MC Nakai: I was overseas when the elections were going on. But i heard the news just now..about Shinoda, and Sashihara…
Sashihara: What is that kind of troubled expression?!
MC Nakai: Did Sashihara really get No.1? What do you guys think?
MC Makiko: I thought Mayuyu or Oshima were going to win…but i was shocked at the results.
-Recap of scenes from this year’s elections-
-Flashback to Oshima Yuko’s talk after last year’s elections:If Sashihara gets No.1, there will be a new AKB48. BUT,NO WAY!-
MC Nakai: What do you think Sashihara?
Sashihara: After the elections,i thought someone was pulling a prank on me.
Oshima: Even though i said “No way” last year, we have no choice this time.
Shinoda: This is like a present from the fans, so there must be some appeal about Sashihara.
MC Nakai: Do you think you can graduate happily like that?
Shinoda: But this is my last single so..
MC Nakai: Do you have anything to say to Sashihara?
Shinoda: I’m abit worried about the next single, but i think she’ll work hard.
MC Nakai: What about you Takamina?
Takamina: I was shocked. When Mayuyu’s ranked was announced, i was like “It can’t be…”. I thought Mayuyu or Oshima will be the last contenders.
Mayuyu: I had worked hard for the past year aiming for 1st, but when my rank was announced, i also thought “It can’t be Sashihara..”. I was thinking “What is this?”.
Oshima: When Mayuyu was announced to be 3rd, i was thinking “What’s this?”. But Sashihara’s win will making things interesting for AKB.
MC Nakai: It’s interesting that fans are the ones who create a drama for AKB. Sashihara, have you taken center position before?
Sashihara: Nope, only in photoshoots so far.
-MC Nakai asks them to arrange themselves in formation with Sasshi as center, and dance to Gingham Check-
Sashihara: Stop please! I think this scene looks untrendy!
MC Nakai: Pls give some advice to Sashihara as the next center.
Oshima: It’s best to enjoy it.
Mayuyu: There’s alot of responsibility to live up to, but the best thing to do is just to enjoy it with everyone.
Paruru: Do it in a cute manner!
-Talk about Shinoda Mariko’s graduation-
MC Nakai: When did you decide?
Shinoda: On that day itself. I had discussed with Akimoto san since a year ago and he said i could do it anytime, but there’s a timing. He said it’s best to do it when everyone is around. Actually i think about graduating every year during the elections, but this time i think it’s the right time.
MC Makiko: So you didn’t inform the rest of the members?
Shinoda: Not everyone. I discussed with Takamina 1 year ago. Kojima is my good friend and i told her i could be graduating on that day.
MC Nakai: So everyone is surprised? When are you graduating?
Shinoda: Fukuoka concert on 21st July.
MC Nakai: So what are you going to do about the next single?
Shinoda: We’ll be shooting the PV this month, so i will take part in all the promotions prior to 21st July.
MC Nakai: So you won’t be appearing on TV after the 21st?
Shinoda: Not for singing related activities.
MC Nakai: What are you going to do in future?
Shinoda: I have been in AKB for 8 years, and my ambitions have changed along the way. Even thought i love AKB, i want to pursue my interests. I like fashion and have had opportunities to model. I’m still a newbie in that field, so it’d be good to go further in that area.
MC Nakai: So you’re not going to sing anymore?
Shinoda: Nope….laughs. Nakai san would probably tell me not to sing too.
MC Nakai: You really understand me. What about Itano? When are you going to graduate?
Itano: For me, around August.
For more details on Itano/Shinoda’s graduation dates, pls visit this link.
” The secret to Sashihara’s 150,000 votes: Not due to crazy wotas but casual fans”
Sashihara Rino comes from Japan’s Oita prefecture and was appointed as its tourism ambassador last year. Prior to the elections, mayor Kugimiya Ban openly expressed his support for Sashihara on the city’s homepage. Him and the Oita residents’ votes for Sashihara could be the differentiating factor needed for her win, although he denied giving her the extra push in an interview later. He was seen celebrating with other locals on TV after the results were announced.
Author of “AKB48 History ~ A Research Student Guidebook” Shinomoto Musashi thinks that this isn’t due to a crazy fan’s power voting, but a result of cumulative votes from many casual fans. These fans probably discovered her when she got into a scandal last year, esp when she also appears as a regular on many TV programs. In their eyes, they probably think that she’s more of a popular TV talent rather than idol, so they voted her in thinking she’d make an interesting No.1.
Also, her win could be due to the fans of HKT48, who wanted to thank her for earning HKT48 a successful debut over the past year. To them, Sashihara is like the Takamina of AKB, or the Yamamoto Sayaka of NMB. If each of them had 5 votes for their oshimen, they would probably set aside 1 for Sashihara.”
“I might withdraw from next year’s elections” Sashihara Rino Qn: Your thoughts now?
Ans: I haven’t had the chance to be in the center position yet, so i haven’t felt the weight of it.
Qn: What do you hope to achieve with AKB next?
Ans: I want to pave the way for my juniors, and make HKT48 a national group.
Qn: What are your thoughts about this year’s elections?
Ans: Mariko sama and Miyazawa Sae voiced their decisions in a positive manner. I can’t say the same about my win.
Qn: What are your ambitions for the next year?
Ans: This is my 5th elections, and i’ve improved each time. What should i do next year? Maybe i’ll withdraw from the elections.
“The moment when Sashiko won – ratings shot up to 32.7%”
The live broadcast on Fuji TV garnered average ratings of 20.3%. The peak was during Sashihara’s win at 9pm.
Last year, the average ratings was 18.7%, and the peak was also during Sashihara’s 4th place ranking(28%).
Oshima Yuko fan: “I thought Sashihara would be 2nd or 3rd at beast, but getting No.1 was out of my expectations. I was shocked. On top of that, i couldn’t believe the difference in votes was as much as 20,000!
Man in his 40s: ” The people who left after Oshima’s rank was announced really stood out. This action reflects the real sentiments of some fans who cannot accept Sashihara’s rank. Afterall, we all want Mayuyu or Oshima to become No.1″
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.
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.
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