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.
- Chen JiaYi, Wang XiaoYang, Wu Fan, Zeng Yi, Zhang YiLin, and Zhu JingChen join AKB48 Team SH as 4th generation Trainees.
December 5: SGO48 announces they will disband after the group's third anniversary.
December 8: AKB48 holds its sixth team shuffle AKB48 16th Anniversary Team Shuffle.

August 14: NMB48 announces 8th Generation auditions.
September 18: STU48 announces New Wave Project auditions in conjunction with the Actor's School Hiroshima.
November 26: HKT48 announces 6th Generation auditions.
December 8: AKB48 announces 17th Generation auditions.
December 18: SKE48 announces 11th Generation auditions.

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.
December 18: SKE48 announces promotion of all 10th Generation members, which will take effect on January 15, 2022.

March 15: Yamamoto Ayaka graduates from NMB48.
April 30: Matsui Jurina and Takayanagi Akane graduate from SKE48. Matsui was the last 1st Generation member to leave the group.
May 22: Minegishi Minami graduates from AKB48. She was the last 1st Generation and original Team A 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 was the last 1st Generation member to leave the group.
November 8: Ogino Yuka graduates from NGT48.
December 9: Yokoyama Yui graduates from AKB48.
December 22: Châu Ngọc Đoan Thảo, Huỳnh Ngô Kim Châu, Lê Mẫn Nghi, Lê Phạm Thuỷ Tiên, Lê Sunny, Lê Thị Thu Nga, Ngô Thị Cẩm Nhi, Nguyễn Hồ Trùng Dương, Nguyễn Lê Ngọc Ánh Sáng, Nguyễn Thanh Hoàng My, Nguyễn Thị Minh Thư, Nguyễn Thị Nhi, Nguyễn Trương Tường Vy, Phạm Lâm Ánh Trúc, Trần Cát Tường, Trần Lý Minh Thư, Võ Ngọc Xuân Ca, Võ Phan Kim Khánh, and Vương Mai Linh graduate from SGO48, following the group's disbandment.
December 28: Oya Shizuka graduates from AKB48. She was the last 4th Generation member to leave the group.

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

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
November 26: HKT48 10th Anniversary Special Performance
December 8: AKB48 16th Anniversary