Nacchan - The Most Under Appreciated Member of AKB48

Hirajima Natsumi, of Team B, I am nominating for the most under appreciated member of AKB48.  Why am I saying this?  If you read my review of A3, you might recall me referring to her:

"One of the girls who I don't know looks like Natsumi from Team B."

Guess what.  It is Natsumi from Team B.  A3 was her last stage.  Cindy and Nacchan were both transferred, and I thought it was just Cindy.  I thought I should mention this for those other noobs out there.  You learn something new everyday.


She is an original Team A member, but I have never seen her in the spotlight.  Always the brides maid, never the bride.  Yes, she was in senbatsu single (the early ones), but she was never in the front.  (She is very interesting character.  You'll have to wait till May 28th, her birthday, for me to post her trivia.)  I am just impressed.  When I think of the original Team A, all of the members have either graduated or are still front girls.  Nacchan is the only original member to not fall into the two categories.  I guess she is a natural undergirl(, during the senbatsu vote she always ends up in the Undergirls).  Just wanted to feature her, because she deserves it.

Get well soon LOVETAN!  Aika Ota fractured a bone (a finger?), and she is in bad shape.  She had to skip a handshaking event.

A3 [Dareka no Tame ni] Review

I know this came out A LONG TIME AGO, but I wasn't a fan then and it was just uploaded onto a torrent site.  Stages usually grow on me, same with singles and other things.  One thing that I notice is the production value of the video seems better than the ones being released now.  There are better angles among other things that just make it seem a little bit better.  I've heard pretty much every song from this stage even before watching it so I might be a little tamed than my usual reviews.

This is old.  Not only does it have member introductions but Cindy and a ton of grads are in it.  There are members that I don't even recognize.  Cindy doesn't look so great then, time did wonders for her.  She looks so plain and dull.

Tsukimiso-
Now this is what I'm talking about.  The lighting and that opening angle.  I am a sucker for a Japanese pop song with a traditional feel, just drums in general.  Now because I don't understand what they are saying every song is automatically less impressive.  This is back when they didn't do layering costumes, so just a plain uniform.  I wouldn't think it would be hard to make a costume for this song to throw over that.  The dance choreography is really good at the beginning but goes down a bit when they break their lines.  So overall,  it is a good opening.  The song is pretty good and of course my darling Mii-chan starts front and center.

Warning-
Oh, a little James Bond.  Nevermind.  The song reminds me of C-ute's most recent single Dance to something.  It has that little whining thing and during the chorus it turns into a regular pop song.  I already said during my review of that single that I didn't love the song.  Wow, there are a lot of girls on stage.  Did Team A have a really large team in the beginning?  The front girls are adorable here and the front girls of SDN48 look so young and raw here.  The very end is good, when they combined the chorus and the verse style.

Tanjobi no Yoru-
I know this song!  Such a classic and cockroach is there.  I thought this song came from either the first or second stage.  It would of been great to be a fan in Japan at this time.  The girls wouldn't be as busy and it might of felt like they were a Akihab secret.  I believe this is right around when they were picked up by a major recording label (or switched?).  Takahashi, all of the front girls, are really fresh here.  By front girls I mean Haruna, Tomochin, Acchan, Takamina, Mii-chan.  And everyone's favorite lion is here.

Bird-
No MC I see.  I've watched this performance on YouTube before.  I've always loved this song, and this performance is one of the best.  Wow, Mariko is young and cute here.  Mai Mai doesn't look that different.  They do a lot of different levels with the stage in this stage; I like it.  I find it odd for the management to put three really popular members in one unit where there is not equal focus.  Wouldn't you split them up or have them share.  I guess it makes a superstar unit.

Nage Kiss de Uchiotose!-
I always want to reject this unit whenever I first see this.  But I can't say no to my lolis and favorites.  One of the girls who I don't know looks like Natsumi from Team B.  It is a typical, childish, cute idol song.  The beginning sounds like Ring Ring.  This must be a big team because there is six members and this is not even the left over unit.  They should of just made more units because there is so many strong members in this team.  I love seeing those humongous pillars.

