NEW PEOPLE ENTERTAINMENT LICENSES THE JAPANESE POP MUSIC BIO FILM DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 – TO BE CONTINUED
August 15, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
New Film Follows The Rise To International Fame Of Japan’s Most Popular Pop Idol Group And Will Have Exclusive U.S. Premiere August 28th At The 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival
In San Francisco
San Francisco, CA – August 15, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced that it has licensed the film, DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued, in the U.S. and Canada. The film follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese idol group, AKB48, and offering an insightful glimpse into the challenges that the group’s members have faced during their rise to international stardom. A trailer is available to view at: www.newpeopleent.com/AKB48
The U.S. premiere of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued will take place on Sunday, August 28th at 1:00pm at NEW PEOPLE’s cinema as part of the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival. Tickets to the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 are $12 and on sale now at www.newpeopleworld.com/films.
The annual J-Pop Summit, held in San Francisco’s Japantown, celebrates Japanese pop culture and is highlighted by a variety of film screenings, panel discussions, DJ dance parties, fashion shows, and live performances from several notable Guest of Honor artists. More information on J-Pop Summit Festival is available at www.J-Pop.com.
AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan’s most respected music producers. Starting as a small all-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’s bustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and topped Japan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10.
“Pop culture and J-Pop music fans will delight in the news of our licensing of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 and we invite them to attend the special North American premiere at NEW PEOPLE during the upcoming J-Pop Summit,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “AKB48 has become massively popular in Japan and also enjoys a fast-growing U.S. fan base. This is a group unlike any other in pop music and we hope more people will discover AKB48 through this film. Stay tuned for more news coming soon on the release of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 on DVD!”
With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, the group’s bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued traces AKB48’s history with scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fan activities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviews with select members that reveal each of the girls’ personal struggles, joys, path to growth, and dreams.
One unique aspect of AKB48 is that the group is divided into “Teams.” When AKB48 debuted in 2005, originally there were only 24 girls. Now there are 16 girls each on Team A, Team K, and Team B, who are the core members of the group. In addition, there are trainees who are aspiring members. Members total to around 60 girls as some graduate and some new members come in. In the recent years AKB48 has begun holding elections to determine the members who will participate in the recording of upcoming singles. Fans vote for their favorites and the girl ranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.
About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.
###
Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): Kanjani8 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (06.08.11)
June 9, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
|
||||
|
or purchase from: |
- Kanjani8 – 365 Nichi Kazoku
- Super Junior – Bonamana
- Acid Black Cherry – Shojo no Inori III
- AKB48 – Everday, Katyusha
- Kaoru to Yuki, Tamani Mukku – Maru Maru, Mori, Mori!
- FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – Soredemo Shinjiteru
- Ketsumeishi – Kodama
- B’z – Don’t Wanna Lie
- RESTART JAPAN with TUBE – RESTART
- Team Amuse! (Keisuke Kuwata, Masaharu Fukuyama, etc.) – Let’s try again
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to PONTIACS “Cold Finger Girl”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
ORICON TOP 10 ALBUM DAILY CHARTS
NOTE: AKB49 takes the #1 spot, SNSD takes the #2 spot, Sandaime J Soul Brothers at #2 and Ken Hirai at #3.
- AKB48 – Koko ni Itaito
- SNSD-’GIRLS GENERATION
- Ken Hirai – JAPANESE SINGER
- GOSPELLERS – Hamorhythm
- THE BADIES – LIVE THE LIFE I LOVE
- IL DIVO – LOVE SONGS
- Lady GaGa – Born This Way
- andymori – Kakumei
- UVERworld – LIFE 6 SENSE
- Nothing’s Carved in Stone – echo
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Lady GaGa takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (05.25.11)
May 26, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
|
||||
|
or purchase from: |
- AKB48 – Everday, Katyusha
- Team Amuse! (Keisuke Kuwata, Masaharu Fukuyama, etc.) - Let’s try again
- the GazettE – VORTEX
- TOKIO – Miageta Ryusei
- Kaoru to Yuki, Tamani Mukku – Maru Maru, Mori, Mori!
