Hello people! Have you checked out my awesome Jpop blog Macaronii yet? XD Please do so, that will make me happy and it’s a great christmas present for me

This is a very short post, just to celebrate Christmas! With my favorite AKB48 Chirstmas song, Team K’s beautiful and festive “Christmas ga Ippai”

Hi everybody! I promise you all that A2 fashion show is coming soon, but right now I had another idea for the update, so I just had to go with it. I know that many of the people who visit this blog do it out of curiosity, perhaps knowing only AKB because of their singles or because some cute girl caught their eye. But, I happen to think that AKB48’s best songs sometimes aren’t the singles, but the Stage songs, which so many casual fans are totally unfamiliar with! A crime, I tell you. But don’t worry people, I have decided to take on the best stage songs, and I’ll do it in alphabetical order. Of course, I’m not leading you to watch 160+ videos or your head might explode XD Just my favorite song that begins with said letter. You know this will be long, but you also know you’ll love it, right?

Disclaimer: All lyrics taken from AKB48 Lyrics Paradise. Credit goes to those who romanized and translated these songs.

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7ji 12fun no Hatsukoi (First love at 7:12) “For only 20 minutes, in such a short time, it was a fun date!”: Ok, Acchan lovers, rejoice! This one here is taken from A4, and it features Maeda Atsuko, Ohe Tomomi, Narita Risa, Masuyama Kayano and Komatani Hitomi. Acchan is the only remaining member from this unit, which is very very sad Anyway, I was going to pick 109, but nobody has upped that performance in Youtube so I chose my second favorite. This is a romantic lovey dovey ballad about unrequited love, it’s very cute and so are all of the girls who sing in it, so don’t miss it!

A

Aisareru to Iu Koto (To be Loved) “Even if all freedom is lost, such things as joy and sadness won’t be controlled”: Aww! Cute postapocalyptic love ballad, this one. The ICE subunit of Team K (Oshima Yuko, Ono Erena, Kasai Tomomi, Sato Natsuki and Imai Yu) was created only for the sake of singing this as the theme song of a crappy anime Akimoto made. However, this is probably one of the most beautiful AKB ballads, and it’s definitely a MUST watch if you haven’t already.

B

Bird “I am a sad bird that’s forgotten how to fly. In the place I am now, I can only bend down”: Yeah, excuse the crappy quality of the video, but really, my favorite part of this song are Mai’s lines so I had to include them. She’s so underrated as a singer, and she’s very good IMO. Anyhow, if you haven’t seen/heard this already, you’re probably a real n00b to AKB, but that’s ok! Just… go and watch it right now. This song is very dramatic and rocking, I really wish Team A got more songs like this one lately… Takahashi Minami, Shinoda Mariko and Oshima Mai are in this, BTW.

C

Confession “You cast your depending eyes one me, I’m not your mom!”: Himawari-gumi was such a great idea, and songs like this prove the fact that mixing A with K equals win. Oshima Yuko, Shinoda Mariko, Akimoto Sayaka and Itano Tomomi rock out and play the “tough girl” role amazingly in the most hardcore AKB unit song! I really like how the lyrics are nothing idol-like, and the headbanging performance is a great bonus too!

D

DARUIKANJI (Dull Feeling) “If you’re watching from far away, we’re like insects”: From A4. This is the first group song in the countdown, and it’s one of my favorites! The lyrics are very depressing, however, the song has a really catchy melody and great bassline. Not to mention a LOL choreography that I adore. This song is a masterpiece of idol music, and it greatly symbolizes what AKB is about. Cute schoolgirls singing somewhat disturbing songs at times XD. Especially recommended if you’re a fan of Miichan or Tomochin

E

Erai hito ni Naritakunai (I don’t want to be a big person) “None of those difficult books have real happines isn’t written in them” Aww… No performance of this one in Youtube either However, there’s a preview, so you can at least get an idea of what this song is like. I really like it, especially because I’m constantly surrounded by people who praise intelligence above everything else, they even idolize those who they deem smart regardless of how much of a bad person they might be. Being smarrt isn’t all there is to life, it’s better to be happy and have friends

F

Faint “I don’t need an eternity because just one second is more than enough to make me faint”: Another A4 song (can you tell I really love that stage?) Itano Tomomi, Tojima Hana (<3<3) and Kawasaki Nozomi perform this super sexy love song. No words are enough to describe the coolness and hotness of “Faint” so just go watch it already!

