Saturday, November 26, 2011
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As reported a few months ago, idol group AKB48 will star on a new anime series inspired by themselves and the current idol industry in Japan. It is to be entitled “AKB0048” and will start airing next spring.
“AKB0048” is said to have an all-original story. All that is revealed is, it will center around nine idol candidates who aspire to be “legendary idols,” in the motif of AKB48's real-life sōsenkyō (general election) Top 8.
Shoji Kawamori, the co-creator of the Macross franchise, is the project planner and the chief director, and Toshimichi Ootsuki (Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone) is the executive producer. As the newspaper puts it, AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto is "of course" planning and supervising the project.
Mari Okada (AnoHana, Toradora!) is supervising and writing the scripts, and Mikan Ehime (Macross Frontier) is designing the characters. Yoshimasa Hiraike (Working!!/Wagnaria!!, Amagami SS) is the actual hands-on director of the anime at Satelight (Macross Frontier, Aquarion).
In addition, no less than four manga series will run in four different magazines, starting in the following issues:
- Nakayoshi, February issue (on sale December 28)
- Bessatsu Friend, February issue (on sale January 13)
- Magazine Special No. 2 issue (on sale January 20)
- Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, March issue (on sale February 9)
The AKB48 members, including sister groups, will "battle" each other in the auditions to be voice actresses in this project. 30 will be selected and announced on a dedicated website in November. In the final round of auditions held in Tokyo, on December 13, nine will be chosen to perform the theme song.
Source: Anime News Network
