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Masuda Yuka’s withdrawal from DiVA announced
On AKB48’s official blog, it was announced that Masuda Yuka who ended her activities as an AKB48 member last December, withdrew from the group’s sub-unit DiVA as well.
DiVA is a dance & vocal unit that was originally formed with AKB48 members Akimoto Sayaka, Miyazawa Sae, Umeda Ayaka, and Masuda. Later, they added 6 more members to the unit. Masuda was treated as a member of DiVA even after her withdrawal from AKB48, however, on the blog post that was made on January 7th, they officially announced that she’s withdrawn from DiVA as well.
According to the AKB48 theater manager, Togasaki Tomonobu’s Google+, DiVA is still scheduled to appear on “Unit Matsuri” (to be held on January 23rd) event as it’s planned.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... rom-diva-announced/ |
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AKB48’s Kobayashi Kana rumored to be in a relationship with former Johnny’s
Rumors have been spreading across the web that AKB48 member Kobayashi Kana is in a relationship with a former Johnny’s actor.
The rumor spread on January 13th when a convenience store worker tweeted that Kobayashi came to the store with a man who is said to be her boyfriend. This tweet became a controversy among fans and Kobayashi herself came to know about it. She denied the rumors saying, “I was surprised when I woke up and checked Twitter! I don’t even have a Sunkus (convenience store) near my home. Even though it’s false information, thank you for worrying about me.”
The convenience store worker received many complaints from Kobayashi’s fans and closed the Twitter account, but the uproar didn’t end there. Another friend of the worker refuted Kobayashi’s tweet and insisted that the reports weren’t lies. Regarding the man said to be her boyfriend, the friend disclosed that he’s a former Johnny’s actor.
Kobayashi continued to deny the rumor with, “You can write anything.” She even showed composure saying, “I’m happy that my name was mentioned,” and “This is nothing out of the ordinary if it were a more famous person.” However, there is still a stir among fans as Kobayashi and her rumored boyfriend have tweeted and blogged about similar things at same timing in the past.
Kobayashi joined AKB48 back in 2006 along with members Oshima Yuko, Akimoto Sayaka, and Kasai Tomomi.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... ith-former-johnnys/ |
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AKB48 tops Oricon’s ‘Yearly Market Report’ total sales
It was revealed on Oricon’s 2012 “Yearly Market Report,” which summarized the total sales for music and software, that AKB48 has for the second time in a row topped the “market share by artist” category with approximately ￥19,100,000,000 ($212,104,276 USD) or 5.9% of the market share in sales.
Last year, AKB48 topped the 2011 chart with ￥16,280,000,000 ($180,788,357) in sales, but this new report shows that they increased their sales by ￥ 2,800,000,000 (around $31 million). In 2011, their sales figure was ￥2,460,000,000 in music DVDs, but this year they nearly tripled the amount of sales with DVD sales coming in at ￥7,160,000,000.
EXILE increased the sales of their albums and DVDs to move from 3rd place to 2nd place. Mr. Children, with their 2 best-of albums released last May selling over a million copies each and their original album released last November selling 600,000 copies, lead everyone in album sales. This increase helped the band jump from their 2011 market share rank at 29 to 4 for 2012.
Lastly, Kis-My-Ft2, who was ranked 26 last year, broke through to the Top 10 at 6. Momoiro Clover Z jumped from 103 to 14 due to their hit singles, hit DVDs , and hit Blu-ray Disks. This 89-place jump upwards reflects the group’s staying power.
