Maeshima Ami to release her first solo photobook!

前島亜美 (Maeshima Ami) comes from an idol group called SUPER☆GiRLS, and it was recently announced that she would be releasing a solo photobook in 27th January, titled 'あみた' ('Amita'). This is not only the first time Amita (Maeshima's nickname) would be releasing a aolo photobook and is also the first time a member of SUPER☆GiRLS would be releasing a photobook! Am so excited about this!

The photobook will consist photos that were shot in Miyakojima, secret private shots of Maeshima Ami as a SUPER☆GiRLS member, and as a model of “Pichi Lemon”. There would also be a interview section. Amita herself would making an appearance at Fukuya bookstore (Shinjuku Subnade) during the day of the release.

I started to like SUPER☆GiRLS and following them when I came across their second single song, 'ＭＡＸ！乙女心' ('MAX! Otome Gokoro'). I did have the impression of hearing their debut single 'がんばって 青春' ('Ganbatte Seishun') then but I don't really know why I gave the group a pass that time. Maybe due to my fandom in AKB48 being amplified to enormous proportions when AKB48 released their 18th single 'Beginner' and 19th single 'Chance no Junban'.

I only started to make Amita my favourite among the 12-member idol group when they released their third single '女子力←パラダイス' ('Joshiryoku←Paradise'). I did take note of her in the PV of 'MAX! Otome Gokoro' quite often initially, but it was this single's PV that make me come to the conclusion, 'This is it! Amita is my favourite in SUPER☆GiRLS!'. She is just so irresistibly cute, especially her voice! ♥

Congratulations to Amita for her first solo photobook! おめでとう!!

No Sleeves 8th Single - 'ペディキュアday' ('Pedicure Day')

Seems that I forgot to blog on the announcements of no3b (ノースリーブス - No Sleeves) 8th Single release. The single was released today and the track lists and album arts are as shown below.

Type A (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] ペディキュアday [Pedicure Day]
2. [CD] ジェシカはドアをノックしない [Jessica wa Door o Knock Shinai]
3. [CD] 微睡み [小嶋陽菜ソロ] [Madoromi/Kojima Haruna]
4. [CD] ペディキュアday -Instrumental-
5. [CD] ジェシカはドアをノックしない -Instrumental-
6. [CD] 微睡み -Instrumental- MADOROMI
7. [DVD] 「ペディキュアday」 ミュージック・ビデオ [Pedicure Day music video]
8. [DVD] 「ペディキュアday」 ミュージック・ビデオメイキング [Pedicure Day music video making]
9. [DVD] 特典映像1 Type-A ver. [Bonus Video 1 Type A]
10. [DVD] 特典映像2 Type-A ver. [Bonus Video 2 Type A]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] ペディキュアday [Pedicure Day]
2. [CD] ジェシカはドアをノックしない [Jessica wa Door o Knock Shinai]
3. [CD] Still [高橋みなみソロ] [Still/Takahashi Minami]
4. [CD] ペディキュアday -Instrumental-
5. [CD] ジェシカはドアをノックしない -Instrumental-
6. [CD] Still -Instrumental-
7. [DVD] 「ペディキュアday」　ミュージック・ビデオ [Pedicure Day music video]
8. [DVD] 「ペディキュアday」　ミュージック・ビデオメイキング [Pedicure Day music video making]
9. [DVD] 特典映像1 Type-B Ver. [Bonus Video 1 Type B]
10. [DVD] 特典映像2 Type-B Ver. [Bonus Video 2 Type B]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)

1. [CD] ペディキュアday {Pedicure Day]
2. [CD] ジェシカはドアをノックしない [Jessica wa Door o Knock Shinai]
3. [CD] 半分こ [峯岸みなみソロ] [Hanbunko/Minegishi Minami]
4. [CD] ペディキュアday -Instrumental-
5. [CD] ジェシカはドアをノックしない -Instrumental-
6. [CD] 微睡み -Instrumental-
7. [DVD] 「ペディキュアday」 ミュージック・ビデオ [Pedicure Day music video]
8. [DVD] 「ペディキュアday」 ミュージック・ビデオメイキング [Pedicure Day music video making]
9. [DVD] 特典映像1 Type-C ver. [Bonus Video 1 Type C]
10. [DVD] 特典映像2 Type-C ver. [Bonus Video 2 Type C]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Regular (CD only)
1. ペディキュアday [Pedicure Day]
2. ジェシカはドアをノックしない [Jessica wa Door o Knock Shinai]
3. ペディキュアday （French Pop Mix） [Pedicure Day (French Pop Mix)]
4. ペディキュアday -Instrumental-
5. ジェシカはドアをノックしない -Instrumental-
6. ペディキュアday （French Pop Mix） -Instrumental-
CDJapan
HMV Online

