AKB48 – Ponytail to Shushu (Type-A) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

AKB48 is back with their 16th major CD single “Ponytail to Shushu” (which translates to “Ponytail and Scrunchie”) and from the title and the CD cover, you know right away that this is a summer single!

And with the cover featuring the members in a bikini may have generated a lot of attention as this single sold over 513,000 copies in its first week, the first single for a female idol group to achieve these type of sales since Morning Musume’s “Ren’ai Revolution” in 2000 and since Hikaru Utada’s “Can You Keep a Secret?” in 2001. Suffice to say, the number of CD’s sold, also did better than their last single “Sakura no Shiori”, so this is good news for AKB48 fans who have wanted to see the group grow in popularity.

With “Ponytail to Shushu”, there are three CD singles available. The TYPE-A and TYPE-B (each having a different third song and have an included DVD featuring music videos for the three songs and first pressing coming with a handshaking event ticket, senbatsu election code for fans to vote and also a store-exclusive picture) and the Theater Edition comes with all songs featured on TYPE-A and TYPE-B minus the off-vocal instrumentals and the first pressing coming with a handshaking event ticket and a random AKB48 17th Senbatsu Election poster. Also, the Theater Edition is much cheaper as well!

The version I am reviewing is the Type-A version which features the primary reverse cover of Yuko Oshima, Jurina Matsui, Atsuko Maeda, Minami Takahashi and Yuko Watanabe. On the insert cover is all top 16 senbatsu members. The insert is a four-fold that features close-up images of the 16 members of AKB48 and the reverse features the lyrics and production credits.

The first track “Ponytail to Shushu” is an enjoyable, catchy summer song. The song is about going to the beach and wanting to see a girl at the beach, splashing the water with your feet, seeing her ponytail swinging in the wind while running on the sand. But also wanting to tell her that you like her but know that you can’t and for the moment, you are just friends. But in your dreams, you can see her in a ponytail, in a scrunchie and just enjoying the moment of watching her on the beach, fun, free and being herself.

The second track is titled “Nusumareta Kuchibiru” and this translates to “Lips That Were Stolen” and is performed by the AKB48 Undergirls (those who placed at #17-32 in the Senbatsu Elections). And the song is another summer song in which you lay side by side with a person you care about on the beach and sharing that first kiss together and wanting to be kissed again. The song is an OK pop song. I like the lyrics but I wasn’t really into the musical arrangement all that much for this track.

The third song “Boku no YELL” (or “My YELL”) is performed by the Theater Girls (girls who placed past #32 in the Senbatsu Elections and also includes the Research Students).  This is a fun, inspirational idol song about one yelling and their voice is coarse from screaming their support for one to try their best.  And no matter how sad they are, they should keep trying and that person will be watching and supporting you.

And the remaining three tracks are the off-vocal, instrumental versions of the first three tracks.

As for the DVD, the DVD features three music videos. The first is “Ponytail to Shushu” which begins with the group changing and undressing in the gym while a chihuahua is watching them. When the girls try to get near it, the dog angrily barks at them and the girls run into the shower room which is running and all are wet. The video then transitions to the girls in their bikini’s performing on the beaches of Guam (or perhaps Saipan or the Philippines) in their bikinis and also clips of the group having fun around the area. May it be getting a cold snack, taking part in a car wash or getting a ride from a local. A fun summer video overall.

The second music video is for “Nusumareta Kuchibiru”and it showcases a lighthouse on the beach. We then see the AKB48 Undergirls dancing on a windy night at the beach (in their bikini or outfit) with the camp fire blowing in the wind.

The third music video is for “Boku no YELL” which features the AKB48 theater girls on the soccer field.  Everyone is in their soccer outfits and dancing and performing to the song.  While some AKB48 members cheer the players during their matchup, meanwhile we see some members training and working out but seeing how some members felt they failed in someway and are taking it hard, but their friends are their to give them encouragement.

It’s important to note that this is a region 2 DVD and will not play on a region 1 player (unless you have a non-region DVD player) but can be played on a MAC or PC using free video playing software such as VLC or Daum PotPlayer.

Overall, AKB48 “Ponytail to Shushu” (Type-A) is a fun CD. The main song “Ponytail to Shushu” is a fun summer song and possibly the first time I have seen members featured in their bikinis (note: If you purchase the TYPE-A or TYPE-B singles, you will see the music video of the members performing their song sporting in their bikini on the beach). Also, a good variety of tracks that deal with one’s first kiss and a friend or parent supporting someone, while you get the theme song of the drama “Majisuka Gakuen” included in this single as well. As for the DVD, you get all three music videos and for the single and for those who want to see AKB48 in bikini, this video gives fans a chance!

As for which version is worth getting, pretty much deciding factor is whether or not you want “Majijo no Teppen Blues” which is the third track and music video featured on Type-B or “Boku no YELL” featuring the theater girls which is featured on Type-A. And also if whoever is on the cover makes a difference to you. ‘

Otherwise, if you just want the music, no DVD and want to save your money, then the Theater Edition should be enough for you.

“Ponytail to Shushu” (Type-A) is a fun upbeat summer CD+DVD single worth recommending to AKB48 fans especially those who are fans that are not high on the senbatsu or fans of unranked members.