Week 8 (2014)

In these weekly posts, I gather all the variety appearances of AKB members and briefly summarize what happened. AKBingo was on a break this week due to the Sochi Olympics.

Ariyoshi AKB Kyowakoku (17.2)

Members: Uchida Mayumi, Owada Nana, Kojima Haruna, Kobayashi Kana, Komiyama Haruka, Sato Sumire, Chikano Rina, Tsuchiyasu Mizuki, Mukaichi Mion

Summary: This week’s Kyowakoku was a radio episode with non-senbatsu members and the 15th generation members. The episode started awkwardly as the non-senbatsu failed to do what they were supposed to do: introduce their talk subjects by singing them to the tune of Tetsu and Tomo’s Nande darou gag. The girls shared episodes which clearly mark them as non-senbatsu: other members not eating Ucchi’s souvenir, Chikarina’s handshake time being shorter than kenkyuuseis’ and Suuchan being compared to a potato on the Internet. In another corner, the four brought up things in which they are better than Kojiharu: Chikarina had sung a popular CM song before joining AKB, Suuchan has Teruyuki Kagawa’s phone number (+ Chikarina is friends with Nounen Rena and Takei Emi) and Kana is more often mistaken for a hostess. The climax of the episode was an insect eating competition between the non-senbatsu members and the 15th generation members.

Analysis: This week’s episode will be remembered for a long time: it created a legend for AKB fans. It was much easier for Ariyoshi to tease the girls as they were more willing to do anything to leave a lasting impact and Kojiharu was also more eager to tease them. The seriousness and hunger of the members were also obvious so it was entertaining to watch the episode. However, the end of the episode is what will be remembered: 15th generation members eating even more insects than comedians can take usually and then Ucchi pulling off a move I don’t remember ever even seeing. The eating competition has guaranteed future appearances for Ucchi and the kenkyuusei since they have a character on the show now.

Week 6 (2014)

In these weekly posts, I gather all the variety appearances of AKB members and briefly summarize what happened.

AKBingo (4.2)

Members: Aigasa Moe, Iwata Karen, Iwatate Saho, Oshima Ryoka, Okada Nana, Katayama Haruka, Kitazawa Saki, Kojima Mako, Kodama Haruka, Shinozaki Ayana, Takashima Yurina, Takahashi Juri, Takahashi Minami, Tanaka Natsumi, Tano Yuka, Nishino Miki, Matsuoka Natsumi, Minegishi Minami, Murashige Anna

Summary: This week’s AKBingo saw a return to the nostalgic Shojiki Shogi format. The pairings in this episode were Haachan v Miki and Murashige v Natsumikan. In the first match the most shocking questions involved the mystery of Haachan’s real age and who Miki does not like in Team 4 while the second match was full of revelations, including Natsumikan’s collection of naughty books and Murashige’s hilarious audition footage.

Analysis: This week AKBingo succeeded in making the headlines. That is what Shojiki shogi has been made for and the questions this time were particularly provocative. Miichan’s skill as a commentator becomes obvious when Kiyoto can even crack a joke about how often she does it on AKBingo. It was also interesting to see Haruppi try out the same position for the first time and brought up at least one worthy mention so she wasn’t that bad. Haachan doesn’t have a lot of chances to flex her variety muscle these days (outside Andare), but she certainly stole the show this week thanks to the buzz about her age. Her reaction to showing her audition footage was also noteworthy.

It is also pleasing to see Yuurin gradually learning the ropes of AKBingo. While she still throws her occasional out-of-place comments, she is becoming better bit by bit. Her way of entering Murashige’s discussion was fine and seeing her go at it with Murashige was also entertaining. Murashige also did well although her good work was somewhat overshadowed by the impact of her audition footage. Natsumikan brought her A game to the episode by showing the right “I will expose your secrets” attitude. In addition she did not refuse to talk about her awkward secrets that Murashige brought up in the questions so she certainly has the right mindset for even touchy variety like Shojiki shogi.

It looks like AKBingo is doing something new next week as the preview revealed it will feature a couple of the most famous AKB analysts.

Week 5 (2014)

In these weekly posts, I gather all the variety appearances of AKB members and briefly summarize what happened.

