AKB 48 thread

[sa547]

Today, it seems that they finally got their second Guinness certification, this time for a TV ad (90 CMs, each for every member!) for one of Asahi's products:
http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-7862.html
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/03/akb...-wonda-coffee/

Congratulations!

[Shinji01]

I am impressed though, that Akimoto gave the less exposed members a chance on their new Google TV advertisement.
He is going to preview the ad on Google plus, maybe around 23:00 PM Tokyo time tonight, so you might want to check out Google Plus.

Also Nakaya published a book about being a member that never gets selected despite being one of the first few members to join the group.

Google plus has become quite interesting since this is the only place the less popular members can express themselves on their own accords and show their talent as well as personality.

[Undertaker]

Apparently Akimoto is leaning toward having Urano "Cindy" Kazumi joining Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, one of the sub-group of AKB consist of team B members (except Iwasa Misaki), based on his 3/10 Google+ comment.

https://plus.google.com/113474433041552257864/posts

The move is interesting to say the least. Urano is one of the 20 original members and also the oldest of that group. (She was 20 when joined)

Definitely an hard worker herself She along with Watanabe Shiho and Hirajima Natsumi was transferred to Team B when it first formed as "support" (or demote depend on your view). She was the first Team B Captain before Yukirin and was 1 of the 10 original members that didn't abandon the ship after the DefSTAR incident.

She, along with Satou Yukari are the only original members (along with 2 older 2nd gen) that got transferred when SDN48 was formed. So she definitely has have worked hard.

Now with SDN48 is schedule to end at the end of month, it's interesting that Akimoto is leaning picking her to replace Hirajima Natsumi (another original member) in Watarirouka Hashiritai 7 instead of current AKB members.

It might be a sign that the 4 transferred members might be back to the main AKB group, or at least Satou Yukari (23) as the other 2 members Noro Kayo and Ohori Megumi might just simply be too old at 28 to rejoin. (Though both were great in variety and comedic department while they were in AKB)


BTW, new news I learned on AKB's relief effort for the quake victim. It amazed me on how they act after the Japan earthquake last year. In addition of now contributed over 1.25 billion Yen in relieve effort. They also donated 30 buses/vans for school transportation. All that and even now they have at least a mini-live and a hand-shake event in affected area with free admission for the victims once-a-month. Consider their current workload, that it is still pretty impressive even if the they have the manpower to spare.

[sa547]

For those within the DC area, next month they're positively lucky.
http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/03/akb...washington-dc/

This event will be held from March 20th to April 27th to celebrate 100 years since Japan gifted the cherry blossom trees to the United States. AKB48 will perform on March 27th with 16 members including Takahashi Minami and Miyazawa Sae. They will also visit Thomson Elementary School in DC for cultural exchange on the 26th.

[Undertaker]

Lucky, if I want scheduled to head back Taiwan at the end of that week, I'll definitely take a vacation driving down there for that, it's only an 10-12 hour drive....

[sa547]

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/03/akb...uth-in-new-cm/

Wow. :nosebleed:

[Undertaker]

yeah, I've seen that, it kind put up a huge stir in fans because other than Tomochin-Takamina pair making some sense, all other pairs seems a bit messed up even if it was suppose to be a rally, if you know what I mean...

[sa547]

I wish someone should translate the article on top, but the bottom pic left me speechless... yep, and Acchan wins an award from a critics' body for live-action Moshidora (interesting thought: I wonder if she's actually applying the Drucker approach for team management ).

“Mom, you look like Shinoda (Mariko)”

[Undertaker]

Not to surprising about it, Acchan is a pretty good actress with all her drama experience. Even in the one where the script and surrounding cast totally fails, (Hana-Kimi 2011) she has been doing a fine job.

Acchan actually don't do much as far as team managing she is more of a follower in team setting. That's Takamina's job mainly and other team captains', though it would be interesting if both Acchan and Michan are telling her about it consider they are all close as 1st gen members.


Anyway, the article is just a quickie about Acchan's new photobook that just came out. The promotion tag line is basically her first photobook after 20 (legal adult age). The name of the photobook is basically roughly translated "Clumsy", hence the weird picture on the billboard that also act as the cover.

The picture in bottom is from that photobook that is widely used for promotion.

[Shinji01]

I don't know about acchan being a great actress ....
All the movies and tv drama series that she was featured in have been huuuuge flops.
Jansen ability to cat is one thing, but her ability to make people want to watch the stuff she is in is totally lacking right now.
I like the girl, but sometimes you just have to accept the fact that she isn't that popular amongst people that aren't into AKB.
And the sad thing is I don't even think its acchan fault that she does to gain much popularity.
I think it's the agent and her surroundings that are bringing her down.

The Puccho advetisement is...I dunno.
When akimoto was interviewed by CNN and got questioned whether he thinks he is exploiting teenagers sexually with the videos and stuff he makes them do, I was half supportive of him then, but now I think he is just pushing it too far.
I am

The fans might love it and get excited over it but what about the people that are not into AKB yet. The image they are putting out right now is getting a bit too risqué..


