Fame Of Japan’s Most Popular Pop Idol Group;
Special DVD Online PromotionOffers A Second
NEW PEOPLE Film Title With Any Pre-Order Purchase
NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a filmdivision of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution ofJapanese films and media, has announced the release of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued onDVD on Thursday. December 1st The new music biopic follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese pop idolgroup, AKB48, on their incredible rise to fame, and will be sold exclusivelyonline for $19.99 through the NEW PEOPLE store at: store.newpeopleworld.com.
DVD pre-orders will begin today. For alimited time, NEW PEOPLE is offering a FREE bonus DVD title from its catalog toall pre-order purchasers. Select from a list of available titles. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued willalso be available to stream online at newpeoplechannel.comfor $4.99 (for a 48 hour rental) beginning December 1st. The DVDwill be available from Amazon by mid-December.Follow NEW PEOPLE Entertainment on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan’smost respected music producers. Beginning as a small all-girl singing group basedin the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’s bustling electronics andanime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and toppedJapan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 aswell as another two singles ranking in the Top 10.
“AKB48 created an entirely new format for pop groups and theirfame has spread internationally,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEOof NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “This insightful documentary captures AKB48 on-stage andbehind the scenes and offers a candid look into the member’s lives and thephenomenal notoriety that surrounds the group. We invite J-Pop and music fansto visit the NEW PEOPLE store online to get the new DVD and to take advantageof a special offer to receive a second DVD title from the NEW PEOPLE filmcatalog!”
With acomplicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, thegroup’s bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued traces AKB48’s historywith scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fanactivities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviewswith select members that reveal each of the girls’ personal struggles, joys,path to growth, and dreams.
One uniqueaspect of AKB48 is that the group is divided into “Teams.” When AKB48 debutedin 2005, originally there were only 24 girls. Now there are 16 girls each onTeam A, Team K, and Team B, who are the core members of the group. In addition,there are trainees who are aspiring members. Members total to around 60 girlsas some graduate and some new members come in. In the recent years AKB48 hasbegun holding elections to determine the members who will participate in therecording of upcoming singles. Fans vote for their favorites and the girlranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.
