AKB0048 Ep 14

So sorry for the wait. >.< Let's move on to the 2nd season of AKB0048!

It starts off with a brief explanation of the current situation of the galaxy in the Stellar Calendar Year 0048.

(This line is particularly important, as it is the reason why the 75th and 77th generation members perform.)

AKB0048 Opening

Sorry for disappearing for a few months (this will be explained in another blog post.)

Without further ado, here is another AKB0048 review! I know I should be starting to review the 2nd season, but I think the opening deserves a review as well. It will also provide a nice recap of the first season, as well as cover anything that was not mentioned in the series, especially the back stories of each of the 75th and 77th generation of understudies. There is surprisingly a lot of hints to what will be covered in the 2nd season.

(Taken from AKB48 documentary "No Flower Without Rain")

AKB0048 Ep 13

I have finally made it to the last episode of the first season! 

The episode starts with Tsubasa informing the understudies that they will not be able to continue the concert on Lancastar because DES is coming after them. Everyone is upset, and Yuuka is the one that brings up the possibility that Lancastar will be completely under the Entertainment Ban if they do not finish the concert. This means that they will never be able to come back to Lancastar. 

After the understudies have successfully come back to the Katyusha, Tsubasa is not sure what to do and remembers what Acchan said about performing at a concert where no one is waiting for them:

MV Review: Takahashi Minami - Jane Doe

Time for another music video review! I received such a great response from my first music video review, so I will be continuing this type of review. :D This time, I am reviewing AKB48's General Manager, Takahashi Minami, solo debut single, "Jane Doe," which is being used as the theme song for the drama "Saki."

AKB0048 Ep 12

So we last left off with all the understudies trying to get away from DES forces. However, Orine trips and is attacked by the machine she worked with in the factory with the name "Sakura" engraved on it. Orine thinks the following as she faces a shocking reality: 

AKB0048 Ep 11

The episode starts out with the successors singing "To be continued" for the encore on Akibastar. Just as Yuuko asks the audience if they enjoyed the performance, an important announcement is shown on screen:

The crowd is excited, but Nagisa, Orine, and Yuka are in shock that a 0048 concert will be held on their home planet. Another announcement is made concerning the concert: 

AKB0048 Ep 10

The episode starts out with Tsubasa informing Sensei-sensei about the concert at Tundrastar, and how it was a success because of the 77th generation. Sensei-sensei responds with his glowing eyes, and a tune playing out of nowhere. The Kiraras start glowing, and Tsubasa has a feeling that the time has come for something. 

The 77th generation are in the cafeteria where Makoto shows them the charm of putting butter and soy sauce on top of her rice for a "delicious" high-calorie meal. As Makoto eats her creation, Tsubasa walks in and announces to all the members that they will be doing a gravure photoshoot this weekend, and this includes the understudies. Yuka asks if they will be wearing swimsuits again, and Tsubasa says "of course." Nagisa is embarrassed, while Orine wants to wear a one-piece this time. Makoto stops eating for obvious reasons. (Concerned about her figure, especially in a swimsuit.) Yuuko asks where the photoshoot will be, and Tsubasa says that it will be on Atamistar. Yuuko has a stern expression on her face, and then suddenly becomes all cheery saying that the photoshoot obviously would not be anywhere else. 

AKB0048 Ep 9

This episode starts with Tsubasa informing the members about the current situation on Tundrastar, and how DES is not holding back. An aerial concert on the Flying Get is too risky, but Tsubasa assures the members that they will find a way to hold a concert on this planet, especially with the help of the WOTAs, who are currently asking local supporters for help and gathering intelligence on any possible weak points in DES' security. Tsubasa thanks the WOTA for their work, and one WOTA is particular excited. 

It seems that the WOTA on the left is a huge Mariko-sama fan. But Tsubasa terminates the transmission before the WOTA finishes his sentence. The understudies are slightly confused by a WOTA calling Tsubasa "Mariko-sama." Tsubasa tells the successors to double-check their formations, while the understudies are to get changed and start warming up. Takamina tells the girls to show some spirit, but Tsubasa quickly points out Takamina's condition. 

Tsubasa points out that it may be the only time AKB0048 will get to perform on this planet, and so it is important to show the most spectacular concert ever. Takamina is not well enough to be able to fulfill that role, so Tsubasa tells Kanata to replace Takamina in the concert. Of course, the successors and the understudies are in shock, but for two different reasons. (I think it is evident that Takamina wants to perform because she does not want to give up her dream to Kanata.)

AKB0048 Ep 8

This episode starts out with the concert where the 4 selected understudies were chosen to replace the successors that went to a peace ceremony. 

Kanata, Chieri, Mimori, and Megumi performing "Aitakatta"

The 77th generation cheer on their fellow understudies, while Ushiyama-sensei and Tsubasa watch from behind. Sonata cheers on Kanata, while Yuka thinks how amazing Chieri is. Ushiyama-sensei comments how the selected understudies are not half bad, while Tsubasa notices the 77th generation doing the hand movements for "Aitakatta," even though they should not have learned the song yet. Ushiyama-sensei tells her that the 77th generation were so persistent about watching in on the practices that he let them have some practice space. 

