AKB48 members react to Takamina’s fake scandal on Mecha Iketeru Dokkiri Special!

Takamina enters a meeting room only to be informed that she will be participating in a Dokkiri(prank) special for Mecha x2 Iketeru. The idea is to trick her members into believing she has broken the love ban rule enforced for AKB48 members and will graduate from the group.

A panel of judges will be watching the members from another studio as the scandal is revealed. The member with best reactions and be elected to be the Dokkiri Center. To make things convincing, the production team even created a paparazzi shot of Takamina with comedian Okamura(who is the anchor for this show) to show the members.

The members will be shown this “paparazzi shot”, with a partially visible Takamina face. Okamura’s identity will not be revealed until one week later.

First up is Ikoma Rina and Watanabe Mayu. According to Takamina, as Mayu is the center of AKB48 and shoulders much responsibilities, she might show an irritated face immediately. Both were led into a room with hidden cameras where Shinobu(AKB48 Group General Manager) is waiting to break the news to them.
Shinobu: A certain person’s photo will be published in the weekly tabloid..Takamina.
Mayu’s face turns stiff while Ikoma looks like she wants to cry.

Mayu: The picture was taken with both in the same place?
Shinobu shows them the paparazzi shot.

Mayu analyzes the photo and doesn’t seem like she wants to accept this piece of news.

Mayu: What should we do?

Shinobu: Lets work hard from now..
Ikoma looks silently at Mayu. Mayu nods her head, smiles and leaves the room with Ikoma.
The judges notes that her face basically turned stiff.

Next up are Suda Akari, Matsui Rena, Matsui Jurina and Miyazawa Sae. Takamina comments that Miyazawa is very close to her and they are like comrades so she’d definitely feel shocked/betrayed.

Miyazawa: Is the photo taken recently or something from the past? Does Takamina know?

She bombards Shinobu with a flurry of questions, prompting the judges to guess that she likes scandals and is actually a gossip girl.

Young Jurina asks Shinobu how she should face Takamina. Instead, Shinobu asks them how she should tell the members. Akarin believes everyone wouldn’t think too much about it, as Takamina has done much for the group. Takamina is so touched she starts crying. Miyazawa also launched into a passionate talk, saying it’s a waste for Takamina to be destroyed by a scandal, as the 48 group exists because of Takamina. The judges were so impressed that they started repeating her lines.

As the girls leave the room, one of the judges says he wants to go for a drink with Miyazawa, as she’d probably give him advice on various matters. The caption in above pics describes her as a career woman in her 40s.

Next up is Shimazaki Haruka, Yokoyama Yui and Kawaei Rina. As usual they were shown the paparazzi shot.

Yokoyama questioned if the hooded person is really a guy. She even suspected the hoodie guy to be Miyazawa Sae.

Shimazaki wasn’t very interested in looking at the photo initially, until Shinobu shoved the phone in her direction. After taking a close look, she said “Just say it’s her brother.”

Yokoyama notes that in the photo Takamina and the hoodie guy isn’t even holding hands. Both her and Kawaei started impersonating Takamina’s posture in the photo, prompting Shinobu to say “Are you guys making fun of me?!”

Judges think that this group is enjoying themselves.

Paruru tells Shinobu to ignore it.

Kawaei grows restless and starts unbuttoning her jacket. Her comment “Just live the life you want.”
The judges are impressed with the glamorous phrases this group is coming up with.

Paruru adds the last touch with “I’m totally OK!”

Next up is the next generation aces Kizaki Yuria, Kojima Mako and Kato Rena. Takamina says Yuria is quite a rebel but has her passionate side, so she can’t foresee the reactions from her.

Yuria immediate reacts with a look of irritation. “It’s like…why this timing?”she says.
The judges notes with interest the way she drapes her jacket over her shoulders, like a diva.

Kizaki Yuria: It’s not like she was caught taking drugs.
The judges are amused by her level of analysis.

Kojima Mako: Well i’m fine with it.She’s been leading us so far. I always hoped that she can find a special someone.

Kizaki Yuria: Well everyone is different. So is Takamina. To have such a thing happen, she has to be prepared for it no matter what.
Judges note that she’s angry and scary, especially with the way she drapes that coat. (LOL)

Next up is these girls. I will just pick a few from them to translate.

Oowada Nana cries upon thinking that AKB48 will disband. She clears her nose heartily without caring about her idol image.

Takahashi Juri gets angry at the tabloid releasing this scandal.

Muto Tomu doesn’t want Takamina to shave her head like what happened in the infamous Miichan scandal.

Kodama Haruka thinks the person who was papp-ed is herself!

It’s now the variety veteran’s turn. They guessed that something’s up as soon as they sat down. When Shinobu broke the news to them, Sashihara didn’t want to see the pic but Kojima Haruna was all up for it.

