AKB48 breaks records and has their 4th consecutive first week million selling single

AKB48’s 24th single “Ue Kara MARIKO” has come in as the 5th highest selling single in its first week. This track sold 1,199,000 copies, naturally making it the number one single for the week of December 19th. AKB48 has also created a historic first, being the first artists ever to sell four consecutive “First Week Million” singles. Additionally, all five of their singles this year have sold one million copies.

In September, AKB48 held their “2nd Janken Tournament” at the Nippon Budokan, where the eldest member, Shinoda Mariko (25) took the center position for the first time. It’s great that Shinoda and 16 other members who became part of the “Janken Senbatsu” based on luck were able to sing this song and achieve this big record.

AKB48 has had five consecutive million selling singles, as their hit track from February “Sakura no Ki ni Narou” has sold 1,079,000 copies and altogether they have sold six total million singles when you include their song from 2010; “Beginner”.

AKB48 has surpassed Pink Lady, Amuro Namie, Hamasaki Ayumi, and Utada Hikaru to become the top female artists with the most million selling singles. The group is currently tied with Morning Musume for having the most number one singles for a female group; which is 11. AKB48 is currently tied with GLAY with 5 consecutive million selling singles. GLAY has held the record since February 22, 1999, with their single “Winter, again”; that’s 12 years and 10 months.

“Ue Kara MARIKO” is the first single without the group’s ace Maeda Atsuko; who has been in every single since their indies debut back in February 2006. Other popular Senbatsu members like Oshima Yuko and Takahashi Minami were also absent from the single.

AKB48 has already announced that their next single will be released on February 15, 2012 and will be a sakura themed song.

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[Highest First Week Sales]

1. AKB48 “Flying Get” (August 24, 2011) – 1,354,000 copies

2. AKB48 “Everyday, Kachuusha” (May 25, 2011) – 1,334,000 copies

3. AKB48 “Kaze wa Fuiteiru” (October 26, 2011) – 1,300,000 copies

4. Mr. Children “Na mo Naki Uta” (February 5, 1996) – 1,208,000 copies

5. AKB48 “Ue Kara MARIKO” (December 7, 2011) – 1,199,000 copies

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[Female Artists With A Million Singles Sold]

1. 6 singles – AKB48 “Ue Kara MARKO (December 19, 2011)

2. 5 singles – Pink Lady “Monster” (September 4, 1978)

2. 5 singles – Amuro Namie “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” (March 10, 1997)

2. 5 singles – Utada Hikaru “Can You Keep A Secret?” (March 5, 2001)

2. 5 singles – Hamasaki Ayumi “H (independent, July 1st, HANABI)” (November 25, 2002)

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Source: Oricon