The girls keep getting younger every year: AKB48’s “Coming of Age Day” 2020

That is a lot of beauty.

AKB48 and their Japanese sister groups had their “Coming of Age Day” for 2020 on January 13^th.

I know that the Record Insustry Weasels will not allow these videos to stay up on YT for very long, so I will snag some quick screen shots!

Those members who participated – and will be turning 20 this year are as follows:

From AKB48: Ichikawa Manami, Okada Rina, Otake Hitomi, Omori Maho, Tada Kyoka, Kamachi Yukina, Harumoto Yuki, and Yoshihashi Yuzuka.

From SKE48: Nakamura Izumi, Matsumoto Chikako, Ego Yuna, Kitano Ruka, Takeuchi Saki, Sugawara Maya, Nishi Marina, Hirata Shiina, Fukushi Nao, and Iriuchijima Sayaka.

From NMB48: Nishizawa Rurina, Akashi Natsuko, Kojima Karin, Sakamoto Nami, Sato Ami, Shoubu Marin, and Mizobuchi Maria.

From HKT48: Ueno Haruka, Tashima Meru, Toyonaga Aki, Fukagawa Maiko, Tsukiashi Amane, Matsuoka Hana, Murakawa Bibian, Yamauchi Yuna, and Nagano Miyabi.

From NGT48: Homma Hinata, Yamada Noe, and Mashimo Kaho.

From STU48: Imamura Mitsuki, Oki Yuka, Taniguchi Mahina, Nakamura Mai, Yano Honoka.

I am still a fan, but I have to admit, I really do not know most of the girls in the AKB Family anymore. I recognize some of the faces from the music videos, but it seems I would need to start over again, and learn who is who. It is a lot more difficult in 2020, than in 2012. Where are the AKB Trading Cards? AKBingo is now off the air. I can’t learn the girls personalities if I cannot watch the skits anymore. Also the AKB Cafe is closing. One graduation after another .. Huh. It makes me wonder if Mr. Akimoto-san is planning to disband the groups during some type of announcement at the 2020 Olympics. … er … but I digress …

Starlight: Hopefully some better photographs will be up on social media by now. Most of the girls have Instagram and Twitter accounts, so a lot of cute images should be posted there.

 

DENNY RE-BLOGS: [AKB48 Sousenkyo]Bunshun exposes Sutou Ririka’s relationship with a man and she digs her way out by announcing marriage

Well, I can’t say I ever obsessed over her. She was good, and I loved her in that “Durian” song.

She really should have announced her GRADUATION first, then some time later the engagement. At least then, fans like me could still live a life of denial.

I wish her all the best, but I feel a little betrayed.
In … total … agreement … with … Yuko’s … hat!

One positive note, at least she upstaged the Irishwoman winning the election for the xxth time in a row.

I sure hope that she announced this because there is a “little idol” on the way. That would be great … otherwise …

So devastated we all are that Mayu Watanabe announced she is leaving show bisness and will be opening her own Udon noodles shop.
(Ha. That last line I just made up, or I saw it on CNN, I forget).

AllThingsJpop

Timeline

1 day before Sousenkyo: Bunshun teases on a major scoop involving NMB48 member.

Sousenkyo: While thanking her fans for putting her in 20th position, NMB48 Sutou Ririka said “I started to like someone for the first time. I, NMB48 Sutou Ririka,will marry. It sounds nonsensical, but i am serious. I have always received your support and realised many dreams. In the midst of it, i have found a person i really love. I have never lied as an idol, and like everyone as myself. My feelings to marry is real. Thank you.”

Whilst everyone thought she was joking, the MC pressed her for confirmations and asked about her partner. That was when things started to get serious. “You guys thought me about love. I really want to live seriously.”

Late night: Bunshun releases article detailing Sutou Ririka’s sleepover at a man’s house on the night of 8th May 2017…

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In Birthdays today: Miss Yuki Kashiwagi — The REAL Superhero.

Assemble your team Yukirin!

