It’s just been announced that AKB48 will be releasing their first full original album on April 6th!
A total of sixteen songs will be featured in the currently untitled album, including the group’s huge hits “Ponytail to Shushu”, “Heavy Rotation”, “Beginner”, and “Chance no Junban”. The album will be available in two different versions: a limited ‘CD+DVD’ version and a regular ‘CD-DVD’ version. The limited edition is a special box set that comes with an exclusive 100-page photobook, a random collectible card featuring one of the girls, and an application for a special lottery. Albums purchased at any of the theater performances will include a ticket to a handshake event and a photographing session with the girls.
The DVD will also contain a few special goodies for fans – dance versions of the four songs mentioned above will be included alongside their PVs.
Stay tuned to tokyohive for more updates on this exciting new release!
On Sunday, voice actress and singer Mizuki Nana held a handshake event to celebrate the release of her autobiography, “Shin Ai“, which was revealed in late January.
In her autobiography, she talks about a lot of things we haven’t heard from her before, and she also included some precious memories she had with her late father. She said, “He probably would have gotten angry at me for writing something like this, but I still would have given it to him with a ‘thank you’.”
Furthermore, she appealed to the 1,200 fans that attended the event, “I hope this book can became a source of energy for some of you.”
Regarding Valentine’s Day, she commented that she gave self-made chocolates to 40 people from the staff. “I don’t have a special someone in my heart,” she explained.
Mizuki was also asked about her favorite type of man, and she answered, “He has to be a good eater and should have a taste similar to mine.”
With the large number of Hallyu debuts announced in Japan, including that of Korean pop group MBLAQ, pop fans all over the world are bracing themselves for impact. B2ST is about to make their much-anticipated Japanese debut, and why not with an appropriately titled debut single? ”SHOCK“, a remake of the title track from their second Korean mini-album, is set to hit shelves on March 23rd, paving the way for their Japanese career.
B2ST will be joining the likes of fellow boy bands Choshinsei and Tohoshinki, and they’re expected to charm a large number of Japanese fans with their impressive dance routines, good looks, and catchy melodies.
The debut single will come in four versions, three of which are of limited edition:
> ‘Limited Edition A’
- Box, T-Shirt, Sticker
> ‘Limited Edition B’ - +DVD (“SHOCK” PV Japanese Ver.)
> ‘Limited Edition C’ - +DVD (Live performances)
> ‘Normal Edition D’ - Trading Card
B2ST will also be releasing a 2-disc DVD, “Genesis of BEAST“, to be released on March 2nd. It will contain music videos and rare footage of the boys; meanwhile, the ‘limited edition’ will contain a special 8-page postcard set and a trading card.
Weekly entertainment magazine Ori Star recently announced the results of its latest survey, asking for their fans’ favorite song by their favorite artist.
Arashi top’s track was “Monster”, the theme song to the drama “Kaibutsu-Kun” which stars member Ohno Satoshi. When asked why they chose this song, one fan replied, “I can’t help but love the impact of the song and their cool dancing.” To round off the top three tracks for Arashi, ”Monster” was followed by “truth” and “Troublemaker”.
Other favorites include Ikimonogakari’s hit song “Arigatou”, which earned three times the number of votes as their debut song, “SAKURA”. Tohoshinki’s first song as a two-member unit, “Why? (Keep Your Head Down)”, also ranked highly on the list.
Check out the first part of the list below and let us know what you think!
Arashi – “Monster” B’z – “ultrasoul” EXILE – “Lovers Again” Fukuyama Masaharu -” Sakurazaka” Hey! Say! JUMP – “Arigatou ~Sekai no Doko ni Itemo~” Ikimonogakari - “Arigatou” Kanjani∞ - “Life ~Me no Mae no Mukou e~” KAT-TUN - “Real Face” Kimura Kaela – “Butterfly” Kinki Kids – “Family ~Hitotsu ni Naru Koto~” Mr. Children – “Owarinaki Tabi” NEWS – “weeeek” SMAP – “Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana” Spitz – “Sora mo Toberu Hazu” Tohoshinki - “Why? (Keep Your Head Down)” YUI – “CHE.R.RY”
The second part of the ranking has been published in the February 18th edition of the magazine
SDN48 made a surprise announcement during their evening performance at the AKB48 Theatre on February 19th. The group announced their 12 senbatsu members (members who will appear in the single’s PV) for their second single “Ai, Juseyo”, which will be released on March 23rd. “Juseyo” is Korean for “kudasai”, or “please”.
