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!)
STU48 is another sister branch of the 48 group that performs on a ship, traveling through 7 prefectures surrounding the Seto Inland Sea.
Their first original song “Setouchi no Koe” was released on YouTube 2 days ago. While the MV features beautiful scenes filmed in more than 20 places across the 7 prefectures(Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Okayama, Hyogo, Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime), i can’t help but wonder if the point is to promote tourism or the girls. Either way, adding Sashihara is the WORST because all i want to do is to switch off the computer when i see her. Are Japanese seriously out of ideas?
After posting the preview previously, SNH48 has now unveiled their incredibly beautiful and luxurious MV, filmed in Madrid Spain.
I am too blindsided by the visual elements of this MV to understand the scenes. The cinematography is simply amazing thanks to a Korean team who is probably used to filming kpop videos. Their red gowns, accessories and makeup are also full of detail. This is truly a gift for both the members and the fans who voted them into Top 16.
Quoting this article ,the investment and quality of SNH48 “Princess’s Cloak” seems to have surpassed works from China’s No.1 boyband TFBoys, Chris Lee and William Chan.
Adding a few screencaps:
Despite her petite frame, Kiku puts in alot of effort in her expressions and dancing to give herself a commanding presence.
Here’s a Yukirin lookalike. Tassel earrings seem to be the in thing nowadays.
This member has very good expressions!
Kiku has many beautiful shots.
Girls break into Flamenco since they’re in Spain.It’s nice they’re putting effort in this especially since Flamenco is not part of the choreography.
The lyrics seem to be talking about not giving up despite losing the crown in Sousenkyo. If one perseveres, the Princess’s Cloak will be waiting for them. I have no idea what these roses and petals represent though.
Kiku, being the winner of Sousenkyo, dons her Princess’s Cloak with a very cool flip.
This is the jacket cover for Kiku’s solo single.I suppose that’s the winner’s bonus but given her popularity, acting work and vocal skills it’s about time for a solo debut!
AKB48 Watanabe Mayu attended an event for anime “Maho Girls Precure!” on 12th October 2016 and expressed her happiness at making a guest appearance in the anime series.
On the 23rd October 2016 episode of “Maho Tsukai Precure!”, she will appearing as herself, idol Mayu, in the “Nashi Mahou-kai” (The World without Witchcraft).
“This is a dream. I saw the video. They made me all pretty and cute. It’ll be a treasure my whole life. I will record it and keep it forever and pass it to my next generation.”
During the event, she also sang the theme song for the film version of the anime, titled “Tadashii Mahou no Tsukai Kata”.
“I was always watching Precure in my childhood. I can’t believe the day would come when i get to sing the theme song. I didn’t even dream that it would happen so i’m really happy. It’s something i can brag about to people in my life.”
MaYuki reveals details about their personalities and off days
On the 13th October 2016 episode of Nihon TV’s variety show “Himitsu no Kenmin SHOW x DowntownDX Gattai 3 Hr Special”, Watanabe Mayu talked about being particular about cleanliness.
Firstly, she made it clear that men who don’t wash their hands before a meal wouldn’t be considered as boyfriend material. “I can’t imagine it. Aren’t you eating germs at the same time? I always bring a hand sanitizer around and if i don’t apply it i’d feel uneasy.”
The show also followed her and Kashiwagi Yuki as they headed to a restaurant in Harajuku on their off day. The 2 discussed topics like their graduations, future and idol life. Kashiwagi reveals that she sleeps in on her off days and stays indoors while Mayu likes to go on movie/butai marathons.
Mayu becomes 2nd AKB48 member to rank in Best Jeanist Awards
The ranking is based on votes from nationwide. This is the 33rd year for Best Jeanist Awards, with graduated member Itano Tomomi previously ranking 9th in 2010.
After winning the Sanrio Character Rankings 2 years in a row, Pompompurin will be released nationwide as a McFlurry in a 1st collaboration with McDonald’s for a limited time only.
The flavor – vanilla soft cream topped with generous amounts of caramel and custard. Matching Pompompurin’s fluffy image,marshmallows are added as a topping.
The post sousenkyo single for SNH48 this year is piled with glamour as usual. This time the Top16 fly to Spain to film their new single “Princess’s Cloak”.
The song is a Spanish style EDM, composed by singer JJ Lin and produced by a U.S team who has worked with the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.
The full MV will be released Mid October.
Preview of MV:
Live Performance:
My thoughts: The skirt swirling is nice but it does not look that Spanish-like. I wonder if it’s a problem with their dancing. I love JJ Lin’s songs but EDM just doesn’t work for me. Either way,the concept itself is already 100 times better than what 48Group delivers nowadays!
