[citation needed] She remained in that position on the follow-up single releases until the following year, the 2010 General Election, where she placed 19th and was grouped with the main girls who sing on the title track.

On December 4, 2010, Sashihara attempted to upload 100 articles in a day on her official blog, with the number of page views reaching 35 million on the same day.[4][importance?]

In January 2011, Sashihara starred in a half-hour television program titled "Although You Are Sashiko (This Program Is Totally Unrelated to AKB)" (さしこのくせに〜この番組はAKBとは全く関係ありません〜, Sashiko no Kuseni (Kono Bangumi wa AKB to wa Mattaku Kankei Arimasen)), broadcast by TBS, which features her hetare (ヘタレ, means somewhat cowardly, incompetent, impatient) character.

[6] She sings the theme song titled "Soredemo Suki Da yo", which was released as her debut solo single on May 2, on the major record label Avex Trax.

[17][18] Sashihara was given free reins over costume design, lyrics writing, PV direction, as well as choice of music and instrumental arrangement.

[20][21] In the wake of her mainstream popularity, on August 11, 2014, Sashihara's first autobiography, "Gyakuten-ryoku ~ Pinchi o Mate ~", was published by Koudansha, selling over 20,000 copies in its first week of release[22][23] and prompting a number of subsequent reprints.

[26] The book was widely advertised by press as a self-improvement volume, whose reading was recommended to salarymen and OL, as well.

[citation needed] Sashihara's placements in AKB48's annual general election: * RIAJ Digital Track Chart was established in April 2009 and discontinued in July 2012.