This year’s elections is full of shockers. From Sashihara’s undeniable win to Shinoda Mariko’s graduation announcement, i just don’t know what to think about AKB48’s future.
But first, lets look at the election results.
1. Sashihara Rino (150,570)
2. Oshima Yuko (136,503)
3. Watanabe Mayu (101,201)
4. Kashiwagi Yuki
5. Shinoda Mariko
6. Matsui Jurina
7. Matsui Rena
8. Takahashi Minami
9. Kojima Haruna
10. Miyazawa Sae
11. Itano Tomomi
12. Shimazaki Haruka
13. Yokoyama Yui
14. Yamamoto Sayaka
15. Watanabe Miyuki
16. Suda Akari
[Under Girls]
17. Shibata Aya
18. Minegishi Minami
19. Umeda Ayaka
20. Takajo Aki
21. Kitahara Rie
22. Kizaki Yuria
23. Takayanagi Akane
24. Matsumura Kaori
25. Kawaei Rina
26. Miyawaki Sakura
27. Furukawa Airi
28. Yamada Nana
29. Oya Masana
30. Iriyama Anna
31. Kimoto Kanon
32. Fujie Reina
[Next Girls]
33. Sato Amina
34. Katayama Haruka
35. Nagao Mariya
36. Kuramochi Asuka
37. Kodama Haruka
38. Tano Yuuka
39. Umemoto Madoka
40. Jonishi Kei
41. Matsumoto Rina
42. Saito Makiko
43. Ota Aika
44. Yagura Fuuko
45. Muto Tomu
46. Ishida Haruka
47. Kobayashi Ami
48. Oba Mina
[Future Girls]
49. Yabushita Shu
50. Yoshida Akari
51. Kikuchi Ayaka
52. Sato Sumire
53. Maeda Ami
54. Ogasawara Mayu
55. Tashima Meru
56. Iwasa Misaki
57. Ichikawa Miori
58. Isohara Kyoka
59. Tomonaga Mio
60. Matsui Sakiko
61. Yamauchi Suzuran
62. Hirajima Natsumi
63. Kaneko Shiori
64. Nakanishi Yuka
Sashihara Rino defies the odds and becomes the new Queen
Despite popular opinion that Sashihara Rino is not an ideal candidate for the next center, her fans managed to pull a miracle by winning her the coveted title. When Mayuyu’s name was announced for the 3rd position, you could see the surprise and shock on the faces of Kami7, particularly Oshima Yuko, whose name was not yet announced. Yuko even stood up at some point as if to confront Sasshi for threatening her position.
Sasshi feeling the heat as Watanabe Mayu’s name was called for No.3
Yuko realising for the first time she might lose to Sashihara Rino
Yuko praying for her life as the results for No.2 are being announced
Yuko’s “I can’t believe it” expression when she was revealed to be No.2
Sasshi’s expression when she realised she’d won
Maeda Atsuko thought this was a prank
Her winning speech: ” It has been 1 year since i transferred to HKT48. When i was transferred, i troubled alot of people. I was also worried if members in HKT48 will accept me. But on this stage, getting 150k votes like this, thank you very much. I don’t know what to say now, but if you’re worried that i’ll destroy AKB48 by getting number 1, i promise i won’t. I will work hard!”
Still struggling to reach the top – Watanabe Mayu
“I got alot of support last year as No.2. For many days or even weeks after that, i was really happy. I also said that i would take down No.1 this year. To realise this goal, i worked very hard. Getting No.3 like this after working this hard, i feel very regretful. However, it has been a enriching year, so i am happy. I joined AKB48 when i was 12. This is my 7th year. I watched my seniors’ backs as i took part in activities and realised something. Being a center may be difficult, but getting the necessary acknowledgement from fans is even more difficult. More than any other member, i’m confident that i can support AKB48. From now on, with this rank, i will work harder. Next year, i hope that my name can be called last. Thank you.”
Losing coolly – Oshima Yuko
“What is this feeling? I can’t even shed a tear at this result! This is the first elections where i can’t help but double up with laughter. Last year, i wanted someone to takeover me. However, the person who succeeded is different from whom i had in mind. Being 2nd,1st,2nd,1st,2nd over these years, there is no other member like this. So i think this is pretty good. I am pretty excited for the new AKB48. What kind of comedic group will we become? Lets look forward with a smile. Thank you.”
Interviewer: Keeping your crown is difficult right?
“Yeah, it’s difficult. What i can’t do, i’m hoping that someone else can do it.” <– She’s probably hinting about graduating.
Shinoda Mariko to graduate in Fukuoka Dome concert next month
“Last year, i told all the juniors to crush the seniors. Over the past year, i’ve seen alot of juniors working hard. There is still room for AKB48 to grow. Seeing the faces of my juniors, i’ve made a decision. I, Shinoda Mariko, will graduate. I have no regrets left in AKB48. I want my graduation to be in my hometown. It may be sudden, but pls let me graduate in the Fukuoka Dome concert next month. It is all due to my fans that i am able to work in AKB48 these 8 years. To me, all my fans are treasures. Thank you.”
Miyazawa Sae rejects return to AKB, to move on with SNH48
“Last year was a year full of changes. My ranking, my fans, and my fans’ support was what pushed me forward. Now, there is always talk about the next generation aces. Certainly, the juniors are cute and stylish. However, what is important for the 48 group is performance skills. I don’t lose to my juniors in this aspect. Now, i have a sudden announcement. My transfer back to AKB48 was announced recently. I will only move forward with SNH48. The potential of SNH48 is still invisible to you, but i don’t want to show you a uncool image of myself, so i will put in my effort in SNH48. In the next single of AKB48, i will show you a new image of myself. Thank you.”
Sister groups make great leaps forward
The most obvious change this time is the advancement of the sister groups. Just by looking at the senbatsu lineup alone, we can see huge changes. SKE48’s Matsui Rena, Matsui Jurina have successfully managed to break into Kami7 this year, ousting Kojima Haruna and Itano Tomomi. SKE48’s Suda Akari, and NMB48’s Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki have also managed to break through to media senbatsu. Ex senbatsu members like Kitahara Rie, Team B captain Umeda Ayaka and Minegishi Minami have no choice but to leave the media spotlight in the next single.
Minegishi Minami shows off her real hair, drops out of media senbatsu
Still remembered for her scandal and head-shaving fiasco, Minegishi Minami has returned to the media limelight recently wearing wigs to cover her head. In a surprise move today, she appeared in her natural state, showing off her real hair styled like a boy. Despite having dropped several spots, she mentioned that she is happy and will work harder to gain the acknowledgement of everyone.
Maeda Atsuko comments on Shinoda Mariko and Sashihara Rino
Having just returned from overseas, Maeda Atsuko made time to attend the AKB48’s 5th General Elections. She was interviewed on FujiTV after the elections.
On Shinoda Mariko: I learnt about her graduation just now but i had a feeling that she’d announce it as she’d mailed me 1 week ago when i was overseas. I hope she’ll work hard.
On Sashihara Rino’s win: “My tears didn’t come.” *Bursts into laughter*
Shimazaki Haruka’s salty elections speech
Despite making it into the senbatsu this time, Shimazaki Haruka is still as salty as ever as shown in her thank you speech. After giving a short speech, she was prompted by the MC to say more, but she shook her head indicating she had nothing else to say. After thinking for a long time, she was let off the hook and allowed to return to her seat.
“I was given alot of chances last year, that’s why i was able to stand here. With this ranking, i hope to be able to give some strength and support to AKB. I love AKB48. Thank you.”
One interesting thing was the look on her face. Sad or happy? It’s hard to tell.
AllThingsJpop 
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