(L) Akb0048

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Azuma Denton

And the mystery disapperance of idol, it all done by Papa Sono...

It has been well established the center novae who disappeared became one with the kirara force like Acchan, so I don't think Chieri's dad is involved with that. Anyway, let's wait and see what happens.

[sa547]

Now, damn, with that possibility, the story becomes all the more compelling, possibly a step ahead of its contemporaries.

Suddenly, the show is no longer just an average idol story, as Okada is giving it more substance, the spice of intrigue, and even a backbone.

Something I did while listening to RATM:

Images

Sorry; dynamic content not loaded. Reload?

Also, follow this tag, and there's a ton of cosplayers in some of the posts:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/akb0048

[chaosprophet]

While the idea about Chieri would be interesting and is a possibility, I think you guys may be exaggerating things. There isn't much evidence for it yet. Getting hopes too high for it with just what we have now may just end up in disappointment later.

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

It has been well established the center novae who disappeared became one with the kirara force like Acchan, so I don't think Chieri's dad is involved with that. Anyway, let's wait and see what happens.

We know that Acchan was able to contact them on the last episode and all, but I think the question about what exactly happened with them and where they would be right now isn't that simple, considering Tsubasa and camera-mii-chan at the end of episode 13 still are looking for that answer.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by chaosprophet

While the idea about Chieri would be interesting and is a possibility, I think you guys may be exaggerating things. There isn't much evidence for it yet. Getting hopes too high for it with just what we have now may just end up in disappointment later.

It's just an idea. Besides, I did say I'd like to be wrong, since I'd feel pretty bad for Chieri if she has to go through something like that.

Originally Posted by chaosprophet

We know that Acchan was able to contact them on the last episode and all, but I think the question about what exactly happened with them and where they would be right now isn't that simple, considering Tsubasa and camera-mii-chan at the end of episode 13 still are looking for that answer.

At the very least, it seems pretty obvious what happened to them is a natural phenomenon involving the kirara, so Chieri's father most likely has nothing to do with that.

[maximilianjenus]

chieri papa is the cutest thing ever, I think he was an idol before. maybe center novas who dissapear become middle aged men like chieri papa ?

[Random Wanderer]

This forum's posting requirements leave me unable to express my disbelief with the single-word reply that is most suitable. So allow me to say it outright: I think you're completely nuts.

[Benigmatica]

Originally Posted by Azuma Denton

Now that Papa Sono deliberately put a camera to measure the Kirara power, that route becomes possible...

Maybe Papa Sono really wanna harness the power of Kirara, and Chieri is like you say, the genetically engineered idol. And the mystery disapperance of idol, it all done by Papa Sono...

Suddenly the plot thickens...

Maybe I have a hunch that Mr. Sono and Sensei-sensei are the same person... Shocker!

[Wild Goose]

...i'm pretty sure that was just trolling. Or just ignorance and an inablility to look at the larger picture...

The only problem with that ep is that now, I have fanfic ideas of a split in WOTA perspectives, between those who protest and support the idols, and those who manifest their support in a slightly different manner:

Spoiler for What crack hath wrought from Goose's mind:

They were a seemingly disparate group of men. All nondescript, all seemingly ordinary, to all outward appearances unconnected.

But there was something that united these men.

Love.

Love of justice. Love of truth. Love for their comrades.

Love for the angels that came to deliver hope.

Each man was a member of the WOTA brigade, the supporters who fought DES to protect AKB0048, staining their hands so that the idols could remain clean, symbols to rally around against the DGTO's oppression.

Not all of them had come from the typical WOTA background. Some were ordinary civillians swept up in war. Others were former scientists who'd fallen in love with the songs of hope. One man was a former DES commando who'd defected, once the light of truth had shone on the shadows of lies.

At this point, all of them were as blades forged by the demands of a shadow war.

"So, what do you think?" asked the coordinator, codenamed Maestro.

"I have three sniper teams on overwatch, but there's jack shit they can do except maintain eyes on and give us intel," said Tenor Actual, handing him a memory card. "This was taken 2 hours ago. Add it to the intel packet for the angels. Updated positions of air defenses, armor, infantry, and shift changes. Basically? We have a snowball's chance in hell."

