AKB48′s next entry coming on October 26th, ‘Kaze wa Fuiteiru’(The Wind is Blowing), surprisingly appeared in glimpses on a television program, revealing some dance shots and sections of the song.

As you can imagine, this is already right up my alley. While it’s not as hard-hitting or aggressive as ‘River’ or ‘Beginner’, it seems to have the same undeniably “cool” feeling that compliments them. The dresses probably would have worked better as a two-piece and I wish they weren’t monochrome, but the dark stockings and gothic-era headpieces add a nice and simple contrast. It’s also interesting that all the members have their hair tied back as well as their bangs, putting more emphasis on their faces. It’s definitely the most elegant I’ve seen from AKB’s single PVs, but I would have liked some more visual flair.

Hana from Nihongogo explained some of the dialogue from the clip, explaining that,

“The news reports on this so far mentioned that it’s a song written to “support the revival of the economy in the areas affected by the earthquake/tsunami”, and that, like all of their releases since then, part of the proceeds from the sales of this single will be donated.”

It’s an extremely limited look into what’s to come, but what do you guys think?

Dae

Recorded September 11th, 2011.

Tron, Dae, and David sit down to talk about the Top 5 things they wish would happen in the Idol Industry.

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On top of our regular idol broadcast that starts today at 3pm CST, NSK will be doing an early recording of this week’s podcast, and a live AKBINGO preshow! We’re aiming to start at 8pm CST, soon after today’s regular broadcast. So drop by our live page today and get your fill of idol discussion! We look forward to seeing you guys there!

At NSK, one of our favorites is AKB Team B member Miyazaki Miho. Although for slightly different reasons, the three of us have been have been quite fond of her for some time and it was pretty evident during the 2011 Draft. We’re all disappointed in her recent slide in popularity and I wanted to take some time to look into possible explanations why.

I can’t say for sure why Miyazaki got the initial push that she did. Obviously she was a fresh new face and being on the always spotlighted Team A must have helped at least a little. I always liked Miho for her youth. Not because she was young but because she did things out of character for a new member. The youthful rebellion carried into playfully calling out senior members and make quite a few memorable moments for me.

I personally think that is why she was eye catching initially. But then as we got to know her, we found more traces of girlishness in her. She led on that she was more timid and we saw Miyazaki talk a big game but often time fail at backing it up.

People like winners and confidence. We’re drawn to those qualities because we want to associate with feelings of success. Who doesn’t want to be successful? But where problems arise is when there’s too much confidence. Generally we don’t like people who are full or themselves or narcissistic. Some individuals are able to walk that fine line. We give them a pass and refer to them as cocky. Because for all their loud, brash, and obnoxious behavior, they find a way win.

I think ultimately Miho’s slide began when fans started seeing her as a sheep in wolves’ clothing. She was great on the mic but that was about it. While personally, I find her girlish personality endearing, I could see how it would wear on other’s.  Maybe those fans saw it as a deception. Couple with the constant addition of new fresh faced members, it’s a lot to overcome.

In the end Miyazaki is at a loss. Maybe it’s her fault for biting off more than she could chew, but I still find the way she presents herself a quality that’s lacking in a lot of people these days. She’s an entertainer so I’d like to see more people, girls especially, with those colorful personalities.

I’ve been drawn to characters like Kushieda Minori from Toradora and Hirayawa Yui from K-On! so I see Miyazaki more as a human personification of those characters. Loud and over the top, but really just a sweet person inside.

David

As talked about on this week’s show, there’s a movie called Cheerfully coming out featuring an assorted grab bag of Idols. Stylized as Cheerfu11y, the movie will feature current soloist Kikkawa Yuu and ex-Momoiro Blue member Hayami Akari.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Akari as I’ve always felt she placed in the outsider role in Momoiro. She would be seen at the edge of the camera with a different outfit or different make up, singled out for being a halfie. Ultimately I think these are reasons why she chose graduation. I was worried for her career following the decision but after seeing this trailer, I’m a bit more at ease. My only question, when was this movie shot? Before or after her graduation plans?

I have high hopes for her in this role. I think acting will fit her better than the popularity contest that Idol life can be. Here she can just be another character in a world full of characters instead of a tall sore thumb on stage with a bunch of short traditional-looking Japanese girls. Here’s to hoping that Blue can make an impact.

