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One of SDN48 Senbatsu to Leave the Group
February 11, 2011
By CK under AKB48,News

SDN48 To Loose Ito Kana (Pure Idol Heart)
SDN48 Member Ito Kana to Quit the Group (IXA Ready – Fist On!)

It is always a bummer to see a member of your favorite idol ensemble graduate.  SDN48 sort of flies below the radar around here, but they are my personal favorite.  Ito Kana happens to be one of the original performers of the song I’m Sure from SDN48′s 1st stage.  You may know that song from Kojiharu and Mariko’s performance the 2nd night at Yoyogi.  Anyway, it is super-sexy and one of the most memorable unit songs from SDN.  On a personal level I will really miss her since the last couple of times I saw SDN I began developing a real rapport with her during “High Touch”, oh well. :(

Her reason for leaving has me raising an eyebrow, I mean how many people quit their job because of influenza?  But whatever the reason is for her departure, I hope Kananyan regains her health soon.

Hayami Akari Announces She is Leaving Momoclo
January 17, 2011
By CK under News,Pop Idols

Anti-Fans Force Idol To Quit? (Pure Idol Heart)
Akari to Leave Momoiro Clover in April (Janakya Mottainai)

Even the smaller and relatively new idol groups aren’t immune to the “graduation” bug.  Actually Momoclo has had quite a few members leave in their short history.  The latest being Hayami Akari, who announced to fans this weekend that she will be leaving the group in April.  If you aren’t sure which girl Akari is, she’s the “blue one”.

Gaki examines the possibility that her lack of popularity contributed to her decision.  In fact Akari alluded to that in her announcement, so I am sure that had something to do with it.  I have been to a few Momoclo events over the past year, and it was glaringly obvious that she was the least popular.  She always had the shortest line for handshakes and autographs.  And it is too bad, because in my opinion she was the most down to earth girl in the group.  So AimxAim, your assessment is “dead on” as far as I’m concerned.

Despite her lack of popularity, she definitely had a unique impact on Momoclo’s sound.  So you gotta wonder how they will make up for her singing contribution.  Akari will be making her final farewell at Nakano Sunplaza in April.  Hmmm, I will just happen to be in town that weekend…

Hide-chan Returns With a Compare/Contrast of Old vs. New H!P Fans
January 13, 2011
By CK under Blogs,Snark,Up-Front Agency

Old Skool Wave VS Serious Wave = STFU! (Hello! Island)

It isn’t too often that we see posts from the island.  Hide-chan’s post is a total reminder to me of why I loved that blog in the first place.  Ultimately it is a walk down memory lane of why the girls in Momusu’s first 5 generations were so much fun.  Not to mention the H!P kids, and how uh…”cute” they were pre-Berryz/C-ute.  I’m just trying to “tame” the subject matter, since Hide has no fear in going R-rated!

I sincerely hope Hide-chan chooses to do more posts, as he was always one of my favorite bloggers when I first started following IW.  As insane as his posts might be, he never fails in making me laugh!

Like We Needed Another Reminder That Otaku Are a Weird Bunch
January 13, 2011
By CK under Blogs,Snark

アイドル・オタク・ミーム Idol Otaku Meme ^-^ (Hello! Wota)

Christian has created a few “meme” showing the “not-so” glorious side of being an over-zealous idol fan, AKA “wota”  Yes, the famous “Aichan and Kamei in bed with a fan” photo is there.  But at the end of the day I think the biggest lesson here is for those of us who have had the opportunity to take a photo with our favorite idols…

They are best reserved for “home use” only!  Anyhow, Kurisu’s post is definitely good for a few laughs :)

Silver Rain Sees the Virtue in Acchan
January 13, 2011
By CK under AKB48,Blogs

In Defense of Maeda Atsuko (I’m Moving to Japan…)

Not to say Maeda is unpopular or anything like that.  Jeez, she is the #2 girl out of the whole bunch.  But it is no secret that Acchan has more than her fair share of detractors.  Personally I am not one of them, and what I loved most about this post is that Silver Rain says just about everything I feel about the face of AKB.  Sure she can sometimes be aloof, and even over-confident.  But at the end of the day she is just an introverted girl who is doing her best to deal with the limelight.  At least that is how I see her.

Every idol has fans.  And of you ask those people they can easily tell you what is so amazing about their oshimen.  So if you would like to hear about some of the great aspects of Maeda Atsuko, then look no further.

