It was announced at a press conference yesterday (March 4th) that idol super group AKB48 is now recruiting a new member. Nothing new in that. The difference is that the new girl will be over 30!
For a limited time only (April 12th to August 31st), the new 30-plus girl will join the youthful ranks of Japan’s largest money-spinning musical machine.
Applications for the Otona AKB48 Auditions (Adult AKB48 Auditions) are now open and close on March 28th. Anyone can apply as long as they are over 30; you can be married or single, professional or a total amateur.
So do you think we can look forward to the teenaged girls being joined by a wrinkly granny over the spring and summer? Or just a sexy jukujo?
The current oldest member is Haruna Kojima (25 years and 10 months). Mariko Shinoda was positively ancient when she graduated last year at 27 years old. Some previous members are sorosoro yabai — i.e. heading into their next decade. Megumi Ohori has now turned 30 (and pregnant).
Taro, Tadashi and Kazuki all love woman over 30 — perhaps even more than super youthful-looking girls — so they are certainly excited to see a slightly older performer strutting her stuff on stage with the usual AKB girls. Dan Mitsu, perhaps?
