AKB48!

[eri]

So I found a cool video that shows how the digital girl was made:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... IpYpRobez4



would just like to reiterate how interesting that video that PQ already posted is <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... lesson.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lesson:' />

[strawberryjam]

I finally decided to listen to DiVA because I found out TK composed their song. The song didn't sit too well for me...



But... TK composing their song is BIG. He's probably the most successful composer in Japan. His compositions have sold 70 million records. He's written for artists like Namie Amuro, Ayumi Hamasaki, etc.

[neshcom]

AKB's producer is teaming up with Sony to create...AKB's rival?!



[indent]AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi is apparently planning to create an “official rival group” to AKB48. An announcement on Tuesday revealed that he is working with Sony Music to create a new group called 乃木坂46 (read as “Nogizaka 46″).



Unlike AKB48′s sister groups such as SKE48 and NMB48, this new group is specifically being billed as a rival to AKB48. The group’s name comes from the fact that the final audition will be held at the SME Nogizaka Building (where Sony’s office is located). According to Akimoto, the 46 was chosen with the meaning, “Even with fewer members than AKB48, we won’t lose.”



The audition will be open to everyone. The first round (application) deadline is July 20, and the second round (interviews) will take place in seven cities (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa) on August 6-7. The final round will be held on August 20-21.



Akimoto is looking to choose approximately 20 members for the first generation. The chosen members will appear on a television variety show that is scheduled to start in October, and they will make their CD debut under Sony Music Records.



An official website with more information has been launched at http://www.nogizaka46.com/.



[/indent](source)

[momoirosaya]

This just proves again that Aki-P is a bigger troll than Tsunku.

[eri]

Um??

Unlike AKB48′s sister groups such as SKE48 and NMB48, this new group is specifically being billed as a rival to AKB48

That makes zero sense. Either all are rivals to each other (because they are separate groups doing different songs, competing on the charts) or they are all sister groups (because they all go to the same parent company).



It might make sense like the old H!P shuffle groups - a competition to see which group can sell the most of a special single. But, it seems its just another group...so....

[Shoujo Q]

I believe Akimoto is going to use the same formula for pushing CDs as he's done for AKB48, thus creating a true rival. Because members from SKE and NMB appear on AKB48 singles they aren't really rivals because they co-mingle a lot.



CD companies can't deny the success Akimoto has made in boosting CD sales so of course they'll jump on the bandwagon and bow at his godlike feet.

[momoirosaya]

Some people are saying this might be happening so that he can get back the rights to some AKB songs from when they were signed with defstar, which is part of Sony.

[mrsross]

Aimi Eguchi has reached international news.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNrtE1h8kYc

[Ap2000]

Out of curiosity, how are the other KBs besides AKB doing ?

The ones in Osaka etc.

Are they also selling 100.000s of singles ?

[Pi Mako]

[quote name='Ap2000' timestamp='1309884261' post='103042']

Out of curiosity, how are the other KBs besides AKB doing ?

The ones in Osaka etc.

Are they also selling 100.000s of singles ?

[/quote]



^ Yes... SKE48 had two singles in 2010 which sold 93, 500 and 171,400 units respectively and in 2011 their single Banzai Venus sold 239,800 units.



NMB48 hasn't sold any singles yet...



SDN48 had a single that sold at least 71714 units last year and this year 71236. (So, they didn't break the 100k mark but are getting close)



Don't forget the subgroups/soloists, either...

-Itano Tomomi at 215,466 units for her single Dear J

-Not Yet subgroup with 237,813 units for their single

-French Kiss subgroup with 135,898 for their single

-No Sleeves subgroup with 108,560 for their single, 97,113 for another single...

-DiVA at 84,155 with their single



This AKBusiness is freaking dominating everything.

[Ap2000]

That's a lot of CDs sold.

Thanks for the info !

[Shoujo Q]

If bread is anything to go by, NMB48 sold 400k of bread in one week. Each piece of bread featured a different member.

[momoirosaya]

NMB's single goes on sale 7/20!

[momoirosaya]

AKB's new single "Flying Get"



I'm loving it. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /dance.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dance:' />

[freezingkiss]

^ I really like it! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/wub.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':wub:' />

[Ap2000]

David Lynch directed an interview with Tomomi Itano:

http://www.japanprobe.com/2011/07/15/ak ... s-english/

[Cyrene]

Flying Get!



