Having seen 3 episodes, I know how Nova deceived me, and I know why he did it. It's all right.

There are many ways to love AKB0048. One is to look at the manual and agree with J.P.: "how can anyone hate a show with micsabers, ita-mecha, cylume claws, and ak-48s?" (he forgot the ghost octopii). Another is to be a fan of AKB48. And many more. Not being big on kitsch nor a fan of 3D, I'll have to invent my own.

Characters work to carry the anime for me thus far. Nagisa, of course. But even comic reliefs like Sonata and Mikoto, and thin expositions of the active members and Tsubasa. I love them all. That is the main thing.

As far as things going down wrong, their names are a legion. The 3D is plain ugly and loses to iM@S game by a mile - as played by consumer equipment. The butt-wiggle was amusing, but otherwise – not good. The world creation is questionable (even if Otou-san managed to select perhaps exactly 1 right thing to challenge). Worse, it's derivative. How many anime have you seen where an industrial city has a hole in the middle? Castle Laputa, Escaflowne? I was told that similarity with Macross Frontier as striking as well. I suppose an argument can be made how cliches are there to create a comfortable familiarity, but still, maybe just a bit of a personal touch, please.

But it is all immaterial. I just want to "spend time" with Nagisa and Co., to borrow from SDB (can't find a link, sorry).

P.S. Look at Nagisa at the lead picture above. Look at her, goddamit. This is the top idol material in the way Haruka (Amami) never was, not even when she beat Miki to the play lead.