- Kuroyume – Aron
- Yui Horie – PRESENTER
- Mai Kuraki – Mou Ichido
- c-ute – Momoiro Sparkling
- KAT-TUN – WHITE
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to 猪苗代湖ズ for “I Love You & I Need You Fukushima”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
ORICON TOP 10 ALBUM DAILY CHARTS
NOTE: Lady Gaga takes #1, UNICORN at #2 and capsule at #3.
- Lady GaGa – Born This Way
- UNICORN – Z
- capsule – WORLD OF FANTASY
- Aya Hirano – AYA MUSEUM
- BIGBANG – The Ultimate – International Best-
- Namie Amuro – Checkmate!
- Naoto Intraymi – ADVENTURE
- KG – We are one
- ALI PROJECT – QUEENDOM
- Jun Fukuyama – Ai wo Utau!
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
Oricon Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts (JAPAN): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Yuzu takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (02.16.11)
February 17, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
|
||||
|
or purchase from: |
NOTE: Johnny’s Jimusho vs. AKB48…who would win for new release Wednesday? AKB48 takes #1, Tegomas at #2 and Kobukuro at #3.
- AKB48 – Sakura no Ki ni Naro
- Tegomas – Aoi Bench
- Kobukuro – Blue Bird
- AAA – Daiji na Koto
- Kazuya Yoshii – LOVE & PEACE
- ONE OK ROCK – Answer is Near
- KREVA – Idome
- Kalafina – Magia
- Inazuma All Stars – Mata ne… no Kisetsu
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to My Dragon for “二次元コンプレックス”
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
ORICON TOP 10 ALBUM DAILY CHARTS
NOTE: Yuzu takes the #1 spot, AAA at #2 and Aqua Timez at #3.
- Yuzu – 2 -NI-
- AAA – Buzz Communication
- Aqua Timez – Carpe Diem
- DEEP – LOVE STORY
- LGYankees – BARIBARI LGYankees
- L’Arc~en~Ciel – Twenity 2000-2010
- L’Arc~en~Ciel – Twenity 1997-1999
- Galileo Galilei – Parade
- MAY’s – Cruising
- L’Arc~en~Ciel – Twenity 1991-1996
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
AKB48 becomes the first talent in over three years to sell over a million copies
January 25, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It is well known that music lovers in Japan have moved on to digital releases and physical media is not as popular anymore. In fact, the last million-selling single in Japan was back in August 2007 when Masafumi Akikawa took the #1 spot for many weeks with his song “Sen no Kaze ni Natte”.
And while some wondered if there will ever be a million-seller single in Japan ever again, the female pop unit AKB48 has done so. Since the release of their single “Beginner” back in October, AKB48 has now sold more than 1 million copies according to Oricon.
First AKB48, welcome NMB48…
January 3, 2011 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
AKB48 Image by J!-ENT – Nergene Arquelada
In Japan, AKB48 (Akihabara 48) has been the popular group from Tokyo. But there is enough love to go around and now it’s time for Osaka’s NMB48 (Namba 48).
Right now, NMB48 is a 16-member group featuring girls that are 12-16 of age. Around 240 people went to see NMB48 perform at the local theater and they also have a souvenir shop as well. Can NMB48 reach the same popularity as AKB48? Time will tell.
Oricon Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts (JAPAN): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Ayumi Hamasaki takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (12.29.10)
December 30, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
|
||||
|
or purchase from: |
NOTE: AKB48 takes the #1 spot, Hey! Say! JUMP at #2 and Kobukuro at #3.
