The AKB48 Appreciation Thread ^_^v

[Tokis-Phoenix]

AKB48 is a Japanese idol group based in Akihabara who made their debut in 2005 (they are produced by Akimoto Yasushi).
Info;
As their name implies, AKB48 currently consists of 48 members divided into three teams: Team A, Team K and Team B. Each group contains 16 members.
Members of the teams;
http://j-ongaku.org/wiki/AKB48#Members
They have so far released 21 singles, with the latest single "Everyday, Katyusha" being their best selling yet (over 1million copies sold).
AKB48 - Wikipedia
http://www.akb48.co.jp/english/index.html
http://j-ongaku.org/wiki/AKB48
20th single "Sakura no Ki ni Narou" (ﾂ催ｷ窶堙娯?禿倪?堙俄?堙遺?堙ｫ窶堋､) MV;

Sneak preview of 21st single "Everyday, Katyusha (Everydayﾂ、ﾆ谷ﾆ蛋ﾆ停?ｦﾂーﾆ歎ﾆ槌?" MV ^_^v ;

 

[Davey]

Although I really dislike this group, one can't deny their popularity in and outside of Japan:

28 girls picked for first AKB overseas sister group
JAKARTA ― Twenty-eight girls were selected Wednesday to join the Jakarta-based JKT48, the first official overseas sister group of AKB48, one of Japan's most popular idol groups.

Wearing white shirts and blue-jeans shorts, the all-girl group was introduced to the press following a six-hour final audition.
The girls, aged between 12 to 21, smiled but looked tense in their first encounter with journalists. Most of them only briefly answered questions from reporters.

TV and music producer Yasushi Akimoto, who formed AKB48 in 2005, shared a similar view, saying JKT48 will be a place for the girls to build their characters.

The first JKT48 team, comprising 16 girls, is set to debut in December. Billed as a "unique idol group with Indonesian culture," the auditions for JKT48 attracted about 1,200 girls from across the country. Like AKB48, JKT48 was created based on the concept of "idols you can meet every day."

Read the whole article

 

[Davey]

Well, they won the Japan record award 2011. All of them where crying when they came on stage (a bit too fake in my opinion).

AKB48's Hana-Kimi Theme Wins Japan Record Award 2011
posted on 2011-12-31 00:40 AEDT
"Flying Get" earns idol group its 1st top prize in annual awards
"Flying Get," the Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e ~Ikemen Paradise 2011 theme song performed by the all-female idol group AKB48, won the top honor in the 53rd Japan Record Awards on Thursday. This is the first time that AKB48 has received this award.

The song "Flying Get" was named after the Japanese online slang for getting an item before it is officially released. The top 21 vote-getters in AKB48's most recent "general election" poll in June sang the group's 22nd single, which was was released on August 24. "Flying Get" sold 1,587,229 copies and edged out AKB48's 21st single, "Everyday, Katyusha" (1,586,840 copies), as Japan's top-selling CD of the year...read the whole article

 

[Froth]

Although I really dislike this group, one can't deny their popularity in and outside of Japan:

You should check out their documentaries, specifically the one about to released tomorrow (AKB48: "The show must go on"). Might give you some perspective into what goes on and insight into the background. I didn't particularly care for them myself until I saw they were more than just a bunch of girls packaged up as a product to sell to men (like what's commonly done with boy bands in the states). I think the whole concept is fascinating.

 

[Davey]

Every time I see them on TV they are crying ....

 

[Lestat84]

This group intrigues me. I think most of their songs are atrociously bad, yet foreign pop culture interests me. What really interests me about this group in particular is the argument between those that think they are trashy, and those who believe their lyrics are culturally relevant and meaningful. I think that there is truth to both arguments, but it varies by song. I can see some of the relevancy, but I think there are better mediums than selling sex to hormonal teenagers and creepy old men. What do you guys think of this? Which side are you on and why?

 

[FrustratedDave]

I hate Girl and Guy bands period.

 

[Lestat84]

I hate Girl and Guy bands period.

Don't get me wrong, I hate them too with a passion, as well as anything mainstream as I am a hardcore metal head. But I'm still curious. Does anyone here take either side of the argument about this group?

 

[FrustratedDave]

I am not sure I follow. What do you mean "either side of the argument about this group?"

 

[Davey]

I think it's the best way to sell, and that's why they are selling.

Just look at the people that go to their concerts! (so glad I don't have a daughter.... now lets hope my sons won't become dirty old men).

 

[Lestat84]

I am not sure I follow. What do you mean "either side of the argument about this group?"

I posted above talking about how some think this group is very trashy, while others believe their lyrics are culturally relevant.

 

[GreatMrPlinkett]

The only two AKB members I can name are the two I'd hook up with if I had the chance.

 

[Lestat84]

The only two AKB members I can name are the two I'd hook up with if I had the chance.

Let me ask, how old are you sir? You'll see the relevance of this question after you answer.

 

[Mike Cash]

Just this morning in a convenience store's newspaper rack I saw an AKB newspaper.

I don't know who they are. I don't know what they are. And neither do I care. But some marketing genius is making a fortune off this bunch.

 

[GreatMrPlinkett]

Let me ask, how old are you sir? You'll see the relevance of this question after you answer.

24. And before you continue, I would like to point out I've triple checked, and the aforementioned members are legal.

 

[ClarkH]

Let me ask, how old are you sir? You'll see the relevance of this question after you answer.

24. And before you continue, I would like to point out I've triple checked, and the aforementioned members are legal.

Prepare to be ambushed, nonetheless.

---------- Post added at 16:11 ---------- Previous post was at 16:09 ----------

Also, your standards are unusually high for a "hook-up".

 

[Lestat84]

24. And before you continue, I would like to point out I've triple checked, and the aforementioned members are legal.

I love that people feel compelled to put their sexual desires on the internet. You have told me that you most likely have a schoolgirl fantasy and that's what they play to. There's your ambush. No flame intended.

 

[ClarkH]

I love that people feel compelled to put their sexual desires on the internet. You have told me that you most likely have a schoolgirl fantasy and that's what they play to. There's your ambush. No flame intended.

The internet is ideal because it provides anonymity, so people can be honest.

 

[FrustratedDave]

The only two AKB members I can name are the two I'd hook up with if I had the chance.

lets thank god that you will never get the chance then.

 

[GreatMrPlinkett]

lets thank god that you will never get the chance then.

View attachment 11663

Probably not.

 

[Lestat84]

Plus 1 to you dave! That's hilarious! XD the only "Appreciation" that's going on with akb48 is with one's hand

 

[GreatMrPlinkett]

Plus 1 to you dave! That's hilarious! XD the only "Appreciation" that's going on with akb48 is with one's hand

Awhile back I was at a train station, I saw this old dude, had to be at least 50, with a BUNCH of AKB48 charms on his backpack. You know, the charms that have the girl's face and name. Yeah, that's a bit much...

 

[Lestat84]

Awhile back I was at a train station, I saw this old dude, had to be at least 50, with a BUNCH of AKB48 charms on his backpack. You know, the charms that have the girl's face and name. Yeah, that's a bit much...

That's SCARY!!!!

 

[Davey]

AKB's latest single :

ＵＺＡ
[video=youtube;DKmNGD39YYU]

 

[LolaEliot]

a group of lovely girl.... always make me feel powerful.