AISubs v3.5
♪ Give me your light ♪
♪ I want you to shine on me with your warmth ♪
♪ Until I can't see the scenery alone ♪
♪ Give me your light ♪
Kinsuma
Youth Special Kinsuma Haran Banjo!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Thank you!
This is our first show in 2012, and we have a very suitable guest with us today.
Yes.
In 2011, we thought that a musician wouldn't be able to talk without these people.
I'm crying...
I can't stand it anymore...
I can't write anything...
"Black Tears" by Atsuko Maeda
Ms. AKB48...
What happened to you?
In 2011, there was a big change in the entertainment world.
There have only been six singles that have surpassed a million since "Thousand Winds" in 2006.
And all of them are AKB48's works.
In 2011 annual ranking, AKB topped "top 5" for the first time in history.
It was impossible for such a strange phenomenon to occur in the music industry so far.
"heavy rotation" released two years ago is still in first place in annual karaoke ranking.
In addition, 12 of the "top 15" AKB members are listed in CM number ranking.
From first place to fourth place are exclusive.
When a handshake meeting with members is held, hundreds of thousands of people gather from adults to children.
"handshake meeting" is still in first place in annual karaoke ranking.
One theory is that AKB's economic effect is said to be 300 billion yen.
AKB is amazing, isn't it?
It's also in commercials and dramas.
AKB has been around for about two years.
I feel like I'm in love with any generation.
I definitely want to sing AKB songs at karaoke.
AKB everywhere you look.
AKB
AKB is definitely in first place.
It's no exaggeration to say that AKB is all over Japan.
When I asked them what they thought at the end of last year...
Finally, in December, you've been nominated for "Record Grand Prize"
I feel like I'm finally getting recognized by everyone for receiving it.
Finally!
December, before the "Record Grand Prize" was announced.
"It's too much of a break, but until we get the record we deserve...
...the world won't recognize us," said the members.
"Record Grand Prize" is a special award, isn't it?
If we get this award...
"Record Grand Prize" is...
And they talked about it with tears in their eyes.
I really want it.
What lies at the bottom of their hearts as they run for "Record Grand Prize"?
"EXILE's 'I Wish For You To Be Me'"...
Even though last year, EXILE was among the candidates with the highest number of votes,
they didn't win the grand prize.
AKB members are not allowed to perform with authority.
There have been rumors like that.
I think I was the most frustrated when I joined AKB.
I thought I couldn't do it.
But I really wanted it.
I was so frustrated that I couldn't even see EXILE singing.
They have strong feelings for "Record Grand Prize".
And on December 30, EXILE made their announcement.
At 3:30 p.m., members enter the venue with nervous expressions.
Six and a half hours have passed since the broadcast ended.
We never imagined that such a scene would await us.
This program is brought to you by KAO and these sponsors.
Fifteen minutes before the show.
A.K.A.B. changes into their costumes and heads for the venue.
Three and a half hours until the moment of impact.
The leader, Takahashi, gathers the members as usual.
What's in their hearts?
Without being able to hear what's going on, the live broadcast approaches.
The recording of the show has begun.
Good evening, I'm Azumi Shichiro, TVE's announcer.
I will tell you everything until the moment of impact of the 53rd show.
Thank you for having me.
Two and a half hours until the moment of impact.
During their appearance, the venue was interviewed by a Chinese TV station.
The A.K.A.B. phenomenon had spread overseas.
At nine in the afternoon,
they went back to the venue to perform their song "Flying Get".
One hour until the moment of impact.
The gold-plated cameras kept recording them.
Soon...
The moment of the announcement of the record target is approaching.
Well then, I will announce it.
Yes.
The Japanese record winner is...
...AKB48's song "Flying Get".
The award goes to...
...as expected, AKB48.
I would like to thank you all. Thank you very much.
Please say a few words.
Well...
You've done a great job.
For five years...
You've done a great job.
Now, for the 53rd record award...
...AKB48's song "Flying Get"...
At this time, it's almost time for the broadcast.
Just like AKB's creator Yasushi Akimoto's story "Sainilca"...
...the song starts.
As it was, the broadcast for the record ended.
Then...
There was AKB's appearance, crying with emotion.
We couldn't hide our surprise.
Yes.
Why do they continue to cry without taking a step back?
The reason was in the forbidden past that AKB had walked through.
It's like they called us "panties show group".
Six years before their debut...
They were called "AKB's panties show group".
That's harsh. It's a game show.
They said they wanted to quit.
It was a habit of mine. How can we quit?
They withdrew from the group.
And...
AKB broke up.
"We can't delay it anymore". "If we can't delay it, we'll starve to death", they said.
We didn't know that they had been working so hard together with such painful feelings.
AKB's forbidden past that they talked about for the first time.
Kintsuma Shinshin Special
AKB48 Haram Banjou
National Idol's Truth
The 53rd Japanese Record Award goes to...
AKB48!
How did you feel when you won?
Well, I didn't think I would win.
I couldn't stop crying.
You couldn't stop crying, could you?
I couldn't stop crying.
Do you remember how you felt?
Yes, I do.
How about you, Mari?
Well, I'm glad that I could do my best with all of my fans and members.
You're a record holder. I'm glad.
Thank you.
Thank you!
What's up?
You're too young for this.
You're right.
I'm still young.
You're still in December, but you're still praising yourself.
You're crying, aren't you?
Are you?
Yes, I am.
Let's go back to the ordinary.
Go back, go back.
Be quick, be quick.
Have you ever done this?
You look like you've won a lot of prizes.
You're not going to let me win?
I'll introduce you again in an ordinary way.
Why do you have both patterns?
It wouldn't be good if you didn't.
Well, you're right.
Now, let me introduce our first guest of 2012.
AKB48!
Unfortunately, you didn't win the record award.
Oh, I didn't know that.
This is your first time. Thank you for coming.
Thank you for having us.
Today, we will look back on your history.
16 of you came here, including first-generation students.
Thank you for having us.
How many years have you been first-generation students?
About 16 years.
Oh, I didn't know that.
You haven't been first-generation students for 2 or 3 years.
That's right.
So, who was the first-generation student?
First-generation students.
Who was the first-generation student at that time?
The first-generation student graduated at that time.
Did she quit?
Yes, she did.
A lot of first-generation students quit.
Why?
There are no first-generation students anymore.
I wonder why.
What do you think of now?
I think she is crazy.
Of course, there are fans who want to know more about AKB48.
Today, we visited AKB48 fans.
Good evening. I'm Shinichiro Azumi.
I came to Akihabara, Tokyo.
Today, we will go to AKB48's popular secret, its birthplace, the theater and look for it.
AKB48 Theater, which is held almost every day, is located on the 8th floor of Don Quijote Akihabara Store, a discount shop.
About 6 years ago, AKB48 started from this small theater.
Today, a member of AKB will guide me.
Who is it?
Mr. Azumi!
Oh!
