Ongaku Cafe (2010-2019): Nogizaka46 – Seifuku no Mannequin (Type-C) (2012)

1. 制服のマネキン
2. 指望遠鏡
3. 春のメロディー
4. 制服のマネキン off vocal ver.
5. 心の薬 off vocal ver.
6. 春のメロディー off vocal ver.

DVD INFO: 16:9LB, Region 2, Duration: 1:27:53

1. 制服のマネキン music video
2. 春のメロディー music video
3.  生田絵梨花 <苦手克服映像>
4. 市來玲奈 <苦手克服映像>
5. 齋藤飛鳥 <苦手克服映像>
6. 斉藤優里 <苦手克服映像>
7. 桜井玲香 <苦手克服映像>
8. 高山一実 <苦手克服映像>
9. 能條愛未 <苦手克服映像>
10. 橋本奈々未 <苦手克服映像>
11. 樋口日奈 <苦手克服映像>
12. 星野みなみ <苦手克服映像>
13. 和田まあや <苦手克服映像>

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The following was reviewed back on January 2013

Nogizaka46, the idol pop group created by Onyanko Club and AKB48 creator Yasushi Akimoto. But where his other groups represent a region of Japan, Nogizaka46 was created as the official rival to Nogizaka46 and the “Nogizaka” named after the place where Sony Music Japan’s office (the SME Nogizaka Building) is located. And the number “46” was chosen as a number to become a direct challenge to AKB48.

With the success of the group’s first single “Guruguru Curtain” which debuted at #2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold over 136,000 copies, Nogizaka46 has now released their second single “Oide Shampoo” (which translates to “Come on Shampoo”) and debuted at #1 on the Oricon CD Singles Charts and sold 155,677 copies in its first week. Their third CD single “Hashire! Bicycle” became their second chart topping #1 single and their best selling single released until now.

Their latest single “Seifuku no Mannequin” (which translates to “Mannequin with a School Uniform”) not only achieved another spot at #1 on the Oricon Charts ranking but is now there best selling CD single so far with 232,961 copies sold during their first week. The new single will also feature a lineup with their top 17 members voted on their senbatsu election (which took place on their TV Show “Nogizakatte Doko – October 7, 2012).

As for “Seifuku no Mannequin”, there are five versions of the single that were released. TYPE-A, TYPE-B and TYPE-C each come with the CD+DVD and would each feature the music video for “Seifuku no Mannequin” and each version would come with an exclusive third track and as previous other Nogizaka46 CD+DVD releases, members are featured heavily as part of the DVD content. The fourth version would be the theater version which does not include a DVD but does come with the first two songs and an exclusive third track. And the fifth which is the anime version release which correlates with the song “Yubi Boenkyou” being used as an ending theme for the anime series “Magi”.

The version I will be reviewing is “Seifuku no Mannequin” (Type-C). The CD insert features an eight-page booklet which feature photos of the 17 senbatsu members of Nogizaka46 and a photo of another group of 17 Nogizaka46 members with English spelling of their names. Also, included are the lyrics for the three songs and production lyrics.  The cover features Reika Sakurai and Manatsu Akimoto.

The first track on the album is “Seifuku no Mannequin” and is the group’s first dance-pop style single. Featuring consistent beats with a synth arrangement, I have to say that the track is possibly their best single as a group so far. Catchy, addictive and definitely a song that shows the group can do an upbeat dance track. The song is about a girl who likes a guy, but he is good at hiding his emotions that she calls him a mannequin with a school uniform. She wishes that he can be more assertive and that he would say something about how he feels for her and wants to know why he’s like that. Is the trying to protect something? So, she dreams that he will eventually find love and go after her.

The second track is “Yubi Boenkyou” (which translates to “Finger Binoculars”) and is the ending theme to the anime “Magi”. For those who desire the more upbeat, idol type of song from Nogizaka46, will surely enjoy “‘Yubi Boenkyou”. Upbeat idol pop song with great vocals in unison, happy and positive. The track is about looking through one’s finger binoculars and looking at the world and for a shining future. And no matter what mistakes one makes, look at things at a different perspective. So, take a peek into your finger binoculars and look for the adventure in your mind.

The third track on this CD single is “Haru no Melody” (which translates to “The Melody of Spring”) and is a a fun, mid-tempo idol pop track.  The song is about a person who is happy that she can hear the melody of spring.  Thinking back about the misunderstandings between the person she likes during a troubled winter and hoping that those days would melt with the snow and embracing the scent of flowers and love.

And the remaining three tracks are the instrumental versions of the first three songs.

As for the DVD, the first video track is the music video for “Seifuku no Mannequin” and features the Nogizaka46 members performing in a high school gymnasium and dancing. And after the song, we see Rina Ikoma waking up before class starts.

The second video track is for “Haru no Melody” and features members of Nogizaka 46 on top of a building.  The group singing their song and just playing with each other.  I will say the video features interesting choreography.

The next 10 video tracks showcase a member of Nogizaka46 and things they must overcome or challenge. This is part two that features eleven members of Nogizaka46 and if you want more, you will need to purchase Type-A and Type-B.

The first video features Erika Ikuta trying to get over her fear of being around pigeons/birds.  The next video features Rena Ichiki having to learn to use a knife to cut food (as she fears she may cut her fingers).  The next video features Asuka Saito eating food that she is not fond of such as natto.  The next video features Yuri Saito trying to conquer her fears of frogs and having to kiss one.  The next video features Reika Sakurai taking on a challenge to be a coach.  The next video features Kazumi Takayama having to hold insects.  The next video features Ami Noujo having to eat durian fruit and other smelly foods.  The next video features Nanami Hashimoto having to eat green peas.  The next video features Hina Higuchi trying to sleep with a sheep next to her.  The next video features Minami Hoshino having to prepare sashimi at a sushi restaurant and eat what she made.  And the final video features Maya Waada having to eat cooked insects.

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, “Seifuku no Mannequin” (Type-C) is a pretty cool CD+DVD and is possibly in my opinion, Nogizaka46’s best CD Single yet! For those wanting to know more about the members of Nogizaka46, it does help that each of the Type-A, Type-B and Type-C feature videos of a member (trying to overcome fears or take a challenge) and also you get two pretty cool music videos included as well. With close to an hour and a half of content, that definitely makes the CD+DVD worth purchasing. Otherwise, if you just want the music, all you probably would want is the cheaper, theater edition version of “Seifuku no Mannequin”.

As for which version is the best, I do like Type-A for the music video “Yubi Bouenkyou”, but really this is subjective as fans of Rina Ikoma, Erika Ikuta and/or Minami Hoshino, may prefer the “Koko Jyanai Doko Ka” music video. But so far all Type-A, B and C are solid releases with awesome DVD content, so whichever you select, you won’t be disappointed and if you are a major Nogizaka46 fan, I wouldn’t be surprised if you purchased all three types in order to watch all challenge segments.

Featuring a pretty cool upbeat dance track, cool anime theme song and a wonderful ballad with wonderful DVD content, Nogizaka46’s “Seifuku no Mannequin” is highly recommended for fans or those wanting to discover more about the group!

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