AKB48 in New York; Saturday 26th

Plenty of things happened on Saturday, during the Q&A session and the mini-live AKB did in the Javits Center in New York.

Nor I nor Heiwa weren't there but I have friends who were there and let me tell you they were in heaven.

Here are some highlights of the day:


- The Q&A session was prepared beforehand and they picked random people to make the questions. We still haven't got a good recording (audio or video) of the full the Q&A, but these are the main questions and answers (from SaeYaka).

*Why did you audition for AKB48?

• Sayaka: "Because I love performing in front of people and I love singing."
• Sae: "Before the school exams season I wanted to do one audition and that was AKB's."

*What do you do in your free time?

• Sayaka: (in English) "Clean my room."
• Sae: "Eating, sleeping, back to eat and sleep.

*What kind of music you have in your player?

• Sayaka: (in English) "Of course listening our song and Michael Jackson."
• Sae: "AKB48 and ABBA."

*What's your favorite AKB song?

• Sayaka: "Boku no Taiyou."
• Sae: "BINGO!"

Video summary of the Q&A by S48's Sorceress628


- People said the girls look way prettier in person.

- Sayaka made triple efforts to communicate in English. I listened to her in some videos and I can say although her grammar is still broken her pronunciation is great, very American (I specially love her "R" sound) *thumbs-up*. Sae, on the other hand, knows zero English, so everything she said probably took her a lot of effort, so thumbs-up for her, too.

- The mini-live consisted of:

• Overture
• Iiwake Maybe
• -Sayaka speaks in English *love*-
• Aitakatta
• 10nen Zakura
• -Sayaka speaks in English again *love*-
• Namida Surprise
• Oogoe Diamond (English version)

- SaeYaka rules.

Sayaka and Sae during Namida Surprise.
Thanx to Nihongogo's Wil for the shot.

Now we just have to wait for reviews and comments from today's concert!

SaeYaka Paradise wishes you a happy NYAF!

The NYAF moment is coming and the expectations are high.

Although the SaeYaka Paradise creators, Heiwa and Ange, can't be in New York due to financial issues (T___T), we still want to wish the best of luck to all the Sayaka and Sae fans who are going to NYAF this weekend!

Paris was already great for fans who were there and NY can be even better because this time Sayaka and Sae will be together.

We hope all the SaeYaka fans going can take a picture with the girls and get their AKB stuff signed. If you have a supernatural experience in there, don't doubt sharing it with us! We can even publish an entry made by you with your experience, if you want. :P

We know you will enjoy it, but we will ask you a favor: Would you enjoy it the triple for us, please? :D

There is not much we can do from here except sending you the best vibes. We all know the gaijin wota power is unlimited.


Also, we want to thank you for being a Sayaka and/or Sae fan and for making the effort to go to NY. Some of you will go to NY from other states or other countries and that makes us feel really happy. SaeYakers can do grand things :)

Support the girls no matter what! We want to hear you chanting their names from here!

Fandom is good when it makes you happy, do not miss this opportunity :D

Thank you very much guys for going. Sayaka and Sae will be happy to see you, to see their overseas fans.


And if Sayaka or Sae can read this blog, GOOD LUCK GIRLS! You won't be alone :)


To the other AKB48 fans going (and who are not SaeYaka fans)... Ok, we wish you the best, too :P Enjoy it, guys.


Wishing you the best,

Heiwa and Ange


P.S: Do not forget to call Sayaka kawaii! She will melt ^__^

New SaeYaka battle in AKBINGO: The lie detector

Latest AKBINGO (090916) was just amazing! It was a real paradise for SaeYakers.

We had been looking forward this for so long... The SaeYaka Shoujiki Shougi! (trans: honesty chess).

Sae, the most "genki" girl of AKB

VERSUS

Sayaka, the most earnest girl of AKB

The game consists on the girls asking very heavy questions each other. Then the asked girl answers and denies the "fact" and the lie detector reveals if she's lying or not.

