AKB0048 Next Stage episodes 8 and 9 are about the attack on Akibastar and the aftermath. In these episodes we learn the importance of Akibastar to the idols as a place reborn after a war and a site of a large amount of dualium. Mikako pushes Yuuko to be even more obsessed with the Center Nova position and gives her a key to obtaining it. The DES forces come to Akibastar to fight and fulfill the requirements to make a Center Nova. Yuuko becomes a Center Nova and immediately disappears. After the battle is over the AKB0048 forces are split between the temple and the spaceship. On the spaceship the girls find out that Mikako was the one that betrayed them to get back the old Center Novas. Mikako tries to save the group by sacrificing herself in battle with DES.
All that is just scratching the surface of what was going on these two episodes of AKB0048 Next Stage. The level of action has gone up dramatically recently, but I can not help missing the old fumbling battles from the beginning of the show. Having the enemy forces be competent is such a change of pace. If they are going in this direction with the show, I wish they would have committed and killed off Mikako. Having the impossible rescue at the last minute really ruined the moment.
In episode 8 Yuuko finally achieved the ultimate accomplishment of becoming a Center Nova and disappearing like only the best novas do. Was it worth it though to obtain her dream if she never got to enjoy it? Given that she left in such a spectacular fashion she would probably be remembered more than some of the others, but does she even realize this wherever she is. This whole situation reminds me of the saying be careful what you wish for.
After Yuuko gets her wish in episode 8 the understudies are looking at what could be the end of their dreams in episode 9. Unlike usual the AKBoo48 group have no where to go. Their home base is destroyed and they can not even contact their supporters. All signs of their existence have wiped away. There is very little hope that AKB0048 will be able to go on from here and none of them even got to be a successor. While some are worried about the future Nagisa is believing there will be a future and not only will she get to be a successor, but a Center Nova as well.
It should be interesting to see how AKB0048 gets back on its feet, since it is obviously not going to end in tragedy.
These are idols that should be making tons of money, so why do their showers only go high enough to barely cover their chests?
