My Top 25 Favorite Moments and Surprises in the Shibuya AX Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2010

A friend and I agreed not to read anything about the Shibuya AX Best 100 2010 so that when we watch the video for the first time, the thrill of seeing everything that's going on will be similar to as if we were at the concert itself. Watching the videos and learning the rankings only then was fun! I probably won't do that again.

Even beyond the song rankings, the Shibuya AX Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2010 is a great concert. I think 2009's version is better, then again that was an exceptional concert, but this was nonetheless a great concert.

Before I get to the good stuff, excuse a one paragraph rant. Where are my SKE songs?! Only 6 made it... And where are my SDN songs?! Only 2 made it, and Black Boy didn't even make it. And where are my B3 songs?! Most of the team songs dropped out. That's the freshness factor I spoke of in a previous post (http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2010/01/lets-speculate-request-hour-setlist.html) affecting it... Also, where are the other graduates?! Many Team A and Team K graduates were back, but where was Nakanishi! Mocchi filled in again for her, and although Mocchi is great, Chocolove is not the same without Rinatin. Team K's Yu Imai wasn't at Kurukurupaa either, where she used to be. AKB48 original Yuki Usami wasn't present either, although Hoshi no Ondo didn't make it anyway, and neither did any of the songs or units of Michiru Hoshino. And where are the Team B and Team S graduates?! Why weren't any of them back?! Not that Naruppe or Kirara Suzuki had any songs they could perform there anyway. And although Heart Gata Virus is a great song, and I love the lyrics, I don't think it's the best stage subunit song. A lot of my favorite songs dropped out as well, like Aisareru to Iyu Koto and Hisatsu Teleport, just to name a few. It’s also ironic that while the rest stayed, it’s my three favorite Acchan subunits that dropped out of the Best 100, Nage Kiss de Uchi Otose, Idol Nante Yobanaide and Hajimete no Jellybeans.

Now that I finished with the rants, there were a lot of great moments in this concert series. I’ll limit my top 25 to what the attendees of the concert actually saw on stage, but make sure to check out the hidden features of the DVD as well. The Takamina murder case is a fun watch, especially for those like me who miss Ikemendol and are still blindly hoping for a second season; Mocchi trying to kiss Takamina Kai was pretty funny too; Take Akimoto to Wimbledon was silly, please shuffle her!, while Hayami the makeup artist shows us that Mayuyu takes no crapola from anyone. Another thing you may notice is that Harugon is friends with everyone. I mean everyone. She can be with anyone and they will look like they’re close. See Harugon with Jurina. Harugon with Yuttan. Harugon with Nacchu. Harugon is so friendly, she must be great to hang out with! Oh, and she needs to be shuffled to Faint.

Now, on to my top 25, and see what other cool things happened in the concert inside and outside of the best 100 rankings!


#25 - Infinity Skit


After Kimi wa Pegasus, Nakayan and Tanamin join Sayaka and Sae as their characters in Infinity, the first major AKB play. Sayaka and Sae, of course, played the same character as the lead male character of the play. This was a short but fun reminder of such an important event in AKB.

#24 - Top 7 Senbatsu Version of Skirt Hirari


It’s another top 7 Senbatsu (based on the first Senbatsu election) version of Skirt Hirari; the last time I saw they did this was at the August 2009 concert at Budokan. I used to not like the song Skirt Hirari very much, but now I dig the tune. And having the top 7 Senbatsu perform such an AKB classic is remarkable, pats on the back for Acchan, Yuko, Mariko, Mayuyu, Takamina, Haruna and Tomochin! Another interesting thing, this song actually rose in ranking, from #89 last year to this year’s #78! Not bad for a song that’s been around since AKB’s very first stage.

#23 - CinDy and Yukarin MC


Again, it’s so disappointing that none of CinDy’s stage subunits made it to the Best 100 this year. And I really liked B4’s Tengoku Yarou, much more CinDy’s older subunits. At least she got to MC on the final day of the concert, albeit short, with fellow AKB original and also SDN48 teammate Yukarin. Of course, CinDy has to have a funny entrance, CinDy is so lovable that way. Much respect to one of the most hardworking troopers in AKB!

#22 - Majisuka Rock n' Roll Skit

It’s Majisuka Gakuen, AKB’s TV series at the time of the concert, on stage! How can I not like that?! And the way it started was so cool too. At the time of the concert, they were only into their third episode, so many of the characters were not portrayed yet, but Acchan turning into the “push-over” Maeda was fun to watch, and so were the other girls portraying their characters! You may notice how Rena underplays her character as looney Gekikara has not debuted on the show that time.

