AKB48!

[EmEl]

[quote name='Ap2000' post='82252' date='Jul 29 2010, 11:14 AM']lipstick for the eyes thing... whatever it's called.[/quote]

Eyestick.



I like the rolling guitar in this song, but I'm still not feeling it. Too chorusy, and the solos don't stick out. I guess we'll never get another "Skirt, Hirari" will we? Honestly, I'll settle for an "Oogoe Diamond" or even a "Namida Surprise".



I don't think of anything sexual at the title. I just assume the writer knew that the song would get heavy rotation.

[momoirosaya]

[quote name='Milly' post='82233' date='Jul 29 2010, 03:46 AM'][quote name='Saya' post='82121' date='Jul 26 2010, 05:50 AM']I think Heavy Rotation is SUPER pervy and aimed at male wotas. I feel embarrassed to watch the PV (as someone else said too).[/quote]

Actually the director of the PV is female. I think she was going for girly, sexy, fun, colourful and poppy. The covers remind me of the cover of this Hamasaki Ayumi album, which isn't aimed at male wotas either (though I'm sure they're having a field day with AKB's new PV) .

[/quote]



A woman, Really? But still, I watched the whole PV and felt like it was porn w/ clothes lingerie. Haha, that doesn't really make sense. I'm sure that if AKB's fanbase was mainly girls, they wouldn't have this kind of PV (unless they wanted to attract more guys to like AKB). Well, that's just my opinion though~

[EmEl]

[quote name='Saya' post='82266' date='Jul 29 2010, 05:44 PM']A woman, Really? But still, I watched the whole PV and felt like it was porn w/ clothes lingerie. Haha, that doesn't really make sense. I'm sure that if AKB's fanbase was mainly girls, they wouldn't have this kind of PV (unless they wanted to attract more guys to like AKB). Well, that's just my opinion though~[/quote]

I can kind of see the girliness inherent in the video. Despite the sexuality, my one viewing left me mostly with the impression of "that sure was one bright video". Sure there was lots of rolling around in beds and taking baths together, but there was just some girly brightness to it with the colors, make-up, etc. AKB48 has never shied away from sexuality, but they still have plenty of girl fans. Perhaps even a majority, but there's no way of knowing. At this point, I'd make an non-scientific guess based on anecdotal evidence and say that more girls buy AKB's singles in total than men (the male wota, of course, buy more singles per person though).



I don't think sexuality has anything to do with making girls not like them. Koda Kumi, for example, has never shied away from extreme sexuality either, and her female fanbase is probably larger than her male fanbase.



And why can't a woman direct something smutty anyway?

[Madara]

[quote name='Em-El' post='82269' date='Jul 30 2010, 09:48 AM'][quote name='Saya' post='82266' date='Jul 29 2010, 05:44 PM']A woman, Really? But still, I watched the whole PV and felt like it was porn w/ clothes lingerie. Haha, that doesn't really make sense. I'm sure that if AKB's fanbase was mainly girls, they wouldn't have this kind of PV (unless they wanted to attract more guys to like AKB). Well, that's just my opinion though~[/quote]

I can kind of see the girliness inherent in the video. Despite the sexuality, my one viewing left me mostly with the impression of "that sure was one bright video". Sure there was lots of rolling around in beds and taking baths together, but there was just some girly brightness to it with the colors, make-up, etc. AKB48 has never shied away from sexuality, but they still have plenty of girl fans. Perhaps even a majority, but there's no way of knowing. At this point, I'd make an non-scientific guess based on anecdotal evidence and say that more girls buy AKB's singles in total than men (the male wota, of course, buy more singles per person though).



I don't think sexuality has anything to do with making girls not like them. Koda Kumi, for example, has never shied away from extreme sexuality either, and her female fanbase is probably larger than her male fanbase.



And why can't a woman direct something smutty anyway?

