Watanabe Miyuki – My Aesthetic Insanity

The Ships We Board: The Ships We All Love

AKB48 Group is indeed the largest group in the word. With such large group it is not surprising to see that some of them get pretty close to each other that sometimes you wanted to believe that there is something beyond friendship that is going in between two members.

Last time, I featured AKB48’s official couple but the ships we should board does not stop there. There’s indeed a huge number of pairings within the group. However, there are just these pairings that we all love, it may not be our OTP but we can’t deny the fact that these pairings are indeed the most celebrated ones.

AtsuMina (Maeda Atsuko and Takahashi Minami)
If they aren’t your OTP, they are probably your side ship, their chemistry is uncanny that even though both of them are married, we can’t still help but gush over them whenever they snap a photo together.

AtsuMina’s history started way back in 2005 when they were still trainees. As part of the 1st generation, they often stayed behind practice hours to enhance the skills they lack that blossomed their friendship. Even though they were taught to treat each other as rivals, it does not exist in their vocabulary as they really rely on each other. Takamina became a pillar of strength to AKB48’s absolute ace’s Acchan as she is known to be an introvert. Acchan also learned to lower her walls because of Takamina.
KojiYuu (Kojima Haruna and Oshima Yuko)
If there would be an epitome of polar opposites couples in 48G, it would probably be KojiYuu. This 1st and 2nd gen combo is known to be the exact opposite of the other. Yuko is known to be an all-rounder. Smart, athletic, and talented while Kojiharu is known to be very unathletic and not so smart.

Yuko is known to build a harem within AKB48 but her favorite will always be Kojiharu. It might be unrequited love at first but AKB48’s sexiest member started to open up and let Yuko do the things she likes, like literally, even up to this date.

This couple is also one of the most celebrated couples and they sure know about it even after their journey as an AKB48 member. They never failed to feed our ghei needs as they often snap photos together, may it be for the promotion of their brands or a simple date in their private time.
MaYukirin (Watanabe Mayu and Kashiwagi Yuki)
Like AtsuMina, MayuKirin is also a same-generation couple. While many have this couple as their side ship their relationship is rather wide than the other 2 mentioned above.

Yukirin being older than Mayuyu would often look after the latter as an older sister or sometimes mother (the reason, why I sort of, don’t ship them). This started their journey as MayuKirin, Mayuyu really relied on Yukirin so much that Mayuyu cried so much when she was transferred to another Team. But this closeness does not stop shippers from gushing over them.
WMatsui (Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena)
Considered as Nagoya’s two-top, this polar opposite couple is indeed one of the most favorite ships of all time, though this couple’s journey somehow sank in the Pacific Ocean.

While WMatsui is almost synonymous with the word “angst”, a lot of shippers still can’t help but emanate with every moment they have, may it be old contents or just mere fanfics. Even their very own members ship them a lot.

WMatsui doesn’t exist until SKE48‘s management decided to give Rena a big break and put her side by side with their absolute and young bud ace, Jurina. What made this couple lovable is the fact that Rena would often restrict Jurina with her advances but that did not stop the young ace from stealing Nagoya’s Princess’s first kiss.

We probably get any recent WMatsui moments but I hope that Rena would somehow visit Jurina with her impending graduation concert (Rena, please, as I really plan to attend Jurina’s grad con).
SayaMilky (Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki)
As I mentioned above, 48G members were taught to treat each other as a rival, this is exactly what happened to NMB48‘s most celebrated couple, Sayanee and Milky. This made them somehow put up some walls but their management was wise enough to know that this couple will rake in some money.

They may not be as close in their private lives but that did not diminish the quality of this ship. Like, if you are an NMB48 fan, you will get full with all the SayaMilky content you could have. Even their members knew that, they ship them as well. Not to mention that one of their members almost wrote fanfic about them.

Ah, I forgot to mention that I feel like their management seems to ship the two as they use SayaMilky in multiple album covers and never forget that iconic graduation song of Milky that looks like a prenup video of them. Also, during Milky’s graduation, it is almost like a wedding ceremony as the members kept on teasing Sayanee about Milky.
YuiParu (Yokoyama Yui and Shimazaki Haruka)This captain-ace couple is like the 2nd coming of AtsuMina but with a lot of difference of course. YuiParu’s journey also started when they were still trainees. They also join the list of polar opposite couples in this list.

