Main Page

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AKB48 (February 2014)

SKE48 (March 2014)

NMB48 (March 2014)

HKT48 (February 2014)

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JKT48 (March 2014)

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SNH48 (December 2013)

Nogizaka46 (November 2013)

Welcome to STAGE48, the first and only English AKB48 network. Here you will find all you need to know about the theatre idol group AKB48 and their sister and rival groups. Have a gander around the website, and make sure to stop by the forum! If you want to contribute, check our Help page.

AKB48

AKB48 is a Japanese idol group based in Akihabara, Tokyo, where they have their own theater in Don Quixote. The group, established in 2005, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and is signed under King Records, originally from DefSTAR RECORDS/Sony Music Japan. Currently the group consists of four teams: Team A, Team K, Team B and Team 4. In addition, the group also has trainees called Kenkyuusei, and an international transference team, Team Kaigai. They hold the record for highest overall single sales for a female group on the Oricon charts and also hold the Guinness World Record for world's "largest pop group".

The group also has five sub-units: No Sleeves, established in 2008, Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, established in 2009, French Kiss, established in 2010, and Not yet and DiVA, both established in 2011. Iwasa Misaki, Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, Takahashi Minami, Kuramochi Asuka and also the former members Itano Tomomi, Kasai Tomomi, Maeda Atsuko, Oshima Mai, Ono Erena and Hayano Kaoru have debuted as soloists.

SKE48

SKE48 is a Japanese idol group based in Sakae, Nagoya, where they have their own theater in Sunshine Sakae. The group, established in 2008, is the first AKB48 sister group. It is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and signed under avex trax, originally from Nippon Crown records. Currently the group consists of three teams: Team S, Team KII and Team E. In addition, the group also has trainees called Kenkyuusei. Matsumura Kaori and former member Matsushita Yui have debuted as soloists.

Annually, the group holds the SKE48 Request Hour, where the fans vote on their favorite songs.

NMB48

NMB48 is a Japanese idol group based in Namba, Osaka, where they have their own theater in the Yes-Namba Building. The group, established in 2010, is the second AKB48 sister group. It is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and managed by Yoshimoto. They are signed under laugh out loud records. Currently the group consists of three teams: Team N, Team M and Team BII. In addition, the group also has trainees called Kenkyuusei.

Annually, the group holds the NMB48 Request Hour, where the fans vote on their favorite songs.

HKT48

HKT48 is a Japanese idol group based in Hakata, Fukuoka, where they have their own theater in Hawks Town Mall. The group, established in 2011, is the third AKB48 sister group. It is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and signed under Universal Music Japan. Currently the group consists of two teams: Team H and Team KIV. In addition, the group also has trainees called Kenkyuusei. Sashihara Rino has debuted as a soloist.

JKT48

JKT48 is an Indonesian idol group based in Jakarta, where they have their own theater in fX Sudirman. The group, established in 2011, is the first international AKB48 sister group. It is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and signed under HITS Records. Currently the group consists of two teams: Team J and Team KIII. In addition, the group also has trainees called Kenkyuusei.

TPE48

TPE48 is a projected Taiwanese idol group based in Taipei. Announced in 2011, the status of this group is currently unknown.

SNH48

SNH48 is a Chinese idol group based in Shanghai, where they have their own theater. The group, established in 2012, is the third international AKB48 sister group. However, because TPE48 has not begun activity, it is often considered to be the second. It is produced by Akimoto Yasushi. Currently the group consists of two teams: Team SII and Team NII.

SDN48

SDN48 was a Japanese idol group known to be the "mature version" of AKB48, only with members aged 20 or above. The group, established in 2008, was produced by Akimoto Yasushi and signed under Universal Music Japan. There were no teams in the group, with the members being divided by generation instead: 1st Generation, 2nd Generation and 3rd Generation. All the members have graduated from the group, that disbanded on March 31, 2012.

OJS48

OJS48 was a male Japanese Group, with former Osaka police officers and detectives, with an average age of 61 years old. The group, produced by Akimoto Yasushi, released only one single. All the members have graduated from the group, that disbanded on the same year of its formation, 2010.

Nogizaka46

Nogizaka46 is a Japanese idol group. The group, established in 2010, is the first AKB48 rival group, produced by Akimoto Yasushi and signed under Sony Music Entertainment Japan. There are no teams in the group, with the members being divided by generation instead: 1st Generation and 2nd Generation. However, the 2nd Generation members are sometimes referred to as Kenkyuusei (Research Students).

Events

Annually, an election is held, called Senbatsu Sousenkyo (Senbatsu Election), where the fans can vote on their favorite members from AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48. The same happens on Request Hour, where the fans vote on their favorite songs. In 2013, a new event, the AKB48 Group Draft Kaigi, was announced.

The group also holds annually the Janken Tournament, where the Senbatsu members are selected by a Janken (Rock, Scissors and Paper) game, the Kouhaku Utagassen, with special shuffles and the Unit Matsuri, with performances from sub-units and solos.