Stage 15 Review: Anime Version of AKBINGO!

I'm going to be brief about Episode 2 and try to explain in much details as possible.
Episode 2 of AKB0048 Next Stage, codenamed;

Stage 15: A Shocking New Initiative!?

Last episode, the girls managed to save Chieri, Sonata and Yukirin from 48 years of prison sentence. Chieri's popularity has risen to greater heights since the trial mostly because she stood up and call upon "the might of the pioneers" - frankly speaking about the original members of 0048. Her speech was broadcasted over and over in commercials everywhere around Akibastar and presumably throughout the galaxy. Ever since then, Chieri has been doing solo works such as gravure photo shoots and... more photo shoots.

Posing perfection!

With that smile, any sane living dude would melt right away.

You said I'm less cute with the hat? 

The rumor is she's currently being pushed by a big money sponsor as stated by Miichan. The other kenkyuusei were left to moan about the upcoming general elections in their dormitories.

Yuuka was quite cute in this scene.
P/S: I'm NOT complimenting Amina!

Fear not future Acchan. This is just the beginning.

The first scene was actually a scene in their temple as Sensei Sensei mumbled something about Guerilla and Bungee. Tsubasa thought he was producing lyrics for a new song but it's not.

Oh he mentioned these as well. No way in
hell those are lyrics for an AKB song. 

Afterwards, the new OP is revealed! Between this and Kibou ni Tsuite, I prefer this one more because of the happy mood. The title for the new OP is titled Aruji Naki Sono Koe.

There's the full title of the OP and ED aka new singles for NO NAME.

After the OP, Tsubasa announced that the kenkyuusei will be participating on variety shows. Pretty much like AKBINGO and AKB Shuukan.

Reminds me of Phrase Museum in AKBINGO!

Looks more like Shojiki Shogi. I spot Sata!

Not everyone have cable TV nowadays. In the future as well.

Bungee jumping for the first variety show appearance.
How wrong could that be?

77th generation KKS reaction queen.

Since this is their first time being on variety shows, the kenkyuusei are quite nervous and became really awksward in in front of cameras. The audience doesn't seem to be getting their acts on shows so they didn't receive much applause.

(=.=)"

Someone's unamused. Chill Mariko, chill...

This leads to Tsubasa being cranky since the shows were aired to planets under full entertainment ban where it's really hard to do guerrilla concerts. Mimori was be able to turn the tables around during a dodgeball match. Her Kirara glowed bright even when they're not performing on stage.

Look at that bouncing, I mean reflexes. Fucking ridiculous.

I choose you, Torterra!

Go Blaziken!

Next, the girls perform Shoujotachiyo with 3D animations. After the performance, Tsubasa surprisingly announces the early results of the general elections.

QWERTYUIOPLKJHGFDSAZXCCVBNM

Kitarie the ninth was ranked tenth.

I'd say she resembled 80% to real life Kitarie.

 In ninth place was Chieri.

Powerrr pussshhh ish worrrking!

 The episode ends soon after Chieri showed us her "WTF!?" face.

There's something more distracting than her reaction.
Yuko approves.

Was an okay-okay episode. My biggest question though is; WHERE THE HELL DID KITARIE COME FROM? She was never ever mentioned last season. Let alone being appeared! So I'm kind of surprised to see new successors coming out from nowhere. Don't tell me there'll be more new successors that was never mentioned/appeared gonna show up from oblivion for the elections. I'm eager to know who's gonna voice Kitarie though. That is, if she gets a voice. Another thing is fan service. Pervs, rejoice. This episode has loads of it. Not really that much though but enough to fulfill one's weekly dose of anime ecchiness. There's shots of loli Chieri in bikini,

I sense pedobear is coming.

 Mimori baking a voluptuous cake

OMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOM

 and the dodgeball match of course.

STUD!

