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AKIHABARA Backstage pass, December 2011 with Tsunku and Shikura

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AKIHABARA Backstage pass (AKIHABARAバックステージpass) was a café opened by Tsunku and Shikura Chiyomaru in December 2011 under Le:iDo Entertainment (currently, iTube inc.). The café is idol themed, the maids are aspiring idols while the customers are "producers".

In total, Akihabara Backstage Pass is composed of over 100 current and former members. The members appeared in TNX's TsunTube♂, and some may appear in gravure-related work. Some of the current and past members are from other idol groups. AKIHABARA Backstage pass also has it's own group; Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome.

On October 10, 2022, the AKIHABARA Backstage pass café officially closed. Bakusute Sotokanda Icchoume, however, will continue activities as an idol group.[1] Currently, they work at their new iTube Studio café in conjunction with aspirational YouTubers.

Sotokanda Icchome[]

Main article: Sotokanda Icchome

Sotokanda Icchome (外神田いっちょめ), formerly Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome (バクステ外神田一丁目), is an idol group that originally consisting of AKIHABARA Backstage pass members. It was formed on May 1, 2012, after the announcement of their first indies single Produce.

As Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome, the majority of the AKIHABARA Backstage cast were members of the idol group. However, not everyone was used for the jacket covers for the singles and albums. The covers went to the members who had high weekly, or monthly, popularity rankings, along with selected girls choosen by the Bakusute staff and the label company (originally Warner Music Japan and then JVC Victor).

Beginning with Yoropiku Pikuyoro!, there is a store edition for each single. The store edition is only available in the Bakusute store in the AKIHABARA Backstage pass café.

On December 16, 2022, it was announced that the group's name would change to Sotokanda Icchome. [2]

Members[]

Main article: Sotokanda Icchome/Members

History[]

2011[]

On December 23, the café had an opening day event. It was announced that the cafe is a joint project, with Tsunku, the representative of TNX, and Shikura Chiyomaru, owner of a themed cafes chain. While the cafe's theme is inspiring idols training to debut, they had auditions for the girls for a chance to work at the cafe. Tsunku selected 80 girls out of 1,000+ applicants to be potential idols, quoting "We held an audition the same way we did with Morning Musume."

Outside the 80 girls, there were also other groups participating in the cafe in its opening: OS☆U, Doll Elements (Lovely Doll trainees) and THE Possible. Afterwards, 15 of the opening staff performed LOVE Machine on stage for the first time.

2013[]

In February, 4th Generation auditions were announced.

In June, 5th Generation auditions were announced.

2014[]

In February, 6th Generation auditions were announced.

2022[]

On January 15, the group held their 10th anniversary live, Akihabara Backstage Pass 10Shuunen LIVE ~Yatte Yaruze! Buchi Agete Ikouze!~ (AKIHABARAバックステージpass 10周年ライブ~やってやるぜ!ぶちあげていこうぜ!~), at Otemachi Mitsui Hall. On December 16, 2022, it was announced that the group's name would change to Sotokanda Icchome (外神田いっちょめ). [1]

DVDs[]

  • [2013.08.21] AKIHABARA Backstage pass presents - Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome - 2012 Soshu Hen Special DVD Box
  • [2013.08.21] AKIHABARA Backstage pass presents Bakusute Sotokanda Icchome Special DVD Box II - 2012 October - 2013 May -

References[]

External Links[]