G

Gokimen Naname na Mermaid (An Ill tempered Mermaid) “I won’t be kept waiting, I want to go closer to you”: Team B makes its debut in the ranking with this ultra adorable song! Ok, I honestly wanted to put Gomen ne Jewel instead in this position, because I totally love that song and unit, but there was no available video either Ok, so back to Mermaid, this is a fun summery song, and it’s a shame that I can’t show you the Stage Version itself (this one is from the Hibiyayaon Concert) because they have little cameras, and beach balls and beach stuff, which makes it even cuter! A great song to warm up to the awesome Team B!

H

Hana to Chire! (Go Down Gloriously!) “Without considering a thing, strike the iron while it’s still hot!”: This song is so cool it makes me want to go out there and find a cause to die for and go for it no matter what… or something. That’s basically what the lyrics are about, and make no mistake, this song is the definition of POWER! Obviously a Team K song, like everything else cool in this world should be

I

Itoshisa no Defense (Affection’s Defense) “Overbearingly snatch away this lips that won’t obey”: The Hana version, of course, because all other versions aren’t half as sexy/cool/fierce/Hana. Tojima Hana, Komatani Hitomi and Masuyama Kayano deliver a very sexy song, kind of a follow up to Confession, this is about a tough woman, but one who wants to stop being so unreachable and become closer to someone. Nice stuff.

J

Junai no Crescendo (Pure Love’s Crescendo) “This evening it’s okay if I’m held, as I’m dripping wet”:  Yeah, one more great song from A4 XD For all of you Men-dol and No3b (no Sleeves) fans, here’s the unit that started it all. This is a fantastic song, reminiscent of dramatic idol classics from the 80s, complete with flashy dresses and great vocals.

K

Korogaru Ishi ni Nare (Become a Rolling Stone) “A hidden enthusiasm. We’re the Team K!!”: Yup, my favorite AKB48 song of all times just HAD to be on the list. This song is very cool, and it really pumps up the audience with its rock tune and fierce lyrics! AKB Sanjou! from recent A5 might be the only song to rival it in the cool department, but it lacks the strong spirit of Team K’s performances of this. Please watch it. You know you’ll love it!

L

Lay Down “Like a Doberman chained by the neck, with ferocious eyes I tame you!”: Nosebleed alert. This performance includes Sayaka, leather and girls being overly friendly with each other. It’s really cool, and just pure fanservice, so do yourself a favor and click the link already.

M

MARIA “In a forest of seduction, I won’t stray”: Ok, so in order to avoid overheating ourselves with Lay Down up there, here’s one of the best songs of AKB48, MARIA. Gothic Lolita dresses, a rock tune and the lyrics of a prayer are a very cool mix. Plus, vocal powerhouse Masuda Yuka is here, along with great performer Umeda Ayaka and Moeeeee Kasai Tomomi, nothing can go wrong with such a combination!

N

Nakinagara Hohoende (As I smile, I cry) “Until I grow used to be alone, I won’t move from here”: You all saw this coming, right? This is Yuko’s solo from K3, and it’s definitely one of my favorite songs ever! It’s a ballad, and Yuko’s husky voice is perfectly fitting for it. She looks like an angel in those white clothes, and sings like one <3

O

Oshibe to Meshibe to Yoru no Chouchou (The stamen, the pistil and the evening butterfly) “What’s hidden is the taste of honey, right?, right?, a naught secret”: I didn’t include KinjiFuta here, but here’s the reloaded amped up fanservice version XD See how Meetan shamelessly hits on Tomo-mi, I quite like this song, musically speaking, it’s very sultry!

