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INTEREST: AKB48 Scratch-&-Sniff Photos Bundled with Shonen Sunday


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TheZeonicFront



Joined: 20 Apr 2010
Posts: 122
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:06 am Reply with quote
This is how the world ends, people.

Start taking your bets.
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Surrender Artist



Joined: 01 May 2011
Posts: 3264
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:16 am Reply with quote
Why is it that whenever a story about AKB48 is posted I feel a mixture of pity and sublime sadness? Am I dying?
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V1046-R



Joined: 02 Dec 2011
Posts: 172
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:27 am Reply with quote
I'm sure these gals are happy with the money they are bringing in, but the word "exploited" comes to mind regarding this kind of stuff.
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Shenl742



Joined: 11 Feb 2010
Posts: 1525
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:49 am Reply with quote
I bet the scents don't last long and need to be replaced regularly though...
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Saffire



Joined: 25 Nov 2007
Posts: 1256
Location: Iowa, USA
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:54 am Reply with quote
Shenl742 wrote:
I bet the scents don't last long and need to be replaced regularly though...
Is that really the aspect that bothers you the most? :p
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superdry



Joined: 07 Jan 2012
Posts: 1309
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:00 am Reply with quote
Saffire wrote:
Shenl742 wrote:
I bet the scents don't last long and need to be replaced regularly though...
Is that really the aspect that bothers you the most? :p


That is a valid concern for such a promo item. I bet some fans will be buying many many copies of the magazine.

Sometimes i wonder who's scarier an otaku or a wota?
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RyanSaotome



Joined: 29 Mar 2011
Posts: 4210
Location: Towson, Maryland
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:01 am Reply with quote
Bring on the AKB48 anime
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Shenl742



Joined: 11 Feb 2010
Posts: 1525
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:34 am Reply with quote
superdry wrote:
Saffire wrote:
Shenl742 wrote:
I bet the scents don't last long and need to be replaced regularly though...
Is that really the aspect that bothers you the most? :p


That is a valid concern for such a promo item. I bet some fans will be buying many many copies of the magazine.

Sometimes i wonder who's scarier an otaku or a wota?


Umm...I was joking about how the group itself has a high-turnover rate for members
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Mesonoxian Eve



Joined: 10 Jan 2012
Posts: 1858
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:29 pm Reply with quote
Some unlucky bastard's going to sniff "the morning after", leaving them with nothing more than trying to figure out what brand the producer smokes.
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CareyGrant



Joined: 18 Nov 2009
Posts: 453
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:15 pm Reply with quote
*scratch, scratch* Hmm... smells like used vending machine panties! Oh my! "Casting Couch" smells dreamy: like sad desperation and producer cigarette smoke!

Oh Japan...

V1046-R wrote:
I'm sure these gals are happy with the money they are bringing in, but the word "exploited" comes to mind regarding this kind of stuff.


The girls? I think you mean their managers/producers. The overwhelming fortune that AKB48 rakes in every year (not counting any individual endorsement deals I'd imagine) goes to the people "in charge." The girls themselves make a pittance, comparatively, especially after the "talent's" portion of the pie is divvied up--I think several hundred thousand US, for the top girls, if I remember correctly. The lesser known girls make anywhere from a little to a lot less.

A little perspective: in the US, your average doctor or dentist with a healthy practice makes as much or more money than these girls do, individually, for being in AKB48. Personally, I know dentists making seven figures annually (not the norm amongst dentists).

Now, several hundred thousand sounds pretty good for a teenaged girl with the equivalent of a high school education, but just compare what these girls make to someone like Justin Beiber. Sure he doesn't have to divide up the money pie like AKB48 does amongst the talent, but...

And yes, exploited is the word I'd use, too.
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configspace



Joined: 16 Aug 2008
Posts: 3717
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:47 pm Reply with quote
"exploitation" is not possible when all of these girls know what they're getting into, and voluntarily do the job, and always have other choices available.

Who is anyone to try to deprive them the right to do what they want to do and the customers who willingly pay them?

Capitalization is more the right term.

With regards to the scents, I think a more appropriate and realistic approach would something like this perfume extracted from each girl. I bet they could charge a hefty premium and it would sell like gangbusters. Laughing
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Chagen46



Joined: 27 Jun 2010
Posts: 4377
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:42 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
"exploitation" is not possible when all of these girls know what they're getting into, and voluntarily do the job, and always have other choices available.


That doesn't mean it isn't incredibly disturbing and misogynistic.

Quote:
Who is anyone to try to deprive them the right to do what they want to do and the customers who willingly pay them?


They have a right to do it, and I have a right to point out how disgusting it is. Freedom of speech works both ways, son.[/quote]
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V1046-R



Joined: 02 Dec 2011
Posts: 172
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:37 pm Reply with quote
CareyGrant wrote:
*scratch, scratch* Hmm... smells like used vending machine panties! Oh my! "Casting Couch" smells dreamy: like sad desperation and producer cigarette smoke!

Oh Japan...

V1046-R wrote:
I'm sure these gals are happy with the money they are bringing in, but the word "exploited" comes to mind regarding this kind of stuff.


The girls? I think you mean their managers/producers. The overwhelming fortune that AKB48 rakes in every year (not counting any individual endorsement deals I'd imagine) goes to the people "in charge." The girls themselves make a pittance, comparatively, especially after the "talent's" portion of the pie is divvied up--I think several hundred thousand US, for the top girls, if I remember correctly. The lesser known girls make anywhere from a little to a lot less.

A little perspective: in the US, your average doctor or dentist with a healthy practice makes as much or more money than these girls do, individually, for being in AKB48. Personally, I know dentists making seven figures annually (not the norm amongst dentists).

Now, several hundred thousand sounds pretty good for a teenaged girl with the equivalent of a high school education, but just compare what these girls make to someone like Justin Beiber. Sure he doesn't have to divide up the money pie like AKB48 does amongst the talent, but...

And yes, exploited is the word I'd use, too.


I didn't know much about this pop group other than they are popular...from what you describe they definately sound exploited to me.
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V1046-R



Joined: 02 Dec 2011
Posts: 172
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:48 pm Reply with quote
configspace wrote:
"exploitation" is not possible when all of these girls know what they're getting into, and voluntarily do the job, and always have other choices available.

Who is anyone to try to deprive them the right to do what they want to do and the customers who willingly pay them?

Capitalization is more the right term.

With regards to the scents, I think a more appropriate and realistic approach would something like this perfume extracted from each girl. I bet they could charge a hefty premium and it would sell like gangbusters. Laughing


I find it intersting, so not really trying to create an "issue" where one may not exist. But I have to wonder who is the scratch & sniff merchandize pandering too? Do girls who sign up for these kinds of entertainment gigs think that kind of sh*t is cool, or do they go along with everything they are told & not want to make waves because of contracts & cultural reprocussions?

Being paid does not exclude the condition of being exploited. In actuality, exploitation of younger people often comes with payment to them. They are less experienced, eager to follow, and easier to manipulate by older more experienced sharks in the entertainment business. Chewed up & spit is not what they expect, but might be what the business behind the scenes was planning all along.
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dragon695



Joined: 28 Nov 2008
Posts: 1377
Location: Clemson, SC
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:20 pm Reply with quote
It is shit like this that leads me to ridicule Japanese otaku and their culture. Disgusting, utterly disgusting. Rolling Eyes
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