Time for Graduations

This year there have been especially many major graduation announcements and graduations of a lot of my favourite members. In this post I will talk about some of the most important ones lately. Talking about graduations in general, I don't see it as something bad as it means a new beginning for these members. But at first I'm always really sad to see them leave the Idol world
Adding to that it is kind of funny how I'm always in University when an Idol announces their graduation.. Usually in the library. There are two friends of mine that saw my reaction on graduation announcements quite a few times actually.

But anyways, let's start this list with the recent graduation announcements from H!P:

Wada Ayaka

ANGERME member Wada Ayaka announced to graduate in spring next year. As not only the group's leader but also H!P's leader, she is a very important figure for the project. Being the only original S/mileage member left, it feels very nostalgic to see her finally leave the Idol world. This will definitely start a new chapter and I wonder if Fukuchan will be the next H!P leader.
I'm very happy that I got to see her at an ANGERME concert in Japan and I will always remember her as one of m favourite Idols ever.. even though I did have a rough start with her haha. I didn't really like her voice in the beginning but she did improve a lot and now I love her so much.
But I'm looking forward to her future and since she is good at so many things, art as well, I can't wait to see her living her life to the fullest and being happy with anything she does.


Iikubo Haruna

Next up is a Morning Musume member. After Duu and Ogata Haruna's graduation I thought it would take a longer time for someone to graduate. But Iikubo Haruna announced her graduation for the end of the fall tour. She is the second of her generation to graduate and since she is the oldest of the group it doesn't come as a very big surprise. It is still weird to see her go, since she has been part of the line-up that I especially started to love and she is such a funny person. She is actually good friends with Ayacho, which is why it's kind of cool to see them graduate so close to each other. I wonder what Harunan will do in her future activities because she has so many hobbies and a very good talker.
With this graduation I wonder who will graduate next because the colorful era members are all graduating lately.. There might also be a new audition for the next generation maybe next year. There are a lot of members in Momusu right now though. Well, it is always exciting to see change in the member line-up. She is set to graduate on December 16, at the end of Morning Musume's Autumn Tour.. so we still have some time left with her!

Let's move on to the 48group portion:

Yamamoto Sayaka

Her graduation concert from NMB48 was actually today! Sayaka announced her graduation from 48group on July 30 and left everyone in shock. Actually, it doesn't really surprise me that much. She has a solo career and didn't even participate in Sousenkyo anymore. I think she will do great outside of NMB/ AKB so I really support her decision a lot. I do love to see her as an Idol as well and meeting her at an handshake event was one of the best things ever. But there is so much more she can achieve outside of being an Idol. I can't wait to see her career as a solo artist get even bigger and I hope she will do things that make her happy.

Takeuchi Miyu

Miyu announced her graduation on September 4. I did not always follow Miyu a lot but I always apprechiated her amazing vocals. After participating in Produce48 and barely not making it into the final line-up, I was expecting her to announce her graduation and she did. Well, Miyu hasn't really been treated well by management and was long left in the shadows. It's quite cool how many fans she got through PD48, so maybe it is her goal to go to Korea now? In anything she does, I hope she gets the support she deserves and I'm just happy she got to be included in one last AKB single (even though it is hard to find her).

Sakamichi:

Nishino Nanase

One of the hardest graduation announcements for me personally was definitely Nanase.
She just announced it last month on September 20. This single will be her last and she is center again for it. She also has another new solo song, which is so sweet and made me emotional! She has been my favourite Nogizaka member almost since the beginning and I adore her so much as an Idol and as a person. She is one of the biggest reasons I got to like Nogizaka so much and I still remember cheering on her first center in Kidzuitara Kataomoi. I somehow which I could go back to that time, it was just so perfect! I wish I could have met her in Japan but I just wasn't really that lucky in her case. Nanase is so lovely and I just hope she will be happy in her future! It would be nice to still see her as a model but it is on her to decide what to do with her future.
Nogizaka will definitely be different for me after she graduates. There are still a lot of other members and I will continue to support the group. I will cherish the time that is left with her as a member!!
And everyone thought Shiraishi would graduate first haha..

