Subunits: Time's Up?

As AKB48 became more popular, in an effort to solidify their own stake of influence in the family through boosting their own members' profile/popularity, members' management talent agencies have been scrambling to form one of their own in a bid to implicitly outdo one other. Thus we have seen the proliferation of sub-units over the past two years; we currently have no less than five permanent sub-units altogether, and a couple of temporary ones to boot over the years.

Prominent in the 48 landscape since 2010, they didn't hit critical mass until later that year and earlier on in 2011, with each group releasing at least 2-3 singles last year throughout 2011. Watanabe Entertainment, Ohta Production, office48 have one unit each (French Kiss, Not yet and DiVA respectively), whilst Production Ogi has two (in the form of no3b and Watarirouka Hashiritai (7)).

This year, though, the outlook has not been so rosy for sub-unit activity.

A History: Part Three

The release of RIVER during late October 2009 significantly changed how I felt about AKB48 at the time - from nothing more than a mere intrigue and passing interest, to an active period of exploration and excitement. Amidst the backdrop of a self that was firmly affixed to the otaku scene, there was the start of a shift in thinking and participation from one subculture to another.

A History: Part Two

In my previous instalment, I shared with you the beginnings of my entry into the wide world of Asian popular culture, and the foundations of my current tastes in music.

Continuing on, shall we?

A History: Part One

Who am I? Apart from what I have already mentioned in my introductory (and other) post(s), your constructed image of me will be nothing more than a bunch of text and a thoroughly unconvincing user avatar of a girl, of which I am not one (of course, unless you have actually met me personally or unlucky enough to see my face uploaded onto the Internet through various means). Millions of pages could be written about my personal life, my value systems, things and people I liked and didn't like. But no, that's boring and I wish to keep (most) of my highly specific personal life details private, as most sensible people would on the Internet. Rather, I want to share with you my life experiences and history as it pertains to how I got into this wild beast of a fandom called AKB48.

An Idol Fan's Take on Scholarly Readings

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to enroll in a Japanese popular culture subject at university, something that was different to all my usual business-type stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed it (if only because arts subjects are so much more lax than commerce, but I digress) as a means to appreciate a more scholarly take on the media that interests me. But in the end, I was left wanting more. Something more... directly and specifically relevant to the idol fandom that I participate and consume.

As per my usual boring self, a couple of months ago I was browsing through the internet and I came across something which really caught my eye. And proceeded to subsequently purchase it months later when it was finally released. Enter the book that you saw above.