AKB48 – Tokyo Dome concert dates revealed!

 
A few days ago, AKB48 posted a video on their official youtube account. In it de facto AKB48 leader and Team A captain Takahashi Minami can be seen chatting with the chairman of the Yomiuri Shimbun, Watanabe Tsuneo. It is eventually revealed through their conversation that AKB48 will hold their concerts at Tokyo Dome on August 24th, August 25th, and August 26, 2012 . Yes, it will be a three-day event at the most hallowed concert venue in Japan!

During the group’s Saitama Super Arena concert earlier in March plans to hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome were first revealed. AKB48 poster child Maeda Atsuko also announced her plans to graduate from the group, and many fans speculated it would not happen until after the Tokyo Dome performances. That has now also been confirmed.

According to a recent Google+ entry by AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi, Acchan will be graduating the day after the Tokyo Dome concert dates, following one last performance at the group’s theater. That would make Maeda Atsuko’s tentative graduation date August 27th, 2012.

I’m happy and sad at the same time. These girls have worked so hard for the last 7 years, and now they will finally get to realize their dreams. I wish I could go :(. I’m sure tickets will be sold out for something like this.

To be able to hold a solo performance at Tokyo Dome is a once in a life time event, and something most Japanese artists strive for. It signifies the absolute peak of one’s career. There is no doubting AKB48 is currently in their golden age, and if this concert series marks their peak then what comes after? It’ll be very interesting to see. A wind of change is already blowing within the group…

The reality of Acchan’s graduation from the group is now finally setting in. Initially when she first announced it it wasn’t so bad because there was no specified time frame. Now it’s pretty certain she won’t be with AKB after August. At least there’s some consolation in knowing Acchan will participate in at least one more single before leaving. It will probably be biggest-selling AKB48 single as well.

Too many thoughts are racing through my head, but there’s really no point thinking about all this. What happens happens. I’ve been a fan of AKB48 for almost 3 years now, and I’m so happy to be on board as they embark on their most ambitious journey yet.

August 24th, August 25th, and August 26th, 2012. The walls of Tokyo Dome will be shaking from the screaming and chanting of tens of thousands of AKB48” fans. …this is going to be epic :D!!!