Future Ace?
Definitely Mayuyu the CG.
A great performer. Her idol aura is amazing. She's interesting. She's still fresh to the average japan person (compared to Yuko, which everyone knows), with everyone screaming kawaii. And she's gained an army of loyal fans.
One thing I don't think anyone has talked about. She is currently like
18! That's young. So can anyone picture how hot she will be when she does her 20yo adult ceremony-thing and probably gets a different hairstyle?!! This world will be totally destroyed and turned into heaven.
Actually, an important thing is I think Mayuyu's mindset is getting more serious about supporting AKB48 as a pillar. Which is probably what turned Acchan into such a great center. Turning responsibility into a positive motivation.
Yuko the current ace.
And she may outclass Acchan and Mayuyu as a performer/entertainer. I think most of us think Yuko was born to join this industry.
But I also think that every future day she's in AKB, she's doing it for the group. And its just slowing her imminent career as a drama actress/stage actress/singer/dancer/geinin/entertainer/chicken/model/host/Japan Representative of Peace to America/Bond Girl/etc...
Darn, Yuko should be a Bond Girl...
Course, I'd like to see Yuko stay for another year... or five. But I think it isn't as
the center, but as the person that all members look up to and want to become.
I honestly cannot imagine Yukirin becoming ace, even with the sudden surge of fans in the past 1-2 years.
She's magic when on stage performing. And, pardon my kami-oshi bias-ness, she's damn beautiful!!
But have any of you seen a show where she doesn't have her hand covering her mouth 70% + bulging eyes 20% of the time?
Yeah, kinda boring after the 1000th time (every single time I want to see her do more).
Yuki's pure idol girl next-door image is also her greatest weakness. Compared to the others here who're really interesting. I don't see her making a trend like Acchan and Yuko have.
On the other hand, I'm absolutely happy as is. I hoped she'd get 2nd-3rd in senbatsu, center position comes with a lot of challenges/responsibilities/pressure. Yuki's current older-sister chara does a great level of "heal-ability" to fans. And I think that is what the management team want the most with AKB (other than bringing in the $). To create a positive and caring image of the group. Not the group that does swimsuit MVs each year.Their support with the earthquake relief support is a note of this. And Yukirin has the right image for it.
And I think Yuki's current position is letting her do this to her greatest extent. Which may be how Yuki herself likes it most, further giving her one of the best reasons to stay.
The first thing that always comes to mind when talking about Jurina.
How impressed I was when seeing her perform so well in Macau, and later knowing she wasn't feeling well but still chose to perform. That's nearly 2 years ago, and it threw any grudges I had of her appearing in AKB singles. How could I dislike a person trying so hard not to disappoint fans.
I don't think she'll be AKB's center though. Her image as SKE's center is too strong. And the balance of J's guyish win-everything/coolness and Rena's girly lose-everything/cute is an obstacle. C'mon, most guys that follow jpop idols like traditional idols who're cute and girly. J would have to follow Yuko's path of earning her popularity through years of performances to get the ace position. Which... actually isn't that hard to imagine!
Still, I think a Mayu/J or W Matsui double-ace situation would be much more easily created.
Paruru is a shaky candidate. Remember how it started with that WORLD GIRLS mag photo with her representing the future of AKB, and everyone going "huh?".
Her popularity is right there with the Undergirls now. And seeing girls with great potential like Akicha, Aamin and Lovetan being stopped in their tracks, you'll get a good idea that just being pushed isn't always enough (Sasshi's popularity is a totally different case though. I still think the investment turned out bad. Putting AKB in an awfully awkward position, unable to stop pushing her, now they they've used so much resources on her. She's still showing up with all stuff AKB like nothing ever happened).
Haruka may not have the popularity. But she does have youth on her side, can she pull a Mayuyu?
But if I had a gamble, I'd rather choose Muto Tomu.
I can see her potential. I think she looks prettier too, just a little short. And her name is like some endless reverse echo.
Yuihan would make an awesome ace. maybe in a year or two.
Unbelievably hard-working, great performer, classic Kyoto beauty. Her my-pace attitude making laughs everywhere, while adding a little mystery/interest into her character. Her MV's theme would be really strange though.
Too bad she doesn't have a strong enough fanbase yet. I can wait.