Mayu Watanabe

Mayu Watanabe

Mayu Watanabe at AKB48 1830m handshake event, on October 14, 2012
Background information
Native name 渡辺 麻友
Also known as Mayuyu (まゆゆ)[1][note 1]
Born (1994-03-26) March 26, 1994
Saitama Prefecture, Japan[2]
Origin Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan
Genres J-pop
Years active 2006 – present
Labels Sony Music (solo)
Associated acts AKB48, Watarirouka Hashiritai
Website www.watanabemayu.jp

Mayu Watanabe (渡辺 麻友 Watanabe Mayu, born March 26, 1994 in Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese singer, actress, and a member of the Japanese idol girl group AKB48, Team B. She has released five solo singles.

In the general elections of AKB48, Mayu has consistently ranked among the group's top members. She placed fourth in 2009, fifth in 2010 and 2011, second in 2012, third in 2013. She was the highest vote getter in 2014, placed third in 2015, and second in 2016.

Biography

Watanabe auditioned for AKB48's 3rd generation and was placed in the newly formed Team B. Her first appearance on an AKB48 single title track was on "Bingo!". She performanced all of singles except the lineups were determined by rock-paper-scissors tournaments, she has appeared on all the A-sides for the group's singles since then.

In 2009, she placed fourth overall in the group's first general election to determine the line-up for the group's 13th single.[3] She placed fifth overall the next year for the group's 17th single.[4][5]

She appeared on the cover of the December 2010 issue of UP to boy magazine together with Airi Suzuki from Cute. That was the first gravure collaboration between Hello! Project and AKB48.[6] On May 13, 2011 she released her photo book, Mayuyu. She commented that the book "is filled with a lot of expressions that I haven’t shown until now, it’s a book I’m really pleased with!” Regarding her cover picture, she said, “Despite being embarrassed, I did my best on the front cover, so I want a lot of people to look at it!”[1][7] In an episode of the group's variety show AKBingo!, Mayuyu and Haruka Shimazaki's nickname "Paruru" were coined by former teammate Rumi Yonezawa. For AKB48's general election in 2011, she placed fifth overall.[8]

In 2012, Watanabe got her first lead role in the Japanese TV drama Saba Doll, where she played a 38-year-old high school teacher who is hated by her pupils whilst having a hidden life as an idol. On February 29, Watanabe released her debut solo single, "Synchro Tokimeki".

Watanabe participated as a voice actress in the anime series AKB0048.[9] In the anime, she plays a main character Chieri Sono,[10] and is part of the AKB48 subgroup NO NAME, which sings the opening and ending themes for the series. The series features a supporting character, Mayu Watanabe Mark 3, which is modeled after her likeness, and is voiced by Yukari Tamura. She reprised her role as Chieri Sono for the series' second season which aired in 2013.

Watanabe ranked second overall at the 2012 AKB48 general elections with 72,574 votes.[11][12] On August 24, during the group's reorganization announcement at the AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert, she was moved from Team B to Team A.[13]

On July 25, she released her second solo single, "Otona Jellybeans".[14] which reached number three on the Oricon weekly chart.[15] Her third solo single "Hikaru Monotachi" was released on November 21, 2012, and reached number one in the Oricon singles chart. The single was released in five versions, including one that has an illustration book. Her B-side "Sayonara no Hashi" was the theme song to the anime film Nerawareta Gakuen for which she voiced one of the lead characters. In July 2013, she released her fourth solo single. "Rappa Renshūchū". A contest was held to determine the cover artwork for one of its editions.[16]

Meanwhile, in AKB48, she received her first center position on the group's 30th single "So Long!", which was released on February 20, 2013.[17] On April 19, she released her second photobook Seifuku Zukan Saigo no Seifuku. In the AKB48 election for the members for their 32nd major label single, she placed third overall with 101,210 votes.[18]

In 2014, Watanabe become a regular on the television show Utage!, and semi-regular on the TV show Renai Sosenkyo. In AKB48, she was transferred from Team A to Team B in the "Daisokaku Matsuri". She performed an hour-long solo live concert at AKB48's Natsu matsuri. In the elections to determine the member line-up for AKB48's 37th major label single, she placed first, with 159,854 votes. Thus, she took centre position for the song "Kokoro no Placard".

