Team K 5th Stage “Saka Agari” – Opening Night Review (Where’s Natsuki?)
AKB48 Team K 5th Stage – Saka Agari (Aigon’s Domain)

Team K’s brand-new stage has probably been one of the most anticipated AKB48 events in quite a while.  The Shonichi has come and gone, leaving behind some extremely polarized feedback.  The reviews by RSL and Aigon are great examples of what the “peanut gallery” has been saying on the web.  RSL really likes the new material, while for Aigon it leaves much to be desired…

RSL’s review is a track-by-track complete with a plethora of screencaps.  This is not a “Natsuki-focused” review, although RSL can’t help but throw in a few extra shots of her along the way.  Remember, RSL loves Team K!   He covers just about everything there is to cover in this show, from the dances to the songs.  And he has a real flair for analyzing the costumes.  RSL, are you a fashion designer?  If you want to get a real taste of what this stage is like without actually watching the show, this is the perfect article for you.

On the other hand, Aigon is a Team B fan first.  And to put it simply, he finds this new stage “boring”.  Interestingly, Aigon is one of the few AKB fans that doesn’t love K4.  But he did like the “tough-rocker” image a few of the numbers portrayed.  And that image is pretty much missing in K5.  He did however find a few songs to enjoy.  And I am yet to hear someone say they don’t like Sayaka’s power-ballad!

Hmmm, this is a tough one for me because I can totally relate to what both of the reviewers are saying.  It is telling that I have been promising a review of the show on my own blog for over a week, and am yet to deliver on it!  But that isn’t to say I don’t like K5…I do!  On the other hand, my favorite AKB48 songs are the songs with more of an “edge”.  And as Aigon says, that edginess isn’t really present.  However you see it, it is nice to compare notes with other fans.  It’s like watching the show with a new set of eyes.  Both RSL and Aigon do a great job of that!