Yuko introduces the girls... "Akimoto-san... and Miya...moto"!? Yuko screws up Sae's last name =P

Miyamoto-san XD

Sae feels like crying, but she endures because the big battle is coming... Twin Towers face-to-face.



Each girl has prepared 10 questions or "facts" for the other, but they will only select some of them to ask.

These are the facts Sae prepared for Sayaka:

1. I really want to be told kawaii (cute) more than kakkoii (cool).
2. Although I'm an idol, I'm bad at forcing a smile.
3. I'm actually shy.
4. Becoming a manager would be ok (remember the AKBINGO episode when Sayaka was told she should be manager instead of idol)
5. I've eaten expired food and got diarrhea.
6. I'm the type that falls in love easily.
7. I'm told I dress awfully, but at least I'm better than Takamina.
8. I want to say the "faito ippatsu" of Lipovitan D's CM.
9. I look at my body everyday in front of the mirror at home.
10. I've been controlling myself lately, but now I want to take home the lunch boxes (remember the 0ji episode when Sayaka revealed she took the food from Kouhaku to her house).

And these are the facts from Sayaka to Sae:

1. I'm always acting genki (energetic), but I'm actually tired.
2. I was told by Uematsu-san that I dress awkwardly, but I think I'm fashionable (remember the AKBINGO episode where Sae's fashion sense was totally destroyed).
3. When I go to a bookstore, I check if my PB is sold out.
4. I act like an innocent idol but I actually love dirty jokes.
5. I've been mistaken for a man at women's restrooms.
6. Sayaka in her atsui-mode (enthusiastic) is a pest.
7. I want to appear in dramas more than variety shows.
8. Yuko's weird faces character annoys me.
9. I'm a perfectionist.
10. I'm more apt to be Team K captain than Sayaka.

Sae begins... 1st question!

"Although I'm an idol, I'm bad at forcing a smile."

Wow... Sayaka replies: NO (in a very Yukie-sama mode XD). The lie detector moves but it doesn't pass the red line, Sayaka is safe! Sae loses her first point.

Sae is asked why she thought of that.



She says that since Sayaka is that kind of person that gets worried about everything, she thought Sayaka might get nervous at this question. Sae is frustrated she lost.

Sayaka only replies:

"Smiling is my life"

Now, honestly, if you ask me, I've noticed Sayaka forces her smile too much. Well, it's her job, but her forced smile is notorious, LOL.


Sayaka's turn to ask...

"I was told by Uematsu-san that I dress awkwardly, but I think I'm fashionable"

Sae of course says: NO.

However... She fails! Lie detector says Sae is lying! Sayaka wins a point.



Sae is asked if she got annoyed that time. Sae only says that even though Uematsu-san called her "awful fashion", she heard when the other members said the looked cute, so she prefers trusting the other girls. Sayaka adds that after that fashion episode many people teased Sae and that she (Sae) was pretty angry about it.

Next question...


"I've been controlling myself lately, but now I want to take home the lunch boxes"

So yea, if you've been religiously watching 0ji, 1ji, AKBINGO, you will remember the episode where it was revealed Sayaka took home the lunch boxes of TV shows in a big box.

Sayaka replies : NO. Of course the lie detector shows she's lying, point for Sae!

Everyone laughed hard, Sayaka's failing expression was priceless. Sata-san asked her about her family, and she said: "Since that day, they always ask me: 'What is today's lunch?'," and then she added: "I think they have turned a bit greedy since then."

Oh Sayaka, you're just awesome. I love those nerdy jokes you do.

Notice Sayaka's mouth in this shot. So cute ^___^

Sayaka asks Sae now...

"I'm always acting genki (energetic), but I'm actually tired."

Of course, Sae's reply is "NO." However...



She loses! XD Sayaka wins a point!

Sayaka looks surprised and Sae wants do die...

"I ain't tired!"

The staff sends her a message saying there is no need to overdo the genkiness if she doesn't feel it. Haha.

Looks like Sae got a bit angry coz her next question was...

"I really want to be told kawaii (cute) more than kakkoii (cool)."

