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.