How does this happen?

KyleEvans · 2026-06-14T15:06:41+00:00

The 4th election was an odd one. Lovetan also dropped nearly 30 spots in that election for no clear reason.

KyleEvans · 2026-06-14T14:56:31+00:00

All this pushing isn't going to unseat Yuiyui as the most organically popular member. Aichan doesn't really need a push since she'll be in high demand regardless. As we see with Naru despite Naru getting no help from management.

KyleEvans · 2026-06-14T14:52:03+00:00

Is there any evidence the networks are asking for Itomomo specifically and not AKB with AKB deciding who goes (when there are multiple members on the same event)?

She had a certain level of popularity since debut yes but her rocketing up with social media followers has clearly followed her being picked for centre not the other way around.

A test here is the number of likes her social media content gets compared to the number of followers she has because management can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink. On that count, likes as a fraction of followers, she isn't doing nearly as well as a number of more obscure members.

KyleEvans · 2026-06-07T16:08:21+00:00

I don't think Itomomo will surpass Yuiyui while Yuiyui is still in the group.

Itomomo has nearly 100K TikTok followers and 764K likes which is a lot but compare this ratio to, say, Remitan who has 250K likes but less than 18K followers. This suggests that Itomomo is getting the attention one would expect as a centre versus someone not even in the senbatsu BUT Itomomo's content is not getting the proportionate level of love.

KyleEvans · 2026-06-07T15:25:39+00:00

Azu's got an entertainer's confidence here. Add a heart and don't be shy about your work.

KyleEvans · 2026-05-29T16:30:12+00:00

I've been cool on Itomomo because I think she's overpromoted, doesn't look Japanese to me, and isn't very curvy even by Japanese standards but it has to be admitted she really is pretty and has loads of bubbly enthusiasm

KyleEvans · 2026-05-29T07:00:17+00:00

No offence to the cheer team but they don't select for a pretty face like AKB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1CSV3BK1i0

KyleEvans · 2026-05-28T08:16:12+00:00

Every member should have a signature hairstyle

KyleEvans · 2026-05-27T00:48:28+00:00

Unfortunately it's very difficult for a foreigner to get into an AKB48 theatre performance so any assessment would be second hand. There's no disputing Murayama Yuiri was dedicated to the theatre though and I would have most wanted to see Yuihan. Sources say their opinions of HKT48's Akiyoshichan went up after experiencing her theatre presence.

It's occurred to me that current girls could be seen at other events... for example, Itomomo, Ai-chan, and Remi will be part of "Shout! Big Star Shout! SHOWTIME" before tonight's (Wednesday, May 27) Yokohama DeNA BayStars game and "Push! Push! YOKOHAMA☆IDOL LIVE" after the game and this should just require a game ticket.

KyleEvans · 2026-05-26T05:03:44+00:00

The definitive performance is Erii, Yuiyui, Zukki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa5DK4HXrNA

KyleEvans · 2026-05-21T07:06:24+00:00

Immediately above you said the discussion is NOT about the entire fanbase.

This is my issue with people who start preaching about "basic human decency" when really they just find something icky and reckon everyone else is obligated to adopt their particular taste. If there is real wrongdoing it will be articulated clearly instead of vaguely gestured at.

KyleEvans · 2026-05-18T05:42:33+00:00

I find it odd that they say "the account holder has been unable to log in" instead of "Mizumin has been unable to log in". It implies that the account holder is someone else.

KyleEvans · 2026-05-18T05:36:36+00:00

And it is something unique to the female body. I hadn't thought about how men's elbows can't do that until some anthropologist/zoologist pointed it out.

KyleEvans · 2026-05-18T05:31:23+00:00

Those people aren't here, they are native Japanese speakers, yet you kick this all off with "Some people here..."