I cannot resist adding these beautiful stills of Kiku. She looks stunning in blonde!
Sexy Zone’s new single “Yobisute” will be the group’s first medium ballad. It talks about the feelings of calling a loved one by her Given Name for the first time.
Not jpop, but this so watch-able! 48 fans will probably be see why 48Group and China broke up.
SNH48 Senbatsu Sousenkyo will be happening tonight. This event will be a star-studded show with appearances from singers PSY, David Tao, Hu Yan Bin and Hunan TV host Shen Meng Chen. It will be broadcasted on Guangdong TV at 9.10pm. There will also be a live streaming on their official YouTube channel starting ~7pm.
The 3 singers will have different roles in the Sousenkyo, with PSY continuing to mentor the girls and them collaborating with him in a performance. David Tao will be writing a song for the top senbatsu while Hu Yan Bin will presenting awards to the winners.
Will top member Ju Jing Yi break Sashihara Rino’s record?
Currently placed 1st in the preliminary rankings with 120,000 votes, Ju Jing Yi aka Kiku chan will likely break Sashihara Rino’s record of 240,000 votes tonight.
She will also don a 100,000 RMB dress and transform into a “night goddess”.
1st Place: Ju Jing Yi ~230,750 votes
2nd Place: Li Yi Tong ~170,000 votes
3rd Place: Huang Tingting ~130,000 votes
In essence, the key members of SNH48 have managed to double,triple and even quadruple their votes to reach the level AKB48 are at now, all within a year’s time. The growth of SNH48 is terrifying.
“Sonzai Suru Riyu” means “The Reason for Existence”
Watanabe Mayu
Regarding the theme of 10th year as it’s background, Watanabe said “I too, am surprised that a group can last this long. This time round, alot of young members make a cameo. I don’t usually speak directly with the juniors, so i realised through this documentary that certain members think in certain ways.”
Regarding her 2nd position in the Sousenkyo, she said ” I aimed for first, but in my heart i also felt faintly that Sasshi is a wall that cannot be surpassed….of course it was unfortunate, but i showed results better than last year so i think i’ve done my best! “
As for Sasshi who is called her rival, she said “We belong to different genres, so even if we’re being compared i’m not panicking. She has alot of talent which i don’t have. So it’s an acceptable win this year.”
One would wonder if she feels pressure fighting for the top with so many people watching. “Pressure is always there. Next year, i’d probably feel it too. I won’t become used to it even if i do it all my life. Even if i talk about it with someone they wouldn’t understand so i don’t. It feels like i’m battling something invisible. I’m always feeling the pain in my stomach up till the last minute. But once it’s over, it’s gone. I feel relaxed at that point.”
“The members i’m closest with are Yukirin and Sasshi, even from the past. You can take it that i hate pitting myself against others, but i’m bad at seeing others as a rival. I don’t want to. I’m an advocator of peace.”
On graduation, she said “I’ve thought about it. Like when? But, i feel like the timing isn’t something i can decide by myself, so i’ll decide based on the surroundings.I can’t say how many years that is..”
On the future of AKB48, she said “I think that AKB48 will go down if the members don’t work hard. I’ve worked with a sense of crisis from the start, so in fact i’m thinking it’s unbelievable we’ve come this far. Nowadays, there’s less people who can match the members’ names with their faces? This is detrimental.”
However, she also spoke of a new hope for AKB48. “I have great expectations of the center for our new single this time, Mukaichi Mion. I think she’s the savior of AKB48. She’s worthy of shouldering the new era of AKB48.”
The new AKB48 documentary “Sonzai Suru Riyu DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48” airs in theaters on 8th July 2016.
As the documentary also touches on the activities of graduated members, Shimazaki said “Members have their own paths after graduation. My time will come too. I’ve come to look forward to how my future will turn out after graduation.”
Kojima Haruna
For Kojima who announced her graduation on the 18th June during AKB48’s 8th General Elections, she said “It’s been days since the announcement, but things hasn’t changed. I’ve thought of graduating years ago, and carried on with activities with the atmosphere of having one foot out the door. The situation hasn’t changed.”
“There’s alot of stories and thoughts from the girls who are going to create AKB from now on. I watched this documentary while rooting them on.”
Nakagawa Haruka was also a point of focus in the documentary. Watanabe Mayu and Kashiwagi Yuki talked about their same generation member who transferred to JKT48 in 2012. Harugon is said to have over 20 CMs and is now a household name in Indonesia.
Kashiwagi said “She was really like a child….like her speech.Honestly, i couldn’t imagine she’d be so successful in JKT.”
Watanabe said “It was the most meaningful advancement. Nope, she’s actually the same generation we’re proudest of.”
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