AKB48 vs. Nogizaka46

AKB48 vs. Nogizaka46

It`s now official, as AKB48 is so big that no other unit can match them, their creator has
entered “Castle Akimoto” and a rival will be born.

Please welcome to the idol wars Nogizaka46.

Confirmation has come that Akimoto Yasushi will in fact create an rival unit to go head to head against AKB48. This unit will be called Nogizaka46.

Nogizaka46 name comes from as I mentioned yesterday from being the office location of Sony Music Entertainment .The 46 is the number of members this unit will have. The reason that the unit will have 46 and not 48 was explained by Akimoto “Although there are fewer members than AKB48, they will not lose.”

Auditions will start on July 20, with follow up rounds on August 6 and 7 nationwide in 7 cities. Everyone that passes stage two will move to stage three on August 20 and 21.

20 girls will be selected for debut in October.  The unit will be a major label artist for Sony and will take part in music releases, live events and variety shows with the mission to become more popular then AKB48.

One thing to keep in mind, years ago Akimoto mentioned in an interview that AKB48 was something that he could see lasting around ten years.  Could this new unit not only be a new rival for AKB48, but the building blocks for the day that AKB48 ends and this concept of Idols that you can meet will live on in Nogizaka46?  If that is the case, then Akimoto looks set to control the top spot in the genre for years to come.

So much could have been different today in this genre, if companies had viewed AKB48 for the rivals they truly are, instead the sands of time moved on and Nogizaka46 will now carry the flag of battle to AKB48.

Will this be a true idol battle of rivals or more of the same? , Only time will tell and the idol community and media  will be watching closely.


Nogizaka46 HP

http://www.nogizaka46.com/

Related Post
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/akb48-to-get-rival.html

AKB48 To Get A Rival?

AKB48 To Get A Rival?

This is breaking news and, let me say this could just be  the AKB48 marketing machine at work again. This same company that tried for two days to convince the nation that a CGI Idol was a real girl and a new member of AKB48. A move by the way that is still making headlines.

Therefore, with that out of the way, word is coming out that AKB48 is getting a rival unit. According to various mainstream media outlets Sony records has asked Akimoto Yasushi to create a rival unit to AKB48 for Sony Records.

This unit is being speculated  to have the working title of “Nogizaka46” .Nogizaka by the way is Sony’s HQ office building location “Nogizaka, Minato, Tokyo” .There is no explanation for the 46 number.

According to various mainstream media outlets, the unit will have auditions shortly, with more information scheduled to be released later.

Sony on it`s part have reportedly announced  “that we will strike hard with this project. This will be a serious competitor and strike AKB48 hard."

Let’s say for a moment, that this is not Aki-P trying to blow smoke up the collective backside of idolhood, what could be the motivation, outside the usual”.

Could it be that AKB48 has become so famous that the members feel they can relax without the fear of a real threat? Could this be a different image and concept that he could not do with AKB48?

With 48`s starting up across Japan and ventures into other countries to set up stores and theaters , now this ,at what point does Akimoto start biting off the hand that feeds him and pushes one project over the line and wotas start looking for something fresh.

It can very well happen suddenly ,just go over to Hello!Project and look .At one time no one outside of Pink Lady and Speed could match up with Morning Musume , now they are in a desperate battle to out sale new fresh idol units .

More developments to this story as they break.

Followup
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/06/akb48-vs-nogizaka46.html

AKB48 Dating Game Round 2

AKB48 Dating Game Round 2

AKB48 is releasing a new PSP dating simulation game on October 6. The game will be  titled “AKB 1/48 Idol to Guam de Koishitara. This time you are going to Guam to try to win the heart of your favorite AKB48 member. The game will feature many swimsuit shots from the members and the confession scenes recorded in Guam.

In addition, the game will come in three versions a Regular Edition, a Limited Edition that will include bonus footage and a First Press Limited Edition that will include goods and bonus footage.

At the press conference, Nito Moeno mentioned a scene of hers. “There’s a scene where I go down a hill on my bike in a residential area and at the bottom they had a camera set up and I was supposed to stop perfectly in front of it, which was really difficult”.

Sashihara jumped in to say the following “There are two kinds of shots: a confession scene when you do things correctly and a scene where you get the cold shoulder. However, I think the cold shoulder scene is more interesting, so make sure to do that one (haha)”.

Sounds like Sashihara wants to play hard to get, lol.

SDN48 3rd Generation

SDN48 3rd Generation

This falls under the heading of life is complicated and I just missed this news item.
Recently SDN48 announced their 3rd generation members at Tokyo Dome City Hall.

