Seriously Cute: AKB48 Team 8 in Manila (12.04.2016)

Better late than never!

December 4, 2016, AKB48's Team 8 visited the Manila, Philippines in Market Market, Taguig.  The visit is in honour of the 60th Philippine-Japan Friendship Anniversary. 

Not one to miss an opportunity like this, I of course went.  

60th Philippine-Japan Friendship Anniversary
AKB48 and MNL48

As I have said on this post, MNL48 is coming.  However, I can't say at what its exact date is.  The latest piece of news released though is that they are now partnered with local television station, ABS-CBN.  So, we might actually get some kind of reality television show out of this. I suspect that they might televise the audition.  

Going back to the event, this event is not only to promote the friendship between two countries.  This is more MNL48 promotion.  

One thing I can say about this group is that it definitely has a huge fanbase.  In the crowd, I had not only met local fans but there were a number of fans that came all the way to Japan to watch them perform.

I saw fans with official AKB48 goods, like penlights and towels.  I even saw a man dressed from head to toe in Team 8 photos.  I think there was even a guy giving away CDs.  The level of dedication was nothing I have seen before, though I have been told many times before.

I can't blame them, as this group is incredibly cute.

Their appeal does not come as an individual member, it is being together as a unit.

What did work as a unit though was the crowd.  All around me, their fans were cheering a synchronised cheer.  I saw this all the time in Japanese dramas but seeing it in person is a truly amazing experience.

Their appeal isn't in their dancing an moving in unison.  They don't dance with military precision, however I find that appealing as well.

I am not alone since the crowd was crazy.  I could not even hear myself scream.  The crowd also knows the response to their introductions.  I hope they return knowing now that they will always be welcome.

Speaking of introductions ...

Members

1. Hamamatsu Riona
2. Tanikawa Hijiri
3. Sato Nanami
4. Shimizu Maria
5. Okabe Rin
6. Takahashi Ayane
7. Yoshikawa Nanase
8. Nagano Serika
9. Hitomi Kotone
10. Gyouten Yurina
11. Shimoaoki Karin
12. Kotone Hitomi

Setlist 

1. 47 no Suteki na Machi e (To 47 Wonderful Towns)
2.  Everyday, Kachuusha (Everyday, Headband girl)
3. Heavy Rotation

MC1

1. Yume e no Route (The Route to Dreams)
2. Kibouteki Refrain (Hopeful Refrain) 
3. Iiwake Maybe (Excuse Maybe)

MC2

1. Seifuku no Hane (Wings on School Uniform)
2. 365nichi no kamihikouki (365 Days of Paper Airplanes)

MC3

1. High Tension
2. Koisuru Fortune Cookie (Love Fortune Cookie)

Encore

1. Aisatsu Kara Hajimeyou  (Let's Start With a Greeting)