That's all for Episode 2. Looking forward for episode 3. What was Chieri's full reaction after seeing her ranked in the senbatsu? What about the rest of the preliminary results? Where was my beloved Yuko ranked in the preliminaries? Are we going to see more successors following Kitarie's sudden appearance? To be next stage>>>>>

0048 Next Stage: Stage 14 Review

Regarding my last post, I mentioned that AKB0048 Next Stage will be aired around this month or so. Turned out, it was already aired! By the time I posted that last post Next Stage was already on it's 4th episode -_- Well, it's hard to really keep up with everything but I'm trying my hardest to balance college and entertainment at the same time. Yes I'm a college student. I'm on my last foundation semester. Just finished my midterms today. So now that it's already aired, I think I will write a detailed episode by episode review for it. Now ahemmm! Moving on to Episode 1 AKB0048 Next Stage.

Episode 1 - The Young Girls' Trial

Picking up where we left off, the understudies are training for a concert. Nagisa suddenly fell asleep at the most weirdest place to fall asleep; the stairs. She had a dream where she meet Acchan the 13th and saw Idols (presumably 0048 members climbing the stairs and fell down.

Last time, Acchan was considered God. Looks like she still is. 

Fan Service right from the start. Great way to start a new season.

Another Fan Service.  Courtesy of Amina and Nakayan.

First, we are treated to an energetic 3D animated Shonichi performance by our favourite 77th and 75th generation of 0048 research students. Opening day song for the opening of a new season. Could not have been any better!

Ahh this song reminds me of how awesome Team B was.
Don't get me wrong.  The new Team B featuring Nyan Nyan and Paruru
is awesomer!

My favourite NO NAME song. The other two were too serious.

Nothing is ever  wrong with rainbows!

I think everyone pretty much already knew that. Slowpokes.

Is it me or does this old Team K trio always look awesome when they're together?

You're lying. You said that just because Acchan isn't around anymore.

I thought Mayuyu doesn't eat veges. Hell, I thought robots can't eat!
MIND=BLOWN

Yukirin and her ridiculously large robes

Mayu Radar is tingling

MK3 Combat Mode is the cutest

I would love to see that expression on Mariko-sama

Well said. For a cyborg.

How in the world can three cute girls be terrorists?

Chillax Tsubasa. You already broke that stick once.

Apparently this DES soldier is an Acchan fan

Now where have I seen this before...

Correction: Your song!

Be prepared for a Yuko-special spirit bomb

Chieri's dad is a total creep.

My thoughts exactly!

Kawamori, you are a pure genius. Instead of making a plain idol anime about the daily life of idols (specifically mentioning Idolm@ster), you make something so small become so monstrously huge! I did not know that I was gonna be so into AKB48 if I started watching 0048 but just because of 0048, I started to follow AKB48 in and out. This series was so underestimated last year that it took me by surprise when I started watching it and fell in love with it ever since! Enough praising. More reviewing.

Okay, the first episode of the new season is all in all great. Since this is the second season, I'm not going to comment much on the AKB-seiyuu voices. I mean, they already have a year of experience. I guess it's fair to say that they're doing really well. For this review, I'm gonna comment mostly on the plot.

As expected, the new general elections are coming as previewed in the last episode of last season. All the current successors and KKS are going to participate in it. The KKS especially the 77th gen are all nervous and scared of it since this is their first time participating. Yuko was so overjoyed when it was announced presumably because she has no real competition for top spot since there's no Acchan, yet. The fact that Acchan the 13th appeared in Nagisa's dream might just be the hint of who's going to become the next Acchan. Then, some of the girls were kidnapped by DES soldiers and a force trial were handed to them. As expected, 0048 members are not going to sit down quiet and let that happen. Tsubasa became so cranky that she broke her stick, twice. All the successors and KKS went into battle to save their comrades while singing Pioneer. Pioneer is a cliche Team A song but it's catchy though. After they succeeded on saving the girls so easily even though the planet is known to be one of the stronghold of DES, we get to see Chieri's creepy dad. That's it. The end.

So, did I like the episode? Of course. Fanservice galore along with a battle scene and insert songs. Oh the new ending theme was nice. I like the new ending theme more compared to last season's. Last season was too serious but it's not bad. I give the first episode a 10 out of 10. Great way to kick off the new season. Drama right off the bat!

0048 First Stage Review

"An intergalactic entertainment adventure featuring AKB48!" - a quote from the official anime trailer in the official
AKB48 channel on YouTube.

This series was aired over a year ago and season 2 is coming up around this month or next month but it's never too late to write a review for it. Oh to read or not to read? You decide o wise readers.

