A Story of Girls Growing Alongside the Team Called AKB48

The second installment, following "DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued 10年後、少女たちは今の自分に何を思うのだろう？" (10 years later, what will the girls think of their present selves?) released in January 2011, is finally here.

Last year, AKB48 achieved their long-held dream of winning the Japan Record Award, truly becoming a national idol group. This documentary meticulously portrays what kind of year 2011 was for AKB48, including the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11th, the general election that even warranted an extra edition newspaper, and the three-day concert series at Seibu Dome in the summer.

At the completion premiere preview screening held on January 18th, Yasushi Akimoto, who conceived this film, commented: "A new AKB48 film has been made. We, who experienced March 11th last year, are still running at full speed. We stumble as we dream, but we move forward step by step. While AKB might seem to be dancing and singing joyfully, they are also living desperately. I would be happy if people could receive the vitality of Japan from their earnest efforts. And I hope you will see yourselves reflected in AKB."



Atsuko Maeda, a member of AKB48, shared: "Individually, we are still immature, but I realized and felt grateful that we can overcome challenges precisely because we have so many members, staff, and supportive fans. This film shows the realistic side of AKB over the past year. I would be happy if viewers could feel something from watching it."

Yuki Kashiwagi, who advanced to 3rd place in the general election, said: "The completion of the second AKB documentary is proof that last year was a fulfilling one. In the film, I speak my true feelings extensively. There is no falsehood in the footage. I would be happy if you watch it in your preferred way."

And Captain Minami Takahashi commented: "'Show must go on 少女たちは傷つきながら、夢を見る' – we are idols, but we are also human beings. We feel regret, sadness, joy, and conflict. While there are parts that make us feel embarrassed, I would be happy if watching this film inspires everyone to try harder. This is a work that can push your back. Please watch it."

The theme song for this film is the newly written song "First Rabbit," sung by 16 members: Atsuko Maeda, Yuko Oshima, Yuki Kashiwagi, Mariko Shinoda, Haruna Kojima, Rino Sashihara, Aki Takajo, Minami Takahashi, Tomomi Itano, Minami Minegishi, Yui Yokoyama, Rie Kitahara, Mayu Watanabe, Mina Oba, Haruka Shimazaki, and Suzuran Yamauchi.

<STORY>
From the unvarnished reality of idols living in the present, we glimpse the future of Japan.
Tokyo, Guam, Taiwan, Singapore, and various regions of Tohoku.
A close-up on the idols' every moment, 365 days of their packed schedules!
With the breath of girls who never stop running, and the sweat they shed,
the documentary delves into what they have seen, felt, and prayed for in the present...
penetrating their inner selves.
March 11, 2011. Since that day, what have they been thinking, and where are they heading?
As idols, and as individuals, what can they do now...?
The camera questions the meaning of the tears that overflow from their open eyes, determined not to lose sight of what is important.

Official Website for the "Second AKB48 Documentary Film"
http://www.2011-akb48.jp/index.html