AKB48:”Everyday, Kachuusha“Crosses 1.5 Million Sales
The Queens of Female Idol genre have passed a new record for sales in a month .Everyday, Kachuusha has now sold 1.52 million copies in four weeks ,making it the first single to pass 1.5 million copies in five and a half years. By the way, KAT-TUN’s Kamenashi Kazuya and NEWS‘ Yamashita Tomohisa were the last artists to accomplish this mark with collaboration single.
AKB48 also broke the record for female artists as the last time 1.5 million was reached by a female artist was eleven years ago by MISIA.
It`s also the 5th time in four weeks that this single has broken a record . Congratulations are in order as the single is now pushing forward to the possible but challenging 2 million mark.
To be honest with you after all the recent graduations from the H!P EGGS! Program ,I was starting to think that this program was finished . Well Hello!Project fans rejoice all the graduations were just clearing space for some fresh EGGS!.
Introducing your newest future/hopeful H!P Idols [Very little has been released on them they are all 5-6th grade]
Taguchi Natsumi
Yoshihashi Kurumi
Hamaura Ayano
Ogawa Rena
[No photo that I know of has been released yet]
Former Morning Musume 9th Gen finalists
Otsuka Aina
After milking this so-called drama for a few days , the truth that we all knew ahead of time was revealed.
What truth shall that be? -Eguchi Aimi was a CGI Idol. Big shock right, lol.
Now on to the more important news of the day, just who is Eguchi Aimi?
Aimi`s hair and body belong to Oshima Yuko ,her online is Takahashi Minami ,her eyes is Maeda Atsuko ,her eyebrows are from the Cyborg idol Watanabe Mayu . Her nose is Itano Tomomi`s, her mouth is Shinoda Mariko`s and "Dr" Akimoto removed 12th gen`s Sasaki Yukari`s voice and made it Aimi`s.
Now as to her member bio, well that is true; you see it is the bio for Glico's company profile.
Here is the good part, instead of cursing "Dr" Akimoto for playing with your hearts by creating this Frankenstein Idol. Instead head over to the home page at the end of this post and you can create your own idol.
That is right; you can take parts of 47 AKB48 members and create your own CGI 48 Idol.
My first Idol Spotlight after a LONG hiatus (real life beckons, you know how it is...) is Chu!☆Lips, a veteran idol group that is managed under the label South to North Records where it also manages other idol acts such as Feam and KiSS&KiSS.
I see from the comments of Gaki mentioned in his last "Fresh Faces" post, that some of you guys may have heard of them already. And rightfully so, because they have been around since 2005, right when AKB48 also had their start that same year. Strangely enough I did not come across them until Gaki told me about them last year. But it was an interesting experience diving back in time for their past materials.
Chu!☆Lips got their first break back in 2005 with their first single "Kiss Kiss Kiss Arashi" which was used for TBS's anime "Gokiburi-chan". Since then, they have continued to produce more music in singles and DVDs as they become more popular. But rather than bidding for the mainstream playground, interestingly Chu!☆Lips chose to continue to perform in live events as an indie idol group. However, this is where they are at their best, and dare I say, has established themselves as the most popular indie/underground idol group to date. Chu!☆Lips is well known for their entertainment factor in their performances, singing, and interaction with the fans. Their style is such that I could pick any of their song and use it for a movie opener. And it has been proven too, since some of their songs have been used for movie ending soundtrack, game OST and even for a cheerleading group.
Now, in any live shows or concerts, you will almost definitely see Chu!☆Lips gracing the performer's line-up.
Like any other long time idol groups, Chu!☆Lips had their share of graduations and new members.
Now only two original members remained in their 4 member line-up, with which they released their latest single "The Golden Chups", AND they played the "bandol" card this time too (much to my delight :-) ).
Their last single prior to The Golden Chups was 15 months ago in December 2009 with "Koi no Geemu Oshiete" (also ED theme for PC game Genegetsu no Pandora), but there's a reason for it. Apparently they were supposed to stop their Japan activities in 2010 and perform in China, but for some reason the plan was derailed and they had to return to Japan to continue their act.
Personally, I find that for a group that had such a longevity, high recognition amongst mainstream and indies, connections with movie/game music, and even eyed the China market like AKB48 and Morning Musume did... but they still remained an underground idol unit. Don't the members or their agency have the aspiration to go mainstream at all?
During a magazine interview in conjunction to their 4th single release in 2008, member Nacchin expressed her wish to have their singles appear in at least Oricon Top 100, after one week since the single has been released. Member Rio hopes that one day Chu!☆Lips would be featured in Mechaike in a "Okajo"-like segment.
So what happened? Did their run not go smoothly as planned? Or was it by their own principle and volition that they currently prefer to remain indie, where there are no mainstream cliche and stereotypes to limit their entertainment creativity?
Either way, I'm sure there will be more of Chu!☆Lips to come, whichever direction they choose to take.
