I watched an episode of Shirisugi,it is about interviewing the different fans of AKB48.
I must say OMG...they are really the strongest otaku fans i ever seen.There is one person who is a crazy fan of AKB48,he have every single singles and albums of AKB48...ok maybe that's not really crazy but guess what? HE BOUGHT ONE BOX OF EACH SINGLE AND ALBUM INSTEAD! Yes,inside a box contain at least 30 to even 150 copies of EACH singles and albums,that's damn crazy! The purpose is because every single or album contain a certain invitation voucher...mostly for event like handshaking event or autograph.
Every single and album of AKB48 actually contain a purpose to it.Like the current new single Ponytail to Shou Shou,the purpose of the sale is contributed to the Senbatsu Election that is coming to determine the ranking of the members.Of course,the vote goes only to the local...oversea people cannot vote (so there is no reason for oversea fans to buy one whole box,unless you are crazy).
Not only that,he has lot of photos taken with AKB48 members and even have signatures on it.He say each cost like 500000 yen around there (the more members he took photo with,the more expensive it is).
He is a part of a group who call themselves god something.This group all the guys average of 30+ years old,they are a group of otakus for AKB48! One of them attend AKB48 performance concerts like 920 times.Another one of them his car he say the seat on his left no one is suppose to sit,because it is reserve for his favourite idol! The seat was decorate with his favourite AKB48 member stuffs.
One more crazy fan is that "she" like AKB48 till "she" hope she can part of the group! Notice i put "she",yes "she" is actually a guy but undergo sex change before."she" mention that "she" even written letter before to Akimoto (the guy who created AKB48) to request to join the group!
I catched a glimpse of how AKB48 shop look like in the show as well when they interview a group of fans which contain 3 girls and 1 guy,they dance AKB48 dances in front of the shop!
Now take a look at AKB48 online shop...every single stock sold out like in an instant!
Dominic,if you reading it...i think you must thinking in your mind like wtf these people are mad!