The appeal and evaluation of AKB0048 Series 1: An anime depicting the dreams and reality of idols

AKB0048 Series 1 Review and Details

Overview

"AKB0048" is a TV anime series that aired from April 29 to July 22, 2012, and is an original anime work by Shoji Kawamori and Satelight. It tells the story of the members of "AKB0048", who inherit the name of the legendary idol group "AKB48", risking their lives to perform guerrilla live shows in a future world where entertainment activities are banned. This work attracted attention as a high-quality original animation, thanks to Shoji Kawamori's innovative ideas and the cutting-edge technology of Satelight.

■ Story

In an era when entertainment was banned, there were idols who delivered guerrilla live shows without regard for danger. Yes, their name was "AKB0048". "AKB48" continued to shine as a legendary idol until just before the destruction of the earth. This is the story of a super galactic idol team who inherited the name by taking over. Even in a harsh environment, they continue to sing of hope and pave the way for the future together with their fans.

■Explanation

"AKB0048" is a work that brings together a stellar staff of directors, including young director Yoshimasa Hiraike, series composition by Mari Okada, and character design by Risa Ebata, under the direction of Shoji Kawamori. Shoji Kawamori is a master of the anime world known for the "Macross" series and "Transformers," and his works that incorporate "songs" and "idols" are supported around the world. "AKB0048" depicts Kawamori's new challenge.

This work, directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike, who is well-known for depicting the daily lives of cute women, combines the script by Mari Okada and the character design by Risa Ebata to create a completely new form of idol. In particular, the growth and conflicts of the trainee members and the successor members, as well as the bonds with the fans, are depicted, leaving viewers in awe.

■Cast

[Research student members]

• Orion Aida/Ayaka Nakatani
• Yuka Ichijo/Amina Sato
• Suzuko Kanzaki/Sawako Hata
• Mimori Kishida/Sumire Sato
• Shinonome Kanata/Haruka Ishida
• Shinonome Sokata/Yagami Kumi
• Chieri Sono/Mayu Watanabe
• Nagisa Motomiya/Karen Iwata
• Makoto Yokomizo/Mao Mita

[Successor members]

• Sayaka (10th generation Sayaka Akimoto) / Ayako Kawasumi
• Tomochin (11th generation Tomomi Itano) / Kana Ueda
• Yuko (9th generation Yuko Oshima) / Akemi Kanda
• Yukirin (6th generation Yuki Kashiwagi) / Yui Horie
• Kojima Haruna (8th generation Kojima Haruna) / Noto Mamiko
• Takamina (5th generation Takahashi Minami) / Ryoko Shiraishi
• Atchan (13th generation Atsuko Maeda) / Sawashiro Miyuki
• Sae (10th generation Miyazawa Sae) / Nakahara Mai
• Mayuyu (6th generation Mayu Watanabe) / Yukari Tamura

Other main cast members:

• Tsubasa / Yumi Kakazu
• Ushiyama/Daisuke Ono
• Megumi Wanibuchi/Momoka Kinoshita
• Hazuki Yanagawa/Miyu Takeuchi
• Mamoru/Haruka Ishida
• Aoi/Airi Furukawa
• Mikako Minamino/Sachiko Kojima

■ Main staff

• Planning and supervision: Yasushi Akimoto
• Original author and general director: Shoji Kawamori
• Series composition and scriptwriting: Mari Okada
• Character design: Risa Ebata
• Director: Yoshimasa Hiraike
• Executive Producer/Toshiro Otsuki
• Animation Production: Satelight

■ Main Characters

[Research student members]