[/quote]





I think what Koda Kumi does is way different from what the girls do here. Koda Kumi does what SHE wants and the female audience loves her forcefulness and aggressive posture. SHE's the one experiencing pleasure. Here, the girls are doing what they do to titillate the viewer. Sure, they look like they're having fun, God bless 'em, but I don't think it's quite as "empowering" as what Koda Kumi does. I think guys would tend to find the AKB48 girls lolling around in lingerie and kissing each other more pleasurable than Koda Kumi manhandling her male backup dancers (granted, some of us like both...), while female viewers would probably find what KK does more pleasurable. The AKB48 girls are the viewers' playthings, while the male backup dancers are KK's playthings. Something like that.



I have a KK concert where she does a particularly aggressively sexual dance number and as the applause and cheers for it die down, we hear a young girl's voice shout out "Daisuki!" ("I love you!") I mean, really young. She has that effect on her female fans.

[neshcom]

[quote name='Madara' post='82272' date='Jul 29 2010, 08:33 PM']I have a KK concert where she does a particularly aggressively sexual dance number and as the applause and cheers for it die down, we hear a young girl's voice shout out "Daisuki!" ("I love you!") I mean, really young. She has that effect on her female fans.[/quote]

I agree with all of your post, but you brought this (quoted) idea up before in an old thread and I think it's a really vague moment that you describe and just seems a little hard to generalize. I mean, that pretty much describes the end of every song in every concert she's ever held. I bet it's not that uncommon of a reaction in a concert setting. Plus, them asian womens all sound pretty young.



Still, somehow, AKB comes off as pandering to the lowest common sex-omiter and Kodasaurus gives off that strong girl power feeling. Heavy Rotation just doesn't have the same power as Cherry Girl (I hope this is the original; I'm on mute).

[EmEl]

[quote name='Madara' post='82272' date='Jul 29 2010, 06:33 PM']but I don't think it's quite as "empowering" as what Koda Kumi does.[/quote]

I don't think it's anywhere near as empowering either, but I don't think the 14 year old girls who love AKB care about such intentions. All I meant is that sexuality and pandering does not hurt sales or the group's perception amongst the girls, as clearly shown by the sophomoric Austin-Powers-like opening of AKB's last PV not affecting the sales negatively one bit. And I promise you, the dirty wota did not drive the sales to 600,000. There just aren't enough of them.

[momoirosaya]

[quote name='Em-El' post='82269' date='Jul 29 2010, 04:48 PM'][quote name='Saya' post='82266' date='Jul 29 2010, 05:44 PM']A woman, Really? But still, I watched the whole PV and felt like it was porn w/ clothes lingerie. Haha, that doesn't really make sense. I'm sure that if AKB's fanbase was mainly girls, they wouldn't have this kind of PV (unless they wanted to attract more guys to like AKB). Well, that's just my opinion though~[/quote]

I can kind of see the girliness inherent in the video. Despite the sexuality, my one viewing left me mostly with the impression of "that sure was one bright video". Sure there was lots of rolling around in beds and taking baths together, but there was just some girly brightness to it with the colors, make-up, etc. AKB48 has never shied away from sexuality, but they still have plenty of girl fans. Perhaps even a majority, but there's no way of knowing. At this point, I'd make an non-scientific guess based on anecdotal evidence and say that more girls buy AKB's singles in total than men (the male wota, of course, buy more singles per person though).



[/quote]



I can agree that it was really bright and girly though.

[strawberryjam]

Songs like this are why I like AKB. It's a JKM style song. But it's silly and fun.



And because Moeno loves me.

[Madara]

[quote name='neshcom' post='82274' date='Jul 30 2010, 10:59 AM'][quote name='Madara' post='82272' date='Jul 29 2010, 08:33 PM']I have a KK concert where she does a particularly aggressively sexual dance number and as the applause and cheers for it die down, we hear a young girl's voice shout out "Daisuki!" ("I love you!") I mean, really young. She has that effect on her female fans.[/quote]

I agree with all of your post, but you brought this (quoted) idea up before in an old thread and I think it's a really vague moment that you describe and just seems a little hard to generalize. I mean, that pretty much describes the end of every song in every concert she's ever held. I bet it's not that uncommon of a reaction in a concert setting. Plus, them asian womens all sound pretty young.



