Single Sakurazaka46 6th Single [Start over!] (2023/06/28)

Sunday sales of 6,407, for a running total of 439,397. Sunday sales higher than the last two Sakura releases, but lower than any Hinata release, or any Nogi release over the past few years, but running total highest ever for a Sakurazaka week. It may or may not change slightly when the final "weekly" figures come out in a day or two.

I remain delighted with sales, although it must be said that the change to in-person Meet & Greet (for all or part of the current sessions?) will have brought out more people, and the disks they have to buy to get a ticket to Meet & Greet/Handshake are a factor in disk sales.

Thanks to @Rev4 for the lyrics. And thanks to @ijkm for info about the composer of Anthem Time.

I imagine everyone here knows that all Sakamichi songs, whoever the composer, have lyrics written by Akimoto Yasushi, the founder and head of the whole 48/46 operation. But I'll say it anyway, lol. All Sakurazaka, Nogizaka and Hinatazaka releases start with 1st place sales for the day and week they are released. This is at least partly because of the sales requirement for tickets to Meet & Greet/Handshake. Aki_P is a very smart businessman, as well as a good lyricist, but people who prefer non-idol music resent this trick for always getting first-place sales.

EDIT: On a very bright note, Billboard reports first-week sales at 523,606. Over half a million. Nice, especially when you consider that Billboard is considered closer to the actual figure than Oricon.

 

"Start Over" First Week Billboard Japan

Total: 523,606 copies sold

* Highest First Week sales as Sakurazaka
* Higher than Futari Season [oversize image]

 

Oricon weekly total has been announced on TV at 439,000, about the same as the sum of the daily total Tues-Sun. I like the Billboard total, lol.

 

I felt it in my bones when Natsuno Chikamichi lyrics came out that Akimoto sees Sakurazaka as the underdog with 3rd gen's entrance. He was going to change his way to write lyrics for Sakurazaka. Akimoto finds underdogs more fun to work with than established popular groups. Especially if there are new born talent. That's why Sakurazaka is now a momentary horse to him.

I have seen a Japanese Nogi fan who complained about Akimoto now only focus on Sakurazaka after the lyrics for 6th single. Akimoto used to write selfish love songs for Sakurazaka so I can see where this fan is coming from.

But it's what @ukifune has said before, they needed a reboot or restart that redefined Keyakizaka instead of forgetting about their roots. Go from a pessimistic world to a optimistic world is a beginning where Keyakizaka left off. A return to military concept is certified through their naval based uniform with a flap.

They can't use air force because Hinatazaka has sky meaning. Navy seals would repeat what they already had with Keyakizaka's army concept. What was only left from military was navy sailors and cherry blossoms and sea share same meaning so it was a no brainer for Akimoto and Sakurazaka's new management (they switched during 3rd gen's entrance and middle of production of 5th single).

Their military concept is what helped them to distinguish from other groups and even outside of Sakamichi group. If they are going back to how Akimoto used to write lyrics for this group then the military concept has to be brought back in a new way. It makes them aggressive when they treat the market as their battlefield instead of a competitive playground. It also helps the live concerts when the lyrics are more personal for the group and members than some random love bullshit stories.

My criticism to their tours, W-Keyaki Fes and annilas have been the cause of single releases that has nothing to do with the group. Keyakizaka's strength was personality to the songs which helped Takahiro to create such unforgettable stage settings but with initiative from certain members.

And I feel the lyrics for 6th single are on point. If this continue with 7th single the group will grow further in popularity.

 

Some enjoyable new short videos on the Sakurazaka YouTube channel. I like the newest one, of Karin, and also the one of Morita in those big glasses. All based on video and music from the Start Over MV.

 

I really want to see full making videos for all three music videos, cause it seems like there was so much work put in to each of them (Drone Senkaichuu even being shot in the middle of a damn typhoon), and with Start Over and Drone, the members seemed to have fun shooting them too.

(It's most likely going to be put behind the Fanclub paywall now that I'm thinking about it...)

 

Just realized. Sorry if I am mistaken. Part of their dance (especially minutes 2:34) quite similar to the Avantgardey dance group during their audition on America Got Talent. Are they related to by any means? Curious.

 

I have to admit I don't know much about Avantgardey but watching the video I couldn't help but think about Tomioka Dance Club since those gils walked on stage.
To my understanding Tomioka Dance Club is formed by high school not-yet-professional dancers, who re-worked the '80 Disco concept and made their own choreos, but correct me if I'm wrong.
I just love their videos but this is the first time I search for more infos.

Videos are all over YouTube if you want check them out; here, their - I believe - most famous Video (two performances of which were also proposed in Produce48 1st episode by 1 japanese team and 1 korean team, and since everyone recognized it, I think it was an hit)

if the video does not show watch the video here

The channel has avantagardey in its name so I presume it's them after all lol
In American Got Talent performance there are also many moves that made me think about Tokyogeygey stage performances, so I think it's a popular style in Japan, and Takahiro-sensei surely knows it.

