Beginner

AKB48's most controversial release to date

AKB48′s 19th single, Beginner will be released tomorrow on the 27th of October. While Heavy Rotation was this year’s Iiwake Maybe, Beginner is a Hip-Hop influenced track, not unlike River which was released this time last year. I received my copy sometime this afternoon, so for once am posting it early. News reports from this morning have announced that the single has already received 1,030,000 orders. Making it the best selling CD in recent history.

As before, Beginner will come with two separate CD+DVD versions (with a different C-side track) and a CD only theater version that will have all 4 songs. First press versions of the CD+DVD versions also have noticeably different covers among other bonuses, more on that below.

Limited Edition Type A CD+DVD.

Limited Edition Type B CD+DVD.

Normal Type A CD+DVD.

Normal Type B CD+DVD.

Beginner had been getting lots of attention in the media after it was revealed that its PV would be directed by Nakajima Tetsuya whose art films have a strange twisted style to them. He was responsible for some of my old faves like Memories of Matsuko and Shimotsuma Monogatari, better known in the West as Kamikaze Girls.

News floated around that Beginner’s PV would be a gore fest inspired by Battle Royale. When it was previewed at the Janken Tournament, many fans gasped in fear at the sight of the violent mutilations and decapitations.

Recently it was announced that this original PV would not be aired and will be instead available as a digital download on mobile phones due to objections and inappropriateness for TV. I’m calling a bluff on that, considering all the other extreme stuff on late night Japanese programs and since the CDs were probably already pressed by then. AKB48′s marketing team strikes again.

Type B.

Back.

Usual bonus pre-order photo.

Inside.

Expanded.

Handshake and voting card.

Honestly, Beginner’s packaging is underwhelming when compared to AKB48′s past couple of releases. No foil, hologram or glitter this time round.

Like all recent singles, the limited edition versions come with a ticket for their handshaking event. However, the main draw this time is the inclusion of a voting card to select the top 100 songs to be performed during next year’s AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2011 concert next January.

As with previous years, fans can look forward to their voted songs being counted down over an 8 hour concert stretching over 4 days at Shibuya AX hall. This year my vote is likely going to the Under Girl’s Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara.

You can still find first press versions of the CDs for sale over here.