The answer is, of course, negative.


Of course she's lying! We all know that! LOL. Sae celebrates her point.


Sayaka just wants to dig a hole and go inside... But wait, she looks cute there... *___*

Sayaka whispers to Sae....

"Why did you ask this?"

Everyone laughs and Sata-san asks Sayaka if she really wants to be told she's cute.


"Yes," she says, in a very very very cute way. The other girls laugh like saying "no way." XD

Then Sayaka says that at handshaking events, fans tell her one after another that she's "cool"... Sata-san says Sayaka that actually, when you look at her eyes, you feel like turning into a stone...


Sayaka doubts for a second and then comes the most terrifying image ever! Be careful when you watch the following shots!


Sayaka looks to the camera and she becomes...

MEDUSA AKIMOTO! XD

Scary, Sayaka, I must recognize that was scary... Yet funny =D


Sae and Sayaka are in a draw...

Time for Sayaka to ask... She really wants to know the answer of this one...


"I'm a perfectionist."

Sae says she isn't and she wins. Sayaka loses a point.

Sae says she thinks she'd like to become a perfectionist, but that she really isn't. They ask Sayaka why she asked that and she says: "Well, her clothes and stuff are...", then everyone bursts laughing and say Sayaka is laughing at Sae's clothes... Sayaka goes: "U're misunderstanding!"

Takamina explains Sae is always tidying up the dressing room, and collecting the trash. That's she's got a keen sense of awareness about it.

Kiyoto-san says Sae: "That is tiring, you should stop it."

Do you see that wound in Sae's arm? :o

Last question! From Sae to Sayaka. This one is... embarrassing.


"I look at my body everyday in front of the mirror at home."



Hehehe... Sayaka loses and uses her killer glance while everyone laughs to death. Sae laughs furiously.

"I told you that?"

Sae explains that Sayaka is always looking at her shape in the dressing room and Kasai adds that she also, when they're changing clothes, Sayaka stares at her own body while in pants or underwear...



Yea, Sayaka feels terribly embarrassed... I'd feel like that too if people began to reveal my secret habits!

Mayuyu does some body building poses... Sayaka likes to look at her muscles maybe?

Sata-san asks Sayaka if she likes it when the other girls look at her... *dies* (I'd like to look at her...)


Sayaka says it's not that she likes to be looked by others... So she explains it's actually that some 3 days after a stage performance, her muscles look really well defined... *dies*




So well, we have a winner.... SAE! Contratz!!!!!!!!







Ohh wow. I really enjoyed this... Although writing this summary took me like 3 days... You better enjoy it!

∞・Infinity plot: Get your neck ready

Oh-my-God... I just read the AKB48 musical plot... Wow.

Right. Some OFFICIAL fliers were given during the free concert AKB did today (yesterday). The fliers were promoting ∞・Infinity, the upcoming AKB48 musical, where Sayaka and Sae are some of the main characters.

The fliers looked like this:

Thank you MAKISTAR for the flier. Without you, I'm nothing ♥

The info included is the one we already told in the previous entry related to this event, plus the plot:

Ruka, an exchange student, arrives to a girls school in the countryside.
Ruka, a tomboy, immediately attracts all the girls.
However, Ruka was a vampire.
The reason why she transferred schools is a girl: Maria.
For Ruka, Maria is the so looked for partner to live with her forever.
Full of the AKB48 hit songs, a new story is born...

This is pretty exciting. And SO gay XD

Logic says Sayaka-Sae should be "Ruka", while Takamina-Yukirin should be "Maria". We won't know the truth until the musical begins, I guess.


So, my neck is ready. A bite never sounded better.





Remember, you read this news in SaeYaka Blog first! Link us if you're gonna use this info somewhere else.

"RIVER" is the new AKB48 single... A flow of surprises!

We already told you our girls are releasing a new single in October 21, right?

So, the truth has been finally revealed! \^__^/

The girls made a free concert today (yesterday) and they presented the new single: RIVER. But not only that, they also sang it and they also presented the B-sides!