3rd generation is made up of the following members.

Former AKB48 Team A members Tojima Hana and Komatani Hitomi, models Hayakawa Sayo and Shinahama Saemi .Coming over from Avex are Kojo Seara and miray .The last member is from Korea by the name of Siyeon.

L-R :Hitomi, Hana, Seara, Sayo, Siyeon, miray, Saemi


Kojo Seara
Nickname: Unknown
Birthday: January 10th, 1988
From: Kyoto
Bloodtype: Unknown


Komatani Hitomi
Nickname: Hiichan, Hiipink
Birthday: December 16th, 1988
From: Saitama prefecture
Blood type: O


Shinahama Saemi
Nickname: Saemi-chan, Sae
Birthday: July 20th, 1989
From: Tokyo
Blood type: A


Siyeon
Real name: Jung Siyeon
Birthday: March 11th, 1983
From: South Korea


Tojima Hana
Nickname: Hana-chan
Birthday: July 11th, 1988
From: Saitama prefecture
Blood type: B


Hayakawa Sayo
Nickname: Unknown
Birthday: May 23rd, 1983
From: Fukuoka prefecture
Blood type: AB


miray
Nickname: Unknown
Birthday: July 5th, 1983
From: Osaka
Blood type: AB

In addition, SDN48 member Ninomiya Yuka has left the group to enter theater work.
Tanisaki Tomomi has also left to find a different dream.

My apologies for not posting this sooner.

H!P: LinLin And JunJun Return ,Riho Gets Photobook

H!P: LinLin And JunJun Return ,Riho Gets Photobook

The lovable girls that fans kindly labeled Panda Musume have returned to Japan. Little is known about their mission here , however LinLin was at the recent Morning Musume concert to as she calls it “going home to see the family” .Rumors are also flying around the wota circles that Eri and family was also at the same concert.

Now everything happens for a reason in music , the question here is what is the secondary reason for the return visit ? Is work being lined up , now that LinLin has become a star on Chinese variety TV again?

Let the rumor mill run wild as we wait for any developments .

A LinLin fan has taken the blog photos and made a cool video presentation of her return. No shots of JunJun yet ,just a message that she is here also.



EDIT- Fresh shot of JunJun Looking Relaxed

Speaking of developing, the future ace of Morning Musume Sayashi Riho is going to be showing off her charm in her first photobook and DVD.

Both will be released in August and the first pressing of the DVD will include lottery tickets for a special Okinawa gift package.

Shibuya TSUTAYA Becomes AKB48 TSUTAYA

SHIBUYA TSUTAYA BECOMES AKB48 TSUTAYA

AKB48 took over the SHIBUYA TSUTAYA store on June 23, 24 as part of a new promotion campaign for their DVD “AKB48 Ga Ippai ~ The Best Music Video ~”.

Staff decorated the store  with  official pictures and outfits from their music videos to the large monitor screen which played their new DVD, every inch of the store became dedicated to AKB48 ,thus becoming in a way AKB48 TSUTAYA .

On June 24, members of AKB48 showed up at the store and signed their pictures on the walls of the store for two hours.

In related news, six AKB48 members made an appearance at SHIBUYA 109 and the building currently has a large billboard poster of Kashiwagi Yuki, which you can see as you walk by.

The DVD includes 36 of their music video including “Beginner”, “Heavy Rotation”, and “Ponytail no Shu Shu”.

For more photos of the store make over you can go here
http://mdpr.jp/021142937

Virtual Idols In Japan

Gaki has been covering a series of posts regarding Eguchi Aimi, whom is dubbed as the face of AKB48 in what they call a "perfect idol". The response from the public, some loved it, while some cried "FAKE!". (presumably...)

But "virtual idols" are not new in Japan entertainment.

Since the beginning of time, mankind seek perfection in whatever subject they find. Idols are no exception. People have a vision of what a perfect "something" in their mind, and in the case of Japanese idols, some have decided to showcase in what they think is a perfect idol.

First Generation - Anime
Way back in the early 1980's, the hit mecha anime Super Dimensional Fortress Macross have shown their version of what they think is a perfect idol - Lynn Minmay.

Lynn Minmay is a civilian aboard the Macross spaceship whose raw talent was discovered and then further groomed her to not only be a pop idol, but a symbol of hope and peace while humanity fights off invading aliens such as the Zentradi. Macross portrayed Minmay as a young teen struggling to come to terms with her insecurity, doubts on love relationships and her pop stardom - just like any other ordinary teen. Singer Iijima Mari sung Minmay's songs and she is associated with the anime character ever since. So, in my mind Lynn Minmay is the earliest successful form of a virtual idol - albeit in the form of anime character.

