How Many AKB48 Members Do You Actually Know?
In a recent Goo Ranking some genius came up with the brillant idea of asking people how many of the 48+ AKB48 members they actually know?
The results
1. 1~5 Members – (18,336 votes)
2. 6~10 Members – (8,271 votes)
3. None – (5,925 votes)
4. 11~20 Members – (3,490 votes)
5. Over 21 Members – (2,598 votes)
6. All Members – (993 votes)
7. All Members Including Graduated Ones – (752 votes)
And by 1-5 they mean the most popular hbics of the group
AKB48 Breaks Record For The Bestselling 21st Century Single By A J-pop Female Artist
Just when people thought AKB48 couldn’t get any better than they were, THEY DID
In a time of recession and just the fact that very few artists sell are able to sell past 500,000 AKB48′s latest latest single “Beginner sold approximately 827,000 copies on their first week becoming their fifth consecutive number-one.
That total sets a new record for first-week single sales by a female group, surpassing SPEED’s “ALL MY TRUE LOVE,” which sold 601,000 copies in 1998. Among all female artists (group and solo), “Beginner” ranks #3 in first-week single sales, behind Hikaru Utada’s “Addicted To You” (1.068 million) in 1999 and Namie Amuro’s “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” (828,000) in 1997. However, that makes them #1 so far in the 21st century, outselling Utada’s “Can You Keep A Secret?” (784,000) in 2001.
“Beginner” is also AKB48′s third consecutive single to sell more than half a million copies in the first week. This also sets a record for female artists, as Utada and Ayumi Hamasaki held the previous record with streaks of two consecutive singles.
AKB48 Meets KARA, Without Strangling Eachother At The Asian Song Festival
History was made as Japan’s cute met Korea’s sexy at the Asian Song Festival
Since the minute the girl’s landed in Japan there has been much comments among netizens about a battle royale between either KARA or SNSD vs AKB48 but thankfully things went well for everyone at the press conference for the concert.
AKB48 grumpily admitted “We have a lot of KARA fans amongst our members.”
While KARA happily commented “It’s an incredible joy to be able to perform with one of Japan’s greatest girl groups. We’re thankful that they even came all the way to Korea just to perform. We will work our hardest.”
AKB48 replied to this kind comment saying “It’s an honor for us as well to be able to stand on this stage in representation of Japan. We’ll work hard to show our youth.”
Even AKB48’s own producer, Akimoto Yasushi couldn’t help but bow down to KARA’s appeal to the Japanese culture saying “KARA’s dance performance is captivating. This is an aspect that AKB48 can never follow. They are currently still improving.”
AKB48 Voted As The Most Hated Female Entertainers
Nah but it seems that just like a poll every year in the U.K asks who are the most annoying people in the county? with some shocking and funny results, popular gossip magazine Nikkei ENTA interviewed 500 women asking them which female in the entertainment industry they hated the most. Reasons for most of the girls making the list were your typical “irritating personality”, “annoying”
And guess who came in at no.9?
AKB48 XD
Umm congrats? (more…)
Rain, Kara and AKB48 join line-up of Asia Song Festival
The second line-up of performers have been announced for the upcoming 2010 Asia Song Festival (ASF), to be held in Korea later on this month.
According to a press release by PR agency Prain, Korean superstar Rain, four-member boy band 2AM, girl group Kara and international stars including Japanese group AKB48 and Taiwanese singer Film will take the stage at the Olympic Park in Seoul for the event on October 23.
The first line-up of artists, revealed in late-August, included Korean songstress BoA, Chinese singer Jane Zhang, Taiwanese singer and actor Joe Cheng and Malaysian singer-songwriter Michael Wong.
