New unit ABCHO consists of former Morning Musume and Dream Morning Musume members Rika Ishikawa and Hitomi Yoshizawa and has their debut single “Me o Tojite Gyusshiyo”. The song, written by loco2kit, is featured as the opening theme song for Spring anime Sengoku Collection. The single is offered in two editions and is due out May 23rd. The pair also just revealed a short video of photo shoot and song preview. Video and more details follow,
The single charts are topped this week by Sexy Zone and their second single “Lady Diamond” – (release details) – selling over 115,000 copies. Not as big a seller as their first single that topped the charts with over 300,000 copies sold but another #1 single for this shonen group. Second spot goes to the girls of Perfume with “Spring of Life” – (release details) – selling almost 94,000 copies. And rounding out the top three is veteran idol group (that’s gotten much younger) Morning Musume with “Renai Hunter” – (release details) – the single will be current leader and last from the 5th generation (2001) Niigaki Risa’s final with the group as she nears graduation.
On the album charts half of group KinKi Kids Tsuyoshi Domoto with his first solo album in over three years “Shamanippon ~Rakachinotohi~” selling over 72,000. In second lands one of our featured releases – the middle school duo of ClariS and their first album “BIRTHDAY” – (release details) – selling over 52,000 copies.
The complete top 10 single and album charts follow,
Long time idol group Morning Musume is readying their 49th single “Renai Hunter” for its April 11th release and preparing for senior member and current leader Niigaki Risa’s graduation. Niigaki Risa follows previous leader and also part of the group’s 2001 5th generation, Takahashi Ai in graduation from the group. With this gradation it leaves Morning Musume with only 3 veteran members and 8 from 2011 auditions. More details on the new single follows,
The top spot on the Oricon weekly singles charts is SKE48 and their 8th single “Kataomoi Finally” that nearly topped the one-half million sold mark for the week at 495,809. The second spot finds Korean singer Kim Hyun Joong and his well received Japanese debut single “KISS KISS/LUCKY GUY” just surpassing 100,000 sold. Sliding in at the number 3 spot is long running and full of new members Morning Musume and their newest single – “Pyoko Pyoko Ultra”.
Anime related titles broke into the top 10 this week – at #6 is part 1 of 3 planned character song releases from anime Symphogear. This single has two insert songs from fictional band “Zwei Wing” that features favorite Nana Mizuki and fellow voice actor (seiyuu) Takayama Minami.
Idol group 9nine lands in the #9 spot (coincidence?) with the current ending theme to anime Beelzelbub – “Shoujo Traveller”.
The complete top 10 single and album charts follow,
SKE48 and their new single “Kataomoi Finally” will top the singles charts by a wide victory based on the Oricon daily numbers with more than 482,000 sold. The single is SKE48’s 8th and should eventually top the 1/2 million sold mark if it hasn’t already. On the album charts #1 is as hoped with Koda Kumi’s “JAPONESQUE” selling a strong 92,000+.
Read on for the rest of the projected top singles and albums,
Takahashi Ai’s full music video of “Jishin motte Yume wo motte Tobitatsu Kara” which is part the “Petit Best 12 DVD” released back on December 7th 2011 has been posted on the Morning Musume official YouTube channel. The “Petit Best 12” features Hello!Project groups and members on 16 music videos. Takahashi’s video and track list follow,
Long standing rock band, L’Arc~en~Ciel released their newest single “X X X” last week and it rode the charts up to #1. The band is celebrating their 20th year in strong style. Making a good showing in second place was the Japanese release of the hit single “LUCIFER” by Korean band SHINee. Last week’s number one from YUI fell to number six.
On the album side stylish Kimura Kaela landed in the #1 spot with her album “8EIGHT8”. Its been 4 years since she last had a number one album. Last week’s number one by fictional band A.N.JELL music from the series "You’re Beautiful" stayed strong in the number two spot. The latest from long-time and ever changing Idol group Morning Musume only managed to land at number 8 with their latest, “12, smart.” And sneaking in at number ten spot was anime-cosplayer-akihabara-idol Shokotan (Shoko Nakagawa) with her newest cover album.
Complete charts follow after jump.
A new idol’s in-training café is planned for Akihabara with the hopes of producing a new generation of idols. The theme of the café will have all female employees who aspire to be idols and singers, and the café will serve as their training ground. The customers will participate as the "producers" in a "real idol-training simulation."
The famed producer of Hello! Project’s idol group Morning Musume, Tsunku and the head of the studio 5pb (Steins;Gate), Chiyomaru Shikura, are leading the project. They plan open the Akihabara Backstage Pass "idol training café" in Akihabara in late November. The café will be within a quick walk of AKB48 Theater, the home of the rival idol group AKB48.
This will be the second similar venture for Shikura who already opened a concept cafe called The Afilia Magic Senior High School that used singing employees.
Source & Photo: Mantan Web via ANN
A close battle with the singles but EXILE and their release Rising Sun/Itsuka Kitto… edged out Fukuyama Masaharu’s Kazoku ni Naoru yo/fighting pose. Rounding out the top 10 is Pistol from Acid Black Cherry.