Though both are calm, they emit different kinds of aura. While Yui is known to be very hardworking, Paruru was once dubbed as ponkatsu. While Yui is very athletic, Paruru is a little weak at that. Yui seems to be the alpha when Paruru is the omega. Nevertheless, these differences do not stop them from being close and fans can’t help but ship them too.

Also, Yui is a little protective of Paruru that when Komiyama Haruka asked Paruru to be her partner, Yui declared that there is YuiParu and wrapped her arms around Paruru protectively (poor Komi). Sadly, this pair seems like walking the WMatsui path and might sink in the depths of the Pacific Ocean but I have trust with the 9th Gen bond.
NakoMiku (Yabuki Nako and Tanaka Miku)
Tanaka Miku and Yabuki Nako is probably the youngest pairing on this list. While I mentioned that most of the pairs above are polar opposites, these HKT48 young buds are almost alike.

Dubbed as the new aces of Sasshi’s beloved group, these two are inspirable until PD48 happened yet that does not stop the two from giving fans sweet moments. Miku would often post stuff about Nako since her other half is somehow can’t use her own SNS accounts.

It’s not only the fans who gush over them but almost the entire 48G. Their chemistry is uncanny and their company understands that almost every media appearance they have they are together to the point that they attempted to re-create this duo (MoeHina and IbuHaru) but sort of failed.

There you have it, there are more couples that are loved across the world but these are the ships that I feel like everyone’s ship or at least part of their side ship. Which one is your favorite? Who’s your 48G OTP?

-0-

A/N: Please do visit my other SNS Accounts:
Facebook Page for more contents and photos: Aesthetic Insanity
Help me reach 500 followers on twitter: AesInsanity16
Instagram: Aesthetic Insanity
See my fancams and fmvs: Aesthetic Insanity on Youtube

©Aesthetic Insanity, November 6, 2010.

Go!Go! We Are Owarai Seishun Girls: NMB48 Geinin The Movie Review

Watching 48G stuff had been a habit of mine since the first time I got into this fandom. It has been my stress reliever and sometimes a source of inspiration whenever I need to do something. It became my escape into my sometimes chaotic life.

Since the enhanced community quarantine or lock-down is getting extended, I was able to touch the pending dramas, movies, variety shows, and concerts on my 48G watch list. One of which is the variety show based movie of Aki P‘s third iteration girl group, NMB48.

Osaka being the home base of NMB48, they are expected to be naturally witty and humorous as the prefecture is known to house the biggest entertainment company for comedians, Yoshimoto Kogyo, which is apparently NMB48’s agency. No wonder, why the girls of Namba have shows centered in comedy.

Enter NMB48 Geinin! The Movie: Owarai Seishun Gâruzu!, the movie version of NMB48’s variety show, NMB48 Geinin. Set in Namba Girls’ Academy High School, it follows the journey of the Owarai Club members into competing to a high-school exclusive comedy contest, JK-1.

Being an elite school in Osaka, the comedy club is sometimes looked down as comedy does not fit the extremely good looking high school students of the said school. The first part of the movie highlight this when one of the protagonists, Yamamoto Sayaka runs into a popular group of girls where her best friend and manzai partner, Yokoyama Yui belongs to. Even though it is a known fact that Yui is part of the comedy club she would sometimes deny that she listens to some manzai acts on her phone.

The arrival of the transfer student from Tokyo, a magazine model, Watanabe Miyuki a.k.a Milky somehow changed the perspective of people when it comes to people who do comedy. You can do comedy while being cute at the same time.

If you are a foreigner like me, who does not understand Japanese stand-up comedy, this kind of movie helps you understand it a bit. It is lighter than the veteran stand-up comedians in Japan in which sometimes I don’t understand the humor. You might think that I’m a little bias or the age but trust me, I tried to watch some but I failed. HKT48 does this stuff too but I just can’t understand the humor sometimes.

Despite the movie with manzai as it’s a theme, the movie still has a plot that will pull its viewer into convincing them to watch it till the end. If you are a heavy shipper like me, this movie is highly suggested. Though this is a story about the members of the comedy club, it is centered in NMB48’s invincible aces Sayanee and Milky.

It revolves around the friendship of Milky and Sayanee that was broken because of the hurtful words they said to each other in the past. As weak as it may seem, the writer of the story did a good job of incorporating the flashback of the two into the story. You would understand why Milky remains faithful in fulfilling her childhood promise to Sayaka despite the hurtful words the later told her when they were younger.

