| So Long! | |
| Cover: | So Long! single cover.jpg |
| Caption: | Type A single cover |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | AKB48 |
| Album: | Tsugi no Ashiato |
| B-Side: | Waiting Room |
| Genre: | J-pop |
| Label: | You, Be Cool! / King |
| Producer: | Yasushi Akimoto |
| Prev Title: | Eien Pressure |
| Prev Year: | 2012 |
| Next Title: | Sayonara Crawl |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
"So Long!" (stylized as "So long !" with a space before the exclamation mark) is the 30th major single by the Japanese idol girl group AKB48. It is also AKB48's sixth cherry blossom-themed single, and its first single of 2013. This single was released in Japan on February 20 in four different versions.[1]
The 64-minute-long music video for the title track is directed by director Nobuhiko Obayashi.[2] The Nippon Television network aired a 3-episode special television drama based on the title track from 11–13 February 2013.[3] This is also the last single to feature long-time members Tomomi Kasai, Moeno Nitō, and Sayaka Nakaya.
As with many of AKB48's songs, the lyrics were written by Yasushi Akimoto. They begin:
"Japanese: So long! …微笑んで So long! …じゃあ またね, 枝にいくつかの硬い蕾(つぼみ) 桜前線 まだ来ないのに"which is romanized as: "So long! …hohoende! So long! ..jā matane, eda ni ikutsu ka no katai tsubomi, sakurazensen mada konainoni"and translated as: "So long! ..smiling! So long! ..yeah bye for now, in the branch some hard buds, before the cherry tree still doesn't come"
The music video for the song "So Long!" is directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi and produced by Yasushi Akimoto. With a duration of 64 minutes, it is AKB48's longest music video to date. Shot on location at Chuetsu High School in Niigata Prefecture, this music video revolves around the students at the school.
Mayu Watanabe plays the role of Yume (lit: Dreams), a girl that dreams of becoming an actress. This is Watanabe's first "center" role in an AKB48 music video. SKE48 member Jurina Matsui plays the role of Mirai (lit: Future), a student who transferred to the school from Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Other supporting cast includes members Haruka Shimazaki (Ayu), Yuko Oshima (Shiori) (lit: Bookmark), Minami Takahashi (Sora) (lit: Sky), Tomomi Itano (Akari) and Yuki Kashiwagi (Kii).
All the students at the school lend their support to Mirai because all of them have had experienced the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake and understand her predicament. Over time, Mirai starts to make friends with the other students in the school and become emotionally stronger.[4] Singer Mickey Curtis makes a special guest appearance in this video.
The title track of this single was first unveiled on Tokyo Broadcasting System's Kayo Kyoku music programme on 22 January 2013.[5] A six-minute version of the music video was subsequently unveiled on 24 January 2013 during the AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 100 2013 performance series. "So Long!" was released in Japan on February 20, 2013 in four different versions: Type A, Type K, Type B, and the Theater versions.
Center: Mayu Watanabe
The song is performed by Under Girls.[6]
Center: Rina Kawaei, Meru Tashima
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100) | 1 |
| Japan (Recochoku) | 1 |
| Release | Oricon Singles Chart | Peak position | Debut sales (copies) | Sales total (copies) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 20, 2013 | Daily Chart | 1 | 817,530 | 1,126,674 |
| Weekly Chart | 1[7] | 1,035,986 | ||
| Monthly Chart | 1 | 1,086,389 | ||
| Combo | 16[8] |
| Chart (2013) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard Japan Hot 100[9] | 6 | |
| Billboard Japan Hot Singles Sales[10] | align=center | 5 |
| Oricon yearly singles[11] | 4 |