• Aida Orion
  A 77th trainee. She has a gentle personality and is often seen walking behind Nagisa and Tomoka. Surprisingly, she likes tinkering with machines and is good at it. She blushes a little and makes big gestures when she gets flustered. She's a glutton.
• Ichijou Tomoka
  A 77th trainee. She is a type who speaks her mind and is a bit short-tempered, but she also has a gentle side. She always carries a big bag and brings out everything. She is childhood friends with Orine and Nagisa, and she often leads the two of them in their actions.
• Kanzaki Suzuko
  A 77th trainee. She is usually a quiet girl with glasses, but she is an idol otaku who is knowledgeable about the trivia and history of 0048 and often gives explanations. She treasures an autograph she received from a certain person.
• Mimori Kishida
  A 75th trainee. She is a sexy character who boasts a tall figure and ample proportions. For some reason, she speaks in a slightly sweet way, ending her sentences in lowercase letters such as "noo~" and "dakara~", but it seems that she isn't actually acting this out. For some reason, she is often seen in sexy poses.
• Shinonome Kanata
  A 75th trainee. She is hardworking, serious, and has a somewhat rigid personality. She is best friends with Mimori, who is from the same year, and she can tell her honest feelings to her. She is Sokata's older sister, and generally finds her younger sister annoying. The two sisters' fights are quite intense.
• Shinonome Sokata
  77th trainee. The youngest trainee, she is the shortest and most athletic... or rather, she is a bit of a wild and airheaded child. She gives people strange nicknames right away, but they don't really stick. She is Kanata's younger sister and loves her big sister very much.
• Sono Chieri
  A 77th trainee. She has a cool personality and can be harsh to others at times. She surpasses her peers in sincerity and enthusiasm for 0048. She is actually the daughter of a wealthy family. She has admired 0048 since she was a child, and although she doesn't tell others about it, she has big dreams.
• Nagisa Motomiya
  A 77th trainee. Although she is a little absent-minded, she admires 0048. She is often scolded by Tomoka for being too laid back. She is not very good at singing, but she has improved since becoming a trainee.
• Makoto Yokomizo
  A 77th trainee. A coward and a scaredy-cat. She gets anxious when she gets on a plane and thinks she might fall off. She loves 0048, but thinks it would be too much to be a member. She worries about not having a good figure, and hopes that she will look feminine where she should.

[Successor members]

• Sayaka (10th generation Sayaka Akimoto)
  She's beautiful, but not feminine. But she's not rough either. Even though she's an idol, she has six-pack abs and looks like an athlete. It would be fine if she only trained her own body, but the other members also want to train. She looks good when she pumps her fist in victory.
• Tomochin (11th generation Tomomi Itano)
  A petite and cute girl. Her fashion sense is the best! Her mouth is her charm point. She is the envy of girls and is popular with a wide range of people, from children to adults. She doesn't say much and seems cool at first glance, but she is actually friendly and gets along well with her juniors.
• Yuko (9th generation Yuko Oshima)
  He is known for his speedy and large-scale dancing. He has an open personality and is friendly to everyone. He is dynamic during battles and agile like a baby squirrel. When he gets involved with the other members, he sometimes uses sexual harassment play like an old man, but it is only physical contact that comes from his affection.
• Yukirin (6th generation Yuki Kashiwagi)
  She is a huge idol fan and aims to be an idol for life. She has a godlike way of interacting with fans. Although she is originally shy and does things at her own pace, she usually takes on an older sister-like role among the members and is gentle in her manner.
• Kojima Haruna (8th generation Kojima Haruna)
  She has no interest in fashion or skincare, and is the most feminine of the succession members. She can be a little naive and clumsy, but when it's time to get serious, she gets serious. She generally walks slightly inward, and has a lot of girly gestures.
• Takamina (5th generation Takahashi Minami)
  Captain of AKB0048. She is a highly respected leader who gives precise instructions during live performances and operations. The other members follow her because she works harder than anyone else. However, she is usually a bit scatterbrained, her conversations often go awry, and she is often the one who gets picked on.
• Atchan (13th generation Atsuko Maeda)
  She was originally clumsy, but by becoming the center, she has become more refined as an idol. She is unpredictable and takes things at her own pace. She can make the luminous lifeform Kirara shine brightly.
• Sae (10th generation Miyazawa Sae)
  A sports-oriented girl. She often hangs out with Sayaka. She often participates in battles, and is a member that is more interested in battles than in live performances. Her short hair and boyish look make her popular with female fans. She is very caring, and is loved by the trainees.
• Mayuyu (3rd type: Mayu Watanabe)
  In front of fans and cameras, she has a charming idol smile, but when she's in the dorm or hanging out with other members, she speaks calmly and with a poker face. Sometimes she makes meaningful statements, but the truth behind them is unknown.

