On Surveys

I'm a bit bored during busy season looking at business' financials all day, so I've decided to give this survey thing (which has been circularising around in the fandom lately) a shot. 

An Appeal to the Overseas Fandom (Updated 30/6)

Let me start off with an experience of mine that happened to me recently.

A few weeks ago, I was surfing on Google+ and exploring other people's profiles. There, I stumbled across an open Akari Suda fan club circle started by a bunch of Japanese wota. Casually, I just +1'd a few posts here and there, even going so far as to join. What I didn't expect was that the owner of that Google+ community later commented, in Japanese of course, on one of my (albeit very old) Google+ posts. He was just curious as to my language skills (which were hopeless I can tell you that right now), but nevertheless welcoming, seeing that someone like me, all the way from Australia, has Akarin as an oshimen. So I made my intro post on the community front page, piecing together something simple with whatever Japanese language skills I had at my disposal, and I was in.

A History: Part Three

The release of RIVER during late October 2009 significantly changed how I felt about AKB48 at the time - from nothing more than a mere intrigue and passing interest, to an active period of exploration and excitement. Amidst the backdrop of a self that was firmly affixed to the otaku scene, there was the start of a shift in thinking and participation from one subculture to another.

An Idol Fan's Take on Scholarly Readings

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to enroll in a Japanese popular culture subject at university, something that was different to all my usual business-type stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed it (if only because arts subjects are so much more lax than commerce, but I digress) as a means to appreciate a more scholarly take on the media that interests me. But in the end, I was left wanting more. Something more... directly and specifically relevant to the idol fandom that I participate and consume.

As per my usual boring self, a couple of months ago I was browsing through the internet and I came across something which really caught my eye. And proceeded to subsequently purchase it months later when it was finally released. Enter the book that you saw above.

Hardcore Beats That Divide A Fandom

Minor blog update: I've given some consideration to feedback and I've decided to change this blog's name to something less "generic".

A sprawling laser light show, a troupe of male dancers ripped straight out of the EXILE-inspired crowd, heavy bass-driven beat line and extensive vocal auto-tuning applied with hints of electro-synths throughout. No, I'm not talking about Rihanna, Tohoshinki or 2NE1. Meet your newest AKB48 single.

The world premiere of UZA during this year's Janken Tournament wasn't particularly surprising for many. After all, we're approaching the "cool and dark single" stage of the annual release cycle pattern so something like this was to be expected. What wasn't as expected was the larger than expected disparity of opinion throughout the fandom.

For the Greater Good

Disclaimer: this is not an article about politics. 

I would like to begin with a small story about current Australian politics, so bear with me. Australia has long had a refugee problem, coming to Australia via boat seeking asylum and often exploited by people smugglers; the problem exacerbated by the various conflicts going on in much of the Middle East. Our parliament has had a lengthy history of debate surrounding what to do with the increasing influx of refugees. The (current Labor) government proposed, and strongly favours, the so-called "Malaysia solution", whilst the (Coalition) opposition prefers Nauru instead (not only is Malaysia not a signatory to the UNHCR, aspects of the policy was ruled unconstitutional by the High Court). The Greens, meanwhile, strongly advocate neither and insist on onshore processing (on the mainland).