[GENERAL] The AKB48 Thread

https://twitter.com/AKB48_staff/status/1539171501005410304


"Whyyyyyyyyy?!"

 

Seemingly, you loved to spin everything to K-pop vs. J-pop. I just dropped a glimpse of what general westerners might view about a facade of J-pop, the handshake event. Did you seriously think the feedback might differ were they The Weeknd or Real Madrid's fans? Even, did you seriously think fans of King GNU or Sekai no Owari view it positively?

Were you even aware "K-pop Area" had expanded to Oricon? 48G was giving up on Oricon?

Did you believe all those groups on Music Station & JRA stages were there simply because they were popular, talented and had good music? Did you believe corruption and crime at state level did not exist in Japan? South Korea has "chaebol" yet, Japan, to some extent, has "keiretsu".

We have even seen sister groups doing something different to survive. Flying High from JKT48 (New Era) and Mokkob from BNK48. SKE48 is attempting to create a trained idol image through its youtube series of Team S' new original stage documentary.

They are dozens of articles why K-pop gets popular in JAPAN. AKB48 can learn from those and beyond. The Japanese usually sees K-pop superficially, the song, the costume, the dance. It will surely be beneficial to dig deeper business administration wise, what departments they have and what is the work scope of each department, what are processes before a group or a song is launched, how groups are promoted etc. Then, make a comparison and it will be clearer where to improve. The very problem is J-pop agencies have neglected to take comparative study.

It was a Korean video on Aki-P losing his Midas' touch as evident from the dissolution of Last Idol. Opinions from the Korean included
- Akimoto had been out of date, both his mindset and his music were not up-to-date.
- Akimoto had been the steel rice pot to K-pop.

 

Akimoto hasn't been very involved with AKB48 anymore, and I think his lack of involvement is the reason for their drop in popularity, rather than the fact that he is involved. People have been clamouring for new stages for years, and isn't it because of his lack of involvement / boredom with 48G that we haven't had any new stages in a long time? As you mentioned the new Team S stage, this is produced by someone other than him. JKT48 is also getting a new stage from another producer.

Spoiler: Little tangent on the K-Pop comments

The truth is you can't ever please anyone. People have been saying that Ne mo Ha mo Rumor and Moto Kare desu are too K-Pop influenced what with having a difficult choreography and upbeat music, rather than the cute, slower idol stuff that we got with Sustainable and Shitsuren Arigato. You say it would be good to dig deeper and make use of their strategies, but then there are also a lot of fans who dislike that AKB has become more influenced by K-Pop.

In regards to 'what processes [are made] before a group or a song is launched, how groups are promoted' – I would really hate for Japan to adopt the Korean model of this. This is one of my personal biggest issues with K-Pop, because the idols are held responsible for the cost of their training and the production of a song/music video. I like that our girls don't have to worry about that and just get paid a salary. Sure, AKB would probably make more money if Kenkyuusei had to pay for their lessons and money for MV production was taken out of senbatsu members' salaries, but that would be awful for the members.

I'm sure you're referring to other points about that as well, like how songs/groups are produced, what they look for, etc., but both countries have their pros and cons and I'd rather have the Japanese production process with less polished results than know that the artists I support don't get paid properly until they reach a certain level.

To get back to my actual point... I think if Akimoto got more involved again, it would revive AKB48. He wrote songs that were personal about the teams and the members. Think of all the stage songs that include members' names and their personal stories (Team B Oshi and 16nin Shimai no Uta, to name 2 examples). He doesn't know the current members, so he can't really write personal songs about them. Those are definitely among my favourite songs, and I'd love to have new songs like that about the current members. It would also mean that people who visit the theatre get to know the members better. That would be great for theatre girls.

Sasae is another example as a song that is particular to AKB and explains what it's like to be part of the group. Shoujotachi yo, a massive fan favourite, is also about what it's like to be a member of AKB. Anti was written for the Kenkyuusei so they could feel better about receiving criticism as the new members. Uhho Uhhoho was written specifically for Akimoto Sayaka to help her overcome the negative comments made about her appearance. Nagisa no Cherry was written specifically for Maeda Atsuko because it helped her create her character/persona within the group. There's so many more. I really want stuff like that again.