Here are the Top 10 artists with their total earnings and market share for 2012:
AKB48: ￥19,098,300,000, 5.9%
EXILE: ￥12,176,900,000, 3.7%
Arashi: ￥10,453,600,000, 3.2%
Mr. Children: ￥9,947,100,000, 3.1%
Kanjani8: ￥4,916,400,000, 1.5%
Kis-My-Ft2: ￥4,416,800,000, 1.4%
Shoujo Jidai (Girls’ Generation): ￥4,332,300,000, 1.3%
SMAP: ￥3,521,000,000, 1.1%
KARA: ￥3,417,400,000, 1.0%
Amuro Namie: ￥3,210,500,000, 1.0%
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... report-total-sales/ |
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Nihon TV to air 3 night special drama featuring AKB48 teams A, K, and B for their upcoming single
It was announced that AKB48 teams A, K, and B will each have their own respective dramas for their upcoming single. Each of the teams will be featured for 3 nights in a drama special titled “So long!” and it will air through Nihon TV.
The overall theme of the drama is “tears”, and out of the 3 dramas, the viewers will be able to vote for the drama that made them cry the most.
http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-c ... /2013118_teamA.jpeg
The drama starring team A will be a story about love and friendship that will center around a high school girl named “Kawakami Futaba” (played by Watanabe Mayu) who is into ballet, and her coach “Hara Jurie” (played by Shinoda Mariko), a ballerina who has a sad past.
Watanabe commented, “I am looking forward to co-starring with the team A members as I may be able to find a new side of them with this opportunity.” Regarding the ballet scenes, she said, “I am currently learning the basics. It is difficult because this is my first time dancing to ballet, and it’s different from AKB48’s dance.” According to Shinoda, she actually cried reading the script. She said, “Since I’m not good at acting, I feel uneasy, but I want to find something in common between me and Jurie-san, and to sympathize with her feelings when playing the role.”
http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-c ... /2013118_teamK.jpeg
Team K’s drama will be a story about two sisters who have opposite personalities. The older sister “Miho” (played by Oshima Yuko) who is shy and quiet, is always pushed around by her bright and spontaneous little sister “Tsubasa” (played by Matsui Jurina). Oshima commented, “I feel nervous acting in front of members, but I am actually enjoying the process to create something together with the members.” Matsui also stated about Oshima, “Since she is experienced in acting, I need to do my best playing her sister.”
http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-c ... /2013118_teamB.jpeg
Lastly, team B’s drama will be a story about a teacher and her students. A student at a girls’ high school “Hashimoto Asuka” (played by Shimazaki Haruka) makes every effort to connect the classmates’ hearts for their teacher “Komiyama Kaoru” (played by Kojima Haruna), whose days are numbered. Kojima commented, “Since it’s a touching drama that takes place in a school, I felt a little nervous if I would be able to perform properly, but I was told that I could act as my usual self. So I am not acting too much like a teacher, and it made it easier for me to act.” Shimazaki said, “I want to make it a better drama than the other teams’. Even though I have no confidence in my acting, the story itself is demanding, so I’m trying my best to make this drama a success. I hope everybody watches it with warm eyes.”
Reportedly, the original stories for all the dramas were written by Akimoto Yasushi, and Kuwamura Sayaka was in charge of the scripts.
The theme song will be AKB48’s upcoming 30th single “So long!” that is set for release on February 20th, and the dramas will be aired on February 11th (at 12:18 am), 12th and 13th (at 11:58 pm) on Nihon TV.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... ir-upcoming-single/ |
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AKB48 looks back on the year of 2012 with their new documentary film
On January 21st, premiere screening for AKB48’s newest documentary film “DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 NO FLOWER WITHOUT RAIN Shoujo tachi wa Namida no Ato ni Nani wo Miru?” was held at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo. The 8 AKB48 members (Takahashi Minami, Oshima Yuko, Shinoda Mariko, Kojima Haruna, Itano Tomomi, Minegishi Minami, Kitahara Rie, Yokoyama Yui) and the director Takahashi Eiki made their appearances at the stage greeting for the documentary film that detailed covers AKB48’s activities in 2012.
