AKB48 is preparing to release their 30th single “So long !” and revealed the cover jackets and a teaser length music video for the title track. The single is their 6th annual “sakura” themed song and its available on three Limited editions that include a handshake event ticket and three matching Regular editions without the event ticket. Single “So long !” hits stores February 20th 2013 – updated release details and preview music video follow.
AKB48 has been streaming over 5-days the “AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013” and “Unit Festival” on their Youtube channel. Beginning January 23rd 2013 6:30pm JST the “Unit Festival” and January 24th thru 27th at 6:00pm JST the “Request Hour”.
The streamed videos run about an hour and have some performance footage mixed mostly with a lot of host/announcer narration – more of a re-cap show than a live streamed events unfortunately. Sample videos follows below or it the link to the AKB48 Youtube channel.
AKB48 for the second year held their own year-end song battle similar to the long standing year-end event the NHK Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen. The 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen was held December 17th 2012 at Tokyo Dome City Hall. Leading the “White Team” is Takahashi Minami and “Red Team” is Shinoda Mariko. Each team featured half of AKB48 and half of the key members of SKE48 and NMB48. In addition the “White Team” included 16 key members of JKT48 and “Red Team” included 16 key members of HKT48.
Included on the DVDs with single “So long !” are different digest and recap footage from the December 17th 2012 event.
– Limited/Regular Team A themed with DVD that includes 3 music videos and recap footage for the 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen.
– Limited/Regular Team B themed with DVD that includes 4 music videos and digest footage for White team performances during the 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen.
– Limited/Regular Team K themed with DVD that includes 4 music videos and digest footage for Red team performances during the 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen.
The Limited editions include a handshake event participation ticket not part of the Regular version. First press versions on all 6 will add a photo bonus (1 of 38).
Single “So long !” is also available on a CD-only Theater edition that’s sold exclusively at AKB48 events and stores.
AKB48 – “So long !” – release date February 20th 2013
