=LOVE (イコールラブ, イコラブ, ikorabu, eqlove)

^ it says that delivery method is only via Sagawa Express which doesn't deliver outside Japan

※配送方法：佐川急便（日本国内のみのお届けとなります）

https://fortunemusic.jp/el_202107/

配送と到着した商品について
佐川急便にてお届けします。
日本国外への発送はできません。
https://fortunemusic.jp/el_202107/page/attention/#1

though there are forwarding services like tenso who provide Japanese address for international buyers

https://www.tenso.com/en/static/guide_flow_index

 

@bonjourmarlene I can't give you a definite answer but I'll tell you what I know...

Earlier this year I applied through Fortune Music for Nogizaka46 online talks and then word started coming through that all of a sudden foreigners were being excluded from Sakamichi online talks using the FortuneMeets app for not having JP residence cards. I was however still successful for each talk I had by confirming to staff the address I used for the CDs (that of a private individual in Japan who I use as a forwarder) and by making them think (even in my limited Japanese) that I lived there! Even so it was a huge pain each time and therefore I decided not to apply for anything else again which uses the FortuneMeets app for talks. (Using the app is a pain anyway because you have to have a JP iTunes account to download and update it, and to use it you have to use a VPN and set your device's country to Japan.)

As to what the situation is with =LOVE online talks, the simple answer is sadly that I just don't know. I've seen no reports anywhere of overseas fans having or not having problems. I've just tried some searches in Google but nothing came up.

As for the '24 Girls' DVD, I do in fact have a signed copy on order, in the first round I won one which will be signed by Naatan on 9/16. Before I applied I checked the rules which do very clearly state that even if you don't join the online talk you will still receive a signed copy. So my plan sadly is not to try and join, partly because I'll be at work anyway lol, but mainly because I don't want to be refused by staff and in doing so maybe lose the signing.

I wish I could give you a better answer! I'll try searching again later and if I find anything I'll post it here.

EDIT: I've just found a couple of reports that overseas fans were recently successful in using FortuneMeets to talk with members of the idol group 22/7 so maybe that's hopeful for =LOVE.

 

Yeah, I used my tenso address for the application process. If that's all it takes, it should be fine.

I heard that Sakamichi has banned international fans from joining for some reason, which seems weird to me since they would still profit from it? But Rocket Punch also uses Fortune Music, and you said you recently had Handshake meetings with them, right? So it doesn't seem like Fortune Music is necessarily banning foreigners... The Q&A page also says you can order from overseas, but that you can't have your items shipped outside of Japan. I'm gonna try and shoot them an email.

 

That's right, I don't think it's Fortune Music banning foreigners. The Rocket Punch talks used WithLive (same as AKB48) and the NMB48 ones which Fortune Music sell use an app called Aeru World which I haven't used but I've seen plenty of reports of overseas fans using it with absolutely no problems. It's all such a grey area with FortuneMeets as to whether or not they refuse foreigners from connecting to just some or all groups. If I could find just one report of what happened when an overseas fan tried to enter an =LOVE talk it would help but I can find nothing so far. However 22/7 talks using FortuneMeets do seem to be OK for foreigners AFAICS.

 

IkoNoi, Dou desu ka? #19 (210823)

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1mL411b7by
https://48idol.tv/video/673122/

===========

≠ME Miruten no 17LIVE 3th Anniversary Commemoration Special 210823

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1if4y1G789
https://48idol.tv/video/673089/

 

Mitsui Hiromi is actually a really big choreographer in the idol world, choreographing for dozens of idol groups (including 48 and non-48 groups).

There’s a good change thst her involvement with this choreography has no relation to her being a 48g alumni.

But either way, it’s cool that she’s involved with a Sasshi group.

 

Hana, Kiara, Iori and Anna pass the journey time on the location bus with games:


if the video does not show watch the video here

Mirinya on the cover of the =LOVE edition of the October issue of BUBKA on sale 8/31
https://twitter.com/BUBKA_henshuubu/status/1430099236465483779

 

This is the answer I received:

forTUNE musicにてIDをご登録済でチケットをお持ちの方につきましては基本参加可能となります。

If I understand correctly, it says those who have confirmed their identity and have a ticket can participate.

 

last coupling song is called Shukusai (Festivals) and it's Hana/Iori double center!

==========

=LOVE National Tour "Zenbu, Naisho"

June 26th 2021 at FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURAL CULTURE CENTER【For J-LOD live】


if the video does not show watch the video here

July 7th 2021 at YOKOHAMA ARENA【For J-LOD live】


if the video does not show watch the video here

============

interview with Maika

https://townwork.net/magazine/job/workstyle/118140/?vos=dtwnsnss1614717

===========

video messages before today's Mezamashi Odaiba 2021 Live

https://twitter.com/fujitvodaiba/status/1429938361976852480
https://twitter.com/fujitvodaiba/status/1429998768254980110

 

Teokure Caution was my top #1 favourite song for a long time, but I think Shukusai might be overtaking it now... Really love the new single and its B-sides!

 

Loooong 4-page interview with the =LOVE members from 'natalie':
https://natalie.mu/music/pp/equallove11

And another interview from 'MusicVoice':
https://www.musicvoice.jp/interview/music-interview/202013/


Message video from Hitomi and Risa to fans in Taiwan:


if the video does not show watch the video here

EDIT: 'Weekend Citron' Dance MV:


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

Weekend Citron first day sales - 79,203 copies! 2nd place

https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/js/d/2021-08-24/

==========
Mezamashi ODAIBA 2021 Live 210824

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1hf4y1G7Wb

=========

=LOVE on today's morning news Mezamashi TV

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV12y4y137vS
https://twitter.com/qiuhuayong2/status/1430299646128103424

and HayaDoki

https://twitter.com/qiuhuayong2/status/1430277141610975234

========

TV Life interview

https://www.tvlife.jp/pickup/393461

 

The MV has just been released, it's quite a dark one but very good:


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

^ the origin of IoHana Takarazuka duet

43:45-
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1N5411T7kG/

==========

somehow I've missed this episode of Kimi wa =LOVE wo Aiseru ka? 210725

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1ow41197GD

==========

IkoTime 210826


if the video does not show watch the video here

===========

according to Billboard, Weekend Citron's first days sales are 110,894 copies!

https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/103358/2

 

Hitomi and Hana on Nogiazaka's show Nama no Idol ga Suki 210827

20:20-
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1yQ4y117Yv

and Showroom 210827


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

Hana, Kiara, Iori and Anna go shopping at Kisarazu Outlet:


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

performance at @ JAM EXPO 2021 day 2 (210828)

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1SQ4y117DE

=========

all live performances from episodes 13-24 of IkoNoi, Dou desu ka? 210828

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1AP4y1W7x7

=========

interview in ar magazine

https://ar-mag.jp/articles/-/10454

 

according to Billboard, Weekend Citron's 1st week sales are 121,508 copies!

https://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/103456/2

==========

=LOVE/ME Youtube channel will be managed by Cyber Agent agency from now on!
looking forward to changes in content and boost in promos

https://www.cyberagent-adagency.com/news/648/

============

the best recent video
https://twitter.com/otani_emiri/status/1431903066970681344


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

IkoNoi, Dou desu ka? #20 (210830)

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1uy4y1G7L2
https://48idol.tv/video/673687/

#19 with additional footage in the end

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1S64y1a7b1

===========

interview on Utaten

https://utaten.com/idol/specialArticle/index/6632

===========

fan cover of Seishun "Subliminal" dance


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

This showed up in my suggestions as well! I thought it was really cool, and also love that they called themselves =AMO ('love' in Spanish and Italian)