A performance from Ongaku no Hi. It's very....Morning Musume-ish. I really don't like seeing Yuki up there with Yuko, even though I have nothing against her. I wanted someone like Takamina to finally get the 3rd place spot! Oh well. I love the song even though it's a bit generic.



Also, Atsuko is cute, but the others around her shine a lot brighter than her! Yuko is adorable and even Miichan in the background looks totes cute. I'm so getting this single for my b-day! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/wub.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':wub:' />

[Shoujo Q]

Aimi Eguchi makes her stage debut. (@ :18)



I'm confused. Edit: never mind, it's the poor trainee that suckered into doing her voice in a wig and makeup. Poor girl looks like a tranny instead. :x



Oh and the Senbatsu Janken Tournament list has been made. Akimoto Sayaka is paired up against Maeda. I hope Sayaka slaughterer her with a rock, or some scissors, either way I hope she goes down.

[Tsujiji]

I want all this crap. Someone make this happen. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /noway.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':noway:' />

http://beauty.oricon.co.jp/news/2000164/full/



@freezingkiss I am with you too! Takamina better win~~~! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[Anderei]

Nakaya Sayaka and Tanabe Miku are forming a temporary unit called BABY GAMBA.



They're going to release a DVD in September called "Ee janai ka".



A preview of the MV



I kind of like Miku, but I'm not sure I like this because it is a bit of a mess.

[Anderei]

Well here's the rest of the article that I didn't bother pasting.



The unit is connected to Saito Atsuo’s children’s book “Boukenshatachi Gamba to Jugohiki no Nakama,” originally published in 1972 and adapted as the anime series “Gamba no Bouken” in 1975. The story told the adventures of a rat named Gamba and his 15 friends.



For the music video of “Ee janai ka,” Nakaya and Tanabe are costumed in rat ears and tails, and they appear in other costumes as well. A computer-generated version of Gamba appears along with them in the video.



A preview of the song has been posted on Avex’s YouTube channel, and an official website has opened for the project. There are also plans for Nakaya and Tanabe to appear as BABY GAMBA at events on September 17-19 in the Tohoku region.





Why they're creating a subgroup for something over thirty years old, though, I have no idea.

[momoirosaya]

They're so cute~ Nakayaaan~~



It's supposed to be for children you guys.

[Anderei]

One of the NMB48 research students posted a picture of her boyfriend on her blog.



And apparently everyone rushed to tell the groups management about it. I wonder if she's going to be fired.

[momoirosaya]

^They already addressed the issue yesterday or 2 days ago, and she's not leaving the group.

[Anderei]

Oh, well that's good. I feel like she might have killed her chances at popularity, though.

[Ap2000]

[quote name='Anderei' timestamp='1312404740' post='105325']



One of the NMB48 research students posted a picture of her boyfriend on her blog.



And apparently everyone rushed to tell the groups management about it. I wonder if she's going to be fired.

[/quote]



I guess this is the first time most people heard of her anyway...

[Cyrene]

http://www.newpeopleent.com/AKB48/



Holla!! The AKB documentary is going to be subbed and brought to the USA, I am so excited for this!

[Ap2000]

[quote name='Cyrene' timestamp='1313522894' post='106258']

http://www.newpeopleent.com/AKB48/



Holla!! The AKB documentary is going to be subbed and brought to the USA, I am so excited for this!

[/quote]



I've never heard of an AKB documentary before, but those subtitles have a horrible style.

If that's how they'll look on the final DVD, they might as well release it unsubbed, because they are barely readable.

[freezingkiss]

It already is released unsubbed, so there'd be no point in a western company re-releasing it unsubbed. O_o I hope it's available to buy online. Takamina looks so inspiring even in the few minutes you see there.

[strawberryjam]

[quote name='Ap2000' timestamp='1313531620' post='106264']

[quote name='Cyrene' timestamp='1313522894' post='106258']

http://www.newpeopleent.com/AKB48/



Holla!! The AKB documentary is going to be subbed and brought to the USA, I am so excited for this!

[/quote]



I've never heard of an AKB documentary before, but those subtitles have a horrible style.

If that's how they'll look on the final DVD, they might as well release it unsubbed, because they are barely readable.

[/quote]

Uhg, not to mention there is no pause/play button. I guess my internet sucks, but it's not loading the video fast enough so I'm only able to watch the video with 8 seconds gaps every other second of the video. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... mellow.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':mellow:' />