AKB48 Have Two Members Leave Part One

AKB48 Have Two Members Leave Part One

AKB48 has suffered two member losses as Oku Manami and Kanazawa Yuuki, have decided to leave the group .Oku is leaving to concentrate on being a school student and Kanazawa for undisclosed personal reasons. Both asked to leave the group.

Oku left a long blog message explaining her reasons,

“I know this is abrupt, but I have an announcement for you all.

I, Oku Manami, will be graduating from AKB48.

I joined AKB48 when I was 10 years old without knowing anything and I am still that way

Though I say that, I have continuously done my best.

It has not been only good things, but I have many great memories.

And I’ve made it this far thanks to Akimoto, the staff and most of all because of the fans who have supported me along the

Way.

I have been in AKB for 5 years and I have met many people and experienced many things.

I did not realize it until now, but somewhere in my heart I wanted to do something that, I was not able to do.

I really want to experience school life.

I did not like passing the time asking myself, “What do you really want to do?”

Through being in AKB like this, it feels like I’m only doing things half way and I’m really sorry to all the people who

Supported me up until now.

I have thought this over many times and I have even talked with the staff about it many times

I am going to graduate from AKB so that I can go after my new dream, “entering university”.

Over the past 5 years, I have caused a lot of trouble for people and I have caused people to worry…

But, everyone has still supported me many times after that.

I do not know how to say this but I really am completely grateful to you all.

Thank you so much.

The April handshake event will be the last time I can meet you all.

When the graduation details have been decided, I will let you all know.

Well, there isn’t much time left before I graduate, but until then, please look after me.”


Kanazawa`s message will be in a related post
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/02/akb48-have-two-members-leave-part-two.html

Aso Natsuko: "Diamond Star☆" PV

Aso Natsuko: "Diamond Star☆" PV

The idol of “cuteness, love and happiness” is back with a new single. Aso Natsuko yesterday released "Diamond Star☆". "Diamond Star☆" follows Natsuko`s trademark “cuteness, love and happiness” theme and is the title track for the ending theme to the anime Cardfight!! Vanguard.

If you enjoyed the songs in the introduction post that I made for her, then you will not be disappointed in "Diamond Star☆"

Related Post
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2010/12/aso-natsuko-more-idol-love.html

"Idol Spotlight" : HY4_4YH

New Feature

I have been wanting to feature some of the Indie Idols or groups ,that you may not have a chance to see overseas ,simply due to the economics and focus of their agencies ,yet are really entertaining to watch perform.

To make this happen, I decided to create a catch all topic, called "Idol Spotlight".

Every group would love to be the biggest or most popular group in the world, however there is something to be said about being an Indie.

Indie Idols are a very special sub grouping in the Idol genre .Much like Visual Kei is to the rock genre. Indie Idols have a different relationship, with their fan base, which is 100% wotas, which allow them to be much more fan friendly with their fans. Several groups, who have no agency support at all or are soloists from a maid cafe, may have wotas who design and run their web sites for free.

Because many Indie Idols come from Akihabara, they are "Otaku" and "Wotas" themselves and find the comfort and freedom in the Indies, that they may not enjoy in a major agency.

Being an independent by the way, does not mean having little to no fans or money, for some that is true, for others they sell just as much if not more then a Morning Musume or Berryz Koubou release.

There are advantages and disadvantages to being both an independent artist and a major artist.

Advantage is what "Idol Spotlight" is all about.

What "Idol Spotlight" will do is briefly shine a light on a few groups, who may or may not in the years to come be facing off with the major groups in this industry. Groups that you may never come across without some extra support.

First up is a group called HY4_4YH

HY4_4YH is a fun group, that made their debut in 2006 .Currently the lineup features the following members, Yukarin [22], Yumiko [21] and Sadachi [24].

They put on a hyper live performance complete with a live band when possible , much like H!P`s Buono and have a enjoyable fan base that you want to have your groups perform in front of them as special guests for HY4_4YH .

HY4_4YH are not the strongest singers, there are very few Takahashi Ai`s in Indies or in Idol genre to start with. The Aichan`s of the genre are the rare idols.

Their overall show and fan interaction makes up for any weakness they may have. HY4_4YH is really a fun group not only to have groups work with, but just to enjoy a night at their lives.