Fans selected the senbatsu members for SDN48’s major debut song, “GAGAGA”, but this time their producer - Akimoto Yasushi (54) -made the choice.
The 12 senbatsu members are as follows: Umeda Haruka, Kato Mami, Kouchi Masami, Kohara Haruka, Kando Sayaka, Sato Yukari, Serina, Aikawa Yuuki, Takahashi Yui, Tanisaki Tomomi, Akuda Akane and Fujikoso Yumi.
Meanwhile, the single’s coupling song - “Tengoku no Door wa 3 Kaime no Bell de Hiraku” – will be done by ‘Undergirls A’: Ohori Megumi, Noro Kayo, KONAN, Urano Kazumi, Akita Kazue, Chen Qu, Tezuka Machiko, Hatakeyama Chisaki, Ito Mana, Kimoto Yuuki, Ninomiya Yuka and Matsushima Rumi.
The single will come in two versions, each with a unique song. Type-A will have the song “Awajishima no TAMANEGI”, which will be sung by ‘Undergirls B’ (Imayoshi Megumi, Okouchi Misa, Kaida Juri, Nachu, Mitsui Hiromi, Akiko, Oyama Aimi, Tsuda Marina, Natsuko and Hosoda Miyuu).
Type-B will have a solo song by Nishikunihara Reiko called “Ai yo Ugokanai de”.
Both versions will include a DVD, which feature a clip of SDN48’s surprise announcement, as well as their sexy music video. Type-A’s DVD will also include a documentary video of the senbatsu members, while Type-B’s DVD will include a documentary of their “GAGAGA” in Korea.
On February 17th, the live action version of Tanaka Makoto’s best-selling short novel, “Moshi Koukou Yakyuu no Onna Manager ga Drucker”, finished shooting.
Although temperatures were below freezing, AKB48 member Maeda Atsuko was still wearing her short-sleeved uniform for the shoot. “I was surprised that the movie was set in midsummer since it’s midwinter (right now), but since the other cast members and the extras all did their best to act in short sleeves, I acted as if it was summer,” stated Maeda, who plays the main character, Kawashima Minami.
When she finished filming for “Moshi Dora,” the director presented Maeda with a bouquet of flowers. “There was so much pressure since it was my first leading role, but when it was all over, it all become a fun memory. My co-stars gave me so much support… I’m truly moved by the Hodokubo baseball team. Since it looked so much like summer even though it was snowing when we filmed, please look forward to it!”, Maeda exclaimed with a bright smile on her face, relieved that she could finally put on warmer clothes.
Kawashima Minami, who works as the manager for a high school baseball team, accidentally purchases the book “Management” by the Australian writer Peter Drucker, but then consults it as she reforms the team and tries her hardest to make their dream of going to the Japan National High School Baseball Tournament come true. The book had sold an impressive 1,810,000 copies by December of 2009, establishing the short novel as a “home run.”
Other cast members include Seto Kouji, AKB48 member Minegishi Minami, Ikematsu Sousuke, Kawaguchi Haruna, and Ooizumi You. AKB48 mastermind Akimoto Yasushi also produced the movie.
“Moshi Dora” will be available in theaters across Japan beginning in June, but no official date has been set.
A special preview of Aoyama Thelma’s upcoming song, “Zutto”, has been uploaded onto YouTube, and it features an interview with Kinoshita Yukina!
Aoyama wrote the song specifically for her best friend’s wedding, and the track will be released as a single on March 2nd. The video is a short interview with Kinoshita Yukina, in which she talks about how she feels about the song, her friend Aoyama Thelma, and thanks her for her loyal friendship. About two minutes of the song can be heard during this interview.
It seems that the video was a surprise to Aoyama, who claimed that she had no idea that the video had been created. “I’m so happy. I’m glad I met you too,” she blogged in response to her friend.