- AKB48 – Chance no Junban
- Hey! Say! JUMP – Arigatou ~Seikai no Doko ni Itemo~
- Kobukuro – Ryusei
- URATA NAOYA feat. Ayumi Hamasaki – Dream ON
- AKB48 – Heavy Rotation
- Girl’s Generation – Gee
- Kana Uemura – Toire no Kami-Sama
- AKB48 – Beginer
- JUJU – Kono yoro wo tomete yo
- Superfly – Eyes On Me
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to VAMPS for “MEMORIES”.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
ORICON TOP 10 ALBUM DAILY CHARTS
NOTE: Ayumi Hamasaki takes the #1 spot for “Love Songs”, Ikimonogakari jumps to #2 and Bump of Chicken stays at #3
- Ayumi Hamasaki – Love songs
- Ikimonogakari – Ikimongakari~Members BEST Selection~
- BUMP OF CHICKEN – COSMONAUT
- Mr. Children – SENSE
- Girl’s Generation – HOOT
- KARA – Girls Talk
- Masaharu Fukuyama – THE BEST BANG!!
- Hikaru Utada – Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2
- Various Artists – DJ KAORI’S JMIX IV
- mothy – Aku no Okoku ~Evils Kingdom~
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
AKB48 opened official profile page on Myspace to communicate with the world ! ～Merry Christmas To The World From AKB48 ～
December 22, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
In preparation to become active overseas, a popular idol group AKB48 is opening their profile page on Myspace in order to reach out to the fans around the world and send out their information.
Myspace Japan KK (Shibuya, Tokyo) which manages the music entertainment SNS “Myspace” in Japan, in cooperation of Sync Music Japan, a project organized by Japan Association of Music Enterprises (JAME), Music Publishers Association of Japan (MPAJ), and the Federation of Music Producers Japan (FMPJ) in order to expand Japanese music market to a global scale, will introduce AKB48’s official profile page to the whole world today.
On AKB48’s official page, their newest songs are available for sampling and their newest information will be regularly updated in English as they are eager to communicate with the overseas fans.
【AKB48 Official Profile Page】
◇ http://www.myspace.com/akb48official
AKB48 breaks record in Japan with five consecutive #1 hit singles
December 21, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
Popular all-female group AKB48 has now broken a record in Japan by becoming the first female group with five consecutive #1 hit singles in Japan. The previous record was held by Pink Lady back in 1978.
The group was also entered in the Guinness Book of World Records this year for pop group with the greatest number of members.
Oricon Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts (JAPAN): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Mr. Children takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (12.01.10)
December 10, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?
Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:
|
||||
|
or purchase from: |
NOTE: AKB48 takes the #1 spot, and two anime singles for “Girl’s Dead Monster” take the #2 and #3 positions.
- AKB48 – Chance no Junban
- Girls Dead Monster starring Marina – Last Song
- Girls Dead Monster starring LiSA – Ichiban no Takaramono ~Yui final ver.~
- Kaela Kimura – A winter fairy is melting a snowman
- TUBE – Sora to umi ga aru youni
- Sata Andagi – Taisetsu na Hito
- KinKi Kids – Family ~Hitotsu ni Narukoto
- Choshinsei – Shining Star
- Kobukuro – Ryusei
- Mamoru Miyano – hikari, hikaru
As for the #1 Indies release on the Oricon Indies Daily Charts, the #1 indie song in Japan goes to Champagne for You’re So Sweet & I Love You.
For Oricon Weekly Chart Rankings, please click here.
SOURCE: Data was translated from Oricon CD Single Daily Charts
ORICON TOP 10 ALBUM DAILY CHARTS
NOTE: Mr. Children takes the #1 spot, Hetalai Drama CD takes #2 and Dragon Ash at #3
- Mr. Children – SENSE
- Hetalia Drama CD Interpol Vol. 2
- Dragon Ash – MIXTURE
- Ikimonogakari – Ikimongakari~Members BEST Selection~
- Hikaru Utada – Utada Hikaru SINGLE COLLECTION VOL. 2
- INFINITY 16 – INFINITY 16 BEST
- Yuna Ito – LOVE ~ Singles Best 2005-2010~
- BENI – Jewel
- GARNET CROW – parallel universe
- Masaharu Fukuyama – THE BEST BANG!!
For rankings comparison, please compare to Oricon’s NINKI Poll predictions for Album Sales.
