The ‘Real’ Dawn of Idols (PV Review Pt. 2)

And then you have a new concept, the “Theater Girls” PV!

I honestly wasn’t keeping track of all the updates when it came to AKB48’s new single.  And after I read the member list of the three different teams to appear, my first reaction was “Where’s Meetan?”  My second reaction was “Hikoukigumo?  Geez, that song is old!”

And it is old.  It has been 12 1/2 months since Team A’s 5th Stage debuted at the Theater.  It has been performed at every major concert AKB48 has performed over the last year, including the Webster Hall show in New York where they sang it twice!  I am the proud owner of two “Hikoukigumo” flags.  One from Japan, and one NY edition.  BTW, I have always loved the song.  It is one of those “you have to see it person” types of songs that really benefits from the audience participation.  Translation:  The flag-waving makes it awesome!

But what really benefits this track is the use of all new members to perform it.  Unlike when Team B’s “Shonichi” was one of the B-sides to Namida Surprise.  There are zero members of the original team here.  The difference is subtle on the recorded track.  But the accompanying PV makes this almost seem like a brand new song.  And when was the last time we saw the likes of Umechan, Kana, Tanamin, Nacchi and Nakayan featured on a PV?  Not to beat a dead horse, but it’s all the “never before seen” members that makes this even better!  My only real complaint was that I barely noticed Wasamin!  🙁  (Goes to watch the PV again)

I can’t begin to describe how excited I was to see Tanamin actually in a PV! <3 <3 <3

The video also serves as a great advertisement for seeing AKB48 at the actual theater.  The camerawork does an excellent job of painting the theater in an great light, which is even more amazing when you consider how “lived in” the place is when you are actually there.  And obviously they had all of the fan “extras” going the extra mile with the cheering.

At the end of the day what we have here is an awesome three-song single.  And when you couple that with the bonus DVD the package is even better.  Yes, AKB48’s management quite often gets accused of “wallet rape”.  But when you think of all the effort that went into the production of this product, it is an excellent value.

Once again I ask the question “Is this the shapes of things to come” for AKB48?  And wouldn’t it be cool if every single featured three teams with three songs and PVs.  Then no one could say their favorite girl got shafted.  Everyone would have their opportunity to captivate the fanbase…

Isn’t that what the upcoming shuffles are all about anyway?  Enjoy!

CK in California