Hello everyone. To be honest, I didn’t intend to blog about this, as I’m sure there are much better places to find information about this tragedy. I’m very concerned and pained about what has happened, and I’m praying for everyone’s safety and a swift recovery, my heart goes to everyone in Japan, especially those who were affected in any way, or those who have loved ones there.

The reason why I decided I should post it’s because I’m sure we can all do something to help, even if its small. Anything you can donate will certainly be appreciated by everyone who is suffering right now.

What has touched me the most are all of the amazing stories of people working together and helping strangers in many ways. I’m certainly moved by the kindness of everyone and I’m praying that everything will work out fine. As examples of this kindness most of the AKB girls have blogged asking for everyone’s help and cooperation, and stating that they will do their part too. Miichan will help with fundraisers, while Yuko told everyone that they can try to get in touch or leave messages for their families using the comments part of her blog, and she’s also updating frequently informing the blackout rotation schedule. All of the other girls are encouraging everyone to save electricity and giving tips on how to accomplish this. Miichan even went as far as suggesting that people listen to music because silent environments can make people uneasy.

I’m obviously just pointing out this AKB examples because they are the ones I know the most about, but it’s really great to see how everyone is doing their part. Please keep Japan in your prayers and let’s try to help by doing the best we can so that the country can recover fast.

UPDATE: Togasaki (the AKB Theater Manager) has posted saying that Akimoto Yasushi, himself, and all of the members and staff of the 48 family have already donated to the Japanese Red Cross. They also opened an account under the AKB48 Donation Project name, and all the money will go to the Red Cross. Here’s the account information in case you are in Japan and want to donate:

＜Charity account 1＞
Risona Bank (bank code 0010)
Shibuya branch (branch number 473)
Account number：2871105
Account name ：AKB48 Purojekuto Gienkin (AKB48 Project Charity Fund)

＜Charity account 2＞
Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank (bank code 0005)
Gotanda branch (branch number 537)
Account number：0167382
Account name ：AKB48 Purojekuto Gienkin (AKB48 Project Charity Fund)

Information about the accounts taken from Stage48.

I’m very proud to be a fan of AKB, and I’m glad to see them working so hard at trying to help in what they can in order to aid those who are in need. Please consider donating if you are able to. Thank you.

UPDATE 2: The whole 48 family has just donated 500 million Yen to the Japanese Red Cross to help the people who have been affected by the earthquake.

The Yokohama Arena concert has been cancelled, and the release of the first original AKB album has been postponed until further notice. Several agencies like Hori Pro (Itano Tomomi, Kasai Tomomi, Sato Sumire, Nito Moeno, Miyazaki Miho, Ishida Haruka) and Ogi Pro (no3b, Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, Urano Kazumi, Matsubara Natsumi, Nonaka Misato) are also donating and planning fund raiser events.

I’m very proud to be a fan of AKB48 and seeing them try to do their best to help those who need it. They are truly wonderful people. Please remember to donate too if you’re able to, thank you.

Hello people! I hope you are all already jamming to the awesome single that is Dear J, and if you aren’t then you totally should.

Because Tomochin is one stylish fine gyaru

And besides, she is dead serious about her solo career! Even though she has already said how scary it is to stand on her own, she’s trying her best and working hard!

More reasons: She’s already doing fantastically well! Selling over 80K on the first day of sales! That is more than any of the subunits singles have sold!

And all the haters will have to DEAL WITH IT

So yeah, GET IT TOMOCHIN!!!!

So, after a long long long time, I’ve updated the Meet the Girls section! Yay!!! So go take a look if you want

Also, I’m not going to say it out loud so as not to jinx it, but I’m planning a major revamp of the site soon, because I intend to keep it more active.

So please leave all your suggestions in the comments in case you are interested in a particular section or something

Hello everybody Sorry about the fact that I couldn’t update yesterday. It was my grandma’s birthday so I was very busy the whole day <3 Nevertheless, here are the amazing unit songs!

5. More than a feeling: This is the first unit song, sung by Matsui Jurina (aka. The Ace), Kinoshita Yukiko (aka. she’s a halfie :D) and Hiramatsu Kanako (aka. The loli looking one). And in all honesty, one day I was working at my office and listening to some random music, and then all of a sudden, this song started playing and it blew me away. The longing in the lyrics, the selfishness of the singer… wow. I just HAD to translate this song, and that’s when this whole translation madness began xD

Hey, don’t look at me

with those distant eyes

even though beyond the sea

there is no tomorrow

Why doesn’t that crescent moon

shed any tears?

