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: 

MV Review: ºC-ute - Crazy Kanzen na Otona (with English Translations)

I have always wanted to review music videos, and ºC-ute's new single, "Crazy Kanzen na Otona" (Crazy, Complete Adult) inspired me to do so. 

The title screen gives the feel that this is going to be a mysterious MV (with all the purple and the clouds). 

(Read more for Romaji and English translations!)

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. 

Shoujo Manga Review: Asa mo, Hiru mo, Yoru mo

I cannot seem to stop myself from reading mangas lately... @.@ The manga I finished reading is called "Asa mo, Hiru mo, Yoru mo" by Aoki Kotomi. 

The story is about Suetsugu Shinobu, a girl who was raped near the end of middle school, and Yokomizo Jun, who Shinobu thinks has the same face as the guy who raped her. Jun does not understand why Shinobu has the look of fear in her eyes and starts to cry when she sees him. Shinobu also tries to stay away from guys as much as possible, and so many people think that she just hates guys. (I can't say anymore because it would just be spoilers. >.<)

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.)

Shoujo Manga Review: Boys' Kingdom

Like I said in my post on W-Juliet, I am currently looking for mangas that make me go "doki doki" (heart thumping or heart beating fast). I happen to come across "Boys' Kingdom" by Oda Aya. The art looked okay, and it was only one volume, so I decided to give it a read. Surprisingly, I liked it a lot. I noticed some comments that it was fast paced, but I think it is more that the mangaka did not waste anytime and just went from one thing to the next. 

The story is about Himeno, a girl who is transferring to a school that used to be an all-boys school but is now co-ed. The reason she is transferring to this particular school is because her parents got divorced, and in order for her to stay in her mother's custody, she needs to be enrolled in school. However, she does not want to burden her mother with tuition fees, so Himeno obatins a scholarship at this school, which was pretty much giving away scholarships to any girl that would want to enroll to increase its female student population (of course, she does not know about that part). 

Shoujo Manga Review: W-Juliet

Over the holidays, I read some mangas that I read a long time ago, but never had the chance of finishing. The one that I remembered wanting to finish reading the most was "W-Juliet" by Emura. The story is about a boy named Narita Makoto, who wants to become an actor. However, since he is the only son in his family, he has to succeed the family's dojo. Because of his passion for acting, he agrees to the following deal set by his father: if Makoto is able to disguise himself as a girl and graduate from high school without anyone finding out, then his father will allow him to be free to pursue an acting career. 

So Makoto changes his name to Amano Makoto and transfers to a new, non-elite, high school in his 2nd year, and immediately joins that school's drama club, which is where he meets Miura Ito, a tall tomboy-ish girl who wants to become an actress in action movies. Things happen, and Ito finds out that Makoto is a boy, but promises to keep his secret. You then follow the two as they dodge obstacles and jump over hurdles as it comes their way such as rivals, fiancées, and those who want to expose Makoto's secrets. 

Cover of volume 1
Ito is on the left with her tomboy-ish short hair, and Makoto is on the right with his long-flowing wig

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.