AKB48 Top 12 Ranking Explanation

Hello again.  I'm posting too much.  I'm kind of addicted to blogging now.  I like writing reviews now so I basically want to review every stage I've seen and liked.  I always try to think of something different to do for these considering my favorites tend to be about the same.  This time I'm going to include some stats, and explanation, and the theme they get for that stitch-work photobook.


#12 - Yuki Kashiwagi
[Tulip]
Vocal Ability: Strong
First Stage: B1
Yukirin has dropped in my rankings because I'm starting to consider the x-factor more.  Not that she doesn't have talent.  By x-factor, in this instance, I'm talking about her tendency to get me excited (moe~).  This is different for everyone towards any idol.  If I don't make that my main reason then how can I defend my oshimen no matter what?  Yukirin is very entertaining and is known for her reactions.  She is the perfect match for a Team B captain.  You'll see as we go along that I am weak towards loli characters.

#11- Mayumi Uchida
[Hummingbird]
Vocal Ability: Strong
First Stage: B4
Ha!  This is a good time to be a fan of Ucchii.  Both her and Nakatsuka caught my attention during B4 and proved themselves during Infinity.  Ucchii reminds me a bit of Mitsui Aika.  They both have that naturally smug expression.  I still believe that she is the best center, for me, that could of happened during the Janken Tournament.  She is in Team K. so she is a good dancer, and she was in the musical so we know her voice is strong live.  On top of that she is young, so having another young senbatsu could help.  She has a bunny for a pet, by the way.

#10- Aki Takajo
[Angelfish]
Vocal Ability: Questionable
First Stage: A5
I've always thought Aki-chan has the face of a model.  She was the fastest trainee to be promoted.  No matter where I see her she always impresses me.  I first got hooked during AX2010 when she subbed into Yukirin's unit Temo Demo no Namida.  Unlike the last two, because the live vocals are questionable most of the time, I don't know about her strength.  She isn't very strong; I know that.  She is starting to push her way to being a front girl of Team A.  I love girls who wear glasses and love dogs.

#9- Tomomi Kasai
[Rose]
Vocal Ability: Okay
First Stage: K1
I'm not the best judge of vocal ability.  I know bad singers and good singers.  Anyway, she is a great performer.  I like her fashion sense (ex. last AKBingo! episode).  She is also Rika Ishikawa cute.  If that wasn't enough she is the easiest person to assume is having a relationship with another member (Sae cough cough).  She also ends up in all the lesbian units.


#8- Tomomi Itano
[Black leopard]
Vocal Ability: Okay
First Stage: A1
Another fashion leader of AKB48.  I miss her old look before.  Now she looks more mature and sleek, but I like her better with blonde hair.  She is a strong dancer and performer.  She made me like K6 more by watching her birthday stage.  She is always, and will always, be a favorite of my mine.  (She also has a smug face that is cute.)


#7- Miho Miyazaki
[Mouse]
Vocal Ability: Good
First Stage: A5
She is at an odd time in her life right now.  She was the cute new kid and now she is a full fledged teen and her popularity has gone down.  My love is unchanging, but I wish she showed her spice more.  Do you think she is a nicer person now? 


#6- Erena Ono
[Boar]
Vocal Ability: Good(?)
First Stage: K1
Oh farewell my darling.  I'm in sugarless pain to show my dedication (I vowed to not have any sweets for a week until she graduates).  No!  Don't leave me! 

[If you want an explanation on the vocal abilities part let me know.]


#5- Atsuko Maeda
[Sparrow]
Vocal Ability: Good(?)
First Stage: A1
Her singing ability is getting better.  And she is one of the oddest front girls.  She seems so plain, but then we find out she likes to fish.  I guess it is a calming hobby considering how busy she is.  