Pay attention to how this single will work, coz it may be confusing.

We already know the concept of senbatsu and under girl, right? Those concepts are back in this single as well, but we have a new group, too: theater girls.

So, senbatsu's will sing the main song (RIVER), while under and theater girls will sing the B-sides.

Tracklist as follows:

CD
1 - RIVER (senbtasu)
2 - Kimi no Koto ga Suki dakara (under girls)
3 - Hikoukigumo (theater girls)
4 - RIVER (off vocal ver.)
5 - Kimi no Koto ga Suki dakara (off vocal ver.)

DVD
1 - RIVER PV
2 - Kimi no Koto ga Suki dakara
3 - Hikoukigumo PV
4 - Bonus video (16 senbatsus in daily clothes saying what they would like to be told on a date)

The CD will include a handshake event ticket and a ticket to vote for the Shibuya AX 2010.


About the sound of "RIVER", some fan blogs speak about a darker song, far from the recent cute tendency that began with Oogoe Diamond until now.

It's been told that the dance seems difficult and violent, and that the girls look pretty serious while dancing.

AKB is back to the roots?

The performance includes fire and fireworks....

Are you looking forward this as much as we do? ;)



Now, I know you're waiting for the most important info... Who are what?

Senbasu (for RIVER):

Akimoto Sayaka
Miyazawa Sae
Oshima Yuko
Ono Erena
Kasai Tomomi
Maeda Atsuko
Takahashi Minami
Shinoda Mariko
Kojima Haruna
Itano Tomomi
Minegishi Minami
Kitahara Rie
Miyazaki Miho
Kashiwagi Yuki
Watanabe Mayu
Matsui Jurina


Under girls (for Kimi no Koto ga Suki dakara):

Sato Amina
Takajo Aki
Fujie Reina
Oku Manami
Kuramochi Asuka
Oota Aika
Katayama Haruka
Sashihara Rino
Nakagawa Haruka
Nito Moeno
Ishida Haruka
Kikuchi Aya
Komori Mika
Sato Sumire
Maeda Ami
Matsui Rena


Theater girls (for Hikoukigumo):

Nakata Chisato
Umeda Ayaka
Kobayashi Kana
Chikano Rina
Matsubara Natsumi
Masuda Yuka
Tanabe Miku
Nakatsuka Tomomi
Nakaya Sayaka
Hirajima Natsumi
Yonezawa Rumi
Iwasa Misaki
Uchida Mayumi
Oya Shizuka
Suzuki Mariya
Nonaka Misato
Matsui Sakiko


*Sato Natsuki and Kohara Haruka are missing from the list because they weren't in the concert (due to illness), so we don't know in which group they will be.

_______________________________


YAY, SAYAKA AND SAE ARE SENBATSU AGAIN!





Ehem, as you see, all the A-K-B team girls are included in this single. Maybe not as senbatsu, but they are there. Some RS and SKE girls have been included, too.

I like this, coz everyone is finally having a chance. I know the top of the tops is being a senbatsu, but before, girls who weren't chosen as senbatsu didn't even participate in the b-side. Now they are able to do it, and they even get a PV.

AKB is democratizing its style? If so, I like it, go on.

Plus, somehow this is a smart move from Akipi. Think of fans like Heiwa and I, who didn't but singles like Namisapu or 10 Nen Zakura because their favorite wasn't there (ok, I got those singles, but much later the release and theater versions!). With this system, you favorite IS there no matter the rank, she is there and it will make you wanting to buy the single. If Sayaka wasn't a senbatsu but under or thetaer, I'd buy anyways, hey, she would still be singing and having a video!

I like it. Yes.



Support AKB48 buying the single! Choose your favorite shop:

The following shops are included in Oricon count
CD Japan
HMV Japan
Amazon Japan

You can buy here, too, but the Oricon counting is not guaranteed. We recommend using one of the three above.
YesAsia Global
YesAsia North America

「∞・Infinity」, starring SaeYaka

∞・Infinity is the name of the first AKB48 musical.

