Watanabe Mayu’s last single “11gatsu no Anklet” is a final reminder of what AKB48 was all about

 

 

Honestly i was expecting AkiP to destroy Mayu’s graduation by giving her a meaningless commercial/drama-tied song. However, he must be feeling guilty for shoving Mayu behind the curtains all these years because the last single “11gatsu no Anklet” (“November’s Anklet”) is a nostalgic return to AKB48’s idol roots.

The composers of this song are Marutani Manabu and APAZZI. Marutani san is actually the same guy behind previous AKB48 songs like “Eien Pressure”, “Heart Eleki” and “Labrador Retriever”. Personally i liked most of them so i’m glad he delivered with “11gatsu no Anklet” too. Lyrics wise, i can finally see AkiP actually working hard because not only are they meaningful but also gives room for lotsa imagination.

Translation of Lyrics:

Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow yeah

With a semi-bob fringe and you smiling during the weekend
You suddenly asked to meet, what’s up?
An overcrowded beach house, a meeting way past its time.
The pancake we liked is still not coming.

Raising your left hand and showing me your ring finger
Did you want to say you’ve found a new boyfriend?
Ok! You Win!

November’s anklet, i still haven’t taken it off.
It’s the secret that you gave me(I’m sorry~)
Saying Hi to Bye
If you meet someone kinder than me, I can’t do anything about it
Will i be able to give up?

Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow yeah

It was supposed to be a happy news, but we’ve lapsed into silence
I want to stop you but it feels like i’d be chided for it
In the compact terrace cafe, on the other side of the windows
It seems like the colors of the sky and beach have faded
Miss you! He’s won! 

The Anklet from that summer, should i take it off now?
It’s swinging when i run on the beach
The memories of my ankle, under the blinding sun
Even the ripples from the waves are becoming sad as well

[Mayu’s solo] I planned to sort out my memories with you someday
I’ll just send them to his house.
Anklet anklet on my left ankle (Regret~)

November’s anklet, i still haven’t taken it off.
It’s the secret that you gave me(I’m sorry~)
Saying Hi to Bye
If you meet someone kinder than me, I can’t do anything about it
Will i be able to give up?

Wow wow wow wow
Wow wow wow yeah

Writing lyrics that paint a picture is actually what i love about 48Group songs, with my favorite piece of work being SKE48’s “Bukiyou Taiyou”. Even if the story is simple, it’s much more meaningful to listen to compared to the so-called hits “Koisuru Fortune Cookie” or “Heavy Rotation” which are basically empty in substance.

In “11gatsu no Anklet”, as usual, AkiP starts off writing from the perspective of a guy(shaded blue). The guy is a little nervous because he’s been called out to meet his ex-girlfriend. He realises she’s found a better someone and feels somewhat bitter because he’s still not over her. AkiP represents these feelings with a pretty catchy line “Ok! You Win!”

The guy ponders over his feelings for the girl while looking at his anklet, a couple item his ex gave. I particularly like how AkiP writes “Saying Hi to Goodbye” to represent the guy’s withdrawal from his ex.

Moving on the 2nd half of the song shaded red – this is where the lyrics get more ingenious. I’ve seen fans in China and Japan discussing what perspective the lyrics are being written from. Simply looking at it, it could still be the guy. But some think it was written from the ex-girlfriend’s perspective. And if that’s the case, the ex-girlfriend has remaining feels for the guy too which makes this an incredibly heart-tugging story.

Overall, the feelings of this guy is pretty much like how fans of Mayu would feel with her graduation. Sad, not so ready to give her up.

 

[AKB48 Sousenkyo]HKT48 Sashihara feigns tears and begs fans not to ditch AKB48

“Because of these incidents(outdoor concert cancellation), the AKB now is losing trust and i’m really afraid of fans leaving. With my friend graduating, i’m really worried about the future. We will work hard so pls don’t ditch AKB!”

Warning: Ending part is a ‘lets give this a touching ending’ skit but in fact it will make your skin crawl

I’m disgusted with yet another superficial speech from Sashihara. The problem with AKB doesn’t begin with a concert cancellation or a gradation. Of cos, what would she know when she doesn’t even see the problems with herself?

[AKB48 Sousenkyo]Captains Takahashi Juri and Okada Nana slam members inspired by scandal makers Sashihara & Minegishi

Takahashi Juri’s speech: I was 15th in last year’s Sousenkyo. In the year end Kouhaku elections, i wasn’t ranked in senbatsu. So to stand here again is really unexpected. From the audience i was watching the crying members of Future Girls. Surely the fans are equally happy or sad. When i look at the members in Under Girls who say they want to marry or will marry, when i think about the complicated feelings of the fans and members(Future Girls) who cried, i’m really pained.