Pedicure is a real nice song I must say. The PV is also kind of interesting. Wasn't able to view the PV through Sony Music Network Youtube as it was 'not made available to my country'.

Video is flipped and the pitch is increased by this uploader

NHK’s 62nd ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen‘ Performance Order

Blogged earlier regarding the NHK's 62nd 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' line up, the performance order and titles were revealed!

[First Half]
1. Hamasaki Ayumi – progress
2. NYC – “100% Yuuki NYC”
3. Angela Aki – “One Family”
4. flumpool – “Akashi”
5. AKB48 – “Kohaku 2011 AKB48 Special MIX ~Ganbarou Nihon!~”
Red/White Duet: Ashida Mana & Suzuki Fuku – “Maru Maru Mori Mori!”
6. FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – “Soredemo Shinjiteru”
7. Nishino Kana – “Tatoe Donna ni…”
8. AAA – “CALL”
9. Kawanaka Miyuki – “Nirinso”
10. Hirai Ken – “Itoshiki Hibi yo”
11. Fuji Ayako – “Ayako no Okuni Jiman dayo ~Ganbarona Tohoku!! Kohaku Special~”
12. Hosokawa Takashi – “Nebuta”
13. Mizuki Nana – “POP MASTER”
14. Porno Graffitti – “One More Time”
15. Inawashirokos – “I love you & I need you Fukushima”
16. Godai Natsuko – “Kinmokusei”
17. L’Arc~en~Ciel – “CHASE”
18. Mizumori Kaori – “Shounai Heiya Kazeno Naka”
19. Mori Shinichi – “Minato Machi Blues”
20. Shiina Ringo – “Carnation – Akagumi nara Dare Demo”
Red/White Duet: Natsukawa Rimi & Akikawa Masafumi – “Asu to Iu Hi ga”

[Second Half]
21. KARA – “KARA 2011 Special Medley”
22. Tokunaga Hideaki – “Jidai”
23. Perfume – “Laser Beam”
24. TOKIO – “Miageta Ryusei”
25. Shoujo Jidai – “GENIE”
26. Gou Hiromi – “Go Smile Japan”
27. aiko – “Koi no Superball”
28. Yuzu – “Hey Wa”
29. Koda Kumi – “Ai wo Tomenaide”
30. Tohoshinki – “Why? (Keep Your Head Down)”
31. Hirahara Ayaka – “Ohisama ~Taisetsu na Anata e”
32. Sen Masao – “Kita Guni no Haru”
33. Kobayashi Sachiko – “Onna no Sakaba”
34. Nishida Toshiyuki – “Ano Machi ni Umarete”
35. ayaka – “Minna Sora no Shita”
36. Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi – “Hitotsu”
37. Wada Akiko – “Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata”
38. Arashi – “2011 Kohaku Special Medley”
39. Ikimonogakari – “Aruite Ikou”
40. Itsuki Hiroshi – “Furusato”
41. Matsuda Seiko & Kanda Sayaka – “Ue wo Muite Arukou”
42. Hikawa Kiyoshi – “Jounetsu no Mariachi”
43. Sakamoto Fuyumi – “Yozakura Oshichi”
44. Fukuyama Masaharu – “Kazoku ni Narou yo”
45. Matsutouya Yumi – “(Minna no) Haru yo, Koi”
46. EXILE – “Rising Sun”
47. Tendou Yoshimi – “Ai Sansan”
48. Kitajima Saburou – “Kaero Kana”
49. Ishikawa Sayuri – “Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki”
50. SMAP – “SMAP AID Kohaku SP”

Looks really awesome! Can't wait to watch it =D

Sashihara Rino to star in a drama for the first time!

