Shimazaki Haruka gets backlash for Ghibli ambitions then retracts her statement

Shimazaki Haruka who announced her dreams of being a seiyuu for Ghibli Studios during her graduation announcement has provoked criticisms from anime fans and antis.

This was due to her talking about not having the abilities to become an actress yet, then following it up with her dreams of being a seiyuu for Ghibli. This made it seem she could easily become a seiyuu even if acting doesn’t work out.

“Paruru please don’t become a seiyuu for Ghibli.”
“Is she dumb? Looking down on the seiyuus?”
“I liked her but i hope she didn’t speak of it so casually…this isn’t what anyone can do.”

On the 4th October, Shimazaki tweeted “I don’t remember talking about wanting to become a seiyuu. Also, it isn’t easy to become one if i say i will.”

She later deleted these tweets.

Source Source

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AKB48 Shimazaki Haruka announces graduation through CM

Shimazaki Haruka announced her graduation from AKB48 through a new advertisement for “Baitoru”, a job seeking website.

“I will be ending my activities with AKB within the year,” she reported. Her last handshake will be Christmas Eve, and last stage performance will be 2 days after.

Regarding her future she said “I can’t say i’m going to be an actress with my abilities now, but there’s the meaning of being positive about it. It has always been my dream to become a seiyuu for Ghibli.”

Source

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Even tho i could see it coming, i expected some news about Kojiharu to come around first. Anyway this tie-in with Baitoru is such a untrendy way of graduating.

Excerpts from 29th Feb episode of Momm!

In this week’s Momm!, the new generation of AKB48 makes a guest appearance to promote “Kimi wa Melody”. Below are interesting excepts from the show.

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Paruru and her surprisingly warm attitude towards Nakai

Translated this segment as Paruru used to shy away from her interviews with Nakai. I remember in last year’s UTAGE, she actually told Nakai to refrain from talking to her.

Paruru: Nakai san, how are you?
Nakai: Yes, how are you? Did you lose weight?
Paruru: Yes! You noticed!
Nakai: What did you do?
Paruru: It was stress. *very bright smile*
Nakai falls over and says: But everyone has stress!
Nakai then notices Mayu/Sasshi/Minegishi serving drinks.
Nakai: What..so the seniors are doing work while the juniors sit?
He points at Mayu and says: Just now you put on a scary face!
Mayu:No! It was just a good face.
Nakai to Paruru: This is stressful too? The stress from the higher ups being enthusiastic.
Paruru: No….but today i came because i was curious if Nakai is fine.
Nakai: You came because of that? Isn’t it because of the new single?

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Payuyu relationship during New Generation Introduction corner

*Skip Yuria,Kojimako,Juri*
Nakai to Sakura: I haven’t met you?
Sakura: Yes, i came here before. With HKT48…
Nakai: Oh i have a deep impression from that time.
Sakura: What do you remember?
Nakai: Um…i don’t know…(*everyone laughs) Sashihara, who are you closest with?
Sasshi: Sakura
Nakai to Mayu: What about you?
Mayu: Eh…..everyone! (*laughs sheepishly)
Sasshi: She’s really bad at this! (*referring to interacting with members)
Mayu: But we’re all friendly!
Nakai: Tell us the charm of the members.
Mayu: Eh……(*tries hard to say something)
Nakai: Do you know who is who? Have you girls talked to her before?
Minegishi: Do you have someone whom you promised to have a meal with?
Nakai: Ah…Shimazaki and you definitely don’t have a relationship?
Mayu: Not really. Our hometowns are the same, Saitama. We’re also the same age.
Nakai: But don’t you go out for meals?
Paruru: She’s my senior, so no.
Sasshi: Paruru entered AKB because she looked up to Mayuyu.
Paruru: Yes. I can’t call her ‘Mayuyu’. It’s ‘Mayuyu san’.
Nakai: But you’re the same age. You’re scary, Watanabe!
Mayu: It’s not because i’m scary.
Nakai to Paruru: Ah, you fell sick because of Watanabe!
Mayu: That’s not true right? Please let me off!
Nakai to Mayu: If you don’t get closer to them, you won’t have any friends!
Mayu: I do have friends!

