AKB48 Takajo Aki(24) announced her graduation from the group during “5th AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen” at Tokyo Dome City Hall yesterday.”
“Even though this announcement may come as a surprise, in my heart, it is something that has been floating around for 2 years. I didn’t want to graduate all these while, after all i love AKB48. I have no complaints with the environment. When i imagine my future and think about what i should do, what i’m lacking in, the challenges i have to face as an adult, i was scared. I am graduating because i can’t stay in the comfort zone.”
She also expressed her wish to pursue the path of an actress in future. She has been casted as the lead in a butai next year.
Takajo is the last 6th generation member as of present. She was a member of subunit French Kiss with Kuramochi Asuka(graduated) and Kashiwagi Yuki, which disbanded in May this year.
AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki, Takajo Aki, and just-graduated Kuramochi Asuka, will end their subunit activities in French Kiss after 5 years.
In commemoration, they will release a first and last album on 14th October. They will also hold a live show on 5th November at Saitama Super Arena, where 10,000 fans are expected to attend.
The three decided to disband since they’re individually busy.
Kuramochi Asuka of AKB48 has announced her plans to graduate. Her last theater show with the group will be on 17th August 2015.
“I made many treasured friends during these 8 years. I have no regrets,”she said.
Her dreams after graduation is to become a sportscaster, and she likes baseball, prowrestling and soccer.
As a MC on BS Asahi’s sports programme “SPORTS X”, she has covered the London Olympics and such experience has strengthened her resolve to communicate the fun in sports through her own words. “I want to realise my dream of reporting on the Tokyo Olympics,” she said.
Her decision to graduate was finally made when she was appointed Team B captain last year.
Kuramochi confessed to being the type who can’t speak frankly to fellow members. She had worried about not being suitable for the role of a leader, but Katsuya Nomura’s (baseball player)words encouraged her.
With every member she chooses a different way of expressing her thoughts. She also called upon them to understand the lyrics they are singing. She finally felt the results of her leadership and her personal growth during last year’s national tour during November-December. Convinced that she’s given her all, she decided to graduate.
“I wanted to announce my graduation in a different way. Since i want to become a sportscaster, i chose a sports newspaper,” she said. Source
So this probably signals the end for French Kiss subunit too..
I would really like to embed videos from the chinese sources here but wordpress is really such a pain when it comes to that. If anyone knows how to embed videos from acfun.tv or vlog.xuite.net, please teach me!!
AKB48 Show [Link here]
This is a very nice FULL performance which starts off with Yukirin singing solo.
Full MV [Link here]
Very simple mv but the scenes of the girls are breathtakingly beautiful.
Avex Channel on YouTube has posted the MV preview for French Kiss’ new single “Omoidasenai Hana”.
This is the first folk song for the AKB48 subunit and the opening features Kashiwagi Yuki’s calming vocals. Kuramochi Asuka and Takajo Aki then join in with their harmonies.
The MV was filmed in a simple grassland but certainly it is enough just to have these girls and the beautiful song.
The single comes in 4 types and will be released on 1st October.
This is an annual music program from TBS that brings together the greatest idols/bands/artistes. Hosted by SMAP’s Nakai Masahiro, this year’s “Ongaku no Hi” will last for as long as 13 hours, making it the longest running music program ever.
French Kiss perform new folk song”Omoidasenai Hana”, showing off their harmony
Yamapi dances to “Summer Nude ’13”, ends with some fanservice
Special collaborations between AKB48-E-girls-Solo female artistes
Selected performances below:
Yamamoto Sayaka – Jungle Gym
Watanabe Mayu – Synchro Tokimeki
NMB48 – Nagiichi/Ibiza Girl
SKE48 – Pareo wa Emerald/Bukiyou Taiyou
AKB48 – Tenohira ga Kataru Koto
AKB48 (Shimazaki Haruka center) – Candy Candy
Paruru with twintails is the epitome of kawaii! So..this is the AKB48 without Mayuyu/Takamina/Kojiharu!
AKB48 – Kokoro no Placard/Manatsu no Sounds Good/Koisuru Fortune Cookie
In the performance of KNP, Mayuyu holds up a signboard asking Nakai(MC) if he’d sing a duet with her, which he replied with a no. The MCs then join in the fun with Nakai showing a signboard asking Oshima Yuko if she’s watching the show. These signboard gimmicks are so fun!
Nogizaka46 – Oide Shampoo/Natsu no Free & Easy
French Kiss – Omoidasenai Hana
E-girls – Gomenasai no Kissing You/E.G. Anthem ~we are venus~
EXILE Takahiro – I Love You
SID – Monochrome no Kiss/ Enamel
DAIGO – Change!!
Golden Bomber – Rola no Kizudarake
Kinki Kids – Flower / Hey Minna Genki Kai?
Yamashita Tomohisa – Summer Nude ’13
Kis-My-Ft2 – Another Future/Perfect World
Sexy Zone – Otoko never give up/Bad boys
I decided to get to know these guys after hearing so much about them but…there’s a Jin inside?! I like their songs but i’m not sure the boys are too cool for their age?!
AKB48 subunit French Kiss(Kashiwagi Yuki, Takajo Aki, Kuramochi Asuka) will be returning with a folk song after 2 years. Titled “Omoidasenai Hana”, it will be released on 1st October.
The song is the theme song for drama “SAVEPOINT” which stars Takajo Aki as the female lead. It is also played in Kashiwagi Yuki’s CM and the new variety show for French Kiss, “French Kiss no Kiss Tabi”. Fans have asked for it to be released on CD after listening to it.
Takajo Aki, who was transferred back to AKB48 from JKT48 after the group shuffle in February, said “Because this is a release after 2 years, I am excited about being able to show our image again. Also, i’m happy that French Kiss can do alot of activities again!” Kuramochi Asuka said “I was worried about our harmony in the song, but it turned out fine. Please listen to it!”
The single comes in 4 types. Amongst the fans, 1000 who bought the CD will be chosen and treated to a special live in Zepp Tokyo on 22nd October.
AllThingsJpop 