AKBingo (28.1)

Members: Aigasa Moe, Iwata Karen, Iwatate Saho, Okada Nana, Oshima Ryoka, Kashiwagi Yuki, Katayama Haruka, Kitazawa Saki, Kojima Mako, Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Sato Sumire, Shinozaki Ayana, Takashima Yurina, Takahashi Juri, Tanaka Natsumi, Tano Yuka, Nishino Miki, Minegishi Minami, Murashige Anna

Summary: This week’s AKBingo was another fashion check episode that was shot on the same day as the one aired at the end of last year. The members taking part in the competition were younger ones again (Juri, Haruppi, Murashige, Ryoka, Kojimako, Miki, Saho) while the veterans and the competitors from last time remained as commentators. It also looks like they shot Shoujiki shogi episodes on the same day and one of those episodes will be aired next week.

Analysis: Just after I got to praise Murashige for finding balance in variety, she goes on and leaves me wondering whether she has made any real progress at all. Her insistence on using -shige endings everywhere was misplaced this week. The same can also be said of Kojimako and her “gag” – she blurts it out randomly and only concerns others with it. It is not cut because it looks adorable enough, but then again she could do pretty much anything else in its place and not much would change (in temrs of being adorable). Moe also has a problem she doesn’t seem to be aware of or doesn’t know how to fix: whenever she speaks, she doesn’t put enough energy into it and her comments fall flat. With a voice as low as hers, it feels out of place in Bingo’s atmosphere. Her lack of excitement could work for her benefit if she made the right comments for her style (like Tomochin), but she hasn’t really caught up on that yet.

We also got to see good Karen-Juri chemistry as Karen set up the stage for Juri and Juri responded back cleverly. Miichan yet again showed why she is so valued in variety: she can give attention to any member, ranging from her Haachan tease (that gave Haachan the attention she would have missed otherwise) to supporting the Team 4 girls with witty comments. For Haruppi, I think it was the first time she used her IKKO jokes on TV (as fans have often compared her to IKKO due to her hair style) and it was also funny to see her interact with the other HKT members.

Week 3 (2014)

In these weekly posts, I gather all the variety appearances of AKB members and briefly summarize what happened. After last week’s post I realized that posting only summaries doesn’t feel right so I added review parts to a few programs.

AKBingo (14.1)

Members: Aigasa Moe, Azuma Rion, Anai Chihiro, Iwata Karen, Iwatate Saho, Umeta Ayano, Oshima Ryoka, Ota Aika, Okada Nana, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kimoto Kanon, Kojima Mako, Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Jonishi Kei, Takahashi Juri, Takahashi Minami, Takayanagi Akane, Tanaka Natsumi, Tano Yuka, Nakanishi Chiyori, Nishino Miki, Furuhata Nao, Matsui Rena, Matsuoka Natsumi, Minegishi Minami, Miyawaki Sakura, Murashige Anna, Moriyasu Madoka, Yagura Fuuko, Yamada Nana, Yamamoto Sayaka, Watanabe Miyuki

Summary: Unlike past years, this time the Lucky Girl Ranking is divided to three episodes so we need to wait for next week to see the final result. Some of the jokes from last week were carried over (Sasshi bullying the palm reader Shimada and Mirukii butting without anything to say) while Tano and Nana competed over whose Takamina impersonation is better after Getters’ Iida claimed they would succeed as impersonators. In addition, Murashige was as energetic as usual and Karen provided a new manga reading performance.

Review: I will write about the Lucky Girl Ranking episodes after all of them have been aired.

Week 52

In these weekly summaries, I go through the latest episodes of AKB48′s various shows. This week was marked by members’ various solo appearances in non-AKB shows. That will continue until the end of the year since there will be many specials dominating the TV in celebration of the year ending. Yuihan appeared on Platinum London Boots and seemed to do well – although I have only seen a lovely video of her singing Koi suru Fortune Cookie. Some fans suggested that she may be better off in shows like her own Kyoto show rather than the fast-paced variety world.