Yea, you read well: MUSICAL.



AKB is aiming higher and higher \^___^/

As announced in the Official Blog, the musical will be performed between October 30th and November 8th at the G-Rosso theater. There will be 14 performances in total.

Hiroi Oji - creator of Sakura Taisen and Tengai Makyou, among others - will be in charge of ∞・Infinity, a musical that will be based in one of the over 100 AKB48 songs.

The cast includes 10 AKB members who haven't been announced yet, plus the main cast: Akimoto Sayaka, Takahashi Minami, Miyazawa Sae and Kashiwagi Yuki.

The main cast is a "double cast", so we will never see Sayaka and Sae together. Sayaka pairs with Takamina, and Sae pairs with Yukirin, so either will perform each time.

If we base on the "pair" logic, I guess we will have male and female roles in this play. And when it comes to male roles... Yea, we know Sayaka and Sae are going to deal with those.

What song are they gonna base on? The gay Kinjirareta Futari or OshiMeshi? The prostitution focused Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru? Or perhaps the suicide one, Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou? Are we expecting too much? =P

Well, no matter the theme, the point is that this musical is going to rock big time. No matter the cast, we will always have a chance to enjoy ourselves. The Sayamina one will be pure gold, IMO. I'm looking forward to see two of the best AKB voices together.

Sae solo calendar 2010: preview and links!

While back the informed you about Sae releasing a solo calendar in October 10th, remember?

Well, we have a couple of preview pictures! (I know it's not exclusive, but oh well!)

Cover

September-October

Bearing in mind how amazing was her PB, I say the calendar is worth buying.

Remember the price is ¥2,415 (more or less USD$30)

Where can you buy it? Check these links and choose your favorite shop!

YesAsia Global
YesAsia North America
HMV Japan
CD Japan
Amazon Japan




Run for yours!

And remember she's releasing a solo DVD in October, too ;)

ADIDAS48: All Day I Dream About SaeYaka

Sorry about the title of this entry, I wanted to think of something "sporty" and that's the only thing that came to my mind... ^^;

So, some days ago (we are soooo late with some news, but I have an excuse: my job eats my life) AKB48 announced they are going to hold a "sports festival" in October 10th at the Makuhari Messe Event Hall.

I hate calling it "sports festival", though. That's so H!P... So I'll call it "super sports day" =P

Before you go saying "AKB is turning somewhat like H!P", let me correct you: All this stuff about sports, musicals, etc. are not uncommon among idols. Even Johnnys have made things like that before, although not regularly. If you don't like this explanation, then let me tell you that after all, the "sports day" thing is a tremendously popular activity in Japan schools, so let's say it's part of their culture.

Now, more details.

In this event we will see a Team A versus Team K versus Team B battle! This will probably be the latest activity of the old Teams :(

Besides seeing the girls running and jumping, what's the interesting and innovative part of this event? Fans will be able to participate as athletes as well. Surprised? :o

Ha, if I were in Japan, me and Sayaka would make up the best sport pair ever!


The sports day will be an excellent opportunity for Sayaka and Sae to show off their potential, Specially Sayaka, with that muscular body she has... *drools uncontrollably*

Honestly, this is an event made for Team K to be the winner and for Sayaka to win all the gold medals.

More on AKB in NYC

Since some of you have asked about the AKB activities in NY, here is a the detail of them!

The 26th there will be a Q&A session, an autograph session and a mini live. The times have not been confirmed, so the best you could do is to get there early. The autograph tickets will be handed on Saturday morning. Maybe camping from Friday night would be a good idea =P

Remember the event will be in the Jacob Javits Center.



The 27th, AKB will perform in the Webster Hall's Grand Ballroom. The show will be at 5pm.
The show will be for people over 18 years old. You must take with you your ID or passport.


That's it, if you can go, do it! Don't miss this opportunity. Seeing the girls live is an unforgettable experience. And if your going, CHEER SAYAKA AND SAE FOR US!

