SKE48 Puts Up The Flag As Matsui Say Goodbye

Mega idol group SKE48 have announced that they will be dropping their twenty-seventh single titled “Koiochi Flag” and is set to be released on February 3rd. This will serve as long time member Jurina Matsui’s graduation single. Matsui announced she would be leaving the group back on February 7th but due to the ongoing crisis, the release of this single had been pushed back. 

“Koiochi Flag” is being released in six editions total, three editions will be CD plus DVD and three editions will be limited editions which will come with a DVD plus a randomly selected photo and an application card. Pre-orders are up and posted below along with their last single “So~Yu~Toko Aru Yo Ne?” in the video below.

Standard Edition Type A

Standard Edition Type B

Standard Edition Type C

Limited Edition Type A

Limited Edition Type B

Limited Edition Type C

Tuneback Tuesday - Second Week of April

Let’s turn back the hands of time as we look back at the songs that made the Japanese music industry what it was on the Oricon Weekly Chart. This week we look back at the second week of April for both 2010 and 2015, when boy group NEWS and mega idol group SKE48 reigned supreme with “Sakura Girl” and “Coquettish Jūtai Chū”, respectively. But just what exactly made these songs so great?

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“Sakura Girl” - NEWS

“Sakura Girl” was the fourteenth single by NEWS, who in 2003 released their first single, “News Nippon”, which hit number one. NEWS has consistently released number one songs since their debut and it is easy to see why with this track in particular. “Sakura Girl” has a fun, catchy melody sung expertly the guys. It’s got a light and whimsical feel which is enjoyable for the listener. “Sakura Girl” was written by Heroism along with Hacchin 'Maya and was composed by Heroism. The track sold over 195,000 copies in its first week and would go on to hit platinum. 

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“Coquettish Jūtai Chū” - SKE48

“Coquettish Jūtai Chū” was the seventeenth single released by the ever-popular idol group SKE48. Debuting in 2008 as a spin-off to the super popular idol group AKB48, SKE48 has always had a huge fanbase and it is easy to see why with “Coquettish Jūtai Chū”. This is one fun, high energy number that really gets the listener going. You can truly hear the fun energy that the girls give off here. The song was written by Akimoto Yasushi, composition was done by Fujimi Takafumi, and was arranged by Yu Sasaki. “Coquettish Jūtai Chū” would go on to sell over half a million copies in its first week on the chart, easily taking the number spot for this week in 2015.

Akari Suda rises up to center stage for latest SKE48 single!

Popular idol group SKE48 announced that they will be releasing a brand new single, “ソーユートコあるよね？” (“Soyutoko Aruyone”), January 15. This will be the latest single from the group since “FRUSTRATION” back in July and will be the group’s twenty-sixth single overall. The single will also kick off the group’s twelfth year in the music industry. The announcement came via Japanese streaming app SHOWROOM, where it was also announced that the center will be Akari Suda—a first for her career— and the recently returning Jurina Matsui will not be participating in this single. Suda commented, expressing that becoming center was a dream of hers, a shocking one for sure, after having remained out of the limelight in comparison her peers. She said that she will try her hardest not to ruin this chance she was given.

Like previous 48 releases, “Soyutoko Aruyone” will be available in multiple editions. Check out the trailer for the single along with pre-order links below!

Type A Standard edition / Limited edition

Type B Standard edition / Limited edition

Type C Standard edition/ Limited edition

Type D Standard edition/ Limited edition

Jurina Matsui once again announces hiatus!

Last year Senbatsu winner Jurina Matsui, unfortunately, announced that she will once again be taking a hiatus.

This announcement comes after the short hiatus Matsui took last year after winning the 2018 Senbatsu and ultimately affected the quality of that Senbatsu’s single “Sentimental Train”. Matsui added that she will be resting until she’s in perfect condition and will announce her return time as soon as possible.

We at Ongaku to You wish Matsui a speedy recovery and hope to see her on the grand stage once again.

SKE48 Releases Video Ahead Of New Single

In regular fashion, mega idol group SKE48 has put out the video for their upcoming single, “Stand By You”, releasing on December 12. “Stand By You” wil once again Jurina Matsui is the center for this song and is accompanied by Yuki Arai.

Preorder your copy of “Stand By You” regular edtion here, and check out the music video for “Stand by you” below!

Type A here.

Type B here.

Type C here.

Type D here.