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It'll take much for j-pop to obtain an equal footing (even with Utada and Angela Aki) on a global scale, given that the Korean government and the entertainment industry is very aggressive and keen in pushing the "hallyu" wave abroad and maintaining a supreme lead in Asian entertainment.
Also, like most Japanese idol groups and individuals (whose diligence reminds me of the geisha tradition), it would require some effort on AKB's part to dispel many of the popular misconceptions and prejudices plaguing the industry's image, including allegations of exploitation and sexism.
Despite AKB's domestic prominence, it seems that the likes of Crunchyroll and other distributors have possibly taken a "watch-and-see" stance to see if the show could be a potential hit, as the show uses original material whereas most titles this season are adaptations of popular works.
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