I was surprised!
Nice to meet you!
She is 25 years old, Ms. Mariko Shinoda.
I think I'm really happy.
She is a very popular member of AKB who won 4th place in the last election.
Actually, Azumi, you like AKB the most.
You always appear on this stage in Akihabara, don't you?
That's right.
You're going to appear again today, aren't you?
Yes, I am.
We meet again in front of a jewelry store!
How do you like it?
It's been 6 years since I've been on the first floor of Don Quijote.
Is that so?
I always enter from the back, so it's been a while since I entered from the front today.
I don't know if I can show you around, but I'm sorry if you're lost.
Oh, my!
That's because you've become popular recently and you can't enter from the front.
No, that's not true.
It's like a host club.
After this, she will finally enter the AKB theater!
Yes!
This is the food and consumption section.
If you go up here, you can see AKB48.
I heard it was cold, but I didn't think it would be that cold!
It's this way!
I think you can go down a little bit.
I heard it was cold, but...
Yes, Mariko from above!
Thank you!
She really goes up and up!
Darby-san is late!
I like that part!
And finally, on the 8th floor, she enters the AKB48 theater!
Thank you!
This is the entrance.
It's like this!
It's like a school...
Yes!
Like a Harry Potter school...
Or like Yokohama Ramen Museum...
It's not like that at all!
It's not like that, but...
That's the image!
And if you go past the ticket sales area...
This looks like a host club!
Is this a graduate student?
No!
This is SDA48.
It's a little mature and erotic park,
so I hope Azuma-san will come and see it!
I see!
It's "Azumi", though!
- Let's go! - Yes!
- Everyone knows about this.
- AKB48 consists of 92 members.
- Many members belong to Team A, Team K, Team B and Team 4.
- Those teams perform in turns.
- By the way, Maeda and Oshima and other popular members
- They are still standing on this stage.
- These are researchers.
- "Researchers" is an acronym of "AKB48".
- Of course, you already know their faces and names, right?
- Yes, I do.
- Could you tell me about this person?
- This is the person who did Eguchi Aimi's voice.
- The voice of Ais? - Yes, of Ais.
- Could you tell me about it?
- It was Yukari Sasaki.
- It's hard for you to remember people's names.
- That's not true, Mr. Oshima!
- Finally, this is...
- ...the entrance of the theater.
- May I open it? - Yes, please!
- How is it?
It's different from what I imagined.
What did you imagine?
I thought it would be like a boom.
Doesn't it spread?
Yes.
Well...
Do you want to choose something?
Time is time.
Are you preparing now?
Yes.
Oh, my.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
Here, AKB48 Theater is a 250-seat theater built in December 2005.
Tickets are 3,000 yen, but they are sold out every day.
Now, if you don't win about 100 times of the lottery, you can't see the play.
Such a theater has two famous pillars.
It's probably very hard to see.
You can't think of a pillar in the common sense of a theater, can you?
But there is one easy way to see it.
Can I sit here in the middle?
Can you see the mirror on both sides?
You can see it from there.
Oh, I see.
Yes.
Then...
When you can't see it well...
You can see it through the mirror.
And the stage.
Yes.
It's very close, isn't it?
Oh, I'm embarrassed.
It can go up and down.
And you can turn it like this.
Oh, my.
The stage is...
Yes.
Oh, Mr. Shinoda.
What kind of play is it?
I'm alone in the middle of a report.
It's hard.
It's not bad.
Oh, I'm nervous.
Why did you take a little time and leave her alone?
It's kind of like that.
I know.
She knows a lot of things.
Now that you have a performance, you're going to prepare for it, right?
Yes, I'll do my best.
I understand.
Are you a Showa horse?
We didn't know that we were working so hard together with such painful feelings.
akb48 Forbidden Truth
Well, there are 3 hours left until the start of the stage, but in fact, an exchange of photos is currently taking place.
When did you buy this?
Just now.
Just now?
Yes.
Whose card do you want?
Right now, it's Yuko Oshima's.
You're collecting Yuko Oshima's?
It's a little difficult right now.
Difficult?
There's a rate.
Rate?
This member and this member are about the same height.
I see.
So, if you want one of Yuko Oshima's photos, you might need 3 research students' photos.
Something like that.
Whose phone is it?
Mine.
Oh, it's Watanabe-san's.
Wow.
Wow, it's true.
But...
If you exchange it...
It's only around here.
It will slide off, right?
That's right.
Wow, isn't it the same?
Please give me one of them.
Actually, I want to give you one, but I can't.
I'm sorry.
What do you want me to do?
Well...
For example...
I only have one eyebrow left.
I want you to get your own autograph and give it to the viewers.
I see.
In the end...
What was it again?
Nakai-san says it a lot.
Give it to the viewers.
No, it's okay.
It's okay.
No, it's okay.
I'll get angry later, so it's okay.
The talk was interesting, so I'll end it here.
In the meantime...
It's finally time for the venue.
One, two...
Calm down, calm down.
Are you saying what you want to say?
We want to say it!
Team...
Hey!
And finally, the performance starts!
The venue is excited for AKB's performance!
At that moment, Azumi says...
Azumi is also excited!
And like this, the performance ends in one hour!
Don't you use up a lot of energy?
Yes, I do. I'm exhausted after performing today.
You were doing wicks, weren't you?
I was doing it a little.
I saw it, but Mariko-san was waving her hand...
She was waving her hand...
She's looking at you from above, isn't she?
She's looking at you!
The college student who was sitting over there said, "Mariko-san is looking at you now."
And two days later...
When she heard that AKB's main members had gathered, Azumi came.
AKB48 members...
Let's see how relaxed you are.
And after this, Azumi enters AKB's forbidden college!
Up until now, it's been Kao and...
These sponsors.
AKB48 members, let's see how you usually relax.
I don't know.
It's hard to believe that I'm talking with them.
Oh, excuse me. I'm sorry for disturbing you.
Oh, hello.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Azumi.
I'm Azumi. Nice to meet you.
I'm sorry. I'm not Azumax.
Nice to meet you.
I'm not married.
Azuma Takahiro-san is married.
Azuma Takahiro-san.
Oh, I'm sweating.
Azuma Takahiro-san is also sweating.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for your performance.
Takahiro-san, you bought a can of coffee in front of the vending machine on the 4th floor, didn't you?
Takaminago and Takahashi Minami.
Takahashi Minami is a member of A.K.B48 and a captain of A.K.B48 with strong trust from the members.
From Akimoto Yasushi, A.K.B is Takahashi Minami.
Takahashi Minami is such a leader.
Minami-san, you are leading everyone, aren't you?
Yes, I am.
Kojima-san, you had a big break this year in a different sense.
What do you mean?
It seems like you really can't study.
That's not true.
Do you have anything to say?
Kojima-san, can I just look at you?
Kojiharuko and Kojimaharuna are 23 years old.
In variety shows, she is very popular as an idiot character.