If you are a fan of, free spirit idols, you just may also find HY4_4YH to your liking.










Current 3 member lineup



Ah!!!! Almost forgot their HP
http://www.thelabel.jp/hy4_4yh/index.html

AKB48 Have Two Members Leave Part Two

AKB48 Have Two Members Leave Part Two

AKB48 has suffered two member losses as Oku Manami and Kanazawa Yuuki, have decided to leave the group .Oku is leaving to concentrate on being a school student and Kanazawa for undisclosed personal reasons. Both asked to leave the group.

Kanazawa left a blog message explaining her reasons,

“I have requested to be excused from the AKB48 research students due to personal reasons, so as of February 20th it will be going into effect.

I am sorry for this abrupt announcement, but Kanazawa has also thought long and hard about other possibilities before arriving at this conclusion.

And since I thought hard about this, I hope you all respect my decision.

I’m looking forward to the day when I can meet you all on this stage again.”
Related Post
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/02/akb48-have-two-members-leave-part-one.html

Yajima Maimi : Black Angels Movie Preview

Many thanks to reader Road K, for reminding me that I forgot to go back and mention about Yajima Maimi`s movie.

C-ute`s leader/captain Yajima Maimi is co-starting with Ochiai Motoki in a straight-to-DVD live-action adaptation of Shinji Hiramatsu's manga series "Black Angels".

“Black Angels” was originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump between 1981 and 1985 .It told the story of a group of vigilantes delivering justice to evildoers who had escaped the law. Ochiai will play the primary role as Yukito, the leader of the group. Yajima has been cast as Reira, the captivating heroine of the story.

Maimi fans will be pleased to know that the DVD is already open for pre-orders and officially will be released in May.

Until more details come out, you can enjoy Maimi in the film trailer.

Kalafina: Magia PV + Intro

Kalafina: Magia PV + Intro

Kalafina is one of the expanding coverage groups that I have wanted to present for sometime. Kalafina are a vocal power trio that are in the contemporary classical /chamber pop genres and are the creation of famed composer/ producer/pianist and former member of the group See-Saw Kajiura Yuki.

Kajiura`s music is the framework that Kalafina is built on and draws from her fathers liking of opera and classical music.

After seeing great success as a member of See-Saw, Kajiura created a new project called FrictionJunction; it was out of this group that Kalafina would be born as Kajiura recruited FrictionJunction members Keiko and Wakana for what would become Kalafina.

The final lineup for Kalafina would not be set until May 2008 ,when Maya and Hikaru overcome 30,000 participants to join Keiko and Wakana to become Kalafina .Maya the youngest of all the members and the only one born in the 90`s left the group in 2009 to continue her career in a different setting.

Kalafina are currently supporting their newest single “Magia” which is the ending theme to the anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica.



While Kalafina in their current lineup is as strong as ever ,one of the songs that stands out to me and sets this group apart from others is one from when Maya was still a member “Sprinter” .The music and vocal arrangements is nothing short of perfect for this type of music.



And their most recent single before “Magia”, “Kagayaku Sora no Shijima ni wa”


To date Kalafina have released nine singles [eight have been used as a theme track] and two albums ,their most successful single in terms of sales was their debut “Oblivious” ,which was the theme song of the first three Kara no Kyoukai movies.


Kalafina are a bit of change for fans who have only listen to pop idols ,however if you value strong vocal harmonies or are a fan of up-tempo anime theme songs ,then Kalafina just maybe a group that you have heard before and never knew it.

Related acts

FrictionJunction [Kajiura is the one playing keyboards]


See-Saw


Ishikawa Chiaki, was the lead singer for See-Saw

[Idol Spotlight] Tomato n'Pine ~ Tomapai

Tomato n'Pine, also known as Tomapai for short, is an indies idol unit initially formed in 2009 consisting of "Season 1" members Kanaki Jyun and Koike Yui as a duo. They were 2008 Miss Magazine finalist (organised by Weekly Shonen Magazine) and coincidentally since they share the same birthday 4th April 1991 and so formed an idol unit releasing their first CD debut album "Life is Beautiful" on 4th April 2009.

