Oku Manami(AKB48) Announces Graduation

Oku Manami's graduation message from the AKB48 official blog, translated by loveandcoffee@stage48:

Today I have a sudden announcement.

This time, Oku Manami will graduate from AKB48.

I joined AKB48 when I was 10, and without knowing anything, I’ve always done my best with what I was told to do.

There haven’t only been good things, but I have made myself a lot of good memories.

And more than anything, I have been able to come all the way so far thanks first to Akimoto-sensei, then to all the staff, and especially thanks to the support of my fans.

Being in AKB48 for 5 years I’ve met a lot of people and I’ve been able to experience many things.

Without understanding a thing, I’ve just struggled my way to here but somewhere inside my heart, the desire for the

“student life”

I haven’t been able to experience grew bigger and bigger, and the days I spent worrying “What do I really want to do?” have been really hard.

As I stayed in AKB while feeling so half-hearted I felt guilty towards the people who supported me, and after thinking many times and asking many times for staff’s advice, I decided to graduate in order to pursue my new dream: advance with my studies.

For 5 years, I have given you a lot of hard times and made you worry…

But all the time, I don’t know how to say it, but I’ve always been so thankful to all the people who supported me.

Thank you very much.

I think the last time I will be able to meet you is the April handshake event.

I will announce the details of my graduation as soon as they’ve been decided.

Then, there’s just a little time before my graduation, but please keep supporting me.

Here is her profile and some trivia for those not too familiar with her:
Oku Manami (奥真奈美)
Nickname: Maachan (まーちゃん), Manamana (まなまな)
Birthdate: November 22nd, 1995 (15)
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Team: B
Height: 153.5 cm (5'0")
Bust: 81 cm
Waist: 60 cm
Hips: 87 cm
Agency: office48 (AKB48's agency)

Singles:
-Hone Hone Waltz (Honegumi from AKB48)
-BINGO!
-Kimi no Koto ga Suki dakara (Under Girls)
-Katatsumuri (solo)
-Nusumareta Kuchibiru (Under Girls)
-Boku Dake no Value (Under Girls)
-Love Jump (Team B)
-Guuzen no Juujirou (Under Girls)

Stage Units:
-Team K 1st Stage : Classmate
-Team K 2nd Stage : Ame no Doubutsuen
-Team K 3rd Stage : Honehone Waltz
-Himawari-gumi 1st Stage : IDOL nante yobanaide (2nd Unit)
-Himawari-gumi 2nd Stage : Tonari no Banana (2nd Unit)
-Team K 4th Stage : Hatsukoi Dorobou
-Team K 5th Stage: Ai no Iro
-Team B 5th Stage: Hatsukoi yo, Konnichiwa

Trivia:
-She is half Japanese and half Italian

-Was an original member of Team K

-Joined AKB48 at age 10

-Says "I'm sorry" often.
-Good friends with Noro Kayo.
-A favorite of Megumi Ohori (original Team K who was transferred to SDN48)
-Used to often practice dancing with Umeda Ayaka and Noro Kayo at the backstage.
-Her favorite actress is Ayase Haruka.
-She is very friendly at the backstage while reserved on the stage, but recently she has improved.
-Was known to stare awkwardly during performances.
-Likes scary stories even if that will make her cry.
-Seems close with Ono Erena since their audition.
-Was transferred from Team K to Team B in 2009.
-Akimoto, the producer of AKB48, in an article referred to her as a future ace
-Played a lolita yankee in the first season of Majisuka Gakuen

Thoughts and Feelings:
I can't be upset by the idea of her leaving to focus on her education, especially since she is getting to the age where classes are more important and taxing.  Education is important to me and I respect idols who try to do both, especially attending college.  It must have been getting very difficult for Maachan when she is shy, no longer has the full support of Team K, and going through this at a young age.  I imagine having Team K there for support helped her before, so the shuffle must be rough.  While I think Team B suits her personality, if you consider what is best for her, she would of gotten along better with Team K.  I like shy idols because I like a variety of personalities, and they tend not to be stuck up but instead sweet.

Wow, did I just get really depressed in a short amount of time.  I figured graduations would be coming up because those sorts of things tend to surface around concerts, but I didn't see Maachan coming.  She is so young and Akimoto adores her.  Maachan never got ranked so high by fans, but Akimoto always put her in the Under Girls group.  She also was selected to release a solo single for an anime, so I believe Akimoto saw potential and talent in her.  I do hope she returns to showbiz later, because I know from personal experience that as you get older (in the right environment) you can really build up your self confidence.  I also liked the fact that she wasn't thin because having different body types in influential groups is a good thing for girls to see.  She might drop the weight after graduating, like Kago Ai, because some of it may come from stress.  (She was adorable on my dates with her on the PSP game; I guess I'll have to pick her next time.)  I just want her to come back.  I'll add some videos after the jump.