Shinkiro-
This is also a superstar unit but they have the girls at equal footing.  This is a beautiful duet.  I never read the lyrics for this song.  It is wonderful on its own, but I bet I would love the words.  That's odd.  It sounds like Haruna has two voices during her solo lines.  Hmm.  Is it possibly the cover up audio, but they both sound good and. . . now it is Rinatin too.  Oh yeah.  I still can't see Rinatin as an AV girl.  I wonder how Haruna feels about Rinatin's new career choice.  Why did Rinatin graduate anyway?  Did she have a reason that she announced?  She was such a star and she was in Chocolove.  Maybe she is one of those sweet girls who are secretly really sexual (librarian stereotype and such).

Rider-
Holy squirrel holding a nut!  Give me a sec I need to count all of them.  Stand still!  Nine girls!  What is this crap?  Don't get me wrong; I've grown to adore this unit.  This is basically all the graduate girls in one unit.  But to have a unit with nine members and only two leads.  They aren't even weak members.  Why!  Everything is great but I feel like you are wasting them.  I wonder.  This would of been cool if you shuffled the lead spots around.  When I first watched this unit in the Top 100 I thought it was stupid and lame, but I do enjoy it now.

Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru-
Hmm.  This feels like a rip off because it is a single and not in the encore.  I want to say this one was lip synced but it sounds different than the recorded version.  Mariko, Takamina, Mai Mai's and some of the members sound different.  I heard footsteps and stomps during the group members, so maybe.  Now Tomochin sounded really different during the Ahh.  Not lip synced?  Comparing to the recorded track is my best tool to determine if I think they are lip syncing.  Sorry to talk about something else but it is a good performance.  As expected by senbatsu members for a single.

Natsu ga Icchata-
(Head tilted to the side) I'm not sure about this song.  There are parts that sound promising but the chorus sounds generic.  The dancing is the same.  What is the crowd saying?  Party?  I feel calm.  The combination with the old style stage and idols I feel comfortable.

Koike-
Oh time for Mariko's song.  Don't pay attention to the girls at the front.  The best part about the song is watching the girls in back or the middle.  Their expressions during the shimmies and other parts are quite entertaining.  The chorus is really good.  I don't know what the song is about so the acting doesn't make any sense.  Mii-chan!  I need to see A4.  These costumes are really basic; they must of added money to the costume budget.  When they pat their stomach/ hip I think 'pon pon'.  Mariko is such a bad ass.  Good job!

Tsuki no Katachi-
This is one of my favorite group numbers.  I've always enjoyed this song.  People can't think of stages like concerts.  Stages are a whole nother entity.  Everything about this is spectacular.  This might not make sense for those who haven't seen a stage before, but you are just in the wrong mindset or have a different opinion.  It is similar to a broadway musical being compared to a high school production.  All its charm derives from its low key and smaller production.  Does that help?

Dareka no Tameni ~What can I do for someone?~-
The basic, white shirt-dresses are lovely.  I never thought about where this song came from.  This is a wonderful stage ending track.  For a second there I thought Mii-chan would lean in for a kiss from Lion-chan.  Gao!  Isn't Mariko the oldest member?  Or is that Oshima?  Isn't the general max age for AKB48 26?  Noro mentioned something about that.  Which means Shinoda Mariko has only two more years left right?  Here is another instance.  If I hear that the vocals aren't perfect, I assume they aren't lip syncing.  Why, if you are faking already, not have the vocals be less than perfect?

