2018 in AKB48 Group

The following is a list of events and releases that have happened, or are expected to happen in 2018 from the AKB48 Group.

The AKB48 group continued its overseas expansion by debuting four new groups outside Japan. To commemorate the 10th year of holding the Senbatsu Election, foreign AKB48 groups were also allowed to participate in the year's election and be featured on AKB48's 53rd single. Lastly, 39 members within the AKB48 Group (excluding STU48 and foreign groups) participated in the South Korean survival show, Produce 48, for an opportunity to debut in the idol group IZONE.

Members

• April 1: Iriyama Anna goes on hiatus to "study abroad" in Mexico for the telenovela Like, la leyenda.
• April 13: NGT48 holds its first team shuffle NGT48 Team Shuffle and announces formation of Team G.
• April 28: Abelaine Trinidad, Alice Margarita De Leon, Althea Itona, Alyssa Nicole Garcia, Angelica Mae Batocael, Ashley Cloud Garcia, Aubrey Binuya, Aubrey Ysabelle Delos Reyes, Carol Reyes, Cassandra Mae Pestillos, Celinedion Dionisio, Christine Ann Coloso, Coleen Trinidad, Cristine Jan Elaurza, Dana Leanne Brual, Daniella Mae Palmero, Daryll Matalino, Dian Marie Mercado, Edelvira Bandong, Edralyn Tocop, Ella Mae Amat, Erica Maria Macabutas, Ericka Joyce Sibug, Eunys Abad, Faith Shanrae Santiago, Francinne Rifol, Gabrielle Skribikin, Guinevere Faith Muse, Hazel Joy Marzonia, Jamela Magbanlac, Jemimah Caldejon, Jennifer Nandy Villaruel, Jessel Montaos, Jhona Alyanah Padillo, Kaede Ishiyama, Karina Dannah Vital, Khyan Jewel Cacapit, Kleif Guillian Almeda, Kyla Angelica Marie De Catalina, Kyle Guillian Almeda, Lara Mae Layar, Lorraine Leigh Lacumba, Lorelaine Sañosa, Loulle Angelyn Villaflores, Madelaine Epilogo, Mariz Iyog, Marsela Mari Guia, Mary Grace Buenaventura, Micaella Joy Yabut, Necca Adelan, Nica Mae Fortuno, Niña Editha Guirnalda, Polaris Yna Salazar, Princess Labay, Princess Erica Sanico, Princess Rius Briquillo, Quincy Josiah Santillan, Ruther Marie Lingat, Ruth Carla Dela Paz, Sandee Garcia, Sayaka Awane, Shaina Duran, Shaira Duran, Sharei Engbino, Sharlene Trixie Tano, Sheccaniah Faith Baler, Shekinah Arzaga, Sherry Ann Rebadulla, Valerie Joyce Daita, Vanessa Yap, Vemberneth Villanueva, and Zennae Inot join MNL48 as 1st Generation members.
• June 12: Otsuka Nanami, Ogoe Haruka, Kawagoe Saaya, Komiyama Sara, Sogabe Yume, Takazawa Tomoka, Terada Hina, Tominaga Yu, Hagiri Runa, Furusawa Mana, Furutate Aoi, Mashimo Kaho, Mimura Hino, Morohashi Hinata, Yamazaki Mirii, and Watanabe Ayusa join NGT48 as 2nd generation Kenkyuusei.
• July 28: Okamoto Rena, Ogawa Yuuka, Odan Yui, Kitamura Mana, Kobayashi Rina, Sadano Haruka, Shobu Marin, Shinzawa Nao, Deguchi Yuina, Namba Hinata, Hara Karen, Horinouchi Momoka, Miyake Yuria, and Yokono Sumire join NMB48 as 6th generation Kenkyuusei.
• October 29: Miyawaki Sakura, Yabuki Nako, and Honda Hitomi depart their respective groups to promote as IZONE for 2 years and 6 months.
• December 31: Aoumi Hinano, Akahori Kimie, Adachi Reina, Arano Himeka, Ikeda Kaede, Ishikawa Kanon, Iriuchijima Sayaka, Ohashi Mako, Oba Sayaka, Okamoto Ayaka, Kawashima Miharu, Shirai Yukino, Sugiyama Natalie, Suzuki Ena, Suzuki Kokona, Takeuchi Nanami, Tanabe Mizuki, Nakasaka Miyu, Hirano Momona, and Fujimoto Fuyuka join SKE48 as 9th generation Kenkyuusei.