The Goddesses of Theater Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ

Here is my song by song review of the newest stage of Team B and the first stage for this line-up of Team B.  I was pleasantly surprised by this stage and Team B is fighting to be my new favorite team.  I'm a Team K kind of gal but after watching them both I might be transferring.  I'm just going to skip the trainee opening number because I don't care or follow trainees.
Yuuki no Hammer-
Great opening number.  This reminded me of something you would see at a high school musical, and I love that shit!  Now of course their costumes look big on them.  Most stages I've seen they hide one or two costumes under the first so there is quick costume changes.  The only time I've seen them layer those things in a way that is flattering at all times was during AKB48's first concert.  I really enjoyed it.  The newlywed feel is starting to die down because this is like the fifth time I watched this stage.  The first time is where you are all excited, but reviewing it song by song ruins that first moment.  I usually prefer to review the second time around if I actually care.
Inseki no Kakuritsu-
Their charms are starting to work their magic.  The only one I don't necessarily care for is Kitahara, she just doesn't seem that genuine most of the time.  This song and attire is better than the last, and I really need to get this audio so I can add it to my iPod.  This is like the first time I've seen one of the early numbers where all the costumes are the same color.  My screenshot didn't turn out, I wanted to get Chiyuu with her head cocked to the side.  I thought this was going to be really hard on me because she is one of the Team K front girls, but she fits in like a puzzle piece.
Ai no Stripper-
I really could use some subtitles right now.  This title says something I just don't see that much in the choreography.  Chiyuu is really smooth and if anyone touches her gorgeous hair I'll smack 'em.  I still really like this stage.
Theater no Megami-
Again my screenshot attempt failed.  The costuming here is the most talked about for this stage.  They needed to design a better full dress interpretation because this line-up has the most mix for body types.  Mayuyu is a twig, Myao is average, and then we have Amina who is curvy.  Do not call any of them fat because I'll punch you in the face.  Have you seen their arms?  None of them are overweight.  It is just girls carry their weight at their hips.  Girls who have a little more somethin' somethin' are much better for holding onto.  Don't you want to rest your head on those soft thighs?  Wow, got a little pervy there.  On that note I think I saw the playboy bunny hop.  This number is okay, but I don't hate it.  The girls make the song better than it really is.
Hatsukoi yo, Konnichiwa-
The question: How many frills can we fit on Mayuyu's tiny body without making her... well I don't know something that is ridiculously frilly!  How can I say no to the loli number?  They are as sweet as a wedding cake, plus a couple dirty shots.  They are just so adorable! p(*＾-＾*)q
Arashi no Yoru ni wa-
What don't I love about this stage unit?  The staging perfect!  The dance: intense and sexy.  I expected most of the girls to bring sexy back, but I had no idea Komori had such a powerful sexy beam!  Absolutely love this!  Here is one of the reasons why I love this stage more than K6: the stage units.  I only liked two of their units (song~wise), and one was the lolis.  I love how quiet Komori is just personality....wise (frak I say that a lot, someone smack my hand!).  She just looks muted, as if she is not even singing but she still has a powerful presence.  No wonder she was a mute in Majisuka Gakuen.（＾＿－）☆wink
CANDY~
I think it is great to see Yuka here because Chiyuu and Amina are so high pitched.  What is this?  Another loli, I guess if they were the wedding cake this must be the parfait.  Chiyuu can never grow out of how charming she is, gosh she reminds me of Rika.  Some say this is generic, but I absolutely love this song! （*＾＾）＾*） ☆Chu！！
Locker room boy-
I love lacrosse.  Those outfits are really cute; I want one.  The song is alright, but I still like it.  Nothing bad yet.
Yokaze no Shiwaza-
(Sorry if the picture is squished.)  If you are not a fan of Yukirin and don't understand Japanese you'll find this boring.  I think it is beautiful, but understanding would help.  Yeah, it is something you fall to sleep to.  It is really chill, but that can be a good thing.
100 meter Conbini-
This reminds me of so many things.  The outfits: Otomegumi (Morning Musume).  The song: Eurobeat, DDR, Butterfly (a song).  The title: idols!  They would sing about a convenience store.  All of these are good attributes and I loved this one two.  The performance and everything was great and I want this for my iPod.  ヘ(^_^ヘ)(ノ^_^)ノ

Suki Suki Suki-
This is another okay song.  The girls always makes things better.  The whole doll thing felt really random which made me happy.  I want to say this is the worse number, but I don't know the lyrics.
Sayonara no Kanashibari-
This song is better, but because it is a sadder song the girls can't try to charm me as much.  So these are pretty close in entertainment quality.  Reminder: I've at least liked every song so far.
 Shiokaze no Shoudaijou-
I enjoy these fast paced ballads.  This is a great song to end with if there was no encore.  Not much to say about it besides that.
Onesutoman-
I guess Team B is too good to wear those new team outfits they've been wearing during AKBingo!.  I've heard people say they don't like Mayuyu's hat, but I think it is boss.  The song is good, but again if it wasn't these girls I wouldn't enjoy as much as I do. 
Team B Oshi-
How did this not get put towards the beginning!  B! B! B!  (*・)σσσ(*゜Д゜*)  Myao Myao!  Say **B** Hai!  If you haven't got it yet... I'm having fun here. 
Bokutachi no Kami Hikouki-
Another nice song and a wonderful way to end the night.  Maybe I enjoyed B5 more than K6 because this is more playful, while K is more serious.  I wonder if the girls wrote something on those airplanes, and what would they write?

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:

 

Team B 5th Stage Review

This is going to be short and sweet, not a song by song, review.  I think I can do just as good of a review by giving my overall opinion.  I was really excited when I first saw this stage on YouTube.  It was taken down not too long after I found it, so I downloaded the stage.  My first thought, after the stage was over, was 'that was so much better than Team K's stage!'  This was the best stage I've seen.  However, the only full stages I've seen are Reset, Team KII's first, and Team S second.  I've seen parts of others, but it is hard to find a full stage to download that has all the members and is not a birthday stage.  There wasn't a song that I hated.  In fact, I was shocked at how good all of it was.  I either really liked or loved all the units including Yuki's ballad.  Just think if I understood what they were singing!  This is definitely worth your time.  Note to the H!P fans who are curious:  The stage is small and the whole set will feel lesser to Hello Project concerts, but it is very good.  For me it is like watching all the Morning Musume songs, that are not singles, that I like at one of their concerts.  Give it a try!

After the jump I'll post some pictures.


And Lastly, while watching this stage for about the third time I had to pause it to answer the telephone. Well, when I glanced back at the computer screen I found a very interesting (fan service) shot. Enjoy you pervs.