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Members and their cleanliness habits

Minegishi: I placed a bottle of vegetable juice on the side table. It expired after a short while and it was difficult to find a timing to throw it out. I thought i’d do it later, but one day when i was in the bedroom, there was a sound of something exploding. I was so scared thinking there was someone in the house that i creeped out only to see my sofa turning green. It was troublesome to clean it so i just draped a cloth over it.

Minegishi: There was a time when i wanted to cook nabe,so i took the pot out but it dropped. Then the leftovers from a previous nabe spilled out.

Nakai: No wonder, i always thought that you smell!
Minegishi: But i do clean myself properly.
Nakai: What about Sashihara’s house?
Minegishi: She has a room which she told me not to enter. When i opened the door to it, it was so dirty inside!
Sasshi: I put everything inside.
Nakai: Do you live alone? What about the rest?
Paruru: It’s a secret. (*Nakai is shocked.)
Nakai: Please ask me the same question! (*He mimics Paruru’s expression when she answered his question.)

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Watanabe Mayu and her love for cosplay

Minegishi: Mayuyu just said that she doesn’t play with the members, but i got attracted to danso cafes previously. It’s a place often seen in Akihabara where girls will dress as guys and serve customers.When i told her, for the first time Mayuyu said she wanted to come along.

Mayu: I love things about the neutral gender.
Minegishi: She also does it herself. I think she loves cosplay.
Nakai looks at a photo of Mayu cosplaying as Anna from movie “Frozen”
Mayu: During this Halloween event in Disneyland, customers can cosplay to enter, so that’s what i did in my private time. I stayed in a hotel close to Disneyland the night before, woke up early to do my makeup. That’s all my personal clothes.
Nakai: If your boyfriend knows about it, he’d be so shocked.

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Paruru talks about getting recognized in the streets

Nakai: Shimazaki don’t you get recognised when you go shopping?
Paruru: At this time, i’d pretend not to hear anything. When they touch me and ask if I’m Paruru, i’d say no.
Nakai: But they’d insist you’re Paruru?
Paruru: When i say no, they’d just clear off.

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Performance below

Shimazaki Haruka meets ideal type Ayabe Yuji,reveals Akimoto Yasushi’s threat

On the 22nd December episode of “Atsushi x Paruru no Maru Maru Baito!”, AKB48 Shimazaki Haruka(Paruru) meets actor/comedian Ayabe Yuji, whom she has described as her ideal type.

Ayabe Yuji commented “It can be a demerit to the party who confesses to liking me. So the celebrity friends around me are saying Paruru is a good girl!”

When host Atsushi asked Paruru if she’s happy to be sitting next to Ayabe, she replied “Yes! Ever since his drama ended i’ve lost my daily entertainment.”

On this day, Ayabe came decked out in Paruru’s favorite fashion –  a v-neck white sweater. The 2 strolled around the studio pretending to be on a date. However, their awkward attempt at conversation forced Paruru to run back to Atsushi, saying “I can’t continue anymore. Atsushi san has to be around. I can’t take charge of the situation.”

Akimoto Yasushi’s threat “You can’t exchange contacts!”

In another segment, Ayabe sat on the sofa using Paruru’s favorite pose. With Paruru next to him, he asked “What shall we do from now?” Paruru divulged details of a conversation with 48Group producer Akimoto Yasushi. “He told me i shouldn’t exchange LINE contacts with you, he’d cut his tongue and die!”

Ayabe became very sad.

He asked “I have no intentions of breaking the rule, but does that mean i just need to wait it out(till you graduate)?” Paruru nodded and Ayabe doubled up in pain “What is this?!I can’t stand it…”

Paruru asks in the end “Will you wait for me?” Ayabe’s head sinks.

Source

Full episode below:

Paruru is so giggly in this episode i can tell she really likes him.
This also reminds me the the loveline between Mayuy x Pokota in UTAGE!

