2021 in AKB48 Group

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

Members

• January 1: NMB48 announces disbandment of Team N, Team M, and Team BII. All promoted members will belong to NMB48.
• April 29: Miyawaki Sakura, Yabuki Nako, and Honda Hitomi finish activities with IZONE and return to their respective groups.
• 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 NMB48 Team N.
  • Kitamura Mana promoted to NMB48 Team M.
• April 9:
  • Kamijima Kaede and Mizukami Rimika promoted to HKT48 Team H.
  • Ishibashi Ibuki and Takemoto Kurumi promoted to HKT48 Team KIV.
• August 14: Hirayama Mai and Manabe Anju promoted to NMB48 members.
• October 1: All STU48 2nd generation kenkyuusei promoted to STU48 members.

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
• May 12: HKT48 - Kimi to Doko ka e Ikitai
• 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
• October 20: STU48 - Hetaretachi yo

Albums

• December 1: HKT48 - 2nd Studio Album

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~
• 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