[Ranma Matsuri]

Fan reaction (at least on the international base) seems a bit mixed but I happen to like the song a lot. Very groovy and catchy. I only listened to it once yesterday and it's been stuck in my head ever sense. I've found myself more into mellow songs as I grow older so I can appreciate the tempo as well. The choreo is very cute and seems easy to learn, I can see a crowd of people doing this. PV should be pretty fun.

Funny thing about the performance though is it manages to be reflective of the situation in AKB right now.

Tomochin and Mariko were like seniors in their final days of school before graduation, barely awake on their feet. The no3b girls were barely there, it's appears their (now former) Kami-status was the only thing keeping them from being completely faded out. Mayuyu was doing her usual uninspiring cyborg expression while her friend Yuki despite ranking just under her was riding the sideline... as usual.

New gen wasn't faring much better. Paruru could comment that she'd been in pain the entire time and I'd believe her. Ricchan and Tomu were solid but simply didn't stand out when the camera wasn't focused on them. It's telling when the sister group aces in the backline are outshining the AKB new gen aces in front.

Yuihan and Yuko were a joy to watch as usual and Sae... God bless that girl, her energy will always be missed. Sasshi still seems a bit uncomfortable with her position but I think the center spot suits her just fine. There could have been more moments where she shined but I liked the small solo break and she really glowed there at the end.

My general impression of the group right is of a bandage that's been half-pulled off. The election is helping the transition but ultimately, someone upstairs is going to have to eventually say "******* it" and move the rest of the process along. Mariko and Tomochin's graduations will bring new faces to the senbatsu line up this fall but how big of a role those faces will play is important. Ricchan, Paruru, and Annin are sufficient but if they're all AKB48 can offer in this 2nd chapter then AKB purists might as well prepare for a Sister48 hostile takeover in the coming years that'll make this past year look like drops in the pond.