"My boys and girls did a walkabout through the crowd. Infantry assault is out of the question. Like Tenor said, we can't pull this off. They've outgun and outnumber us."

"Bass, isn't there a saying, 'I am always outnumbered but never outmanned', or something like that?"

"Yes, but when I said that I was wearing DES power armor and carrying a heavy assault rifle in my hands, I rode to combat in the back of an IFV toting autocannons and missiles, and I had gunship support on call. We've just got boys and girls - brave boys and girls - with rifles. And if we start spending their lives carelessly like water, then we've become what we're fighting against. That will not happen. Not on my watch."

"Nobody's suggesting anything of the sort, Bass," remarked Alto, the final member of their group. "But we can't let that sham court sentence those girls, either. And the whole point of our group is because sometimes, you need direct action. Political protests don't always work."

"Tenor. Bass. If we were to pull off an assault, what would we need?" asked Maestro calmly.

The sniper and assault leaders looked at each other, then shrugged.

"Gunship support."

"Wild Weasel to kill the air defenses."

"Mechs to counter enemy mechs."

"More heavy weapons."

Maestro smiled thinly at them. "And who do you think can get us those assets on short notice? That's right. Katyusha. Gentlemen, this isn't our show - it's their's. Let's get that intel packet updated and transmit it to the angels. They'll handle the rescue. It'll be up to us to delay the reinforcements and allow them to make their escape.

"We're One-Fourty-Eight. We don't fight for glory. We fight for the idols we love. Let's get to it."

... apologies to sa547. That banner sig inspired me.

Edit: Also, listening to Sono, maybe it's just me, but his voice sounds a lot like Taxi Nakata.

[maririn]

Lol since y'all talk about speculation, might as well put this here
interesting speculation from 2ch http://toro.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/anime/1356707403/

Spoiler for 2ch:

総選挙を妨害するDES軍との戦闘は熾烈を極めたが、9代目大島優子を筆頭とする襲名メンバーの死力を尽く したセンターノヴァ現象により
双方の主力は輝きの中に消滅、戦闘は終結し、銀河に平和がもたらされた

1ヶ月後…
凪沙、智恵理、彼方はそれぞれ次世代の前田敦子、大島優子、高橋みなみを襲名、その他の研究生も全員がそれ ぞれ襲名メンバーになっていた
かつての研究生たちはこの日、襲名後初のライブに臨んでいた。そしてアンコール最後の曲

智恵理｢私たちは先の戦いで大切な先輩をうしないました。しかし0048の魂は何度でも生まれ 変わります｣
彼方｢私たちの気持ちを偉大な先輩に届けたいと思います。新曲です聴いてください。この涙を君 に捧ぐ｣

輝きを増していくかつての研究生達。ふとどこからか声が聞こえてくる

優子｢智恵理ー、私たちはどこにいてもあなたたちをみまもってるよっ！！｣
智恵理｢この声は…優子さん;;｣
たかみな｢彼方、あなたがこれからのキャプテンなんだからね！私の分も頼むよ！｣
彼方｢たかみなさぁん…;;｣

さらに輝きは増し、かつての研究生達を包みこんでゆく…そして彼女たちは輝きの彼方へと旅立っ た

ツバサ｢あっちゃん…私どうしたら…｣

[Random Wanderer]

Originally Posted by maririn

Lol since y'all talk about speculation, might as well put this here
interesting speculation from 2ch http://toro.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/anime/1356707403/

Spoiler for 2ch:

総選挙を妨害するDES軍との戦闘は熾烈を極めたが、9代目大島優子を筆頭とする襲名メンバーの死力を尽く したセンターノヴァ現象により
双方の主力は輝きの中に消滅、戦闘は終結し、銀河に平和がもたらされた

1ヶ月後…
凪沙、智恵理、彼方はそれぞれ次世代の前田敦子、大島優子、高橋みなみを襲名、その他の研究生も全員がそれ ぞれ襲名メンバーになっていた
かつての研究生たちはこの日、襲名後初のライブに臨んでいた。そしてアンコール最後の曲

