AKB0048 Next Stage episode 1 is all over the place. At first they start slow with the understudies dancing and flashbacks from the last season. Then the manager does an announcement during the concert about general elections and bringing back the center nova position. After showing the reactions of the understudies and successors they have three girls kidnapped out of nowhere. Then they are quickly on trial for outrageous charges like terrorism. The other idols come and save the three captives while singing, and in the very end we see Chieri ‘s dad talking about how useful she will be to him.
The kidnapping seems really out of place with the rest of the AKB0048. Usually an unarmed girl could take down several DES members in mechs or at least get away. This time the mechs managed to take down several girls and one was a cyborg girl that was prepared for them. The series need to decide if DES is incompetent or not because this is just getting confusing.
Who would dare make a spectacle of idols?
Not surprisingly the center nova position is going to be available again. This announcement brings out a worse side of Yuuko. I do not like how she immediately feels the need to call everyone out and dump her mentoring. The center nova is supposed to be a respected position, but if she is going to be like this I do not think she deserves it. I know everyone is supposed to do their best, but she is not being very nice about it. I hope she calms down in future episodes.
A new challenger appears
While Chieri’s family has been mentioned before now we actually get to see her dad and he wants to use her in the future. It looks like he is going to be a major villain this time. I bet this will not be the only time Chieri is kidnapped this season. I just hope that they do not just do it out of nowhere next time.
Giant Atsuko tell me all your secrets.