#21 - SKE48 Performances

SKE was not as successful as I wanted, but they got six of their songs in there, which is good nonetheless, Glory Days (#92), Wimbledon he Tsureteitte (#58), Ame no Pianist (#31), Chime wa Love Song (#86), Tsuyukimono yo (#51), and Te wo Tsunaginagara (#27). It was disappointing that my favorite SKE song, Dai Suki, didn't make it, along with many other very good SKE songs. Expectedly, Team KII wouldn't be able to perform this concert since they didn't have an original stage yet (although the AKB Kenkyuuseis did perform), but one of the reasons I loved SKE's performance in this concert even more is that selected members of KII performed with Team S, which included my favorite KII girl Anna Ishida! Anna is not the center of KII, so I'm glad when she gets breaks like this. Sure, I'm glad to see the regular Team S cuties, but I see them more often, they do have their own monthly TV show, but I rarely get to see KII, so seeing Anna perform with Team S on a concert like this is a treat!

Tsuyukimono yo

Anna Ishida

Anna Ishida in Te wo Tsunaginagara

#20 - Kurukurupaa Comes Back

After being the butt of a very funny joke in last year's Best 100, it was a pleasant and funny surprise that it made it back in this year's Best 100, at #80! This is also the only song that was in the first Best 100 (2008), then drop out in 2009, but come back in the Best 100 2010. Way to go, Kana! See, fans do love you!

#19 - Kenkyuusei and Former Kenkyuusei Versions

Normally, I'd be angry that Tadaima Renaichu (#96), my favorite Team A team song, Glass no I Love You (#88), and Tanpopo no Kesshin (#69) was not performed by their original performers, but instead performed by research students, but I totally understood what was happening. Members of Team A had too many songs in the first day, while that was the case with members of Team B on the second day, and there would have been an imbalance in teams performing if the original performers performed them, and the performers themselves would have been too tired, and the costume changes too time consuming, since their performances ranked one after the other. So instead, Tadaima Renaichu was performed by old generation Kenkyuuseis, most of which have been promoted, Glass no I Love You by current generation Kenkyuuseis, and Tanpopo no Kesshin by later generation Kenkyuseis, a few promoted at Budokan. Well, the Kenkyuuseis were actually pretty cute. Of course, most knowledgeable AKB fans are already quite familiar with promoted old generation Kenkyuuseis. Another thing I liked about this is that AKB Management is showing the world that AKB is in good hands if and whenever the original members decide to eventually graduate (which I am hoping will not happen for several more years).

Tadaima Renaichu

Glass no I Love You

Tanpopo no Kesshin

#18 - Some of My Classic Favorites Stayed

I was very happy to see Team K's Nounai Paradise stay, and even gain rank, from #97 last year, to #90 this year. And although one of my favorite AKB songs, Kioku no Dilemma, experienced a huge drop in rankings to go from last year's #12, to this year's #72, I'm glad that it at least stayed (It would have been nicer if Yukirin filled in for Maimai, as she has done before, as Mocchi's voice was too low for the lead of the song, but I like Mocchi, and they made this a pure first era Team K version too). I was glad my favorite song, Yuuhi wo Miteruka? experienced only a slight drop in rankings, from last year's #41 to this year's #48. Also glad to see other favorites stay like Renai Kinshi Jourei (#40), Bingo! (#39) and Tenshi no Shippo (#23). Also, my favorite subunit, Tsundere!, gains rank from last year's #29, to this year's #14! Also glad to see others stay, like Squall no Aida ne (#79), Confession (#83), Himawari (#83), Blue Rose (#52), Junjou Shugi (#46) and Only Today, going strong at #18. Also happy to see Nagai Hikari finally make it in at #71, being absent last year as a very new song. Interestingly, Takeuchi Senpai ranked better, from last year's #96, to this year's #56, while Tonari no Banana has been improving in rank for the three years of the Best 100, #67 in 2008, #46 last year, and #36 this year.

Nounai Paradise

Kioku no Dilemma

Yuuhi wo Miteiruka?

Tsundere!

#17 - Tobenai Agehachou Makes It in

I do love the original Undergirls, and I was very happy Tobenai Agehachou made it to the Best 100 at #67.

#16 - Nacchu MC

She’s at it again! Who needs co-MC’s? When Nacchu comes out, everyone seems to have a good time.

Nacchu victimizes Akicha again

Harugon and Nakayan turn the tables on Nacchu

When Nacchu makes a joke, everybody falls down. That's Sayaka rolling all the way down, by the way.