Trivia - Former member Kasai Rion, who graduated from Chu!☆Lips in 2007 is elder sister to AKB48 Team B member Kasai Tomomi. Rion then joined another idol group "Survive" but the group disbanded the next year (although Survive revived itself 2 years later but that's another story). Looks like Rion didn't get enjoy the same success in showbiz like her sister did.
Nacchin
D.O.B: 06/12/1985
Blood type: AB
Hometown: Tokyo
Interests: Karaoke, shopping, movies
Skill: Calligraphy
Rio
D.O.B: 24/03/1986
Blood type: A
Hometown: Tochigi-ken
Interests: Karaoke, shopping
Skill: Violin, swimming
Kurita
D.O.B: 28/05/1990
Blood type: A
Hometown: Kanagawa
Interests: Trumpet
Skill: Jazz dance, tap dance
Nattan
D.O.B: 18/10/1988
Blood type: A
Hometown: Tokyo
Interests: Anime, game, cosplay, cooking
Skill: Shoulder massage, Impersonation
First Single - Kiss Kiss Kiss Arashi 2005
Shinjuku Ruido K4 - Idol Station 2006
Oh Please Kamisama Onegai!
From latest Single ザ・ゴールデン・チュップス "The Golden Chups" Released April 2011
Continuing with our fresh idol voting .This is the second set of artists to choose from. Just as with Volume 1, you can select as many as you like, which you like to see us cover.
Just use the comments section to cast your vote or votes .
1.Feam
This unit is veterans of the lesser-known scene
2.ミ★pop [ Changed name from Soda Pop]
3.Chu!☆Lips
This unit is veterans of the lesser-known scene
One thing about the lesser-known units, they love the wota aspect of the genre.
They have no issues dancing in a crowd of wotas, as you will see at the 4:00 mark.
4.Idolbu
I selected this next group ,as they show the other side of the coin so to speak.
5.Ricotta Veil
Outside of the big pocket agencies ,there is another world ,a world of hard working often do it yourself idols ,or very small agencies ,with idols selling 100`s to 1,000 not 100,000`s of CDs.
In this other lesser known world, there are no idol battles over Oricon rankings, No Friday’s reporter trying to expose an idols private life. There are only idols, supporting each other, sharing wotas and bringing smiling faces with every song, as if they were on the largest stages in the world.
Ryo and I cannot decide which fresh faced idol group we want to write about next ,so we are enlisting our readers in the decision.
Over the next little bit , can`t say how many days ,this will last ,Short previews of fresh faced idol groups or idols that we have never covered will be posted .
These previews maybe as simple as an introduction, song preview, live clip and so on. Just a little something to get the name out there, without giving too much away on the group or idol. We may slip in a unit that has disbanded, for a were are they now profile. The main thing is that they are fresh to this site.
Now here is how you can help shape the future of the fresh faced idol topic. If at anytime you see one or more groups or idols in these previews, that sparks an interest in you post it in the comments section.
The groups or idols with the highest interest will go to the top of the list for addition to the PIH coverage. One more thing, you can select as many as you like.
Therefore, here is today's selection
1.PEACEFUL [From Hokkaido]
2. Milky-Holmes
3.Piyo Rabbie
4.denpagumi.inc
5.DokiDoki☆ Dream Campus
6.Roman Stars
Please keep looking forward to more "Fresh Face Idol" posts ,and you can vote for whom you like PIH to add to the site , by posting in the comments section.
The Eguchi Aimi Saga Continues Is She Real After All?
Well ,well ,well , is she real or is she not ? That my friends depend on whom you believe. First, the media asked the real camp- Glico if she was real ,and the answer was "Sorry we can’t comment”. AKS the management company for AKB48 has gone as far as saying, “She’s real! She didn’t take the 12th generation auditions, so we had to quickly accept her (into generation 12.5)”. An entire bio has also been created on her and some cover story of her being first accepted into NMB48.
Now the fake camp . What happens when you let idols blog , well they talk .
Kikuchi Ayaka before management discovered it and deleted the post wrote Eguchi Aimi-san is cute . She’s just too pretty! Lol lol lol she is in the 12.5 generation~ I also did a shoot! I wonder when a part of my face will be used (hehe)”
Oshima Yuko , may have let it slip as far back as February ,when she posted a photo with dots on her face and the words “The shoot has finished. It took a long time, but I was by myself so I was able to stay nonchalant. In addition, in the end I turned out looking like this.
Looks like AKS and Glico ,has more miles they want to milk out of their new creation . Is she real as they claim or is she CGI as the members of AKB48 claim?
The real answer we already know , but the marketing of the controversy will guarantee that AKB48 will get maximum media coverage when Hello!Project is preparing for the release of Morning Musume`s single . A bit of chance or back room strategy by the idol, super power?
Enter the wonderful world of PASSPO☆ .As you walk towards the concert house seating area; you notice a large poster with the title on display PASSPO☆. You quickly reach for your tickets and notice a very strange set of wording, instead of seeing “Open” and “Start” times; you see “Boarding” and “Departure.” Lifting your head up from your ticket, you suddenly notice that your not standing in a concert house, instead you have entered PASSPO☆ Airlines and your about to be taken on a magical flight.
