AKB Top 20 Ranking (Updated Monthly)

It is no secret that I am a big fan of AKB48 and all related idols produced by Yasushi Akimoto. When I was in Japan I went to their concerts, and shook hands (including high-fives) with them. Now, since returning to Toronto, I am searching for their information online weekly, and trying to stay in the loop. So far, it has done good for me in motivating me to watch more Japanese TV shows and speaking in Japanese. From afar, I will continue to monitor the progress of Japan's hottest idols of 2010.

On this page, which I will update weekly, is a list of 20 AKB-related idols whom I have found to be the most interesting, at least for the week of the update. I have some favorites who will most likely stay on the list forever, but there will be additions and deletion of girls, based on my personal judgments of a girl's like-ability according to TV shows, radio shows, and personal blog posts of the week. I will provide a brief description and justification for my choice of each girl ranked, and for the Top 10 there will also be a picture provided.

Please remember that this is only a personal ranking of AKB girls, and I have tried my hardest to be objective in my viewing. Now that that's said, let's go!

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- micr0q's AKB Group Top 20 Ranking -

February 3rd, 2011

☆Kumi Yagami (矢神久美) - Team S

Kumi has been one of my favorites for over a year. She is the well-known "baka" of SKE48, but she has a balanced personality. She knows when to be responsible, and when to join in the fooling around. She can dance hiphop and is incredibly cute in person.

☆Mayu Watanabe (渡辺麻友) - Team B

Like many people, I used to like Mayu more than all others. And honestly, she's most idol-like girl out of all of AKB Group. People may dislike her but they do not doubt her impact. Whenever there's a program with her guesting, the ratings go up.

☆Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木由紀) - Team B

Yuki came into AKB at the same time as Mayu Watanabe, but only recently became popular, reaching 3rd place in AKB's 3rd General Election. She is very well-mannered, and her "reactions" on variety shows are now considered AKB classics.

☆Yumi Wakatsuki (若月佑美) - Nogizaka46

In late November, Wakatsuki was involved in some photo scandals revealing her wild times with older men, but she has since bounced back with a bang. Being one of the more athletic and more clever girls on Nogi46, Wakatsuki is on top of my current Nogi46 list. Nickname: Fall-over Girl

☆Sae Miyazawa (宮澤佐江) - Team K

Sae has a great relationship with Yuki Kashiwagi, and they are often seen hugging each other or bugging each other. Backstage videos of them together are funny and adorable. On her own, Sae is also evolving out of her "tom-boy" look, although her bright personality remains.

☆Miyuki Watanabe (渡辺美優紀) - Team N

Miyuki got her spotlight with NMB48's new single, Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo (絶滅黒髪少女), where she was featured writing calligraphy and looking good. Her smile is very contagious.

☆Rena Matsui (松井玲奈) - Team S

Rena is THE quiet, nice girl of perhaps the ENTIRE AKB groups. She recently had her 20th birthday, when she dunked her face into a cake. Pretty cool stuff.

☆Kazumi Takayama (高山一実) - Nogizaka46

My nickname for Kazumin is "Next-door Girl". She's got that very personable quality and is very good at complimenting another person in dialogue. She also made a cute slip in one of the episodes of Nogizakatte, Doko?, where she said she was genuinely happy when an actor said, "I'll be your boyfriend."

☆Haruna Kojima (小嶋陽菜) - Team A

Kojiharu was what I call a "classic idol-like idol", who never made it to my list before because her ears stick out too much. In the 2nd Janken Tournament, however, she kept her promise to Sexy-sensei and did her sexy poses on stage.

☆Rina Kawaei (川栄李奈) - Team 研

The 10th spot in my Top 10 is reserved for AKB Trainees. Rina's smile is cute, and her chibi stature is also adorable, but OMG, watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfqjeMzlj6A


Yuria Kizaki (木崎ゆりあ) (S)
She's great at talking in groups and complimenting other members. She's good friends with Kumi Yagami and... almost everyone else on SKE48.

Nanami Hashimoto (橋本奈々未) (Nogi46)
Nanamin first caught my attention with her food report on Nogizakatte, Doko? where she shouted, "Masaka... masaka...?!" Into the camera. She is probably even more down to earth than Kazumin. My nickname for her, "Dummy"

Kanon Kimoto (木本花音) (E)
SKE48's new single contains a kiss scene between Kumi and Kanon. Enough said.

Juri Takahashi (高橋朱里) (研)
In the Aug. 11th Episode of Ariyoshi AKB, Juri-chan won the comedy contest by dressing up as an office lady! Her death-eyes are so charming!

Haruka Nakagawa (仲川晴香) (A)
Haruka Nakagawa is athletic and knows about the birds and the bees. On AKBINGO's Danso episodes, especially, she always had something to say.

Rina Ikoma (生駒里奈) (Nogi46)
The Nogizaka invasion is almost complete. 5 of them are in my top 20. Ikoma was one of my first favorites in the group, but later, her rural qualities showed through, which resulted in a drop in ranking. Nickname: Country-bumpkin.

Minami Takahashi (高橋みなみ) (A)
I have met Minami in person at NHK Hall. Like her 148cm listed height implies, she is tiny. AKB's leader.

Shiori Ogiso (小木曽汐莉) (K2)
Cute little Goma-tan, seeing her is always a blast. She is also good friends with Yuria and has a great memory.

Minami Hoshino (星野みなみ) (Nogi46)
Minami is the most adorable Nogi46 girl! At 13 years old, she's the youngest too. I do not want to speak anymore about her because I would then end up in jail.


Retired: Natsumi Hirajima (平嶋夏海)
Due to photos of her partying with boys leaking on the internet, the AKB management took drastic measures and forced Nacchan to resign. This happened on January 28th. I was greatly saddened since she was one of the most lovable 1st generation AKB girls still left in the group. Good luck with everything, Nacchan!
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A Casual ranking by micr0q. Please do not take this page seriously.