On the other hand, she is said to be one of the most beautiful girls in A.K.B.
She is also noticed as a fashion show and a fashion writer as a model.
Looking back on your life as a member of A.K.B., how do you feel about it?
Well...
I'm happy.
Can you say you are happy?
No, no.
I'm happy!
For people in the world who recently learn about A.K.B.,
I think they have been active for about two or three years.
People say that a lot.
She's talking! She's talking!
She's talking!
Maeda Atsuko is 20 years old.
In the third episode, she met A.K.B. in the first round of the election.
OK, what is it?
Well...
People say that a lot.
I thought it was recent.
It was shorter than I expected.
It's not over yet.
I've been doing it for 6 years.
I'm surprised.
And...
I'm always working while looking at posters.
Tomochinko, Itamo Tomomi, 20 years old.
At the end of last year, she won the fashion leader award in Japan.
She is a charismatic presence among girls.
And finally, C.Mari.
She is my favorite.
Have you heard of C.Mari?
No, I haven't.
You haven't heard of C.Mari?
No, I haven't.
I see.
People used to say "shinomari", but now people say "C.Mari" on horses.
Don't you watch the show?
Yes, we do!
She was born in 1.5, and in 5th and 6th grade, she won first place in rock-paper-scissors and won first place in the center position.
Last year in September, she won first place in a rock- paper-scissors tournament and won first place in the center position.
Rock-paper-scissors! I won!
You're so weak!
Why did you break the center position?
She broke the center position of AKB.
Why?
Why did you break it?
She'll probably say bad things about me on the Internet again.
Finally, you've been nominated for the best work of December.
I feel like I'm finally getting recognized by everyone for getting it.
At first, she was like a girl group that you don't know much about, like a girl group that appeared in a maid cafe or an AKIBA boom in Akihabara.
That's what I really think.
In December, before the announcement of the record title,
a group of first-generation students said that they couldn't be recognized by the public until they took a break that was long enough.
The 53rd Japanese Record Award goes to...
AKB48, who won first place in the center position.
Why?
Were they so obsessed with this award?
I never thought I'd wave my hand at an empty audience.
There was an AKB48 forbidden past sealed away by them.
Six years from now, in 2005,
in a restaurant in Tokyo,
AKB48 began with a chat like this.
Ah, it'd be interesting for an idol to perform at a theater every day.
The man's name is, as you know, Yasshi Akimoto.
He started that Onyanko Club,
his famous song "Like a Flow of a River",
and many other hit songs in the past.
He is a famous composer who represents Japan.
What Akimoto came up with is not a star you can't reach through the TV screen,
but an idol you can meet in person at a theater.
It was a completely new idea that broke common sense up to that point.
And the next day...
Yes, I'm Tomonobu Togasaki.
What? At a theater?
The AKB project started right away.
The white-haired man is Tomonobu Togasaki,
who used to run a show club in the past and is now the general manager of the AKB theater.
"I'll set up a show club," said Akimoto.
"I have experience, so I'll do it," said Tomonobu Togasaki.
And that's how I became an AKB member.
In my first proposal letter, I was thinking about making a lot of money.
I wrote it in my proposal letter.
But Togasaki said, "It's not like that."
I don't need alcohol.
Togasaki was completely mistaken about Akimoto's live theater and show pub, but the next day, he started looking for a theater.
"Idol theater?" "Hey, you're not making a weird shop, are you?" "No, that's not it!"
We only had Akimoto-sensei's picture, so we didn't have any credibility to show outside.
"So we'd say, 'If you really want to bring Akimoto- sensei over, we'll let you borrow him.'" Those kinds of days continued.
In the meantime, they happened to find Akihabara's 8th floor of Don Quijote, which at the time was not allowed to enter without entering a shop.
How about here?
That's great!
But...
That pillar is in the way! Can you not take it?
Well, isn't that impossible because of the structure?
Just before the stage, there were two large pillars.
It was the worst theater ever, but...
They didn't lend me anywhere, so I had no choice but to do it here for the time being... Well, I gave up halfway, didn't I?
And if you're going to take up space, you can only make a stage there.
The fact that there was a pillar all of a sudden made Akimoto-sensei laugh.
Akihabara's Don Quijote...
It doesn't feel like an idol theater, does it?
And so, Akimoto...
Interesting... Akihabara...
At the time, there were no train men or maid cafes.
Akihabara developed from a city of home appliances to a city of otaku culture that is proud of to the world.
It was the so-called "Akihabara boom".
All right! Let's go to Akihabara!
Yes!
Thus, the theater was decided to be Akihabara's Don Quijote.
Later, AKB48, a national idol that caused social phenomena,
started like this.
AKB48 Forbidden Truth
One month after the theater was decided, in July 2005,
an advertisement was published in stations and streets all over the country.
And it was published in an audition magazine.
There were the words "Akihabara 48 Project Shidou" and the name "Yasushi Akimoto" on it.
Yasushi Akimoto, who started that Onyanko Club, created a new idol group.
Hey! Big news! Big news!
That advertisement caught the eyes of girls aiming for national idols.
And this message from Akimoto was...
There is energy in Akihabara.
I wanted to create a new idol on this land.
The concept is "an idol you can go see".
Not just an idol you see on TV or magazines,
but an idol you can meet in Akihabara.
I want to meet you, who is unique.
She happened to see a poster at the station.
She is a high school girl who loves "Morning Musume."
She will become a popular member later, Haruna Kojima.
The poster didn't have a proper resume or anything like that.
It said I could send it with a picture of my cell phone.
If it was a picture of my cell phone, it would look cute, right?
So I was a little confident about it.
On the other hand, in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture...
Hey, Mom.
Yes?
Who is this uncle in the picture?
He is an amazing person who created "Nyanko Club."
She doesn't know Akimoto's name at all.
She is a little mischievous middle school student with a past of being an exile's kids' dancer.
Her name is Tomomi Itano.
I was a little mischievous until the summer of middle school.
When I was being mischievous like that...
I was told that I should work harder towards my favorite song or dance.
And there is a girl like her.
I'm Minami Takahashi. Nice to meet you.
By the way, how was it?
What are you aiming for?
Oh, no! I failed again!
Akimoto, who was participating in the triple audition, failed...
Minami Takahashi, who became the leader.
But...
Here you go.
Thank you.
Akihabara...
She was rejected by Akimoto for another audition.
On her way back, she got the flyer she had been handing out.
I was a judge.
So I thought I might be rejected for an AKB audition.
Just like Onyanko Club and Morning Musume,
it's different from what you've seen on TV.
What we were able to learn about this recruitment was, in a sense, luck.
This is what Akimoto said later.
Like Nagashima and Ichiro,
when you have to make a choice,
people who want to become stars always need luck.
And there was a girl who changed her life for the best with this flyer.
Born in an ordinary salaryman's family in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture,
she was an ordinary girl who could be found anywhere.