#15 - New Stage Songs Make it

Of course, there are more and more songs eligible every year, making it harder and harder to get in, but I was glad many of my favorite songs from the stages that started last year made it. My favorite B4 song Sobakasu no Kiss made it to #87, Idol no Yoake was at #85, another of my favorite subunits, Dakishimeraretara ranked #59, and Kuchi Utsushi no Chocolate predictably ranked all the way up in #16. One more thing I like about this is that most of these new stage songs have not been performed by the original performers in a big concert stage, making this the first time most of us get to see these outside the Akihabara theater. Although I don't think much of the performance of Zannen Shoujo (#17), I must say that the song fits Mayuyu's vocals exceptionally well, and I have never liked it before I heard Mayuyu actually sing it herself, so I think Mayuyu's version is cool. Also worth noting are Wagamama na Nagareboshi (#56), Mushi no Ballad (#54), Saka Agari (#41), Itoshiki Natasha (#39), Kataomoi no Taikakusen (#22) and Endroll (#20). I said in a previous post (http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2010/01/lets-speculate-request-hour-setlist.html) that Team A was the only old team that didn't get a new stage last year.

Sobakasu no Kiss

Dakishimeraretara

Wagamama na Nagareboshi

Mushi no Ballad

Zannen Shoujo

Kuchi Utsushi no Chocolate

#14 - Team B Series

Second day was Team B day; if there was only one concert I could attend out of the four in this series, if I knew the setlists in advance, I would attend this! My favorite team is Team B, of course. Seven songs performed by Team B or its members were performed consecutively (granted, as I said earlier, Tanpopo no Kesshin was performed by Kenkyuuseis, it is still nonetheless a Team B song). It started with #70, with Watarirouka Hashiritai's Shiroi Tulip. When #69, Tanpopo no Kesshin was performed by Kenkyuuseis, I knew this was going to be a big Team B day, much like what happened when Kenkyuuseis performed two Team A songs the first day. Next at #67 was Tobenai Agehachou, almost half of the performers of which are from Team B, and tied with it is a Team B standard, Wasshoi B!, getting Team B together, followed by #66, another Team B team song, Minasan mo go Issho ni. #65 and #64 were Watarirouka Hashiritai's Hatsukoi Dash and Yaruki Hanabi, consecutively, similar to the performance they gave at NHK Hall 2009, although this time, they performed longer versions than the ones performed in NHK Hall!

Wasshoi B!

#13 - Subunit Songs Make It

I'm very happy that all the cover songs of the two eligible singles of my favorite subunit, Watarirouka Hashiritai, made it to the Best 100, with Hatsukoi Dash at #65 and Yaruki Hanabi at #64. I have nothing against AKB's cousin group, I think Idoling!!! has a lot of cute girls, but I enjoyed the all-AKB version of Chu Shiyouze! (#63) more. And although I don't think much about the song (it's an ad), I do love the girls performing Nattou Angels (#30).

Back to back: Hatsukoi Dash and Yaruki Hanabi

Chu Shiyouze!

Nattou Angels

#12 - Shonichi Still Top Team Song

I doubted that Shonichi (#8) would retain last year's #1, but I'm glad that it is at least still the top team song. Two years in a row would be way too much to hope for, but #8 is not bad.

#11 - Kimi no Koto ga Sukidakara Ranks #2

I like Kimi no Koto ga Sukidakara, but I didn't think it would go so high as rank second best! I actually do like River more, but Kimi no even beat the cover track it accompanied! This was a big surprise! Just goes to show the quality of AKB singles these days, even the accompanying tracks are huge hits!

#10 - Iiwake Maybe Ranks #1

When Iiwake Maybe sold less than the single before it, Namida Surprise, I thought fans didn't like my second favorite AKB song. I'm glad that I was wrong and that Iiwake Maybe ranked #1 on its first year in the Best 100. I also just realized that CinDy is the only girl to have been part of the original performance and recording of all three songs that hit #1 in the first three years of the Best 100, the original Sakura no Hanabiratachi, Shonichi, and Iiwake Maybe.

#9 - Graduates Come Back

They were lumped together in a few subunits too! And we had them at the first two songs! Team A graduates Kayano Masuyama, Hitomi Komatani, Risa Narita, and Tomomi Ohe appeared in their original subunit with Maeda Atsuko, 7ji 12fun no Hatsukoi (#100), while Mai Oshima, Ayumi Orii, and Shiho Watanabe rejoined Mariko Shinoda and Yukari Sato at Namida no Shounan (#99). After that, Team K graduates Hayano Kaoru and Ayana Takada rejoined Kana, Meetan and Natsumi for Kurukurupaa (#80). I'm guessing Yu Imai is still studying in the U.S. and couldn't make it back so Maachan filled in for her, though it would have been nice to see her back again. It's also interesting that the Takada sisters were finally able to perform in a big concert like this on the same day (Ayana Takada is the older sister of SKE's Shiori Takada). When I thought we were done with the graduates, Risa Naruse rejoins Team K in Sasae (#48), and as I should have expected, Hana Tojima and Nozomi Kawasaki rejoin Tomochin in Faint (#43). Seeing graduates come back and perform is one of my favorite things about the Best 100, and the way this was executed was excellent.