AKB0048 Ep 7

This episode starts out with Nagisa waking up, and looking at her wall full of Yuuko pictures.

Linda notices that Nagisa's oshimen is Yuuko, and takes a picture. Nagisa asks Linda who her oshimen is, and Linda says Sonata, as she is placing her bets early. Nagisa is amazed. Sonata comes in hopping like a frog, saying that Tsubasa is calling for them. However, Chieri is still asleep with Kirara. 

What does "oshimen" mean? Oshimen is the merging of the words "oshi" and "member". Oshi comes from the verb "osu" which means "to support". Nagisa's oshimen is Yuuko = Nagisa is a Yuuko supporter/fan. 

Tsubasa informs the understudies about a few of the successors being invited to a peace ceremony, but there is a concert that is happening at the same time, and they cannot cancel it. Therefore, some of the understudies will be replacing the spots of the successors, which is the original meaning of the understudies. (I briefly talked about this in my blog post of AKB0048 Ep 1.) Tsubasa explains that for AKB0048, only those who have completed their combat training can be on stage. However, since the tide is turning in favour of entertainment, this allows the understudies to become stand-ins at concerts if ever a successor is unavailable. 

AKB0048 Ep 6

This episode starts out with a promotional video of the 77th generation playing on the beach, while AKB48's latest single, at the time this anime was released, "Manatsu no Sounds Good" plays in the background.

Footage of idols playing around on the beach in swimsuits is not uncommon, and you will most often see idol photobooks that primarily consists of them in bikinis, no matter what their age.

AKB0048 Ep 5

Sorry for the delay. >.< Let's move onwards to episode 5!

The episode starts out with Nagisa waking up, and realizing that she's late. When she gets to the washrooms, she notices everyone trying to get some space in front of the bathroom mirror.

This part is actually similar to when many of the AKB48 members have to share one mirror in order to do their makeup. While they have someone to do their hair, they have to apply their own makeup.

After that, they are all happily eating breakfast. The food is so good that they ask Chef Papa for seconds. 

Mmm... Looks good. 

AKB0048 Ep 4

In this episode, we'll learn about the kenkyuuseis (understudies/research students), and what it takes to become a successor. 

The episode starts out with showing the exterior of AKB0048's theater at Akibastar.

We see the 77th generation enter AKB0048's exclusive concert hall with mixed emotions. Of course, since AKB0048 is so popular, the theater is packed.

Two understudies come on stage to perform the opening act before the main show starts.

This is true for AKB48 as well. Here's a link to an actual stage performance of the same song ("The Lemon Season" / "Lemon no Toshigoro"), and of course in the same outfits by AKB48's current understudies. This gives the understudies a chance to perform, and increase their fanbase, which is especially important for the yearly AKB48 elections (Senbatsu Sousenkyou).

AKB0048 Ep 3

Episode 3 starts out with Nagisa, Yuka, and Orine summarizing what has happened to them so far in one line. They are surprised to see so many girls that have been accepted into the selection round. 

The person who walks in is Katagiri Tsubasa. 

Orine is surprised to hear the word "manager". (To those who don't know, the manager position in AKB48 is held by Togasaki, who has helped Aki-P create AKB48 from the ground up whether it be finding the location for the theater to be built, listening to fans' feedback, or delivering important announcements. He is revered by AKB48 members, and fans alike for all his hard work. It's only fitting that the importance of the manager position is also reflected in this anime. Of course recently, Takamina has become general manager of AKB48 as announced in the shuffle at Tokyo Dome.)

AKB0048 Ep 2

Onwards to episode 2! What will you learn about AKB48 next?

This episode starts out with Orine, Yuka, and Nagisa walking around a "spaceport" (you know, an airport but in space ^_^"), and Orine is bumped into by someone who looks like they are in a hurry. There is a close-up on the monitor, saying that the heiress of the Zodiac Corporation is either missing or kidnapped. The "in a rush" person notices the monitor, and is then joined by a kirara. Who could this person be? 

After the opening, we see Yokomizo Makoto, a girl who seems to only be thinking about the worst-case scenario, especially being in space with only a metal wall separating her from the nothingness.

If the worst-case scenario did happen, her only regret would be not making it to the second round of auditions. She also says to her parents from afar that she's sorry for running away.

AKB0048 Ep 1

It's time to review something new. Someone mentioned that I should review AKB0048, so here it is. Surprisingly, you'll learn a lot about AKB48 and the idol world in Japan in the process, so please look forward to that. There will also be links to performances whenever possible. I will also be referring to members by their "old" teams, since this anime was created before the recent shuffle. 

