member of AKB48 (members of Team A, Team K, Team B, Team 4, and Research Students) and sent out encouragements to Japanese citizens nationwide.

This CM is still currently airing as of this announcement.

Congratulation for this incredible feat, AKB48!
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/03/akb48-achieves-a-guinness-world-record-for-their-90-cms-for-wonda-coffee/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/03/akb48-achieves-a-guinness-world-record-for-their-90-cms-for-wonda-coffee/)

And ANOTHER record for AKB! :lol:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 06, 2012, 06:39:13 AM
And an awesome series of CM's indeed:

AKB48×WONDA CMまとめ【A】 {With thanks to nogizaka46mai} (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hbUY_MWDAQ)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 06, 2012, 07:18:09 AM
Team K's turn:

【まとめ②】AKB48 CM ワンダ チームK WONDA コーヒー {With thanks to autoxp024} (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEkdRyOcqaU)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 06, 2012, 07:22:48 AM
Team B's time:

【まとめ③】AKB48 CM ワンダ チームB WONDA コーヒー {With thanks to autoxp024} (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZAX4E2L0nM)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 06, 2012, 07:26:48 AM
The fighting Four!!

【まとめ④】AKB48 CM ワンダ チーム4 WONDA コーヒー {With thanks to autoxp024 } (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udwUy2PptAQ)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 06, 2012, 07:30:40 AM
Research Students have done their Wonda Homework!!

【まとめ⑤】AKB48 CM ワンダ 研究生チーム WONDA コーヒー {With thanks to  autoxp024 } (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84ZePWqkoBE)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on March 08, 2012, 03:23:33 PM
AKB48 will appear on NHK concert, "Ashita E" 03/10. featuring SKE n Nogizaka46 as well http://www.nhk.or.jp/mj/special/20120310.html (http://www.nhk.or.jp/mj/special/20120310.html)

Broadcaster NHK has announced a public live program, “One year from the Earthquake, ‘Ashita e’ Concert” as a milestone to the eastern Japan earthquake. The event will be on March 10th 2012 which marks the one year anniversary. NHK will broadcast 6 hours of live performances held at two venues – Messe Makuhari Event Hall in Chiba and Fukushima Sukagawa in Tohoku. More details and who’s announced as participating follows,

Selected as the Host for the event is Nakai Masahiro of SMAP – “Please watch this show and as you enjoy watch I hope that you will support our singers and performers. As SMAP, through song we bring forward the thoughts for tomorrow.”

AKB48, SMAP, and Perfume so far have been announced for the venue at Messe Makuhari – expect about 10 groups total.  At Sukagawa, Tohoku so far the performers are; Kitajima Saburo, Sakamoto Fuyumi, Hitoto Yo, and Hirahara Ayaka.

Registration lottery to attend (free) at Messe Makuhari get the info – [here] – Deadline is February 10th midnight (JST). Registration to attend at Sukagawa will be by postcard.

NHK – “One year from the Earthquake, ‘Ashita e’ Concert” – March 10th 2012 (4pm-10pm NHK premium BS, 7:30pm-8:45pm general TV)
Messe Makuhari Event Hall, Chiba 4pm-10pm
ABK48
SMAP
Perfume
Fukushima Sukagawa, Tohoku 3pm – 6pm
Hirahara Ayaka
Kitajima Saburo
Sakamoto Fuyumi
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 09, 2012, 01:36:28 PM
Tomonobu Togasaki (English page)  -  8:26 PM
Quote
It has been decided to carry out the “ AKB48 YouTube LIVE for the East Japan Great Earthquake Rehabilitation Assistance ." Special public performance !!”

March 11, 2012 , It's been decided that the “East Japan Great Earthquake Rehabilitation Assistance Project ” that will be held at the AKB48 theater will be broadcast on the AKB48 official YouTube channel , live broadcasting at YouTube LIVE .

“ East Japan Great Earthquake Rehabilitation Assistance Special Public Performance” .

【Cast Members】
AKB48 : all 90 members
※ due to health complications etc . the number may change without a preliminary announcement .

【Delivery Time】
2:30 (4:30 End schedule)

【Destination URL】
AKB48 Official Channel !! :http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48

※ Due to technical access issues and centralization . there is potential for trouble in delivery , Please understand .

https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/Gr7gn8kNLv7 (https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/Gr7gn8kNLv7)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: z3144228 on March 16, 2012, 06:30:06 AM
Famima SKE48 T-Shirt

http://www.famima.com/shop/c/cSKE48/ (http://www.famima.com/shop/c/cSKE48/)

pre-order until 02/04/2012
delivery 24/04/2012

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yqlr9feP1qzk928o2_250.jpg)(http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yqlr9feP1qzk928o1_250.jpg)
(http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yqoaZbkR1qzk928o1_250.jpg)(http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yqoaZbkR1qzk928o2_250.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 16, 2012, 06:58:31 AM
New CM
(http://i.imgur.com/Us1M0.jpg) (http://imgur.com/Us1M0)


(http://i.imgur.com/qWVVnt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/qWVVn)(http://i.imgur.com/4qTqet.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4qTqe)(http://i.imgur.com/wD01rt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/wD01r)(http://i.imgur.com/7ofVHt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/7ofVH)


http://www.tokyopastelsand.jp (http://www.tokyopastelsand.jp)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on March 21, 2012, 11:43:05 AM
Quote
AKB48峯岸&まゆゆの色気・・・『VOGUE』で“オトナの女性”に変身

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip106137.jpg)

人気アイドルグループ・AKB48の峯岸みなみ(19)と渡辺麻友(17)が、女性モード雑誌『VOGUE JAPAN』5月号(3月28日発売)の誌面で色気漂う“大人な表情”を見せている。「素敵な大人の女性に変身できました」と大満足の2人。普段のかわいらしい姿から一転、モードな姿で誌面を飾っている。

クリスチャン・ディオールの新作リップから、それぞれ気になる色を選んで撮影に臨み、「このままつけて帰りたい」(渡辺)と、かなり気に入っていたという。10ページにわたって掲載される誌面では、ぷるんと艶やかな唇を強調したメイクと春らしいピンクベージュの衣装に身を包み、クールな表情でたたずむ姿が印象的だ。

発売に先がけ、きょうから同誌Webサイトで撮影のバックステージを公開。さらに3月28日からはメイキングや2人のインタビュー映像も配信される。
http://joshiplus.jp/beauty/news/2008825/ (http://joshiplus.jp/beauty/news/2008825/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on March 21, 2012, 04:06:06 PM
AKB48 will be performing two mini-concerts at the Genki Japan Expo in Hong Kong, which is held from March 23rd, 2012 to March 27th, 2012.

http://genkijapan.jp/jp/index.html (http://genkijapan.jp/jp/index.html)
http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2012/03/hong-kong-akb48-will-be-part-of-genki.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2012/03/hong-kong-akb48-will-be-part-of-genki.html)

700 tickets in 15 minutes...





Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 21, 2012, 05:43:34 PM
^ Yeah, I went to the site around 20mins in and it was already full. :cry: I was too busy replying a post here and totally forgot. :banghead:

And the members were announced recently. Harugon :O Yuka :shocked and Acchan :panic:
Darn, I would've loved hearing Yuka sing live.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 22, 2012, 10:46:33 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/qkeWX.png)

Quote
Iwasa Misaki got her first regular radio programme on TBS Radio, Iwasa Misaki no Konbanwasamin. This programme is part of the Music Navigator ~Kinou to Kyou no Kousaten~ which starts in April 2012 and airs 3:00 - 4:00 daily from Monday to Friday.

During the programme, Wasamin will talk about her favourite pets, share late-night snack recipes, and do some challenges.

http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2012/03/iwasa-misaki-gets-her-regular-radio.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/2012/03/iwasa-misaki-gets-her-regular-radio.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 22, 2012, 01:58:18 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/n1r6j.jpg)

Another day, another AKB48 App :P

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11200439128.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11200439128.html)

http://akb48call.com/ (http://akb48call.com/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: jafeijai on March 23, 2012, 12:27:38 AM
Quote
AKB48峯岸&まゆゆの色気・・・『VOGUE』で“オトナの女性”に変身

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip106137.jpg)
峯岸みなみ&渡辺麻友、Diorリップで色香たっぷりの大人顔に変身! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNYrOKVygEE#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 23, 2012, 02:59:34 AM


Quote
AKB48'll have their own card battle social game at Gree, "AKB48 Stage Fighter".  Will be released at 10/25 along w/ CM.


(http://thumbnails29.imagebam.com/15502/5bd187155018927.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5bd187155018927) (http://thumbnails49.imagebam.com/15502/069842155018929.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/069842155018929) (http://thumbnails38.imagebam.com/15502/f69420155018930.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f69420155018930) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15502/12835f155018932.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/12835f155018932) (http://thumbnails53.imagebam.com/15502/b67660155018933.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/b67660155018933) (http://thumbnails42.imagebam.com/15502/951543155018934.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/951543155018934) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15502/57004b155018937.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/57004b155018937) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15502/adfb71155018939.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/adfb71155018939) (http://thumbnails52.imagebam.com/15502/de06e4155018940.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/de06e4155018940) (http://thumbnails25.imagebam.com/15502/cfaace155018943.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/cfaace155018943) (http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/15502/c363ad155018944.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c363ad155018944) (http://thumbnails57.imagebam.com/15502/69432d155018947.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/69432d155018947) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15502/03c3c4155018950.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/03c3c4155018950) (http://thumbnails21.imagebam.com/15502/77faa0155018952.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/77faa0155018952) (http://thumbnails50.imagebam.com/15502/e0b441155018955.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/e0b441155018955) (http://thumbnails42.imagebam.com/15502/ef0a13155018957.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ef0a13155018957) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15502/0c8c81155018961.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0c8c81155018961) (http://thumbnails30.imagebam.com/15502/ba86f7155018964.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ba86f7155018964) (http://thumbnails55.imagebam.com/15502/5495ce155018966.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5495ce155018966) (http://thumbnails41.imagebam.com/15502/c6ee08155018969.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c6ee08155018969) (http://thumbnails46.imagebam.com/15502/8b9418155018972.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8b9418155018972) (http://thumbnails47.imagebam.com/15502/962d15155018978.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/962d15155018978) (http://thumbnails43.imagebam.com/15502/26cf82155018982.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/26cf82155018982) (http://thumbnails34.imagebam.com/15502/8fcf71155018987.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/8fcf71155018987) (http://thumbnails42.imagebam.com/15502/fe04ca155018993.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fe04ca155018993)

NEW CM

(http://s13.postimage.org/7nkgvcv1f/34248.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7nkgvcv1f/) (http://s13.postimage.org/xke57yyoz/34240.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xke57yyoz/) (http://s13.postimage.org/6b2rtgxlv/34242.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6b2rtgxlv/) (http://s13.postimage.org/xa6momk2r/34243.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xa6momk2r/) (http://s13.postimage.org/rna9r5hk3/34241.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rna9r5hk3/) (http://s13.postimage.org/p63kh03z7/400_34244.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/p63kh03z7/) (http://s13.postimage.org/ohupy259f/34246.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ohupy259f/) (http://s13.postimage.org/c4hvr5fkz/34245.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/c4hvr5fkz/) (http://s13.postimage.org/x2o1p8ffn/ssssssss1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/x2o1p8ffn/)

EDIT official vid


「AKB48ステージファイター」TVCM&カフェ連動CPメイキング/AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEmLmfT17tc#ws)


CM

AKB48 CM GREE ステージファイター 大島優子 15s×2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7rl01kvkuw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: sakura_drop_ on March 23, 2012, 11:31:39 AM
Yuko-sama is like always awesome  :wub: :wub: :wub:

So far from those CM's I like the song a lot... I hope to see it live...  :twothumbs
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on March 23, 2012, 06:03:11 PM
東京ドームコンサート決定! / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV5LU0UuZSw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 23, 2012, 10:56:02 PM
I understand this is a major publication in Germany


(http://i.imgur.com/Y7y1O.png)

23.03.2012
   
Girl-Group-Wunder aus Japan
180 Mädchenbeine

http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,822157,00.html (http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,822157,00.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on March 24, 2012, 11:33:32 AM
I understand this is a major publication in Germany

Spiegel is the publication in Germany, and they put a photo of Mayu/Mariyannu at the top of the article :hiakhiakhiak:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on March 24, 2012, 01:21:26 PM
SSA Day 2 setlist:
Quote
「業務連絡。頼むぞ、片山部長!in SSA」2日目セットリスト

AKB48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」(2012年3月24日(土) 開演17:00)

■セットリスト
01.上からマリコ
02.君のことが好きだから
03.ファーストラビット
04.大声ダイヤモンド
05.Everyday、カチューシャ
 = MC =
06.雨の動物園(與儀、福本、木本、児玉、木崎、松岡、佐々木、大場)
07.制服レジスタンス(松井珠、渡辺美、加藤れな)
08.パシャマドライブ(島崎、川栄、高橋朱)
09.キャンディ(板野、高城、横山)
10.シンクロときめき(渡辺麻)
11.炎上路線(柏木、宮澤)
12.パレオはエメラルド(SKE48)
13.バンザイVenus(SKE48)
 = MC(チーム4) =
14.絶滅黒髪少女(NMB48)
15.オーマイガー!(NMB48)
16.それでも好きだよ(指原)
17.鏡の中のジャンヌ・ダルク(高橋み、北原、倉持、佐藤亜、大家)
18.てもでもの涙(篠田、小嶋)
19.Dear J(大島優子)
 = MC(チームK) =
20.初恋は実らない(チーム4)
21.High school days(チーム4+究生)
22. オネストマン(チームB)
23.みなさんもご一緒に(チームB)
24.RESET(チームK)
25.彼女になれますか?(チームK)
26.ただいま恋愛中(チームA)
27.胡桃とダイアローグ(チームA)
28.手をつなぎながら(HKT48)
29.会いたかった(JKT48)
 = MC(高城、島崎、加藤れ、川栄) =
30.夕陽を見ているか
31.片想いFinally(SKE48)
32.純情U-19(NMB48)
33.僕の太陽
34.RIVER(選抜メンバー)
35.風は吹いている(選抜メンバー)
36.Beginner(13期研究生)
37.言い訳Maybe(選抜メンバー)
38.フライングゲット(選抜メンバー+α)
39.ポニーテールとシュシュ
40.ひこうき雲(全員)
 = MC(部活紹介) =
41.少女たちよ
EC1.NEW SHIP

◇26thシングル
「真夏のSounds Good!」5月23日発売
◇選抜メンバー(36名)
前田、大島、島崎、柏木、岩田、倉持、篠田、小嶋、高橋み、横山、河西、市川、峯岸、竹内、山内、島田、宮澤、板野、高城、加藤、指原、阿部、入山、川栄、北原、渡辺麻、高橋朱、松井珠(SKE)、松井玲(SKE)、木崎(SKE)、木本(SKE)、高柳(SKE)、渡辺美(NMB)、山本(NMB)、城(NMB)、兒玉(HKT)
※曲名は大文字小文字表記を含め、改めて公式ブログでの発表後にて確認して下さい

EC2.真夏のSounds Good!
EC3.抱きしめちゃいけない(アンダーガールズ)
EC4.誰かのために
EC5.ヘビーローテーション
 = ダブルアンコール =
EC1.GIVE ME FIVE!
http://daily-akb48.com/topics/2611 (http://daily-akb48.com/topics/2611)

Fuck yeah! Yuko performed Dear J :w00t:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: mode107 on March 26, 2012, 11:52:17 PM
Mitsumune Kaoru is going to be in a drama.
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2009177/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2009177/full/)
http://www.tbs.co.jp/ATARU/ (http://www.tbs.co.jp/ATARU/)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 09, 2012, 11:36:27 AM



Headshots updated at http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on April 16, 2012, 01:38:34 PM
Special AKB48 page is now up at CDJapan (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/jpop/recommended/akb48.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on April 17, 2012, 01:21:36 PM
Some more classy reporting from Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/5902571/this-girls-face-does-not-lie/gallery/1 (http://kotaku.com/5902571/this-girls-face-does-not-lie/gallery/1)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on April 17, 2012, 03:53:46 PM
120416 AKB48 東北握手会「AKB Buses」30台を寄付(字幕) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzHVJOChbBo#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 17, 2012, 03:55:02 PM
Some more classy reporting from Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/5902571/this-girls-face-does-not-lie/gallery/1 (http://kotaku.com/5902571/this-girls-face-does-not-lie/gallery/1)

This is way worse  http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fd20120415pb.html (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fd20120415pb.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Melchizadek on April 18, 2012, 04:22:33 AM
Looks like they're accepting applications for 14th Generation: https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/YbRBDx4NPiu

Quote
    Today we will start accepting Kenkyuusei applications for 14th Generation.  Application period ends at the end of the month, on April 30th, 2012.
    For details, please see a later post.
    Today I had some questions from people who want to leave good impressions at auditions, so I'll answer them here.
    1 - What kind of people will make it?
    --> There is no clear standard for that.  If we had one, then there wouldn't be members who audition multiple times and finally made the cut.
    2 - What if I am not good at singing and dancing?  Will I still be okay?
    --> According to Akimoto-san, the original concept of AKB48 is for your "growth to be seen" in the theater performances.  Like Takahashi Minami, who is very small at 148cm, who could not dance in the very beginning and had to stay longer to practice more.Like Maeda Atsuko, who cried and refused to sing the solo parts of "Nagisa no Cherry".AKB48 is looking for people who "are willing to work hard without thinking twice", rather than "talented people".However, there are people who wrote "I admire so-and-so from AKB48 and would love to perform with them on stage", and we don't think "admiring so-and-so" will encourage growth.  Instead we are looking for people who write down "I want to be admired by people".
    This is our first audition since Maeda Atsuko, who has been working hard as AKB48's center since December 8th, 2005, announced her graduation.
    We're excited to see what kind of applicants will show up.We will do our best to look at every application.Thank you for your continued support.
    We will also announce this on AKBINGO! tonight, so please watch that too!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 18, 2012, 10:39:16 AM
Quote
AKB48 coming to 3DS
18 April, 2012 by Sho

After two dating games on the PSP, the next AKB48 title will be released later this year for the 3DS. In AKB48+Me (AKB48 plus Me), players will play as themselves, a new aspiring member as they rise through the group’s hierarchy. AKB48+Me is being developed by Kadokawa Games, makers of the controversial Lollipop Chainsaw. The game will combine elements of rhythm and simulation games in a manner similar to the popular iDOLM@STER.

http://supermerlion.com/akb48-coming-to-3ds/ (http://supermerlion.com/akb48-coming-to-3ds/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on April 18, 2012, 11:40:54 AM
^
http://andriasang.com/con0oz/akb48_plus_me/ (http://andriasang.com/con0oz/akb48_plus_me/)
http://andriasang.com/con0p2/akb48_miis/ (http://andriasang.com/con0p2/akb48_miis/)
http://www.siliconera.com/2012/04/17/akb48me-asks-does-your-mii-have-what-it-takes-to-sing-with-the-j-pop-group/ (http://www.siliconera.com/2012/04/17/akb48me-asks-does-your-mii-have-what-it-takes-to-sing-with-the-j-pop-group/)


http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=175748 (http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=175748)
Quote
AKB48+Me
- girls will appear in Mii form
- play the role of a prospective AKB48 candidate
- play a story that grows over the course of 3 years
- work towards becoming a member yourself
- includes the full list AKB events
- this includes television appearances and meet-ups
- stage events take the form of a rhythm game
- this features AKB48 member Miis dancing and singing
- also features "AKB Theater" mode where you create your own stage
- includes a mode where you can try on new outfits
- due out this year
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 19, 2012, 04:21:59 PM
 :shocked


Maeda Atsuko / AKB48/Maeda Atsuko AKB48 Sotsugyo he no Michi (Road to Graduation)  BOOK
 933 yen   Release Date:2012/04/28
 Description:*This book is not published by the labels members of the group belong to.

 URL - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=NEOBK-1233879 (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=NEOBK-1233879)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on April 19, 2012, 04:25:03 PM
^An unofficial release can never provide interesting insights into Acchan's graduation...

They're just organizations trying to make a quick buck over AKB48's back  :thumbdown: Let's boycott!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on April 20, 2012, 12:20:21 PM
Japan all-girl group ad 'encourages homosexuality' (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gf10h58-VhSyDji_3A4qRdKzyBxQ?docId=CNG.18634ec517d1075c5bd67dd43cff9063.921)

 :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Melchizadek on April 20, 2012, 05:23:36 PM
^ When I watched that ad, turning homosexual never entered my mind.  :lol:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: shurastriker on April 20, 2012, 06:30:20 PM
Japan all-girl group ad 'encourages homosexuality' (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gf10h58-VhSyDji_3A4qRdKzyBxQ?docId=CNG.18634ec517d1075c5bd67dd43cff9063.921)

 :rofl: :rofl:

oh man i think i'm a lesbian now o___o
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on April 21, 2012, 02:13:35 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/wACag.jpg)
About SNH48

48 Department of idol group has been Japan's Akihabara of AKB48 Sakae SKE48, Osaka Namba NMB48, the Fugang Bo multi HKT48, overseas aspects the the Jakarta JKT48, Taipei TPE48 (recruitment)

SNH48 is belong to China "can be face to face female idol group" is following the Department of Women's idol group AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48 another the birth of the 48 produced by the famous lyricist, film and television program planning experts Akimoto Akashi planning. Take (theシャnnハイ) Japanese kana Sha, N-Hai, the three first letters to form the "SNH48.

SNH48 project was officially launched on April 21, 2012, now the majority of brands, media, collaborate on projects, investment, if you are interested in our planning, if you are willing to work together with us to create healthy and progressive, the youthful vigor of the National level idol groups. Please contact us

Official Website: www.snh48.com (http://www.snh48.com) www.akb48.com.cn (http://www.akb48.com.cn)

(http://i.imgur.com/klKDm.jpg)

/Audition started : August 2012/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on April 21, 2012, 03:07:43 PM
Another news:

《Dance Man online》 - 《舞侠Online》
Japanese nationals class girl idol group AKB48, become part of the Fire Dragon Network 2211 innovative cross-border cooperation. , AKB48 will speak the flames Network 2211's large-scale audio and dance casual gaming "Dance Man Online" ( http://5x.2211.com/ (http://5x.2211.com/) ), the virtual image is implanted in the game, and to achieve the AKB48 song, dance and video import within the game.


preview:
"Dance Man Online" 《舞侠Online》 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXgdEsKs-jE#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on April 24, 2012, 12:22:32 PM
Interview with Sayaka about her book & stuff: http://www.jiji.com/jc/v4?id=201204akb48nakaya_int0001 (http://www.jiji.com/jc/v4?id=201204akb48nakaya_int0001)
Kasai wearing a silly hat: http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2010608/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2010608/full/)
Tomochin being cool: http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2010644/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2010644/full/)
Articles about the 2012 Request Hour DVDs:
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2010651/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2010651/full/)
http://news.mu-mo.net/view/22152 (http://news.mu-mo.net/view/22152)
http://tower.jp/article/news/2012/04/24/n02 (http://tower.jp/article/news/2012/04/24/n02)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: jafeijai on April 24, 2012, 03:47:39 PM
Kasai wearing a silly hat: http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2010608/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2010608/full/)
Silly hat and playing some EXTREME DODGEBALL. :D
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on April 30, 2012, 12:01:53 PM
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20120430p2a00m0na004000c.html (http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20120430p2a00m0na004000c.html) - TL;DR: Expect AKB members in politics soon.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on April 30, 2012, 02:42:40 PM
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2010864/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2010864/full/) - A tidbit of news that only jaf and myself probably care about..
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 30, 2012, 05:08:45 PM
Quote
VIDEO: Yoko Kanno Earthquake Support Music Video Release Scheduled
CD and DVD scheduled for May
Scott Green

April 30, 2012 2:30am PDT (5 hours ago)
   

Anime composer Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Kids on the Slope) has worked with movie director Shunji Iwai (All About Lily Chou-Chou, Alice & Hana) on an NHK-published music video to support reconstruction from the March 2011, earthquake.
 
Both creators are from the affected Miyagi prefecture. Singing for this piece are 33 (and counting) singers, actors, actresses, and sports figures who come from Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima.
 
 
Release Title: NHK “Ashita e” Higashi Nihon Daishinsai Fukko Shien Song Hana wa Saku [with DVD, Limited Edition]
Release Date: May 23, 2012
Price: Y1429 (Y1500 Tax incl.) [approx. USD $17.1]

Track List:
CD/DVD Release:
1. Hana wa Saku (Sang by the Hana wa Saku Project)
2. Hana wa Saku (Sang by AKB48′s Karen Iwata)
3. Hana wa Saku (Sang by Members from The Little Singers of Tokyo)
4. Hana wa Saku (Instrumental)

DVD First Press Bonus:
1. Hana wa Saku (Original Full Version)
2. Hana wa Saku with AKB48′s Karen Iwata singing
3. Photos and Videos of “Hana wa Saku”
http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/04/30-1/video-yoko-kanno-earthquake-support-music-video-release-scheduled (http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/04/30-1/video-yoko-kanno-earthquake-support-music-video-release-scheduled)

Other source http://gabrielarobin.com/4954/earthquake-rehabilitation-support-song-hana-wa-saku (http://gabrielarobin.com/4954/earthquake-rehabilitation-support-song-hana-wa-saku)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on May 01, 2012, 07:50:52 PM
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20120430p2a00m0na004000c.html (http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20120430p2a00m0na004000c.html) - TL;DR: Expect AKB members in politics soon.

They already have worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Rie, Tomomi, and Yui receive official letter of appointment from Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba to be official supporters of "Vibrant Japan" program to promote Japanese Products in China: (picture and story from Asahi Shimbun)
  :otomerika: :otomerika: :otomerika:

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201202040004 (http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201202040004)
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip110945.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 08, 2012, 06:21:46 AM
Quote
Which female celebrities are getting paid the most per CM?
by HPriest on May 7, 2012 at 3:23 pm


TV commercials are one of the best ‘popularity barometers’ for celebrities in Japan. However, it’s not just the amount of CM contracts nor the amount of exposure that differentiates a CM Queen (or king) from a ‘normal’ female celebrity, it’s the fee they get paid per CM.

Tabloid ‘Shukan Post‘ once again managed to obtain the top secret list that showed how much celebrities are getting paid per CM contract. Naturally, you have to have a certain degree of popularity and an almost flawless image in order to get corporations to invest that much money into the celebrity to represent their brand.

One female celebrity that plowed through the top ranking by increasing her fee more than threefold is none other than child actress Ashida Mana. Last year she ‘only’ received an estimated fee of 20,000,000 Yen ($250,720 USD) per CM, but as of right now she’s already commanding 65,000,000 Yen ($814,840 USD) per CM.

Industry insiders explained that companies are willing to pay her that much, because they can use her to appeal to the two big target groups of children and their mothers. Moreover they won’t have to be concerned about her getting involved in some kind of scandal for many more years to come. Her incredible professionalism that even awes veteran actresses in their forties is the icing on the cake.

Other young talents that at least doubled their CM fees compared to last year are Takei Emi, Gouriki Ayame, and Kutsuna Shiori. Takei improved from 18,000,000 Yen ($225,648 USD) to 38,000,000 Yen ($476,368 USD), Gouriki from 12,000,000 Yen ($150,432 USD) to 24,000,000 Yen ($300,864 USD), and Kutsuna from 10,000,000 Yen ($125,360 USD) to 24,000,000 Yen ($300,864 USD). With this they are the representatives of the up-and-coming actresses in Japan right now.

The two AKB48 members Oshima Yuko (+20,000,000 Yen) and Maeda Atsuko (+20,000,000 Yen) also climbed up the ranking.

However, even well-established CM image celebrities managed to negotiate higher fees thanks to a successful and scandal-free year, including Ueto Aya (+17,000,000 Yen), Anne (+10,000,000 Yen), Ishihara Satomi (+5,000,000 Yen), Sasaki Nozomi (+5,000,000 Yen), and others.

In Ueto’s case it’s somewhat surprising that the whole love and marriage rumors with EXILE’s HIRO didn’t decrease her estimated fee.

Of course, when there are women who climb up the ranking, there’s also have women that lost some market value compared to last year. Ayase Haruka surprisingly is among the latter with a drop of 7,000,000 Yen from 65,000,000 Yen ($814,840 USD) down to 58,000,000 Yen ($727,088 USD), despite her clean slate.

The biggest loser by a wide margin seems to be Miyazaki Aoi who fell from a great second position with 67,000,000 Yen ($839,912 USD) down to an ordinary level of 37,000,000 Yen ($463,832 USD). According to an advertisement firm, this drop is directly related to all the Twitter drama that has been going on with her ex-husband Takaoka Sosuke.

At first, the divorce was actually expected to boost her market value, but then he publicly accused her of adultery, which damaged her pure and innocent image. “However, people still respect her and her acting skills, so she shouldn’t fall down any lower than that,” they said.

You can check out the top ten below, but always remember to take these numbers with a grain of salt.

-

Which female celebrities are getting paid the most per CM in 2012?

01 – 75,000,000 Yen / (940,200 USD) – Yoshinaga Sayuri (last year: 100,000,000 Yen)
02 – 65,000,000 Yen / (814,840 USD) – Ashida Mana (last year: 20,000,000 Yen)
03 – 62,000,000 Yen / (777,232 USD) – Ueto Aya (last year: 45,000,000 Yen)
04 – 58,000,000 Yen / (727,088 USD) – Ayase Haruka (last year: 65,000,000 Yen)
05 – 50,000,000 Yen / (626,800 USD) – Kanno Miho (last year: 50,000,000 Yen)
06 – 45,000,000 Yen / (564,120 USD) – Oshima Yuko (last year: 25,000,000 Yen)
06 – 45,000,000 Yen / (564,120 USD) – Takeuchi Yuko (last year: 45,000,000 Yen)
07 – 44,000,000 Yen / (551,584 USD) – Maeda Atsuko (last year: 24,000,000 Yen)
08 – 43,000,000 Yen / (539,048 USD) – Matsushima Nanako (last year: 30,000,000 Yen)
09 – 42,000,000 Yen / (526,512 USD) – Takashima Aya (last year: -)
09 – 42,000,000 Yen / (526,512 USD) – Dan Rei (last year: 42,000,000 Yen)
10 – 40,000,000 Yen / (501,440 USD) – Ishihara Satomi (last year: 35,000,000 Yen)

(Conversion rate: 1 USD = 79.7703 Yen)

Sources: PostSeven (1,2), Shukan Post (May 18th Edition)

Credit tokyohive
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 08, 2012, 05:29:22 PM

Estimated earnings
Quote
 ◆AKB48推定年収ランキング(氏名、年齢、年収、所属)
1位 前田敦子(20)  4000万円(前年2000万円)太田プロダクション
2位 篠田麻里子(26) 3800万円(同 2000万円)サムデイ
3位 板野友美(20)  3500万円(同 1600万円)ホリプロ
4位 大島優子(23)  3000万円(同 1800万円)太田プロダクション
5位 小嶋陽菜(24)  3000万円(同 1800万円)プロダクション尾木
※取材を基に、ゆかしメディアが独自作成、敬称略


Source http://media.yucasee.jp/posts/index/11047/ (http://media.yucasee.jp/posts/index/11047/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Seigus on May 10, 2012, 07:49:25 AM
As we are aware, Takamina recently changed her hairstyle to the one below.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/seigus/th_takamina.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v511/seigus/?action=view&current=takamina.jpg)

Seems like Takamina was forced to cut her hair due to a fire accident. Her hair caught fire from a candle when she was shopping at a boutique shop in Tokyo on 4th May :nervous
Thankfully, our dearest captain didn't sustain any burns.

Source and full article at AKB48 WrapUp:
http://tomkono.blogspot.com/2012/05/minami-takahashi-forced-to-graduate-her.html (http://tomkono.blogspot.com/2012/05/minami-takahashi-forced-to-graduate-her.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: bsmkg on May 12, 2012, 11:29:38 AM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip112625.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip112625.jpg)

2012.05.10(Temporarily only Chinese)

Newspapers switched Sing Tao Daily

以上英文翻譯是用Google翻譯的
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: bsmkg on May 12, 2012, 02:44:11 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip112626.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip112626.jpg)

2012.05.10

Newspaper switched from Sun
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: bsmkg on May 12, 2012, 04:18:07 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip112643.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip112643.jpg)

2012.05.10

Newspapers switched 明報
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: bsmkg on May 12, 2012, 04:49:07 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/T1ouCs.jpg)
2012.04.20
Newspaper switched from Sun

(http://i.imgur.com/gmnIys.jpg)
2012.04.26
Newspapers transferred from Sing Tao Daily

(http://i.imgur.com/eCX1ls.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/77MBDs.jpg)
2012.04.28
Newspaper switched from Sun

(http://i.imgur.com/NBJ8gs.jpg)
2012.05.03
Newspaper switched from Sun

(http://i.imgur.com/BzmoVs.jpg)
2012.05.04
Newspaper switched from Sun

(http://i.imgur.com/mJJBJs.jpg)
2012.05.07
Newspaper switched from sunny reported

(http://i.imgur.com/p3xsfs.jpg)
2012.05.07
Newspapers transferred from Sing Tao Daily

(http://i.imgur.com/vQPdNs.jpg)
2012.05.10
Newspaper switched from Ming Pao

(http://i.imgur.com/he52zs.jpg)
2012.05.07
Newspaper switched from Ming Pao
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 12, 2012, 06:43:44 PM
Quote
#1 Female Entertainer you want on the Back of your Motorcycle



#1 Haruka Ayase
#2 Yui Aragaki
#3 Masami Nagasawa
#4 Aya Ueto
#5 Keiko Kitagawa
#6 Maki Horikita
#7 Yuriko Yoshitaka
#8 Nozomi Sasaki
#9 Yuko Oshima AKB48
#10 Mariko Shinoda AKB48


cr: npn

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3794833.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/3794833.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 23, 2012, 10:51:19 AM
Quote

AKB Dominates Top 4 In The Ranking of 'Songs Made The Most Profit From Copyright Fee'

JASRAC (Japan artists and songwriters association about copyrights) announced the ranking of songs which have made the most profit from copyright fee, such as for Karaoke or records, in last year.

 Top4 songs of the ranking are dominated by Japan's mega idol group AKB48. According to JASRAC, it's the first time in the history that all top4 songs are from one music act.

 5 of AKB48's song rank in top10, including Heave Rotation placed 1st, Ponytail to Chuchu at 2nd, Beginner at 3rd, Everyday Cachucha placed 4th and Aitakatta placed 6th.

 The song placed 5th is Arigatou by Ikimonogakari, the only non-AKB48 song in top-5.

 Source Sankei

http://tomkono.blogspot.com/2012/05/akb-dominates-top4-in-ranking-of-songs.html (http://tomkono.blogspot.com/2012/05/akb-dominates-top4-in-ranking-of-songs.html)



[大明湖坑爹字幕]120523 AKBが独占 史上初の快挙 JASRAC賞 - 视频 - 优酷视频 - 在线观看 (http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDAxNjMyMjQ0)

Sankei image
(http://i.imgur.com/IoFQ5.jpg)

Image credit scramble-egg
(http://i.imgur.com/UoUFv.jpg)

Edit: caps
(http://i.imgur.com/gTjjxt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/gTjjx)(http://i.imgur.com/CT8AWt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/CT8AW)(http://i.imgur.com/OSiQmt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/OSiQm)(http://i.imgur.com/6VKZNt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/6VKZN)(http://i.imgur.com/my9Xyt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/my9Xy)

(http://i.imgur.com/SvmLH.jpg) (http://imgur.com/SvmLH)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 23, 2012, 11:50:01 AM
Quote
AKB48 Grand Prix Search for the #1 Fan
Whose post about their favorite AKB member is the most supportive in the world?
Fans on Google+ with the support messages that moved the most fans and collected the most +1s will receive a personal greeting video from thier favorite member.
They will also have the chance to be considered for invitation to the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo as an official AKB48 General Election fan reporter.
Join Google+ to get started now!

More on the prizes:

Quote

“Video message from your favorite member sent just to you!”

Persons entitled to claim prize: A total of 8 persons, including the 7 persons with the no. 1 ranking for each language and 1 person chosen by drawing from among all persons who submitted a contribution during the participation period, will receive a present of a personal video message from their favorite member via Google+ at a later date.

Entry: May 23rd 6PM – June 7th 12AM (JST)


http://www.akb48plus.com/oshimen/en/ (http://www.akb48plus.com/oshimen/en/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 26, 2012, 04:55:18 PM
Wall Street Journal

Quote
JGB48? Pop Idols To Push Japanese Government Bonds


The members of all-girl pop group AKB48 have the marketing Midas touch in Japan. From canned coffee to lingerie, their golden seal of approval can boost the sales of just about anything.

But the next item on their promotional conveyer belt looks like a tougher prospect: persuading investors to snap up government debt.

The Japanese finance ministry will enlist members of the group to promote “reconstruction bonds” aimed at financing the rebuilding of the areas hit by the earthquake and tsunami last year, a person familiar with the matter told JRT, speaking on condition of anonymity before an official announcement of the campaign on May 29.

The government plans to issue ¥2.682 trillion ($33.7 billion) worth of the bonds in this fiscal year alone, but there’s a snag: demand is relatively weak as interest rates on JGBs have fallen to multi-year lows amid the current global financial turmoil, with investors looking elsewhere for higher returns.

That’s where the girls from Tokyo’s geek district of Akihabara come in: the ministry hopes the sheer star power AKB48 will raise awareness of the bonds, get investors excited and make up for the relatively unattractive interest rates.

The move is part of a broader campaign to use celebrities to stoke interest in the bonds, with Mongolian sumo champion Hakuho the first of four stars to appear in TV commercials, newspaper ads and posters over the next year.

AKB48, which regularly sells over a million copies of its singles on the first day of release, will appear later in the year, the person said, adding that the campaign strategy was proposed by the advertising agency that won the bid. Which of AKB48’s 92 members will appear in the adverts has yet to be decided, the person said.

At first sight, the group’s image may appear a bit too racy for the staid world of Japanese government debt–with short skirts, knee-high socks and sometimes-suggestive pop songs that are designed to appeal directly to their deeply committed, mostly male, core fan base.

But this isn’t the first time the ministry has used unconventional marketing tactics. In 2010, it placed advertisements in magazines aimed at businessmen that claimed investing in government bonds would boost their appeal with the opposite sex.

Still, the new campaign marks a change from last year’s promotional efforts, when the ministry introduced a grinning, block-headed character called “Kokusai Sensei”–-or “government bond teacher”–to extol the virtues of buying sovereign debt.

The marketing froth masks an urgent issue for Japan: the government currently funds around half its annual spending through borrowing, and must find new buyers for its debt as the population ages and retirees draw down their savings. Credit rating agencies warn that, unless the country brings under control its public debt—-the highest in the developed world at around twice annual economic output—-it could face a financial crisis in the future.

–Takashi Nakamichi contributed to this report.

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/05/25/jgb48-pop-idols-to-push-japanese-government-bonds/tab/print/ (http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2012/05/25/jgb48-pop-idols-to-push-japanese-government-bonds/tab/print/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 02, 2012, 01:42:02 PM
AKB48 members monopolize Oricon’s photo book ranking for first half of 2012
by ustar on June 1, 2012 at 12:02 pm



Oricon has revealed that AKB48 has taken all three spots of the “TOP 3″ of its half-year photo book ranking for 2012!

Coming in first place is Maeda Atsuko’s latest photo book, ‘Bukiyou‘, with over 102,306 units sold. After receiving this news, Maeda commented, “It’s all thanks to everybody. Thank you very much!”

The second and third place spots went to Sashihara Rino’s 1st photo book, ‘Sashiko‘ (100,951 units), and Kashiwagi Yuki’s 2nd photobook, ‘Yu, Yu, Yukirin…‘ (73,879), respectively.

This is AKB48’s 3rd consecutive year to top Oricon’s photo book ranking. ‘AKB48 FASHION BOOK Wagamama Girlfriend‘ took first back in 2010 and ‘AKB 1/48 Idol to Koi Shitara… Koushiki Kouryaku Visual Book‘ placed first last year.

Aside from these 3 photo books, AKB48’s glasses-themed photo book, ‘AKB48 Twenty – Four Hours‘, came in 5th place. Additionally, SKE48 member Matsui Rena’s ‘Kingyo‘ ranked 6th and SKE48’s photo book, ‘Houkago, Nijigen Doukoukai‘, took 9th place.

Check out the full ranking below!

===

01. Maeda Atsuko’s Photo Book, “Bukiyou” (102,306)
02. Sashihara Rino’s 1st Photo Book, “Sashiko” (100,951)
03. Kashiwagi Yuki’s 2nd Photo Book, “Yu, Yu, Yukirin…” (73,879)
04. Sasaki Nozomi’s “Non.non” (71,490)
05. AKB48’s “Twenty-Four Hours” (71,120)
06. Matsui Rena’s Photo Book, “Kingyo” (52,573)
07. Shoujo Jidai’s “Holiday” (33,415)
08. Pia Live Photo Magazine, “2PM ARENA TOUR 2011″ (16,938)
09. SKE48’s Photo Book, “Houkago, Nijigen Doukoukai” (16,749)
10. Nose Neko, “Kago Neko Shiro to 3 Tou no Nakama Tachi” (16,188)

Source: Oricon

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/06/akb48-members-monopolize-oricons-photo-book-ranking-for-first-half-of-2012/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/06/akb48-members-monopolize-oricons-photo-book-ranking-for-first-half-of-2012/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 08, 2012, 11:18:00 AM
Members who passed the Wiz~Wizard of Oz~ musical 1st audition according to http://www.parco-play.com/web/play/wiz/audition/ (http://www.parco-play.com/web/play/wiz/audition/)

(http://i.imgur.com/DPB3f.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 10, 2012, 08:09:26 PM
The AKB48 Art Club are to host their own exhibition from 15th June until 8th July at 3331 Arts Chiyoda.

10 AKB48, 11 SKE48, 12 NMB48, and 2 HKT48 members are involved.

http://www.akb48.co.jp/art/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/art/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: mode107 on June 12, 2012, 07:10:12 PM
Huffington Post Article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/akb48-japan-music-videos-sensation_n_1589228.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/akb48-japan-music-videos-sensation_n_1589228.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: z3144228 on June 14, 2012, 07:25:44 AM
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5ld9pFdTc1qju716o1_500.jpg)

The Next Big Thing in Music: A 60-Member Band Chosen By Its Fans

http://entertainment.time.com/2012/06/13/the-next-big-thing-in-music-a-60-member-band-chosen-by-its-fans/ (http://entertainment.time.com/2012/06/13/the-next-big-thing-in-music-a-60-member-band-chosen-by-its-fans/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: z3144228 on June 16, 2012, 03:41:58 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PbD-hEeVHE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PbD-hEeVHE)


unelected girls will get one magazine photoshot

announcement today
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Seigus on June 17, 2012, 08:17:58 AM
Just saw this tweet by AKB48 Journal:
Quote
Majisuka 3 announced at handshake event today! Start to air at 07/13. Theme is "prison".
EDIT:
Majisuka Gakuen 3 official website
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/majisuka3/ (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/majisuka3/)

EDIT 2:
News links:
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120617-00000313-oric-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120617-00000313-oric-ent)
http://news.thetv.jp/article/31010/ (http://news.thetv.jp/article/31010/)

Quote
7月13日(金)スタート 
夜0:12-0:53
テレビ東京系で放送
出演:AKB48、SKE48ほか

Promo images:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/seigus/prisoner.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/seigus/prisoner2.jpg)

The cast includes AKB48 and SKE48 members. As to who the prisoner in the images above is, seems like we will only find out during the broadcast of the first episode on 13 July.

*Discussion of Majisuka Gakuen 3 at Majisuka Gakuen Season 3 Discussion Thread (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=32328.0).
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 23, 2012, 02:57:26 PM
HKT48 second generation auditions have finished.

15 judges decided to pass 34 girls, who have an average age of 13.8

http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2012/06/23a.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2012/06/23a.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 24, 2012, 08:28:41 AM
Quote
10th Gen and 11th Gen Members Promoted! Team yet to be decided


At today's [Manatsu no Sounds Good] handshake event, it was announced 10th Members Izuta Rina, Kobayashi Marina and Fujita Nana along with 11th Gen members Natori Wakana, Morikawa Ayaka and Kojima Natsuki have been promoted to full time members!

 The team where they will be is yet to be announced but one of them good be taking Acchan or Sasshi's spot in Team A, either that or this is the start of Team 8 formation.
melosnomichi (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.fi/2012/06/10th-gen-and-11th-gen-members-promoted.html)




Edit tgsk's G+

Quote
Just a few moments ago, we announced the promotion of the following members. Rina Izuta, Erina Kobayashi, Nana Fujita, Natsuki Kojima, Masana Natori, Ayaka Morikawa.
These six members are finally able to stand on the starting line as  AKB members. Please support them in their future endeavors.

(http://i.imgur.com/QPhFS.jpg)

https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/Mh6AphZHyoF (https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/Mh6AphZHyoF)



Edit edit scramble egg pics
(http://i.imgur.com/JwZaK.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dx6yj.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 24, 2012, 02:18:11 PM
Let the hype/circus begin...   :panic:



Quote
Second Matsui Jurina emerged at HKT's 2gen audition


http://www.akb48wrapup.com/2012/06/second-matsui-jurina-emerged-in-hkts.html (http://www.akb48wrapup.com/2012/06/second-matsui-jurina-emerged-in-hkts.html)


I found this scan on baidu

(http://i.imgur.com/0QL6X.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 26, 2012, 08:45:34 AM
So called 2channelers came up with this nifty list from http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2012/musicrank0620/index01.html (http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2012/musicrank0620/index01.html)

Amazing when you note how they ranked in the end  :deco:
 
Quote
1 真夏のSounds good! / AKB48 / 1,780,949
2 GIVE ME FIVE! / AKB48 / 1,434,398


5 片想いFinally / SKE48 / 592,681
6 アイシテラブル! / SKE48 / 544,000

8 ナギイチ / NMB48 / 433,421
9 純情U-19 / NMB48 / 376,302




14 ぐるぐるカーテン / 乃木坂46 [nogizaka46] / 209,053
15 おいでシャンプー / 乃木坂46 [nogizaka46] / 201,870








24 シンクロときめき / 渡辺麻友 [Watanabe Mayu]/ 155,803

26 西瓜BABY / Not yet / 152,346
27 それでも好きだよ / 指原莉乃 [Sashihara Rino]/ 147,660
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on July 03, 2012, 02:01:00 PM
Help me find some info (in English) about NotTV please: http://www.nottv.jp/special/akb48_antadare/?wapr=4ff2deb4 (http://www.nottv.jp/special/akb48_antadare/?wapr=4ff2deb4)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Melchizadek on July 03, 2012, 06:39:32 PM
^ AKB48 unveils their regular NOTTV program “AKB48 no Anta, Dare?”: http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/04/akb48-unveils-their-regular-nottv-program-akb48-no-anta-dare/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/04/akb48-unveils-their-regular-nottv-program-akb48-no-anta-dare/)

Quote
On April 1st, AKB48’s Kitahara Rie (20), Yokoyama Yui (19), Katayama Haruka (21), and Nakatsuka Tomomi (18) arrived at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo to attend a commemoration event for Japan’s first exclusive broadcast program for smart phones, NOTTV.

At this event, AKB48 members announced that they will have a regular program titled, “AKB48 no Anta, Dare?” (every weekday, 5 to 6 P.M. JST), through this mobile channel starting on the 2nd. It was also revealed that for this program, 30 of their fans will be gathered at their very own AKB Cafe and there, one of AKB48’s members will appear in this cafe as a part of a live segment of this program.

At this event, Kitahara stated about this program with, “I want it to be a long-term program,” and told of her aspirations for this new show. In addition, Katayama commented, “Perhaps we will hold a surprise event during our live segments,” giving fans more reason to have high hopes for this upcoming program.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on July 05, 2012, 02:07:07 PM
This may be my best bet to see some more members. I applied for the show yesterday, but only 30/200 get in.

Show was Harukyan, Harugon, Shihorin and Chiichan and some of the @Home maids. Very funny. I caught the live broadcast in the AKB Cafe while eating JuriMama's (as it says on the menu) spaghetti! Good times, good times.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on July 09, 2012, 04:01:00 PM
Kyoraku announced an AKB48-themed pachinko game:
http://www.kyoraku.co.jp/product_site/2012/akb48/ (http://www.kyoraku.co.jp/product_site/2012/akb48/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 10, 2012, 02:12:20 AM
Saitama Super Arena Concert DVDs will be released September 5th

The concert seems to be renamed [前田敦子 涙の卒業宣言!in さいたまスーパーアリーナ ~業務連絡。頼むぞ、片山部長!~] which adds Maeda Atsuko Graduation Concert to the Gyoumu Renraku part...

http://akb48-dvdcatalog.com/ssa2012/ (http://akb48-dvdcatalog.com/ssa2012/)
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11298735812.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11298735812.html)

Boxset for 18,900 Yen, 7xDVD, photobook +5 photos
Individual days for 5,980 Yen, 2xDVD + 1 photo
Digest for 4,980 Yen, 1xDVD + 1 photo

(I couldn't find the thread for this concert... it must exist though...)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 11, 2012, 10:08:17 AM
AKB48 and Johnny's Dominate Japanese Commercials

Quote
Nihon Monitor published the report for the highest number of commercials a female celebrity appeared in for the first half of 2012. Without doubt, popular idol group AKB48 dominated the first spot. They took the overall number 1 spot from the "Bashful Prince" professional golfer Ryo Ishikawa.

The number 1 spot belong to three AKB48 members, Tomomi Itano, Mariko Shinoda and Atsuko Maeda. All three girls have 17 different companies that they are endorsing. The second spot was also taken by an AKB48 member, Minami Takahashi with 16 companies. While the 3rd spot are occupied by child actress Mana Ashida and Rino Sashihara who recently transferred to HKT48 from AKB48; both are contracted to 15 companies.

Aya Ueto once dominated this ranking fell to fifth place with 12 companies. While relatively new actress, Ayame Gouriki took 9 commercials and the media are touting her as the next actress to dominate the chart.

On the male celebrity side, Ryo Ishikawa took number 1 spot with 14 companies. All Arashi members made it into the chart. Korean actor Jang Geun Suk made it to number 4 with seven companies. Korean actor Bae Yong Jun entered the chart in 2004. But since then Jang Geun Suk is the only Korean celebrity to make it into this chart.

Rankings:

Female Celebrity Endorsement Ranking
1) 17 Companies
Tomomi Itano (AKB48)
Mariko Shinoda (AKB48)
Atsuko Maeda (AKB48)
2) 16 Companies
Minami Takahashi (AKB48)
3) 15 Companies
Mana Ashida
Rino Sashihara (AKB48)
4) 14 Companies
Aya Ueto
Yuki Kashiwagi (AKB48)
Haruna Kojima (AKB48)
5) 11 Companies
Emi Takei
6) 10 Companies
Sawa Homare
Becky
7) 9 Companies
Yuki Amame
Haruka Ayase
Ayame Gouriki
Miyu Honda
Mayu Watanabe (AKB48)
8) 8 Companies
Sasaki Nozomi
Yui Yokayama (AKB48)
ROLA

Male Celebrity Endorsement Ranking
1) 14 Companies
Ryo Ishikawa
2) 10 Companies
Sakurai Sho (Arashi)
Fuku Suzuki
Osamu Mukai
3) 9 Companies
Masaki Aiba (Arashi)
Takuya Kimura (SMAP)
Kazunari Ninomiya (Arashi)
Jun Matsumoto (Arashi)
4) 7 Companies
Satoshi Ohno (Arashi)
Katori Shingo (SMAP)
Taichi Kokubun (TOKIO)
Takeru Sato
Masahiro Nakai (SMAP)
Tomoya Nagase (TOKIO)
Jang Geun Suk
5) 6 Companies
Hiroshi Abe
Ichiro Suzuki
Jun'ichi Okada (V6)
Shun Oguri
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi (SMAP)
TAKAHIRO (EXILE)
Masaharu Fukuyama
Matsuoka Shuzo
Junpei Mizobata
Tatsuya Yamaguchi (TOKIO)

Source: Nihon Monitor via jpopasia

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4013129.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4013129.html)



AKB48 Producer Yasushi Akimoto To Collaborate With Magazine "Shukan Bunshun"


(http://i.imgur.com/iH1vg.jpg)

Quote
Shukan Bunshun had published two scandalous articles about two AKB48 members. One was Minami Takahashi's mother arrested for committing a lewd act with an underage boy.

The other one was more recent with Rino Sashihara's ex-boyfriend talking about their past romance and releasing photos. These two stories greatly damaged AKB48's innocent image. AKB48's general producer Yasushi Akimoto has now decided to use AKB48's concert publishing rights to exchange with the publisher. In return, the publisher has to stop writing any stories that might damage the image of AKB48. This exchange has been labeled in the entertainment industry as an "evil reconciliation".

(http://i.imgur.com/6Usgx.jpg)

Quote
AKB48 already has 8 singles that sold over 1 million copies. They are constantly making money and was one of the highest earning musical acts in the world in 2011. Shukan Bunshun's two published article were damaging to AKB48. Akimoto knows that there will be much more, and even heard that the magazine are holding on to more Rino Sashihara pictures; some that are worse than the ones posted. If Akimoto could not tell the publisher to be quiet about it, then he might as well work with them.

It has been reported that the two parties will reconcile on the terms of AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert in August and Atsuko Maeda's official graduation. The publishing rights of these two events will be given to Shukan Bunshun's publisher Bunshun to print and publish. There were news that AKB48 had already reconciled with other magazine companies including FRIDAY and FLASH, that is why those magazines had dropped writing any news regarding AKB48.

With AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert in August and Maeda's graduation, both news are extremely big and any publisher with information on it will sell very well.

Source:
jpopasia

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4004879.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4004879.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on July 12, 2012, 01:40:26 PM
SNH48 Audition begins!
The starter ceremony:  Umeda Ayaka, Kikuchi Ayaka, Fujie Rena representing AKB48
(http://s7.postimage.org/ling2ao93/201207121517440193413.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ling2ao93/)

source: http://twent.chinayes.com/Content/20120712/kfliwhoqu4xc0.shtml (http://twent.chinayes.com/Content/20120712/kfliwhoqu4xc0.shtml)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 14, 2012, 07:45:10 PM
14th gen:

(http://i.imgur.com/cdfkJ.jpg)

http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 21, 2012, 01:48:01 PM
arsencoffee translated the following https://plus.google.com/u/0/113474433041552257864/posts/3QhMdP9VnGM

Quote
Akimoto Yasushi. 16:45 – Mobile – Public

 That’s right.
 I had meeting with AKB48 overseas team,
 and we’re thinking to create “Studying Abroad System”.
 JKT48 at Indonesia, SHN48 at Shanghai, TPE48 at Taiwan, etc.
 In each expanding group,
 we’re going to have member studying abroad there.
 I’m sure that they will teach something, and also will learn something.

AKB48 members,
 are there any of you who want to study abroad?
 The period is from around half a year to one year.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on July 25, 2012, 03:30:50 PM
AKB48 unveils their regular NOTTV program “AKB48 no Anta, Dare?”

My full report of the show (including pics from G+) can be found in: SomethingWild's Adventure in Japan (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33330.msg1065921#msg1065921)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on July 25, 2012, 08:40:41 PM
Quote
Shukan Bunshun had published two scandalous articles about two AKB48 members. One was Minami Takahashi's mother arrested for committing a lewd act with an underage boy.

The other one was more recent with Rino Sashihara's ex-boyfriend talking about their past romance and releasing photos. These two stories greatly damaged AKB48's innocent image. AKB48's general producer Yasushi Akimoto has now decided to use AKB48's concert publishing rights to exchange with the publisher. In return, the publisher has to stop writing any stories that might damage the image of AKB48. This exchange has been labeled in the entertainment industry as an "evil reconciliation".


Quote
AKB48 already has 8 singles that sold over 1 million copies. They are constantly making money and was one of the highest earning musical acts in the world in 2011. Shukan Bunshun's two published article were damaging to AKB48. Akimoto knows that there will be much more, and even heard that the magazine are holding on to more Rino Sashihara pictures; some that are worse than the ones posted. If Akimoto could not tell the publisher to be quiet about it, then he might as well work with them.

It has been reported that the two parties will reconcile on the terms of AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert in August and Atsuko Maeda's official graduation. The publishing rights of these two events will be given to Shukan Bunshun's publisher Bunshun to print and publish. There were news that AKB48 had already reconciled with other magazine companies including FRIDAY and FLASH, that is why those magazines had dropped writing any news regarding AKB48.

With AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert in August and Maeda's graduation, both news are extremely big and any publisher with information on it will sell very well.

Source:
jpopasia

I don't like the sound of this. It sounds extremely shady.
It gives me the impression that Akip would forsake his own rules so one of the more
popular members won't get caught in a scandal, and he could lose money or face. I
dislike the double standard.  :smhid
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Serafis_CZ on July 25, 2012, 11:34:57 PM
Well, it's more like classic damage control. If they can pay their way out of this shit, it will be just another tool to maintain innocent image... apart to standard "no boyfriend rule". You can't help to the girls who were already damaged by previous scandals but you may be able successfully prevent more scandals from emerging. I have no problem with this 8)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on July 26, 2012, 03:27:46 AM
Well, it's more like classic damage control. If they can pay their way out of this shit, it will be just another tool to maintain innocent image... apart to standard "no boyfriend rule". You can't help to the girls who were already damaged by previous scandals but you may be able successfully prevent more scandals from emerging. I have no problem with this 8)

Yeah, I see what you're saying, but basically what I'm getting out of this is:
Okay, I'm going to pay lots of money so the girls making ME money won't get
caught breaking MY rules, and I won't be put in an awkward position. :|
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 26, 2012, 10:00:08 AM

AKB48 65 DVD Titles are Listed!!

Quote
AKB48's 65 DVD titles are listed!
These products were available exclusively at the AKB48 official site.
Now they become available to order at CDJapan!