Risa Narita, Hitomi Komatani, Kayano Masuyama and Tomomi Ohe

Ayumi Orii

Mai Oshima

Shiho Watanabe

Ayana Takada and Hayano Kaoru

Risa Naruse

Hana Tojima and Nozomi Kawasaki

#8 - Because Some Graduates weren't Back, Some Interesting Shuffle-Like Performances

I don't know why Rina Nakanishi wasn't back, but Mocchi filled in again for her, this time in Ashita wa Ashita no Kimi ga Umareru (#50), so I missed her in Chocolove. Maachan filled in for Yu Imai in Kurukurupaa so I will guess she's busy studying in the U.S. I don't know why none of the Team B and Team S graduates came back, but Nakayan filled in for Yuki Matsuoka in Junjou Shugi, Krisu filled in for Reina Noguchi in Tenshi no Shippo, as she has done before, and Masana Oya filled in for the one-month-graduate-at-the-time Moe Yamashita, for Ame no Pianist. Most noticeably, though, was the absence of Mika Saeki; Akicha filled in for her, and did a great job. Aki has one of the most beautiful voices in AKB, making her a great replacement, coupled with a great figure and a pretty face, Aki was a pleasure to watch in Temo Demo no Namida (#12). Since Mai Oshima already performed the first day, Sae this time filled in for her in Bird (#10), and Sae does a great job as usual. It's interesting since Sae isn't even in Team A. Same with Heart Gata Virus (#7), MaiMai and Nozomi Kawasaki had already performed, so they were filled in with Kitarie and Akicha, usual replacements for them during stage performances before they graduated.

Aki Takajo performs Temo Demo no Namida

Sae Miyazawa performs Bird

#7 - Subunits' Singles' Additional Tracks Make It

Even the additional tracks of No Sleeves' and Watarirouka Hashiratai's singles made it! This is quite a feat, especially considering more songs were competing this year. I don't think there were even performances for these additional tracks, and if that was the case, then the performances were specially made for this concert and were performed for the first time. And they weren't bad performances at all! One of my favorite No Sleeves' song, Girls' Talk, additional track of Relax!, ranked #89, while Watarirouka Hashiritai's Shiroi Tulip, additional track to Yaruki Hanabi, ranked #70. Ren'ai Athlete, another additional track to Yaruki Hanabi, didn't make it, though I like it as much as Shiroi Tulip, and neither did Aoi Mirai, additional track to Hatsukoi Dash. Either way, watching Girls' Talk and Shiroi Tulip performances for the first time on a big concert like this was such a treat!

Girls' Talk

Shiroi Tulip

#6 - No Sleeves and Its Many Personas

Persona is my favorite boy band! They're the handsomest boyband I've ever seen! Ok, they're not really boys, they're characters in a former AKB TV series Ikemendol, which I loved, and seeing No Sleeves suit up again as Persona and perform the two songs of Persona on a big AKB concert is a huge treat, especially for those of us who miss Ikemendol. No Sleeves Girls' Talk made the first day at #89, and at day 2, Persona started with Christmas Present, at #61. Takamina, Haruna and Miichan had to change costumes quickly as they had to become their regular female selves as they had to perform Bye Bye Bye right after, at #60, a song they performed even before they became No Sleeves. Day 3 had them perform Junai no Crescendo, at #35, another song they performed even before they became No Sleeves, and then came Tane, a No Sleeves' single, at #28. Final day had my favorite non-stage subunit song, No Sleeves' Relax!, at #18, which was also the theme song of Ikemendol, and they suit up again to become Persona to perform the original Persona song, 3 Seconds, ranking high at #9.

Christmas Present

Bye Bye Bye

Junai no Crescendo

Tane

Relax!

3 Seconds

#5 - First Love Ranks High

An additional track to Namida Surprise, and theme song of an Anime, Erena Ono's solo First Love is one of my favorite AKB songs. Erepyon performs it so beautifully too. I was very happy that this not only got in the Best 100, but ranked very high at #26.

#4 - Jurina Performs Wimbledon he Tsureteitte

At first, I was happy that Wimbledon he Tsureteitte, one of my favorite subunits, made it to the Best 100 at #58. Then, I was disappointed that they didn't bring back Tsukina Takai. I so wanted to see her back and perform this again. But, I was happy that at least they replaced Tsukina with Jurina; if there was only one girl they could replace Tsukina with at Wimbledon, the only acceptable replacement would have been Jurina. And Jurina hardly missed a step! She did great! Granted, she was taller than Kumi and Sayuki, but since she is the youngest of the original Wimbledon girls, she still fit. It was a treat to see Jurina with Kumi and Sayuki perform my favorite SKE subunit, and it was a great performance.

