(Group) The AKB48 Thread

[YKT]

DOMINATION!

AKB48 dominates first half of 2011 with 6.66 billion yen in sales
Posted on June 22, 2011 by tokyograph
 

Oricon has released its sales rankings for the first half of 2011. As expected, AKB48 had the strongest showing, with the only two million-selling singles (“Everyday, Kachusha” and “Sakura no Ki ni Narou”) and the #2 album (“Koko ni Ita Koto”). Counting all of their sales from singles, albums, and DVDs, AKB48 racked up a total amount of 6.66 billion yen, the highest for any artist so far this year. Naturally, they also ranked #1 in total single sales.

The rankings cover the period from December 27, 2010, to June 20, 2011, using actual sales data collected from approximately 39,700 retail stores nationwide. For that period, half of the top 10 singles came from AKB48 and its related artists, while Johnny's Jimusho artists occupied three spots.
AKB48 – Everyday, Kachusha – 1,499,026
AKB48 – Sakura no Ki ni Narou – 1,076,916
Arashi – Lotus – 624,865
TVXQ – Why? (Keep Your Head Down) – 284,410
SKE48 – Banzai Venus – 270,208
Team Amuse!! – Let's try again – 262,091
Kanjani8 – T.W.L / Yellow Pansy Street – 252,634
Akanishi Jin – Eternal – 241,630
Not yet – Shuumatsu Not yet – 237,813
Itano Tomomi – Dear J – 215,466

The last female artist to hold the top two spots in the single rankings for the first half of a year was Pink Lady in 1978, with “UFO” (1.53 million) and “Southpaw” (1.24 million). The last single to sell a million in the first half of a year was KAT-TUN’s “Real Face” (1.001 million) in 2006, while the last artist to have two million-selling singles was GLAY in 1999 with “Winter, again” (1.638 million) and “BE WITH YOU” (1.173 million).

Oricon’s rankings include the Top 50 in singles, albums, and DVDs. AKB48 had a total of 18 works in the rankings. At total sales of 6.66 billion yen, they achieved approximately 2.5 times the amount they sold in the first half of last year (2.58 billion yen).

[Masa]

ＡＫＢ高橋みなみ、秋元Ｐにおねだり

[SomethingWild]

Photo Magnets are added to the 7net Shopping site.

[YKT]

AKB48 New Summer 2011 H.I.S. CM:


Caps...click to enlarge:

[SomethingWild]

AKB's competition (other idol groups):



X axis goes from sexy to cute, but I'm not sure what the Y axis is about?

[Amplifier]

X axis goes from sexy to cute, but I'm not sure what the Y axis is about?

Orthodox (top) / "Individuality, personality, idiosyncrasy" (Bottom)

"個性", right?

[winner]

I'd use traditional <---> character

Cos I'm not smart enough to use words like orthodox.

[SomethingWild]

I felt like doing another active girl count:

AKB48: 58
AKB48 KKS: 19 (excluding eguchi aimi)
SKE48: 48
SKE48 KKS: 9
SDN48: 40
NMB48: 16
NMB48 KKS: 31
HKT48 KKS: 24
Total: 245

And we're getting AKB48 13th gen auditions soon too. 



LIES, at least 150 of these girls are awesome.

[YKT]

These are not scans, but rather images taken using my iPhone:

[SomethingWild]

AKB48 Official Shop Harajuku



http://natalie.mu/music/news/53776

[Amplifier]

AKB48 Official Shop Harajuku

Bunch more caps from the shindig, and more links too:
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/2000211/full/?id=TOP1
http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/nikkan/NIK201107270107.html
http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/050/50682/
http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/ann/geinou/geinou_news/contents/hot_20110727_140.html
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2011/07/27/kiji/K20110727001292160.html
http://news24.jp/entertainment/news/1618418.html

[SomethingWild]

I comfess I often think of AKB48 as three groups:

Group 1: Generations 1-3: the original A, K and B team members.
Such as: Acchan, Yuko, Kojima, Itano, Mayu, etc.

Group 2: Generations 4-6
Such as: Amina, Mocchi, Rie, Akicha, Sasshi, Myao, etc.

Group 3: Generations 7-now.
Such as: Aamin, Mariyannu, Wasamin, Team 4

In essence: "the originals", "the new girls" and the "KKS Kids" 

It's probably just me...

[winner]

Might need some RPG gaming experience to understand this.

In Yushayoshihiko to Maonoshiro ep8 they made some funny reference to AKB and idols in general.
The group on a quest to defeat the Demon King arrive at akihabara village, and find a 'class change' temple.
The hero who wants to change to "Warrior" class to learn more skills, but gets pushed and accidentally chooses the "Idol" class.



He then gets teleported to an Aki-p guy. Who questions the hero's destined quest to slay the Demon King, when his real destiny should be to become an idol.
"People always say they have no interest in being an idol. 'I just came with my friends and passed~' stuff like that. If you had no interest then why would you come with your friends"
And "We have chosen 37 people. When we get to 48, you'll have your debut"
Hero tries to leave, but can't. His body uncontrollably stays and participates in the dance lessons. And he just can't quit.