AllThingsJpop Top 10 headlines of the year

Since 2015 is coming to an end, i might as well conclude with the Top 10 headlines of the year. These articles are ranked according to their viewership. Articles from 2014 and earlier have been left out.

1. Bunshun leaks pictures of AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki and NEWS Tegoshi Yuya..a Hakone date?
This scandal was published in June 2015 and i guess the huge picture of Yukirin and Tegoshi, arms wrapped around each other, was a huge shock. No proper news sources would report it (for Yahoo it took a few days before article was posted) but the story was already all over the Internet. Though both parties remained largely silent, to this date, we’re still getting epilogues on the mysterious relationship between Yukirin and Tegoshi.

2. AKB48 2015 Senbatsu Sousenkyo ~Unpredictable Rankings, The Tumultuous Night~: Final Results

3. Back Number sings OST theme for drama “5-ji kara 9-ji made”
This comes in as a surprise because i had no idea “5-ji kara 9-ji made” would be so successful internationally. I’ve had readers asking me for titles of tracks which i had no idea of. But no worries, CDJapan now has the OST for sale!

4.  Kisumai Fujigaya Taisuke revealed to be dating Miori Takimoto for years
I seldom post about Kisumai let alone Fujigaya so the spike in numbers for this was quite surprising. I guess Kisumai is really huge, or there could be much more shippers of the couple from “Ikemen Desu Ne” that i’m aware of.

5. AKB48 General Elections 2015: Final look at China fans’ campaigns
This article ended up being published in a Japanese matome kinda site for 48 fans, and for some reason they’d misquoted the facts. So if you read the matome sites, please be aware that not all info passed around there is TRUE.

6. Horikita Maki gets married to Koji Yamamoto after 3 months of dating!
Title is enough to let everyone’s jaws drop in shock. Their love story is even juicier.

7. Tanaki Koki sends Taguchi message of support and talks about life after KAT-TUN
I would actually rank this way higher because it was just published. Surprised that people are still interested in Koki.

8.  Akimoto Yasushi touches on AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki’s recent scandal

9. Oh no! Arashi’s Ohno snapped living with ex-actress 10 years his junior

10. Netizens discover signs of Shimazaki Haruka interacting with Johnny’s Junior, Sashihara dating Kisumai Senga?

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Thanks to everyone for supporting my site this year! There are busier days ahead and i won’t be posting regularly but i’ll be here when there’s important news! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

Shimazaki Haruka will release 1st photo book “ParU”

AKB48’s Shimazaki Haruka will release her fashion photo book “Paruru no Subete” on 20th November.

The 20-pager will include snaps of her private fashion, advice about makeup and beauty tips. It will also include scenes of her in a bathtub and bareback shots.

A females-only event will be organised for fans who buy the photo book.

Source

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Purchase her photobook below:

Shimazaki Haruka Photobook

 

Kintaro moves on from Maeda Atsuko to mimic Shimazaki Haruka

Kintaro is a comedian who used to impersonate Maeda Atsuko, particularly her famous line “Even if you hate me, don’t hate AKB”. She seems to have moved on to impersonating Shimazaki Haruka now. Below is a funny excerpt from a variety show last night.

Scenario: Shimazaki Haruka in Sousenkyo – A very salty speech

MC: In 9th place, is Team A’s Shimazaki Haruka!
(Kintaro appears as Paruru, complete with troubled-looking eyebrows and hangover makeup.)
Paruru: I’m happy to receive this ranking. That’s all! *pout*
MC: That’s a fabulous speech, thank you.But don’t you have more to say to your fans?

Paruru: Mm…..mm…then please let me say more. Takamina san, you’re graduating soon. You always say hard work will always be rewarded, but i was rewarded without having to work hard! Shimazaki Haruka desu *waves*

Paruru: Sashihara san! Thanks for taking on the role to push me!

Paruru: Shinoda san, it seems like i’ve easily crushed you! Lucky! (Shinoda is like WTH?!)

Paruru: Akimoto san, for my increase in ranking, do increase my salary accordingly!

Netizens discover signs of Shimazaki Haruka interacting with Johnny’s Junior, Sashihara dating Kisumai Senga?