Jurina and Sayuki

Kumi

#3 - CinDy and Nacchan Rejoin Team A for Dear My Teacher

Just when I thought I'd never see CinDy perform with Team A again, AKB Management throws this treat! And what a sweet treat it is! CinDy and Nacchan, original members of AKB48, rejoin their original team to perform this AKB classic, that's been around since the first stage, and is the additional track to their very first single. Interestingly enough, it also gained rank from last year's #68 to this year's #42. It was #5 in the first year of the Best 100.

CinDy!

Nacchan!

#2 - Everyone Starts Dancing to Minasan mo go Issho Ni

In the first day, as was with the previous Best 100, the girls sitting at the back would normally just sit, and the most they would do would be hand movements of the dance, along with singing with the song, if not just watching or chatting. But on day 2, it started with Wasshoi B! (#67) The part where Team B sits down and jumps up to cheer Wasshoi, some of the girls at the background started jumping along! Right after Wasshoi B! was Minasan mo go Issho ni (#66), and right at the beginning, who stands up and dances to the crazy song? Team K captain Sayaka Akimoto! She sits for a bit, but not for long, soon enough Sayaka is dancing crazy again, and everyone is standing up and dancing! After this, the girls in the back danced to many other songs in the rest of the concert series, but it started with Minasan mo go Issho ni! It was so fun, I wanted to be there! I would have been dancing along too! And I don't dance! It's so fitting too, Minasan mo go Issho ni, when translated to english, means "All Together Now".

Girls in the background start jumping with Team B in Wasshoi B!

At the beginning of Minasan mo go Issho ni, Sayaka stands up and starts dancing, seen in the background still wearing her Kimi wa Pegasus costume

Soon enough, everyone is standing up and dancing

Sayaka just having fun!

#1 - Meetan Kisses Kasai on Video During Oshibe to Meshibe to Yoru no Chouchou

I know Meetan's character, and that she likes to kiss the younger members, and I've seen the fun pictures, but this is the first time I've seen her do it on video! I don't know if the kiss in Oshibe to Meshibe to Yoru no Chouchou (#62) was ever real, they always cover it up so I believe the kiss is always faked, but this time, the camera was in the right angle to capture the kiss on video, suggesting this kiss was very much planned. And was it awsum! That's why we love Meetan! I get the feeling that Oshibe to Meshibe will not drop out of next year's Best 100. And I wonder what stunt will Meetan pull next year! And I don't know if it was scripted, or if Meetan did something to her, but Kasai's giggle in the end was an excellent ending!

Let's Speculate: 2nd Senbatsu Elections

Three months ago, in http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2010/01/akb48-2009-super-summary-and-lets.html, I said, "I think another Senbatsu election would be stressful for the girls. Maeda may get depressed if she doesn't get #1, and it's too predictable if she does, so maybe we shouldn't have one for another few years when there are already a lot of new girls in the roster, or until Acchan graduates, which, although I am not a big Maeda Atsuko fan, is not something I'm looking forward too either."

But a few days ago, at the March Yokohama concert, they did announce there would be a second Senbatsu elections. The top 21 girls voted on by the fans will do the recording for the next single after Ponytail to Shou Shou, while those ranked 22 to 40 will record an accompanying track as Undergirls. The new single Ponytail to Shou Shou will contain a voting ticket, although there are a few other voters as well like paid members of the AKB48 fanclub.

Running total of votes cast will be revealed on May 26 and June 5, while the announcement of the winners will be on June 9. Eligible for the election are members of AKB, SKE and Kenkyuuseis, but unfortunately, no SDN members are included. I think AKB management does not like the idea of mixing SDN with AKB in a single, and perhaps the age gap affects them also, as management may want a more youthful image. I would have loved it if SDN were eligible, but I don't doubt AKB management's decision with this.

It should be interesting if Acchan can stay on the top position. Most likely, she will, but we can never tell. She actually has good competition with Mariko Shinoda, Yuko Oshima, and maybe Mayu Watanabe. Last year, I would have thought her biggest competition would be Jurina Matsui, but her low rank last year proves otherwise.

For Senbatsus, there will be some predictable, Acchan, Mariko, Yuko, Mayuyu, and then there's also Yukirin, Haruna, Takamina, Tomochin, Sae, Sayaka, and even Jurina. It should be interesting to see if Amina can hold on to her high rank from last year (#8). I'm also curious as to whether certain girls who made it last year can still hold on, like Tomo~mi, Erepyon, and Miichan, who were all non-Senbatsu in the most recent single for the first time in their careers (except Mii if you count Skirt Hirari), and possibly "losing" some popularity compared to other members. Former Kenkyuuseis Kitarie and Myao may still make it this time, but we can never tell, but I'm guessing they will too, as well as everyone else I have already mentioned. Low rankers Lovetan and Mocchi may have a hard time retaining their Senbatsu status this elections, that should be interesting, I really can't guess if they will still make it this year, mostly because there are so many girls whose popularity have risen within the past year. And since current SDN members CinDy and Yukarin are no longer eligible, we are guaranteed at least 2 new Senbatsus elected this year. My guess is Rena would almost surely be elected Senbatsu. Not sure about who the second one would be. I would guess either Akicha, Yuttan, Sasshi, or maybe even Nacchan. Most likely, I would guess it would be Sasshi, but it would be great if it would be Nacchan, as she was the only AKB original who wasn't voted Senbatsu last year (she was undergirl).

