Tuesday, 22 January 2013

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.


Best Covers Artwork 2012
GIVE ME FIVE! (AKB48) - all

 2012 has certainly seen the 48 family management flex their creative muscles, with some interesting and vivid artwork for their singles and album releases. Despite the generally impressive output throughout the year, one release stood out above the rest. Harking back to the classic retro-chic, old-school rock glam of the 70s-80s, GIVE ME FIVE's cover designs truly showcase the innovative creativity of AKB48's artistic department. And it does it ever so simply: high contrast, sultry black & white poses on an in-your-face pastel palette background, the logo neatly tucked away in a nook & cranny somewhere within. In fact, if it weren't for that logo - and Maeda/Oshima's faces for that matter - you'd be forgiven for thinking this isn't an AKB48 release, but rather more of a punk-rock band. Which, given GIVE ME FIVE's concept, seems fitting.

Honourable Mention: Gingham Check

 Special Award 2012
Atsuko Maeda

 For special services and outstanding contribution to the AKB48 group, community and Japanese entertainment/idol industry at large.
2012 can best be summed up by Atsuko Maeda ("Acchan")'s graduation, kick-started at Saitama Super Arena and finally culminating in AKB48's headline blockbuster Tokyo Dome concert. But even throughout these past 7 or so years, she and her stoic, yet enduring, nature has really defined the image of AKB48. As she matures and becomes more refined, so did the group and its sophistication. I have already waxed lyrical about her legacy previously in some depth, but through her and the rest of AKB48's efforts, they have single-handedly revitalised the idol genre (beyond, arguably, what even Morning Musume achieved in the past) and brought it to the masses of the modern age of social media and digital connectivity. Certainly, her legacy and "aura" has left a deep impression on many of the members: from those close to her on a personal level right up to the future stars of AKB48 tomorrow, and many wanting to become the next Acchan. Indeed, most of Japan - and even the world - has noticed, AKB48 now a household name within the framework of Japanese entertainment. And who else to grace that brand image than Acchan herself being front and center of it all.

Honourable Mention: Tomonobu Togasaki ("TGSK")



 Best Soloist/Subunit Song 2012
NO NAME - Kibou ni Tsuite 
-->
A mark of stirring, well-renowed anime series is that they typically have strong, defining opening themes. Can a motley crew of auditioned-in members from all walks of -48 life step up to the plate? Well, they have. And exceeded expectations. A song of hope and endurance, just as the core theme throughout the series portrays through the lives of the members in a futuristic dystopia, it's strength lies in its no-nonsense buildup, the drummed-up beat and electric guitar riffs really helping to push things forward. Forward into an unknown, but assured future, the starry synths accentuating the glittery, thoughtful sky of hope. And then the inspired, climatic key-change drives home its emotional nerve. By which allows enough time for the dust to finally settle, confidence renewed at an all-time high. A song, then, fitting of the anime series - and indeed, worthy of the award.

Honourable Mention: Misaki Iwasa - Mujineki


Best Coupling Music Video 2012
AKB48 ("Shinoda" Team A) - Kodoku na Hoshizora

--> What a music video. Watching this is a visual feast for the eyes, bringing the concept of high-brow, traditional  Meiji-era Japan and taking it to the next level. With sweeping wide panning, breathtaking and intimate camera shots, cinematic-quality backgrounds and tones, and an incredibly vibrant array of colours, it's technical prowess is hard to fault, all working together to accentuate a classical Japanese fall theme, as if you're strolling through ancient Kyoto or Edo in the wee sultry evening hours. A near-perfect match for its accompanying song, the only thing missing is a Blu-ray release. Even amidst fierce competition, Kodoku na Hoshizora definitely stands heads and shoulders above the rest.

 Honourable Mention: SKE48 (Shirogumi) - Hanikami Lollipop

Best Coupling Song 2012
NMB48 / Miyuki Watanabe - Warukii

 I must admittedly say, the emotionally charged orchestral drama of Yume no Kawa came close. Indeed, if it weren't for this song, it would've taken out this award in spades. But right at the start, you know there's something really special with Warukii. If described with one word, "magical" immediately springs to mind. Quite literally: an ambience of gliterry, crystalline synths up high and in the middle, not too dissimilar from the magical girl anime of yore, juxtaposed with an equally sugary and upbeat melodic line sung by the magical master fisher herself. Which, given her character, adds another layer of meaning beyond the sugary idol song context. All resulting in a brilliantly packaged stroke of melodic genius, one befitting of the near-"heavenly", fished world of Mirukii.

Honourable Mention: AKB48 - Yume no Kawa

Breakthrough Member of 2012
Sakura Miyawaki (HKT48)

 They've only debuted for a little more than a year now, but already they've got the ball rolling. And now, with the characterful Rino Sashihara in town, media attention towards HKT48 is increasing rapidly. This is indeed a group with "fresh" energy, lively and buzzing with excitement. To pin it all down to one member may be a little premature, but one can definitely see the next-generation of stars here in Hakata. And none more so shining than bright-eyed Sakura-tan. Already featured in more than a few AKB48 songs, including being a part of the coveted senbatsu lineup (for UZA), and pegged as one of the next-generation for the entire -48 family core, the ace of HKT48 Team H has started to make big waves commercially and within the fandom. Having a likeably cheerful, bubbly character, both on and off screen, works to her advantage, as do her fine performance skills. There may be few that came close this year, but none more so than Sakura-tan for HKT48, and will do so next (this) year when their debut single finally hits the airwaves. Which hopefully will see them, and her, skyrocket in popularity just like other sister groups have before. Nevertheless, even before March 20, she's off to a very strong start.