P

Party ga Hajimaru yo (The party begins!) “Quietly close your eyes, be quiet! Can you see the entrance to the dream?” O_O I don’t really like this song, but there isn’t a single video of Pajama Drive in youtube, so you’ll have to conform with this one. Here’s the SKE48 version, just for a little more variety…

R

Rider “Even though we can’t meet, without feeling sad, I sing, I hope that somewhere you are getting along well”: OMG! I’m crying I can’t believe it T_T. This is a very special song to me, for many reasons. This is originally from A3, and the unit members were Komatani Hitomi, Watanabe Shiho, Orii Ayumi, Ohe Tomomi, Kawasaki Nozomi, Sato Yukari, Hoshino Michiru and Tojima Hana. The song was written for one of the original AKB fans who passed away, and it’s a very sweet song, really heartfelt too. Whenever I listen to this song, I immediately think of Hana, giving her best smile always, and she’s just so great, I hope she does well in whatever it is she wants to do with her life now, I’ll always support her no matter what! 

S

Saishuu Beru ga Naru (The last Bell Rings) “The light amidst the hesitation let’s out an answer from here”: Sorry about the sapfest up there, but I just… get so emotional when it comes to Hana, I have to get over it! Anyway, this time it’s another Team K song, the namesake of their 4th Stage, this is very cool and K-ish, and it has a very memorable tune that sticks in my head really easily! Great choreography too, and a guitar interlude that I really like (it’s quite short though)

T

Tomo yo (My friends) “On top of the desk I sit down, as a dream harmonizes”: People always mock this song, but I adore it. It’s a very cute “feel good” kind of song, and the catch is that Team K girls play their own instruments for this! (well, sorta) I find it very very cute and endearing, it’s a classic IMO, so you should totally watch it!

V

Viva! Hurricane “Recklessly, naughtily, rush rush rush, My heart rages!”: More Himawari goodness! This song is so random it’s amazing. It starts like a sentai theme song from the 70s, then turns into idol pop, has its hot latin flavor moments and there’s rap to boot! The dance is manic too, this makes you want to get up and shake your body, for sure.

W

Wasshoi B! (Heave-ho B!) “With love, respect and courage I’m succeeding!”: No video again, but there’s a compilation of cute Team B pics in the one I’m liking to. And it has the song in good quality, which is the most important thing. Team B are amazing, and it sucks how neglected they get in many ways… I hope that this great song and cute video can help make you a fan, because you know, “The best team is B! B! B! B!” as this song says XD

Y

Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai (We must not let the dream die) “Where is the sun rising? There’s no light to guide my raising hand”: H2 was a very good stage, and this song right here is one of the best! It’s very dramatic, musically speaking, but it carries a message of hope and courage in the lyrics that works very well with the mood of this stage. I really like the choreography too, which is a plus

 

Ok, so there you have it! It’s the ABC, AKB Style!! I hope you liked it, but mainly, I hope that watching some of this great performances sparked your interest in this great group and that you will become a fan and a supporter Comments are always welcome, as you know, you can say anything you want to, from “Screw you biatch! How come there’s only 2 freaking Team B songs in your lousy ranking” or “Ohai, wheres bingo cuz that song is so lulz” to “I really admire your refined taste in idol music, and look up to you” XD I kid, I kid, just, you know, comments make me happy

Oh, and there is a reason why I didn’t embed the videos but decided to link them, first of all, my posts are usually super long as it is, and I’m trying to do my best to make them shorter without having them lose their “aitakatta” essence XD Plus, it’s a matter of personal choice (like pre marital sex lol) but I prefer having all videos open in their own separate window because I have a bit of an OCD issue, so bear with me.

Well, that’s all for now, I really have to go study for my monster final of monday! Bye bye!