Singles for September 2011
1. “Rising Sun/Itsuka Kitto…” – EXILE/EXILE ATSUSHI : 9/14 (234,846)
2. “Kazoku ni Naoru yo/fighting pose” – Fukuyama Masaharu : 8/31 (220,809)
3. “Magic Power” – Hey! Say! JUMP : 9/21 (217,661)
4. “Flying Get” – AKB48 : 8/24 (186,205)
5. “FIGHTERS” – J Soul Brothers 3rd gen : 9/7 (91,129)
6. “Niji no Uta” – Domoto Tsuyoshi : 9/7 (86,170)
7. “JULIETTE” – SHINee : 8/29 (66,098)
8. “Jonetsu no Mariachi” – Hikawa Kiyoshi : 9/21 (60,167)
9. “Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterundayo!” – Morning Musume : 9/14 (53,347)
10. “Pistol” – Acid Black Cherry : 9/21 (48,689)
The albums have a clear win for the queen of pop, Ayumi Hamasaki, and her release FIVE though it was a quiet month for new album releases
Albums for September 2011
1. “FIVE” – Hamasaki Ayumi : 8/31 (189,551)
2. “I’m With You” – Red Hot Chili Peppers : 8/31 (121,259)
3. “#AAABEST” – AAA : 9/14 (78,713)
4. “SMAP AID” – SMAP : 8/17 (54,167)
5. “Love Songs” – CheNelle : 7/20 (50,899)
6. “Z II” – UNICORN : 8/31 (44,515)
7. “GO” – KREVA : 9/8 (38,217)
8. “megaphonic” - YUKI : 8/24 (33,375)
9. “BORN THIS WAY” – Lady Gaga : 5/23 (28,320)
10. “GIRLS’ GENERATION” – Shoujo Jidai : 6/1 (26,943)
Source: Oricon (month)
Morning Musume wrapped up their live tour, Morning Musume Concert Tour Fall 2011 Ai BELIEVE ~Takahashi Ai Graduation Special~, at the Nippon Budokan on September 30th. It was leader Takahashi Ai’s final performance and official graduation from both Morning Musume and Hello! Project.
The concert kicked off with Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~, and continued with the group’s latest singles, Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! and Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!.
As Takahashi sang the solo song, Denwa de ne, in the center of the stage, the stadium lit up with the glow of hundreds of yellow lightsticks. Seeing this, Takahashi choked-up and her voice trembled with emotion. Then, the audience joined in to sing the final song, Bravo, with the girls.
Waiting for the encore-graduation the crowd started up an call for “Ai-chan” and Takahashi finally walked out onto the stage. Kicking off her graduation ceremony, Ai read a letter to her fans and fellow members. In the letter, Takahashi shared her memories of passing the auditions, and on her activities as a leader.
She declared, “I’m really glad to have been a part of Morning Musume,” and “With this treasure, I’ll be able to do my best from now on.” Turning to Niigaki Risa, she said, “Gaki-san, I’m sorry to graduate before you.” Next, Takahashi sang her solo song, Jishin Motte, Yume Motte, Tabidatsu Kara, and energized the fans as she ran around the stage.
The graduation ceremony kicked into high gear with the participation of every member, who each offered congratulatory messages to Takahashi. Kudo Haruka reflected upon her days as a Hello! Pro Egg, and commented, “Thank you for all the good memories.” Mitsui Aika, who fractured her left ankle, came onto the stage for the first time in a while to support her senpai. Bursting into tears, she said, “I wanted to absorb Ai-chan’s good qualities more but after getting hurt, our time together has decreased, but I’m very happy to be able to celebrate your graduation here today.” Tanaka Reina also expressed, “The things I wanted to say, but couldn’t say, I’ll say it now. Ai-chan, thank you!”
Morning Musume then re-appeared on stage for a double encore, and sang the last number, Namidacchi. At the end, Takahashi stood on the stage by herself, and threw her hat, sweatshirt, and wristbands into the audience. She left the stage after bowing to the crowd numerous times.
Even with the concert officially over, fans stayed in their seats and continued a chant for “Ai-chan!”. Takahashi was pulled to the stage once again where she graciously thanked the audience one final time. “Today is a weekday, but there are those who took a day off to come here. Thank you very much! When I think of how everyone has been here to support me, I felt I can do my best. Bye-bye. I love you all!”
We will all miss Takahashi Ai – Morning Musume will not be the same.
Source + Photos: nataile
Soon to be graduated though still Morning Musume leader Takahashi Ai will be promoting the beauty of Fukui Prefecture across Japan. Takahashi is from Fukui, and so the appointment was a particularly special one for her. She was granted the title of “Fukui Brand Ambassador” officially by Fukui’s governor, Nishikawa Issei, at the prefectural office.
Takahashi expressed her goal by saying, “I want many people to know the qualities of Fukui Prefecture.” She continued, “Fukui has clean air, and the people are kind.”
Representatives of Fukui prefecture hoped for Takahashi to do her best in her new role, as they said, “Her margin of activities will widen, so we want her to sight-see and spread Fukui’s charm.”
Takahashi is set to graduate from Morning Musume in just a few days on September 30th. Though she will still be with H!P to begin her solo activities her departure from Morning Musume will be difficult on the group. With our favorite, Kamei Eri, and now leader Takahashi Ai leaving, Morning Musume is greatly diminished.
Source + Photo: Sanspo
