Reborn Japan for entertainment

Chapter 734 Atsuko Maeda's Decision

"New Record!Sony's new girl group, a new star in the idol world! "

"Sakamoto Kiyoshi has fully proved that he is synonymous with almighty!" "

"AKB may usher in the biggest enemy. . . "

As mentioned earlier, in this age of physical record sluggishness, there are only a handful of singers who can sell more than 20 records.

What's more, it's a rookie idol group that just debuted in the mainstream? !
"So long!" sold 23 copies in the first week. While winning the Oricon Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, it also broke the record held by AKB sister group NMB48's debut single "Extinct Black-haired Girl". The sales record in the first week of debut for a female singer!
Such a debut is simply impeccable!
The media who were not optimistic about Nogizaka at the beginning also turned around in an instant, and began to praise this new idol girl group that broke various records as soon as they debuted!

There are also many sensible media who put the target of touting on Kiyoshi Sakamoto, a producer:

"As expected of an idol girl group produced by "Record Smasher" Sakamoto Kiyoshi, even the excellent tradition of breaking various records by their own director has been well continued by these girls!"

"Sakamoto Kiyoshi's creative talent, there is no doubt! Akimoto Yasushi's idol empire, perhaps the most powerful enemy has appeared. And that person is called Sakamoto Kiyoshi!"

People who don't know, are still being told by these media that Kiyoshi Sakamoto joined Nogizaka in women's clothing. . .

And when the girls in Nogizaka learned about the sales of their singles from Yoshio Konno in the practice room, they hugged excitedly in an instant.

"Great!"

Although from AKB, there is still a long way to go.

You know, AKB's 25th single "GIVE ME FIVE!" released at the same time, sold a terrifying 128.7 million copies in the first week!

Nogizaka is simply weak compared to him. . .

However, from a positive point of view, surpassing NMB's record as soon as they debuted also gave the girls of Nogizaka46 a bit of longing and expectation for the future in their green eyes.

They began to feel that it is not impossible to surpass AKB.

However, debut, for these girls, is just the beginning. . .

. . . . . .

"What does Asahi say? When can filming start?"

"President Sato agreed to our conditions and found a suitable screenwriter. However, he still expressed concern about communicating with the director when you were not on the shooting scene. However, those are minor problems..."

This is one day in March.

Located in the SMA company building in Shinagawa Ward, in the office of the director of operations.

Kiyoshi Sakamoto and his deputy, Hikari Kitahara, deputy director of SMA Operations, are discussing cooperation with TV Asahi.

In fact, in the Japanese entertainment industry that is extremely closed and locked up to play with oneself, the relationship between the agency and the TV station is an open secret.

For example, Johnny, who can win every quarter through relationships and has several leading roles in major TV stations, the friendly relationship with major TV stations is the key to making them a top presence in the industry.

Not to mention Yanyin, who is very influential in the TV industry. . .

However, like STARDUST and NTV, Johnny has a lot of cooperation with Fuji TV, not all major firms are like Yanyin, and all TV stations can enjoy it.

There is always a close or distant, or "ally", "strategic partner" and so on.

Among the five major private TV stations, TV Asahi has a very close relationship with SMA.

Even to put it bluntly, TV Asahi is a hard-core ally of SMA!
Since Sakamoto Kiyoshi began to control SMA, in recent years, the appearance rate and exposure of SMA's actors on TV Asahi have skyrocketed!
Especially when "Suddenly THE SUN" gradually replaced "Men and Women Pickets" and became TV Asahi's Kanban variety show, the relationship between SMA and TV Asahi has obviously entered a honeymoon period.

Of course, the length of this honeymoon period depends on whether Kiyoshi Sakamoto is still in charge of SMA.

From the current point of view, this honeymoon period is still a long time away. . .

Therefore, in order to better promote its artists and deepen the relationship between the two parties, Kiyoshi Sakamoto decided to cooperate with TV Asahi starting this year to co-produce a TV series.

Every year since then, they have collaborated on a TV series!

And this is the first TV series they collaborated with, the name is "Omotesando High School Chorus Club"!
This youth school drama produced and broadcast by TBS in 2015 is a very good TV series.

For SMA with a lot of actors, it is very suitable for this TV series to promote newcomers!
Therefore, Sakamoto Kiyoshi directly wrote the script of this drama, relying on his memory and current screenwriting ability, to write it all out.

Moreover, he asked his subordinates to hold the scripts of the first three episodes of the TV series, and with undeniable sincerity, talked about cooperation with TV Asahi.

Facing Kiyoshi Sakamoto's cooperation invitation, TV Asahi was naturally very happy.

Leaving aside the quality of the script, just looking at Kiyoshi Sakamoto's face is enough to make Asahi

Even if Kiyoshi Sakamoto put forward the harsh condition that the cast of the whole drama will be cast by artists under SMA, TV Asahi only hesitated for a moment, and immediately gave a positive answer.

They have no doubts about Sakamoto Kiyoshi's ability.

After confirming the matter of the TV series with Hikari Kitahara, and after telling Hikari Kitahara a few words, Kiyoshi Sakamoto waved his hand and let him go down.

Just after Kitahara Hikari left, within a few minutes, there was another knock on the door of Kiyoshi Sakamoto's office!

"Come in." Kiyoshi Sakamoto, who was sitting at the desk and was working hard, said without raising his head.

It was a girl who pushed the door and entered, a girl with short hair that Sakamoto Kiyoshi hadn't seen for a long time.

"A-chan?"

Kiyoshi Sakamoto was a little surprised by Atsuko Maeda's sudden visit.

As the immovable ACE of AKB who is now the pinnacle of idols, Atsuko Maeda should be the busiest at this time.

The promotion of the single, the filming of the TV series, and the rehearsal of the concert all made this girl who has been standing in the center of AKB look very tired.

This can be seen from the tiredness on the girl's face, which cannot be concealed by her delicate makeup.

She may not even have time to sleep. . .

However, he reacted quickly and called the girl to sit down.

The two faced each other and sat down on the sofa.

Seeing Atsuko Maeda's hesitant expression, Kiyoshi Sakamoto was even more curious, and asked first, "A-chan, is there something you want to tell me?"

"Well, after thinking about it for a long time, I still feel that it is necessary to inform you."

"Oh? What is it that makes you look so distressed?"

"..." The girl was silent for a moment, and finally, as if mustering up her courage, she looked directly into Kiyoshi Sakamoto's eyes and said:
"Sakamoto-san, I'm ready to graduate!"

(End of this chapter)