No wonder AKB48 is everywhere!
Posted by: kirin on 
Dec 13th, 2011 | 
Filed under: What's New?It’s not too much to say that there’s no day I don’t see AKB48. They are on TV, posters, everywhere… I think most of us are already fed up with that. But there’s no wonder they are everywhere!
AKB48 released a new single “Uekara Mariko” which already has been selling over 1.199 million copies within the first week. AKB48 has been so successful they have the most million-seller single titles among female singers in Japan. All 5 single titles they released in 2011 are sold over million copies.
Uekara Mariko (released 7th Dec. 2011) 1.199 million copies sold in the first week
Kaze wa fuiteiru (released 26th Oct. 2011) 1.30 million copies
Flying Get (released 24th Aug. 2011) 1.354 million copies
Everyday, Kachusha (released 25th May. 2011) 1.334 million copies
Sakura no ki ni narou (released 16th Feb. 2011) 0.94 million copies
Other female singers with their single titles of million sales.
“Can You Keep A Secret?” Utada Hikaru (2001)
“Can You Celebrate?” Amuro Namie (1997)
“Independent” Hamasaki Ayumi (2002)
I’m just amazed at how AKB48 is doing well, while on the other hand, I hope AKB should not dominate the Japanese music industry and Oricon chart… BTW, AKB48 is such a popular idol group in Japan but you can actually see and shake hands with them in person if you visit AKB48 theater in Akihabara. They are the idols you can visit. That’s their unique concept, and that’s how they became popular from Akihabara to the world. 
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December 13th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Oh, yes! I've started listening to AKB48 recently, and my very favorite songs are "Kaze wa fuiteiru" and "Noel no Yoru". ^_^
Their songs have a special sense.
December 13th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
I'm very confused by AKB48, because there's different teams of them too right? And did I read here or somewhere that they are also using computer generated graphic to create members by using some human feature of the AKB48 girls? I can't distinguish them from one to another. But their outfits are cute!
December 13th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
It amazes me whenever I find something I don't like from Japan, as usually I love almost everything. I am afraid I don't like their music at all, but I am glad they are so popular (that means they have a job, doesn't it? then good for them!)
December 13th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Even I do the feel the effect of AKB48 here in Portugal. Every time I see a girl in a school uniform (pretty rare) I wonder where her other 47 friends are… XD
But I hope that these girls get their fair share out of their success story.
December 14th, 2011 at 1:46 am
What a surprise! AKB48 has been so international, you know them from Egypt! (*0*)!!
December 14th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Haha! To tell you the truth, I have the same problem I cannot tell who is who and how many members create AKB48 and who belongs to their sister unit, and etc. I think most of us don't know it exactly. Some outstanding members are often appearing on TV, and we can only recognize them but not the whole bunch of members. ^ ^;;;
December 14th, 2011 at 1:55 am
I hear they (except Tomomi Itano) are not allowed to dye hair color. Also I hear idols usually cannot go out with boyfriends in their private life and marriage is also very difficult, because that will discourage male fans.
December 14th, 2011 at 1:57 am
Wow, even in Portugal…XD I never thought a small idol group for Akiba boys can be so nationally (and internationally) popular in a few years.
December 14th, 2011 at 8:48 am
That's right, I use to wacth the weekly oricon and always there're one or more songs of akb48! I like "flying get" ^^, I have a question, why are some bands which its names has the 48 suffix?? at first I think is was becouse there're 48 components but doesn't look like is for that reason
December 14th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Yes, but still, not so many people know about them in Egypt. I listen to their songs' previews on the net, and those two songs which I mentioned earlier attracted me a lot.:)
December 14th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Well, I wouldn't call myself a fan from AKB48 but they are really hard to miss on the internet. Their Youtube music videos are regularly featured in the trending charts and overall charts on the international Youtube page. But not as much as the Korean competitors. XD
And all these singles entered the international Single Charts. If i remember right, one or two even reached the #1 position. It's kind of a novelty not seeing a "western" artist on the list.
December 15th, 2011 at 6:38 am
their new song, ue kara mariko, is pretty annoying!
I prefer Kaze wa fuiteiru, which is a very meaningful song!
We have to credit Akimoto (the creator of AKB 48) FOR ALL OF AKB'S SUCCESS!
If I am not wrong Akimoto Sensei, writes most of AKB48 hit songs!
AKB 48 is also releasing a ANIME soon!!!! HE IS MAKING LOTS OF MONEY!!!
He is also very popular for creating the onyako club during the 80's and 90's!
Kirin san,I bet u know the Onyako club right? Some of their songs are good too!!! ^^
kaoru
December 15th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I really like AKB48; their songs are so cute! ^-^ However, they aren't really popular in the west. I live in Canada, and most people around here have never even heard of them! I think the reason that so many people that read your blog listen to AKB48 is that most of them are fans of Japanese pop culture anyway, so it makes sense that they would like Japanese music.
December 16th, 2011 at 12:47 am
Oh I see! It's so true that Korean singers are so popular as well. ^ ^
December 16th, 2011 at 12:50 am
48 doesn't mean 48 members, there are more members. It's just a number that means nothing. ^ ^;;
December 16th, 2011 at 1:00 am
I suppose you will hear of them someday in Canada as well. ^ ^ But yes, that's also true TKE readers are more likely to be interested in J-pop and something from Japan than others. ^ ^
December 20th, 2011 at 9:32 am
The members are so talented and beautiful. My favorite song is "kimi to niji to taiyou to"
December 21st, 2011 at 6:29 am
There is not way I will not know them…I live in Canada and I have Japanese channels over here…they are everywhere! Japanese music shows, variety shows, CMs, drama, u name it!…..its to the point where i think they are brainwashing us! =/
I actually prefer the onyako club! =)
December 24th, 2011 at 8:22 am
Wow! That sounds cool. You mean cable TV or something? You can watch some Japanese TV stations in real time? Not just NHK? @w@
December 25th, 2011 at 3:18 am
Hello Kirin and everyone!
I would like to thank Kirin for her wonderful blog/site, and tell that it is very helpful in order to discover Japan.
I also wish to everyone and Kirin to have enjoyable holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 25th, 2011 at 11:14 am
Hi Nao,
Thank you for your kind word. What a wonderful present you gave me. I hope to continue this blog as long as I can.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!
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