/jp/ - Otaku Culture

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Details for this years election have been announced. Voluntary nomination like last year. Current members from AKB, SKE, NMB, HKT and former AKB members in overseas groups are allowed to run. Deadline has been reached for candidacy application.
Number of rankings has increased to 80 girls (65-80 is upcoming girls).
Voting period is May 20th 10:00 to June 6 15:00
Results will be revealed June 7th.

Katayama Haruka, Kikuchi Ayaka, Kaneko Shiori, Goto Risako, Nakanishi Yuka, Kato Tomoko, Takatsuka Natsuki, Mizuno Honoka, Iguchi Shiori, Kato Rumi, Sora Miyuka, Akazawa Hono, Kinoshita Momoka, Chikano Rina not entering election.

Details of the Pennant Race have been announced, in which teams and groups will compete to earn points through sales.

Iriyama Anna starring in a film adaptation of indie horror gamer Ao Oni.

Uchida Mayumi announced she is opening a yakiniku restaurant "'Yakiniku IWA".

Sashihara Rino will participate in Uchida Yuya's new single "Shakin up Baby". Release 6/11
Yuko graduation concert day after election at Ajinomoto stadium.

AKB's 36th single, "Labrador Retriever", is coming out on 5/21 with Mayuyu as center. Voting ticket will be included with this single. Full senbatsu:
http://stage48.net/wiki/index.php/Labrador_Retriever#.22Labrador_Retriever.22

New stages are starting,

Appeal videos for the election are up.

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