In 2015, Watanabe received her first leading role in a prime-time TV drama, Tatakau! Shoten Girl, broadcast by Fuji TV and Kansai TV. This drama aired from April 2015, at 10 pm.[19] The theme song for this drama, "Deai no Tsuzuki", is sung by Watanabe, and will also be released as her fifth solo single on June 10, 2015.[20] She will hold solo live concerts to support the single on September 19.

Discography

Solo singles

Year No. Title Release date Chart position Sales
(Oricon)[21]
Oricon
Weekly
Singles
Chart
[21]
Billboard
Japan
Hot
100
*
[22]
RIAJ
Digital
Track
Chart
*
[23]
First
week
Total
2012 1 "Synchro Tokimeki" (シンクロときめき) February 29, 2012 2 2 9 123,237 158,884
2 "Otona Jellybeans" (大人ジェリービーンズ) July 25, 2012 3 3 9 87,993 109,309
3 "Hikaru Monotachi" (ヒカルものたち) November 21, 2012 1 3 91,907 122,381
2013 4 "Rappa Renshūchū" (ラッパ練習中) July 10, 2013 3 5 67,329 95,379
2015 5 "Deai no Tsuzuki" (出逢いの続き) June 10, 2015 2 3 48,240 -

* RIAJ Digital Track Chart was established in April 2009 and cancelled in July 2012.

AKB48

Year No. Title Role[24] Notes
2007 4 "Bingo!" A-side First single with Team B.
5 "Boku no Taiyō" A-side
6 "Yūhi o Miteiru ka?" A-side
2008 7 "Romance, Irane" A-side
8 "Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008" A-side
9 "Baby! Baby! Baby!" A-side
10 "Ōgoe Diamond" A-side
2009 11 "10nen Sakura" A-side Also sang on "Sakurairo no Sora no Shita de"
12 "Namida Surprise!" A-side
13 "Iiwake Maybe" A-side Ranked 4th in 2009 General Election.
14 "River" A-side
2010 15 "Sakura no Shiori" A-side Also sang on "Majisuka Rock 'n' Roll".
16 "Ponytail to Shushu" A-side Also sang on "Majijo Teppen Blues".
17 "Heavy Rotation" A-side Ranked 5th in 2010 General Election. Also sang on "Yasai Sisters" and "Lucky Seven"
18 "Beginner" A-side
19 "Chance no Junban" B-side Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament.[25] Sang on "Yoyakushita Christmas", and "Love Jump" (as Team B)
2011 20 "Sakura no Ki ni Narō" A-side
"Dareka no Tame ni – What can I do for someone?" charity single
21 "Everyday, Katyusha" A-side Also sang on "Korekara Wonderland" and "Yankee Soul".
22 "Flying Get" A-side Ranked 5th in 2011 General Election. Also sang on "Seishun to Kizukanai Mama", "Ice no Kuchizuke", "Yasai Uranai"
23 "Kaze wa Fuiteiru" A-side
24 "Ue kara Mariko" B-side Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament.[26][27][28] Sang on "Noel no Yoru", and "Yobisute Fantasy" (as Team B)
2012 25 "Give Me Five!" A-side (Baby Blossom) Played keyboard in Baby Blossom. Also sang on "Hitsujikai no Tabi".
26 "Manatsu no Sounds Good!" A-side Center Also sang on "Chōdai, Darling!"and "Kimi no Tame ni Boku wa...".[24]
27 "Gingham Check" A-side Ranked 2nd in 2012 General Election. Also sang on "Yume no Kawa".
28 "Uza" A-side Also sang on "Kodoku na Hoshizora".
29 "Eien Pressure" B-side Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Also sang on "Totteoki Christmas" and "Eien Yori Tsuzuku You ni" as OKL48. First single as member of Team A.
2013 30 "So Long!" A-side, Center[17] Also sang on "Ruby".
31 "Sayonara Crawl" A-side, Center This single had four centers.[29]
32 "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie" A-side Ranked 3rd in 2013 General Election.[18]
33 "Heart Electric" A-side In main lineup with the nickname Elizabeth.[30] Also sang on "Kisu made Countdown" as Team A.
34 "Suzukake no Ki no Michi de "Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru" to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nan-nichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono" B-side Did not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament.[31] Sang on "Mosh & Dive".[32] Sang on "Party is Over".
2014 35 "Mae Shika Mukanee" A-side
36 "Labrador Retriever" A-side, Center Also sang on "Kyou Made no Melody" and "B Garden"
37 "Kokoro no Placard" A-side, Center Ranked 1st in 2014 General Election. Also sang on "Sailor Zombie" as Milk Planet and "Oshiete Mommy".
38 "Kibouteki Refrain" A-side, Center Center performer along with Sakura Miyawaki.[33] Also sang on "Loneliness Club".
2015 39 "Green Flash" A-side Also sang "Haru no Hikari Chikadzuita Natsu" and "Hakimono to Kasa no Monogatari"[34][35][36]
40 "Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai" A-side Also sang "Barebare Bushi" and "Kimi no Dai-Ni Shou"
41 "Halloween Night" A-side Ranked 3rd in 2015 General Election. Also sang on "Ippome Ondo"
42 "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby" A-Side Also sang on "365 Nichi no Kamihikouki" as Asa ga Kita Senbatsu, "Senaka Kotoba", and "Kin no Hane wo Motsu Hito yo" as Team B.
2016 43 "Kimi wa Melody" A-side Marked as the 10th Anniversary Single.
44 "Tsubasa wa Iranai" A-side Sang on "Koi o Suru to Baka o Miru" as Team B.