Interestingly the idea of Tomapai is that in addition to their singing act the members may also work on their other personal work such as gravure modelling and acting - a trend more commonly used by Asian artistes such as South Korea, Taiwan and Hongkong.

However in that same year, Kanaki decided to focus on her studies and announced her exit from the group (subsequently from showbiz altogether) and 2 more girls joined Tomapai as "Season 2" members thereby forming a trio. Koike then used the moniker YUI while the other 2 girls are HINA (Kusano Hinako) and WADA (Wada Erika). With this new lineup Tomapai released "Captain wa kimi da!" in May 2010. The trio continued the tradition of juggling their singing act along with their modelling and acting jobs.

Now, Tomapai is a grassroots indies idol unit, so their activity and promotional strategies differs a lot from mainstream acts.
Firstly, they performed mostly only live events like the Tokyo Idol Festival 2010 where they performed their own original works and also perform covers of songs by mainstream idols. So if fans wants to keep track of their future activities and whereabouts, they have to visit the official website or the newspapers/magazines. This is important because their CDs were only sold at the live shows where they performed. (Now you can order online e.g. Tower Records)

Regarding recording labels, like most indies acts Tomapai formed their own label T&P (Tomato N'Pine Tokyo) to represent and produce themselves. With the exception of only their first single "Captain wa kimi da!" which was produced by agehasprings who has produced the likes of Yuzu, CHARA and Ito Yuna.

Tomapai made heavy use of the internet to promote themselves, such as Youtube, MySpace, Twitter and Ustream. Other than that, Tomapai worked on some radio shows and have their own internet streaming broadcast. On television, they are regulars on NTV's "Idolchin" /, along with other idol groups such as Momoiro Clover and members from "Idoling!!!".

Currently Tomapai is bracing for their major debut produced by Sony Music Entertainment / Sony Records with their latest single "Tabitachi Transfer" set to release in 9th March 2011, which I have really high expectations for.

Personally, I think Tomapai could become really successful. Each of the members are already known in their respective modelling and acting works, so it should help in achieving higher recognition. Perhaps soon they can be as popular, if not more, than Momoiro Clover, another idol group with indies background. So if you are into high school girls doing dance-alongs and singing, Tomato N'Pine might just be the one for you.


Links
Tomato n'Pine Official Website <-ADDED
MySpace
Ustream Channel
Youtube


(Season 1 members)
Tomato n'Pine - Life is Beautiful PV


Tomato n'Pine ~ Life is Beautiful (how to dance)


(Season 2 members)
Tomato n'Pine ~ Captain wa kimi da! at Tokyo Idol Festival 2010 (studio album audio)


Tomato n'Pine ~ Tameike, Okarina, Hora Neko ga Warau PV



(Thanks for reading. Was in hospital doing rehab on back. Apologies for the absence)

AKB48 :“Sakura no Ki ni Narou“ 1,100,00 Shipped

AKB48 newest single “Sakura no Ki ni Narou“shipped 1,100,000 copies to stores for sale. the industry buzz is that with day two sales of - 101,304 (756,648 total) that it is only an issue of days before “Sakura no Ki ni Narou“passes 1 million in actual sales. The amount of copies shipped by the way is higher then “Beginner” which shipped 1,030,000, in 16 weeks “Beginner” has sold 1,013,419.

Morning Musume 9th Gen on Bijo Gaku

Edit: High Quality version now up.

Morning Musume 9th Gen on Bijo Gaku

Here is tonight’s 9th gen segment; Zukki’s continues to work get her dance right? How will the fans take the 9th gen?Fuku-chan shows why every new generation needs a Egg member, Risa and Sayu the future leaders lead the 9th gen to their first fan event.

Find out now what happens

SKE48 BANZAI Venus PV

Update: Video has been fixed

SKE48 BANZAI Venus PV

Yesterday, I told you about SKE48 getting a national pizza ad campaign for their new single “BANZAI Venus“, today I bring you the full video.

Last month SKE48 did a public casting call for citizens to come out and help them with their PV shoot .As a result 1,000 citizens turned out to support SKE48 and a fun time was had by all.

You can see the result of the January 18 & 19 Nagoya marketplace video shoot below.



Related Post
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/02/ske48-ships-300000-copies-of-banzai.html