I don't know about the personal link between Takahiro-sensei and other choreographers in Japan, but Sakura choreos have aleays been a step out of idol comfort zone (or 100 steps out) so I find quite natural to have in them elements that belong to other dance models.

 

People are still watching the MVs on YouTube. Start Over just passed 5 million views (it's now at 5,024,834) and Violence of Silence (Seijaku no Bouryoku) has passed 2 million (now at 2,002,038).

 

An idol song on top 10 of Billboard Streaming chart is a rare occurrence

 

By the Oricon count, Start Over sold 15,123 disks in week 2, for a current total of 454,520. The second-week total is lower than any previous Sakurazaka single except for Sakurazuki, but the total continues as the second-highest overall, behind Nobody's Fault but ahead of releases that have been out for many months.

To me, these good but not overwhelming results mean that the 7th single will be very important: it can increase the acceleration or lose it. It will require a good song, good choreography, and a good MV. Should they call Karin back at centre? Should they make this Ten's real coming out as a star? Should they call in Shii-chan and/or Airi to the front line or even centre? In any case, one hopes they can keep up the strong push they seem to be giving the group right now, with a continuing flow of TV appearances, magazine features, and new videos on the YouTube Sakurazaka Channel.

The live performance -- including live music -- on NHK's Utacon show was impressive. I regret that Karin has been told to fall backwards onto the net of arms less heavily. Her careful fall is less interesting.

As usual, the coverage loves close shots. The high shot down onto the rosette of members on the floor was one of the most effective. And I liked the medium shot of Karin lightly skipping away to the right to dance alone. But I normally love Karin's rush forward through the group, turning back and forth as if making her way through obstacles (Oozono really was an obstacle in the dance practice version). The tighter shot this time (and maybe a bit more caution) make the sequence less effective. However, her later rush forward through a big gap is very effective.

Sakurazaka appeared more than once in the show. First, a small group (Kira, Inoue, Koike, Matsuri, Chuke, Oozono) were very good backup dancers to an older singer. Then Hono and Karin (and Ten, a bit) were the pretty backdrop sitting behind a series of performers being interviewed. The came Start Over.

Being seen and respected on this rather traditional show, whose audience I imagine skews much older and more female than the idol audience, is the kind of thing that might spread their popularity.

Mukai Itoha's performance in the Porno Grafitti MV Message to Hiroshima, with the project sponsored by the Hiroshima government, is also the kind of thing that might help broaden the group's appeal, maybe even so they show up in the streaming top ten (thanks, @Astro48).

 

Here's an official video from NHK of part of that performance (the singer is Iwasaki Yoshimi):


if the video does not show watch the video here

(As videos from any of NHK's YouTube channels never embed here, click on the 'Watch on YouTube' link above to view.)

 

In my humble opinion (and as a reply to @ukifune) it would be wrong not to let Karin support the 7th single as well... She not only did a remarkable job for the 6th but also exerted an aura of being the new cool face of the group. I don't oshi Karin but I do admire her and recognize that at this period she "carries" the group: Indeed she is herself, but I have the feeling that she is overdoing it by being herself (by being too cool, or too aloof, or too "dispatched" from what the rest is doing). This "overdoing" can have its own risks of course (and I don't mean she may become the new Hirate), but determine the way the group goes from now on. Of course 3rd gen girls are now the "counterbalance" for cuteness and "optimism" (as our friend @Rev4 might say). However, Karin's "footprint" is so strong and heavy at this single that it would be completely unwise not to keep the momentum going for at least another single.

So, yeah, Karin would be the normal choice to carry the 7th single as well with a nice "dilusion" being having a bright 3rd gen at her side... In my dreams - and I know it will stay in my dreams - this would be Miu: She seems to be the only 3rd gen that is the closest to the Karin "prototype". She is cool, tall, an excellent dancer with a composed/serious aura coupled with mischievous vibes that reach out to the borders of sadism... therefore... a Karin no.2 in development... Plus they seem to be keeping close company to one another lately...

So management do you hear me? 7th single double center: Karin - Miu ftw...!!! Please...? Just pretty please???

 

Personally I'd bring Hikaru back.

 

A possibility I realized I should have included. She seems to me the most all-round capable member. Maybe I overestimate the need for novelty, if the song is right for the audience and the time.

@Philosophy Senpai -- As for Karin, I think she has had no choice in the matter of whether she is "overdoing it." Up to now, she has been unable to act normally. But she has suddenly become much more able to deal with people in ways that seem more normal. Perhaps it was her success in her own separate work in the drama, dealing in an adult world. Perhaps it's just time. But her composure in being a spokesman on these music shows is something she just could not have managed until very recently.