Auditions

• January 21: AKB48 Group 3rd Draft Kaigi
• February 1: NGT48 announces 2nd Generation auditions.
• April 29: NMB48 announces 6th Generation auditions.
• May 27: HKT48 announces 5th Generation auditions.
• September 17: SKE48 announces 9th Generation auditions.

Kenkyuusei promotions

• May 1:
  • Okada Miku, Sakamoto Marin, and Nakamura Izumi promoted to Team S.
  • Oshiba Rinka promoted to Team KII.
  • Kurashima Ami, Shirayuki Kohaku, and Nonogaki Miki promoted to Team E.
• June 8:
  • Francinne Rifol, Niña Editha Guirnalda, and Sandee Garcia promoted to Team MII.
  • Coleen Trinidad promoted to Team NIV.
• June 30:
  • Seiji Reina, Takahashi Mau, Nishimura Nanako, and Miyajima Aya promoted to Team NIII.
  • Kado Yuria, Kusakabe Aina, Nakamura Ayuka, and Nara Miharu promoted to Team G.
• July 9: Cassandra Mae Pestillos promoted to Team MII.
• September 16:
  • Ishiguro Yuzuki and Otani Yuki promoted to Team S.
  • Nakano Airi promoted to Team KII.
  • Nishi Marina, Hirata Shiina, and Fukai Negai promoted to Team E.
• November 26:
  • Ito Yueru and Watanabe Akari promoted to Team H.
  • Baba Sayaka promoted to Team KIV.
  • Seki Ai and Matsuda Yumi promoted to Team TII.
• December 8:
  • Yamane Suzuha promoted to Team A.
  • Nagatomo Ayami and Yahagi Moeka promoted to Team K.
  • Omori Maho promoted to Team B.
  • Tada Kyoka promoted to Team 4.

Notable departures

• January 7: Sato Sumire graduates from SKE48. She is the last AKB48 7th Generation member to leave the group.
• April 4: Yagura Fuuko graduates from NMB48.
• April 18: Kitahara Rie graduates from NGT48.
• April 30: Ichikawa Miori graduates from NMB48.
• November 4: Yamamoto Sayaka graduates from NMB48.

Releases

Singles

• January 15: SKE48 - Muishiki no Iro
• January 31: STU48 - Kurayami
• March 14: AKB48 - Jabaja
• April 4: NMB48 - Yokubomono
• April 11: NGT48 - Haru wa Doko kara kuru no ka?
• May 2: HKT48 - Hayaokuri Calendar
• May 30: AKB48 - Teacher Teacher
• July 4: SKE48 - Ikinari Punch Line
• September 19: AKB48 - Sentimental Train
• October 3: NGT48 - Sekai no Hito e
• October 17: NMB48 - Boku Datte naichau yo
• November 28: AKB48 - NO WAY MAN
• December 12: SKE48 - Stand by you
• December 19: Fortune cherry - Himawari no Nai Sekai

Albums

• January 24: AKB48 - Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake wo Shitteiru

Events

• January 5: LAGUNA MUSIC FES.2018 New Year Special
• June 16: AKB48 53rd Single Sekai Senbatsu Sousenkyo 〜Sekai no Center wa Dare da?〜
• October 14: SKE48 LIVE in LAGUNA
• December 1: AKB48 Group Unit Janken Tournament 2018
• December 31: Countdown Performance 2018 → 2019