It was announced that Sashihara Rino, from AKB48 and sub-unit 'Not Yet', will be starring in a new NTV drama titled 'ミューズの鏡' ("Muse no Kagami') which will be aired confined in the Kanto region.

It would be the first time Sasshi would be starring in a drama and will be playing as a girl who seems to have nothing to recommend her, but after being discovered by an formerly great actor 'Okita Ryu', she starts growing, and awaking as an actress. (tokyohive/natalie)

The drama would start airing on January 14th (every Saturday at 1:55 am ~ 2:10 am).

Hope I am able to watch this drama. Really anticipating to watch Sasshi's acting!

Iwasa Misaki solo debut - '無人駅' ('Mujin Eki')

As posted earlier this month, Iwasa Misaki (Wasamin) would be debuting as a solo enka singer on the 1st of February 2012.

The title was revealed to be '無人駅' ('Mujin Eki') and that there would be a cover of 'ヘビーローテーション' ('Heavy Rotation') in Enka version. The DVD would contain the PV for 'Mujin Eki', the making of the PV, a short movie featuring the history of Wasamin, and a celebratory message from other AKB48 members.

Track lists are yet to be announced.

Limited Edition
1. [CD] 無人駅 [MUJIN EKI]
2. [CD] ヘビーローテーション〈演歌バージョン〉 [HEAVY ROTATION]
3. [CD] 翼をください [TSUBASA WO KUDASAI]
4. [CD] 瀬戸の花嫁 [SETO NO HANAYOME]
5. [CD] 無人駅（カラオケ） [MUJIN EKI (off vocal)]
6. [CD] ヘビーローテーション〈演歌バージョン〉（カラオケ） [HEAVY ROTATION (off vocal)]
7. [CD] 翼をください（カラオケ） [TSUBASA WO KUDASAI (off vocal)]
8. [CD] 瀬戸の花嫁（カラオケ） [SETO NO HANAYOME (off vocal)]
9. [DVD] 「無人駅」MUSIC VIDEO [MUJIN EKI music video]
10. [DVD] 岩佐美咲HISTORY MOVIE [IWASA MISAKI HISTORY MOVIE]
11. [DVD] 無人駅MAKING VIDEO [MUJIN EKI music video making]
12. [DVD] 岩佐美咲CDデビューお祝いコメント from AKB48 [IWASA MISAKI CD DEBUT OIWAI COMMENT FROM AKB48]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Regular Edition
1. 無人駅 [MUJIN EKI]
2. 帰郷〈岩佐美咲バージョン〉 [KIKYOU]
3. 瀬戸の花嫁 [SETO NO HANAYOME]
4. 無人駅（カラオケ）
5. 帰郷〈岩佐美咲バージョン〉（カラオケ）
6. 瀬戸の花嫁（カラオケ）
CDJapan
HMV Online

Photos from natalie

UPDATE (17th January 2012):
Track lists and covers released

Watanabe Mayu to make a solo debut in February

It was announced that Mayuyu (Watanabe Mayu) would be making her solo debut on 29th of February 2012 with the single, 'シンクロときめき' ('Synchro Tokimeki'). She would be the fourth AKB48 member to debut as a solo singer after Itano Tomomi, Maeda Atsuko, and Iwasa Misaki.

Her solo debut song would be used as the theme song for a new drama on TV Tokyo (title yet to be released), which Mayuyu would be starring in for the first time. The drama would start airing on the 13th of Jannuary 2012.

From: tokyohive|Sanspo






UPDATE (5th January):

Preview of the drama, 'Saba-dol'

AKB48 monopolized Oricon's top 5 ranking of Yearly Singles for 2011

Blogged previously, AKB48's 24th single, '上からマリコ' ('Ue kara Mariko'), sold a total of 1,199,000 copies and topped many charts. It was recently announced on Oricon even more records that AKB48 made and broke!