when the night comes

you aren’t here

the two of us in the beach

become more connected

our embracing footsteps faded

this affection

was left behind

Embrace me

Tell me you still love me

Lie to me and say that you still love me

for the last time, one more time,

this is the diary of a single summer

I still want to be by your side

I still can’t let go of you

this fever in my heart is

more than a feeling (1)

the eastern horizon

became bright once more,

the fragments of the stars

are floating and glittering

So if you told me

good bye in an even colder way

I would become lonely

even on my way home

The moments when you were kind

are impossible to understand to me

if time stopped like this

I want to dream

for all eternity

Even now

tell me you still love me

just like the day when we met each other

please kiss me

it’s a regret on my lips

I still want to be connected to you

I still can’t forget

the comfort I felt in your arms

is more than a feeling

Everything is an illusion (everything is an illusion)

turning back to you (turning back to you)

is nothing like me at all

I still don’t want us to say goodbye

I still don’t want to be separated from you

my love for you

is more than a feeling

Repeat (1)

The selfishness I couldn’t tell you about

Is more than a feeling

6. The big wolf and Pride: Sung by Yagami Kumi (aka. SKE’s no. 3 girl) and Mori Sayuki (aka. babyface although she’s gone now and isn’t in this particular performance) this song reminds me a lot of the Lolita book. Except, well, Lolita didn’t love Humbert Humbert and the girl in this song does love her big bad wolf very much xD Oh Akimoto, you zany wota…

I wonder if

the wind that blew through

my pure white skirt

is to blame for me liking someone so much?

Even though I call your name

you pretend not to hear it

it’s like you are taking off

the darts in your heart

I want you to

stop treating me like a child

I am after all

a lady

The truth is

you are tantalizing

your manners are too good

my Mr. wolf is somehow

afraid

you are tantalizing

your manners are too good

in front of the sheep you

won’t attack

I won’t give you

even just a kiss

because I

have pride (1)

It’s like we’re riding

a merry-go-round

because the distance between us

can’t become smaller

With my eyes still closed

I expose my forehead

I’m waiting

for you

30 seconds

Somehow I’m getting impatient

your pace is too slow

I have heard

that men turn into wolves

somehow I’m getting impatient

your pace is too slow

even if I get suddenly eaten

I won’t care

because I want

to become special

tell me

what is so different with me when compared to other girls!

don’t tell me that I’m

like your little sister

because you’re a guy

act properly

Repeat (1)

7. Girls 6th sense: Sung by Takada Shiori (black haired beauty), Ooya Masana (snowhite), Kuwabara Mizuki (CRRRAZY), Shinkai Rina (helium voice, she’s gone now too D:) and Suda Akari (cutest girl EVAH). This song is just… way too girly and adorable! I can relate with the lyrics so much… you go out with a boy and have plans to make everything special and then something bad happens… xD

Tonight I have a feeling that it could become a special night

I’ll wear the dress and earrings my mom lent me

Being more passionate might seem shallow

even if you honk to pick me up, I’ll make you wait for at least 5 minutes

Full moon, the round moon is romantic

As you drive your open car

it looks like a mirrorball in the sky

A girls 6th sense without a doubt is nothing strange

when anything, anything happens

it’s a surprise of love

I have to many premonitions and reacting is difficult

will he come? will he come? hey, he came!

there’s no cuteness there (1)

We eat a great dinner, and we leave the restaurant in your car

the BGM that flows in the car gives a good feeling

soon the hazard appears, I wonder if we’ll stop in the shoulder of a road

I want you to give me the sweet words you hid in the depths of your heart

Suddenly the rains starts falling down really hard

even though you hurriedly closed the roof of the car

both of us ended up soaking wet

A girls 6th sense without a doubt is nothing strange

however, however, it was unexpected

this horrible happening

A development like this only could have been known by God

No way, no way, will I be

rejected like this…

We came close to my house really fast

Mistake let’s postpone this until next time

I really hope it happens.

Repeat (1)

8. The Station of Dry Leaves: Matsui Rena (MISTRESS GEKIKARA) has a solo, this super heartbreaking song also got the No. 1 spot in the Request Hour Set List Best 30 SKE48 songs

The dry leaves flutter in the wind

just like my tears

The dry leaves flutter in the wind

they come floating down into my heart

in the station

where I was left alone

Suddenly you said you can’t go

and canceled the trip

Inside of the trunk our plans

are stuffed

Coming out from the ceiling

is the destination of this platform

Near the trees in the side line

I wait in vain

Fluttering painfully among the branches

is your selfish back

Fluttering painfully among the branches

I held on to this affection

the location

where I lost my dreams

Now it seems like rain is going to fall

the train is going to depart from this city

the seat next to me is still empty

I run

The glass window was clouded

even though I pretended to be strong

loneliness is chasing after

my memories

The dry leaves flutter in the wind

just like my tears

The dry leaves flutter in the wind

they come floating down into my heart

In the station

where time is passing by

“It’s Rena. I’ve been waiting for a long time but…

I… will leave alone”