[/quote]



My point in making that observation was that we're unlikely to hear a young girl cry out "Daisuki" at an AKB48 concert--or even a Morning Musume one, for that matter. (I stifled such a cry myself at the MM concert at AX 2009, but I assure you it would have been much deeper. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hahaha.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> )

[strawberryjam]

AKB48 is opening an official shop in HK! And 3 girls are going to HK tomorrow, August 2nd for a possible live. One of the girls is Moeno!

This is a good thing because it is impossible to get a lot of AKB goods unless through a deputy service.



OMGOMGOMG there's an exclusive Moeno shirt being sold there. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ek3run.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... nceman.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... umbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I hope my HK contacts spoil me. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':hahaha:' />

[Shoujo Q]

AKB48 opened an official youtube page.



Get your AKB48 fix of PVs and other useless videos today!



They are going to take over everything! Just you wait!

[Melon]

[quote name='freezingkiss' post='84789' date='Sep 10 2010, 08:36 PM']^ Eurgh. When I watch them I feel like I am watching a peep show. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />[/quote]





That's why I really have trouble watching their stage shows. Listening to it is fine though!

[freezingkiss]

^ Eurgh. When I watch them I feel like I am watching a peep show. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[Ap2000]

Well, I had rather long post here about costumes, singing, japanese lyrics and shit, but the bbs didn't let me post ANYTHING in 3 different threads for several hours now, so all I have to say now is "damn, they look delicious and the 'DJ, put it back on' sounds horribly out of place in the live performance".

I guess petit is using her pussy-power here.

[Pflaume]

Wrong thread, Ap? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[Ap2000]

[quote name='Pflaume' post='84804' date='Sep 11 2010, 05:55 AM']Wrong thread, Ap? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />[/quote]



No, Pflaume. (I know this sounds pissed off)



I had a ~4 paragraphs long post about the AKB performances/yt videos.

However, that "DJ, put it back on" comment was of course meant to be part of the SNSD jap. appearances. I have no clue why I ended up writing this all in one post.

[Pflaume]

I will use your own favorite video against you.

[Ap2000]

[quote name='Pflaume' post='84821' date='Sep 11 2010, 06:07 PM']I will use your own favorite video against you.[/quote]



That's not you dancing to Blümchen.

[Pflaume]

...Well played.



Content edit: I agree with fk, AKB48 makes me feel like a creeper.

[freezingkiss]

[quote name='Petit Melon' post='84797' date='Sep 11 2010, 11:17 AM'][quote name='freezingkiss' post='84789' date='Sep 10 2010, 08:36 PM']^ Eurgh. When I watch them I feel like I am watching a peep show. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />[/quote]





That's why I really have trouble watching their stage shows. Listening to it is fine though!

[/quote]



Yeah I agree. I feel kinda bad for them, but I guess if they hate it, they can always do gravure or porn or something. Are there any graduated members who are doing anything worth noting? Eg: not porn or gravure?

[Special Needs Tricycle]

[quote name='freezingkiss' post='85624' date='Sep 22 2010, 04:55 PM'][quote name='Petit Melon' post='84797' date='Sep 11 2010, 11:17 AM'][quote name='freezingkiss' post='84789' date='Sep 10 2010, 08:36 PM']^ Eurgh. When I watch them I feel like I am watching a peep show. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />[/quote]





That's why I really have trouble watching their stage shows. Listening to it is fine though!

[/quote]



Yeah I agree. I feel kinda bad for them, but I guess if they hate it, they can always do gravure or porn or something. Are there any graduated members who are doing anything worth noting? Eg: not porn or gravure?

[/quote]

Ooshima Mai is a very minorly successful artist with Avex. Other than her, not that I know of.

[strawberryjam]

[quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='85643' date='Sep 22 2010, 07:08 PM'][quote name='freezingkiss' post='85624' date='Sep 22 2010, 04:55 PM'][quote name='Petit Melon' post='84797' date='Sep 11 2010, 11:17 AM'][quote name='freezingkiss' post='84789' date='Sep 10 2010, 08:36 PM']^ Eurgh. When I watch them I feel like I am watching a peep show. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /sleep.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />[/quote]





That's why I really have trouble watching their stage shows. Listening to it is fine though!