Hi everybody! Since my computer is acting up and I haven’t slept in a week for various reasons, this will be pretty short. I plan on doing a very very detailed review of both Himawari-gumi casts, but this is just so you can preview the songs and know what to expect of them. The main message is PLEASE BUY! This is a wonderful DVD, and if you’re not an AKB fan, it will convert you for sure! Also, it’s great because since both teams are mixed, you get to see ALL of the Team A and K girls, and they work great together. Also, you get to see the alternative cast version, with the girls who aren’t all that popular, but surprisingly enough (I mean, some of them were surprising to me) can hold an amazing concert by themselves effortlessly! The links lead to the Youtube videos of said songs, and they open in a new window

Disclaimer: All lyrics taken from AKB48 Lyrics Paradise http://stage48.net/lyricsparadise/ They belong to their rightful translators/romanizators

0. Overture: “Here in world famous Akihabara, these angels have come down to perform for you!”  Team 1  Well, the Overture is a classic! It’s also very helpful when you’re a n00b because the names of the girls appear in romaji, so you can finally know who the hell is who This is very cool, and it sets the mood for all of AKB48’s DVD

1. Dreamin’ Girls: “Becoming the lead role for song and dance, I dream it all in front of the mirror” Team 1   I LOVE this song so much! It’s also great because it helps to prove the point that lots of this girls are really talented singeres! This is sung completely a capella, with claps and tapping of the feet as the background. The use of harmonies is beautiful, and the lighting is also amazing! It creates a very “dreamy” feel somehow. Also, the lyrics are very nice, about working hard to be an idol, the lessons, how there’s almost no free time and the such… It kind of makes you feel like you’re closer to the girls or something

2. RUN RUN RUN: “Love always is an unexpected thing. Continuously unexpected, right?” Team 1       Ok, so those aren’t exactlt the deepest lyrics ever, but this is a fun and energetic song about falling in love and telling the person you like about your feelings. (Aitakatta 2?) I like how bubbly and catchy the tune is.

-Watch Overture - Dreamin’ Girls - RUN RUN RUN Team 2 Version-

3. Mirai no Kajitsu: “The times can be sad, of this I’m sure, but thanks to the tears the dream is gradually nurtured” Team 1   I dare you to listen to this song and not have “Boys & Girls” stuck in your head for like a week! It’s that catchy. This was the B side for Boku no Taiyou (I believe…) and while it’s nothing spectacular, it’s very happy and it kind of cheers you up. I like the choreography, it’s pretty simple but works perfectly with the song!

4. Viva! Hurricane: “The pride of my feet sways / I’m almost to the point of losing everything / And yet it can’t be stopped”  Team 1   This song begins with SUCH a ridiculous music intro! It reminds me of sentai shows of the 70s or something, but then the girls start singing and it’s a very different song from what it sounded at the beginning, with a little mishcievousness thrown in. What is really awesome about this song is the choreography! The girls swing and sway and there’s a little break when they dance as if they were blown by the wind, it’s very entertaining! Also, I have to say that this is the most random song ever (70s + Rap + Tropical sounding stuff) but I love to watch it nonetheless! Oh, this was the C/W to Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka BTW

-Watch Mirai no kajitsu - Viva Hurricane Team 2 Version-

5. IDOL Nante Yobanaide: “More than being loved, they want to love. From a far away place they yearn. They can’t admit that it’s an unrequited love”  Team 1  “Don’t Call me an Idol” is a perfect explanation of why I like AKB48 The lyrics of this song are very in-your-face, about how idols, don’t really like their stalkers and how they are puzzled by the extreme affection of a lot of strangers at handshaking events and the such. It goes even as far as critizicing the “pure” image of idols and how they can’t fall in love!!! I was shocked when I read the lyrics, but then I was even more shocked when I saw the song performed, because it’s a typical TYPICAL idol number! Girls in pink poofy dresses, with high boots and a silly girly choreography! This song is a slap in the face for wotas, disguised as an innocent idol number. Funny thing is that, this is one of the songs where wotas chant the most… Are they THAT blinded by their love of these idols? Here’s the (lyrics translation) in case you want to read the whole thing