From the mid 80's onwards other "acts" have tried to emulate the success of Minmay, notably Megazone 23's Tokimatsu Eve and Takanaka Yui. Although not as famous as Minmay, the idea of anime virtual idol stuck and evolved over the years.
Yui Takanaka in Megazone 23



Second Attempt - 3D
Almost 10 years later in year 1996, technology has improved and people began too look for something as close to realism as possible. It is also a time where 3D animation got a big boom. That's where Kyoko Date and Terai Yuki come in.

Produced by Hori Puro talent agency, Kyoko Date was first conceptualized to be a dating simulation game character, but somehow decided to market her as a "real" talent under the agency, even produced a song for her. Unfortunately, Kyoko's popularity lasted only a few months, however all the publicity invested in her has increased HoriPuro's company image. There were future versions created in 2002 and another one in 2007 (active in Second Life).

Another 3D virtual idol picked up where Kyoto left off. Terai Yuki was originally an character in manga artist Kutsugi Kenichi's manga "Libido" but later was 3D-modeled. At that time, her bio states that she is 17 years old, 3 sizes 89-59-85, 166 cm tall, loves jazz and idolizes Sarah Vaughan. Her birthdate is set at 9th September 2000 however, meaning that she is a time traveller who came from the futuristic world of the year 2017.
Terai was well received by the masses, that in between 1999 to 2001 she is seen TV commercials, photobooks, PV, singles (produced with Avex), DVDs, magazines, games, softwares, banners etc. Although her popularity waned after that, I believe it has paved the way for virtual idol-ling in 3D-model characters, such as Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball.

Terai Yuki - Fly away alone


(If you are wondering why both of them have short hair? Because long hair is more difficult to animate in realistic 3D)

Third Wave - Hybrid

Again, fast forward 10 years later round about 2007, another virtual idol craze has emerged from the hometown of the otakus, Akibahara culture, Moe maid cafes and pure kawaii-ness - Hatsune Miku. Hatsune is a female character used as a persona to market Vocaloid speech synthesizer, a software designed to simulate vocal speech and song. One may use Vocaloid to replace back-singers if skilled enough. Apparently someone thought otherwise and decided to animate Hatsune Miku, and with sampling audio from singer/voice actress Fujita Saki, a new virtual star is born.
Unlike her predecessors, Hatsune Miku appeared in both mediums - anime and 3D. Even so far as to create a hologram concert with real live backing bands and all.
Hatsune Miku - Triple Baka

3D & Hologram - Ai Kotoba



So... what next?

So about Eguchi Aimi, fact of the matter that her case could just be a one-off PR project for Glico, because I don't know if it will evolve to ANIMATING Eguchi in a manner that she will be able to sing and dance.

Although Hatsune Miku and the Vocaloids are still quite popular, there seems to be some kind of buzz going on with the emergence of "perfect idol" Eguchi Aimi. A question of morality? Or fear of a possible outcome?

From the pattern there seems to be about a 10-year gap between each virtual idol big break. But it is 2011 after all, and technology has leapt to great heights and there seems to be a possibility that about half a decade later, "real" idols will have to challenge virtual idols on the Oricon charts...

But consider this ->
At a time which where it is possible to "touch" a hologram like Hatsune Miku, and there are people with the notion to marry their digital girlfriends... Will we be seeing idol handshake events in _hologram_ in the future...?


I leave you with ELISA's rendition of Iijima Mari / Lynn Minmay's, the first virtual idol's most memorable song "Do you remember Love?", as we the idol fans continue to seek perfection in song and dance from our favourite idols... be it virtual or otherwise.

Personally, I lean towards "otherwise".

ELISA "Do you remember Love?"

[Lyrics and Translation] Dorothy Little Happy - Miteite Angel

"Miteite Angel" is a B-side love ballad to Dorothy Little Happy's debut single "Jump!". Enjoyed this song a lot, one time I'd played it in infinite loop for a couple hours.
In the beginning and at end of its PV, we see the girls were indulging in a game of looking for four-leaved clovers in the green fields, because the logo for DLH is a four-leaved clover. And if you think four-leaved clovers are rare, think again. Kana has a knack for looking for these gems very quickly. Once she was out jogging in the morning, then veered off to look for a four-leaved clover at some garden and post it in the blog.
Also in the video we saw DLH posing for pictures for the mini PB that accompanies the CD.

