lol yeah we're spread out pretty thin it seems sad. Though this year I found another 48Group fan in OKC, dude is more of a fan of obscure and small and new idol groups, but he has some favorites in 48 Group. What I have found a lot of are Asian Americans I know from OU and OkState in our anime clubs who know about 48 Group, like the songs, but only go as far as that. No one willing to dedicate lol oh well, the efforts of converting people to fans is always a tough job.
I think people who are most likely to become a fan are fans of regular Jpop, like famous singers who sing some anime openings/endings, like Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru, Do As Infinity, etc. I know of at least one case where I showed someone some AKB greatest hits videos, and she was a fan of Ayumi Hamasaki, and she seemed to like AKB, but I don't keep in touch with her so I don't know if she became a true fan or not. Also, I knew some people in high school who watched Arashi's variety shows. They are probably likely candidates to like AKB. I saw Arashi's variety show, and found out later that they are also Jpop singers, so I already knew I loved Idols before I discovered AKB.
Anyone else notice that lots of youtube akb videos are no longer able to be viewed in the U.S.? I had lots in my playlists, and now they're all either taken down, or instead of playing, I get the frowny face, and 'This video contains content from AKB48. It is not available in your country'.
Yeah it's from a few months back with the youtube red thing. A lot of japanese content are no longer available in the US.
http://stage48.net/forum/index.php?threads/youtube-akb48-videos-not-available-in-my-country.12680/ Link thread for reference
To all you who were talking about having an Idol group in America I have a survey up now as I'm trying to get some info on what people are looking for since I'll be getting my certification as a Talent Agent soon I wanted to try to create an American Idol group. I would love you input! http://goo.gl/forms/xF0qk6ZsV9 Update: I made a thread about this and it has the answers to the questions asked.
Hiya, welcome yall also this should scare yall... I dunno if I want it lol.... from 2013 http://arcadey.net/2013/08/jc-chasez-has-created-an-american-version-of-akb48-called-girl-radical/
I have a feeling no one will see this in time, but anyone going to Anime Boston? I went (Friday) for the nano.RIPE concert, which was a lot of fun. I had my AKB48 Group Request Hour towel if anyone saw that. I'll be there Saturday for the nano.RIPE autograph session and panel. I'll probably be wearing a black SCANDAL (スキャンダル in katakana) shirt.
Doesn't scare me because that is so far left then what I want. They all look like their 20 something, that's not right. You pick young girls who will grow in their training and become strong performers, kind of like the "Dance Moms" girls expect better training and treatment. We watched them grow up and do new things. That's what I want.
I have created a chat group just for international fans ! Feel free to check it out! if you want to make friends with other fans! http://stage48.net/forum/index.php?threads/akb48-newfamily.15885/
There's an AKB48 panel at Anime Boston this weekend. I wonder who's running it, anyone on here? I doubt it lol... I'm gonna go and try to meet some local wotas, and try to convert my Love Live fan friend into a real idol wota. He already started watching AKBingo recently so I just need to push him over the edge.
Just wanted to say(since no one posts here anymore) that I'm from Southern California, no AKB fans, just Kpop fans around me.