The members greeted the audience, “I did not expect that this many people would come. I think it’s not so easy to go watch idol movies, but thank you for coming today. (Oshima)”, ”I cried many times watching this movie. I want every one of you to feel something through this as well. (Itano)”, “Since I forgot a lot of things recently, it was great that the movie reminded me about the year of 2012. (Kitahara)”
The director Takahashi also said, “2012 was the year that so many things happened for AKB48, so it was such an enormous work to summarize it into 2-hour movie. I’m relieved that it’s finished in time.”
Regarding their first live concert at the Tokyo Dome held back in last summer, which will also be shown in the film, Takahashi (Minami) commented, “Even now, it still feels like that might have been a dream. At first AKB’s official blog was titled as ‘Tokyo Dome made no Kiseki (lit. ‘The tracks to the Tokyo Dome’)', and we could not even fill up the seats at the theater in Akihabara, but after 7 years, we were able to stand on that stage. It is the treasure in our lives.” Shinoda, who was appointed as the new captain of team A during the first day of the Tokyo Dome concerts, said about the time, “I remember I doubted at first as I thought ‘It must be a joke. No way!’ I was always watching Minam by her side, and I had no dignity and responsibility as a captain, so I was full of uneasiness that night. Although it is working as a new team now, I am still faced with what it is to be the captain.”
About Maeda Atsuko’s graduation from the group, Kojima expressed her thought, with, “When Acchan was about to start talking (after the Saitama Super Arena live concert), I felt that she was going to announce her graduation, and I was wishing for her not to say that. I think even the audience had the similar atmosphere on that day, but Acchan’s face expression while making the announcement looked great.” She then continued, “It makes us so nervous when we stand in the center. Even the view looks different from usual, and you can’t just say a word. So, I still feel that Acchan is magnificent.” Oshima also shared her thought, “It is like Maeda Atsuko has her own position, while Oshima Yuko has her own position…and the spotlights happened to play on Oshima’s position, for example. I think that the center position itself is moving around, and the position where the spotlights are turned on by chance is the center, rather than that the center position exists in a certain spot.”
When Minegishi was asked about her tears she shed at the Maeda Atsuko’s graduation stage, she answered, “Even though I wrote ‘I will not cry’ on the first calligraphy of the year, I think I cried the most among all the members. The happiness to be able to come that far to the Tokyo Dome, the sadness that Acchan was graduating…it was the first time for me to shed tears with mixed feelings like that.” Yokoyama also said, “There were many types of tears in the film, like tears when you send people off, or tears you shed when you are disappointed. I felt that people shed tears in general for any kinds feelings.”
Regarding the several ways of graduations happened in 2012, Takahashi commented, “There were so many farewells during the year. Some were happy graduations, and there were also many regrettable things, but no matter what happens, there is always tomorrow. So after sending the graduated members off, we just have to hang in here.” In the end of the stage greeting Takahashi told the audience, “This time, the film features mainly the center position and the second chapter of AKB48. In 2012, we have shed many tears. After watching this film, I noticed that the view each member is looking things at is different, and there is also a difference in colors and in meanings for each of our tears. I’m not sure what we would see after shedding the tears, or if the decisions we make would be right. However, no matter what happens, tomorrow will always come. In order for us to be able to smile as many times as we shed tears, we will continue trying our best.”
It was announced that the theme song for the film is “After rain” in which 21 members from AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48, and SNH48, participated. The 21 members are as follows: Itano Tomomi/Oshima Yuko/Kashiwagi Yuki/Kitahara Rie/Kojima Haruna/Shinoda Mariko/Shimazaki Haruka/Takahashi Minami/Minegishi Minami/Yokoyama Yui/Watanabe Mayu/Ishida Anna/Matsui Jurina/Kotani Riho/Watanabe Miyuki/Sashihara Rino/Ota Aika/Takajo Aki/Nakagawa Haruka/Suzuki Mariya/Miyazawa Sae
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... w-documentary-film/ |
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AKB48 and sister groups to hold live concerts at Nippon Budokan in April
It was announced that the AKB48 groups will hold a 4-day live concert (total 6 stages) at Nippon Budokan in April.
