This week in AKB48: 23/10/2012 – 30/10/2012 (Kasai Tomomi’s Challenge, Miyawaki Sakura’s Playboy appearance and Mitsumune’s Graduation)

Soravone October 30, 2012

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Welcome to another “This week in AKB48” news post where we keep you updated on the happenings of the past week in a different and somewhat more compressed format. This week in AKB48, Maeda Atsuko’s new movie venture, Kasai Tomomi abandons her 10000 yet challenge and the upcoming release of AKB48’s latest single, Uza.

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Chiyuu legend Kasai Tomomi has received criticism for “abandoning” the 10000 yen challenge, with fans and staff of “Ikinari Ougon Densetsu” perplexed at having Tomomi literally run away from the challenge. The challenge for the golden time TV show had Tomomi live with 10000 yen for a month, where they would follow her journey for the duration. Other critics argue that the escape was “staged” and much was scripted as with much of Japanese television. Meanwhile, HKT sensation Sashihara claims that many would come to like her upon knowing her monthly salary. Check out a news article here and the original news post here.

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Former AKB48 Center Maeda Atsuko is set to star in the 2013 horror movie “Kuroyuri Danchi” alongside “The Ring 2” actor Harumiya Hiroki in what is described as “modern horror” involving housing complexes as the title suggests and eerie events surrounding Maeda’s character “Asuka” who moves into the housing complex to find something rather “alarming” from within the neighbouring rooms.

Nakata, a veteran of horror movies who directed the cult classic “The Ring” claims the two actors have shown some rather bold acting as of late, praising them for going above and beyond their roles including Hiroki who starred in “Chatroom” which won big in Cannes under the “Un certain regard” category for up and coming cinema. With Maeda recently being hailed as a top actress in the recent 4th Tama Cinema Awards, Kuroyuri Danchi may be her entry into the international spectrum.

The movie is set for release in Japanese theatres in May 2012. The full article can be seen here.

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Miyawaki Sakura has been chosen as center for a special edition of the Weekly Playboy exclusively featuring 48 members. The special issue which will go on sale in November will feature interviews and articles surrounding all of the 48 groups including SDN and Nogizaka46. Many consider this a leap for HKT48 member Miyawaki Sakura while also commenting on the focus towards new generation members. Find out more of these comments right here.

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The team songs for AKB48’s latest single have been revealed with the new centers for each group. Alongside the flagship song, Uza are the following team songs: Team A’s Kodokuna Hoshizora with Mayuyu and Kawaei Rina as center Team K’s Scrap and Build featuring center duo Oshima Yuko and Matsui Jurina Team B’s Seigi no Mikata Janai Hero with Kashiwagi Yuki and Shimazaki Haruka as center. Find out more about their latest single in this post here.

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Cultural critic Azuma Hiroki has come out with some comments on his recent offer to join AKB48’s marketing team. Azuma, popular cultural critic and philosopher comments that AKB is a pure money making business and claims fans who but multiples of CDs to be “Emptyheaded”. He also stated that his involvement with the group should be chose to join the marketing team to be strictly business. Check out some of the reactions here.

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Mitsumune Kaoru has parted ways with AKB48, a decision which has perplexed fans as she was recently announced to join the new team K having been promoted from Kenkyuusei at Tokyo Dome. It was her bad condition that had prompted her to make the decision and while the staff had offered to wait, she decided that to relieve the burden from both the staff and herself that she would withdraw from all activities relating to AKB48. Fans and fellow members have reacted with hope, sentiment and best wishes for Kaoru. Check out the members comments right here on AKB48WrapUp. The original post can be found here.