Maeda Atsuko To Graduate From AKB48

On the final night of the Saitama Super Arena concert series, Maeda Atsuko announced that she has decided to graduate from AKB48 to pursue other dreams.

Maeda was extremely tearful as she explained her reasons to a shocked crowd and upset group members.
Maeda- “I took the audition to enter AKB48 when I was 14 years old, which was a big decision in my life. Now, please let me make my second big decision. I am graduating from AKB48.”


Maeda went on to say that she will announce when the exact date will be, leaving many to speculate that it will be at the Tokyo Dome, a venue that is well known to be a dream of Maeda to perform in.



[If you notice a number of members had no idea of this]

Maeda Atsuko spotted in Nogizaka46 Video

Has the great one changed groups? No, lol Maeda is just doing a guest spot.
Maeda makes a guest appearance in the video for “Aitakatta Kamo Shirenai”

“Aitakatta Kamo Shirenai” is just a remake of the AKB48 single and video “Aitakatta” and Maeda makes a passing appearance and is just another of several recent supporting promotions by the groups.

Recent AKB48 News

Recent AKB48 News

Trying to play a little news catch up today.

AKB48’s sub-unit, Watarirouka Hashiritai has added two new members. The new members are Komori Mika and Iwasa Misaki .The group has officially changed its name to Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 to reflect the size of the new line up.

There is some confusion in the fan base as to if this is a fulltime change. Some of the members have hinted at this being a one-time event related to their radio show.

Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 will be releasing a new single on February 2, 2011 and will be a Valentine’s song produced by Akimoto Yasushi.  The highly famous lyricist, broadcaster, and producer, has written lyrics for a number of major male and female performing artists. Akimoto`s most popular valentine’s theme song was Kokusho Sayuri’s “Valentine Kiss.”

No title at this time has been announced or buying details.

AKB48`s Itano Tomomi is releasing her first solo single.

The single will be called “Dear J“, and will be released on January 26th .Itano said at a recent handshake event that “Dear J”  will be a “dance song”, and she also said, “Since I’m always with the members, I feel a little pressured, but debuting solo has been my dream, so please continue to support me.”

Sub Unit French Kiss will be releasing their second single, “If“, on January 19.
If will come in three different versions and Takajo Aki, will be doing Kyudo (archery) on the drama DVD version.

Maeda Atsuko will be in the July 2011 film release of “Moshimo Koukou Yakyu no Joshi Manager ga Drucker no “Management” wo Yondara ., also known as “Moshidora” .Moshidora is a best seller novel about a high school girl who is the manager of a struggling High School baseball team . Maeda, who plays Kawashima Minami, will take up the challenge of leading this team to the National Championships, by using strategies that she learns by reading a business book.

The Manga version is called “SUPER JUMP” and come out on December 22. The anime version will start airing March 2011.