My favorite Japanese idol group filled with elegant, classy members
Ikuta Erika will not make it to the 10th Year Birthday Live. She will graduate at the end of the year with her last appearance being Kouhaku.
It is a bleak Monday.
I don’t know yet how to process this information. Right now, I guess I am in shock. Depression should hit in the afternoon.
I wish her happiness, and I hope to see her do great things in theater.
September 4, 2016 Nogizaka46 introduced the Third Generation. At its center was a weak, easily rattled member, Ozono Momoko. She was always crying, which was endearing and frustrating at the same time. How can they have such a center for what was an important addition to the group?
Fast forward to today. Not just their 5th Anniversary, but also Ozono’s graduation day. One reason to follow Japanese idols is to witness their growth as members and as a person. Certainly, Momoko’s growth is one of the more satisfying to witness. She’s not so quick to cry anymore, and it shows how genuine of a person she was as an idol. That was really her as a person and not a character she put on for privacy. Congratulations on your graduation Momoko!
Our final gift from her is this MV for “Omoide First,” the 3rd Gen’s 2nd song which can be found on Nogizaka46’s 3rd album from 2017. Please enjoy and watch over the 3rd Gen members with a smile.
Whelp. It’s Nogizaka46’s third single of the year and their twenty-eighth overall. Also, it’s another new center for this single. Three to match the three singles released. The center is from fourth gen, Kakki Haruka. To be honest, I’m not on the Kakki bandwagon completely. I think I have trouble with the fourth gen, but it isn’t her fault. It’s me.
Anyhow, like the song. Like the center. Like the group. I cannot wait for the release at the end of this month.
Link of the Day [9.02.21]
I have no idea what this is, but since it is Nogizaka46. I’m there.
Of course, I’m not really there, since it is in Japan. I am really there in spirit.
On this date ten years ago, Nogizaka46 was formed. Thirty-six members chosen to be the official rivals to AKB48. What can they do against the idol group who at the time was in their golden age and at their most popular?
For the first few years it was a struggle always in the shadow of their rivals. They did have a small smattering of success. They were competitive. Their idol identity was that of ojousama — upper class ladies. They persevered and persevered and they hit their stride in their fifth year, 2016. Making it such that they were real competitors to their rivals. And in the next year, they overtook them.
Their 10th anniversary finds Nogizaka46 at the top of the idol world. From humble beginnings to greatness, it’s been a wild ride. Let’s hope for another ten more.
おめでとう！
An interview with the Ikuta Erika who plays Eponine in Les Miserables. Best girl.
It was six years ago when I fell in love with Nogizaka46. It was all because of Nishino Nanase leaping from Macau Tower bungie jump. If an idol puts so much effort in promoting their single they would jump off tall heights, then I will be supporting them for forever.
Then we get to their latest hit campaign for the 27th single. They jumped from planes. They stood under cold, thundering waterfalls. They’re bungie jumping off of tall bridges. And it is the bungie that I want to focus on today.
It’s 215 meters, and the new center, Endou Sakura, makes the leap. Also, Yoda Yuuki leapt. Yoda who I kept wondering if she would ever spark joy for me. Third generation Nogi who entered back in 2016. She’s really popular in the fandom. Yet, I still haven’t connected.
I wanted this single for her to show me why. IMO she should’ve been center, and I was disappointed when it was revealed to be Sakura. But she gets the chance to jump off a bridge as well. Yoda was swell, and she embraced it. She flew like a flying squirrel. Now I think I understand the Yoda Yuuki. I am all in.
I’ve fallen in love with them all over again.
Before we forget. Nogizaka46 27th single on sale now! It’s solid and maybe it heralds a new musical direction for the group. The members are the same as always though… cute AF.
If I made it to Tokyo, this would be the extent of what I would tour. Yes. I am a terrible Nogizaka wota. LOL!
Anyhow. This YouTube channel has been silent going on two years. I wonder what happened. I hope she’s doing well.
Well, it seems like every few months we’ll put another Nogizaka46 item up. Today is no different. Link to a special site for their upcoming, 27th Single 「ごめんねFingers crossed」(Gomen ne Fingers Crossed).
While I am not too happy with the lineup — the center is Endou Sakura, it still looks to be a great music video. Hopefully, it will be a narrative type. Maybe it is Nogi’s fast & furious version!