Each DVD comes with an original clear folder.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/rcms/jpop/akb65titles.html (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/rcms/jpop/akb65titles.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on July 26, 2012, 01:18:10 PM
^Oh wow, that is pretty epic. Even the 'Baby Baby Baby Buy-able Bikini Box' is listed  XD

I'm sure this will annoy various fans who purchased these items using expensive shopping services.
This makes the items less collectible and valuable in a way. Still, I'm excited all these great DVDs are now available to the general public.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 27, 2012, 10:49:52 AM
Wasamin, SDN48, Diva, Warota,  French Kiss, Tomochin, no3b,  Sasshi, Mayuyu, Not Yet, Acchan, Nogizaka46, NMB48, SKE48 and AKB48 in bold

Quote
Yearly Top 105

Singles

*1 1,808,846 *,**1,893 Manatsu no Sounds good! / AKB48 12/05/23
*2 1,436,519 *,***,272 GIVE ME FIVE! / AKB48 12/02/15

*3 *,647,368 *,***,275 Wild at Heart / Arashi 12/03/07
*4 *,614,710 *,***,823 Face Down / Arashi 12/05/09
*5 *,592,947 *,***,*** Kataomoi Finally / SKE48 12/01/25
*6 *,567,847 *,**1,690 Ai Shite Love Ru! / SKE48 12/05/16

*7 *,550,741 *,**1,961 Your Eyes / Arashi 12/06/06
*8 *,445,480 *,***,701 Nagiichi / NMB48 12/05/09
*9 *,376,302 *,***,*** Junjou U-19 / NMB48 12/02/08

10 *,310,526 *,***,345 We never give up! / Kis-My-Ft2 11/12/14


11 *,307,736 *,**2,304 Ai Deshita. / Kanjani∞ 12/06/13
12 *,290,971 *,***,*** SUPER DELICATE / Hey! Say! JUMP 12/02/22
13 *,275,640 *,***,371 Inori ~Namida no Kidou/End of the day/pieces / Mr.Children 12/04/18
14 *,244,710 *,244,710 Chankapana / NEWS 12/07/18
15 *,236,636 *,***,382 SHE! HER! HER! / Kis-My-Ft2 12/03/21
16 *,234,978 *,**1,809 ALL NIGHT LONG / EXILE 12/06/20
17 *,218,406 *,***,985 Oide Shampoo / Nogizaka46 12/05/02
18 *,209,053 *,***,*** Guruguru Curtain / Nogizaka46 12/02/22

19 *,195,434 *,***,*** Good Luck / BUMP OF CHICKEN 12/01/18
20 *,193,793 *,**3,399 HEAT / Kim Hyun Joong 12/07/04

21 *,187,166 *,***,*** GO FOR IT, BABY -Kioku no Sanmyaku- / B'z 12/04/04
22 *,183,566 *,***,331 Opera / SUPER JUNIOR 12/05/09
23 *,178,427 *,***,757 Sakasama no Sora / SMAP 12/04/25
24 *,176,348 *,***,362 Ikiteru Ikiteku / Fukuyama Masaharu 12/03/28
25 *,168,134 *,**1,196 TO THE LIMIT / KAT-TUN 12/06/27
26 *,168,023 *,***,*** I, Texas / Yamashita Tomohisa 12/02/29
27 *,167,608 *,***,952 Suika Baby / NOT YET 12/05/30
28 *,165,148 *,***,*** Boku no Hanbun / SMAP 11/12/21
29 *,164,489 *,**1,754 Kimi wa Boku da / Maeda Atsuko
30 *,163,463 *,***,260 Beautiful / 2PM 12/06/06

31 *,160,870 *,**8,458 ANDROID / Tohoshinki 12/07/11
32 *,160,791 *,***,*** STILL / Tohoshinki 12/03/14
33 *,157,481 *,***,489 Speed Up/Girl's Power / KARA 12/03/21
34 *,157,409 *,***,295 Synchro Tokimeki / Watanabe Mayu 12/02/29
35 *,150,792 *,***,248 Soredemo Suki da yo / Sashihara Rino 12/05/02

36 *,147,508 *,***,*** Kawatta Katachi no Ishi / KinKi Kids 12/01/11
37 *,141,184 *,***,336 Lady Diamond / Sexy Zone 12/04/11
38 *,134,456 *,**3,524 LOVE CHASE / Yamashita Tomohisa 12/07/04
39 *,127,531 *,**4,339 Sakura/Shuppatsu / Hikawa Kiyoshi 12/02/08
40 *,122,586 *,**6,286 PAPARAZZI / Shoujo Jidai 12/06/27

41 *,121,547 *,***,*** KISS KISS/Lucky Guy / Kim Hyun Joong 12/01/25
42 *,115,763 *,***,*** Pedicure day / no3b 11/12/28
43 *,115,420 *,***,*** Spring of Life / Perfume 12/04/11
44 *,114,065 *,***,*** Haina / NYC 12/05/25
45 *,113,528 *,***,*** Seasons / Akanishi Jin 11/12/28
46 *,110,132 *,***,*** Wonderful Cupid/Glass no Mahou / NYC/Nakayama Yuma 12/01/04
47 *,107,945 *,**1,604 One・Two・Three/The Matenrou Show / Morning Musume. 12/07/04
48 *,105,734 *,***,*** Ue kara Mariko / AKB48 11/12/07 (Overall total: 1,304,598)
49 *,*95,647 *,***,*** CHASE / L'Arc~en~Ciel 11/12/21
50 *,*94,059 *,***,*** 10nen go no Kimi e / Itano Tomomi 12/04/25

51 *,*90,507 *,***,*** Makeoshimi Congratulation / SDN48 12/03/07
52 *,*85,011 *,*85,011 Romance Privacy / French Kiss 12/07/18
53 *,*84,659 *,**3,274 Otome Sensou / Momoiro Clover Z 12/06/27
54 *,*83,901 *,***,*** Sit! Stay! Wait! Down!/Love Story / Amuro Namie 11/12/07 (Overall total: 161,519)
55 *,*81,782 *,**1,748 Hitori Nagaragawa / Mizumori Kaori 12/04/04
56 *,*80,843 *,***,*** Shounen yo Uso o Tsuke! / Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 12/05/30
57 *,*79,505 *,***,*** Synchrogazer / Mizuki Nana 12/01/11
58 *,*79,183 *,***,*** Oppa, Oppa / SUPER JUNIOR DONGHAE & EUNHYUK 12/04/04
59 *,*78,329 *,***,*** Baribari BUDD / V6 12/02/15
60 *,*77,953 *,**1,464 Puripuri♥SUMMER Kiss / SUPER☆GiRLS 12/07/04

61 *,*77,417 *,***,*** Lost the Way / DiVA 12/03/21

62 *,*75,406 *,***,*** Go my way / Sandaime J Soul Brothers 12/03/07
63 *,*74,661 *,***,790 Mouretsu Uchuu Koukyoukyoku Dainana Gakushou 「Mugen no Ai」 / Momoiro Clover Z 12/03/07
64 *,*73,268 *,***,*** Yes / Acid Black Cherry 12/01/18
65 *,*71,417 *,***,*** Where you are / CNBLUE 12/02/01
66 *,*71,119 *,***,902 Time Space EP / Mizuki Nana 12/06/06
67 *,*69,885 *,***,*** Kudokinagara Azabu Juuban duet with Mino Monta / SDN48 11/12/28
68 *,*69,787 *,***,*** Yasashiku Naritai / Saito Kazuyoshi 11/11/02 (Overall total: 117,486)
69 *,*69,083 *,***,*** 7th Trigger / UVERworld 12/03/28
70 *,*67,601 *,***,262 sherlock / SHINee 12/05/16

71 *,*67,380 *,***,*** BABY BORN&GO/KINJITO / UVERworld 11/12/14
72 *,*66,646 *,***,*** CRISIS / Acid Black Cherry 11/12/21
73 *,*64,691 *,***,*** Go Round/YEAH-OH / Amuro Namie 12/03/21
74 *,*63,127 *,**2,299 One day / 2AM+2PM ‘Oneday’ 12/07/04
75 *,*62,774 *,***,*** Roly-Poly / T-ARA 12/02/29
76 *,*61,306 *,***,*** Haru Uta / Ikimonogakari 12/04/25
77 *,*61,146 *,***,*** Hitotsu / Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi 12/02/01
78 *,*59,759 *,***,388 Bible / Glay 12/05/23
79 *,*59,584 *,***,*** MAMORE!!! / Idoling!!! 12/01/18
80 *,*58,474 *,***,*** Still Love You / AAA 12/05/16

81 *,*57,621 *,***,*** Naisho no Hanashi / ClariS 12/02/01
82 *,*57,073 *,***,*** Be Mine / INFINITE 12/04/18
83 *,*55,592 *,***,450 Nemurihime / SEKAI NO OWARI 12/05/30
84 *,*55,024 *,***,828 Cho HAPPY SONG / Berryz Kouboux°C-ute 12/06/20
85 *,*53,676 *,***,*** SAKURA, I love you? / Nishino Kana 12/03/07
86 *,*52,232 *,***,*** Baby Baby / Yusuke 12/03/07
87 *,*52,149 *,***,662 Watashitachi / Nishino Kana 12/05/23
88 *,*51,360 *,***,552 to the beginning / Kalafina 12/04/18
89 *,*51,119 *,***,463 Kazoku ni Narou yo/fighting pose / Fukuyama Masaharu 11/08/31 (Overall total: 306,681)
90 *,*50,781 *,***,*** The Everlasting Guilty Crown / EGOIST 12/03/07

91 *,*50,691 *,***,*** Mujin Eki / Iwasa Misaki 12/02/01
92 *,*49,893 *,***,*** 2012Spark / Porno Graffitti 12/02/08
93 *,*49,232 *,***,*** Renai Hunter / Morning Musume. 12/04/11
94 *,*48,862 *,***,*** Sexy Zone / Sexy Zone 11/11/16 (Overall total: 260,670)
95 *,*48,813 *,***,678 with you / Yuzu 12/05/23
96 *,*48,647 *,***,*** SAILING / AAA 12/02/22
97 *,*48,043 *,**3,421 Yoake no Blues / Itsuki Hiroshi 12/04/25
98 *,*46,096 *,***,*** Kimi wa Jitensha Watashi wa Densha de Kitaku / ℃-ute 12/04/18
99 *,*45,391 *,***,*** THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA MASTER 002 Futaba An (Anzu no Uta) / Futaba An (CV: Igarashi Hiromi) 12/04/18
00 *,*44,999 *,***,*** FLY HIGH / w-inds. 12/02/22

01 *,*43,865 *,***,514 Shine / Ieiri Reo 12/05/16
02 *,*43,817 *,***,*** Kimi no Shinwa ~ Aquarion Dai 2 Shou / AKINO with bless4 12/02/15
03 *,*43,231 *,***,*** Kokuhaku/Bokura no Ashiato / supercell 12/03/07
04 *,*42,952 *,***,595 Kokuhaku / Hirai Ken 12/05/30
05 *,*42,230 *,***,*** 1,000,000☆Smile / SUPER☆GiRLS 12/04/18

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4065498.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4065498.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on July 31, 2012, 09:15:43 AM
Rumours regard the senbatsu for SKE's next single:

Team S:
Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Ooya masana, Yagami Kumi, Suda Akari, Kizaki Yuria, Nakanishi Yuka (7)

Team KII:
Takayanagi Akane, Hata Sawako, Furukawa Airi, Ogiso Shiori, Mukaida Manatsu, Yakata Miki (6)

Team E:
Kimoto Kanon (1)

Kenkyuusei: Suga Nanako, Matsumura Kaori (2)

& I believe Ishida Anna (KII), Kaneko Shiori (E), Matsumura Rina (KII) are out.

There's also some reasons listed in the source for the inclusion & exclusion of members. Most of the "major players" left off seems to be due to weak handshake sales; while Nakanishi, Matsumura, Manastu, & Yakata benefited from their strong showing in the senbatsu election.

The source seems to be pretty sure of Nanako's inclusion it seems, based on a g+ post, & the reason for her inclusion is due to strong handshake showing (for her generation? not too sure what it means.) Not sure how much truth is there to it but it information I guess.

Wasn't sure where to post this, as it seems like rumours :sweatdrop:
Move if necessary mod.

Sourch: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/tomakomai01951/20120730/1343656580 (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/tomakomai01951/20120730/1343656580)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 31, 2012, 11:15:54 PM
Included within AKB48's new album 1830m is a voting card for vote for a song which so far has not got a PV to have a PV made for it. This PV will then be included within the December single. I believe you can vote for all PV-less coupling songs, stage songs, but not subgroup or sister group songs. I may be wrong on that bit...

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20120801-993046.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20120801-993046.html)

Edit: Should have written here the voting dates. You can vote from 15th August up till 20th September...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 03, 2012, 11:10:43 AM
^ Update:

It's now called: AKB48 [Music Video Request 2012]

Lost my original source for this...doh

Aki-P says:
Quote
This is regarding the plan of making music video for songs which we do not have a music video for yet.
I like the idea of choosing the songs according to fans votes, but it’s not so exciting if only one song get to have a music video as a result of it.
We should make at least three songs and make new music videos for them.
https://plus.google.com/105907901684489513939/posts/5eyqzm2AabK (https://plus.google.com/105907901684489513939/posts/5eyqzm2AabK)

Edit: oh, found the King Records website for it again:
http://www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/t/t2676/ (http://www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/t/t2676/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 03, 2012, 03:26:08 PM
Quote
Tomorrow (4th August) 12th gen and 13th gen AKB KKS will have a performance review. If they fail then they will drop out of AKB

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11319282960.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11319282960.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 05, 2012, 04:33:45 PM
akb48journal
Quote
All 12th gen kenkyuusei passed. Oomori Miyu, Said Yokota Erena, Sasaki Yukari, Hirata Rina, Mutou Tomu


13th gen who passed: Aikasa Moe, Iwatate Saho, Umeta Ayano, Oshima Ryoka, Okada Ayaka, Kitazawa Saki, Shinozaki Ayana, Takashima Yurina...

 ...Mitsumune Kaoru, Murayama Yuiri, Mogi Shinobu.


The ones who failed are 13th gen Amemiya Maika, Kita Shiori, Hasegawa Haruna, Moriyama Sakura, Watanabe Nene.

Official post http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11321058511.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11321058511.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 06, 2012, 10:11:24 AM
SomethingWild, care for another round?


Quote
Dear fans of AKB48,

This is Miyabi, from a Japanese TV production company.
The first pilot of "IINE! JAPAN - Nippon Daisuki Gaikokujin Grand Prix (Like!JAPAN Nippon Maniacs Grand Prix)" went well.
I appreciate all who actually came to Japan and also applied for this event.

We are going to produce another episode and are planning to do AKB48 quiz again!
Therefore, I'm posting this information here on Everyday48.
There is a possibility that we might be doing elimination round in some places outside of Japan. Then, final quiz will be taken a place in Tokyo!

If you are interested in this quiz event, please e-mail me at miyabi@collab.co.jp
Please e-mail me with following information;

- Name
- Age
- Occupation
- Where you live (including city/town)
- Nationality
- Who is your OSHI
- How long you’ve been a fan of AKB48
- Give me a few points what made you being a fan of AKB48
- What is your favorite song
- Introduce us your best AKB item (ex: CD, Tour Towel, photo with members of AKB…etc)
- If you have any collection of AKB items, let us know
- Make an appeal how much you like AKB and you know about AKB
- Do you speak any Japanese?
- Have you ever been to Japan? If so, when was it and how many times?
- Skype name

We would also like you to take a short video and make an appeal how much you like AKB and you know about AKB.
It does not have to be a long one. Within 5 minutes would be enough. After taking video, please send it to me through e-mail or such yousendit. Within a video, you can do anything you like. You can sing, dance, introduce your OSHI, or anything.

*Please let me know if you do not like to take a video. We will be able to consider without the video but please send a profile picture instead:-)

There were some confusions on the internet last time and I felt very sorry about this. I'm the main person who is in charge of AKB48 quiz for this program.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about us or our show.

Thank you very much!
Miyabi ITO miyabi@collab.co.jp

Source post http://www.everyday48.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1622&start=40#p96316 (http://www.everyday48.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1622&start=40#p96316)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: daigong on August 06, 2012, 10:17:11 AM
DOIT DATABOYTEN!!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 06, 2012, 10:21:48 AM
Quote
Which artist looks good in swimwear?

Every summer, Recochoku conducts a poll asking its users which artists they think looks good in swimwear. This year, 1,142 users participated in the poll, which was held from July 17 to the 31st.

The poll was divided into two categories with AKB48’s Oshima Yuko dominating the female category and EXILE’s TAKAHIRO coming in first for the male version.

On choosing Oshima, voters commented, “Her cheerful image suits the beach,” and “She has sex appeal even from a woman’s point of view.”

Meanwhile, users who voted for TAKAHIRO expressed their admiration for his refreshing looks and his sculpted body.

Check out the top five below, and let us know who you would’ve voted for!

===

<Artists who look good in swimwear (female version>

1. Oshima Yuko (AKB48)

2. Hamasaki Ayumi
3. Koda Kumi
4. Maeda Atsuko (AKB48)
5. Uno Misako (AAA)

<Artists who look good in swimwear (male version)>

1. TAKAHIRO (EXILE)
2. Yusuke
3. AKIRA (EXILE)
4. Fukuyama Masaharu
5. GACKT

Source: RBB Today
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/08/which-artist-looks-good-in-swimwear/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/08/which-artist-looks-good-in-swimwear/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on August 06, 2012, 10:50:17 AM
SomethingWild, care for another round?

Actually, this news is quite surprising. They did say they were thinking of doing a follow-up, but last week they said they weren't going to do AKB48 but focus on Japanese music in general  :O2

edit: I applied.  O0  :V
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 09, 2012, 03:50:31 PM
NMB48 Team N 3rd Stage postponed again (was planned for August 19th...)

http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2012/08/nmb48-team-n-7a9e.html (http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2012/08/nmb48-team-n-7a9e.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 10, 2012, 05:30:32 AM
Quote
Ueto Aya remains the CM Queen in the first half of 2012
by HPriest on August 9, 2012 at 1:53 pm


On August 8th, Video Research Ltd. once again released various statistics about the usage of commercials in the first half of 2012. As usual, they concentrated their analysis on the three main regions of Japan (Kanto, Kansai, and Nagoya) and the five main commercial networks.

The results show that the amount of commercials slightly increased again by 3% in all three regions compared to last year. Especially the number of commercials that air during a program recorded a sharp increase by more than 20%, while the number of spots that air in between programs haven’t changed much. Looking at the different categories of commercials, it’s the general automobile commercials that eventually climbed up at the top again with an extreme increase of 161.1% in Kanto, 164.3% in Kanto, and 161.9% in Nagoya.

After suffering from the Great Tohoku Earthquake last year, the automobile industry are experiencing tailwind again this year. The eco-car tax reduction also caused an increasing number of commercials (approximately 150%) for light motor vehicles in all three regions.

When looking at the talents used in commercials, it was actress Ueto Aya that claimed the top in all three regions again. Actress Takei Emi claimed second place in Kanto, while AKB48’s Oshima Yuko came in second place in Kansai and Nagoya. Third place went to AKB48’s Maeda Atsuko in all three regions. Two people experienced huge boost during the first half of 2012, actress Gouriki Ayame and actor/comedian Takada Junji, who both jumped from the 300th place and beyond into the top 20 in all three regions.

You can check out the talent rankings below!

-

CM Exposure Ranking of the Kanto Region

01 – 158,325 seconds – 9,649 spots – Ueto Aya (previous year: 1)
 02 – 116,505 seconds – 7,364 spots – Takei Emi (previous year: 10)
03 – 109,095 seconds – 6,485 spots – Maeda Atsuko (previous year: 4)
 04 – 104,430 seconds – 5,314 spots – Gouriki Ayame (previous year: 388)
05 – 102,495 seconds – 6,219 spots – Oshima Yuko (previous year: 3)
 06 – 96,615 seconds – 6,093 spots – Sasaki Nozomi (previous year: 19)
 07 – 95,295 seconds – 5,682 spots – Higuchi Kanako (previous year: 16)
 08 – 94,915 seconds – 5,423 spots – Ayase Haruka (previous year: 14)
 09 – 93,780 seconds – 5,541 spots – Takahashi Minami (previous year: 12)
 10 – 92,175 seconds – 5,555 spots – Dante Carver (previous year: 6)
11 – 90,370 seconds – 5,349 spots – Shinoda Mariko (previous year: 7)
 12 – 89,190 seconds – 5,249 spots – Kojima Haruna (previous year: 11)

 13 – 87,285 seconds – 4,272 spots – Matsuki Rina (previous year: 9)
 14 – 85,740 seconds – 5,454 spots – Takada Junji (previous year: 300)
15 – 85,635 seconds – 5,217 spots – Watanabe Mayu (previous year: 21)
 16 – 85,545 seconds – 5,182 spots – Kashiwagi Yuki (previous year: 17)

 17 – 85,320 seconds – 5,611 spots – Sato Ryuta (previous year: 67)
18 – 78,885 seconds – 4,767 spots – Itano Tomomi (previous year: 13)
 19 – 71,445 seconds – 4,306 spots – Aoi Yuu (previous year: 71)
 20 – 70,155 seconds – 3,969 spots – Kimura Takuya (previous year: 38)

CM Exposure Ranking of the Kansai Region

01 – 157,665 seconds – 9,245 spots – Ueto Aya (previous year: 1)
02 – 107,850 seconds – 6,642 spots – Oshima Yuko (previous year: 2)
 03 – 105,975 seconds – 6,401 spots – Maeda Atsuko (previous year: 4)
 04 – 99,045 seconds – 5,973 spots – Takahashi Minami (previous year: 10)
 05 – 97,185 seconds – 5,915 spots – Shinoda Mariko (previous year: 6)

 06 – 95,535 seconds – 6,008 spots – Takei Emi (previous year: 12)
07 – 89,520 seconds – 5,407 spots – Kojima Haruna (previous year: 13)
 08 – 89,465 seconds – 4,918 spots – Ayase Haruka (previous year: 8)
09 – 86,835 seconds – 5,348 spots – Watanabe Mayu (previous year: 16)
 10 – 84,165 seconds – 5,159 spots – Kashiwagi Yuki (previous year: 18)

 11 – 83,415 seconds – 5,482 spots – Sato Ryuta (previous year: 50)
 12 – 82,350 seconds – 4,048 spots – Gouriki Ayame (previous year: 635)
 13 – 78,750 seconds – 4,970 spots – Becky (previous year: 7)
14 – 74,460 seconds – 4,487 spots – Yokoyama Yui (previous year: 61)
 15 – 72,525 seconds – 4,655 spots – Takada Junji (previous year: 328)
 16 – 70,800 seconds – 4,143 spots – Higuchi Kanako (previous year: 24)
 17 – 69,960 seconds – 3,100 spots – Karasawa Toshiaki (previous year: 5)
18 – 69,930 seconds – 4,249 spots – Sashihara Rino (previous year: 28)
 19 – 69,000 seconds – 4,190 spots – Itano Tomomi (previous year: 19)

 20 – 68,220 seconds – 4,031 spots – Dante Carver (previous year: 9)

CM Exposure Ranking of the Nagoya Region

01 – 138,330 seconds – 8,551 spots – Ueto Aya (previous year: 1)
02 – 108,810 seconds – 6,724 spots – Oshima Yuko (previous year: 4)
 03 – 106,050 seconds – 6,432 spots – Maeda Atsuko (previous year: 2)

 04 – 100,890 seconds – 6,332 spots – Takei Emi (previous year: 8)
 05 – 93,630 seconds – 5,796 spots – Kashiwagi Yuki (previous year: 12)
 06 – 89,205 seconds – 5,331 spots – Takahashi Minami (previous year: 10)

 07 – 86,760 seconds – 5,707 spots – Sato Ryuta (previous year: 48)
 08 – 86,580 seconds – 5,332 spots – Watanabe Mayu (previous year: 19)
 09 – 85,365 seconds – 5,143 spots – Shinoda Mariko (previous year: 6)
 10 – 84,060 seconds – 5,227 spots – Itano Tomomi (previous year: 13)

 11 – 82,395 seconds – 3,983 spots – Gouriki Ayame (previous year: 523)
 12 – 81,715 seconds – 4,977 spots – Karina (previous year: 3)
13 – 81,510 seconds – 5,023 spots – Sashihara Rino (previous year: 28)
 14 – 78,930 seconds – 4,412 spots – Ayase Haruka (previous year: 11)
 15 – 77,055 seconds – 4,589 spots – Kojima Haruna (previous year: 18)
 16 – 75,330 seconds – 4,520 spots – Higuchi Kanako (previous year: 16)
 17 – 70,980 seconds – 4,295 spots – Dante Carver (previous year: 7)
18 – 68,085 seconds – 4,102 spots – Yokoyama Yui (previous year: 71)
 19 – 65,010 seconds – 4,153 spots – Takada Junji (previous year: 338)
 20 – 63,405 seconds – 3,781 spots – Aoi Yuu (previous year: 49)
Sources: Video Research Ltd
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/08/ueto-aya-remains-the-cm-queen-in-the-first-half-of-2012/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/08/ueto-aya-remains-the-cm-queen-in-the-first-half-of-2012/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: daigong on August 15, 2012, 03:34:12 PM
SomethingWild, care for another round?

Actually, this news is quite surprising. They did say they were thinking of doing a follow-up, but last week they said they weren't going to do AKB48 but focus on Japanese music in general  :O2

edit: I applied.  O0  :V

I applied. too. :pimp: :jphip:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on August 16, 2012, 12:40:08 AM
AKB gets an article in The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/08/for-japans-justin-biebers-no-selena-gomezes-allowed/261181/ (http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/08/for-japans-justin-biebers-no-selena-gomezes-allowed/261181/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 16, 2012, 01:53:34 AM
^ Didn't read far but two errors in the first two paragraphs...

1. "performing three sold-out shows from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26 at the Tokyo Dome"
I'm sure it will sell out, but tickets haven't even gone on sale yet...

2. "Rino Sashihara, a 19-year-old singer who's been involved with AKB48 since 2007, won't be part of the Tokyo Dome performance"
Haven't heard that anywhere else...



But speaking of Tokyo Dome tickets...

 :panic: TOKYO DOME TICKETS GO ON SALE IN 6 HOURS TIME  :panic:

http://t.pia.jp/feature/music/akb48/index.jsp (http://t.pia.jp/feature/music/akb48/index.jsp)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 21, 2012, 04:30:30 PM
SomethingWild, care for another round?

Actually, this news is quite surprising. They did say they were thinking of doing a follow-up, but last week they said they weren't going to do AKB48 but focus on Japanese music in general  :O2

edit: I applied.  O0  :V

I applied. too. :pimp: :jphip:

Same show?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tfr/3218329193.html (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tfr/3218329193.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on August 24, 2012, 04:46:58 PM
"19-Year-Old Charged for Threatening AKB48 Member": http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-23/19-year-old-charged-for-threatening-akb48-member (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-23/19-year-old-charged-for-threatening-akb48-member)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on August 27, 2012, 12:43:02 AM
AKB48 member's double tooth triggers a fad for fangs: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201208270003 (http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201208270003)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 27, 2012, 06:43:30 AM
Quote
Actress Narumi Riko recently celebrated her 20th birthday and enjoyed the taste of champagne for the first time in her life. She already has been in the industry for a very long time and over the years she was always very composed and mature whenever she appeared in public. In recent years, she also has rarely played characters with that certain naivety that’s typical for girls her age.

On that occasion, a new poll was put up on the mobile polling service of goo and NTT DoCoMo that presented their members with a list of young female celebrities who have yet to celebrate their 20th birthday but are mature like Narumi.

It was a list of actresses, singers, idols, and models who usually appear and/or act more mature than they actually are and goo wanted to find out who their users would select.

Check out the results below!

-

Female celebrities who make it hard to believe they are still in their teens?

01 – 8,635 votes – Takei Emi
 02 – 8,409 votes – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
 03 – 2,889 votes – Gouriki Ayame
04 – 1,914 votes – Sashihara Rino
 05 – 1,844 votes – Matsui Jurina

 06 – 1,649 votes – Shida Mirai
 07 – 1,028 votes – Kutsuna Shiori
08 – 826 votes – Minegishi Minami
 09 – 553 votes – Watanabe Mayu

 10 – 422 votes – Sakuraba Nanami
 11 – 284 votes – Kawashima Umika
 12 – 247 votes – Kawaguchi Haruna
 13 – 159 votes – Tsuchiya Hazuki
 14 – 769 votes – Others, not listed

Note: The poll was conducted from August 18th until August 25th.
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/08/female-celebrities-under-20-thats-hard-to-believe-that-they-are-still-in-their-teens/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/08/female-celebrities-under-20-thats-hard-to-believe-that-they-are-still-in-their-teens/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on August 29, 2012, 12:36:49 PM
Same show?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tfr/3218329193.html (http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tfr/3218329193.html)

This show is a different one! It's done by NTV and has nothing to do with the FujiTV one.

Let's apply!  :lol:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 01, 2012, 05:51:56 PM
Inuzuka Asana

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip39178.jpg)

Big:
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip38776.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip38776.jpg)

SKE48 4th generation kenkyuusei

Inuzuka Asana (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=26740.0) has been suspended from upcoming SKE48 handshake events because she mistakenly sent a message meant for her boyfriend to the fans.

http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1346500959 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1346500959)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on September 07, 2012, 01:47:46 PM
Quote
AKB48 Members, Itano Tomomi, Watanabe Mayu and Kashiwagi Yuki star new Ad campaign for Cupnoodle
New commercial series for Nissin Cupnoodles “Cup Noodle Robo Timer Trio campaing” will start airing from Sep 8, nationwide. This new series of Cupnoodles ad campaign, again, features AKB48 members. This time, Itano Tomomi, Watanabe Mayu and Kashiwagi Yuki play the trio for the commercial series.

This series consists of 4 commercials, “宣伝指令篇” (The order to promote the Cupnoodle), “板野友美の宣伝篇” (promotion by Itano Tomomi), “渡辺麻友の宣伝篇” (promotion by Watanabe Mayu) , “柏木由紀の宣伝篇” (Promotion by Kashiwagi Yuki).

To commemorate the birthday of Cupnoodle (Sep 18), the three compete against each other to increase the number of applicants for the bonus items of this campaign, “Cup Noodle Robo Timer Trio”.

In the commercials, you can see how they tried promoting Cupnoodles ad-lib, without any written scripts.

The bonus item for this campaign “Cupnoodle Robo Timer Trio” is a toy that makes 3 minutes of waiting time for Cupnoodle totally enjoyable. When you push the button, it transforms from Cupnoodle to Robot, and entertains you with unique movement and talking during 3 minutes until Cupnoodle gets ready.

Itano: Cupnoodle Robo Timer
Watanabe Mayu: Cupnoodle Curry Robo Timer
Kashiwagi Yuki: Cupnoodle Seafood Robo Timer

After the members chose their favorite Robo, the director of the commercial told them, “We haven’t yet decided what exactly we will film for the commercial! So please just promote Robo Timers you’ve just chosen to viewers so that they want to get one!”

Mayuyu, who’s chosen “Cupnoodle Curry Robo Timer”, the character which is “hard-boiled” according to the setting of the commercial, was a little embarrassed by Robo’s remarks like, “Prepare a fork, bro!!”, “Thanks for waiting, Bro!! It’s 3 minutes. Booom!!” But for the real filming, she was strong enough that never got timid to the Curry Robo. She was smart enough to complement him by saying “You’re such manly!”, and added “Sometimes I can’’t keep up with his talking…. But including these points, his charm point is “manliness”!!!”. She concluded promoting for the Curry Robo confidently.
Official Website – Cupnoodle Robo Timer

SOURCE - http://mdpr.jp/021201566 (http://mdpr.jp/021201566)
SOURCE - http://www.akb48wrapup.com/2012/09/akb48-members-itano-tomomi-watanabe-mayu-and-kashiwagi-yuki-star-new-ad-campaign-for-cupnoodle/ (http://www.akb48wrapup.com/2012/09/akb48-members-itano-tomomi-watanabe-mayu-and-kashiwagi-yuki-star-new-ad-campaign-for-cupnoodle/)

CMs and their respective making of's :O
カップヌードル 宣伝指令編 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQe_mZD16lY#ws)
ともちん・まゆゆ・ゆきりん カップめんにビックリ!? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqduO9hU-cw#ws)
AKB48 カップヌードル TV-CM 「渡辺麻友の宣伝」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1R_YEFnNz0#ws)
スペシャルムービー 渡辺麻友の宣伝篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J86h3SdgeTw#ws)
AKB48 カップヌードル TV-CM 「柏木由紀の宣伝」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efP05ZQFBLc#ws)
スペシャルムービー 柏木由紀の宣伝篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gL6CwX-yCI#ws)
AKB48 カップヌードル TV-CM 「板野友美の宣伝」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo-bOX7b31Q#ws)
スペシャルムービー 板野友美の宣伝篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqDm4A5FT6Q#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 10, 2012, 03:34:36 PM
Today, at the end of the theatre show, it was announced that the senshuuraku (final performance) of NMB48's Team N 2nd Stage "Seishun Girls" will be on the 20th Sept 2012.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 14, 2012, 12:06:28 AM
AKB48 will have a song in the next Disney movie "Wreck-It Ralph".

The song will be called "Sugar Rush" which is also the name of some kart-racing game within the film.

The film will be out 2nd Nov in the USA, soundtrack out 30th Oct. The film will be released in Japan next March.

Best source with lots of other info:
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/prnewswire/press_releases/California/2012/09/13/LA73649 (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/prnewswire/press_releases/California/2012/09/13/LA73649)

Others:
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/09/akb48-to-be-featured-in-disneys-animated-movie-wreck-it-ralph/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/09/akb48-to-be-featured-in-disneys-animated-movie-wreck-it-ralph/)
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2016787/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2016787/)
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20120914/akb12091405060000-n1.html (http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20120914/akb12091405060000-n1.html)
http://news.ameba.jp/20120914-133/ (http://news.ameba.jp/20120914-133/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on September 14, 2012, 07:31:37 AM
It seems like Jurina injured her leg, & will not be able to make some stages...
Plz don't overwork yourself too much Jurina. :mon cry:

Source: http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0046018 (http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0046018)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 14, 2012, 09:26:00 AM
AKB48 will have a song in the next Disney movie "Wreck-It Ralph".

Here's the announcement vid featuring Minami Takahashi, Yuko Oshima and Mayu Watanabe:


AKB、ディズニー映画で世界デビュー (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QpLgdwpZw0#)

120914 AKB48新曲-迪斯尼新片[Wreck-It Ra]插曲 Oha!4 NEWS—在线播放—优酷网,视频高清在线观看 (http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDUwMTc0MDY4)

1,920 x 1,080 px caps...click to enlarge:

(http://i.imgur.com/II3T9l.jpg) (http://imgur.com/II3T9)(http://i.imgur.com/UuPm2l.jpg) (http://imgur.com/UuPm2)

http://eiga.com/news/20120914/1/ (http://eiga.com/news/20120914/1/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 22, 2012, 09:37:32 AM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip38776.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip38776.jpg)

SKE48 4th generation kenkyuusei

Inuzuka Asana (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=26740.0) has been suspended from upcoming SKE48 handshake events because she mistakenly sent a message meant for her boyfriend to the fans.

http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1346500959 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1346500959)
Inuzuka comeback:
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/09/ske48s-inuzuka-asana-resumes-activities-after-suspension/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/09/ske48s-inuzuka-asana-resumes-activities-after-suspension/)
http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1348209319 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1348209319)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on September 22, 2012, 09:04:00 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip38776.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip38776.jpg)

SKE48 4th generation kenkyuusei

Inuzuka Asana (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=26740.0) has been suspended from upcoming SKE48 handshake events because she mistakenly sent a message meant for her boyfriend to the fans.

http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1346500959 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1346500959)
Inuzuka comeback:
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/09/ske48s-inuzuka-asana-resumes-activities-after-suspension/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/09/ske48s-inuzuka-asana-resumes-activities-after-suspension/)
http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1348209319 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1348209319)
I'm starting to think that these "suspensions" are just ways to buy time for things to blow over.
Like, she says she'll make sure that it won't happen again. What? That she won't accidentally send
a text meant for her boyfriend to the fans? Doesn't that completely miss the point of the
"suspension?" This ticks me off  :|
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 23, 2012, 01:24:01 PM
Crossposting from the HKT48 thread:

HKT48 2nd generation will start performing "Party ga Hajimaru yo" starting from 30th September:

http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2012/09/hkt48-3.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2012/09/hkt48-3.html)

According to caramujo on twitter, there are 21 members, and they introduced themselves and performed Aitakatta at the HKT48 Theatre today.

edit:

The profiles of the 21 girls are up on the official site now: http://www.hkt48.jp/profile/ (http://www.hkt48.jp/profile/)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip132439.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 24, 2012, 08:31:38 AM
Saeed-Yokota Erena has announced her graduation

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11362824014.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11362824014.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 01, 2012, 09:34:20 AM
AKB48 Journal

Quote
6 members of AKB48 14th gen kenkyuusei has opened Google+ accounts


https://plus.google.com/u/0/+AKB48/posts/D3s7jPs9QTc
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 01, 2012, 12:27:53 PM
Team N's 3rd Stage has been delayed (once again)...

http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11368726089.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11368726089.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 03, 2012, 04:21:08 PM
NMB48 Team M member Fujita Runa (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30394.0) has announced her graduation:

http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11370387927.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11370387927.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 04, 2012, 02:22:11 PM
Another day, another Team M graduation announcement:

Ota Riona announces her graduation:

http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11371311206.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11371311206.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 05, 2012, 03:25:36 AM
AKB48 Journal
Quote
New AKB48 Stage Fighter CM (game for SNS Gree) will start to air at 10/5, featuring Mayuyu, Yukirin, Kitarie, Paruru, Kawaei, Kato Rena, Akicha, Annin


Source: http://app.famitsu.com/20121005_96719/ (http://app.famitsu.com/20121005_96719/)



Click to enlarge:

(http://i.imgur.com/mlWeOm.jpg) (http://imgur.com/mlWeO)(http://i.imgur.com/vkqO3m.jpg) (http://imgur.com/vkqO3)(http://i.imgur.com/1yJ4Km.jpg) (http://imgur.com/1yJ4K)

(CM) AKB48ステージファイター 第3弾 GREE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcOl220QgCA#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 07, 2012, 07:49:21 AM
AKB48 Journal ‏@akb48journal
Quote
Announced at AKB event just now, current AKB stages senshuuraku: Theater no Megami 10/22, RESET 10/24, Mokugekisha 10/29.
That means A, K, B current stages ends on the above mentioned dates!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 07, 2012, 11:15:27 AM
^ And Team 4's "Boku no Taiyou" stage senshuuraku is on the 25th October.

From 1st November, the New Teams will perform "ウェイティング公演" Waiting Koen, so "Waiting Stage's" until the New Team Stage's are ready.

These will consist of existing AKB48 songs and 16 members from each Team will perform at once.

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2017502/full/?from_al (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2017502/full/?from_al)
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2012/10/07/kiji/K20121007004278600.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2012/10/07/kiji/K20121007004278600.html)
http://mantan-web.jp/2012/10/07/20121007dog00m200019000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2012/10/07/20121007dog00m200019000c.html)
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20121007/akb12100717480002-n1.html (http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20121007/akb12100717480002-n1.html)
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11373651917.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11373651917.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on October 09, 2012, 12:49:15 PM
New Team M annouced:

    Azuma Yuki (NEW!) , Okita Ayaka , Kawakami Rena , Kinoshita Momoka , Koyanagi Arisa (NEW!) , Shimada Rena , Hikawa Ayame , Takano Yui
    Tanigawa Airi , Mita Mao , Murakami Ayaka , Murase Sae , Yamagishi Natsumi , Yamamoto Hitomi (NEW!) , Yogi Keira
Yagura Fuuko (New Center)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on October 10, 2012, 12:29:59 PM
NMB48 Team BII revealed:

    Muro Kanako - 3rd Generation
    Yabushita Shu - 3rd Generation (Center)
    Katou Yuuka - 3rd Generation
    Umehara Mako - 3rd Generation
    Kamieda Emika - 3rd Generation (Captain)
    Kurokawa Hazuki - 3rd Generation
    Ishizuka Akari - 3rd Generation
    Yamauchi Tsubasa - 3rd Generation
    Kushiro Rina - 3rd Generation
    Kono Saki - 3rd Generation
    Akazawa Hono - 3rd Generation
    Oota Yuuri - 3rd Generation
    Kusaka Konomi - 3rd Generation
    Kobayashi Rikako - 3rd Generation
    Ijiri Anna - 3rd Generation
    Ueda Mirei - 3rd Generation

source (https://twitter.com/seiya0317/status/255970465955315712)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 11, 2012, 05:30:25 PM
It's been a few days since the last NMB48 graduation, so here's another:

3rd gen KKS Toga Sora (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=32081.msg1005375#msg1005375)
https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/i1idBDNVE3m (https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/i1idBDNVE3m)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 18, 2012, 08:47:34 AM

(http://i.imgur.com/avEaO.jpg)

Kitahara Rie to star in survival movie “Joker Game”
Posted on October 17, 2012 by tokyograph

Quote
21-year-old AKB48 member Kitahara Rie (currently part of Team B and sister group SKE48) has landed her first starring role in a theatrical movie. Titled “Joker Game,” the film is yet another entry in the idol-filled “survival game” suspense genre.

Kitahara’s supporting cast includes Takatsuki Sara (15) of the idol group bump.y, Koike Yui (21) of Tomato n' Pine (also known for her role as Gokai Pink in “Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger”), and D2 members Okubo Shotaro (17), Shiramata Atsushi (18), and Negishi Takuya (16).

Kitahara plays a 3rd-year high school student at a prefectural college prep school. When all of the third-year students go on a camp trip together, their teachers announce that they will all have to participate in a card game of “Old Maid.” However, the camp is actually part of an experiment by the national government to put an end to the country’s declining education and to boost the students’ “humanity” – meaning that the game is really a deadly test that will truly decide their fates.

Although this is Kitahara’s first time in the lead role on the big screen, she previously acted in last year’s “Graffreeter Toki.” She has also recently been gaining more attention with her role on Fuji TV’s ongoing reality show “Terrace House.”

“Joker Game” will open on December 22nd.

Source:
Eiga.com
http://www.tokyograph.com/news/kitahara-rie-to-star-in-survival-movie-joker-game/ (http://www.tokyograph.com/news/kitahara-rie-to-star-in-survival-movie-joker-game/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 18, 2012, 01:29:17 PM
It's been a few days since the last NMB48 graduation, so here's another:

Matsuda Shiori has announced her graduation. https://twitter.com/kuriQ/status/258890035829542912 (https://twitter.com/kuriQ/status/258890035829542912)

edit: graduation announcement blogpost: http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11382862645.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11382862645.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on October 18, 2012, 06:06:41 PM
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc3j0pGdY21rtrpn4o1_250.jpg) (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc3j0pGdY21rtrpn4o2_250.jpg)

Sayanee (http://www.7netshopping.jp/books/detail/-/accd/1106223738/subno/1) and Milky (http://www.7netshopping.jp/books/detail/-/accd/1106222069) PB  release their photobooks 2012.11.21.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on October 20, 2012, 05:23:00 AM
Nogizaka's Iwase Yumiko to graduate.

http://www.nogizaka46.com/news/2012/10/post-120.php (http://www.nogizaka46.com/news/2012/10/post-120.php)
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/entertainment/news/CK2012102002000152.html (http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/entertainment/news/CK2012102002000152.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Kid_Alpha on October 20, 2012, 07:32:05 AM
"SKE48 will appear in Kouhaku on its own - AKB48 will have 2 groups appearing in Kouhaku"

cr: akb48journal (https://twitter.com/akb48journal/status/259492197630619648) + http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20121020-00000044-sph-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20121020-00000044-sph-ent)

I'm sorry for the bold text, I'm just excited.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on October 20, 2012, 11:13:06 PM
Rumor is that HKT is shooting a mv...
is this an indication that they will be publishing their debut single soon? :twothumbs

http://www.akb48wrapup.com/2012/10/hkt48-is-on-the-filming-of-mv-and-4-more-about-oshima-yukos-seitansai-etc/4/ (http://www.akb48wrapup.com/2012/10/hkt48-is-on-the-filming-of-mv-and-4-more-about-oshima-yukos-seitansai-etc/4/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: rhin12 on October 22, 2012, 02:52:30 PM
The 3rd release of akb documentary titled: No flower without rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4G_5DH7RCgU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4G_5DH7RCgU)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on October 22, 2012, 03:04:23 PM
^I moved all the documentary info to its own thread: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=34110.0 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=34110.0)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on October 23, 2012, 04:58:32 AM
Maiyan & Nanase will be attending Girls Award!  :twothumbs
(http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/ngzk46/imgs/9/a/9a15643b-s.jpg)

Seems to be some sort of modeling events! Hopefully we can get to see them wearing something nice.  :)
Former SDN Serina will be there too btw.

Maiyan Profile:
http://girls-award.com/pc/model_detail.php?kind=model&ctlno=mo075 (http://girls-award.com/pc/model_detail.php?kind=model&ctlno=mo075)

Nanase Profile:
http://girls-award.com/pc/model_detail.php?kind=model&ctlno=mo074 (http://girls-award.com/pc/model_detail.php?kind=model&ctlno=mo074)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Datalanche on October 24, 2012, 03:11:21 AM
Mitsumune Kaoru leaving AKB48 for health reasons.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11387353059.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11387353059.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on October 25, 2012, 01:34:14 PM
AKB48 will apperance at 2012 Girls Award Fall/Winter

(http://i.imgur.com/0URSl.jpg)

Date & Time:Thursday, November 8th 2012, OPEN 16:00/START 17:00

Venue:National Yoyogi gymnastic Stadium ⇒INFORMATION (http://girls-award.com/pc/access.php)

Tickets: Please see TICKET page for more details. ⇒TICKET (http://girls-award.com/pc/ticket.php)

Host:FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK, INC. / GirlsAward executive committee

Support:Tokyo Metropolitan area,and Shibuya.

Plan & Produce:GirlsAward inc.

Copyright:GirlsAward inc.

source - http://girls-award.com/ (http://girls-award.com/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on October 25, 2012, 07:54:02 PM
I completely missed the new Halloween themed picture sets for SKE48!

Nice variety in colors and nice little details. They all look epic. How badly do you want these:
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip136579.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip136580.jpg)
Order @ SKE48 Official Shop (http://shop.ske48.co.jp/item/list.php?category=3-1)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on October 30, 2012, 10:39:26 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/uPSzM.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/sbpjf.jpg)
Sugar Rush senbatsu:
Shinoda Mariko, Itano Tomomi, Matsui Jurina, Oshima Yuko, Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka, Kawaei Rena

source: http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20121031/akb12103105040000-n1.html (http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20121031/akb12103105040000-n1.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 31, 2012, 12:14:32 AM
Sugar Rush PV preview:

10314 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Poo4nqMJJo#ws)
(Thanks benou for the link)

Edit:
AKB48「Sugar Rush」ミュージッククリップ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvU8TvVCFco#ws)
(Thanks shoruken for the link)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on November 01, 2012, 10:22:11 AM
FUCK NO!!!PLEASE NO!!!

Kuumin /Yagami Kumi SKE48/ announced her graduation on google+ (http://i.imgur.com/OQ60m.gif)

source https://plus.google.com/u/0/109140442575159610384/posts/GcfamQSQh1w (https://plus.google.com/u/0/109140442575159610384/posts/GcfamQSQh1w)

- discuss here: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20645.0 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20645.0)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on November 04, 2012, 07:04:19 PM
AKB48 to do a Broadway showcase in New York!

StudentsLive and Japanese Girl Group AKB48 have announced the final Broadway Showcase of FROM TOKYO TO BROADWAY as part of the 2012 Passport to Broadway: Japan program.

Featuring 6 members of AKB48 the group will be studying and performing alongside Broadway Guest Artists Tyrick Wiltez Jones (Hairspray), Angel May Reed (Rock of Ages), Patricia Durante (The Secret Garden) and 10 American Musical Theatre Students

The showcase will take place on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, from 7:00-8:30PM.
The show runs approximately 25 minutes. Talk Backs: Begin at 7:45pm and end at 8:30pm.
It all takes place at PEARL STUDIOS (519 8th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets).

Invitation only?! D'OH.

Source: Broadwayworld (http://japan.broadwayworld.com/article/StudentsLive-and-Japanese-Girl-Group-AKB48-Announce-Final-Broadway-Showcase-of-FROM-TOKYO-TO-BROADWAY-at-Pearl-Studios-1114-20121101)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on November 10, 2012, 06:46:14 AM
Quote from Everyday48:
Quote from: aakun
Kasai Tomomi (AKB48)
Debut Single
Title TBA
2012/12/26

Just announced at a handshaking event. More specific details coming later. A special solo live (not a big event, just a small live) will be realized 11/25 to celebrate her solo debut.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on November 12, 2012, 10:28:42 PM
To quote from Everyday48:
Quote from: rinatin
Ono Erena 小野恵令奈
3rd Single
[ Say!! Ippai ] Say!!いっぱい
2012/12/26 Release
(http://i.imgur.com/lAt9j.jpg)


Warner Music Japan (http://wmg.jp/artist/onoerena/news_43993.html)

Same release date as Kasai!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on November 14, 2012, 06:03:20 PM
AKB48 to do a Broadway showcase in New York!

Selected members:

- Akimoto Sayaka
- Kuramochi Asuka
- Masuda Yuka
- Oya Shizuka
- Oba Mina
- Nagao Mariya
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on November 15, 2012, 06:30:53 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/7Jmp2l.jpg)
It was a special event for  眠眠打破×NMB48 campaign
60-70 lucky winner was invited to a boat, where the members of the NMB48 entertained.
--
(http://s9.postimage.org/uao3sfgsr/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/uao3sfgsr/) (http://s9.postimage.org/rumaekyq3/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rumaekyq3/) (http://s9.postimage.org/ymcphfnpn/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ymcphfnpn/) (http://s9.postimage.org/94uaxu5zf/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/94uaxu5zf/) (http://s9.postimage.org/fnrqoi7kb/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/fnrqoi7kb/) (http://s9.postimage.org/8ltt2b3yj/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/8ltt2b3yj/) (http://s9.postimage.org/5t0lia3m3/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5t0lia3m3/) (http://s9.postimage.org/vd2vopozv/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vd2vopozv/)
(http://s9.postimage.org/71jvq666j/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/71jvq666j/) (http://s9.postimage.org/mcya4iswb/image.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mcya4iswb/)

more pic and info : http://getnews.jp/archives/272682 (http://getnews.jp/archives/272682)


there will be 2 more event like this. In Nagoya and Osaka in December.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Amplifier on November 17, 2012, 12:46:22 PM
AKB48 becomes the face of Tokyo electoral drive:
http://asiancorrespondent.com/92105/japan-is-akb48-the-remedy-for-voter-apathy/ (http://asiancorrespondent.com/92105/japan-is-akb48-the-remedy-for-voter-apathy/)
http://japandailypress.com/j-pop-group-akb48-becomes-the-face-of-tokyo-electoral-drive-1418344 (http://japandailypress.com/j-pop-group-akb48-becomes-the-face-of-tokyo-electoral-drive-1418344)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Kid_Alpha on November 19, 2012, 04:16:52 PM
"SKE48 gets in the Guinness World Records for having an album with the most PVs due to 63 PVs in it!"

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip141367.jpg)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip141366.jpg)
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip141368.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip141368.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip141369.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip141369.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip141370.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip141370.jpg)

cr: oricon (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2018872/full/) // nikkansports (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20121119-1049215.html)

EDIT:
20121120_めざましテレビ「SKE48ギネス認定」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXW9l_KqVC0&feature=player_embedded#ws)

How long do I have to wait until I buy one of these?
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on November 20, 2012, 02:58:31 PM
New Team Names!

(http://uppix.com/f-0150ab8c4c00116664.jpg)

 :nervous
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 21, 2012, 04:48:24 PM
Manatsu no Sounds Good has been nominated for the 54th Japan Record Awards.

The winner will be announced on the 30th December.

http://www.tbs.co.jp/recordaward/ (http://www.tbs.co.jp/recordaward/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on November 21, 2012, 06:29:57 PM
From Everyday48,
Quote from: cipher23
It's been decided that 25th of November is Ochi's last show as JKT48 member

The reason for her resignation is looking for new experiences and try harder to live it

http://jkt48.com/news/detail/id/85?lang=id (http://jkt48.com/news/detail/id/85?lang=id)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 22, 2012, 12:02:08 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip141747.jpg)

Educational posters and video adverts featuring Takamina, Yui and Tomochin for the Tokyo Govermental elections

http://www.47news.jp/CN/201211/CN2012112201001592.html (http://www.47news.jp/CN/201211/CN2012112201001592.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on November 22, 2012, 03:36:28 PM
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdvn9oJc6x1ri7x69o1_r1_400.jpg) (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdvn9oJc6x1ri7x69o2_r1_400.jpg)
Sae and Mariya’s profiles are up on the official SNH48 website!
http://www.snh48.com/member.html (http://www.snh48.com/member.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on November 25, 2012, 04:23:26 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/uPSzM.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/sbpjf.jpg)
Sugar Rush senbatsu:
Shinoda Mariko, Itano Tomomi, Matsui Jurina, Oshima Yuko, Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka, Kawaei Rena

source: http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20121031/akb12103105040000-n1.html (http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20121031/akb12103105040000-n1.html)
Was there ever a "full" PV for Sugar Rush? These two clearly contain different scenes, so I was wondering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLOQq4xFSeU&feature=plcp (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLOQq4xFSeU&feature=plcp)
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqedzgzOlo8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqedzgzOlo8)
I've been waiting forever for the entire PV  :cry:
Takamina is sooo cute in it   :nya:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: jafeijai on November 25, 2012, 06:08:04 PM
^ To my knowledge, a full PV hasn't been released yet. Maybe it'll be included in the next single after Eien Pressure, or the single around the time Wreck-It Ralph (aka Sugar Rush in Japan) is in theaters.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 28, 2012, 08:12:25 PM
Maeda Atsuko's Graduation Theatre Show DVD Release

(http://i.imgur.com/ZVhDx.png)

(http://i.imgur.com/9k3uc.png)

Release date: 2012.11.29
Price: 4,990 yen
2 discs, photobook and photos

(http://i.imgur.com/1qMT7.png) (http://i.imgur.com/eXwNB.png)

http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/maeda_sotsugyodvd/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/maeda_sotsugyodvd/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 30, 2012, 12:32:52 PM
@Majuholic0511
Quote
MAMA Best Asian Artist: AKB48!!!!! XDDDD (http://i.imgur.com/GiWND.jpg)

MAMA refers to the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards held in Hong Kong today.

EDIT  - vid

MAMA 2012 AKB48 CUT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15hF5UkFps#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: z3144228 on December 04, 2012, 04:19:01 PM
(http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq118/z3144228/AKB4802/th_045c49166d224f4a5e77bafb09f790529a22d190.jpg) (http://s439.photobucket.com/albums/qq118/z3144228/AKB4802/045c49166d224f4a5e77bafb09f790529a22d190.jpg)

9 of 20 best selling PB are 48 related PB.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 06, 2012, 08:28:41 AM
Posted by the Ministry of Finance Japan.

個人向け復興応援国債テレビCM【2012年冬】 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha7gFQ5Szqg#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 06, 2012, 08:41:12 PM
NMB48 kenkyuusei Sugimoto Kano (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=32079.0) has announced her graduation from the group

http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11421700170.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11421700170.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on December 07, 2012, 01:38:01 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/strong-earthquake-hits-northeast-japan-083131360.html (http://news.yahoo.com/strong-earthquake-hits-northeast-japan-083131360.html)
Earthquake in Japan! I hope our idols are okay!  :panic:

From Rena's G+
Quote
レッスンで知らなかったけど地震があったんですね。
警報は解除されたみたいだけど、みなさんが無事でありますように。

She says something about being safe  :)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 08, 2012, 11:55:57 AM
(http://s14.postimage.org/rzsfo77r1/0b90660e.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/rzsfo77r1/) (http://s14.postimage.org/7h24wvj7h/8a061386_s.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7h24wvj7h/) (http://s14.postimage.org/r06q68hz1/f28bb065.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/r06q68hz1/) (http://s14.postimage.org/yhfxlg7i5/fd8d5a6d_s.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/yhfxlg7i5/)

NMB48 /KKS/ Nakagawa Hiromi selected for solo CM “Yaenosato Driving School” !

http://www.yaenosato.com/ (http://www.yaenosato.com/info.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: saeyukilover on December 08, 2012, 11:00:04 PM
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/former-sdn48-member-ohori-megumi-to-get-married/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/former-sdn48-member-ohori-megumi-to-get-married/)

i just want everyone to be happy for her... :)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 09, 2012, 04:49:00 PM
Crossposting here since it features a new Not Yet song:

New Yuko CMs for gaitameonline:

These two feature a NEW Not Yet song "Tsugi no Pierce" 次のピアス

Paris version:
外為オンライン TV-CM パリ篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIt_1w5Svx4#ws)

New York version:
外為オンライン TV-CM NY篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnpCAtmqmlQ#ws)

And this one doesn't feature the Not Yet song:
外為オンライン TV-CM ティザー篇 「大島優子 はじまる」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YutXJ0bf79Y#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 11, 2012, 10:02:14 AM
AKB48 nominated for world best group in the Video Music Awards 2012 Miami
(http://i.imgur.com/4YcNu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6Ml5E.jpg)

http://www.worldmusicawards.com/ (http://www.worldmusicawards.com/)

or just used this link http://www.anthonieruinard.com/index.php?cat=4&data=AK48 (http://www.anthonieruinard.com/index.php?cat=4&data=AK48)    - thnx YKT


Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 11, 2012, 10:09:57 AM
^cool and we get to vote too!  Alas, about the typo.  Used this link http://www.anthonieruinard.com/index.php?cat=4&data=AK48 (http://www.anthonieruinard.com/index.php?cat=4&data=AK48)



Itano Tomomi and Shinoda Mariko joint highest in CMs for 2012

(http://i.imgur.com/l3uPT.jpg)
Source  http://woman.infoseek.co.jp/news/entertainment/oricon_2019500 (http://woman.infoseek.co.jp/news/entertainment/oricon_2019500)



List by Oricon
(http://i.imgur.com/EXkEQ.jpg)

Quote
2012年 女性タレントCM起用社数ランキング

 20社 板野友美(AKB48)、篠田麻里子(AKB48)
 18社 高橋みなみ(AKB48)
 17社 前田敦子
 16社 小嶋陽菜(AKB48)、指原莉乃(HKT48)
 15社 芦田愛菜、上戸彩、大島優子(AKB48)、柏木由紀(AKB48)
 14社 武井咲
 14社 渡辺麻友(AKB48)、横山由依(AKB48)
 12社 ベッキー、本田望結、ローラ
 11社 剛力彩芽、澤穂希
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Masa on December 12, 2012, 09:57:49 AM
AKB48 7th anniversary stage LOD promo:
AKB48劇場7周年特別記念公演 ダイジェスト映像 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLeTS8XOqjI#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 12, 2012, 10:28:04 AM
Not posting in the JKT48 thread because this is about the AKB48 online shop in Indonesia

Quote
Everyone has been expecting for so long and it has finally came. Products selling in “AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP HONG KONG・TAIWAN” are now available in Indonesia region!
 
“AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP HONG KONG” has been launched since October, 2010, and it was the first AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP set up oversea.And soon, “AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP TAIWAN” has also been launched.
 
Many many limited items are available in these shops one after another.

So far, every time when the news of our latest product is announced on Facebook, we would immediately get thousands of enquiry,asking about“How can I make an order for it?”, “I want to buy this!”.
Frankly, we are glad to see these warm responses and we would like to thank everyone for the swarming feedbacks we received.
 
“AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP HONG KONG・TAIWAN”, is found in Indonesia, as a form of online shop collaborating with “Rakuten Belanja Online” “AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP HONGKONG in INDONESIA” has formally announced its opening on 12th Dec 2012, which also implying that the business of “AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP HONG KONG” has stepped into the Indonesian Market.
 
“AKB48 OFFICIAL SHOP HONGKONG in INDONESIA” comes into services, bringing about the limited items and the Illustrations by AKB48 Members from both Hong Kong and Taiwan, such as the “Audible alarm”...etc, to everyone in Indonesia.



http://m.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=444824562233460 (http://m.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=444824562233460)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 12, 2012, 12:30:35 PM
Itano Tomomi and Shinoda Mariko joint highest in CMs for 2012

(http://i.imgur.com/l3uPT.jpg)
Source  http://woman.infoseek.co.jp/news/entertainment/oricon_2019500 (http://woman.infoseek.co.jp/news/entertainment/oricon_2019500)

The full list translated credit http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/2012-cm-king-queen-revealed/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/2012-cm-king-queen-revealed/)

Excerpt

Quote
2012 CM King & Queen revealed
by Shiso on December 12, 2012 at 3:49 am

On December 11th, Nihon Montor revealed the yearly ranking for the number of CM contracts for 2012.

For the female category, popular idol group AKB48’s Itano Tomomi and Shinoda Mariko were tied for the title of ‘CM queen’ with 20 CMs. On the other hand, pro-golfer Ishikawa Ryo has been able to keep the title of ‘CM king’ once again. This is the 4th consecutive year for Ishikawa to top the ranking since 2008.

Check out the rest of the ranking below!

<Ranking of Female Celebrities with the Most Commercials 2012> *(number of CM contracts)

1: Itano Tomomi (20)
 1: Shinoda Mariko (20)
 2: Takahashi Minami (18)
 3: Maeda Atsuko (17)
 4: Kojima Haruna (16)
 4: Sashihara Rino (16)

 5: Ashida Mana (15)
 5: Ueto Aya (15)
5: Oshima Yuko (15)
 5: Kashiwagi Yuki (15)
 6: Watanabe Mayu (14)

 6: Takei Emi (14)
7: Yokoyama Yui (13)
 8: Becky (12)
 8: Honda Miyu (12)
 8: Rola (12)
 9: Gouriki Ayame (11)
 9: Sawa Homare (11)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 13, 2012, 02:50:28 PM
NMB48 KKS Sato Sorai (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30384.0) has announced her gradution.

Here's the blogpost: http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11426427188.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11426427188.html)

She wants to concentrate on her studies and then become a teacher.

edit: her personal graduation blogpost: http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11426563716.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11426563716.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 13, 2012, 03:39:43 PM
+

NMB48 Team M member Hikawa Ayame to graduate from the group
http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11426436251.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11426436251.html)

Reason: Foot injury.

 :huhuh  :?  poor NMB...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on December 13, 2012, 05:38:35 PM
I guess this is news, so...

Shinoda Mariko’s handmade cookie sold for over one million

アイドルグループ・AKB48の篠田麻里子が、手作りしたクッキーがオークションで売買されたことを受け、自身の公式Twitter上でショックな気持ちを吐露している。
Idol Group AKB48 Shinoda Mariko revealed her shocked feelings on twitter regarding her handmade cookie being sold on Yahoo Auctions.

100万1000円で落札された篠田麻里子の手作りクッキー含む非売品グッズセット
Successful bid of 1.001 million for Shinoda Mariko handmade cookie goods set for sale.   

 事の発端は8日、Yahoo!オークションに出品された篠田の手作りクッキーなどを含む非売品グッズが、100万円という驚きの価格で落札されてネット上で話題となった。出品されたグッズとは、5日に東京・代官山で行われた篠田がプロデュースするファッションブランド「ricori」のレセプションパーティーで関係者にのみ配られたノベルティーで、手作りクッキーのほかに、ネックレスやスケジュール帳などがセットになっていた。
It began on the 8th, where Shinoda’s handmade cookie which was a not for sale goods appeared on Yahoo!Auction and sold at such an amazing price of 1million, became a hot topic on the internet. This was a novelty only distributed for those involved in a reception party of the fashion brand 「ricori」 on the 5th at Tokyo, daikanyama. Aside from the handmade cookies, the set also came with a necklace and a schedule book.

 Twitterを通じ、自身の手作りクッキーがオークションで売買されたことを知った篠田は、「悲しい。一生懸命作ったのに」と、悲痛な思いを明かしたツイートを投稿。篠田は同パーティに向けて、公式ブログ上で「1日300枚焼きます(笑)」「朝までクッキー焼くぞー」と、クッキー作りに励む様子をつづっていただけに、驚異的な落札価格よりも、食べられずに売られてしまったことにショックを受けたようだ。
Through twitter, Shinoda who knew that her own handmade cookies was sold on the auctions revealed her bitter feelings via a tweet 「I’m sad. Even though I made it with all my heart」. Before the party, Shinoda said on her official blog 「baking 300 a day(laughs)」「baking until morning」 and showed how much she worked to bake the cookies, but as compared to the astounding bid price, she was more shocked that the guests did not eat it, but sold it instead.

 しかし、その後にフォロワーから落ち込む篠田を心配する声が寄せられると、「大丈夫、またクッキー作ろっと」とツイート。すでに立ち直った様子を明かしている。
However, after which her followers who was worried about this, Shinoda tweeted 「it’s okay. I’ll make cookies again. 」 Revealed that she had gotten over it.

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/73745e9f2ed6728568552ed73912db85/tumblr_meyant84Ny1qmca3fo1_500.jpg)

Source: http://gekikaraclub.tumblr.com/post/37809819480/shinoda-marikos-handmade-cookie-sold-for-over-1million (http://gekikaraclub.tumblr.com/post/37809819480/shinoda-marikos-handmade-cookie-sold-for-over-1million)

Boy some fans are crazy... :sweatdrop:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on December 13, 2012, 07:56:24 PM
$12,000 for a cookie?  :banghead:
That probably went stale by the time it was sold.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 15, 2012, 09:16:44 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/OQdL3.gif)


Announced on Billboard Japan Music Awards telecast 5 mins ago, AKB48 won the Artist of the Year 2012 award.



(http://i.imgur.com/ujAZD.jpg)

Paruru, Yuko, Takamina, Mayuyu and Yukirin represented AKB48 in the thank you speech segment.

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 15, 2012, 11:28:11 AM
^ Billboard Japan Music Awards speech segment video
AKB48 - Billboard JAPAN MUSIC AWARDS 2012 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfD4ny_jJSk#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 15, 2012, 04:42:20 PM
Kashiwagi Yuki 2nd Solo Concert announced for 17th February 2013 at Tokyo International Forum Hall A

「柏木由紀ソロシングル 購入者特典映像第1弾!!発表」映像 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYuYzBsBLjg#ws)

http://yukiring.jp/debut.html (http://yukiring.jp/debut.html)

Thanks sillythings for the heads-up  :thumbsup
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 16, 2012, 03:59:12 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip97500.jpg)

Ogino Risa will go on a temporary hiatus as her 5 year old sister is in hospital.

Quote
荻野利沙21:00 - Mobile - 一般公開
研究生の、荻野利沙です。
いつも、たくさんの応援をしていただき
ありがとうございます。

私から皆様にご報告があります。

私、荻野利沙は12月から、
SKE48の活動を
一時、休止させていただくことになりました。
現在 私の5歳の妹が入院してしまい
今は家族みんなで団結し、
妹の病気の看病をしていこうと
決心しました。
スタッフの皆さんと相談し
一時、活動を休止するという選択を
とらせていただきました。

いつも応援してくれるファンの皆様
そしていつも支えてくれるメンバーには
本当に申し訳ないと思っています。

妹の容態や、家の方が落ち着き次第
また、みなさんの前で活動復帰とともに
パフォーマンスができるよう
今は家族と、妹の看病に
全力を注ぎたいと思います。

今後も応援宜しくお願いします。

Posted also on her thread http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31512.0 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31512.0)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 17, 2012, 02:25:22 AM
Not really news but guess who dominated  :nervous


Japanese single sales Year End 2012 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tQegZRVh_o#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: WindCaliber on December 17, 2012, 03:32:34 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/OQdL3.gif)


Announced on Billboard Japan Music Awards telecast 5 mins ago, AKB48 won the Artist of the Year 2012 award.


Article by TokyoHive:
Quote
(http://i.imgur.com/hJG2j.jpg)
On December 15th, Billboad Japan announced the winners of their “Billboard JAPAN Music Awards
2012.”

Billboard JAPAN established this award festival back in 2009. There are two sections for the awards;
 “Artist Awards” which nominates artists who have topped the Billboard Charts throughout the year, and
the winners are chosen by adding up votes submitted through cell phones and the internet along with
the points from the weekly charts. The other section is “Chart Awards” that they give to the songs that
topped their respective yearly chart.

The grand prize is the  ”Artist of the Year” award and this year it was given to AKB48! This is the
second consecutive year for AKB48 to receive not only the “Artist of the Year”, but also the awards for
“Top Pop Artist”, “Hot 100 of the Year”, and “Hot Singles Sales of the Year.”

Below are the winners for the “Billboard JAPAN Music Awards 2012″!

=====

<Artist Awards>

Artist of the Year 2012
- AKB48

Top Pop Artist 2012
- AKB48
- Mr. Children
- Arashi
- EXILE
- Amuro Namie

Jazz Artist of the Year 2012
- Norah Jones

Classic Artist of the Year 2012
- Tsujii Nobuyuki

Animation Artist of the Year 2012
- Mizuki Nana

Independent Artist of the Year 2012
- Golden Bomber

Active Artist of the Year 2012 presented by Daiwa House
- BIGMAMA

New Artist of the Year 2012
- Ieiri Leo

—–

<Chart Awards>

Hot 100 of the Year 2012
“Manatsu no Sounds good!” – AKB48


Top Album of the Year 2012
“Mr. Children 2005-2010 <Macro>” – Mr. Children

Hot Top Airplay of the Year 2012
“Good Time” – Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen

Hot Singles Sales of the Year 2012
“Manatsu no Sounds good!” – AKB48


Digital & Airplay Overseas of the Year 2012
“Good Time” – Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen

Hot Animation of the Year 2012
“Ikiteru Ikiteku” – Fukuyama Masaharu

Adult Contemporary Airplay of the Year 2012
“Happy Pills” – Norah Jones

Top Jazz Albums of the Year 2012
“MOVE” – Uehara Hiromi The Trio Project

Top Classical Albums of the Year 2012
“Kokyuu suru Piano” – Matsui Sakiko

Top Independent Albums & Singles of the Year 2012
“The beginning” – Ayaka

Top Overseas Soundtrack Albums of the Year 2012
“Disney Date ~Koe no Oujisama” – Disney
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 18, 2012, 10:10:17 AM
Quote
7 AKB48 members create new menu for the AKB48 Cafe

On December 16, an event for the new menu at the “AKB48 Café & Shop” which was collaboratively created by 7 of AKB48 members including Oshima Yuko (24) and Watanabe Mayu (18), was held in Akihabara, Tokyo.

100 fans taste-tested two items – Mayu’s “Kinoko tappuri Tonjiru Udon,” which combined her favorite foods mushroom and pork miso soup along with Shinoda Mariko’s (26) “Curry Panda Plate,” which combined her favorite food curry and her favorite motif of pandas.  They will improve these dishes after taking the fans opinion into consideration, and it will be served in restaurants starting on December 26.
Visit http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/7-akb48-members-create-new-menu-for-the-akb48-cafe/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/7-akb48-members-create-new-menu-for-the-akb48-cafe/) for pics of said menu
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 18, 2012, 08:23:00 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/T9oft.jpg) (http://img2.imepic.jp/image/20121219/045030.jpg?4af84faeb965b88e4c10f01dc6caa931)

Takahashi Minami solo debut single will be theme song for Nakama Yukie's upcoming drama 「サキ」(Saki)

FujiTV , Tuesday 10:00 pm, starts  2013 Jan 8th

http://tower.jp/article/news/2012/12/19/n01 (http://tower.jp/article/news/2012/12/19/n01)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 19, 2012, 01:07:01 AM
Not quite sure what these awards are, but you can vote in them: http://www.jpopasia.com/awards/ (http://www.jpopasia.com/awards/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 19, 2012, 11:44:09 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/qj0E6.jpg)
Yokoyama Yui appeared today NMB48 Team N performance

Announced:
Yui-han team N member
new stage in next year
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 19, 2012, 05:59:31 PM
AKB48 15th gen Audition started.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11430440788.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11430440788.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 20, 2012, 08:25:10 AM
AKB48 TeamOgi official site (http://akb48teamogi.jp (http://akb48teamogi.jp)) has been updated.  Less dark :lol:

If you have an Android phone, check out AKB48 TeamOgi Live Wall Paper https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.nanomedia.AKB.TeamOgi_LWP001 (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.nanomedia.AKB.TeamOgi_LWP001)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 21, 2012, 04:05:05 AM
Per http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2012/musicrank1220/index.html (http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2012/musicrank1220/index.html)  the usual suspects made the TOP 5 for 2012:

1 Manatsu no Sounds good
2 GIVE ME FIVE
3 Gingham Check
4 UZA
5 Eien Pressure

Akira Hitoshi found a figure to the above $$$
Quote

01 – AKB48 # 19,098,000,000 Yen (approx. $226,441,166 USD)

02 – EXILE # 12,177,000,000 Yen (approx. $144,380,253 USD)

03 – Arashi # 10,454,000,000 Yen (approx. $123,950,987 USD)

04 – Mr.Children # 9,947,000,000 Yen (approx. $117,939,589 USD)

05 – Kanjani8 # 4,916,000,000 Yen (approx. $58,288,028 USD)

EDIT: 6 members of AKB48 collected the awards for the above achievement per http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2012/12/21/kiji/K20121221004820010.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2012/12/21/kiji/K20121221004820010.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/ErZpT.jpg)

I posted news caps at the respective member's picture thread.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 21, 2012, 10:11:05 AM
Credit to Mr Ankou for the effort to translate:

Quote from: Mr Ankou
Oricon's Top 100 single for 2012.

01 – “Manatsu no Sounds good!” – AKB48 : (1,820,056)
02 – “GIVE ME FIVE!” – AKB48 : (1,436,519)
03 – “Gingham Check” – AKB48 : (1,303,407)
04 – “UZA” – AKB48 : (1,215,079)
05 – “Eien Pressure” – AKB48 : (1,073,499)
...
08 – “Kataomoi Finally” – SKE48 : (592,947)
09 – “Kiss Datte Hidarikiki” – SKE48 : (587,993)
10 – “Ai Shite Love Ru!” – SKE48 : (581,612)
...
12 – “Nagiichi” – NMB48 : (449,098)
13 – “Virginity” – NMB48 : (390,896)
14 – “Junjou U-19″ – NMB48 : (376,302)
...
17 – “Kitagawa Kenji” – NMB48 : (353,160)
...
26 – “Hashire! Bicycle” – Nogizaka46 : (240,973)
...
28 – “Oide Shampoo” – Nogizaka46 : (221,193)
29 – “Guru Guru Curtain” – Nogizaka46 : (210,513)
...
42 – “Suika BABY” – Not yet : (171,574)
43 – “Kimi wa Boku da” – Maeda Atsuko : (170,640)
...
50 – “Synchro Tokimeki” – Watanabe Mayu : (158,132)
51 – “Soredemo Suki da yo” – Sashihara Rino : (151,724)
...
64 – “Pedicure Day” – No3b : (115,763)
...
69 – “Hikaru Monotachi” – Watanabe Mayu : (112,877)
...
73 – “Otona Jelly Beans” – Watanabe Mayu : (109,309)
...
75 – “Ue Kara Mariko” – AKB48 : (106,039)
...
81 – “Romance Privacy” – French Kiss : (92,214)
...
85 – “10 nen go no Kimi he” – Itano Tomomi : (94,039)
...
88 – “Makeoshimi Congratulation” – SDN48 : (90,507)
...
93 – “Ikuji Nashi Masquarade” – Sashihara Rino : (84,618)
...
98 – “Shonen yo uso wo tsuke” – Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 : (80,843)

and for the albums

03 – “1830m” – AKB48 : (1,029,954)
...
40 - "Kono Hi no Chime wo Wasurenai" - SKE48 : (143,648)

http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2012/musicrank1220/index01.html#topphoto (http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2012/musicrank1220/index01.html#topphoto)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: KudoShinichi on December 23, 2012, 03:15:01 PM
NMB48 First Album Scheduled for release on 27th February 2013
(http://livedoor.3.blogimg.jp/akb48_matome/imgs/2/0/2025ad4a.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: AKBfan26 on December 24, 2012, 01:55:24 AM
JKT48 got a Team J and a debut CD out soon:

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/jkt48-to-make-their-cd-debut-in-indonesia-team-j-announced/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/jkt48-to-make-their-cd-debut-in-indonesia-team-j-announced/)

Akicha and Harugon are in it and the leader is this girl:

http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31990.0 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31990.0)

If we go by tradition, she is also the leader of the whole group.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on December 29, 2012, 01:22:13 AM
Koei is a Japanese game company specialized in historical simulation games. Among some of their most famous works are games like Dynasty Warriors (真・三國無双) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasty_Warriors), Nobunaga's Ambition (信長の野望) (http://信長の野望),  Romance of the Three Kingdom (三國志) (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E5%BF%97%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA), Samurai Warriors (戦国無双) (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%88%A6%E5%9B%BD%E7%84%A1%E5%8F%8C), & Uncharted Waters (大航海時代) (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E8%88%AA%E6%B5%B7%E6%99%82%E4%BB%A3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA). They also created quite a few more feminine game series, althou these are less well known (at least by me) since they are prolly not as widely distributed as their historical/action games are.

Soooo, why am I suddenly talking about Koei? Well, it turns out that I was roaming their web like usual just then & I saw this... :panic:

(http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/akb48/images/main-visual.png)

AKB48's Ambition! :panic:
Quoting from their official web (http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/akb48/):
Quote
「聖歌」で創られた架空の世界 「ラ・チャント」 を舞台に、AKB48のメンバー全員がそれぞれの
野望を叶えるために戦う国盗り型ソーシャルシミュレーションゲーム。
指揮官となって、他のプレイヤーと共に推しメンが扮する 「巫女(みこ)」 の王座獲得を目指せ!

The player will be the fan of the members it seem? Also it is called a social simulation game? Additionally the word 国盗 was used, so the player are gonna try to be an usurper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usurper)? So is politic an element in this game? It says it will be published sometime in 2013, but not specifically when.

So what do you folks think of it? :nervous
Personally it seems more interesting to me than Renai Sousenkyo lol. The costume the five are sporting also look nice, especially Yuko's & Mayuyu's.
Not a lot of information thou, so I guess not much to comment on for now..

in other news, my wireless internet has comeback to life! not that this is relevant to you guys lol.



Edit: Looks like this isn't really news, as it was posted in some of the members' thread already. Didn't roam there for awhile due to lack of wifi. :sweatdrop:
Just gonna steal two pics from Masa for the sake of more pics. :lol: Credit to Masa!
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip148883.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip148884.jpg)

These are two different factions it seems? Also the game seems to be a smartphone game. Dunno is that good news or bad news for of you folks.
 
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: z3144228 on December 30, 2012, 09:18:06 AM
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/83df1b581ced4a0e67dee1295307e88d/tumblr_mfu3tfZHIl1qzk928o1_400.jpg)

Miyu Omori (KKS) is the most appearance on the Stage 168 times this year

http://via.me/-8ap0mvm (http://via.me/-8ap0mvm)

all time for active members

Kana Kobayashi 778 times (No 1. Natsumi Hirajima 823 times)

http://akiha176.web.fc2.com/akb48_003.html (http://akiha176.web.fc2.com/akb48_003.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on December 30, 2012, 11:03:32 AM
54th Japan Record Award! AKB48 - Fyling Get!  + talk  / 2012.12.30. /

AKB48 フライングゲット 第53回日本レコード大賞受賞曲 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttANMXCAMDA#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 30, 2012, 01:44:52 PM
AKB48 won best artist/group of the year award at the 54th Japan Record Award

Posted by Takajyo Aki
(http://i.imgur.com/n4qRpl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/n4qRp)

Posted by Shinoda Mariko
(http://i.imgur.com/NFxdY.jpg)

Speech only


AKB48 日本レコード大賞 2012 大賞受賞 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ6SCOAbvWU#ws)

http://mainichi.jp/mantan/news/20121230dyo00m200062000c.html (http://mainichi.jp/mantan/news/20121230dyo00m200062000c.html)
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20121230-1066317.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20121230-1066317.html)
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2012/12/30/kiji/K20121230004884390.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2012/12/30/kiji/K20121230004884390.html)
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2020150/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2020150/full/)
http://daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2012/12/30/0005637328.shtml (http://daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2012/12/30/0005637328.shtml)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on December 30, 2012, 01:46:59 PM
Now they sing the song again, many of the members with tears streaming down their lovely faces!!!

Congratulations girls!!!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 30, 2012, 05:25:24 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/LpUNn.jpg)
Quote
On December 30th, the annual music awards show, ”The 54th Kagayaku! Japan Record Awards” was held, and announced that AKB48’s “Manatsu no Sounds good!” (written by Akimoto Yasushi, composed and arranged by Inoue Yoshimasa) has received the grand prize “Japan Record Award.” This is the second consecutive year for AKB48 to receive the award since they won the award with “Flying Get” last year.

Winning the “Japan Record Award” successively has been achieved by Hosokawa Takashi (1982 ~ 1983), Nakamori Akina (1985 ~ 1986), Amuro Namie (1996 ~ 1997), Hamasaki Ayumi (2001 ~ 2003), and EXILE (2008 ~ 2010), thus AKB48 is the first female group to accomplish it.

The general manager of AKB48 groups, Takahashi Minami shed tears, and said, “I am truly happy. Last year, we were desperate to grab the award, but his year, we felt like we must win it as the second chapter for AKB48 has begun. I am proud that we were able to get this award when there are so many great artists here.”

Watanabe Mayu also commented, “As Maeda-san graduated, we, the ones who are left, need to make AKB….”, she then had to stop right there, as she could not hold herself, but cry. She continued tearfully, “I am very happy. While being proud of this, I would like to continue trying our best. Though we felt some pressure, receiving the award will make us gain confidence, and I hope it will bring another good accomplishment.”

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/akb48-takes-japan-record-award-for-second-consecutive-year/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/akb48-takes-japan-record-award-for-second-consecutive-year/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 07, 2013, 10:35:17 AM
This just in...

AKB48 won "Artist of the Year'' at the ''27th Japan Gold Disc Award", per http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2020357/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2020357/full/)

(http://i.imgur.com/Su0Oq.jpg) (http://imgur.com/Su0Oq)
Mayu Watanabe, Minami Takahashi, Yuko Oshima and Yuki Kashiwagi were on hand to accept the award.  AKB48 won for the second consecutive year.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 07, 2013, 02:41:07 PM
^News clip

第27回 日本ゴールドディスク大賞 AKB48 乃木坂46 他 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9p3E6QqIHc#ws)

Also, if you watch the 2nd half of the vid, Nogizaka46 won new artist of the year.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 08, 2013, 06:04:57 AM
^follow up...check out SINGLE OF THE YEAR and BEST 5 SINGLES in the list below:

Quote
The winners of “THE JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD 2013” have been revealed.

The ‘Japan Golden Disc Award’ is headed by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), and the RIAJ initiated this annual event in 1987 to recognize outstanding artists and works that have contributed to the recording industry.

The winners are chosen based on the actual sales number of music software (deducting the number of the returned goods from the number of shipped goods), as well as the number of downloads through paid online distribution, Chaku-Uta, and so on. The winners for this year were chosen from data compiled from November 1st, 2011 to October 31st, 2012.

The “Artist of The Year” awards are considered to be the ‘grand prize’ for “THE JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD.”

Check out the winners of this year below!

=====

<THE JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD 2013>

- ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• AKB48 (Japanese)

• Che’Nelle (Western)

- BEST ASIAN ARTIST
• KARA

- BEST ENKA/KAYOKYOKU ARTIST
• Yuki Saori

-  NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Nogizaka46 (Japanese)

• One Direction (Western)
• B1A4 (Asia)

- BEST 5 NEW ARTISTS (Japanese)
• Ieiri Leo
• A.B.C-Z
• JIN
• Sexy Zone
• Nogizaka46

- BEST 3 NEW ARTISTS (Western)
• Alexandra Stan
• Hot Chelle Rae
• One Direction

- BEST 3 NEW ARTISTS (Asia)
• IU
• B1A4
• BOYFRIEND

- BEST ENKA/KAYOKYOKU NEW ARTIST
• Usuzawa Misaki

- ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “Mr.Children 2005-2010 <macro>” – Mr.Children (Japanese)
• “Believe” – Che’Nelle (Western)
• “Super Girl” – KARA (Asia)

- BEST 5 ALBUMS (Japanese)
• “1830m” – AKB48
• “EXILE JAPAN/Solo” – EXILE
• “ALL SINGLES BEST 2″ – Kobukuro
• “Mr.Children 2001-2005 <micro>” – Mr.Children
• “Mr.Children 2005-2010 <macro>” – Mr.Children

- BEST 3 ALBUMS (Western)
• “¡Uno!” – Green Day
• “Believe” – Che’Nelle
• “Living Things” – Linkin Park

- BEST 3 ALBUMS (Asia)
• “Super Girl” – KARA
• “Just Crazy” – Jang Keun-suk
• “ALIVE” – BIGBANG

- CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “BATTLE NOTES” – →Pia-no-jaC← × Hakase Taro

- JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “Little Broken Hearts” – Norah Jones

- INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “Strings Of My Soul” – Matsumoto Takahiro

- SOUND TRACK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “‘Persona 4 The Golden’ Original Sound Track” – Persona 4

- ANIMATION ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “‘Bakemonogatari’ Ongaku Zenshu Songs & Soundtracks” – Bakemonogatari

- TRADITIONAL JAPANESE MUSIC OF THE YEAR
• “Dai 48 Kai Columbia Zenkoku Ginei Concours Kadaigin Nanten” – Nippon Columbia Ginei Ongakukai

- CONCEPT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• “COVERS” – BENI

- SINGLE OF THE YEAR
• “Manatsu no Sounds good!” – AKB48


- BEST 5 SINGLES
• “Ue kara Mariko” – AKB48
• “UZA” – AKB48
• “GIVE ME FIVE!” – AKB48
• “Gingham Check” – AKB48
• ”Manatsu no Sounds good!” – AKB48


- SONG OF THE YEAR BY DOWNLOAD
• “Love Story” – Amuro Namie (Japanese)
• “Believe” – Che’Nelle (Western)
• ”PAPARAZZI” – Shoujo Jidai (Asia)

- BEST 5 SONGS BY DOWNLOAD
• “Happiness” – AI
• “Love Story” – Amuro Namie
• “Yasashiku Naritai” – Saito Kazuyoshi
• “Believe” – Che’Nelle
• “Tatoe Donna ni…” – Nishino Kana

- BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
• “ARASHI LIVE TOUR Beautiful World” – Arashi (Japanese)
• “EXILE TRIBE LIVE TOUR 2012 ~TOWER OF WISH~” – EXILE (Japanese)
• “EXILE LIVE TOUR 2011 TOWER OF WISH ~Negai no Tou~” – EXILE (Japanese)
• “The Monster Ball Tour At Madison Square Garden” – Lady Gaga (Western)
• “JAPAN FIRST TOUR GIRLS’ GENERATION” – Shoujo Jidai (Asia)

- SPECIAL AWARD
• “1969″ – Yuki Saori & Pink Martini

=====

Source & Image: THE JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARD 2013 official site

http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01/the-winners-of-the-japan-gold-disc-award-2013-revealed/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01/the-winners-of-the-japan-gold-disc-award-2013-revealed/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 08, 2013, 03:11:01 PM
^JIJIpress vid

AKB48、ゴールドディスク大賞で8冠 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NFYmXu_Dok#)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: RenX on January 10, 2013, 09:03:49 PM
19 works from AKB48 simultaneously rank on Oricon’s ‘TOP 100′ weekly album chart

(https://s20.postimg.org/6g9bpmqcd/akb48_zpsfb016f79.jpg)

Quote
19 works by popular idol group AKB48 have simultaneously ranked on Oricon’s latest ’TOP 100‘ album chart for the week of January 14.  This set a new record, beating out Michael Jackson and The Beatles past records of 16 works ranking simultaneously in the TOP100.

The 19 works includes 18 of their “studio recordings collection” released on January 1st and their “1830m” album released back in August 2012.

11 of the “studio recordings collection” also ranked in the TOP100 the week before due to pre-orders, and following the official start of album sales, 18 have made it into the ranking.  The top ranking work is the “Team B 3rd Stage ‘Pajama Drive’” album at 17th place.

TOP100 Ranking Records:

1. AKB48 – 19 works (1/14/2013)
2. Michael Jackson – 16 works (7/20/2009)
2. The Beatles – 16 works (9/21/2009)
4. Ishihara Yujiro – 13 works (8/31/1987)
4. Matsuda Seiko – 13 works (8/17/2009)

AKB48’s 19 works and rankings:
No. 17 (up from 31)    Team B 3rd Stage “Pajama Drive”
No. 22 (up from 43)    Team K 4th Stage “Saishuu Bell ga Naru”
No. 27 (up from 46)    Team A 4th stage “Tadaima Renaichuu”
No. 30 (up from 59)    Himawari-gumi 1st stage ”Boku no Taiyo”
No. 31 (up from 58)  Himawari-gumi 2nd Stage ”Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai”
No. 37 (up from 70) Team K 6th Stage “RESET”
No. 40 (up from 71) Team A 6th Stage “Mokugekisha”
No. 43 (up from 72) Team B 5th Stage “Theater no Megami”
No. 47 (up from 77) Team A 5th Stage “Renai Kinshi Jourei”
No. 52 (up from 81) Team K 5th Stage “Sakaagari”
No. 53 (up from 88) Team B 4th Stage “Idol no Yoake”
No. 60 (up from 79) 1830m
No. 73 (up from 115)  Team A 1st stage “PARTY ga Hajimaru yo”
No. 83 (up from 119)  Team B 2nd stage “Aitakatta”
No. 84 (up from 126) Team A 3rd stage “Dare ka no Tame ni”
No. 85 (up from 129) Team K 3rd stage “Nonai Paradise”
No. 88 (up from 132) Team A 2nd stage “Aitakatta”
No. 91 (up from 125) Team B 1st stage “Seishun Girls”
No. 93 (up from 142) Team K 2nd stage “Seishun Girls”
Source : http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01/19-works-from-akb48-simultaneously-rank-on-oricons-top-100-weekly-album-chart/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01/19-works-from-akb48-simultaneously-rank-on-oricons-top-100-weekly-album-chart/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 11, 2013, 11:25:09 AM
AKB48 Official Diary 2013 Announced

Quote
[AKB48 2013-2014 diary contains lots of features of AKB48 and 7 interchangeable covers featuring its sister groups (AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48, SNH48), profiles of them, monthly calendar featuring birthdays of them, sticker(s) for schedule, and plenty more. *Calendar starts from April 2013.

(All product details, including availability, images, language(s), special features, and bonus extras, are subject to change without prior notice. Actual item weight may be different from the one indicated above.)/quote]

1300 yen, released in March.

Pre-order at http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1417139 (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1417139)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 13, 2013, 05:09:53 PM
snip
(http://s9.postimage.org/9a3fvfyaj/main_visual.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/9a3fvfyaj/)

Press event launch vid:

GREE「AKB48の野望」ソーシャルゲーム 完成発表会 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf2RRH624tI#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 14, 2013, 01:21:13 PM
Jul3 confirmed a link I sent him that NO NAME will be getting a digital release.  I elected not to start a thread as it's only a digital release.

Could you help confirm something?  Is NO NAME getting a digital release?

http://listen.jp/store/musicnews_42660_all.htm (http://listen.jp/store/musicnews_42660_all.htm)

Thanks!

It looks like it:
OPテーマ「主なきその声」  Omona Kisono Koe
EDテーマ「この涙を君に捧ぐ」 Kono Namida wo Kimi ni Sasagu

1月23日(水) 00:00~ アニメロミックス、iTunes Store、サテライト★アニメモバイル、 tvkモバイル、テレ玉モバイル、サンテレビ ON モバイル(予定)
I think all those apart from iTunes are mobile phone things...

Rekochoku release on 2013年1月12日

Recent pic of the members of NO NAME:

(http://i.imgur.com/UybWGl.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/UybWG.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: ase___ on January 14, 2013, 01:31:25 PM
Seijin Shiki "Coming of Age Ceremonies"

AKB48 グループ 2013年新成人メンバー 成人式  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNi7rqVbtck#ws)

pict
(http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/akb48_matome/imgs/3/d/3d9acbde.jpg)

:mon squee:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 14, 2013, 02:06:32 PM
Seijin Shiki "Coming of Age Ceremonies"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNi7rqVbtck (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNi7rqVbtck)

pict
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/akb48_matome/imgs/3/d/3d9acbde.jpg (http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/akb48_matome/imgs/3/d/3d9acbde.jpg)

Tomonobu Togasaki (English page)

Quote
Nakamata, Nito, Yokoyama, Shimada, Oba, Tanabe and Minegishi of AKB celebrated for their Coming-of-Age today.

This Coming-of-Age celebration was a memorable one because it's rare to celebrate this occasion on a heavy snow.

Also, congratulations to everyone in Japan who is celebrating for their Coming-of-Age!!

I hope that you will have an awesome life as an adult
.

TGSK's photo uploaded to imgur

(http://i.imgur.com/zS1md.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on January 14, 2013, 02:18:17 PM


pict
(http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/akb48_matome/imgs/3/d/3d9acbde.jpg)

:mon squee:

Front Row, Left to Right: Moeno Nito, Minami Minegishi, Rino Sashihara, Yui Yokoyama, & Miku Tanabe
Middle Row: Shiori Nakamata,  Haruka Shimada, Mina Oba, Shiori Ogiso, Seira Sato, & Miki Yakata
Back Row: Aina Fukumoto, Nana Yamada, Madoka Umemoto, Ami Kobayashi, Aya Shibata, & Miki Hioki
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on January 18, 2013, 01:42:15 PM
NMB48 announced ... their goal to make an own Kouhaku!
(http://i.imgur.com/HkvVA.jpg)

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2020751/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/2020751/full/)
http://mantan-web.jp/2013/01/18/20130118dog00m200010000c.html (http://mantan-web.jp/2013/01/18/20130118dog00m200010000c.html)

NMB48、目標は「単独紅白出場」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI9APg4lIhM#)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 18, 2013, 08:16:38 PM
New Gree Stage Fighter CM featuring a new AKB48 song

GREE ステージファイター 第4弾 AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_3d6_Plegk#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 21, 2013, 03:30:54 PM
New Gree Stage Fighter CM featuring a new AKB48 song

GREE ステージファイター 第4弾 AKB48 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_3d6_Plegk#ws)

Part 2

GREE AKB48 Stage Fighter 第4弾 CM 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDdii8nlloE#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: KudoShinichi on January 24, 2013, 01:04:36 PM
Takamina New TV show on NHK 「Ijime wo KnockOut」 (Knock out bullying)
Starting April 12th 9:50 AM onward
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: almond on January 24, 2013, 01:07:16 PM
Takamina New TV show on NHK

Really?! Any more info on it?
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: KudoShinichi on January 24, 2013, 01:13:49 PM
Takamina New TV show on NHK

Really?! Any more info on it?

Starts April 12th on NHK-E channel from 9:50AM onward.
Its about bullying, and how to eradicate it.

Quote
She is appointed in the show because she has skills in 'Improvising, to gather information from people, to convey the message, and to put together these feelings. '
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 26, 2013, 05:25:51 AM
Per KudoShinichi's post, announced on day 2 of Request Hour were theater manager reshuffling, a promotion and a new appointment:


Yuasa Hiroshi (former SKE Theater manager) is appointed as new AKB Theatre manager
Shiba Tomoya, Former Team K chief manager is appointed as new SKE Theater manager
Kaneko Tsuyoshi, NMB Theater manager to retain current position.
Ozaki Mitsuru, New HKT Theater Manager appointed.
Togasaki Tomonobu is promoted as the General Theater Manager for all 48 Groups
(Refer below picture)

(http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/akb48_matome/imgs/3/e/3eb94498.jpg)
From Left: Yuasa (AKB), Ozaki (HKT), Togasaki (General), Shiba (SKE), Kaneko (NMB)



New GM of AKB48 theater Hiroshi Yuasa  (English subs)

AKB48 新劇場支配人 湯浅 洋の所信表明 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NIkeAKS2Y#ws)

General Manager of AKB48 Group  Tomonobu Togasaki  (English subs)

AKB48グループ総支配人 戸賀崎 智信の所信表明 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JffLsiy0Glw#ws)

Quote
Vote of Confidence for New General Managers of AKB48 Groups

Personnel changes of the general managers of AKB48 group theaters were announced on January 25th, the 2nd day of “AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2013.” To hear the opinion of fans for this personnel change, we have decided to hold a vote of confidence.

Starting from now, we will be showing yesterday’s announcement of new general managers at the Tokyo Dome City Hall, and the policy speeches of each general manager, on YouTube AKB48 Official Channel! (http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/user/AKB48)).

The Like/Dislike button below the video on YouTube will be used for voting. If you have confidence, please vote by clicking the Like button. If you do not have confidence, please click the button on the right side of the Like button.

*To vote, please sign in to YouTube with your Google account. If you don’t have one, please create one before voting.

The voting will end at 7pm (JST), January 27thThe policy speeches on YouTube will be shown only until 7pm (JST), so please take a look and vote.

Results of this vote of confidence will be announced during the last day of “AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2013.”
 
■AKB48 personnel changes
・General Manager of AKB48 Group   Tomonobu Togasaki 
・New General Manager of AKB48 Theater  Hiroshi Yuasa
・New General Manager of SKE48 Theater  Tomoya Shiba
・General Manager of NMB48 Theater Takeshi Kaneko (remaining)
・New General Manager of HKT48 Theater Atsushi Ozaki

More links to vids at https://plus.google.com/+AKB48/posts/dMWPo6P7KfX (https://plus.google.com/+AKB48/posts/dMWPo6P7KfX)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on January 28, 2013, 05:16:15 PM
NMB48 Tour!

(http://s7.postimage.org/9vkk45iiz/20s00436217.jpg)

3/4(Mon) Hiroshima
3/6(Wed) Okayama
3/7(Thu) Kagawa
3/8(Fri) Tottori
4/1(Mon) Fukuoka
4/3(Wed) Hyogo
4/4(Thu) Osaka
4/5(Fri) Shiga

NMB48 西日本ツアー開催!! てっぺん完全版 -予告- (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNKAN1MR6Jo#)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: ase___ on January 30, 2013, 08:40:34 AM
AKB48 MOVIE FESTIVAL
niconico
http://ch.nicovideo.jp/akb48-movie (http://ch.nicovideo.jp/akb48-movie)

(http://s6.postimage.org/lra6t62u9/AKB_film_festival.jpg)

:mon squee:

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on February 01, 2013, 08:29:45 AM
1st Gen Graduation Incoming...  :mon runcry:

Itano Tomomi have indicated that she will be graduating within 2013 during an exchange in AKB's new documentary, "No Flower without Rain."
No actual date have been set as of yet. Tomomi told fans at the screening event after the movie that she will let fans know when it is determined
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130201-1079586.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130201-1079586.html)

Discussion thread: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=34955.0 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=34955.0)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on February 03, 2013, 10:23:51 PM
SKE48 will LIVE ACT on the TOYOTA BIG AIR

(http://i.imgur.com/bzecWQOl.jpg)
17th TOYOTA BIG AIR SKE48 一般販売告知 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUbgZdHnOZE#ws)

http://www.toyota-bigair.jp/2013/index.html.en (http://www.toyota-bigair.jp/2013/index.html.en)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 06, 2013, 02:49:26 AM
AKB48′ producer Akimoto Yasushi receives Annie Award

Quote
AKB48’s executive producer Akimoto Yasushi (54) was recognized with the Outstanding Achievement, Music in an Animated Feature Production award at the 40th Annual Annie Awards.

He received the award for writing the lyrics to AKB48’s song “Sugar Rush” for the Disney film Wreck-it Ralph.  The Annie Awards are the animation world’s equivalent to the Academy Awards.  Five other artists who produced songs for the film shared the prize.  The film is slated to open in Japan on March 23.

http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/akb48-producer-akimoto-yasushi-receives-annie-award/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/akb48-producer-akimoto-yasushi-receives-annie-award/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on February 08, 2013, 01:34:14 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/YX2lUWW.jpg)

HKT48 announced on today perfomance , the final day of Team H 1st "Te wo Tsunaginagara" performance have decided on Sunday, February 17, 2013.
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/02/005885.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/02/005885.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: lusobr on February 21, 2013, 06:59:10 PM
Research students Hisada Riko, Sugino Risa and Hirose Sena announce their graduation from NMB48.

On the evening of the 21st NMB48 theater manager, Tsuyoshi Kaneko, posted on his official G+ account the graduation announcements of 4th generation research students Sugino Risa and Hirose Sena along with a letter to the fans from both. Sugino stated she wanted to focus on her studies in order to get into college. Hirose stated she would graduate due to health reasons. Minutes later Tsuyoshi made another post, this time announcing 3rd generation research student Hisada Riko would also graduate from the group. In her letter to the fans she stated health and study as reasons for her graduation.

source 1 (https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/VGqCwJamob2), 2 (https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/bgi3gKaKWm2)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 23, 2013, 12:00:59 PM
Fukumoto Aina has just announced her graduation from NMB48 at the theatre today

http://twitter.com/kuriQ/status/305268240064598016 (http://twitter.com/kuriQ/status/305268240064598016)

(seems to me NMB48 grads always come in batches, looking at the post above...)

edit: Official NMB blog post: http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11476933423.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11476933423.html)

edit2: Grad announcement video:

NMB48 福本愛菜 卒業発表 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffW9rrDbbG4#noexternalembed-ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 23, 2013, 07:36:30 PM
Miss Moonlight has translated the graduation blog posts from all four of the recent NMB48 graduations here: http://melosnomichi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/nmb48-fukumoto-aina-hirose-sena-hisada.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/nmb48-fukumoto-aina-hirose-sena-hisada.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on February 23, 2013, 11:10:15 PM
Ono Erena to star in a new action suspense drama
(http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013222_onoerena1.jpeg)
It was announced that singer/actress Ono Erena will star in a serial drama “Tank Top Fighter“.  This will mark her first starring serial drama, and she will also be in charge of its theme song.

Reportedly, she will receive special training for a month under an action team that is active in Hollywood, and will show the action battles wearing tank tops.

The drama is an action suspense which follows college students sisters named “Kai” (Ono) and “Riku.” They were spending every day peacefully, but one day, their father gets arrested on suspicion of burglary and murder. In order to return 100 million yen that is supposed to have been stolen by the father, the sisters become bounty hunters, and chase after 4 criminals.

(http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013222_onoerena2.jpeg)(http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013222_onoerena3.jpeg)

Source & more info here: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/ono-erena-to-star-in-a-new-action-suspense-drama/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/ono-erena-to-star-in-a-new-action-suspense-drama/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: almond on February 24, 2013, 02:54:24 AM
The drama is an action suspense which follows college students sisters named “Kai” (Ono) and “Riku.”

Will a 3rd show up a bit later and be named Kuu?
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Hart on February 24, 2013, 04:31:19 AM
The drama is an action suspense which follows college students sisters named “Kai” (Ono) and “Riku.”

Will a 3rd show up a bit later and be named Kuu?

Will "Kai" have a love interest named Ray?  XD
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on February 24, 2013, 01:29:00 PM
SKE48 LIVE ACT on the TOYOTA BIG AIR!

(http://i.imgur.com/bzecWQOl.jpg)
(http://s8.postimage.org/3q0iefjqp/8f3aeb72.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/3q0iefjqp/) (http://s8.postimage.org/mjmbbfhyp/0c4f1db0.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mjmbbfhyp/) (http://s8.postimage.org/nn6fne2lt/6817677e.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nn6fne2lt/) (http://s8.postimage.org/vh718saep/4144b5b6.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vh718saep/) (http://s8.postimage.org/xa9xx3vld/88798ed7.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xa9xx3vld/)

Lineup:
...

SETLIST
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on February 24, 2013, 11:17:51 PM
Sashihara Rino will be starring the movie:
Ore wa mada honki dashitenai dake - 「僕はまだ本気出してないだけ」


(http://i.imgur.com/NrykWOG.jpg)

The story about a guy who divoreced and decided to quit the company. Suddenly find the true himself to become a cartoonist...
Sasshi playing "Unami Aya - manga editor"

www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0050512 (http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0050512)
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2021970/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2021970/full/)
official website: http://www.oremada.jp/ (http://www.oremada.jp/)
Movie will be air from 2013.06.15. nationwide

指原莉乃の登場シーン&コメント!『俺はまだ本気出してないだけ』映像 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QQhyYi3wNM#ws)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on February 25, 2013, 01:15:16 AM
^ This is very good news for Sasshi- The film stars Shinichi Tsutsumi, truly an A-list name in the world of Japanese cinema. Up and coming young actress Ai Hashimoto, along with a group of actors with long lists of formidable credits- Katsuhisa Namase, Takayuki Yamada, Gaku Hamada, and Renji Ishibashi.

To be cast in this film, even in a small part, means Sashshi has truly jumped from idol to working actress, looking forward to this film!

{credit to 映画.com for photo}
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip154931.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip154931.jpg)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 25, 2013, 01:47:30 PM
Guess it's Oscar season, Goo did a silly poll:

Quote
7:49 pm - 02/24/2013
GOO: AKB48 members most likely to be active in Hollywood?

20. Other (735 votes)
19. Sato Amina (24 votes)
18. Asuka Kuramochi (28 votes)
17. Kasai Tomomi (33 votes)
16. Aki Takajo  (40 votes)
15. Minegishi Minami (45 votes)
14. Umeda Ayaka (46 votes)
13. Kitahara Rie (50 votes)
12. Yokoyama Yui (52 votes)
11. Haruka Shimazaki (117 votes)



10. Sae Miyazawa (129 votes)



9. Kashiwagi Yuki (131 votes)



8. Matsui Jurina (256  votes)



7. Takahashi Minami (337 votes)



6. Watanabe Mayu (341 votes)



5. Itano Tomomi (468 votes)



4. Akimoto Sayaka (706 votes)



3. Kojima Haruna (774 votes)



2. Shinoda Mariko (1540 votes)



1. Oshima Yuko (2371 votes)

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4664298.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4664298.html)

I'm thinking only Yuko and Acchan has a chance.  Speaking of Acchan, she was among the hosts of WOWOW's coverage of the Oscars this morning:

(http://i.imgur.com/3kOhtGy.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 27, 2013, 07:53:12 PM
Translation by me (and muppet)

Video Research Ltd releases Japanese Talent's CM ''exposure'' rankings for 2012:

1. Ueto Aya
2. Takei Emi
3. Gouriki Ayame
4. Sasaki Nozomi
5. Ayase Haruka
6. Oshima Yuko
7. Takada Junji
8. Shinoda Mariko
9. Takahashi Minami
10. Itano Tomomi

11. Kanako Higuchi
12. (TIE) Kojima Haruna
12. (TIE) Osamu Mukai
14. Ryuta Sato
15. Watanabe Mayu
16. Yu Aoi
17. Shuzo Matsuoka
18. Kashiwagi Yuki
19. Maeda Atsuko

20. Dante Carver
Source:

http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0050683 (http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0050683)

Image from cinematoday:

(http://s.cinematoday.jp/res/N0/05/06/v1361965140/N0050683_l.jpg)

Another source: http://awabi.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mnewsplus/1361966772 (http://awabi.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mnewsplus/1361966772)

Excerpt from http://awabi.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mnewsplus/1361966772 (http://awabi.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/mnewsplus/1361966772)

Quote
1. 上戸彩(1)2. 武井咲(10)3. 剛力彩芽(388)4. 佐々木希(19)5. 綾瀬はるか(14)6. 大島優子(3)
7. 高田純次(300)8. 篠田麻里子(7)9. 高橋みなみ(12)10. 板野友美(13)

11. 樋口可南子(16)12. 小嶋陽菜(11)12. 向井理(18)14. 佐藤隆太(67)15. 渡辺麻友(21)
16. 蒼井優(71)17. 松岡修造(274)18. 柏木由紀(17)19. 前田敦子(4)20. ダンテ・カーヴァー(6)

The figure within () is 2011's rank, hence Gouriki Ayame made the biggest jump...

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 28, 2013, 05:48:49 AM
^thanks muppet for helping me with the names.

Tokyohive (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/ueto-aya-is-the-cm-queen-of-2012-in-kanto-and-kansai-takei-emi-wins-in-nagoya/) has just posted more stats covering the Nagoya and Kansai region about Japanese Talent's CM ''exposure'' rankings for 2012.  I earlier posted the Kanto region stats above (1st post on this page).





Quote
Akimoto Yasushi becomes the most commercially successful lyricist in Japan
by Shiso on February 27, 2013 at 5:38 pm


It was announced that the total number of sales for singles which were written by lyricist Akimoto Yasushi has reached a whopping 68,591,000 copies, which made him the most commercially successful lyricist in Japan.

After including the sales from the latest Oricon weekly ranking, Akimoto surpassed late lyricist Aku Yu’s record of 68,319,000 copies by 272,000 copies.

Akimoto has written the lyrics for many artists such as Onyanko Club, Tunnels, the late Misora Hibari, and in recent years, he’s known for contributing lyrics for AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and more. Reportedly, Akimoto wrote the lyrics for 506 singles so far, and among all the singles he wrote, the best selling single was AKB48’s 26th single “Manatsu no Sounds good!” (released in May 2012) which sold 1,822,000 copies in total. Moreover, about 30% (19,987,000 copies) of his total sales have come from songs he wrote for AKB48.

Akimoto left the comment, “Thank you. Even after getting No.1 in sales, I still can’t hold a candle to other great senior lyricists, but taking this (record) is very encouraging, I would like to continue to devote myself.”

Akimoto made his debut as a lyricist with “Kotoba ni Shitakunai Tenki” (The coupling track for THE ALFEE’s single ‘Toori Ame‘) in October of 1981. His first chart topping single was Kikuchi Momoko’s “Sotsugyou” (released in February 1985), and a total of 87 singles which Akimoto contributed the lyrics, have topped the chart ever since. 87 chart topping singles is also a record for lyricists, number 2 is Inaba Koshi with 52 singles.

Below is the list of TOP 5 lyricists with their total number of single sales (the parentheses show the best selling singles from the lyricist).

=====

1. Akimoto Yasushi…68,591,000 copies (AKB48 ‘Manatsu no Sounds good!’ 1,822,000 copies)
2. Aku Yu…68,319,000 copies (Pink Lady ‘UFO’ 1,554,000 copies)
3. Matsumoto Takashi…49,838,000 copies (KinKi Kids ‘Glass no Shounen’ 1,792,000 copies)
4. Komuro Tetsuya…42,224,000 copies (Amuro Namie ‘CAN YOU CELEBRATE?’ 2,296,000 copies)
5. Inaba Koshi…37,594,000 copies (B’z ‘Ai no Mama ni Wagamama ni Boku wa Kimi dake wo Kizutsukenai’ 2,021,000 copies)

http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/akimoto-yasushi-becomes-the-most-commercially-successful-lyricist-in-japan (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/akimoto-yasushi-becomes-the-most-commercially-successful-lyricist-in-japan)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on February 28, 2013, 07:25:18 PM
Shinoda Mariko opens the first store for her original brand ‘ricori’
(http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130228_shinodamariko_ricori.jpg)

On February 27th, AKB48’s Shinoda Mariko attended an opening event for her original brand’s first store opening at Lumine Est Shinjuku.

Regarding the brand name, ricori, Shinoda explained, “I named it ‘ricori’ using Mariko’s ‘riko’ and the word for ‘cute’ in Spanish, ‘rico’.” She also commented on the launching of her brand, saying, “It was a dream of mine since before entering AKB48. I also went to a fashion school for that reason.” She then shared that she has been working on designs for the past 10 years, “I have about 1,000 designs in stock.”

Read more here (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02/shinoda-mariko-opens-the-first-store-for-her-original-brand-ricori/).


Edit: News video from MAiDiGi! Credit to YKT for the find plz!
AKB48・篠田麻里子登場! 「ricori(リコリ)」1号店新宿オープン (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlf61EW0QSk#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 02, 2013, 12:06:49 PM
Nakaya Sayaka announces graduation.

Quote
Oshima Team K Performance on March 6th will be her last.

"I've been thinking about graduating for a long time.  I am quitting so I can go to the audition for an anime that I really like. When they had an audition last time i was not able to go because I had an AKB job. The audition requires that I am not signed with any recording companies so I am quitting Mousa as well. I am going to be the First Rabbit of Seiyuu."

https://twitter.com/Bilingual48 (https://twitter.com/Bilingual48)

edit: Her graduation blog post: http://ameblo.jp/nakaya-sayaka/entry-11478969922.html (http://ameblo.jp/nakaya-sayaka/entry-11478969922.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 04, 2013, 01:56:08 PM
New CM promo by Asahi

(http://s21.postimage.org/68e2ipe0j/0304_4a_b.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/68e2ipe0j/) (http://s21.postimage.org/7opl0ugxf/0304_4b_b.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7opl0ugxf/)
 
News release and full size pics

http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/pick_0304-4.html (http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/pick_0304-4.html)
http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/image/0304-4a_b.jpg (http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/image/0304-4a_b.jpg)
http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/image/0304-4b_b.jpg (http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/image/0304-4b_b.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 04, 2013, 04:05:31 PM
Also from Asahi

(http://i.imgur.com/ElTYNcgl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ElTYNcg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 05, 2013, 06:25:47 AM
Quote
Total number of copies sold for AKB48′ singles reaches 20 million



When including the sales from Oricon’s latest weekly single ranking, the total number of copies sold for AKB48’s singles has reached 20,000,000.

Since their indie debut single “Sakura no Hanabira tachi“, which was released in February 2006, it has taken 7 years and a month for them to accomplish this, and it is the fastest record to reach 20 million copies for singles. With this result, they have surpassed Mr.Children’s record of 8 years.

Other artists who have reached the 20 million copies sold mark with singles include B’z (in 1997), Southern All Stars (in 2000), Mr.Children (in 2000), SMAP (in 2005), and Hamasaki Ayumi (in 2006). Thus, AKB48 is the first female group to achieve it.

Congratulations to AKB48!


(http://i.imgur.com/oYbq8aP.jpg)
Source & Image: Oricon

http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/03/total-number-of-copies-sold-for-akb48-singles-reaches-20-million (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/03/total-number-of-copies-sold-for-akb48-singles-reaches-20-million)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 05, 2013, 03:07:57 PM
Aki-P meets with the PM of Japan during a "Cool Japan" conference - promote and likely develop Japan's soft power around the world.

(http://i.imgur.com/w3XRehs.jpg)

Source http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=eco_30&k=2013030400845 (http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=eco_30&k=2013030400845)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 05, 2013, 04:17:15 PM
On March 11th, each of the 48 groups (AKB, SKE, NMB, HKT) will hold special earthquake charity performances at their theatres.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 05, 2013, 09:38:47 PM
Hashire! Penguin by Team 4 is getting a Music Video and making of included in the 6 discs special bluray edition of AKB48 Request Hour Setlist 2013 (and none of the other versions).

Full info on the release here: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33659.msg1159629#msg1159629 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33659.msg1159629#msg1159629)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on March 06, 2013, 11:20:42 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/nZsXvjCl.jpg)
HKT48 officialy opened their Youtube channel!

http://www.youtube.com/user/HKT48 (http://www.youtube.com/user/HKT48)

3 opening comment video:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 06, 2013, 02:07:06 PM
AKB48 Relief Activities Project - official vid uploaded March 6, 2013

「誰かのために」プロジェクト復興支援活動 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E68v5-UtygU#ws)

There will be a special site for more on March 8, 2013 from 1800 hrs JST at

Quote
▼詳細はこちら 3月8日(金)18時よりダウンロード開始予定
http://www.akb48.co.jp/darekanotameni/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/darekanotameni/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 07, 2013, 10:33:53 AM
AKB48 Relief Activities Project - official vid uploaded March 6, 2013


There will be a special site for more on March 8, 2013 from 1800 hrs JST at

Quote
▼詳細はこちら 3月8日(金)18時よりダウンロード開始予定
http://www.akb48.co.jp/darekanotameni/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/darekanotameni/)

Follow up

Crest posted details of the above:


Quote
AKB48 to distribute free charity song "Tenohira ga Kataru Koto” starting March 8th, proceeds go to Japanese Red Cross Society

Continuing their efforts of Tohoku earthquake and tsunami relief and reconstruction, Tenohira ga Kataru Koto (Tales that Palms Tell) will be available on their project's site (http://www.akb48.co.jp/darekanotameni/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/darekanotameni/)) on March 8th at 20:00 JST (UTC +9). Donations will also be collected.


Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 07, 2013, 11:23:08 AM
^ in addition:

On March 11th, each of the 48 groups (AKB, SKE, NMB, HKT) will hold special earthquake charity performances at their theatres.

I think it says that if you purchase one of those 4 LODs on DMM.com the money goes to charity. Also, these shows aren't included if you are a subscriber to one of the four subscriptions, you have to purchase them separately.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11485407158.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11485407158.html)

edit: no, they are free:

The special stage of 11th March LOD will be downloadable for free. All 4 team (AKB, SKE, NMB, HKT).
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11486210210.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11486210210.html)
http://www.dmm.com/lod/-/darekanotameni/ (http://www.dmm.com/lod/-/darekanotameni/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Seigus on March 09, 2013, 11:53:11 AM
AKB48's Gashapon Official Site opens!

http://www.gashapon.jp/akb48/ (http://www.gashapon.jp/akb48/)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip156287.png)

First release - Kami Oshi Plates

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip156288.png)



Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 11, 2013, 10:57:31 PM
On March 11th, each of the 48 groups (AKB, SKE, NMB, HKT) will hold special earthquake charity performances at their theatres.
Setlists:

AKB48SKE48:NMB48:HKT48
M01. Dareka no Tame ni
M02. Flying Get
M03. Kaze wa Fuiteiru
---MC1---
M04. Manatsu no Sounds Good!
M05. Gingham Check
---MC2---
M06. Bingo
M07. So long!
---MC3---
M08. Boku no Taiyou
M09. Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M01. Kaze wa Fuiteiru
---MC1---
M02. Ai no Kazu
M03. Te wo Tsunaginagara
M04. To be continued
M05. Sakura no Hanabiratachi
---MC2---
M06. Tsuyoki Mono yo
M07. 1! 2! 3! 4! Yoroshiku!
M08. Choco no Dorei
---MC3---
M09. Dareka no Tame ni
M10. Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M01. Kaze wa Fuiteiru
---MC1---
M02. Mirai no Tobira
M03. Oh My God!
---MC2---
M04. Kimi ga Hoshi ni Naru Made
---MC3---
M05. Tanpopo no Kesshin
M06. Minasan mo Goissho ni
M07. Dareka no Tame ni
---MC4---
M08. Seishun no Laptime
M09. Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
M01. Mirai no Tobira
M02. Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara
---MC1---
M03. Aozora no Soba ni Ite
M04. Dear My Teacher
---MC2---
M05. Oogoe Diamond
M06. Kaze wa Fuiteiru
M07. HKT48
---MC3---
M08. Dareka no Tame ni
M09. Onegai Valentine
M10. Suki! Suki! Skip!
M11. Tenohira ga Kataru Koto

Member Lineups:

AKB48: KKS (minus Miichan) + Izuta Rina, Kobayashi Marina, Nakamata Shiori, Morikawa Ayaka, Chikano Rina, Nakata Chisato, Fujita Nana, Matsubara Natsumi, Ishida Haruka, Ichikawa Miori
SKE48: Missing were Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Ogino Risa, and Hidaka Yuzuki
NMB48: Missing were Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Hisada Riko, and Shinohara Kanna
HKT48: Missing were Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, and Ota Aika

The missing members (most of AKB48, and, in general, the popular sister group girls) went around the disaster areas performing: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=35181.msg1161488#msg1161488 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=35181.msg1161488#msg1161488)

All four LODs can be downloaded from H!O at this link (http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=56611).
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 12, 2013, 10:09:19 AM
The official blog states that on March 20th, the AKB Kenkyuusei will perform a different setlist to their usual [Boku no Taiyou]...

...no further details... seems unclear whether they are starting a new stage or whether this is a one-off...

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11488769187.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11488769187.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 13, 2013, 12:26:10 AM
Team BS Launched!

(http://i.imgur.com/VWuHe7V.jpg)

Featuring:

AKB48: Takahashi Minami, Oshima Yuko, Watanabe Mayu, Shimazaki Haruka
SKE48: Matsui Rena, Matsui Jurina
NMB48: Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki
HKT48: Tashima Meru, Sashihara Rino

It's to promote the NHK BS channel http://www.nhk.or.jp/bs/ (http://www.nhk.or.jp/bs/) between 2013.03.20 - 2013.05.31

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130313-1096873.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130313-1096873.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 13, 2013, 12:42:36 PM
Team BS Launched!

(http://i.imgur.com/mNvsvkk.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/FoVXqwZ.jpg)

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2022575/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2022575/full/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 13, 2013, 04:06:22 PM
^ larger image from RBBTODAY
(http://i.imgur.com/LZuBsD9.jpg)

Namme90 found the following news on stage.  I reupped the img to imgur:

Quote from: namme90
(http://i.imgur.com/xmoONJJ.jpg)
Between the 20th of March and the end of May, Oshima Yuko, Shimazaki Harua, Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Sashihara Rino and Tashima Meru are going to be taking part in a PR campaign for NHK BS1 and BS Premium.

The members - slated as "Team BS" - will be promoting the channel on posters and short commercials.


It seems the campaign is called "Anata wa Dare Oshi? Watashi wa BS Oshi!"
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130313-1096873.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130313-1096873.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 14, 2013, 04:16:49 PM
A mini banner has been revealed.  That's a HUGE yellow button  :shocked

(http://i.imgur.com/6fKjSxF.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on March 14, 2013, 05:07:25 PM
Know of the famous Miku song, Thousand Sakura?

Looks like Ishida Haruka will be playing in a musical titled after it! She will play Miku too it seems. :lol:

I must say the cosplay looks funny tho... :nervous But alas that might just be me. :sweatdrop:
AKB48石田晴香、初音未来に! 「音樂劇 千本桜」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f16B6UkQDGw#ws)


In other news, according to this news article, wTomomi will be participating the in the 31st Summer single. However, they will not be participate in the next sousenkyou, & the Nippon Budokan concert will be their last concert, following up with a theatre farewell performance sometime in May.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/600428_427819343971768_843350757_n.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 14, 2013, 07:54:13 PM
Ayarin and Paruru in new CM ''WILLSELECTION ~Disney Marie Collection DEBUT~''

WILLSELECTION ~Disney Marie Collection DEBUT~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWWUKAYu92o#ws)


(http://i.imgur.com/Rfpbo5D.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on March 16, 2013, 02:07:22 AM
Cross-post from Nogizaka Thread (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30289.msg1163092#msg1163092)!

(http://s6.postimage.org/e0zwz9n0h/526d222442a7d93347c2017bac4bd11372f001aa.png)
(http://s6.postimage.org/5790i601t/af0d7a2c11dfa9ec450db31f63d0f703908fc1f2.png)(http://s6.postimage.org/rkgr4z0zl/G20130316005404740_view.jpg)(http://s6.postimage.org/oew5eridd/G20130316005404570_view.jpg)

Nogizaka Dorama Participation~~~!!! :cathappy:
Hashimoto Nanami will be playing the female lead in upcoming night time drama Bad Boys J!!!
Nanamin will be playing 由本久美, reported the girlfriend of the protagonist in the manga original. Nakajima Kento (中島健人) from Sezy Zone will be the male lead.
Additionally, several more Nogizaka members will also play roles in this drama! These members include Matsumura Sayuri, Akimoto Manatsu, Ito Marika, Ito Nene, Sakurai Reika, Takayama Kazumi, Wakatsuki Yumi, & Noujou Ami. Additionally, Itano Tomomi will play a role in this drama too!

Bad Boys J will begin airing on Saturday April 6th, 24:50 ~ 25:20 on NTV.

Official web (http://www.ntv.co.jp/bad_boys/) & news  (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2013/03/16/kiji/K20130316005405100.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on March 19, 2013, 11:02:03 AM
New TV-shows for SKE!

(http://i.imgur.com/pWArRkO.png)SKE48 no Sekai Seifuku Joshi Season 2
『SKE48の世界征服女子 season2』
TV-Channel: CTV
Start:  2 April 2013 at 01:53am
Broadcast time: Every Tuesday at 00:28 JST

Website: http://www.ctv.co.jp/ssj2/ (http://www.ctv.co.jp/ssj2/)
(http://i.imgur.com/dhrw3Z2.png)SKE48 no Oyasumi Meigen Dojo
『SKE48のおやすみ名言道場 』
TV-Channel: CTV
Start: 1 April 2013 at 01:23am
Broadcast time: Every 【Mon ・Wed ・Thur 】 at 00:53-00:59am JST
Every 【Tue ・Fri 】 at 00:58-01:04am JST

Website: http://www.ctv.co.jp/ske48dojo/ (http://www.ctv.co.jp/ske48dojo/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 20, 2013, 10:33:23 PM
The official blog states that on March 20th, the AKB Kenkyuusei will perform a different setlist to their usual [Boku no Taiyou]...

...no further details... seems unclear whether they are starting a new stage or whether this is a one-off...

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11488769187.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11488769187.html)

AKB48 Kenkyuusei start new stage [Pajama Drive]

AKB48 kenkyuusei held the shonichi to their previous stage [Boku no Taiyou] (Himawarigumi 1st) on March 17th, and on March 20th, as stated above, started a new stage. Turned out this was a revival of Team B's 3rd Stage [Pajama Drive]

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip158107.jpg)

Loads more pics: https://plus.google.com/114007873084322574127/posts (https://plus.google.com/114007873084322574127/posts)

DL the shonichi at H!O (http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=56939)

Since the other teams had already distorted "Wasshoi B!" into "Bacchikoi K!", "Happy A!", and "Enjoy 4!"...

...the KKS version is called "Let's Go, Kenkyuusei!"

レッツゴー研究生! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTkR374_cx4#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 20, 2013, 11:06:44 PM
Team BS CM

NHK BS あなたはダレ推し?私はBS押し!AKB48 チームBS 30s CM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPhqB-reOvA#ws)

"Watashi wa BS oshi"  :lol:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on March 21, 2013, 01:14:09 PM
(http://s22.postimg.org/l4vfsqn2l/c62e30b1.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/l4vfsqn2l/) (http://s22.postimg.org/iotmew4zx/10s1078495.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/iotmew4zx/)
NMB48  Shinohara Kanna announced her graduation!
She will graduate 12th April. She would like to focus her model carrier...

Full message (http://pastebin.com/sB2QSupx)  - translated by unknow
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on March 21, 2013, 02:16:21 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/hMPm0id.jpg)
SNH48 Miyazawa Sae started her twitter account!
https://twitter.com/oyasuminaSAE_m (https://twitter.com/oyasuminaSAE_m)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 21, 2013, 05:54:05 PM
^ And Suzuki Mariya

(http://i.imgur.com/dzf4jZk.jpg)

https://twitter.com/mariyannu_s (https://twitter.com/mariyannu_s)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Yuling on March 22, 2013, 04:18:00 AM
(http://i.imgur.com/02ZJLmQ.jpg)

The box set of season 1 of No Sekai Seifuku Joshi will be released June 17th. The collectors edition includes trading cards and the TV program SKE48 no Idol x Idol.
They also held a press conference and interviewed Shiori Ogiso and Yagami Kumi about season 2.

SKE48′s World Domination Girls! Gets A Second Season (http://japanverse.com/2013/03/ske48s-world-domination-girls-gets-a-second-season/)

Wonder how much the collector edition will cost.  :?  With my luck, a small fortune.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Kid_Alpha on March 22, 2013, 04:18:21 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/hMPm0id.jpg)
SNH48 Miyazawa Sae started her twitter account!
https://twitter.com/oyasuminaSAE_m (https://twitter.com/oyasuminaSAE_m)

lol Sae already had her account suspended.

EDIT: Her account is off suspension.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: stv_wong on March 25, 2013, 02:50:55 AM
Chiyuu will release her new single in May :twothumbs

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2022916/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/movie/2022916/full/)
http://www.crownrecord.co.jp/artist/kasai/whats.html (http://www.crownrecord.co.jp/artist/kasai/whats.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on March 25, 2013, 08:23:05 PM
Cross-post from the Matsushita Yui Thread (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20644.msg1166274#msg1166274).

Former SKE48 member Matsushita Yui to release her solo debut single
(http://static2.tokyohive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013325_matsushitayui.jpeg)
It was announced that Matsushita Yui will make a solo debut under Tokuma Japan Communications, and her 1st single “Shooting Star” is set for release on May 22.

Matsushita was a member of  SKE48 since 2008, and she went on hiatus in order to receive treatment for osteochondritis dissecans on both of her ankles in 2010. However, as she needed to undergo long-term rehabilitation, and there was very little probability that she would be able to dance how she used to even if her ankles recovered completely, she graduated from the group in 2011.

For full article, please read it here (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/03/former-ske48-member-matsushita-yui-to-release-her-solo-debut-single/). Original Japanese from Natalie here (http://natalie.mu/music/news/87290).



The details on her 1st single “Shooting Star” are as follows.

“Shooting Star”
(http://cdn.natalie.mu/media/1303/0325/extra/news_large_matsushitayui_shootingstar.jpg)

01. Shooting Star
02. Rigel
03. Love Monster
04. Shooting Star (Instrumental)
05. Rigel (Instrumental)
06. Love Monster (Instrumental)


Edit: Apparently there's a footage of Yuimin performing some of the songs that will be in her single!
You can find it here (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20644.msg1166345#msg1166345). With thanks to caramujo!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 27, 2013, 11:09:21 PM
Details of the SDN48 performances at the AKB48 Theatre on 31st March 2013 have been announced:

Two shows "Yuuwaku no Garter", afternoon and evening:

13:00 performance is 2nd/3rd gen:
Quote
相川友希・亜希子・伊東愛・大山愛未・木川るみ(松島瑠美)・木本夕貴・光上せあら・KONAN・駒谷仁美・尻無浜冴美・シヨン・たかはしゆい・戸島花・奈津子・福田朱子・藤社優美・細田海友
19:00 performance is 1st gen:
Quote
穐田和恵・今吉めぐみ・梅田悠・浦野一美・大河内美紗・大堀恵・甲斐田樹里・加藤雅美・河内麻沙美・小原春香・佐藤由加理・芹那・チェン チュー・津田麻莉奈(MCのみ)・手束真知子・なちゅ・西国原礼子・野呂佳代・畠山智妃・三ッ井裕美

The best news is that the shows will get LODs on DMM.com!
They'll be available for individual purchase, but subscribers to one of the AKB, SKE, NMB, or HKT services get them free  :twothumbs

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11499266447.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11499266447.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 31, 2013, 03:19:14 PM
SDN48 performance!

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159511.jpg)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159512.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159512.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159513.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159513.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159514.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159514.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159515.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159515.jpg)



Also, a few of them registered for the election, although Nontii has issues (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=35282.msg1168223#msg1168223)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159510.jpg)



Also, Chen Qu is getting married! Congrats!   :twothumbs

Apparently the guy is 6 years older (32) than her (26) and he proposed on December 31st. They've been dating since summer 2009

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130331-1105799.html (http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/f-et-tp0-20130331-1105799.html)
http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2013/03/31/0005862260.shtml?utm_medium=twitter (http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/gossip/2013/03/31/0005862260.shtml?utm_medium=twitter)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 31, 2013, 03:57:15 PM
^ More pics, courtesy of Mariko-sama:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159520.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159520.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159521.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159521.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159522.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159522.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip159523.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159523.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 01, 2013, 12:04:51 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip159736.jpg)

Both LODs are up:

1300
Code: [Select]
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTM1OTA5NjA0.html
Or H!O (http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=57332)

1900
Code: [Select]
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTM2MDYxNzYw.html
Or H!O (http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=57333)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 05, 2013, 02:49:05 PM
Stage DVD releases for A6/K6/B5/41

Team A 6th Stage "Mokugekisha"
Team K 6th Stage "RESET"
Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"
Team 4 1st Stage "Boku no Taiyou"

3,990 yen each, released 2013/04/06

Each come with 20 page booklet

(http://i.imgur.com/jcnkCOQ.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/cAwISqW.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/BpC8wTc.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/9CBlPZx.jpg)

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11505409373.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11505409373.html)
http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/a613/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/a613/)
http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/k613/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/k613/)
http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/b513/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/b513/)
http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/4113/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/4113/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: stv_wong on April 05, 2013, 05:51:15 PM
Kasai Tomomi last stage will be on 5/3

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11505718806.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11505718806.html)


 :cry:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on April 10, 2013, 12:03:06 PM
AKB48×ANA (All Nippon Airways Co) project!

Members: Watanabe Mayu, Akimoto Sayaka, Kawaei Rina, Yokoyama Yui, Suzuki Mariya
TOKYO (NQN)--All Nippon Airways Co., a unit of ANA Holdings Inc. (9202), said Wednesday it has kicked off a project with all-girl pop idol group AKB48 to inspire young Asians to travel more.

"We would like all young people in Japan and the rest of Asia to fulfill their cultural needs. ... We often hear about how young people are becoming less enthusiastic about trying new things or traveling abroad," said ANA Senior Vice President Ken Nishimura while explaining the purpose of the project -- called Challenge for Asia by ANA X AKB48 -- at a news conference in Tokyo.

The carrier hopes to raise its profile in Asia by leveraging the popularity of the group, which is well known across the region. ANA will use the voices of AKB48 members for in-flight announcements, and passengers will be allowed to vote in the regular poll held to decide which member of AKB48 is the fan-favorite.

photos:
(http://i.imgur.com/jxa7ENSs.jpg) (http://imgur.com/jxa7ENS) (http://i.imgur.com/nnLgV5ws.jpg) (http://imgur.com/nnLgV5w) (http://i.imgur.com/3gdUa1hs.jpg) (http://imgur.com/3gdUa1h) (http://i.imgur.com/vCY5Npxs.jpg) (http://imgur.com/vCY5Npx) (http://i.imgur.com/hH5eBK8s.jpg) (http://imgur.com/hH5eBK8) (http://i.imgur.com/yylUrkPs.jpg) (http://imgur.com/yylUrkP)
(http://i.imgur.com/p5fxNTAs.jpg) (http://imgur.com/p5fxNTA) (http://i.imgur.com/u70fQa2s.jpg) (http://imgur.com/u70fQa2)
video:
まゆゆ登場! ANA×AKB48 共同プロジェクト発表会! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qIM13AOJsc#ws)

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2023542/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2023542/full/)
http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1235938 (http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1235938)
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/04/10/233/ (http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/04/10/233/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 10, 2013, 09:43:36 PM
More ANA:

まゆゆ登場! ANA×AKB48 共同プロジェクト発表会! 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29lfZmt6Vw#ws)

秋元才加 : AKB48卒業語る「私はこのタイミング」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDGj7ZhzQOY#ws)

【TNS動画ニュース】ANA×AKB48共同プロジェクト発表会に渡辺麻友、秋元才加、横山由依、鈴木まりや、川栄李奈が登場 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLzubbO8oX4#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 12, 2013, 05:48:33 PM
Quote
AKB48 partners with ANA for Asian travel promotion


(http://i.imgur.com/jJJtm1Wl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/jJJtm1W)


All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, launched a collaboration project with J-pop mega-group AKB48 on Wednesday in order promote and increase travel among young Asians. With several of the girls from the music and entertainment group present at the announcement, ANA Senior VP Ken Nishimura said the airline hopes to rely on AKB48′s growing popularity across Asia to improve cultural connections with Japan. In layman’s speak that means the two money-making entities have entered into a joint-advertising deal.


As ANA looks to expand its service in Asia, it will “support” the members of AKB48 who have been transferred to the growing number of overseas sister groups, including JKT48, based in Jakarta, and SNH48, from Shanghai. The airline says it launch a new website as part of the project, where it will report on the activities of the girls during the time abroad, no doubt alongside the ticketing information and prices for ANA’s flights to said locations.


No doubt the highlight of Wednesday’s press event for Japan’s AKB48-obsessed male otaku (“nerds”) was seeing members like Mayu Watanabe and Sayaka Akimoto, along with Mariya Suzuki of SNH48, dressed in ANA cabin attendant uniforms. Suzuki commented that she’s been studying the Chinese language after her move, as she hopes to one day appear on TV without a translator. ANA also added that the promotion will include programs on domestic flights with the most prominent girls of AKB48, including Watanabe and Yuko Oshima, the 90-plus member group’s current “leader” (most popular).




Credit

japandailypress

http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4768376.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4768376.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 16, 2013, 11:05:53 AM
Quote
AKB48 becomes 15th generation main character for ‘Natsuichi’ campaign

(http://i.imgur.com/LbgVzqu.jpg)

Popular idol group AKB48 will be the 15th generation main character for Shueisha Bunko’s ‘Natsuichi‘ campaign.

This campaign is Shueisha Bunko’s summer fair that started back in 1991 as ‘Natsu no Issatsu‘ (commonly known as ‘Natsuichi’). This year, there will be 85 books, and 85 members from AKB48 will each present a book report on the book they have read. The book titles assigned to the members will be announced sometime around mid-June.

Previous characters for ‘Natsuichi’ include actresses Hirosue Ryoko, Takei Emi, and Gouriki Ayame, actors Tamaki Hiroshi and Kobozuka Yosuke, and former professional tennis player Matsuoka Shuzo. The campaign will run from June 26th to late-September at participating bookstores nationwide.

Source & Image: Oricon

http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/04/akb48-becomes-15th-generation-main-character-for-natsuichi-campaign/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/04/akb48-becomes-15th-generation-main-character-for-natsuichi-campaign/)

Original source: http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2023713/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2023713/full/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 29, 2013, 07:23:17 AM
NEW Member pics for 2013 are up at the AKB48 theater...


(http://i.imgur.com/WZ90iLdl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/JtXYCVal.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VYpJJV7l.jpg)


Expect the website to update soon...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 30, 2013, 01:26:37 PM
AKB48 15th generation debuted in the theatre as backing dancers in today's Team K show:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163288.jpg)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163289.jpg)


(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip163290.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163290.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip163291.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163291.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 01, 2013, 06:29:52 AM
Like AKB48×ANA (All Nippon Airways Co) CM at the top of this page, AKB has yet another new CM

Quote
HouseFoods CM with Oshima Yuko, Watanabe Mayu, Shimazaki Haruka, Kashiwagi Yuki, Shinoda Mariko, Kojima Haruna, and Nakatsuka Tomomi. A curry campaign for Mother's Day.

(http://i.imgur.com/1BnHBvW.jpg)

CM on YouTube

AKB48 CM ハウス こくまろカレー 「母の日にAKB48と」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIGJGQYuULY#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on May 01, 2013, 03:11:58 PM
NMB48 Team M's Yamamoto Hitomi announces her graduation.
(http://s23.postimg.org/3us1l7j6v/f8329f8a.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3us1l7j6v/) (http://s23.postimg.org/lwb6j0d7r/tumblr_mm4doi_NV6r1ru1kc4o1_1280.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lwb6j0d7r/)

Announced today at the Team M stage, she want to focus her studies.
http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11522100025.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11522100025.html)

life sucks  :cry:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 02, 2013, 11:53:48 AM
From the latest issue of Nikkei Entertainment magazine

(http://i.imgur.com/MkG5tlt.jpg)

Momoiro Clover Z and Perfume ahead of AKB48 in the idol group rankings.  Nogizaka46 ahead of NMB48 and HKT48.


(http://i.imgur.com/IfsfrgK.jpg)

Individual idol rankings

(http://i.imgur.com/FQMiBFf.jpg)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 02, 2013, 12:09:41 PM
Quote
NEW Member pics for 2013 are up at the AKB48 theater...


Expect the website to update soon...

Changes ongoing at http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 02, 2013, 12:44:20 PM
From the latest issue of Nikkei Entertainment magazine

Individual idol rankings

(http://i.imgur.com/FQMiBFf.jpg)

How is this rankings calculated? SUPER☆LeMON suggests it's a consumer poll...

Romanising the members rankings, with a lil help from SUPER☆LeMON and yic17

1. Yuko
2. Mariko
3. Atsuko
4. Kojima
5. Itano
6. Takamina
7. Mayuyu
8. Yukirin
9. Sasshi
10. Sayaka
11. Miichan
12. Shimazaki
13. Kanako (Momoclo)
14. Jurina
15. Rena
16. Yokoyama
17. Sae
18. Momoko (Berryz)
19. Reni (Momoclo)
20. Shiori (Momoclo)
21. Momoka (Momoclo)
22. Oya
23. Kasai
24. Kitarie
25. Aarin (Momoclo)
26. Sayanee
27. Umechan
28. Takajo
29. Kuramochi
30. Ikoma
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: AKBfan26 on May 04, 2013, 06:38:36 PM
Appeal video's have been uploaded onto Youtube:

AKB48 Playlist (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTnoe1_0qtAZlbUi9ZXsS8sN8b5TT_YL5)
SKE48 Playlist (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTnoe1_0qtAaa7YlF8sUJl3NZc17ZlqUs)
NMB48 Playlist (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTnoe1_0qtAYG4jQHQV1ZCucowzARRLrl)
HKT48 Playlist (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTnoe1_0qtAYWNOgbBZHGGpy1yd3Qp2DF)
Team Kagai Playlist (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTnoe1_0qtAbDvxD9fPpj6T-KoyeSIgIJ)
Former Members Playlist (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTnoe1_0qtAZmUTnJlfBvEmnmWpL4cs0-)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 05, 2013, 03:05:55 AM
AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48 have now moved to their combined ticketing system they talked about a while ago:

https://ticket.akb48-group.com/

Looks like it could deal with future concerts as well as theatre shows...

The worrying thing is this guidance for overseas people:

https://ticket.akb48-group.com/home/guide/about_overseas_resident.php

Basically it says at the moment, overseas people can't register for the website. So in the meantime, please use Super Enpou before they sort out a mechanism for foreign fans... Also, in the talk about super enpou, they only mention AKB48, not the other groups...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 05, 2013, 01:33:36 PM
Matsubara Natsumi has announced her graduation

She announced it at the K3 revival stage concert today:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip163901.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163901.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip163902.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163902.jpg)

https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/VLqcoF44LKB (https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/VLqcoF44LKB)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: ase___ on May 07, 2013, 06:04:26 AM
New CM

WONDA x AKB48 ~ FLAVORS

アサヒ ワンダ フレーバーズ みんなの驚き篇 AKB48 CM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP5k3QMYmKg#ws)

Website
http://flavors.wonda-akb48.com/top.go?sd=19725 (http://flavors.wonda-akb48.com/top.go?sd=19725)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 07, 2013, 01:25:03 PM
^Down

JIJIPRESS
AKB大島、まゆゆ、「想定外の味に驚き」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndWVDu-E5yg#ws)

PON!
AKB48 WONDAフレーバーズ TV-CM「みんなの驚き」編 - PON! 2013-05-07 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr4m3KE98PI#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on May 07, 2013, 08:51:14 PM
According to her blog post (http://ameblo.jp/ske48official/entry-11526166794.html), Takayanagi Akane (SKE48/Captain of Team KII) will not run for the sousenkyou next year.

Quoting from her blog:
Quote
私は来年

総選挙があったとして
立候補制だったとしたら

きっと出ません
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 07, 2013, 10:00:52 PM
Hashire! Penguin Official Music Video Preview!

リクアワ セットリストベスト100 2013 Blu-ray-BOX「走れ!ペンギン」 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2vuYPI_HQ#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on May 08, 2013, 05:10:37 AM
Family and friends back home eagerly
watched the DVD:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip164110.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip164110.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/t/jphip06325.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip06325.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Kid_Alpha on May 09, 2013, 01:47:42 PM
More grads.....

SKE's Hioki Miki and Ito Akane announced their graduations at the KKS stage today.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 09, 2013, 02:13:59 PM
^ and Komori Mika just announced her graduation too...


The only non participants in the election left are: Sato Seira, Mukaida Manatsu, Koyanagi Arisa, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Kito Momona, Owaki Arisa, Kishino Rika.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 10, 2013, 03:27:01 AM
They're starting to wheel out their concert back catalogue on Bluray:

Released on 3rd July 2013

Starting with boxsets of the Seibu Dome 2011 and Saitama Super Arena 2012 concerts.

Each set is 21,900 yen
and contains:

7 discs
132 page book
5 photos

http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/seibu2011/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/seibu2011/)
http://akb48-dvdcatalog.com/ssa2012/ (http://akb48-dvdcatalog.com/ssa2012/)

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11527167103.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11527167103.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 10, 2013, 12:29:26 PM
New CM

WONDA x AKB48 ~ FLAVORS


WONDA×AKB48「試飲リアクションムービー」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4JbppVC0zk#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Rust on May 15, 2013, 08:24:17 PM
Oricon's ranking of CD sales for the 1st half on 2013 is out it seems! Here's single sale:
(http://s6.postimg.org/o77n31m0x/54fdf054564e92585e9a38a49d82d158cdbf4e28.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4cllgx6t9/)

Here's album sales:
(http://s6.postimg.org/xqhbwi9j5/94e35dcf3bc79f3d54795a7abba1cd11738b293a.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pkz9ycla5/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 16, 2013, 01:28:10 AM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip164849.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip164849.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip164850.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip164850.jpg)

Quote
Former AKB48 and SDN48 member Ohori Megumi in wedding dress for new album
by simplymissj on May 15, 2013 at 4:00 pm


On May 14, talent and former AKB48 and SDN48 member Ohori Megumi (29), who married scriptwriter Kanazawa Tatsuya (41), revealed photos of herself in a wedding dress for the first time.

The photo is the jacket cover for her wedding and love song compilation album “Love Love Love Love Love Song,” (which will go on sale June 5.)  She spoke delightedly about wearing a completely white dress for the first time ever with, “I’m wearing it for work, but I feel sentimental somehow.”  Although her ceremony date has not yet been set, she entertained the wild idea of “It made me want to have the wedding ceremony sooner. I would like to hold it at the chapel inviting AKB and SDN members.”


The songs in the album were selected by 7 female wedding planners.  One of the tracks in the album is “Baby, I love You” which she used as the ringtone for her husband during their dating days, and she did PR for the album with, “It feels like destiny.  I hope that all girls can also find their own memorable songs.”  She will participate in the June 8 AKB Senbatsu General Election as a married woman.  She aims to use the power of love to attain a higher ranking.

http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/05/former-akb48-and-sdn48-member-ohori-megumi-in-wedding-dress-for-new-album/ (http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/05/former-akb48-and-sdn48-member-ohori-megumi-in-wedding-dress-for-new-album/)

(http://i.imgur.com/tsXiLTJ.jpg) (http://imgur.com/tsXiLTJ)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 17, 2013, 03:38:03 PM
^ and Komori Mika just announced her graduation too...



Official blog announced final handshake participation date and graduation performance

Graduation performance
June 3 (Mon)

Final participation handshake meeting
July 7 (Sun)


http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11532370782.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11532370782.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 20, 2013, 05:09:49 PM
Nakatsuka Tomomi announced her graduation from AKB48.  Details on her final stage performance/handshake will be determined later.



2013 CM talent favorability
 
AKB members in the Top 20

◆ 4  Atsuko Maeda
◆ 5  Takahashi Minami
◆ 6  Oshima Yuko
◆ 7  Shinoda Mariko
◆ 8  Itano Tomomi
 
◆ 10 Kashiwagi Yuki
◆ 11 Watanabe Mayu
 
◆ 13 Yokoyama Yui
◆ 14 Kojima Haruna


◆ 17 Shimazaki Haruka

Source  (CM Research Institute)
http://www.cmdb.jp/service/whitereport/ (http://www.cmdb.jp/service/whitereport/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 02, 2013, 01:15:10 PM
AKB48×ANA (All Nippon Airways Co) project!

ANA has posted what looks like bookmarks at http://www.dreamchallengers.com/jp/suzuran/index.html (http://www.dreamchallengers.com/jp/suzuran/index.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/Df2hhY6.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/FM3WWev.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/4b1UJSr.jpg)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 03, 2013, 03:26:00 PM
^ and Komori Mika just announced her graduation too...

miroku48 translation

Quote
Nyannyan’s Twitter : 9:07 p.m. いま、小森卒業公演おわりました☆〜(ゝ。∂) The Komori graduation stage performance has just ended ☆〜(ゝ。∂)

(http://i.imgur.com/5bAjWqx.jpg)

TGSK pics

(http://i.imgur.com/VYUG3np.jpg) (http://imgur.com/VYUG3np)(http://i.imgur.com/NHPDJdq.jpg) (http://imgur.com/NHPDJdq)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 03, 2013, 05:18:32 PM
Theater debut of AKB 15th gen

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11544253350.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11544253350.html)

2013.06.09 18:00

EDIT - ticketing link http://ticket.akb48-group.com/home/detail_live_theaterTV.php?live=A130609180003 (http://ticket.akb48-group.com/home/detail_live_theaterTV.php?live=A130609180003)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 04, 2013, 02:39:22 PM
AKB48 General Election YouTube Live Streaming announced.  Visit http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=35282.msg1191190#msg1191190 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=35282.msg1191190#msg1191190) for details






Matsubara Natsumi has announced her graduation

She announced it at the K3 revival stage concert today:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip163901.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163901.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip163902.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip163902.jpg)

https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/VLqcoF44LKB (https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/VLqcoF44LKB)

Pics from her graduation performance held this evening  :cry:

(http://i.imgur.com/QzTL62ml.jpg) (http://imgur.com/QzTL62m)
(http://i.imgur.com/JuwPKWMl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/JuwPKWM)

More at https://plus.google.com/114007873084322574127/posts (https://plus.google.com/114007873084322574127/posts)
^
Thanks Jul3 for the above link
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 05, 2013, 11:39:38 AM
15th gen KKS member profiles are up! http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/)  (credit Bilingual48 and tensai)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZZUYwT5.png)



New campaign

(http://i.imgur.com/vRMUiMH.png) (http://imgur.com/vRMUiMH)

Source: http://eplus.jp/sys/web/irg/yg-akb/index.html (http://eplus.jp/sys/web/irg/yg-akb/index.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 05, 2013, 02:48:25 PM

Watch asap!

LOD cut of Matsubara Natsumi's graduation performance held yesterday evening

AKB48 6.4チームK公演 松原夏海 卒業セレモニー (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEeNwD-yp-U#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: AKBfan26 on June 08, 2013, 01:35:34 PM
Shinoda Mariko is graduating!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 10, 2013, 11:53:15 AM
15th gen KKS member profiles are up! http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/)  (credit Bilingual48 and tensai)

http://i.imgur.com/ZZUYwT5.png (http://i.imgur.com/ZZUYwT5.png)


Several member photos were just updated

(http://i.imgur.com/zN1d8gu.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/VkMKcI5.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/0kM14li.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/wRDcAxV.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/8VRSplW.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/Ia19bjW.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Kid_Alpha on June 12, 2013, 12:09:34 AM
Announcement to be made on SKE's official website.

https://plus.google.com/101698755652225940459/posts/1iXnV1difwq
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Kid_Alpha on June 12, 2013, 04:20:34 AM
Announcement to be made on SKE's official website.

https://plus.google.com/101698755652225940459/posts/1iXnV1difwq (https://plus.google.com/101698755652225940459/posts/1iXnV1difwq)

「SKE48 新チーム公演 セレクション投票」開催のお知らせ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hT8Fcz270LI#!#ws)

Implementing new teams and there will be a voting process for new stages.

Only 3 stages to vote for each team.

S: K6, A4 or K4
KII: A6, A5 or B5
E: H1, A4, H2

Only members of the SKE fanclub/LOD can vote.

*which stages to vote for were picked by the captains and team members.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 13, 2013, 06:17:21 PM
AKB + SNH48 to appear at Asia Style Collection event in Singapore on 22 June 2013

Alongside others like Hatsune Miku, Girls Generation, 2NE1

http://www.stylexstyle.com/asia-style-collection/performing-artistes.html (http://www.stylexstyle.com/asia-style-collection/performing-artistes.html)

Quote
Event Details
Date:     Saturday, 22nd June 2013

Time:    1500hrs   Carnival Hall

             1800hrs   Fashion Show and Concert

Venue: Singapore Expo Halls 3 & 4

Ticketing Details
Priority booking for VISA cardholders until 19 May 2013. Ticket Categories are as follows:

Category A:      S$268.00

Category B:      S$228.00

Category C:      S$188.00

Category D:      S$148.00

Category E:      S$128.00 (Restricted View)

Ticket prices include 7% GST. Add S$3.00 processing fee per ticket.
http://www.stylexstyle.com/asia-style-collection/About-Asia-Style-Collection.html (http://www.stylexstyle.com/asia-style-collection/About-Asia-Style-Collection.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on June 16, 2013, 06:22:53 AM
[noembed]Yuihan's Test Challenge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eeO3r5fDow)[/noembed] result streaming on now:

AKBチャレンジユーキャン! 横山由依 合否結果発表 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9VJXsHOayQ#ws)
update: Congrats Yuihan. The first 'Pharmaceutical Medicine... um, something' approved idol in human history. :bow:

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB%20Diary%202013/2013-06/130616yuihan.jpg~original)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 16, 2013, 11:18:23 PM
^ here's a video:

【AKB チャレンジ ユーキャン!】 横山由依が調剤薬局事務の資格に合格! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLYMi6RhskQ#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 18, 2013, 12:58:49 PM
Today's (2013.06.18) Oshima Team K Waiting Stage (Aamin's birthday show, Furuhata Nao's Team K debut) had completely different unit songs to normal. It is as yet unknown whether it's just a one-off or they'll continue to do them:

M05 - Yuuwaku no Garter (Akimoto Sayaka, Kuramochi Asuka, Maeda Ami)
M06 - Hoshi no Ondo (Itano Tomomi)
M07 - Candy (Matsui Jurina, Nagao Mariya, Nakata Chisato)
M08 - Hajimete no Jellybeans (Kitahara Rie, Abe Maria, Muto Tomu)
M09 - Higurashi no Koi (Oshima Yuko, Furuhata Nao)
M10 - End Roll (Shimada Haruka, Fujita Nana, Miyazaki Miho, Suzuki Shihori)

For the usual setlist, please see this post: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33660.msg1113901#msg1113901 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33660.msg1113901#msg1113901)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 18, 2013, 05:32:45 PM
New CM to be released nationwide in Japan from July 8th

(http://i.imgur.com/J9IyunUm.jpg) (http://imgur.com/J9IyunU)

Source http://housefoods.jp/company/news/dbpdf/56524156caf3a2.pdf (http://housefoods.jp/company/news/dbpdf/56524156caf3a2.pdf)

EDIT - bigger

(http://i.imgur.com/KJIsfjY.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 18, 2013, 06:33:42 PM
Quote
JKT48 Team J member Rena Nozawa to hold a concurrent position in AKB48

Credit https://twitter.com/MELOSnoMichi/status/347028833431584768 (https://twitter.com/MELOSnoMichi/status/347028833431584768)

Original source http://jkt48.com/news/detail/id/150?lang=id (http://jkt48.com/news/detail/id/150?lang=id)

EDIT - photo by s-egg at https://plus.google.com/109032389081888190627/posts/3AFk1z6vvfW (https://plus.google.com/109032389081888190627/posts/3AFk1z6vvfW)

(http://i.imgur.com/oCLZIj5.jpg).

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 18, 2013, 10:28:52 PM
Today's (2013.06.18) Oshima Team K Waiting Stage (Aamin's birthday show, Furuhata Nao's Team K debut) had completely different unit songs to normal. It is as yet unknown whether it's just a one-off or they'll continue to do them:

M05 - Yuuwaku no Garter (Akimoto Sayaka, Kuramochi Asuka, Maeda Ami)
M06 - Hoshi no Ondo (Itano Tomomi)
M07 - Candy (Matsui Jurina, Nagao Mariya, Nakata Chisato)
M08 - Hajimete no Jellybeans (Kitahara Rie, Abe Maria, Muto Tomu)
M09 - Higurashi no Koi (Oshima Yuko, Furuhata Nao)
M10 - End Roll (Shimada Haruka, Fujita Nana, Miyazaki Miho, Suzuki Shihori)

For the usual setlist, please see this post: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33660.msg1113901#msg1113901 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33660.msg1113901#msg1113901)

Pictures!

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip167910.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167910.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip167911.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167911.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip167912.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167912.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip167913.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167913.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip167914.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167914.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip167915.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167915.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on June 19, 2013, 02:24:12 PM
^Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/niidoisayachan?feature=watch (http://www.youtube.com/user/niidoisayachan?feature=watch) :twothumbs
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 21, 2013, 02:17:00 PM
Mr Ankou posted the following sales ranking obtained from Oricon

Quote from: Mr Ankou
Singles sales's ranking for the 1rst semester of 2013.

1. AKB48 - Sayonara Crawl (1,926,445)
2. AKB48 - So long! (1,126,674)
4. SKE48 - Choco no Dorei (671,623)
10. Nogizaka46 - Seifuku no Mannequin (303,474)
11. Nogizaka46 - Kimi no Na wa Kibou (300,749)
12. HKT48 - Suki! Suki! Skip! (286,167)
25. AKB48 - Eien Pressure (132,230)
26. Kashiwagi Yuki - Short Cake (127,530)
33. Takahashi Minami - Jane Doe (103,066
49. NO NAME - Kono Namida wo Kimi ni Sasegiru (65,567)


(http://48newsfrance.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/48nf_243-jun-21-10-14.jpg)
(http://48newsfrance.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/48nf_243-jun-21-10-15.jpg)
(http://48newsfrance.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/48nf_244-jun-21-10-15.jpg)
(http://48newsfrance.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/48nf_245-jun-21-10-15.jpg)
(http://48newsfrance.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/48nf_246-jun-21-10-15.jpg)
(http://48newsfrance.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/48nf_246-jun-21-10-16.jpg)

http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2013/musicrank0621/index02.html#topphoto (http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2013/musicrank0621/index02.html#topphoto)

Here's the vid from Oricon

2013年上半期シングル1位 AKB48メンバーコメント (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3yZ3Esu_Yw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 21, 2013, 07:38:44 PM
Quote
Oricon has revealed its album chart ranking for the first half of 2013!

Check out the top 25 below.

 

===



[Album Top 25]



1. "Teppen Tottande!" - NMB48 : (411,800)


2. "FUNKY MONKEY BABYS LAST BEST" - FUNKY MONKEY BABYS : (365, 021)

3. "EXILE BEST HITS -LOVE SIDE / SOUL SIDE-" - EXILE : (313, 493)

4. "TIME" - Tohoshinki : (292,623)

5. "MIRACLE" - Sandaime J Soul Brothers : (262,933)

6. "Good Ikuze!" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (260,324)

7. "Balladon" - Ikimonogakari : (256,822)

8. "5TH DIMENSION" - Momoiro Clover Z : (223,192)

9. "Take Me Home" - One Direction : (221,978)

10. "Matsutoya Yumi 40 Shunen Kinen Best Album Nihon no Koi to, Yuming to." - Matsutoya Yumi : (203,950)

11. "Jinsei x Boku =" - ONE OK ROCK : (195,969)

12. "FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 5" - FUNKY MONKEY BABYS : (163,289)

13. "Unorthodox Jukebox" - Bruno Mars : (161,211)

14. "[(an imitation) blood orange]" - Mr.Children : (160,478)

15. "sakanaction" - Sakanaction : (158,438)

16. "ALL TIME BEST ALBUM" - Yazawa Eikichi : (147,433)

17. "LAND" - Yuzu : (146,934)

18. "The Past Masters vol.1" - Golden Bomber : (145,292)

19. "Super Best Records -15th Celebration-" - MISIA : (143,763)

20. "ROCKBOUND NEIGHBORS" - Mizuki Nana : (139,004)

21. "Lesson 1" - E-girls : (119,409)

22. "RED" - Taylor Swift : (118,934)

23. "THE BEST 'STORY'" - BOOWY : (117,672)

24. "Les Miserables ~Soundtrack" - Soundtrack : (107,518)

25. "Samuragoch Mamoru: Symphony no.1 HIROSHIMA" - Ootomo Naoto, The Tokyo Symphony : (101,444)

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/06/oricon-album-chart-for-the-first-half-of-2013 (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/06/oricon-album-chart-for-the-first-half-of-2013)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 22, 2013, 10:12:09 AM
AKB + SNH48 to appear at Asia Style Collection event in Singapore on 22 June 2013
Alongside others like Hatsune Miku, Girls Generation, 2NE1
http://www.stylexstyle.com/asia-style-collection/performing-artistes.html (http://www.stylexstyle.com/asia-style-collection/performing-artistes.html)
Quote
Event Details
Date:     Saturday, 22nd June 2013

Time:    1500hrs   Carnival Hall

             1800hrs   Fashion Show and Concert

Venue: Singapore Expo Halls 3 & 4

Presscon photo

(http://i.imgur.com/hxEkEVO.jpg) (http://imgur.com/hxEkEVO)

EDIT - sightseeing photo

(http://i.imgur.com/qMvz9LE.jpg) (http://imgur.com/qMvz9LE)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 23, 2013, 08:26:08 AM
^vid
AKB48 ASIA STYLE COLLECTION 2013 囲み会見 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRvO12QvGmg#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 23, 2013, 12:23:06 PM
AKB48 & SNH48 performing "Heavy Rotation" at Asia Style Collection 2013 Singapore. Vid by superadrianme

AKB48 & SNH48 Asia Style Collection - Heavy Rotation | SUPERADRIANME.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nui7ttUk9A#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 24, 2013, 11:39:41 AM
SKE48 stage senshuuraku's and new stage shonichi's announced:

Team S 3rd Stage [Seifuku no Me]Senshuuraku10 July 2013
Team E 2nd Stage [Saka Agari]Senshuuraku11 July 2013
Team KII 3rd Stage [Ramune no Nomikata]Senshuuraku12 July 2013
New Team SShonichi23 July 2013
New Team EShonichi24 July 2013
New Team KIIShonichi25 July 2013

http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1372055714 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1372055714)



Also, Team E 2nd Stage [Saka Agari] has been released on DVD:

(http://i.imgur.com/k4merkO.jpg)

http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1371800891 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1371800891)
http://shop.ske48-dvdcatalog.com/category/CONCERT/PA004_ESECOND.html (http://shop.ske48-dvdcatalog.com/category/CONCERT/PA004_ESECOND.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 24, 2013, 01:00:05 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/ADMMErVl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ADMMErV)
Image credit Amazon


MELOSnoMichi

Quote
Miyazawa Sae's request not to be a concurrent member of Team K has been accepted. She will remain #SNH48 only

Official blog post http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11559488970.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11559488970.html)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Seigus on June 24, 2013, 02:00:21 PM
New CM to be released nationwide in Japan from July 8th

(http://i.imgur.com/J9IyunUm.jpg) (http://imgur.com/J9IyunU)

Here's the official site: http://ak-bestcurry.housefoods.jp/index.html (http://ak-bestcurry.housefoods.jp/index.html)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168479.png)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip168476.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168476.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip168480.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168480.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip168481.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168481.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip168484.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168484.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip168482.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168482.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip168483.png) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip168483.png)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 25, 2013, 04:44:14 PM
JKT48 Team KIII Announced

Members are:

Alicia Chanzia
Cindy Yuvia
Della Delila
Dwi Putri Bonita
Intar Putri Kariina
Jennifer Hanna
Lidya Maulida Djuhandar
Nadila Cindi Wantari
Natalia
Noella Sisterina
Octi Sevpin
Ratu Vienny Fitrilya
Riskha Fairunissa
Rona Anggreani
Shinta Naomi
Sinka Juliani
Thalia
Viviyona Apriani

The captain will be announced at a later date.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 26, 2013, 03:46:28 PM
AKB48 & SNH48 at Asia Style Collection 2013 Singapore. Vid by animefestivalasia

WOW JAPAN by AFA CHANNEL EP#05 - AKB48 X SNH48, JFood, Hentai Kamen & more! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJsuBAxCQhw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 26, 2013, 06:05:03 PM
a-nation's official website just announced that AKB48 and SKE48 will appear at a-nation (http://a-nation.net/index.html) on 8/10 as part of IDOL NATION 2013.

IDOL NATION 2013 will be held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium (according to google maps: Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan)

Quote
General seats ¥ 6,900 (tax included)

General Release Date   June 30 (Sun)

Source http://a-nation.net/ticket/index.html (http://a-nation.net/ticket/index.html)

Screen cap:

(http://i.imgur.com/xBM9tfY.png)

The official twitter a/c for DiVA twitter.com/DiVAstaff (https://twitter.com/DiVAstaff/status/349905057971580930) has tweeted that DiVA will perform on 8/3 at a-nation island @ Shibuya AX. 





In other news, kata found a report from siliconera (http://www.siliconera.com/2013/06/26/akb-dating-game-will-spread-the-love-to-playstation-3/) that the AKB 1/149 game will come to PlayStation 3 [PS3] on 9/12.

Quote
The PlayStation 3 release includes all of the DLC from the Vita/PSP version. AKB 1/149 Love Election will retail for 5,980 yen ($61). A 7,980 yen ($82) limited edition with AKB 1/149 Love Edition, a Blu-ray, and a random photo of one of the AKB girls.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 27, 2013, 04:18:57 PM
AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 will be performing at THE MUSIC DAY which starts 7/6 from 10:30 JST to 22:54 JST on NTV

Official site www.ntv.co.jp/musicday (http://www.ntv.co.jp/musicday/)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BLVfCCeCUAAImqk.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 27, 2013, 04:49:20 PM
Credit @MELOSnoMichi for the following news:

Quote
NMB48 kenkyuusei Ishihara Masako has graduated from the group http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11562002017.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11562002017.html)


Katayama Haruka, Kikuchi Ayaka and Abe Maria  will have a handshake event in Taiwan on 2nd July

Image credit https://www.facebook.com/AKB48.officialshoptaiwan (https://www.facebook.com/AKB48.officialshoptaiwan)

(http://i.imgur.com/olvR2g8.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 27, 2013, 09:34:48 PM
NMB48 kenkyuusei Ishihara Masako (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=34696.0) has graduated from the group

http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11562002017.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11562002017.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 01, 2013, 03:21:27 PM
Team H 1st Stage "Te wo Tsunaginagara" CD and DVD to be released 6th July 2013

DVD costs 3,990 yen
CD costs 3,000 yen (comes with a 20page booklet)

http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/07/007173.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/07/007173.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 01, 2013, 10:43:22 PM
New CM to be released nationwide in Japan from July 8th

(http://i.imgur.com/J9IyunUm.jpg) (http://imgur.com/J9IyunU)

Might be earlier


AKB48 石川遼 CM ハウス カレー 「地産地消」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT_LqikuCC8#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 03, 2013, 11:01:16 AM
Bloomberg have written a great article on AKB48 and it's sister groups entitled "Girl-Group Handshake Fans Push Japanese Music Past U.S."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-03/girl-group-handshake-fans-push-japanese-music-past-u-s-.html (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-03/girl-group-handshake-fans-push-japanese-music-past-u-s-.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 05, 2013, 10:59:10 AM
Housefoods presents AKB48 in Tokyo DisneySea

18th October

Watch the trailer video here: http://housefoods.jp/products/tvcm/15cm_130705/15cm_130705_l.html (http://housefoods.jp/products/tvcm/15cm_130705/15cm_130705_l.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/u6LBfi2.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/XusTAuv.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 05, 2013, 11:56:10 AM
^more caps

(http://i.imgur.com/GXHmSf1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/B2e81KS.jpg)

Vid

ハウス食品 宣传广告「スペシャルナイト告知」篇 AKB48—在线播放—优酷网,视频高清在线观看 (http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTc5MjU3MzIw)

EDIT - YT option watch asap

ハウス食品 キャンペーン 「スペシャルナイト告知」篇 AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxRDBidkycw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 05, 2013, 04:48:11 PM
HKT48 have been added to the Tokyo Idol Festival 2013 line-up.

No times yet, the the festival lasts from 27-28 July.

http://idolfes.com/2013/news/0705_2/ (http://idolfes.com/2013/news/0705_2/)
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/07/007215.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/07/007215.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 06, 2013, 12:22:42 AM
Team H 1st Stage "Te wo Tsunaginagara" CD and DVD to be released 6th July 2013

DVD costs 3,990 yen
CD costs 3,000 yen (comes with a 20page booklet)

http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/07/007173.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/07/007173.html)

Official sites now open:

(http://i.imgur.com/OnHx6OU.png)

http://hkt48-dvdcatalog.com/hfirst/ (http://hkt48-dvdcatalog.com/hfirst/)

(http://i.imgur.com/bBTMI82.png)

http://hkt48-dvdcatalog.com/hfirst_cd/ (http://hkt48-dvdcatalog.com/hfirst_cd/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 08, 2013, 01:42:36 PM
A mini banner has been revealed.  That's a HUGE yellow button  :shocked

(http://i.imgur.com/6fKjSxF.jpg)


There will be a broadcast on 8/17 20:00~20:59 on NHK BS



(http://i.imgur.com/WdW9jkh.png)

Source https://twitter.com/toshi01951/status/354176747543068673 (https://twitter.com/toshi01951/status/354176747543068673)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 10, 2013, 04:45:18 PM
AKB48 will perform at a tribute concert to Misora Hibari. It's also the 50th anniversary of Min-On Concert Association.

6th August 2013,
Kanagawa Prefectural Hall

Participating members:

Iriyama Anna, Kikuchi Ayaka, Takahashi Minami, Yokoyama Yui, Watanabe Mayu, Akimoto Sayaka, Kitahara Rie, Kuramochi Asuka, Iwasa Misaki, Umeda Ayaka, Kashiwagi Yuki, Katayama Haruka, Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka, Fujie Reina, Miyazawa Sae

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11567040035.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11567040035.html)
http://www.min-on.or.jp/play/detail_9957.html (http://www.min-on.or.jp/play/detail_9957.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 14, 2013, 02:03:23 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/nW92OVX.jpg)

Quote
As stated from the title, AKB48 Jikan Terebi (AKB 48 Hours Television) will air continuously for 48 hours of AKB48 goodness from Variety shows, Dramas, Group Concerts; every program that is 48 related.

The show will air on the Family Gekijo channel part of Tohokushinsha Film who produces big-shot movie such as Sadako 2 3D and Space Battleship Yamato. This event is designed to rival to the annual 24-hour television.

The program will officially start on 8th of August 21:00 JST and continously broadcasting 48′s goodness until 11th of August 21:00 JST.

The first program to be aired is A1 [Party ga Hajimaru yo], as a part of the portion of Omoidaseru no Kimitachi he (For Those Who Missed). The stages that will be aired sum up to 32 stages and contains all stages performed by all the teams, including the sister groups.
What do you guys think?

Do you think you can you survive all 48 hours of 48′s goodness?

Just a note, it's not actually "rivaling" 24hr TV, as it airs a couple of weeks before it, I'm pretty sure the rivaling is meant more in terms of becoming a huge marathon event. Not even 28hr TV, Fuji TV's event, would dare to air at the same time as a huge charity event.-exdream1999

Thanks exdream1999 for the clear clarification.

Credit mamoswine1 at http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4934392.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/4934392.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 16, 2013, 09:16:33 PM
The AKB48 Kenkyuusei are going on a tour of the sister group theatres to perform their current "Pajama Drive" stage:

HKT48 Theatre: 22nd July 2013
NMB48 Theatre: 9th August 2013
SKE48 Theatre: 18th August 2013

These dates are each a couple of days after the AKB48 Dome Concerts in those respective sister group towns.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11573917728.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11573917728.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 17, 2013, 09:49:29 PM
Yagura Fuuko will make her Team A debut on 23rd July:

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11574712793.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11574712793.html)

Please note this is a day after Mariko's graduation show, and so they've marked the team name just as "Team A" instead of "Shinoda Team A"

(http://i.imgur.com/Gk0yVB7.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 19, 2013, 09:43:57 AM
AKB48 will start livestreaming theatre shows for DMM.com AKB48 monthly subscribers starting from Mariko's graduation show. Previously LODs were only available after 11pm on the night of the show.

AKB48劇場公演 生配信開始のお知らせ / AKB48 [公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2zmkgBZrrc#ws)

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11575915595.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11575915595.html)

Monthly subscribers will also be able to choose fixed-single-camera-LOD or the usual multi-angle. And they will be viewable on smartphones.
One-off single LOD purchasers can only get the usual multi-angle LODs.

They said they'd start livestreaming HKT48 LODs soon, too (SKE and NMB already have livestreaming).
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 20, 2013, 04:53:11 PM
Announced at Fukuoka Dome today and later posted at the official blog http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11576763737.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11576763737.html)

New KKS Unit

AKB48: Kojima Mako, Nishino Miki and Okada Nana
SKE48: Kitagawa Ryoha
NMB48: Shibuya Nagisa
HKT48: Tomonaga Mio and Tashima Meru

This KKS Unit will debut at the Sapporo Dome
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Seigus on July 21, 2013, 12:53:57 PM
Announced at Fukuoka Dome, Day 2:

Yokoyama Yui takes over Mariko-sama as the new Team A Captain.

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip170650.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 23, 2013, 04:24:54 PM
Yokoyama Yui takes over Mariko-sama as the new Team A Captain.

Speech:

湯浅洋 [ チームAの新キャプテン、横山 由依、 劇場で所信表明です。 横山チームAへの応援を宜しくお願い致します。] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-OTkEvIl2o#ws)

Yokoyama Team A - photo by Kyoko Nishiyama.

(http://i.imgur.com/4UlLSUS.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4UlLSUS)

Yokoyama Team A members practice - 2 pics by tgsk.   Yokoyama Yui is wearing Adidas.

(http://i.imgur.com/MUvLTInl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/MUvLTIn)
(http://i.imgur.com/oWJZT9tl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/oWJZT9t)




Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 23, 2013, 07:56:42 PM
New Team S's stage (Team S 4th Stage?) shonichi occured today, and the winner of the public vote was Team K's 6th Stage RESET

Download the LOD here (http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=61432)

There are a few songs on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/user/niidoisayachan?feature=watch (http://www.youtube.com/user/niidoisayachan?feature=watch)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on July 24, 2013, 07:13:24 AM
[AKB48]北・札 高橋みなみ・ハリウッド映画の吹き替え&日本版主題歌を担当 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwhH0_uDqo4#ws)

Quote
AKB48's Takahashi Minami to sing the theme song for "The Smurfs 2" Japan release

As previously announced, AKB48 member Takahashi Minami will lend her voice for the Japanese dubbed version of "The Smurfs 2". To follow up on the news, it was recently revealed that she will also be singing the theme song for its Japan release.