 

Before people jump to not that acurate conclusions about the new SKE48 stage
I strongly advice to read these:
http://stage48.net/forum/index.php?threads/general-the-ske48-thread.1263/page-370#post-1763050

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48 groups schedule for TIF 2022

• AKB48: 08/07
• Team 8: 08/07
• HKT48: 08/07
• SKE48: 08/07
• STU48: 08/06 - 08/07
• NMB48: 08/07
• NGT48: 08/07

https://official.idolfes.com/s/tif2022/page/lineup

 

oh wow! Thanks TIF for the 48 group reunion day (kinda). Doubt they'll all perform together but one can hope for some inter-group interactions.

 

Video explaning how to use the WOW application, and how to support your girls

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

AKB48 Tenkaichi HADO-kai Tournament
DAY 1: 06/23/2022

Spoiler: Cast

Team A: Mukaichi Mion, Michieda Saki, Saito Haruna
Team K: Mogi Shinobu, Yamauchi Mizuki, Yamabe Ayu
Team B: Asai Nanami, Sakaguchi Nagisa, Inagaki Kaori
Team 4: Kuranoo Narumi, Taniguchi Megu, Tada Kyoka
17th gen: Kohama Kokone, Hirata Yuki, Yamazaki Sora

Winner: Mukaichi Team A won a trip to Okinawa
https://twitter.com/AKB48_staff/status/1539954650933104641

DAY 2: 07/07/2022
Team A: Takahashi Sayaka, Fukuoka Seina, Komiyama Haruka
Team K: Oda Erina, Takahashi Ayane, Yamane Suzuha
Team B: Ishiwata Sena, Omori Maho, Hidaritomo Ayaka
Team 4: Omori Miyu, Nagatomo Ayami, Yoshida Karen
17th gen: Hashimoto Eriko, Hotei Moka, Mizushima Miyuu
https://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12749656470.html

 

Special Summer event at the theatre, on 07/23.

Special guest: Shimada Shuuei

https://shop.akb48.co.jp/lp/summer_fukubukuro_2022



...................................................................................................................................................................................................

The return of SUMMER STATION, at the usual place.

https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/summerstation/area/live
https://twitter.com/exsummerstation/status/1540258433751928832



07/26
19:00: AKB48

08/08
19:00: NMB48

08/11
16:00 and 19:00: AKB48 Team 8

08/13
16:00 and 19:00: STU48

08/14
12:00 and 15:00: HKT48

 

Dang the HADOkai event is fun to watch!
Bet everyone there was having fun too.
Kinda happy they got another day for other members too.
EDIT: apparently this event will continue for the next 3 months.
Just need more hype and promotion from management.

Regarding the winning reward, are they gonna fly only the 3 winning members from Team A or EVERYONE?
Idk if that's a good financial decision especially they need to send the staffs too.
Edit: after rewatching, apparently it's private holiday, no staff/manager. So most likely for individuals.

 

Addicted to this mashup playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9cKMvfJ4kCDtnYCo54OmvkVhImxXZHQa

 

The mobile game "AKB48 Stage Fighter 2 Battle Festival" will come to an end on 22/07/29
https://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12750180760.html

Now it makes sense that Hitomi isn't featured in it.

 

AKB48 will be performing 'Ne mo Ha mo Rumor' on THE MUSIC DAY on NTV on 7/2 in the slot at 16:00-17:00 JST:
https://natalie.mu/music/news/483734

 

Clips from THE SHOWTIME 2nd STAGE opening today at the Tokyo Big Tree Theater with Sakkii, Sahoo, Maria, Yukarun and Yurina:


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

This Hadokai art looks really nice and vibrant, certainly a wallpaper for me
And you can see the team captains and aces, as well as the big 7 of each teams (by management standard)

 

Hmmm... I can see 9 of the same size (cap n' ace included) in Team A, 10 in K, 9 in B and also 9 in 4.

 

Haha Team K is as usual the management favourite and so full of stars they had to include them all

 

THE MUSIC DAY 07/02 Line-up
AKB48 will perform Nemo Hamo Rumor on 16:00 JST

Welcome Remi, Ayane and Kyoka to senbatsu.
Also a 17ki member will show up, let's guess. I bet on Aichan/Sora/Mizumin.