with Watarirouka Hashiritai


Appearances

Stage units

Team B 1st Stage "Seishun Girls" (青春ガールズ)
  1. "Ame no Dōbutsuen" (雨の動物園)
  2. "Fusidara na Natsu" (ふしだらな夏)
Team B 2nd Stage "Aitakatta" (会いたかった)
  1. "Nageki no Figure" (嘆きのフィギュア)
  2. "Nagisa no Cherry" (渚のCHERRY)
  3. "Senaka Kara Dakishimete" (背中から抱きしめて)
  4. "Rio no Kakumei" (リオの革命)
  5. "Skirt, Hirari" (スカート、ひらり)
Team B 3rd Stage "Pajama Drive" (パジャマドライブ)
  1. "Pajama Drive" (パジャマドライブ)
Team B 4th Stage "Idol no Yoake" (アイドルの夜明け)
  1. "Zannen Shōjo" (残念少女)
Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami" (シアターの女神)
  1. "Hatsukoi yo Konnichiwa" (初恋よ こんにちは)
Team A Waiting Stage "Waiting Stage" (ウェイティング公演)
  1. "Skirt, Hirari" (スカート、ひらり)
  2. "Glass no I LOVE YOU" (ガラスの I LOVE YOU)
  3. "Candy" (キャンディー) (new units)
Team Surprise 1st Stage "Juuryoku Sympathy" (重力シンパシー)
  1. "Suiyoubi no Alice" (水曜日のアリス)
  2. "Kimi no C/W" (君のc/w)
  3. "Megami wa Doko de Hohoemu?" (女神はどこで微笑む?)
Team B 3rd Stage "Pajama Drive" (パジャマドライブ) (revival)
  1. "Temodemo no Namida" (てもでもの涙)
Team Surprise 2nd Stage "Bara no Gishiki" (バラの儀式)
  1. "Hatsukoi no Kagi" (初恋の鍵)
  2. "Youchien no Sensei" (幼稚園の先生)

