[About] AKB48
I first came across AKB48 (Akihabara48) in early 2007 at the height of our Morning Musume addiction. While initially skeptical about this new competition, I was gradually won over by their catchy pop tunes and professional music videos. By the time the group released their 4th single Bingo!, I had already been converted. This is an introduction to the group that had displaced Morning Musume’s place in my heart.
The name AKB48 is a combination of the birthplace of the group, Akihabara and the fact that they have exactly 48 members. While they spend most of the time in 3 separate groups of 16, they occasionally gather in full force to intimidating result. The sheer number of members often comes as a shock to first time viewers of AKB48.
Producer Akimoto. Usa-chan Peace!
In a nod to Manhattan Broadway theaters of yesteryear, AKB48 performs their shows from their own personal theater on the 8th floor of the Don Quijote building in Akihabara. One of the reasons why AKB48 has found such a following, is due to founder Yasushi Akimoto’s concept of creating a group of “idols you can meet”. Performances were initially held daily at the small theatre and fans of the group could get to meet group members before and after shows. Otaku loved the idea.
Team B performing at the theatre.
A unique formula was taken when choosing it’s many group members. Instead of choosing idols of celebrity caliber, a wide assortment of girls from all walks of life were chosen to join the group. The group then nurtures its members to fit into various different roles based on their inherant talents. Vocally strong members lead the group in their musical performances, coordinated members provide the dancing, the wittier girls provide comedic entertainment during breaks, some members appear in popular tv programs and other members double as gravure or fashion models. This strategy works well for both members and business. The girls get to pursue a career in their interests and the company benefits from the extra attention. In this aspect, the group operates much like a school, with members graduating to move into more specialized fields.
Team A's Itano Tomomi at the have a meal with ABK48 event.
Number one fan favourite and complete dork, Maeda Atsuko aka Aachan.
The formula chosen for the group has been so far successful. And AKB48 has since evolved from an indie pop group, into a sugary sweet horde bent on taking over the Japanese media. The group now holds multiple concerts at major halls each year and its regular theatre performances still sell out completely. Even as the market for music continues to shrink, sales of their new singles exceed 200,000. An admirable fact when compared to the sales that Morning Musume has been getting in recent years. AKB48′s success has even triggered the creation of the new sister group SKE48 at Sunshine Sakae, Nagoya some 160 miles away.
AKB48 have even appeared during 2007 on the annual Kouhaku Uta Gassen (Kouhaku is Japan’s most watched musical event, synonymous with the New Year’s festivities). Invitations to Kouhaku is a prestige reserved for only the most popular or successful artists. While it is not unheard of for new artists to appear on the show due to their currently hyped popularity, only a handful of artists manage to return in subsequent years. AKB48 accomplished an unimaginable feat by appearing again during the 2009 Kouhaku.
Having accomplished so much within the few years since its formation, the future definitely looks bright for the group. Just like the rest of its fans, I intend to support the group whole heartedly…until the next new AKB48 comes along.
Go AKB48!!
After outrages regarding the marketing tactics used by Sony Music Entertainment label DefStar Records, AKB48 moved to Kondansha’s King Records in August 2008. Photos from this post are courtesy of the now defunct DefSTAR Records staff blog.
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