Last week in MNL48, the girls’ first public performance of their version of “Sakura no Hanabiratachi” drew generally positive feedback, something “unexpected” regarding their Japan trip happens, and MNL48’s version of “Aitakatta” premiered in “It’s Showtime”. All this set in the back-drop of the 53rd Single Sekai Senbatsu Sousenkyo, where Jurina Matsui takes the crown for the first time.
The week started strong for MNL48. Despite the loss of four members, the girls still put up a great performance of “Sakura no Hanabiratachi”. Although it was clear that some fans still needed to adjust to hearing AKB48 songs in Filipino, the localization was great and the video footage from “It’s Showtime” became one of the most viewed MNL48-related videos so far.
https://youtu.be/dbvMZAtXFYQ
The positive vibes the fans got from the song felt like vindication after many people said it couldn’t be done, or that it would be too awkward. To be fair, it did feel weird the first time, but it grows on you as you let the melodies consume you.
There was another announcement last week that surprised everyone: the Japan visit to attend the Sousenkyo is revealed to be not for the Kami 7, but for six individuals who were chosen by a management after a sort of evaluation process. The final list did include Kami 7 members Sheki, Alice, Abby, and Sela, but it also included newcomers Rans and Colleen.
The announcement itself was plagued with technical difficulties and when they went back on air, it was revealed that only 3 of the previously announced 6 girls will make it due to the problem of securing the required papers while also clarifying that this is not the training that was previously promised to the Kami 7.
Much has already been said in the internet about how badly some fans reacted to the news. On a personal level, I share a lot of those questions they have, but I feel that cooler heads should still prevail. As fans, we have to understand that HHE has the legal right to send to Japan whoever they want to, for whatever reason they want to. They promised to send the Kami 7 to train for a time with AKS, and this trip isn’t that one. Would it be fair to say that they hold the right to choose whoever they want to go to Japan and basically have a short fun time?
I have nothing against the Kenkyuusei especially knowing the sad series of circumstances that brought them to where they are now, but it IS quite hard to justify to fans why two recently promoted members got the edge over those who’ve been there since day one. Which is why, in my opinion, HHE shouldn’t have justified their choice with an “evaluation” because it only raises more uncomfortable questions than it answers. That’s not to say that this is all BS and they didn’t really evaluate the girls, (I mean, for all we know, they might actually have been) but the justification has to be solid which wasn’t the case with this one.
But on a deeper level, I can’t say I’m too much affected by it. Sure, I’ve played around and made fun of the situation in Stage48, but my mind understood that the girls chosen were the management’s favorites and I simply chose not to be aggravated by it. Favoritism in the idol industry is not endemic to MNL48. All professional idol managements play favorites. That’s not to say that we should stop criticizing them in areas where they really need to improve, but we can – and should – voice our opinions without being ass-holes.
To be honest, I don’t think this issue will ever really end until the last KKS has finally taken her place as a full member. Not when fans seem to be on a hair-trigger when it comes to anything KKS-related. While I’m not a big KKS supporter, I really don’t think it is productive to resort to childish tantrums whenever any of the KKS (or anyone who came from their group) receive anything that can be perceived as an “advantage” over the other girls. It is counter-productive, and it demeans our fandom into levels of toxicity we would do well NOT to associate ourselves with.
Moving on, MNLife took the opportunity offered by the Japan trip to make some cultural tips when going to the Land of the Rising Sun. Half-Japanese members Sayaka and Kay walked the girls through with some basic Japanese, some do’s and don’ts and basic etiquette. I once watched Kay give a message to her grandfather in Japanese, but I’ve never really heard Sayaka talk Nihonggo that much. In this episode, not only did I hear Sayaka talk in Japanese, she made casual talk with Kay! The episode made me happy for some reason, and bonus points for including Dian in the lineup.
It’s Showtime Saturday featured another MNL48 performance with their version of “Aitakatta”. As you may all remember, I felt that this song was the weakest in their Fan Meet setlist. However, it was still a solid adaptation, and the girls did their best to perform. In the absence of Sheki who went to Japan the day before, Abby was in the center position.
https://youtu.be/2wy_bh_3kJQ
Hopefully, this version also gets good reviews. They only have one more from the Fan Meet setlist which is Heavy Rotation, but that one was performed by the senbatsu only. Hopefully, they perform it this coming Saturday as people seem to be waiting for it.
The week ended on a positive note: Sheki, Alice, and Rans did a rendition of Sakura no Hanabiratachi (in the ladies restroom of all places) and the harmony is just exquisite. It looks like the vocal training is producing good results. I mean, we all know Sheki’s a vocal powerhouse, but if the others are slowly getting to a level where they complement each other, then we won’t have to worry about MNL48’s singing at least until 2nd Generation comes.
The clip can be found towards the end of last Monday’s MNLife.
Watching the three girls’ shenanigans in Japan is fun. It reminded me a lot of the 48 Groups’ own shows especially HKT48 no Odekake! which saw the HKT48 members go to various places like a school trip.
With that, I close this issue of MNL48 Weekly with some of the clips from the Japan trip. I hope you enjoy it as I did.
https://youtu.be/0ZUpGQhttsw
https://youtu.be/IhxeaV0AmO4