Other major characters:

• Manager and producer of Tsubasa Theater. In charge of issuing instructions to AKB0048's successor members and trainees. A calm and collected, reliable commander. A mysterious woman who doesn't like to talk much about her past.
• Ushiyama is the dance teacher for AKB0048. He is sometimes strict and sometimes kind. He has a strong relationship of trust with Tsubasa, and is also a friend and a good confidant.
• Megumi Wanibuchi
  She was a 76th trainee. She was originally best friends with Yoko (now the 10th Miyazawa Sae), who was her classmate and took over the name before her.
• Yanagawa Hazuki
  76th trainee. Strong-willed, but also caring.
• Mamoruka's male friend. At first he was against idols, but now he is a WOTA fan and a fan of Suzuko.
• A member of WOTA who lives in Aoi Lancaster. He always acts together with Mamoru.
• A photographer who works at places like Atami Hoshi, the mecca for Mikako Minamino's gravure. She is the original 5th generation Minami Minegishi, and the center nova that Tsubasa is chasing after the truth about!

■Subtitle

• Stage 1/An unforgettable dream
• Stage 2/The Chosen Light
• Stage3/Stardust Selection
• Stage 4/Your efforts will not betray you
• Stage 5 / Each Holiday
• Stage 6/First handshake event
• Stage 7/Kirara's name change
• Stage 8/Whose name is it?
• Stage 9/Kimochi Relation
• Stage 10 / Miracle Between the Waves
• Stage 11/Lancaster Returns
• Stage 12/Idols who sing of love
• Stage 13/For a smile
• Stage 14/Girl's Trial
• Stage 15/A shocking new development!?
• Stage 16 / Before the Dawn of the Idol

■ Theme songs and music

[Opening theme]

• About Hope
• Lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto
• Composer: Masahiro Kawaura
• Arrangement: Yuichi Nonaka "Masa"
• No Name

[Ending theme]

• Dreams are reborn again and again
• Lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto
• Composer: Shintaro Ito
• Arrangement: Shintaro Ito
• No Name

■Review

"AKB0048" is set in a future world where entertainment activities are banned, and tells the story of the members of "AKB0048", who inherit the name of the legendary idol group "AKB48", risking their lives to perform guerrilla live shows. This work has attracted attention as a high-quality original animation, produced by Satelight using Shoji Kawamori's innovative ideas and cutting-edge technology.

The story depicts the growth and struggles of the trainee members and the successor members, as well as their bonds with their fans, leaving viewers in awe. In particular, the dreams and worries of each trainee member are portrayed realistically, making it appealing enough to make you want to root for their growth. Also, each of the successor members has a distinct personality, making their performances and live scenes worth watching.

The appeal of the characters is also a major point. Trainee members Aita Orion, Ichijo Yuka, Kanzaki Suzuko, and others all have different personalities, but all share a strong passion for AKB0048. In particular, Ichijo Yuka's leadership and Kanzaki Suzuko's wealth of knowledge are important elements that add excitement to the story. Meanwhile, successor members Sayaka, Tomochin, Yuko, and others are symbols of AKB0048 and give hope to fans. Their performances and live scenes have the power to draw viewers in.

The music is also one of the attractions of this work. The opening theme "About Hope" and the ending theme "Dreams are Born Again Many Times" express the worldview of AKB0048, with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and music by Masahiro Kawaura and Shintaro Ito. In particular, the opening theme "About Hope" is a powerful message of hope to the viewers, sung by the members of AKB0048.

Satelight's technical capabilities also shine in terms of visuals. The CG and special effects used to depict the future world are visually beautiful and are an important element in adding excitement to the story. The quality of the visuals is particularly high in live and battle scenes, drawing viewers in.

Overall, "AKB0048" is an idol story set in a future world, but it is a moving work that depicts the growth and conflicts of the characters, as well as the bonds with the fans. This work, which combines Shoji Kawamori's innovative ideas with Satelight's technical capabilities, is recommended not only for anime fans but also for idol fans.

■Recommendation

"AKB0048" is recommended not only for idol and anime fans, but also for those who want to enjoy a story set in a future world and the growth of the characters. In particular, the story, which realistically depicts the dreams and worries of each trainee member, will move viewers. In addition, the performances and live scenes of the successor members are visually beautiful and have the power to draw viewers in. The quality of the music and visuals is also high, making it a high-quality work overall. Please give it a watch.