Source

Okada Nana’s speech: When i ranked in Senbatsu last year, i was able to be a fixed senbatsu for the rest of the year. Something in me changed. From now on, i am very conscious that our generation has to lead the Group. But now, i can tell that we can’t create a bright future. Now, i often see members who land themselves in scandals or cause trouble, then joke about it/create headlines and try to RISE from it. It’s all fine. If we’re all serious then it’s going to be boring. But i don’t think we should copy it. Instead, if we work seriously, I believe we can reach the top. I want to change the group as someone who can receive the rewards by working hard.

Source
For both of these 19 year old captains to be touching on the topic at the same time, i suppose the situation must be really bad. It makes me wonder what Yokoyama is doing as the overall leader. 

[AKB48 Sousenkyo]Watanabe Mayu to graduate, a Kami7 legend no one else will surpass

Updating~

This is my last time participating in Sousenkyo. From the first year, i was ranked 4th, 5th, 5th, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 3rd and 2nd and was always in Kami7 thanks to the fans’ support. I can’t thank you all enough. As it’s the last time, i wanted to challenge myself once more and win No.1 again but unfortunately i was 2nd. It was really blissful thus far receiving your support and warm words on Twitter. It would be a lie if say i have no regrets. But I am happy. 

I’m sorry to say it this way, but I, Watanabe Mayu will graduate from AKB48. I entered AKB48 when I was 12. In July, it will be my 10th year here. I have experienced alot and learnt much. From now, i will step out into the world and start from zero. I want to leave AKB48 to the youngsters. There is not much time left for this year but i will realise my responsiblities as a member of AKB48.

(Responding to MC question) I’ve been thinking about this the past 2,3 years. In the end, i decided myself. I think i have nothing left to do in AKB.”

---

 

Coming up

• Sutou Ririka announces marriage (NO JOKE!)
• AKB48 Takahashi Juri, Okada Nana express anger at members who landed themselves in scandals/learning from Sashihara.
• Sashihara begs fans not to ditch 48 Group (TOO LATE!)

AKB48 General Elections 2017 will be the coldest event in history

In summary, due to likelihood of thunderstorms the concert is canceled.

Fans with a ticket will not even be allowed to watch off-stage as the voting results are revealed, because obviously the management could not scramble in time to find another venue to fit everyone. The members will hold their ranking ceremony in private and the results will be streamed live on TV/in 48 theaters.

Source

Apparently hotels in Okinawa are nearly full due to Sousenkyo! Poor folks!

Source

If you are planning to watch the worst Sousenkyo in history, here are some links:

4.15~9.24pm Japan Time Facebook Live & Chatroom：https://www.facebook.com/groups/RC4437839/ (BS+Fuji HD Ver.) Dailymotion：http://dai.ly/x5jgt84  (BS+Fuji HD Ver.0) Dailymotion：http://dai.ly/x5jgt82 (BS+Fuji Ver.1) Dailymotion：http://dai.ly/x5jguis (BS+Fuji Ver.2) Dailymotion：http://dai.ly/x5jguir (Fuji Ver.3) Dailymotion：http://dai.ly/x5jguiq (BS+Fuji Ver.4) WIX直播台：http://vbn1599512005.wixsite.com/akb48-taiwan-clubs WIX直播台：http://vbn1599512005.wixsite.com/akb48-taiwan-clubs2  WIX直播台：http://vbn1599512005.wixsite.com/akb48-taiwan-clubs3  WIX直播台：http://vbn1599512005.wixsite.com/akb48-taiwan-clubs4  VTV直播台：https://vaughnlive.tv/ucure Credits to AKB48 Taiwan Fan Club

 

Watanabe Mayu is No.1 in AKB48 Thailand General Elections 2017

Thailand has been holding unofficial elections prior to the real one since 2013, making this their 5th time. The voting period was from 3rd May to 4th June and 12，625 online votes were cast. The results are below:

1. Watanabe Mayu (5th straight win) 1988 votes
2. Kato Minami 1463 votes
3. Miyawaki Sakura 946 votes
4. Oguri Yui 504 votes
5. Matsui Jurina 467 votes
6. Kato Rena
7. Yokoyama Yui (Team 8)
8. Okada Nana
9. Shitao Miu
10. Chouku Rena
11. Kashiwagi Yuki
12. Omori Miyu
13. Taniguchi Megu
14. Tashima Meru
15. Yokoyama Yui (Captain)
16. Tanaka Natsuki

Izuta Rina who transferred to Bangkok48 was ranked 34th.

