LEGENDARY DUO TOP IDOLS FROM NOGIZAKA46 THAT COULD MAKE JPOP WITHSTAND KPOP

Nogi will never have a member as exceptional as the Double Suns. If ever. Their positions are irreplaceable, almost reaching the original AKB Kami-7 level. But before delving further, what and who are the Double Suns? Especially it comes from original members line up who actually create what Nogizaka concept today.

The Double Suns is my term for the two top members of Nogi: Shiraishi Mai and Nishino Nanase. Why are they the top two Nogi members? Because it's a fact.

These two members are the pillars of Nogi, even though they weren't there from the very beginning. They reached this position through different means, not solely based on management's push. Not solely, in other words, they didn't just receive a massive push, but it didn't end... well, to say the least, disappointingly.

Now, why do I analogize them as Double Suns, twin suns in the Nogizaka sky? The answer is simple: their positions are unique, they represent Nogi for various appearances, and they carry the same weight and are seen as role models.

However, even though I say they are the Double Suns, they are different. In scientific terms, they can be called a binary star system. Sounds familiar? I wrote about this in an article about Gen 3. I chose Betelgeuse for Maiyan, and Antares for Naachan. They are quite distinct.

Betelgeuse, the red star at the upper left, is as big as Jupiter's orbit if it were in our solar system. Just like Betelgeuse, Maiyan has never left the upper ranks since Nogi's establishment. She wasn't initially made the front member, remember the early Nogidoko episodes? It didn't take long for her to become the face of Nogi due to her high visual value.

Clearly, it's due to her visual that management dared to give Maiyan a massive push. Is it effective? In some aspects, yes. Since "Girl's Rule," Maiyan's role as the "it girl" of Nogizaka has been irreplaceable.

Modeling became her main forte, and gradually Maiyan carried the Nogi torch through its ups and downs at that time. Even when subsequent centers emerged, Maiyan still shared the responsibility for Nogi with other Class of '92 members, as well as Gen 1 members.

Antares, at the heart of the Scorpius constellation, isn't particularly prominent or famous, but its role is significant. Just like Betelgeuse and Maiyan, Naachan was only in the 3rd row initially, but her innocent charm made her stand out.

I can say that Naachan epitomizes Nogi's image, something that sets her on a different level. Modest, a girl-next-door image, coupled with her peak popularity, couldn't have come at a better time. "Kidzuitara Kataomoi" became a song that truly highlighted Nogi's image after struggling with concepts in the beginning. if nogi was a human body, ikoma should be its head, maiyan as lung, reika as muscles, asuka as heart, naachan as its soul u know why? bcs its nishino who build the very image of nogi that we know now. that's why. at the very least, that's what Maiyan said and I do believe so.

After Naachan's emergence, Nogi's pursued image became clearer. A more straightforward idol image. This was evident from LLC's reluctance to use bikinis, but after "Kidzuitara," it expanded to a broader context. Nogi's image became more conservative, along with their songs leaning more towards pop than idol.

They both transformed Nogi's identity after the Ikomasentris era ended and Nogi entered the big game in the Idol world. A decision that bore fruit, considering their dualism, even if not immediately visible, made Nogi even more popular.

Especially after the first-ever WCenter in Nogi's history, their status as the permanent Double Suns became clear. Maiyan with her glamorous image, an "it girl" who reached a broader audience through modeling, and Naachan, the girl next door who represents Nogi's image as a whole, blended into something irreplaceable.

While their paths to the peak were different, honestly, if this scenario were to happen in another group, could it be this successful? In 48G perhaps? Honestly, I don't think so. Maybe as the easiest example, we can look at Mayuyu and Sasshi, but it comes with so much destruction.

Well, after the unshakeable duality between Maiyan and Naachan, could it be possible for The Third Sun to rise in Nogi's equator? I wouldn't hesitate to say yes, although in practice, it would take a long time. Perhaps a very long time.

Aside from the positive aspects mentioned above, there's always a flip side. The relatively bright light of the Double Suns can't allow other members to break into the elite ranks. The Class of '92 experienced it. Despite being hailed as Nogi's faces from the beginning, they couldn't reach the level expected of them until the end.

Perhaps the Double Suns will be irreplaceable. Ever. Remember, comparisons like these are what destroyed 48G. But having other members to fill their positions would be wiser, especially if they're replaced by Fukujin during the transition period. At least, they have the experience for that. At the very least, I would like to see a gap in time before someone is referred to as the successor to the Double Suns.

And for me, what's most important isn't finding a replacement for the Double Suns, but discovering another constellation that shines just as brightly as them. That's a different thing altogether.