Single Hinatazaka46 13th [Sotsugyou Shashin Dake ga Shitteru] (2025.01.29)

They released Official Photo and CD cover.
The title song will be released on Dec 12 at 00:00 JST (Wed Dec 11 night) on various online music streaming platforms. Please enjoy!

Source: https://www.hinatazaka46.com/s/official/news/detail/R00345?ima=0000

Edit: change the song release time.

 

My first impression after listening to the song is I don't quite like it. It sound too mainstream and maybe 48g-ish. No brass section or the funky and unique tone and festive and fun vibe that become the core of Hinata's happy aura. Or something sad and touching that become Kosha's specialty like in KonSuki and Bokunanka. I can't find the hook as well. I think they try use Suki da Suki da part to catch the attention. It is B-side for me.

That's good thing, though. Because, many Hinata songs that I don't like are well accepted among general idol fans. So, I believe this single title song will get good response from Ohisama. I only hope there are not many odd Ohisamas like me among them.
Now, I hope Hiragana get good song because Zachou has returned to them.

 

2nd Round Meguri results
SOLD OUT: Hina, Konoka, Kahorin

• It´s surprising to see Marie so ahead of her genmates. Her popularity grownth with time is something impressive, I remember some people considering her flop before.
• the trio Shogeko-Kahorin-Hiraho is very strong. There´s a considerable distance between them and other 4ki. So sad to see my Konishin so low...

Edit 2: I listened to the song and I think it's okay. My main complain is that the instrumental is louder than the vocals, it ofuscates all the vocal part and in the end all you remember is the instrumental. Sounds like a coupling song.

 

After listening to the single, I'm sorry for saying this, but Hinata without Kyoko and Katoshi really sounded like 48G, specifically like songs HKT48 usually releases.. Mirei's vocal wasn't that dominant either in this.

I hope the MV and performance will make me like it more

 

Guess I will get downvoted for saying this, but for me, all Hinata A-sides after Tsuki Hoshi Midnight are just snoozefest. :-(

 

Haven't checked the latest single yet, I’ll wait for the MV/perf to drop first. But I totally agree, all the A-sides since Tsuki Hoshi have been kinda letdowns. Hinata was on such a rise before that, with every single being a hit—no misses. Then the music just got... average. The one good song—Glass Mado, ended up as just a coupling track.

Even the lineups have been odd. How do you drop your top 2 members to the 2nd row for multiple singles? NaoMiku, who are clearly the most popular (selling out Miguri 1st round consistently before anyone else), only to be shoved to the back? Makes no sense. Hinata was doing great at this point, you had 2 aces, and you were in a prime position to pull a Nanase-Shiraishi, but instead you drop them to the 2nd row? I understand Nao's health/hiatus and all, but Miku’s prime just got wasted.

And the constant new centers... I love all of them, but honestly, not all of them are center material—bar Yoko. Her current push is the only real positive for me, especially since 4ki is inevitably the future. Likewise, Honeydew—both great musically and lineup-wise, and surprise surprise, most well-received single post-Tsuki Hoshi.

 

I think that NaoMiku center should have already happened. I know that they gotta push 4ki after so many 1ki grads but I still think that Hinata first w-center should have been NaoMiku and maybe make this single to be YokoKaho w-center. Zettaiteki had a mature sound that would fit them(it was the perfect timing in my opinion) and this new a-side has a more kawaii aidoru sound that would fit a 4ki center really well.

Nao hiatus was serious and back then it was really concerning to see Hinata Ace absent for 9 months. A lot of people started to get worried and spectulated that her health condition got worse and she would g-word shortly after coming back. Fortunally, that didn´t happen.

Now about Hinatazaka declining music quality. I blame S&F the most and Aki-p the least.

It´s simple. When Hinatazaka started as a new slope group, they got a lot of investment. Members were pushed, great songs were released(even b-sides were great and memorable) and the group managed to grow quite fast. I would say they peaked in popularity around 2021. After 1st album, things kept great for a while and around 8th single the hinata push was already slowing and after that single´s quality started to decline.