Source

Thailand Site

How to vote for Watanabe Mayu in AKB48 General Elections 2017

1. Access this link. It goes direct to Mayu’s page.
   http://akb48-sousenkyo.jp/vote.php?membercode=1307&parent=team&parentkey=103
2. Get the serial number which you received in the 49th single and enter it in the 2 boxes below.
3. Press the button at the bottom of the page to vote. You won’t be able to use the same code again. If you try to enter the code again, it will show a timestamp indicating your vote is used.

Some common questions:

• Do i need to log into VPN?
  The chinese fans believe that this is more secure as it is not sure if overseas votes were counted in the past. However, the FAQ from the official voting site indicates that overseas fans can vote as long as they “access the voting site from smartphone”.
• Can i use PC to vote?
  FAQ says as long as you get a timestamp after voting, that means the vote went through. It is a vague answer but it should be fine. However you will be seeing a blown up version of the mobile site.

Why overseas votes matter for Mayuyu’s last Sousenkyo

 

I doubt many know about the story behind Mayu and Sashihara’s large gap in Sousenkyo last year. Since this is Mayu’s last Sousenkyo, i will cautiously re-tell what i’d seen and read in the days after Sousenkyo 2016 so you know why Mayu is in a precarious situation this year.

The Sashihara fansite admin posted a blog about his campaigning efforts after Sousenkyo 2016. I had translated it and shared it in private with 2 Mayu fans on a forum. He, or perhaps some other leader, had a very detailed estimate of how much votes Mayu was could potentially receive last year.

His estimate breakdown:

• 100,000 votes from domestic fans (i recall him describing it as a routinely “weak”)

• 80,000 votes from overseas fans (he mentions this as the strength of Mayu’s votes)

• 40,000 votes (“Deai no Tsuzuki” single sales in 2015 which would have converted into votes if the release date did not clash with Sousenkyo 2015)

The Sashihara camp set their target at 250,000 votes to secure a win. That, explains why Sashihara managed to get 240,000 plus votes last year.

If i had to commend him, it’d be for getting such confidential info(Mayu’s overseas votes etc) and thereby creating a target which gave Sashihara a good chance to win.

So what happened to Mayu’s supposed 220,000 votes? 

• Domestic fans dwindling in numbers

A post from the Mayu fansite admin after Sousenkyo 2016 says it all.

“This year, as you can put in 10 votes via mobile, i also thought that the overall votes would increase, but actually it decreased.

Indeed, perhaps the number of people who voted have decreased.
Thinking back, as great numbers of fans leave AKB48, there are remaining Mayu wotas who went beyond their means to vote X times or 10 times more.

I, too, when Mayu decided to participate, thought “so you decided to take part this year too..”
If possible, i don’t want to use my money. That was what i thought.
I already gave all my love to the management.
48G has lost its charm.

I think fans of members with a serious attitude- especially Mayuyu Oshis, many of them have perhaps left.
Sasshi’s 240,000 votes are the result of her fans’ hard work, but perhaps the reason for this huge gap is because we have lost many comrades who used to fight along us.
Originally, Mayu’s camp had the potential to exceed 200,000 votes.

I watched Mayu’s speech over and over again.

On 15th during ANN radio show, the hesitation before she said “I won’t announce graduation” made me realise she actually wanted to graduate. I felt sad about it. But in her speech, she said that she didn’t want AKB to be over like that.

Her words left a deep impression on me.

Pls do something,even abit is fine, to revive 48G before graduating.With this thought, i would be happy to see you work just a while more in AKB.

There are 2 sides to the topic of graduating, but I like the shining idol Mayuyu in AKB. I love her as a solo, but the best is still idol Mayuyu.

To all Mayu fans, Mayu is saying she doesn’t want it all to end this way.

Will you support the AKB led by Mayuyu?”

I would not have imagined this happening but the signs were definite especially during NHK Kouhaku Utagassen last year. According to the chinese crowdfunding committee over at Tieba, they’ve chosen to keep their votes a secret these years because they wanted to hide the fact that Mayu’s Japanese fanbase is weakening.