Medley-

This makes sense for an encore number.  If this was from a recent stage, I would think it was a rip off.  Encores are now-a-days really good, sometimes better than sections of the stage itself.  The vocals don't sound perfect here either.  This medley is basically speeding up all their classic songs.  Oh I adore you Mii-chan.  I am still not impressed by the medley, but I am sure enjoying it.  Mini body roll from Tomochin.  It is getting my blood pumping.  Okay, I give in (nice facial expression Rinatin) this is a good medley.  Wait what?  This is. . . what... why.  Sorry five thoughts came at the same time.  Got a little overwhelmed.  I saw pointing in the middle of a thought then I saw someone by an exit (on the stage?).  I lost my original idea.  This is a pretty long medley.  Mii-chan may be in the front more than Acchan has.  Was that a wink Yukari?  I love how relaxed to spastic they can go in a second.  During such a fast song some of the girls seemed so calm.

Namida Uri no Shojo-
This sounds exactly like the single version.  Hmm.  Having the single during the stage, but the coupling song during the encore.  I would prefer putting the two together during the encore.  Shout out to the people in charge of lighting for this stage.  This is a great song.   

A6: Mokugekisha (目撃者) Review

K6 took a little while to grow on me, but I don't think I'll enjoy this anytime soon. (I can be a bit harsh if I am disappointed.)  It is hard because I expect so much because of past stages. I know if I don't care for the units section I won't love the stage.  Oh by the way, why does everyone except me hate B5? I've watched it at least seven times now and I still adore it.  It is fun, the music is good, and the units are great. I know people hate the usual idol songs, but. . . why do you listen to their music then? I like the girls and the music. It can be typical or not. I don't care. I like what I like, and if it is unique then I like it even more.  Update: I want to love everything, so when I don't I get upset.  I enjoy listening to the stage.

Miniskirt No Yosei-
I have to say the audience is kind of rowdy tonight, which makes the background noise a bit funny.  This is the best unit yet for the trainees.  I've watched the trainee performance of B5 and didn't care for it.  You can tell that they are not members yet.  This is a typical idol song, but it is more entertaining than the slow loli unit they had for K6.  The other was more unique and interesting, but I get bored after the first 30 seconds.

Mokugekisha-
The video they play at the start of the stage is too long for my short attention span.  I believe that is partly because I don't know why they are doing it.  I get that it is setting up for the song, but I just think why.  I love the song, and it is not something you expect from them.  I actually like the coats, plus you have to keep in mind they need to hide at least two more costumes under it.  The tone for this stage is more intense and serious than A5.  A5 was light and pretty, like a vanilla cake.  However, a vanilla cake can be boring.  I want a flourless, chocolate, lava cake . . . with some vanilla ice cream on top.

Zenjin Mitou-
I've always wondered how well you can see the girls considering how dark they keep it.  The track is good.  Unfortunately, the choreography and costumes don't add to it.  They need to add something more to it.  It'll be fine if they have another showstopper number in the first section.  Two serious songs though; they need to lighten things up.

Ibitsu Na Shinju-
Costumes: definitely better.  Song: similar.  Dance: better.  This is like a better version of the last track.  Also a serious, high tempo, pop song.  The only problem is that all the pearls are too much on some of the girls, plus they are falling apart.  I don't even like Team K doing too many serious, dance tracks in one stage.  They do a good job at letting all the other talent shine.  I think this may be the strongest team.  I don't see any weak links.

Akogare No Popstar-
I adore Acchan solo lines, she has such a pretty voice.  Yeah! something fun and upbeat.  I don't mind the predictable idol songs as long as they are done well.  It feels refreshing after the other songs.  I vote they cut out, or maybe just move, the second number.  I'm amazed at this group.  AKB48 has so many great members, which is why I feel bad putting some girls low in rankings.  I wish some of the girls would have a little more fun with the song, they still have their serious faces on.  Notice how Mariko never smiles in any of the songs.

Ude Wo Kunde (Maeda Atuko, Nakaya Sayaka, Kuramochi Asuka)-
I feel bad for Nakaya Sayaka.  She is overshadowed by the other two.  I think idols playing the keyboard or piano only works with solos.  I don't understand why they put that sack on Acchan.  I want this to be a duet.  There is just so much I would change.  It is not the best unit in comparison with past ones like it.  I just want to change it.