6. Boku to Juliet to Jet Coaster: “This young love, in order to shake free from adults, earnestly drinks the poison” Team 1 If you are going to watch just one performance, make it this one. The song is AMAZING and the girls do an excellent job at singing and dancing the flashy choreography perfectly. The lyrics are sad an beautiful, in contrast to the vivid pop music. Both teams do a great job at this, even though Team 2 had a SEED for a member of the subunit! Even so, if you’re going to pick, I’d recommend that you watched Team 1 version, because the star power of Yuko, Rina and Haruna is incredible!

-Watch IDOL Nante Yobanaide - Boku to Juliet to Jet Coaster Team 2 Version-

7. Higurashi no Koi: “If I dissappear, this neighborhodd will become quiet. Like this, a cicada can be heard in the distant sky” Team 1 I was lying before, if you’re going to watch just one, watch this one. This is a slow song, but it’s so incredibly haunting and beautiful! team 1 features the best singers of AKB48 (Takamina and Masuda Yuka) and they are absolutely perfect in their performance. Team 2 features a now graduated SEED (who is amazing!) and Ohe Tomomi, whose voice is very peaceful and pretty as well. This is how ballads should be done, it never gets boring!

8. Itoshisa no Defense: “Without you ever falling in love with my real self, I drag you along a chain”   Team 1 Aaaaand the stage starts getting sexy with this one! The song is nice, but what’s really amazing is the choreography here! Very hot!!! Also, if you’re wacthing only one version of this one, I recommend the one with Team 2 because Hana is TOO HOT TO BE TRUE!!!!

- Watch Higurashi no Koi - Itoshisa no Defense Team 2 version -

9. Himawari: “In order for you to be you, I’ll be waiting until you stand up Even in the far side of the starry sky Surely the sun is waiting” Team 1 This song could be considered the typical “cheer up” stuff, but it’s not that simple really, there’s something about it that makes it really stand out… I don’t know, maybe those guitar riffs? I have to say that this is one of the most even line distributions I’ve seen as an idol fan, which made me happy because all of the girls chosen for this song are great singers. I really like it, it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, so you should watch it too to see if it works for you

10. Takeuchi Senpai “With a shy expression on my face, I definitely look like your junior. All through the high school You’re popular among the girls”  Team 1 Remeber how Kinjirareta Futari was a song about lesbians? And so was Boku no Uchiage Hanabi (well, kind of), well, third’s a charm, so here’s Takeuchi Senpai, ladies and gentlemen! To be honest, there isn’t much in the lyrics that I can interpret as Takeuchi being a girl, but Maimai did a drawing of the song, and it was a girl in a football (soccer, for all of you US people) uniform, and Tomomi (I don’t remember if it was Itano or Kasai) said “ehhhh? a girl??” And Mai nodded. Ok, make what you will out of that, but isn’t it so much more fun if those “Love me! Hold me!” are girl on girl? (Ok, that sounded SO wrong… but whatever)

- Watch Himawari - Takeuchi Senpai Team 2 Version -

11. Sonna Konna wake de “As for a summer man, his hands move too fast. Seaside Love” Team 1 Sexy! I like the costumes a lot, they are very very sexy in a naughty catholic schoolgirl kind of way XD This is a song about uh… Seaside Love. Literally. It’s a very hot performance, trust me.

12. Deja Vu “Déjà vu, this nostalgic pain… The days gone by are a vague reality. The same future, even though it repeats, I want to fall in love” Team 1 I really really like this song. It might be one of my favorite group songs ever (for AKB48) It has dramatic music and a very simple choreography with hand movements that work really well with the song. Also, I love how the girls are really into it, so it makes for a spectacular performance!