AKBingo (24.12)

Members: Aigasa Moe, Iwata Karen, Iwatate Saho, Okada Nana, Oshima Ryoka, Katayama Haruka, Kitazawa Saki, Kojima Mako, Kodama Haruka, Sato Sumire, Shinozaki Ayana, Takashima Yurina, Takahashi Juri, Tanaka Natsumi, Tano Yuka, Nishino Miki, Minegishi Minami, Murashige Anna

This week’s AKBingo started the traditional year-end run with a fashion show episode that mostly featured first-timers as well as a couple of HKT members making a refreshing comeback. Saki made her AKBingo debut and was even given a chance to leave an impact with her own joke. Out of the other Team 4 members, Yuurin showed admirable development with her capability to join the conversation even when the focus was on HKT. However, Team 4’s presence on variety shows is still mostly marked by Miichan whose influence and importance are undeniable. HKT members were less remarkable with even Natsumikan making an unusual mistake although she more than made up for it with her trademark sharpness in other places. Meanwhile the current “regulars” continued their good stride on the show with Karen coming up with one of the best boke outfits and Tano living up to her recent reaction queen image.

The next episode will continue with the year-end traditions by delivering a new handreading special even though the result last time was a complete fiasco in hindsight. Most likely they will pass that problem by having Bad Boys or one of the members crack a joke about it. Most of the preview was reserved for the weird sight of Takamina crying and it’s certainly a good way to catch attention – although I have a feeling it will end up being quite unremarkable.

Week 51

In these weekly summaries, I go through the latest episodes of AKB48′s various shows.

AKBingo (17.12)

Members: Abe Maria, Iwata Karen, Iwatate Saho, Uchiyama Natsuki, Oshima Ryoka, Oya Shizuka, Okada Nana, Kojima Mako, Shinozaki Ayana, Takahashi Juri, Takeuchi Miyu, Tano Yuka, Nagao Mariya, Nishino Miki, Maeda Ami, Yamauchi Suzuran

This week’s episode was a bit of a disappointment: there was too much laziness with the hints as Abe even didn’t give one (is that the first time this has happened?). The hyped mic performance was one of the weakest so far, with both sides being only so-so and the whole thing had to be wrapped up by Sata and not the members themselves. Ranran still sticks with her awkward style: overreacting while coming across as lighthearted and fishy doesn’t quite work. It becomes even more obvious when she is in other kind of situations, like Kyowakoku’s radio episodes.

Week 50

In these weekly summaries, I go through the latest episodes of AKB48′s various shows. Shimada appeared in the popular talk show Downtown DX this week and apparently succeeded to some degree (her name reached the top of search rankings after the show).

AKBingo (10.12)

Members: Abe Maria, Iwata Karen, Uchiyama Natsuki, Oshima Ryoka, Okada Nana, Kojima Mako, Takahashi Juri, Takeuchi Miyu, Tano Yuka, Shinozaki Ayana, Nagao Mariya, Nishino Miki, Maeda Ami, Yamauchi Suzuran

With the Nana prank project coming to its end after 3 weeks, I’m not too satisfied with its outcome. If it turns out to be a bigger success later on, then I’m fine with it. However, I think the staff screwed up it to some degree. The peak came with the centaur climax last week and the other prank this week wasn’t a satisfying follow-up to it. Most likely they did it that way to get Nana’s own reaction, but she didn’t show much of a reaction, as it could be expected. Oya and Sahhoo did well as prank helpers and Tano’s fineplay was a life-saver this week as well. Her and the director’s reactions were needed to save the last prank. I can understand Kojimako being picky with the food since I am myself quite like that, but for a Japanese TV talent that is unacceptable as pretty much everyone have to be able to do gourmet reports.

Week 46

In these weekly summaries, I go through the latest episodes of AKB48′s various shows. Shiichan did some impressive climbing in the game show VS Arashi this week. I recommend checking out if you have time for it. I will make a separate post for the upcoming Mechaike sports festival episode tomorrow.

AKBingo (12.11)

Members: Karen Iwata, Saho Iwatate, Nana Okada, Ryoka Oshima, Yuki Kashiwagi, Rie Kitahara, Asuka Kuramochi, Mako Kojima, Ayana Shinozaki, Yurina Takashima, Juri Takahashi, Minami Takahashi, Miki Nishino, Ami Maeda, Minami Minegishi, Yui Yokoyama

This week’s AKBingo was the second Muchaburi Dodgeball shot right after the one aired a few weeks ago so the members are the same with the exception of the linesmen changing. I guess they separated the broadcast of these two episodes because they had to fiddle with the footage of the draft candidates.