The conversation quickly switched to girls’ talk as they commented happily on the mysterious guy.
Sashihara: He looks cool! She looks so happy!
Minegishi: She’s showing a woman’s face!

Shinobu says there might be more photos being leaked.
Sashihara the scandal veteran says with confidence, “There will be.”
Minegishi: Since she’s the general manager, she’ll feel alot of responsibility.
Sashihara looks at Minegishi: We are also very responsible people but we are quite pitiful right?
The judges started chiding them and questioned if they are really reflecting.

The conversation turns serious all of a sudden, making the judges laugh at their indecisiveness.
Minegishi: You become afraid of standing infront of people after a scandal.
Sashihara: The fans are pitiful, but Takamina is a girl so asking her to refrain from love is not right.
Minegishi: We didn’t know anything..but Takamina’s fans are kind right?
Sashihara: I think if he’s not a strange guy…like Johnny’s or SMAP, then *claps furiously*

Kojima Haruna didn’t have much airtime here but she ended the session asking Shinobu to send her the photo. (No doubt so she can spread to everyone!)

Next up is Moriyasu Madoka, Miyawaki Sakura, Shiroma Miru, Yamamoto Sayaka.

Sakura is in great shock and is quite a sight to watch.

Yamamoto Sayaka: She’s the central figure of the group so this is bad.

Madoka reveals that Kojima has been dropping hints in the changing room, saying “Takamina is also a girl.” I also saw some netizens concluding that Kojima is quite a blabbermouth.

Sakura starts crying. What in the world is she thinking?
The judges think they should have aimed the dokkiri only on Sakura alone.

Part 1 of dokkiri ends here. The members will have 1 week to digest this news before Part 2 is executed. How will the members interact with Takamina in the meantime?

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One week later…

Takamina confesses the atmosphere has been quite bad the whole week. She had expected Kojima Haruna to talk to her but the members seemed to be used to scandals so they were quite indifferent. Only Miyazawa Sae approached her saying she wanted to talk over a meal.

Part 2 of dokkiri focuses on Okamura revealing himself as the boyfriend. He will pretend to be working next door in the same studio as AKB48, but will drop in on the members to offer his apology.

Takamina makes her entrance after the staff told members that Takamina wanted to apologize to them.

Takamina starts shedding tears as the members watched on with serious faces. Takamina informs them that her scandal partner is also working in the same studio and will be coming in to apologise.

A wave of badly concealed giggles all around as Okamura walked into the studio. Judges shouted at them to stop laughing.

I wonder how Takamina/Okamura can continue acting like this, but Okamura keeps his cool and continues with his speech seriously. The members also turn serious. After a while, staff appears to remind Okamura that he has to continue filming next door.

Takamina/Okamura repeat this with the younger senbatsu members but most of them simply kept a serious face throughout.

The final apology session is aimed at the veteran trio Kojima Haruna, Sashihara Rino and Minegishi Minami.

The trio didn’t want a formal apology and moved their chairs closer to Takamina. Then Takamina starts her tears attack and the trio started listening closely. When Takamina informed them that her boyfriend is someone whom they’re also indebted to, Sashihara started making guesses from T.M Revolution’s Nishikawa to Kinki Kids’ Domoto Tsuyoshi.

Okamura then makes his entrance and of course, the trio started squealing and laughed louder than anyone.
Sashihara: Don’t talk with a sigh!
Minegishi: Why are you here?Why?
Okamura could not continue as the trio shouted “NO!!!”

Kojiharu: Didn’t you always talk badly about us?
Sashihara: You’re kidding. Are you serious?
Okamura: Yes. We have the filming for Mecha Ike and Domoto Kyoudai on the same day. And Takeda kun introduced us….

As the talk goes on, the trio are convinced that this couple is real.

Takamina starts talking at some point. Seeing that she’s crying, Okamura puts a hand on her shoulder.

The trio gets worked up and ask him to stop touching Takamina infront of them. Minegishi ends the talk telling Takamina to at least be cheerful infront of the juniors. She also asked Takamina why her taste in men changed, as she used to look for tall, pretty guys.

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Part 3 of the Dokkiri will see the members recording for a fake variety show where members will be asked about their ideal types.

When asked who can accept a man in his 40s, Takamina raised her hands. “I’d feel more settled this way,” she said. Her members were no doubt thinking about Okamura at this point, generating much laughter amongst the judges.

Second question was “What’s your preferred height for men – tall or short?” Of course, Takamina chose short and the members’ faces turned blank once again.

The last question was “Amongst these comedians, who would you choose to spend Christmas Eve with?” You can actually see Okamura getting votes from Kojiharu and Sashihara at this point. But when asked why, there was a moment of awkward silence.

Sashihara even gave a very weird explanation “Rather than a positive person, someone who’s slightly negative is good.”