Concerts

• January 13:
  • AKB48 Team 8 Senbatsu Concert ~Bokutachi wa Nekkyou Suru~
  • NGT48 Tandoku Concert ~Mirai wa Doko Made Aozora na no ka?~
• January 14:
  • Hotei Sokudo to Yuuetsukan Fresh All Stars Concert ~Zero Position no Mirai~
  • AKB48 16th Generation Concert ~Kimi no Namae wo Shiritai~
  • AKB48 Group Seijin Shiki Concert ~Otona ni Nanka Naru Mono ka~
• January 15: Nakai Rika Solo Concert ~Nakai Rika Campaign Chuu~
• January 16: Okada Nana Solo Concert ~Watashi ga Taisetsu ni Shitai Mono~
• January 17: Yokoyama Yui Solo Concert ~Jitsubutsu-dai no Kibou~
• January 18: Sashihara Rino Solo Concert ~Idol to wa Nanka?~
• January 21: STU48 Tandoku Concert ~Fan ni Natte Kudasai~
• January 28 - October 13: Team 8 National Tour 〜47 no Suteki na Machi e〜 2018
• February 25 - February 27: HKT48 Spring Arena Tour 2018 ～Kore ga Hakata no yorikata da!～
• March 31: SKE48 Tandoku Concert ~Sakae Fan Nyuugakushiki~
• April 1: AKB48 Tandoku Concert ~Jabajatte Nani?~
• April 13: NGT48 Tandoku Concert ~Toki wa Kita! Niigata kara Zenkoku e!~
• April 28: SKE48 Tandoku Concert 10-Shuunen Totsunyuu Haru no Fan Matsuri! ~Tomodachi 100-nin Dekiru ka na?~
• June 16: AKB48 53rd Single Sekai Senbatsu Sousenkyo Concert ~Sekai no Center wa Dare da?~
• July 30 - September 28: NMB48 LIVE TOUR 2018 in Summer
• August 1: AKB48 Group Kanshasai ~Rank in Concert~ (Senbatsu Sousenkyo Rank-in (17th-100th) members performance)
• August 2: AKB48 Group Kanshasai ~Rank in Concert~ (Senbatsu Sousenkyo Rank-in (2nd-16th) members performance)
• August 3 - August 5: Tokyo Idol Festival 2018
• August 6: Mihama Kaiyuusai 2018 SKE48 Special Live show supported BY AiiA
• August 8: 8gatsu 8nichi wa Eito no Hi Natsu da! Eito da! Pitto Matsuri 2018
• August 13: AKB48 Group Kanshasai ~Rank-gai Concert~ 2018
• September 8 - October 3: STU48 Charity Concert Tour "Ganbarou! Setouchi"

Request Hour

• January 19 - January 20: AKB48 Group Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2018
• September 15 - September 16: SKE48 Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2018

Graduation

• April 3: Ichikawa Miori Graduation Concert ~Ima ga shun! Namba Sodachi Fresh Lemon, Shukka Shimasu~
• April 4: Yagura Fuuko Graduation Concert ~Onaji Sora no Shita de~
• April 14: Kitahara Rie Graduation Concert ~Yume no 1115-nichi Niigata no Onna ni Narimashita!~
• April 16: Ichikawa Miori Graduation Concert ~Ima ga shun! Saitama-ken san Fresh Lemon, Shukka Shimasu~
• October 27: SAYAKA SONIC ～Sayaka, Sasayaka, Sayonara, Sayaka～

Anniversaries

• September 28 - October 5:
  • SKE48 10th Anniversary Revival Performance
  • SKE48 10th Anniversary Concert
• October 2 - October 17: NMB48 8th Anniversary LIVE
• November 26: 777 n Tettatte HKT48 ~7th Anniversary wa Tenjin de Dai Fiber~
• December 8: AKB48 13th Anniversary

Other

• January 15 - March 26: SETOBINGO! airs on Nippon Television.
• April 3 - June 26: First season of SKE48 ga Hitoffuro Abisasete Itadakimasu! airs.
• April 10: AKB48 Dice Caravan releases on mobile devices.
• June 15 - August 31: Produce 48 airs on Mnet.
• July 2: Arcana no Himitsu releases on mobile devices.
• July 19 - July 22: Team 8 performs the stage play KISS KISS KISS.
• July 25 - September 26: Majimuri Gakuen airs on NTV.
• August 16: AKB48 Beat Carnival releases on mobile devices.
• September 4 - December 25: Second season of SKE48 ga Hitoffuro Abisasete Itadakimasu! airs.
• October 19: SKE48 releases new documentary DOCUMENTARY OF SKE48 "Idol".
• November 28: NMB48 no Mahjong Teppen Tottande! releases on mobile devices.
• December 24: AKB48 releases new documentary Legend of AKB48: New Chapter.