SKE48 – Sansei Kawaii! (Type-A) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. 賛成カワイイ! – SKE48
2. ここで一発 – SKE48 (だ～す～ & つ～ま～)
3. 道は なぜ続くのか? – SKE48 (愛知トヨタ選抜)
4. 賛成カワイイ! off vocal ver.
5. ここで一発 off vocal ver.
6. 道は なぜ続くのか?

DVD INFO: 16:9 LB, Region 2, Duration: 53:21

1. 賛成カワイイ! – SKE48
2. ここで一発 – SKE48 (だ～す～ & つ～ま～)
3. 維新軍 決起集会 (特典映像I)
4. 4. 決戦I「顔面プロレス~SKE48の“顔”はワタシだ!~」 (特典映像I)

SKE48, the sister idol group of AKB48 that is based in Nagoya returns with their 13th CD single “Sansei Kawaii!” (which translates to “I agree, your cute!”), a track which becomes the group’s ninth CD single to reach #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts (note: While the single debuted at #1,  it was also their lowest single sales in the last two years, which sold 449,003 for its debut and 483, 478 copies slightly above their sixth single “Pareo wa Emerald”, which in Japan is great but for SKE48, surprisingly low considering their last single “Utsukushii Inazuma” sold 659,542 on the Oricon Weekly Charts).

And with this CD single, similar to AKB48’s release of “Heart Erekii”, there will now be a total of five versions of “Sansei Kawaii!” released with four different types which include a CD+DVD and a theater version with no DVD.

The version I will be reviewing is “Sansei Kawaii!” (Type-A). The single features Jurina Matsui on the front cover and features a two-panel insert with lyrics and production credits on one side and the cover image on the other.  The reverse cover features Akari Suda and Kaori Matsumura.

The single begins with the title track “Sansei Kawaii!” and brings SKE48 back to their familiar idol pop style from the past.  Upbeat, happy, sweet idol pop song about guys who like the same girl in school, despite pretending they are not interested.  One person agrees that the person is cute and deep inside, he is in love with her and it’s a one-sided love.

The second track on the single is “Koko de Ippatsu” (which means this is a “one shot”) and features Akari Suda and Kaori Matsumura as Da~su and Tsu~ma and about two people who have been working hard to make their dreams come true.  And both singing how they nearly gave up but they kept at it and are glad they never quit, even though certain opportunities only were one shot.  The song is quite cute and I never expected these two to pair together and release a single.  A fun, bubbly song with inspirational lyrics.

The third track on the single is “Michi wa Naze Tsuzuku no Ka?” (which translates to “Why Does the Road Go On?”) and is performed by the Aichi Toyota Senbatsu and is an upbeat pop song and actually is a track that could easily have been the main single song.  It’s a solid track about going on a life journey.  A journey on the road that goes on forever into the future and pursuing a dream.

The remaining three tracks on the CD single are the instrumental versions of the first three music tracks.

As for the DVD, the DVD begins with the music video clip for “Sansei Kawaii!” featuring SKE48 in Thailand.  The group performing in various locations in Thailand and performing in front of the locals in the area.

The second video is for “Koko de Ippatsu” which stars Akari Suda and Kaori Matsumura in the role of Dasu and Tsuma.  The music video is an upbeat fun music video on the challenges of two performers traveling everywhere to get a music job but getting turned down and living with barely enough money to find a place.  But both are pursuing their dreams to make it and find a job.

The third video track is a short pep rally to get the SKE48 members prepared for competition.

The fourth video track is the one-on-one competition between SKE48 members in which they must go under a table and must give their best professional wrestling face.  The competition is as follows:

1. ROUND 1: Haruka Futamura vs. Akari Suda in a competition of who can blow out the most candles with their nose.
2. ROUND 2: Ami Miyamae vs. Yuka Nakanishi – Who can bob in a dish full of flour and find the most candy (with their mouths).
3. ROUND 3: Haruka Kumazaki vs. Kaori Matsumura – With a hook on their nostrils attached to weights (and more added each time), who can endure the pain the longest.
4. ROUND 4:  Juna Yamada vs. Reika Yamada – Who will be the first one that can drink all of the unpleasant juice?
5. ROUND 5:  Nao Furuhata and Masana Oya – Who can dance or bob their head the most wearing wigs.
6. ROUND 6:  Ruka Kitano vs. Mei Sakai -  Who can hold the strap in their mouths without letting go.
7. ROUND 7:  Azuki Yano vs. Akane Takayagi – Who can blow out the most candles with their nose.
8. ROUND 8:  Sayaka Niidoi vs. Madoka Uemoto – who can stick up a piece of tissue paper up their nostril without flinching.
9. ROUND 9:  RisaOgino vs. Shiori Iguchi – Who will be the first one that can drink all of the unpleasant juice?
10. ROUND 10: Narumi Ichino vs. Rika Tsuzuki – Who can bob in a dish full of flour and find the most candy (with their mouths).

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, “Sansei Kawaii!” is a fun single that is much different from their last which is more of a dance pop track, this one returns back to a more sweet idol pop sound of older SKE48 style music.  While I did enjoy the single track, I have to admit that I enjoyed the coupling songs even more.  “Koko de Ippatsu” is such a fun track with Akarin and Kaotan that I listened to this song the most, followed by “Michi wa Naze Tsudzuku no ka?” over “Sansei Kawaii!”.

As for the CD+DVD, while SKE48 went to Thailand to shoot the video, I was hoping there would be a behind-the-scenes making of featurette included.  But we do get the fun video with Akarin and Kaori plus a 43 minute competition video featuring 10 rounds of SKE48 members taking part in crazy competitions.

A fun CD+DVD single, if you are an SKE48 fan, “Sansei Kawaii! (Type-A)” is worth checking out, especially for the Akarin and Kaotan track and music video.  Recommended!