First of all, I have to admit that this is perhaps the most overlooked anime series of 2012. If not the most overlooked anime ever! What do you expect from an anime made up based on AKB48? Not much. Probably just going to be like Idolm@ster the Animation. Well I'd say you're wrong. I thought of it like that at first but boy did I get a sucker punch. There is actually an interesting plot. The Earth as we know it is inhabitable and we are already scattered throughout the universe settling nicely and peacefully. Planets like Lancastar however, where some of the main characters are from are under the Universal Entertainment Ban. The whole planet is being made as a huge industrial site. The skies were pitch black by the smokes from factories. The land is dried up and plants withers. Armies and guards alike are everywhere. Clearly the writers are portraying what life would be if there was no entertainment. And among all types of entertainments, Idols were total taboo. That's where AKB0048 came in and became a savior to planets under the Entertainment Ban. Don't ask me where are the other Idol groups such as Morning Musume. Maybe they were wiped out during the third world war? I don't know. What about Justin Bieber? Fuck off.

I find the succession system in AKB0048 quite interesting. You work hard to succeed someone from AKB0048. In order to do that, first you need to audition and become a kenkyuusei, research students. From that point on, what you do will reflect whether you are able to succeed someone from AKB0048 or not. Magical creatures known as Kirara are able to detect one's Idol presence in them. There is another type of Kirara known as Kirara of Succession where they project images of the original AKB0048 members and their current successors. These Kiraras will play a huge part on deciding the next successor for a member. Nagisa, Yuuka, Orine, Chieri, Sonata, Suzuko and Makoto are the main characters along with Kanata and Mimori, they are the 77th and 75th generations of AKB0048 research students. As of right now, the real AKB48 are having their own 12th generation of research students. Still a long way to go LOL! But apparently, there are only eight senbatsu members for the current AKB0048 roster (Takahashi Minami the 5th, Oshima Yuko the 9th, Itano Tomomi the 11th, Kojima Haruna the 8th, Miyazawa Sae the 13th, Akimoto Sayaka the 5th, Kashiwagi Yuki the 6th and Watanabe Mayu MK3) as mentioned in my last post. So the numbers of research students that can succeed them are limited. Though there were other members
such as Minegishi Minami, Yokoyama Yui and Sashihara Rino being mentioned but apparently they still don't have a successor for any of them. There used to be this so called Center Nova position where anyone who holds the position has the right to be top dawg but it was abolished as soon as the last center nova, Maeda Atsuko the 13th disappeared right after a concert. This has direct connection to the real AKB48 though as just before the series was made, Maeda Atsuko announced her graduation from AKB48. Not only that, Maeda was also known as "the face of AKB48" and their center for most of their A-Side singles in the past. Credit to the writers for making that connection. It's not an AKB48 show if the *former* face of AKB48 herself is not being featured in it.

For the casts, the main characters are voiced by AKB48 members along with a couple from SKE48 and one from NMB48. There was an audition among them to make up the casts of AKB0048. The casts of AKB0048 are singing the OP and ED themselves, thus forming a whole new AKB48 sub-unit called NO NAME.

0048 cast lineup also new sub-unit called NO NAME <--- Creative? No.

The most notable name among the casts is Watanabe Mayu (in case you can't read their names, she's at bottom left). She's the only current AKB48 senbatsu member to be in the AKB0048 cast. She voiced Chieri. Her partner in the spotlight is Iwata Karen (bottom center) who voiced Nagisa. I just found out she's actually an AKB48 research student and was just recently promoted to AKB48 Team A! The story focuses a lot on these two and their character developments. So even for a constant senbatsu member like Mayuyu, that is a tough job but it's not her first time on the spotlight though. Last year, she was the center for the AKB48 starring drama, Majisuka Gakuen 2. Of course being an actor and a voice actor are two different things but TBH she did really well. She's great in both actually. Funny thing is she's not voicing her own character but Mayuyu MK3 and Chieri does have some similarities. There was one awkward scene involving Mayuyu MK3 and Chieri in episode 3:

Awkward moment~ Mayuyu MK3 (left) meets her predecessor. 
Her voice at least.