Wakatsuki Yumi

Wakatsuki announced her graduation on October 1. She was my first favourite member from Nogizaka and definitely on of the first I recognized at all (together with Reika). She is also the only Sakamichi Series memebr that I have actually met in real life. I'm so happy I got to do that. Wakatsuki participated in a lot of stage plays and has so many skills on stage. I love her a lot and I'm sad to see her leaving Reika's side (haha) but I know she will be a great actress in the future ;)
Nogizaka without Nanase and Wakatsuki will be really weird.. I hope the do something together again! I still remember Mukuchi na Lion and the following video they did together :)

Noujo Ami

Noujo announced her graduation on October 5. She hasn't been in senbatsu since 2012 so I can understand her decision. She is pretty funny, especially with Kazumin xD
Best luck to her!!

Imaizumi Yui

After having been absent quite often for health reasons, Imaizumi announced her graduation on August 7. After he hiatus last year it doesn't come as much of a surprise.. It's still very very sad, because she doesn't really want to graduate. It's her health that is stopping her from performing normally. She is auch a talented member and I really hope she will be able to do what she want to do in the future!

Yonetani Nanami

Yone is the member I expected it the least. She is only 18 and Keyaki is still quite new and on the way to become even more popular.. I quite like Yone, she is funny and just ver lovely as a person. I wish her the best of luck for her future!

Stardust:

Ito Chiyuri

Last but definitely not least is Chiyu, who already graduated on October 22. Since I'm such a big Syachi fan, it is really weird to see one of the members graduate. It was already weird when Yuzu left the group and I still miss their original 6 member line-up. Chiyu is an amazing performer, has one of the best Idol voices and is all in all one of my favourite Idols ever. I also love her friendshipt with Ayacho and how she is still in contact with her since was auditioning for Smileage. But I'm happy that Chiyu was part of Team Sachihoko. I still feel sad about her decision but I support her whatever she wants to do in the future!! Thank you for everything, Chiyu. Don't cry!
Btw, Team Syachihoko is now called Team Syachi.



So these have been some graduations of Idols that I am very fond of. On the one hand it breaks my heart to see them go, but on the other hand I am looking forward to their future activities. Idols are humans too and I just wish them so much happiness for their lives!!

Fun fact
These members were born in 1994: Ayaka, Haruna, Nanase, Yumi and Ami. Sayanee was even born in 1993.This follows the trend of Idols graduating when they are 24 or 25. Of course, all of these members have been in their respective groups for quite some time and they all have different future goals, so it makes a lot of sense. But it's still interesting to see.

Keyakizaka46 - Kaze ni Fukaretemo Type A ~unboxing~

Today I'm doing an unboxing of Keyakizaka46's single Kazeni Fukaretemo Type A. I purchased this single when it was released back last year. 

Sooooo let's finally take a look at it:

Hirate's best look yet on the cover.. One reason why I had to buy this version. She looks amazing on the cover

Back side with Manaka, Moriya, Berika and Risa..

Obi. And I won't forget it's Type A XD

The CD looks quite normal, nothing really special

Same for the DVD

But I like how all the names are written here

Kakkoi Hirate again

Techi~

Lyrics of Kaze ni Fukaretemo

Lyrics of Soredemo Aruiteru

Here we have shorthaired Ozeki

And a really beautiful Berika

Lyrics of Kekkyoku, Jaa ne shika Ienai

All the Kanji members.. I wish I had this as a poster

Shiori

And Yone

So much black!

And I got a Mei card.. She's not my favourite member, but this picture is absolutely adorable!!

Tracklist:

1. Kaze ni Fukaretemo
2. Soredemo Aruiteru
3. Kekkyoku, Jaa ne shika Ienai
4. Kazeni Fukaretemo (off vocal ver.)
5. Soredemo Aruiteru (off vocal ver.)
6. Kekkyoku, Jaa ne shika Ienai (off vocal ver.)

