AKB48 Singapore 2nd Handshake Session

Japan's best selling artists return to meet fans 31 May, 2011 by

As reported previously, AKB48 have set up their first overseas theater in Singapore that started on 15th May 2011. Last Sunday, the girls were back in town to perform their second series of live theater performances at the SCAPE. On Saturday though, 3 members of the idol group visited one day earlier to greet fans at an exclusive handshake session.
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Member Calls

Our second in a series of guides to AKB48 concerts 29 May, 2011 by

Other than the Mix, the next most basic form of cheering during AKB48 concerts are the “member calls” (メンバーコール) shouted after one of them have just finished singing. This is a full list of AKB48 member names shouted during such situations.
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NMB48 Live Impressions

Nothing beats the real Osakan experience 26 May, 2011 by

During the Supermerlion gang’s trip to Japan a couple months ago, I had this very rare opportunity to actually visit and watch NMB48′s first stage show at their Osaka based Namba theater. Now, after months of hold ups and dragging, I’ve finally gotten around to writing on the great experience that I had from watching the NMB48 girls perform live.
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Mix

Part one of a basic guide to concerts 25 May, 2011 by

The “Mix” (ミックス) is the given name of the seemingly incoherent gibberish that is shouted at concerts for Japanese artists. It’s a fun and integral part of AKB48 performances too. Here’s a little guide for new fans looking to get started. I’ve also included some back history about the Mix, so it should still be an interesting read for more experienced fans.
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AKB48 General Election Guide Book 2011

The updated encyclopedia of AKB48 knowledge 24 May, 2011 by

With the 2011 AKB48 senbatsu elections beginning in just a few days time, we take a look at this year’s AKB48 General Election Guide Book. It follows a similar format to last year’s guide book, but now features detailed statistics of an expanded repertoire of 152 members spread over AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and the combined kenkyuusei forces.
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AKB48 Singapore

Caution, long informative post and more exclusive photos 20 May, 2011 by

Last weekend marked the official opening of the AKB48 Singapore Theater and Shop. Girls from AKB48 (Akihabara48) and their management were down to present a sold out performance to bewildered fans, many of whom traveled all the way down to Singapore just to interact with Japan’s most popular idols. Here are some highlights of the past two days.
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AKB48 Singapore Shop

We witness the opening of South East Asia's first AKB48 shop 15 May, 2011 by

The AKB48 Singapore Shop opened its doors for the first time yesterday on Saturday, 14th May 2011. Iwasa Misaki, Komori Mika and Miyazaki Miho, three members of the popular Japanese idol group, AKB48 flew down one day ahead of their peers to welcome the hundreds of fans who came down to meet their idols.
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AKB1/48 Koshiki Koryaku Visual Book

Do people still buy these? 12 May, 2011 by

The AKB1/48 Koshiki Koryaku Visual Book (Official Strategy Visual Book) is the licensed strategy guide for the AKB1/48: Idol to Koishitara video game. It provides a detailed walkthrough to AKB48′s first video game, though I highly doubt that’s the main selling point. For most, this is another chance to own a little piece of AKB48 for the price of your lunch money.
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Play Imaginative

Singapore's first designer toy company moves to SCAPE 09 May, 2011 by

Since 2004, Play Imaginative has been Singapore’s representative for the designer and character toys market. The company brings many popular franchises to the country but more impressively collaborates with famed artists to create their own original figures. End last month, the Play Imaginative shop moved to the new SCAPE. We paid the place a visit this weekend. Click here to take a look inside.
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AKB48 Oshi Certification Book

Recommended only for the most obsessed of fans 03 May, 2011 by

Celebrities write about their favorite idols in this new AKB48 mook. The AKB48 Oshi Certification Book features a column on each individual member, with insights written or taken from interviews with other famous talents. Visually, this is a pretty bland mook. Its target audience thus limited to fans that are looking for a different type of coverage or those who must absolutely collect everything AKB48.
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Japan Manhole Covers

Manhole monday 01 May, 2011 by

No matter how many times one returns to Japan, it never fails to amaze exactly how much effort the locals put into things. Pride for their country, community and even neighborhood are reflected everywhere in little things. In this case, it’s these artistic and sometimes amusing Japanese manhole covers that caught my attention. This is a compiled list of the many unique drain covers I’ve seen so far.
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Dear Stage Interview

We interview underground idols Yoshikawa Sunao and Sasakama Risuko 30 April, 2011 by

Idols are a universal concept. Music and acting talents admired by the people globally. Yet no where but in Japan is the concept taken as far. There being an idol is an aspiration, a career and a multi-billion dollar industry. Yes, in Japan, idols are serious business. But last weekend, I was introduced to and given the chance to interview a different breed of idols.
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