智恵理｢私たちは先の戦いで大切な先輩をうしないました。しかし0048の魂は何度でも生まれ 変わります｣
彼方｢私たちの気持ちを偉大な先輩に届けたいと思います。新曲です聴いてください。この涙を君 に捧ぐ｣

輝きを増していくかつての研究生達。ふとどこからか声が聞こえてくる

優子｢智恵理ー、私たちはどこにいてもあなたたちをみまもってるよっ！！｣
智恵理｢この声は…優子さん;;｣
たかみな｢彼方、あなたがこれからのキャプテンなんだからね！私の分も頼むよ！｣
彼方｢たかみなさぁん…;;｣

さらに輝きは増し、かつての研究生達を包みこんでゆく…そして彼女たちは輝きの彼方へと旅立っ た

ツバサ｢あっちゃん…私どうしたら…｣

You realize that is completely meaningless to most of us, don't you?

[chaosprophet]

What maririn wrote is more on a fanfic format than theory. Here is an idea of what happens:

The successors in a fierce battle against the DES that was obstructing the general elections would end up awaking the nova phenomenon disappearing together with the main DES army bringing peace to the galaxy. One month later the former kenkyusei would have succeed names of those who disappeared, and in their first live since becoming successors they would say words in memorial of the lost when they would listen to their voices. Later on that live they would also make the center nova phenomenon occur and travel to the "other side of the radiance". Tsubasa who is left there would wonder what she could do to reach Acchan.

Well, I don't think many things on this are likely to happen.

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

At the very least, it seems pretty obvious what happened to them is a natural phenomenon involving the kirara, so Chieri's father most likely has nothing to do with that.

Yes, I agree with that part. With the last few episodes of season 1, I already gave up on my theory that the DES may have something to do with it.

[Raiga]

Originally Posted by maririn

Lol since y'all talk about speculation, might as well put this here
interesting speculation from 2ch http://toro.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/anime/1356707403/

Spoiler for 2ch:

総選挙を妨害するDES軍との戦闘は熾烈を極めたが、9代目大島優子を筆頭とする襲名メンバーの死力を尽く したセンターノヴァ現象により
双方の主力は輝きの中に消滅、戦闘は終結し、銀河に平和がもたらされた

1ヶ月後…
凪沙、智恵理、彼方はそれぞれ次世代の前田敦子、大島優子、高橋みなみを襲名、その他の研究生も全員がそれ ぞれ襲名メンバーになっていた
かつての研究生たちはこの日、襲名後初のライブに臨んでいた。そしてアンコール最後の曲

智恵理｢私たちは先の戦いで大切な先輩をうしないました。しかし0048の魂は何度でも生まれ 変わります｣
彼方｢私たちの気持ちを偉大な先輩に届けたいと思います。新曲です聴いてください。この涙を君 に捧ぐ｣

輝きを増していくかつての研究生達。ふとどこからか声が聞こえてくる

優子｢智恵理ー、私たちはどこにいてもあなたたちをみまもってるよっ！！｣
智恵理｢この声は…優子さん;;｣
たかみな｢彼方、あなたがこれからのキャプテンなんだからね！私の分も頼むよ！｣
彼方｢たかみなさぁん…;;｣

さらに輝きは増し、かつての研究生達を包みこんでゆく…そして彼女たちは輝きの彼方へと旅立っ た

ツバサ｢あっちゃん…私どうしたら…｣

Quick and dirty.

Spoiler:

The battle with DES forces, which had come to stop the General Elections, had grown exceedingly fierce. However, the last-ditch effort of the successor members, led by Ooshima Yuuko the 9th, triggered the Center Nova Phenomenon. As a result, the main forces of both sides disappeared into the light, the battle concluded, and peace was brought to the galaxy.

One month later...
Nagisa, Chieri, and Kanata have become the next generation successors to Maeda Atsuko, Ooshima Yuuko, and Takahashi Minami, respectively. The other understudies have also succeeded various other members.
On this day, the former understudies put on their first concert after succession. And then, the last song of the encore...