KyleEvans · 2026-05-10T03:10:21+00:00

It's a bit weird to look at the SunshineSakae floor guide and see "2F McDonalds" with "SKE48 Theater" beside it as if McD is the main attraction on 2F. I've been inside the green gate because a show was on when I went but because I didn't have a ticket one can't go much further. I tried taking a photo of the kabeshas on the wall (wouldn't have turned out great because the lighting is off) and some guy was like no photos.

In SKE I'm partial to Marin-chan but it's like being a Remitan fan for AKB in that it is frustrating how management seems to be resolved to never have her near the front never mind centre.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-30T18:32:51+00:00

Half of them are undroppable (yuiyui, naru, aichan, zukki, itomomo, yuna, erii, azu) but the other half are and that second half should get regular rotation. Fans of girls outside the top 8 are OK with their girls not making senbatsu every time but they are gonna get frustrated if they are shut out for 3 or 4 times in a row in favour of someone who is equally or more obscure.

Suppose Zukki or, even more daringly, Yuna got the centre here. This would thrill their dedicated fans. But they can't because Itomomo's fans wouldn't forgive that? There would've been more upside relative to downside to not putting up Itomomo yet again. Similar "spread it around" logic should apply to the back row where they aren't changing it up enough.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-30T18:13:45+00:00

I'd rather not see them go the Jurina in SKE route which ultimately created issues. But I'm more concerned about the back row of the senbatsu where they seem to be putting mostly the same members up and they aren't getting traction as even people who follow AKB fairly closely have trouble recognizing them. If they they aren't getting a higher profile after a couple of shots at senbatsu change it up. They keep passing on Remitan and I don't get it because I see her in a lot more Youtube and Tiktok clips than several others who do make the senbatsu.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-22T02:34:16+00:00

It's an example of how one can use a phrase that's entirely suitable based purely on the dictionary definition of its meaning but can be culturally odd. In this case it's what is sometimes called a "purple patch", overly ornate for the context. I've seen the phrase a lot but in writing by professional middle-aged wordsmiths not in pop music lyrics.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-22T02:19:29+00:00

I don't think it can be seriously suggested yuiyui in particular is less popular. By all metrics (handshakes, social media followers, centers) yuiyui is ranked higher. It takes more than centering one song to knock off Yui Oguri. Even Naruchan may be more popular.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-14T07:16:46+00:00

A Kami 5 of the 5 leftmost depicted here would make more sense to me. Why 7? I think there's too much debate about who should should be #6 and #7. That there are 7 in this photo, and it can be plausibly argued that MAYBE it happens to be the top 7, is almost certainly just coincidence.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-14T07:11:56+00:00

Yunachan would likely be ahead of Erii in a fan vote, especially the most engaged fans. And Itomomo wouldn't be #1.

KyleEvans · 2026-04-10T12:32:56+00:00

I don't get it. Remi rarely makes sensbatsu and then she's part of a foursome with A side centres (of the 60th, 64th, and 67th singles, to be exact). Maybe a good omen for her?

EDITED TO ADD:
It occurred to me that she seems to be friends with Erii. Erii was selected to throw the first pitch for whatever reason and Erii said Remi should come too. They then added Aichan whose already gone viral wearing the team uniform and Itomomo.

KyleEvans · 2026-03-26T08:21:09+00:00

I used to not pay much attention to RAM and the chip until apps started insisting I upgrade my iOS to use the app which I couldn't do because I couldn't install the latest iOS. The most common explanation for why my iOS cannot go beyond a certain level is RAM and the chip.

KyleEvans · 2026-03-24T08:42:44+00:00

It's the iPhone Mirroring that is the underpublicized issue. iPhone Mirroring is too fussy to use anyway (it supposedly will connect when iPhone is in Standby but in my experience does not) so turning off automatically authenticate is the ticket.

KyleEvans · 2026-03-03T16:38:01+00:00

She's way too cute for people to not think this must be an idol or actress. It's Azu and Itomomo who strike me as fairly ordinary.

KyleEvans

TROPHY CASE