Japan is 12 hours ahead of my time zone, so I want to be among the first to wish MY FAVORITE NIECE  a happy 25^th Birthday!!! I wish you all the happiness in the world, my dear young lady.

Twenty-five … Wow … a quarter-century. She sounds kinda ancient now. Of course, in comparison I am Precambrian.

If you are going out this weekend to watch the latest Marvel/DC tights wearing movie, please consider my case that Yuki Kashiwagi is actually the REAL superhero. She is a trooper. Remember a couple of years ago how she was sent to Osaka to join NMB48? I scoffed at the move at first, but look how great it turned out — “Ibiza Girl” and others. How did she know to be just in the right place at just the right time? Does she have Spidey sense?

Ha. Even if you are wearing your “Bat-Yukirin” costume — I CAN STILL TELL IT IS YOU!

She was also called upon to be the “den mother” to the newly formed NGT48. Heroically she has helped to get this new sister group off the ground. Forget “The Avengers” … (I’m not really sure what the new movie is called. I just know that Stan Lee makes a cameo!) … Yukirin is the REAL superhero.

Forget that “Superman marries Batman” … or whatever that thing was. I’d rather see Yuki’s new solo concert tour Blu-Ray!

Forget the Bat-signal — give me a Yuki Signal!

Indeed, Yukirin — even Superheros deserve a good foot rub once in a while!

Kashiwagi-san is EVERYTHING that anIdol should be. Will this be her last Birthday as a member of AKB48? Yukirin only ranked 5th in the last AKB election — where I thought she had a shot at taking #1.  I will bet if her recent solo concert tour came after the election she might have used the last day to make a graduation announcement. She is a trooper — a hero — she can take one for the team, so maybe she will take the 5th place and just roll with it … but I speculate and digress too much …

Starlight: Miss Yuki Kashiwagi – born July 15, 1991.

A song? Where are you going to find one of those?

See more Yuki on my Pinterest board for her, linked here.

Good GIF Charlie Brown! These are my favorite members of the AKB48 Family!

Good Grief … I miss the girls. That being said, I still want to share another 16-member “dream team” of my favorite idols. Of course I am going to make lame jokes in the captions. Some of my references are decades old. If you can think of better captions, I look forward to your comments.

Now that Minami Takahasi is about to graduate, there are new additions, and some shake-ups in my lineup. Also, this time, I want to share some moving pictures … Enjoy! .. and please comment — I get lonely fan-boying all by myself.

# Sixteen: Haruka Shimazaki – AKB48

Cooking Challenges? Paruru says that there is NO KIND OF MEAT that she cannot handle!

# Fifteen: Mako Kojima – AKB48

Ha! Young Kojima-san still cannot beat me in “Mario Kart”.  HA!!! I hit her with a green shell, just as she was about to cross the finish line!

# Fourteen: Kei Jonishi – NMB48

Denny: Oh, no! … Don’t say that routine AGAIN Kei …

Kei: “Jonshi??? Well, my name is Kei Keicchi Jonishi … you can call me RAY,  you can call me KEI, you can call me KEICCHI, you can call me K-CHI, you can call me J-SHI, you can call me SUNNY, you can call me KJ … but yas doesn’t have to call me Jonshi.”

# Thirteen: Haruka Nakagawa – JKT48

If you just got up five minutes earlier, Harugon, you would not be late for practice!!!

# Twelve: Miyuki Watanabe – NMB48

It does not look like it is ANYONE’S secret anymore Milky-chan!

# Eleven: Jurina Matsui – SKE48

Jurina, take it from AL BUNDY: Graduate with a degree. You do not want to wind up selling ladies’ shoes!

# Ten: Yui Yokoyama – AKB48

The last thing TakaMina saw, the moment before she graduated!

# Nine: Haruna Kojima – AKB48

Far be it for me to criticize anyone’s religion KojiHaru … You go ahead and say your nightly prayers the way that you want to.

