[GENERAL] The AKB48 Thread

Unless there is a special show like shonichi or seitansai, we can enter the theater without a ticket. They will block the escalator until the show begins, then they will let those without tickets in (many people will be waiting on 7th floor for that). Aside of those photos in the hallway, we can watch the theater performance on the big screen just outside of the main theater room. The plus thing is we can line up to buy the photos of that day's show before those with tickets get back to the lobby.

 

I feel sorry for the staff at the AKB48 Cafe & Shop. I don’t know what the staff turnover is like but it is never nice to know people are losing their jobs.

I have also never ate in the Cafe during my previous visits (Guess the reason is that I’ve been too shy to enter) but I really will have to try and go in at least once to show support.

 

So sad to see the cafe go. I've been there last year when I went to Japan. Food was pretty mediocre but I was able to buy some stuffs on the shop.

 

Sometimes they'll have it open even when there isn't a show, you just need to check the blog for dates and times.

 

I've been trying to get up there just to check out the theater. Turns out I've just been going way too early in the day every time I've gone. I guess I know for next time.

 

I don't think there will be a Request Hour next year. No single release, no voting ballot in time for the event. Is this the end of AKB48? Or are they too busy with expanding to other countries?

 

This is slightly off topic, but can you try visit NGT48 theater? Thanks

Maybe they're planning something new? It's never too late for a world tour y'know

 

I think they're simply changing to a different business model. Whether it's as a result of the NGT48 scandal or it's just because of 'things generally' I don't know. IMO Janken was on its way out anyway and I'm not surprised if RH goes because if they can sell out TDC with solo performers then why have a few hundred members there? What has surprised me is there being no SSK as surely that brought in plenty of revenue? Maybe though it was losing money and the NGT48 issues gave a good opportunity to end it. On a positive note the Singing Contests seem to have been a success and I'm sure there'll be another one next year

The 8-member appearance at Manga Barcelona a couple of weeks ago came as a complete surprise, I think even to Spanish fans let alone to the rest of us in Europe! Maybe management is thinking more about promoting the group outside of Asia? I certainly hope so!

 

nah, not a chance of that, I'd bet they cancelled the SSK because the media spotlight would have been way way worse if AKS had been busily making loads of money while throwing Maho and friends under the bus. They were probably afraid of an even worse scandal coming out under the media pressure.

I'd bet that mobile subscriptions have taken a hit since the announcement of the SSK cancellation too.

 

That and there wasn't really any interesting Competition they could push anymore.
Sakura is in Korea, Jurina is sick, so who would they try to push for a battle for #1?
Suda Akari vs. Muto Tomu?

 

I know you said from the top of your head, but I want to add that they also lost their main radio show that they had for years and years, ANN. They lost another long-time radio program (forgot the name of it) as well. I think it matters even if now they still have radio shows for some members like Yukirin, Miion but they're not as big as having radio shows for the group...

For variety shows there is also AKB48 Show! that ended this year.

There's also the fact that this year they only released 2 singles, which is probably the least singles they've had in a year since their debut (counting from 2006, because that's when their first release happened).

We can also assume that events like Janken and Request Hour are cancelled, at least for this year, or else we would have info already...

At least one good news this year is that they're still invited to Kouhaku. But honestly the amount of events/shows etc. that were cancelled and the lack of activities compared to previous years is really sad. I wonder what's in their plans (if they have plans...). I guess we'll see in 2020 if things will get better...

 

i don't think saying some events "have been outside of AKB48's control" totally accurate. the way i see it aks (and king records) simply stopped promoting the group and it's members in an effective way, they rely on handshakes too much. i mean we're having a seventh resale of Sustainable!!
i know that wotas are the core of the 48G but stopping at wotas means losing a bigger slice of fans who may not want to spend all their money for 10 cds but they would rather go to a concert or another music event. after all you don't sell out SSA with handshakes.
imo, a break was necessary, not only bc of Niigata but to give people a pause from akb. i just hope next year will be different and they actually do something new or different, like an album and a bigger tour, a new show, after all it's akb 15th anniversary. it should be celebrated in a proper way.

 

I still think we're going to see the return of SSK eventually. It's too much of a money maker to be gone for good. I guess this year with Jurina in bad health, Sakura in Korea, Ogiyuka having a scandal the realistic contenders for top spot were Dasu and Naachan (and Yukirin if they managed to convince her to run again), I guess Naachan winning would still be fine with management but I don't think they'd want Dasu as the face of AKB. So it's better to wait a year or two for Jurina and Sakura to hopefully be back, young stars like Yuiyui rising to the level to actually be contenders for top spots, etc.

Also I think we're going to see an announcement for the next single soon. HS events for Sustainable are ending soon, and currently many top members are busy with the Hakata play, there's also more team concerts in December etc. but I think we'll see the announcement in December at the latest, for a January release. If they changed the dates a bit from previous years, that means they could also still do Request Hour. But we'll have to wait and see if they do it or not...

 

If they want to do an SSK + Janken tournament, it's gonna have to be early on in the year to avoid conflicting with the Olympics.

 

With all their big media disappearing maybe it's good time for them to utilize internet based media? I mean making variety of video on Youtube must be cost less than making it on TV right? Especially considering it'll be easier for international fans to access it. Once the produce scandal has cleared up I really hope they'll do another produce 48, I mean like it or not it really bring huge exposure to AKB (in my circle at least lol). Oh and is it possible for them to put up the stage/concert DVD on netflix (and not region block it)? I mean big artist like Beyonce/Taylor swift put up their concert there so the idea seems to make sense for me

 

Do you mean singles? Or gravure photoshoots?

 

In Korea, Produce series are basically dead (at least for 1-2 years). Produce48 is part of Produce series which is trademark of CJ E&M. If AKS want to have Produce48 in Japan, they must negotiate with CJ E&M but given that even Produce101 Japan is trying to distance themselves with CJ E&M, I don't think that any company is dare enough to negotiate with CJ E&M to have another Produce series in Japan.

 

I don't think having produce48 in Japan is good enough since the market are already filled with enough 48/46 & friends, sigh what a shame that Produce has to go this route. Well let's see what route will the 48 takes.

 

Gravure photoshoots have seen a bit of a resurgence from NMB, primarily Suuchan. NMB singles unfortunately haven't reintroduced bikini photos as bonuses. NMB monthly theater photo sets have been pretty boring for about 2 years now.