A great thing about this year's elections though is that this time instead of just 9 undergirls, there will be 19, so at least there are more girls who would get that great opportunity. My guesses are: the Undergirls from the last election (minus SDN Meetan), Yonechan, Haachan, Natsumi, and whoever doesn't make Senbatsu among those I've already mentioned. But those are all old names, from the old election, how about the 10 new undergirls, plus 3 new slots for the now fully SDN girls? Here are my guesses, I believe it's a safe bet that these seven girls will make it in this year: Moeno (I was surprised she didn't make it last year), Kumi (from Team S, whose popularity I believe has greatly risen), Manatsu (center of Team KII), Harugon (who has been getting a lot of push lately, also with the success of Watarirouka Hashiritai), Umechan (Team K original whose over 1 year absence due to injury has affected her popularity), Nacchi (another popular girl in her early days and Team K original who wasn't able to make it in last year), and even Ayarin (controversial girl who had lots of fans in her early days). The last six spots are hard, I'll guess only five: Maachan, Komori, Chikarina, Krisu and Reinyan; the last one would be an unexpected girl. The only long time members I haven't mentioned are Nakayan and Tanamin, but with a lack of push from AKB management, it may be hard for them to get in, but one of them might be a pleasant surprise. It's hard to guess, I expect a lot of surprises actually. And no, I don't expect some of my favorites to make it, like Team S' Haruka Ono, or Team KII's Anna Ishida, although of course I'd be very happy if they could. Popular SKE48 girls Rina Shinkai and Sayuki Mori stepping down recently to become Kenkyuuseis to focus more on studies may hurt their chances as well, although their hardcore fans may rally more because of it, although even if they didn't step down, it would be hard for them to make it as well because of tough competition, even if I do adore Shinkai. The strongest AKB Kenkyuusei today would be Haruka Shimazaki, and if there's only one AKB Kenkyuusei who could make it, that would be her, but I doubt any Kenkyuuseis would make it again this year.

Fans again are up in arms about the thought that some fans will buy multiple copies of the single to cast more votes for their favorites, but even if this was true, I suppose it does make sense for management to listen to people who throw more money at AKB. I doubt it makes that huge of a difference, but we can't really tell, I, for one, don't believe that this is the reason why Amina ranked very high last year, I frown on the unproven suggestion that she has rich fans who were able to buy multiple singles and cast multiple votes for her, as if none of the others wouldn't have rich fans. I happen to like Amina and she is one of my favorites, and I can easily understand why many fans would like her so much and vote for her. Some even theorize this is fixed, which I seriously doubt; if Management were to fix them, they would have ranked Jurina much higher, for example, among other interesting rankings.

I believe this is very stressful for them, but I've given up trying to guess how the girls feel about this and why some of the girls were even crying last year. Were they crying because they didn't make it, or were they happy for the success of some of their friends? I can certainly understand why CinDy's friends would cry for her. The girls now could be nervous, or they may think this a great and fun challenge. At least, if this will become yearly, as it's starting to seem, if they don't make it this year, they can have the drive to try harder to try to make it next year.

On Team K's 5th Stage Senshuuraku, 6th Stage "Reset" Shounichi, Upcoming Senshuurakus and Shounichis and Changes in the Shuffle Announced in Budokan

I had to prepare myself for a cryfest before I watched the Senshuuraku (closing day) of Team K's 5th Stage Saka Agari. So there I was, getting ready to shed tears, waiting for everyone to bawl, and then the stage ends. Hey, where's the supercrying part?! I wanted supercyring!

Yeah, while they were performing, some were teary, while others had bouts of crying. I thought the bawlfest would be at the end. There was no bawlfest. Actually, the girls were able to keep their composure. The whole thought that this would be the last stage performed as a team by a beloved and respected team is certainly reason for much emotion, but I guess the girls were very prepared for this day. Why not, this was expected for months now, and I guess the girls have had plenty of time to cry and accept what was happening, and they have made peace with it. Either that, or they bawled off-stage afterwards. I guess they understand that eventhough they will not see each other as often as they did, they can and will still see each other. Well, good times come to an end, but in many instances, to open the door for new good times.