A couple of other english sites have already translated this…

AKB48 Shimazaki Haruka x Johnny’s Junior Yasui Kentaro interactions on Instagram

Alleged Yasui Kentaro: Second shot. The height of cuteness
Paruru: I want a child
From Paruru or Yasui(?): No way..lol

Paruru: Flirt
From Paruru or Yasui(?): I have work LOL

So apparently Johnny’s wotas are angry at Paruru for “fishing” while on medical leave and ousting Yasui’s account. She has since deleted all her posts and locked up her instagram account. Yasui Kentaro on the other hand, will probably suffer some consequences for using SNS.

Source, Source

HKT48 Sashihara Rino’s couple items with Kis-My-Ft2 Senga sparks dating rumors

1. Pink Bulldog Smartphone Case


Some questioned if the phone is really hers but she’s actually seen carrying the phone in a recent photo.

2. Kirimi Smartphone Case

3. Rolex watch captured in Sashihara’s twitter pic(dated September), often seen on Senga.

4. Italian brand shirt

There are a few other allegations which didn’t look convincing enough so i didn’t post here. Netizen reactions in below links.

Source, Source

Akimoto Yasushi touches on AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki’s recent scandal

On the 13th June 2015, Akimoto Yasushi appeared on a radio show and talked about AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki’s scandal with NEWS Tegoshi Yuya.

The MC first showed some care by commenting “It has been tough for you.”

Akimoto then opens up,”Yes, various things have happened. What should be done about it…everytime it happens, the members of AKB are of course living things, so somehow when I create a format for everyone to follow, not all can accept it. You can’t predict it can you?”

When asked what will happen to Kashiwagi, Akimoto said “What will happen? I also don’t know. I am asking the same to my staff.”

With several scandals having happened to the other members so far, Akimoto san has always managed to twist the situation around and turned it into a plus. “It was interesting,but the days when i can do this and that is over. Up till now, there has been smart(or stylish?) ways to extend the careers of underground idols when negative things occur. But increasingly, whatever you do it doesn’t seem that way anymore. It’s difficult to make it interesting now,” he said.

On the string of scandals that have occurred – “It is tough but when people get together and work towards the same goal, different things will happen. Some(fans) will cheer you on whilst some will fault you, “said Akimoto, indicating that he has no choice but to let fans decide how they want to receive the scandal.

Source

Edited the last sentence becos apparently some are taking the word “judgement” too literally. 

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In the radio show, Akimoto san also talked a little about Sashihara and Shimazaki Haruka. I could not catch everything but he said Sashihara’s successful stint in HKT may or may not be a good thing. Several years ago, he thought Shimazaki Haruka was promising but one day a magazine described Paruru as “salty” on their cover and he learnt from the theater managers that she had no enthusiasm so she went through a pitiful period.

AKB48 General Elections 2015: Final look at China fans’ campaigns

Final Edit – Final votes reported for all except Jurina. (Don’t read if you think it’s gonna be spoilers.)

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I thought i’d give the international fans a deeper understanding on how the Chinese campaigns work, since last year it was widely reported that the Chinese fans had a hand in pushing Watanabe Mayu to the throne. This suggests that the elections are no longer a domestic affair, but how much support will the Chinese fans give this time?

Below is a list of Group48 members who have got significant campaigning going on in the Baidu Tieba threads(fyi that is where the activities are concentrated). I have ranked them based on how much funds their fans have contributed so far. *Note that these funds is not all-inclusive since there may be other campaigns who don’t report their earnings, and there will be fans who choose to vote directly instead of participating in crowd-funding. Fan clubs will announce the number of votes they’ve contributed before final results.

7. Yamamoto Sayaka

Amassed funds: 125,000RMB
Reported Votes: 2500  4647
Sayanee entered Kami7 last year and is now the handshake queen of 48G. However, her explosion of popularity in Japan is in stark contrast to the growth in her chinese fanbase. Much like the fans from her hometown of Osaka, her chinese fans seem apathetic and not at all interested in pushing her to the top.