[/quote]



Yeah I agree. I feel kinda bad for them, but I guess if they hate it, they can always do gravure or porn or something. Are there any graduated members who are doing anything worth noting? Eg: not porn or gravure?

[/quote]

Ooshima Mai is a very minorly successful artist with Avex. Other than her, not that I know of.

[/quote]

Oshima Mai - Mendokusai Aijou

One of her PV's. Like the song, but the PV feels like an attempt to release something for the sake of it.







Erepyon graduated yesterday. She's going to study overseas to become a better actress because she realized how bad she is acting.







Her dress is prettty.



Here's her graduation performances. Old Team K members showed up as well. And it's sung live! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':puppyeyes:' />

Sougen no Kiseki

Sasae



I never liked her, but I respect her for taking her dreams in her hands and trying her best to make them come true at such a young age.

[Ap2000]

[quote name='strawberryjam' post='85862' date='Sep 28 2010, 01:17 PM']Oshima Mai - Mendokusai Aijou[/quote]



She is looking as hot as always, but making a video in a destroyed bomb shelter is not a good idea...

[neshcom]

SKE48 is now going to shill for Kinect. Does this mean there will be a body-wagglan game about meeting/touching/dokidoki majo/punching idol dating game?! Also, a new SKE48 single.

Idol group SKE48 has announced the release of their 4th single "1, 2, 3, 4, Yoroshiku!" on November 17. The title track will feature 16 selected members of the group, including one of the new members that were added in the recent 4th generation audition.



SKE48 revealed the details of the single during the encore of their concert on Sunday. The title song "1, 2, 3, 4, Yoroshiku!" will be performed by 10 members of Team S, four members of Team KII, current kenkyuusei Erika Yamada, and the newly added kenkyuusei Kanon Kimoto. Kimoto made her first appearance in front of the media during an interview before the concert.



The single is also getting two tie-ins with Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Kinect video game system, being released in Japan on November 20. "1, 2, 3, 4, Yoroshiku!" will be used in commercials starting in November. However, Jurina Matsui and Rena Matsui have already formed a temporary duo called Kinect, and they will appear in commercials starting today (October 4), along with their song "TWO ROSES."



"TWO ROSES" is being included as a coupling song on the new single. The single itself will have three versions, each containing an additional track. The three songs are: "Cosmos no Kioku," performed by the 28-member "White Team"; "Seishun wa Hazukashii," performed by the 29-member "Red Team"; and "Soba ni Isasete," performed by the 57 active members of SKE48 (Yui Matsushita is not included due to her injury)

[Haru]

If SKE supports Microsoft, I won't support SKE. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /noway.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':puppyeyes:' />

[Ap2000]

Five AKB girls appeared in a western magazine (but I think in the japanese edition):

http://www.japanprobe.com/2010/10/08/akb48...dols-as-adults/

[DarkRidley]

AKB48 in Vogue! I never thought I'd see the day. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ph34r:' />



It speaks volumes, though, about the way AKB are perceived as "fashionable" in a way that idol groups rarely are. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think even Morning Musume were ever viewed as serious fashion and gravure icons even at the height of their success. I'm curious to see how long AKB can maintain this type of popularity.

[Shoujo Q]

When you have a whole design university designing your outfits for you, of course AKB48 is going to win when it comes to fashion. Morning Musume has a few people and a dartboard when it comes to their styling.

[neshcom]

Okay, this is bullshit. I'd find it insanely easier to get into a --B48 group if there weren't fifty officially produced ones.

[Ap2000]

[quote name='neshcom' post='86210' date='Oct 9 2010, 07:35 PM']Okay, this is bullshit. I'd find it insanely easier to get into a --B48 group if there weren't fifty officially produced ones.[/quote]



Maybe Akimoto's goal is not to have 48 idols, but 48 groups of idols !