Reborn Japan for entertainment

Chapter 747 Monster Rookie Nogizaka

As in previous years, when the list of singers for the Red and White Song Concert is released, it will trigger discussions one after another on the Internet.

Why is this singer on the red and white?

Why can't that combination be in red and white?

There are a thousand Hamlets in the hearts of a thousand people.

Everyone's favorite singer may be different.

However, it is enough to take into account most opinions and make most viewers willing to turn on the TV and watch this annual event.

This is also the criterion that the Red and White Song Club Committee adheres to in each selection.

Of course, every year in the music world, there are always one or two singers or groups who will appear on NHK's red and white stage for the first time with an undisputed attitude.

For example, in 2004, Kiyoshi Sakamoto and THE SUN were born out of nowhere; in 2009, Arashi was on the rise; and in 2012, the "monster rookie" who became the focus of the public as soon as he debuted, Nogizaka46!

Since the end of November, NHK TV announced the list of singers for the 11rd Red and White Song Festival, the newcomers have become one of the highlights of this Red and White Song Festival.

This year, 50 groups of artists have been mobilized, and there are 12 groups of debut singers!
Among them, idol groups such as SKE48, Momoiro Clover Z, Sekihachi, and Nogizaka46, who made their solo appearance for the first time, are included.

On this list of singers, the most hotly discussed among the public is naturally a model, who quickly became the idol of Japanese high school girls, and "Peng Weiwei" Kiriko Takemura, who made her debut as a singer, and her debut less than a year, caused a huge explosion in the idol circle. Storm's "AKB Formula Rival", Nogizaka46!

The reason why Nogizaka46 has won the favor of Hongbai in such a short period of time is also due to the strong support behind Kiyoshi Sakamoto and the terrifying record sales. . .

LINE's endorsement not only brought fame and popularity to Nogizaka, but more importantly, it gave many neon young people who use LINE a preliminary understanding of this idol group.

For artists, awareness is the foundation of everything!

What's more, before the list was announced, Nogizaka released his fourth single "Uniform のマネキン".

And this song with outstanding electronic style, coupled with the impact dance that feels completely different from before, gave the public a refreshing feeling.

The sales volume in the first week once again broke its own record, reaching an astonishing 53!
While people were amazed, Nogizaka also quietly increased his total record sales to 200 million.

Released four singles a year and sold 200 million records.

In today's Japanese music scene, apart from AKB and its two sister groups, there are only a few groups of singers such as J's Arashi and Sony's Nogizaka46, who can do it.

And Nogizaka46, as a rookie who debuted not long ago, has such achievements, compared with several major idol groups, it is not inferior!

Maybe it's because of the horrible sales volume less than a year after debut, or maybe it's the wide recognition, which finally made NHK make the decision to add Nogizaka46 to the list of red and white singers!
This also allowed Nogizaka46 to achieve a small achievement, that is: after debut, the fastest female singer (or group) on the red and white stage!
Nogizaka, who has both popularity and sales, naturally gained a lot of attention at the year-end record awards.

Even, while winning the Best Newcomer Award, he was also shortlisted for the Grand Prize with the song "So long!"

Even so, the girls in Nogizaka still had to sit in their seats and applaud their opponents. . .

Because, AKB is the protagonist of this record award!

Under the leadership of general director Takahashi Minami, AKB won the grand prize for the second consecutive year.

Interestingly, the hosts of this year's Record Awards are none other than Kiyoshi Sakamoto and his "rumored girlfriend" Yui Aragaki!
So, on the night of December 12th, at the 30th Japan Record Awards broadcast live on TBS TV, there was such a long-seen scene:
The producer of Nogizaka announces the award of AKB!
This is nothing to Sakamoto Kiyoshi.

However, what he didn't expect was that seeing this somewhat "shameful" scene on stage also inspired the motivation of the Nogizaka girls in the audience.

Mai Shiraishi, Rina Ikoma, Erika Ikuta, and other strong girls also secretly set a goal in their hearts:
"For Sakamoto-san, we must surpass AKB! Next time, we will be Nogizaka on stage!!!"

It is precisely because of this belief that Nogizaka finally defeated opponents such as AKB and J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE with a divine song "He Du Mu の Qing Kong か" at the Record Awards two years later, and won the award. Great record award!

Of course, these are all for later.

. . . . . .

October 12st, 31:7pm.

Tokyo, NHK Concert Hall.

In the conference hall full of audience, following the introduction of the assistant host, the three familiar faces of the nation, THE SUN, dressed in pure white suits, and this year's hostess Horikita Maki, slowly walked down the stairs.

"Good evening, audience friends at the scene, audience friends in front of the TV, welcome to the scene of NHK's 63rd Red and White Song Battle!"

"Let us welcome tonight's singers and guests with the warmest applause!"

"Next, the 63rd Red and White Song Battle will officially begin!"

Following the order of THE SUN and Horikita Maki, the curtain of the last music event in 2012 slowly opened. . .

Since there are many girls in Nogizaka who have not yet reached the age of 18, for fear of violating the regulations on minors appearing in the program, NHK is also very considerate and arranged the performance order of Nogizaka 46 in the first half.

After Ayumi Hamasaki who served as the opening guest, the second singer in the red group is Nogizaka46 who performed for the first time!

Before going on stage, Kiyoshi Sakamoto, as the host and producer, also teased the girls of Nogizaka a little during the interview, cheering them on.

Seeing such a gentle Kiyoshi Sakamoto, the tension in the hearts of the girls eased a lot.

"So..."

"Next, Nogizaka46, who will debut for the first time, will bring their debut song "So long!", please enjoy it!"

As soon as Sakamoto Kiyoshi's voice fell, the camera immediately turned to the stage.

At this moment, all members of Nogizaka stood on the dazzling stage in various postures, waiting silently for the sound of music.

Maybe three seconds, maybe five seconds, the beautiful piano prelude finally sounded on the red and white stage!

Accompanied by the music, the girls in long lavender dresses danced like purple plum blossoms blooming in the cold winter.

"So long!..."

And Kiyoshi Sakamoto, who was standing aside, looked at the girls dancing melodiously on the stage, and murmured in his heart.

"Red and white, just the starting point!"

(End of this chapter)