It makes me wonder what did the real Mayuyu think when they were recording that particular scene. I think she should've voiced both of them but enough on that. As for Karen, it's a start. She's only 14! Her voice can be irritating at times but it suits Nagisa's character very well. I like Yagami Kumi (middle right). She's voicing the ever so childish Sonata. She's really natural. I like her character in Majisuka Gakuen as well. The others are all okay though. The ones voicing the AKB0048 shuumei members are some of the top dawgs in voice acting such as Akemi Kanda and Yui Horie. So, no problems with them.

Being an AKB48-based anime, this review is incomplete if I don't comment on the musical score for the series. The scores were amazing. Most of them are from AKB48 singles such as Aitakatta, Oogoe Diamond and Heavy Rotation.

Song: Aitakatta Episode: 1 - Eternal Dreams
The quatro meets their Idols live for the first time.
That jet is called the Flying Get. No kidding.

You know what song that is.  Probably the shortest version of
the song I've ever heard.
I WANT MORE!
I NEED MORE!
I LOVE MORE?

I liked the score from episode 11 personally. Oogoe Diamond was the track but somehow they make it sound really epic for a jail raid. In each episode, there's at least one AKB48 single being played or sung. The RIVER live performance in episode 9 was one of the best for me. Not only for the story that is building towards the performance, but the choreography was exactly tip-top just like the real AKB48.

No, they're not performing UZA. Not without Jurina or Paruru or Sakura at least.

One of the natural phenomenons of this planet are it's rivers that can spit out fireworks. Cool.

Another was Beginner in episode 3. Suits the mood and situation perfectly. These are by far their biggest selling point for me. The OP and ED performed by the casts are well-written. I never skipped them even once especially the OP. It stucked in my head for a long time now but I got over it. In some songs, the shuumei members voice actors actually sang the AKB48 songs on their own. Most of them are really good especially the one voicing Takamina the 5th.

The plot was all in all interesting and enjoyable. I love stories that has connection to the real world. So it's really easy for me to dive into the series and become a part of it entirely. Moreover, what is there not to like about AKB48? They're a social phenomenon in Japan. This show can be enjoyed by everyone. From kids to adults. Even Wotas and Otakus alike. I give it a 9 out of 10. The artwork was a bit sketchy but passable enough to watch and it surprisingly fits. The 3D animation was wowwing. I don't know if that's even a word. Don't see any point for their eyes as all of either have a heart-shaped or a diamond-shape pupil reflections but doesn't really matter. The last episode was more of a teaser instead of a great conclusion to a great first season but nonetheless it's a great preview on what to expect for the second season. Looking forward to see which of them will become Acchan the 14th.

So up to that point, there had been 13 different Acchans.
Right now, I'm waiting for Acchan the 2nd. 14th can wait.

My money's on Nagisa! Chieri to become Mayuyu the 4th LOL! Yuuka to become Mariko-sama! Orine to become Yukirin the 7th! I still think Kanata will become Takamina :P

Here's Nagisa taken from episode 5 - Their Day Off.
TBH, her character is really boring.
Suits to become Acchan the 14th?

Here's Acchan the 13th. Any similarities between the two?
I'd say it's the ribbon at least.

Here's the real Acchan. With the ribbon.

-------->TO BE NEXT STAGE!

Honestly

So I have this blog for two whole years already. What did I do with it? Not much. I only posted 13 times. Had 198 views along the way. I don't know whether that's bad or not but I don't care. I don't even know why do I even started blogging in the first place. Maybe it's because I'm just too damn lazy to write a diary. Maybe I wanted to share a piece of my mind with people around me. I don't know. I still don't know. What I do know is that today I'm turning 19 *ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED*

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Being older means you're supposed to be getting wiser but honestly, I don't feel any wiser than yesterday. So to lighten up my birthday I present myself with an AKB48 PV - Namida Surprise! Yayyy!

Speaking of which, this PV was released back in 2009. There was no real significant event such as Acchan's birthday or anything during the release but I found this song quite unique and very Idol-like. Suits their image well and their school uniforms! Let's forget about that. Anyhow, as of right now I am quite hooked with AKB48. Honestly, I don't know why LOL just kidding. It all started around early last year when I started watching AKB0048 - an anime based on AKB48...