The title of the theme song is "Hitomi no Tobira", and it is written by AKB48's general producer Akimoto Yasushi. It is said to be a summer-like song with the refreshing acoustic guitar sound.

The song will be included in Takahashi's 2nd solo single as a coupling song, and it is scheduled for release sometime in this fall.

Takahashi said, "I am truly happy to be able to sing the theme song for the Japan release, in addition to voicing for Smurfette. It is a bright song that matches well with 'The Smurfs 2', so I want everyone to sing together, and have fun!"

Prior to the release of the movie, it will also be available as a Chaku-Uta ringtone starting on July 28th.

"The Smurfs 2" is set to open in theaters in Japan on August 16th.

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/07/akb48s-takahashi-minami-to-sing-for-the-smurfs-2-japan-release (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/07/akb48s-takahashi-minami-to-sing-for-the-smurfs-2-japan-release)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 25, 2013, 02:27:19 AM
New Team S's stage (Team S 4th Stage) shonichi occured today, and the winner of the public vote was Team K's 6th Stage RESET

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip170911.jpg)



New Team E's stage (Team E 3rd Stage) shonichi occured today, and the winner of the public vote was Himawarigumi 1st Stage Boku no Taiyou

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip170912.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 26, 2013, 12:02:13 AM
The final of the New SKE48 Team shonichi's occurred:

New Team KII's stage (Team KII 4th Stage) shonichi: the winner of the public vote was Team B's 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip170960.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip170961.jpg)

(btw Churi does the Yokaze no Shiwaza solo)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 26, 2013, 04:47:37 PM
There's an NHK show to celebrate Disney and Studio Ghibli music on 14th August 19:30 - 20:43

Many artists are performing, and AKB48 will perform:

Micky Mouse March
Sugar Rush
It's A Small World

http://tower.jp/article/news/2013/07/26/n08 (http://tower.jp/article/news/2013/07/26/n08)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on July 26, 2013, 06:24:26 PM
SKE48 TeamKⅡMembers change photos 2013/07/25
Credit to uploader

SKE48 2013年7月25日 teamKⅡメンバー壁写更新映像 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFDLFnKf4Ck#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 01, 2013, 05:01:40 AM
Japanese Red Cross Society JOIN ! Takamina & Haruppi 

日本赤十字社 JOIN!救急法の講習篇 / AKB48 [公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XduUMQ7tkdM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 01, 2013, 05:03:21 AM
Japanese Red Cross Society JOIN ! Sayanee and Jurina
日本赤十字社 JOIN!防災ボランティア篇 / AKB48 [公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPadl7HAluQ#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 01, 2013, 05:07:00 AM
Japanese Red Cross Society JOIN ! Mayuyu and Rena

日本赤十字社 JOIN!病院ボランティア篇 / AKB48 [公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1BGHYnHooM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 01, 2013, 06:23:40 AM
[NOTICE] HKT48 2nd Single Kobetsu Akushu-kai

http://ameblo.jp/hkt48/entry-11584190376.html (http://ameblo.jp/hkt48/entry-11584190376.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 04, 2013, 10:33:50 AM
AKB48 Can You Watch It All? The Show will start from 2013.08.09 (21.00 PM JST) - 2013.08.11 (21.00 PM JST)

It will show from AKB48 Documentary to AKB48 Variety Show for continued of 48hrs. http://www.fami-geki.com/akb48/ (http://www.fami-geki.com/akb48/)


Mod edit: the same news and more was posted EARLIER at http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30758.msg1203939#msg1203939 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30758.msg1203939#msg1203939)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 07, 2013, 02:06:21 PM
Announcement: August 7th, 2013, 21:00 JST at Osaka Kyocera Dome

Quote
NMB48 concert announced for their 3rd year anniversary, in Osaka Hall on October 12th and 13th

Credit https://twitter.com/MELOSnoMichi/status/365080578627870723
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 07, 2013, 11:18:36 PM
^ more details from the official blog

"NMB48 3rd Anniversary Special Live"
Osaka-jo Hall

Three performances:

12th October 17:00
13th October 12:00
13th October 17:00

6,800 yen

Click link for details on fanclub ticket sales:
http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2013/08/101213nmb48-3rd-484f.html (http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2013/08/101213nmb48-3rd-484f.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 11, 2013, 06:51:57 AM
a-nation's official website just announced that AKB48 and SKE48 will appear at a-nation (http://a-nation.net/index.html) on 8/10 as part of IDOL NATION 2013.

IDOL NATION 2013 will be held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium (according to google maps: Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan)

Quote
General seats ¥ 6,900 (tax included)

General Release Date   June 30 (Sun)

Source http://a-nation.net/ticket/index.html (http://a-nation.net/ticket/index.html)

Screen cap:

(http://i.imgur.com/xBM9tfY.png)


Per the above news posted ages ago, AKB48 and SKE48 appeared at a-nation on 8/10

AKB48&SKE48 a-nation island IDDOL NATION (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xvvRM_nSdk#ws)

TGSK's photo https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/1bm3SUiaNX7 (https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/1bm3SUiaNX7)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 11, 2013, 07:24:55 AM
Japanese Red Cross Society JOIN
YoshiAlFakry posted 3 CMs in 3 separate posts above.




NEW - Mayuyu and Kizaki Yuria -  Japanese Red Cross Society "JOIN!" promo

More info at http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2027497/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2027497/full/)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZcFz7CRl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ZcFz7CR)
(http://i.imgur.com/hBCcUnAl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/hBCcUnA)
(http://i.imgur.com/N3iiP1Bl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/N3iiP1B)

EDIT - 1 more

Mayuyu and Kizaki Yuria -  Japanese Red Cross Society "JOIN! - NEW photo from http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/08/11/035/ (http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/08/11/035/)

(http://i.imgur.com/a9zDu7Y.jpg) (http://imgur.com/a9zDu7Y)

EDIT - more photos

(http://i.imgur.com/BTNVaC8t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/BTNVaC8)(http://i.imgur.com/51TvND2t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/51TvND2)(http://i.imgur.com/D1E8jN8t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/D1E8jN8)(http://i.imgur.com/tFkPg7Tt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/tFkPg7T)(http://i.imgur.com/mKMeuGst.jpg) (http://imgur.com/mKMeuGs)(http://i.imgur.com/wjyX24qt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/wjyX24q)(http://i.imgur.com/tjzJA5mt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/tjzJA5m)(http://i.imgur.com/eFuxXimt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/eFuxXim)(http://i.imgur.com/0vSK7aZt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/0vSK7aZ)(http://i.imgur.com/SDlxTR7t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/SDlxTR7)(http://i.imgur.com/kPlVC6Ct.jpg) (http://imgur.com/kPlVC6C)(http://i.imgur.com/L8zgjI5t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/L8zgjI5)(http://i.imgur.com/nVnJmcnt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/nVnJmcn)(http://i.imgur.com/wptdH2ft.jpg) (http://imgur.com/wptdH2f)(http://i.imgur.com/JNToNvgt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/JNToNvg)(http://i.imgur.com/05hWiI0t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/05hWiI0)(http://i.imgur.com/YjFeEEet.jpg) (http://imgur.com/YjFeEEe)(http://i.imgur.com/4wd7Yqpt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4wd7Yqp)(http://i.imgur.com/9CIp2Pit.jpg) (http://imgur.com/9CIp2Pi)(http://i.imgur.com/ONZ8OEGt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ONZ8OEG)(http://i.imgur.com/ERfmBg0t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ERfmBg0)(http://i.imgur.com/pydm8ptt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/pydm8pt)(http://i.imgur.com/UY2VpDKt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/UY2VpDK)(http://i.imgur.com/xsSxDmEt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/xsSxDmE)(http://i.imgur.com/0bj9k6Zt.jpg) (http://imgur.com/0bj9k6Z)

EDIT - vid

渡辺麻友登場! 「JOIN! 赤十字は、あなたの力を待っている。」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIvJn_q8Urw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 12, 2013, 12:52:28 AM
a-nation's official website just announced that AKB48 and SKE48 will appear at a-nation (http://a-nation.net/index.html) on 8/10 as part of IDOL NATION 2013.

IDOL NATION 2013 will be held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium (according to google maps: Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan)

Quote
General seats ¥ 6,900 (tax included)

General Release Date   June 30 (Sun)

Source http://a-nation.net/ticket/index.html (http://a-nation.net/ticket/index.html)

Screen cap:

(http://i.imgur.com/xBM9tfY.png)


Per the above news posted ages ago, AKB48 and SKE48 appeared at a-nation on 8/10

AKB48&SKE48 a-nation island IDDOL NATION (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xvvRM_nSdk#ws)

TGSK's photo https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/1bm3SUiaNX7 (https://plus.google.com/103388469578205010447/posts/1bm3SUiaNX7)

AKB48 - Idol Nation
2013/08/10

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip172321.jpg)

1. UZA
2. Aitakatta
3. Sayonara Crawl
4. First Rabbit
5. Juuryoku Sympathy
6. Koisuru Fortune Cookie
EN1. Heavy Rotation

SKE48 - Idol Nation
2013/08/10

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip172322.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip172323.jpg)

1. SKE48
2. 1!2!3!4! Yoroshiku!
3. Gomen ne, Summer
4. Aishiteraburu
5. Pareo wa Emerald
6. Utsukushii Inazuma
EN1 Oki Doki
EN2 Nakama no Uta
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 12, 2013, 11:24:06 AM
A brass-winds score for an AKB48 medley (which comes with a reference audio CD) will be released for 6,800 yen on August 16th.

Medley of:

Ponytail to Shushu
Manatsu no Sounds Good
Sayonara Crawl
Everyday, Kachuusha

http://brass.winds-score.com/?pid=62238847 (http://brass.winds-score.com/?pid=62238847)

WSD-13-007 AKB48サマーコレクション(吹奏楽メドレー) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfVd6mWC-VQ#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 13, 2013, 05:37:38 AM
GREE AKBステージファイター (Stage Figther)

第1回選抜CM
2篇 AKB48 CM ゲーム グリー AKBステージファイター 全員&大島優子篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7rl01kvkuw#ws)

第2回選抜CM
15s×2 AKB48 CM ゲーム グリー AKBステージファイター 第4弾 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-D8rX4T-sM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on August 13, 2013, 03:02:48 PM
SNH48 Theater will be opened on 2013.08.30 (Aug 30th 2013)
Credit @AKBGlobal

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRjCQ9ZCUAAbUWU.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 13, 2013, 06:03:35 PM
^ More info on the SNH48 Theatre Opening from the official site: http://www.snh48.com/html/zixun/2013/0813/233.html (http://www.snh48.com/html/zixun/2013/0813/233.html)

It holds 340 people.

Following performances will be on 8月31日,9月5日,9月7日,9月8

VIP seats cost 168 yuan
Normal seats 80 yuan

It says 16 performers per show.

It mentions Sae and Mariyannu as "guest performers" on the debut night.

It says they'll do 19-20 songs including songs from both EPs.

(http://i.imgur.com/DrnHJOs.jpg)

More pictures:

(http://i.imgur.com/tNYUExo.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/LlRGEza.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/4h5YXw2.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 13, 2013, 11:30:12 PM
AKB48 + SKE48 at Idol Nation 2013,08,10 clip

AKB48 SKE48 熱狂!idol nation 2013 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoLkF2B3fF8#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 16, 2013, 10:02:28 AM
Asheron found the following


Quote from: Asheron
AKB48 Itano Tomomi・Akimoto Sayaka Graduation Theater Shows Will Be Streamed Live On NicoNico Live


Stream link: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009287 (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009287)

▼Schedule
August 27th(Tuesday)JST 17:00~
AKB48 Itano Tomomi『Sotsugyou Kouen』Live/AKB48 Theater
August 28th(Wednesday)JST 16:30~
AKB48 Akimoto Sayaka『Sotsugyou Kouen』Live/AKB48 Theater
※Broadcast timings may subject to change

▼Content
1) Fan messages live @ AKB48 Theater Lobby
2) Graduation show live


-


Image uploaded to imgur
(http://i.imgur.com/349MxgQ.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 18, 2013, 06:01:21 AM
^Further to the above, TokyoHive has translated a writeup on Natalie

Quote
AKB48's Itano Tomomi and Akimoto Sayaka will be graduating from the group on August 27th and 28th respectively. Their graduation concerts will stream live via Nico Nico Namahousou: Q.



Both broadcasts will be broken up into two parts. The first will be a message from the fans from AKB48 Theater lobby, and the second will be the graduation concert itself.


The details can be seen below.



<AKB48 Itano Tomomi "Graduation Concert" Live Broadcast>

Date & Time: Tuesday, August 27th 5:00pm ~
URL: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009066 (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009066)
*Time is subject to change

-

<AKB48 Akimoto Sayaka "Graduation Concert" Live Broadcast>

Date & Time: Wednesday, August 28th 5:00pm~
URL: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009287 (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009287)
*Time is subject to change




===



Source: natalie

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/08/itano-tomomi-and-akimoto-sayakas-graduation-concerts-to-stream-live-via-nico-nico-namahousou (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/08/itano-tomomi-and-akimoto-sayakas-graduation-concerts-to-stream-live-via-nico-nico-namahousou)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: lahika on August 19, 2013, 04:27:53 AM
Hi there...... I Look @ TokyoHive.com Itano tomomi will hold Graduation Concert...... I'm sad..... But,,I just can say " Hope she would be success in her Next Solo Career with Akimoto Sayaka".......



(http://static1.tokyohive.com/upload/2013/08/af_org/akb48-itano-tomomi-akimoto-sayaka_1376782292_af_org.jpg)

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/08/itano-tomomi-and-akimoto-sayakas-graduation-concerts-to-stream-live-via-nico-nico-namahousou (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/08/itano-tomomi-and-akimoto-sayakas-graduation-concerts-to-stream-live-via-nico-nico-namahousou)

Itano Tomomi and Akimoto Sayaka's graduation concerts to stream live via Nico Nico Namahousou
August 17, 2013 @ 8:00 pm
by ustar  6 21691

AKB48's Itano Tomomi and Akimoto Sayaka will be graduating from the group on August 27th and 28th respectively. Their graduation concerts will stream live via Nico Nico Namahousou: Q.

Both broadcasts will be broken up into two parts. The first will be a message from the fans from AKB48 Theater lobby, and the second will be the graduation concert itself.

SEE ALSO: Graduation dates for Shinoda Mariko, Itano Tomomi and Akimoto Sayaka revealed

The details can be seen below.
<AKB48 Itano Tomomi "Graduation Concert" Live Broadcast>
Date & Time: Tuesday, August 27th 5:00pm ~
URL: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009066 (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009066)
*Time is subject to change
-
<AKB48 Akimoto Sayaka "Graduation Concert" Live Broadcast>
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 28th 5:00pm~
URL: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009287 (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv147009287)
*Time is subject to change

I'm very saaaaddd........  :pleeease:

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 19, 2013, 11:06:57 AM
Aug 19th News

(http://i.imgur.com/5YkQWOS.jpg)

Takahashi Minami, Iwata karen, Kato Rena, Nishino Miki and Kojima Mako promote a hot spring (Onsen)

Vids uploaded by the official AKB YT channel so they should stay up


大江戸温泉物語「浴衣」物語篇 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq7ojKwKlTY#ws)

大江戸温泉物語「湯船」物語篇 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFoSACAaP_w#ws)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: m00nchild on August 23, 2013, 12:31:04 PM
I hear a news that akimoto yasushi is going to grad from AKB48 is it true?
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on August 23, 2013, 01:21:11 PM
^that's NOT true. 


What's true is that Hirajima Natsumi is back!  She performed at Tokyo Dome Day 2  "AKB48 2013 Manatsu no Dome Tour"


M15. Pajama Drive (Watanabe Mayu, Nakagawa Haruka, Hirajima Natsumi) <-- graduated member performed!

Hirajima Natsumi back!  :w00t:

Cap

(http://i.imgur.com/fy1exXK.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 29, 2013, 03:33:26 PM
SKE48 to release more studio recording Stage CDs

(http://i.imgur.com/NSuPjXf.jpg)

Release date: 2013/10/09

3000 yen each

Team S 1st "Party ga Hajimaru yo"
Team KII 1st "Aitakatta"
Team E 1st "Pajama Drive"
Team E 2nd "Saka Akari"


SKE48劇場公演 スタジオレコーディング CD発売告知映像 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMOYj8G9SLY#)

See the member line-ups at http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1377775985 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1377775985)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YoshiAlFakry on September 01, 2013, 10:20:22 AM
Nozawa Rena is Oshima Team K member http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11604448025.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11604448025.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 04, 2013, 02:33:19 PM
Quote
AKB48 agency wins suit over implied relationship involving Mariko Shinoda


(http://i.imgur.com/7Nm1k2Q.jpg)
Shukan Bunshun Feb. 18


TOKYO (TR) – The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of AKS, the management agency of the popular all-girl group AKB48, over publisher Bungeisha regarding an article published more than three years ago that insinuated the existence of a romantic relationship between the company’s president and then member Mariko Shinoda, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Sept. 3).


AKS, which sought 110 million yen in compensation and a published apology, was awarded 1.65 million yen by the court.

In the February 18, 2010 issue of weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun, an article citing interviews with former members of the group claimed that president Yasushi Kubota provided highly favorable treatment to Shinoda, who “graduated” from the group in July.

The article, titled “AKB48 President’s ‘Pleasure Group,’” said the performer lived in a special room inside a a residence of Kubota, who is married. She also reportedly carried a credit card in his name.

Kubota claimed that the article gave the impression that he was engaged in a sexual relationship with Shinoda. Bunshun argued that reporting on favorable treatment does not imply the existence of such a degree of intimacy.

Presiding judge Tetsu Aizawa disputed the part of the article regarding the relationship, saying it was lacking in reasonable evidence. “Based on the the parties interviewed, it is difficult to recognize that the truth was reported,” the judge said.

In a statement, the editorial department of Shukan Bunshun said that it would seek an appeal of the decision.

Earlier this year, the magazine reported on a relationship between Kubota and former member Tomomi Kasai.

http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2013/09/04/akb48-management-wins-suit-against-publisher-over-inappropriate-relationship/ (http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2013/09/04/akb48-management-wins-suit-against-publisher-over-inappropriate-relationship/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 09, 2013, 06:15:26 PM
Nakamata Shiori to graduate on 23rd September!

In addition, her last theatre show will be the 18:00 on September 15th.

She announced this news during her birthday show today.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11610368050.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11610368050.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 12, 2013, 11:55:05 PM
Aug 19th News

(http://i.imgur.com/5YkQWOS.jpg)

Takahashi Minami, Iwata karen, Kato Rena, Nishino Miki and Kojima Mako promote a hot spring (Onsen)

Vids uploaded by the official AKB YT channel so they should stay up


大江戸温泉物語「浴衣」物語篇 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq7ojKwKlTY#ws)

大江戸温泉物語「湯船」物語篇 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFoSACAaP_w#ws)

More vids uploaded by the official AKB YT channel today

大江戸温泉物語 CMメイキング映像 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jktW8CKxrjg#)

大江戸温泉物語「浴衣」物語篇 CMメイキング映像 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i69i1Yx5QVU#)

Making/BTS

大江戸温泉物語「湯船」物語篇 CMメイキング映像 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXNW3qolOeM#)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 20, 2013, 01:29:27 PM
All Night Nippon AKB48 - YouTube LIVE STREAM

Click to view the countdown clock (so you know when it starts in your time zone)

AKB48のオールナイトニッポン (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfWxMvZoS-4#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 24, 2013, 12:28:21 AM
New Wonda Morning Shot CM (with a big of making of from the morning news):

AKB48 ワンダ新CM「朝は、赤!」編 本編&メイキング (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56HiBNFReB8#)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 24, 2013, 08:55:21 AM
^another news vid (also better quality/clearer)

AKB48 缶コーヒーワンダ モーニングショット「朝は、赤!」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xqtn60-aQI#ws)

BTS/making by JIJIPRESS

AKB48、駅の「壁」から... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TSMthU-YCg#ws)

EDIT - 15 SECS CM

AKB48 WONDAモーニングショット「朝は、赤!」編 CM 15秒 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTIxqX3aR3U#ws)

BTS/making

AKB48 WONDAモーニングショット「朝は、赤!」編 CM メイキング (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnEEga1c-Xk#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 25, 2013, 07:06:09 AM
Quote
SKE48 & HKT48 to start new radio show



It has been revealed that SKE48 and HKT48 will have a joint radio show called “SKE48 & HKT48′s Affectionate Talk” (SKE48&HKT48のアイアイトーク).



Beginning October 2nd at 9PM JST, the weekly radio show will have different personalities appearing for each broadcast. It is unknown if this means there will be only members from a particular group during the broadcast, or a mix of SKE and HKT girls.


Sashihara Rino, Matsui Rena, Kodama Haruka, and Kizaki Yuria were present at the press conference, and are assumed to be the members appearing on the first broadcast.


http://www.48scoops.com/ske48-hkt48-to-start-new-radio-show (http://www.48scoops.com/ske48-hkt48-to-start-new-radio-show)





EDIT - Nogizaka46's PB, "Nogizaka School" to be released on 2013/10/22 will have bonus photos ''first swimsuit''


Source http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4575305871 (http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4575305871)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 25, 2013, 12:39:02 PM
Quote
Ranking - Idols loved by women
1st Mariko
2 Kojiharu
3 Mayuyu
5 Yuko
6 Takamina
7 Atsuko
8 Jurina
9 Sayanee
4th place and 10th place are non-AKB48 Group members.

Pic (http://i.imgur.com/ChNeJwe.jpg)

Source https://twitter.com/AKB48WrapUp/status/382760121807278080 (https://twitter.com/AKB48WrapUp/status/382760121807278080)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 26, 2013, 06:16:09 PM
HKT48 to start performing "Pajama Drive" Himawari-gumi style

Starting from 2nd November 2013.

Members will be selected for each performance from a mixture of Team H and KKS.

http://ameblo.jp/hkt48/entry-11622285768.html (http://ameblo.jp/hkt48/entry-11622285768.html)

According to their theatre manager, this will be a 3rd stage in addition to Team H "Hakata Legend" and KKS "Party ga Hajimaru yo"
https://plus.google.com/u/0/116932464999954700023/posts/DMCcXvMCZ5j (https://plus.google.com/u/0/116932464999954700023/posts/DMCcXvMCZ5j)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 26, 2013, 08:10:08 PM
Robin Thicke x AKB48 (Oshima Yuko, Kojima Haruna) - Blurred Lines Music Video

ロビン・シック×AKB48「ブラード・ラインズ~今夜はヘイ・ヘイ・ヘイ♪」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlwyKjlaxf0#ws)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip176425.jpg)

http://natalie.mu/music/news/100196 (http://natalie.mu/music/news/100196)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on September 30, 2013, 08:22:55 AM
So called 'election' for AKB48 members using smartphones voting - last night's Jonetsu Tairiku (Continental Passion) 

Video:

AKB48リアルタイム総選挙を情熱大陸にてAR機能を使って実施! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlaFNJ82dDg#ws)

AKB48WrapUp tweet:

Quote
AKB48 Election by 'Jonetsu Tairiku (Continental Passion)' result:
1st Oshima
2 Mayu
3 Yukirin
4 Milky
5 Kojiharu
6 J http://pic.twitter.com/tpyvioGLvO (http://pic.twitter.com/tpyvioGLvO)

IMHO this is a better cap than the one chosen by wrapup

(http://i.imgur.com/FgqtyzEl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/FgqtyzE)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 30, 2013, 08:24:03 PM
HKT48 Kenkyuusei new stage!

"Party ga Hajimaru yo" senshuuraku (final performance) set for 5th November 2013.

"Nounai Paradise" shonichi (first performance) set for 17th November 2013

http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/09/008047.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/09/008047.html)

Nounai Paradise was original Team K's 3rd Stage.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 04, 2013, 11:47:23 AM
Quote
Tomonobu Togasaki (https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/JAburmsWgf2 (https://plus.google.com/u/0/116244092830131285439/posts/JAburmsWgf2))
Shared publicly  - 
08:58
 
Today, I'm going to upload the photos of the members who joined the virtual handshaking session that Pancho and I took for the challenge last time.
I'm very sorry for uploading it late.
I still have a lot of things that I should do.
The tour is not yet over.
I'm going to update the blog today.
Please look forward to it.

Virtual handshaking session - pics

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11625998938.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11625998938.html)
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11626019369.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11626019369.html)
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11626024799.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11626024799.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Seigus on October 05, 2013, 08:18:26 AM
New WONDA AKB48 cans - Cow theme

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip177506.jpg)

If you are wondering why the girls are wearing an artist's hat and holding a paintbrush, the concept of the new series of WONDA AKB48 cans is that 28 members will each draw their own version of a cow which will be featured on the respective member's can. So there are 28 cans altogether to collect!

Information from this pic that YKT posted in the Mayu Thread:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZFMf826t.jpg) (http://imgur.com/ZFMf826)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 06, 2013, 05:00:39 PM
A new book "AKB48 Theory" AKB48論 was released on Sept 26th by Yoshinori Kobayashi  (小林 よしのり)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip177634.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip177634.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip177635.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip177635.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/t/jphip06714.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip06714.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/t/jphip06715.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip06715.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/t/jphip06716.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip06716.jpg)

It's unofficial and I quite tell what it's really about due to my lack of Japanese  :nervous

Amazon link (http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B4%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%8B%E3%82%BA%E3%83%A0%E5%AE%A3%E8%A8%80%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9A%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%AB-AKB48%E8%AB%96-%E5%B0%8F%E6%9E%97-%E3%82%88%E3%81%97%E3%81%AE%E3%82%8A/dp/4344024532/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381071143&sr=8-1&keywords=AKB48%E8%AB%96)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 07, 2013, 11:16:25 PM
^ Still not really sure what it's all about, but Yuko blogged that she is reading it... http://ameblo.jp/oshima-y/entry-11630510029.html (http://ameblo.jp/oshima-y/entry-11630510029.html)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/t/jphip06720.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip06720.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on October 08, 2013, 03:44:55 AM
So that what Sashi been reading. She also mentioned it in her G+

Quote

I've read this already!!
As for my impression, I think Yoshirin wrote really nice things about me!!
It made me think that he really watches AKB48 very often. (((o(゚▽゚)o))) It was interesting!!

(update)
Also today Meru Tashime of HKT mentioned in her G+ that she just read that book and she surprised that the book author likes Sashihara so much.
Quote
小林よしのりさんの
「AKB48論」を読みました(^^)

AKBの魅力がつまっていましたよ。
さしこちゃんの似顔絵に
びっくり…
愛情なんだろうなー(^.^)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 09, 2013, 10:01:22 AM
Members of AKB48 will take part in the Tokyo Sports Festival 2013 "Furusato 47 Ouen Project"

You can watch the individual member support project leader videos here, and one featuring many members:

http://furusato47-ouen.jp/leader/akb48.html (http://furusato47-ouen.jp/leader/akb48.html)

Since I've placed the solo member videos in the respective member threads, I'll place the one with 5 members here:

ふるさと47応援プロジェクトリーダー AKB48 阿部マリア・小嶋菜月・佐藤すみれ・名取稚菜・武藤十夢 応援メッセージ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Ylk5F1Ecs#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 10, 2013, 09:54:38 PM
NMB48 KKS Ogawa Noa leaves the group due to a foot injury

https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/BsRXZHmD9Hi
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on October 13, 2013, 01:04:19 PM
Jo Eriko returns to NMB48!

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178289.jpg)

Just announced at the concert; she passed a special audition and returned as NMB48 KKS, ready to work her way back to the top!


Furthermore, Moka Hayashi will join Team N!

edit:

Announcement vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLf9guBwkkk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLf9guBwkkk)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on October 14, 2013, 02:28:35 PM
Moka chan, おめでとうございます!!!

'Ma'am, Hayashi Momoka reporting for duty, Ma'am!'

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip167020.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 16, 2013, 12:06:59 PM
Yokoyama Team A doing a new setlist today!

Today's Team A theatre show is underway, and they've opened with the first few songs of Team A's 4th Stage "Tadaima Renaichuu", so looks like they are performing A4th from now on instead of their Waiting Stage! The unit songs have now started and they aren't from A4 so looks indeed like a new Waiting Stage - which is now looking like A4 but with different unit songs...

Hiroshi Yuasa is google+ing some pics: https://plus.google.com/103959130721189812017/posts (https://plus.google.com/103959130721189812017/posts)

(http://s13.postimg.org/v12ez65lv/IMG_3684.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/v12ez65lv/) (http://s13.postimg.org/ls08p1wpv/IMG_3699.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ls08p1wpv/) (http://s18.postimg.org/6rt3c3a79/IMG_3707.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6rt3c3a79/) (http://s22.postimg.org/6hmhpueyl/IMG_3728.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6hmhpueyl/) (http://s22.postimg.org/ii7xqkmd9/IMG_3729.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ii7xqkmd9/) (http://s24.postimg.org/y5m60963l/IMG_3732.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/y5m60963l/) (http://s24.postimg.org/6jjefkmqp/IMG_3743.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6jjefkmqp/) (http://s24.postimg.org/kr9347zfl/IMG_3748.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kr9347zfl/)

There's a lot more screenshots being tweeted by Japanese twitters, which I might upload later.

This is a good one for pics: https://twitter.com/hamazoomin/media (https://twitter.com/hamazoomin/media)

Setlist (ongoing):

M01. Tadaima Renaichuu
M02. Kuma no Nuigurumi
M03. Only Today
---MC---
M04. Kioku no Dilemma (Takahashi Minami, Matsui Sakiko, Iwata Karen, Sasaki Yukari)
M05. Candy (Yagura Fuuko, Watanabe Mayu, Kodama Haruka)
M06. Zannen Shoujo (Takahashi Juri, Kawaei Rina, Morikawa Ayaka)
M07. Tsundere! (Kikuchi Ayaka, Yokoyama Yui, Oshima Ryoka)
M08. Dakishimeraretara (Sato Sumire, Iriyama Anna, Tano Yuuka)
--MC--
M09. Darui Kanji
M10. Mr. Kissman
M11. Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta
M12. Bingo!
---MC---
M13. Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou
---ENCORE---
EN1. Love Chase
EN2. Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru
---VTR--- (with Sakura no Hanabiratachi BGM)
EN3. Nante Suteki na Sekai ni Umareta no Darou

Group picture from Annin's google+ (click to enlarge)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178462.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 16, 2013, 05:29:56 PM
Pancho has uploaded a group pic and pictures from every song in the new Team A stage:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178467.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178467.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178468.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178468.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178469.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178469.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178470.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178470.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178471.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178471.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178472.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178472.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178473.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178473.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178474.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178474.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178475.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178475.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178476.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178476.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178477.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178477.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178478.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178478.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178479.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178479.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178480.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178480.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178481.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178481.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178482.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178482.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178483.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178483.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 18, 2013, 04:22:44 PM
AKB48 members at Tokyo Disney Sea.  Halloween Party with AKB48.  Mariko-sama returns.
(http://s24.postimg.org/5iaxpjyvl/a57ea2773912b31b2bf4740f8418367adbb4e174.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5iaxpjyvl/) (http://s24.postimg.org/ca1csenv5/7f843212b31bb05164bc0a0e347adab44bede074.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ca1csenv5/) (http://s24.postimg.org/5yw5bzmmp/8d46c2ea15ce36d33e113a1638f33a87e850b1f7.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5yw5bzmmp/) (http://s24.postimg.org/nnnw3lydt/d5c850b5c9ea15cedcfb592fb4003af33b87b2f7.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/nnnw3lydt/) (http://s24.postimg.org/kw4mczzv5/e268083b5bb5c9eafce6bac5d739b6003bf3b3f7.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kw4mczzv5/) (http://s24.postimg.org/pbn1i9c9d/eb9e5efbb2fb4316a339c85c22a4462308f7d3e2.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pbn1i9c9d/)
(http://i.imgur.com/967SnWbl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/967SnWb)
(http://i.imgur.com/mTBFErBl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/mTBFErB)
(http://i.imgur.com/JKfRJUdl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/JKfRJUd)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q1COHUUl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/Q1COHUU)
(http://i.imgur.com/JiU0FwQl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/JiU0FwQ)
(http://i.imgur.com/4VnyorHl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4VnyorH)
(http://i.imgur.com/SBL3Y0S.jpg) (http://imgur.com/SBL3Y0S)

Quote
ハウス食品みんなにありがとうスペシャルナイト AKB48 in 東京ディズニーシー
スペシャルショー「Halloween Party with AKB48」セットリスト

2013年10月18日 東京ディズニーシー

「Are You Ready for Halloween」
「RIVER」
「ヘビーローテーション」
「さよならクロール」
「恋するフォーチュンクッキー」
「ファースト・ラビット」
「フライングゲット」
「Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo」
「Zip-A-Dee-Dah」
「Give A Little Whistle」
「Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious」
「Someday My Prince Will Come」
「Under the Sea」
「A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes」
「Are You Ready for Halloween」
「Micky Mouse March」
「星に願いを」

■出演(兼任は後ろのほうに)
AKB48
大島優子、渡辺麻友、柏木由紀、小嶋陽菜、島崎遥香、武藤十夢、
高橋みなみ、横山由依、川栄李奈、峯岸みなみ、北原里英、
松井咲子、菊地あやか、佐藤すみれ、佐々木優佳里、倉持明日香、小林香菜、島田晴香、中田ちさと、近野莉菜、宮崎美穂、内田眞由美、鈴木紫帆里、永尾まりや、前田亜美、梅田彩佳、片山陽加、野中美郷、大家志津香、田名部生来、石田晴香、中村麻里子、藤江れいな、岩佐美咲、小嶋菜月、名取稚菜、山内鈴蘭、岩立沙穂、内山奈月

SKE48
松井玲奈、中西優香、古川愛李、須田亜香里、高柳明音、大矢真那、柴田阿弥、小林亜実

HKT48
指原莉乃、田島芽瑠、多田愛佳

SNH48
宮澤佐江

兼任メンバー
松井珠理奈、鈴木まりや、大場美奈、高城亜樹

卒業メンバー
篠田麻里子

■ステージの様子

ディズニーシー内の湖の上で、船が2艘。そこにはおそらくいわゆる選抜メンバーが乗って、ときどき船は移動しながら踊っていました。ミッキーも途中登場。撮影ができず、双眼鏡も持ってきてなかったので目視で確認できたのは、ぱるる、たかみな、まゆゆ、じゅりれな、りっちゃん、さっしー、みぃちゃんはシルエットでほぼ確認できました。

湖を囲んでショーのキャストが登場する場所にはAKBのメンバーたちが登場。メディア取材エリアで確認できたのは鈴木紫帆里さん、松井咲子さん、田名部生来さん、中田ちさとさん、片山陽加さん、宮崎美穂さんかなぁ。遠いから確かではないけど。

■メディアセッション(囲み取材、フォトセッション)は7人
後列は篠田麻里子、柏木由紀、武藤十夢、小嶋陽菜
前列は島崎遥香、大島優子、渡辺麻友
Credit https://plus.google.com/109032389081888190627/posts/Wa4KqTT4P1K (https://plus.google.com/109032389081888190627/posts/Wa4KqTT4P1K)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 18, 2013, 06:39:51 PM
^ Sounds fun!

Some performance pics:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178628.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178628.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178629.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178629.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178630.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178630.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178631.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178631.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178632.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178632.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip178633.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip178633.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 19, 2013, 03:03:54 AM
^ newsvid:

AKB48 「Halloween Party with AKB48」 - ズームイン!!サタデー 2013-10-19 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPSCP4Ijykc#)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 19, 2013, 03:15:07 AM
AKB48 members at Tokyo Disney Sea ''Halloween Party with AKB48'' morning news vid - Mezamashi TV 2013-10-19

ハウスイベント 10月18日 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIjLlHLAQoo#ws)



AKB48 members at Tokyo Disney Sea ''Halloween Party with AKB48'' news vid - 131021 ZIP!

131021 ZIP! AKB48xディズニー ハロウィーンパーティー (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3nzd2PXW0A#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 20, 2013, 11:40:54 AM
Team 4 will start performing the "Te wo Tsunaginagara" stage starting from 3rd November 2013.

The senshuuraku (final performance) of the current AKB48 kenkyuusei "Pajama Drive" stage will be held on 27th October 2013.

http://s.ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11644572686.html (http://s.ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11644572686.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on October 21, 2013, 06:33:28 PM
Wonda × AKB48 campaign - Special event details http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/pick_1021-1.html (http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2013/pick_1021-1.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/TVLgpLQ.jpg)



Wonda × AKB48 campaign - new CM

AKB大島らがCMで名画に! 優子モナ・リザ、ぱるるはムンク (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A-yvrSjwzc#ws)

AKBメンバーが名画の登場人物に変身!? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHDv0FDRjmg#ws)

131021 ZIP! モナリザやムンク AKBが名画に変身 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgfwFagdBKY#ws)

131021 めざましテレビ 優子・ぱるる・まゆゆ 傑作名画の人物に変身/指原莉乃 握手会でダウン (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXR0DdO8IMg#ws)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on October 27, 2013, 02:10:34 AM
New book - [AKB48 あなたがいてくれたから] "AKB48 Anata ga Ite Kuretakara" (Since You Were There For Us)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/t/jphip06748.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip06748.jpg)

Release: 2013/11/20
1260 yen

This features personal stories from 33 members of AKB/SKE/NMB/HKT about someone "who was there for them" during difficult times.

A lot of these were previously published in Shukan Asahi's interview series, but there is a lot of new content as well.

See http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4023312517 (http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4023312517) for full member list and to order.

A number of the articles which were published in Shukan Asahi's interview series were previously translated to English by mammothb, emptystring/spoiledleftie, and kyttyee here: http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/search/label/Information%20%2F%20Guide (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.com/search/label/Information%20%2F%20Guide)

spoiledleftie says he might translate some of the new content in this book, too.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Datalanche on October 28, 2013, 04:22:24 AM
Yamada Mizuho promoted to SKE48 Team KII!

http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/ske48-mizuho-yamada-promoted-20131012522.html (http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/ske48-mizuho-yamada-promoted-20131012522.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 01, 2013, 10:47:50 AM
NMB48 Team BII have just started their 2nd Stage - it's a revival of A4th "Tadaima Renaichuu"

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179539.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179539.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179540.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179540.jpg)

https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/278cagT1zWp (https://plus.google.com/103350333579457321452/posts/278cagT1zWp)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on November 01, 2013, 03:52:32 PM
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179501.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179501.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179502.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179502.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179503.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179503.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179504.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179504.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179505.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179505.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip179507.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179507.jpg)

Those are Christmas tapestry which available from AKB shop. All members from team A, K, B and 4 are available.
http://akb48cafeshopsonline.com/ (http://akb48cafeshopsonline.com/)


Quote
今年のカフェ&ショップはColorful Christmasをテーマに色鮮やかなグッズをご用意!
発売の度に完売メンバー続出の大人気グッズ「全身タペストリー」もクリスマスバージョンで登場です!
こちらの商品には、1回のご注文につき1つ、ちょっとしたクリスマスプレゼントをご用意しています。
何が届くかはお楽しみ♪
※オンラインショップでは予約販売のみの受付です。
(受付締切:2013年11月5日(火)9:59)
※AKB48 CAFE&SHOPの店舗(秋葉原・博多・なんば)では11月下旬からの販売予定です。
※予約商品の発送は12/6以降を予定していますが、変更が生じた場合はご連絡いたします。
※予約販売商品は、クレジットカード決済のみのお取り扱いとなりますのでご了承ください。


【商品仕様】
◇サイズ(単位:mm):縦1,800×横600
◇材質:ポンジ、パイプ、紐
【ご使用上の注意】
◆タペストリーを強い力で引っ張ったりすると、落下したり破けたりする場合があります。危険ですのでおやめください。
◆火器や熱源に近づけないでください。火災の原因となります。
◆直射日光に長期あてると、変色することがあります。
◆尖ったものでこすると傷がつくことがあります。
◆生地の特質上、仕上がりサイズに若干のばらつきがございます。あらかじめご了承ください。 

>
Order deadline Nov 5, 2013.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 02, 2013, 11:49:45 AM
HKT48 held the shonichi of their Himawarigumi "Pajama Drive" stage today.

Their 3rd generation members made their debut as backdancers and were introduced.

The official website has updated with their profiles: http://www.hkt48.jp/profile/ (http://www.hkt48.jp/profile/)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip179617.jpg)


Practice videos of the Pajama Drive stage are available on the Official HKT youtube channel for a limited time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1_rBTB-w8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1_rBTB-w8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owd94oahQVs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owd94oahQVs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RftZtgPEyc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RftZtgPEyc)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on November 02, 2013, 12:42:13 PM
The only question is now when is the next team going to be created for HKT with the 3rd generation additions

TBH I would think moving around certain people would be helpful for team creation :nervous

Let me be surprised :lol:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: d4rkboyzzz on November 09, 2013, 03:27:40 PM
Got this..
AKB48グループ総支配人 戸賀崎智信からの重大発表 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyKIaD_Lv60#ws)

From HRP: "To raise competition between teams, the amount of applications for any given team's shows are going to be considered more starting January. Additionally, given that captains have asked for more time to train the draft members, management is introducing a third member category. These trainees will be active as both full members as well as kenkyuusei."

Still.. don't understand at all.. stupid me..
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 10, 2013, 02:25:04 PM
Some AKB48 members appeared at the TGRF2013 event held on 2013/11/10.

This was the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival 2013 held at Fuji Speedway: http://www.tgrf.jp/ (http://www.tgrf.jp/)

TGRF2013 開幕セレモニー AKB48メンバー挨拶 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb7nq6U15jA#ws)

AKB48トヨタのモータースポーツイベントに登場! #lovecars #videotopics #toyota #tgrf2013 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2wlhKKr45I#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on November 12, 2013, 01:16:26 PM
Kashiwa Yukina (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30303.0) and Miyazawa Seira (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=30322.0) will graduate from Nogizaka46 on 17th November.

http://www.nogizaka46.com/news/2013/11/post-198.php (http://www.nogizaka46.com/news/2013/11/post-198.php)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on November 13, 2013, 04:24:03 PM
48 group members with mix heritage.

http://leocgomes.tumblr.com/image/66836539564 (http://leocgomes.tumblr.com/image/66836539564)


note:
Hillary is wrong, both parent are Japanese. She grew up in America.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on November 13, 2013, 06:25:09 PM
I love how they use American as an ethnicity XD
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on November 13, 2013, 06:46:09 PM
I like how they misspelled quarter every time.

I love how they use American as an ethnicity XD

You're the second person I've seen commenting on that, but what would be the preferred term?
Some people said "Caucasian" but that doesn't make sense as it also refers to some or all of the populations of Europe, Africa and even Asia.

It refers to where the person is from right? Italy, Spain, Brazil... Why would American be any different here?
You don't see people saying Kinoshita Yukiko is half Latino, but she's half Spanish.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on November 13, 2013, 08:44:47 PM
I like how they misspelled quarter every time.

I love how they use American as an ethnicity XD

You're the second person I've seen commenting on that, but what would be the preferred term?
Some people said "Caucasian" but that doesn't make sense as it also refers to some or all of the populations of Europe, Africa and even Asia.

It refers to where the person is from right? Italy, Spain, Brazil... Why would American be any different here?
You don't see people saying Kinoshita Yukiko is half Latino, but she's half Spanish.

Yukko is half-Spanish because Latino means Mexican.  The difference is the background not where your from.  In Hilary's case, she is Japanese, raised in America.  So Ethnicity is Japanese with her Nationality being from America.  American cannot be technically be an ethnicity because there are many ways of describing an American.  I'm an American, who has an Asian background.

I agree Caucasian is a general term.  But it is a bunch of different ethnicities that is within that term (i.e. Europeans).  If it is the fact they are from there, then you must say that they are A and B nationality rather than they are half A and half B because technically they would have full-time citizenship in the country they are from.  I'm assuming.

Now this is me being politically correct.  In technically terms, an ethnicity can be a nationality as a nationality may not be an ethnicity :nervous
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 14, 2013, 10:47:41 AM
NMB48 Stage Studio albums to be released on 1st January 2014

3000 yen each, all 5 stages so far

(links go to CDJapan)

Team N 1st Stage "Dareka no Tame ni" (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=YRCS-95011)
Team N 2nd Stage "Seishun Girls" (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=YRCS-95012)
Team BII 1st Stage "Aitakatta" (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=YRCS-95013)
Team M 1st Stage "Idol no Yoake" (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=YRCS-95014)
Team BII 2nd Stage "Tadaima Renaichu" (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/d.html?KEY=YRCS-95015)

The official blog has the member line-ups
http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2013/11/nmb48cd-d52b.html (http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2013/11/nmb48cd-d52b.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: AKBfan26 on November 14, 2013, 08:43:57 PM
48 group members with mix heritage.

http://leocgomes.tumblr.com/image/66836539564 (http://leocgomes.tumblr.com/image/66836539564)


note:
Hillary is wrong, both parent are Japanese. She grew up in America.

Forgot Saito Makiko who is half American (Well has an American parent anyway).
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 22, 2013, 11:16:29 AM
Kitahara Yuna (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=35169.0) and Niidoi Sayaka (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31521.0) have both announced graduation from SKE48.

Both state focus on studies. Yuna's last day will be today, and Sayaka's last day will be the Team S performance on November 30th.

Niidoi Sayaka announcement: http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1385111674 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1385111674)
Kitahara Yuna announcement: http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1385111308 (http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1385111308)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on November 22, 2013, 08:03:50 PM
Aki-P with members...

bayfm meets AKB48 Extended Vid 42m10s

bayfm 8th 1122 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ub-GmPrJxQ#ws)

Shorter but higher quality vid* thanks to Jul3 for the find

bayfm meets AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYjo1IB_5g0#ws)

*select 720p or higher
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on November 23, 2013, 05:04:49 PM

Young Jump Swimsuit Gravure Photoshot finalists:

AKB48
●AKB48 Team A – Izuta Rina, Matsui Sakiko, Morikawa Ayaka,
●AKB48 Team K – Muto Tomu, Shimada Haruka,
●AKB48 Team B – Nonaka Misato, Omori Miyu, Ishida Haruka
●AKB48 Team 4 – Hashimoto Hikari,
●AKB48 KKS – Komiyama Haruka, Sato Kiara,


SKE48
●SKE48 Team S – Goto Risako, Ego Yuna (full page solo),
●SKE48 Team KII – Takeuchi Mai, Furukawa Airi,
●SKE48 Team E – Kaneko Shiori, Umemoto Madoka,
●SKE48 KKS – Sora Miyuka, Takeuchi Saki, Kitano Ruka, Inuzuka Asana, Goto Mayuko, Matsumura Kaori, Orito Aisa, Ida Reona,


NMB48
●NMB48 Team N –
●NMB48 Team M – Murase Sae (full page solo), Azuma Yuki,
●NMB48 Team BII – Kono Saki, Yabushita Shu, Akazawa Hono,
●NMB48 KKS – Uno Mizuki, Kawakami Chihiro, Nakano Renia, Shimazaki Momoka (full solo page)


HKT48
●HKT48 Team H – Kodama Haurka, Motomura Aoi, Ota Aika, Nakanishi Chiyori,
●HKT48 KKS – Imada Mina (full page solo), Umemoto Izumi, Takana Yuka, Ito Raira

Source: 48scoops
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 02, 2013, 11:46:04 AM
Wonda × AKB48 campaign

New Wonda × AKB48 campaign

AKB48 WONDA キャンペーン「WONDAの先に」12月編 CM 15秒 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18GpV7CCMM#ws)

^If down, official links to watch the vid


http://cm.asahibeer.co.jp/contents/movie/wonda_cp_wondanosakini1312_15/player/index.php (http://cm.asahibeer.co.jp/contents/movie/wonda_cp_wondanosakini1312_15/player/index.php)

OR

http://asahigroup.cloudapp.net/contents/movie/wonda_cp_wondanosakini1312_15/player_popup/index.php?device=pc (http://asahigroup.cloudapp.net/contents/movie/wonda_cp_wondanosakini1312_15/player_popup/index.php?device=pc)

News

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2013/12/02/kiji/K20131202007120940.html (http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2013/12/02/kiji/K20131202007120940.html)

http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20131202/akb13120205010000-n1.html (http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20131202/akb13120205010000-n1.html)

http://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000008989.html (http://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000008989.html)

https://wonda-akb48.com/top.go (https://wonda-akb48.com/top.go)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 06, 2013, 10:33:57 AM
AKB48 8th Anniversary Concert at the AKB48 theater will be streamed on DMM

Broadcast from 17:00 JST December 8th

http://www.dmm.com/lod/akb48/ (http://www.dmm.com/lod/akb48/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 06, 2013, 10:51:42 AM
AKB48 dominates the billboard charts (Sales).  So long is ranked surprising high at 5th place.  http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=sales_year&year=2013 (http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=sales_year&year=2013)

(http://i.imgur.com/MTJBYOEl.png) (http://imgur.com/MTJBYOE)



AKB48 dominates the Hot 100 billboard charts.  So long is ranked surprising high at 6th place. http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100_year&year=2013 (http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100_year&year=2013)

(http://i.imgur.com/CZ3dByol.png) (http://imgur.com/CZ3dByo)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Shinoki on December 07, 2013, 02:18:54 PM
Suga Nanako and Yano Azuki (KKS) are graduating from SKE48
NanNan's last performance is Dec. 22nd
And Azuki-ranger's is Dec. 23rd.

(...considering the mass grad in spring, Niidoi+Kitahara (SKE48) in November, and now these 2... too many graduations...)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on December 08, 2013, 10:02:25 AM
AKB48 8th Anniversary Concert at the AKB48 theater will be streamed on DMM

Broadcast from 17:00 JST December 8th

http://www.dmm.com/lod/akb48/ (http://www.dmm.com/lod/akb48/)


LOD for the 8th anniversary performance is streamed NOW at http://ja.justin.tv/qwe0401#/w/7774984368/2 (http://ja.justin.tv/qwe0401#/w/7774984368/2)


>
They performed by generation. Interesting.
It is over but they usually keep an archive.

(update)
wow, it is up on the tracker already


Setlist:


00. Overture
01. Kissu Made Countdown - (Yokoyama Team A)
02. Sasameyuki Regret - (Oshima Team K)
03. Tiny T-Shirt - (Umeda Team B)
04. Seijun Philosophy - (Team 4)
05. Koisuru Fortune Cookie
MC - Yusasa + Yokoyama Yui, Oshima Yuko, Umeda Ayaka, Minegishi Minami, Takahashi Minami
06. Heart Gata Virus - (Watanabe Miyuki, Nozawa Rena, Yagura Fuuko, Kodama Haruka)
07. Kimi no Hitomi wa Planetarium - (15th Generation)
08. Tengoku Yarou - (14th Generation)
09. Reset - (13rd Generation)
MC - (13rd+14th Generation)
10. Ice no Kuchizuke - (12nd Generation)
MC
11. Blue Rose - (11st Generation)
12. Seventeen - (10th Generation)
MC
13. Kimi Dake ni Chu! Chu! Chu! - (9th Generation)
MC
14. Sobakasu no Kiss - (7th Generation)
15. Haru ga kuru Made - (6th Generation)
MC
16. Kimi ga oshiete Kureta - (5th Generation)
17. Namida no Shounan - (4th Generation)
MC
18. Wasshoi B! - (3rd Generation)
19. Kurukurupa - (2nd Generation)
MC
20. Heart Ereki - (1st Generation)
MC
21. Suzukake Nanchara
22. Sakura no Hanabiratachi (All)

END.

(from everyday48)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: miayaka on December 10, 2013, 03:21:27 PM
冬の生誕大感謝祭CM「TSUTAYAは30歳」篇 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yWbmb2ll_8#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 11, 2013, 09:54:55 AM
Quote
SKE48 Mini Handshake/Autograph Event in Taiwan

Shibata Aya and Umemoto Madoka will fly to Taiwan to host a handshake event on 12/21 and an autograph event on 12/22.

Source: AKB48 Official Shop Taiwan
http://www.48scoops.com/ske48-mini-handshake/ (http://www.48scoops.com/ske48-mini-handshake/)

EDIT - here's the pic from AKB Shop

(http://s27.postimg.org/7ursnmodr/11_1.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7ursnmodr/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 13, 2013, 07:42:56 AM
Nikkei Ent. Yearly Single Ranking 2013 Top 10

(http://up.gc-img.net/post_img_web/2013/12/4880fd07122360617a3f9f26677d7c6f_12363.jpeg)

Quote
1  Arashi「Calling/Breathless」(Sales number:881,144:3 versions)
2  AKB48「Sayonara Crawl」(Sales number:799,352:6 versions)
3  AKB48「Koisuru Fortune Cookie」(Sales number:593,835:6 versions)
4  Arashi「Endless Game」(Sales number:572,922:2 versions)
5  AKB48「So long!」(Sales number:439,071:6 versions )
6  Kanjani8「Hesomagari / Kokonishikanai Keshiki 」(Sales number:347,186:3 versions)
7  AKB48「Heart Ereki」(Sales number:340,627:8 versions)
8  SMAP「Joy!!」(Salse number:328,930:5 versions)
9  Southern All Stars「Pīsu to hairaito」(Sales number:315,271:3 versions)
10 Kanjani8「Namida no Kotae」(Sales number:302,964:3 versions)



Nikkei uses Soundscan for their ranking so that's why it's different from Oricon. Soundscan doesn't count special versions like Avex's Mu-mo shop or AKB's theater editions. Still very idol dominated but at least Southern All Stars and Linked Horizon made it!!! Oh and feel free to translate the rest of the top 20 that you can see in the pic.
Source http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/5165183.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/5165183.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 14, 2013, 12:31:31 PM
BILLBOARD JAPAN MUSIC AWARDS 2013 - broadcast earlier today from 16:00 JST - AKB48 won "Artist of the Year," "Hot 100 of the Year," "Hot Singles Sales of the Year" & "Top Pop Artist" for 3 years in a row.

http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/17014 (http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/17014) via akbwrapup

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XYz8c87R-wg/Uqw3Ng5tZAI/AAAAAAAAB2k/wAEE-ECFs4M/w533-h800/large.jpeg)

Vid credit riceball

AKB48 Billboard JAPAN 2013年最優秀アーティスト賞受賞 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyUZmrNsUlg#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 15, 2013, 04:40:07 AM
Quote
Pop group AKB48 led by Rino Sashihara, center, perform during a gala dinner for ASEAN leaders hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Saturday night. All-male group Exile also performed for the leaders.


Credit japantoday
3,500px × 2,387px > http://www.japantoday.com/images/size/x/2013/12/akb48.jpg (http://www.japantoday.com/images/size/x/2013/12/akb48.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cOSR4X_yJoc/Uq0iu3VawDI/AAAAAAAAB7I/LsSZubs6bak/w0/akb48.jpg) (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cOSR4X_yJoc/Uq0iu3VawDI/AAAAAAAAB7I/LsSZubs6bak/w0/akb48.jpg)

EDIT

Japan ASEAN Music Festival (earlier - broadcast on NHK 2013-12-15)

AKB48 / 恋するフォーチュンクッキー - 日・ASEAN音楽祭 2013-12-15 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuILxPw-W5Y#ws)



Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 16, 2013, 02:58:57 PM
Quote
Oricon has released its yearly ranking for 'Artist Total Sales Revenue' for 2013. The ranking is based on the gross total sales of CDs (both singles and albums), DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs.