Also one of the new questions I have about this group is the club activities they are starting on AKB.
They are basically trying to do everything by using people within the group, which probably in the end is good akimoto because he can save money. Ex: writing lyrics, making cafe menus , producing performances, makind CD covers
But the quality of everything they do becomes questionable.


even with the Washington dc performance, it's obvious they are taking Hirata Rina because she can be used as a performer and translator.

I really enjoy watching the group but when compared to Momokuro who can old 2 day concert performances that we really entertaining because they have a great team of experts running the show behind them, I feel sorry for AKB who has a crappy first day, and then so many members collapsing everywhere on the next few days because of bad direction and disorganized staff.

Anyhow, I am

[sa547]

Originally Posted by Shinji01

IThe Puccho advetisement is...I dunno.
When akimoto was interviewed by CNN and got questioned whether he thinks he is exploiting teenagers sexually with the videos and stuff he makes them do, I was half supportive of him then, but now I think he is just pushing it too far.

The skepticism reminds me of this retort made out by some fans:


Maybe, but of late Akimoto's increasingly "outlandish" attempts at setting the whole franchise apart and away from the establishment kind of reminds me of Steve Jobs during his prime at Apple (prior to being booted out by John Sculley and the board), except Jobs then had a short fuse while pushing his subordinates to the limit.

I mean, as the franchise has become very big (almost at the level of NKOTB, Spice Girls or boy bands at their heyday), and with more competition nipping at their heels (including MomoClo-Z), he's putting all his chips on the table, which now leaves me wondering (or worrying) how long this outfit would last.

Time will tell.

------------
Currently Reading:
http://neojaponisme.com/2011/12/22/2011-popular-music/ - with no sentimentality and the precision of a brain surgeon, Marx puts the whole franchise through a full scrutiny with a magnifying glass (and is spread out in several articles across the blog). Of course, and fiery debates between commenters.

[Undertaker]

Originally Posted by Shinji01

I don't know about acchan being a great actress ....
All the movies and tv drama series that she was featured in have been huuuuge flops.
Jansen ability to cat is one thing, but her ability to make people want to watch the stuff she is in is totally lacking right now.
I like the girl, but sometimes you just have to accept the fact that she isn't that popular amongst people that aren't into AKB.
And the sad thing is I don't even think its acchan fault that she does to gain much popularity.
I think it's the agent and her surroundings that are bringing her down.

I didn't say she a great actress, but I think she is pretty good.

At her current stage, she isn't a lead actress type but a damn good supporting actress capable being as #2 or 3 roles and really acting skill-wise, I can only list maybe 5 actress who are better then her as far as under 25 actress go and all of them are closer to 25 instead of being at 20 turning 21.

Even Maki Horikita had her flop at 20 with Teppan Shoujo Akane!!.

Besides other than Hana-Kimi 2011, she really didn't have other "flops" as you said.

Moshidora movie didn't do as well as expected in box office but it still got respectable box-office number.

She out-staged the main character (can't even remember her name now)in Shiori&Shimako and that late night drama was pretty popular when it aired.

Majisuka Gakuen, Sakura kara no Tegami, and Densen Uta are basically AKB products that can be ignore since they are stuff direct at fans. Personally I do find both Majisuka Gakuen and Sakura kara no Tegami to be nice little guilty pleasure type production. Majisuka Gakuen was even popular enough to warrant a 2nd season.

Her appearance in the year NHK taiga dram Ryoma Den was mostly a positive one and well received. The drama is also the top drama that year.

Q10 got an decent rating for idol drama and again her acting in that was well received and praised.

That leave the her newest, currently airing Saikou no Jinsei no Owarikata~Ending Planner~. The rating again, while not spectacular is respectable hover around 3-6 place for this season's drama. As far in the drama itself, her perforce is well received in the #2 female role and IMO, better than the lead female Eikura Nana.

Other than that the only other drama she was in with more than a passing role is Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu in 2008 and that was one of the top idol drama that year (and one of my favorite high-school drama of all time) as well that was partially responsible for Yoshitaka Yuriko's breakthrough.


But I do agree with you that her popularity from AKB and as idol is somewhat hindering her acting career mainly the Hana-Kimi from last year.

But really, other that one mishap, her acting career has being more than solid and she had more often out-stage her fellow actress in them than not.

One thing I am happy is reading an article translated on a Chinese forum not too long ago on the new drama. She was ask if she's looking for a lead role for next drama? Meada mentioned that she is not looking for leading role in drama for this year and more interesting getting supporting roles where she can steal techniques from other actor/actress and stress that at this time she is not ready of lead role.

If that is true, at least she knows her current ability and what she needs to do.



