AKB48’s anime?? AKB0048

On December 8th, AKB48 announced the names of the 30 members who passed the first round of judging for their upcoming anime, “AKB0048“.

The storyline focuses on 9 idol cadets who aim to become legendary superstars. Out of 200 girls from AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48, 30 passed the first round for a chance to be one of 9 voice actors. These members include 17 from AKB48, 8 from SKE, 4 from NMB, and 1 from HKT. The 30 members will advance into the final public audition, which will be held on December 13th.

In the final round, the members will introduce themselves and read lines in front of 100 lucky fans. The 9 girls who deliver the best performances and possess an eagerness to voice act in the future will be announced as the winners  that day.

Take a look at the members who passed the first round of judging below!

• AKB48: Ishida Haruka, Ichikawa Miori, Iwata Karen (research student), Oota Aika, Katayama Haruka, Kobayashi Marina (research student), Sato Amina, Sato Sumire, Suzuki Shihori, Suzuki Rika (research student), Takeuchi Miyu, Chikano Rina, Nakagawa Haruka, Nakaya Sayaka, Nito Moeno, Fujie Reina, Watanabe Mayu

• SKE48: Sakai Mei, Sato Mieko, Nakanishi Yuka, Hata Sawako, Hara Minami, Furukawa Airi, Yakata Miki, Yagami Kumi

• NMB48: Ogasawara Mayu, Kinoshita Momoka (research student), Nakagawa Hiromi (research student), Mita Mao (research student)

• HKT48: Murashige Anna

On December 13th, the 30 members from the AKB48 family gave their all in front of a judging panel comprised of Akimoto Yasushi, Kawamori Shoji, Otsuki Toshimichi, and sound director Aketagawa Jin. Kawamori Shoji, who’s famous for his work in ‘Macross‘ series, is the chief director behind this project, and Otsuki Toshimichi is the executive producer.

After much deliberation, it was decided that the following girls would lend their voices for the anime:

09. Watanabe Mayu (AKB48, Team B)

08. Mita Mao (NMB48, Research student)

07. Ishida Haruka (AKB48, Team B)

06. Sato Sumire (AKB48, Team B)

05. Hata Sawako (SKE48, Team KII)

04. Nakaya Sayaka (AKB48, Team A)

03. Yagami Kumi (SKE48, Team S)

02. Iwata Karen (AKB48, Research student)

01. Sato Amina (AKB48, Team B)

Honorable mentions went to four other girls for their performances: Takeuchi Miyu (AKB48, Team 4),  Murashige Anna (HKT48, First class), Kinoshita Momoka (NMB48, Research student), and Furukawa Airi (SKE48, Team KII).

Source : Oricon, Tokyohive