The movie also remains faithful to the character and personalities of each actress that they are known for. Yui remains that intelligent graceful quiet girl, Nana the beloved old hag character that the members love to tease, Sayaka’s tough and strong character, and of course, Milky’s buriko character.

Another thing that I love in this movie is, it does not lack the conflict it needs for a movie. It was rather simple and easy to predict with the flow of the story but it still somehow gave me a shock upon knowing that my beloved Yui will be one of it. I guess I’m not used to seeing that kind of Yui but it is refreshing to see her in that kind of role.

Romance might not be as prominent as other films but the subtle moments between Sayanee and Milky are enough to feed your shipper needs. This continued into its 2nd movie installment called NMB48 Geinin! The Movie Returns: Sotsugyo! Owarai Seishun Girls!

The setting is still in the same school but this time, SayaMilky had fallen apart due to Milky’s boyfriend not wanting her to do comedy. The SayaMilky duo who won the Jury’s Special Award in the previous Manzai Competition, lose in the preliminary round which caused quite a stir in the Comedy Club.

Since then, other members completely lose heart, threatening the club’s disbandment. At that moment, a mysterious beauty girl, Fuuko, joins the Club. No one knew that she is an earthbound spirit except Milky who seemed to have seen her even before. To make Fuuko’s wish to come true, the broken up members of the club unite as one again.
The conflict in this movie is rather simple and one would think that it is pretty shallow but it happens in real life too. Being a relationship sometimes hinders someone’s focus on doing the things that they love especially if your partner does not have the same interest as you are. It is a good reference as to why maybe there is a love ban among the girls.

The second installment featured a few more members that were not present during the first movie. Here we got to see the acting skills of NMB48’s jisedai ace at that time Fuuko, it might not be a high skill but she fits the role of the ghost who can’t laugh. What’s fun about this movie is they do not need to act like an academy awards actresses since it still has manzai as their theme. However, Jonishi Kei‘s acting is something praisable. Even the director and the staff of the movie praised her. I guess she fits the role of being a mean girl, she has that as a character anyways.

As far as to what it was advertised, they said that it depicts the hardship of someone’s journey into achieving their dreams. They were able to stay faithful to that but for me, it resembles their hardship as an idol. Rivalry is something a 48G movie really can’t let go, this was highly present between Fuuko and Kei.

It might be a story of friendship but seriously the chemistry between SayaMilky is undeniably strong. They make it looks like manzai is normal for them and made it appear like they really talk to each other like that. Their management is really utilizing this pairing and I am not complaining. My gay heart is really happy to see every moment they have together.

Overall, this movie is pretty decent. It’s a light comedy with a hint of a slice of life. Acting may not be the strongest point of NMB48 but the movie does not require heavy acting anyways. If there’s really one thing I sort of wish did not happen is the need to include that scene in which they needed help from other comedians and do some kind of comedic skit. I got bored a little in that part but then again, traditional Japanese comedy is part of the theme.

It is just that they are not doing things like this anymore. I just that their management would consider and do shows like this, it helps a new fan to get to know the members. Anyhow, I would still recommend this movie.

©Aesthetic Insanity, November 6, 2010.

AKB48 Group Variety Shows that You Should Watch

With the recent news of AKB48‘s 2nd General Manager, Yokoyama Yui, and MNL48‘s General Captain, Alice, collaborating, fans can’t help but get excited as this will be the first of it’s kind. Though it is not a stage performance, 48G fans can’t help but look forward to what they had prepared.

This was also a good opportunity for both fans of AKB48 and MNL48 to get to know both girls, having an interest in each girl respectively. While some of us are fans of both groups, there are some who are not familiar with AKB48 as well as MNL48 though they are sister groups. However, there is a momentum build in fans of the respective group into knowing the sister groups.

With this, an idea came into mind, in which I would like to introduce shows of the 48G Family that helped me to know each and one of them. Here are my recommended 48G shows:

AKBingo!
Main Cast: AKB48
Started in 2008, this is the longest-running show of AKB48 with a total of 560 episodes. Unfortunately, the show ended last September 24, 2019.

This was the very show that got me hook into liking the 48G, this also gave me the opportunity to get to know the members of not just AKB48 but also the sister groups within Japan. While the main cast of the show are the members of AKB48, there were episodes in which the girls from the sister groups visit and play. Guests such as Nogizaka46 and many comedians also graced the show for added comedy.