Chieri: "In the last battle, we lost many teammates and mentors who were dear to our hearts. However, the soul of 0048 will forever be reborn." [reference to the title of the first season's ending theme]
Nagisa: "We hope to show those lost teammates how we feel. Please listen to our new song: 'I'll Offer My Tears to You'" [this season's ending theme]

The radiance surrounding the former understudies began to build. Suddenly, an unearthly voice sounded.

Yuuko: "Chieri... No matter where we are, we'll always be watching over you!"
Chieri: "That voice... Yuuko-san ;;"
Takamina: "Kanata, you'll be captain from now on! Make me proud!"
Kanata: "Takamina-saaan... ;;"

The radiance built even more, engulfing the former understudies... until they finally departed for the world beyond the light.

Tsubasa: "Acchan... what should I do...?"

TROLL END Kawamori and Okada laugh in the wings.

...or so the fanfic goes. Well, still an amusing thought, and there's no doubt in my mind that the ending theme will be playing a plot role again. Start analyzing those lyrics, folks.

[Kazu-kun]

Even my crazy idea seems more likely to happen than this. lol Talk about fanfiction.

Thanks for the translation Raiga.

[Dark Wing]

I never got around to finishing this the first season of this series so I went back and marathoned it and I must say I ended up liking it. Now I kind of regret not keeping up with the show I probably missed out on so much interesting speculation.

[Undertaker]

Originally Posted by Random Wanderer

Someone tries to get me to jump off one of those, I'm pushing them off first. And then still not jumping off.

That's what I'd do too.


Anyway,

Chieri's father is totally having that end boss vibe going for him at the end of this episode.

[sa547]

Uncanny resemblance. No wonder she was destined to be Mark 3.

----
Also -- cast and crew pics:

[totoum]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

Even my crazy idea seems more likely to happen than this. lol Talk about fanfiction.

I'm pretty sure that's what people would have said if you told them aquarion evol's ending, never underestimate the craziness of the KawamoriXOkada combo

[DragoonKain3]

I just find it funny that of all the election footage they show, it was when Mariko beat Acchan to the point of tears. Someone in the production crew is biased, wouldn't you say, Tsubasa-san?

[sa547]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

I just find it funny that of all the election footage they show, it was when Mariko beat Acchan to the point of tears. Someone in the production crew is biased, wouldn't you say, Tsubasa-san?

Actually, if we look closely, at first it appears that Tsubasa/Mariko won, but the next brief scene (around 3 seconds) presents us with Acchan onscreen and making a speech, which possibly means that Tsubasa was second (and therefore Acchan is still designated as Center Nova).

In the real-life *48 elections, the total number of votes (the voting tickets come from single CDs purchased by fans -- but some of these fans power-vote by buying dozens of singles in bulk -- this practice is even acknowledged unofficially as acceptable -- see the AKB49 manga) are first mentioned, and then the name of the girl. There are 64 spots for which the girls could take should they get voted, as the spots divided into several subgroups and sorted according to final rank (Senbatsu -- also the top 16, Undergirls, Next Girls, and Future Girls).

But in this case, the 76th and 77th generations, and possibly including the current successors, will have to duke it out for the Center Nova position, by putting themselves through the wringer and public scrutiny of galaxy-wide TV. How well they perform (and by extension, appeal to voters) would determine their ranking and possible promotion in the near future.

-----------
Merchandise: Precious Memories [AKB0048] Starter Deck (Anime Toy) -- I wonder how does it work.

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Watching Nekomonogatari, I couldn't get my mind off imagining next-gen Yukirin as Tsubasa Hanekawa (cause it's Hocchan).

[Benigmatica]

Originally Posted by sa547

Uncanny resemblance. No wonder she was destined to be Mark 3.

----
Also -- cast and crew pics:

It's kinda funny because that not only Mayuyu slightly resembles Yukarin (or the other way around), but her relationship with Hocchan carried over to this anime!