# Eight: Sayaka Yamamoto – NMB48

Your hair? … No Sayanee, I do not think anyone noticed that your HAIR was slightly out of place.

# Seven: Minami Minegishi – AKB48

No Miichan!!! … Darn it, I am going to SMACK that guy who told Miichan that this was the proper way that American women greet each other at formal U.S. embassy meetings.

# Six: Aika Ota – HKT48

Lovetan — Jim Morrison called, he says NOT to sing it like that if you want to sound “deep”. That is heavy, Love-tan … heavy.

# Five: Mayu Wantanabe – AKB48

… Well Miss Watanabe, as we will be sitting next to each other for more than nine hours on this car drive …  you go right ahead and tell me everything I need to know about Scientology.

# Four: Sakura Miyawaki – HKT48

What went wrong when Sakura-tan auditioned for “The Karate Kid 5” …

# Three: Haruka Kodama – HKT48

Harrupi looked like she COULD NOT BELIEVE IT — when I showed her how “Nestles’ Quick” works!

# Two: Yuki Kashiwagi – NGT48

NO! … What is WRONG with you people? Don’t you know that ground up tororo root is a traditional Japanese food. NO! I was NOT thinking that … I wouldn’t … I like Yukirin, … oh God, NO … I never …

# One: Iwasa Misaki – AKB48!!! … as if you would have any doubt!

Sorry that I got carried away with that confetti snow Wasamin!

Starlight: Four decades of Pop Cultural references!

 

 

Now I’m living in a black-and-white world.

What Sayaka Yamamoto looks like when I’m out of colorful ideas.

Sorry, Yamamoto-san, you can go home. You are doing everything right as usual, I just can’t get my imagination going now.

What happened to the COLOR options in the WordPress editor!?!? I used to be able to create color text. The button was there now it is gone … My signature “Starlight” sign-off is supposed to be written in RED. Otherwise, how would you know that I’m moving rapidly away from you, and not towards you? Now I am living in the “Black and White World”.

SING IT, Elvis (link here). My heart is not in this drab world, Sayanee. Here are the lyrics. You read them dear girl, while I sort this out.

Written by Elvis Costello: “Black and White World” 1980.

I was looking at the black and white world
It seemed so exciting
If you’d only put me back to back with that girl
When the night’s inviting

With just a little lighting
There’ll never be days like that again
When I was just a boy and men were men
You never go from moment to moment
You’re the living double of a single fiction
You’re very colourful with your compliments
As you feel the finger’s friction

It’s a freeze-frame
Still it’s real life
You don’t want to look
Cause you’ve seen the film and you’ve read the book
I was looking at the black and white world
Trying to name some pin-up
Those days she was just a beautiful girl
Now she’s framed and hung up

I thought she was young
Up until I saw her last night in close detail
Though they all fade away when you’re so pale
It’s more than just a physical attraction

It starts with a face and ends up a fixation
But you’re never gonna feel a fraction
Of the way it used to work on your imagination
When you were looking at the black and white world…

Starlight: I guess we can’t work in the 0.4 to 0.7 micrometer range anymore?

Happy Birthday Miss Kashiwagi! / Krazy Kool Kashiwagi Kaptions

Dear Yukirin,

I know that I have not been able to use WordPress much lately, however I wanted to be the first in my time zone to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on July 15th. Japan is 12 hours ahead of me, so I wanted to time my greeting before you start going out to nightclubs and such tonight. Be careful, young one!

Uncle Denny.

Everyone else: Please enjoy my tribute to Yuki Kashiwagi  柏木 由紀  (Kashiwagi Yuki), born July 15, 1991 in Kagoshima Prefecture of Kyushu, Japan. The delightful Yukirin was born in the shadow of Mount Sakurajima, an active strato-volcano! (Ask a Geology-nerd what that is).

Yukirin is my second-favorite AKB Member … and the subject of my photo tribute for her special day.

You know, except for the salt, this WAS my dream last night, Yukirin.

Yuki-chan … I said TAKE DOWN the drapes not WEAR them!