The birth of Yukirin’s reaction queen character.
This show also birthed to a lot of characters that we came to love and live by such as Kashiwagi Yuki being the reaction queen and black-hearted which was the reference of her role in Majisuka Gakuen series, Okada Nana‘s majime (serious) character, Takahashi Minami‘s fail-queen character and many more.

Matsui Rena’s A-in
The show also helped boost some members’ popularity such as Matsui Rena, who would have thought that the simple hypnotization experiment would bring the always on the side girl in the front? Another example would be Ohori Megumi, she was on the brink of graduating but that epic technical malfunction made her into her solo debut.

Get hit and unreasonable task awaits you.
Speaking of Meetan‘s (Ohori Megumi) solo debut, the segments in the show would help you get to know more of the girls. Some of my most favorite segments would be Muchaburi Dodgeball in which the girls’ competitiveness could be seen. Who would have thought that the very girly Itano Tomomi would ace this game? Another segment I love is the Danso special, ever wonder how would Sashihara Rino look like when dress-up as a boy? This segment would help that imagination come into reality.
Here are other notable segments you can expect from this show:

– Fat-suit Competition
Though there is only one episode for this, it is my favorite episode!

– Shoujiki Shougi (Honesty Chest)
The Watanabe Mayu vs Kojima Haruna battle is probably one of the most epic ones as Mayuyu’s question side punches Yuko, Takamina and KojiHaru herself.

– AKVEGAS
A segment in which the girls would guess who among the players would win a certain game. This was the very game that made Mayuyu cry.

– Lucky Girl Ranking
An opportunity for all the sister groups to gather and find their luck through palm reading.

– Fashion Clothes Battle
How do they look like in casual clothes, here’s my beloved 9th Gen’s not so fashionable clothes (Paruru don’t kill me please).

– More Danso episodes
I just can’t get enough of them like I want to marry all of them!

OG Ikemen King Sae with cutie boy Mayu

Princess of Nagoya Rena-sama turned into a very handsome archer.

Of Course! Danso Prince Mogi
AKBINGO is the centerpiece of AKB’s entire media onslaught. This show is the very core of all their shows. No wonder why a lot of them got into joining the group because of this show.

Related shows: SKEBingo, HKTBingo, STUBingo, NogiBingo, and all other 48/46 groups show with bingo in it.
SKE48 Ebi Series
Main Cast: SKE48+Kenin Members

You might be wondering why my recommended show for SKE48 is this and not SKEBINGO, in all honesty, the bingo increments for SKE48 is a bit different from the mother show, AKBINGO. I wouldn’t say it is not fun but it lacks the humor I knew SKE48 for. SKEBINGO focuses on an “acting theme” which I feel like hinders them into showcasing their real skills in variety.

Ebi series, on the other hand, showcases the variety skills of SKE48. The 3 season series (Ebi-Friday Night, Ebi-Sho, and Ebi Calcio) unleashes the sleeping humor of each and every member. Though the series had almost a fixed line-up, they did not fail the audience into making them laugh. This show also helped me to remember the members’ older generation of SKE48.

WMatsui was also a fixed cast in AKBINGO for some time but having them together with their base group really brought out the humor in them. I didn’t even know that Jurina likes to make puns and Rena had this hidden talent in variety shows. What’s more surprising is we can Jurina acting her age than the usual tough image she had shown in AKBINGO. Yes, Jurina acts like a baby in this series.

WMatsui in Ebi-Calcio’s opening credits.

I’m also used to seeing Oba Mina into variety but this show I would say really shape Minarun’s comedic skills. Her fatty character and the toughness of Rena to her weight helped her gain popularity.

The host is another reason why I love the show. We know that the 48G shows mostly involved comedians but the charm Okubo Kayoko heighten the comedy that this show has. Her constant saga with Matsumura Kaori was one of the most awaited parts of this show.
Here’s one of my most favorite episode from this series:
HaKaTa Hyakkaten
Main Cast: HKT48

After being transferred to HKT48, Sashihara Rino plays an important role in every HKT48 show there is. This enables her to fully redeemed herself and helped the group crawl to the top. As mentioned a while ago, 48G shows are usually hosted by a comedian but for HKT48 shows, it is mostly hosted by their queen mother, Sasshi, this show included.

I’m not sure if this was Sasshi’s first show after her transfer but she plays a key role in this show. Being a newly formed group, HaKaTa Hyakkaten gave an opportunity to the members to be known in public.

