(L) Akb0048

[sa547]

Originally Posted by mochichan

So AkiP got inspired by Pink Lady then? LOL :3

This duo is legendary, bar none, and still widely recognized even today. Now I suspect that Otsuki got his ideas from that spin-off. Very interesting piece of mind-blowing info.

[asaqe]

Originally Posted by Sylphic

Of course he is. There is the fun fan art, and then there are inevitably the people who draw the hardcore porn. Seeing how important this idol image is, I can see why he is so protective. But it's stifling for the people who just want to make parodies and stuff

I just wonder if it will apply to AKB0048 as well...

Edit: did an indepth search...but it hasn't stopped some artists. It is just right now none of the Otakus are interested in the series at all.

[sa547]

Originally Posted by asaqe

I just wonder if it will apply to AKB0048 as well...

Edit: did an indepth search...but it hasn't stopped some artists. It is just right now none of the Otakus are interested in the series at all.

Pixiv is only one part of it, as one member of this forum tried to determine a show's popularity on the basis of 2ch posts:

http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2012/0...japan-and.html

Finally, we know that DVD/BR pre-order sales ultimately determine interest and success of a show.

[Raiga]

Suddenly, fanart.

Spoiler for Image:

Imagine my surprise when this was on the front page "latest uploads" on pixiv. With so few fanarts out there, what were the chances of that happening? (it wasn't even tagged properly, so I wouldn't have found it by searching)

[asaqe]

Well it just pales in comparison to others. Maybe it needs another episode of something memetastic.

That said, someone smack me for wanting see Chieri or Mimori or hell anime KoujiHaru channel Hyuna's sexiness.

[Sylphic]

Originally Posted by sa547

Pixiv is only one part of it, as one member of this forum tried to determine a show's popularity on the basis of 2ch posts:

http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2012/0...japan-and.html

Finally, we know that DVD/BR pre-order sales ultimately determine interest and success of a show.

Hmm... Well counting the number of posts on 2ch is definitely pretty pointless. The majority of the posts are just one liners that may or may not have to do with the anime. Those forums are vicious too,since everyone is just an anonymous number.

I would think viewership numbers are more important than DVD/BR sales. The total is coming out to 21,000 yen, I think? That's quite the commitment. Though they are tapping into wota by offering some sort of event ticket with each disk.

[Faerie]

Originally Posted by mochichan

Kotaku always got the thing against AKB..idk what but they never talked about AKB favorably before..or at least even try to be neutral about...
Hope their writers don't live in Japan right now..:P

Haha, same here It sometimes really is just a question of being a bit less quick to judge.
And some of those campaigns are hilarious! AKB sushi, hahaha. I can see how that would confuse/annoy some people. Especially unsuspecting westerners who aren't used to this very aggressive advertising or idol concept- not to this extreme at least.
Still, that's what japan does, and whatever helps the economy goes

Originally Posted by Sylphic

It's socially acceptable for girls to do pretty much whatever.

For men, not so much. This society is quite weird.

AKB is common place, but unless you are outwardly wota, very few men will openly admit they know and like AKB.

Well, that's understandable though, from a societal POV. Especially when you talk about the work environment it makes a lot of sense, and the same stereotype would be applied in the West- possibly even worse. Try being a guy applying for Big Law and telling them your main interest is not Polo and walking your dog but watching teenage girls in bikinis do silly things. Or watching and discussing gossip girl. It's the kind of stuff that has no place at work but should remain in your private life. Not saying either interest is bad (in fact I think it's a good thing to relax and escape to after work), it's just not what you'd want to hear from a middle aged guy who will be running the finances of your multi-billion dollar company. xD

Not saying I condone this stereotyping, just that some things aren't meant to be communicated to your professional connections.
Girls, on the other hand are allowed to like and do cute things, sure. But then, they're barred from other interests/activities that would be accepted as "normal" for guys. It's hardly true that girls can do whatever. I'd say the opposite is true really... this is the only activity I can think of where it happens to be ok for girls but not guys. Normally it's the opposite, no?!


edit: just removed a resolved situation

[Liddo-kun]

Watched episode one tonight.

Some great singing started almost as soon as the anime began. It's not exactly like iDOLM@STER.. a little different - but I still like it. Animation style is decent too.

Oh, and regarding the plot. I hope those conservative sh**bags who made something ridiculous like an "entertainment ban" get their asses kicked one way or another.

Liked the first episode, I'm going to watch the rest of this for sure.

[Marcus H.]

That conflict between wotas and otaku is actually... interesting.
But the part about "not having songs of the caliber of real singers" or "not having the dancing ability of true dancers" is understandable though. Having to master those two talents is very hard, if not impossible for them to accomplish with their tight schedules.

