Single Nogizaka46 34th Single [Monopoly] (2023.12.06)

I will join you and follow with my favourites.
1. Itsu no hi ni ka, ano uta wo. The first impact is that it's a normal song. But thanks to its simplicity it's easy to re-listen. Good that they push Aya, she doesn't stand out in the video but she has potential. Her aura will grow.
2. Joshuseki wo zutto aketeita. There were better candidates but this song has beautiful vocals, sounds and rhythm. The plucked strings instrument (?) remind me of Harukanaru Bhutan, which I love. And this unexpected unit blends good together. The tall members, who knew? Looking forward to see it live.
3. Monopoly. Gorgeous video, beautiful dance.
Special mention: Stylish. Sounds from the eighties, pretty decent, but it's a bit repetitive and it's a 4+ minutes song. A shorter version would be probably better.

The tables have turned. The favourites (Aruno, Kubo and Runa for their vocal skills) have a weaker song. So who does really have the monopoly?

Spoiler: PS

Highly opinionated. Edited after some thought, put Aya first.

 

6th day Oricon: 13,295 (Total: 538,498)

The 1st week is higher than HitoYume (516K) and slightly higher than KimiShika (535K).
Really happy with the sales overall. Although 1st day is disappointing, it rebounds the subsequent days.

Unfortunately for me, this single just doesn't do it. I listened a couple of times but other than Monopoly itself, the rest doesn't make me want to repeat the songs.

 

Slightly better than what I expected, unfortunately it didn’t reach Ohitorisama numbers.

First time I didn’t go and buy the single on 1st day. I guess I’ll buy it this weekend.

 

same here i only bought on the 3rd day

 

I just suddenly remember the alphabet thingy they did on the release day of Monopoly.
Did they ever announce what was all that about?

 

I think there was a prize available to the first 46 fans who solved the mystery. I don't know if someone won it. And I don't know what they won. Anyhow, here's the first tweet about it: https://x.com/nogizaka46/status/1732390406749659254?s=20 and here's a follow up tweet: https://x.com/nogizaka46/status/1733034717895880713?s=20

I don't know if there's a follow up.

 

Huh...that's it? Not even announce the correct answer.
I thought it's a URL to something... What a way to kill the excitement

 

oh solving that will redirect you to the recorded limited time Monopoly 1st live(the one that was streamed live) recording

[edit[ i can't remember the answer , someone posted in facebook so i just copied the answer.

 

Oh, so that's why I was seeing the 1st live performance popping up on social media in the days after the release. Now it all makes sense.

 

6th round of sales

3rd gen:
Hazuki: 8/30 (+1)
Riria: 2/30 (+2)
Kaede: 2/30
Reno: 0/30
Tamami: 0/30
Ayano: 0/30

4th gen:
Kaki: 30/30 (2nd round)
Sakura: 30/30 (2nd round)
Mayu: 30/30 (4th round)
Yumiki: 30/30 (4th round)
Ayame: 29/30 (+2)
Kuromi: 12/30 (+2)
Rika: 5/30 (+1)
Miyu: 3/30 (+2)
Yuna: 2/30 (+2)
Runa: 2/30
Rei: 1/30
Mio: 1/30

5th gen:
Ioki: 30/30 (2nd round)
Nagi: 30/30 (2nd round)
Teresa: 30/30 (3rd round)
Aruno: 30/30 (3rd round)
Nao: 30/30 (3rd round)
Miku: 30/30 (3rd round)
Sakura: 30/30 (3rd round)
Satsuki: 30/30 (4th round)
Aya: 30/30 (4th round)
Iroha: 5/30 (+2)
Hina: 2/30 (+1)

 

I actually really like hitsujikaiyo but I don't think a vocal unit was needed for this song, unless they plan on doing an A Capella version later which would be great. But it is a total blindside from what you would expect with that unit. Still, I think it is a pretty interesting song which is a positive for me in such a safe sounding single.

Wish it had an MV so bad tho. Same with the Tall Girls unit. Only 3 MVs in what was a visually great Single is sad.

 

From tonight's MSte Super Live:
https://x.com/nogizaka46/status/1738172682980741498?s=20
https://x.com/Mst_com/status/1738175355352150473?s=20
https://x.com/nogizaka46/status/1738158810253185391?s=20

Check out the new uniforms... or have we seen them before?

 

I don’t recall seeing those outfits before. They seem a bit baggy. I applaud their hairstylist because a lot of unique looks tonight. Rentan with her bun stood out for me. Anyway, I liked the little collab with DA PUMP.

 

... While Ayamen doing monomane

 

She can compete with Nanamin

 

But first, she need a goat to reach Nanamin's level.

 

7th round of sales

3rd gen:
Hazuki: 8/30
Riria: 2/30
Kaede: 2/30
Reno: 0/30
Tamami: 0/30
Ayano: 0/30

4th gen:
Kaki: 30/30 (2nd round)
Sakura: 30/30 (2nd round)
Mayu: 30/30 (4th round)
Yumiki: 30/30 (4th round)
Ayame: 29/30
Kuromi: 15/30 (+3)
Miyu: 5/30 (+2)
Rika: 5/30
Yuna: 2/30
Runa: 2/30
Rei: 1/30
Mio: 1/30

5th gen:
Ioki: 30/30 (2nd round)
Nagi: 30/30 (2nd round)
Teresa: 30/30 (3rd round)
Aruno: 30/30 (3rd round)
Nao: 30/30 (3rd round)
Miku: 30/30 (3rd round)
Sakura: 30/30 (3rd round)
Satsuki: 30/30 (4th round)
Aya: 30/30 (4th round)
Iroha: 5/30
Hina: 2/30

 

8th round of sales

3rd gen:
Hazuki: 8/30
Riria: 2/30
Kaede: 2/30
Reno: 0/30
Tamami: 0/30
Ayano: 0/30

4th gen:
Kaki: 30/30 (2nd round)
Sakura: 30/30 (2nd round)
Mayu: 30/30 (4th round)
Yumiki: 30/30 (4th round)
Ayame: 29/30
Kuromi: 16/30 (+1)
Miyu: 7/30 (+2)
Rika: 6/30 (+1)
Rei: 2/30 (+1)
Mio: 2/30 (+1)
Yuna: 2/30
Runa: 2/30

5th gen:
Ioki: 30/30 (2nd round)
Nagi: 30/30 (2nd round)
Teresa: 30/30 (3rd round)
Aruno: 30/30 (3rd round)
Nao: 30/30 (3rd round)
Miku: 30/30 (3rd round)
Sakura: 30/30 (3rd round)
Satsuki: 30/30 (4th round)
Aya: 30/30 (4th round)
Iroha: 5/30
Hina: 2/30

 

I think they're streaming the last day of the Unders Live: https://www.nogizaka46.com/s/n46/news/detail/100063

 

Just done watching the Mini Live for Monopoly from a week ago (?) and dang, this was one disappointing single. In my opinion it is one of their worst releases, on par with the 4th album. It may be a harbinger of unsatisfactory singles upcoming, and the way the 35th is shaping up, that may be happening now...

Management, please don't do this to the girls...

All I can say for this is that I love the uniforms for this single. Anytime the uniform has a a jacket, it's an automatic favorite.