2012 Year in Review - Part Four: Succession

Looking forward is much more difficult than looking back. What happened in the past is easier to reflect upon in hindsight, than trying to predict the future. My previous article in this four-part series discussed on the exits. Graduations will be inevitable. But AKB48 needs to keep moving forward; they cannot stand still after Acchan has left. So in this final part of my four-part series examining AKB48 during the course of 2012, I will aim to personally reflect on the various aspects of AKB48, especially throughout 2012, that help to set the entire group up for the future years to come.

Seven Lessons from Request Hour 2013

Since I'm not revealing what position this song came in, therefore I'm not spoiling anything.

Warning: spoiler alert. I'm assuming you've watched the entire four day concert series. If not, proceed at your own risk. Unless you've been spoiled already, of course. 

The epic four night long series (five, if you include Unit Matsuri) of annual concerts, known as Request Hour, has just concluded with a bang. This year, AKS decided to one-up their previous efforts and streamed every single night on YouTube. If you were a good boy, you would have watched all five nights by now, but in case you have not, the results are here.

2012 Year in Review - Part Three: Departures

Not quite the 卒業 I had in mind, but this will do. 

卒業 (sotsugyou) - lit.: graduation. 

In the entire -48 world, any mention of "graduations" spark a wide range of emotions. To some, sadness and grief. To another, annoyance and anger. But to the girls who are actually leaving, it can be of different motivations. 2012 has certainly seen graduations of all sorts, from the spectacle to the scandal. But the question is: what do we, as fans, ultimately think of them in hindsight? And, more importantly, what does it all mean for the girls who have left?

Best of 2012: The 48 Edition - Winners

I am now back from my extended leave, ready to go for 2013!

After hours of self-reflection and internal decision-making, I've made my decision.
Without further ado, here are the winners of each category for 2012.