Once again, I simply do not understand the mind of Akimoto Yasushi, the producer of the AKB48 world. According to Tokyohive, he is planning to introduce the first overseas sister group, JKT48, an abbreviation for Jakarta 48, by the end of the year. Yes, you heard me, Jakarta 48. Auditions will be held obviously in Indonesia.
There are two audition sessions, each that run for about a week or two. Those who pass will likely be the first generation JKT48.
But why would Akimoto create yet another sister group? There are already AKB48, NMB48, SDN48, SKE48, and that minor rival group, Nogizaka46. And he still is not finished?
If I were to argue the issue of producing too many sister groups to him, he might surely say that each sister group is different in style-- SDN48 is meant to be the more sexy version of AKB48. Or he might in fact state that he is doing this to create a powerful AKB48 nation.
But rest assured that the creation of these groups are just plain immaterial. Akimoto has become in the habit of constantly creating new groups, and if he continues to do so, he would eventually erase the significance of AKB48.
Go to Oricon right now and check out the CD sales. Although sister groups released albums too, AKB48 CD's sell more. In fact they are number one on the singles chart. And what does that mean? It means that the sister groups are... yes, you guessed it! Immaterial.
But then again, it was Akimoto who wrote the lyrics for Jero's Umiyuki, one of my favorite songs. How ironic.
No comments:
Post a Comment