1 - Arashi # 14,192,000,000 Yen (approximately $138,108,170 USD)
2 - AKB48 # 13,254,000,000 Yen (approximately $128,980,108 USD)
3 - B'z # 5,379,000,000 Yen (approximately $52,345,254 USD)
4 - Momoiro Clover Z # 5,245,000,000 Yen (approximately $51,041,245 USD)
5 - Kanjani8 # 4,738,000,000 Yen (approximately $46,107,420 USD)

Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/12/oricon-2013-yearly-charts-artist-total-sales (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/12/oricon-2013-yearly-charts-artist-total-sales)

Quote
Oricon revealed their 2013 yearly ranking for singles.
Check out the list of top 50 below.
[Oricon 2013 Yearly Ranking Top 50 : Singles]

01 - "Sayonara Crawl" - AKB48 : (1,955,162)
02 - "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" - AKB48 : (1,479,036)
03 - "Heart Ereki" - AKB48 : (1,260,792)
04 - "So long!" - AKB48 : (1,132,853)
05 - "EXILE PRIDE ~Konna Sekai wo Aisurutame~" - EXILE : (1,012,407)
06 - "Calling/Breathless" - Arashi : (881,192)
07 - "Choco no Dorei" - SKE48 : (671,623)
08 - "Utsukushii Inazuma" - SKE48 : (661,557)
09 - "Bokura no Yuriika" - NMB48 : (557,802)
10 - "Endless Game" - Arashi : (557,217)
11 - "Sansei Kawaii!" - SKE48 : (496,124)
12 - "Kamonegikkusu" - NMB48 : (457,435)
13 - "Girl's Rule" - Nogizaka46 : (452,310)
14 - "Barrette" - Nogizaka46 : (423,417)
15 - "Joy!!" - SMAP : (395,087)
16 - "My Resistance -Tashikana Mono-/Unmei Girl" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (377,055)
17 - "Peace to Highlight" - Southern All Stars : (339,575)
18 - "Hesomagari/Koko ni Shika Nai Keshiki" - Kanjani8 : (334,632)
19 - "Kimi tono Kiseki" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (309,762)
20 - "SNOW DOME no Yakusoku/Luv Sick" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (306,433)
21 - "Seifuku no Mannequin" - Nogizaka46 : (306,430)
22 - "Kimi no Na wa Kibou" - Nogizaka46 : (306,202)
23 - "Melon Juice" - HKT48 : (295,967)
24 - "Suki! Suki! Skip!" - HKT48 : (291,876)
25 - "BURNING UP" - EXILE TRIBE (Sandaime J Soul Brothers VS GENERATIONS) : (287,874)
26 - "Namida no Kotae" - Kanjani8 : (286,657)
27 - "Ki • Su • U • Ma • I ~KISS YOUR MIND~/S.O.S (Smile On Smile)" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (262,737)
28 - "Come On A My House" - Hey! Say! JUMP : (242,314)
29 - "Mistake!/Battery" - SMAP : (235,076)
30 - "Jiyuu e no Shingeki (Guren no Yumiya/Jiyuu no Tsubasa/Moshimo Kono Kabe no Naka ga Ikken no Ie datoshitara) - Linked Horizon : (230,810)
31 - "Mystery Virgin" - Yamada Ryosuke : (219,871)
32 - "Mada Namida ni Naranai Kanashimi ga/Koi ha Nihohe to Chirinuru wo" - KinKi Kids : (202,409)
33 - "Kokoro Sora Moyou" - Kanjani8 : (192,573)
34 - "Dance My Generation" - Golden Bomber : (177,565)
35 - "Preserved Roses" - T.M.Revolustion × Mizuki Nana : (175,828)
36 - "EXPOSE" - KAT-TUN : (173,400)
37 - "Real Sexy!/BAD BOYS" - Sexy Zone : (168,580)
38 - "Bye Bye Du Bye ~See you again~/A MY GIRL FRIEND" - Sexy Zone : (167,946)
39 - "Shiosai no Memory" - Amano Haruko (Koizumi Kyoko) : (161,554)
40 - "OCEAN" - Tohoshinki : (159,163)
41 - "Wagamama Ki no mama Ai no Joke/Ai no Gundan" - Morning Musume : (158,915)
42 - "Catch Me -If you wanna-" - Tohoshinki : (156,537)
43 - "Tanjoubi ni wa Masshiro na Yuri wo/Get the groove" - Fukuyama Masaharu : (154,120)
44 - "GIVE ME LOVE" - 2PM : (152,781)
45 - "FACE to Face" - KAT-TUN : (150,310)
46 - "WORLD QUEST/Pokopon Pekorya" - NEWS : (148,348)
47 - "SCREAM" - Tohoshinki : (145,628)
48 - "Eien Pressure" - AKB48 : (133,370)
49 - "SUMMER NUDE '13" - Yamashita Tomohisa : (130,870)
50 - "Hirihiri no Hana" - Not yet : (127,855)
http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2013/musicrank1215/index01.html (http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2013/musicrank1215/index01.html)
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/12/oricon-2013-yearly-charts-singles (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2013/12/oricon-2013-yearly-charts-singles)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 16, 2013, 10:53:13 PM
^ Here's the recochoku downloadable top 100 sales chart 2013:

http://recochoku.jp/special/1561/ (http://recochoku.jp/special/1561/)

AKB48 placings:

2. Koisuru Fortune Cookie
56. So long !
59. Eien Pressure
70. Juuryoku Sympathy
71. Sayonara Crawl
86. Heart Ereki

I'm really happy to see Juuryoku Sympathy there - fantastic song! Team Surprise!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 17, 2013, 07:21:38 PM
Quote
Oricon 2013 Music Blu-Ray Ranking (Top 10)

1. namie amuro 5 Major Domes Tour 2012 ~20th Anniversary Best~ (Amuro Namie) - 72,845
2. Mr. Children TOUR POPSAURUS 2012 (Mr. Children) - 61,384
3. KANJANI∞ LIVE TOUR!!  8EST ~Minna no Omoi wa Donandai? Bokura no Omoi wa Mugendai!!~ (Kanjani8) - 60,147
4. BUMP OF CHICKEN GOLD GLIDER TOUR 2012 (BUMP OF CHICKEN) - 54,253
5. AKB48 in TOKYO DOME ~1830m no Yume~ Special Box (AKB48) - 52,097
6. B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 - ACTION - (B'z) - 51,936
7. 「Momoclo Natsu no Bakasawagi SUMMER DIVE 2012 Seibu Dome Taikai」LIVE BD (Momoiro Clover Z) - 45,491
8. EXILE LIVE TOUR 2013 "EXILE PRIDE" (EXILE) - 41,733
9. Million ga Ippai ~AKB48 Music Video Shu~ Special Box (AKB48) - 40,156
10. Momokuro Aki no Nidai Matsuri "Onna Matsuri" 2012 (Momoiro Clover Z) - 36,124

http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2013/musicrank1215/index15.html (http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/special/2013/musicrank1215/index15.html)
http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/5170567.html (http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/5170567.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 18, 2013, 06:52:51 AM
Quote
NHK Kouhaku Setlist Revealed

 AKB48 – “Kouhaku 2013 SP ~ AKB Festival! ~
 SKE48 – Sansei Kawaii
 NMB48 – Kamonegix

Source: NHK 64th Kouhaku Utagassen Setlist

http://www.48scoops.com/nhk-kouhaku-setlist-revealed/ (http://www.48scoops.com/nhk-kouhaku-setlist-revealed/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 19, 2013, 04:43:10 PM
Quote from: archite
As part of JRA (Japan Racing Association)'s new campaign "Minchoi! (Minna de Choice!) (http://minchoi.jp/)", AKB48 and Nogizaka46 will engage in a 3-round 'Idol Rating' Battle on 12/19 (Thurs) at 20:30 (JST).

The representatives from both groups are:
AKB48 - Oshima Yuko, Kitahara Rie, Kuramochi Asuka
Nogizaka46 - Shiraishi Mai, Matsumura Sayuri

Hashimoto Nanami and Akimoto Manatsu from Nogizaka46 who lost in the eligibility battle before to Shiraishi Mai and Matsumura Sayuri will also be joining along.

Livestream is available at the following links:
Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/amebastudio)
AmebaStudio (http://studio.ameba.jp/user/index)
NicoVideo (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv162206618)

Source (http://ameblo.jp/ameba-studio-staff/entry-11727793974.html)
^credit archite

AKB48 vs Nogizaka46  'Idol Rating' Battle  12/19

(http://i.imgur.com/OICAxza.jpg)

For the vids, please visit http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=22562.msg1247939#msg1247939 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=22562.msg1247939#msg1247939)


Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 22, 2013, 12:57:36 PM
Sato Amina has announced her graduation to become a voice actor.

Official source: https://twitter.com/kobaya48/status/414712016759042048

Quote
本日のAKB48チームK公演にて佐藤亜美菜が卒業を発表させて頂きました。
佐藤『声優の夢を目指すため卒業と言う決意をしました。』
詳細は後程、発表。
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 22, 2013, 01:26:54 PM
Thank you Amina. We'll miss you. :cry:

Sato Amina's G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108623251197634437138/posts/dyDUdXv1t7i
Quote
今日の劇場公演で
卒業発表をしました!!

日程はまだ未定ですが
決まり次第お知らせします^ ^

今日はなかちゃんがね
みにきてくれたんだ☻♡

言いたいこと全部言えた

あ!

あみなね、泣かなかったよ!
笑顔で発表できたよ!

はやくみんなに
会いたいな^_^好きだよ

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/131222_2008.jpg~original)
荒井広希's G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114007873084322574127/posts/3G3LzNdDmjr

Quote

本日のAKB48劇場大島チームK公演(18時開演)にて、佐藤亜美菜より卒業の発表がありました。

以下、ほぼ原文まま。
--------------
私からひとつみなさんにお知らせがあります。

えーっと、昨日何回もシミュレーションしたから落ち着いて・・・。

17歳の時にAKB48に入って、楽しいことたくさんありました。
劇場公演も大好きだし、大好きな仲間もいっぱいできたし、ためになる事もすごくあって、本当に私ここに入ってなかったらどんな人間になってたんだろうって思うくらい周りの友達や家族、もちろん親から「性格変わったね」
って、「よくなったね」って、別に悪かったわけじゃないんですけど(笑)
なんかそういう風に言ってもらえて、AKBがやっぱり大好きで、みなさんとこうやって関わって自分の中にひとつ大きな夢ができました。
それはAKBにいながら頑張る事も出来るかもしれないけど、私は、えーっと、ちゃんと区切りをつけて真剣にそこに臨むためにも・・・声優という道を目指すためにAKB48を卒業します。

えっと・・・なんだろ・・・うーん・・・なんで静かになっちゃうの?(笑)

えーっと、正直言うとココすごい居心地がいいから、みんな「チームK好き」って言ってくれるし、メンバーは「亜美菜ちゃーん」って言ってくれるし、スタッフのみなさんは本当に優しいし、素敵な曲を書いてくれたり、素敵な衣装を作ってくれたり、かわいい髪型にしてくれたり、こんな佐藤亜美菜をかわいくしてくれて、自分にちょっと自信がなくてもちょっとかわいく今日化粧してもらったらがんばれるとか、私にそういういろんな魔法をかけてくれたこのAKB劇場だったんですけど、そこから抜け出さないといつまで経っても自分に甘えてばっかりで先に進めないと思いました。
なので卒業の事は本当に考えてなくって、そういう「卒業しないよー」とかつい先日もラジオとかで言ったりとかしてて、本当にファンのみなさんの事をきっと驚かせちゃったり、悲しませちゃったりするかもしれないんですけど、とても前向きな卒業だと私は考えているし、この卒業を機にどんどん上に向かって、「亜美菜知らない間にすげぇ色んなトコ出てんな」って思ってもらえるぐらいにトップ目指してやるからにはやりたいと思っています。

突然の発表になってしまってびっくりさせちゃったかと思うんですけど、一生懸命夢に向かって、次のステップに向かって頑張りますので、これからもAKB48をどうぞよろしくお願いします。
今日は私の発表を聞いてくださって、みなさんありがとうございました。

(大島優子)まだあれだよね?いつ卒業するとか決まってないんだよね?

あ、そうそう、大事な事を言い忘れた。
卒業の日程はスタッフの方と相談して決めるのでまだ決まってないんですけど、出来る限り今決定されているイベントだったりとか握手会だったりは参加したいなと思っているので、すぐに会えなくなっちゃうっていうわけではないので、ぜひとも会いに来てくれたら、どこかで見かけてくれたら嬉しいなと思います。
またその時が決まったらどこかでお知らせしますので待っていてください。はい。ありがとうございました。

(大島優子)まぁ今すぐじゃないしね。夢を追いかけるこの姿っていうのがやっぱりみんなそれぞれ持ってると思いますけど、でもちゃんと決めて歩もうとしているのは本当に素晴らしくかっこいいことだと思うし、亜美菜が言った“この環境に甘えないように”っていう言葉、たぶんそれぞれの胸に突き刺さったと思うんだよね。
やっぱりすごく良い環境だし、踏み出そうと思ったら茨の道だし・・・だからその姿勢で突っ走ってってみんなの道をもっと開かせてくれたら嬉しいなって思います。
あとは、今日ここに来ていないファンの方にももっと会いたいと思うしね、亜美菜ちゃんは本当にファンの方を大切にしてるし、Google+のあの釣りもすごいなっていつも思ってます(笑)
本当に大切にしてるなっていう風に思うので、でもメンバーと過ごす時間を、そしてファンの方と一緒に過ごす時間を大切にしてやっていきましょう。
まだまだチームKですから。よろしくお願いします!

よろしくお願いします!!

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/131222_2000a.jpg~original) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/131222_2000b.jpg~original)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 23, 2013, 08:28:22 AM
Quote
Kawaei Rina Gets Role in NTV Drama

The drama is called “Shark” and will start on January 11th, 2014. It will air every Saturday night at 24:50 and every episode is 30 minutes long.

The plot is about a band that dreams of a national major debut. Kawaei portraits Konno Kaede, the childhood friend of the main character Kurata Mizuki, who is played by Hirano Shiyou of Kansai Johnny’s Jr.

Source: http://www.48scoops.com/kawaei-rina-gets-role-in-ntv-drama/ (http://www.48scoops.com/kawaei-rina-gets-role-in-ntv-drama/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on December 24, 2013, 10:45:29 AM
Quote
Mad Box Zombies taps 48G members as voice actresses

Mad Box Zombies is a series of animated shorts broadcasted on YouTube/Nico Douga (kind of like Happy Tree Friends – a bit gory).

The members tapped for this job are:
 AKB48 – Watanabe Mayu, Iwata Karei, Oba Mina, Nakamura Mariko, Kawaei Rina
 SKE48 – Iwanaga Tsugumi, Nakanishi Yuka, Furukawa Airi, Furuhata Nao, Yakata Miki

The dubbed shorts will start airing on 12/27.

Source: http://www.48scoops.com/mad-box-zombies-taps-48g-members-as-voice-actresses/ (http://www.48scoops.com/mad-box-zombies-taps-48g-members-as-voice-actresses/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on December 26, 2013, 01:59:28 PM
HKT48's 1st gen member Kyoka Abe will graduate to pursue her dream of becoming a model.

Souce: http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/12/008793.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2013/12/008793.html)

edit:

(http://i.imgur.com/pqO99.jpg)

She'll do fine.  :yep:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 31, 2013, 01:48:03 PM
Challenge U-Can is back, the first couple of vids focus on Kawaei Rina but feature a bunch of other girls too

【AKB チャレンジユーキャン! 2014】VOL.1 「今年の挑戦者は?」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzwdrh_4LOw#ws)

【AKB チャレンジユーキャン! 2014】VOL.2 「川栄ってどんなコ?」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06UvdF6BiY4#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on January 01, 2014, 11:05:36 PM
AKB48 2014 Greeting Cards from AKB48 Mobile FC 02 Team A

http://migikata48.tumblr.com/post/71850814870/chichan54-wen48-akb48-2014-greeting-cards (http://migikata48.tumblr.com/post/71850814870/chichan54-wen48-akb48-2014-greeting-cards)

>
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 06, 2014, 12:53:42 PM
Credit to kol for the following

Quote
Support Our Kids (Japan) is currently doing a special charity auction on Yahoo! Auction. The next item will be T-shirts signed by AKB48 members which is scheduled to starts on Jan 7.

Members listed: Oshima Yuko, Watanabe Mayu, Sashihara Rino, Shimazaki Haruka, Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Kashiwagi Yuki, etc.

(http://s30.postimg.org/hqywatvhp/Bd_N5i_Eh_CUAA9jmj.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hqywatvhp/)

Photo by @SOK_Japan, all information and the whole schedule is on http://support-our-kids.org/ja/2013/12/31/auction/ (http://support-our-kids.org/ja/2013/12/31/auction/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: tamagutshi on January 06, 2014, 08:24:48 PM
Information from "K-Pop / J-Pop Panel Europe"

2nd European K-Pop / J-Pop Music Awards 2014, February 2
Nominees:

=お知らせ=
 第2回欧州のK-ポップ/ J-ポップミュージックアワード2014
 観客賞2014 受信します 曲のAKB48: 恋するフォーチュンクッキー (2013)
 理由:曲が特定の方法でこの世界の国際親善に貢献しています。感情や成功したメッセージの実装は非常に優れています。曲はアジア大陸だけでなく、何百万人もの人々に影響を与えた。
 ソース:K-ポップ/ Jポップパネルヨーロッパ[2013年11月4日]

=事前評価=
NMB48によるMV「カモネギックス」
評価[A1] - 傾向が高い!
レベル:
A1 =大陸星(アジア)| A2 =グローバルスター
ソース:K-ポップ/ Jポップパネルヨーロッパ[2014年1月6日]
ご注意:我々は感銘を受けています

Also SKE48 is nominated in category "Chart Striker" (with 500,000 sold issues in one week, according ORICON stats)

AKBと姉妹グループは、期間2012年から2013年における作業の結果について誇りにすることができます。ステーション:
AKB48 "Uza" | NMB48 "Ha" | SKE48 "Utsukushii Inazuma" | AKB48 "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" | NMB48 "Kamonegix"

Greetings from Germany
Chairman of panel (members from 10 countries)  :twothumbs

❶United Kingdom: John / ❷Sweden: Jan / ❸Spain: Ines / ❹France: Colette / ❺Italy: Marie / ❻Germany: Horst (chairman) / ❼Czech: Tim / ❽Hungary: Chris / ❾Russia: Yuri / ❿Israel: Dave
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: tamagutshi on January 06, 2014, 08:31:58 PM
Information from "K-Pop / J-Pop Panel Europe"

2nd European K-Pop / J-Pop Music Awards 2014, February 2

"Special Artist Award" goes to  :theking

JAPAN: Japanese girl band SCANDAL for excellent TV + concert performances
S-KOREA: Taeyeon + Tiffany (SNSD) for their excellent performances of "Lady Marmalade"

source: k-pop / j-pop panel Europe [131123]
Notes: pre-released by chairman of panel
_____________________________________

"HONORARY AWARD" goes to 

? ? ?   this will be our surprise!

Stay on Youtube on February 2

Greetings
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 07, 2014, 05:52:18 PM
Challenge U-Can is back, the first couple of vids focus on Kawaei Rina but feature a bunch of other girls too

【AKB チャレンジユーキャン! 2014】VOL.1 「今年の挑戦者は?」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzwdrh_4LOw#ws)

【AKB チャレンジユーキャン! 2014】VOL.2 「川栄ってどんなコ?」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06UvdF6BiY4#ws)

VOL.3
【AKB チャレンジユーキャン! 2014】VOL.3 「川栄、ホントに勉強してる?」篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7mXjHZLzqs#ws)

Mezamashi TV on the new U CAN CM
140107 めざましテレビ AKB48 川栄李奈 本気で資格獲得に挑戦!? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE9i0V5b_Wo#ws)

JIJIPRESS coverage
おバカキャラAKB川栄、資格取得に挑戦 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut4QKiD7rGw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 08, 2014, 09:53:38 AM
Credit to kol for the following

Quote
Support Our Kids (Japan) is currently doing a special charity auction on Yahoo! Auction. The next item will be T-shirts signed by AKB48 members which is scheduled to starts on Jan 7.

Members listed: Oshima Yuko, Watanabe Mayu, Sashihara Rino, Shimazaki Haruka, Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Kashiwagi Yuki, etc.

(http://s30.postimg.org/hqywatvhp/Bd_N5i_Eh_CUAA9jmj.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hqywatvhp/)

Photo by @SOK_Japan, all information and the whole schedule is on http://support-our-kids.org/ja/2013/12/31/auction/ (http://support-our-kids.org/ja/2013/12/31/auction/)

Official youtube:

AKB48 Msg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hlXEz8RL0E#)

And the actual auction: http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c416413972 (http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c416413972)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 08, 2014, 10:43:14 AM
Interesting news for people who plan to travel to Japan anytime...

They've changed the rules for the enpou applications for Theatre tickets for AKB48/SKE48/NMB48/HKT48.

Enpou is the far away application where you have to live some distance away from the hometowns of those theatres. You used to have to apply 5 days in advance and found it if you've won 4 days in advance. It's now changed to application on the 11th day in advance and you find out if you win 10 days in advance. There is still only a one day window for application.

See here for further details such as the exact timings that the applications are open for and the timings for when you receive your winning notification.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11745123432.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11745123432.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on January 09, 2014, 01:15:36 AM
Last year 50 girls was chosen to pose for Young Jump magazine.. here are they...

http://z3144228ii.tumblr.com/post/72666816066 (http://z3144228ii.tumblr.com/post/72666816066)

>
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on January 11, 2014, 02:11:16 PM
Koyanagi Arisa announces graduation from NM48.

It's the girl Matsui Rena likes --> http://mahoushoujoari.tumblr.com/post/72993717619/matsui-renas-official-blog-11-01-2014-2 (http://mahoushoujoari.tumblr.com/post/72993717619/matsui-renas-official-blog-11-01-2014-2)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on January 12, 2014, 04:40:58 AM
Really sorry to see Arisa leaving, she is a wonderful girl
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip185255.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip185254.jpg)

But she has grown up since first auditioning,
And best wishes to this intelligent and beautiful young
woman as she continues to follow her path ...

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip185253.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: atsukoD on January 14, 2014, 03:38:48 AM
Sunday Surprise

AKB48 Stage Performance M41 on Sunday 14:00, all AKB48 members, who were in the incoming of the age ceremony, showed up and spoke about their aspirations. LOD just posted on the tracker.

(http://www.hello-online.org/res/torrentimg/tor_679995533_1.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on January 14, 2014, 11:51:18 AM
New Yukirin dishes at the AKB48 Cafe in Akiba:

AKB柏木由紀、自身監修メニュー発表「まゆゆに食べさせたい」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH7jIYjAWls#ws)

(http://img204.imagevenue.com/loc389/th_696590610_Bd7yrZJCYAA9w4V.jpglarge_122_389lo.jpg) (http://img204.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=696590610_Bd7yrZJCYAA9w4V.jpglarge_122_389lo.jpg) (http://img246.imagevenue.com/loc483/th_969659060_Bd7yV4DCIAEbZBt.jpglarge_122_483lo.jpg) (http://img246.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=969659060_Bd7yV4DCIAEbZBt.jpglarge_122_483lo.jpg)
(http://img201.imagevenue.com/loc65/th_696588862_Bd7ydNqCAAAVfL2.jpglarge_122_65lo.jpg) (http://img201.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=696588862_Bd7ydNqCAAAVfL2.jpglarge_122_65lo.jpg) (http://img202.imagevenue.com/loc436/th_696589440_Bd7yl8PCUAA5IGo.jpglarge_122_436lo.jpg) (http://img202.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=696589440_Bd7yl8PCUAA5IGo.jpglarge_122_436lo.jpg)
     
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 17, 2014, 12:27:27 PM
SKE48 Graduation Announcements

Sato Seira will graduate in February.

Mukaida Manatsu will graduate in March (she states academic reasons).

http://ske48matome.net/archives/35730993.html (http://ske48matome.net/archives/35730993.html) and http://ske48matome.net/archives/35731006.html (http://ske48matome.net/archives/35731006.html) have a couple of pics of the announcement from the live LOD.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on January 17, 2014, 02:43:51 PM
^
seira manatsu graduation announcement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3oLJ9KP8QE#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on January 20, 2014, 01:45:08 PM
Yokoyama Yui on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Yui_yoko1208
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 20, 2014, 03:23:01 PM

Aug 19th News

(http://i.imgur.com/5YkQWOS.jpg)

Takahashi Minami, Iwata karen, Kato Rena, Nishino Miki and Kojima Mako promote a hot spring (Onsen)



More vids uploaded by the official AKB YT channel today

大江戸温泉物語「夕食」物語篇CMメイキング / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60CM4awLCOE#ws)
大江戸温泉物語「宿泊」物語篇CMメイキング / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjqZdoZzu8k#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 23, 2014, 05:35:34 PM
New Yuko CMs for Gaitame Online freature a new Not yet song 世界の風を僕らは受けて "Sekai no kaze wo... a couple of words I'm not sure about...)

外為オンライン TV-CM HOLIDAY篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrRIGJShamo#ws)

外為オンライン TV-CM BUSINESS篇 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n73vr02kYc#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: ゲキカラ on January 23, 2014, 06:04:05 PM
New Yuko CMs for Gaitame Online freature a new Not yet song 世界の風を僕らは受けて "Sekai no kaze wo... a couple of words I'm not sure about...)

Sekai no kaze wo bokura wa ukete...?  But don't quote me on that; my Japanese sucks.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on January 25, 2014, 11:50:28 AM
Quote from: Stankovic
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/79555916/baitoru.jpg)

Baitoru's new commercial presentation was done in Tokyo Dome City Hall on January 25th, 2014. Takahashi minami, Kojima Haruna, Oshima Yuko, & Watanabe Mayu were present at the podium. The AKB48's 35th single's main song "Mae Shika Mukanee" will be used as the theme song of the CM. The CM's remark is "I've decided it! I am gonna graduate!" 「決めた!私、卒業する!」

Baitoru's new CM will start on January 27th, 2014, starring AKB48 members, Oshima Yuko, Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Kojima Mako, Takahashi Juri, & Okada Nana

https://plus.google.com/109032389081888190627 (https://plus.google.com/109032389081888190627)

Vids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRqb_K0QuAs#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRqb_K0QuAs#ws)
バイトル×AKB 卒業篇「メイキング」 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7oRMQ61TPk#ws)
大島優子、「卒業」は紅白前に言っていた‼? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2DEHP4dqdQ#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 31, 2014, 12:50:37 PM
NMB48 Team BII member Umehara Mako (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=32069.0) has announced her graduation.

edit: official blogpost: http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11761959161.html (http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-11761959161.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 07, 2014, 03:16:09 AM


Aug 19th News

(http://i.imgur.com/5YkQWOS.jpg)

Takahashi Minami, Iwata karen, Kato Rena, Nishino Miki and Kojima Mako promote a hot spring (Onsen)



More vids uploaded by the official AKB YT channel today

大江戸温泉物語 キャラバン① 箕面前編 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZN4LrTnzo8#ws)
大江戸温泉物語 キャラバン① 箕面後編 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Xf51wxUAw#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 10, 2014, 01:35:18 PM
^more. With Kitarie + Mariyagi :)

大江戸温泉物語 キャラバン② 那須塩原かもしか荘 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2S7zQsBPb0#ws)
With some Mariyagi caps.
Mariyagi photobook. Do it! :thumbup

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0257_20140210_201806.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0257_20140210_201806.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0319_20140210_201500.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0319_20140210_201500.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0340_20140210_201839.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0340_20140210_201839.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0344_20140210_201522.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0344_20140210_201522.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0401_20140210_201555.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0401_20140210_201555.jpg.html)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0426_20140210_201620.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0426_20140210_201620.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0430_20140210_201645.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0430_20140210_201645.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0453_20140210_201947.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0453_20140210_201947.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0454_20140210_201958.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0454_20140210_201958.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0508_20140210_202023.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0508_20140210_202023.jpg.html)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0508_20140210_202030.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0508_20140210_202030.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0511_20140210_202040.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0511_20140210_202040.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0513_20140210_202100.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0513_20140210_202100.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0514_20140210_202107.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0514_20140210_202107.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0557_20140210_202149.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0557_20140210_202149.jpg.html)
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0609_20140210_202213.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0609_20140210_202213.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0617_20140210_202233.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0617_20140210_202233.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0646_20140210_202306.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0646_20140210_202306.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0704_20140210_202344.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0704_20140210_202344.jpg.html) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/th_snapshot_0719_20140210_202447.jpg) (http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/kyot777/media/AKB48/ooedoonsen140210/snapshot_0719_20140210_202447.jpg.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 10, 2014, 08:55:04 PM
The AKB48 Official Newspaper is running a survey on their google+ https://plus.google.com/114901599093908880416/posts

So anyone with google+ accounts, feel free to respond and give them your thoughts!

They separated the questions by group, so you can answer for each one, the questions are:

1. Are you happy with ---48 right now? (where --- is for each group) (Egs/ you can put していない for no or 満足しています for yes)
2. Do you have an oshi team?
3. Are you for (賛成) or against (反対) a shuffle?
4. Opinions.

edit: HKT are missing question 2, so remember to re-number 3+4 to 2+3, unlike me...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 13, 2014, 03:23:14 PM
Oshima Team K will start performing a revival of K4th "Saishu Bell ga Naru"

The shonichi (opening date) will be 20th February 2014.

(this is only 4 days before the upcoming shuffle...)

This means that yesterday's (12th Feb) performance of Team K Waiting Stage was the final one as no other Team K shows are scheduled until the 20th.

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11771433265.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11771433265.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on February 16, 2014, 02:21:03 PM
Sashihara Rino on Twitter: https://twitter.com/345__chan

Source: https://plus.google.com/104375100134443203420/posts/K1KxUe4YTA6
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 20, 2014, 01:00:44 PM
Matsumoto Rina announced her graduation from SKE48...

Let's consult the SKE graduation rumour chart...

(http://i.imgur.com/1yV2HZt.png)

(props to whoever originally made this chart!)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 26, 2014, 12:11:31 AM
A bunch of members are going to Hong Kong on 4th March for events associated with ANA: http://www.dreamchallengers.com/zhtw/event/140304_hongkong/index.html (http://www.dreamchallengers.com/zhtw/event/140304_hongkong/index.html)

(http://i.imgur.com/SyAUCMq.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on February 27, 2014, 09:47:03 AM
AKB48 won the Japan Gold Disc Award for "Artist of the Year" for the 3rd year in a row (Photo: Mayuyu, Takamina, Yuko)
(http://i.imgur.com/G73aYb1.jpg)
Source http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140227-00000313-oric-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140227-00000313-oric-ent)
http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1333129 (http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1333129)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 27, 2014, 01:25:01 PM
Shimada Rena has announced her graduation from NMB48.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on February 28, 2014, 10:16:14 AM
Nonaka Misato has announced her graduation from AKB48.

She announced it during today's Anta Dare show.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 02, 2014, 05:59:28 PM
NMB48 School Calendar 2014-2015:

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1628910 (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOBK-1628910)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 05, 2014, 11:00:18 PM
EPIC NMB48 CD/DVD Release List:

All released on 2014.3.31:

A: NMB48 Team N 3rd Stage "Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru] - CD  ¥2,857

(http://s16.postimg.org/u3lkb59ox/NMB48_N3_CD.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/u3lkb59ox/)

B: NMB48 Osaka Juban Shoubu (full version) 2012.5.3 @ Osaka Orix Theatre -  Bluray ¥4,800

C: NMB48 Kinki Concert ~Minnasan, Chapuchapu Shimasho~ (full version) 2012.8.21 evening concert @ Osaka Orix Theatre - Bluray ¥4,800

D: NMB48 8 Live Collection - 11xDVD boxset ¥24,000

  1. NMB48 3rd Anniversary Special Live 2013.10.12 @ Osaka Jo Hall DVD
  2. NMB48 3rd Anniversary Special Live 2013.10.13 noon concert @ Osaka Jo Hall DVD
  3. NMB48 3rd Anniversary Special Live 2013.10.13 evening concert @ Osaka Jo Hall 2xDVD
  4. NMB48 West Japan Tour 2013.4.4 @ Osaka Orix Theatre DVD
  5. NMB48 East Japan Tour 2013.7.3 @ NHK Hall DVD
  6. NMB48 Request Hour Set List Best 30 2013.4.18 @ Osaka Orix Theater 2xDVD
  7. NMB48 Osaka Juban Shoubu (full version) 2012.5.3 @ Osaka Orix Theatre 2xDVD
  8. NMB48 Kinki Concert ~Minnasan, Chapuchapu Shimasho~ (full version) 2012.8.21 evening concert @ Osaka Orix Theatre

http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2014/03/48dvd-blu-ray33-4233.html (http://nmb48-staff.laff.jp/blog/2014/03/48dvd-blu-ray33-4233.html)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 08, 2014, 12:10:10 PM
NMB48 Kenkyuusei Shimazaki Momoka has announced her graduation.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 08, 2014, 01:19:52 PM
I didn't know this before, but seems like you can buy NMB48 and HKT48 releases on worldwide iTunes.

iTunes UK has the albums, singles and the stage albums up for NMB48, and the singles for HKT48.

You can't get AKB48, SKE48 (or Nogizaka46) though.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 10, 2014, 07:42:11 AM
Tomorrow ...

Quote
On March 11th, AKB48 groups will hold special concerts for restoration support for the Tohoku Earthquake.



Two years ago, the group launched a disaster recovery project called 'Dareka no Tame ni'. Until February of this year, they have visited the disaster area a total of 34 times. The upcoming concert will be a part of this project, and it will be held at AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48 Theaters. More details will be revealed later.

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/03/akb48-groups-to-hold-special-concert-this-week-for-tohoku-earthquake-restoration-support (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/03/akb48-groups-to-hold-special-concert-this-week-for-tohoku-earthquake-restoration-support)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 11, 2014, 01:14:46 PM
NMB48 School Calendar 2014-2015

(http://uppix.com/f-NEOBK_1628910531efe280015b587.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 12, 2014, 05:20:51 AM
On March 11th, AKB48 groups will hold special concerts for restoration support for the Tohoku Earthquake.

Vids http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x33hne/1#video=x1gawac (http://www.dailymotion.com/playlist/x33hne/1#video=x1gawac)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 12, 2014, 05:38:40 AM
Quote
AKB48 group promise their continuous restoration support for the Tohoku Earthquake

On March 11, exactly 3 years since the Tohoku earthquake, AKB48 groups held special concerts for the restoration support.

The members of the AKB groups have been visiting the disaster areas taking turns once a month since in May of 2011.

On the day, a total of 266 members divided into 7 venues (16 members in Miyako, Iwate, 16 members in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, 14 members in Minamisoma, Fukushima, 58 members at AKB48 theater, 63 members at SKE48 theater, 57 members at NMB48 theater, and 42 members at HKT48 theater), and participated in the special concerts in each location.

Using relay broadcasting, they connected all 7 venues, and the girls performed their restoration support song "Tenohira ga Kataru Koto" all together. They also promised their continuous support.

At 2:46 pm, which was the time the earthquake occurred, the members observed a moment of silence for the victims.

Oshima Yuko who will be graduating from the group, visited Ishinomaki city, Miyagi. She commented, "Even after I graduate from AKB48, I would like to continue to support the victims somehow in my own way."

Takahashi Minami who participated in the special performance at AKB48 theater, stated, "It has been 3 years. In order to prevent it from fading with time, we would like to widen the circle of support together with everyone, although we don't know how helpful we could be."

The ticket fee for the concerts (2000 yen), the profits from charity T-shirts (1000 yen) and the fund raising will all be donated through Japanese Red Cross Society.


Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/03/akb48-group-promise-their-continuous-restoration-support-for-the-tohoku-earthquake (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/03/akb48-group-promise-their-continuous-restoration-support-for-the-tohoku-earthquake)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 12, 2014, 10:33:18 AM
^ ZIP coverage of the above charity event:

140312 ZIP! AKB48が被災地訪問 渡辺麻友の思い (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7pb7p2dWko#ws)

Mezamashi:

140312 めざましテレビ AKB復興支援ライブ 届け "歌と笑顔のエール" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmo4ViUVQko#ws)

Oha! News:

140312 Oha!4 AKB 被災3県に笑顔を 専用劇場では特別講演 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuGdGCAvTxQ#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 12, 2014, 04:18:44 PM
^PON

140312
3121 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc4weHy7EbU#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 12, 2014, 11:55:21 PM
^ yet another newsvid, this time from FNN Local:

「AKB48」宮古市を訪問 歌とダンスで被災地に元気届ける(岩手14/03/12) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSG8h4BLSE0#ws)

Miss Moonlight has compiled the setlists of the special AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48 theatre shows at: http://melosnomichi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/akb48-ske48-nmb48-hkt48-charity-show.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/akb48-ske48-nmb48-hkt48-charity-show.html)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 13, 2014, 03:35:45 PM
Deguchi Aki has announced her graduation from SKE48.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on March 13, 2014, 08:36:39 PM
AKB48 will be featured on the Japanese version of Just Dance for the Wii U

JUST DANCE® Wii U TVCM1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktoaU7u7La8#ws)

http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/aj5j/index.html (http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/aj5j/index.html)

Songs:
AKB48 - Koisuru Fortune Cookie
AKB48 - Flying Get
SKE48 - Kiss Datte Hidarikiki
SKE48 - Sansei Kawaii

Full songlist is on the website linked.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 14, 2014, 10:56:54 AM
NMB48 School Calendar 2014-2015

It's labeled 18+ in certain stores  :lol:

(http://uppix.com/t-BirBZ2wCcAApyUz_5322d2200015bcc2.jpg) (http://uppix.com/s-BirBZ2wCcAApyUz_5322d2200015bcc2-jpg.htm)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 15, 2014, 01:26:23 PM
Nogizaka46 2nd gen Nishikawa Nanami withdraws from the group. Her last event participation will be on Baretta special event on 3/22.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 16, 2014, 11:08:45 AM
Kito Momona has announced that she will graduate from SKE48 in April.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 20, 2014, 09:14:30 AM
Craig Shiroma
Quote
Both NMB48's Yamamoto Sayaka and AKB48's Kawaei Rina are going to be regular members on Fuji TV's new show Viking (it's the replacement show for Waratte Iitomo).

http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1340772 (http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1340772)

or http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140320-00000002-modelpn-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140320-00000002-modelpn-ent)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on March 20, 2014, 03:13:54 PM
"AKB48 members appear in the music video for the song "Have A Nice Day" by World Order"

WORLD ORDER "HAVE A NICE DAY" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mkiGMtbrPM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on March 22, 2014, 12:54:36 PM
Kobayashi Rikako announced her graduation from NMB48.

Last time I heard from Rippii was she went on hiatus in September last year due to a leg injury. Not sure if it's related.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 01, 2014, 10:49:03 AM
AKB48 appeared in a new CM by the Ministry of Education JAPAN

トビタテ! 留学JAPANキャンペーンCM "AKB48アカペラ"篇 60秒 / 文部科学省[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chveXnJF2UE#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on April 02, 2014, 06:57:07 PM
The upcoming issue of BUBKA will include an SKE48 Memorial and tons of Matsui Jurina, including gravure and a long interview:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip191810.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 08, 2014, 06:17:07 PM
NEW WONDA CM

ワンダ モーニングショット 「円陣(新社会人)」編 15秒 AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHOMJcMj0Lo#ws)

ワンダ モーニングショット 「円陣」編 メイキング AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1lbKXKKZ2I#ws)

All vids credit アサヒグループ公式チャンネル


(http://i.imgur.com/0IrhUpEl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/0IrhUpE)
(http://i.imgur.com/lV1guMRl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/lV1guMR)
Source http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/wonda/sp/index.html (http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/wonda/sp/index.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 09, 2014, 05:12:18 PM
AKB48 promoting the .tokyo generic top-level domain

新ドメイン「.tokyo」AKB48応援メッセージ映像 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhd4cKdlXhM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on April 12, 2014, 08:58:58 PM
CROSS-POSTING FROM THE SKE THREAD.


Quote
SKE48's Iguchi Shiori and Kaneko Shiori to graduate from the group
April 10, 2014

It's been announced that SKE48 Team E's Iguchi Shiori and Kaneko Shiori will be graduating from the group.

Regarding the graduation, Iguchi explained, "I decided to graduate as I wanted to do what I want to do from now on." Kaneko also stated her reasons, "This year, I was peacefully able to graduate high school, and starting from spring, I became a college student. It will be 4 years since I came to Nagoya in my third year of junior high. I believe this is a good time to take the new step forward." The two will perform in their last show on April 22 and will part ways with the group after a handshake event on the 29th.

Iguchi joined SKE48 after passing the second generation auditions in March of 2009. Since May of the same year, she became a part of Team KII and was transferred to Team E in July of 2013. Kaneko joined the group as a fourth generation member in September of 2010 and has been a member of Team E since December of the same year. She was also chosen as one of the senbatsu members for "Oki Doki", "Kataomoi Finally", and "Aishiteraburu!".


Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/114123)
LINKS
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/04/ske48s-iguchi-shiori-and-kaneko-shiori-to-graduate-from-the-group (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/04/ske48s-iguchi-shiori-and-kaneko-shiori-to-graduate-from-the-group)
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/114123 (http://natalie.mu/music/news/114123)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 13, 2014, 01:18:39 PM
Kikuchi Ayaka has announced her graduation. Her last performance will be with Yokoyama Team A on 21st April 2014.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 14, 2014, 01:53:59 PM
Katayama Haruka has also just announced her graduation.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: lusobr on April 14, 2014, 03:31:29 PM
SKE48 6th Gen, AKB48 15th Gen and HKT48 3rd Gen get their Google+ accounts:

AKB48

Ichikawa Manami (https://plus.google.com/113713719436007383684/about)
Owada Nana (https://plus.google.com/116687308232450361343/about)
Komiyama Haruka (https://plus.google.com/113695134887071992188/about)
Sato Kiara (https://plus.google.com/103672820480928504638/about)
Tsuchiyasu Mizuki (https://plus.google.com/100033650206464436061/about)
Fukuoka Seina (https://plus.google.com/100152011451294188233/about)
Mukaichi Mion (https://plus.google.com/104815465208323574550/about)
Yumoto Ami (https://plus.google.com/113584924002922040282/about)
Okawa Rio (https://plus.google.com/115776582911608446200/about)

SKE48

Aoki Shiori (https://plus.google.com/117186291048421758383/about)
Azuma Rion (https://plus.google.com/114994550153922257750/about)
Ida Reona (https://plus.google.com/115488735552292442161/about)
Kamata Natsuki (https://plus.google.com/111577742898202735013/about)
Kitagawa Ryoha (https://plus.google.com/113971612493421284619/about)
Kitano Ruka (https://plus.google.com/109823086254169095183/about)
Kumazaki Haruka (https://plus.google.com/105061858596196255815/about)
Goto Mayuko (https://plus.google.com/114265295876324406648/about)
Sasaki Yuka (https://plus.google.com/106689440489775990453/about)
Sora Miyuka (https://plus.google.com/106986795605662864710/about)
Takeuchi Saki (https://plus.google.com/110411931274245584822/about)
Noguchi Yume (https://plus.google.com/117061549281902932733/about)
Hidaka Yuzuki (https://plus.google.com/106829664684074866626/about)
Yamada Juna (https://plus.google.com/100153355747051018566/about)

HKT48

Aramaki Misaki (https://plus.google.com/110200146300913549655/about)
Kurihara Sae (https://plus.google.com/106880477295979333654/about)
Sakamoto Erena (https://plus.google.com/113611364612257749997/about)
Tsutsui Riko (https://plus.google.com/115059632553757991807/about)
Hokazono Hazuki (https://plus.google.com/105047002579470450869/about)
Yamauchi Yuuna (https://plus.google.com/108199783819141838282/about)
Yamashita Emily (https://plus.google.com/105493861434312425996/about)

Tatsuya Makiho, Yabuki Nako and Tanaka Miku didn't get one because they need to be at least 13 according to Google+' terms of service.

Source (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11822640723.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 16, 2014, 07:45:44 AM

(http://i.imgur.com/0IrhUpEm.jpg) (http://imgur.com/0IrhUpE)
(http://i.imgur.com/lV1guMRl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/lV1guMR)
Source http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/wonda/sp/index.html (http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/wonda/sp/index.html)



WONDA×AKB48
AKB48田野が総監督に暴言? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFUNkm0IYe8#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 16, 2014, 05:27:41 PM
(http://37.media.tumblr.com/74917481e95f25098cb5761de2f1044a/tumblr_n449s5wg881r392dmo1_500.png)

Quote
Nyannyan tops the idol category for March CMs with 15 companies, and 19 CFs. Mayuyu comes in 2nd with 15 and 17 respectively, while Yuko comes 3rd with 14 and 16. Top 5 are all AKB, while 8 of the top 10 are from 48G.

http://wen48.com/post/82878953621/nyannyan-tops-the-idol-category-for-march-cms-with (http://wen48.com/post/82878953621/nyannyan-tops-the-idol-category-for-march-cms-with)

http://cmonair.com/ranka.html (http://cmonair.com/ranka.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 17, 2014, 11:22:35 AM
Team BII member Akazawa Hono announced her graduation from NMB48 yesterday, effective immediately: http://news.nmb48.com/etc/20140416/230005.html (http://news.nmb48.com/etc/20140416/230005.html)



Two new AKB48 15th generation members debuted at the Team B show yesterday:

(http://s18.postimg.org/e2yasp0lh/taniguchi_ino.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/e2yasp0lh/)

Taniguchi Megu: http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/detail.php?name=taniguchi_megu (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/detail.php?name=taniguchi_megu)
Iino Miyabi: http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/detail.php?name=iino_miyabi (http://www.akb48.co.jp/about/members/detail.php?name=iino_miyabi)

http://melosnomichi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/akb48-two-tentative-kenkyuusei-promoted.html (http://melosnomichi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/akb48-two-tentative-kenkyuusei-promoted.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 17, 2014, 05:32:23 PM

Cap from the 140407 episode of MUSIC JAPAN - accepting the award for Artist of the Year from Gold Disc Festival

(http://s14.postimg.org/jaekfeif1/140407mj.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/jaekfeif1/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 21, 2014, 10:08:16 PM
AKB48 Dareka no Tame ni project visit to Iwate Prefecture April 2014

AKB48、三鉄南リアス線沿線を訪問 ファンらと楽しいひととき(岩手14/04/21) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDc-Hhf1dqI#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 23, 2014, 11:23:03 PM
New Show OA 4/25

(http://s21.postimg.org/n0j5olpdv/news_large_bokura20140425_004.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/n0j5olpdv/) (http://s21.postimg.org/bvu73brnn/news_large_bokura20140425_005.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/bvu73brnn/) (http://s21.postimg.org/lwz1cn4qr/news_large_bokura20140425_006.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lwz1cn4qr/) (http://s21.postimg.org/6ygmi7poj/news_large_bokura20140425_007.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6ygmi7poj/)

This is called "Bokura no Akimoto Yasushi".

It airs 2014年4月25日(金)23:30~23:58
As the name suggests, it's a show about Aki-P, and AKB48 will perform "Everyday, Kachuusha"

http://natalie.mu/music/news/115064 (http://natalie.mu/music/news/115064)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 24, 2014, 07:52:17 AM
New Kao CM

花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKBは知らなかった 30秒 AKB48
花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKBは知らなかった 30秒 AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-qR---sJdI#ws)

 花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKBは知らなかった 15秒 AKB48
花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKBは知らなかった 15秒 AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0uFkBUKTl0#ws)

 花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKBは知らなかった CM AKB48
花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKBは知らなかった CM AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4oycDFhFwg#ws)

 花王 フレグランスニュービーズ CMメイキング AKB48
花王 フレグランスニュービーズ CMメイキング AKB48 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbAGRZst53k#ws)

 花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKB48が香りを体験!
花王 フレグランスニュービーズ AKB48が香りを体験! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iFklO2gLn8#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 24, 2014, 09:00:18 AM
Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Oshima Yuko, Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Yui - “new fragrance” Kao CM

【TNS動画ニュース】AKB48・大島優子、島崎遥香、高橋みなみ、横山由依、渡辺麻友が"良い香り選抜"に!?...「フレグランスニュービーズ」新CM発表会 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ9dS2np5HE#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 24, 2014, 05:01:37 PM
Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Oshima Yuko, Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Yui - Kao CM JIJIPRESS
オバマ余波!AKB大島、山手線で移動 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmFhjiQMPQE#ws)
Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Oshima Yuko, Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Yui - Kao CM Oricon
大島優子、オーラを消して電車移動 花王『フレグランスニュービーズ』新CM発表会 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRH25ymeqWE#ws)
Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Oshima Yuko, Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Yui - Kao CM MAiDiGiTV
AKB48登場! 液体洗剤「フレグランスニュービーズ」新CM発表会 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc2lTkMLLbY#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 25, 2014, 09:30:28 AM
Takahashi Minami, Watanabe Mayu, Oshima Yuko, Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Yui - Kao CM

PON 140425
PON 140425 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKWzxJIn7PQ#ws)

ZIP 140425
ZIP 140425 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Owahoop9yo#ws)

はやチャン 140425 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J9uoU7FrMg#noexternalembed-ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 30, 2014, 06:32:19 AM
NEW CM AKB48 x LINE

AKB48、総選挙選抜入りでLINEスタンプ化 高橋みなみ「頑張る」 『LINE×AKB48グループ コラボプロジェクト キックオフイベント』 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ESJ8rmPcCU#ws)
総選挙選抜メンバーだけスタンプに! AKB48・LINEで総選挙コラボ(2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP8dM-1NkJ8#ws)
http://youtu.be/Hik0sf_0a0E (http://youtu.be/Hik0sf_0a0E)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on April 30, 2014, 11:57:52 AM
AKB48 Team 4 "Te wo Tsunaginagara" Stage DVD Release

(http://i.imgur.com/uezV6wP.png)

3,800 yen + tax
26th April 2014

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11833177176.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11833177176.html)
http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/4first/ (http://www.akb48-dvdcatalog.com/4first/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on April 30, 2014, 04:34:47 PM
NEW CM AKB48 x LINE

AKB48、総選挙選抜入りでLINEスタンプ化 高橋みなみ「頑張る」 『LINE×AKB48グループ コラボプロジェクト キックオフイベント』 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ESJ8rmPcCU#ws)
総選挙選抜メンバーだけスタンプに! AKB48・LINEで総選挙コラボ(2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP8dM-1NkJ8#ws)
http://youtu.be/Hik0sf_0a0E (http://youtu.be/Hik0sf_0a0E)

LINE × AKB48 Oricon

AKB48、総選挙選抜入りでLINEスタンプ化 高橋みなみ「頑張る」 『LINE×AKB48グループ コラボプロジェクト キックオフイベント』 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ESJ8rmPcCU#ws)

LINE × AKB48 JIJIPRESS

AKB、総選挙上位でLINEに (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEVhXVviVwM#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 01, 2014, 12:26:40 PM
140501 めざましテレビ AKB48 x LINE 140501 めざましテレビ AKB48 x LINEコラボ スタンプ計画始動! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1O1JAEhwNQ#ws)

140501 PON!  AKB48 x LINE SKE48 松井珠理奈 AKB48 高橋みなみ ダジャレ対決 2014/05/01 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYaZPveVej8#ws)

140501 ZIP!  AKB48 x LINE AKB48 関根勤との理想のデートは? - ZIP! 2014-05-01 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8xQBXf4134#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 02, 2014, 10:43:10 AM
"Talent Power Ranking 2014" - "Female Idol (individual) TOP 20"
Nikkei Entertainment!June 2014 issue
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B887NFNQ604/U2NPFNXda6I/AAAAAAAAIrc/easwyBVlwA4/w424-h565-no/1.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 07, 2014, 02:46:24 AM
AKB48 Launch Smartphone game 「AKB48 ついに公式音ゲーでました。」

Available on iOS and Android

Looks like some kind of rhythm game, pics and details here: http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11841316377.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11841316377.html)

Official website: http://akb48game.jp/ (http://akb48game.jp/)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip194070.jpg)

「AKB48 ついに公式音ゲーでました。」アプリゲーム発売告知映像 / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dtJ-mfQYAo#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 08, 2014, 11:11:39 AM
Quote
What is the new handshake rules?

 Anonymous

They’re for the new concurrencies and transferred members! Though it’s jokingly called the ‘Kashiwagi Rule’ now.

Everyone will participate in AKB’s singles and albums as they have in the past but -

For members who are based in AKB:

. They are to participate in a minimum of one handshake event of their concurrent team’s theater editions. Their participation in Zenkoku Handshake events are up to their own respective schedules. (Or in this case, just Yukirin)

For members who are based in SKE, NMB or HKT:

. They will continue to participate in their original teams’ events and must participate in one or more handshake event (theater edition) with their concurrent teams. Again, their participation in National Handshake events for their concurrent teams will be determined by their schedule.

-If they cannot participate in a theater edition handshake event then they must participate in one or more National Handshake Event.

And then for Rena and Ikoma, it’s the same as the sister group to sister group ones. Except that Rena will have SKE, AKB and Nogi handshakes to do.

Source: http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11844077488.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11844077488.html)

http://48-family.tumblr.com/post/85046517384/what-is-the-new-handshake-rules (http://48-family.tumblr.com/post/85046517384/what-is-the-new-handshake-rules)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 08, 2014, 11:29:31 AM
Preliminary results announcement will be made the day after voting starts for AKB48 6th Senbatsu Election

(Wed) May 21, 2014 after team B "pajama drive" performance at AKB48 theater


AKB48 general election special page http://www.akb48.co.jp/sousenkyo/37thsingle/ (http://www.akb48.co.jp/sousenkyo/37thsingle/)

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11844914016.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11844914016.html)



Selection of AKB48 General Election members video to air tomorrow on J COM

Video

Part 1

こじはる「今年は脱いでません」 AKB48選抜総選挙アピールコメントイベント(1) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kyeXx1kuNM#ws)

Part 2

"雨女"まゆゆが選抜総選挙晴天を祈願 AKB48選抜総選挙アピールコメントイベント(2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbNPG5u0ffY#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 08, 2014, 12:56:04 PM
CD single Monthly Ranking of March 2014

(http://i.imgur.com/FoSvuWt.png)

Source http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/m/2014-03/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/m/2014-03/)

However in April 2014, Nogizaka46 pulled ahead of SKE and NMB

2ch numbers based on April 2014 numbers http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/m/2014-04/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/m/2014-04/)

Quote
Nogizaka46
 518 185

SKE48
 485 082

NMB48
 439 475

Screenshots from 2ch

Nogizaka46
(http://i.imgur.com/U6joEqG.png)

SKE48
(http://i.imgur.com/lTQkl6b.png)

NMB48
(http://i.imgur.com/M2uompO.png)

EDIT - HKT48  319,135

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnG_3AuCUAAZ7S4.png)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 15, 2014, 06:31:37 PM
AKB48 Thailand General Election 2014 https://senkyo.48.in.th/ (https://senkyo.48.in.th/)

(http://i.imgur.com/OrhSq0p.jpg)

Source headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140515 (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140515-00000045-minkei-asia)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on May 15, 2014, 06:32:19 PM

Flying to Japan for the 2shot events? 

If you fly by ANA, you might be able to purchase AKB48 x ANA Oshi-Towels

(http://i.imgur.com/ot43S30.png) (http://imgur.com/ot43S30)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 15, 2014, 10:37:39 PM
^

Quote from:  YKT
Download the PDF https://www.ana.co.jp/dom/inflight/shopping/anaskyshop/201405/ebook/pdf/32.pdf (https://www.ana.co.jp/dom/inflight/shopping/anaskyshop/201405/ebook/pdf/32.pdf)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 16, 2014, 11:11:54 PM
The AKB48 Groups have a new official online shop at http://shopping.akb48-group.com/ (http://shopping.akb48-group.com/)

You can buy all sorts there, merch, photos etc.

It uses the same login account details as the AKB48 Group Ticket Centre.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Cometerz48 on May 25, 2014, 12:59:16 PM
I just opened my twitter 5 minutes ago which I just woke up from my nap, and @AKB48WrapUP tweeted that Nikan Sports news reported that a fan was weilding a saw at the event held today and hurt 3 people including two members which are Kawaeii Rina and Irriyama Anna.

The victims were quickly rushed to hospital and the fan was taken into custody quickly.Further details will be released later on..


My personal comment: HTF did that guy got his saw in???!!!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on May 25, 2014, 01:02:58 PM
I just opened my twitter 5 minutes ago which I just woke up from my nap, and @AKB48WrapUP tweeted that Nikan Sports news reported that a fan was weilding a saw at the event held today and hurt 3 people including two members which are Kawaeii Rina and Irriyama Anna.

The victims were quickly rushed to hospital and the fan was taken into custody quickly.Further details will be released later on..


My personal comment: HTF did that guy got his saw in???!!!

well many reports have said that the weapon in question is not a saw you would see in cutting trees but a smaller one that would probably take care of small branches :smhid
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: SomethingWild on May 25, 2014, 02:01:47 PM
AKS released an official statement. Translated by Bilingual48 (https://twitter.com/Bilingual48):

Quote
At the handshake event of 33rd and 35th singles today, one fan with a sharp object attacked Iriyama Anna, Kawaei Rina and one staff.
They sustained injuries to the hands. At this moment they are being treated at a hospital and the injuries are not life-threatening.

Kawaei and Iriyama were in the same lane when they were attacked. The assailant was in line when he suddenly launched the attack.
We are very sorry about the distress this has caused and we will update their diagnosis when we hear more.

Sources:
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11861010877.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11861010877.html)
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140525-00000074-dal-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140525-00000074-dal-ent)


NHK News clip:

[NHKニュース7] AKB48メンバーら握手会で切りつけられ負傷 殺人未遂容疑で男を逮捕 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L81OTh6xbt4#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on May 25, 2014, 03:19:55 PM
Praying that the members and staff who were injured will fully recover, and thinking about all of the members and their families as well.
Terribly sad news...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on May 25, 2014, 03:52:25 PM
I wasn't going to comment since this is a news thread. But this is just awful news.
Like muppet said. I hope Kawaei and Iriyama are both alright and will recover from any injuries. same for the staff that was hurt.

update: Both received surgery to their right hand (Kawaei's thumb, and Iriyama's little finger)

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140525-00000130-spnannex-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140525-00000130-spnannex-ent)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Joe on May 25, 2014, 04:24:01 PM
Poor babies, they both were sad because of the rankings and now this. I´m glad they will be safe but I´m afraid the psychological wounds will never heal  :(
All my prayers for the AKB family.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 04, 2014, 01:59:02 AM
LODs are going HD!

From 12th June, 1,280×720 6,000Kbps constant bitrate

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11868862361.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11868862361.html)
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2014/06/010171.html (http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2014/06/010171.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 05, 2014, 01:58:35 PM
Famitsu mag released today
Artists & Idol user support

Top 7 romanized

Quote
1 Oshima Yuko
2 Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
3 Watanabe Mayu
4 Nakagawa Shoko
5 Hashimoto Kanna
6 Sashihara Rino
7 Aragaki Yui

Rest see pic below

(http://i.imgur.com/0KpSC5u.jpg)

EDIT

(http://i.imgur.com/bd3KH1g.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 06, 2014, 10:09:48 PM
New French Kiss song

"Omoidasenai hana"

https://soundcloud.com/maddie4848/french-kiss-omoidasenai-hana

Ending theme to Akicha's drama "Savepoint"
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 18, 2014, 11:33:13 AM
Quote
Oricon Album Ranking for the first half of 2014
June 17, 2014 @ 11:57 pm

Check out the TOP25 of Oricon's album ranking released for the first half of 2014 below to see if your favorite artists made the cut!
 
[Album TOP25]

1. "Tsugi no Ashiato" - AKB48 : (1,036,751)

2. "Anna to Yuki no Joou (Frozen) Original Sound Track" - Various Artists : (754,407)
3. "HUMAN" - Fukuyama Masaharu : (329,285)
4. "THE BEST / BLUE IMPACT" - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE : (323,798)
5. "HIT! HIT! HIT!" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (277,330)
6. "TREE" - Tohoshinki : (263,080)
7. "RAY" - BUMP OF CHICKEN : (259,141)
8. "Ballada" - Amuro Namie : (254,944)
9. "Music" - EXILE ATSUSHI : (253,366)
10. "Shinsekai" - Yuzu : (218,707)
11. "Midnight Memories" - One Direction : (185,602)
12. "One Song From Two Hearts" - Kobukuro : (182,862)
13. "Heartful Song Covers" - May J. : (179,105)
14. "LOVE&PEACE" - Shoujo Jidai : (170,898)
15. "Sexy Second" - Sexy Zone : (159,720)
16. "COLORFUL POP" - E-girls : (149,580)
17. "× to ○ to Tsumi to" - RADWIMPS : (139,224)
18. "Tales of Purefly" - MAN WITH A MISSION : (106,444)
19. "Flower" - Flower : (103,559)
20. "GIRL" - Pharrell Williams : (102,645)
21. "DOOR" - JUJU : (100,123)
22. "SUPERNAL LIBERTY" - Mizuki Nana : (97,541)
23. "Singing Bird" - Inaba Koshi : (96,071)
24. "Awa no youna Ai datta" - aiko : (95,501)
25. "already" - Not yet : (85,844)

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/oricon-album-ranking-for-the-first-half-of-2014 (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/oricon-album-ranking-for-the-first-half-of-2014)



Quote
Oricon Single Ranking for the first half of 2014
June 17, 2014 @ 11:55 pm

Oricon has released the single ranking for the first half of 2014.

