[GENERAL] The AKB48 Thread

Since AKB will stop using 755 soon (not sure if their accounts will be deleted?),
I was curious and I went through their accounts to see who's regularly using it.
(I don't include members who announced graduation)

Chiba Erii
Nagano Serika
Oda Erina
Shimoguchi Hinana
Taguchi Manaka
Takahashi Ayane
Asai Nanami
Shinozaki Ayana
Tokunaga Remi
Hashimoto Haruna
Yamada Kyoka
Gyoten Yurina
Kuranoo Narumi
Kurosu Haruka
Sakagawa Hiyuka
Sasaki Yukari
Shitao Miu
Nagatomo Ayami
Murayama Yuiri

That's 19/57 members.
it's not a lot tbh but it's more than what I expected lol
Generally a lot of members abandoned it so yeah >.<

 

https://natalie.mu/music/news/538435





From DeepL Translate:

EDIT: The article mentions five members - according to Tokyo Sports there is indeed a fifth member, it's Kubo Hinano of 18ki:
https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/274099

 

Last but not least, behind the scenes video of Team 4's last concert is on NaruTao Channel.

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

The MusiQuest Day 2:
https://twitter.com/themusiquest/status/1695769516276593009

 

What did I tell you?

 

Translation (click on the songs to be directed to the official audio/music video):

1. COCONUT by NiziU
2. Natsumatope by =LOVE
3. Fre-Fru Summer! by FRUITS ZIPPER (Audio only)
4. Hadashi Summer by Nogizaka46
5. Coco☆nuts by Momoiro Clover (Concert version)
6. Doremisolasido by Hinatazaka46 (The First Take version - official MV not available here)
7. Natsu no Chikamichi by Sakurazaka46
8. Ponytail to Shushu by AKB48
9. Kimi wa Boku no Natsu, Koi wo Suru by ≠ME
10. Natsu Shougun by AngerMe (Audio only)

Interesting to see that the top 3 are relatively new (NiziU and =LOVE this summer, Fruits Zipper 2022) but then AKB48 and Sakamichi are prevailing with fairly old songs, with the exception of Sakurazaka.

I also find it interesting PonyShushu was chosen as the top summer song by AKB. For me personally, it would have been Manatsu no Sounds good!, but that's not based on any stats or anything, just my personal favourite.

 

Manaka and Satomina in a new short video from ANA:


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

Best Summer song? Summer side, of course.

 

I don't think they have that much money anymore. Pretty much all the events that are happening since the start of the graduation wave (Tomu) are leading me to that conclusion.
Tons of gilrs leaving to not say fired, and we don't know about the staff side. Only 2 MVs in the latest single, (main one is somewhat cheap), only released for streaming, not even one paid by a sponsor. Few concerts, no big events anymore.
I wouldn't say DH is close to banckruptie, but, they clearly don't have the financial margin they once had.

 

Kyon's version of Team 4's concert backstage.


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

I honestly don’t get this whole “there’s no money” idea. If anything… Universal/DH are just trying to get as much benefit doing the bare minimum.

It doesn’t make sense for current AKB to have less resources than pre-Hebirote AKB. And back then the group was debuting a new stage every other month, doing concerts all over and hiring new generations every six months.

There were probably losses during c*vid (no events, still paying salaries to the girls and whatnot), but they are taking such a conservative approach that it’s getting ridiculous.

And these new rules about no bringing back graduates onstage nor allowing former girls to upload their own backstage videos… that’s just mean-spirited, and I don’t blame many of the girls for ditching a company that doesn’t seem to care for them anymore.

 

Backstage of the fanmeeting in Fukuoka from NaruTao's channel.


if the video does not show watch the video here

DH's financial problems predate Universal. You can see it everywhere: cheap singles, cheap concerts (very few and no tours), collaborations with streaming sites that pay everything (even coupling songs), there are no DVDs or blu-rays anymore, a roster reduced to half, the end of Team 8, the end of almost every TV show and so much more. You don't see that in other groups.
The strategy is to reduce AKB to what the Sashihara and KAWAII LAB. groups are while trying to mantain its core fanbase and mainstream image.

 

Wasn’t that Ogiyuka’s fault?

 

The general stink from NGT scandal I thought.

 

That's a bit too easy thinking, while it played a role.
The NGT48 story didn't prevent AKB48 staff from anouncing the start of a TV show. And promote it on a big stage.
Only to stop it abruptly for an experimental audition program that turned fans away.

So abandoned on purpose a usefull promotion tool.
If there's no ca$h decision behind this and it's not a ransack maneuver, I don't know what could motivate.

I'd say, in Hebirote days, Aki-p was still the head, and he worked with People not afraid of risks (it's very audacious to release Sakura no Shiori right after the smash Hebirote was).
And nowadays, Yashinari and Cie are more looking at bank acounts. (from the person who will self recognize on discord)

 

Full episode of TV TOKYO BIZ on 9/3 with Maho, Manaka and Aichan looking at DX (Digital Transformation):


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

This group is dead, time to say goodbye.

Let's wait another 20 years like the break between Onyanko Club and AKB48. AkiP will release another bomb group when he is 85 yo.

 

I see we don't have October Budokan Concert thread yet?


The concert names and logos are finalized!
https://ameblo.jp/akihabara48/entry-12819056120.html

Overall Concert Logo


Rough translations for each concert titles:

October 20 - "Veterans and Newcomers Unite! Anything Goes AKB Special"


October 21 - Stage Songs Request Hour Setlist BEST 30


October 22 - "I'm Glad I Became an Idol"


images taken from @Aka 's post on Team8 thread here

==============================
Slightly worried for the last concert title, (JP ver : "Idol ni natte yokatta")
it was taken straight from the Idol Nanka Janakattara's lyrics, where it's the word the idol wants to say when she graduates
Hopefully just a coincidence.