(more…)
AKB48 & Arashi Helps J-pop Make Major $$$$
It was revealed today that with the help of AKB48 & Arashi for the first time in over 5 years the amount of yen made from the music industry has exceeded 34,087,000,000 yen! (more…)
ORICON WEEKLY SINGLE CHARTS: V6 Is Only Dreaming At No.1
As we reported before V6 scored big for their 24th time with their latest new single Only Dreaming/Catch and sold 56,622 copies this making them the 3rd group to chart in the Top 10 for over 16 years! Coming in at no.2 is AKB48′s sub group Watarirouka Hashiritai which sold 38,021 copies with their single Gyu. Still holding on strong at no.3 was AKB48 themsleves with their single Heavy Rotation selling 27,520 copies. At no.4 was Mai Kuraki with her 34th single Summer Time Gone and sold 25,332 copies. And finally falling down to no.5 with 23,822 copies was last week’s champs Kanjani8 ‘s single LIFE ~Menomae no Mukou e~.
And if you must know Kara rose up the charts by one slot at no.13 with Mister making this their 4th week the group has held on at the TOP 20! As for Big Bang sadly the boys has slipped down the charts all the way at no.18 with their Beautiful Hangover single.
Happy Music Performances
Sorry being a bit late with all the J-pop shows this week but never fear, let’s start off with Happy Music, this week on Happy Music Mai Kuraki began promtions for her latest new single Summer Time Gone, AKB48′s sub unit Watarirouka Hashiritai also began promotions for thier latest new single Gyu, those who also performed were Big Bang, Yuzu, and Cliff Edge
Check out all the performances below
KNU23 to Challenge AKB48′s Popularity
Japanese Girl groups sure are brave and ready for the challenge even if they are still rookies in the industry.
A team of gravure idols has just launched a new unit called KNU23, the latest attempt to ride AKB48′s wave of popularity.
The group held their debut event on Saturday at a studio in Tokyo, announcing that they plan to hold live performances and release CDs in addition to their gravure work. The “KNU” in the group’s name is said to have two meanings. One is an abbreviation of “keep natural under,” while the other is the more obvious reference to the word “kyonyuu” (“huge breasts”), as all of the members are reported as having G cups or larger.
The unit’s structure has a school theme, with the initial members being called the “1st year” and being divided into “Class P” and “Class X.” The group plans to have its own “senbatsu” (election) process to decide on 5-8 members to serve as the “student council,” and future auditions will be referred to as “entrance ceremonies.” KNU23 currently has 16 members.
The student council consists of leader Rina Maruyama (20), Hikari Kusunoki (18), Megumi Suzumoto (20), Hina Ueda (22), Rena Ueda (21), Marina Yamasaki (22), and Kana Hojo (21).
S: Sanpo
Credits to JpopFun!
Oricon Weekly Single Charts: AKB48 Annihilates The Competition
After causing much buzz with their newest single Heavy Rotation it seems that any publicity was good publicity as AKB48 scored it big on the charts not only being no.1 for the week and breaking a new record but if the girls are able to sell another 100,000 copies next week they will beat Arashi’s impressive record of having the no.1 single of the year with Troublemaker with over 580.000+ copies sold.
Moving on to the charts at no.2 was J-Rock group Acid Black Cherry with their latest single Re:Birth which sold 47,381 copies, at no.3 was AAA with Makenai Kokoro and sold 45,992 copies. Falling to no.4 was last week’s champ Fukuyama Masahura with his single Hotaru and sold 37,283 copies. And finally at no.5 was T.M REVOLUTION who was able to sell out SMAP this week with 16,040 copies.
Female fans molested at an AKB concert
Recently there was a blog entry, by AKB48′s official blog for events. This is concerning the molestation of one or more female fans:
The worst happening
Today at the Fukuoka concert, a man committed the act of molestation, the most horrible act a man or human can do.
When I think from the bottom of my heart about how scared the female fans who were looking forward to today must have been, I become full of vexing feelings that go beyond anger.
It’s possible that some of them may have left the venue without telling anyone because they were too scared. When I think of that, I’m full of the feeling that this was inexcusable.
Plus, aside from that, female fans are just smaller than male fans, which I think makes it hard for them to enjoy a concert if they’re in the standing area.
So, because of the above, starting with the Sendai concert, we’ll be hurrying to set up a “female only” area, so if you would like to use it, please do.
