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Story: (9)
The story center around a high school boy, Minoru Urayama, joining the Japanese idol group AKB48 in order to support his crush, Hiroko Yoshinaga. He enters the group under the name Minori Urakawa and tried his best to survive in the whole female idol group. During this mess he became more and more involved with the group as he also slowly began to change.
This isn't a classical gender swap or harem story as the plot rarely goes into that direction. Instead it focuses its romance as something more of a motivation and should be classified as more of a shounen trope filled with struggles ... in the idol world.
Art: (9)
I would like to give it a 10 if it wasn't for the early art style. Reiji Miyamura is an example of the evolution of a mangaka as time goes on. His early art style makes it difficult to tell each character from one another, but later on his art improved to a whole another level. The art is by far one of the best in a more modern manga art style and the later art is simply just a breathtaking. His incorporation of some of the chibi art style was perfect in providing comic relief within the story. His detail to the character needs to also be mentioned as there are many references to real life AKB48 members and he capture them perfectly.
Character: (10)
Minoru and Hiroko are the main protagonists of the story. They are very well developed as each of their motivations and dreams are clearly presented throughout the story. As the story progress they began to change and simply grew into characters that the fans love. There are many side characters that could use more development, but for a large cast of an idol group it is enough. The necessary characters are well developed for the story to progress and also for us to feel for them. The characters from the real life AKB48 also had their characteristics be flushed out in the story.
Enjoyment:(10)
I read chapter 200 something on Weekly Shonen Magazine and I was immediately hooked by the story. I had no idea of what AKB48 was but I immediately went on to check out the first chapter. I finished the 200 or so chapters within 2 days and longed each week for the new chapters. Each week I would even search for the raw version and translate them myself just to catch up to the story. (I read the chinese translations after the raw was translated)
Overall: (9)
This is by far not the perfect manga, but its enjoyment level is off the roof. Despite its early art being not the best, it transformed itself as the story progress. All in all, I would say that you don't need to be an AKB48 to enjoy this story. It is after you read the story that you will truly appreciate the idol group as we learn about the true hardship behind the spotlight.