AKB48 - Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"

On the occasion of the release of all the AKB48 stages, JaME has decided to take a look at these titles, which are often overlooked by the general public since they have been little publicized and accessible only to those who could hear them live in Akihabara’s Don Quijote.

During the Christmas season, Aki-p (Akimoto Yasushi, the producer of AKB48) spoiled AKB48 fans with the release of the DVD box AKB48 in TOKYO DOME ~1830m no yume~. The beginning of 2013 saw another swipe at wallets with the appearance of the studio recordings collection, a series of CDs encompassing all 20 stages performed by AKB48 since their inception. For those not familiar, a “stage” is a set list, each one unique, performed every night at the theatre, and each stage carries the name of the team that performs--A, K, B, 4, or H (‘H’ for Himawari-gumi, a mixture of members from different teams that performed two stages between 2007 and 2008). Each stage letter bears a number according to its chronological release and is attributed with the title of one of the songs from the set list.

In addition to all tracks being completely re-mastered, there are also certain “new” stages that have never been released on CD. As well as quality packaging seen in the song booklets, the albums are also rich in content: each album contains two CDs, each with around twenty tracks, with the second CD containing karaoke versions of the first. All of this allows the recreation of a live theatre performance at home since each CD proceeds in the same manner: a song is sung by a kenkyusei, followed by Overture--background music characteristic of the group that’s used to warm up the crowd before the concert (performed by DJ TAZ)--then finally the set list itself.

For the first report, if one were to choose a more recent stage, it would be Team B 5th Stage [Theater no Megami]. Why this one rather than another? Purely a sentimental choice as the author has watched this stage in Japan.

Although Team B would be the last to be created of the three original teams, it is by far the most prolific in terms of popularity. For example, Shonichi topped the 2009 Request Hour Set List Best 100, a list of the top 100 AKB48 songs chosen by fans annually. In short, Team B’s songs never leave you uninterested.

For the song before Overture, we’re offered the light, sweet ballad Romance kakurenbo, a song about love, a theme often addressed in this stage. Rather than discussing each song in detail, we shall take a look at a few that sum up the entire stage.

First, in a logical manner, is Theater no Megami, which gives its title to the album. Translated as “goddesses of theater”, the goddesses are AKB48 and the theatre mentioned is their theatre situated in the Don Quijote building in Akihabara. Aki-p plays with our delicate hearts by addressing a theme dear to fans: the group itself. The song remains a classic, with a bit of synth in the simple but lively chorus.

Candy, sung by a trio, serves as big candy, soft and sweet in the middle of the stage, helping the performance regain its strength with a fresh start. The energy regained there is needed for 100 Meter Conbini, where the listener comes by a tune that plays around with the synth and could be considered a little electro. Continuing along, we reach Honest Man, a song that maintains a classic pop vibe while increasing the beats before the finale.

Team B oshi, a very popular song due to being featured on the last two albums, was entitled its own video clip on the single Eien Pressure. This song makes use of a theme used in songs by many idol groups, such as Momoiro Clover’s Ikuze! Kaitou shoujo, Morning Musume’s Joshi kashimashi monogatari and Dempagumi.inc’s W.W.D. It presents the members of the group, though is not Aki-p’s first attempt at using distinct themes in direct relation to AKB48. Team B oshi is a song where each member requests to be encouraged. With a catchy chorus that’s filled with catch-phrases and gimmicks, it showcases each member’s worth. It also takes on a playful aspect, allowing you to discover each member, although during live performances it is adapted according to the members present on stage.

In conclusion, we have here an album full of energy that will please fans but also allow new listeners to discover the group through their singles. However, the magic of the show can only truly be revealed at their lives--when costume, dance and song are but one.