Title: AKB0048 (1-13) & AKB0048 Next Stage (14 – Airing)

Genre: Idol / Music / Sci-Fi

This is a review and preview of series AKB0048.

In the future entertainment has been banned and even being related to someone who is an entertainer can get you placed in jail. AKB048 has become known as AKB0048 reflecting from a region to the space date the anime occurs in. AKB0048 (referred to as 00 in the show) are known as terrorist for continuing to spread their songs throughout the galaxy inspiring people to lift the entertainment ban. One day “00” puts a show on the planet Lancaster where entertainment is banned, but inspires four friends to one day join “00” together.

Show revolves primarily around Nagisa, Yuuka, Orine, Chieri, and the other girls of the 77th generation. (more so Nagisa & Chieri).

Plot – 6.5

The plot moves pretty well for this show. It starts with the girls dreaming of becoming idols, getting accepts, overcoming adversity and their own personal background plots that effect how they perform. From there into the second season it moves from the character backgrounds to focusing on the progression of the group and bringing back the “Center Novae” position.  The primary concept remains of the four friends becoming fully fledged members of AKB0048l.

Characters  – 6.5

I will say they do a great job of giving several girls from whom to pick as your favorite (much like AKB048). I do enjoy getting to know the characters as the story moves, however you do not get much background on the girls. You get to know them as they are for the most part and watch them grow. I did enjoy this, although I wish they would have talked a little more on what drives them to their current dreams. Nagisa mainly has to deal with leaving and eventually coming back hoping her father can understand her dreams. Chieri’s background will come into more play in the second season from what I can see.

Art / Music / Voices – 9

The character designs go in a few different directions which I enjoyed. You can tell the artwork based on real/original members of AKB versus the characters created for the show. Initially I didn’t think I was going to like it as it is fairly simple style, however the hearts in the eyes and hair reflections are super cute. The performances will rotate between the 3D animation and cel (like Idolmaster). I thought the performances were done really well, perhaps one of the best music anime concert scenes to date. Another driving point is the continuous changes to the character outfits rather than seeing them wear the same outfit each episode (this change even happens in concerts). The real push on this artwork were the backgrounds which can fall behind to everything going on. In short where the simple character designs and pokemon like Kirara might feel weaker, the 3D and background really redeem. The music is amazing. If you love AKB048 or JPOP period, you really will want to check this out. The opening “Kibou ni Tsuite” by No Name (AKB Sub-Group) is my favorite opening of the Fall Anime.  In total the anime gives you ten songs from AKB/No Name, which I felt matched really well with the flow of the anime. Obviously having an anime based on a super popular music group will aid in the music. I felt the voices were great once you get to know the characters. They obviously have a large cast of characters as you follow the current AKB0048 and the 77th Generation. A big sell on the voice acting is that almost all of the main VA are done by AKB members (for 77th Generation), several who have no major or listed rolls in anime. Ryoko Shiraishi (Takamina) is one example of someone who is not in AKB, but super famous for roles like Hayate in Hayate no Gotoku (Most of “current” AKB0048 are done by famous VA). They did great! (PS: Sonata is just too cute, cheers to Kumi Yagami of SKE48 on her role!)

Overall – 7 (Still Airing..)

If you like male leads, serious plot, or action this is not your anime. If you are fan of all female cast, JPOP, light comedy, cute characters, and light action you have found your diamond. Honestly I waited for the entire first season before starting this based on how Lovely Idol, Idolmaster, and Skipbeat flowed. I wasn’t sure how I was going to react to this show, but it was truly an amazing show so far. I have enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would and music has made me interested in AKB048 (which I listened on and off too but was not high on my radar). I don’t go into much details about the show, but honestly watch the first episode and you will get a solid feel if you will like this show or not.