Anyways, "Miteite Angel" is like a simple unrequited love song filled with lots of cliches. Sort of like George Michael's "Careless Whispers", also full of cliches but the song was not supposed to have some kind of big message in it. (Heh, I just quoted George Michael, damn I am OLD!)

DLH - Miteite Angel

Nihongo
見ていてエンジェル


退屈そうな君を見て　声をかけようとしてやめて
窓をつたう雨を見て不意に　君が好きなんだとわかったの

揺れながら　深く深く　君が今　私の中　広がるの

駆け上がった　丘から見えた
空の青　いつか２人で
明日もっと　近づけるように
きまぐれなエンジェル　そこから見ていて

君が呼んでくれたから　自分の名前が好きになったの

泣き出しそう　初めてなの　こんな気持ち　全てのものが輝くの

舞い上がった　花びらが作る
虹のコラージュ　いつか２人で
明日もっと君が好きだよ
きまぐれなエンジェル　そこから見ていて

想いがやがて　私から溢れて　君に伝わればいい
揺れながら　熱く熱く　君が今　私の色　塗り替える

駆け上がった　丘から見えた
空の青　いつか２人で
明日もっと　近づけるように
世界中のエンジェル　チカラを貸して下さい

舞い上がった　花びらが作る
虹のコラージュ　いつか２人で
明日もっと君が好きだよ
世界中のエンジェル　そこから見ていて

---

Romaji
Miteite enjyeru

Taikutsu souna kimi wo mite      koe wo kake you to shite yamete
Mado wo tsutau ame wo mite fuii ni       kimi ga suki nanda to wakatta no

Yure nagara      fukaku fukaku      kimi ga ima      watashi no naka      hirogaru no

Kake agatta      oka kara mieta
sora no ao      itsuka futari de
Ashita motto      chikazukeru you ni
kimagure na enjyeru      sokokara miteite

kimi ga yonde kureta kara      jibun no namae ga suki ni natta no

Nakidashi sou      hajimete nano      konna kimochi      subete no mono ga kagayaku no

Mai agatta      hanabira ga tsukuru
niji no koraaju      itsuka futari de
Ashita motto kimi ga suki dayo
kimagure na enjyeru      soko kara miteite

Omoiga yagate      watashi kara afurete      kimi ni tsutawareba ii
Yure nagara      atsuku atsuku      kimi ga ima      watashi no iro      nuri kaeru

Kake agatta      oka kara mieta
sora no ao      itsuka futari de
Ashita motto      chikazukeru you ni
Sekai juu no enjyeru      chikara wo kashite kudasai

Mai agatta      hanabira ga tsukuru
niji no koraaju      itsuka futari de
Ashita motto kimi ga suki dayo
Sekai juu no enjyeru      soko kara miteite

---

Translation

Watch us, angel

Seeing you looking bored, don't be calling out to me now
While looking at the rain running down the window, then I realized that I am in love with you

While swaying deeper and deeper you now spread inside of me

One day the two of us will run up the hill
and look at the blue sky
Tomorrow we will be closer
Whimsical angel, watch us from over there

Because you called me, I started to like my name

Felt like crying, first time I've had this feeling, everything seems sparkly.

One day the two of us will make a rainbow collage
made from flower petals swirling upwards
I will love you more tomorrow
Whimsical angel, watch us from over there

Soon my feelings will overflow, I should be telling you about it
While swaying and warm, you have repainted my colours

One day the two of us will run up the hill
and look at the blue sky
Tomorrow we will be closer
To all angels of the world, please lend me your strength

One day the two of us will make a rainbow collage
made from flower petals swirling upwards
I will love you more tomorrow
To all angels of the world, watch us from over there

[Lyrics and Translation] Dorothy Little Happy - Jump!

"Jump!" is Dorothy Little Happy debut single released before they went major, a song about freedom and chasing one's dream. This song was probably composed with having an upbeat, energetic, mood-making stage performance in mind. I don't think I can say enough how I wish Michiyo was still in the group (she retired from showbiz to pursue her studies, which is ironically true to the theme of "Jump!"), but then if she had not left the other girls may not have the chance to pick up the microphone and shine.
Kana looks super cute in the PV, love the costume too though I cannot say the same about their alternative outfit... at least not for me.

DLH- Jump

Nihongo
ジャンプ!