And I know it´s cliche to blame Aki-p for almost every single thing wrong with 48/46 music. But it´s well known that Aki-p does his best when he´s still invested in the group. When Aki-p was still passionate about AKB48, they got new stages with certain frequency, amazing bangers that are now considered classics and he would even give advice to some girls. Then Nogi came and he started to distance himself from AKB, then he switched to Keyakizaka and gave his best for them while Techi was there. And now he got tired of Sakamichi and moved to shiny new projects: White Scorpion and BokuAo. I´ve said this before and I will repeat: it´s time for 48/46 stop relying so much on Aki-p

"B-b-but Sakurazaka!" Sakurazaka still releases some good music because they are carried by their art direction, something S&F didn´t care as much to invest in Hinatazaka.

 

I'd say Hinata art direction/MVs were also on point concept-wise, up till Tsuki Hoshi. In particular Kimi Shika, Ttekka, Boku Nanka all solid musically but had their distinct Hinata art style too. So you could tell the investment was there. But thereafter it all suddenly dried up.

Likewise I agree with Zettaiteki. It had potential, and a cool vibe albeit diff from prior releases (which is not at all a bad thing). But like you said, they got the w-center wrong + the plag calls didn't help.

With Nao back to center and the Yoko push, I'm glad they've moved on from the "Everyone gets to be center" phase. Socialism just doesn't work–Sakamichi

Spoiler: Spoiler

or irl lmao

 

Some of the best Nogizaka music came during the Ikoma-Maiyan-Miona-Nanase-Ikuchan centers from 5th to 11th. It's fantastic to have multiple members centering singles as if you're not a fan of one you may be a fan of another. Plus i'm sure no one wants a return of "22 - 1 = 0 " Keya era in terms of centers.

I think other members getting the shot at centering is great. Not all centers are aces, but all aces are centers.

 

I like this song. It's funny idolish song but not sugary. Even if the song is very funny, it has sad and emotional notes. With goog MV like 10nen Zakura It could be a super hit!

 

I have to agree with the posts above me. I listened to the song and it sounds too much like a AKB song. I expected more since it's a Nao center. And yes, Zettaiteki should have been a Nao/Miku W center. I understand pushing 4ki bc it's clear that 1ki and 2ki have started graduating. But members fitting a concept/song should still be considered. This song could have been centered by Kaho or Yoko and Kaho. And I agree with whoever said that Hinata has now lost a distinct voice with Katoshi's graduation. I couldn't hear Miipan either. Everyone kind of sounded the same (in Sakurazaka you can clearly hear Matsuri's voice, and I think Hikaru, Hono, Ten, Matono, Shizuki have distinct tones too). This is something I feared when Katoshi announced her graduation.

Idk but S&F needs to do better for Hinata in 2025. They need to release three singles next year.

 

I believe we would have gotten 3 singles this year if it wasn´t for the delay of KimiHani release date. A new single in december would have been a perfect timing to return with HinaKuri.

 

3rd Round Meguri results

Sold Out: Miipan, Marie, Sumire, Hiraho

 

Sotsugyou Shashin dake ga Shiteru MV

if the video does not show watch the video here

Kosakana center aura is overwhelming here.
Good traditional Idol MV.

 

Really nice MV. Spring themed to fit school graduation concept I guess.

It does give off some 48G vibes but I gotta admit that the MV is making the song grow with me.

 

4th Round Meguri Results

 

THE PV does justice for Mao's beauty, her instant close - up shots and her smile
Beautiful PV, well I love school, spring and sakura but the song itself isn't growing on me more

 

Sotsugyou Sashin performance at Tokyo Dome concert

if the video does not show watch the video here

This video is only available until January 31st, 2025

 

The choreo is so elegant, Nogi-esque with such bubbly song. I think I like the MV, costume, jacket cover and choreo, except the song itself still not that impressive. But I hope we get good B-sides. The last time I think we get good B-sides is from Am I Ready, evethough the A-side itself is not as good

 

The choreo looks fun with lots of references to the title. We see Miipan and Kumi making a hand gesture of an open book and Osushi taking pictures, it´s cute.

Lovely!