 Honourable Mention: Rina Kawaei (AKB48)


Best Music Video 2012
AKB48 - UZA

--> Big name directors, both overseas and domestically in Japan, filming AKB48 music videos have always been a hit-and-miss affair with either the core wota fanbase and/or the public. Witness the furor with Mika Ninagawa's Heavy Rotation ("too sexually connotative"... for Western mainstream tastes) and the controversial Beginner by Tetsuya Nakashima of Confessions fame ("too violent"... for an idol group MV). Arguably, Joseph Kahn was no different. The original Gingham Check was perhaps one too radical a concept for the purist Japanese wota to comprehend as an AKB48 MV, its fast-paced Westernised nod to Japanese pop-cultural cliches clashing with the traditionalist sensibilities of wota expectations. So much so, that AKB48 MV veteran, Eiki Takahashi, had to be called in to do an alternate MV for Gingham Check.

But Mr. Kahn wasn't done yet. In fact, he had one more MV release up his sleeve. Enter UZA, or rather, what he is truly capable of from his experience producing Western pop MVs. If Gingham Check was too tongue-in-cheek and almost cartoon-like, UZA went back to basics. Polish, sophistication and cinematic production values looked to be the goal here, echoing the norm for most Western MVs but as yet unheard of, and certainly unmatched, for any -48 group MV. It's certainly a dark, Victorian gothic MV shot in what appears to be an abandoned, dingy farmhouse of sorts, shadows and light tones carefully managed, but with luster, energy and liquid-like fluidity, which really does its complex dance sequence justice. Member shots are given an entirely stylistic edge beyond the center-shot norm of previous AKB48 MV protocol, yet still apportioning near-equal time between each member. Not to mention the little touches like the zoomed-in shots or the fast-paced transitions during its climax. In any case, UZA would look and feel right at home in high-production value Western MV circles, accompanied by its bellowing electro-synth dancepop number, and setting the new standard for AKB48 MV quality to come.

Brilliant technicality, and standout artistic direction that takes the idol world of AKB48 and spinning it with a Western perspective that is full of sophistication and dynamism. Well deserved, then, of Best MV for 2012.

 Honourable Mention: AKB48 - Gingham Check (original ver.)


Best Song 2012
SKE48 - Aishiteraburu!

--> "If a song is technically brilliant but isn't fun to listen, nor emotionally stirring, what good is it for?" With this key criterion in mind, there were only a few key songs that stood out this year. UZA came close to snatching this award, it's high-energy electro-synth context not too dissimilar from the sounds of the club rather than something out of a Japanese idol group. But whilst it was incredibly charged-up and filled with enough raw power to shatter stadiums, one song was ultimately able to surpass it. Although nowhere near as bold as UZA, it possessed one thing that UZA lacked and, incidentally, also made Heavy Rotation the earworm dynamite it now is today: fun. And it was found, not from AKB48's own stable, but from its sister group just down the road in Nagoya...

SKE48's known to traditionally make crowd-revvy, high-paced, energetic A-sides that's resemblant of its group's "tropic-like", fun-loving character. Aishiteraburu! is every embodiment of all that, and more. Not only does it deliver crowd-loving fun in spades in its sound, right from the get go, it's a song that really makes you want to get up, cheer, chant, shout and feel happy, full of idol-group energy and making you sweat like a true wota. It's a tried-and-tested earworm formula, just like Heavy Rotation did before it (or, if you want, Oki Doki and 1! 2! 3! 4! Yoroshiku), the chorus being where all the excitement happens, but the revved-up and rolling verse lines being no less exciting. Vocal quality and depth be damned; in fact, its this type of idol-like vocal tone that is needed to make it filled to the brim with youthful energy. All of which makes nothing come close in terms of sheer listening - heck, interactive listening - pleasure. In a traditionally SKE48 way.

Take a bow, you girls from Sakae.

Honourable Mention: AKB48 - UZA


Member of 2012
Mayu Watanabe (AKB48)

 No, it's not because she's one of my favourite members, but rather what she has accomplished over the course of the entire year. Three solo single releases, one solo drama, headline voice actress work within and outside of AKB48, second only behind Yuko during the elections, and being earmarked to lead the next-generation of AKB48. But what we've truly seen over 2012 is someone who's grown, matured and become more refined over the years, pulling away from her somewhat off-putting cutesy roots and her kid-like nature (as neatly demonstrated during her slightly controversial 2010 senbatsu speech). We saw a more professional, solid Mayuyu, versatile as a talent yet still retaining her unique "cute otaku" character pull, only now she can pull in the masses as well.

To be deserving of "Member of 2012", not only must you have shown accomplishment throughout the year,  but also demonstrate prolific public acceptance and, most importantly, a story of growth and improvement. Whilst Minami Takahashi will always be the well-respected anchor and Jurina the exemplar of the future -48 core, of the members still here in AKB48, Mayuyu's growth and her achievements have ultimately defined 2012 as a whole - more so than the other two in my opinion.

がんばりまゆゆ！ then, for 2012.

 Honourable Mention: Jurina Matsui (SKE48 / AKB48 Team K)
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