You look to your side and see several other passengers, gathered near the “boarding gate“, selecting last minute gifts ,such as PASSPO☆ CDs ,shirts and more.
Before you can board your flight, there are a number of layovers to wait out; in this case, the idols Pre-dia are finishing up, creating some airport traffic.
Suddenly ,you are told to head to the boarding gates ,again you check your flight ticket to make sure you have purchased first class tickets ,with glow sticks and other gifts purchased near the “boarding gate” ,you make your way to your seat.
After chatting with other passengers, the lights on the plane dim and a soft idol like voice is heard speaking “Tonight’s flight on PASSPO☆ Airlines is about to take off. Please fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.”
With that the members of PASSPO☆ suddenly appear, along with the words “PASSPO☆ Take Off” and with that, your flight takes off.
As you fly through the skies, PASSPO☆ tends to your every need. They provide you a meal of slow-tempo pop-rock songs, hard-rock songs, dances, cheers and comforting words.
PASSPO☆ who classify themselves as a girls’ rock group, leave nothing for chance as they guide you to your destination.
For a moment there is a pause, the girls head to the front of the plane, to greet all the passengers.
After a brief chat, the group continues with a flight, that hypnotizes you and every trouble you had that day, vanishes, with fist held high, your voice of support becomes the fuel that the PASSPO☆ flight will travel on.
As this is a long flight, the members of PASSPO☆ break down into smaller units, to entertain the passengers with dance covers.
Because PASSPO☆ Airlines is an international service, the flight takes you to Korea
Before moving on. No long flight is complete with out some comedy films.
At this point, you are about halfway through your flight, and nothing is slowing the flight down.
Sadly with each passing minute, your flight is reaching it`s conclusion not much is left to perform, yet the excitement and power is just the same.
At this point, you are some 18-20 songs into your flight and you are on your final approach, at this point, the group delivers a special gift a brand new song.
As you look out your window, you can see the bright lights of the city as the flight is ending and PASSPO☆ prepare you for the landing.
You have now landed and the flight has lasted 21 songs, both you and PASSPO☆ have completed the flight safely. As you start to leave the airport, your happiness is mixed with an air of sadness that the flight is over .So one last time you check the flight schedule for the next flight . With another flight scheduled tomorrow ,you can leave happily , knowing that you and PASSPO☆ will soon take flight again and you will spend another evening with PASSPO☆
What happens, when your the Queens of the female Idol genre, and frankly just don`t have a lot of time to push yourself to every network in the country?
Answer- you create the new “it girl” for AKB48.
Please welcome AKB48 newest member and rising star Eguchi Aimi.
Aimi is currently one of the fastest rising members of AKB48, reaching magazine and a lead in a promotional ad before doing her first video or theater live.
So what makes Aimi so special that she may challenge for the center position in the next Senbatsu? , you see Aimi is not real. Just like Dr. Frankenstein, when he had a few free days on his hand, went wild and created his own creation. "Dr". Akimoto has taken bits and pieces of his AKB girls and created the “perfect” idol. After all, if you are going to create the perfect Idol, you already have the perfect idol franchise to take parts from.
AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi who created Aimi , describes her as the reason AKB48 was created to “meet the heroine of the new age”."Dr".Akimoto`s creation has wasted no time in gaining media popularity by landing a magazine cover and the lead in the Glico candy promotion, of which she was created for.
The possibilities are now endless for AKB48 ; will we see an entire CGI unit? what about CGI auditions? , Will Aimi be allowed in the Senbatsu or even in PV`s? On the other hand, just maybe Watanabe Mayu is really the mastermind behind AKB48 and we will see Cyborg AKB.
Say what you want to about AKB48 , be it for or against this group ,but one thing is for sure ,when it comes to promotions and keeping their franchise name in the media , no other female idol group does it as well as AKB48 .
So until we get Cyborg AKB doing “Ponytail to Shushu II” here is Eguchi Aimi`s debut.
AKB48 Tops H!P Idol Golden Era Record + New Member
The current Queens of Idol genre AKB48 after breaking singles record after singles record , have now broke an album record that will likely stir the emotions of two veteran idol camps.
AKB48`s album “Koko ni Ita Koto” has sold a very impressive 602,000 copies in a single week. By doing so AKB48 has broken Morning Musume`s 11 year hold for first week album sales by a female group ,when Morning Musume sold 578,000 copies [863,000 + overall] in one week with “3rd-LOVE Paradise" .
AKB48 also managed to defeat EXILE for the highest sales for an album to date this year.
Incase your wondering if this is just another marketing trick ? ,it is not ,this album does not include any promotional tickets .Now the question is will this album manage to break their record for weeks on Oricon at 62 weeks set when they released “Kamikyokutachi”.
On the singles front their single “Everyday, Kachuusha” is about to cross the 1,500,000 ,after three week sales of 1,499,000.
AKB48 has also announced a new member Eguchi Aimi who is quickly rising up the ranks and has endorsements already lined up . In case you have not heard, Aimi is a CGI Idol for an AKB48 endorsement campaign.