She was a second-year middle school student at the time.
Her name was Atsuko Maeda.
She was introverted and didn't have a cheerful personality.
She didn't like going out in public.
Her club was the Kitakubu Club.
It was really dark.
Even if I asked my friends in my hometown,
I don't think they would say it was dark for me at the time.
Why did she decide to join AKB?
In the summer of her second year of middle school,
when AKB's recruitment ads came out in the world,
when she and her mother happened to be walking to the grocery store,
she happened to pass by a poster.
It had nothing to do with her being an idol,
but...
I want to meet you, who is unique.
For some reason, that message stuck in Atsuko's heart.
I've never said it out loud, but I've always had a longing for something.
But I thought there was no way I could do it.
I don't know why there was a poster put up in a place like this.
But it's said that people who want to be stars always have this luck.
And...
Mom...
I want to do this.
What?
It was what the naked girl said she wanted to do for the first time in her life.
Thank you!
I'm back!
As a result of the recruitment, 7,924 applications were collected for projects unknown to both the sea and the mountains.
There was a video of the final audition left.
Kojima found a poster by chance at the station and...
Takahashi was dropped by Akimoto.
I'm Takahashi No. 24. Nice to meet you.
Maeda was dropped.
I'm Maeda No. 38. I'm 14 years old. Nice to meet you.
I'm 14 years old.
In this way, 24 people remained and passed as the first generation.
Akimoto said these words to the passers-by...
I know you're worried.
But please believe me.
Believe me and follow me.
Where will this project go?
It's a start for no one but Akimoto.
To be honest, I don't know what to do yet.
What should I do? What does "follow me" mean?
Can I believe this person?
I think it's weird.
I think I'm being fooled.
I was told to believe me and follow me.
But I was only 13 years old, so I couldn't hear it.
Now that I think about it, I think it was amazing and strong.
Please believe me.
In this way, Akimoto and amateur idols' challenge to the entertainment world began.
"Akikabaru" theater will open on December 1st.
Until then, about a month,
amateur girls who can neither sing nor dance will have to stand on stage.
You have to act like you're looking at the audience.
You have to act like you're being looked at by the audience.
You have to do it.
Yes!
Some girls were fired just for being late once.
It's so hard to climb up the stairs. I have muscle pain all over my body.
Everyone, good luck!
In the end, four girls dropped out of the 24 girls who were there.
On top of that, for reasons that their level wasn't enough, they extended the opening for a week.
From a small theater in Don Quijote, they created a super idol.
This is how an unprecedented project progressed.
And a week later, December 8th, 2005.
Everyone, you all did a good job until today.
Today will definitely be a legend.
Everyone, be confident and do your best!
Today, AKB, which is said to be a legend now, started.
Journalists gathered in the theater.
A few idol fans gathered for an unprecedented event.
And the performance of all 13 songs written by Akimoto begins.
The girls who were ordinary girls until a month ago can't say that their singing and dancing were perfected even at the time of the performance.
The news of that night was...
Meanwhile, here at Akihabara,
A theater for idols only for idol training by Akimoto Yashiki and Produce, Akihabara Forty-Eight Theater, is open!
The girls were named...
"Akiba's Burning Idols".
Now, they have become national idols,
but some of them were even called like this...
It's like I've been called a "panty-showing group".
I don't think we've met before.
The first day of the performance can't say that it was a good start.
But, there is one person who hasn't been on this stage yet.
At the time, Mariko Shinoda, who worked as a staff member of this theater.
No one could have imagined that she would join the members later.
"Akiba's Burning Idols"!
Now, it's December 8th, about 6 years ago.
The girls who were called "Akihabara's Panty- Showing Group"
have appeared on the stage of AKB Forty-Eight.
The challenge for the record has begun.
Huh?
Is this going to be a painful day for you?
- Yes, it is. - What's wrong?
- I can't stop thinking about it. - You can't stop thinking about it?
- Good morning, everyone! - Good morning!
- It's not normal at first. - Yeah.
- It's too zero. - Yeah.
- You don't know what's going to happen. - Yeah, you're right.
- Did you go to lessons after school? - Yes, I went to lessons after school.
I came back home late at night.
But I had to practice before I went to bed, so I practiced.
- I hardly slept at night. - I see.
- But when you watch the first video, you can see that you're still young. - Yeah.
- But... - You don't have a face yet. You're still young.
- You're still young. - You're still young.
- I remember that advertisement. - You do?
- When you look at audition magazines, they usually have that advertisement. - Yeah.
- And it's so shallow. - Yeah.
- I didn't know I could do this. - You were going to make a magazine, weren't you?
- I was surprised. - I didn't know you were going to make a magazine.
- But you're extending your business, aren't you? - Yeah, we are.
December 2005.
The AKB48 was born.
On the first day, people who were related to the reporters gathered for the first time in a while.
Since the second day, the number of people has decreased dramatically.
At that time, even if you gave away a one- thousand-yen ticket for free,
there were only seven people in 250 seats.
From the members of the stage costumes, you couldn't see the audience gathered in the center due to the large pillars.
Even though there was no one in front of you, you had to sing.
- That's right. - You had to sing.
I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed because there were no audience and I pretended to wave my hand, but I wondered where I should wave my hand.
I was waving my hand hoping that one day I would be there.
I don't want it anymore! I don't want to stand on stage!
All of the members are young girls.
At the end of a performance, someone is always crying. Those days continued.
I often said I wanted to quit. It was a habit of mine. I wondered how I could quit.
I thought it would be better for us to go back to school as soon as possible.
I don't know if we were embarrassed or not, but we were crying.
I think we were more anxious about not having any fans than we were.
I think it was tough.
And it was the first Christmas since AKB48 was formed that all of the members said they had a hard time.
In addition to performing in theaters, they will be standing on stage at an event and handing out flyers in the cold weather.
AKB48 is also on stage, so please come and see us! Thank you!
However...
I'm being thrown away where I can see it.
If I'm being thrown away, I wish I could be thrown away where I can't see it.
Why am I being thrown away in front of me?
Hmm...
What are we doing?
I don't want it anymore!
In the end, there were almost no audience who saw the stage.
They all shook shoulders and listened to a Christmas song that sounded empty at the venue.
Their hearts were about to break.
But for them, Akimoto was...
What are you crying about?!
The audience isn't zero!
Listen up.
If you can't defeat even one person in front of you, can you defeat a hundred or a thousand people?!
If you want to sell...
First of all, move the person in front of you!
Yes!
At the time, Akimoto himself went to the theater every day and said that he was about to say these words.
All they could do was believe in Akimoto's words.
They performed for two hours every day after school.
On Sundays, they performed three times a day even though there were no audience.
They performed for a total of six hours while getting worn out.
One day...
Here it is!
What is it?
A letter! A letter has arrived!
Really?!
It was a fan letter from NITZEW for the first time since their formation.
I was like, "What?!"
