AKB48 - 2014 - The Year In Review: Before everything, I am greeting everyone an advanced Happy New Year 2015 as I may not have time to greet everyone again later. Essentially this is a reflection of the biggest events to happen in AKB48 for 2014. Most notable are the three: 1. Rise of Sakuratan as a double center with Mayuyu - Non-followers of HKT48 were caught by surprise when a young 48project member gets to share the center position with Mayu for Kibouteki Refrain. Sakuratan originally started as just one of the cute young members from HKT48 and jockeyed for position against Haruppi, Meru, and Mio within HKT. I myself being a Haruppi-oshi (in HKT) did not expect this to happen as I was expecting someone else like heavily pushed Meru into the forefront. But I guess Sakuratan had more x-factor in her and refreshing charm (including skills of course!) that made her prime candidate as center. AKS is now pushing hard for the acknowledgement of the younger generation since most of the 1st generation members are already gone, with the 2nd and 3rd gen in tow. 2. Graduation announcement of Minami Takahashi and naming Yui Yokoyama as the next Soukantoku - It was a matter of time when Takamina would announce her graduation. I guess she was also following Aki-Ps original plan of making AKB48 just a 10-year project. For those like me who were AKB48 fans before AKB was even popular (casual fan in 2007-2008, went hardcore wota early 2009) I was also hit hard as what will AKB since Takamina is going away. For us older fans, Takamina will always be the spirit (and some claim its the heart) of AKB48. She has properly guided and cared for AKB as both a regular member and overall leader of the 48-franchise. Yuihan being named as a successor though was a sign of relief as I am quite familiar with Yuihans dedication to AKB even to the point of Yuihan teaching her senior members the choreography of songs late at night when necessary. She picked up the traits of a great leader and I hope it will stay that way. 3. Aki-Ps long delayed pivot to Asia - My sore point in this whole AKB48 project. Yes, I am still thankful with the current new attention of Aki-P: Announcing new interest in a Manila-based sister group, future concerts in Indonesia and in Malaysia this coming 2015. Including also a revival of the halted TPE48 which is now replaced by recruiting Taiwanese girls to join AKB48 in japan first (which i suspect the girls will be sent back to Taiwan after some training and exposure to start TPE48 for real). I am just hoping everything will push through as with the delayed launch of the AKB48 album in the Philippines has dampen my mood including other events that I am not supposed to talk about (I will talk about it again if its approved). I am hoping everything will be done right and frankly, faster. :v There are other things that I think should be mentioned but these are the ones that in my opinion made a large impact for the local fandom in the Philippines and the rest of the wotas across the globe. Again, have a happy new year. May our dreams with AKB48 come true. :) *yes that is me cooking a local delicacy named Gisu a few minutes ago for the New Years celebration* Kome ^_^
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:35:54 +0000