Finally watched this. The first docu focused more on the girls themselves; where they came from and what they're aiming for.
This docu focuses more on AKB48 as a group and all the difficulties they encounter. A different approach, but both very interesting.
First of all, all the Sendai stuff hit me like a brick. It's still very shocking to see so much devastation. The little kids getting excited over the AKB48 girls was very cool to see. It shows the power of AKB48. Iwata already managed to make some of her dreams come true.
Secondly, all the difficulties surrounding the Senbatsu Election and Seibu Dome concerts showed some of the girls in a different light. Anybody who says Acchan is lazy or doesn't have a personality is f'ing clueless. After seeing all this stuff it makes all the more sense she wants to get out. The emotional and physical strain must have been enormous. I was very surprised to see Yuko break down too. She always appears totally cool and in control, but she really lost it a couple of times. At some points she even seemed a bit angry, which was a side I never really saw before. Massive props to Takamina for taking control and responsibility.
We were talking about why Akicha is more popular than Miichan the other day in the IRC. I think this Janken footage gave us one answer, Miichan doesn't believe in herself. She was relieved because she didn't get center? That's not the winning attitude. That's what sets someone like Shinoda apart, they ooze with confidence and it shows. The fans definitely pick up on this some way or other.
I'm quite amazed at how level headed Mayu is. She knew she couldn't go up in last years election and she's fine with it because she knows her time will come. And it will. In fact, it's already happening. Yuki is an interesting one too. Mayu's always been more popular and last year she became a face and ace of the group as well. They really have an interesting dynamic, not unlike Takamina and Acchan. Kasai and Itano seemed the big losers in the election. They looked totally miserable afterwards. At least they could comfort each other.
Not to be biased, but I was very impressed by Rena during all the difficulties surrounding the Seibu Dome concerts. She kept it cool and she kept checking what the correct exits and entrances were. She didn't behave like a sheep. Secondly, when Kasai was hyperventilating she made sure she got water and a towel, unlike the staff who were just standing around helplessly. A lot of people say Jurina is a natural leader and stuff, but I think people are hugely underestimating Rena. True, we don't get to see this side of Rena a lot in public, but I think she takes on a lot of responsibilities backstage.
Finally, making Oba the captain of Team 4 seems like a huge mistake. Even Yuki had her doubts and she's usually not the type to talk down to people. Oba seems like an energetic and outgoing girl, which is cool, but she doesn't seem like the reliable kind of person who can take charge of 20 people. I don't even care behind the Scandal, but everything about this footage showed Shimada would have been a better choice. When Oba came back she should have taken the high ground and should have let Shimada continue to be captain. Someone like Sayaka Akimoto would've never come back just like that.
Very interesting documentary for sure and I respect AKB48 for letting us show them in their most vulnerable moments.
Topic: [Movie] Documentary of AKB48: Show Must Go On (Read 10547 times)