And I held that letter very tightly in my hands.
I've become a big fan of you since I last saw you perform.
To be honest, at first I underestimated you.
But...
Seeing you all working so hard...
It cheered me up.
I want everyone to know that I'm doing such amazing things here.
And... I'd like to go see the show again.
I know you're busy, but please take care of your health!
I'll continue to support you!
I was just an ordinary middle school student.
I didn't know what it meant to work hard and stand on stage.
But there were people who saw me working hard and wrote me letters.
There weren't many people, but I wanted to sing and work hard for them.
That's what I thought.
And...
Do you know about AKB?
They're the ones on top of Don Quijote, right? What's wrong with that?
They're working like a club.
It makes me want to cheer for them.
It's like a parent bird watching over their child bird.
It makes me happy, but it's too much!
An unfinished idol whose dance and song haven't been completed yet.
They tried their best to spread the word, little by little.
In the meantime, what Mr. Yasshi Akimoto valued most was the fans' opinions.
Mr. Akimoto!
I heard there's a family lesson for anxious people.
I see.
Okay, go and ask them.
Yes, sir!
Well, if you ask me, Mr. Akimoto doesn't know anything.
Oh, I see.
Mr. Togasaki, who is in charge of the theater, took part in the gathering of fans under the direction of Mr. Akimoto and collected information directly.
He says that it helped him decide the direction of his future AKB.
In addition, Mr. Akimoto said...
Hey, we're releasing a CD this time. Which song do you think is good?
It's "Cherry Blossom Petals", isn't it?
Oh, that's right. This song is a good song, but...
I knew it.
For his debut single, Mr. Akimoto and Mr. Togasaki asked fans' opinions directly and decided on "Cherry Blossom Petals", which was the most popular song.
And there was an event like this by Mr. Akimoto's idea.
Mr. Akimoto will announce today's MVP of "Cherry Blossom Petals".
MVP is...
I did it!
Today's MVP will be given to the fans who made the theater the most exciting.
The product was an AKB T-shirt.
However...
Mr. Akimoto, fans are giving you another cream.
What?
Is cheering just shouting out loud?!
That's right! We're cheering with all our hearts!
That's right!
There are various ways of cheering...
That's right...
Let's stop it.
In this way, the MVP system ended in one day.
It ended in one day.
There are quite a few MVPs that end in one day.
If it doesn't work, we withdraw right away.
But I guess I've been trying it since then.
And I apologize if I make a mistake.
But it's not like I have a bad intention.
I think I was able to have a relationship with my fans somewhere.
Thank you!
With repeated trial and error,
AKB48 is being made with fans.
The opinions of such fans were trying to create a single star who was born.
One month has passed since the opening.
The year changed to 2006.
Mr. Togasaki, I brought you a ballot box.
Who is the winner of today?
At that time, the ballot box was placed in the theater.
This was for fans to write down their favorite members.
Then...
Who is this?
Did you have this in your house?
Oh, I have it here now.
Is it a prank?
Hmm...
Oh!
This is a cafe clerk!
A clerk who worked at a cafe located in the theater.
Her name is Mariko Shinoda.
She is one of the popular members of AKB,
who is neither a star nor a prince.
Shinoda was born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1986.
She was a girl who admired idols since she was little.
After graduating high school, she applied for the first generation of AKB members.
But she failed.
I thought I couldn't go home because I failed the audition.
It's good to go to Fukuoka and start a vocational school again,
but I wanted to do something new, so I decided to stay.
In the end, she couldn't give up her dream.
She saw the members who passed the audition,
sold juice and ice cream in a cafe,
and distributed flyers outside.
She continued her unforeseen part-time job life.
You can see the theater from here.
As soon as you open the door, you can see the stage.
It's hard to stand on the stage even though it's close.
I wanted to stand on that stage someday.
Every time you leave, you can see the stage.
Someday...
The name of this cafe's clerk is in the ballot box.
Cafe's clerk?
Interesting.
And...
Welcome.
Ms. Shinoda?
Yes.
Can you memorize 12 songs in four days?
If you can memorize them, I'll throw you on the stage, so practice.
What?
Did you come like this?
At that time, there were a lot of chairs around here, but I was sitting all the time.
Did you hear a lot of stories from fans?
Yes, I did.
I said, "I was dropped."
Did you remember?
I didn't remember.
"Are you Mariko Shinoda?" I was asked.
"Yes," I said.
On the 4th, I was told, "If you memorize 12 songs, I'll throw you on the stage."
It's pretty tough, isn't it?
That's right.
But when I memorized it, I thought I could get in there, so I tried hard.
The AKB members are standing on the stage with a refreshing feeling, but each of you has a lot of guts in your stories, right?
Yes, I do.
Especially in the beginning, there were many times when there were no audience.
That's why I was dropped in one audition, but I was able to work here and meet you.
That's why you're said to be the only one with five votes.
That's right.
I see.
Two months later from the AKB formation.
I'm really, really grateful to everyone who watched me and the members who welcomed me like this.
Mariko Shinoda became an official member at the request of fans.
Did Shinoda's joining help you?
With the word of mouth, more and more audiences began to enter the theater.
In addition, surprisingly, the hindering Japanese pillars in front of the stage made a noise.
Because the way you look changes depending on where you sit,
It also led to increasing the number of repeaters.
And the name of the fan club that came with it was "Pillars of Kai".
In this way, two months after the opening...
This is the video at the time.
This is the first time that a fan club has opened since the opening of "Pillars of Kai" 12 years ago.
Oh my...
I'm so excited.
The dressing room...
Some of them are crying.
But it didn't take long for them to be happy about being a fan club.
Come on, everyone! Let's get together!
A piece of news jumped in between the girls.
Recruitment of secondary school students?!
That's right.
We're going to recruit new members.
Wait a minute!
That means we can't do it, right?!
Just listen to me!
It was kind of frustrating.
I thought we weren't the only ones who couldn't do it.
The shocking recruitment of secondary school students.
However, this recruitment was trying to change the life of one unknown idol living in Tochigi Prefecture.
She was later to become a face of AKB48 along with Atsuko Maeda.
Yuko Oshima.
From here, "P" and "G" change into "classic".
"Toyota".
"Mori Nana Niiniyo".
Sponsored by AKB48.
AKB recruitment of secondary school students.
Should we try it?
This was trying to change the life of one unknown idol.
Her name is Yuko Oshima.
Since she was seven years old, her mother recommended her to join a child actor agency.
This is a precious video of her when she first appeared on TV as a child actor at the age of seven.
Her role is a girl who caught a cold.
She doesn't have any lines, she's just sitting.
Even so, in the lines of the actors, Yuko Oshima's name is written properly in the lower right corner.
In 2005, at the age of 17, she made her cash debut as an idol unit called "dolls box" produced by Alfie and Toshihiko Takamizawa.
However, she wasn't blessed with a hit. She disbanded just by releasing one single.