The show is pretty interesting as the girls of HKT48 will charm their guests with mostly AKB48 senpais (just that the 3rd season have comedians as their guests) to choose them as their oshimen.

Rena-sama as their 1st guest for the 2nd Season.

The winner of each show would receive an oshimen badge from their guest and will have an opportunity to eat popular delicacies from Fukuoka. The chosen member can also then ask the guest various questions. Random segments were also present tailored fit to their guest’s character or personality.
Here’s my favorite episode where my NMB48 Oshimen, Watanabe Miyuki got to play with the girls of HKT48:

P/S: Some parts of the sub is not really that accurate as the subber decided to put a little humor into it.
NMB48 Geinin
Main Cast: NMB48

There is this saying that you are expected to have a good sense of humor if you are from Osaka, home of the biggest company that houses many comedians in Japan. With Osaka being the base of NMB48, their shows are mostly centered in traditional Japanese comedy called Owarai.

The girls of NMB48 take their chance into a stand-up comedy act called Manzai. The show is set in a school where the girls act as middle and high school students who were part of the Owarai Club. The setting of this show is a little different from the mentioned shows above.

Yuihan and Sayanee combi doing Manzai.
Despite this show not set in the usual studio set-up, different segments were still present. Like the first two shows mentioned above, they also have a fixed line-up but other members were also there to take part as their guest. This show boasts a 3 season series with 2 movies referencing to it.

Yuihan as a transfer student and legendary Owarai postcard writer.

If you are a SayaMilky shipper then this is the show for you. There are tons of moments between NMB48’s two-top, Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki that you can make a lot of FMV from this show. Even the movie is centered on SayaMilky’s journey into joining a prestigious Manzai show. Of course, their resident old hag, Yamada Nana is there to third-wheel.

You are kinda rude to your lover Milky!
HKT48 vs NGT48 SashiKita Gassen
Main Cast: NGT48 and HKT48

It is a known fact that good friends and fellow 5th generation members, Sashihara Rino and Kitahara Rie have good variety skills and it seems like the two love to train their beloved kouhais the gift of being good in variety.

HKT48 vs NGT48 SashiKita Gassen is a show hosted by RieRino combi in which the girls of HKT48 and NGT48 goes head to head battle in various contest. Honed by various AKB48 programs, RieRino combi set-up segments that would unleash the hidden skills the young guns of their respective group.

Look at these two looking all so soft with their kouhais.
Aside from the comedic relief the show has, the girls were also given the opportunity to showcase their talents. From Homma Hinata‘s graceful ballet skills to Motomura Aoi’s drum skills.

Hinata doing ballet.
RieRino’s love for Japanese comedians can also be seen as their guests are mostly comedians. It is actually not surprising since it is a variety show. Though there are segments that are surprisingly uninteresting like that episode in which they guest ordinary people into guessing who is not an idol among them and whoever got chosen will face an unreasonable penalty of being pied.

However, despite some episodes being a little uninteresting, this show has a lot of good episodes such as the physical battle between the girls and the epic family computer challenge that made Kashiwagi Yuki buy here kouhais pretty expensive strawberries.

Another thing that I want to talk about is how much HKT’s finest member, Miyawaki Sakura has grown and instilled what she had learned from Sashhi back in 2012. There were several episodes in which Sakura had to sacrifice her idol image for laughs. Of course, a series of her epic unathletic skills were also shown.

Now that I’m writing about this, I’m just sad to know that NGT48 is almost flushed down the drain because of an issue their management can’t handle. Hinata is really carrying the group alone.
Shukan AKB
Main Cast: AKB48 and SKE48

Shukan AKB is probably one of the most epic variety show that AKB48 had. Unlike AKBINGO, this show is mostly done outside the comfort of their studio to take on various challenges. With AKB48 and SKE48 being the only groups around that time, they sometimes put their body on the line to finish a certain challenge.

It is also the most taxing and challenging show they ever had. Some of the most epic episodes would be the Dokkiri Jyogakuen (Dokkiri Women’s Academy) in which they take on different tasks just to find out who’s the hetare queen. Another one is the episode in which the Gekikara Club, led by Kashiwagi Yuki, took on the challenge of eating the spiciest food in Japan. Here we could see the first time Matsui Rena ate chicken for the first time as she is a vegetarian.
HKT48 Tonkotsu Mahou Shoujo Gakuin
Main Cast: HKT48

Sasshi’s transfer is probably one of the best things that ever happened in HKT48. If you are wondering why HKT48 has a lot of shows that is primarily because of Sasshi. She is heavily involved in a lot of the group’s shows and activities both off and on cam.

