Star Trek › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

Wednesday 13th May, 02:39 PM JST

Six members of the pop group AKB48, holding their USS Enterprise boarding passes, stand in front of the cast and director of the new “Star Trek” movie in Tokyo on Wednesday. Back, from left: John Cho (Mr Sulu), Eric Bana (Romulan villain Nero), Chris Pine (Capt Kirk), director JJ Abrams, Zachary Quinto (Mr Spock) and Karl Urban (Dr McCoy). Abrams said he was taken to an AKB48 concert last time he was here in February, which he called a fun experience. The girls asked Abrams if they could be in the next “Star Trek” movie, hopefully as aliens who have a dance session with Capt Kirk. “Star Trek” opens in Japan on May 29.

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Latest 15 of 63 Total Comments Show All

zurcronium at 12:10 AM JST - 14th May

Reminds me of the famous tribble episode, only I think the tribbles were a little bigger and they could sing.
northlondon at 12:21 AM JST - 14th May

Obviously these little girls have simply been roped in to try and attract the attention of the 20,30,40-something male Japanese otaku who would be probably be the target audience for this movie, as well as to try and make the movie appealing to other similarly idiotic young Japanese women who want to see a kakkoi gaijin in the movie or whatever.

Obviously. Otherwise the 20/30/40-something Japanese male demographic and young Japanese women would be struggling to recognise the 'kakkoi' non-famous actors on display. Zachary who ? Karl ha ? Yep, the little girls of AKB48 are much more famous in Japan than the non-faces lined up here buddy.
TexasAggie at 12:42 AM JST - 14th May

Yep, the little girls of AKB48 are much more famous in Japan than the non-faces lined up here buddy.

Ok, if AKB40 is so famous, perhaps someone can explain why JT failed to include the names of the six kids from that group in this picture.
imacat at 12:58 AM JST - 14th May

Zachary who ?

Heroes has been quite big in Japan in case you haven't noticed. Eric Bana is also quite well known from Black Hawk Down and more recently The Other Boleyn Girl.

Yep, the little girls of AKB48 are much more famous

Hey, maybe you could get a job with a Japanese movie promotion company. Thats about the depth of their thinking... "AKB48 are cute and famous in Japan so we'll put them in front of the Star Trek crew"
airrunwesker at 01:55 AM JST - 14th May

I wonder, how much blood wa spilled to go down from 48 girls to the chosen six?
GAYMAN at 02:36 AM JST - 14th May

earth to scotty. things are getting pretty bad down here...
gamera at 02:53 AM JST - 14th May

Star Trek was good. Karl Urban was perfect as McCoy.
CultureChange at 03:08 AM JST - 14th May

Ok, the third girl from the right is the cutest, but they are all beautiful.
Weasel at 11:19 AM JST - 14th May

Think someone asked about who is John Cho - go watch "Harold & Kumar" series of movies
knowitall at 08:27 PM JST - 14th May

if AKB40 is so famous, perhaps someone can explain why JT failed to include the names of the six kids

AKB48 is, like the name says, a group of 48 girls. I doubt their manager, let alone JT, can keep track of all of them.
Airurandojin at 05:54 AM JST - 15th May

Anyone notice how short those girls all? Barely reach the guys' chest!
Good_Jorb at 06:06 AM JST - 15th May

99.9% of guys in Japan must be wondering why there are a bunch of idiots discussing Star Trek when there are members of AKB48 in maid outfits.

I doubt the percentage is that high but then again there is no accounting for some people's tastes, especially in Japan.
nigelboy at 06:37 AM JST - 15th May

I can't put my finger on it but it almost seems disrespectful to the Star Trek series and heritage.

Oh please. Trekkie=Nerds=Otaku. Peas in a pod.
Sarge at 07:49 AM JST - 15th May

This reminds me of the episode "What Are Little Girls Made Of?"

"Trekkie=Nerds=Otaku"

Trekkies are visionary people who are optimistic about humanity's future.
Sarge at 09:59 PM JST - 15th June

Finally saw Star Trek. Quite excellent. Zoe Saldana is excellent ( and hot! ) as Uhura, and Anton Yelchin is excellent as Chekov.