My Love Affair with SKE48

S K E FORTY EIGHT! S K E FORTY EIGHT!

Recently, SKE48 has overtaken AKB48 as my favourite group. Their freshness, hyper-energy and consistently good songs have completely and utterly won me over in every way possible.

Jurina Matsui is my favourite member for so many reasons. She's amazingly talented at such a young age, she's super pretty and energetic, and she's kind and like a teacher to many members, even those older than her. She absorbs instructions like a sponge and also holds a place in AKB's Team K, currently appearing as the front girl for both AKB and SKE's singles. I do, however, think this puts unfair pressure on her, and hope she is put back just in SKE soon.

Akane Takayanagi's gorgeous vocals and constant smile makes me so happy and pumped. She's also such a gutsy person, she asked Aki-P (aka Yasushi Akimoto, producer of the 48's) if Team KII could have their own original stage...IN FRONT OF EVERYONE at the 2011 elections! Girl is perfect! And he delivered later that year! Guts is rewarded!

Currently making their way up my list is many beautiful and amazing girls of SKE, Manatsu Mukaida, Kumi Yagami, Shiori Ogiso, Yukiko Kinoshita and many, many more. I dislike no one. They are all such amazing, hardworking girls.

Being from Nagoya, such a chilled place, also helps the freshness of SKE48 in my opinion. When I visited there, wearing one of my SKE shirts, everyone was so kind and would speak to me about how much they loved the band. Girls, boys, everyone, even at the airport in Tokyo people would be like 'Ah! You like SKE48?' and I would get into a big fan discussion with many lovely people.

Their A-sides have always been impressive, and even if on first listen they don't get you, rest assured by third or fourth you will be absolutely hooked. My favourite A-side is Pareo wa Emerald. I can't get sick of it, no matter how many times I listen to it!

Always looking so joyous and happy when they perform, and giving you a strong urge to get up and dance. SKE48 inspire me to be my best at life, and isn't that what idols are for anyway?

Rino Sashihara

The scandalous girl that divided fans.

I LOVE HER.

The scandal made me sit up, take notice, and I loved what I saw. I even loved her for the scandal. She sent semi-naked pictures to a potential boyfriend when she was 14. This proves she was just a normal teenager, looking for validation like all of us were.

Then she lied about it, which I love her for, as if you'd tell the truth and just admit it was you straight out!

This girl is an energetic and sincere performer. When she pours her heart out on stage, you can read it all over her face. She seems down at times but when she smiles it lights up your heart. Her smile is gorgeous. HKT48 are very lucky to gain such a respectable and beautiful person.

Seeing her last performance with AKB48's Team A about a month and a half ago, she looks straight into the eyes of her fans as we cheer her on. She is a fantastic idol. The 'girl-next-door' idol, even. Someone you can connect with and really feel excited about their next move.

When she was high-fiving her fans after the show, she grasped my hand tightly and smiled at me, I made a heart shape at her and said 'ganbatte!' (good luck/do your best). She truly has made the best out of the situation. Staying in good stead with fans (there was a LOT of fans at her last performance and one man was wearing a 'SASHIHARA QUALITY' shirt.)and definitely gaining new ones.

Now with Rino and Aika Oota in HKT48 along with the AMAZING energy of the original HKT girls, we can anticipate with baited breath what their first single will sound like. I am hoping it is danceable and super fun, with a youthful sound. Nothing too mature yet.

Rino I love you and I will support you forever!