This show features HKT48 in a wizarding school but not really learning magic and like a typical HKT48 show, they feature different comedians as their guests where they receive entertainment tips, talks with them, answer questions or teaches them gags. I can say that this show really honed HKT48’s skills into variety shows. After all, it is Sasshi’s strongest point.

What’s fun about this show is you can see that the young girls of HKT48 back then are just like at home playing around. Putting their body sometimes for laughs is like a normal thing for them. I also love the fact that some of the members are starting to unleash their variety skills. One of them is Tanaka Natsumi or Boss. This girl that time was only around 13 years old but her sadistic character is really funny that even Sasshi herself was a victim of. Another notable member is Murashige Anna and Akiyoshi Yuka.

It’s hard to choose a favorite episode as all of them is my favorite but I guess the one that really left a mark on me is the episode with my favorite Japanese comedian Okubo Kayako:
AKB to XX
Main Cast: AKB48 Group

Paruru and Renacchi in Hirataka Park

Pronounced as AKB to Chome Chome!, this show features the girls of AKB48 and it’s sister groups in various task with of course a prank planted on it to show the real character of the member. There would be another member who would guess what would be the featured member’s reaction towards different situations.

Though that is the usual set-up of the show, there are episodes in which no guesser would be involved but a quiz between the members is still present. One of which is the episode in which Mayuyu went to visit the Takarakuza village. The show, however, enables the member to make her wish come true.

Mega Senpai Mayuyu with NMB48 Shibuya Nagisa and Kadowaki Kanako.

Overseas filming is also present in this show but I’m not sure which another country they visit other than Thailand as those are the only episodes I’ve seen so far (hahahaha). Nevertheless, that episode is one of my favorites as it features Milky goes fishing (yes, literal fishing), girls of SKE48 were her guesser during that episode (sad that I can’t find the streaming version of this episode).

Girls of SKE48 goes to Thailand.

Another beauty of this show is you got to see the sister groups interact with each other which is not common as they are often stuck within their respective groups.
Nemosu TV
Main Cast: AKB48 Group

Among all of the shows mentioned here, this is the only show that is still running till today. Aired back in 2008 and on its 25th season, the show features the girls of AKB48 Family group in various tasks which most of the time is filled with prank or dokkiri.

Like AKB to XX, the girls would also do overseas filming that sometimes features the overseas sister groups (so far, I’ve seen JKT48 and BNK48 being featured). The show does not have segments per episode unlike AKBINGO but it sticks to a certain theme in which allows them to focus on a certain member/s.

One of my most favorite themes of this show is the “No Sleeping Challenge” in which the girls would be in one room and would fight the temptation of falling asleep. It might sound easy but every minute there would be some exercise that would help them fall asleep.

The most notable episode however for me, is the time when Oshima Yuko, Akimoto Sayaka, Kitahara Rei, Takajo Aki, Miyazaki Miho, and Sashihara Rino went to climb the peak of Mt. Fuji in order to fulfill Yuko’s Seijin Shiki wish. This particular episode made me respect them more. Enough of the talking and let me show you what is it about:
AKB48 de Arubaito
Main Cast: AKB48

Yukirin telling Mayuyu that they need to find a new member.

Working as a part-time idol sounds fun right? Well, this is the concept of AKB48 de Arubaito. The girls of AKB48 go around the town in search of a commoner to be a member of AKB48 for a day and carry on its duties (as if they lack members to do so).

I already forgot much of the other episodes from this show but it’s fun to see the members of AKB48 go undercover to look for a possible candidate. One of the most epic would be Mayuyu’s transformations. From a weird waitress to a college rapper, she did everything to go search for the perfect girl. It’s really fun to see Mayuyu scouting girls.

AKB48 has a lot more shows but this would be my recommended variety shows as these shows really helped me to memorize their name and getting to know more of them.

Through these shows, it also enables me to see them grow and develop their talents and skills as if I am with them from the very beginning. My knowledge about them is not perfect but these show gave me a decent amount of information enough to answer new fans’ questions.

Writing this made me want to go back to the times when most of these show were still around and most of my favorite members were still active but these show helped them achieved their dreams and into realizing what they wanted to be after their idol activities.