Besides, what they need is a better songwriter/composer and a more experienced choreographer. :P

[mochichan]

^
AKB have over 421 songs with over 421 choreos.
I think they just make the choreo easy to make it easier to learn since most girl have to learn at least 100 songs for their stages as well as the main singles.
Also since their song formula has been working so far, I don't think they would feel the need to change up. Some people do prefer the sound of their stage/team songs more because it's different sounding like Kurumi
usually they tend to change up the sound for their fall/winter songs, ie River, Beginner, Kaze wa Fuiteiru

Originally Posted by asaqe

Well it just pales in comparison to others. Maybe it needs another episode of something memetastic.

That said, someone smack me for wanting see Chieri or Mimori or hell anime KoujiHaru channel Hyuna's sexiness.

....I'm not ready for that bubble pop...

[asaqe]

Originally Posted by mochichan

....I'm not ready for that bubble pop...

Well I was thinking more about Volume Up. But with the Kenkyusei only Chieri and Mimori could pull it off. Chieri because of pride issues and Mimori given her natural sex appeal. Although I would laugh if Makoto had to hold a snake or a skull...

Being touched sexually/provocatively is the least of her worries!

[sa547]

Just for a while...

Spoiler for a mite too big... lol.:

Advanced Happy Birthday, Karen Iwata.


And Happy Mother's Day.

[mochichan]

Originally Posted by asaqe

Well I was thinking more about Volume Up. But with the Kenkyusei only Chieri and Mimori could pull it off. Chieri because of pride issues and Mimori given her natural sex appeal. Although I would laugh if Makoto had to hold a snake or a skull...

Being touched sexually/provocatively is the least of her worries!

why do we need more than one girl?
4minute is a solo band.

LOLOLOLOL~ get it?

Oh yeah Stage48 have Karen banner today.

Spoiler for namida surprise~:

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

But the part about "not having songs of the caliber of real singers" or "not having the dancing ability of true dancers" is understandable though. Having to master those two talents is very hard, if not impossible for them to accomplish with their tight schedules.

Do they specifically try to recruit girls who have taken professional dancing and singing lessons, or is it all on-the-job training? You'd think there would be enough prospects with some real training in a country the size of Japan rather than needing to rely on amateurs.

This site suggests it's common for girls to take ballet or dance in elementary school, though they don't give any figures.

[mochichan]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Do they specifically try to recruit girls who have taken professional dancing and singing lessons, or is it all on-the-job training? You'd think there would be enough prospects with some real training in a country the size of Japan rather than needing to rely on amateurs.

This site suggests it's common for girls to take ballet or dance in elementary school, though they don't give any figures.

Some of the girls had training before they joined, some have some musical background or background in entertainment industry like Itano Tomomi was a child back up dancer for EXILE, and Oshima Yuko was a child actress. Anyone with those have higher chances of being accepted. They're trained for couple of months and then form KKS team where they understudy for a senior girl and get most of their experiences on the job.
But AKB's concept as a whole was never intended to be "polished products"

In the word of AkiP

In America, performers are chosen through strict auditions of thousands of people, and those with the most talent have to go through difficult lessons and coaching before they’re “complete” and can finally stand on the stage. AKB48 girls are “unfinished.” In other words, they’re still not very good at singing or dancing. The fans are supporting the girls and cheering them on as they gradually get better – as they become the finished article – that’s what AKB48 is all about.

or the ad for the 14th gen audition

Today we will start accepting Kenkyuusei applications for 14th Generation. Application period ends at the end of the month, on April 30th, 2012.
For details, please see a later post.
Today I had some questions from people who want to leave good impressions at auditions, so I'll answer them here.
1 - What kind of people will make it?
--> There is no clear standard for that. If we had one, then there wouldn't be members who audition multiple times and finally made the cut.
2 - What if I am not good at singing and dancing? Will I still be okay?
--> According to Akimoto-san, the original concept of AKB48 is for your "growth to be seen" in the theater performances. Like Takahashi Minami, who is very small at 148cm, who could not dance in the very beginning and had to stay longer to practice more.Like Maeda Atsuko, who cried and refused to sing the solo parts of "Nagisa no Cherry".AKB48 is looking for people who "are willing to work hard without thinking twice", rather than "talented people".However, there are people who wrote "I admire so-and-so from AKB48 and would love to perform with them on stage", and we don't think "admiring so-and-so" will encourage growth. Instead we are looking for people who write down "I want to be admired by people".
This is our first audition since Maeda Atsuko, who has been working hard as AKB48's center since December 8th, 2005, announced her graduation.
We're excited to see what kind of applicants will show up.We will do our best to look at every application.Thank you for your continued support.
We will also announce this on AKBINGO! tonight, so please watch that too!

