Tag Archives: akb48

AKB48 Elections 2012 Come In
By Vijay

The official Youtube channel for AKB48 (Japanese music & idol mega-group) uploaded today the election results for this year’s top idols among the AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and other ’48′ member families (Senbatsu).    For those of you who are unfamiliar with this competition — each year, fans of AKB48, SKE48 and so on — vote in for their favorite ‘idol’ from any one of the groups online.

Last year, Maeda Atsuko was the darling ‘ace’ of AKB48, who beat out long time rival, Oshima Yuko to reclaim her position at #1.   With Maeda’s recent graduation, it was no surprise that Oshima went on to take the new #1 position.   Additionally, top idols like Kashiwagi Yuki, Takahashi Minami, and Shinoda Mariko continued to hold onto their previous year’s rank for this year.

The show’s biggest surprise was Watanabe Mayu at #2, (who was #5 last year).  From watching the videos up to her announcement, you could tell Mayu-san was shocked and almost in disbelief (as she later told the audience on stage) that she had jumped up so high.   She told the audience she was very thankful and looked to earn ‘#1′ for next year.   Do you think she will make it?  In the words of Miyazawa Sae (#11), who re-used a quote from Oshima last year, “We think of the votes we receive from fans as an expression of how much they love us…for that I am extremely grateful.”  (The number of votes you give your favorite idol determines how much she will appear in promotion and videos for the next year).  Who will you share your love with? 

2012 Winners (1-20) — Full list and videos at AKB48 Youtube Channel:

  • #20   Akimoto Sayaka         秋元才加          -
  • #19   Watanabe Miyuki       渡辺美優紀       -
  • #18   Yamamoto Aya           山本彩               -
  • #17    Takajou Aki                高城亜樹           -
  • #16    Umeda Ayaka             梅田彩佳           24,522 votes
  • #15    Yokoyama Yui            横山由比           25,541 votes
  • #14    Minegishi Minami　峯岸みなみ        26,038 votes
  • #13    Kitahara Rie　           北原里英           26,530 votes
  • #12    Kasai Tomomi            河西智美           27,005  votes
  • #11    Miyazawa Sae　         宮澤佐江           40,261 votes
  • #10    Matsui Rena　          松井玲奈            42,030 votes
  • #9      Matsui Jurina　        松井珠理奈       45,747 votes
  • #8      Itano Tomomi　       板野智美            50,780 votes
  • #7      Kojima Haruna          小島陽菜            54,483 votes
  • #6      Takahashi Minami    高橋みなみ        65,480 votes
  • #5      Shinoda Mariko　     篠田 麻里子       67,017 votes
  • #4      Sashihara Rino          指原莉乃            67,339 votes
  • #3      Kashiwagi Yuki         柏木優紀             72,076 votes
  • #2      Watanabe Mayu        渡辺麻友            72,574 votes
  • #1       Oshima Yuko            大島優子          108,837 votes

Maeda Atsuko announces her graduation from AKB48 – “This is also for my Juniors’ sake”
By Naveen

The ace of the idol group, AKB48, Maeda Atsuko (20) personally announced on the 25th that she would graduate from AKB48.
According to AKB’s officials, in Saitama at the end of a concert held at the Saitama Super Arena, Maeda announced her graduation by saying “Joining AKB was the first major decision of my life. Today let me make my second major decision here.” Through tears, she said “I have a lot of worries, but I think that I also have to graduate for the sake of my juniors.” However, she added “I’m not quitting right away,” and concrete details of when her graduation will be have not been announced.
Maeda is a 1st generation member of AKB48, formed in 2005; and since the start she has been its ace, placing number one in their fan elections in both 2009 and 2011. Lately she’s been broadening her activities in TV dramas and movies as well.

From Asahi

Well, it’s pretty big news! It oughta shake up AKB a bit, but they’ll probably give fans enough time to prepare, and they’ve also been training up the next gen aces like Jurina so we’ll see what happens over all.

AKB48 New Kissing Commercial
By Vijay

So since I’m not alone in my one-sided love for the entire team of AKB48, I thought I’d share with you guys, the fans – some AKB goodness.   For the promotion of the new candy,   the girls of AKB48 put together a new commercial (called CM in Japanese) for Puccho 「ぷっちょ」(maybe it’s some kinda gum - Shinji, Aki, can you try it out for us?).

As usual, sex sells with AKB48 – and this new CM is everything any drooling fanboy (or fangirl) would keel over and die for.   Enjoy the Puccho ‘relay race’ as the girls including Itano Tomomi, Oshima Yuko and Maeda Atsuko try to make it to the end of the line using only their mouths to get the new gum across (as you watch – do you pick up on the pun – puchhu? ‘Chuu’ is the sound for ‘kiss’ in Japanese).

Sad – but true – I really want some of this candy now thanks to this CM, lol.  How about you?

Vijay

** (by the way the song is called 「ちょうだい、ダーリン！」 – (Chodai, Darling!) ♫)

Hold your horses fanboy (girl) this is only the thumbnail photo - video above..

 

 

 

Pictures from Akihabara
By Shinji

Akihabara is definitely one of the most popular spots in Tokyo among tourist.

It’s famous for electronics stores, aaaaand GEEK CULTURE!

If you are a fan of games, animes, computers, or idols, this is the place for you!

Here are some pics I took the other day.

Sorry I didn’t go deep enough… I’m really interested in exploring this town!

Yodobashi, the electronics super department.

AKB Cafe.

Gundam Cafe.

Inside Yodobashi.

Some figures displayed at Akihabara Station.

-Shinji

Vocab of the Day 2-2-12
By Vijay

Vocabulary time!  Do you know the meaning of this word?  How about the reading?

Do you know the meaning? How about the reading?

Last time’s vocabulary:

Vocabulary

Meaning

Reading

競馬

Horse Racing

けいば

The word 競馬 means ‘horse racing’.  Have you ever been to a horse race?  Apparently けいば is a popular means of gambling in Japan.  Check out the video below featuring AKB48 performing for the Tokyo Horse Races Stadium:

As usual, we’ll post next time’s answer with the new vocabulary.  If you think you know the answer, leave a comment :)