AKB48 promotes new Street Fighter movie

10 members of AKB48 have been promoting the new Street Fighter movie: The Legend of Chun Li that’s out on general release in Japan from tomorrow. They all look extremely kawaii in their costumes. The video below also has them doing a little dance and talking about the game, dance and the costume.

I must be one of the few that’s never played Street Fighter so I’m not familiar with any of the characters in the game. I preferred Tekken or Soul Blade instead. As for the movie itself, judging from the trailer I’ll give it a miss seeing as it’s not an Asian movie. I’d expect a competent movie if it was made in Japan or Hong Kong but in the hands of Hollywood I can see it’s not going to be any good.

Mari Yaguchi – Seishun Boku (Live Performance)

Mari Yaguchi performed her new single Seishun Boku on Quiz Hexagon II last night. This was the first time in 4 years for her to perform solo and it showed. She was practically shouting the lyrics and her voice sounded a bit out of key in some parts but I think that was due to nerves.  I’m just delighted to see her back performing again and besides I like the song – a rock track which is unlike anything from her H!P days. After the performance the occasion got to Mari and she began to cry confessing she was so happy to be out there singing again. I’m crossing my fingers that this single does well for her. Oh and if you’re wondering why the canine logo above her name – that’s a picture of her dog Cookie but those who read her blog will know that already.

AKB48 – And The Next To Leave Is……

I did say there’d be more graduations on the way and yesterday another member of the group announced that they’re leaving except it’s not Team A that’s losing one of their own this time round but Team K. Last night’s show at the AKB48 Theater had Hayano Kaoru saying she’s going at the end of Team K’s 4th stage. I don’t really know who she is – she must be a non entity on AKBingo (if she’s even appeared on it) so I haven’t really noticed her. It doesn’t really bother me at all that she’s going. This is getting ridiculous now with all these graduations. I give it another 7 days before another graduation announcement is made.

Scandal – Sakura Goodbye PV

Next week (March 4th) sees the awesome Scandal release their 2nd major single Sakura Goodbye. I’ve yet to hear a bad tune by Scandal and Sakura Goodbye continues the fine run of brilliant songs by them. Even though a mini-album came out last year, I’m anxiously awaiting a full album to be released.

No Sleeves – Tane PV

The PV to AKB48 sub unit No Sleeves’ 2nd single Tane is now out. On first hearing the song I think it’s definitely an improvement on their debut single Relax. The PV has the girls performing the song in a room wearing bright clothes and short skirts. My focus was primarily on Takamina just because she’s one of my favorite members in AKB48. She looks fantastic in the PV but so does Miichan and Kojiharu.

AKB48 – 10nen Sakura Full PV

Here is the full 7 minute PV to accompany AKB48’s new single 10nen Sakura. It starts out 10 years in the future where we see that one member is pregnant!! You’ll just have to watch the PV to find out which girl this is. After setting up the story for the PV it switches back to the present for the song to be performed by them and what a tune it is. We’ve already had a sneak preview of  AKB48 performing the song on AKBingo but hearing it in full makes it even better for me. I love it.

C-ute Temporarily Down To 6 Members

H!P released a statement today announcing that C-ute’s Arihara Kanna is out indefinitely with bunions (an enlargement of the bone or tissue near the big toe) which has become too painful for her to continue working. She is not expected to be doing any promos with the rest of the group for their upcoming single Bye Bye Bye or be taking part in C-ute’s concert tour. Kanna could be out for a few months as she recovers from the treatment for her condition. Get well soon Kanna!

A Selection Of Recent PV’s I Like

1. Sowelu – Material World

Blimey, just how much has Sowelu changed since we saw her last!! There’s been a gap of 11 months since her last single Wish and during that time she’s gone and reinvented herself with a new music style plus a change of image. She looks totally different and I really like Material World a lot. Is she going to stick with this new image and music – I certainly hope so.

2. Ami Suzuki – Reincarnation

Having finished her collaboration with producer Nakata for the time being at least, Ami teams up with m-flo’s Taku for her latest single Reincarnation. Another catchy dance track by her and I simply love the imaginative PV.

3. Stereo Pony – Namida no Mukou

I’ve never heard of this group before until I checked this song out because it’s been in the Oricon Top 10. I’m really glad I did as I love this song which is the 2nd opening to the anime Gundam 00. They’ve also provided the ED song to Bleach as well. Big things are expected from this group if the comments I read about them are true. Stereo Pony are three 18 year old girls from Okinawa. Can’t wait for their next release.

4. MiCHi – Change The World

MiCHi follows up her superb debut single Promise with a similar sounding track Change The World. Comparing both tracks I have to admit liking Promise even more but this is still a fantastic song and the PV is quite good too involving paint!

and finally a track from 2002:

5. Momoi Halko – Mail Me

This song was used in the movie Suicide Circle by a fictional idol group Dessert that was influencing some people to do nasty things. I love this dance track even though Momoi’s voice does sound like that of a 12 year old. The PV has her prancing around her favorite haunt – Akihabara as she’s an otaku! Can’t say I’m a fan of her two Famicom 8-bit albums but maybe some of you out there will enjoy it.

CDTV’s Top 20 Most Wanted Lover – Female

Came across this video today of the Top 20 females that Japanese guys would like as their lover. A very strange selection in the Top 10 and what the hell is Koharu Kusumi doing in it!! Eri Kamei and even JunJun are prettier than her. There is no way in hell she’s more desirable than those ranked 11 – 20. I’m surprised that Kashiyuka and A-Chan from Perfume don’t make the list. If I had my way there’d be a spot for Maki Goto, May from Sweet Vacation and several girls from AKB48.

1 Ayumi Hamasaki
2 YUI
3 Takahashi Ai (Morning Musume).
4 Nakagawa Shoko
5 Reina Tanaka (Morning Musume).
6 Kaori Mochida
7 Amuro Namie
8 Kawashima Ai
9 Nocchi (Perfume)
10 Koharu Kusumi (Morning Musume).
11 Aiko
12 Kiyoe Yoshioka (Ikimono Gakari)
13 Ai Otsuka
14 Yui Aragaki
15 Chisa (GIRL NEXT DOOR)
16 Kimura Kaera
17 Koda Kumi
18 BoA
19 Mizuki Nana
20 Ayaka

EDIT: Sony have taken the video down from Youtube. Sorry bout that.

Sweet Black feat Maki Goto – Lady-Rise PV

This has caught me by surprise as I didn’t know this was being released digitally today coming so soon after Fly Away. This is Gocchin’s 2nd collaboration single with Sweet Black. What’s there to say about the PV other than she’s looking very hot in it and the song carries on in the vein of Fly Away – a brilliant upbeat dance track. In fact I think it’s better than her previous single.

EDIT: I’m really sorry that the PV hasn’t been working. AVEX must have ordered Daily Motion and Youtube to delete all the videos that others have uploaded but I’ve found another one. I can’t say how long this PV will work as I suspect it’ll be taken down again soon but for now enjoy the PV.