Why is it that I understood

from the start

Alone in the terminal station

Fluttering painfully among the branches

is your selfish back

Fluttering painfully among the branches

I left my goodbye in your answering machine

in the station

where I was left alone

9. Kaleidoscope: Sung by Matsushita Yui (Best singer of SKE48), Ono Haruka (FIERCE), Nakanishi Yuuka (cool girl), Hirata Rikako (MAI WAIFU), Deguchi Aki (The cool older sister). This song literally gave me a horrible headache. I started out thinking that it was a happy and pretty song and turns out to be the most emo thing Akimoto has written since Inochi no Tsukaimichi O_O (BTW, it’s Oya Masana instead of Yui in this performance). Random thoughts: My 3 SKE oshis in the same unit! (That’s Yui, Haruka and Rikako) I totally want those clothes too ;_;

As I turn the kaleidoscope round and round

it collected the light that came from the window

the boy from back then was the prisoner

of a fleeting dream of primary colors (1)

An incomplete life has a blank space as a reason for living

I imagine that in the middle of this empty journey

my friend who is like a grown up says “what you are missing is self awareness”

that’s the philosophical opinion she saw on the internet

The thing I want is love

but what I was given has no color at all (2)

I got dizzy from watching the kaleidoscope twirl

as I looked up from the fluorescent light inside it

what jumps inside only one of my eyes

is a sparkling flower of primary colors (3)

“There is no point in studying, it’s a method to make you smart”

when you said that, I felt suddenly depressed, and had no courage left

this low way of living and the father who despises me

while I pester them for a little more money I hate them more

What I aim for is freedom

everything around me is dyed in a fading color

Repeat (1)

Repeat (2)

Repeat (3)

The kaleidoscope turns round and round and it starts rolling

I store my pride inside the desk

I can’t return to that time again

it’s a broken dream of primary colors

So there you have it, the lovely units Next time! Group songs!

Well, I guess her uniform isn’t getting in the way anymore, am I right? *wink wink*

*sigh* Who am I kidding?

I’ve been a fan of AKB for a long time, and Rinatin was absolutely one of my favorite members. I have a ton of favorites, I know, but she was special to me because of her angelic voice. I love it when girls have beautiful voices, which isn’t necessarily common in the idol world, sadly. But Rina was all I loved in an idol back then: great voice, cute looks and a sweet personality.

When she graduated I was of course very sad, especially cause she graduated along Tojima Hana who was another BIG favorite of mine, it was a horrible day for me xD

Afterwards, she kind of was a lot less active than the other graduates. I was uber happy when she appeared in AX09 and sang “Ashita wa Ashita no kimi wa Umareru” with her Chocolove partners <3 Also, she was a very sickly girl, she was out of the whole Himawarigumi 2nd Stage because of a back injury and she was also supposed to perform at AX10 but got hospitalized because of an asthma attack and couldn’t attend, she even blogged about how she was sad she had missed the event.

Later she posted in her blog that she would leave the entertainment business.

A little after that, rumors started spreading about her supposed nude photoshoot and her starring in JAV, I thought it was a lie, or a joke… and then… I was a faced with reality, or more like, tons of naked Rina pictures and then “Yamaguchi Rico”, the snaggletooth debate, the covers of her movie (I’m really not into that sort of thing, so it might have been especially traumatizing for me xD)

It’s obviously her, some fans are still in denial, but the fact that AKS filed a lawsuit against Nakanishi for a breech of contract (Her contract with them stated that she couldn’t do anything that put the brand name of AKB48 down even for 3 years after she had left the group) obviously proves that Rico is Rina, otherwise there would’ve been no lawsuit x_x And well, in case you’re interested, the lawsuit didn’t progress because the judge didn’t think anything Rina did would affect AKB48.

And neither do I, honestly. Well, of course, anti-fans will yap and yap about how the AKB girls are such whores that they even go into porn *rolls eyes* but it’s nothing new to hear them bashing AKB for whatever reason so meh…

But what I do worry about isn’t AKB, but Rina herself. It just strikes me as something incredibly odd given the personality she always showcased in the group. She was the most demure, gentle and sweet girl in Team A. She didn’t even do too well in sexy songs because she looked scared all the time in the Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru PV xD

And then… this? I mean, it’s not like I wouldn’t be shocked if anyone from AKB would go into JAV but… Rina of all people is really baffling.

Hell, we were all betting it would be Narita Risa, who became reknown for her big breasts and racy gravure photoshoots and DVDs, and now, lo and behold, after Nakanishi said on her graduation speech that she was going to be a solo singer, it is actually Narita who is going to debut with a unit later this month. Oh, the ironies of life

I have a LOT more to say about this. Actually, I hadn’t even thought about it that much until yesterday, when I was working and listening to my iPod and all of a sudden “Shinkirou” her duet with Kojima Haruna started playing. Then it really hit me. And… man… I don’t even know what to think, but I’m planning a tribute to her nonetheless.

I just really really hope that this is what she wanted to do in life, and she’s happy with it. I don’t want to think that this is one of those sad stories of falling from grace I often watch on E! Entertainment Television xD

So yeah, expect a second post as a homage to Nakanishi Rina, the AKB48 idol I knew and loved.