DVD:

1. Kaze ni Fukaretemo
2. Getsuyoubi no Asa, Sukaato kirareta
3. Bonus footage (in Tochigi)

I really like this single's main track. Kaze ni Fukaretemo is an upbeat happy song and even though I really like Keyaki's darker songs, this is a really nice change. The video is really cool as I simply love the girls in suits and the dance. Soredemo Aruiteru is a song by Hiragana Keyaki and was used for their drama Re:mind. I like the show and the song is really nice as well, especially their voices are shining a lot in this. I really like the members that are singing Kekkyoku, Jaa ne shika Ienai, especially since they normally don't get to be in the spotlight that much.. The song is really cute!
I'm also still in love with Getsuyoubi and the video.. best thing ever!

In the Bonus documentary, some members went to Tochigi and had to do a lot of climbing and walking through water etc. It's reall fun to see them do their best and some of the members are really good while some other aren't (poor Nagasawa-kun and Berika). Since this is a mix of kanji and hiragana members it's quite cool to see them together and especially made me like Katoshi and Kage even more when I first watched this.

All in all, this is an amazing single.

Best of 2017: Sakamichi Series

This year I am looking back on the Sakamichi Groups, Nogizaka46 and Keyakizaka46. I started to like these groups even more so I decided to dedicate a whole post to them. They both released some awesome singles and albums and had some epic concerts. Of course there has been some drama too, but I started to like all the members even more and I feel like they improved so much. Nogizaka46 really established their status as a top Idol group this year and Keyakizaka46 didn't feel like a new group anymore with all the power they were showing. So let's take a look at my favourite songs:

18. Mirai no Kotae (Nogizaka46 3rd Gen)

This is such a cute song and I really started to like Nogi's 3rd gen.

17. Ballet to Shounen (Keyakizaka46)

Included in Keyaki's album, this is a kind of retro and nostalgic song about falling in love with a blue-eyed boy. It's relaxing to listen to it!

16. Soredemo Aruiteiru (Hiragana Keyakizaka46)

A beautiful song starting of with Kyoko's beautiful voice. I'm really starting to fall in love with Hiragana Keyaki and watching Re:Mind helped too.

15. Nigemizu (Nogizaka46)

This single is centered by two 3rd gen girls and the song is really lovely. I had to get used to the small interlude's right before the chorus but now I like this song!

14. Kimi wa Mou sagasanai (Keyakizaka46)

Part of Keyaki's album, this is a more fast and dramatic song. I really like the modern feeling and love to listen to it.

13. Sanbanmeno Kaze (Nogizaka46 3rd Gen)

The song that introduced Nogi's 3rd Gen. It's a fun song and I already feel that it's gonna be nostalgic in the future.

12. W-Keyakizaka no Uta (Keyakizaka46)

A song that includes both Keyakizaka46 and Hiragana Keyakizaka and it's so much fun to listen to. The music video is really really adorable!

11. Itsuka Dekiru kara kyou dekiru (Nogizaka46)

Nogi's latest single is quite dramatic and you can really feel that it's Nogi style.

10. Natsu no Hana wa Himawari dake janai (Keyakizaka46)

This is Imaizumi Yui's solo and she rocks this song. She has such a ncie voice and this song is beautiful and sad at the same time. Since she went on a hiatus it's even more special to hear her voice.

9. Wareta Sumaho (Keyakizaka46)

A unit called Aozora to MARRY consisting of 5 members. This song is kind of dark but also funny to me and I really like the sound of it.

8. Another Ghost (Nogizaka46)

A unit consisting of Himetan, Nanase and Ashu. I love these three a lot and the song is awesome too. It's kind of melodic and feels somehow different..

7. Hiraishin (Keyakizaka46)

Hiraishin is showing Keyaki from its darkest side. The Hirate scenes in the video and the whole tone of the video go along so well with the kind of even depressing sounding song. Definitely a favourite out of Keyaki's b-sides.

6. Kaze ni fukaretemo (Keyakizaka46)

Kind of the first happy and upbeat song in a long time for Keyaki. This single is quite cool, everyone looks so fancy in suits and the dance is so much fun to watch.

