 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
(Namima no Kiseki)
“Miracle of the Waves”
Yea, um, Makoto-san? Im pretty sure thats not how boobs work.
Trust the show which has given us the absurdities of [Guerilla Idols VS Space Mechs] to throw in yet another dose of wacky: Crazy Boobs Logic. No doubt, it truly is a facepalm-worthy moment when jellyfish stings can magically transform DFC into USELESS MEAT.
But then again, hasnt wacky always been the prerogative of AKB0048? This is a show where exaggerations take the place of subtleties, where the meaning between the lines doesnt have to be read because its already in your face. Even so, it doesnt mean that the themes of the show are any less simple; clichd maybe, but theres definitely some brainwork going on in insane means Okeda Mari uses to portray these themes to us. In that regard the show is perhaps more unique than most give it credit, for the extremely literal presentation of its story and the corresponding themes. Take the boob antics and the dangers of Center Nova in this episode for example, where there are fleeting glimpses at some basic commentary on the extremes idols go to for their roles, an extension on the theme also present in the Day Off episode. While Im not disregarding the messages the show brings out, it at times like this where I feel there is an unbridgeable gap between the portrayal of characters and the themes through these exaggerations.
Which brings us to the case of Makoto in this episode. AKB0048s character expositions have always been something of a hit or miss for me, and disappointingly Makotos failed to hit the mark. People have been commenting how Makoto supposedly represents the average AKB trainee, and with the spotlight on her gravure-shoot anxieties here, the theory doesnt seem all that far-fetched. Heres a girl who if not for artistic cues and her exceedingly mundane peeves, doesnt seem to possess an individual quality which separates her from the rest of the normal bunch, adding to the point that up until now shes been little more than a background character. The thing is that theres some real potential for playing on a character trope like this, as one might see from shows such as The World God Only Knows and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, and there is charm in the perseverance and energy she shows here despite her seemingly fickle, grumbly behavior. In execution however, Makotos little character arc comes across as exceedingly juvenile, much like the trivial worries that so personifies her normal characterization. Rather than expanding on her character with a clever subversion like in the two examples Ive mentioned, AKB0048 opted to -what else- exaggerate with uncreative flab and boobs antics that serves to do nothing more but to trivialize her even further. Nothing wrong with some exaggeration since the overarching theme is still intact, right? Surely its only in the name of good fun, one might say? Am I so stone-hearted that I cant readily accept a boob joke or two? And to this, I say that it mightve worked if it wasn’t so derivative. The drawback of presenting characters and themes in extremely literal manners is that it only works if people buy into exaggeration, something that is in the end wholly subjective. And while the idea did get through, there isnt anyone else in the show Ive had a greater disconnect with, much less with such overtly clichd antics. Its truly a shame, because Makotos minimal presence up until now had me really looking forward to her own arc, and this episodes only seemed to further that emotional gap I have with her instead of the empathy they had hoped to win from me. (Im somewhat looking at Suzuko for this as well, but that mostly stems from her god-awful voice actor.)
Simply put, I take fault not with the themes being portrayed, but how characters and exaggarations are used to portray these themes, if one goes back to my similar complains about the Do or Die confrontation in episode 02, and again in the pheromones shebang of episode 05. This is still wholly subjective; Ive heard similar complains of disengagement with the extremes of competition the Takamina-Kanata drama brought to the table, yet I was completely sold on the shows portrayal of that particular conflict.
Now, Im not saying it was a bad episode. It didnt quite reach the same levels of brilliance with the Takamina-Kanata dramatic arc for me, but its definitely a much better attempt at a low-key episode than the Day Off one. While Makoto failed to engage me, her antics did serve as a platform for Suzukos exposition to kick off, and I honestly liked what the show did with her characterization. At a time where the AKB0048 characters feel far too homogenous in their motivations, Suzuko makes for a breath of fresh air with her aspiration to be a pillar for 00, but not necessarily through performing. Where girls would want to mimic the larger-than-life figures they so idolize, its refreshing to find someone who only desires to support the lofty ideal of entertainment these paragons bring, whatever the means available. For AKB fans its yet another distinct moment of fanservice through Suzuko, who seems like a dead ringer for the Mariko title: The real-life Mariko Shinoda never made it through the AKB auditions, but her desire to work with the group was so strong she signed on as a staff member at the AKB theatre, before producer Akimoto took notice of her popularity with visiting fans and made her a full-fledged member.
The bit of introspection between Nagisa and Chieri was also revealing, and for all the development weve seen from Chieri over the last nine episodes, the glowless Kirara still serves as a reminder of her nagging doubt that shes not cut out to be an idol. Now, I very much think that the Kirara only glows in the presence of the two of them together, and Nagisas belief that it isnt about winning or losing as idols seem to carry the same notion. (Even if awkwardly conveyed.) But it then begs the question: What exactly does the idol spirit entail? The Kiraras have glowed in response to a variety of situations up until now, and each case seemingly responding to a different stimulus. Are all of these aspects part of the idol spirit? I suspect we might get some kind of answer down the road when Chieris doubts get the better of her, but until then its an interesting question to muse on.