Official Blog announces members visiting NYC (SaeYaka is going!)

The AKB48 Official Blog has announced the member who are attending the NYAF event at New York.

The members are:

• Akimoto Sayaka
• Miyazawa Sae
• Itano Tomomi
• Kitahara Rie
• Kojima Haruna
• Sato Amina
• Takajo Aki
• Takahashi Minami
• Fujie Reina
• Maeda Atsuko
• Minegishi Minami
• Miyazaki Miho
• Ono Erena
• Oshima Yuko
• Iwasa Misaki
• Sato Sumire

This is a great moment for our girls. Sayaka has always wanting to visit the US so she is probably tremendously happy right now. We are truly happy for her!



On a personal note I'm (Ange) devastated. I don't have a single penny to travel to the US.

Sayaka (and AKB48) in Music Fighter... No granny wants her as daughter-in-law...

AKB48 went to Music Fighter to promote Iiwake Maybe. Although the senbatsu girls are 21, only 12 went to the show. That means Sayaka was there! (Sae wasn't, though =[ )


The girls were sitting in their senbatsu order. So basically Sayaka was the last one =P

The hosts asked about their rankings and asked who was the #12...

That's me! That's me!

The guys picked a bit on Sayaka for her being the last (I guess they don't know there were more girls chosen who didn't even make it to go to the show...)

Stop picking on me, suckers... Or I'll have to smack you...

Wow, don't get mad, Sayaka! We love you! LOL.

Anyways, the show made a survey on the streets showing pictures of the girls to different people. The first question was directed to old women: "Who of these girls you would not like to have as a daughter-in-law?" :o

Guess who got the most of the votes...

...

Uh-oh... Some one made Sayaka angry... The most of the grannies said Sayaka looked too strict or severe. Sayaka's reaction was like: "again?". Remember she was picked as the most evil one in a similar survey done in AKBINGO.

Don't worry, Sayaka, they say that coz you're hot ;)

Sayaka's killer glance

You know hot girls always look evil... =D

But we know you're a sweetie inside! *____________* That's why we love you =D

That's better, a little smile for us =)

One of the grannies said she didn't like the girls who dyed their hair and Sayaka replied immediately: "I don't dye it!" ¬¬

Then the hosts said Sayaka she shouldn't complain, coz that reaction had been really "severe", haha.

The next question was (directed to young women): If you were born again, who would you like to be?

The AKB girls thought Mariko could be the winner in this one. Coz she was beauty. The host asked Mariko what did she think of this and she said: "I also think I'm beauty". What a humble girl... =P

Then the hosts picked on Sayaka "strictness" again saying she hadn't laughed at Mariko's remark XD

The winner was finally Acchan.

"Akimoto, you're too serious", said one of the hosts.

Me, serious?

The last question was directed to men: Who would you like to be with at the moment of falling/getting depressed?

Actually, the verb the used has two meanings and based on people's answers, they interpreted the question with both meanings.

Sayaka knows this is going to be hard...

She's got expressive eyes...

The guy on the right wants Sayaka to be the winner XD

The guys begin to answer... Haruna, Yuko...

Then suddenly one guy...

"I choose Akimoto-san"
Yay!


Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!! Sayaka celebrates her moral triumph!

She just can't believe it. Let's face it, Sayaka's not used to be liked by men XD

Now, the reason the guy gave was very very weird: "She looks S (sadist), so if I fall/get sad, she can punish me more and take me to the dephts..."

Oh-oh, I think we found a super masochist.

It was just one vote, but for Sayaka, it felt like winning. =D


The female host says that the answer of the guy who picked Sayaka was weird. She doesn't have to tell, we already noticed!

So Sayaka replies:

I'm not that sado!

He... he... he... That means she's a bit sado? *dies*

Finally, Iiwake Maybe performance....

Sayaka solo shot... *________*

So that was Music Fighter. It was really hilarious, so if you can find it go watch it, you won't regret!

And well, if you're a Sayaker, watching this show is a must. Sayaka had just too much on air time, which is always good.