As for the Puccho CM, I don't really care that much. It's not like it's anything new. Hell, most AKB fans I know has this Yuri-image of AKB48 which they have always being using to further their appeal for past 6 years. Hell, AKB's core image is basically this fantasy all girl's school as far as intra-group relations goes.


As for Akimoto, I don't know. I don't think what he did recently is anything different than what he's been doing. He always does something every 3-4 month just do make news for AKB.

Heck, I still remember in their early years, in order to boost CD sales, he held a drawing for the purchaser of first-press copies and the reword is that 300 lucky buyers got to go to an bus trip to amusement park with the current members. Obviously that's something that he won't be able to repeat.

But the thing is he always give what fans wanted to see and that CM is just part of it.


I just mad that we don't get to see the "official" pair of Aachan X Takamina or Yukirin X Mayuyu.

[MrTerrorist]

Originally Posted by sa547

http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/03/akb...uth-in-new-cm/

Wow. :nosebleed:

Here's the behind the scenes video of that commercial.

[sa547]

Commentary: Man, what is with some high-brow "traditionalist" critics/pundits who feel that this girl band is a threat to Japanese culture? Probably in the same way those closed-minded people back then looked at, say, NKOTB or Spice Girls, and conclude that it's "commercialized trash" a threat to Western culture.

*shakes head*

Do those hipsters dictate what I'm supposed to watch or listen? Hah! I've been through the entire spectrum of music for years, simply happy with it, and they ain't gonna stop me from putting my money on Mayuyu ('cause she reminds me much of Geri Halliwell back in her day -- I like twintails).

OBTW, NSFW?

Spoiler for She promised, but...:

Pic came from the 'Hive, which in turn, came from Mariko's Twitter.

[Undertaker]

Where did that come from?

Obviously those "traditionalists" don't know what they are talking about. While AKB48 is the most successful "female" idols to date (there is always SMAP, Arashi, and Exile on male side), they are not the first one and they won't be the last. The whole idol industry can even be trace back to 70s as well and have impacted the culture even back than.



Anyway, that picture is awesome. If I remember, it is from one of AKB's variety shows, AKBingo. It was an episode inspired by last years summer drama Rebound that had Takamina, Tomochin, Mii-chan, Mariko, and Kojiharu dressed up in sumo suit in a series of competitive games.

There the screenshot from that episode:

Spoiler for AKBingo:

Five of the six oldest members in sumo suits with special makeup:






The only exception is in LMAO mode:

[sa547]

^
LOL, it made sense, as at first I wonder why they looked pudgy. The pic came from the 'Hive, which in turn, came from Mariko's Twitter (nearly a million followers). Talk about pwnage.

Almost OT: As for my commentary, it's about the "traditional" Japanophile bloggers who are very critical about the so-called "Cool Japan" promo being pushed by the government (I think you know some of these pundits). The blogs were good in explaining some obscure facets of Japanese culture (both classical and modern) with full analysis and scholarly length, but on the subject of AKB, they start picking on it, thus alienating a portion of their reading audience. If they want true credo, they have to be open-minded.

OBTW, the 0048 thread just got updated, including the new splash page for the official site.

[Undertaker]

Thanks on the update.

But really, those bloggers are like western ACG fans that only knows about anime from late 90s and a few 80s classics and then go ahead in proclaiming they are die-hard traditional fans and blames everything they don't like in current industry on Otaku and not realizes that the people they are glamouring about and despise are the same group of people who actually grew up through it.

[sa547]

It's really sad when open-mindedness in the fandom is being replaced with intolerant elitism.

This piece of news/OP-ED has been around for more than a month now (reveals just how big AKB's influence in that it can affect advertising revenues), but in case Takamina's in DC next week, the attending wotas there should give her a full morale boost -- she really needs it in these trying times.

Had it my way and through a court order, I would like to take Takamina under my custody for at least temporarily -- I'm disappointed with her mother's incompetence.

[Undertaker]

Good thing is that from what I know, the overall media response is more of sympathetic (to Takamina) even in that original article specifically stated that all this happens after Takamina moved out of her home.

I knew she was getting ridiculous support on her no3b blog and google+ when the news first broke out

There were some comments from lessor media on potential cover-up from AKB side due to low (comparatively) initial coverage in mainstream media. (The initial article was from a tabloid magazine) But it was later cleared up that most media didn't blow it out of proportion mainly due to the complex story behind it. (though AKB influence might still be part of it as well)

I don't think it really affected Takamina's career that much considering that the is still making her appearances and her still manages to keep all her regular (or MC) spots on shows.

This year's ranking poll in June/July (if they are holding it) would probably be a better indicator.

Interesting to note that during the period where the news broke and Takamina responsed on her blog. The members (especially the originals) kept quite as expected but at same time dropping hints that Takamina is ok considering that most fan knew that Takamina, despite her outward appearance and popularity is really a lone wolf, that did show the bonds memebers share.

[Miko Miko]

Just bought Mayuyu's single *squee* My first AKB flavoured CD.