Variety

Dramas

Radio

Anime

Movie

Photobooks

Notes

  1. The nickname Mayuyu was used as the title for her 2011 photo book.

References

  1. 1 2 "AKB48公式サイト|メンバー情報|渡辺 麻友". AKB48 Official Website (in Japanese).
  2. "渡辺麻友の画像、渡辺麻友の経歴・プロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  3. ""AKB48選抜総選挙"開票! トップ当選の前田敦子「AKBに人生捧げる!」" (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. 2009-07-09. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
  4. "「AKB48総選挙」で大波乱 大島優子が初戴冠で前田のV2阻止! ニュース-ダイエット・エステ・美容のオリコンランキング" (in Japanese).
  5. AKB48、女性グループ史上初の2作連続初週売上50万枚超え ニュース-ORICON STYLE
  6. "AKB48×ハロプロがグラビア初コラボ! 渡辺麻友×鈴木愛理が網タイツ姿で表紙飾る". Oricon Inc. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  7. 1 2 "AKB48's Watanabe Mayu to release her first photobook "Mayuyu" in May". Tokyohive. April 18, 2011.
  8. "AKB48『第3回選抜総選挙!選抜メンバーフォト&完全レポート』". Oricon. 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  9. "Watanabe Mayu To Play A Teacher And Idol In New Drama". Japanverse. 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  10. "AKB48's AKB0048 Anime Cast Roles Revealed – Interest". Anime News Network. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  11. "AKB48第4回総選挙、大島優子が2年ぶり2回目のトップに" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  12. "AKB48第4回総選挙、トップ16メンバーのコメント全紹介" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  13. 組閣後新体制 (in Japanese). AKB48 official site. 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  14. "2nd single "Otona Jelly Beans"". 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  15. "2012年07月23日〜2012年07月29日のCDシングル週間ランキング(2012年08月06日付)" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  16. "Watanabe Mayu reveals the cover art for her 4th solo single". Tokyohive.com. June 17, 2013.
  17. 1 2 "AKB48 performs their upcoming single "So long!"". Tokyohive.com. January 22, 2013.
  18. 1 2 "AKB48 32ndシングル 選抜総選挙" [32nd single selection elections]. AKB48 Official Site (in Japanese). 2013-06-08.
  19. "Watanabe Mayu to play bookstore clerk in new Fuji TV drama". tokyohive. 6Theory Media, LLC. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  20. まゆゆ、6・10に2年ぶりソロシングル ファッション"50変化"盤も. Oricon (in Japanese). 30 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  21. 1 2 "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」". Oricon. Retrieved February 9, 2011. (subscription only)
  22. "Hot 100|JAPAN Charts|Billboard JAPAN" (in Japanese). Billboard. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011.
  23. 有料音楽配信チャート (in Japanese). RIAJ.
  24. 1 2 Center and A-side lineup information provided by "AKB48 歴代シングル選抜メンバー(2006年~2013年)" [(2006–2013) AKB48 successive single member selection]. entamedata.web.fc2.com. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  25. "AKB48、じゃんけん選抜シングルは「チャンスの順番」". Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  26. "AKB次作は篠田麻里子の"初冠"シングル じゃんけん選抜曲名は「上からマリコ」". Oricon (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. 2011-10-29. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  27. 篠田麻里子、じゃんけん選抜曲決定!その名も「上からマリコ」. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). Yomiuri Online (The Hochi Shimbun). 2011-10-30. Archived from the original on 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
  28. しのまり 新曲「上からマリコ」に「笑っちゃった」. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 2011-10-30. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  29. "AKB48′s "Sayonara Crawl" To Have 4 Centers". Japanverse. 2013-04-28.
  30. "AKBこじはる、8年目で初センター! 新曲「ハート・エレキ」初お披露目 (AKB48) ニュース-ORICON STYLE". Oricon Style (in Japanese). 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2013-10-07. Lay summary Tokyohive / 6Theory Media (2013-09-18).
  31. Suskin, Jeremy (September 18, 2013). "Jurina Matsui Wins Jankenpyon Tournament to Lead AKB48′s 34th Single". Nihongogo.
  32. "鈴懸(すずかけ)の木の道で「君の微笑みを夢に見る」と言ってしまったら僕たちの関係はどう変わってしまうのか、僕なりに何日か考えた上でのやや気恥ずかしい結論のようなもの <Type A>【通常盤】(マキシ+DVD複合)" (in Japanese). King Records. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  33. "AKB48、新曲選抜メンバー32人発表 Wセンターは?". Modelpress (in Japanese). September 17, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  34. "Green Flash Type A亂捠忢斦亃(CD亄DVD暋崌)". King Records. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  35. "AKB48が歌う「履物と傘の物語」がNHK『みんなのうた』に". Barks (in Japanese). December 1, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  36. "Green Flash Type N亂捠忢斦亃(CD亄DVD暋崌)". 僉儞僌儗僐乕僪僆僼傿僔儍儖僒僀僩. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  37. "Hulu Horror Series Crow's Blood's Teaser Show AKB48 Idols (Updated)". Anime News Network. May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  38. "『AKB48渡辺麻友2nd写真集(仮)』発売決定!!" (in Japanese). 2013-03-08. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
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