Single AKB48 49th [#SukiNanda] (2017/08/30)

I don't really care if Aki-P had to sell his soul to Youtube Satan, for the time being I'm glad the videos are back in my zone... looking for mirrors is such a hassle and they get deleted half of the time for obvious reasons, it's not very fun.

 

for the first time ever when i search akb48 on youtube i get an actuall pv omfg

 

What happened was that back in October of 2015 YouTube introduced a new service called YouTube Red. This was a new subscription service that allowed users in select countries (and only very few - as of now, the USA, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea) watch YouTube ad-free while supporting their favorite content creators, and in addition, also received access to original programming exclusively for YouTube Red subscribers (for countries that didn't offer YouTube Red, such as Japan or Europe, the YT Red original programs were also available pay-per-view). YouTube Red also included a subscription to Google Play Music (and vice versa), and is available for $10 a month.

Problem was...a number of labels and certain other artists were too skeptical about following to the new terms and conditions regarding YouTube Red. The main point of contention was the ability to download videos for offline viewing, which was one of the YouTube Red features on the YouTube mobile app. But Japanese copyright laws were strict and contradictory, and, legally, that feature is actually illegal in the land of the rising sun. Since Japanese media companies were hesitant because of the need to monitor when, where and how the content is being used in accordance to Japanese copyright laws, they didn't comply with the new terms and conditions back then, and are blocked for viewing within countries that offered YouTube Red. (A similar hesitation occurred with ESPN because of conflicts with third-party rightsholders of major sporting events.)

As a result, AKB48 videos were blocked, and so did SKE48 and HKT48 (but, for some reason, NMB48 wasn't blocked). Other labels were also blocked, including Sony Music (for any videos that weren't blocked already at that time, though it was a few, since most were already blocked outside of Japan anyways, but some Sony artists that allowed their YouTube videos to be shown overseas include SCANDAL and LDH's Flower, among others), Victor, Pony Canyon, and even to a point, Up-Front Works (Morning Musume, etc.), among others. Since then labels have slowly/reluctantly complied (such as Pony Canyon and Being group, well known for B'z), but other labels (such as Victor) remain blocked as of now.

Sorry for the off-topic here, but the YouTube Red blocking sounded contradictory to the Cool Japan mission to spread Japanese pop music across the world, and the United States is pretty much a major target, especially since YouTube is owned by the parent company of Google, Alphabet. The removal of blocks for AKB48 videos due to YouTube Red (as well as certain other labels) is one major step, but there's still a long ways to go, since SKE48 and HKT48, as well as labels such as Victor, are still blocked at this moment. (Maybe YouTube Red might come to Japan in the future, but without the offline feature for users in Japan?)

(Correct me if I'm wrong.)

 

Always thought youtube red is a stupid name, it just confuses people with you know...

 

imo japan still trying to find way to spread jpop across world but still "exclusive".
and imo that good thing, still holding their identity, it separate them from their neighborhood countrys.

 

Nogizaka is still region blocked as well, but as far as I remember they have been blocked for an even longer time.

 

Nogizaka's Label is Sony , right? as far as i know, sony always region blocked their video, even before youtube red is a thing

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How can Halloween Night got 1.4 million sales while #SukiNanda is just about 1.1m? Lol

 

Cuz there were like 8 other single releases wotas needed to buy lol?

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There's the Sony Music Taiwan channel which uploads the main Sakamichi PVs (a few weeks ago they uploaded Nigemizu), with a B-side or two thrown in as well (like Tsuki no Ookisa), and they're not region blocked. And I know Nogi's Vevo channel still has a few unblocked PVs as well.

Spoiler

if the video does not show watch the video here

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(Just gonna throw in a bit of #Sukinanda to keep on topic) I finally watched the credits part of the PV and realised there's more shots than Sasshi and Mayuyu walking down to the beach. I really like the ending shot with Sasshi; she's absolutely stunning there.

 

Listened to the title track; got LSS later.

 

As far as I can recall, Oricon weren't as strict with their bulk buying restrictions back in Halloween Night era. Billboard is giving sales of SukiNanda at 1.4 million so you can see a difference there in the counting.

 

Use the TOR Browser - to get around the Region Lock on YouTube. It's what I did.

Also I think it's Funny that NGZK &KYZK are still blocked by Sony. AND AKB48 isn't - Goes to show who AKI-P's fav is - lol. It's almost like he's saying "I don't care if AKB is free anymore" - Who thought this was a Good Idea??? Meanwhile POP music from "Other Asian countries" (Not mentioning Names) actually put the TV performances up on YOUTUBE themselves AND Welcome 'Fan-Subs' from fans.

Gotta love the Isolationist Attitude of some in Japan. One wonders Why the Sudden "Change of Heart"?? but who cares they won't make up that LOST Time & Purged probably 90% of anyone who would've become an USA fn of AKB48- Good Job AKI-P!

OOOHH - Now were blaming YT? Not Buying it.

Spoiler

Why have Anime & Games culture been RISING in the USA. Hell, in Oct 2015 ONLY 2-3 companies Licensed & streamed SUBBED Anime (Sentai, FUNImation, & Crunchyroll) - Others like Hulu, Netflix, Crackle got residual deals or general 2nd run agreements. Anime grew so fast since 2013 that FUNImation now actually DUBS (in English) current Anime's (before they're released in Japan proper) & Simul-casts them within a week of the Original Japan TV airing. Now Summer of 2017 - Amazon & Netflix are scalping FUNI & Sentai & Crunchyroll w/ better deals for Japan....AND "Fan Subbers" are Still on the battle field Pirating content for FREE.

If Japan's AKS & Sony were smart - they'd License & allow CR or Hulu? to stream AKBingo? Or the WIP show? or more Asian TV shows in general. This is the Era of Netflix, Firesticks, & Binge Watching!! Korea has whole sites dedicated to just their Dramas.

Maybe Japan is happy with JUST JAPAN getting their goods. But how is it Anime is making money hand over fist in a saturated global market even in a industry that was once dominated by Fan Subbed Piracy? They found a way & are only getting stronger.

 

Funnily enought, the YouTube channel Nogizaka46VEVO shows 4 music videos for me if I use my actual IP address and none if I use a Japan VPN

 

AKB48's 49th Single (#SukiNanda) (2nd Week Sales)
Week 2: 12,983 (1,102,712) (14th)

 

Is that because Nogi has their own channel already (idk if Keya does) and the VEVO's for international fans like us? What I don't understand is why they chose those four PVs (Guru Guru Curtain, Seifuku no Mannequin, Natsu no Free & Easy, is the other one Girl's Rule?).

But congrats to AKB for surpassing 1.1 mil for #Sukinanda!