It didn't go well and I didn't have any expectations, so I quit.
The recruitment of AKB's second generation was a chance that came around when Oshima gave up on the entertainment world.
And in this audition, 17 people passed from Saya Akimoto.
However, as new members joined and the number of people increased to 38, this problem arose.
As the number of members increased, there are more voices that we don't know who is who.
The first group of 38 girls to be on the entertainment market.
It was natural for such a voice to come out.
Then, Akimoto...
I need a star who will be the face of AKB.
They created a star who will be the face of the group.
And Shiraha's family stood up and said...
You're Maeda. Let's make Maeda the center and send you away.
What? M-Maeda?
I didn't feel anything.
She was still a 14-year-old girl with a plain face.
When I look at Maeda now,
I don't think anyone but Mr. Akemo could have seen it.
And so...
Good morning.
Maeda Atsuko's plan to become a star that will shape AKB's future began.
Excuse me.
This is only my part, but it's wrong, isn't it?
It's not wrong.
You sing it all.
AKB's first solo.
Normally, she would be very happy about it, but...
No!
Why am I singing alone?
I'm the worst singer.
I'm not confident.
No way!
She used to be withdrawn from AKB.
Maeda said she was overwhelmed.
Why do I have to do it?
That's what I thought.
I'm not good at singing, dancing, or speaking.
I'm sure you all thought, "Why?"
I knew it myself.
All I could think of was how sorry I was.
Nice to meet you.
And the members of the same generation who will be in the back chorus of "MAIDA" in this song are...
Why am I in the back chorus of "HACCHAN"?
Absolutely not!
Why is that?!
I'm in the same period and I'm still the same age, but why is that? I'm so frustrated.
The members of "HACCHAN" told me not to cry in front of "HACCHAN".
It's not like "HACCHAN" is bad.
On the contrary, if "HACCHAN" sees me crying, it's even worse.
When I was embraced by the members of "HACCHAN", even though I knew it, I still shed tears.
In October 2006, about a year after their formation, "MAIDA" was placed in the center position.
With "AITAKATTA", AKB finally made a major debut.
They took one step forward from the Akibara theater and advanced into the music industry.
Later, as you can see from this "AITAKATTA" becoming a national song that everyone knows,
AKB48 was already in a state where it wouldn't be strange even if it was broken at this point.
However, at school...
Wow! Isn't that her? AKIBA's idol!
AKIHABARA=NEKURA, a biased image that gets in the way of students' voices like this...
In the case of "ITA" and "TOMOMI", they were told this from childhood friends...
Good morning!
Hey!
Are you going to do anything?
What?
Are you crazy?
What is "Akihabara"?
Idol?
It's disgusting!
At that time, Kumi Koda was ruling the music industry.
AKB is an underground idol in Akihabara.
No matter how good songs there were, they wouldn't listen to them.
First of all, I couldn't understand that they were doing idol in Akihabara.
I was alone in school all the time.
We are AKB48! Nice to meet you!
If you can see it even once, you should know the level of height.
The staff took you and the TV station and publishers many times.
But...
Oh, it's in Akihabara.
Leave it there.
Saito! What are you doing? Do it again!
What are you doing?
Sometimes I couldn't get in.
I didn't know who you were.
I couldn't understand you even if you said "AKB".
At that time in 2006, no one thought that AKB would have a big break in four years.
Even so, they continued to stand on the stage of Akihabara every day.
After that, they released several CD singles, but their sales didn't increase.
What? We did?
Bus tour?
Yes! A bus tour with fans!
Hello, everyone!
While holding hands with fans, traveling in peace, and other events, they continue to stand on the stage of the theater every day.
They didn't even get a chance to get out of the underground idol in Akihabara.
I haven't had much chance to be on a singing show since "Scarred Hillary".
But I was told, "The next one will be a competition song."
But it wasn't like that.
(Screaming)
Meanwhile, Itano breaks the balance of her mind and screams suddenly in the dressing room.
And...
I can't take it anymore.
Please let me quit.
Are you serious?
Yes.
Then, Akimoto...
Just a little more...
Can you believe me?
After hearing those words, I thought I'd believe you a little more.
At this time, Itano held her ground with Akimoto's words, but it was not strange for anyone to quit.
However, they are engulfed in unbelievable information.
At the end of 2007, AKB was engulfed in unforeseeable information.
That is...
Kouhaku?
Utamase?!
I just got a call.
Don't tell anyone yet!
Hooray!
Finally, the members are happy that their hard work has been recognized.
Kouhaku!
However, why was AKB, which hasn't been popular yet, chosen as Kouhaku?
There was a reason for it.
Huh?
I can't remember.
It must have been really hard for first-generation girls.
Every day, right?
Every day, when there are no customers...
Yes, there are times when we really do it every day among about seven customers.
We also prepare songs for encore, but there is no one to call for encore, so the manager called for encore, encore...
I wanted to quit, I wanted to quit, it was a pain in the ass, I wanted to quit.
It was hard.
Well, I wonder when I can quit...
When can you quit?
You don't want to quit, you want to quit, right?
You sang both Saturday and Sunday, didn't you?
That's right. On Saturday and Sunday, we have a three-story park.
Even if there are no customers?
That's right.
Now that you mention it, I wonder what a three- story park is like.
You can go in on the first floor, can't you?
I'm sure if you add up the number of times, you'll get more customers.
I think it's like that.
Yes, I think it's like putting hope on it.
But it's like a trip with fans...
What is that?
That's a CD event, and there's also a peace trip.
It takes four hours to get there, but we thought of games and stuff like that, and we did it on the bus.
We did it on the bus ride.
That's right.
There were kids on the bus ride, and it was pretty tough.
Wow, I can't stand that.
What happened behind the scenes of the sudden appearance of Kohaku Encore Battle?
After all the hard work, Kohaku Encore Battle has been formed for the second year in a row.
But there is a reason for this Kohaku Encore Battle.
Akiba48, what do you think of Kohaku Encore Battle?
Excuse me, I'm not talking about Akiba, I'm talking about AKB48!
Actually, Kohaku's appearance wasn't recognized as a singer,
but as a representative of the hot Akihabara boom at the time.
Moreover, not alone, but with Nakagawa Shoko, Ria Dizon, and AKB,
who were popular in Akihabara, three groups appeared in the Akiba framework.
After all, do you say "moe" or something like that?
It's not like "Welcome back, master", but it's not like "Please give me such a comment", but there are things like that.
And this is Kohaku Encore Battle, which AKB members can never forget and appeared as Akihabara.
It's unthinkable now,
At this time, the time allocated by them is about three minutes on average for other singers,
and only one minute and thirty-five seconds for that half.
When I realized it, it was the third year of formation in 2008.
If we don't take a break this year, it's over.
Among the members, such impatience and anxiety began to increase little by little.
In the meantime, even more strict reality is thrust on AKB.
I'm sorry, I can't sign any more contracts.