Enjo Rosen (Sashihara Rino, Takajo Aki)-
Is this really the best they can give the girls?  I feel like they are wasting their talent.  Are they hiding another costume under that thing?  It is okay, but they've been so amazing in the past I am just (sigh).

Toshiki No Akuseru (Takahashi Minami)-
This is perfect, except for some typical Takamina overacting.  The overacting makes sense since she is on stage, just looks odd up close.  I wish the choreography was better.  This sounds like every anime opening from the 90s and early 2000s.  I absolutely love those songs, which includes this.  Why is it when I read other people's thoughts on stages, that I seem not to agree with most of them?

Hoshi No Mukougawa (Kojima Haruna, Nakata Chisato, Oota Aika, Iwasa Misaki)-
Is this suppose to be my loli number?  It is relaxing but on the dull side of things.  Meh.  This song should have been the duet.  They could do a fun unit for some of the younger girls.  Where is my happy, cute idol unit?  I would forgive them if it wasn't a loli number.  It is just too similar to the first unit.

Saboten To Gold Rush (Shinoda Mariko, Katayama Haruka, Matsubara Natsumi, Nakagawa Haruka, Ooya Shizuka, Maeda Ami)-
Why don't they just do another unit.  I mean seriously, these are the leftovers!  Mariko's costume needs to be in red, white, and blue like the others.  This song feels like a leftover song.  The only reason why I like this unit is because it is finally a somewhat fun stage unit.  I wouldn't vote for any of these units for the Top 100.  Such a waste.

Utsukushiki Mono-
And we are right back where we left off.  It sounds like a whole bunch of versions of the same song.  A serious, dance pop song.  I HATE the talking.  I'm still not happy after cooling off.  I feel like if I accept this I'll be settling.  The dance segments aren't anything spectacular either.

Ai Wo Kure-
Was A5 packed with this many similar group songs?  So another song that reminds me of the one before, plus I don't really care for it.  If I actually enjoyed the songs I wouldn't mind that there isn't much variety.

Matenrou No Kyori-
This is much better.  If you haven't watched this stage yet, it isn't something I would call spectacular.  I do like it.  It isn't really anything the girls can do about it.  Maybe working on the dancing a little more, but that wouldn't make a big difference.  The girls sound great!

Inochi No Imi-
I want to see Mariko smile!  It reminds me of Mokugekisha and isn't the usual sweet ballad that they do at the end of most stages.  The only problem with ballads is that if there is a guitar section the girls are left with some pathetic choreography.  They are just walking around.  The song is pretty good.

I'm Crying-
I got a Backstreet Boys/ N'Sync scare for a second there.  Akimoto is going through a little Halloween phase right now.  Here is one of the better serious, dance pop songs.  There is a lot of them.  I'm disappointed.  Team K was the only team to wear their team costumes from AKBingo!, concerts, and other promotional events.  I thought the ones for Team A were really cute.

Zutto Zutto-
What would happen if people didn't chant for an encore?  It would be sad if the encore wasn't any good, but what about it being better than the stage.  Here is a fun, upbeat, playful song that I would of liked to see a little more of.  Is having some variety really so bad?

Pioneer-
Why is Team K the only team that does their team song during the first group set?  Doesn't it make more sense to place that song towards the beginning?  How is the song?  Really good, what do you expect?  The team songs are always good.

Upcoming Post

Yes this is a screenshot from the new Team A stage.  What do you think?

Let me say that I was looking forward to watching the new Team A stage, because of how much I love the new team.  I have a rule for reviewing: enjoy the first time then review the second.  Whenever I review something the first time, the review's tone can get more excited or angry than if I let myself cool down, but it breaks up the whole stage and I overall tend to enjoy it less.  Last night I watched the stage and I have to say I don't want to have to watch it again, but I have to review it.  (Feels like homework, frustrating homework.)  Let me just say, if you want to start off with a showstopper make sure to keep things rolling or else you'll lose it. (On a lighter note:)