#4- Amina Sato
[Evening Primrose]
Vocal Ability: ???
First Stage: H1 (or A4?)
Please don't think of ??? as a bad thing.  I just want to be honest, and I don't think I've seen a clip of her singing for sure live yet.  Her voice is really cute though.  As you can see, I don't really worry about stats too much.  Amina has been up and down on my rankings.  She just didn't impress me that much during the first show of B5, but she always wins me back.  She is one of the girls that always gets me excited.  She is major x-factor for me.  I love cute members, and I love perverted members


#3- Aika Ota
[Raccoon]
Vocal Ability: Good
First Stage: B1
I feel like I am just non stop repeating myself.  Look at my previous explanations for this one.  I love cute troublemakers.  She has a cute, and actually good voice.



#2- Sae Miyazawa
[Chimpanzee]
Vocal Ability: Good
First Stage: K1
Sae is such a goof ball.  She is a lot more sexy with the longer hair that she has now.  However, I miss her boyish, genki short hairstyle.  I hope she doesn't cut her hair too short because I don't know if she has the right face to pull it off without looking like a dude.  She makes a great prince charming!






#1- Minami Minegishi
[Armadillo]
Vocal Ability: Good
First Stage: A1
She is the perfect fit for me.  She is a comedian and a cute character.  I do wish she would cut her bangs a little bit shorter.  The downward fringe at the center of her brow isn't as good.  She has the personality, looks, singing ability, and dancing ability to win my heart.  If only she was higher in rankings.  At least she has no sleeves.  She also loves glasses and has her groping moments as well.

GETS☆

I'm so pleased I was alone a moment ago because I spazzed out.  YesAsia takes about seven days, not including Sunday, to deliver.  Unfortunately, because it is YesAsia the usual special poster that comes with Acchan PB series was not included.  Plus... it is more expensive.  Here is a tip, if you want it get it from CDJapan.  If you preoder it, they'll get it to you the day it is released.  Just stick with CDJapan.  YesAsia should be considered a back up because they have a larger stock.  Anyway, it is summer so my parents are at work, my sister had left with some friends, and I am running around the house spewing gibberish.  Guess what I got!  Well, you probably already saw the next picture...

I purchased Miho Miyazaki's first PB, Atsuko Maeda's last PB of the series, and Watarirouka Hashiritai PB.  So I have yet to buy a single piece of Hello Project merchandise, only AKB.


Acchan can really draw you in.  On the computer screen it looks just like she is giving you some blank expression, but her eyes really capture my attention.  She has a talent of making me feel like I am actually making eye contact.  This photobook has the most fashion vibe that I've ever seen.  She is also one of the most photogenic people ever.  Her photobooks are always a safe bet.
These are both wonderful sides to one poster.  I was surprised to find this considering I didn't get one from Atsuko.  The photobook by Watarirouka Hashiritai is a great way to remember the original four.  It is obvious fan service: swimsuits, school uniform swimsuits, school gym uniforms, and school uniforms.  There is a little of their single costumes and some fashion shots.  Mayuyu and Lovetan in lolita outfits, Nacchan sporting rocker fashion, and then Harugon in a wedding dress.

If you are not familiar with Watarirouka Hashiritai here is the basics.  Watarirouka Hashiritai is a subgroup of AKB48 consisting of mostly original Team B, including the recently added fifth member.  The four are represented by Production Ogi, as well as the members of no3b.  Their singles have been slowly increasing in top rank.  Their last single AkKanbe Bashi hit the number one spot on the Oricon charts.  I love all the members except Ayaka, the new member.  I personally don't believe they need her, but her voice adds more depth to their sound.


I think this is one of the cases where the DVD is equal in quality, but dealing with region codes in not worth it.  She is not the most photogenic member of AKB48.  She is not the prettiest.  However, her personality is brilliant.  She also pulls it off so well that you don't see her weaknesses.  This is more awkward than Watarirouka Hashiritai's PB, because you feel dirty about how young she is.  Yet, she is not too young for me... she is only a year younger.  She just makes you feel dirty.  Hey, I love feisty Myao, what can I say?

