NMB48 – Virginity (Theater Edition) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. ヴァージニティー (NMB48)
2. 僕らのレガッタ (Shirogumi)
3. 存在してないもの (Akagumi)
4. ちょっと猫背
5. ヴァージニティー off-vocal version
6. 僕らのレガッタ off-vocal version
7. 存在してないもの off-vocal version
8. ちょっと猫背 off-vocal version

It has been a little over a year since AKB48 creator/producer Yasushi Akimoto created NMB48, the idol group which belongs to Kyoraku Yoshimoto Holdings Co., Ltd. (a joint corporation of Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Kyoraku Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

And before anyone gets confused between the various idol groups with the “48″ attached to it. For NMB48, it’s best to remember that NMB stands for “Namba” which is in the Minami district in Osaka. So, NMB48 is the main Akimoto-related idol group being showcased in the Kansai area and is the second sister group, after SKE48 (which are based in Nagoya).

While NMB48 is known for its captain Sayaka Yamamoto (of Team N) and Team N member Miyuki “Milky” Watanabe, as more NMB48′s singles continue to chart at #1 in the weekly Oricon CD Single Chart rankings, there has been more exposure for the group and its members.

And with the success of their previous four CD singles, NMB48 has once again scored a #1 hit with their fifth CD single “Virginity” which sold over 300,000 copies on the day of their release.

There will be four different versions of the single available. Type-A, Type-B and Type-C will each come with a DVD and feature an exclusive third track. Also, included with each Type is a “Milky no Chapu Chapu” track, which is a track under a minute with sounds of Milky taking a bath. The Theater Edition will come with no DVD will come with Type-A and Type-B exclusive tracks but also an exclusive third track.

The version that I will be reviewing is “Virginity” (Theater Editon) which features the NMB48 top 5 senbatsu members on the front cover, while the reverse part of the CD features 16 members of NMB48.  The insert is a four-fold featuring images from the “Virginity” drama and closeup shots of various members of NMB48.

The first track on the CD single is “Virginity”. A track that utilizes electric guitar and synth brass and the song is catchy and upbeat! The song is about one about the pressure of wanting to kiss, wanting to love someone but the thoughts of love, sex….can one even engage in the discussion of virginity. And as one kissed the person they liked, in exchange for love, the person gives virginity.

The second track on the single is “Bokura no Regatta” (which translates to “Our Regatta”) performed by NMB48’s Shirogumi team. I’m guessing the shirogumi team is in reference to the AKB48 Kouhaku Uta Gassen red vs. white competition that takes place in December. An upbeat pop track that is about a regatta (which is usually a boat or yacht race) and about a person who is grateful to a rival because the rival has helped the person work harder and become more competitive. And the songi s about the hard work involved in the race, the pain of rowing and at the end of the race, both sides tearfully embraced for the hard work put into the race competition.

The third track on the single is “Sonzai Shiteinai Mono” (which translates to “Thing That Don’t Exist”) performed by NMB48′s Akagumi team. And a beat-driven pop track.  Much different compared to Team Shirogumi’s “Bokura no Regatta” in terms of arrangement, but a good pop track overall.  The song is about memories of a failed relationship and memories of that person starting to fade way.  Memories of gazing at each other for hours, memories of forgiving each other and hopefully someday they will meet each other again.

The four track on the single is “Chotto Nekoze” (which translates to “bending over a bit”) and is a catchy upbeat idol pop track performed by NMB48.  The song is about the end of summer and a relationship that didn’t work out.  The person talks about how the walk alone, bent over a bit, sad and her head hanging low, like as if she is a hunchback but for love.    So, she is overwhelmed by emotions and even though she tries to think about other guys, she can’t and tears start to form in big drops.  And now she walks slightly bent because she’s sad.

The next four tracks are the instrumental off-vocal versions of the first four tracks on the CD single.

Overall, “Virginity” (Theater Edition) is an awesome CD single for those who don’t need the DVD’s and want to save money by not purchasing Type-A, Type-B or Type-C.   Unfortunately the theater edition does not come with “Moso Girlfriend” (which are included on the Type-A, Type-B and Type-C singles) and also Type-C’s “Sunahama de Pistol”.  While, I do prefer the CD+DVD releases due to content, for those wanting this cheaper theater edition single for “Virginity” and the Akagumi or Shirogumi tracks will be happy.  While completionists who purchased Type-A, Type-B and Type-C, will want this version as it features the exclusive track “Chotto Nekoze”.

If you are an NMB48 fan on a budget or a collector, “Virginity (Theater Edition) is recommended!

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