Idol'ween: Bleeding Into The Realm Of Reality 10 Years Later - Pulling the Plug in AKB48's 'Beginner' (Pic Spam Review)

WARNING: This pic-spam review and its accompanying Music Video contain scenes of violence, as well as depictions of death. Images of blood are also featured in the video, so if you are sensitive to these kinds of images, please do not read on or watch the following music video. Thank you in advance.

There are just some games that allow you to have a scream of a time. Right, Acchan..?

Okay, real talk: I did not watch Beginner when it first came out all those years ago, because I was an ignorant baby-wota at the time, one who did not like AKB48 for shallow, unjust reasons. I was a dumb, Hello! Project-biased baby-wota who believed in both groups having an invisible rivalry, and I allowed that ignorance to keep me from watching AKB48's music videos.

Now, 10 years on, I am a little wiser and a lot less prejudiced. I'm still not perfect by any means, but I have since repented and watched what has been considered AKB48's most iconic music video. Yes, it was a bit difficult to find a few years back when I first watched it - it was pulled from public viewing, after all - and whilst I have not watched it as much as others, it stuck in my mind.

Beginner really is as iconic as others made it out to be, and 10 years later it is as powerful as it was back then.

Dramatic, violent and a little bit bloody, AKB48's Beginner is a brutal simulation turned reality piece that is perfect for the Halloween season. With its strong visual presence and dark theme, this is the perfect music video to watch during the month of Spook, or to admire for all of its visual loveliness if you are a fan of music videos. Whatever your reason may be for turning into Beginner, you can be certain that it will entertain you and even run a chill up your spine.

And to reiterate the above warning: Before we head into the heavy pic-spam portion of this review, please be aware that this video contains scenes of violence and depictions of death, as well as images that include blood. If any of these trigger you, please do not read this review, or watch the aforementioned music video. Thank you.

It's time to head into a virtual world that bleeds into reality, but I'm not so sure we are ready to take it on... Everyone: In your position... SET!

Sins Of The Idol: Pride

Pride can be pretty, but it can become unattractive when used excessively. Though we are always told to believe in ourselves and the qualities we possess, we should do so with a little bit of modesty, as well. No one likes a egoist, after all, but we will come across them in our lives from time to time. I'm pretty sure some of our Idols are prideful, too.

Whether they are prideful in their looks (Michishige Sayumi), or in their career as a singer (Hamasaki Ayumi), an Idols pride can come in many forms. It is the pride of an Idol that keeps them singing and dancing for fans, and it is their pride and determination to one up one another that makes us like them, or feel irritation towards them. Sometimes, we are endeared to it. Other times, we are not.

As fans we can be prideful, too. We feel pride in our Idols for doing well, and we feel pride when our Idols achieve something that they were aiming for since the beginning of their career. But, this pride is not always pure - sometimes, our pride can make us vindictive and cold towards other fans, and we can let it get in the way of our love and support. Sometimes, this sin can turn us into sneering, unforgiving sods, and through it, we become truly detestable.

Just for a little bit, though, let's Sin with Pride! Just don't let it define you, fellow Wota~

Pride - The one that started it all. Considered the original form of Sin, the act of Pride is the belief in ones own abilities, and that you are inherently better, more superior and even more important than those around you. Through the act of Pride, you can forget to acknowledge your own faults and wrong-doings, whilst boasting your superiority in a variety of ways. It is also considered prideful when talking about your achievements excessively. 

Vanity, Hubris and Futility are terms that have been used to define this sin.

The colour associated with this Sin is purple.