When AKB0048 originally aired last summer, I got to episode six and dropped it. I didn’t have much free time. Why would I waste it watching a show about idols?

A few days ago, I came back. I watched an episode and was hooked. A couple days later, I’ve watched every episode and can’t wait for the next one. I’m still not a fan of idols (they’re retarded, as is their “music”) but do love AKB0048. It is a glorious show. Here’s why I like it.

Middle School Girls Being Middle School Girls

AKB0048 offers one of the most accurate portrayals in all of anime of middle school girls. They talk about love and friendship all the time while they treat each other like crap. They’re complete bitches, and I love them for it.

What’s more, the bitchiest of them all are rewarded with fame, popularity and glory while the nice girls are left in the dust. But all of them have their fair share of tears from all the horrible things they do to each other. Their tears are delicious. By the way, in case you’re wondering, Takamina is the best idol. Continue reading AKB0048: The Greatest Show on Earth →

Take up the White Man’s burden—
Send forth the best ye breed—
Go send your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need
To wait in heavy harness
On fluttered folk and wild—
Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half devil and half child
Take up the White Man’s burden
In patience to abide
To veil the threat of terror
And check the show of pride;
By open speech and simple
An hundred times made plain
To seek another’s profit
And work another’s gain
Take up the White Man’s burden—
And reap his old reward:
The blame of those ye better
The hate of those ye guard—
The cry of hosts ye humour
(Ah slowly) to the light:
“Why brought ye us from bondage,
“Our loved Egyptian night?”
Take up the White Man’s burden-
Have done with childish days-
The lightly proffered laurel,
The easy, ungrudged praise.
Comes now, to search your manhood
Through all the thankless years,
Cold-edged with dear-bought wisdom,
The judgment of your peers!

— Rudyard Kipling

This is Maoyuu Yuusha in a nutshell. (Except better written, of course.) Continue reading The Demon King’s Burden →