The announcement was made during the 3rd day of “AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013” held at TOKYO DOME CITY HALL. The live concert is titled as “AKB48 Fair.”
Though AKB48 has been holding their annual events like “General Election” or “Janken Tournament” at the Nippon Budokan, this would be the first time in 4 years for them to hold a sole live concert at the venue since their last one in August of 2009. Moreover, it will be the very first time for their sister groups SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48 to hold a live concert there by themselves.
Below is the schedule for the “AKB48 Fair.”
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April 25th 2013 (Thu) : SKE48
April 26th 2013 (Fri) : NMB48
April 27th 2013 (Sat) : HKT48 (day time)
April 27th 2013 (Sat) : AKB48 (night time)
April 28th 2013 (Sun) : AKB48 groups (2 stages for day and night)
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... n-budokan-in-april/ |
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AKB48 to hold an open-air live concert “AKB48 Super Festival” at Nissan Stadium
On January 27th, popular idol group AKB48 finished their annual 4-day live event “AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013” held at Tokyo Dome City Hall. This year, the No.1 song that blocked the third consecutive victory of “Heavy Rotation” was team 4’s only original song “Hashire! Penguin.”
http://static.tokyohive.com/wp-c ... /2013127_team4.jpeg
Team 4 was the fourth team in AKB48, formed back in June 2011 with the members like Shimazaki Haruka, Shimada Haruka, Iriyama Anna, Kato Rena, and Kawaei Rina, however, the discontinuation of the team 4 was announced with AKB48′ second team shuffle in November of the last year.
Shimazaki said with a smile, “I did not expect that we could perform together again. It’s all thank to everybody. I’m so happy.”, while Shimada said shedding tears, “The happiest thing is that team 4 has not been forgotten after the breakup.”
During the final day of the event, it was also announced that AKB48 would be holding an open-air live concert titled “AKB48 Super Festival” at Nissan Stadium in June. It will be the biggest-scale festival yet for the group as there will be 70,000 audience members attending, and they will be the first female artist to hold a solo live concert at the venue.
Takahashi Minami happily commented, “I think it will lead us to open up a new state. This year, the 48 groups will run at full speed!”
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... -at-nissan-stadium/ |
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AKB48’s ‘The 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen’ to be released on March 27
On January 31, it was announced that the 2-disk DVD of the December 17 AKB48 concert, “The 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen”, will go on sale March 27 (4980 Yen, Avex.).
During the concert, the members separated into red and white teams and performed AKB48 songs. In addition, the White Team’s Watanabe Mayu (18) performed former AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko’s (21) solo song, while the Red Team’s Shimazaki Haruka (18) performed HKT48 member Sashihara Rino’s (20) solo song as they battled out for victory.This concert was not like any of their regular performances as it was an all-out competition between the red and white teams.
The DVD set also includes a booklet and photos.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/01 ... leased-on-march-27/ |
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Itano Tomomi to graduate from AKB48 this year
On February 1st, it was announced that Itano Tomomi would be graduating from AKB48 this year.
Itano’s graduation was announced in AKB48’s documentary film, ‘DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48: NO FLOWER WITHOUT RAIN Shoujo Tachi wa Namida no Ato ni Nani wo Miru?‘. During a stage greeting, Itano herself announced, ”I’m Itano Tomomi from Team K. I made a sudden announcement through this interview, but I, Itano Tomomi, will graduate from AKB48.”
“The interview for this documentary was supposed to be about the members of AKB48, their scandals last year, AKB48 in the future, and the graduation of (Maeda) Atsuko, but my feelings towards graduation became stronger. I decided to announce it like this.”
Itano shared that she had been discussing her graduation with producer Akimoto Yasushi stating, “When I confirmed to Akimoto-sensei that I had expressed my true feelings (during the filming of the movie), he told me ‘okay’. It could’ve been cut out during the editing, but I had them use it.” When she expressed, “Although my time with the fans and members are running out, I would like to enjoy it. Thank you,” there were fans who cried out, “Don’t quit!”
