(CR) Wake Up, Girls !

[cyth]

Yamakan has been far less critical than I thought he would be, besides, what does he look to gain by criticizing such an industry, when his customer base are those same otaku people? If you didn't take notice, he actually likes idols. That should be the main concern here, right? I find your apologetic responses in this thread to be somewhat confusing. I don't see the point in defending the industry over defending the idols themselves. It's their happiness every fan should be worried about first and foremost, right? To the delusional, even a healthy dose of criticism may seem like demonization.

[sa547]

If you didn't take notice, he actually likes idols.

Yes, but this is getting ridiculous; the "quality" alone seems telling about how the show is faring... not very well despite his seemingly noble intentions.

Also, anime fans are not the same as idol fans -- as far as they're concerned, they don't mix easily.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by sa547

Yes, but this is getting ridiculous; the "quality" alone seems telling about how the show is faring...

Despite the quality, I heard the show is doing just fine. Only, more than the series, what's getting more attentions are the events. It seems there are WUG events (featuring the actual idols and such) pretty often and they're doing pretty well.

I think that's the real goal here. It's not so much about the anime itself. It's about promoting this group of idols. And like I said, in that regard Yamakan seems to be succeeding.

[novalysis]

Originally Posted by sa547

Yes, but this is getting ridiculous; the "quality" alone seems telling about how the show is faring... not very well despite his seemingly noble intentions.

Also, anime fans are not the same as idol fans -- as far as they're concerned, they don't mix easily.

Surely there's quite a good bit of overlap, judging by the higher than average BD sales Idol Anime usually get. And I know Anime fans who are Idol fans... but that's a personal anecdote, from a sample size of one.

My reading is that Yamakan's making the point that there are seedy sides to the Idol Industry, and very dubious and troubling practices. But it's not a blanket condemnation of the industry - rather, it seems that Yamakan's arguing that there's good and bad management within the Industry (as in every industry), and the conformity and homogeneity and constancy of Idol Groups is just a myth perceived from a short-term time-frame of less than a few years.

Once again, he paints the Idol Otaku in almost heroic light. Then again, I don't know whether the Idol Otakus are offended by WuG -it would enlightening someone whose been in Japanese online Anime communities could tell us about how the Japanese audience actually receives WuG. Because much of this thread has been just speculation.

[Marcus H.]

To those interested, Discovery Channel will show a documentary about the idol industry, including footage of an idol election.

Originally Posted by Discovery Channel Asia Website

POPCORN DREAMS
Director: Naoto Ueda, TV Asahi
19 March at 1900 (1800 BKK/JKT)
This episode showcases the global expansion of the J-POP idol group, AKB48 from Akihabara, Tokyo, and examines its first overseas venture, sister group JKT48 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Follow Melody Nurramdhani Laksani, a local JKT48 member as she hones her performing skills to become a pop idol sensation in Indonesia; and Haruka Nakagawa, a Japanese girl who transferred from AKB48 to JKT48 to help the Indonesian girls replicate the AKB songs and dance moves – and whose character and efforts to learn the local language is attracting a growing fan base. Also featuring Yasushi Akimoto, the producer who invented the AKB formula, this episode offers unique insight into Japan’s pop idol culture.

[EroKing]

Images

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

[Benigmatica]

Originally Posted by Marcus H.

To those interested, Discovery Channel will show a documentary about the idol industry, including footage of an idol election.

Yeah, that'll be interesting to watch for 30 minutes.

In any case, I wonder if Yamakan is still tweeting about assistance for the production? I mean, he needs help if WUG will be finished on time!

[Tempester]

Images

You should know what's behind this by now

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

Well, compared to last week's fiasco, this episode didn't look quite as horrendous.

I think I like "First Rate Smile" much more than the OP song, so it feels like I-1 got the better song in the end anyway.

Images

bonus

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

[Esclair]

I don't think their new song is the op. Isnt the op their second song?

[cyth]

Wow that unnecessary plot twist. They just couldn't put out a team that's ready, for a change ...

[Kanon]

This "twist" is so terrible and cheap. I hate it when they use that trope (I'm sure that's got a name).

