AKB48 38th single titled - Kiboteki Refrain (希望的リフレイン), co-centers Watanabe Mayu and Miyawaki Sakura
AKB48 revealed the title for their upcoming single – Kiboteki Refrain (希望的リフレイン). Their 38th single was first announced at the end of the 5th Janken Taikai held September 18th 2014. The 31 participating members were revealed with group ace Watanabe Mayu (20) and for the first time Miyawaki Sakura (16) sharing the center position. Single Kiboteki Refrain comes on 4 pairs of editions releasing November 26th 2014 – read on for more details.
~ updated release details plus PVs revealed ~
AKB48 held their 5th annual Janken Taikai (Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament) on September 18th 2014 with Watanabe Miyuki defeating Kojima Haruna in the final match. Unlike past tournaments that formed a single with the winner as center, Milky’s reward is a debut solo single with Kojima leading the top 15 on the coupling track.
Fans normally get treated to a preview performance of the next single during the Janken Taikai which in previous years released about one month later. Due to the timing of its release this year (about two months later) only the member selection and release date was announced.
38th single participating members*
Centers: Watanabe Mayu (AKB48), Miyawaki Sakura (HKT48/AKB48 team A concurrent)
AKB48
Team A: Kojima Haruna, Shimazaki Haruka, Takahashi Minami, Mutou Tomu, Iriyama Anna
Team K: Kojima Mako, Tano Yuuka**, Yokoyama Yui
Team B: Oshima Ryouka, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kawamoto Saya, Takahashi Juri, Owada Nana
Team 4: Kato Rena, Kizaki Yuria, Minegishi Minami, Mukaichi Mion
Team 8: Nakano Ikumi
SKE48
Team S: Matsui Jurina, Miyazawa Sae
Team E: Suda Akari, Matsui Rena
NMB48
Team N: Yamamoto Sayaka
Team M: Shiroma Miru
Team BII: Watanabe Miyuki
HKT48
Team H: Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino
Team KIV: Moriyasu Madoka
Nogizaka46 : Ikoma Rina (AKB48 team B concurrent)
*bold indicates first time management selected to participate in the senbatsu for single lead track.
**Tano Yuuka participated on the 4th Janken Taikai single – finished #7 in the tournament.
Single Kiboteki Refrain comes on 4 pairs of editions (details subject to change). Each pair of editions will have a different coupling track and DVD contents. The Limited editions include a handshake event ticket. Regular editions include photo (1 of many). Full track list, jacket covers, and more details coming!
AKB48 – Kiboteki Refrain (希望的リフレイン). – release date November 26th 2014