- Watch Sonna Konna Wake de - Deja Vu Team 2 Version-

14. Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka “Because everyone is a weak creature, We’re supporting each other” Team 1 Er… you’ve all seen Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka, this is a performance of said song.

15. Lay Down! “If you bite back at me, This dormant whip will fly! Who is, who is, who is your woman? [...] Kneel! I’m your queen. Kneel! You’re my pet. Lay down, Lay down” Team 1  This son is SO much flith… You know, my recommended performances are written above, but Lay Down is SUCH a filthy song full of leather and loli fanservice that you will really regret it if you don’t watch it… I remember some weeks ago I wrote about the 10 AKB48 songs that I felt people should listen to in order to get a bit familiar with their style, and in Ray’s comment of the post said “All I need is an S&M song to go with the enjo kosai song!” Well Ray, you might rejoice, Lay Down is the S&M song you’ve been waiting for so long XD

- Lay Down! - BINGO! Team 2 Version -

And Team 1 Version, you know you want it!

Ok, now that we’ve all watched (and enjoyed) Lay Down, here are the bad news: I won’t be including BINGO and Boku no Taiyo because I’m tired and it’s late and I have to wake up early and… well, you’ve all watched those elsewhere, right?

 

Ok people, that’s it for now! Bye bye!

Well, seeing how the lovely Andra was kind enough to comment in my Harunyan post, I decided to do this post for all of you people who, in spite of not commenting, enjoy checking out the special videos of the girls posted in Youtube. Right now, though, my priority is to give you the Maimai and Kojiharu videos, which should’ve been in their respective profiles, but I don’t remember what circumstance (probably my laziness :P) kept me from searching for them and posting them there, so here you have them!

1. Oshima Mai (Maimai) - Team A 4th Stage - Haru ga Kuru Made: Maimai is all kinds of awesome, and she proves it in this performance. This is a very sweet song about unrequited love, and its lovely tune reminds me a lot of Card Captor Sakura music… and of my childhood… Ahh! Good times!, anyway, Mai is pretty sad here, she seems about to cry, and she even wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. Of course, I don’t have a clue of what was she crying about, but maybe it was because the girl who sings here with her, Hoshino Michiru, graduated after this stage, so maybe she was sad because of that? Despite all of this, she truly shines here, and her sweet and soft voice fits the song perfectly. JUST WATCH THE DAMN THING ALREADY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md4M4RjwofM

2. Oshima Mai: Private Princess: Well, that sounds like the name of an H-game right? It’s nothing like that, though. It’s just a gravure photoshoot for Maimai, Tomochin and Kasai Tomomi. They shoot little videos of themselves, and it’s pretty cute. I chose the first one, because there you can watch Mai’s l33t clarinet skills, and the last one, because she looks amazing in it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkbvOpIEbTs              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWHwvFGB2I8

3. Kojima Haruna - Team A 3d Stage - Shinkirou: For your eyes only, this amazing duet where Kojiharu sings with Nakanishi Rina (we’ll definitely get into her later, because I freaking love her and her voice…) A very sweet song, and this version is fansubbed too, for you to understand the beautiful and sad lyrics. I love the harmonies here, and Rina’s angel voice is a perfect match for Kojiharu’s somewhat nasal vocals, and lower range. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvj0O8oW268

4. Kojima Haruna - Team A Stage 4 - Junai no Crescendo: I hate to recycle videos, but seriosuly, Harunyan is smoking here, if I may say so, without being gay or anything (I think XD). Her powerful voice works really well with this dramatic and sexy type of song, and she steals the spotlight from the other girls (and God knows how hard it is to outshine Miichan…) http://youtube.com/watch?v=ScECI1T-wkg&feature=related

5. Oshima Mai - Team A 3rd Stage - Bird: yes, this is Takamina’s song, but it’s also what made me fall for Maimai. You’ll notice her natural sexiness right away, she’s an unbelievable performer, and this prooves it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM5HAHM7ns8

That’s it for now! Enjoy!!!!