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.
Purchase their last album here:
Kuramochi Asuka held her graduation stage on 17th August at the Akihabara theater.
As the captain of Team B the past 1.5 years, this was her last stage with fellow Team B members. Fans made a T-shirt for her bearing the number “21”, which was her highest ranking in Sousenkyo, as well as her father’s jersey number when he was a professional baseball player.
During the live, ex-wrestler Kobashi Kenta whom Kuramochi is a big fan of also appeared. As Kobashi Kenta has just welcomed the birth of his first child, he commented “Lets work hard for the start of our 2nd youths.”
During the encore, same generation members Tanaka Chisato(24), Fujie Reina(21), Oya Shizuka(23) sang “Himawari”. With ex-teammates Miyazawa Sae(25), Umeda Ayaka(26) and Kobayashi Kana(24), she sang “To be continued”.
Lastly, the members surprised her by singing her debut solo song “Itsumo Soba ni”, causing her to tear up.
“I’m graduating to be a sportscaster, but this dream came about because of AKB48. I’ve experienced alot these 8 years. When i announced graduation, i received lots of comments on my blog which became my support. I will believe in those words and word hard. I was raised to believe that i’m the type to achieve success later in life, so i will word hard hoping someday i’ll bloom brightly.”
Her father commented afterwords “I was moved. It’s starting from now. The whole family wants to cheer her on.”
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..
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.
You can listen to a preview of the song here:
I like this song! Yukirin has a very healing voice.
Previously, i made a post about AKB48’s Kuramochi Asuka winning herself a solo debut, and now her debut song has been revealed!
Titled ” いつもそばに”/ “Always By Your Side”, the song is a love ballad penned by Kuramochi herself. Now i had doubts about this girls’ singing abilities but the tune turned out to be relatively safe…so i’d be really surprised if she can’t sing it properly. Nevertheless, i have to give her the credit of penning the lyrics herself. It’s not an easy task especially since it’s her title track, so i guess her song is worth a look!
And above is her PV(short version), shot in Guam. I like the summery feel of her PV, but its quite a waste since Guam is all about the beaches and all we see is her cruising along the highway in a car. Wells, maybe we can see more when the full PV is out!
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in purchasing her single, click on the pictures below to purchase.
6 different versions:
Following Kasai Tomomi’s win in “AKB no Gachi Uma” last year, Kuramochi Asuka has now become the winner in Season 2 of this horse betting campaign. Organized by JRA(Japan Racing Association), the campaign requires members of AKB48 who are over 20 years old to bet on horse races. The member who gets the highest points will win a CM with JRA, which is scheduled to air on 26th May. As the winner, Kuramochi will also get to make a solo debut and release her first photobook.
While the title of her single is not confirmed, she hopes that it will be a spring-like song. She’s also trying her hand at writing the lyrics for the coupling songs.
Congratulations to Mocchi because getting all these perks means she can graduate AKB48 sooner than others! Well, that’s if she does well. As far as i know, her voice isn’t something to look forward to.
AllThingsJpop 