The Hole in AKB’s Back-Catalog May Soon Be Filled
December 1, 2010
By CK under AKB48,News

AKB may release old stages CD’s next year (SaeYaka Paradise)

If any of you read tgsk’s official blog (he is one of the bigwigs in AKB-land), you may have caught his blurb on a recent post with regards to the Stage CDs that have yet to be released.  And what a relief since it admittedly becomes tiresome to repeatedly explain to new fans why some of AKB48′s song catalog has never been put out on CD.  But it sounds as if tgsk is hopeful that they will be able to release those albums some time next year.

Considering Team K’s 4th Stage and Himawari-gumi 2nd Stage are my two favorites, I am anticipating these releases as I am sure are many others.  Not to mention B3?  A4?  Geez, those are both huge fan favorites.  I am sure when the eventual announcement is made it will be all over the internet.  So keep watching!

Now Here’s an Idol App I Really Want!
October 30, 2010
By CK under Blogs,Pop Idols

Ai Kago Clock iPhone App (Hello!Blog)

With all of the great smartphone apps that have popped up recently, I am ashamed to say I only have one!  Now Kago has released an alarm clock app that actually has her screaming for you to Wake Up!  Unfortunately, according to PTom it can only be downloaded from the Japanese itunes store.  Oh well, at least he has shared a few screenshots of what the application looks like…

Kind of an old-fashioned clock, it looks like a 30-year old Timex, but who cares about the clock.  The photos of Kago are awesome!!!

Mina Takes on Two Major Concert Reviews
October 30, 2010
By CK under AKB48,Blogs,Concerts,Up-Front Agency

AKB48 YYG Concert (No Surprises) Review! (Wota in training)
Hello! Project 2010 SUMMER ~Fankora!~ Review

I recall not too long ago Mina did a poll on what type of content her readers would like to see.  I was actually surprised that Concert Reviews got such a high vote.  And it looks as if Mina is making her readers happy, with two epic reviews of two major Summer concert showcases.

The first review is from AKB48′s three-show event at Yoyogi Gymnasium.  She gives her thoughts on each song performed in all three concerts.  Wow, that’s a lot of reviewing!!!  Actually, I was really happy to see this post as I have held off checking out any uploads since I want to buy the DVD during my upcoming trip.   This review really whet my appetite to make the purchase!

Next Mina checks out Hello! Project’s ~Fankora~ show, where the fans got to select portions of the setlist.  She has a great time poking fun at some of the costumes.  She grades each performance on a 1-5 star scale, and S/Mileage gets the win overall as Mina seems to prefer them to the rest of H!P’s stable.  Btw, each post includes still shots of each performance.  They are both great reads for anyone considering a purchase!

Japancast Academy Covers AKB48…and More!
October 30, 2010
By CK under New Blogs

Japancast Academy

Actually we have covered this blog a couple of times recently, but haven’t given it a proper introduction.  So here it is.  The site was recommended to me by Atron, who is one of the writers.  Actually David and Dae take on most of the heavy workload, and I love seeing more blogs focused on AKB.  It’s just too bad that I had never seen it before as the site has been around for over a year.  But anyway…

Plenty of opinion when it comes to AKB48.  But the guys also cover most of the popular pop acts, as recent posts go over the latest news of Momoclo, SNSD, SCANDAL and everyone’s favorite dancer Kozue!!!  Another aspect of this site that sets it apart is the regular podcasts.  You can check out the latest one here.  Anyhow, great site to add to your reader!

It’s Official…AKB48′s ‘Beginner’ Takes #1 With Over 700K Sales!
October 30, 2010
By CK under AKB48,News,Noteworthy

AKB48 [Beginner] 2nd & 3rd Day Sales (MELOS no Michi)

I think this was a foregone conclusion when the news broke of over one million copies shipped to local retailers.  But now we know for sure.  AKB48 is currently the top selling single of the year with a count of 742, 109 copies sold in a mere three days!  I have no idea if it can keep up a good enough pace to reach the 1 million mark.  But this is awesome news for AKB48 nonetheless.

MELOS also reports that the original PV, which was removed from the Limited Edition CD’s did amazingly well with a download count three times higher than that of AKB’s previous single Heavy Rotation.  It just goes to show what a little controversy can create, eh?  Everyone was dying to see that PV.  And based on what I have read around the net not too many people were disappointed.

I am still waiting for my copies to arrive, and like my friend MB I have avoided watching any PVs before I receive it.  But after all of this great news I cannot wait!

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