From Oricon/tokyohive,

Oricon revealed that idol group AKB48 monopolized the TOP 5 of yearly single ranking for 2011. AKB48’s total sales for CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays during 2011 reached 8,911,000 copies, and for the first time since they debuted 6 years ago, AKB48 received the “Total sales by artist” honor which is given to the artist who has the most total annual sales during the year which for them was 16,280,000,000 yen. Moreover, they topped 7 out of 16 categories in “The 44th Yearly Ranking 2011” proving that 2011 was the year for AKB48.
AKB48 released 5 singles this year, and all 5 sold over a million copies. Though three groups; Pink Lady in 1978, Hikaru GENJI in 1988, and Arashi in 2009, have monopolized TOP3 of Oricon’s yearly single ranking in the past, this is the first time for any artist to monopolize the TOP5. Selling over a million copies for 5 singles in one year is also a new record broken by AKB48 for the first time in 16 years when B’z and Mr. Children made the record with 4 singles in 1995.
Team A Captain, Takahashi Minami, who was present to receive a trophy for the “Total sales by artist”, commented surprisingly at the records they made, “Thank you for letting us have this wonderful prize. This makes me feel that we are accepted by people for a little bit, and also makes me really happy“.
Oshima Yuko also said, “It was a big surprise. When AKB48 started 6 years ago, it was like ‘the future is a closed book’ for us, and I never expected that AKB48 would be able to become the group to make these records. I’m honored“. Shinoda Mariko also stated that she wants to aim for more next year.
Below are the 7 categories in “The 44th Yearly Ranking 2011″ topped by AKB48:

• “Total sales, by artist” – 16,280,000,000 yen (*new record for a female group)

• “Number of copies sold for singles, by work” – “Flying Get” 1,587,000 copies (*new record for a female group)

• “Sum of sales for singles, by work” – “Everyday, Kachuusha” 2,150,000,000 yen

• “Sum of sales for singles, by artist” – 9,590,000,000 yen

• “Number of copies sold for music blu-ray discs (BDs), by work” – “AKB ga Ippai” 148,000 copies

• “Sum of sales for music BDs, by work” – “AKB ga Ippai” 1,010,000,000 yen

• “Sum of sales for music BDs, by artist” – 1,010,000,000 yen

<2011 Oricon Yearly ranking TOP 50 : Singles>
01 – “Flying Get” – AKB48 : (1,587,229)
02 – “Everyday, Kachuusha” – AKB48 : (1,586,840)
03 – “Kaze wa Fuiteiru” – AKB48 : (1,418,888)
04 – “Ue Kara Mariko” – AKB48 : (1,198,864)
05 – “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” – AKB48 : (1,079,460)
06 – “Lotus” – Arashi : (625,935)
07 – “Meikyu Love Song” – Arashi : (614,131)
08 – “Maru-Maru-Mori -Mori” – Kaoru to Tomoki, Tama ni Mook. : (498,920)
09 – “Pareo wa Emerald” – SKE48 : (466,037)
10 – “Everybody Go” – Kis-My-Ft2 : (441,680)
11 – “Okie Dokie” – SKE48 : (434,307)
12 – “Let’s try again” – Team Amuse!! : (312,666)
13 – “Oh My God!” – NMB48 : (309,846)
14 – “Rising Sun/Itsuka Kitto…” – EXILE/EXILE ATSUSHI : (305,001)
15 – “OVER” – Hey! Say! JUMP : (297,781)
16 – “Why?(Keep Your Head Down)” – Tohoshinki : (285,051)
17 – “Banzai Venus” – SKE48 : (274,973)
18 – “Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo” – NMB48 : (263,187)
19 – “T.W.L/Yellow Pansy Street” – Kanjani8 : (257,932)
20 – “Kazoku ni Narou Yo/fighting pose” – Fukuyama Masaharu : (255,572)
21 – “Magic Power” – Hey! Say! JUMP : (254,171)
22 – “Shuumatsu Not yet” – Not yet : (246,129)
23 – “Eternal” – Akanishi Jin : (241,630)
24 – “Zero” – BUMP OF CHICKEN : (238,656)
25 – “GO GO Summer!” – KARA : (230,082)
26 – “Jet Coaster Lover” – KARA : (225,175)
27 – “Dear J” – Itano Tomomi : (216,781)
28 – “Don’t Wanna Lie” – B’z : (216,239)
29 – “Let me cry” – Jang Geun Suk : (215,714)
30 – “Sexy Zone” – Sexy Zone : (211,908)
31 – “ULTIMATE WHEELS” – KAT-TUN : (210,749)
32 – “BIRTH” – KAT-TUN : (209,871)
33 – “Flower” – Maeda Atsuko : (209,781)
34 – “Naminori Kakigoori” – Not yet : (205,645)
35 – “Pera Pera Perao” – Not yet : (196,660)
36 – “My Home” – Kanjani8 : (190,942)
37 – “Greatest The Hits 2011~2011″ – Maximum the Hormone : (189,659)
38 – “‘Arigatou’~Sekai no Doko ni Itemo~” – Hey! Say! JUMP : (188,555)
39 – “Tsubasa Ni Koi” – Kanjani8 : (186,571)
40 – “365 Nichi Kazoku” – Kanjani8 : (185,395)
41 – “Superstar” – Tohoshinki : (184,317)
42 – “Ano Ko to Nogiku to Watashibune” – Hikawa Kiyoshi : (183,300)
43 – “RUN FOR YOU” – KAT-TUN : (179,296)
44 – “Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo” – B’z : (177,180)
45 – “WHITE” – KAT-TUN : (174,332)
46 – “MR.TAXI/Run Devil Run” – Shoujo Jidai : (172,205)
47 – “Time” – KinKi Kids : (171,068)
48 – “Yume Tamago” – NYC : (151,056)
49 – “Saisho no Mail” – French Kiss : (145,163)
50 – “Anata e/Ooo Baby” – EXILE/EXILE ATSUSHI : (142,927)