Regarding the timing of the announcement, Itano revealed, “I actually wanted to wait until our spring concert to announce it, but I expressed my true feelings in the interview.” She also mentioned that she talked to Maeda Atsuko about it. “I’m good friends with Atsuko and I have been influenced by her, but I needed to decide on my own path myself. It’s not that I made this decision in a hurry, but I want both of us to do our best.”
Finally, Itano stated, “We haven’t decided on the day yet, but I will announce it once it has been decided. I want to enjoy the time that I have left. I also want to enjoy it as a first generation member.”
Itano is one of AKB48’s starting members along with Maeda Atsuko and Takahashi Minami. In January of 2011, she became the first member from the group to make her solo debut.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... om-akb48-this-year/ |
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AKB48 group to become ‘Tourism ambassador’ of Guam
The national tourism organization of Guam has appointed popular idol group AKB48 as the “Tourism ambassador” of Guam. They will be sworn in during a ceremony on April 6th.
AKB48 was chosen as the tourism ambassador due to the recognition of their worldwide activities. This is the first time a group has been chosen as Guam’s tourism ambassador. AKB48 General Director Takahashi Minami commented, “As the tourism ambassadors, we hope to tell everyone the pleasure and excellence of Guam that we ourselves have experienced.”
The ceremony will be held the night before ‘The First Guam International Marathon‘. Takajo Aki (JKT48), Nakagawa Haruka (JKT48), Suzuki Mariya (SNH48), and Miyazawa Sae (SNH48) will be participating in both the ceremony and the marathon.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... ambassador-of-guam/ |
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Nito Moeno announces her graduation from AKB48
AKB48 member Nito Moeno announced her graduation from the group.
She made the announcement during the team A stage performance held at AKB48 theater on February 14th. Nito is a 5th generation member, and she was the runner-up in the Senbatsu Janken Tournament held back in September of last year.
The graduation date has not yet been revealed.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... duation-from-akb48/ |
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Nito Moeno explains her decision to graduate on blog
AKB48 member Nito Moeno who announced her graduation from the group during the team A stage performance on February 14th, updated her official blog, and explained the reason for her graduation.
Below is what she posted.
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I announced during today’s (February 14th) stage my decision to graduate from AKB48.
I am sorry for the sudden announcement.
I started seriously thinking about the graduation when I turned 20, and I have made up my mind by the end of last year.
I joined AKB48 as a 5th generation member, and have experienced many things. However, recently, I was thinking a lot about my standing position, how I should support AKB48, and also, how it would affect me in a positive way…
However, this place is not my goal after all, and I do not intend to keep fighting as a member of AKB.
I want to graduate, and experience even more things! I would like to try my best to improve my own skills!!
Regarding the date for my graduation, since I definitely want to attend the handshake events for ‘Eien Pressure’, and my 5th anniversary since debut will be on April 28th, it will be after I finish those.
It has not yet been decided exactly when (could be May, could be June…), but while I can stay as a member of AKB48, I want to continue learning many things, and grow myself up. I also want to cherish the time with the members, as well as the time with you fans.
Please continue to support me.
AKB48 Team A Nito Moeno
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... o-graduate-on-blog/ |
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Oshima Yuko to receive ‘popularity award’ from Maeda Atsuko at “The 36th Japan Academy Prize”
It was announced on the radio show “Ninety-nine no All Night Nippon (aka ANN)”, that AKB48’s Oshima Yuko has been elected for the popularity award (actor/actress category) of “The 36th Japan Academy Prize.”
The popularity award is the only award that is elected based on the votes by the listeners of ANN and it is given to the most favored work and actor/actress by the young generation. Oshima displayed her impressive acting in the movie “Yamikin Ushijima-kun“, and she commented, “I am really happy that I was able to receive this award with my work as an actress.”