Also, if you wanted to learn Japanese as a language, I highly suggest to watch variety shows as the conversation used aren’t scripted and usually use in their everyday lives.

I hope you like this entry and would give it a try! If you are already a fan, do let me know what your favorite variety show is in the comment section!

Want links to some of these shows? Message me!

©Aesthetic Insanity, November 6, 2010.

My Oshi List

Image result for akb48 team surprise

Since I am so into 48G Family right now, I think it would be best to introduce who the members in my Oshi list, in J-pop your “bias” is called “oshi” and your “ultimate bias/UB” is called “kami-oshi”.

Without further adieu let me tell you who my Kami-Oshi is…She is none other than AKB48’s fashion leader, the lovely Itano Tomomi.

Image result for Itano Tomomi

If you personally know me and my taste you will probably ask why? She’s in a different range than of my usual pick but there’s a force that pulls me towards her. I often opt for the leader type one or the intelligent one and not so into those visual type but let me tell you that her looks is really deceiving, in a good way.

She is your typical girly type but this girl hates to lose and she would throw away her image and get her head-on when she is ask to complete a task or a challenge. She’s one of the few members who takes Muchaburi dodge-ball seriously and she had a pretty good record in that game.

She’s also smart. She may look like she would only be concern with her looks but Tomochin as fans would call her, displayed her intelligence in their shows. One of which is her keen observation skills in AKB Profiling and her ability to learn new stuff in an instant.

Her being one of the pioneer member also displayed her leadership traits, one of which is how she trained a kouhai (hoobae in Korean term).

In 48G, once your oshi graduates, you can continue to support the group and choose an active member that would somehow fill your emptiness, my current oshi and holds the number 1 position in my list among all the active members is AKB48 Group’s General Manager and the elegant Yokoyama Yui.She is probably’s Nayoung‘s equivalent in the 48G, I meant she has the same place as Nayoung in my heart.

Belongs to my most favorite generation, 9th Gen, Yuihan as she is commonly known possess all the abilities I am looking for when I search for my number 1 member. She has the leadership as she is the 2nd generation overall leader of the entire 48G Family. Yup, she does not just take care of 48 members but 300+ members inside and outside Japan.

Talent wise, it might not be as solid as the others but this girl possess the ability to learn quickly. She had learn how to play the trumpet, flute, drums, guitar, piano, violin, harmonica and most recently beat-boxing. Yes, this girl is a hotpot of talent. Her dance skill might not be as devilish like the rest but she can dance and she can learn choreography easily.
Yuihan also possess elegance similar to Seohyun. She has this lady-like aura but can also rock and unleash her homme-fatale charm. She’s so handsome when she dress-up like a man.

And oh physical attributes you say? She got the 3 things I am looking for: eyes, smile/dimples and hair. She really looks good in side fringe jet-black hair. Next on the list, is I think the prettiest in the entire 48G Family (this is again, just me), the only member who made it on to the Top 100 Faces of the World, it’s the lavishing and sexy as hell, Shimazaki Haruka or Paruru. She’s also one of the most fashionable member in the entire 48G, probably because she was trained and looked after by Tomochin.

Paruru rock almost every kind of hairstyle she is given too. Her innocent looking face plus the deep dimples probably was a factor for her to look the best in whatever style. She might not be that excellent in sing and dance but this girl’s expertise acting which made me fall in love with her. She was the heroine of Majisuka Gakuen 4 and 5 that I love so much. She made me fall in love with her character.

Her frankness or what others call as “saltiness” is one of her charm, that if she said something so straight forward you won’t get mad at her. She also has this look that she always smells good.

This list won’t be complete without the mention of the member who introduced me to 48G Family, the culprit of this whole craziness, my little bunny, Takeuchi Miyu. By now, you probably know that by knowing her from Produce 48, I got so hook into liking 48G cause I attempted to know her variety skills.

Miyu is like a cinnamon roll, so sweet and enticing. This girl is so musical that even everyone in AKB acknowledge that (except the management). She may not be so devilish in the dance floor but she can really dance, AKB’s theater manager acknowledge that which earned her that respect. She is also so talented that she had an absolute pitch in which she can play any song upon hearing it once.

She can also play, oops not play, slay the piano, can play the trumpet and guitar. Miyu is also producer in the making as she is active in doing her own arrangement and version of songs.