Below are the TOP 25 songs that made it, check it out!

[Single TOP 25]

1. "Labrador Retriever" - AKB48 : (1,764,489)
2. "Maeshika Mukanee" - AKB48 : (1,151,372)
3. "Suzukake no Ki no Michi de 'Kimi no Hohoemi wo Yume ni Miru' to Itteshimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dou Kawatteshimaunoka, Bokunari ni Nannichi ka Kangaeta Ue deno Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no youna Mono" - AKB48 : (1,086,491)

4. "Bittersweet" - Arashi : (591,130)
5. "GUTS!" - Arashi : (582,995)
6. "Kizuitara Kataomoi" - Nogizaka46 : (538,090)
7. "Mirai towa?" - SKE48 : (502,835)

8. "Dare mo Shiranai" - Arashi : (497,374)
9. "Takane no Ringo" - NMB48 : (443,069)
10. "King of Otoko!" - Kanjani8 : (388,826)
11. "Sakura, Minna de Tabeta" - HKT48 : (322,186)
12. "Eejanaika" - Johnny's WEST : (302,797)
13. "Hibiki" - Kanjani8 : (263,553)
14. "Shareotsu/Hello" - SMAP : (249,582)
15. "Hikari no Signal" - Kis-My-Ft2 : (244,549)
16. "AinoArika/Ai sureba Motto Happy Life" - Hey! Say! JUMP : (235,627)
17. "Tana kara Botamochi" - Busaiku : (202,837)
18. "Ride With Me" - Hey! Say! JUMP : (190,193)
19. "101-kaime no Noroi" - Golden Bomber : (180,893)
20. "King&Queen&Joker" - Sexy Zone : (167,271)
21. "Yes we are/Koko kara" - SMAP : (165,025)
22. "Egao no Kimi wa Taiyo sa/Kimi no Kawari wa Iyashinai/What is LOVE?" - Morning Musume '14 : (160,798)
23. "In Fact" - KAT-TUN : (145,872)
24. "Snow Magic Fantasy" - SEKAI NO OWARI : (139,406)
25. "Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe/Password is 0" - Morning Musume '14 : (132,225)
http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/oricon-single-ranking-for-the-first-half-of-2014 (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/oricon-single-ranking-for-the-first-half-of-2014)


Mod note: all news and pics regarding 2014  Team Surprise should be posted at the following thread http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33320.msg1283494#msg1283494 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=33320.msg1283494#msg1283494)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 24, 2014, 09:20:01 PM
At today's theatre show, Yogi Keira announced her graduation from NMB48.

She said she wants to concentrate on her studies and to pursue her dream of becoming a Hollywood actress.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: YKT on June 26, 2014, 02:52:34 PM
"Vote for the AKB48 song you want to see on Music Station!

TV Asahi's popular music program Music Station is now holding a campaign for fans to vote for the AKB48 songs they want to see most in an AKB48 special medley.

On the show, they will perform "Labrador Retriever" and one more song from three possible candidate songs, which include "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" with Takahashi Minami as the center, "Flying Get" with Sashihara Rino as the center, and "Heavy Rotation" with Watanabe Mayu as the center.

Voting begins on June 27, 2014 at 6pm JST (until 9:00 pm) on the program's homepage.

The result will be revealed during the group's performance on Music Station 2-hour special on the 27th (to be aired live at 8:00 pm ~ 9:48pm)."

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/vote-for-the-akb48-song-you-want-to-see-on-music-station (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/06/vote-for-the-akb48-song-you-want-to-see-on-music-station)

Music Festival
Sentimental Journey
48G members x Matsumoto Iyo

AKB48 テレ東 音楽祭(初) センチメンタル・ジャーニー 松本伊代 X AKB48 SKE48 NMB48 HKT48 指原莉乃 渡辺麻友 山本彩 高橋みなみ 松井珠理奈 生駒里奈 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_ge7gayCHs#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 26, 2014, 09:41:13 PM
Voting begins on June 27, 2014 at 6pm JST (until 9:00 pm) on the program's homepage.

Link to the page where you can vote: http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/sec/votelive/index.html (http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/music/sec/votelive/index.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 29, 2014, 01:19:02 PM
SKE48 KKS started a new stage today

Similar to the AKB48 Waiting Stages and Hakata Legend, this is a stage comprised of various pre-existing songs.

M01. Matsumurabu! (Matsumura Kaori single)
M02. Shoujo wa Manatsu ni Nani wo Suru? (Gomen ne Summer c/w)
M03. Oki Doki (SKE48 single)
--MC--
M04. Nagisa no Cherry (A2nd, Noguchi Yume, Ogino Risa, Kamata Natsuki, Ida Reona )
M05. Wagamama na Nagareboshi (K5th, Aoki Shiori, Matsumura Kaori)
M06. Kokoro no Hashi no Sofa (K6th, Sasaki Yuka, Takeuchi Saki, Ida Reona)
M07. Namida no Shounan (A2nd, Goto Mayuko, Yamada Juna, Inuzuka Asana, Kamata Natsuki, Ogino Risa)
--VTR--
M08. Gomen ne, Summer (SKE48 single)
M09. Hanabi wa Owaranai (Pareo wa Emerald c/w)
--Encore--
EN1. Kamoku na Tsuki (Kataomoi Finally c/w)
EN2. Pareo wa Emerald (SKE48 single)
--MC--
EN3. SKE48

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on July 19, 2014, 03:40:38 AM
ANA and AKB48 family have been collaborating
For some time now with the 'DreamChallengers'
series. After an event in March in Hong Kong, the next
event is set for July 29 in Shanghai

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip198238.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip198238.jpg)(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/t/jphip198237.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip198237.jpg)

Here is a page from the website where SNH48 members
Talk about their trip to Tokyo:

http://www.dreamchallengers.com/en/story/episode01.html (http://www.dreamchallengers.com/en/story/episode01.html)

Make sure to watch the clip on the above page, which shows SNH48 members
GuanHui Chen, ZhiYi Dong, Min Tang, ZheHan Wu, and YuGe Zhang...

As they travel to various sites in Tokyo... 

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 04, 2014, 04:28:03 PM
"AKB48 Summer Festival" at Makuhari Messe. You just need a Labrador Retriever limited edition handshake ticket to enter...

11:30-12:15 Kashiwagi Yuki solo live
14:15-15:00 AKB48 karaoke
17:00:17:45 Watanabe Mayu solo live
19:45-20:30 Four members TBA solo live

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11904910034.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11904910034.html)

The whole summer festival is also on the 9th and 10th, when the individual handshake meeting is. No little details yet but the announcement is here: http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11902790159.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11902790159.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 06, 2014, 02:42:23 PM
^ some of the summer festival on the 10th will be livestreamed, and some of the janken prelims on the 8th: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv188250323 (http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv188250323)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 06, 2014, 07:01:33 PM
"AKB48 Summer Festival" at Makuhari Messe. You just need a Labrador Retriever limited edition handshake ticket to enter...

11:30-12:15 Kashiwagi Yuki solo live
14:15-15:00 AKB48 karaoke
17:00:17:45 Watanabe Mayu solo live
19:45-20:30 Four members TBA solo live

The 4 members have been confirmed as:

Kojima Haruna
Takahashi Minami
Yamamoto Sayaka
Sashihara Rino

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11905654721.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11905654721.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 07, 2014, 01:47:02 PM
2014/08/07 Wonda Live - Makuhari Messe

Special live for 10,000 winners

M01. Daiji na Jikan
M02. Koisuru Fortune Cookie
M03. First Rabbit
M04. Kimi no koto ga suki dakara
M05. Iiwake Maybe
--MC1--
M06. Kurumi to Dialogue (Team A)
M07. Oogoe Diamond (Team A)
M08. Korogaru ishi ni nare (Team K)
M09. Bacchikoi K (Team K)
M10. B Garden (Team B)
M11. Yobisute Fantasy (Team B)
M12. Chime wa Love Song (Team 4)
M13. Seishun Philosophy (Team 4)
--MC2--
M14. Heart Gata Virus (Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Kashiwagi Yuki, in yukata)
M15. Rappa Renshuuchuu (Watanabe Mayu)
M16. Temodemo no Namida (Yokoyama Yui, Shimazaki Haruka)
M17. Yuuhi wa Miteiruka
--MC3--
M18. UZA
M19. Manatsu Sounds Good
M20. Ponytail to Shushu
M21. Everyday Kachuusha
M22. Sayonara Crawl
M23. Daiji na Jikan
--ENCORE--
EN1. Ai no Sonzai
--MC4--
EN2. Kokoro no Placard
--MC5--
EN3. Mae Shika Mukanee (with Oshima Yuko)
EN4. Heavy Rotation (with Oshima Yuko)

Note the Mayu solo, Heart Gata Virus in yukatas, and Yuko appearing!

(http://s27.postimg.org/ar0v8id27/20140807_00000069_dal_000_4_view.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ar0v8id27/) (http://s27.postimg.org/sv3vt5aqn/Bubp64e_CEAAh9cx.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/sv3vt5aqn/) (http://s12.postimg.org/bbvaoeqxl/07215283.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/bbvaoeqxl/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 07, 2014, 09:33:35 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BudH4k3IcAAza6E.png)
https://twitter.com/tkmn_world/status/497445322784645120/photo/1
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 08, 2014, 01:37:45 PM
2014/08/07 Wonda Live - Makuhari Messe

Special live for 10,000 winners

M01. Daiji na Jikan
M02. Koisuru Fortune Cookie
M03. First Rabbit
M04. Kimi no koto ga suki dakara
M05. Iiwake Maybe
--MC1--
M06. Kurumi to Dialogue (Team A)
M07. Oogoe Diamond (Team A)
M08. Korogaru ishi ni nare (Team K)
M09. Bacchikoi K (Team K)
M10. B Garden (Team B)
M11. Yobisute Fantasy (Team B)
M12. Chime wa Love Song (Team 4)
M13. Seishun Philosophy (Team 4)
--MC2--
M14. Heart Gata Virus (Kojima Haruna, Takahashi Minami, Kashiwagi Yuki, in yukata)
M15. Rappa Renshuuchuu (Watanabe Mayu)
M16. Temodemo no Namida (Yokoyama Yui, Shimazaki Haruka)
M17. Yuuhi wa Miteiruka
--MC3--
M18. UZA
M19. Manatsu Sounds Good
M20. Ponytail to Shushu
M21. Everyday Kachuusha
M22. Sayonara Crawl
M23. Daiji na Jikan
--ENCORE--
EN1. Ai no Sonzai
--MC4--
EN2. Kokoro no Placard
--MC5--
EN3. Mae Shika Mukanee (with Oshima Yuko)
EN4. Heavy Rotation (with Oshima Yuko)

Note the Mayu solo, Heart Gata Virus in yukatas, and Yuko appearing!

(http://s27.postimg.org/ar0v8id27/20140807_00000069_dal_000_4_view.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ar0v8id27/) (http://s27.postimg.org/sv3vt5aqn/Bubp64e_CEAAh9cx.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/sv3vt5aqn/) (http://s12.postimg.org/bbvaoeqxl/07215283.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/bbvaoeqxl/)

8 mins Oricon footage:

大島優子サプライズ登場!『WONDA presents AKB48非売品ライブ』映像 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaWaRtgty60#ws)

News vids:

m (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp_h1H6BXPw#ws)

z (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSoMuH36KhQ#ws)

For setlists of the Mayu and Yuki solo lives at the summer festival today, please see their threads:

Yuki: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=13724.msg1290883#msg1290883 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=13724.msg1290883#msg1290883)

Mayu: http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20248.msg1290878#msg1290878 (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20248.msg1290878#msg1290878)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 12, 2014, 02:04:13 PM
Anai Chihiro, Kodama Haruka and Moriyasu Madoka are doing handshake(?) events in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Taiwan 25/8  - https://www.facebook.com/AKB48.officialshoptaiwan/posts/830713683613995 (https://www.facebook.com/AKB48.officialshoptaiwan/posts/830713683613995)
Hong Kong 26/8 -  https://www.facebook.com/Akb48OfficialShopHongKong/posts/919965508030359 (https://www.facebook.com/Akb48OfficialShopHongKong/posts/919965508030359)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 16, 2014, 04:16:44 PM
"AKB48 Summer Festival" at Makuhari Messe. You just need a Labrador Retriever limited edition handshake ticket to enter...

11:30-12:15 Kashiwagi Yuki solo live
14:15-15:00 AKB48 karaoke
17:00:17:45 Watanabe Mayu solo live
19:45-20:30 Four members TBA solo live

The 4 members have been confirmed as:

Kojima Haruna
Takahashi Minami
Yamamoto Sayaka
Sashihara Rino

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11905654721.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11905654721.html)

Clips of all the solo lives here:

140816 最新最速エンタメタイム CDET! ファンと遊ぶ神イベント AKB48グループ夏まつり (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlT7zZerx-k#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on August 25, 2014, 04:30:31 PM
SKE48 Team KII Kinoshita Yukiko and Kato Tomoko announce their graduation!

140825 SKE48 K2公演 木下有希子 加藤智子 卒業発表 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVArid8rwgs#ws)


last stage:
  - Kato Tomoko in September
  - Kinoshita Yukiko in November
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 29, 2014, 03:24:31 AM
^
Following up on the above.

Quote
SKE48's Kato Tomoko and Kinoshita Yukiko to graduate from the group
August 26, 2014

It's been announced that SKE48 Team KII's Kato Tomoko and Kinoshita Yukiko will be graduating from the group.

This announcement was made on August 25 during Team KII's stage performance 'Ramune no Nomikata' at SKE48 Theater. Kato explained, "I will belong to an agency in Tokyo. It's a versatile agency that has a lot of people working in variety. I felt strongly about moving to Tokyo and doing what I want to do. I worried thinking about many things, but there are no good chances like this. That is why I decided to accept it." She will be an active member of the group until the end of September. However, she will not be participating in 'The 5th AKB48 Janken Tournament' which will be held on September 17 at Nippon Budokan.

Meanwhile, Kinoshita commented, "After distancing myself from SKE48, I want to become better at dancing! I want to enter more and more auditions! I want to expand my horizons and find myself!" She will be a part of SKE48 until the end of November.

Kato entered SKE48 as a 2nd generation member in spring of 2009. Since then, she's been a member of Team KII for over 5 years. Recently, she was chosen as the 8th 'Miss FLASH 2014' becoming more active in gravia. As for Kinoshita, she entered the group as a 3rd generation member in fall of 2009. She was promoted to Team S in February of 2010, and was selected as a senbatsu member for the single "Aozora Kataomoi" released in March. She also became one of the Next Girls after ranking in 40th during 'AKB48 37th Single General Election' held in June.


Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/124522)
LINKS
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/08/ske48s-kato-tomoko-and-kinoshita-yukiko-to-graduate-from-the-group (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2014/08/ske48s-kato-tomoko-and-kinoshita-yukiko-to-graduate-from-the-group)
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/124522 (http://natalie.mu/music/news/124522)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: MaYukiIsLife on September 02, 2014, 12:22:16 PM
Akimoto Yasushi announced his graduation as producer and lyricist of AKB48~

Quote
The first day (8/22/2013) of AKB48′s Tokyo Dome concert has already proven a shocker. After the performance of Koisuru Fortune Cookie a tearful Minami Takahashi took the stage solemnly to announce the graduation of Yasushi Akimoto. The girls present on stage were shocked, a few burst into tears, and Rena Matsui fainted. As a tearful but confident Yasushi Akimoto took the stage, he thanked Takahashi for her years of service and delivered the following speech:

“I, Yasushi Akimoto, am a 55 year old man and have been doing this since I was in High School. This was my life. It was a big decision. And I will make a second important decision. I am going to graduate.

I have caused some troubles because of my mood swings, but thanks for everyone’s help, I am here today. To be in Tokyo Dome was a dream since I was 14.

Now this dream has come true, at 55 years of age, I have to work hard towards my next dream.

I have worked hard for the past 41 years. I have to move onto my next dream at the age of 55. I am anxious and worried because I don’t know what will happen. But for the kouhai, I have to take the first step towards this. I leave the future of AKB48 in Minami Takahashi-sans capable hands. Thank you.”

No details have yet been decided on Akimoto’s formal graduation date.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on September 02, 2014, 06:43:41 PM
^ Err.... I think that was a hoax from over a year ago...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 02, 2014, 06:47:11 PM
Akimoto Yasushi announced his graduation as producer and lyricist of AKB48~

Quote
The first day (8/22/2013) of AKB48′s Tokyo Dome concert has already proven a shocker. After the performance of Koisuru Fortune Cookie a tearful Minami Takahashi took the stage solemnly to announce the graduation of Yasushi Akimoto. The girls present on stage were shocked, a few burst into tears, and Rena Matsui fainted. As a tearful but confident Yasushi Akimoto took the stage, he thanked Takahashi for her years of service and delivered the following speech:

“I, Yasushi Akimoto, am a 55 year old man and have been doing this since I was in High School. This was my life. It was a big decision. And I will make a second important decision. I am going to graduate.

I have caused some troubles because of my mood swings, but thanks for everyone’s help, I am here today. To be in Tokyo Dome was a dream since I was 14.

Now this dream has come true, at 55 years of age, I have to work hard towards my next dream.

I have worked hard for the past 41 years. I have to move onto my next dream at the age of 55. I am anxious and worried because I don’t know what will happen. But for the kouhai, I have to take the first step towards this. I leave the future of AKB48 in Minami Takahashi-sans capable hands. Thank you.”

No details have yet been decided on Akimoto’s formal graduation date.
That article is from 2013 (note the date that is mentioned about WHEN the announcement was made).

Also, one may want to read this: http://ishimaru-style.tumblr.com/post/58979103650/akimoto-yasushi-sensei-is-graduating (http://ishimaru-style.tumblr.com/post/58979103650/akimoto-yasushi-sensei-is-graduating)

Basically, some troll took an article that was written about Acchan's graduation announcement and subbed in Aki-P's info.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: miayaka on October 15, 2014, 01:58:51 PM
Yamada Nana just announced her graduation in NMB48 at Grand Cube Osaka, graduation will be next year April 3, 2015

【NMB48 山田菜々卒業発表】 この4年間で見つけた新たな目標へ (音声のみ) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va7EIwu3Kjk#)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on October 27, 2014, 02:11:12 PM
Saeki Mika comeback... kinda... :roll:
As a backdancer in the AKB Arubaito CM. :D

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2043778/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2043778/full/)
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20141026-00000014-mantan-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20141026-00000014-mantan-ent)
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20141027-00000002-reallive-ent (http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20141027-00000002-reallive-ent)  <-I like how this one says she and Yukirin should do Temodemo again. :oops:

15sec 1:
バイトル「バイトルローテーション」篇(15秒)No.1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHAp0H0PgQc#ws)
15sec 2: [noembed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcpvRlHMoUQ[/noembed]
30sec: [noembed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRb13K-rLIo[/noembed]
maidigitv: [noembed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEdVQ_TU5Oo[/noembed]
oricon: [noembed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAY5BtCaoJE[/noembed]

update: Mikachii and the other baito girls are gonna help sell the Yuko Grad Concert DVD/Blu=ray at Shibuya TSUTAYA on Nov 3.

バイトAKBメンバーコメント公開!「大島優子卒コン in 味スタ」DVD&BD発売記念イベント / AKB48[公式] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYTXPvw0L00#ws)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: t-motion on November 10, 2014, 03:26:54 PM
AKB48 theater Stages’ schedule is going to be suspended from this month’s 22th onwards (until a not specified date).

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11950698065.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11950698065.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on December 21, 2014, 01:11:10 PM
From 1st February, you will no longer be allowed to bring liquid/chemical glowsticks to the 48G theatres... http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11967210829.html (http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11967210829.html)

There apparently was an accident at a concert where the chemicals sprayed over some fans... my concern here is what will birthday committees etc do...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 21, 2014, 02:36:44 PM
Kikuchi Ayaka announced getting married on Nov 22nd. And she's pregnant! congrats!! :luvuluvu:

http://blog.akb48teamogi.jp/kikuchiayaka/?p=68 (http://blog.akb48teamogi.jp/kikuchiayaka/?p=68)
http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1455088 (http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1455088)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: AKBfan26 on January 30, 2015, 06:21:18 AM
This is just some old news but I'll update

Graduating members

Chinatsu Okubora (AKB48)
Takashima Yurina (AKB48)
Takahashi Minami (AKB48)
Abiru Riho (SKE48)
Yamada Mizuho (SKE48)
Iwanaga Tsugumi (SKE48)
Murakami Ayaka (NMB48)
Yamauchi Tsubasa NMB48)
Sato Mieko (SKE48)
Nakanishi Yuka (SKE48)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: MaYukiIsLife on January 31, 2015, 08:43:50 PM
O____O

Quote
Aichi Prefectural Police found there is a murder notice on BBS, the targets are AKB48 group members, police has been investigating the case, and requested organizer to enact stronger security measures.

The murder notice was post at 25 December 2015, it claims AKB48 members and guest will be killed by DIY (3D printing) handgun and hydrogen sulfide in NMB48 handshake event in Makuhari Messe at 31 January 2015.

Organizer said they have prepared 1-2 security guard for each member, and police will deploy at the location.

Aichi Prefectural Police found the murder notice at 19 January 2015.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 03, 2015, 04:13:24 PM
Furukawa Airi announced she is graduating on Mar 31st. :cry: Congratulations Airin. :heart:

http://ameblo.jp/ske48official/entry-11984511043.html (http://ameblo.jp/ske48official/entry-11984511043.html)
Quote
おそーん!

今日は二回公演でした!

みなさんありがとうございました!


そして


夜公演で

卒業発表をさせていただきました。

本当はもうちょっと早めに発表したかったのですが、
色々あって今日になってしまいました;

SKEに入ってもうすぐ6年が経ちます

本当にたくさんの思い出があります

SKEに入ってたくさんの素敵な経験をさせていただけて

本当に幸せです

そして素敵なファンのみなさんが居てくださって

本当に本当に幸せです


卒業発表は

悲しい雰囲気は嫌だったので

最後まで笑顔で!という気持ちで発表させていただきました

笑顔で話せてたかな?


メンバーには突然の発表でびっくりさせちゃいました。

公演終わりにメンバーがたくさん連絡をくれたり、
メンバーの涙してくれてる姿をみたり、
チュリの泣き顔みたりw


卒業発表したんだなって実感がわきました。

大好きなメンバーと離れるのはすごく寂しいです


でも

卒業はもちろん

悲しい卒業ではありません

前向きな卒業です!



卒業してからは

大好きな絵を描く事をたくさんしたいと思っています!

たくさんの方に愛されるイラストを描いていきたい!


「このイラスト好きだな」

って思ったら実は古川のイラストだった!


ってなれるように頑張りたいと思います!



SKEとしての握手会はなくなってしまいますが

絵本の発売での握手会とかやってたりして?

そんな風になれたらいいな♪


毎回上手く言葉にできなくてごめんなさい;




卒業までの残りの時間

SKEにとって少しでも力になれるように!

そして

たくさんの最高の思い出を作りたいと思います!


よろしくお願いします!



あいりん(゜∀。*)

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2015/o0480036013206020736.jpg~original)

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2015/o0480064013206020761.jpg~original)

今日撮った写真たち

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2015/o0480063813206020745.jpg~original)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on February 06, 2015, 01:46:57 AM
AKB making a couple of UK newspapers. These are broadsheets, not tabloids:

The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/japan-olympic-row-j-pop-band-akb48-opening-ceremony (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/japan-olympic-row-j-pop-band-akb48-opening-ceremony)

The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11389277/AKB48-the-Japanese-band-too-embarrassing-for-Tokyos-2020-Olympics.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11389277/AKB48-the-Japanese-band-too-embarrassing-for-Tokyos-2020-Olympics.html)

The Telegraph's one includes a poll over the issue.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JEEY on February 06, 2015, 04:07:54 AM
AKB making a couple of UK newspapers. These are broadsheets, not tabloids:

The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/japan-olympic-row-j-pop-band-akb48-opening-ceremony (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/03/japan-olympic-row-j-pop-band-akb48-opening-ceremony)

The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11389277/AKB48-the-Japanese-band-too-embarrassing-for-Tokyos-2020-Olympics.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11389277/AKB48-the-Japanese-band-too-embarrassing-for-Tokyos-2020-Olympics.html)

The Telegraph's one includes a poll over the issue.
Reading those news really hurt my eyes -_-
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 06, 2015, 04:55:59 AM
But reading the user comment below it made me laugh :rofl:

Quote
Apparently the appetite for "weird Japan" stories and excuses to post pictures of pretty girls is endless.

I would think the bigger news would be Tepco announced as an actual sponsor after the events at Fukushima. No bikinis in that story, though.
Sorry for commenting on the news thread. will stop now. :bow:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on February 15, 2015, 12:59:06 AM
RocketNews24.com - Man who attacked AKB48 members with saw at handshake event is jailed for six years (http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/02/11/man-who-attacked-akb48-members-at-handshake-event-is-jailed-for-six-years/)
- http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/02/11/man-who-attacked-akb48-members-at-handshake-event-is-jailed-for-six-years/ (http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/02/11/man-who-attacked-akb48-members-at-handshake-event-is-jailed-for-six-years/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on February 15, 2015, 11:15:06 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 [online] DVD & CD SHOP close notice (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/02/akb48-dvd-cd-shop-close-notice.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/02/akb48-dvd-cd-shop-close-notice.html (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/02/akb48-dvd-cd-shop-close-notice.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: AKB48ForeverLove on March 22, 2015, 03:55:37 AM
Love you forever, I always like you for always  :twothumbs :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 22, 2015, 05:08:01 AM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - SNH48 management registers "Beijing" and "Guangzhou" domain (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/03/snh48-management-registers-beijing-and.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/03/snh48-management-registers-beijing-and.html (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/03/snh48-management-registers-beijing-and.html)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 26, 2015, 02:58:58 PM
Kawaei Rina is graduating:
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2050649/full/ (http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2050649/full/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: vlinorman on March 26, 2015, 11:53:03 PM
Arrest of ex-AKB48 manager reveals illicit films of naked members (http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2015/03/26/arrest-of-ex-akb48-manager-reveals-illicit-films-of-naked-members/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 27, 2015, 01:21:05 AM
Arrest of ex-AKB48 manager reveals illicit films of naked members (http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2015/03/26/arrest-of-ex-akb48-manager-reveals-illicit-films-of-naked-members/)
AramaJapan.com - Arrest of former AKB48 manager reveals illicit footage of members (http://aramajapan.com/news/arrest-of-former-akb48-manger-reveals-illicit-footage-of-members/)
- http://aramajapan.com/news/arrest-of-former-akb48-manger-reveals-illicit-footage-of-members/ (http://aramajapan.com/news/arrest-of-former-akb48-manger-reveals-illicit-footage-of-members/)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 28, 2015, 01:09:23 AM
Quote
AKB48's young members to form a new unit
March 27, 2015

It's been revealed that the young members of AKB48 will forming a new unit called 'Denden Muchu!'.

This was announced on March 25 during AKB48 group's concert 'AKB48 Young Member Zenkoku Tour ~Mirai wa Ima Kara Tsukurareru~' at Saitama Super Arena. Denden Muchu! will be comprised of 7 members who are Oowada Nana, Mukaichi Mion, Murayama Yuiri, Kawamoto Saya, Taniguchi Megu, Yabuki Nako, and Tanaka Miku. Upon hearing the surprise announcement, Oowada commented, "I was surprised and moved to tears, but the name seems like a joke... But I'm really happy."

Denden Muchu!'s song will be the coupling track to AKB48's 40th single "Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai", which will be released on May 20. A song from Tentou Muchu! will also be included as the coupling track.


Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/141986)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2015/03/akb48s-young-members-to-form-a-new-unit (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2015/03/akb48s-young-members-to-form-a-new-unit)
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/141986 (http://natalie.mu/music/news/141986)


EDIT:
AramaJapan.com - AKB48 Announces New Unit Dendenmu Chu! (http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48-announces-new-unit-dendenmu-chu/17727/)
- http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48-announces-new-unit-dendenmu-chu/17727/ (http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48-announces-new-unit-dendenmu-chu/17727/)

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48/jphip211944.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on April 04, 2015, 03:46:01 AM
New Fukuoka rep for Team 8.

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - TEAM 8 new member Yoshida Karen debut (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/04/team-8-new-member-yoshida-karen-debut.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/04/team-8-new-member-yoshida-karen-debut.html (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/04/team-8-new-member-yoshida-karen-debut.html)
- http://toyota-team8.jp/member/karen_yoshida.php (http://toyota-team8.jp/member/karen_yoshida.php)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on May 07, 2015, 03:06:32 AM
CROSS-POSTING!!

There must be some type of bug going around amongst the *48 conglomerate.

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Kuramochi Asuka and Matsui Rena absent from 2-shot Event (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kuramochi-asuka-and-matsui-rena-absent.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kuramochi-asuka-and-matsui-rena-absent.html (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kuramochi-asuka-and-matsui-rena-absent.html)



akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Kizaki Yuria absent from 2-shot Event (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kizaki-yuria-absent-from-2-shot-event.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kizaki-yuria-absent-from-2-shot-event.html (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kizaki-yuria-absent-from-2-shot-event.html)



akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Kawaei Rina went to hospital for pneumonia (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kawaei-rina-went-to-hosiptal-for.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kawaei-rina-went-to-hosiptal-for.html (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/05/kawaei-rina-went-to-hosiptal-for.html)

Now before everyone freaks out, a quick Google search (https://www.google.ca/search?q=mycoplasma+pneumoniae&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=0bVKVZ6iCcq2ogS6woDwBQ#safe=off&q=mycoplasma%20pneumoniae%20symptoms) for the symptoms of the type of infection that the blog post says she has indicates that she's likely got one of the milder forms of pneumonia. So if anything, she's probably just got something that's commonly known as "walking pneumonia (http://www.webmd.com/lung/walking-pneumonia)".
Quote
Walking pneumonia is often the result of a lung infection from a bacterial microorganism called Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

People who have walking pneumonia are seldom confined to bed or need to be hospitalized. Some may even feel well enough go to work and carry on with other regular routines, just as they might with a cold.
- http://www.webmd.com/lung/walking-pneumonia (http://www.webmd.com/lung/walking-pneumonia)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on May 07, 2015, 06:51:35 PM
^We
Need
A
Hero!
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214063.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214063.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 13, 2015, 07:17:29 PM
"Try not to swallow! Two Japanese girls battle to blow a cockroach into the other’s mouth as part of bizarre game show"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3079868/Try-not-swallow-Two-Japanese-girls-battle-blow-cockroach-mouth-bizarre-game-show.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline

AKB keeping it classy and making it to terrible UK tabloid newspaper websites.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on May 14, 2015, 06:25:54 PM
^ LOL, some Australian TV show copied the cockroach challenge.... video in the link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3081137/Sarah-Harris-Jessica-Rowe-cockroach-challenge-LIVE-roaches.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on May 14, 2015, 08:00:28 PM
^ LOL, some Australian TV show copied the cockroach challenge.... video in the link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3081137/Sarah-Harris-Jessica-Rowe-cockroach-challenge-LIVE-roaches.html

Did they get beaned by a dodgeball too?  :nervous
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on May 16, 2015, 08:28:27 AM
Is it so difficult for the foreign press to name
Ryoka Oshima and Shinobu Mogi?

And Cicada is not a cockroach.... :lol:

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214416.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214416.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214417.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214417.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214418.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214418.jpg)
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214419.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214419.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214420.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214420.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/t/jphip214421.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip214421.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on May 16, 2015, 09:10:24 AM
At least Cosmopolitan Night Editor
Rebecca Rose (aka Burt) used a clip
That identified Ryoka and Shinobu by name

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/news/a40467/the-internet-is-obsessed-with-this-gross-video-of-two/



AKBINGO! ep337 - Oshima Ryoka vs Mogi Shinobu
 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMVm0fCX6LE)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on July 13, 2015, 11:45:35 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 will have free LIVE in JAPAN EXPO THAILAND 2015 (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/akb48-will-have-free-live-in-japan-expo.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/akb48-will-have-free-live-in-japan-expo.html



akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 group will hold Summer Halloween Party in Odaiba Yumetairiku (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/akb48-group-will-hold-summer-halloween.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/akb48-group-will-hold-summer-halloween.html



akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 Young Member Nationwide Tour / AKB48 HaruCon solo concert in SSA promotional video (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/akb48-young-member-nationwide-tour.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/akb48-young-member-nationwide-tour.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6howLk_UhSY
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on July 18, 2015, 09:06:17 PM
Kuramochi Asuka has announced graduation as reported in the Sanspo Sports newspaper:

(http://s14.postimg.org/i7fmubygd/CKN78s_NWEAATSRh_png_large.png) (http://postimg.org/image/i7fmubygd/) (http://s14.postimg.org/3myjzi3hp/CKN779_LWUAA0_RYi_jpg_large.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3myjzi3hp/)

Apparantely final date is 17th August.

Thanks sillythings for the heads up

Online article: http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/20150719/akb15071905040001-n1.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on July 19, 2015, 03:32:55 AM
CROSS-POSTING!!

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Kuramochi Asuka announces her graduation on newspaper (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/kuramochi-asuka-announces-her.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/07/kuramochi-asuka-announces-her.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Ruka Kikuchi on July 20, 2015, 01:28:50 PM
Cross posting!

Acchan got in a car accident. She's fine, doesn't have any injuries, but wow, is this some heavy news.

(Source: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114650197204062277029/posts/UF6zj9GxgTL?cfem=1)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 01, 2015, 07:56:24 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - List of AKB48 members attending JAPAN EXPO THAILAND 2015 (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/list-of-akb48-members-attending-japan.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/list-of-akb48-members-attending-japan.html

(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip08728.jpg)
- http://www.japanexpothailand.com
- http://www.facebook.com/japanexpointhailand
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 02, 2015, 07:24:09 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 group Sport Festival to be held at Tokyo Dome (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/akb48-group-sport-festival-to-be-held.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/akb48-group-sport-festival-to-be-held.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on August 07, 2015, 12:36:24 AM
Final days of the current teams, and first days of the new teams have been posted:

Quote
【千秋楽日程】
チームA「恋愛禁止条例」公演 2015年8月23日(日)
チームK「RESET」公演 2015年8月26日(水)
チームB「パジャマドライブ」公演 2015年8月27日(木)
チーム4「アイドルの夜明け」公演 2015年8月24日(月)
チーム8「PARTYが始まるよ」公演 2015年8月15日(土)・16日(日)

【初日】
新チームA 2015年11月25日(水)
新チームK 2015年11月30日(月)
新チームB 2015年11月27日(金)
新チーム4 2015年11月21日(土)
チーム8 2015年9月5日(土)「会いたかった」公演

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12057067873.html

I'm not really sure what they will be doing for the few months between the old teams finishing up and the new ones...

And they didn't state what stages the new teams are going to do...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: manatzukkyun on August 07, 2015, 05:26:14 AM
Final days of the current teams, and first days of the new teams have been posted:

Quote
【千秋楽日程】
チームA「恋愛禁止条例」公演 2015年8月23日(日)
チームK「RESET」公演 2015年8月26日(水)
チームB「パジャマドライブ」公演 2015年8月27日(木)
チーム4「アイドルの夜明け」公演 2015年8月24日(月)
チーム8「PARTYが始まるよ」公演 2015年8月15日(土)・16日(日)

【初日】
新チームA 2015年11月25日(水)
新チームK 2015年11月30日(月)
新チームB 2015年11月27日(金)
新チーム4 2015年11月21日(土)
チーム8 2015年9月5日(土)「会いたかった」公演

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12057067873.html

I'm not really sure what they will be doing for the few months between the old teams finishing up and the new ones...

And they didn't state what stages the new teams are going to do...

At least Team 8 are getting a "new" stage not long after they end their current one!
If I was optimistic I'd say that Team A/K/B/4 are getting actual new stages... But that's not gonna happen...
Let's wait and see
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 11, 2015, 02:45:02 AM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 group Sport Festival to be held at Tokyo Dome (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/akb48-group-sport-festival-to-be-held.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/akb48-group-sport-festival-to-be-held.html

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Sports Meeting and DRAFT meeting DVD/Blu-ray Digest video (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/sports-meeting-and-draft-meeting-dvdblu.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/sports-meeting-and-draft-meeting-dvdblu.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbgnnUTQAJE
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on August 11, 2015, 03:29:54 AM
^ first thing to see is Sakura :hip smile:
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 20, 2015, 03:37:14 PM
CROSS-POSTING!!

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Yamamoto Sayaka to be CENTER of AKB48 song (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/yamamoto-sayaka-to-be-center-of-akb48.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/yamamoto-sayaka-to-be-center-of-akb48.html



EDIT:
Quote
AKB48 to be in charge of the theme song for NHK morning drama 'Asa ga Kita'
August 18, 2015

AKB48 will be in charge of the theme song for the next NHK morning drama 'Asa ga Kita'. This announcement was made on August 18 at NHK Broadcasting Center.


"Asa ga Kita" is modeled after a businesswoman named Hirooka Asako, who lived during the end of the Edo Period to the Meiji Period. This will be the first NHK morning drama where the story begins at the end of the Edo Period. As previously reported, the protagonist 'Asa' will be played by Haru, Asa's husband 'Shinjiro' by Tamaki Hiroshi, and Asa's older sister 'Hatsu' by Miyazaki Aoi.

The title of the theme song is "365 Nichi no Kamihikouki" (English translation: 365 Days of Paper Airplanes). It's described as a gentle, medium-tempo number that features the acoustic guitar. The members who will be singing this song are Iriyama Anna, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kato Rena, Kizaki Yuria, Kitahara Rie, Kojima Haruna, Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Shimazaki Haruka, Takahashi Minami, Matsui Jurina, Miyawaki Sakura, Yamamoto Sayaka, Yokoyama Yui, Watanabe Mayu, and Watanabe Miyuki. Yamamoto Sayaka will serve as center for this song.

As the group's representatives, Takahashi Minami, Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, and Yokoyama Yui attended a press conference held on this day. On singing the theme song for a morning drama, Watanabe Mayu expressed, "It's like a dream. I am very happy." Takahashi Minami commented on the song's lyrics, "Akimoto-sensei told us that 'paper airplanes fly freely and straight when you throw them gently without too much power.' We sang this song hoping that we can have honest feelings."

Regarding the morning drama, Kashiwagi stated, "When I was in elementary school, we would watch the re-runs of morning dramas during lunch time, and the entire school would sing the theme song. So I hope that our song will become a song that everyone loves." Meanwhile, Yokoyama made reporters laugh saying, "I will do my best so that I can become an asadora (morning drama) heroine someday!"

This marks Yamamoto Sayaka's first time claiming center position. "I am very honored. I've wanted to eventually become center, so now that it's happened, it's hard to believe it," she said. Takahashi encouraged Yamamoto saying, "It's difficult to show your individuality in AKB48, but now that you've become center, you have to graduate from a 'karineko' (borrowed cat) and show your capabilities."

On Yamamoto's singing voice, Watanabe revealed, "She is really good at singing. When you hear it for the first time, I don't think you will notice that it's AKB48... Her voice is beyond AKB48's level!" Then Takahashi said, "Don't say such misleading things! We're all doing our best!"


'Asa ga Kita' will premiere on NHK on September 28. The release date for "365 Nichi no Kamihikouki" has not been determined at this time.


Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/157356)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2015/08/akb48-to-be-in-charge-of-the-theme-song-for-nhk-morning-drama-asa-ga-kita
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/157356
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on August 21, 2015, 04:56:21 AM
Yeah. I'm gonna re-post this everywhere. :lol:

French Kiss official disbanding announcement. :deco:

Yukirin twitter:
Quote
今朝の日刊スポーツさんで発表されましたが...フレンチ・キスの解散がきまりました。 10月14日のアルバム。11月5日のLIVE。 ずっと愛されるユニットでいられるよう、最後まで頑張ります☺️ 楽しみにしててね

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2015/150820_1932.jpg~original)
https://twitter.com/Yukiriiiin__K/status/634553667887063042

Kinda obvious with Mocchi graduated. :P But there's more! :heart: :heart:

Final albumFrench Kiss(仮)(they're still working on the name?!), coming out on 14th Oct.
And their last live for ~10,000ppl on 5th Nov

http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/1525966.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on August 21, 2015, 05:01:50 AM
FRENCH KISS first album, SSA live, and DISBAND!
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/french-kiss-first-album-ssa-live-and.html

FRENCH KISS first and last album
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/french-kiss-first-and-last-album.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on August 22, 2015, 08:50:31 AM
BBC had a story about misconceptions
that foreigners have about Japan, and then used AKB48 as an example
to illustrate one of the myths (Japanese Women are submissive)

Here is the link to the whole story:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34005681

From the BBC story:

And if you think that nothing of this sort could possibly go on in the early 21st Century, then you haven't been paying attention to Japanese pop culture, and the success of Japanese pop behemoth AKB-48.
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip219481.jpg)
Yes, 48 young girls (in the original line-up, though the group has since expanded), forbidden from having boyfriends and content instead to smile and dance around in bikinis or mock military uniforms or really whatever a paying public of - critics would argue - socially inadequate young and middle-aged men want to see.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on August 23, 2015, 09:25:45 PM
Quote
Matsuoka Natsumi to release her 1st Gravure "Tsuishin" in September

HKT48 Team H co-captain Matsuoka Natsumi  (松岡菜摘) will release her 1st gravure "Tsuishin" (追伸) at 24 September 2015. The gravure will be A4 size, 112 pages.

HKT48 Team H member Matsuoka Natsumi (松岡菜摘) won "AKB48 x Young Jump x 755 Solo Gravure Contest" in April 2015, therefore Young Jump (SHUEISHA) will publish a solo gravure for her.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/08/matsuoka-natsumi-to-release-her-1st.html
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/1527489.html

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2015/150824b.jpg~original)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 26, 2015, 02:46:29 AM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 group Sport Festival to be held at Tokyo Dome (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/akb48-group-sport-festival-to-be-held.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/akb48-group-sport-festival-to-be-held.html


akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Team 8 won AKB48 group Sport Festival (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/team-8-won-akb48-group-sport-festival.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/08/team-8-won-akb48-group-sport-festival.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 26, 2015, 03:23:32 PM
TokyoGirlsUpdate.com - Team 8 Excels in 7 Events to Win the 1st AKB48 Group Sports Day! (http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/1st-akb48-group-sports-day-20150857002.html)
- http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/1st-akb48-group-sports-day-20150857002.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on August 26, 2015, 09:40:45 PM
Mayu brought her game face!
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip219923.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 01, 2015, 08:15:54 AM
Oops.

AramaJapan.com - AKB48′s Management Company [AKS] Pays Nearly $1 Million in Taxes and Fines After Audit by Tax Officials (http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48s-management-company-pays-nearly-1-million-in-taxes-and-fines-after-audit-by-tax-officials/22145/)
- http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48s-management-company-pays-nearly-1-million-in-taxes-and-fines-after-audit-by-tax-officials/22145/


EDIT:
AKB48 group will have a Halloween Party in Budokan (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/akb48-group-will-have-halloween-party.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/akb48-group-will-have-halloween-party.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 06, 2015, 03:49:09 PM
AKB48 Theater 10th Anniversary Performance on 6th Dec.
Graduated members like Acchan, Yuko, Tomochin and Mariko are planned  to show up for it.

Quote
2005年12月8日に“聖地”東京・秋葉原のAKB48劇場で初公演を行ってからまもなく10周年を迎えるAKB48が、12月6日に都内で『AKB48劇場オープン10周年祭』を開催することが決まった。6日、千葉・幕張メッセで行われている握手会&サイン会イベントで発表された。

 08年に発売されたAKB48 2周年記念スペシャルフォトアルバムに「AKB48劇場オープン10周年祭」の招待券「10th Anniversary Premium Live Ticket」が封入されていたが、同チケットの対象イベントを12月6日に開催。現役メンバーをはじめ、前田敦子、大島優子、板野友美、篠田麻里子ら卒業生も出演する。
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2058755/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 09, 2015, 08:45:48 PM
^
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 to hold their 10th Anniversary Festival (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/akb48-to-hold-their-10th-anniversary.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/akb48-to-hold-their-10th-anniversary.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 13, 2015, 02:02:47 PM
Quote
Kotani Riho announces Graduation

NMB48 Team N member Kotani Riho (小谷里歩) announced her graduation from NMB48 during her birthday LIVE ceremony at 13 September 2015.

Kotani Riho said she has considered graduation since last year, and she explained she graduates for chasing her dream, but she has not decided what to do yet, nor her graduation date. She also said her gravure event will remain unchanged.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/09/kotani-riho-announces-graduation.html
http://www.hochi.co.jp/entertainment/20150913-OHT1T50156.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 26, 2015, 04:02:00 PM
Quote
Sizuk Entertainment official site launched
September 25, 2015

AKB48 A&R Chief Producer Yuasa Junji (湯浅順司)'s company Sizuk Entertainment official site has been launched at 24 September 2015. Yuasa Junji is the company's president and representative director.

Sizuk Entertainment official site: http://sizuk.co.jp
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/sizuk-entertainment-official-site.html
- http://sizuk.co.jp
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 27, 2015, 05:17:05 PM
Quote
Team 8 will visit Philippines in November
September 27, 2015

According to Japanese news media "The Nikkei", AKB48 Team 8 will visit Manila, capital city of Philippines, and performed in Cool Japan Festival in November 2015, it is their first LIVE performance in Manila.


Original sources: The Nikkei (http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASDG25H6J_W5A920C1CR0000/)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/team-8-will-visit-philippine-in-november.html
- http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASDG25H6J_W5A920C1CR0000/


For the record, as of this post, no official announcement has been made yet, therefore, unless the Hallohallo Inc guys just goofed up and mentioned it really early when maybe they weren't supposed to, the following post is making an assumption that there's going to be an MNL48 (even including a Photoshopped "MNL48" logo on one of the photos taken from the event).
Quote
Hallohallo inc will build a Theatre for MNL48
September 27, 2015

Hallohallo Inc announces they will build a Japanese Theme Park with MNL48 theatre in Philippines.

Mr. Okada Yasunari (岡田泰成), CEO of Hallohallo Inc, announces they will build a mini Japanese Theme Park "Cool Japan Mall" in Manila, capital city of Philippines in 2017, and one of the important media content is MNL48 theater for idol group's performance, it will be opened in October 2015, and expected over 120 shops in March 2017.


Original sources: EC no Mikata (https://ecnomikata.com/ecnews/detail.php?id=5465)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/hallohallo-inc-will-build-theatre-for.html
- https://ecnomikata.com/ecnews/detail.php?id=5465
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 30, 2015, 04:46:06 AM
Quote
Team 8's Manila Trip detail announced
September 29, 2015

(http://picroda.jphip.com/misc/jphip08808.jpg)

12 AKB48 Team 8 members will visit Manila from 7 November to 8 November 2015, they will perform in Cool Japan Festival at Trinoma Mall, Manila, Philippines.

Participating members:
Okabe Rin, Shimizu Maria, Nanase Yoshikawa, Erina Oda, Sato Shiori, Ota Nao,Yamada Nanami, Momoka Onishi, Tani Yuri, Hamamatsu Riona, Gyouten Yurina, Fukuchi Reina

Event: Cool Japan Festival
Organizer: HalloHallo Alliance
Venue: Trinoma Mall, Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines
Schedule:
7 November 2015 (12:30-13:00/18:30-19:00)
8 November 2015 (13:00-13:30/17:30-18:00)


Reference:
Toyota Team official web site - http://toyota-team8.jp/news/list/20150929-796176787804362.php
Cool Japan Festival official web site - http://cooljapanfestival.hallohallo.com/
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/team-8s-manila-trip-detail-announced.html
- http://toyota-team8.jp/news/list/20150929-796176787804362.php
- http://cooljapanfestival.hallohallo.com/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on October 07, 2015, 12:25:03 AM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Manga AKB49 going to end (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/10/manga-akb49-going-to-end.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/10/manga-akb49-going-to-end.html
- http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2015/10/07/002/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on October 26, 2015, 05:42:22 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 Request Hour 2016 confirmed (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/10/akb48-request-hour-2016-confirmed.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/10/akb48-request-hour-2016-confirmed.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on November 09, 2015, 02:28:14 PM
Quote
Team 8 will visit Philippines in November
September 27, 2015
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/team-8-will-visit-philippine-in-november.html
- http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASDG25H6J_W5A920C1CR0000/


For the record, as of this post, no official announcement has been made yet, therefore, unless the Hallohallo Inc guys just goofed up and mentioned it really early when maybe they weren't supposed to, the following post is making an assumption that there's going to be an MNL48 (even including a Photoshopped "MNL48" logo on one of the photos taken from the event).
Quote
Hallohallo inc will build a Theatre for MNL48
September 27, 2015
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/hallohallo-inc-will-build-theatre-for.html
- https://ecnomikata.com/ecnews/detail.php?id=5465

Quote
Team 8's Manila Trip detail announced
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/09/team-8s-manila-trip-detail-announced.html
- http://toyota-team8.jp/news/list/20150929-796176787804362.php
- http://cooljapanfestival.hallohallo.com/


TokyoGirlsUpdate.com - AKB48 Team 8 For The First Time In the Philippines! Cool Japan Festival Report (http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/team8-philippine-cooljapan-20151165686.html)
- http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/team8-philippine-cooljapan-20151165686.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on November 10, 2015, 01:56:00 AM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Team 8 visited Manila (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/11/team-8-visited-manila.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/11/team-8-visited-manila.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORgbDzMP82w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7RxTqsd_PQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BieAh2roUnI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcww9Zk0oKg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmAix9EHvC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXuy0OxmaVc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYIWNbLnFeY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFIvZdoXw0A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJmHLlytwkQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7IEWuhpmRc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGbLYAxZoGc
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on November 19, 2015, 02:19:36 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 10th Anniversary Event participating members list (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/11/akb48-10th-anniversary-event.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/11/akb48-10th-anniversary-event.html
- http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12097243368.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on November 26, 2015, 02:27:37 PM
Quote
AKB48, NMB48 & Nogizaka46 to perform at the 66th Kouhaku Utagassen

NHK just announced their 66th Kouhaku Utagassen performance list, AKB48, NMB48 and Nogizaka46 have been confirmed to perform at this year's Kouhaku Utagassen.

It is Nogizaka46 first time to perform at  Kouhaku Utagassen.

http://www.nhk.or.jp/kouhaku/artists/
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/11/akb48-nmb48-nogizaka46-to-perform-at.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on November 26, 2015, 06:01:50 PM
Takamina will produce a bunch of "special stages" in February:

(http://i.imgur.com/wyCUOWT.png)
https://twitter.com/aruiteikou_eng/status/668668838607613952

(member lists can be found on other tweets from the same account.



Also HKT48 will change their Himawarigumi stage from B3 Pajama Drive to A4 Tadaima Renaichuu from December 19th.

https://twitter.com/dreamingpebbles/status/669837176054616065



Sorry for having non-official sources for both of these...
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 07, 2015, 03:40:04 PM
Noooooo!!! :cry:

Quote
Nagao Mariya announces graduation

AKB48 Team K member Nagao Mariya (永尾まりや) announces graduation in AKB48 Theater at 7 December 2015.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/nagao-mariya-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 08, 2015, 02:15:21 AM
^
CROSS-POSTING!!

TokyoGirlsUpdate.com - AKB48 Mariya Nagao Announces Graduation from the Group (http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/mariya-nagao-graduation-20151269384.html)
- http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/mariya-nagao-graduation-20151269384.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 09, 2015, 01:12:59 AM
CROSS-POSTING!!

Quote
AKB48's Nagao Mariya to graduate from the group
December 8, 2015

AKB48 Team K member Nagao Mariya has announced her graduation from the group.

Nagao made the announcement on December 7 during a show at AKB48 Theater. She also reported her graduation via her Twitter account saying, "It's a positive graduation! Please continue to support me." The date of her graduation has not been decided at this time.

Nagano passed the AKB48 Kenkyuusei audition in 2009. Not only is she an active member of AKB48, but she has also been modeling in fashion magazines.


Source: natalie (http://natalie.mu/music/news/168477)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2015/12/akb48s-nagao-mariya-to-graduate-from-the-group
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/168477
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 09, 2015, 04:55:58 PM
Quote
Miyawaki Sakura declares war on Nogizaka46

HKT48 participated "GUM ROCK FES. In Nippon Budokan" press conference at 9 December 2015, and HKT48 member Miyawaki Sakura declares war on Nogizaka46, it will be an idol battle then, the event will be held at 25 January 2015

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OHTdTuKpng

Reference: modelpress
http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1548387
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/miyawaki-sakura-declares-war-on.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 14, 2015, 03:27:18 PM
Quote
AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen 2015 roster list revealed


The 5th AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen's Red team and White team roster lists have been announced. Red team's captain is 48G general director Yokoyama Yui and White team's captain is HKT48 manager Sashihara Rino.

The event will be held Tokyo Dome City Hall in at 15 December 2015 (18:00 JST).

Red Team
Captain: Yokoyama Yui
Vice captains: Takahashi Juri, Oshima Ryoka, Minegishi Minami

AKB48
Kojima Haruna, Yokoyama Yui, Kojima Mako, Minegishi Minami, Shimazaki Haruka, Nishino Miki, Nagao Mariya, Shimada Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu, Nakamura Mariko, Kawamoto Saya, Iino Miyabi, Murayama Yuiri, Owada Nana, Iwata Karen, Hirata Rina, Takahashi Juri, Ichikawa Manami, Hiwatashi Yui, Oshima Ryoka, Nishikawa Rei, Kubo Satone, Chiba Erii, Yamabe Ayu, Yokoshima Aeri, Shimoguchi Hinana, Yumoto Ami, Maeda Ami, Uchiyama Natsuki, Kitazawa Saki, Takita Kayoko, Umeta Ayano, Aigasa Moe, Fukuoka Seina, Okada Ayaka, Tatsuya Makiho, Sato Kiara, Shinozaki Ayana

SKE48
Goto Rara, Kitagawa Ryoha, Furuhata Nao, Miyazawa Sae, Takayanagi Akane, Tani Marika, Souda Sarina, Suda Akari, Shibata Aya, Azuma Rion, Matsumura Kaori, Oba Mina, Yamauchi Suzuran

NMB48
Watanabe Miyuki, Yamamoto Sayaka

HKT48
Miyawaki Sakura, Tomonaga Mio, Yabuki Nako

Team 8
Sakaguchi Nagisa, Nakano Ikumi, Kuranoo Narumi, Oguri Yui, Okabe Rin, Sato Nanami, Sato Shiori, Ota Nao

White Team
Captain: Sashihara Rino
Vice captains: Mukaichi Mion, Tano Yuka, Kitahara Rie

AKB48
Kashiwagi Yuki, Watanabe Mayu, Kizaki Yuria, Mukaichi Mion, Kato Rena, Tano Yuka, Okada Nana, Iriyama Anna, Omori Miyu, Taniguchi Megu, Takajo Aki, Goto Moe, Fujita Nana, Miyazaki Miho, Mutou Tomu, Abe Maria, Sasaki Yukari, Komiyama Haruka, Iwatate Saho, Kojima Natsuki, Mogi Shinobu, Ishida Haruka, Iwasa Misaki, Oya Shizuka, Suzuki Mariya, Nakata Chisato, Tanabe Miku, Kobayashi Kana, Nishiyama Rena, Nakanishi Chiyori, Izuta Rina, Ogasawara Mayu, Nozawa Rena, Natori Wakana, Takahashi Kira, Nomura Nao, Okawa Rio

SKE48
Matsui Jurina

NMB48
Sutou Ririka, Shiroma Miru, Yagura Fuuko, Fujie Reina, Yabushita Shu, Jonishi Kei, Umeda Ayaka

HKT48
Sashihara Rino, Ota Aika, Kodama Haruka, Kojina Yui, Tashima Meru, Umemoto Izumi, Matsuoka Natsumi, Moriyasu Madoka, Anai Chihiro, Motomura Aoi, Yamashita Emiri, Sakaguchi Riko

NGT48
Kato Minami, Kitahara Rie, Honma Hinata, Takakura Moeka, Ogino Yuka, Tano Ayaka, Nishigata Marina, Hasegawa Rena

http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/akb48-kouhaku-utagassen-2015-roster.html
http://www.akb48.co.jp/page/kouhaku2015.pdf
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 15, 2015, 01:11:36 AM
^
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Sashihara Rino doesn't want to be Captain in AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/sashihara-rino-doesnt-want-to-be.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/sashihara-rino-doesnt-want-to-be.html
- https://twitter.com/345__chan/status/676401244722737152
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 15, 2015, 02:36:35 PM
Takajo Aki announced her graduation at AKB Kouhaku.

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2063919/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 16, 2015, 03:47:23 AM
^
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Sashihara Rino doesn't want to be Captain in AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/sashihara-rino-doesnt-want-to-be.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/sashihara-rino-doesnt-want-to-be.html
- https://twitter.com/345__chan/status/676401244722737152
LULZ...

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Sashihara's SHIROGUMI Wins! (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/sashiharas-shirogumi-wins.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/sashiharas-shirogumi-wins.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 16, 2015, 03:31:39 PM
More grad announcements... Sae!~ :cry:

Umemoto Izumi announces Graduation
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/umemoto-izumi-announces-graduation.html

Nishiyama Rena announces Graduation
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/nishiyama-rena-announces-graduation.html

Miyazawa Sae announces Graduation in FNS Music Festival
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/miyazawa-sae-announces-graduation-in.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 17, 2015, 03:23:37 AM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Best-Dressed of AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen 2015 (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/best-dressed-of-akb48-kouhaku-utagassen.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/best-dressed-of-akb48-kouhaku-utagassen.html
- http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1550002
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 17, 2015, 03:01:52 PM
so many grads. :(

Nagashima Seira announces Graduation
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/nagashima-seira-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 18, 2015, 06:37:55 AM
TokyoGirlsUpdate.com - 3-Peat for White Team at 5th Annual AKB48 Kouhaku Taikou Uta Gassen (http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/5th-akb48-kouhaku-20151270633.html)
- http://tokyogirlsupdate.com/5th-akb48-kouhaku-20151270633.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 29, 2015, 02:37:20 PM
Quote
Isohara Kyoka announces Graduation

SKE48 Team E member Isohara Kyoka (磯原杏華) announced her graduation from SKE48 during LIVE performance at 29 December 2015, her last day will be on 31 January 2016.