Is that so? It can't be helped.
While sales did not increase, the contract with the record company it belonged to expired.
Nikkei Entertainment editor-in-chief Shinada talks about the AKB at the time.
I think many people thought that AKB would not come. Well, including me.
After all, it actually costs a lot of money to move that many people's girls.
Then, moving those girls and making them work every day means that expenses increase more and more.
Compared to that, there is no income, and the deficit increases. It was not normal to be able to endure it.
If you think about it, you're doing something interesting, you're doing something new, it's a challenge,
but I don't think many people, including me, thought that it would be such a national idol.
AKB has no future. That's what people say.
Among the members...
Hey, it seems like AKB is over.
What? Really?
I heard about it, too.
Is it finally disbanded?
AKB will disband.
There were rumors like that.
I thought I had it well, but not that much.
For me...
Well...
My parents...
I'm not telling you to quit, but I think you shouldn't force yourself in that situation.
You can't make a lot of money, and if you can't make a lot of money, you'll sell it off, right?
I think you should come back if you're in that state.
I had a strong desire to work and give back to my parents.
When I thought my life was over, I said I might quit soon.
Believe in me.
Believe and follow me.
She believed in Akimoto's words and ran forward.
She didn't have a big hit, and she didn't know what was ahead of her.
And in the third year of autumn, something happened at a concert.
At the end of this concert, five members of AKB48 will graduate.
Five people, including popular members at the time, graduated.
After all, all adults think about what's ahead of them, right?
That's why a lot of people think about it realistically and quit.
At the time, I thought they were right.
And then came the fourth year of formation, 2009.
The last year of the competition.
How old are you now?
I'm eighteen. I'm graduating high school this year.
This year, Maeda Atsuko of the center, Minami Takahashi of the leader, Tomomi Itano, and most of the main members have all turned eighteen and graduated high school.
If they can't break this year, it's realistically difficult for AKB, whose theme is uniforms, to move on to the next stage.
This is my last chance.
However, chances were rolling in unexpected places.
Yono-san.
Yeah?
We have another request from one of our fans.
What?
When AKB was in its fourth year of formation, AKIMOTO started getting a lot of requests like this.
AKIMOTO is nice, but I don't get it at all!
There are people who work harder than you. Why can't you sing a single?
Until now, AKB's system has been to choose a regular member for each match.
AKIMOTO has chosen a popular member from more than forty people and has been singing a single.
However, when there is a better member, fans start arguing.
And so, AKIMOTO...
If that's the case, let's all decide.
Who is the most popular member in an idol group?
It's decided by fans' votes.
It was the beginning of the general election, which would later cause social phenomena.
In short, Akimoto decided it on his own.
"Why is he in the center?" "Why isn't he in the election?"
I was accepting all kinds of real love.
Then I'll have my fans decide it for me.
The first one to be elected was Atsuko Maeda.
I've decided to devote my life to AKB48.
This first general election didn't attract much attention from the public.
However, the image of "AKB=General Election" remained strongly.
"Aim" is a stage for humiliation.
"Kouhaku sen" is a stage for their own power to stand on that fateful stage and stand out from the theater of Akihabara in the true sense of the word.
Akimoto sang this song for them.
A river flows in front of you.
It's a wide and big river.
Even if it's dark and deep, even if it flows fast, you don't have to be afraid.
Even if you're apart, there's always a shore over there.
Hold on to your dream.
Until the day your wish comes true.
Crossing the river and grasping the dream on the other side of the river.
It is the same song as the one Akimoto sent to Misora Hibari, but with the river as the theme.
It is a song of determination, which is completely different from songs of love and girl's feelings.
Believe in yourself more than anyone else.
Get up, party!
River!
October 2009.
With this song, AKB wins their first Oricon first place.
And then, November 23rd, 2009.
It was broadcasted live on the radio with Akimoto.
We just got the news.
What is it?
The 60th NHK Kohaku-e.
The Kohaku-e will be playing alone for the first time in four years.
They were called "empty spaces" but for the first time, they grabbed the Kohaku-e with their own strength.
The second Kohaku-e has finally arrived.
I'm not afraid of anything, even if I'm far away.
Believe in yourself more than anyone else.
AKB48, which we believed in, sang and danced so that the world could see it.
And in 2010, AKB's popularity exploded.
I really want it.
The truth of them that no one knows.
AKB's popularity exploded in 2010.
They've made big hits one after another, and their goal has become commonplace.
They have one dream.
It is to win the Japanese record for the first time in the entertainment market and for women's groups.
Not only the name of the artist representing Japan, but also the sales of AKB48 will decide.
AKB cannot win only this award.
In the midst of such voices, they challenged for the record of the end of the year.
The result is...
EX-AIL's『I Wish For You』has been decided.
I was so frustrated.
I'm not saying I'm winning because I'm not allowed to.
I just really wanted it.
To all the people who have brought us this far,
we've come this far.
I'm proud of it.
I couldn't stand it anymore.
After it was over, I couldn't stand it anymore.
I couldn't stand it anymore.
As an artist who has come a long way,
she wanted to show everyone who supported her during her down time,
her clear appearance.
The stage for the record was like that for them.
"The stage for the record" is a special award, isn't it?
Yes, it is.
I'm not particular about awards,
and I don't think winning an award is everything.
But after going through a lot of things,
there were a lot of difficulties,
but we all overcame them.
It's not only our dream,
but we're getting a lot of support from our fans.
If we win this award,
we'll be able to say our names to our fans, staff, and Akimoto sensei.
I really want it.
We didn't know that we had been working so hard together with such hard feelings and such painful feelings.
That's why singing one song at a time has such power.
I really understood that.
I was surprised.
I never thought I'd wave my hand at an empty audience like that.
Like Takamina said, I want to leave something behind for working so hard with us.
That's right.
And then came December 30, 2011.
The day of the announcement of the Japanese record target.
Good morning.
AKB's second attempt at the record target.
Kinsuma's camera was close to them.
I'm nervous.
Everyone says "good luck" in front of me.
Even my acquaintances.
I don't know what to do.
Everyone was about to cry after the rehearsal yesterday.
I hope we can have a good day.
What kind of ending were they facing behind this stage, which was watched over by all over Japan?
This year's main target is AKB48's "Flying Get".
But like last year, the record target cannot be measured just by CD sales.
Even though it was said to be the main target, the anxiety was greater.
6:30 p.m. The show begins.
Good evening. I'm Azumi Shiichiro, a TV personality.
We will tell you everything we know about the 53rd grand prize decision.
Thank you for your attention.
Last year, the stage of "New National Theater" shed tears of frustration.
How did you feel?
I came here only for the record grand prize.
The dressing room and the dressing room are the same.
Oh, I cried in this dressing room last year.
It reminds me of a year ago.
Ms. Akimoto must be nervous, too.
She was here last year, but she's not here this year.
"She's not here?" "No, she's not here yet."