Visual Kei band Versailles has just uploaded a short teaser for their newest single, “Philia”!
Fans who can’t wait until March 16th to hear the band’s newest song can listen to approximately fifty seconds of “Philia”, and also preview what appears to be a clip from an upcoming music video.
The teaser depicts the members of Versailles performing the song amidst dusty ruins and small fires, and promises to feature at least one costume change.
Singer Miliyah Kato is currently getting set to comeback after nearly half a year of promoting her last studio album, “HEAVEN“, which was released to an overwhelmingly positive response last summer.
Kato’s new single, “Yuujatachi“, will be “a song about how everyone is a hero“, as the singer put it herself during one of her concerts. She wrote the track herself and it can be described as a “message song”.
The single will be available in the standard two formats, CD+DVD and CD-only, and will be released on March 16th. The CD+DVD version will contain live performances of “BYE BYE“, “WHY“, and “I miss you“, which are off her last album. The lives are from “BEAT CONNECTION 2010“, which was held last November.
CD-only Version
1. Yuujatachi 2. SIGN 3. Wara no Inu 4. Yuujatachi (Instrumental)
CD+DVD Version
- “BYE BYE”, “WHY”, and “I miss you” from “BEAT CONNECTION 2010″ Live
Check back with tokyohive for the PV and further information soon!
Recochoku announced their weekly Chaku Uta rankings for the week of February 9th~15th, and AKB48’s new unit, Not yet, ranked in at #1 with their new single, “Shuumatsu Not yet”.
We previously reported that Not yet’s single would be released on Chaku Uta on February 14th, so they made it to #1 in just two days. The last people to do that was EXILE in December 2005 with their song, “Tada… Aitakute”, and that was a whopping 62 months ago.
Their single “Shuumatsu Not yet” is also the theme song for the TV Asahi drama, “Dr. Irabu Ichiro”.
It’s been announced that Choshinsei’s Sungje and KARA’s Jiyoung will re-release a collaboration single, “Merry Love“, on March 23rd. The song has just been released today (2/16) on Chaku Uta.
“Merry Love” was originally released on December 16th of last year in Korea and is described as a “cute & winter song”. The song is produced by Park Gun (also produced SG Wannabe and Lee Hyori).
The coupling song will be a Choshinsei song from their Yokohama Arena show (CHOSHINSEI SHOW 2010), “Nugamoredo“. The song was originally on the Korean drama soundtrack for “JUNGLE FISH 2“.
Included in the “Merry Love” single will be a DVD with the the music video.
Track List 1. Intro 2. Merry Love / Sungje (Choshinsei) & Jiyoung (KARA) 3. NUGAMOREDO (JUNGLE FISH 2 O.S.T.) / Choshinsei 4. Merry Love (Instrumental)
Last week, tokyohive reported on the first half of “DANSO Koshien” for “AKBINGO!“, in which the AKB48 members transformed into hot guys. The second half of “DANSO Koshien” was broadcasted today (February 16th), and this time, Takahashi Minami, Yokoyama Yui, Sashihara Rino, and Kojima Haruna stepped up to show off their charms as men.
Check out the videos below, and let us know which ‘guy’ was your favorite!
AKB48 member Oshima Yuko recently reported on her Valentine’s Day activities with Team K members on her blog. Oshima made some sponge cakes coated with chocolate for the Valentine’s Day festivities, but she added mustard to some cakes, and called it, “Takoyaki Style Russian Roulette Valentine.”
Oshima played the Russian roulette game with the Team K members, and she described the events, “I assembled the Team K members, made them pick one, and we all ate it at once. I’m glad they were all excited and enjoyed it, although it was like hell for the ones who had to eat the mustard ones (lol). Now… shall I announce who got the mustard cakes? The five members were… these five!!! Kikuji (Kikuchi Ayaka), Micha (Nonaka Misato), Moeno (Nito Moeno), Sakiko-san (Matsui Sakiko), Yui (Yokoyama Yui).
Don’t they look really disgusted? Their reactions were quite funny. I feel sorry for those five, but it was enjoyable because everybody was hyped up. Sae-chan (Miyazawa Sae) told me that it was so much fun! So I’m glad that I was able to give them a unique Valentine present.”