We also finally get some answers about graduation thrown our way, but rather than the morbid connotations Ive come to associate it with, graduation seems to be little more than a glamorized retirement. Where the heart of the 00s darker nature lies is with the Center Nova disappearances, something that Tsubasa (the former Mariko) witnessed first-hand. The interesting twist here is that despite being privy to 00s secrets, Tsubasa is just as clueless as the rest of the cast with regards to this particular mystery, and it seems that itll fall to former Center Nova Mikako Minami Minegishi Noono (Kojima Sachiko) to provide the answers we so desire.
All things considered, while this wave was anything but a miracle, I reckon I still got a good surf out of it.
Next Episode: Tears! And waitis that a proper AK47!? Oh wow, now we have actual guerillas!
Full-length images: 04, 05, 06, 09, 14, 16, 20, 21, 24, 27, 30.
Preview
 |
 |
 |
Only in Japan.
They completely messed timeline. At first episode Aachan was performing on concert on Lancastar and Mariko-sama/Tsubasa was already graduated supporting staff. But now we see her disapperance during concert where both were still active.
You’re wrong Bambi. The didn’t mess anything. Mariko-sama wasn’t already graduated during the Lancaster concert. You can tell because she still had hearts in her eyes and hair instead of stars like she does now. She was commanding Flying Get during that concert though, but there’s nothing weird about that. In fact Yukurin was commanding Flying Get in episode 2, and she certainly hasn’t graduated yet.So they didn’t screw the timeline, everything’s ok.
While I laughed my ass off at the hijinks, as far as the serious stuff was concerned, we get to know more about some of the characters’ motivations, and starting to get to the bottom of the matter… no, a conspiracy concerning the Kirara (at this point we’re getting some Macross Frontier vibes about equating the Kirara with the… Vajra).Now if you’re going to ask me, Mita Mao seems to be one of the most underrated NMB members, and somehow this episode turned her from complete underdog to the center of the party.Thank goodness the damned DES didn’t try to crash on the girls’ party just like last time.
I really like it when fanservice episodes can be mixed plot and character development. It was nice to listen Suzuko motivation, since it adds more dimensions to her. Can’t say much for Makoto though, she was mostly there to be the butt of jokesTsubasa search for Acchan also lends more revelations to the shadier side of AKB and the mysterious Center Nova position, which seems to indicate that Chieri/Nagisa will probably head down the same road. At this point it seems the show is written with another season in mind, since it seems there is still plenty of revelations to cover with only 2 episodes left.Also, no mention of how Kanata is confirmed gay for Takamina? I don’t think I need my goggles for these two anymore.
Do not forget that the lady photographer seems to be sort of a yuri fan. She made a great choice pairing Nagisa and Chie together.
Words can’t do their love justice, nor that of Nagisa and Chieri’s. Yuri goggles are still recommended to shield your eyes from this blinding purity. :3
Um… unless there’s a joke I’m missing, I don’t think your “USELESS MEAT” link up at the beginning of the review is pointing to the image you intended…Anyway, it’s a shame they failed to properly utilize Makoto, but the new information gained around Yuuko, Tsubasa, Acchan, Nagisa, Chieri, the former Mii-chan, and the kirara is all quite interesting, and still balances the episode out to a net positive, in my opinion.I’m still hoping they’ll officially announce a second season. There are a lot of loose threads left to be tied up, and only three episodes remaining in this season left to cover them. I don’t think that’s enough.
D’oh! I was editing the script at 4am in the morning, so this must’ve completely slipped by the tired me. Good catch Wanderer! And thanks for always taking the time to comment on the posts! :DThe thing is that I can totally see them wrapping up most of the loose threads by the show’s conclusion, without rushing at all and having them succeed as full members by the end. But if that’s the case, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the aftermath of the girls’ succession. So yea, I’m with you in hoping for a second season that explores this other half of AKB.
http://images.randomc.net/AKB0048/AKB0048%20-%2010%20-%2032.jpgThis is scene is just beautiful. It was a clever use of imagery to symbolize their glow as idols.
“Yea, um, Makoto-san? Im pretty sure thats not how boobs work”Kate Perry agrees to disagree.
I’m missing the joke here. What does Katy Perry have to do with inflating breasts?
What does that pic of Tsubasa-san have to do with Makoto’s pet peeves? I missed something didn’t I…
Nope, it isn’t you, but me who had missed something. That wasn’t suppose to be there. Man, something must’ve been wrong with me when I was putting this up. Thanks for the catch! 😀
No prob. I thought I had skipped something in the episode, went back to re-watch ^^;;
Now lets talk about free strippers. Went to the strip bar the other day and some pretty nice girls where dancing down there. One is a famous actress on this site. Told me to check it out. Really amazing guys!
Sensing “idol aura” my ass. The Kirara are totally yuri radars. Takamina was clearly getting too straight, so the Kirara decided a new more…appropriate…soul was in order. Cue “gay for Takamina” Kanata.
You know my brain has rotted when I see witches in the background of this show. hahahttp://randomc.net/2012/07/04/akb0048-10/This episode again is trying for a slice of life but detail seem to get lost. With only 2 episodes left why do I get the impression they are aiming for a second season.
my favotire character is suzuko because she to me represents that classic bookworm who can get out of situations with brainpower.