[Article] AKB48 First Week Sales 513 453, Best Record in 9 Years For Female Artist

[Nackar_91]

While all of this "they only sell as well because of their hardcore fans" things in general does count for girl bands, AKB48 has a special position right now. They're starting to become like Arashi, where EVERYBODY likes them. They're not there yet, but it's sorta like that ... How else would you explain their enormous explosion in sales? Core fansgroups don't grow THAT fast.

[Yumsushi]

Originally Posted by Nackar_91

While all of this "they only sell as well because of their hardcore fans" things in general does count for girl bands, AKB48 has a special position right now. They're starting to become like Arashi, where EVERYBODY likes them. They're not there yet, but it's sorta like that ... How else would you explain their enormous explosion in sales? Core fansgroups don't grow THAT fast.

I think you underestimate the power of obsessive fans.
The only way to know if they are universally liked is to see how they are portrayed in various media outlets. I personally didn't see them portrayed in any positive, albeit any light at all. Also, their biggest fan base is Otakus no?...and there are plenty of Otakus in japan who LOVE cute school girls in bikinis. It might be the second coming of those DBSK like fans that rally and plan to get their idols to number 1.

[DOLCE]

Originally Posted by Yumsushi

The only way to know if they are universally liked is to see how they are portrayed in various media outlets. I personally didn't see them portrayed in any positive, albeit any light at all.

wtf are you talking about akb48 is EVERYWHERE

tons of the girls model for popular magazines (which greatly helps their female fanbase), appear on tv, star in popular cms etc.

[Yumsushi]

Originally Posted by DOLCE

wtf are you talking about akb48 is EVERYWHERE

tons of the girls model for popular magazines (which greatly helps their female fanbase), appear on tv, star in popular cms etc.

I said that I haven't seen them portrayed positively anywhere. But I guess when you have a singing group the size of a small country, its hard not to be noticed.

[Nackar_91]

Originally Posted by Yumsushi

I think you underestimate the power of obsessive fans.
The only way to know if they are universally liked is to see how they are portrayed in various media outlets. I personally didn't see them portrayed in any positive, albeit any light at all. Also, their biggest fan base is Otakus no?...and there are plenty of Otakus in japan who LOVE cute school girls in bikinis. It might be the second coming of those DBSK like fans that rally and plan to get their idols to number 1.

Even so, their sales jumped from 230.000 to 380.000 to 515.000 IN THE FIRST WEEK. That can't just be obsessive fans.

[Yumsushi]

Originally Posted by Nackar_91

Even so, their sales jumped from 230.000 to 380.000 to 515.000 IN THE FIRST WEEK. That can't just be obsessive fans.

Neither of us has any evidence to the contrary. This is all speculation.

[Nackar_91]

Originally Posted by Yumsushi

Neither of us has any evidence to the contrary. This is all speculation.

Well of course it is. I was just saying what I thought about it. I never intended to start a debate >_>