These are the current AKB0048 shumei members (successors)
From left: Akimoto Sayaka the 5th, Miyazawa Sae the 13th,
Takahashi Minami the 5th, Oshima Yuko the 9th,
Maeda Atsuko the 13th, Itano Tomomi the 11th,
Kojima Haruna the 8th, Watanabe Mayu MK3, Kashiwagi Yuki the 6th

My knowledge regarding AKB48 at that time was quite limited. The only thing I know about them was that they're an Idol group and they have 48 members. But as soon as I watch the first episode, I fell in love with their songs especially Aitakatta. The song sticked in my head for a long time that I went all hell to download the single, find the PV and memorize the lyrics. Aitakatta's lyrics and melody are quite simple but nice in terms of starting a positive and happy mood for a live performance since they're an Idol group and all. The plot was also interesting. I'm gonna write more on AKB0048 later on but that's enough for the series now. Basically, that is how I started going deeper and deeper with AKB48. The more I watch the series, the more I love AKB48 and their songs though on my first run, I barely know any of the songs played in the background or being sung. But as soon as I downloaded most of the singles that appeared in AKB0048, I went for a second run and I find it more awesomer! Honestly.

Post-Apocalypse Post

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First of all, take a moment of silence and thank God for giving us more time to waste on Earth. Screw the peoples who predicted that the world would end yesterday. So the Mayans calendar end yesterday. You can't just make assumptions. It's a calendar written for 400 years. Who knows they were probably just running out of ink or stone tablets to write on. That would be a better assumption!

Yesterday was quite quiet. There was not much of a buzz in this part of the world but I've read that in China, the believers went all public about it causing police to intervene. In Mexico, believers swarm the Chitchen Itza ruins and held rituals. My knowledge regarding 21.12.2012 is limited but there were no extraordinary phenomenon happened (comets fell/solar flare/three days of darkness etc.) yesterday. Not that I was hoping for it but IMO, the scientists/theorists/archaeologists that came up with 21.12.2012 apocalypse are delusional. Let's just hand over 'this whole end of the world' thing to the nature and the universe. The universe is a always a mystery and no one will ever understand it.

One good thing about yesterday though is that there were relentless meme entries on 9gag and memecenter :)

Doomsday countdown

P/S: STFU believers. Get a life. Go get laid :)
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My gaming, the past year or so

Hey, everyone!!! Being so damn quiet for a year or so was quite stressful. Went silent just because of a little thing called SPM. Just between you and me, I did not exert myself to the fullest on the exam. Instead, I was too focused playing FFTA2: Grimoire of the Rift and Pokemon Diamond on No$gba. Ahh, the memories...

Le finally an update!

Holy Moly. It's been more than one year since I updated this blog and there's a whole new Blogger. In commemoration to this update, I am going to write crap on anime. Just anime. Nahh, JK. It won't be complete if I only write anime for this down and dusty blog. I'll write on everything that comes to mind :)

KEKEKE I have come from the depths of the
underworld to write crap in this blog

For all of you who wanted to know, that was Hasegawa Kobato( 羽瀬川小鳩 ) from the anime Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (僕は友達が少ない, lit. I Don't Have Many Friends). Cute, isn't she? And no, am not a lolicon. Sena caught my attention more since she gave the most fanservice in the show. And no, not an Ecchi. Just a lonely guy who likes things to be out of the ordinary #ForeverAlone. The anime was about mainly friendship. It centers around the male protagonist, Hasegawa Kodaka. He just transferred to a new school and gave a bad first impression towards, pretty much the whole school. So yeah, he doesn't make friends there. He met Yozora whom later known to be as his long lost childhood friend and founded the Rinjinbu literally The Neighbours Club. The aim of the club: To Make Friends. Sena, Rika, Maria, Yukimura and Kobato joins the club afterwards.

The poster for the Rinjinbu. Line them correctly and
you can literally see that it has a hidden message.
HINT: Searching for friends

All and all it was a good show. Enjoyed it. And for those plotwhores who bashes anime like K-ON! then you won't take this to liking. Sometimes, you don't need to have a good plot to enjoy an anime. You just need to kick back and relax watching them. This anime is wholly about friendship, setting the harem part aside apart of course.