Ongaku Cafe (2010-2019): AKB48 – Heart Ereki (Type-A) (October 2013)

The single was a surprise to a lot of people who were watching the annual “Janken Taikai” (rock-paper-scissors tournament) held in September, because the center of the single was first generation AKB48 member, Haruna Kojima. Which many fans took to the Internet thinking that because Kojima is one of the oldest members of AKB48, she will be the next person that will be graduating from the group.

Also, what made it a bit interesting for fans is that each member was using English names instead of their real Japanese names during the performance.  Kojima going by the name of Michelle, Takamina as Linda, Oshima as Cindy, Kashiwagi as Catherine, Mayuyu as Elizabeth, Paruru as Angelina, etc.

And AKB48 has continued the streak of selling over a million copies alive as “Heart Ereki” sold 1,021,000 copies in its first day of release.

Also, the “Heart Ereki” single will mark the beginning that there will be four CD+DVD releases and one theater edition release.  (note: This is because there are now four AKB48 teams: Team A, Team K, Team B and the new incarnation of Team 4).

The version that I will be reviewing for this single is “Heart Ereki (Type-A)” which features Rino Sashihara, Yuko Oshima, Haruna “Kojiharu” Kojima, Minami “Takamina” Takahashi and Yuki Kashiwagi holding an electric guitar and wearing suits like a marching band and a bandage on their index finger.

When the single insert is opened up, it’s a four panel insert with one side featuring all 16 members holding an electric guitar with their marching band uniform, while the other side features the lyrics, production credits but also the English names of each of the members.

The single kicks off with “Heart Ereki”, a catchy, upbeat rock track with cool guitar playing and features wonderful vocals from each member and also with each member singing in unison.  The song is about loving someone so much that it becomes suffocating.  And with their index finger pointing right at the person is an L sign and wanting people to feel the electric (or electric guitar).  And how she feels inside, she can only express her true emotion through her index finger.

The second track on the single is titled “Kaisoku to Doutai Shiryoku” (which translates to “Express Train and Dynamic Vision”) performed by the Undergirls.  The song is an upbeat idol pop song and is a song about one-sided love.  About how one sees the guy she likes through the express train that has passed by.  And why she goes to school at a certain time, because she can catch the person she likes through the window of the express train.  And she hopes one day, when she sees him and sees her, their eyes will meet.  But can such a relationship start from this?  Probably not but it’s a dynamic vision for now.

The third vocal track is titled “Kiss Made Countdown” (which translates to “Countdown to Kiss”) and is a gentle, idol pop song from AKB48’s Team A.  The song is about spending time with someone you like.  How one day, the two met at a winter afternoon getting a baked potato.  But enjoying the moment that the two are spending time with one another.  But the person feels these good moments are a countdown to a kiss and the person is happy each time they think about it.

The final three tracks on the single are the instrumental songs of the first three tracks on the single.

As for the accompanying DVD, there are a total of four DVD tracks.

The first DVD track is the long version(2o-minutes) of “Heart Ereki” and it features a story about a group known as “G. Fingers” and the leader/drummer/vocalist Catherine (portrayed by Yuki Kashiwagi) being asked about who the next lead vocalist will be for the group.  Behind closed doors, Catherine surprises everyone by selecting keyboardist/vocalist Michelle (portrayed by Haruna Kojima).  But lead vocalist Sandy (portrayed by Rena Matsui) is very upset by this decision and it leads to a heated argument among Sandy and lead guitarist Linda (portrayed by Minami Takahashi), while bass guitarist Lucy (portrayed by Yuko Oshima) tries to cool both of them down.

Sandy can’t accept Michelle being the new vocalist and she leaves the everyone on the bus.  Eventually after a long discussion, Sandy comes to her senses and accepts Michelle as the new lead vocalist and together, they all perform their new song “Heart Ereki”.

It’s important to note that directing this music video was Shusuke Kaneko (director of the live-action adaptation of “Death Note” and man of the Giant Monsters films).

The second DVD track is the dance version of “Heart Ereki”.  No drama or featuring the group with instruments, this is dance-only portion of the music video.

The third track is for a nearly 12-minute drama music video for “Kaisokku to Dotai Shiryoku” which features the AKB48 Undergirls.   The video features Rena Kato looking very depressed and we learn that she got into an argument with her friend (played by SKE48 member Akari Suda) about her friend not being there for her.  And then we see all the girls at art school and everyone noticing the friction between Rena and Akari but we learn that the reason why Akari has not been in school or putting a lot of time into her art work of late is because her father has been hospitalized and she has been spending time with him in the hospital.

And then the music video features the AKB48 Undergirls performing and eventually, we see Rena trying to patch things up between her and Akari.

The fourth and final DVD track is “Kiss Made Countdown” featuring AKB48 Team A.   The video features the girls performing inside a school gym and clips of them trying to participate in athletics and some who are struggling, while some are very focused.

It’s important to note that this is a region 2 DVD and will not play on a region 1 player (unless you have a non-region DVD player) but can be played on a MAC or PC using free video playing software such as VLC or Daum PotPlayer.

Overall, “Heart Ereki” is an entertaining  CD+DVD release.  It’s important to note that the other three will have more in DVD content and that all will have the long version and dance version of “Heart Ereki” plus the track and music video for the Undergirls’ “Kaisokku to Dotai Shiryoku” (with the exception of Type-B).  But unlike Type-K, Type-B and Type-4, there is no extra documentary or fifth video content.  So, Type-A has the least amount of videos compared to the other types.

The primary reason one would want to select Type-A (if they have too choose one over the others) is for the addition of the Undergirls track and long music video, especially if you are a Rena Kato or Akari Suda fan.  Also, this release features the Team-A track.

But on it’s own, it’s a solid single that features Kojiharu as the lead center and you get two idol pop tracks from the Undergirls and Team A.

“Heart Ereki (Type-A)” is recommended but the other types with the documentary are much better!

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