The Aki-p guy then goes on saying "Heroes and idols can both bring peace to the world". And starts a sousenkyou where only the top 20 people stay.
He even puts the hero into a sub-unit. Watariroka De Mamonotaoshitai.



Hero finally tells his original quest party members to suck it, he's staying. And goes through a scene imagining his bright future with his fans, ahem.



Hero finally only gets 2 votes, fails, switches back to his Hero class, and chases after his quest party...

[Masa]

AKB48′s Oba Mina suspended, Mori Anna graduated

AKB48’s Team 4 had its roster shaken up on Friday, with the announcement of Oba Mina’s suspension and Mori Anna’s graduation. The news came the same day as the announcement of NMB48 member Shimada Rena’s suspension.

Like Shimada’s case, both Oba and Mori were caught in “scandals” involving their personal blogs from the past. As a result, Oba has resigned from the position of Team 4 captain, and she has also requested a self-suspension from her entertainment activities for now. Oba has also decided to withdraw from the upcoming “senbatsu janken tournament” on September 20th.

Meanwhile, Mori is immediately graduating from the group, due to the combination of this scandal and her back pains that have been keeping her from fully participating in the group’s theater performances.

Both Oba and Mori joined AKB48 as 9th generation research students. This past June, they both were promoted to official member status as part of AKB48′s newly established Team 4.

http://www.tokyograph.com/news/akb48s-oba-mina-suspended-mori-anna-graduated/

[YKT]

akb48journal tweeted:

Announced in handshake event just now, AKB48 official cafe will be open at Akihabara at 09/29.

Official site:    http://www.akb48cafeshops.com/

UPDATE:

The newest AKB48 attraction opens in Akihabara this week – the brand new AKB48 cafe and shop will have it’s grand opening on Thursday 29th September and it’s location couldn’t be more easier to find for fans – it’s very close to the Electric Town exit of Akihabara train station, next door to the Gundam cafe.

This isn’t just an ordinary place for fans. Theater performances will be broadcasted to a special area in the building on a large screen in which you can relax on comfortable sofas enjoying the performance. A buffet will also be available so you can stuff your face whilst watching the girls!! This will cost 2700 yen and you have to book in advance. The cafe area will have I think AKB48 themed food. For 2000 yen you get your food and drink plus a commemorative photo. But if you want the ultimate experience then you can hire a private viewing room for up to 16 of your friends for 10,000 yen for 2 hours. All of AKB48′s DVD back catalogue will be available to view here. Unfortunately you won’t be able to just walk into the cafe area as you’ll have to make a reservation for that as well. Same goes for the private viewing room.

As for the shop, am I taking it that the current shop which is currently on the 5th floor of the Don Quixote building is closing and moving here? I’m not 100% sure but you might need to make a reservation to go to the shop too (this will only last for the first couple of months just like the Harajuku shop).  The website doesn’t make it clear that’s the problem. I’m looking forward to visiting the place in December.

http://welshjapanotaku.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/akb48-cafe-shop-opening-this-week/

[YKT]

akb48journal Twitter

    Starting October, AKB48 theater will hold a theater show only for people who have birthday that month.

Source http://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-11029966797.html

[Masa]

Announced in handshake event just now, AKB48 official cafe will be open at Akihabara at 09/29.

http://twitpic.com/photos/mariko_dayo

[YKT]

Announced in handshake event just now, AKB48 official cafe will be open at Akihabara at 09/29.

http://twitpic.com/photos/mariko_dayo

Vid



Pics posted at http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=13692.msg950431#msg950431

[Zorr]

I'm kinda intrigued by the new AKB Cafe.  My first thought was kinda that it wasn't really all that great.  I mean, it's not like the girls would be there to serve customers so it's just like any other cafe but with AKB themes and AKB vids to watch.  But that said, from the vid it looks like there are messages from the girls on some of the walls, which is kinda cool.  And the ability to be able to watch the theater performances is kinda cool too.  I think it would be a better place to attend with friends than for someone on their own.

The reservation thing is a bit of a shame for us foreigners, as it will make it impossible for most of us to attend.  But hopefully that will only be for the first few months.

And as for the AKB shop in Harajuku, has that opened yet?  And is it confirmed if reservations will only be required for the first few months?  Thats something I'd definitely like to visit if I go to Japan next year.

[Masa]

I mean, it's not like the girls would be there to serve customers so it's just like any other cafe but with AKB themes and AKB vids to watch.

You know what? They should totally make research students work there every once in a while. The girls would have a chance to gain more fans and the fans would actually meet (future) AKB members

And the ability to be able to watch the theater performances is kinda cool too.

IMO that's definitely the most interesting thing the cafe offers especially if the theater performances are live. The "theater" area looks pretty awesome too

I think it would be a better place to attend with friends than for someone on their own.

Absolutely since the place seems pretty expensive. Like 10,000 yen for the private room? Shiiiet, better bring all your friends!