(Oricon/tokyohive)

Congratulations to AKB48 again!! 2011 is indeed the year for AKB48!

Nogizaka46 to release their debut single

Nogizaka46 was formed back in August, as the official rival group of AKB48, by Akimoto Yasushi - the very creator of AKB48. The group would soon be releasing their very own debut single on the 22nd of February 2012.

More details are yet to be announced.

The Senbatsu members for the debut single was announced on the Nogizaka46 TV show, 'Nogizakatte, Doko?'

Senbatsu Members
Ikuta Erika
Ikoma Rina
Ichiki Rena
Inoue Sayuri
Kawamura Mahiro
Saito Asuka
Saito Yuri
Sakurai Reika
Shiraishi Mai
Takayama Kazumi
Nakada Kana
Nishino Nanase
Noujo Ami
Hashimoto Nanami
Hoshino Minami
Matsumura Sayuri

'七福神' (Top7 front girls; equivalent to AKB48's Kami7)
Ikuta Erika
Ikoma Rina
Shiraishi Mai
Takayama Kazumi
Hashimoto Nanami
Hoshino Minami
Matsumura Sayuri

[Nogizaka46 Official Website]

Type A (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] ぐるぐるカーテン [Guru Guru Curtain]
2. [Disc 1] 左胸の勇気 [Hidari Mune no Yuuki]
3. [Disc 1] 乃木坂の詩 [Nogizaka no Shi]
4. [Disc 1] ぐるぐるカーテン (off vocal ver.)
5. [Disc 1] 左胸の勇気 (off vocal ver.)
6. [Disc 1] 乃木坂の詩 (off vocal ver.)
7. [Disc 2] ぐるぐるカーテン (music video) [Guru Guru Curtain music video]
8. [Disc 2] 乃木坂の詩 (music video) [Nogizaka no Shi music video]
9. [Disc 2] 生駒里奈×堤幸彦 [Ikoma Rina×Tsutsumi Yukihiko]
10. [Disc 2] 伊藤寧々×カツヲ [Ito Nene×Katsuwo]
11. [Disc 2] 井上小百合×朝日恵里 [Inoue Sayuri×Asahi Eri]
12. [Disc 2] 岩瀬佑美子×熊坂出 [Iwase Yumiko×Kumasaka Izuru]
13. [Disc 2] 高山一実×市井昌秀 [Takayama Kazumi×Ichii Masahide]
14. [Disc 2] 中元日芽香×山本ワタル [Nakamoto Himeka×Yamamoto Wataru]
15. [Disc 2] 永島聖羅×張間純一 [Nagashima Seira×Harima Junichi]
16. [Disc 2] 畠中清羅×石井貴英 [Hatanaka Seira×Ishii Takahide]
17. [Disc 2] 宮澤成良×木村ひさし [Miyazawa Seira×Kimura Hisashi]
18. [Disc 2] 大和里菜×佐藤徹也 [Yamato Rina×Sato Tetsuya]
19. [Disc 2] 和田まあや×藤原知之 [Wada Maaya×Fujiwara Tomoyuki]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type B (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] ぐるぐるカーテン [Guru Guru Curtain]
2. [Disc 1] 左胸の勇気 [Hidari Mune no Yuuki]
3. [Disc 1] 会いたかったかもしれない [Aitakatta Kamo Shirenai]
4. [Disc 1] ぐるぐるカーテン (off vocal ver.)
5. [Disc 1] 左胸の勇気 (off vocal ver.)