5. Eccentric (Keyakizaka46)

A crazy song about how crazy the members are. There are spoken passages and they really give the song a nice tone. It's still kind of dark but I like how they are like: We don't care what other people say about us. The video and dance are crazy too btw.

4. Bokura no Shoudou (Nogizaka46)

Favourite B-side of this year. It feels so epic and gets me pumped up, hahaha. It's really nice to dance or do sports when listening to this song. This is another 3rd gen song and I really like the epic music video too!

3. Getsuyoubi no Asa Sukaato Kirareta (Keyakizaka46)

Keyakizaka46 has been slaying so hard this year and this song in particular has been so cool. I like how this group keeps talking about problems and serious situations.. Quite a dark song with an amazing music video and even more symbolic dance.

2. Influencer (Nogizaka46)

This epic single must be Nogi's best. Influencer is everything I ever wanted from them, it has cool music and an amazing dance. Seriously, this dance looks sooo hard to do though!!

1. Fukyouwaon (Keyakizaka46)

And here is my favourite song of the year. Fukyouwaon was the best thing to happen this year. I can't even describe its epicness, it's strong message and the instrumentals give me chills. Dark and epic is the best to describe it and it got me addicted to this group, haha.


Top 9 members

I really want to talk about a few members, so here are the members I care for the most (I do like all the members though haha)

9. Kobayashi Yui

Kobayashi Yui is the first member I reall started to notice and like out of Keyaki. She has amazing vocals and I really like her in the Yuichanzu combi. In real life she is really really shy though and she kind of has a sad personality.. Sometimes I don't get it, but I do feel close to her and she is an interesting kind of Idol to me.

8. Sakurai Reika

Don't get me wrong, I still love Reika a lot. Seeing her makes mehappy, she has amazing vocals and is so funny. Lately there have just been other members that I got drawn into more. She's still such a cool person!!

7. Saito Kyoko

My favourite Hiragana Keyaki member is definitely Kyoko. She is so funny and I LOVE HER VOICE!!! Not only her singing voice but also when she is talking.. she's also a great actor and I feel like would be a great comedian.

6. Terada Ranze

Ranze has been climbing my list and everytime I see her I fall even more for her. Her looks are just so special and she has this kind of aura that draws me into her. She's a really nice person and I wish she would be pushed more..

5. Sugai Yuuka

Sugai-sama, a.k.a captain is such a sweet person. She's so ncie to all the members, has the purest smile and personality and she just seems so relaxing. She's also a beauty a fun person to watch on stage, even though I feel like she is shining more in happy or nostalgic songs rather than dark songs.

4. Matsumura Sayuri

To be honest, if Sayuri had her own comedy show or YouTube channel I would be her first follower. This girl is HILARIOUS and I love her so much. Seriousl, she's so funny and whenever she says something on a show it's the highlight of the show.

3. Wakatsuki Yumi

Wakasamaaaa! Always when I think: Oh I didn't hear about Wakasama lately, she pops up with something new and I get all excited again. She's a lovely person and for now the only Sakamichi person I met in person.

2. Hirate Yurina

I've been up and down with Hirate. From the first moment I though she was special, but I didn't fall in love directl. But after seeing her perform, listen to her voice and knowing her complicated personality there is just something that draws me to her.. she is really cool, has this melancholic look and simply seeing her on stage is the best thing ever. I feel sorry for her kind of suffering under all the attentiona and always being center.

1. Nishino Nanase

Still my favourite lalala. Nanase still has that melancholic look and even though she radically did change her hairstyle now she still looks like the shy girl from next door. But she did gain more conficence and I feel like she is really enjoying her life and I'm still so excited to see her!

Special mention; my 3rd gen favourite:

I don't know them that well yet so maybe it's gonna change again, BUT I really like Ito Riria. She looks different and even though she kind of has a really serious looks sometimes I like that.



This year ahs been really exciting and these two groups have been so so sucessfull and fun to watch, I can't wait to see what next year has to offer.
Let's hope for more good music and fun shows!!