あの時泣いたのは　気付いてしまったから
欠ける月のように　消えてく想いもあるって
それでもやめたりはしないの　止められはしないの
胸を震わせるリアル　感じたいの　さあ進もう

心配されるのは　もううんざり
背伸びしなくちゃ見えないもの見たいよ

でもね　ほんとはちょっと怖いの　迷ったら
君の　君の胸の中に帰ってくるから
やさしく抱きしめて

あの時泣いたのは　気付いてしまったから
月が満ちるように　重なる想いもあるって
世界が回るスピードで　夢を追いかけるの
羽を少し休めたら　飛び立つんだ　思い切りジャンプ

でもね　ほんとはちゃんとわかってる　忘れないよ
君が　君がいつも私　見守っていること
目の前の未来を　私たちの未来を　この手で照らしたいの

あの時泣いたのは　気付いてしまったから
欠ける月のように　消えてく想いもあるって
あの時泣いたのは　気付いてしまったから
月が満ちるように　重なる想いもあるって

高鳴る　この胸　止められない
この街　この星　夢　夢　夢

世界が回るスピードで　明日はやって来るよ
胸を震わせるリアル　感じたいの　思い切りジャンプ

---

Romaji

Jump!

Ano toki naita no wa     kizuite shimatta kara
Kakeru tsuki no you ni     kieteku omoi mo arutte
Soredemo yametari wa shinai no     tomerare wa shinai no
Mune wo furuwaseru riaru     kanjitai no     saa susumou

Shinpai sareru no wa      mou unzari
Senobi shinakucha mienai mono mitaiyo

Demo ne      honto wa chotto kowai no      mayottara
Kimi no      kimi no mune no naka ni kaette kuru kara
yasashiku dakishimete

Ano toki naita no wa     kizuite shimatta kara

Tsuki ga michiru you ni      kasanaru omoi mo arutte

Sekai ga mawaru supiido de      yume wo oikakeru no
Hane wo sukoshi yasumetara      tobitsunda      omoikiri Jump!

Demo ne honto wa chanto wakatteru      wasurenai yo
Kimi ga      kimi ga itsumo watashi      mimamotteiru koto
Me no mae no mirai wo      watashi tachi no mirai wo      kono te de terashitai no

Ano toki naita no wa     kizuite shimatta kara

Tsuki ga michiru you ni      kasanaru omoi mo arutte

Ano toki naita no wa     kizuite shimatta kara

Kakeru tsuki no you ni     kieteku omoi mo arutte

Takanaru      kono mune      tomerare nai
Kono machi      kono hoshi      yume      yume      yume

Sekai ga mawaru supiido de      ashita wa yatte kuru yo

Mune wo furuwaseru riaru     kanjitai no      omoikiri Jump!

---

Translation

Jump!

I was crying at that time because I've suddenly realized
that there are feelings that will disappear like a waning moon
Even then I will not give up nor will I stop
I want to really feel my heart tremble, so let's move forward

I'm so sick of being worried
I want to see the things that you have to stretch in order to be able see it

But if you hesitate, it is actually a little scary
I will return to your heart
hug me gently

I was crying at that time because I've suddenly realized
There are feelings that pile up like a full moon
At the speed that our world spins, I will chase my dreams
Give your wings a rest, take off and impulsively jump!

But actually I fully understand and cannot forget
that you have always watched over me
With this hand I will shine on our future and the future in front of me

I was crying at that time because I've suddenly realized
that there are feelings that will disappear like a waning moon
I was crying at that time because I've suddenly realized
There are feelings that pile up like a full moon

This heart beats fast and won't stop
This city, this planet, dreams, dreams, dreams...

At the speed that our world spins, tomorrow will finally come
I want to really feel my heart tremble, so take off and impulsively jump!

Idol Spotlight Fresh Faces :HY4_4YH

In keeping with our “Fresh Face” series ,I would like to present a unit that I find enjoyable to watch perform live.

Please welcome

HY4_4YH [Hyper Yoyo]

HY4_4YH are free spirit idols with great fan interaction that made their debut in 2005 .Currently the lineup features the following members, Yukarin [22], Yumiko [21] and Sadachi [24]. They are older then the traditional Major Agency Idols , but not for Independents .For most Independents the 18+ age is common for a number of business reasons, not to mention several Indies are former Major trainees or audition passovers.

HY4_4YH put on a hyper live performance complete with a live band when possible, much like H!P`s Buono or BeForU with costumes that range from off the wall animal pajamas to Buono style fashion.

While some may not like the mix of off the wall to Buono style costumes ,their comedy carefree style attitude or rock style songs. Honestly, HY4_4YH are perfect just the way they are ,so a part of me hopes that they stay away from the big power companies as they may just loose the very style that makes them so special to the genre.

To date the group has released 5 albums ,9 singles and a host of other materials .

http://www.thelabel.jp/hy4_4yh/
HP

http://www.youtube.com/user/thelabelhy4
Youtube









Current 3 member lineup