I want her to come.
I'm so...
I'm nervous.
Finally, it's time for them to stand on the stage as target candidates.
Let's leave aside the fact that we can't win.
Let's enjoy it.
Let's go for the record grand prize!
They are always bright girls, but as the stage approached, the number of speeches decreased.
At that time, Mr. Akimoto appeared at the venue.
They themselves, of course,
fans who supported them,
other members and staff who are not standing on this stage,
sang with many people's dreams on stage.
In this way, all target candidates' performances ended at the end of "AKB".
The countdown to the target announcement began.
Now, it's finally time for the 53rd Japan Record Target Announcement!
Thank you for your hard work!
When this commercial ends, the target announcement will be announced.
The tension rises.
And...
At last, the time of fate has come.
Who will receive the crown?
The announcement will be made by Hattori Katsushita- san, President of the JLPT.
I will now make the announcement.
In 2011, the 53rd Japan Record Award was awarded to...
AKB48's song "crying get" was awarded.
The announcement of the venue began with them shining on the stage.
They have grown from their 2005 debut to their sixth year as national idols.
This year, they released five million hits and won the record award they had been hoping for.
Along with their fame, they have climbed to the top of the charts as artists.
Composer Sumida Shuren.
They wanted to show people who supported them in their troubled times that they could shine.
It was the moment when they, born in Akihabara, climbed to the top of the Japanese song world as artists along with their fame.
crying get
"crying get" has been sung many times this year.
This was the first time they sang while crying.
"crying get" has been sung many times this year.
This was the first time they sang while crying.
"crying get" has been sung many times this year.
la la la la la la
There was something shining in Mr. Akimoto's eyes, who was watching him from the side of the stage.
December 30, the broadcast was up to here.
What the hell was going on on the stage after this?
So far, it has been "crash kanjiru" changing "p and g", "toyota", "mori naga niu niu" and "the following sponsors".
December 30, 2011.
What the hell was going on on the stage where AKB set a new record?
The broadcast is over.
Once again, we are so happy for you.
AKB48 members, congratulations once again.
Please give them another round of applause.
Thank you very much.
AKB48 members, is there anything you'd like to say or forget to say?
Well...
I think we're still not as good as other artists,
but we'll do everything we can with a smile
and I hope we can cheer you up with a smile.
We'll continue to do that as a group.
Thank you very much.
After winning the award, Akimoto...
I know we haven't seen each other for a long time,
but I think it's amazing that the members continue to believe that there is light ahead of them.
I think our dream came true.
I hope we can bring that power to Japan in the future.
Thank you very much.
Six years ago, girls couldn't sing or dance because of one advertisement.
Those girls who supported them over and over again were...
Akihabara fans.
And they grew up into national idol groups.
Everyone has a chance to grab their dream if they don't give up.
That was proven by AKB48.
I'm so relieved now.
I was really scared.
I don't know if I can praise myself or not.
But I realized that I still have a long way to go.
Last year, we all cried in this dressing room.
I'm so happy that I can cry happily this year.
I'm so happy that I can stand here and cry now.
We got this award.
And we have you, Akihabara fans, who cried for us.
We've been dreaming of this for years.
I'm so happy about it.
It's a dream come true.
We still have a long way to go.
AKB48, an idol group from Akihabara.
They will continue to do so.
It will continue to give energy to Japan.
- That's right! - Yes.
- "Kids Machine One Year Special" - Yes.
- We'll be singing it live after this. - That's right.
- Yes. - Huh? Today...
- We've invited fans of AKB48 as well! - Hello, everyone!
- A-B-O-N-E-S!
When the sun starts to shine brighter than yesterday
I want to change into a pure white T-shirt and invite you right now
While our hearts are next to each other and looking at the same scenery
For many years, we've been friends
While taking off my headband, you suddenly turned around and smiled to me in the wind
Taking off my headband, you suddenly turned around and smiled to me in the wind
I can't say the words "I love you"
Love is something you'll realize someday
Every Every Everyday
Every Everyday
Let you show girl
Every Every Everyday
Every Everyday
Let you show girl
Look at me! Look at me!
Good evening, everyone!
We are AKB48!
I'm also 48!
We don't have much time, but let's have fun together!
The sun, who is not the sun,
shines strongly on the beach.
The temperature is rising rapidly.
The only thing that doesn't calm down is the summer serenity.
If our eyes meet, for some reason,
our memories will shift.
We'll come back to life right away.
Could it be, could it be...
Climb Gate, I'm all alone.
Can I get your feelings right now?
Climb Gate, before you say anything,
I'll feel your heart beat.
I love you, so love me more, yeah!
I lost words and stood still in the dark of the earth.
Should I put my hand ahead of something?
Let's look for light in despair.
If there is a god somewhere,
I'll look for a new world again.
Let me open up to this earth.
Even so, I can't see.
The breath of life.
Even so, I will live strong.
Now, shall we begin
by making
just one brick?
Even so, to the future...
I should be able to feel it...
Certainly, to the future...
The wind is blowing...
Even if I lose everything and go far away...
Certainly, I exist here...
I'm covering my front...
Erasing the debris...
I live in the moment...
Even if the wind stops...
There is no world where the wind has stopped...
Even though I'm breathing at all times...
Today, too...
The sun sets...
Shall we begin what we can do?
The next song is really important.
It's the song that starts and originates for us.
Please listen to it.
"Cherry Blossom Petals".
At the classroom window, a gentle sunset.
A little more of spring's calendar.
In class, we're wearing the same uniform.
Our friends look like adults.
We're going on a journey
to our respective futures.
On your back, dream wings are growing.
When cherry blossoms bloom,
somewhere a bell of hope will resound.
It will give us tomorrow's freedom and courage.
When cherry blossoms bloom,
somewhere someone will surely be praying.
The door of a new world will open with your own hands.
When cherry blossoms wither,
only those memories will be beautiful.
Let's go up the adult stairs in front of us
and wave goodbye.
Now, now, now...
Thank you very much!
Thank you!
We saw your VTR and "history" this time, right?
Yes.
After seeing that, I was able to listen to it in a different way than I had before.
Oh, really?
I was able to listen to it in a better way than I had before.
Thank you! I'm happy!
Lastly, can we listen to one more song?
Can we listen to one more song?
Did you want to go home?
No, no, no! That's not true.
I wanted to see you.
You wanted to see me?
Yes.
I wanted to see you.
I want to see you again.
Even the shirt I'm wearing now is frustrating.
I finally realized it.
Honestly, I'll go.
There's only one way, and it's this road.
Because it's more important than anyone else's,
I won't regret it even if it's in vain.
Because it's more important than anyone else's,
I wanted to tell you how I feel.
If you like me, let's say you like me.
Let's not hide it and be honest.
If you like me, let's say you like me.
Let's say it from the bottom of our hearts.
Hey, can you hear me?
Thank you very much.
This has been AKB48. Thank you very much.