And then Team K's 6th Stage opened, Reset. A rather apt name for the start of the new team formations. After the shuffle kept getting moved, and the shounichi (opening day) of Reset got moved, fans were happy to see the new shuffled Team K and their first stage. And why not, it was a good stage! Certainly one of the better stages in AKB. The stage had a lot of good songs and performances, and as I would expect with Team K, whether old or new, a lot of good stage subunits. Team songs like Uhho Uhhoho and Jigsaw Puzzle 48 were great, just to name a few, but for me, my favorites of the stage are Gyakuten Oujisama and Kokoro no Hana no Sofa, both subunits.

Gyakuten Oujisama ("Come from Behind" Prince) is a fun, upbeat subunit which features AKB original Minami Minegishi as the center for the first time. I think she did great at it, very cute, as well as Tomomi Nakatsuka (former Team B, 4th stage) and Mayumi Uchida (former Kenkyuusei). The fact that Miichan finally got to center a subunit, and a very good one too, that fits the unit quite well, is one proof that the Budokan shuffle is actually a good idea. Miichan would have had difficulty ever getting center position in Team A, with so many front girls who are more popular than her, but now that she's in a new team, she can take the center and do great at it. I love the song and the performance, it's so cute, and so Miichan. Yes, Krisu and Mayumi do well too, but Gyakuten Oujisama is such a Miichan song!

And then, the last subunit of the stage, Kokoro no Hana no Sofa (Sofa in the Side of My Heart), an upbeat love song, centered by Team K topstar Yuko Oshima, with old Team K Ayaka Umeda and former Team A Reina Fujie. I wasn't too fond of it when they were playing the intro, but as soon as Yuko started singing, it just grabbed my attention. Yuko's vocals are great, especially for this song. Reinyan also shined in this performance, I think she was great! I must admit, Reinyan is probably the first or second girl that caught my eye in AKB, but she was hardly noticeable in Team A, but she was great in this unit. Of course, Umechan is always an excellent performer. This unit song was great, the vocals were excellent, the performance was terrific, the dance was great, this is my favorite performance of the stage, and is now one of my favorite AKB subunits. Again, this is proof that the Budokan shuffle was not a bad idea, as Reinyan was able to shine more in this unit than she did in Team A. Her vocals, dancing and overall performance in this unit was great, for me. I hope more big things come her way.

Now that Team K is done with, we await the other two teams' senshuurakus and shounichis. Apparently, shuffled Team B just started rehearsing a few weeks ago, with the girls' hectic schedules and all, but all the while I thought they have been rehearsing since last year. I suppose that means Team B's senshuuraku is up next. Oh, I'll probably cry for that one, those little girls would probably not be able to hold back. And then there's Team B captain CinDy. I still have concerns that she'll announce her graduation at Team B's senshuuraku. Or maybe she'll just finish SDN48's 1st stage and will no longer stay for its 2nd. Don't graduate yet, CinDy!

And after the senshuuraku would be the shounichi of shuffled Team B's first stage, or Team B's 5th stage overall. I'd love to see the new Team B as Team B is still my favorite team. We can easily guess that Mayuyu and Yukirin would still center subunits, unless there would be a surprise like they will have a duet or something, but it would be interesting who else would get to. I suppose Kasai would be center for one. But, if there are five subunits, as typically there are, then I'm guessing the two will be up for grabs by Nacchan, Kitarie, Yuka, and Myao. I would love to see Nacchan and Nacchi center a subunit, but for Nacchi's studies at Waseda University, that wouldn't be the best idea right now, and although I love Nacchan, I doubt she'll get chosen over the other three I mentioned. It would be great if she did, though, finally center a subunit like fellow original Miichan. I suppose the best bet to get center position of subunits would be Myao and Yuka. Team B is poised to give quite a few surprises. Their new stage will be very interesting!

And finally Team A. I don't think shuffled Team A is even rehearsing yet. So I guess Mii and Tomochin are performing in two subunits these days (along with former A members). Hey, Tomochin is centering two subunits, Tsundere! and Seifuku no Resistance (School Uniform Resistance)! We can guess that Team A's 5th stage senshuuraku.will be very tearful also, especially for AKB originals Tomochin, Mii and Yukarin, who would leave Team A after being there since the very first day. But the new stage of shuffled Team A should be interesting, to also see how well the new members would gel. But the ones who will center subunits would be rather predictable: Acchan, Takamina, Haruna, and Mariko, unless some of them will get grouped together, which is rather possible, but if not, it should still be interesting who would be the fifth person to center a unit. My guesses are either Lovetan, Haachan, and Sasshi, all Team B girls. Although it would be interesting if it ended up as Mocchi, Akicha, Natsumi or even Harugon! They're great, but I guess they would get chosen over, but if there were surprises, it would be one of them. Between Lovetan, Haachan and Sasshi, the easy bet would be Sasshi as she has centered every subunit she has been in since she was promoted from Kenkyuusei. That would be great, Sasshi centering a unit at Team A, but she has serious competition with Lovetan, who is a fan-favorite as well, and if the unit fits Lovetan like Tenshi no Shippo did, Lovetan is a no-brainer choice as center. The wildcard here is if some of the original four members end up in the same unit, having both Sasshi and Lovetan center a unit at Team A may be unlikely, although I would love it, but management may go for balance and choose a former Team K member instead, like Mocchi or Natsumi.