As for Miu, she is apparently much more gregarious with the other 3gens, so perhaps her lack of confidence can be overcome sooner than Karin's nervous stand-offishness. I don't know if she's ready yet, but I can certainly see her and Karin as twin dancing towers flanking a diminutive centre (or two) someday -- or as three towers, flanking Ten-chan.

 

And I personally hope there would be at least one single with a 1st gen center before they all graduate.

 

Recently Onuma, Inori, Takemoto, Masumoto and one of the MCs from SokoSaku were in a variety show to talk about Sakurazaka.

All gens were categorised in colors.

Zelkova green= 1st gen
Sakura pink= 2nd gen
Sea blue= 3rd gen

I wasn't imagined things about sea when I first got that impression from hospitality party. Their uniform was already a hint when they looked inspired from navy sailors.

Akimoto must have regretted sakura pink because it was rather a foul than a success. Reminder though: 2nd gen protected this group from falling. Zelkova green was a ending chapter as soon as Hirate was out so the name change to Sakurazaka was closest to Keyakizaka street. Akimoto wasn't really clear what he wanted with this group until the entrance of a new gen. Why Sakurazaka look like it does now is because of this whole mess. Sakura pink was an alternate and unfinished way from Zelkova green. It wasn't well received by the audience. A loyal fanbase who wants to support the group no matter the circumstances and a previous fanbase who wants their cool group back.

Akimoto was in a difficult situation to please everybody with Sakurazaka. Go back to being the cool group it once was is easier said than done. Their song voices have to match the style. Akimoto does always follow the voice when he determines a style.

So to stay on topic we have to discuss the CD jacket cover for 6th single. What does it means? Why is 1st and 2nd gen wearing dresses again on the cover? Why does it looks like water? At first glimpse I thought the past of Sakurazaka vanished.

Shibuya where everything started for Keyakizaka. Zelkova green.
Seniors wearing dresses as Sakurazaka has done since the debut. Sakura pink.
It looks like water on the cover. Sea blue.

Industrial complex by 2nd gen is made by TomoLow.
Kaze no oto by 1st gen is made by TomoLow and SouchiroK. Same collab who made Utsukushiki Nervous.

Same composer/arranger who made Darekane (Zelkova green) made Omottayori (Sakura pink). And now they made Seijyaku no bouryoku (Sea blue) so it was a return to the roots.
Kensuke Kawahara returned from team green and made Isshun no uma which tells about Sakurazaka's complex situation.
Masaki Honda is the only newcomer for Sakurazaka which made Anthem time (Sea blue).

Could be that sakura pink wasn't a good successor to zelkova green and sea blue was more close to zelkova green to bring back the coolness which explains why there are three different colors for each gen in that variety show. Otherwise 3rd gen should be pink if Akimoto was satisfied.

Sakurazaka is also the only group in Sakamichi that has different uniforms between seniors and the new gen. When will all gens wear same uniform?

7th single will be interesting to see how all this stuff will unfold. 6th single remains a mystery.

 

Some of us noticed and brought up the over-the-top pinkiness in the early days of Sakurazaka (Obviously it wasn't just about the color). Thank goodness people higher up realized the mistake and toned it down later.

Interesting point about Akimoto always following the voice when he determines a style. Whether Hirate is liked or not, there is no doubt she had among her talents a unique and distinct voice, a voice that is prominently displayed in many of Keyakizaka's songs. Those same songs sang by a different person would not have had the same effect. Pon and Koike have good voices from the 1st gen, Matsuda from the 2nd, but really nothing truly unique or that stood out. I haven't heard the 3rd geners sing individually yet, so that is to be seen (or heard).

 

Honestly to me it doesn't feel like Aki-P has had much of a hand at all (if any) in 3rd gen.
I do agree that sakurazaka is on their way up, but I think this has more to do with new staff coming in with new ideas and new plans.

 

I think Aki_P (or Konno or whoever) has positioned Sakurazaka to go in a number of directions. Start Over is a turn toward a version of strong, cool Keyaki, and the 3gens, with their great talent, could help boost it in that direction (my preference).

But the 3gens' talent could also be used to slide toward the "royal road" idol direction, as Hinata did. From the time of the Omotenashikai, most of the 3gens have seemed eager to provide otaku fanservice. Seeing the 3gens having their own colour worries me a bit, since it may hint that they could strike off on their own, like Hinata.

I am comforted that some of the 3gens are really dyed-in-the-wool Keyaki/Sakura fans. Rika for one, Miu for another: I was impressed that in the Omotenashikai quiz segment, Miu knew how many strokes there were in the kanji "櫻sakura" without counting them. While Itoha was beside her madly drawing the kanji in the air and counting the strokes, Miu just blurted out "21".

The idea of Aki_P basing a group's style on its voices is new to me, but makes sense. I read quite early on about him letting the group show him what style they could or wanted to do. That was really implied by the switch from a somewhat generic softness in their early (fall 2015) publicity to the image we see from Techi in SaiMajo (March 2016).