Nogizaka46: The coruscating 'Mai Shinuchi post' #12....

 

 What a slow stretch for Nogi posts, there were many at the beginning of May but this is only the second one in a month. With their new single out would have thought we'd have a slew of them but that obviously hasn't been the case. However it hasn't been slowish for Mai who has more posts since December than any other member. This is her fifth one since then which means she just needs one more to qualify for the yearly fave's list and who would have ever thought that would happen? Not me but am certainly pleased Mai will no doubt qualify for the fave's list for the first time and she's my current top Nogi member. Can only see one or perhaps two more Nogi gals being eligible for the list and that's what happens when so many faves graduate. Mai's last post was on May 13th and that's been her second most viewed post ever but it may have been as it was the leadoff one for two days. Her most popular post ever was for her 2017 photobook and it's one of the most viewed Nogi posts ever.

 As far as Nogi goes their 27th single was released on June 9th and it's a good/bad news scenario. In it's first week sales were 589,700 copies sold which was easily #1 on the charts. So it'll be one of the top selling singles for 2021 yet sales compared to previous singles have really nose dived. Title of the main song is "Gomen no Fingers Crossed" and it's a song that didn't interest me in the least as I can't stand how there's too many teen Senbatsu members. 

 So sales compared to 2017 until their first one of 2020 are down 30-40% and I don't think you can blame the virus any more. As most fans have been saying and what I've also been mentioning for the past year is that there's been too many graduations. Not just of any members but Nogi's mega ACES and after a while that will definitely play an impact on sales. Plus they did so little promoting for the single outside of appearing on music shows but after a while who wants to keep hearing the same song? Trying not to sound too depressing but my days as a Nogi fanatic have passed but actually the members I've really liked over the past few years I like even more these days. Just wish they were busier as there's been no recent events nor group dramas and special shows.

 This is definitely a 'spur of the moment' post as I had all intentions of stopping after those two below this one. But have been having many more drama recaps than ever the past month, while I enjoy doing them realize most viewers prefer posts in this vein though it's been so difficult to do any for Nogi and especially Keya as of late. But do have forty new Mai pics which isn't a bad total as her last post was just five weeks ago. Also have some oldies such as these 'NogiKoi' cards that had never been posted before. At one time my collection of them was huge but now there's very few you haven't seen.

 There hasn't been one Nogi event this year and have to say I'm shocked about that, perhaps no fans may be allowed at them but they can still be streamed live. Mai often attends those group events as she's one of their 'elder statesmen' so miss seeing her at them and also a few other gals. So will have some super duper older pics that are from September 28, 2019 which are from the Autumn/Winter 'Girls Award show and I just love Mai's classier style.

 Here's some brand new pics which are from a Model Press interview to promote the current single, here's the link to it: MP interview

 What I've been noticing the past few months is that Mai posts the best pics at Nogi's group blog, these are all from the past month and are truly superb.

 Mai has been hosting the Wednesday 'All Night Nippon' show for over five years now, it lasts for two hours and is by far the most popular Idol radio show. No pics from it for today but two posts ago I had wondered why she and her guest that week had never done a mag spread together as they seem to be so close. That was my mistake as going back through some old posts found the duo had done a mini spread together that was from the September 2017 issue of Entame.... now we need more of them!!!!

 We've quickly hit the end but did say this was a 'spur of the moment' post. But have noticed the more I like a gal the quicker her posts seem to be writing them up and these days don't have many bigger faves than Mai. No new mag spreads which is okay as this final batch are new pics from the Oggi site which are usually better than any spread. Mai used to be a model for andGirl but there hasn't been any new pics for eons. Following this set is a short video promoting Nogi's new single which I enjoyed.