6. [Disc 1] 会いたかったかもしれない (off vocal ver.)
7. [Disc 2] ぐるぐるカーテン (music video) [Guru Guru Curtain music video]
8. [Disc 2] 会いたかったかもしれない (music video) [Aitakatta Kamo Shirenai music video]
9. [Disc 2] 会いたかったかもしれない (original cut ver.) (music video)
10. [Disc 2] 衛藤美彩×近藤啓二 [Eto Misa×Kondo Keiji]
11. [Disc 2] 柏幸奈×長部洋平 [Kashiwa Yukina×Osabe Youhei]
12. [Disc 2] 川後陽菜×山田篤宏 [Kawago Hina×Yamada Atsuhiro]
13. [Disc 2] 川村真洋×岡川太郎 [Kawamura Mahiro×Okagawa Taro]
14. [Disc 2] 齋藤飛鳥×フラッシュハリー [Saito Asuka×Flash Harry]
15. [Disc 2] 斎藤ちはる×榮良太 [Saito Chiharu×Sakae Ryota]
16. [Disc 2] 西野七瀬×大来優、鳥巣智行 [Nishino Nanase×Orai Yu, Torisu Tomoyuki]
17. [Disc 2] 橋本奈々未×三木聡 [Hashimoto Nanami×Miki Satoshi]
18. [Disc 2] 深川麻衣×中村太洸 [Fukagawa Mai×Nakamura Taiko]
19. [Disc 2] 松村沙友理×萩原健太郎 [Matsumura Sayuri×Hagihara Kentaro]
20. [Disc 2] 若月佑美×金森孝宏 [Wakatsuki Yumi×Kanamori Takahiro]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Type C (CD + DVD)
1. [Disc 1] ぐるぐるカーテン [Guru Guru Curtain]
2. [Disc 1] 左胸の勇気 [Hidari Mune no Yuuki]
3. [Disc 1] 失いたくないから [Ushinaitaku Nai Kara]
4. [Disc 1] ぐるぐるカーテン (off vocal ver.)
5. [Disc 1] 左胸の勇気 (off vocal ver.)
6. [Disc 1] 失いたくないから (off vocal ver.)
7. [Disc 2] ぐるぐるカーテン (music video) [Guru Guru Curtain music video]
8. [Disc 2] 失いたくないから (music video) [Ushinaitaku Nai Kara music video]
9. [Disc 2] 安藤美雲×亀山公亮、畔柳一典 [Ando Mikumo×Kameyama Kouryo, Kuroyanagi Kazunori]
10. [Disc 2] 生田絵梨花×平川雄一朗 [Ikuta Erika×Hirakawa Yuichiro]
11. [Disc 2] 市來玲奈×白石達也 [Ichiki Rena×Shiraishi Tatsuya]
12. [Disc 2] 伊藤万理華×柳沢翔 [Ito Marika×Yanagisawa Sho]
13. [Disc 2] 斉藤優里×内田伸哉 [Saito Yuuri×Uchida Shinya]
14. [Disc 2] 桜井玲香×森田一平 [Sakurai Reika×Morita Ippei]
15. [Disc 2] 白石麻衣×奈良裕也 [Sakurai Reika×Morita Ippei]
16. [Disc 2] 中田花奈×高松明子 [Nakada Kana×Takamatsu Akiko]
17. [Disc 2] 能條愛未×佐藤大輔 [Noujou Aimi×Sato Daisuke]
18. [Disc 2] 樋口日奈×高橋洋人 [Higuchi Hina×Takahashi Hiroto]
19. [Disc 2] 星野みなみ×青山裕企 [Hoshino Minami×Aoyama Yuki]
CDJapan
HMV Online

Regular (CD only)
1. ぐるぐるカーテン [Guru Guru Curtain]
2. 左胸の勇気 [Hidari Mune no Yuuki]
3. 白い雲にのって [Shiroi Kumo ni Notte]
4. ぐるぐるカーテン (off vocal ver.)
5. 左胸の勇気 (off vocal ver.)
6. 白い雲にのって (off vocal ver.)
CDJapan
HMV Online

UPDATE (11th January):
Senbatsu members released.

