Sakurazaka46 released their 2nd Single on April 14, 2021 under Sony Music Japan titled "BAN". A Quick Review of this successful single by S46 unit to date, well its only their 2nd single. "BAN" is the second single released by Sakurazaka46 (tenth overall including previous singles prior to their name change). It was released in five variants: four limited CD+Blu-ray editions in types A, B, C, and D, and a regular CD-only edition.
The Single sold a tad under 400k copies, "373,547" to be exact and charted #1 on Oricon Weekly Charts. In totality (including Keyakizaka46), this is their 10th straight #1 Single. Its been certified ×2 Platinum by RIAJ.
Featured Hits - MV, Review and Performing Members
The Center duties were split within 3 members with Morita Hiraku chosen as the Center for Single Title Track #1 & #4; Yamasaki Ten for Track #3 & #6; Fujiyoshi Kirin for Track #2 & #5. The group maintained a 13/14 member formation for all songs including Sakura8 that refer to the front members selected by management for each single. Unlike Fukujin for Nogizaka46, the front members for Sakurazaka46 are not only for the title track but for all the coupling songs as well.
All Lyrics by Akimoto Yasushi.
Track #1 BAN - Single Senbatsu (14 Members)
Director: Hidejin Kato (PICS management)
Producer: Mototaka Kohama (PICS)
Production Manager: Ruka Sakuragi (PICS)
Cinematographer: Yoshitaka Ueike
Lighting Engineer: Tomoyuki Ikeda
Art: Yuichi Hatakeyama
Choreographer: TAKAHIRO
Composer / Arranger: A-NOTE, S-TONE / APAZZI
MV viewfinder located in Awaji dream stage on the premises of the International Conference Center Atrium, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture.
The group tried to recreate the same level of magic as they managed in Ambivalent, but fails. The main punchy music bits sounds very muted which is rather disappointing. The MV shows dance with a fierce choreography on wet surface. Again, nothing new, cuz it was already done by them before in Student Dance. But the Cinematography and Lighting are as expected, simply outstanding. PICS do a really neat job for their clients.
(Morita Hikaru Center (in italic), Sakura Eight in bold)
1st Generation: Koike Minami, Kobayashi Yui, Sugai Yuuka, Habu Mizuho, Watanabe Rika, Watanabe Risa
2nd Generation: Inoue Rina, Ozono Rei, Tamura Hono, Fujiyoshi Karin, Matsuda Rina, Morita Hikaru (c), Moriya Rena, Yamasaki Ten
Track #2 Guuzen no Kotae (14 Members)
Director: 林 希（博報堂ケトル）(Lin Xi)
Choreographer: TAKAHIRO
Producer: 小浜元（P.I.C.S.）
Production: P.I.C.S.
Composer / Arranger: YU-JIN / TomoLow
Guuzen no Kotae (translates as Accidental Answer) is a coupling song from Sakurazaka46's 2nd single BAN. Nice Melody and singing. Now again, this would suit Hinatazaka46. The trademark male chorus in background is back. The MV also features Riko Nagase, a Sony Music Artists - Seventeen exclusive model.
1st Generation: Uemura Rina, Ozeki Rika, Koike Minami, Kobayashi Yui, Sugai Yuuka, Harada Aoi, Watanabe Risa
2nd Generation: Seki Yumiko, Takemoto Yui, Tamura Hono, Fujiyoshi Karin (c), Morita Hikaru, Yamasaki Ten
Track #3 Sore ga Ai Nano ne (14 Members)
Composer / Arranger: Tanimura Yoppei
Sore ga Ai Nano ne (translates to That's Love) has the members wear dresses made of denim and showed the mood of taking a new step forward with a smile full of dancing poses. Nice song.
1st Generation: Koike Minami, Kobayashi Yui, Saito Fuyuka, Sugai Yuuka, Moriya Akane, Watanabe Risa
2nd Generation: Endo Hikari, Onuma Akiho, Kousaka Marino, Tamura Hono, Fujiyoshi Karin, Masumoto Kira, Morita Hikaru, Yamasaki Ten (c)
Track #4 Kimi to Boku to Sentakumono (14 Members)
Compser / Arranger: youth case / Sasaki Hiroshi
This is a really nice song. Kinda very STU48..ish in my view. Nice Melody and singing.
1st Generation: Koike Minami, Kobayashi Yui, Sugai Yuuka, Habu Mizuho, Watanabe Rika, Watanabe Risa
2nd Generation: Inoue Rina, Ozono Rei, Tamura Hono, Fujiyoshi Karin, Matsuda Rina, Morita Hikaru (c), Moriya Rena, Yamasaki Ten
Track #6 Omotta Yori mo Sabishikunai (14 Members)
Director: 後藤匠平 (Tetsuhei Goto)
Choreographer: TAKAHIRO
Pruducer: 橋本寛人(AOI Pro.)・渡辺敬太(isai Inc.)
Production: isai Inc.
Composer / Arranger: Yuki Tsujimura, Ken Ito
Omotta Yori mo Sabishikunai is a coupling song from Sakurazaka46's 2nd single BAN. In English the title translates to "It's not as lonely as I thought".
1st Generation: Koike Minami, Kobayashi Yui, Saito Fuyuka, Sugai Yuuka, Moriya Akane, Watanabe Risa
2nd Generation: Endo Hikari, Onuma Akiho, Kousaka Marino, Tamura Hono, Fujiyoshi Karin, Masumoto Kira, Morita Hikaru, Yamasaki Ten (c)
PS: You can forget about Track #5 Microscope & Track #7 Sakaurazaka No Uta. Terrible songs!
Single CD Variants and CD Covers
The single cover design was directed by OSRIN of the creative group PERIMETRON.
Label: Sony Music Japan
SRCL-11620～11621 (Limited Edition Type-A, CD+DVD) / ￥1,727
SRCL-11622～11623 (Limited Edition Type-B, CD+DVD) / ￥1,727
SRCL-11624～11625 (Limited Edition Type-C, CD+DVD) / ￥1,727
SRCL-11626～11627 (Limited Edition Type-D, CD+DVD) / ￥1,727
SRCL-11628 (Regular Edition, CD) / ¥1,000
Single Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars.
Given it has 5 decently good songs in the single, it is a success for the group! IMHO, the group is still a long way off Keyakizaka46 standards and none of the songs stick in your head or a one for a repeat in your music playlist.
Official Single Website: https://sakurazaka46.com/s/s46/page/2nd_single
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