Here’s a sample of one of her amazing covers, one of my favorite songs, be sure to subscribe and like!

So far I mentioned members that got me through their talents and skills but here’s a member that I always find handsome (and beautiful), for me. She’s one of the most ikemen member in AKB, it’s her royal highness, Shinoda Mariko. Probably one of the tallest and stylish member in the group. Mariko-sama has this charm in which she probably can capture you with her smile and charisma. Her boyish aura is more than enough for you to be single for life and devote yourself to her. Another point is, this girl is damn funny and got some variety skills. Another plus point is her cooking abilities!

If ikemen is what we are talking about then this member is probably one of the best within the entire 48 Family Group, she goes by the name of Okada Nana. Enough of the explanation and just look at her and tell me if she doesn’t look so handsome?

Kidding aside, if talent is what you are looking for then she is probably one of the top. She sings very well and dances really well too. She knows the world “synchronization” and “rhythm” despite having no “Korean training”. She’s not falling behind in terms of those skills.

Image result for Kato Minami Next on my list is one of the younger members and probably the youngest in my overall list. All the members mentioned above is from AKB48, though Okada Nana is the captain of STU48, she is still in AKB48, this girl is the only one outside AKB48, she is one of NGT48‘s captain, Kato Minami or Katomina.

Sounds familiar? Well, her nickname is after 1st gen General Manager, Takamina. She loves her so she decided to make her nickname similar to hers.

So far I’ve been talking about the musicality of the members in this list (except Paruru) but this girl’s specialty is baton twirling that somehow enables her to show a crisp dance moves, not to mention her ability to do flips and turns.

By far, all the members I mentioned are known to be captains or leaders. Miyu was never a captain but she lead her teams during Produce 48. Paruru is not a captain but she lead the group by being the ace and face of the group.

Yes, I still love leaders.

Now, let’s move on to my oshi in their respective groups within 48G. I currently don’t have an oshi in HKT48 but there are some girls that somehow got my interest. In NMB48, I currently don’t have an oshi that is/are active. Most of them are graduates already.

One of which is the oozing with sex appeal, the deadly, Watanabe Miyuki.

Image result for Watanabe Miyuki “She fished you”, well yes, it’s hard to resist her charm. Besides from that oozing sex appeal, she is also a good dancer and singer. She recently uploads a video of her dance practice and man, I drooled a bit.

Another oshi of mine is queen of variety, Ogasawara Mayu. Related image Pretty different from what I listed so far, but she’s really funny that I love her so much. She’s the type of variety queen that is not annoying or will annoy you at some point. She’s a good singer too.

Next one is not really my oshi yet, but I just love her. Image result for Yagura Fuuko Her name is Yagura Fuuko. Just look at her, isn’t she lovely?

Let’s fly to Nagoya and get to know my oshi from SKE48.

It’s not SKE if it’s not Matsui, well true, but my kami-oshi in SKE48 is the more feminine one, Matsui Rena.

Image result for Matsui Rena It’s probably her character in Majisuka Gakuen that won me over but once you got to know more of her, you will fall in love deeper. Different from her Gekikara character. And yes, she was once the captain of her team.

Next would be my girlies from 9th gen, Oba Mina and Yamauchi Suzuran. Image result for oba mina and yamauchi suzuran These two are bundle of fun especially Minarun. She’s so funny that you can help but fall in love with her and of course, a captain of her team. Ranran was once a vice-captain and she has this buriko character but not so annoying.

Going outside Japan, I only have two oshi’s that are not Japanese. One from MNL48 and one from Team SH. Related image MNL48’s Jem was an accidental oshi for me but man, she sealed the deal upon realizing how adorable and intelligent she is. A Political Science student, future lawyer as they say, she is also a book lover and her instagram is also full of aesthetics.

Talent wise, watch her slay the dance floor and wow you with her singing abilities. Right, now she’s the only member I adore and follow among MNL48 and it is all worth it.

From Team SH, it’s Liu Nian. Image result for Liu Nian produce 101 china First followed her from Produce 101 China, she was an adorable fluffball that would stick around Da’Juan. Their chemistry together is uncanny but she made a name for herself when she is hailed as the center of their debut song.

Wrapping-up the solo list, let me introduce to you my kami-oshi generation, if that term even exist.

It’s the girls of 9th Generation, the most bonded and close generation that everyone seems to recognize. Seriously, if I explain why I love them it will take so much space from this entry and I can talk about them all day.