The movie comes out in Japan October 22nd.Read More for the full trailer
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Recorded September 8th, 2011.

Pardon the Drop in Quality as we had recorder problems halfway through the live recording..
This week on NSK…

Ketchup Please
StarCraft 2
Tron’s TV
OKA-EXILE
Lucky Seven & Hito no Chikara Lyrics
Takai Tsukina

Impressions
-Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai PV
-Smileage Covers
- S/mileage’s 7th single titled Tachiagaaru
-Kikkawa Yuu’s 2nd single titled Hapirapi ~Sunrise~

News

H!P

• C-ute Sekai Ichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko First day Sale
• Mano Erina Will Be Part Of The Cast For The Stage Play “Ikemen Desu ne”
• Sales numbers for H!P stores in August 2011
• Update on MM 10th gen Auditions
• Kitahara Sayaka – Kanari Junou

AKS

• Itano’s singing suspension
• Yuko injury
• Team 4 Scandal Conclusion
• More NMB Scandals
• NMB 2nd Single and senbatsu
• The Minegishi VirusOther
• Kago Ai’s BF
• Idoling!!! PV Collection – 9/21
• Just Dance Japan?!?!

  Discussion Topic

How Do You Manage Success Too Quickly? (Team 4 & NMB48)
Viewer Question

How do you feel when people see your favorite idols but has no interest in anything besides their sex appeal? Does it bother you? Do you wish they could see their attractiveness along with their personality?

TFW (The Final Word)

Opening:
C-ute – Sekai Ichi HAPPY Onna no ko.

Ending:
Hayami Akari – Fall Into Me

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Read More for Links
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We will be live tonight at 9pm CST recording our podcast live for all of you folks to see. We had such a great turn out last week and heard lots of great comments from you guys in the community that I hope you can join us again tonight at the same usual spot. Make sure to tell your friends and we will see you tonight!

Every since my voyage into the idol world, I’ve always been amazed how fans of idol music were so much different then fans of other music genres. If we took a rock concert as an example, most of the time fans would just be bobbing their heads up and down and pumping their fist to the rhythm of the music and overall having a good time. One thing I instantly noticed during my first idol concert was the sense of connection that the fans had with the Idols on stage. The chants and the movements were all synced and you could even see the girls on stage chant along with the crowd during certain moments of the concert. The sea of glowsticks in the concert hall was awesome to witness as I’ve always admired them from across a computer screen watching these Idol concerts with envy and a yearning to one day have my glowsticks be part of that crowd

I was introduced to a youtube video of some awesome coordinated wotagei moves involving glow sticks and I was in awe at how awesome these guys were with their glow stick work. Definitely the music helped with the enjoyment of the video, but mostly seeing the guys wotagei in some dark park with only glow sticks lighting up the screen was a joy to watch. I’m sure these guys must have gone through many glowsticks to get this routine done right.

Going back to my old post about being cool or not while doing wotagei, why wouldn’t anyone wanna be able to do this? Or am I really that uncool…..

Recorded September 1st, 2011.

This week on NSK…

Ketchup Please
Dae’s Netflix
Robocop & Fifth Element
Poor man’s Airi
Tron’s Perfect Push Up

Impressions
-MM’s ‘Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo!’ PV
-Buono live on Youtube
-H!P All Stars Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku
-Fairies ‘No Kiss’ PV

News

H!P
-Berryz Kobou & C-ute collaboration single Amazuppai Haru ni Sakurasaku
-Berryz Koubou First Concert in the USA Sakura Con FC DVD Cover Released

AKS
-Flying Get sells 1.3 mil first week
-Request Hour Concert changes
-Oshima Yuko’s new drama

Other
-Matsuura Aya is Sick?

Discussion Topic
Idol’s personal preference on fashion

Viewer Question
Non-asian artists in Japan? (junjun12)

OPENING:
Chou WONDERFUL! – Cute

ENDING:
Hito no Chikara – AKB48 Undergirls
Attack Hyper Beat POP – Tokyo Girls Style
Kiss Made 100 Mile – AKB48 Team Mint

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Click below to see the live video recording of this show; Thanks to everyone who showed up in chat!
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