• Overseas fans’ funds being allegedly siphoned away

The allegations have been continuing since 2015, when someone (i think originally within the crowdfunding committee) stepped out and accused the leader of pocketing money. It died down and in 2016, they started raising funds again in what i’d say is the most aggressive campaigning effort in history. It was very easy to get into the mood of giving because the Chinese fans were working towards a target everyday, unlike Mayu’s Japanese fans who are very passive( no announcement of targets, voting at their own pace). With all that hard work, I suppose the Chinese fans did not expect the gap between Sashihara and Mayu to be that big, so the allegations blew up after Sousenkyo again. While there is no definite conclusion about what happened to the money, TRUST is gone. They’ve decided to stop crowdfunding this year, and it’s only during recent weeks that something was restarted again. At this rate, this means potentially 50,000 votes from crowdfunding lost this year.

If fellow Mayu fans see it, Mayu is in a precarious position this year. It would have been best if she pulled out of the elections, but she has AKB48 to shoulder and has to face it head on.

If you have a vote to spare, think about how Mayu has behaved in the span of all these elections.

• She’s never dangled a carrot in front of you promising a bikini concert if she wins. Even when asked to propose a treat for the fans, she declined.
• She’s only approached these elections with the purest of hearts and sportsmanship.
• Unlike many of the top girls who bawl yearly just because they lost a preliminary or couldn’t get a good rank, Mayu always faces her fans with thankful dignity.

If you believe in Mayu’s “idololgy” and thinks this should be the 48Group spirit, pls spare her a vote and give her a send-off she deserves!

(This post has been sitting in my mind for almost a year so pls pardon me if i can’t link more sources.)

---

Purchase the AKB48 49th single to get a voting ticket:

VOTING TICKET

Highlights of AKB48 General Elections 2017 in Akimoto Yasushi’s own words

 

Excerpt from an article that was published on 28th May 2017.

---

I was asked about the highlights of this year, but wouldn’t the fans know better?I asked a few fans, indeed the biggest attention will be whether HKT48’s Sashihara would win again this year. Besides the exposure on TV, the declaration of it being her last Sousenkyo makes us question if this would be a beautiful ending. Another question is, how would Yamamoto Sayaka’s withdrawal from the event affect the results? It is said that only Yamamoto can topple Sashihara, but her withdrawal shocked the fans. But we can’t simply deduce that Sashihara’s win is definite. It’s said that a new AKB48 won’t be born if Sashihara isn’t toppled, so the conservative fans are banding together despite being in different camps. It seems like they are amassing votes for orthodox idol Watanabe Mayu who also happens to have announced this being her last Sousenkyo. In other words, starting from votes from Yamamoto Sayaka and Kashiwagi Yuki, this time too, those fans who are wishing for the return of the years when AKB48 were orthodox idols, are raising “anti-Sashihara” votes.

Also, the united SKE48 fans might also concentrate fully on Matsui Jurina and bring her the win. Miyawaki Sakura’s growth is also something to look forward to.

Source

Akimoto san, you don’t need the votes to tell you how much we miss the original AKB48. The number of fans who have left already says it all.

That said, the new AKB48 single will be released tomorrow and if you sincerely believe that voting will change AKB48 for the better, pls vote for Watanabe Mayu becos she = AKB48.

Purchase CD(with Voting Ticket) here

 

 

Watanabe Mayu promotes new photobook “Shiranai Uchi Ni”

ModelPress Interview

After 5 years, Watanabe Mayu is back with her new photobook “Shiranai Uchi ni”(“Without Realizing It”) which will be released on 25th October 2016. This will be her first time showing herself in lingerie and her transformation from an idol to a woman. In the book she will also reveal secrets to her beauty regime.

Q: Please talk about your feelings after seeing your photobook.
It’s full of photos i like and a very confident piece of work! There were ones which were cut, but they are all photos which i wish can be included.

Q: It’s different from your previous work “Mayuyu” released in 2011?
I was 17 then, so this time i wanted to show off something entirely different and talked to the staff. I was able to show off an adult side now that i’m 22. I challenged lingerie for the first time. Up till now i’ve only worn swimwear so i was really embarrassed and nervous. It’s supposed to end up sexy, and since we’re going all the way to LA, i was very worried if i can deliver the effect.But when i reached LA, the open atmosphere made me relaxed. I’ve been to LA on a private trip and i like it alot. It’s a place where i can be open so it was great i went there for the shooting.

