We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Circle: AKB48 Members Join Google+

Thanks to Asiajin for pointing out that Google+ has just been invaded by famous Japanese pop idols AKB48, as well as their lesser known (at least to me) sister groups SKE48 and NMB48. What’s interesting here is that Google has created a ‘Project 48’ page, from which fans can find their favorite star, and click through to view their Google+ profile.

It’s a big catch for Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) of course, as the many of AKB48’s fans will now jump on the Google+ platform to keep tabs on their favorite stars. But admittedly, since they have all just joined, most of the profiles are not very active just yet. Although Minami Takahashi has added a few photos today, including one from this morning (see below) ostensibly at Google. Aki Takajo has posted what appears to be a picture of various cheeses in a bowl, which already has 264 shares, proving that Japanese fans think this move onto Google+ is really, really gouda.

If you’re not familiar with AKB48, you may recall that they are the same group who created a new digital bandmate once (remember Aimi Eguchi?) by creating a computerized composite of some of the other members. If you’d like to check out one of their videos, you can see ‘Heavy Rotation’ below — a very catchy tune, played over what looks to be some kinda Sgt. Pepper meets Teddy Ruxpin slumber-orgy. Now that’s brilliant marketing…