UPDATE (2nd February):
Track lists and covers released

AKB48 breaks record again with '上からマリコ' ('Ue kara Mariko')

AKB48's 24th Single, '上からマリコ' ('Ue kara Mariko'), sold a total of 1,199,000 copies in the first week, thus became the highest selling single for the week of 19th December and the 5th highest selling single in its first week till date. Furthermore, AKB48 became the first artists ever to sell four consecutive “First Week Million” singles. What's more, all five of their singles this year have sold one million copies.

From Oricon/tokyohive,

• AKB48 has surpassed Pink Lady, Amuro Namie, Hamasaki Ayumi, and Utada Hikaru to become the top female artists with the most million selling singles.
• The group is currently tied with Morning Musume for having the most number one singles for a female group; which is 11.
• AKB48 is currently tied with GLAY with 5 consecutive million selling singles. GLAY has held the record since February 22, 1999, with their single “Winter, again”; that’s 12 years and 10 months.

[Highest First Week Sales]

1. AKB48 “Flying Get” (August 24, 2011) – 1,354,000 copies

2. AKB48 “Everyday, Kachuusha” (May 25, 2011) – 1,334,000 copies

3. AKB48 “Kaze wa Fuiteiru” (October 26, 2011) – 1,300,000 copies

4. Mr. Children “Na mo Naki Uta” (February 5, 1996) – 1,208,000 copies

5. AKB48 “Ue Kara MARIKO” (December 7, 2011) – 1,199,000 copies


[Female Artists With A Million Singles Sold]

1. 6 singles – AKB48 “Ue Kara MARKO (December 19, 2011)

2. 5 singles – Pink Lady “Monster” (September 4, 1978)

2. 5 singles – Amuro Namie “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” (March 10, 1997)

2. 5 singles – Utada Hikaru “Can You Keep A Secret?” (March 5, 2001)

2. 5 singles – Hamasaki Ayumi “H (independent, July 1st, HANABI)” (November 25, 2002)

Congratulations AKB48!! ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

Documentary of AKB48 Show must go on

It was announced that AKB48 would be releasing a sequel to their previous documentary movie, 'Documentary of AKB48 to be continued', title as 'Documentary of AKB48 Show must go on 少女たちは傷つきながら、夢を見る'.

'Documentary of AKB48 to be continued' focused on the group from late 2009 (during the mass reshuffle of the members, where many members were forced to switch teams) to the end of 2010, when soaring sales records and increased exposure made them a national phenomenon. Backstage footage, out-and-about roadtrips, and interviews with several of the group's members paint a picture of what goes on behind all the song and dance routines. (AnimeNewsNetwork, 2011)
It was a really tear-jerking and touching movie to watch, and I really enjoyed watching it.

'Documentary of AKB48 Show must go on 少女たちは傷つきながら、夢を見る' would be focusing on their hardships and successes through 2011. And again behind-the-scenes/backstage footages, illnesses, concerts, AKB48 Senbatsu Elections. The Great Tohoku Earthquake relief effort by AKB48 would be also featured in the movie. It would be aired in theaters in Japan on the 27th of January next year.

Am totally looking forward to it!

UPDATE (27th December):

262 foot wide wide poster for AKB48’s new documentary placed in Shinjuku

(from Oricon)

UPDATE (5th January):
It was just announced that NHK will be broadcasting their own documentary on the AKB48 on 23rd January titled, “DOCUMENTARY of AKB48+1“, at 24:15 JST. It is different from the documentary movie, 'Documentary of AKB48 Show must go on 少女たちは傷つきながら、夢を見る'.

UPDATE (18th January):
It was revealed that their regular performances in Singapore would be featured in the documentary movie.
Their new song 'First Rabbit' would be used as the ending theme.