[koumori]

AKB are cute, but they're definitely a marmite group (you either love or hate them ) and are leading the trend of..well..big girl groups at the moment, with happy, poppy music. I think they're a feel-good band and their music is cute. Not particularly inspiring, but definitely makes you feel happy. I'm not a fan, I only know a few of the member's names (thanks to some AKB-obsessed friends ~) but I think they bring something interesting to the music industry at the moment. I never would of thought a group with so many members could get so popular. I guess it's all down to how they market themselves...the girls seem to do a lot of promotion and interact with their fans so much. That's probably one of the keys to their success I think.

Whether they or something similar could be successful in the West..? I don't think so. I think the West are somewhere much different in terms of what is popular right now in the industry. An interesting idea, but I don't think 48 Japanese girls could attract much of a serious audience, I think it'd be more a fad if it got popular, and it'd be "uncool" to admit to liking their music. Kinda like how it's uncool to admit to watching anime over the age of twelve.

But Love Shine said something about them collaborating with a Western singer? (like, dancing in a video or something..?) I could totally see that. But in all honesty, I think they'll probably ride out this huge burst of popularity in Japan. I think the closest they'll ever get is considering one of their many sister groups to be in a Western country.