Isohara Kyoka said it will be her 2,500th days in SKE48 on 31 January 2016, she wants to make that day as her farewell to SKE48.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/isohara-kyoka-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 29, 2015, 07:10:56 PM
Quote
If Magic Trick in Kouhaku Utagassen fails... Announce Graduation? Postpone Graduation?
December 29, 2015

AKB48 members will perform magic trick on NHK48 upcoming yearly event "The 66th Kouhaku Utagassen". AKB48 members Takahashi Minami and Kojima Haruna also consider what will they do if the magic performance fails.

Takahashi Minami said she will postpone her graduation, on the other hand Kojima Haruna said she may announce graduation depended on the situation.


Reference:
modelpress - http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1553471
sponichi annex - http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2015/12/29/kiji/K20151229011773940.html
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/12/if-magic-trick-in-kouhaku-utagassen.html
- http://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1553471
- http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2015/12/29/kiji/K20151229011773940.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 01, 2016, 08:44:19 AM
Quote
AKB48 cosplayed Sailor Moon in Kouhaku Utagassen

AKB48 members Watanabe Mayu, Shimazaki Haruka, Miyawaki Sakura, Iriyama Anna and Kodama Haruka, cosplayed Japanese manga/anime "Sailor Moon" characters in the 66th Kouhaku Utagassen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqGDPnb378Q

AKB48 members performed Sailor Moon Anime's theme song "Moonlight Legend" in this year's special project "Anime Kouhaku".

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2015/2015kouhaku-akb48-sailormoon.jpg~original)
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/akb48-cosplay-sailor-moon-in-kouhaku_31.html

Quote
Maeda Atsuko and Oshima Yuko appeared on Kouhaku Utagassen

Former AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko and Oshima Yuko performed their CENTER songs Flying Get and Heavy Rotation on 66th Kouhaku Utagassen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbbDScOAavQ

Maeda Atsuko and Oshima Yuko also performed 32nd single song Koisuru Fortune Cookie on Kouhaku Utagassen.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2015/12/maeda-atsuko-and-oshima-yuko-appeared.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on January 02, 2016, 06:25:19 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - AKB48 Parlor Trick Competition (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/akb48-parlor-trick-competition.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/akb48-parlor-trick-competition.html



akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - [akb48-daily.blogspot's] TOP 10 News of 2015 (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/the-top-10-news-of-2015.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/the-top-10-news-of-2015.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 05, 2016, 04:40:17 PM
Quote
Iwata Karen announces Graduation

AKB48 Team A member Iwata Karen  (岩田華怜) announces her graduation during "Shunputei Koasa" special LIVE performance (noon) in AKB48 theater at 5 January 2015.

Iwata Karen explains she will be a senior high school student (grade 12), it will be an important period of her life.

Iwata Karen joined AKB48 as a research student on April 2011, she got promoted to Team 4 on 23 March 2012 in Saitama Super Arena, and then she was transferred to Team A on 24 August 24 2012 in Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle. In 2014 AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri, Iwata Karen was as offered to transfer to Team S of SKE48, but she chose to remain with her former team (AKB48 Team A).
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/iwata-karen-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on January 05, 2016, 06:52:15 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Documentary of AKB48 updated info (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/documentary-of-akb48-updated-info.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/documentary-of-akb48-updated-info.html


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ9RbdyvaIY
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 07, 2016, 02:53:39 PM
and more grad news. :(

Quote
Fukagawa Mai announces graduation

Nogizaka46 member Fukagawa Mai (深川麻衣) announces on her official blog she will graduate from the group.

Reference: Fukagawa Mai's official blog
http://blog.nogizaka46.com/mai.fukagawa/2016/01/030050.php
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/fukagawa-mai-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 10, 2016, 11:26:12 AM
Quote
NGT48 NEW Team NIII formed

It was announced NGT48 has formed their first Team III, it was announced in first LIVE performance of NGT48 Theater at 10 January 2016.

NGT48 Team NIII first stage is "Party ga Hajimaruyo"! The Set list was originally performed by AKB48 Team A.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/ngt48-new-team-niii-is-formed.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 15, 2016, 02:06:08 PM
Quote
Kondo Rina announces Graduation

NMB48 member Kondo Rina (近藤里奈) announced her graduation during LIVE performance in NMB48 theater at 15 January 2015.

Kondo Rina will pursue a career in acting, and her graduation LIVE performance will be at 27 January 2016.

Kondo Rina is NMB48 first generation, She joined NMB48 as  Research Student in 2010, and was promoted to Team N in 2011, and then was transferred to Team M in AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri in 2014.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/kondo-rina-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 17, 2016, 12:12:25 PM
Quote
Ito Raira announces graduation from HKT48

HKT48 Team KIV member Ito Raira (伊藤来笑) announced her graduation from HKT48 in LIVE performance at 17 January 2016.

Ito Raira said she wants to focus on her English language study, and she also said she wants to study abroad to meet more people, and her dream is to promote Japanese Idol Culture to the world.

Ito Raira's graduation LIVE will be held on HKT48 theater at 29 February 2016 (18:30).
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/ito-raira-announces-graduation-from.html
http://ameblo.jp/hkt48/entry-12118552413.html

Quote
Kobayashi Kana announces Graduation at RH 2016

AKB48 Team B member Kobayashi Kana (小林香菜) announced her graduation from AKB48 on event "AKB48 solo Request Hour 2016" (Day Night) 17 January 2016.

Reference: ORICON Style
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2065449/full/

Kobayashi Kana is 2nd generation member, joined AKB48 as a Team K member in 2006, and then was transferred to Team B in 2009's Team Shuffle. In 2015 she was transferred to Team K in Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle on on August 24, 2012, and transferred back to Team B in AKB48 Spring Shuffle 2015 on on March 26, 2015.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/kobayashi-kana-announces-graduation-at.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on January 20, 2016, 01:49:16 PM
akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Manga AKB49 going to end (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/10/manga-akb49-going-to-end.html)
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2015/10/manga-akb49-going-to-end.html
- http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2015/10/07/002/

Follow-up...

akb48-daily.blogspot.ca - Manga AKB49 LAST Chapter (http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/manga-akb49-last-chapter.html) [will be released on 2016.03.17]
- http://akb48-daily.blogspot.ca/2016/01/manga-akb49-last-chapter.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 23, 2016, 05:54:09 PM
Umeda Ayaka announces graduation. :cry:

https://twitter.com/AyakaUmeda/status/690868233331585024
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/akb48/news/1595906.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 30, 2016, 01:11:29 PM
Quote
Iwasa Misaki announces Graduation

AKB48 Team K member Iwasa Misaki (岩佐美咲) announced her graduation from AKB48 during her solo concert at 30 January 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/01/iwasa-misaki-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 03, 2016, 02:33:01 PM
Quote
Umemoto Madoka announces Graduation

SKE48 Team E member Umemoto Madoka (梅本まどか) announced her graduation on SKE48 Theater at 3 February 2016.

Umemoto Madoka joined SKE48 as Research Students in 2010, and on the same year Team E was form, she was promoted to be leader of the team. To focus on SKE48 activities, she decided to quit the university in 2011. Matsui Rena was appoint to be Team E leader to replace her position in 2013. Suda Akari was appointed to be Team E leader, and Umemoto Madoka was appointed be co-leader in 2014.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/umemoto-madoka-announces-graduation.html

Quote
Kurokawa Hazuki ceases all activities temporarily

NMB48 Team BII member Kurokawa Hazuki (黒川葉月) made an announcement during LIVE performance at 3 February 2016, she announced will temporarily cease all activities with the group.

Kurokawa Hazuki will cease all her group activities from 4 February 2016, because she wants to focus on her studying, she said she may return to NMB48 in April 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/kurokawa-hazuki-ceases-all-activities.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 04, 2016, 01:40:30 PM
Quote
Yamashita Yukari announces Graduation

SKE48 Team KII member Yamashita Yukari (山下ゆかり) announces her graduation on SKE48 Theater at 4 February 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/yamashita-yukari-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 10, 2016, 01:15:20 PM
Quote
Koishi Kumiko announces Graduation

SKE48 Team E member Koishi Kumiko (小石公美子) announced her graduation during LIVE performance at 10 February 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/koishi-kumiko-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 15, 2016, 01:37:56 PM
Quote
Nishimura Aika announces Graduation from NMB48

NMB48 member Nishimura Aika (西村愛華) announced her graduation during LIVE performance in NMB48 Theater at 15 February 2016.

Nishimura Aika said she has decided to graduate from NMB48, because she wants to study english and enter university in April. Though her dream to be actress has not fulfilled, she hope she will be world class actress in the future. She also said she will participate the Tour.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/nishimura-aika-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 18, 2016, 02:45:11 PM
about time someone did it. :lol:

Quote
Ichikawa Manami Fake Graduation on Ichigochanzu Stage

AKB48 members Ichikawa Manami pretended a graduation announcement during Takahashi Minami Produced "Ichigochanzu Stage" at 18 February 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/ichikawa-manami-fake-graduation-on.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 25, 2016, 02:29:07 PM
Quote
Okada Kanna announces Graduation

HKT48 member Okada Kanna (岡田栞奈)  announced her graduation from HKT48 during LIVE performance at 25 February 2016.

Okada Kanna explained she wants to concentrate on her study.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/okada-kanna-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 28, 2016, 03:54:22 AM
Quote
Nakagawa Haruka announces Graduation from JKT48

JKT48 Team T member Nakagawa Haruka (仲川遥香) announced her graduation from JKT48 and AKB48 group in JKT48 Request Hour 2016 on 28 February 2016.

According to AKB48 group general manager Kayano Shinobu (茅野しのぶ), Nakagawa Haruka will stay until end of the year, but she will not return to Japan, and will start her next career in Indonesia after graduation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSxQLXUOxSI
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/02/nakagawa-haruka-announce-graduation.html

http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2067595/full/
https://7gogo.jp/kayano-shinobu/9530
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 07, 2016, 11:50:13 AM
Hope they get better soon.

Quote
Miyawaki Sakura ceases all activities temporarily due to Influenza

It was announced HKT48 Team KIV member Miyawaki Sakura will ceases all group activities temporarily, because she is diagnosed with influenza.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/03/miyawaki-sakura-ceases-all-activities.html
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2016/03/015973.html

Quote
Yabuki Nako will not attend upcoming LIVE due to Influenza

HKT48 member Yabuki Nako (矢吹奈子) will not attend upcoming performance LIVE, because she is diagnosed with Influenza type B infected.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/03/yabuki-nako-will-not-attend-upcoming.html
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2016/03/015972.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 08, 2016, 01:53:36 AM
Quote
Miyamae Ami announces Graduation

SKE48 member Miyamae Ami (宮前杏実) announced graduation from SKE48 during Team S LIVE performance on 7 March 2016.

Miyamae Ami said her dream is to be actress, and therefore she will transfer to another agency "San Office", and she will graduate from SKE48.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/03/miyamae-ami-announces-graduation.html
http://sanoffice.co.jp/
http://san-actor.com/index.html
http://san-actor.com/ami-miyamae.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 08, 2016, 12:48:18 PM
Quote
More Poor Health Condition Cases reported in 48G

5 NMB48 members could not attend upcoming LIVE due to poor health condition, only 15 members performed Team N LIVE performance on 8 March 2016.

NMB48 members Ishida Yuumi (石田優美), Morita Ayaka (森田彩花), Akashi Natsuko (明石奈津子), Kushiro Rina (久代梨奈) and Hongo Yuzuha (本郷柚巴 ) could not attend attend Team N LIVE performance on 8 March 2016 (18:30).

On the other hand, one more HKT48 member is diagnosed with Influenza type B infected, HKT48 member Tsutusi Riko (筒井莉子) will not participate upcoming LIVE performance LIVE on 9 March 2016 and 2-shot event on 13 March 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/03/more-poor-health-condition-cases.html

http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-12137016591.html
http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-12136990006.html
http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-12136950659.html
http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-12136258216.html
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2016/03/015977.html
http://www.hkt48.jp/news/2016/03/015976.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 30, 2016, 01:53:45 PM
Quote
Ishida Haruka announces Graduation

AKB48 Team K member Ishida Haruka (石田晴香) announced her graduation from AKB48 during LIVE performance on 30 March 2016.

Ishida Haruka explained to fans she had thought about graduation for a long time, but AKB48 is a happy place to her, because there are many good fellows, so she just allowed herself to stay. Ishida Haruka also said she feels sorry not staying for 10 years.

Ishida Haruka is a member of AKB48's Team K, she joined AKB48 in 2007, and became 5th generation research student, she was officially promoted to Team B in 2010 (announced in 2009), and transferred to Team K in 2014.

Note: Ishida Haruka did not participate General Election 2016
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/03/ishida-haruka-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on April 10, 2016, 02:07:42 PM
Quote
Kato Rumi announces Graduation

SKE48 member Kato Rumi (加藤るみ) announced her graduation during LIVE performance in SKE48 Theater on 10 April 2016.

Note: Kato Rumi did not submit nomination's application for upcoming General Election.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/04/kato-rumi-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on April 18, 2016, 03:25:41 AM
Quote
AKB48 group to setup Donation Box for for Kumamoto Earthquake

AKB48 group announces they places donation boxes in all their theatres and handshake events for Kumamoto Earthquake, all proceeds raised will be donated to Japanese Red Cross Society.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/04/akb48-group-to-setup-donation-box-for.html
http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12151172298.html

Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund
http://www.jrc.or.jp/contribute/help/28/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on April 19, 2016, 01:37:42 PM
Quote
HKT48 to donate ALL NEW Theatre OPEN Special LIVE ticket revenue to charity

It was announced HKT48 will donate all their new Theatre OPEN Special LIVE ticket revenue and storage manage fee to Japanese Red Cross Society.

HKT48 NEW Theatre OPEN Special LIVE (HKT48劇場移転・リニューアルOPEN特別公演) will be held in their new Tenjin theatre on 28 April 2016 (18:30 JST).
The new HKT48 Theater will be located in 6/F., Tenjin Nishitetsu Hall (天神・西鉄ホール), Tenjin Area, the capacity is up to 286 people. The location is closer to HKT48 official shop and cafe.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/04/hkt48-to-donate-all-new-theatre-open.html
http://ameblo.jp/hkt48/entry-12151601979.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on May 11, 2016, 04:17:13 PM
Quote
365 nichi no kamihikouki wins Drama Academy Awards

88th Drama Academy Awards have been revealed. The Best Drams Song is AKB48 42nd c/w song "365 nichi no kamihikouki".

Note 1: "365 nichi no kamihikouki" is theme song for the NHK dorama "Asa ga Kita"
Note 2: Drama Academy Awards is held quarterly by a magazine Smart the Television, and are based on the combined results of votes from the magazine readers, juries, and TV journalists.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/05/365-nichi-no-kamihikouki-wins-drama.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on June 03, 2016, 02:19:56 PM
Quote
Maeda Ami announces Graduation

AKB48 Team A member Maeda Ami (前田亜美) announced her Graduation in AKB48 Theater on 2 June 2016.

Maeda Ami announced her Graduation from AKB48 During her Birthday Live ceremony, she explains it is because she feels the generation change and she need to work harder, though she feels sorry she is never a selection members (Note: I guess she means General Election).

While she considered graduation, idol is not what she dreams of, she wants to be an actress from the very beginning. At the time of age 21, she wants to restarts, she does what she wants to do, therefore she decides to graduate.

Maeda Ami is a 7th generation member, she made her debut in 2008. 
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/06/maeda-ami-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on June 08, 2016, 02:53:33 PM
Quote
Anai Chihiro announces Graduation from HKT48

HKT48 Team H captain Anai Chihiro (穴井千尋) announced her graduation in HKT48 Theater on 8 June 2016.

Anai Chihiro explained her decision, because she wants to devote more time on her study, she wants to graduate in four years from university, but it has been her 3rd year. She decide to study aboard in August, and her HKT48 activities will be until end of July 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/06/anai-chihiro-announces-graduation-from.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on June 24, 2016, 04:43:28 PM
Quote
Shibata Aya announces Graduation

SKE48 Team E member Shibata Aya (柴田阿弥) announced her graduation in niconico LIVE on 24 June 2016. She will leave SKE48 in the end of August 2016.

Shibata Aya explained her graduation because she wants to be a solo talent, and she finds she have done what she is able to do in SKE48, she thinks it is too indulgent to herself if staying in SKE48, she want to leave before making any mistakes. Shibata Aya also said she will continue her study.

Shibata Aya will participate SKE48 upcoming 20th Single "Kin no Ai, Gin no Ai" (金の愛、銀の愛), and it will be her final SKE48 single.

Shibata Aya passed SKE48's 4th generation auditions in 2010, she was selected to form Team E, and transferred to Team KII in 2013. In February 2014, she was transferred back to Team E in the AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri.

Note: Shibata Aya did not participate SKE48's stage play AKB49 and General Election 2016, Shibata Aya ranked 15th place in General Election 2014 and 2015.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/06/shibata-aya-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on June 28, 2016, 09:45:04 PM
Even AKB are taking the piss out of the UK now...

HKT's next tour title translates to "Will HKT Leave the AKB48 Group? Referendum Concert."

http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12175299200.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on July 11, 2016, 05:32:28 PM
Quote
Anai Chihiro Last HKT48 Performance

HKT48 began their 2016 Summer Hall Tour 2016 "HKT leaving AKB48 group? Referendum Concert" in Fukuoka Sunpalace Hall on 11 July 2016. It was the last show of current Team H captain Anai Chihiro (穴井千尋).

Note: Anai Chihiro will leave the group after the handshake event on 30 July 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/07/anai-chihiro-last-hkt48-performance.html

Quote
Matsuoka Natsumi to be Team H New Captain

It was announced in HKT48 Team H vice captain Matsuoka Natsumi (松岡菜摘) is promoted to be Team H captain.

It was announced in concert of HKT48 Summer Tour 2016 on 11 July 2016. It was the last show of current Team H captain Anai Chihiro (穴井千尋), Anai Chihiro will leave the group after the handshake event on 30 July 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/07/matsuoka-natsumi-to-be-team-h-new.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on July 17, 2016, 12:22:48 AM
Quote
Hirata Rina announces Graduation

AKB48 Team A member Hirata Rina (平田梨奈) announced her graduation during her birthday LIVE ceremony in AKB48 Theater on 16 July 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/07/hirata-rina-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on August 27, 2016, 03:18:58 PM
Quote
Kishino Rika announces Graduation

NMB48 Team N member Kishino Rika (岸野里香) announced her graduation during NMB48 Request Hour 2016 on 27 August 2016. She said she will focus on her singer career.

Kishino Rika is NMB48 1st generation member, she passed audition and joined NMB48 in September 2010, and made her debut in AKB48 Tokyo Autumn Festival on 9 October 2010, she was selected for NMB48 7 times, and her ranking 66th place in General Election 2016.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/08/kishino-rika-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 05, 2016, 04:50:24 PM
Quote
Miyamae Ami's Graduation LIVE in September 28th

SKE48 member Miyamae Ami (宮前杏実) graduation LIVE performance will be held in SKE48 Theater on 28 September 2016.

Miyamae Ami announced it during LIVE performance live in SKE48 Theater on 5 September 2016. below is the updates from SKE48 official web site:

Miyamae Ami 's last activities date: 30 September 2016
Receiving fans letter and present for her until 31 October 2016
Her SKE48 Mail services until 30 September 2016 (23:59:59)
Her SKE48 official blog until 31 October 2016 (23:59:59)
Her Google Plus account until 30 September 2016 (23:59:59)
http://www.ske48.co.jp/news/?id=1473075204
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/09/miyamae-amis-graduation-live-in.html

Quote
Ueda Mirei announces Graduation

NMB48 member Ueda Mirei (植田碧麗) announced her graduation in NMB48 Theater on 5 September 2016, her graduation LIVE will be held on 30 September 2016.
http://ameblo.jp/nmb48/entry-12197131397.html
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/09/ueda-mirei-announces-graduation.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 17, 2016, 11:33:54 AM
Quote
Kinoshita Haruna Announces Graduation

NMB48 Team BII member Kinoshita Haruna (木下春奈) announced graduation during LIVE performance in NMB48 Theater on 17 September 2016.

Kinoshita Haruna explained her graduation is for for her university entrance; and she did not announce her graduation schedule.

Kinoshita Haruna is NMB48 first generation member, she joined NMB48 in 2010, and made her debut in AKB48 Tokyo Festival on 9 October 2016. She was transferred to Team BII from Team N in AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri on 24 February 2014.
http://akb48-daily.blogspot.hk/2016/09/kinoshita-haruna-announces-graduation.html
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103350333579457321452/posts/F5iDwhyChAw
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on October 14, 2016, 05:04:18 PM
Quote
Ogasawara Mayu announces Graduation

AKB48 member Ogasawara Mayu announced her Graduation during LIVE performance in AKB48 Theater on 14 October 2016, and she will leave the group by the end of 2016.

Ogasawara Mayu joined AKB48 group in 2010, she joined NMB48 as a 1st Generation Kenkyuusei in October 2010, and got promoted to Team N on 10 March 2011. She was transferred to AKB48's Team B in AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri in 2014, and she was transferred to Team A in AKB48 Spring Shuffle 2015.
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-219.html
https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/KMHwvWZMJDu
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on October 17, 2016, 07:16:16 AM
Quote
AKB48 Producer Yasushi Akimoto Launches New Idol Group That 'Crosses Dimensions'

AKB48 founder and producer Yasushi Akimoto announced on Sunday that he will produce a new idol group with the concept of "idols that cross dimensions." The group will have eight anime idol characters, with their respective voice actresses performing as idols in the real world. A different character designer will handle each member's anime design, with Masayoshi Tanaka (your name., Toradora!, anohana) and Kyoto Animation's Yukiko Horiguchi (K-ON!, Tamako Market, Kokoro Connect) already announced as character designers.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-10-16/akb48-producer-yasushi-akimoto-launches-new-idol-group-that-crosses-dimensions/.107736
http://otakomu.jp/archives/436272.html
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/1725340.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on October 18, 2016, 04:20:32 PM
Quote
Jonishi Kei Announces Graduation

NMB48 member Jonishi Kei announced her graduation in NMB48 6th Anniversary LIVE concert (Day 1) on 18 October 2016.
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-278.html
https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/HcGFQi1qx6z

Quote
NMB48 announces Team Shuffle

NMB48 announced their Team Shuffle in NMB48 6th Anniversary LIVE concert (Day 1) on 18 October 2016.

New Team N
 
Captain: Yamamoto Sayaka
Vice Captain: Yamao Rina (New)
Azuma Yuki
Ichikawa Miori (Transferred from Team BII)
Kusaka Konomi
Koga Narumi
Sutou Ririka
Tanigawa Airi
Naiki Kokoro
Hayashi Momoka
Hori Shion
Matsumura Megumi
Mita Mao
Yabushita Shu
Jonishi Kei (Announced Graduation)
Yamamoto Ayaka (Promoted)

New Team M

Captain: Kawakami Reina (New)
Vice Captain: Iso Kanae (New)
Ishida Yumi
Ino Mizuki
Odan Mai
Kato Yuuka
Kamieda Emika (Transferred from Team BII)
Kawakami Chihiro
Kinoshita Momoka
Kurokawa Hazuki
Shibuya Nagisa (Transferred from Team BII)
Shiroma Miru
Nakano Reina
Nishizawa Rurina
Yasuda Momone (Promoted)
Yoshida Akari

New Team BII

Captain: Kushiro Rina (New)
Vice Captain Okita Ayaka (Transferred from Team M)
Akashi Natsuko
Ishizuka Akari
Ijiri Anna
Uemura Azusa
Ota Yuuri (Transferred from Team N)
Jo Eriko
Takei Sara
Fujie Reina (Transferred from Team M)
Murase Sae
Muranaka Yuki (Promoted)
Morita Ayaka
Yagura Fuuko
Yamaguchi Yuki

Above arrangement will take affect on 1 January 2017.
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-279.html
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103350333579457321452/posts/USh8DCBLQXH
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on October 20, 2016, 03:41:18 PM
Darn, there goes my favourite Nogi46 girl... :(

Quote
Hashimoto Nanami announces Graduation

Nogizaka46 16th single's center Hashimoto Nanami (橋本奈々未) announced her graduation in Japanese radio show AKB48 no AllNightNippon on 20 October 2016.

Hashimoto Nanami will leave Nogizaka46 around 20 February 2017 (Her upcoming birthday), and she will leave show business too.

Nogizaka46 16th single will be Hashimoto Nanami first and last single's CENTER for Nogizaka46, the single will be released on 9 November 2016.
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-299.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd01D_E-G_A
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on November 10, 2016, 03:24:00 PM
Aigasa Moe announces Graduation

https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/Xay7CEJebko
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114007873084322574127/posts/2BxRpkw74fs
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on November 14, 2016, 02:25:12 PM
Umeta Ayano  (AKB4848) announces Graduation
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114007873084322574127/posts/NTpE8qzVhK8

Kurokawa Hazuki (NMB48) announces Graduation
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103350333579457321452/posts/1fPGHCNwa2u
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on November 29, 2016, 02:27:20 PM
So unexpected.

Owada Nana announces Graduation

Quote
私、大和田南那はAKB48を卒業します。
私はですね、AKBに入って約4年目なんですけど、悔しかったり嬉しかったり色んな感情を教えてもらったり、色んな経験をさせてもらったのでこれからグループの外に出て新しい自分を見つけたいなと思ってるので決断しました。

まだ日程とかは決まってないので、まだアイドルとしてのなーにゃを見てもらいたいなって思ってるのでこれからもよろしくお願いします!

https://plus.google.com/u/0/114007873084322574127/posts/FXFuMfBrnb2
https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/TMWzGkKeWo6
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on November 29, 2016, 03:09:20 PM
A bit shocked too ^ :nervous
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 09, 2016, 01:37:50 PM
Yabushita Shu announces Graduation

https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/X9oPwMistPe
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103350333579457321452/posts/ir2J8MRZsFa
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: kuro808 on December 09, 2016, 03:11:39 PM
Yabushita Shu announces Graduation

https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/X9oPwMistPe
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103350333579457321452/posts/ir2J8MRZsFa

Another one of those shockers :nervous
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 14, 2016, 03:06:48 PM
Nishino Miki announces Graduation

https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/JrqieHaE4kW
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114007873084322574127/posts/4yHYMKFh8hw
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 16, 2016, 07:55:57 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xARv2AfzOpw
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 18, 2016, 03:14:37 PM
Preview pics added for the solo member wall/tabletop 2017 calendars at Rakuten.

Link for AKB48 ones (change the search to the sister groups to find theirs, e.g. "SKE48 カレンダー 2017"):
http://search.books.rakuten.co.jp/bksearch/nm?f=A&sitem=AKB48+%A5%AB%A5%EC%A5%F3%A5%C0%A1%BC+2017&y=&x=&mt=0&v=2&h=100&s=1&e=0&spv=2&o=0&cy=0&sv=30

Wall B2:
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2016/4573458796932.jpg~original) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2016/4573458796932_2.jpg~original) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2016/4573458796932_3.jpg~original)

Tabletop:
(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2016/4573458797656.jpg~original) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2016/4573458797656_2.jpg~original) (http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2016/4573458797656_3.jpg~original)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 27, 2016, 01:04:07 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62nQHzYA7vM
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on December 27, 2016, 04:55:55 PM
^Paruru is a one of a kind idol, really wishing her much success and happiness!

Meanwhile, Team 8 member Miyu Yoshino (Oita ken)
announced her graduation on Christmas Day .....

She apoligized for the the timing, but said that she found a new dream.

It's touching in the video to see some of her team mates were really sad about the news,
and even Miyu breaks down a bit at the end.

I hope that she had a great experience being a member of Team 8, and wish her much joy in
pursuing new dreams!

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip229363.jpg)

Thank you for being a wonderful part
of the team Miyuyun!
(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip229360.jpg)


チーム8 吉野未優 卒業発表 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvMZS1WuA5Q)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on December 28, 2016, 04:29:24 AM
TokyoHive.com - Akimoto Yasushi produces digital idol group '22/7' (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/12/akimoto-yasushi-produces-digital-idol-group-22-7)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2016/12/akimoto-yasushi-produces-digital-idol-group-22-7
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/214786
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 29, 2016, 01:26:23 PM
67th Kouhaku AKB Senbatsu final results.

AKB48<17名>
・入山杏奈
・大家志津香
・大和田南那
・岡田奈々
・柏木由紀
・加藤玲奈
・川本紗矢
・木崎ゆりあ(※「崎」は正式には「たつさき」)
・小嶋陽菜
・小嶋真子
・島崎遥香
・峯岸みなみ
・向井地美音
・武藤十夢
・村山彩希
・横山由依
・渡辺麻友

SKE48<6名>
・大場美奈
・須田亜香里
・高柳明音
・古畑奈和
・松井珠理奈
・松村香織

NMB48<11名>
・市川美織
・太田夢莉
・木下百花
・渋谷凪咲
・上西恵
・白間美瑠
・須藤凜々花
・矢倉楓子
・薮下柊
・山本彩
・吉田朱里

HKT48<11名>
・兒玉遥
・指原莉乃
・田島芽瑠
・田中美久
・朝長美桜
・松岡菜摘
・松岡はな
・宮脇咲良
・本村碧唯
・森保まどか
・矢吹奈子

NGT48<3名>
・加藤美南
・北原里英
・中井りか

繰り上げメンバー<2名>(田中、矢吹が中学生のため)
・北川綾巴
・惣田紗莉渚

https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1650579
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 06, 2017, 02:15:35 PM
Yokoshima Aeri announces Graduation
https://plus.google.com/u/0/109032389081888190627/posts/PZZb3BMVrkG
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 17, 2017, 01:10:11 PM
Ota Aika announces Graduation
https://twitter.com/lovetannnnnn/status/821326079553978368
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 20, 2017, 07:52:23 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRCmM7uM9KU
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 22, 2017, 09:09:07 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ZRoSZdCoI
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 22, 2017, 01:33:46 PM
AKB48 Group Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2017

100) Oogoe Diamond
99) 12 Gatsu no Kangaroo
98) Omoide Ijou
97) Temodemo no Namida
96) Taboo no Iro
95) Yume de Kiss Me
94) Hashire! Penguin
93) Yumemiru Team KIV
92) Dakishimetai Kedo
91) Escape
90) Sakki Made wa Ice Tea
89) Kibouteki Refrain
88) Itoshia no Accel
87) Gonna Jump
86) Arashi no Yoru ni wa
85) Yume e no Route
84) Yowamushi Kemushi
83) Maenomeri
82) Hito Natsu no Hankouki
81) ONEW no Uwabaki
80) She's Gone
79) Kimi wa Melody
78) KONJO
77) Happy Ranking
76) Kimi no Wedding Dress wo...
75) Koi Yori mo Dream
74) Seifuku Bikini
73) Fuyushougun no Regret
72) Tasogare no Tandem
71) 12Byou
70) Happy End
69) Koi Suru Fortune Cookie
68) Cross
67) Ii Hito Ii Hito Sagi
66) Usotsuki na Dachou
65) Kimi no Hitomi wa Planetarium
64) Suki! Suki! Skip!
63) Kimi Dake ni Chu! Chu! Chu!
62) Zipper
61) Onna no Ko Damon, Hashiranakya
60) Choose Me!
59) Romance Kakurenbo
58) LOVE Shugyou
57) Seifuku wo Kita Meitantei
56) Kafka to Dendenmu Chu!
55) Shinka Shitenne Jan
54) Shortcut no Natsu
53) RESET
52) Densetsu no Sakana
51) Melon Juice
50) Daite Twintails
49) Watashi wa Blueberry Pie
48) Bara no Gishiki
47) Kishi ga Mieru Umi Kara
46) High Tension
45) Kaisoku to Doutai Shiryoku
44) Madonna no Sentaku
43) Ijiwaru Chu
42) Tsubasa wa Iranai
41) Show Fight
40) Chameleon Joshikousei
39) Party is Over
38) Koi no Yubisaki
37) Kangaeru Hito
36) Hajimari no Yuki
35) HKTjou, Ima, Ugoku
34) Madogiwa LOVER
33) Kataomoi Yori mo Omoide wo...
32) Bouenkyou no Nai Tenmondai
31) LOVE TRIP
30) Seijun Philosophy
29) Niji no Tsukurikata
28) Eien Pressure
27) 365Nichi no Kamihikouki
26) Better
25) Osaekirenai Shoudou
24) Himitsu no Diary
23) Saikou Ka Yo
22) Kanojo
21) Heart Gata Virus
20) Nanaiki Lips
19) Tenshi no Shippo
18) Konya wa Shake it!
17) Yokaze no Shiwaza
16) Chain of Love
15) Otona Ressha
14) Soramimi Rock
13) Koko de Ippatsu
12) Yume no Hitotsu
11) Boku wa Shitteiru
10) Ice no Kuchizuke
09) Ima Narba
08) Kokoro no Placard
07) Kimi wa doki ni Iru?
06) Make Noise
05) NGT48
04) Tsuki to Mizukagami
03) Akai Pin Heel to Professor
02) 47 no Suteki na Machi e
01) Max Toki 315-Go
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 23, 2017, 08:08:18 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkcXMEoYvFg
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 25, 2017, 01:46:53 PM
Yakata Miki announces Graduation

https://twitter.com/yakata_mk/status/824233311413243904
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: almond on January 25, 2017, 03:20:31 PM
At this rate, we should just make a separate AKB48 Graduation News Thread
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on January 25, 2017, 04:14:10 PM
At this rate, we should just make a separate AKB48 Graduation News Thread
When I spot them, I've been posting the announcements for them in the individual member's threads.
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 26, 2017, 11:33:46 AM
Sure. Been thinking that a long time. Let's do it. :)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 25, 2017, 02:31:13 PM
8th April AKB48 Theater 3-Ki 10th anniversary performance announced:
https://plus.google.com/+Daily-akb48/posts/RNXgCqphyYY

(http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/kyot777/AKB48/AKB2017/170225doya.jpg~original)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 26, 2017, 03:32:21 PM
Quote
AKB48 to hold 14th Gen LIVE

It was announced in SHOWROOM, AKB48 Theater will hold 14th generation's LIVE performance on 26 March 2017.
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1396.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on February 26, 2017, 03:33:19 PM
Quote
Kitagawa Ryoha being Team S New Leader

It was announced in Yakata Miki's graduation LIVE, SKE48 Team S Kitagawa Ryoha is appointed to be New Leader of the team, and the vice leader will be Inuzuka Asana.

Note: Matsumoto Chikako was Team S's vice leader
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1399.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 03, 2017, 02:22:38 PM
Quote
SKE48 to have NEW TV show

SKE48 will have their new TV variety show on Tokai TV in April 2017, it was announced by SKE48 Theater manager Yuasa Hiroshi in LIVE performance on 3 March 2017.
http://akb48daily.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1460.html
https://twitter.com/tokaitv/status/837603470223921152
https://twitter.com/ske48official/status/837607726679126016
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 15, 2017, 01:07:55 AM
Looks like Paul at AKB48 Daily is having issues again. According to him and to some people who have replied to his Twitter inquiry, looks like someone has tried/is trying to stir up shit.
- https://twitter.com/AKB48Daily/status/841724914923057152



The site is currently not viewable by the general public. According to this Twitter post, Paul says he's been told it'll take at least a few days to resolve.
- https://twitter.com/AKB48Daily/status/841784841519607811
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Ruka Kikuchi on August 16, 2017, 05:36:42 PM
GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

http://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2017/07/18/poll-which-asian-pop-act-should-perform-super-bowl-halftime-show

If we put in enough votes, AKB might be able to perform the Super Bowl Halftime show next year! I will be so FREAKING HAPPY if that happens!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 01, 2017, 03:03:14 PM
Abe Maria transferring to TPE48:

https://twitter.com/taka_hos/status/903580131062464512
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on October 28, 2017, 03:41:10 AM
TokyoHive.com - AKB48 to make a second attempt at a sister group in Shanghai (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2017/10/akb48-to-make-a-second-attempt-at-a-sister-group-in-shanghai)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2017/10/akb48-to-make-a-second-attempt-at-a-sister-group-in-shanghai
- http://natalie.mu/music/news/254294
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Jul3 on January 01, 2018, 10:40:24 PM
"New AKB48 sister group to form in India" - MUM48

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/01/new-akb48-sister-group-to-form-in-india

LOL at that name
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 22, 2018, 07:10:20 AM
AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NFwo3LfiMY

(100-76) 19 January 2018
100. Omoide Ijou (SKE48's Team S 3rd Stage)
99. Kiss wa Matsushikanai no Deshouka? (HKT48's 10th Single c/w)
98. Zipper (NMB48's Team N 3rd Stage)
97. ONEW no Uabaki (NMB48's Team N 3rd Stage)
96. Ii Hito Ii Sagi (SKE48's 20th Single c/w)
94. Shonichi (AKB48's Team B 3rd Stage)
94. Sasasa Saikoo!! (NMB48's 3rd Album c/w)
93. Eien no Legacy (SKE48's 21st Single c/w, Oya Masana's Graduation Song)
92. Kimi no Hitomi wa Planetarium (AKB48's 33rd Single c/w)
91. Oteage Lullaby (Team Surprise 1st Stage)
90. HKTjou, Ima, Ugoku (HKT48's 7th Single c/w)
89. Cross (SKE48's Team KII 3rd Stage)
88. Mou Hadashi ni Hanarenai (NMB48's 8th Single c/w)
87. Jibuntachi no Koi ni Kagitte (AKB48's 49th Single c/w)
86. Overture (NGT48 Version)
85. LOVE Shugyou (AKB48's 31st Single c/w)
84. Hotei Sokudo to Yuuetsukan (AKB48's 50th Single c/w)
83. 365nichi no Kamihikouki (AKB48's 42nd Single c/w)
82. Melon Juice (HKT48's 2nd Single title track)
81. Sayonara de Owaru Wake Janai (AKB48's 50th Single c/w, Watanabe Mayu's Graduation Song)
80. Seijun Philosophy (AKB48's 33rd Single c/w)
79. Gunyatto Magatta (HKT48's 10th Single c/w)
78. Saikou Ka Yo (HKT48's 8th Single title track)
77. Romance Kakurenbo (AKB48 Team B 5th Stage)
76. Onna no Ko Damon, Hashiranakya! (HKT48's 8th Single c/w)

(75-1) 20 January 2018
75. #Sukinanda (AKB48's 49th Single title track)
74. Chain of Love (HKT48's 7th Single c/w)
73. Seifuku wo kita meitantei (SKE48's 18th Single c/w)
72. Boku wa Ai sarete inai (NMB48's 3rd Album c/w)
70. Inori wa Donna Mirai mo Shiawase ni Kaeru (AKB48 Team Surprise)
70. Kimi no News (AKB48 Team Surprise)
69. Yasashisa ni Amaerarenai (AKB48 Team Surprise)
68. Anata no Kawari wa Inai (AKB48 Team Surprise)
66. Seifuku wo Nugitaku Natte Kita (SKE48's 2nd Album c/w)
66. Zankoku na Ame (AKB48 Team Surprise)
65. Hidari no Ude de Tsuresatte (AKB48 Team Surprise)
64. Hanashiaite wa Reizouko (AKB48 Team Surprise)
63. Omoidasete Yokatta (AKB48's 50th Single c/w)
62. Hokori no Oka (AKB48 Team Surprise)
61. Onegai Valentine (HKT48's 1st Single c/w)
60. Las Vegas de Kekkon Shiyou (AKB48 Team Surprise)
59. Saisho no Ai no Monogatari (AKB48's 4th Album c/w)
58. Buddy (HKT48's 6th Single c/w)
57. Koi no Yubisaki (HKT48's 6th Single c/w)
56. Igai ni Mango (SKE48's 20th Single title track)
55. Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe! (AKB48's 6th Album lead track)
54. Niji no Tsukurikata (NMB48's 14th Single)
53. Tonari no Kare wa Kakko yoku Mieru (HKT48's 10th Single c/w)
52. Ijiwaru Chu! (HKT48's 6th Single c/w)
51. NGT48 (NGT48 Theme)
50. Kimi wa doko ni iru? (AKB48's 44th Single c/w)
49. Madogiwa LOVER (SKE48's 19th Single c/w)
48. Akigan Punk (NGT48's 1st single c/w)
47. Shutsujin (NGT48's 1st single c/w)
46. Kurayami Motomu (NGT48's 1st single c/w)
45. Hakusen no Uchigawa de (HKT48's 9th Single c/w)
44. Show fight! (AKB48's 27th Single c/w)
43. Tomadotte Tameratte (AKB48's 49th Single c/w)
42. Kiseki no Ryuuseigun (SKE48's 21st Single c/w)
41. Yokaze no Shiwaza (Team B 5th Stage)
40. Madonna no Sentaku (AKB48's 42nd Single c/w)
39. Tsuki no Kamen (AKB48's 49th Single c/w)
38. Sakuranbo wo Musuberuka? (HKT48's 10th Single c/w)
37. Akai pinheel to Proesor (AKB48's 6th Album c/w)
36. Kanojo (AKB48's 6th Album c/w)
35. Otona Ressha (AKB48's 39th Single c/w)
34. Private Summer (AKB48's 49th Single c/w)
33. Gesuna Yume (AKB48 Team Surprise)
32. Daite Yaccha Sakuragicho (NGT48's 2nd single c/w)
31. Setouchi no Koe (AKB48's 48th single c/w)
30. Taiyou ga Sakamichi wo Noboru Koro (NMG48's 16th single c/w)
29. 11gatsu no Anklet (AKB48's 50th single title track)
28. Osaekirenai Shoudou (AKB48's 46th single c/w)
27. Yume no Kaidan wo Nobore! (SKE48's 21st single c/w)
26. Junjo Yoroshiku (NGT48 1st single c/w)
25. Hohoemi no Toki (AKB48's 50th Single c/w)
24. Himitsu no Diary (AKB48's 35th Single c/w)
23. Darashinai Aishikata (AKB48's 49th Single c/w)
22. Otona ni naru mae ni (NGT48's 2nd Single c/w)
21. Ice no kuchizuke (AKB48's 22nd Single c/w)
20. Fuyushougun no Regret (NMB48's 6th Single c/w)
19. Choose me! (AKB48's 15th single c/w)
18. Yaban na Kyuuai (AKB48's 50th single c/w)
17. Koisuru Ribbon (HKT48's 10th single c/w)
16. Boku no Namida wa Nagarenai (NGT48's 2nd single c/w)
15. Coin Toss (AKB48's 5th Album c/w)
14. Dakitsukou ka? (AKB48's 49th single c/w)
13. Gikochinai Tsugaku Densha (NGT48's 2nd single c/w)
12. Koko de Ippatsu (SKE48's 2nd Album c/w)
11. Nani ka ga Iru (NGT48's 2nd single c/w)
10. Get you! (AKB48's 5th Album c/w)
9. Seishun Dokei (NGT48's 1st single title track)
8. Tsuki to Mizukagami (AKB48 Team A 7th Stage)
7. Midori to Mori no Undokouen (AKB48's 47th single c/w)
6. Romantic Byou (HKT48's 10th single c/w)
5. Max Toki 315go (AKB48's 43rd single c/w)
4. Hana Uranai (SKE48's 2nd Album c/w)
3. Shita no Na de Yobeta no wa... (NGT48's 1st single c/w)
2. 47 no Suteki na Machi e (AKB48's 37th single c/w)
1. Sekai wa Doko Made Aozora na no ka? (NGT48's 2nd single title track)

source:
https://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/1655-akb48-request-hour-setlist-best-100-2018-100-76.html
https://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/1660-akb48-request-hour-setlist-best-100-2018-75-01.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 10, 2018, 03:33:13 PM
Iriyama Anna studying abroad in Mexico for 1 year. Wait Wha...!  :sweatdrop:

https://twitter.com/iriyamaanna1203/status/972351665763430400
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on April 04, 2018, 03:31:49 AM
TokyoHive.com - AKB48's Inagaki Kaori fractures occipital bone after falling off stage (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/04/akb48s-inagaki-kaori-fractures-occipital-bone-after-falling-off-stage)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/04/akb48s-inagaki-kaori-fractures-occipital-bone-after-falling-off-stage
- https://natalie.mu/music/news/276259
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on April 04, 2018, 08:29:21 AM
^Get well soon Kaori san!

An injury that could cause problems for her,
She must be carefully looked after....

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip232742.jpeg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on June 22, 2018, 03:51:28 AM
New overseas sister group announced. Vietnam's SGO48
https://twitter.com/AKB48_staff/status/1009737642819239937
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on July 31, 2018, 07:14:52 AM
Acchan is getting married :oops:

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20180731-00000093-spnannex-ent
https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2116651/full/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 04, 2018, 01:23:44 AM
AramaJapan.com - AKB48 leaves center position vacant at concert due to Jurina Matsui’s illness (http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48-leaves-center-position-vacant-at-concert-due-to-jurina-matsuis-illness/90376/) [during 2018.08.02 concert in Yokohama]
- http://aramajapan.com/news/akb48-leaves-center-position-vacant-at-concert-due-to-jurina-matsuis-illness/90376/
- https://news.dwango.jp/idol/30311-1808
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 04, 2018, 04:59:13 PM
AramaJapan.com - Jurina Matsui will not participate in AKB48’s 53rd single “Sentimental Train” (http://aramajapan.com/news/jurina-matsui-will-not-participate-in-akb48s-53rd-single-sentimental-train/90428/)
- http://aramajapan.com/news/jurina-matsui-will-not-participate-in-akb48s-53rd-single-sentimental-train/90428/
- https://akb.kingrecords.co.jp/page/180803.html
- https://twitter.com/jurinagoya/status/1025384810468892673
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on August 06, 2018, 12:13:29 AM
TokyoHive.com - Matsui Jurina not participating in AKB48's 53rd single due to poor health (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/08/matsui-jurina-to-not-participate-in-akb48s-53rd-single)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/08/matsui-jurina-to-not-participate-in-akb48s-53rd-single
- https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1783916
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 06, 2018, 01:20:43 PM
Matsui Jurina back from hiatus

https://twitter.com/SKE48_YUASA/status/1037661262912446464
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on September 23, 2018, 11:57:11 AM
2018 AKB48 Group Janken Taikai winners are...

Fortune cherry
多田京加 (AKB48, Tada Kyoka)
松田祐実 (HKT48, Matsuda Yumi)


https://twitter.com/AKB48_staff/status/1043797869688381440

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip239910.jpg) (http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip239909.jpg)
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on November 21, 2018, 05:17:23 AM
New overseas sister group announced. Vietnam's SGO48
https://twitter.com/AKB48_staff/status/1009737642819239937

TokyoHive.com - SGO48 recruit 29 first generation members (http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/11/sgo48-recruit-29-first-generation-members)
- http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2018/11/sgo48-recruit-29-first-generation-members
- https://natalie.mu/music/news/308615
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 02, 2018, 06:35:36 PM
2018 AKB48 Group Janken Taikai winners are...

Fortune cherry
多田京加 (AKB48, Tada Kyoka)
松田祐実 (HKT48, Matsuda Yumi)


https://twitter.com/AKB48_staff/status/1043797869688381440

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJd5LiCt6_g
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on December 08, 2018, 02:36:16 PM
Mukaichi Mion appointed as next AKB48 General Director.
Yokoyama Yui staying as a normal member. :)

https://twitter.com/Yui_yoko1208/status/1071394428370079744
https://twitter.com/mionnn_48/status/1071405413705240577
https://jshowbiz.com/english/news/akb48/item/4235-mukaichi-mion-appointed-3rd-general-director.html

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip242772.jpg)

Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 11, 2019, 02:54:57 PM
(SKE48 Team S) Nojima Kano has won the AKB48 Group No.1 Singing Competition  :theking

https://twitter.com/nojimakano_0906/status/1083724796997775361

https://twitter.com/AKB48G_singer/status/1083709387972046848
https://twitter.com/s_egg/status/1083721011109933056
http://www.wws-channel.com/girls2/122575.html
https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2127286/full/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on January 20, 2019, 04:24:45 AM
AKB48 Group Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2019

100. Ii Hito Ii Hito Sagi
99. Ato de
98. Seijun Philosophy
97. Warota People
96. Buttaoreru Made
95. Yume e no Route
94. Hana no Kaori no Symphony
93. Otona ni Naru Mae ni
92. Taiyou ga Sakamichi wo Noboru Koro
91. Yaban na Kyuuai
90. Saikou ka yo
89. Hakusen no Uchigawa de
88. Teacher Teacher
87. Kanojo
86. NO WAY MAN
85. Ijiwaru Chu
84. Omoide Ijou
83. Good Timing
82. Oteage Lullaby
81. Kaisoku to Doutai Shiryoku
80. Boku Dake no Hakujitsumu
79. LOVE Shugyou
78. Kimi no Hitomi wa Planetarium
77. Sekai wa Doko Made Aozora na no ka?
76. Just a Moment
75. Tonari no Kare wa Kakko yoku Mieru
74. Gikochinai Tsugaku Densha
73. Junjou Soda Sui
71. Yume e no Process
71. Seifuku wo Kita Meitantei
70. Otona no Sekai
69. Wakariyasukute Gomen
68. Nakibeso kaku made
67. Ike no Mizu wo Nukitai
66. Sandal ja Dekinai Koi
65. Daite Twintails
64. "Suki" no Tane
63. Cross
62. Romance Kakurenbo
61. Akai Pin Heel to Professor
60. Koi Yori mo Dream
59. Aitakute iya ni Naru
58. Chain of love
57. Romantic na Sayonara
56. Tomodachi ja nai ka?
55. Ja-Ba-Ja
54. Koisuru Ribbon!
53. Boku Datte naichau yo
52. Niji no Tsukurikata
51. Pedal to Sharin to Kita Michi to
50. Kiseki no ryuuseigun
49. Hohoemi no Toki
48. Madogiwa LOVER
47. Arashi no Yoru ni wa
46. Hitonatsu no Dekigoto
45. Shuuden no Yoru
44. Hayaokuri Calendar
43. Kokoro ni Taiyou
42. Hachinosu Dance
41. Sakuranbo wo Musuberuka?
40. Tomodachi ga dekita
39. Otona Ressha
38. Whatcha Gonna Do
37. Bokura no Stand By Me
35. Dareka no Mimi
35. Kisetsu no Sei ni Shitaku wa nai
34. Shita no Na de Yobeta no wa...
33. Seishun Dokei
32. Yokaze no Shiwaza
31. Neko Allergy
30. Coin Toss
29. Yume no Kaidan wo Nobore!
28. Passion Fruit no himitsu
27. Himitsu no Diary
26. Which one
25. Nami ga Tsutaeru Mono
24. Saikyou Twintail
23. Madonna no Sentaku
22. Atarashii Chime
21. #SukiNanda
20. Osaekirenai Shoudou
19. Show fight!
18. Haru wa Doko kara kuru no ka?
17. Ice no Kuchizuke
16. Ohayo Kara Hajimaru Seka
15. Max Toki 315go
14. Soredemo Kanojo wa
13. Kyou wa Make Demo Ii
12. Yume wa Nigenai
11. Kasou Renai
10. Sekai no Hito e
09. Namida no Hyomen Choryoku
08. Kurayami
07. Dakitsukouka?
06. Koko de Ippatsu
05. Tsuki to Mizukagami
04. Kimi wa Boku no Kaze
03. Sentimental Train
02. Romantic Byou
01. 47 no Suteki na Machi e

source:
https://jshowbiz.com/english/news/akb48/item/4646-akb48-request-hour-setlist-best-100-2019.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: Ruka Kikuchi on March 09, 2019, 08:51:52 PM
Two of AKB48's radio shows, All Night Nippon and their radio drama series Watashitachi no Monogatari, will be ending at the end of the month!

However, don't worry! They will be getting a new radio show starting in April!
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 13, 2019, 09:22:43 PM
NeoTokyo2099.com - There will be no AKB48 Senbatsu Sosenkyo in 2019 (http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/03/14/there-will-be-no-akb48-senbatsu-no-sosenkyo-in-2019/)
- http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/03/14/there-will-be-no-akb48-senbatsu-no-sosenkyo-in-2019/
- https://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12446503709.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: muppet on March 14, 2019, 12:22:55 AM
^ Does this mean the many thousands of CD purchases
(with voting tickets enclosed) will no longer be dumped in the mountains?

https://japantoday.com/category/entertainment/idol-group-akb48-sells-2.5-million-copies-of-new-cd-bags-full-of-them-end-up-in-trash-days-later
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 16, 2019, 07:09:48 PM
TokyoHive.com - AKB48 will not hold the 'General Senbatsu Election' this year (https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/03/akb48-will-not-hold-the-general-senbatsu-election-this-year)
- https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/03/akb48-will-not-hold-the-general-senbatsu-election-this-year
- https://natalie.mu/music/news/323777


AramaJapan.com - There will be no AKB48 Senbatsu Election this year (http://aramajapan.com/aramaexclusive/featured/there-will-be-no-akb48-senbatsu-election-this-year/96370/)
- http://aramajapan.com/aramaexclusive/featured/there-will-be-no-akb48-senbatsu-election-this-year/96370/
- https://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12446503709.html


TokyoReporter.com - AKB48 to skip annual election (https://www.tokyoreporter.com/entertainment/akb48-to-skip-annual-election/)
- https://www.tokyoreporter.com/entertainment/akb48-to-skip-annual-election/




EDIT:

TokyoHive.com - AKB48 Group to hold a new event at Yokohama Stadium (https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/03/akb48-group-to-hold-a-new-event-at-yokohama-stadium)
- https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/03/akb48-group-to-hold-a-new-event-at-yokohama-stadium
- https://natalie.mu/music/news/323989
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: winner on March 19, 2019, 02:10:15 PM
Mukaichi Mion will be appointed new General Director, from Yokoyama Yui, starting April 1st

(http://picroda.jphip.com/akb48b/jphip245927.jpg)

https://twitter.com/mionnn_48/status/1108010997829111809
https://twitter.com/Yui_yoko1208/status/1107986287540068352
https://twitter.com/AKB48_LODstaff/status/1108008699899998209
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on March 21, 2019, 06:51:56 PM
^
Follow-up...


JShowBiz.com - Mukaichi Mion to Succeed Yokoyama Yui as General Director Next Month (http://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/5063-mukaichi-mion-general-director.html)
- http://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/5063-mukaichi-mion-general-director.html



TokyoHive.com - Mukaichi Mion to become General Manager of AKB48 from April (https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/03/mukaichi-mion-to-become-general-manager-of-akb48-from-april)
- https://www.tokyohive.com/article/2019/03/mukaichi-mion-to-become-general-manager-of-akb48-from-april
- https://natalie.mu/music/news/324560



NeoTokyo2099.com - Yokoyama Yui to pass the baton to Mukaichi Mion as the new AKB48 General Director on April 1st (http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/03/20/yokoyama-yui-to-pass-the-baton-to-mukaichi-mion-as-the-new-akb48-general-director-on-april-1st/)
- http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/03/20/yokoyama-yui-to-pass-the-baton-to-mukaichi-mion-as-the-new-akb48-general-director-on-april-1st/
- https://twitter.com/Yui_yoko1208/status/1107986287540068352
- https://twitter.com/ms_staff/status/1107997930433085440
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on May 06, 2019, 07:07:01 PM
Didn’t know where else to put this:


NeoTokyo2099.com - Former AKB48 manager Tomonobu Togasaki wants to meet with people who misunderstood his tweet (http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/05/06/former-akb48-manager-tomonobu-togasaki-wants-to-meet-with-people-who-misunderstood-his-tweet/)
- http://neotokyo2099.com/2019/05/06/former-akb48-manager-tomonobu-togasaki-wants-to-meet-with-people-who-misunderstood-his-tweet/
- https://twitter.com/ee1ps/status/1103311271217098753
- https://ameblo.jp/togachan1115/entry-12459088142.html



JShowBiz.com - Ex-AKB48 Manager TGSK receives Death Threat (http://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/5667-tgsk-receives-death-threat.html)
- http://jshowbiz.com/english/component/k2/item/5667-tgsk-receives-death-threat.html
- https://ameblo.jp/togachan1115/entry-12459088142.html
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on January 25, 2020, 10:52:04 PM
NeoTokyo2099.com -  has changed its name to Vernalossom (http://neotokyo2099.com/2020/01/21/aks-has-changed-its-name-to-vernalossom/)
- http://neotokyo2099.com/2020/01/21/aks-has-changed-its-name-to-vernalossom/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on September 27, 2021, 10:15:27 PM
NeoTokyo2099.com - Former AKB48 member turned ramen entrepreneur Umezawa Mayuka will ban ramen critics from her ramen shops due to harassment (https://neotokyo2099.com/2021/09/27/former-akb48-member-turned-ramen-entrepreneur-umezawa-mayuka-will-ban-ramen-critics-from-her-shops/)
- https://neotokyo2099.com/2021/09/27/former-akb48-member-turned-ramen-entrepreneur-umezawa-mayuka-will-ban-ramen-critics-from-her-shops/
- https://twitter.com/MAYUKA_YAGUMO/status/1441162133950009346
- https://twitter.com/MAYUKA_YAGUMO/status/1441166277876219916
- https://twitter.com/MAYUKA_YAGUMO/status/1441223137098567685
- https://twitter.com/MAYUKA_YAGUMO/status/1442279149230383104



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjLZn4ZYaJI
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on July 04, 2022, 02:33:47 PM
NeoTokyo2099.com - AKB48 member Taguchi Manaka to resume activities on July 1st (https://neotokyo2099.com/2022/07/01/akb48-member-taguchi-manaka-to-resume-activities-on-july-1st/)
- https://neotokyo2099.com/2022/07/01/akb48-member-taguchi-manaka-to-resume-activities-on-july-1st/
Title: Re: General News Thread
Post by: JFC on July 16, 2022, 06:58:05 PM
NeoTokyo2099.com - AKB48 sister group, YKBK48 ends activities for DEL48 and MUB48 in India (https://neotokyo2099.com/2022/07/14/akb48-sister-group-ykbk48-ends-activities-in-india/)
- https://neotokyo2099.com/2022/07/14/akb48-sister-group-ykbk48-ends-activities-in-india/