A video of a conversation between Atsuko Maeda and Takahashi Minami, both first-generation members of the idol group AKB48, was released on Suntory's official YouTube channel on the 25th. Maeda and Takahashi sat alone in a studio, facing each other without a script. Based around the theme of The Premium Malt's brand message, "Life becomes delicious slowly," the two candidly discussed their 20-year journey together and their future plans for the future for nearly 50 minutes.
At the table where the two sat, cards were prepared with questions such as "After AKB48's 20th anniversary Budokan performance" and "If someone asked you now, 'Why do you think AKB became so popular?'" and the two proceeded with their conversation based on these questions.
◇ "Something strange was happening in that group."
Regarding the AKB48 20th anniversary live concert held at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo in December, in which the two appeared, Takahashi began preparations early, saying, "The look, etc. was already ready about three months ago," and expressed relief, saying, "I feel a bit relieved at last." Maeda also congratulated her, saying, "Thank you for your hard work."
When asked "Why did AKB become so popular?" Takahashi said, "That's a really difficult question," but continued, "Maybe they were just incredibly raw people." Maeda agreed, saying, "That's true." Takahashi, who led the members as the first AKB48 group general manager, reflected, "It was definitely abnormal. I think some strange things were happening in that group. I think the fact that I fought so hard in that environment has led to my life today, and it has cultivated the spirit to never give up, no matter what the situation."
What was interesting was the conversation between the two about the General Election, which became a social phenomenon at the time. Takahashi began by saying, "If I was asked to do it again, I would never do it, but in the end, it was probably a good thing that we did it. It took so much time to pass before we could have checked the results."
Maeda began talking about the background to the start of the General Election, saying, "Akimoto (Yasushi) sensei nominated me to be the center, but there were a lot of voices saying that they weren't happy with that, so it started. I had said things like, 'I don't want to do it,' and Akimoto sensei was the one who brought it up. But I thought he wanted me to prove that 'what I was saying wasn't wrong'. It was just pressure," honestly describing the pressure she felt at the time. Takahashi, who said she felt pressure to be included in the "God Seven," laughed and asked, "Who coined the term God Seven?"
She also candidly talks about her thoughts during the general election, in which Oshima Yuko came in first and Maeda came in second, and the background behind Maeda's famous quote, "Even if you hate me, please don't hate AKB!"
They will also appear with current AKB48 members on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on New Year's Eve. "It's amazing," Maeda said, "I never thought I'd be able to appear." Knowing that "it's not often you get to perform on that stage," (Takahashi), the two are especially emotional, and are grateful to the current members, saying, "I think it's because AKB is shining brightly right now."