[Red Cheese]

Finally done marathon 11 eps. One thing I would say about this show is the pacing was weird. Like 3/4 of the show we were shown the group's mentality progress, but nothing much more about other aspects. I agree they have matured quite a bit, but it doesn't look to me that their idol's popularity has increased much thoughout the series.

Unlike Love Live!, whereas they successfully performed a numerous of concerts, here even up until ep 8, I still haven't seen WUG performed anything can be called successful. They either met with personal problems or lack of audience. Nothing can be called steady progress here. The last few eps suddenly skyrocketted their fame weird the hell out of me. I'm gonna leave out ep 11 with that cliche cause we all know it's so stupid .

Personally, I think the flaw of this show is it spent too much time on dramatizing individual's problems but left out many other important aspects ( Steadily raising their popularity, how they succeeded in drawing audience, how they show their talents to other people...). I think this show could fare a lot better as 2 cours, 12 eps are just simply not enough for all those complicated build up.

[MeisterBabylon]

In the end, good idea, bad directing.

iM@S shall remain king.

[Nork22]

Was advised of this from ANN, but here's what the dance choreography of 7 Girls War looks like performed by the actual girls at Wonderfest '14.

YouTube

https://youtu.be/h0zzW-YUHms

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

Suffice to say I was highly impressed with the amount of moves and how physical the dancing was (they even pull a cartwheel). Because of the intensity, the singing wasn't a good as I thought it would be. Still just mad props to them for pulling it off.

[MisaoFan]

Spoiler for Episode 12 (End):

Great conclusion to an otherwise decent series. It adds some realism to contrast the lighthearted, sometimes mildly dramatic nature that the show is been delivering in twelve episodes. I admit that I don't pay much attention to the cast because some characters doesn't have much personality while the others are actually much better in comparison. I realized that Mayu and Yoshino are actually the ones I care the most out of the Wake Up! Girls since they have a lot of background details in them. The visuals are good as expected of anime, though the animation is dull, sometimes hilarious when off-model, which explains the low budget cost here. Compared to other idol-themed anime, there was less new music inserted every other characters in place of added emphasis on character drama, it was a very welcomed addition though I really expected insert songs to be more emphasized. Overall it may not top great idol-themed franchises like Love Live!, but it was a nice watch

[Red Cheese]

Kinda disappointed...

Spoiler for Thoughts on ep 12:

Urh.... I feel this last ep is so rushed. The singing and dancing were as uninteresting as usual. It doesn't have a feeling like an epilogue. So many things still left unresolved ( The rivalry with I1 and their freaking manager, difference in their way of trainings...). And what's up with that random group suddenly appeared and stole the prize? Come on, I didn't even get to see how they sing at all :/.

Couldn't they make the the team win for once? I mean....That ankle sprained and losing in the last minute are so cliche as it was used in lots of other shows already =.=.

[Master_Yoma]

Sigh this was boring none of the idols stand out at all and the ending just seemed so uesless


5/10

[DingoEnderZOE2]

The first episode was a snore, but once the second episode came out with the intended fan disservice it got my attention and I was committed to the ride. And it was laid back, and a pleasant experience and I enjoyed the journey to the conclusion, but it left me curious for more and I really really hope it did well enough to get the green light for a second season and if it does I ESPECIALLY HOPE they have a better budget so we get less derpy animation and for us to get more detailed artwork.

Favorite Idols were Minami(The glutton) and Miyuu(The maid). I liked them for being the more optimistic and energetic of the girls. Plus Minami got heavy respect points for not letting the swimsuit incident effect her like it did the other girls.

7/10.

[mangatron]

Ah, the joys of front row tickets...

[Benigmatica]

Spoiler for Episode 12:

Isn't me, or Wake Up, Girls is getting a sequel after they got a contract from Bivex (Avex, get it?)?

But anyways, it's disappointing that they lost to some random idol group, which is then followed by a beating from the I-1 Club afterwards. Maybe those judges are so blind, or maybe Shiraki threatened them. Heck, even Hayasaka-san can't believe it.

In any case, despite the horrendous animation, WUG is surprisingly good on telling an idol story with a touch of realism. Good job Yamakan, but I don't think you'll make another season of this anime.