Ah, AKB48, what can I say about AKB48? Many things lol *warning, long explanation ahead* Spoiler I didn't really start off liking AKB48, or actually, I never really knew about them. Back in 2008, I came across the drama Mendol and Takahashi Minami immediately caught my eyes. Sadly, when I look her up to see if she's in any other dramas/movies, I didn't find any so I gave up. I saw that she was part of AKB48, but I guess I didn't really care? then Summer 2013 came and I watched the anime version, I got really intrigued so I look up the original group. Thats when I started loving AKB48. Though I really wished I could of joined back in 2008 instead of this late in 2013 I believe, River was the first song that I have encountered because I saw a comment (on here?) that River was an AtsuMina song, so I checked that out. I don't think I know what AtsuMina was or were really into the music until I looked up Minami and Atsuko was always attached to her haha So anyway, I like AKB48 is because of Takahashi Minami, she's my Kami-oshi then came Maeda Atsuko. I downloaded more songs, started watching AKBingo and getting to know them. I always had my eyes out for Minami, but the more I watched AKBingo and other stuff, the more I was into Atsuko, thats when I started shipping AtsuMina and got more into AKB48. There songs are amazing, its upbeat and happy, its sad and meaningful, its sexy, and its cute. Thats a variety of genres. There dance moves are freaking cool and I love their outfits. They are sooo cute/cool/sexy. Also, all of the members seem genuine. They were built on the concept of idols you can meet, so for them to be real and truly themselves is really new compare to american celebrities. You don't see american celebrity be real like that. The added bonus is that you can meet AKB48 and shakehands with your Oshimen. In america, if you're anywhere new the celebrity, you get escorted out or something. I believe Takahashi Minami is mostly inspiring and I don't think anyone (oshi or not oshi her) can deny the fact that she is very influential and that she is really the key of AKB48, that she's the one who work the hardest to archive to where AKB48 is of today. Her speeches are always amazing, sometimes I wonder if people actually do listen to her and take those advice... especially the fans, I wonder if they find her speeches boring... I would be really sad if they do because she put so much into those speeches... I can honestly say that, when the time comes for Minami to graduate, I'll also be graduating from AKB48. I don't see the point of staying if your Kami-oshi is gone... Though I'll continue to support her and buy her AKB stuff cuz thats how much I love her. I already spent over $1000 USD on both Minami and Atsuko, I don't see how if I'll spend more would make a difference haha. If by the end, I won't be liking AKB48 that much anymore, then those pictures/magazines/cds/tapestry/clearfiles that I bought could be a good memories of that phase
For a similar reason that I watch anime like K-On!. Being a fan of idols, for the most part, is simple wholesome fun. In such an imperfect world, entertainment like AKB48 show everything that the world can and should be, and everything that is fun. In such a flawed world, idols show an idealized and wonderful world of happiness. I don't know why people dwell on the sadness of the world. When the happiness of the world is so much nicer.
Tbh, I don't have much reason to like this group these days. I'm in it for the music first and foremost and outside of KFC, they have not been impressing me much in that department for the past three years. I have some girls I really like but no one I can call "ichiban" or a true oshimen. I don't watch variety shows that much because they don't usually get subbed and I don't care enough about most of the group to watch without them like I do for Nogizaka. If it weren't for Nogizaka46 and a little angel named Tashima Meru blindsiding me, I probably would have stopped following 48G completely after Tomochin graduated. Luckily I didn't though. Even though AKB doesn't entertain me much in other areas anymore, it's been very entertaining seeing the 2nd chapter play out. With no "absolute center", all the new gens rising, all the old ones moving down or out, Sousenkyo getting more chaotic, fan raging, etc. AKB48 has become the best reality show I've ever seen. And well, their older music and stages still have retained their magic and replay-ability so I can wait another 2-3 years for a Koisuru Fortune Cookie to knock my socks off.
