「おひとりさま天国」, Nogizaka46’s 33rd single, to be released towards the end of the month. Let’s all have fun for the last bit of summer we have left.
I am unsure about this song. At once, it is Nogizaka, it feels Nogizaka, and the members are cute in the MV. The song to my ears sounds like a few of the other Nogizaka songs. It reminds me of スキロク from last summer. I also hear some of the Asuka/Maiyan duet or Maiyan/Ringo, both of which were off of summer releases. All I have to say about the title song is that it really is a summer single.
At their inception, Nogizaka46 was the official rival of AKB48. Debuting in 2011, it took Nogizaka46 seven years to overtake their rivals and become Japan’s top mainstream idol act.
Today, Nogizaka46 are the rivals to a new idol group produced again by Akimoto Yasushi. The new group is 「僕が見たかった青空」(“Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora”) or “The Blue Sky I Wanted to See.”
My favorite idol group, Nogizaka46, call it home. Every year on their summer tour since 2014, they’ve had a show there. There have been many memorable happenings at these lives. Ikuta flown in on a copter. Fourth Year Birth Day Live’s rain. 2016’s Synchronicity dual stadium shows. Graduations. Falls. Rain. Rain. Rain.
One day, I would love to see my beloved Nogizaka at Jingu.
Kubo Shiori and Yamashita Mizuki. Yamashita Mizuki and Kubo Shiori. One and one and two and two. They are 3rd Generation aces for Nogizaka46, and they’ll forever be linked together in fans’ minds.
In the summer of 2016, Nogizaka46 held auditions for a new, third generation of members. The finale of the audition process was participation on the online streaming site, SHOWROOM, where the candidates spent about an hour just chatting and interacting with live stream viewers. At the time, both were anonymous to fans, but they spotted something in them making both highly popular. They were at the time second and third. Yamashita edging out Kubo.
After they passed, they would find themselves in competition again. This time in Nogizaka’s 3 Principals stage show. Principal is a play upon which the audience gets to choose which members participate in the play. Another audition. Kubo came out with the slight edge voted to participating in the play just one more vote than Yamashita.
They were always squaring against each other. It may have been the basis of Kubo taking a hiatus in 2018 because of this competition. Was it a challenge?
Maybe, but they were quite a combo. They named their pairing, “KuboShita,” and fans love them. Nothing but admiration amongst the pair. Even though Yamashita had earned the Ace moniker, Kubo was close behind. Kubo is the more beloved amongst the members themselves. Either way they are at the forefront of Nogizaka.
Anyhow, the single has been out for a couple of weeks. Please give it a listen. I love this song. I love this pair. I just love Nogizaka46.
I’d like to think that it was Nogizaka46 and Kubo Shiori who kicked started Team Japan to a WBC win. Like I imagine that we should be getting memes of Kubo striking out Mike Trout. Come on internet. Don’t let me down.
Anyhow, I was rooting for Team Japan because my favorite idols were cheering them on.
From their 31st single, a unit song with the rappers, Kitagawa and Hayashi. The arrangement to this song is unlike any other in Nogizaka’s catalog. Normally, it’s a through line from member to member.
This one’s set up like a classic R&B, hip-hop song from the 90s. Plus also has a bit of lofi sound to it.
I didn’t think it was written by their old AF producer, but I guess it was. I thought the rapper pair wrote it out and the lyrics to to chorus was added in. I wonder if that’s how this happened?
This is the extended edition to the previous post. Most likely it’s the one they watched in studio. Surprisingly, this is the first of its kind from the show — a long, uninterrupted journey with the members. It’s also the first time I believe we’ve really gotten an extended glimpse of these newest members. Again, their effort really makes me happy. If you’re not a fan after this, I don’t know if you have a heart.
I’ve always loved these episodes — part of the hit campaigns. The ones that they go climb Mt. Fuji are especially favorites. This episode has Nogizaka’s 5th Generation members doing the climb. Amazingly they all made it up to the summit — in fact they went further than any of the members going to the real summit and not just to the last lodge at the summit. It seems fairly easy, but I am sure there can be some more difficulty.
Because the first post of September didn’t follow the rules for News Radio Quote Month, then the first post of the next month, which should’ve been the last post of last month, will be last News Radio quote you’ll get until next year! It’s my blog so these are my rules which I don’t follow.
Anyhow, let’s enjoy idols going to watch baseball games. Here’s Hazuki and Yuna-chan watching a Chiba Lottte Marines game versus Seibu Lions from Saitama. I will enjoy it a lot.
In honor of the rumor that Nogizaka46 5th Generation members were seen spotted climbing Mt. Fuji, here’s a solo climber showing what they’re up against. It doesn’t look quite as daunting considering all the amenities along the way, but still attitude sickness is no joke.
If the rumors are true, Nogizaka46 will have climbed Mt. Fuji three times. The first two were associated with their “pray for a hit” campaign for their singles. Although, for the 5th Generation, it is off schedule for the 30th single as they’ve wrapped up the campaign. Unless this effort is supplemental to the previous one.
If you want to look up their past climbs up Mt. Fuji — they’re great as they show you great effort and you’ll cheer for them, then seek out the hit campaigns for their 10th single and 24th single. You’ll know why I love them.
