In yesterday’s live broadcast of AKB48’s epic concert at the National Olympic Stadium, the new song of the group’s 36th single was unveiled by graduating member Oshima Yuko.
Titled “Labrador Retriever” (weird i know, but fresh and promising concept), some would call this AKB48’s single of the year, as it is the one fans would have to buy in order to vote in the general elections. The tune is french pop (i read somewhere it’s actually french music which got popular in Japan around 60s-70s) and the lyrics describe the love between a young couple, seen through the eyes of a pet dog.The choreography is also very refreshing, as they start off mimicking a dog, complete with tail wags and paw waves.
The senbatsu for this single is also the biggest in history, comprising 36 members across the 4 groups. Rumors were rife that Shimazaki Haruka would take on the center for this single, but the 70,000-strong audience were broke into cheers when Watanabe Mayu took center position seconds before the performance. This marks Mayuyu’s 2nd time as a solo center since the group’s 30th single “So Long!”.
Senbatsu list
AKB48: Iriyama Anna、Kawaei Rina、Takahashi Juri、Takahashi Minami、Yokoyama Yui、Watanabe Mayu、Kitahara Rie、Ichikawa Miori、Oba Mina、Kashiwagi Yuki、Kato Rena, Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka、Okada Nana, Kojima Mako、Nishino Miki、Minegishi Minami、Owada Nana、
SKE48: Kizaki Yuria, Matsui Jurina, Matsui Rena, Suda Akari, Kimoto Kanon, Furuhata Nao, Kitagawa Ryouha,
NMB48: Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki, Yagura Fuuko, Yabushita Shu, Shibuya Nagisa
HKT48: Oota Aika, Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Miyawaki Sakura, Tashima Meru, Tomonaga Mio
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Purchase their pre-elections single here:
**Limited Type A DVD+Event Tic**
**Limited Type B DVD+Event Tic**
AllThingsJpop 
” the 70,000-strong audience” wow I have read somewhere that the attendance was 50,000, and I was wondering why AKB attracted less people than MCZ ( no that I don’t like the group ) thanks for the info 🙂
Who is MCZ? I guess they should be able to fill it using Yuko’s graduation ceremony as the highlight. It is afterall the girl’s last concert.
Momoiro Clover Z, they had their concert 2 weeks before AKB, and each day were 55,000 people. Well I have read some comments about a lot of unsold tickets, but again you can trust whatever people is writing.
mmm honestly I don’t like too much,and the dance is as weird as SC. I’d preferred a fast tune than again a slow one …… maybe after watching the PV I end up liking the song.
I think the tune isn’t as catchy too, compared to the old summer songs. I’ll need to listen a few more times…