CLUE:  OK, I have Colonel Mustard … with the Candlestick … in the Library … Or was it all Yukirin ?.

Remember Yukirin: an apple a day …  er … uh … um … er … heh heh .. what was I saying?

Note for future reference: All I had to do was show up at the pool party holding a bag of “Doritos” and Miss Kashiwagi immediately kicked off her shorts!

Kashiwagi-sama: Obama called, he said something about you “getting off your high horse” …

… then Clint Eastwood called. He says you can KEEP the chair now.

(Denny imitating British actor Sir John Gielgud) Yes, I know that you went to “Finishing School” dear girl, I can still smell the varnish!

Help me Yukirin! I think I have scurvey!

Yes, indeed! You did bring my favorite flavor Yukirin!

Aye, Yukirin, I have the same kilt meself.

Are you kidding Yuki? Auto workers in the USA LOVE Schlitz beer!

HA! Well, I will have you know that I made a FORTUNE in weight guessing young lady!

Yuki?  Yuki?  Oh, there you are HONEY  … 

WHAT??? … WHAT??? Wait, let me turn OFF the wind machine Yukirin!

Last time I lend Yukirin my credit card number.

Yes, Miss Kashiwagi, I would be happy to give you my 100,000 mile “bumper-to-bumper” extended warranty !

You are CORRECT Yukirin, this place does need a good set of door-knockers!

Yes, thank you for the recommendation Yukirin, indeed I think I will “stay at the Y” tonight!

Some say the volume is half-full, some say it is half-empty. I say “sit down you morons” I can’t see Yukirin!

What?!?  I will have you people know that I only have “warm and fuzzy” feelings for Kashiwagi-san.

Yes, thank you for explaining how your “two seam fastball” breaks down-and-in on right-handed batters. Oh, and how can I get one of those “milk-fed” mustaches?

Please do not be JEALOUS ladies, Yuki only looks this good because she “does it all with mirrors”.

So much Yuki! … so little room. Enjoy my retrospective Yukirin SlideShow!

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Happy Birthday Miss Kashiwagi!

I wish I could do justice to how talented Ms. Kashiwagi is. She is a trooper. I wanted to link some performance videos of her amazing 3rd solo concert, however Record Industry Weasels have removed every last one! … every last one!

See more Yukirin on my Pinterest board linked here.

 

SASHI WINS!

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My Funny Caption: “The homeless people living in this Tokyo parking garage have their own AKB election every year. Oddly, they have correctly predicted the #1 for the real election six out of the last seven years!”  

Ha Ha. I know what you are thinking … Denny you should write for The Onion.

Rino Sashihara (指原 莉乃 Sashihara Rino) has won this year’s AKB48 7th Sousenkyo Election 2015. Sashi re-claims the throne she had won in 2013.

Here is a list of those who ranked, the group/sister group team, and how many votes each received. Note that this year there were many non-AKB members dominating the list. Best wishes to all — they are all winners to me.

I (HEART) all of you.

SENBATSU

1. Sashihara Rino [Team H] 194,042
   02. Kahiwagi Yuki [Team B/NGT48] 167,183
   03. Watanabe Mayu [Team B] 165,789
   04. Takahashi Minami [Team A] 137,252
   05. Matsui Jurina [Team S/Team K] 105,289
   06. Yamamoto Sayaka [Team N/Team K] 97,866
   07. Miyawaki Sakura [Team KIV/Team A] 81,422
   08. Miyazawa Sae [Team S/Team SII] 75,495
   09. Shimazaki Haruka [Team A] 73,803
   10. Yokoyama Yui [Team A] 63,414
   11. Kitahara Rie [NGT48] 61,566
   12. Watanabe Miyuki [Team BII/Team B] 55,715
   13. Matsumura Kaori [Team KII] 53,667
   14. Takayanagi Akane [Team KII] 52,609
   15. Shibata Aya [Team E] 49,199
   16. Muto Tomu [Team K] 44,637

