2021 in AKB48 Group

The following is a list of events and releases that have happened, or are expected to happen in 2021 from the AKB48 Group.

Like in 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in several releases, concerts, and events being cancelled, postponed, or scaled back.

Members

• January 1: NMB48 announces disbandment of Team N, Team M, and Team BII. All promoted members will belong to NMB48, while Kenkyuusei will remain intact.
• March 14: JKT48 announces disbandment of Team J, Team KIII, Team T, and JKT48 Academy. All members will belong to JKT48.
• April 29: Miyawaki Sakura, Yabuki Nako, and Honda Hitomi finish activities with IZONE and return to their respective groups.
• May 21: Akiyoshi Yuka, Ikeda Yura, Okada Nana, Nojima Kano, Furuhata Nao, Mimura Hino, Yano Honoka, Yamauchi Suzuran, and Yamasaki Amiru form the unit Nona Diamonds, as the winning members of the AKB48 Group Third Singing Contest.
• August 14: Lee Siyeon joins NMB48 as a 7.5th generation Kenkyuusei.

Auditions

• August 14: NMB48 announces 8th Generation auditions

Kenkyuusei promotions

• January 1:
  • Namba Hinata promoted to Team N.
  • Kitamura Mana promoted to Team M.
• February 13: Allyza Mae Roxas, Bhrianna Chriszell Chua, Jana Ross Angeles, Kathlene Claire Apduhan, and Klaryle Mercado promoted to MNL48 Team Unknown.
• March 12: Adzana Shaliha, Indah Cahya, Kathrina Irene, and Marsha Lenathea promoted to JKT48.
• April 9:
  • Kamijima Kaede and Mizukami Rimika promoted to Team H.
  • Ishibashi Ibuki and Takemoto Kurumi promoted to Team KIV.
• July 1: Mheijie Calis promoted to MNL48 Team Unknown.
• August 14: Hirayama Mai and Manabe Anju promoted to NMB48.
• October 1: Ikeda Yura, Imaizumi Miria, Utsumi Rine, Osaki Serika, Kawamata Anna, Kawamata Yuuna, Kudo Riko, Kojima Aiko, Sako Himeka, Shimizu Sara, Suzuki Ayaka, Takao Sayaka, Taguchi Reika, Tanaka Miho, Nakahiro Yayoi, Harada Sayaka, Minami Yurina, Muneyuki Rika, Yoshizaki Rinko, Yoshida Sara, Rissen Momoka, and Watanabe Natsuki promoted to STU48 2nd Generation.
• November 11: Aubrey Lopez, Charmaine Tosoc, Christine Joyce Dela Cruz, Rachel Frances Suazo promoted to MNL48 Team Unknown.

Notable departures

• March 15: Yamamoto Ayaka graduates from NMB48.
• April 30: Matsui Jurina and Takayanagi Akane graduate from SKE48. Matsui is the last 1st Generation member to leave the group.
• May 22: Minegishi Minami graduates from AKB48. She is the last 1st Generation member to leave the group.
• May 29: Moriyasu Madoka graduates from HKT48.
• June 19: Miyawaki Sakura graduates from HKT48.
• August 8: Yabushita Fu graduates from STU48.
• August 31: Shiroma Miru graduates from NMB48. She is the last 1st Generation member to leave the group.

Releases

Singles

• February 3: SKE48 - Koi Ochi Flag
• February 17: STU48 - Hitorigoto de Kataru Kurainara
• March 10: HKT48 - 14th Single postponed due to COVID-19
• March 17: JKT48 - Darashinai Aishikata
• March 21: CGM48 - Mali
• April 8: AKB48 Team SH - Iiwake Maybe
• April 21: Baby Blue - Stuck On You
• May 12: HKT48 - Kimi to Doko ka e Ikitai
• May 24: BNK48 - D.AAA
• June 16: NMB48 - Shidare Yanagi
• June 23: NGT48 - Awesome
• June 30: Nona Diamonds - Hajimari no Uta
• September 1: SKE48 - Ano Koro no Kimi wo Mitsuketa
• September 29: AKB48 - Ne mo Ha mo Rumor
• September 30: AKB48 Team SH - Qian Qiu Ling
• October 15: AKB48 Team TP - Ticktock Promise
• October 20: STU48 - Hetaretachi yo

Digital

• June 20: HKT48 - Omoide ni Suru ni wa Mada Hayasugiru

Albums

• June 16: Coming Flavor - Kamifure!
• December 1: HKT48 - Outstanding

Concerts

• January 16: Shinshun STU48 Concert 2021 ~Setouchi kara GO TO Budoukan~
• March 2: NAMBATTLE ~Tatakawana NMB Chauyarou!~
• April 24: MUNAKATA FES 2021
• May 1 - May 23: Team 8 National Tour ~47 no Suteki na Machi e~ 2021
• May 23: AKB48 Tandoku Concert 2021 〜Suki Naraba, Suki da to Iou~
• June 10 - June 13: AKB48 THE AUDISHOW
• June 20: Maken Gumi Fes 2021
• June 26: AKB48 Group Asia Festival 2021 ONLINE
• July 9 - July 11: Zepp Osaka Bayside 3DAYS LIVE
• July 11 - August 21: SKE48 Summer Zepp Tour
• July 17 - September 12: STU48 Setouchi Summer Tour 2021 ~Sunglass Days~
• August 14:
  • NMB48 LIVE 2021 in Hatsu Natsu ~HATSU NATSU! HATSU RATSU!~
  • NMB48 Next Generation Concert ~Tatakawana Jisedai Chauyaro!~
• August 27 - August 29: JAM EXPO 2020-2021
• September 12
  • MX Natsu Matsuri AKB48 2021 ~Saigo no Summer Party!~
  • STU48 2ki Kenkyuusei Setouchi Summer Tour〜Shoukaku e no Michi・Kessen wa Nichiyoubi〜
• September 25 - September 26: SKE48 Nihon Gaishi Hall 13th Anniversary Concert
• October 3 - October 5: Tokyo Idol Festival 2021

Request Hour

• January 22 - January 24: AKB48 Ouchi de Member Request Hour 2021
• July 24: HKT48 Request Hour Setlist Best 50 2021

Graduation

• March 3: Yamamoto Ayaka Graduation Concert ~Saigo no Isshoku~
• April 10: SKE48 Arena Concert in Nihon Gaishi Hall Watashi no Kizashi, Mina no Kizashi ~Akane ma Churi da!~
• April 11: Matsui Jurina Graduation Concert
• May 22: Minegishi Minami Graduation Concert ~Sakura no Sakanai Haru wa Nai~
• May 29: HKT48 Concert Minna Genki ni Shitotta? ~Moriyasu Madoka Graduation Ceremony~
• May 29 - May 30: Shiroma Miru's Graduation Concert postponed due to COVID-19
• June 19: HKT48 Miyawaki Sakura Graduation Concert ~Bouquet~
• August 8: STU48 Yabushita Fu Graduation Concert ~Fu ga Ita Koto~
• August 15: NMB48 Shiroma Miru Graduation Concert ~Mirurun, Sarurun, Arigatou♡~

Anniversaries

• March 13:
  • STU48 4th Anniversary Concert ~Bokura wa Koko kara ga Sugoizo!~
  • STU48 4th Anniversary Concert ~Sao Mirai wo Sagashi ni Ikou ka?~
• October 5: SKE48 13th Anniversary Concert
• November 3: NMB48 11th Anniversary Live