My Reaction to the 17th Senbatsu Election

I just needed to post the results beforehand.  I'm seriously tearing up from the shock.  Let me be honest I am not completely happy with these results.  Sae held her #9 which is great and I'm not surprised.  I would have been sad if she dropped and happy if she went forward, so nothing special there.  I have to mention now the big surprise... Oshima Yuko beat Maeda Atsuko!  What is wrong with the Maeda wota how could you let this happen!  I love Oshima and all but I love Maeda more, and I can't expect anyone higher in my rankings to take the #1 spot.  I'm happy for Oshima.  I am not happy that Kojima Haruna is above Yukirin and Sae.  I feel like I'm going through the stages of grief...

Okay, moving onto the positive things in my life...
No, let me just say this first Matsui Jurina is ruining my life!  Matsui Rena was above her the entire time AND Jurina was not in the front line.  Matsui Rena was in the front row the entire time.  What is this bullshit!  I call foul play!  (deep breath)

I am pleased that Sato Amina still made senbatsu. I am happy for the Sayaka fans who boosted her out of the danger zone; I didn't care too much. I am happy to see Nakagawa Haruka went from a theater girl to make senbatsu. Okay I can't take it anymore. Not only did Myao end up on the borderline, LOVETAN didn't make it!!!! I'm going to cry in a corner now.

Top Ten Explanation - Round 2

Well, things sure have changed.  Rankings are very difficult because you need to consider their whole body of work, focusing on the most recent.  Do I like their photobooks?  Are they entertaining on variety shows?  If they are in a drama, movie, or musical did I enjoy their performance?  Do they do well in PVs, do they stick out?  Last but not least, the most important thing to me is their stage performance.   

First Top Ten 1. Sae Miyazawa (Team K) 2. Aika Ota (Team B) 3. Amina Sato (Team A) 4. Atsuko Maeda (Team A) 5. Yuki Kashiwagi (Team B) 6. Sayaka Akimoto (Team K) 7. Yuko Oshima (Team K) 8. Erena Ono (Team K) 9. Tomomi Kasai (Team K) 10. Minami Minegishi (Team A)

New Top Ten 1. Sae Miyazawa (Team K) 2. Aika Ota (Team A) 3. Atsuko Maeda (Team A) 4. Yuki Kashiwagi (Team B) 5. Erena Ono (Team K) 6. Miho Miyazaki (Team B) 7. Haruka Katayama (Team A) 8. Tomomi Kasai (Team B) 9. Mika Komori (Team B) 10. Amina Sato (Team B)

#1 - Sae Miyazawa (Team K)
Like the fact that she hasn't changed teams, she hasn't wavered in my heart.  Sae is spectacular in her imperfections.  Even when she is unflattering it is charming.  It helps to have a good sense of humor because even if you look stupid people will love you.  Sae is known as the handsome idol.
Good Points:
-Even though her first photobook wasn't too good, I love her digital ones.
-She made me cry and break out laughing during Infinity.
-Gakuran was my favorite character of Majisuka Gakuen
-She looks good with a surfboard. 
-Danso episode


Poor Points:
- She hasn't stood out during AKBingo! lately
- K6 was disappointing, which included her stage unit

#2 - Aika Ota (Team A)
My loli, swearing, troublemaker, otaku darling.  I'm happy anytime I see you and I can't wait for Team A's stage.  She first caught my eye during AKBRanger when she did her come hither close up and laid on the ground during the group shot.  Since then I have fell in love with her stage units including her adorable 天使のしっぽ and her dirty Kuchi Utsushi No Chocolate.  She had basically three sentences bleeped out during the pool special of Shukan.  I could go on forever.  Did I mention that she has only one dimple!
Good Points:
- Her sub-group is great
-Her surprise solo during AX2010 was endearing.
-Shukan special
- Photoshoots
-She was a lolita, yanki in MG