At the awarding ceremony (to be held on March 8th), former AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko who received the same award last year, will be there as a presenter, and she will hand the certificate of merit to Oshima, thus, the fans can expect Maeda and Oshima’s 2-shots at the ceremony. Maeda congratulated Oshima, with, “Congratulations for the award Yuko! I’m glad that we will be able to stand on the same stage of the Japan Academy Prize. I’m looking forward to seeing her at the awarding ceremony.”
For the film category of the popularity award, Kamiki Ryonosuke’s starring movie “Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo” has been elected. Kamiki also left a comment, “I’m really honored to receive this wonderful award.”
The Japan Academy Prize awarding ceremony which will be held on March 8th, will be aired on NTV at 9:00 pm, and Nippon Broadcasting System will also broadcast the special radio program “All Night Nippon GOLD The 36th Japan Academy Prize Special” starting at 10:00 pm.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... apan-academy-prize/ |
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The release day of Takahashi Minami’s solo debut single to be on April 3rd
It’s been about half a year since Takahashi Minami’s solo debut was announced at AKB48’s live concert in the Tokyo Dome last August, and it was finally revealed that her solo debut single “Jane Doe” will be released on April 3rd.
As announced previously, the title track is being used as the opening theme song for Nakama Yukie’s ongoing drama “Saki“, and it’s a rock ballad with the lyrics written from a man’s point of view about being drowned in love with a woman who messes with his heart.
The recently revealed image above, is said to be representing the outlook on the world of the music video, and as you can see, Takahashi is showing off herself in a sexy and cool costume that is different from the usual school uniform style costumes.
Reportedly, the single will be released with three different types (Type-A, B, and C) that will all come with a CD and DVD, and each type will include the title track, a coupling track (common track in all types), and one more track that will be different in each type. The DVD will contain the music videos for the title track and the coupling track, as well as the special footage.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... to-be-on-april-3rd/ |
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Shinoda Mariko resigns as mayor of Fukuoka Kawaii Ward
On February 19th, it was announced that AKB48’s Shinoda Mariko has resigned as mayor of Fukuoka City’s virtual administrative ward, ‘Kawaii Ward’.
Since last year, the city received four complaints, citing reasons such as “Encouraging cute women hinders women’s self-independence,” and “It encourages gender discrimination.” As such, Shinoda was asked to step down as ward mayor. The city explained, “We can’t cause trouble to Shinoda-san, who has no direct relationship with the argument.”
Shinoda had been serving as the ward mayor since late-August without compensation. She was in charge of promoting the city by informing registrants of events.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... ukuoka-kawaii-ward/ |
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AKB48’s 30th single ‘So long!’ sells over a million copies
Popular idol group AKB48’s 30th single “So long!” (released on February 20th) sold 1,036,000 copies in its first week, and topped the Oricon weekly single ranking for the week of March 4th.
This marked AKB48’s 17 consecutive chart topping single since “RIVER” (released in October 2009), and they have extended their own records for “the number of consecutive chart topping singles” and “total number of chart topping singles”. Moreover, this is their 11 consecutive single (and 12th single overall) to sell over a million copies since “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” (released in February 2011). Among those singles that sold over a million copies, 10 of them achieved the million mark during just the first week.
This accomplishment of 10 singles selling over one million copies in the first week is even more impressive considering that since Oricon’s single ranking started back in 1968, there has only been three singles besides AKB48 that sold over a million copies during the first week. These are, “Namonaki Uta” (Mr.Children in 1996), ”Dango 3 Kyoudai” (Hayami Kentaro, Shigemori Ayumi, and more in 1999), and “Addicted To You” (Utada Hikaru in 1999). Additionally, there has been no artist other than AKB48 who has achieved it with more than one single.
Watanabe Mayu commented, “I was informed that ‘So long!’ that I served as the center for the first time reached a million copies, and we were the only one to accomplish the record of ‘having 10 consecutive single that sold over a million copies in the first week.’ I am happy from the bottom of my heart, and I’m full of gratitude toward the fans who have always been cheering for us, and the staff members who always support us.”
