AKB48 for Dummies: The Merch

AKB48, being an idol group, releases a ton of merchandise.  Idols are overproduced singers, actors, or models whose main purpose is to be popular.  That is the reality of it.  However, the idols themselves tend to  become an idol as a step towards a different goal like becoming a serious actor or artist.  I digress.  I am going to talk about their singles, albums, and other products that seemed to be release on a regular basis.

The CDs
Singles
AKB48 releases singles about every couple of months or so.  In 2010 they released five singles.  Last year AKB48 had very successful sales, so it appears producers are continuing a similar pattern.  Let's break it down.

Spring: ballad with sakura and maybe graduation worked into it [Sakura no Shiori (2010), Sakura no Ki ni Narou (2011)]
Early Summer: upbeat, pop song about hair accessories [Ponytail no ShuShu (2010), Everyday, Kachuusha (2011)]
Late Summer: fun, pop song with special microphone stands used in choreography where the members are decided by the General Election [Heavy Rotation (2010), Flying Get (2011)]
Fall: serious dance song possibly with multiple dance formations [Beginner (2010)]
Winter: members are decided by a rock-paper-scissors tournament [Chance no Junban (2010)]

AKB48 tends to release five types of a single, basically three versions.  There will be a limited edition and regular edition of each version except for theatre edition (so three versions).  Each version includes three songs.  All three will have the title track.  Usually the Undergirls' coupling track would also be included, but that has varied.  Each version has a different third song.  The theatre edition tends to include, as the third track, a song sung by the trainees.  The main two versions will include a CD and a DVD.  The difference between the regular edition and the limited edition is that the limited edition will include a handshake ticket and have different covers.  Other things like ballots will be included in both editions.  DVDs will include PVs for all three songs and sometimes other video like coverage of the General Election.  Another thing to be concerned with is first press.  First press includes extras like posters (usually only seen with subgroups), but more likely a picture.

Albums
So far AKB48 has only released one album, the rest have been single collections.  Their first album, Koko ni Ita Koto, had four singles, one stage song, one original choir song with all the members of AKB, SKE, SDN, and NMB, and ten original songs.  Out of the ten original songs there was one for each team (including trainees), five songs featuring various members including a duet with Itano Tomomi and Maeda Atsuko, and one with usual senbatsu/ popular members.  (I am curious to see if this system continues on because then I might not buy the singles.)

Where to Purchase These
There are a variety of places to buy their albums or singles.  They are sold at places like eBay, YesAsia, CDJapan, &ct.  If you wish to purchase them, but you are living in a foreign country like the states, I recommend CDJapan.  If you are in Japan most CD stores will cary some of their catalog.  I suggest Book OFF because you can find them at decreased prices.

The Fanservice
AKB48 PSP Dating Simulators
A popular video game type in Japan are dating sims.  Dating sims are basically a storyline game where you go through relationships.  AKB48 is set to release their second dating sim, so this could become an annual release.  The first one didn't have much of a plot line.  However, you selected who you wanted to date and would go out with them.  Every so often you were given a choice in dialogue which would determine how your relationship would turn out.  Other members would call or email you.  Occasionally they would catch you after a date.  At the end you would either accept of decline a members affection in a high quality video.  (It would take me about two hours straight to get to the final scene.)

Photos
AKB48 releases small photos of girls in their costumes which can purchased from a variety of places.  If you walk around Akihabara you can find stores selling these photos for a range of prices depending on the popularity of said member.

Photobooks and DVDs
Every so often AKB48 releases group DVDs or photobooks, but most of the time these are solo or small group releases.  This is where their agency comes into importance.  AKB48 automatically belong to the in house agency AKS.  However, they can be offered to sign with other talent agencies which can provide better personal attention.  Different agencies excel at different things.  For example, most of the long term subgroup members belong to the same agency.  But some agencies are better for theatre/ musicals or enka (a traditional form of singing in Japan that requires training).