Takamina expressed her love of Okamura with “I think i’ll be able to laugh daily because of him. I like being supported like that.”

The corner ended with AKB staff stopping the recording suddenly.

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Part 4 of the Dokkiri(also the final part) takes place on the 8th day where the members have to attend a fake press conference announcing their movie release.

150 odd press members(fake) were invited to the press conference to make things convincing.

As Watanabe Mayu stepped up to introduce the movie, Takamina barged into the press conference hall and took over the microphone from the MC.

“Sorry for the intrusion. I am AKB48 Group General Manager Takahashi Minami.I was not supposed to be here, but i came to tell everyone something. I, Takahashi Minami, will graduate from AKB48.

I’m supposed to lead everyone, but i’ve caused everyone trouble through my actions.Even if i am not here, there is future for the group.

I hope everyone can protect AKB48. I hope the members can grab the chance to shine. I think Sakura is grabbing that chance now. Because of your nervousness, there are times when your weaknesses show on stage. But if you continue to keep being professional, you’ll be fine.

Mayuyu is a 100/100 idol. However, I hope you can depend more on your members.

Sayanee is too great. You can do anything. I really respect you even if you’re my junior.

Sashihara, i have nothing to say. I’m kidding. I think i talk to you the most about work. Even though we’re not in the same generation, i think of you as my comrade.Please work hard.

Miichan and NyanNyan, i have nothing to say to you. My only regret is not being able to see you graduate.

I didn’t think i’d be saying goodbye in this manner.”

The reporters then flocked in to question Takamina. “Do you think you’re taking responsiblity by graduating?”

“No, I’m really sorry!”

Takamina grabs the wig off her head only to reveal her shaved(fake) head!

All the members could not hide the shock from their faces.

At this point, Okamura also barged into the press conference to stand alongside Takamina.
“I, Okamura, will marry Takahashi….NOT!”

The last of this dokkiri ends with the members being thrown backwards into a pool of styrofoam.

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The judges make their appearance to reveal the truth about this dokkiri. They also cast the last votes to choose the Dokkiri Center.

Here is the chosen Dokkiri 7:

7. Kizaki Yuria(3 votes)
The only one who got angry because of the scandal.
Staff comments: Isn’t she prepared to face up to her own scandal too? (Referring to Yuria’s talk about everyone needing to face up to their actions.)
Yuria: I really hate scandarals. (Unfortunately, she’s quite an airhead and pronounced it wrongly.)

6. Minegishi Minami(6 votes)
Her comments brought on quite abit of variety impact.
“In the past you liked tall and pretty guys, but in the end you settle with this type..”
Okamura: I was pretty hurt by it.

5. Owada Nana (8 votes)
Her tears made the judges want to tell her the truth immediately.

4. Nakano Ikumi (9 votes)
Her innocent reaction towards the end made a deep impression on the judges so her votes skyrocketed.

3. Miyazawa Sae(10 votes)
Her gossipy character amidst being worried about Takamina made a deep impression.
Judges: Your nickname amongst us is gossip girl. You really like scandals right?
Miyazawa: No!!
Judges: You have a NG word (name of a certain tabloid) which was repeatedly brought up for 24 times. But we will delete all of it during editing. You were also the only one who expressed concern for Takamina during this week. That’s really kind.
Another Judge: But is that kindness or you wanting some gossip?!

2. Miyawaki Sakura(12 votes)
Her open mouth throughout the dokkiri made an impression. But there was something which put her in a negative light.
Judge: Your tears made us think that you were a good girl. We thought you were crying because of Takamina. But we heard that you were crying as you asked the staff “Will the single i center be cancelled?”
Others: That’s scary! Shock!
Sakura: I heard that the news will be out on the release date of the single. I was thinking..if the sales drop, will it become my fault?

1. Takahashi Minami (no votes announced)
Okamura: Your acting was superb. How many times did you cover for me? If not for you, how much of a failure will this be? When i revealed myself, think of how the members laughed! I thought i couldn’t do this project anymore! Indeed, it’s because of your tears that i was able to get around it.Shouldn’t we give her the lead actress award?

Takamina: Are you pranking me? This is my first No.1! But really, i thought it was really tough at one point!
Okabe: She was rehearsing initially and she cried….saying her members are pitiful.
Takamina: I’m sorry!

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And this wraps up the episode! I didn’t find this as funny as the previous collaborations but definitely interesting since we get to discover new sides to the members. For example, Miyazawa is surprisingly dependable. From her talk, i can tell that she’s the kind who will offer a good listening ear. If not for her age, i think she’d be perfect as the next General Manager. Kojimako is such a sweet girl, saying she’s always wished for Takamina’s happiness. Sakura strikes me as selfish what with her concerns about people blaming her in case the CD sales drop. Yuria..i have mixed thoughts about her. She seems like a girl with the right values and all but rather unapproachable.