It’s been 3 years since they had performed there. Pre-pandemic, it was a yearly stop on their National Summer Tour.
I had bootleg from their last show there in 2019. I’ve lost it because I stupidly wiped my NAS looking for more space.
Anyhow, the final shows of this year’s National Summer Tour starts today (it’s Monday in Japan) the final two will be available on streaming. You know I will watch.
It’s Nogizaka46’s formation anniversary. Eleven years ago 36 girls were chosen to form a new idol group to be the direct rivals to AKB48. At the time, it may have been a daunting task since AKB48 was at the height of their popularity. But from humble beginnings come big things.
Here we are 11 years later and at the moment they are the most popular idol group.
Congratulations!
Looking forward to more continued excellence from the members now going into their 5th Generation.
Nogizaka46’s 30th single, “Suki to Iu no wa Rock daze!” and in English, “What I like is ROCK!” Kaki Haruka is its center. As a card carrying, 3rd Gen oshi it hurts that this is another single without a 3rd Gen center. The rate they’re going they may never get another center.
Anyhow, I’m not sure about the song. Long and monotonous. At least we get Mizuki in ponytail at the end. I’ll get back to you in a few months when this becomes my favorite song.
Actually, this is the second MV for Nogizaka46’s 29th single, “Actually…” It is released today, but this MV has only recently just come out on Sunday. If you buy the single, you’ll find another version — a 20 minute dramatic version. It was all drama to get us here. Ten years and they finally got some drama in the form of their latest recruits, 5期生.
So the original center for this single was to be one of their newest members, Nakanishi Aruno, who just joined at the start of the year. But then she was cancelled. In reality, some of her past social media posts came to light. They were pretty awful to say. Eventually, she had to go on hiatus to hide from the backlash against her.
This was at the start of the month. They had filmed the music video before then. And burned the CDs already. So therefore there are two versions for the title song.
It will be a while for me to get the CDs. I’m sore over how this release went down. Also, a bit skeptical of Nakanishi and 5th Gen. I do like the song, and I still love the group. Weirdly, I can’t wait to get the CDs in my hand.
Nogizaka46’s birthday is celebrated on the 22nd of February in celebration of the release of their first single. They’ve reached their 10th Birthday! Happy birthday!
Today’s link is to their current schedule for the ongoing 46 Hour Television. We’re half way through, but if you want to find out what’s coming up, then you can click the link. We’re waiting for the Sports Day Festival and for the introduction of 5th Gen and the debut of their latest single tomorrow.
Watch this and know you’ll have fun, but you only have about 36 hours. Will this video go blank in two days? I guess we’ll find out. But, still, watch.
Nogizaka46 going for the Showa vibes with a tinge of City Pop. I kind of like it. I wish they would do it some more. It isn’t the first time. It will not be the last. Maybe sometime then they’ll try it in their late night show, Nogizaka Star Tanjou.
Shinuchi Mai, as I have already said, is leaving the group in the next few weeks. The song was on Nogizaka’s last album. They released this video so that we will remember her. Last week was her birthday along with Ikuta Erika. She turned 30 which is a very rare age for an idol.
Erika-sama for the 10th Anniversary Best of Album giving us a cute rendition of 「ロマンスのスタート」You do know that by the end of the month and the end of the year Erika-sama will have ended her idol career and graduated from Nogizaka46.
One thing about being a fan of idols is that at any time they will make the decision to graduate, and you’ll be left with feelings of loneliness and sadness.
She’s the eldest of all Nogizaka members at the ancient for an idol age of 29. She follows my oshimen, Ikuta Erika, out the door into the future and real life. I wish her all the happiness in the world, because I have fond feelings for all Nogizaka members (and somewhat for most all idols of Japan).