By the way, if you haven't kept up, and have been wondering why there are a few discrepancies from the new shuffled teams from that which was announced at Budokan, there have been three changes. First, Shihori Suzuki quit (or graduated) when she was promoted from Kenkyuusei to Team B. Her official reasons included she realized her priorities, and that official stuff, but I'm short of a conspiracy theory to wonder what exactly happened there. Anyway, hope she fares well. Secondly, Haruka Kohara, promoted to Team B on their fourth stage, who was an SDN48 Under also, although it was announced at Budokan that she will be transferred to Team K, it was announced weeks later that she would be fully transferred to SDN48 as well. In SDN's official website, she is still listed as Under, I don't know why that is, if she really is still an Under (although that would be unfair since she is already an AKB48 member, but would only be the equivalent of a Kenkyuusei in SDN), or if their website is just not updated. I haven't seen Eiko Maeda in SDN's website either, although she was transferred from SKE48 to SDN. Finally, Mariya Suzuki, promoted Kenkyuusei at Budokan to Team A, was transferred to Team B instead, to make each Team 16 members each again, finally making AKB48 actually 48 members again, for only the second time in AKB's history so far.

So yeah, Team A and Team B senshuurakus and shounichis haven't been announced yet by the time of this writing, but if the new Team K stage is any indication of things to come, then we have good things coming! Reset is a good stage, and the second era of AKB48 certainly looks promising.

Gyakuten Oujisama

Kokoro no Hana no Sofa

Sakura no Shiori

This post is a continuation of the AKB48 Discography post (here's the previous post: http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2010/01/akb48-discography-actually-just-list-of.html)


17. Sakura no Shiori
(桜の栞)

Continuing the streak started by River, Sakura no Shiori is the 2nd single of AKB48 to rank #1 in the weekly Oricon charts. It also sold the most copies compared with previous singles, selling well over 300,000 copies. "Cherry Blossom Bookmark" is a mellow, calming, graduation choir song. Although only 12 were Senbatsu for this song, the PV shows many of the AKB48 girls, wearing elegant kimonos.

The second track is Majisuka Rock n' Roll, a fast-paced rock song, which is the theme of their on-going drama at the time of its release, Majisuka Gakuen. The PV contains most of the opener of the actual series, with clips from the early episodes.

For the first time, two versions contained different third tracks, the first one is Enkyori Poster (Long Distance Poster), a fast paced love song about loving the person on the poster on your wall (kinda like a song their fans can sing for them, like Kimi no Koto ga Sukidakara, which many fans have compared even the sound of the song to), performed by Team PB (Team Playboy), while the second one is Choose Me!, a relatively slower love song about unrequited love, performed by Team YJ (Team Young Jump). The PV of Enkyori Poster is more lively, with the girls on the poster coming to life and making a mess of the boy's room while he is away, while Choose Me!'s PV is serious and moving, especially the shots at the train station, and the teary close up shots. For more discussion on this, you may see http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2010/01/preorder-sakura-no-shiori.html

The single, released February 17, 2010, also contained instrumentals of the first two tracks, along with bonus clips on the DVD.

Sakura no Shiori PV

I think they were dancing River in this part

Majisuka Rock n' Roll PV

Majisuka Gakuen's lead actress, Maeda Atsuko, in a signature move by her character

Enkyori Poster PV

Yuki Kashiwagi, the clear center of Enkyori Poster

Choose Me! PV

Although I liked Enkyori Poster more, there were more good shots in Choose Me!'s PV

For the continuation of this post, see: http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2010/10/ponytail-to-shushu-and-heavy-rotation.html

AKB48, SKE48, SDN48 Members List

For the list updated January 8, 2011, see here: http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2011/01/akb48-ske48-nmb48-and-sdn48-members.html

The list below is as of March 12, 2010, upon the opening of the first stage of the first shuffled team to debut, which marks the beginning of the second era of AKB48, now reflecting the shuffle announced at their 2009 Budokan concert. Click the images to enlarge.

Team A

Team K

Team B

Team S 

Team KII

SDN48

AKB Research Students

SKE Research Students

SDN Unders

To see the members list during November, 2009, before the Budokan shuffle took effect, and a short discussion, see http://filipinoakbfan.blogspot.com/2009/11/akb48-members-list.html .