However, please don’t forget that today, there were several male AKB48 fans surrounding female fans to protect them, and making sure the female fans could see by giving up their spots for them.
Lastly, the guy that was molesting isn’t a fan.
He’s just a criminal.
I’m very, very vexed by the idea that a criminal like that was in a venue where only fans of AKB48 should have been.
We will do everything within our power, so if, on the off chance, you happen to see that kind of act being committed, please tell the staff immediately. If you’re scared to, tell a fan nearby, “There’s a molester, so please call a staff member”. AKB48 fans will surely save you.
And, if I see that, I will definitely not allow it. I’ll hand him over to the police, and have him arrested. If you underestimate the group power of AKB48 fans, you’ll regret it…
source: aramatheydidnt
AKB48 Is Officially Cooler Then Those “Other” J-pop Idol Groups
AKB48 has a good reason to celebrate today cause their latest single “Heavy Rotation” NOT only scored a perfect no.1 run all week but they sold 527k copies too!!!! For female artists they are only the third ones to have two consecutive singles sell 500k+ in one week. Ayumi Hamasaki and Utada Hikaru are the only other two female artists to accomplish this. For female groups AKB48 is the first.
Check back tomorrow for the full Oricon Weekly Charts Top 10 results!!
source:aramatheydidnt
AKB48′s An-An Full Magazine Photoshoot Revealed + Concert Coverage
You know its got to be tough running a troop of 48 girls split into 3 teams A,K,B but with girls like Oshima Yuko, Maeda Atsuko, Itano Tomomi and Kojima Haruna you know their gonna do just fine, and today the full photoshoot of the girl’s apperance on An-An magazine was unveiled!
And finally checkout the Special Broadcast of AKB48′s recent Concert at Yoyogi Gymnasium by NHK BS2 too!
source:aramatheydidnt
AKB48 Poses For AN-AN And Releases New PV
After releasing their new single today the ladies of idol group AKB48 also released two new pv’s from the single “Yasai Sisters” and “Lucky 7″, in other news 4 of the most popular girls from the group Oshima Yuko, Maeda Atsuko, Itano Tomomi and Kojima Haruna posed for an-an magazine this being the first timethe AKB48 girls will be on the cover of a female magazine, and in the magazine, Yuko talked about her philosophy of love. She says “It’s very important for girls to be loved in order for them to look beautiful. When you are in love, it is like you are in flower garden, and nobody can beat the beauty.”
Check out the pics and videos bleow
source:aramatheydidnt
Oshima not yet confident as AKB48′s No. 1 girl
AKB48’s Yuko Oshima, who was picked in June as the most popular member of the all-girl pop group, said recently that she has yet to feel confident she has fitted into the role as Atsuko Maeda’s successor. ‘‘Well, I haven’t got used to it yet,’’ Oshima said, after being asked how she feels about finding herself in the group’s center position during a promotional event for their new TV commercial, which Maeda also took part in.
Oshima called on fans to observe the quality of the animated characters in the commercial featuring the likenesses of Oshima, Maeda and 19 other leading members of the group to promote a series of Puccho candies. ‘‘The characters really look like us and they’re so pretty…or the characters look even prettier,’’ Oshima said.
source: Japan Today
This Week’s Single/Album That Wasn’t Supposed To Come Out Today Is….
This week AKB48 will debut their new single Heavy Rotation which is set to become their best selling single ever and it might even break it as the no.1 best selling single of the year. But if you clearly have no patience to wait for boring old Tuesday or Wednesday to show up your in luck as the single is out!
Check out the song below
and finally Download Link
AKB48′S New Single Excites Fans 650,000 Pre-orderes & Its On The Run For No.1 Single Of The Year?!!!
When it comes to making some serious bank these days other than the boys no other group excites Japanese males more than AKB48 and their newest single is no different.
To be released next week it seems AKB48′s 18th single Heavy Rotation will be exciting J-pop fans 10x more than their last single Ponytail to Shushu as with 650,000 pre orders it has beat their previous record of only 500,000.