Bad Points:
-Her newest stage isn't out yet, but that is just a question mark

#3 - Atsuko Maeda
Her voice is so cute, it is like a tomboy 5-year-old girl.  She has great style.  She does so well even though she is extremely busy.  She loves her dogs.  She is quiet.  She is the most classically beautiful person I have ever seen.
Good Points:
- Her fashion sense
- Her photobooks
- Looks and sounds great in Ponytail to ShuShu
- Good job starring in MG
- Great on stage


Bad Points:
- Her role in MG is overshadowed by the other characters
- Her hair is getting too long
- Even though she does well in TV appearances, there is nothing that sticks out in my mind

#4 - Yuki Kashiwagi
It took me awhile to warm up to her.  The first memory of her standing out was her reaction when they punked her on AKBingo!.  Then I saw her photobook, saw her perform, it was love.  She went from I don't care to an absolute favorite in such little time.
Good Points:
- Team B stages
- Photobook and DVD
- Shukan
- The most recent AKBingo! set up
-Her fashion sense


Bad Points:
- She did well in Infinity, but she was my least favorite out of the four stars
- She didn't really stand out in Majisuka Gakuen

#5 - Erena Ono
At first she was my little cutie.  The sweetie of Team K, but then she grew up.  She is still adorable, but she isn't my little idol.  I am dieing to see her latest film that comes out in either June or July.  I love that her voice is still the same.  I just like everything about her.
Good Points:
- I found her role in Majisuka Gakuen interesting and not obvious.
- Her solo (First Love) is spectacular.
- Her photobooks are great
- She is great in films outside of AKB.
- I liked her stage unit in K6.
- I do not mind she gained weight = > makes her more real
- She does a wonderful job in variety shows

#6 - Miho Miyazaki
She has always been high on my rankings, but recently she has shined while others have not.  Her strong personality reminds me of the troublemaker quality that Lovetan has.  She isn't the most good looking, but she pulls it off so you don't notice.
Good Points:
- B5 performance
- Myao, has her own character
- Her first photobook
- MG: The lead yanki lolita


Bad Points:
- Nothing amazing lately on AKBingo!

#7 - Haruka Katayama
She has always been a thought in the back of my mind, but I never bothered to find out her name.  Her stage unit, 純情主義, has always been a favorite.  She is one of the best singers, but you don't see much of her besides that.
Good Points:
- One of the best voices
- The behind the scenes of Infinity
- Her performances in AX2010


Bad Points:
- She is hard to notice in the back
- She has few stand out moments in comparison with the others

# 8 - Tomomi Kasai
She has always been a favorite who is always fighting Tomochin and Mii-chan for my love.  She sometimes looks strange in photos, but I love her.
Good Points:
- Danso episodes
- B5
- Her new unit: Queen & Elizabeth
- One of my favorites in Majisuka Gakuen
- Shukan

#9 - Mika Komori
Thanks to Majisuka Gakuen and B5 she shot up from someone I didn't know to one of my Top Ten.  She is extremely quiet and she looks like she is quiet, but she still has a powerful presence.
Good Points:
- Majisuka Gakuen
- Video clips from members' blogs
- B5


Bad Points:
- Don't see her that much

#10 - Amina Sato
I feel horrible with how far she has fallen.  I just wouldn't feel right leaving her at the third spot if others were being kicked out.  She hasn't been standing out as much as she used to, but I still love her.
Good Points:
- B5
- MG
- AKBingo! Pudding Punishment
- Her blog


Bad Points:
- Only one moment of AKBingo!
- Doesn't stand out as much during stages



The Fallen Few:
Sayaka Akimoto #6 > 25
Yuko Oshima #7 > 13
Minami Minegishi #10 > 11

I feel like I need to talk about Sayaka Akimoto.  This is hard to explain, but she has lost her natural shine for me.  Her performances since K5 seem soulless, like I'm watching a bad actress.  Maybe she is overacting because she is on stage so she looks weird close up.  I thought her digital photobook would remind me that I like her, but it reminded me that I don't really like her.  I want to love her but she turns me off quite a bit.