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... r-a-million-copies/ |
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AKB48 to distribute another charity song for free
It was announced that popular idol group AKB48 has created another charity song titled “Tenohira ga Kataru Koto” and will begin distributing it for free starting on March 8th.
AKB48 previously established a reconstruction support project ”Dareka no Tame ni” right after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami occurred on 11 March 2011. In addition to donating money, they have also been supporting the cause in various ways, for ever since in May of 2011, 6 ~ 7 members from the group (including the sister groups) visit the disaster areas in turns once every month, and hold mini live concerts, handshake events, Christmas event, Valentine event, and so on.
Previously, AKB48 released a digital charity song “Dareka no Tame ni -What can I do for someone?-“, and they donated all profits to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami relief. They also donated a part of profit from their 23rd single “Kaze wa Fuiteiru” (released in October 2011) for the disaster areas.
“Tenohira ga Kataru Koto” will begin distributing on the project’s site (here) starting on the 8th at 6:00 pm (JST), and they will also collect contributions. It will be donated through Japanese Red Cross Society.
Additionally, AKB48 (Akihabara, Tokyo), SKE48 (Sakae, Nagoya), NMB48 (Namba, Osaka), and HKT48 (Hakata, Fukuoka) will hold charity performances at each group’s theater on March 11th which will be exactly 2 years since the disaster. The details on the charity performances will be announced at a later date.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/02 ... rity-song-for-free/ |
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AKB48′ Nakaya Sayaka to graduate from the group
AKB48 member Nakaya Sayaka announced during a recent performance at the AKB48 theater that she would be graduating from the group after the upcoming theater performance on March 6.
The reason for her graduation is because she wants to pursue her dream to become a voice actress. Nakaya joined AKB48 back in 2006 as a third generation member, and she was in team K.
She also announced the graduation on her official blog, and below is what she wrote.
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Today on March 2nd, I announced the following during the theater performance…
I, Nakaya Sayaka, will be graduating from AKB48 after the theater performance on March 6.
I’m really sorry for this sudden announcement.
I’ve been thinking about graduation since I was ranked in the general election… no, actually, since long before that.
However, it was just so much fun to work with the members, and I was just happy to see your smiles.
Honestly, I was too dependent on this comfortable environment.
But, I have finally found something that made me determine to graduate. It is a Seiyuu audition for my favorite anime.
There is no guarantee for me to get the part, but that’s something I really want to try. I wanted to do it even if I had to abandon this favorable environment.
Not only AKB48, but I will also leave my agency Mousa. That’s because there is a qualification for the audition that you should not belong to any agency.
I’m sorry for the sudden announcement. This will be me starting over from scratch, but I’m sure I can hang in there, because of what I’ve done up until now.
Please continue to support Nakaya Sayaka from here on.
Nakaya Sayaka
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/03 ... ate-from-the-group/ |
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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.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/03 ... reaches-20-million/ |
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AKB48 to form ‘Team BS’ for NHK BS campaign
It’s been revealed that the members of AKB48 will be forming a ‘Team BS‘ on March 20th as a part of NHK BS‘ upcoming campaign.
The campaign will have the catch phrase, “Anata wa Dare Oshi? Watashi wa BS Oshi!” (“Who do you support? I support BS!“). As the face of this campaign, 10 popular members from AKB48 and their sister groups were chosen to become ‘Team BS’. The members include AKB48’s Oshima Yuko, Watanabe Mayu, Takahashi Minami, and Shimazaki Haruka, SKE48’s Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena, NMB48’s Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki, HKT48’s Sashihara Rino and Tashima Meru.
During the campaign, the girls will give the appeal of BS1 and BS Premium through tv spots between programs and street posters nationwide.
Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2013/03 ... or-nhk-bs-campaign/ |
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Post time 22-1-2013 11:48 PM
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