In fact things are so chaotically wonderful for the girls right now that experts are now believing the group will mark themslves in history books this year with the no. 1 best selling single of the year!!!! beating out Arashi who currently owns the no.1 single with Troublemaker with only 690,000 in sales!
I wonder why people wanna buy this single so badly….. it wouldn’t have anything to do with their naughty homo erotic pv they released does it XD
SDN48 getting major label debut
During their one-year anniversary performance on Sunday, AKB48 sister group SDN48 formally announced that they will be making their major label debut this fall. During the show’s encore, all 37 current members took the stage to deliver the good news.
It was already expected by fans that they would release a single, as SDN48 is currently holding their own “election” (similar to AKB48′s) through their television show “Suppon no Onnatachi” to select 12 top members. Those 12 will participate on the upcoming single, which will be released through Universal Music.
SDN48 was officially launched in August 2009 as a group with a more “adult” concept, whose shows were only open to fans over 18 years old. However, the group has indicated that they plan to get rid of the age restriction in the future.
source: tokyograph
Oricon’s Swimsuit Ranking
Oricon Style asked 1000 men and woman again to pick the celebrity they think looks best in a swimsuit/bathing trunks. It’s the 3rd such ranking on Oricon and model-turned-actress Sasaki Nozomi (22) managed to get on the first place in the female category. In the male category it was once again actor Hayami Mokomichi (25) who ended up on the first place. He has been first in all 3 rankings so far. The biggest surprise this time is that AKB48 idol Itano Tomomi (19) managed to get into the top 5. There never has been a teenager let alone an idol group member in the top 5 ranking before.
Here the two Top 5 rankings:
Beautiful Women Top 5:
01 – Sasaki Nozomi
02 – Kinoshita Yukina
03 – Hoshino Aki
04 – Ayase Haruka
05 – Itano Tomomi
Handsome Men Top 5:
01 – Hayami Mokomichi
02 – Kojima Yoshio
03 – Yamashita Tomohisa
04 – Yamamoto Yusuke
05 – Ichihara Hayato
Sources: Oricon, kawaiijoyuu
AKB48 company protests release of nude photobook by ex-member
Last month, former AKB48 member Nakanishi Rina revealed that she would be entering the adult entertainment industry as the next step in her career. Many fans of the former member were shocked, and her career change gained a highly mixed reaction among fans. Her former managing company isn’t too happy either. Keep reading to get the scoop! After Nakanishi left AKB48, she allegedly signed a contract saying that she would not do anything that would harm AKB48’s image. Recently, Nakanishi released a nude photo book under the pseudonym Yamaguchi Riko, and the AKB48 company claimed that the photo book was damaging to the reputation and image of the group. The issue was taken up with the Tokyo district court, and they stated that “…the photobook of Yamaguchi Riko would not ruin the image of AKB48.” Nakanishi is set to release a porn DVD in August, so I suspect that this battle isn’t going to be ending anytime soon.
source: blog.ningin
AKB48′s Erena Ono to graduate
At AKB48‘s concert at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium on Sunday, it was announced that Team K member Erena Ono (16) is graduating this summer, though the exact timing has not yet been announced. She will be taking a break from the entertainment industry while she goes overseas to study acting.
Ono has already appeared in a few movies and television dramas. She recently played a main role in Keisuke Yoshida’s movie “Sankaku” (starring Sousuke Takaoka). Through that role, she apparently recognized her own inexperience, and she made the decision to seriously study to improve her ability. (more…)
AKB48 ~ ポニーテールとシュシュ(TypeB)
Single: Ponytail to shou shou
Release Date: 2010-05-26
Tracklist:
01 ポニーテールとシュシュ
02 盗まれた唇（歌：アンダーガールズ）
03 マジジョテッペンブルース
04 ポニーテールとシュシュ(off vocal ver.)
05 盗まれた唇(off vocal ver.)
06 マジジョテッペンブルース(off vocal ver.)
(more…)
