In fact, at the beginning, to tell the truth, I don't like this kind of super girl group and their fans. But I just cannot just ignore them.
Here's the definition of the group from Wikipedia.
AKB48 is a Japanese idol girl group, initially named after the Akihabara (Akiba for short) area of Tokyo where the group's theater is located, and their original roster of 48 members. As of May 2014, the group has expanded to include 140 members whose ages range from early teens to mid-20s The idea of AKB48's producer Yasushi Akimoto was to create a girl group that, unlike a regular pop group that gives occasional concerts and that is mostly seen on television, would have its own theater and perform there on a daily basis; the fans would always be able to go and see the girls live. This "idols you can meet" concept includes the formation of different teams that are able to rotate performances and to perform simultaneously in events at various locations, as well as the organisation of "handshake" events, where fans can briefly interact with band members. Akimoto has also expanded the AKB48 concept to several sister groups throughout Japan, and also in China and Indonesia.
AKB48 born in Akibahara, where is the otaku paradise. And the group does improve the development of WOTAGEI. Also, the group has two of their own game, you can date with your idol in the game. It sounds a little bit creepy, but it is too unrealistic.
The wota of the group is very unbelievable.
AKB48′s mystique and popularity is constructed heavily on a cult of the personality, or a cult of signs of personalities (since we know nothing of the real performers’ lives). Fans grow to love the various idols, to develop and nurture favourites who they can support. This reaches a frenzy in the “Senbatsu”, or elections, events, where fans vote for which sect leader they wish to move up in the ranks. To do this they are encouraged (commanded) to buy multiple copies of merchandise (reportedly one fan notoriously personally bought 5,500 copies of the same single); the ritual of consumer purchase is dogmatic, induced. The winners of the elections then appear in the next music video and on the next single release.
Reference,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKB48
http://tokyoraconteur.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/akb48-the-new-japanese-fascism/