6. Takahashi Minami

Amassed funds: 228,817 283,476 RMB
Reported Votes: 4576  5957
Takamina wants to aim for No.1 this year before she resigns in December. Her fans are reportedly quite happy now that they have amassed funds equivalent to last year, but they are equally aware that this amount will at best keep her in 9th place, not any higher. Lets just say that the Japanese fans will have much work to do if they want Takamina to see her wish being granted.

5. Shimazaki Haruka

Amassed funds: 462,601 RMB
Reported Votes: 9252 12,675
Paruru’s fans are the most creative when it comes to running campaigns. One of them is so fun that i’d find it hard not to participate. Basically they’ve created this imaginary restaurant called “Paruru Cafe” and the menu only has 2 items – the Salty combo or Sweet combo. The Salty combo consists of Shio Ramen,French Onion Soup, Croissant, Salty Popcorn and Salt Soda Drink while the Sweet combo consists of Borscht,Sukiyaki,Melon Buns,Almond Sweets and Juice. Each combo costs 111 RMB, and whilst you don’t really get to eat anything, you can see eventually which combo is more popular amongst fans – guesses anyone?

4. Miyawaki Sakura

Amassed funds: 400,000 RMB
Reported Votes: 8000 12,591
I previously posted that Sakura had only 10,000RMB worth of amassed funds. It turns out that she had more than that. The entire Sakura camp(including Japanese fans) are working hard to land her at Kami5 this year. It is said that her vote count will reach 80,000.

3. Sashihara Rino

Amassed funds: 661,345 674,898 RMB
Reported Votes: 13,226 14,046
Sashihara has the smallest fanbase amongst all the other Kami level members in 48 Group. According to her site, the 35,000 number of followers is only about 1/7 of Takamina’s followers. However, it seems like they are the ones proving that action(and perhaps wealth) is what matters, since they’ve easily surpassed Takamina’s funds more than 3 times.

Sashihara has promised to do a swimsuit concert this year if she wins the elections.

2. Matsui Jurina 

Amassed funds: 760,000 RMB
Vote Equivalent: 15,200 (*No final report.)
Much of the lobbying this year is centered around talk of Jurina turning 18, how they don’t want to make her cry, and how after this year she’ll have no more excuse to use her age as the reason for aiming No.1. There is not much fanfare about her campaigns, simply pleas asking fans to help fulfill the target.

Meanwhile, Jurina herself has promised to take on the “punishment” of riding on what may be the world’s scariest roller coaster – ACROBAT, if she does not take the crown this year.

1. Kashiwagi Yuki

Amassed funds: 1,200,000 RMB
Reported Votes: 24,000  38,000
If we were to talk about the fanbase who will go all out for their idol this year, it would probably be Yukirin’s. Ahead of the sousenkyo preliminary results announcement, her chinese fanbase have already surpassed last year’s standards and are even making Mayu fans panic.

According to Yukirin’s interview in the Sousenkyo Guidebook, it was mentioned that she has never specifically asked for a position as she wanted to “leave an exit route for herself”, in case she fell. Now that she’s one of the older members and probably wouldn’t have much chances to participate in Sousenkyo anymore, she wants to “push herself to the edge” and aim for the top. Yukirin has promised to challenge an event worthy of Sashihara’s swimsuit concert if she wins the elections.

0. Watanabe Mayu

Amassed funds: ~930,000 RMB in May 2015
Vote Equivalent:18,600 (*No final report.) 34,000 (Updated as of June 2016)

I didn’t give Watanabe Mayu a ranking because her campaign results is quite a mystery! What i listed here is the funds accumulated in May 2015. How much they’ve accumulated in the dark is unknown.

If you ask me how Mayuyu’s campaign is faring so far, i’d say that the enthusiasm is still there, judging by the variety of campaigns which started in the New Year. My favorite campaign is one where fans donate private items(cosmetics,anime collectibles etc) to those who participated in the crowdfunding.

However, there are lots of complaints about sabotaging going on, or journalists harassing the big voters, fans withdrawing their votes etc. Their team has decided to keep the results private this year.