Peter's Japan blog

The top had a few surprises like every year, and so many more votes than last year!
I'm happy that Sasshi became no. 1 again, and Sakura entered the Kami 7 at no. 7!!

Takahashi Minami made a huge jump up to no. 4, the highest she's ever been. Her call to be no. 1 one more time before she graduates had certainly helped, but it was not enough. Because she jumped to no. 4 a few other members had to drop down like Matsui Jurine to no. 5 and Yamamoto Sayaka to no. 6. Seem like my prediction was quite correct except for that unexpected no. 4 from Takamina.
I hoped for it but I wasn't expecting it that Sakura actually jumped over Paruru who actually dropped 2 places. Also Watanabe Miyuki re-entering the senbatsu was very nice. Kitahara Rie back in senbatsu too.
Some good stuff for HKT48 as well, Haruppi coming at no. 17, while just out of senbatsu, she did become center for the Under Girls. Anai Chihiro at no. 33, another center for the Next Girls. Sakaguchi Rikopi made a huge leap from no. 60 to no. 37! Also some new members ranking like Kojina Yui (with a hilarious speech), Okada Kanna, Ueki Nao and Fuchigami Mai. Moriyasu Madoka dropped several places, and Murashige and Komada dropped out of top 80 though, but all other members did better: Meru, Mio, Rabu-tan.

Full results here: http://www.j-enta.com/en/ranking.php?gr=10

After the announcement that Idoling!!! will all be graduating in October this year, I just had to make the most of it. So I'm planning to go to both TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2015 in August and to Idoling!!!'s 15th & final Live at the Nippon Budokan in October.
Handshake events will become very difficult though, since Idoling!!!'s last single "Cheering You!!" will be released in July with events in July, and NEO from Idoling!!!'s last single will be released in June. So likely no handshake events to go to :( but I will try at TIF.

Also likely no more studio recordings or Nicohachi Lives or Shibuhachi Lives as well, since they don't do them so close to big lives and I'm only going for 1.5 weeks each time. :( Although I've done so many lives and events over the past years it's still difficult when you don't live in Japan... it's all about timing your trips.

Some of my thoughts and predictions for this year's Senbatsu Sousenkyo for the 41th single.
Only 2 days to go now and everything is starting to heat up. 4 of last year's top 16 will not be participating so that's 4 new spots to fill (Matsui Rena, Kojima Haruna, Ikoma Rina & Kawaei Rina).

I'm pretty sure that last year's top 4 members will also be this year's top 4 members, but not necessarily in the same order. A lot of campaigning has been going on to get Kashiwagi Yuki to the top. I think either Kashiwagi Yuki or Sashihara Rino will be number one this year. Watanabe Mayu at 3rd place and Matsui Jurina at 4th.
Due to Matsui Rena not participating this year, Yamamoto Sayaka will become 5th, I'm not seeing her reach the 4th spot because the gap is still too large.
Then comes places 6 through 9, which I think will consist of Takahashi Minami, Shimazaki Haruka, Shibata Aya and Miyawaki Sakura, likely in that order. Although I would personally love Sakura to overtake Paruru, it will be a tough fight. She might be able to overtake Shibata Aya. Suda Akari will be close as well.
Next on the list will probably be Miyazawa Sae, Suda Akari, Matsumura Kaori, Kitahara Rie and Watanabe Miyuki. The rest may contain some surprises though :)

The preliminary results this year also got some of the same things that happened at the preliminary results the year before. Kodama Haruka ranking above Sakura, but eventually dropping out of top 16. I do see Haruppi reaching place 15 or 16 though. Minegishi Minami ranking very low, but eventually reaching top 20's.
Some of the surprise top 16's that will very likely drop out of top 16 will be Tani Marika and Fuchigami Mai (all her fans probably voted as quick as they could, she does however have enough votes to rank in the top 60).

Some nice videos I took around FujiTV during FuyuFes 2013 during my Tokyo 2013-2014 trip, enjoy :)

For her 15th anniversary as a singer, Ayumi Hamasaki will release a single/album every month from November until April, starting with a mini album called "LOVE" on November 8th 2012. The song "Song 4 u" is the theme song for the game "Tales Of Xillia2".

Versions:
Love [CD+DVD] (Type A)
Catalog: AVCD-48590
Price: 2300yen
CD:
01. Song 4 u (Original mix)
02. Meloy (Original mix)
03. Missing (Original mix)
04. You & Me (Remo-con rmx â?? Extended)
05. You & Me (SHINICHI OSAWA remix)
06. Song 4 u (Orchestra version)
07. Melody (remix)
08. Missing (remix)
09. Song 4 u (Instrumental)
10. Melody (Instrumental)
11. Missing (Instrumental)
12. You & Me (Instrumental)

DVD:
01.Song 4 u (video clip)
02.Melody (video clip)
03.Song 4 u (making clip)

Love [CD] (Type B)
Catalog: AVCD-48591
Price: 1500yen
CD: same as Type A

Love [CD] (Tales edition)
Catalog: AVCD-48592
Price: 1500yen
CD: same as Type A

Most awesome video of the return of the Gundam statue at the newly opened DiverCity Tokyo in Odaiba. The statue was already finished back in January when I was there the last time, but now it has been officially unveiled together with the new shopping & entertainment complex.
Can't wait to see the statue in action myself next month! Enjoy!