[asaqe]

Then again, AKB48 earns less than most idols and pop stars. If the pay grade is higher, the standards will be much more demanding and the whole "Growth Potential" wont be seen.

Originally Posted by mochichan

why do we need more than one girl?
4minute is a solo band.

LOLOLOLOL~ get it?

hence why I said they must channel the spirit of Hyuna which is by no means an easy task giving just how sexually open she is. Most of the stuff she does will make some of the girls faint from how bold she is.

[mochichan]

nah~ their CM rate has increased to 500k USD per CM this year for the top girls like Oshima Yuko and Maeda Atsuko and the girls don't share money for solo activities. I'm pretty sure they make more money than most idols...top girls anyway.

idk if it have to do with the pay grade.... since being the underdog is their thing so the management is not really that concern about high standard.

[Quarkboy]

Originally Posted by Utsuro no Hako

Crunchyroll claims they bid on every anime that comes out, so the fact that they didn't get it suggests the producers aren't interested or want too much money.

This is just guessing, but I think that AKB48 streaming would need to be part of a larger US roleout plan and therefore isn't for sale like the typical anime.

I.e. they'd rather not take some money now, in exchange for having complete franchise control. From their perspective the anime in Japan is simply one element of a much much larger entertainment empire and can't be taken by bits and pieces in other countries.

[mochichan]

Does anyone know what they're saying here?

OMFG...........Those Seibu dome footage ;A;....Acchan........
Why was Kawamori talking about Seibu?

[Raiga]

Uh, stream of consciousness as I watch...

Spoiler for Length, hints at future spoilers:

Intro to AKB48.

Intro to AKB0048 anime. Mentioned that AKB48 members are acting it.

So the mechanical design team is French. You can thank them for the badass design of the Flying Get.

Recently anime starring all-female ensemble casts have been popular (... "recently"?). AKB0048 has similarities.

Point 1: Depict the growth of a colorful cast.

Kawamori originally meant to tell the story of two or three of the trainee members, one of whom succeeds Maeda Atsuko the 13th, and focus the story on what happens afterwards. However, he decided that the journey to that point, with all the other trainee characters, was much more interesting. So why not make it nine characters? So this anime will center on our nine young understudies and their quest to become full AKB0048 members.

Kawamori wanted Okada because she's good at large casts and character interactions. Wants to evoke empathy from the viewer.

Comparison to K-On, which also evoked empathy from its portrayal of the growth of its five heroines.

A critic's opinion on this trend in anime. Standard "Cinderella stories" about girls have now "lost their sense of reality", whereas stories in which the viewer watches over a bunch of girls going about their lives and developing have become more popular. Almost as if the viewer is not just watching, but is in a nurturing role, and supporting these girls along their growth.

Point 2: Add another dimension to the story with music.

Anisongs are popular on karaoke right now (and imagine my joy when I see Senbonzakura second on those karaoke rankings. Miku4life).

Kawamori: There's a special excitement and appeal to combining music and animation. Something about the dissonance between pop music and idols with violent war scenes is just interesting. It definitely has the power to evoke strong emotions.

Point 3: Battling girls.

Comparison to Madoka, which also had battling girls.

Back to the critic, who compares the whole "dual lives" thing of the real AKB idols (go to school, hang out, sing at a concert) to the dual lives led by magical girls and the like in anime.

Kawamori was also inspired by how the AKB48 girls are already "battling" or "striving", so to speak. Some footage of actual casualties (damn. Life of an idol ain't easy, eh? o__o ). Goes on about how it's not just physical, but also mental strain. Mentions the elections and whatnot. Not terribly familiar with that system, personally.

Summary of the above three points.

Of course, unlike other recent anime, AKB0048 is based off of real-life idols. Hence... the... use of CG to imitate real-life concerts? Well I was hoping for a more story-oriented discussion of how this affects the storyline and whatnot but okay. Next part is pretty self-explanatory.

Well, I'm sure many of us here have our opinions, but narrator-chan comments on how smoothly the CG and hand-drawn scenes flow into each other.

Now about the seiyuu and how they're AKB48 members... Apparently the story is more or less going to conclude when the trainees become full members. Well, not that that's much of a surprise; it's the journey that counts, as they say.

Main 3 talking about how their characters' experiences parallel their own experiences joining AKB and rising in the ranks and all.

That's all, folks.