The episode starts with the following:

These lines look like they were inspired from the Team B song "Shonichi" (First day [of performances]), which is actually the first song of their first setlist personalized just for them (their two prior stages were taken from Team A and Team K stages, respectively). In the first chorus of this song, it starts with "Yume wa ase no naka ni" ("The dream is amidst the sweat"). The second chorus starts with "Yume wa namida no saki" ("The dream is just ahead of the tears"). You can find the rest of the lyrics (with translations) here. 

The motto for AKB0048 is "idols that come to see you". For AKB48, it's "idols that you can come meet and watch at the theater everyday". It's switched around, but still keeps the essence of what AKB48 is about: interaction with the fans. After every performance at the theater, the AKB48 members that performed on stage will give a high five to all of the audience members. That's how important their fans are to them. On a side note, I think that's Aki-P's (Akimoto Yasushi) name in the credits.

AKB48's Janken Tournament 2012

September 18th was AKB48's annual Janken (Rock-Paper-Scissors) Tournament, where those with the strongest luck and motivation to become center will be part of the Best 16 senbatsu for the 29th single. I'll be writing what I saw from "live" footage on Kayou Kyoku.

Warning: this post will be extremely (low quality) picture heavy!

Note: I'll be referring to the members by their "old" team names, since that's what the announcer in the tournament was doing. 

Highlights from the first 3 rounds (before Best 16)

AKB48 Team K Oshima Yuko (right) sexies it up with her police outfit and wins her first round against ex-team member, Kuramochi Asuka (AKB48 Team A).

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AKB48 Team K Minegishi Minami (right) struck out on her first round after placing 3rd in last year's tournament. 

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The Graduation of AKB48's Center and the Unexpected Shuffle

If you've heard of AKB48, then you must have heard about Maeda Atsuko, nicknamed Acchan, who has graduated from AKB48 on August 27 to pursue her solo career.

Maeda Atsuko / Acchan

In the beginning, Acchan never wanted to be AKB's center, but Aki-P (Akimoto Yasushi) wanted someone to be the face of AKB48, and chose her. Her center position status became apparent when Acchan had all the singing lines in A2 (Team A 2nd Stage)'s "Nagisa no Cherry". Although, when I first got into AKB48 and saw "Skirt Hirari", I thought for sure that Takamina (Takahashi Minami) was the center as she had the most lines. As I saw more of their performances, the center of AKB48 was definitely Acchan and Takamina for me. For more details on AKB48's history --> http://vid48.com/watch_video.php?v=DWB6YX3KOY2D

Takahashi Minami / Takamina

With the immovable center now out of the picture, it seems that Aki-P wants to change things up a lot. There was a shuffle in 2009 during the "Soukaku Matsuri" where all the performances were done by different members than the original stage performances. No one knew that this was a big hint that AKB48 would be shuffled. Even though the shuffle was shocking, the placement of members made sense. Kasai Tomomi definitely had the cuteness that fit Team B. Itano Tomomi definitely had a coolness about her that fit Team K. Even though it took some time to get used to who used to be in what team and what team they were in now, it all made sense in the end in terms of the fit and the balance within the teams. For those who aren't sure how the teams are classified, you can think of it in these terms: Team A is the idol team; Team K is the cool team, and Team B is the cute team. 

Kasai Tomomi / Tomo~mi / Chiyu

Itano Tomomi / Tomochin

Sakura Kara no Tegami

About a month or two ago, I watched this AKB48 drama called Sakura Kara no Tegami. It's basically about a portion of the AKB girls in their last year of high school and they need to figure out what they want to do in the future. Usually, the homeroom teacher helps them out, but their homeroom teacher is very distant from them, and everyone thinks that he doesn't care about anyone except a dying Sakura tree in the middle of the school grounds, which is a symbol of the school and the reason why the students are called Sakura maidens (it's an all-girl school by the way). 

What causes the lives of these girls to be shaken is that their homeroom teacher suddenly announces that he will no longer be their homeroom teacher because he has pancreatic cancer. Of course, the girls don't really care that he's no longer their homeroom teacher because he didn't do much for them in the first place, but what shakes them up is the personalized letter that he gives to each of them that he says might be his will. Some try to read the letters, but can't understand the message, and the others stuff it in their bags. 

Throughout the series, you eventually find out one by one what the letters mean and how they end up solving the problems of each girl and guiding them to who they should be or what they should do. You even find out why the homeroom teacher was so distant, and his strained relationship with his daughter. When the girls realize how much their homeroom teacher did pay attention to them, they wanted to repay him somehow. During this time, the principal decided to cut down the Sakura tree becomes it seems like it's dead. However, the students do their best to protect it and make it grow before graduation. They try everything to revive the tree, but with no success. So they decide to make Sakura flowers and stick it on the tree to make it appear as if it is in full bloom. Their homeroom teacher is wheelchaired to see their work and he is proud of every one of them. He then passes away a few days later, leaving his students changed for the better. Eventually, the Sakura tree does come back to life again and all the students come to visit it and reminisce about their last year in high school. You can check out all 17 episodes (which vary from 5 mins to 1 hour in length) subbed at vid48.com (starting from page 3).