No3b
| Industry | Music, Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Founded | November 2008 |
| Founder | Yasushi Akimoto |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Music singles, albums |
was a subgroup originating from the original Team A of the idol ensemble AKB48, created under the guidance of Yasushi Akimoto. The unit is widely recognized by the nickname no3b, a stylized abbreviation inspired by the group's official name and referencing the Japanese term wasei-eigo for sleeveless garments.
History
No Sleeves made their formal debut in November 2008, having earlier performed songs such as "Junai no Crescendo" and "Bye Bye Bye" during AKB48 live shows. By , they had secured eight singles within the top 10 of the Oricon charts. Additionally, they released two digital singles under the alias for the TV Tokyo drama Men Dol: Ikemen Idol, in which they also appeared.
Following an extended break after their eighth single, "Pedicure Day" (December 2011), no3b took on hosting duties for Fuji TV's late-night improvised music variety program , joining personalities like Tetsuya Komuro. It was on this platform that they debuted their subsequent single, "Kirigirisu Jin".
Songs by No Sleeves have been featured across various media formats: "3seconds" and "Christmas Present" served as insert tracks, while "Relax!" was chosen as the theme for Men Dol: Ikemen Idol; "Tane" acted as the ending theme for the anime Birdy the Mighty Decode:02; "Kiss no Ryūsei" opened TBS's ranking show (airing Dec 2009–Jan 2010); "Lie" closed out episodes of TBS's ; and "Kimi Shika" was used in a mobile drama, at Shiodome Expo 2010, and on a variety show . The track "Answer" was featured as an ending theme for the anime Beelzebub. Other theme songs include "Asatte, Jamaica" for a mobile drama sequel , "Kirigirisu Jin" for Snack Kissa Eden, and "Iin Ja Ne?" for a television drama.
The group reconvened to perform at their 10th Anniversary Live event held on November 26, 2018.
Members
Albums
| Year | Title | Oricon Album Chart |
Total* sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | No Sleeves (ノースリーブス) | 1 | 103,042 |
Singles
| Year | Title | Total Sales* Notes |
Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon Singles Weekly Charts | Billboard Japan Hot 100 | RIAJ digital tracks | ||||
| 2008 | "3seconds" | Issued digitally as Persona. | – | – | – | No Sleeves |
| "Relax!" | – | 13 | 24 | – | ||
| "Christmas Present" (クリスマスプレゼント) | Released digitally as Persona. | – | – | – | ||
| 2009 | "Tane" (タネ; "Seed") | – | 9 | 46 | – | |
| "Kiss no Ryūsei" (キスの流星; "Shooting Star of Kisses") | 29,434 | 8 | 17 | 72 | ||
| 2010 | "Lie" | 32,668 | 5 | 10 | 41 | |
| "Kimi Shika" (君しか; "No One But You") | 41,168 | 6 | 12 | 94 | TBA | |
| 2011 | "Answer" | 108,831 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
| "Kuchibiru Furezu..." (唇 触れず・・・; "Without Touching Your Lips...") | 120,593 | 3 | 4 | 18 | ||
| "Perori to Pepero" (ペロリとペペロ) | Digital release. | – | – | – | ||
| "Pedicure Day" (ペディキュアday) | 115,763 | 2 | 7 | 20 | ||
| "Kirigirisu Jin" (キリギリス人; "Grasshopper People") | 100,108 | 2 | 3 | ** | ||
* Estimated figures based on combined Oricon sales.
- The RIAJ Digital Track Chart ceased operations in July 2012.
Television Shows
| Year | Program |
|---|---|
| 2010– | PON! |
| 2012–2013 | Snack Kissa Eden (スナック喫茶エデン) |
Television Dramas
| Year | Title | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Men Dol: Ikemen Idol (メン☆ドル 〜イケメンアイドル〜) | TV |
| 2010 | Kotodama no Onna-tachi (言霊の女たち。) | Mobile |
| 2011 | Zoku: Kotodama no Onna-tachi (続・言霊の女たち。) | Mobile |
Radio Programs
| Year | Show |
|---|---|
| 2009– | No Sleeves no "Shūkan No Slee-bu" (ノースリーブスの「週刊ノースリー部」) |
| 2009–2010 | No Sleeves no "All Night Nippon" (ノースリーブスのオールナイトニッポン) |