UNDERGIRLS

17. Kodama Haruka [Team H/Team K] 43,985
    18. Suda Akari [Team E] 43,665
    19. Minegishi Minami [Team K] 35,506
    20. Oya Masana [Team S] 30,021
    21. Tomonaga Mio [Team KIV/Team 4] 28,197
    22. Kizaki Yuria [Team B] 26,994
    23. Tani Marika [Team E] 26,051
    24. Furuhata Nao [Team KII] 25,650
    25. Takahashi Juri [Team 4] 25,421
    26. Kojima Mako [Team 4] 25,117
    27. Oba Mina [Team KII] 24,708
    28. Kato Rena [Team B] 24,569
    29. Okada Nana [Team 4] 23,237
    30. Takajo Aki [Team K] 22,502
    31. Fuchigami Mai [Team KIV] 22,487
    32. Tashima Meru [Team H] 22,191

NEXT GIRLS

33. Anai Chihiro [Team H] 22,146
    34. Shiroma Miru [Team M/Team A] 21,577
    35. Fujie Reina [Team M] 21,388
    36. Jonishi Kei [Team N] 21,135
    37. Sakaguchi Riko [Team H] 20,936
    38. Futamura Haruka [Team S] 20,590
    39. Uchiyama Natsuki [Team B] 20,437
    40. Yagura Fuuko [Team M] 20,354
    41. Ota Aika [Team KIV] 19,921
    42. Okada Kanna [Team KIV] 19,739
    43. Moriyasu Madoka [Team KIV] 19,401
    44. Mukaichi Mion [Team K] 18,392
    45. Miyamae Ami [Team S] 18,245
    46. Kojina Yui [Team H] 18,085
    47. Tano Yuka [Team K] 18,048
    48. Kimoto Kanon [Team E] 18,021

FUTURE GIRLS

49. Sato Sumire [Team E] 17,579
    50. Sasaki Yukari [Team A] 17,466
    51. Matsuoka Natsumi [Team H] 17,387
    52. Goto Risako [Team S] 17,330
    53. Isohara Kyoka [Team E] 17,278
    54. Kotani Riho [Team N] 17,132
    55. Souda Sarina [Team KII] 17,071
    56. Umeda Ayaka [Team BII] 17,019
    57. Mogi Shinobu [Team K] 16,867
    58. Shibuya Nagisa [Team BII/Team 4] 16,386
    59. Kato Yuka [Team N] 15,729
    60. Yabushita Shu [Team BII] 15,666
    61. Azuma Rion [Team S] 15,539
    62. Kato Rumi [Team E] 15,474
    63. Yamauchi Suzuran [Team S] 15, 157
    64. Yoshida Akari [Team N] 14,933

UPCOMING GIRLS

65. Saito Makiko [Team E] 14,916
    66. Kitagawa Ryoha [Team S/Team 4] 14,674
    67. Omori Miyu [Team 4] 14,669
    68. Umemoto Madoka [Team E] 14,605
    69. Nagao Mariya [Team K] 14,585
    70. Kamata Natsuki [Team E] 14,545
    71. Ishida Haruka [Team K] 14,319
    72. Ueki Nao [Team KIV] 13,961
    73. Kumazaki Haruka [Team E] 13,777
    74. Tanigawa Airi [Team M] 13,744
    75. Owada Nana [Team A] 13,685
    76. Takeuchi Mai [Team S] 13,569
    77. Ishida Anna [Team KII] 13,289
    78. Shinozaki Ayana [Team K] 13,170
    79. Ichikawa Miori [Team BII] 13,165
    80. Motomura Aoi [Team KIV] 13,116

For more discussion about the election, please see the great  “All Things Jpop” blog by WordPress friend Yuna linked here.

I will try to have a full tribute to Sasihara-san later next week. Now go get some sleep.

Stalight: Not sure what time zone I am in now : (

Kimonos on Monday: Yui Yokoyama – Part III – Special Collection

This week we take a look at some of the other Yuihan kimono outfits. These are a few odds-and-ends which did not fit to the theme of the last two posts. This gallery will span several years, while my mind wanders …

This is young Yui soon after she joined AKB48. What a beautiful, fresh face. She would grow to be one of my favorites.

