Sayaka Ichii and Kintaro advance to Next Round of AKB48 Auditions

Things are coming up rosy as Sayaka Ichii and Kintaro head to the next round of the AKB48 over-30 auditions.

Today it was announced that former-Morning Musume member Sayaka Ichii and Atsuko Maeda impersonator Kintaro are still in the running for the AKB48 Papiko 2014 Spring Campaign while comedian  (and Minami Minegishi impersonator) Kaoru Yahata gets eliminated in the first round.

Kintaro shared the news over twitter “Thanks everyone! I’ve survived to the next round!” Yahata lamented her elimination “I worked really hard! I’m sorry… ORZ*” The highlight of the day was the news of Sayaka Ichii announcing her pass into the second round of the competition “I’ve been nominated into the second round of auditions! Whether I make the third selection will be tense, I give it my all!”

The second-round auditions, which test an applicants dance skills, should be a breeze for both involved. The third-round auditions, however, should give Sayaka Ichii an upper-hand as vocal skills will be put to the test.

The Papiko 2014 Spring Campaign [パピコ2014­春キャンペーン] which looks to find a new member of AKB48 aged 30 or over in order to emphasize the product lines appeal to the adult crowd. In her blog Ichii shared “I am excited to have the chance to apply” she continues “I will do my absolute best to win this audition!”

Eligibility is open to both amateurs and professionals along with the married or unmarried, however, it is strictly limited to those 30 years of age and over. Applications are being accepted now and the chosen winner will serve as lead to the Glico Commercial campaign, be expected to appear at Tokyo Park for the campaign daily, participate in theater performances, handshake meetings, and AKB48 concerts. It’ll be a Cinderella story that won’t last long however as the member will be expected to graduate the group when the promotion ends in late August.