Q: Why lift the ban on lingerie at this timing?
22 is an age of a woman, and i wanted to show off something different and surprising from my usual idol image.Also, scenes of me drinking sake while at the Yakiniku, there are lots of scenes which i haven’t shown in the past! I don’t drink publicly, so i’m showing my drunk self for the first time. Swimming is also new…..actually, i can’t swim! I can’t move in the water and kick my feet. This time i dived underwater and opened my eyes! It took some time to do that but once i mustered the courage it was quite fun (laugh). I really put in my best effort for this book.

Q: Your fashion shoot is also very charming in my opinion.Did you style yourself?
While i was doing the fitting, i discussed with staff and chose the best style for myself. I chose the most suitable clothes and lingerie. They are all cute and things i like.

Q: When we talk about Watanabe san, you have the “best hips” that anyone would envy. Pls tell us the secret to it.
Not only my hips. Usually i like to keep myself moisturized, so i apply body cream everyday after a bath. There’s no day that passes without the body cream. I even apply it on my bottom. It makes me happy.

Q: What diet efforts in order to maintain your style?
I can’t eat alot, and i haven’t experienced turning fat suddenly, and i’m picky about food…..I don’t eat vegetables and fruits so there’s lots i don’t eat. On the contrary, i love meat so i eat it as a main dish together with fish and rice. With dance and exercise i think it’s fine to eat that much? Rather than eating what i dislike, doing what i like and being happy reflects on my style.

I don’t do special things like going to the gym when it comes to exercise. The choreographies for AKB concerts and rehearsals are good enough as exercise. I do reference hip exercises on YouTube when it comes to maintaining my hips.

Q: How did you prepare for your photobook this time?
I lost too much weight thanks to the summer heat and my tough schedule. This time it’s important to show off a fuller feminine body line, so i ate more ice-cream and meals to increase my weight.

Q:Did you do anything to show off a more sexy side?
Since i’m 22, i wanted to show off a natural side, so i didn’t put in energy and the usual 100% smile infront of the camera, and just posed as myself.

Q: What’s your aim from now on?
My senior in AKB and agency Kojima san suddenly messaged me on LINE and said “Mayu chan, the agency showed me your photobook. It was great!” I was really happy to receive praises from Kojima san who has lots of female fans. As this book is aimed at the females, i got alot of confidence.

I hope that i’ve shown off a different kind of sexy different from the ones in gravure. My aim is to be well-liked by the females.

[From Oricon Interview]Kojima san previewed my photobook and sent me a LINE message. We don’t message each other that frequently, so i was shocked and thought i did something to anger her. She typed “Mayu chan i saw your photobook.It’s great!” with lots of emoticons. She’s usually not direct with compliments. I felt this was coming from her heart so i was really happy.

Q: Pls tell us the secret to realizing your dreams.
You can’t lose the spirit of challenging -that’s Dreams. I’ve faced walls after entering AKB, but i’m not giving up and not letting it crush me.Continuing is important.

Source

Love Kojiharu’s message of support. 

---

Oricon Interview (Excerpts)

Q: Were you ever against showing skin up till now?
I don’t like swimwear gravure, but since this is for my photobook, i want to show off a good piece of work so i wasn’t against it. Even if you say it’s a sexy cut, i don’t think of it simply as skin showing. I want to show off “sexy with taste” so i discussed with the cameraman and stylists, tried some shoots and improved from there. It’s something i can accept, like high class sexy.

Q: This time the theme for your photobook is also “Mayuyu’s human side”.
Many think of me as The Idol. I want to update their image of me so i wanted to show off something that says i’m no longer the Mayu of the past.

Q: What is your trigger for it?
After turning 20, my mindset changed. In my teenage years, i had to be perfect idol. But i can’t continue to be like that forever. I started thinking about bringing out the real me. Originally i planned to show off my real side in solo activities, but recently it’s also showing when i’m with AKB.

Q: Regarding your graduation…
I said it in my Sousenkyo speech. AKB is in a pinch. It’s difficult to lead the group and change the situation, but i’m like us to grow more conscious and improve. As someone who knows the group from the past, i’d like to teach the juniors so that the group will be loved by more fans.

Q: Previously, Kashiwagi Yuki mentioned that she’d like to graduate with you.
I have the same thoughts. Various members are leaving and if Yukirin leaves too, i’m worried if we can carry on…She’s more important than just a same generation member and irreplaceable. We’ve supported each other for 10 years. I can’t imagine her missing, and i’d hate it if either of us were to send the other off. If possible, i want to graduate with her.

Source, Source

---

 

Some previews to her photobook.

---

Purchase her photobook below:

CDJapan