Ha ha. I really went back in time here. Yes, that is Yui! Here she is enjoying the bright sunshine in her little kimono outfit. I don’t know what kind of cookie that is.  Can someone tell me what she is eating?

This one is a little more recent (about three years ago).  This is probably my favorite kimono outfit of hers. I have a full-length shot of this kimono in my “No Politics” page (see my main pages).

Oh, goodness gracious! Do you remember how ravishing Yui looked in that “Kodoku na Hoshizora” music video? Here she is getting ready to perform in the video. Of course, a good foot rub between takes may help the young idol relax.

“Not Yet? If you say so Yuihan. I think you need that foot rub right NOW!”

Nice Zen-like perspective. Was it Yui who did the raking? I wish the photographer was less worried about showing the Zen gravel, and more interested in those tootsies. Perhaps I could be of service? LOVING THAT PURPLE!

That HAS to feel good Yui! … and might I suggest also a …. well .. you know …

I do not know the where and why of this shot. I know it is for a movie, and that is it. Of course Yuihan is “movie star beautiful” … maybe too beautiful for Hollywood.

On the web  site www.viki.com there is a program about Yui Yokoyama in Kimono.  During this recent special TV program, Yuihan takes the viewer on a tour of Kyoto … her birthplace city! Of course, there is A LOT of walking … which might make her feet tired … and so … you know …

“Follow your guide, AKB48’s Yui Yokoyama, as she takes you on a tour of the dazzling city. The unique colors of Japan have been expressed in its history, ever since ancient times. This history encompasses Kyoto’s culture and the colors of traditions that have been passed down. The vivid colors of cooking, the rich colors of architectural structures, the vibrant colors of shrine archways… Yui Yokoyama encounters various aspects of culture, artisans, and cuisine, all steeped in the beautiful colors of Kyoto. © KANSAI TELECASTING CORPORATION”

Dang it! I clicked on it …  The program is not available in my region!

(Denny kicks trash can, stubs toe, calls out in pain…)

OW .. now I’m the one who needs a foot rub … OUCH …

OK, right after this you can wear the next kimono Yui : )

Kimonos on Monday: Yui Yokoyama in Kimono – Part II

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More Yui Yokoyama in kimono! 

I am a “BIG FAN” of yours Yuihan!!!

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Yui Yokoyama is always lovely in kimono or yukata.  

Up for more Yuihan next week? Part III next time … 

PS: They did not have a Yui-in-kimono video on YouTube, but here she is dressed as a military man and courting Yuko Oshima in an old AKBINGO “Danso” sketch.

Kimonos on Monday: Yui Yokoyama … (gulp) … Yuihan Kimono Fantasy: Part I

Yui Yokoyama barefoot in kimono! Have I died and gone to Nirvanna?

Yui Yokoyama ( Yokoyama Yui 横山由依) is one of my favorites in AKB48 and NMB48.  Yuihan also dazzled fans in the AKB subunit Not Yet. Not Yet was my second favorite subunit (after the WH7), but they disbanded after Yuko Oshima graduated.  Here is a link to a Not Yet music video. Yuihan is so pretty. It is notable in that she is about the only dancer who could distract me away from Yuko’s butt, … but I digress …

Get used to calling her “Boss”!

On December 8, 2014 (which is also Miss Yokoyama’s birthday, born in Kyoto 12-8-92), it was revealed that she would succeed Minami Takahashi as General Director of AKB48! She will be second only to Akimoto-san — after Takamina graduates later this year. I think that Yokoyama-san will be up to the challenge of keeping the AKB girls in line. She is smart and tough.  Although, I would say that if Ms. Yokoyama were my boss, I would not mind it if I were ever “called on the carpet” … if you know what I mean.

Please enjoy this Yui Yokoyama fantasy … Part II next time!