It seems like it was a fun Valentine’s Day for the Team K members…well, at least for the members who didn’t get the mustard cakes.
Aibu Saki will be taking the lead role for the upcoming drama, “Rebound”!
The drama is written by Yukawa Kazuhiko, the same scriptwriter behind the dramas “Joou no Kyoushitsu” and “Magerarenai Onna.” In the past, Yukawa experienced problems with overeating, indulging in cake, and becoming a startling 60 kg (132 lbs) by the sixth grade. When he reached 85 kg, Yukawa became determined to lose weight and successfully lost 35 kg (77 lbs) through diet and exercise. Afterwards, Yukawa became an editor for the fashion magazine, “MODE Kei.”
Aibu will be taking on a very unique role for the drama, as her character, Nobuko, will be an 85 kg (187 lbs) woman who is also addicted to cake and needs to make a “rebound” in her lifestyle. In order to fit the role, the slim actress underwent a special make-up process to help her “gain” the necessary weight. A “fat-suit” was specially designed for Aibu the month prior to shooting, while special make-up was applied to her limbs to add additional meat onto the skinny actress.
“When I imagined myself wearing the special make-up for the first time, I was really excited,” confessed Aibu. “I’ll do my best so that everyone that watches can feel surprised by the transformation and be encouraged (to lose weight).”
The drama, which airs in April, will be the third time since the drama “Zettai Kareshi” that Aibu Saki and actor Hayami Mokomichi will co-star together. “Rebound” will also feature Kuriyama Chiaki, who will play the role of Nobuko’s best friend, Mimura Hitomi.
Aibu Saki also seemed to have a high opinion of the upcoming drama. “Although there are so many ‘original dramas,’ these works are too concerned with being ‘original’,” said the actress, looking enthusiastic about her newest series. “I feel like (this drama) is one worth doing. Please look forward to it.”
Sandara Park releases an angelic CF for “Nikon”
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Nikon Imaging Korea has just released a jaw-dropping commercial with 2NE1‘s
Sandara Park.
The idol shed her quirky style and emerged as a gorgeous woman w...
It’s just been announced that AKB48 will be releasing their first full original album on April 6th!
On Sunday, voice actress and singer Mizuki Nana held a handshake event to celebrate the release of her autobiography, “Shin Ai“, which was revealed in late January.
On February 17th, the live action version of Tanaka Makoto’s best-selling short novel, “Moshi Koukou Yakyuu no Onna Manager ga Drucker”, finished shooting.
Kawashima Minami, who works as the manager for a high school baseball team, accidentally purchases the book “Management” by the Australian writer Peter Drucker, but then consults it as she reforms the team and tries her hardest to make their dream of going to the Japan National High School Baseball Tournament come true. The book had sold an impressive 1,810,000 copies by December of 2009, establishing the short novel as a “home run.”
Singer Miliyah Kato is currently getting set to comeback after nearly half a year of promoting her last studio album, “HEAVEN“, which was released to an overwhelmingly positive response last summer.
Track List 
AKB48 member Oshima Yuko recently reported on her Valentine’s Day activities with Team K members on her blog. Oshima made some sponge cakes coated with chocolate for the Valentine’s Day festivities, but she added mustard to some cakes, and called it, “Takoyaki Style Russian Roulette Valentine.” 
Oshima played the Russian roulette game with the Team K members, and she described the events, “I assembled the Team K members, made them pick one, and we all ate it at once. I’m glad they were all excited and enjoyed it, although it was like hell for the ones who had to eat the mustard ones (lol). Now… shall I announce who got the mustard cakes? The five members were… these five!!! Kikuji (Kikuchi Ayaka), Micha (Nonaka Misato), Moeno (Nito Moeno), Sakiko-san (Matsui Sakiko), Yui (Yokoyama Yui).
Don’t they look really disgusted? Their reactions were quite funny. I feel sorry for those five, but it was enjoyable because everybody was hyped up. Sae-chan (Miyazawa Sae) told me that it was so much fun! So I’m glad that I was able to give them a unique Valentine present.”
Aibu Saki will be taking the lead role for the upcoming drama, “Rebound”!
