I dedicate my 500th post to Itano Tomomi.
Yeah, I know it's customary to do these posts at the thousands, but I don't want to wait that long.
It was sometime in June of 2009. I was reading through one of the Japan related blogs that I subscribe to the RSS feed for, when I ran across the video to Namida Surprise. It's funny thinking back, considering how Acchan centric that video is that
this is the girl who caught my attention:
I had no idea what her name was at that point, but I had to see more of her. So I started watching every AKB48 video I could find on YouTube. I have to confess, it took a few viewings to realize that this was the same girl:
Eventually, through the descriptions in the videos, I discovered her name and nickname. That's when the Googling began in earnest. I discovered the three main AKB48 forums at that point, and - after quite a while of lurking - I decided I liked the atmosphere the best here at JPH!P.
At the time Masa was almost the only person posting in this thread. He even referred to it as his "own personal postwhoring thread" at one point. I remember well his reply to my first post (in the profile thread):
Hmm. This looks like a good thread for my first post.
Welcome to JPH!P, Melchizadek!
Favorite AKB48 Member: Itano Tomomi
Hell yeah! I'm no longer the only Tomochin fanboy here
Well, we've had quite a few Tomochin fanboys (and fangirls) join in since then. In the meantime, I've learned alot more about all the other girls in AKB48 (and SKE48 as well). I've watched every PV, stage, and concert. I've watched TV shows and IVs. I've looked at a lot PhotoBooks. I've realized that Tomochin even looks gorgeous as a yankii:
My ranking of members has undergone a lot of changes during that time. However, one thing has not changed. Tomochin has always been my oshimen, and - as far I can tell - that won't be changing anytime soon. Although the
other Tomomi has gotten awfully close at times. But that's probably a story for my 1,000th post...
And in case anyone is wondering: Yes, I would still marry Tomochin.