AKB48

AKB48 (Akihabara48) is a Japanese all-female idol group based in Akihabara, Tokyo. Formed in 2005 by Akimoto Yasushi with a concept of "idols you can meet" and have them perform in their own theater where the can rotate, perform multiple shows and hold handshake events. 

AKB48 Theater is in the Don Quijote store in Akihabara, Tokyo. Their musical style is basically "bubblegum pop and synchronized dancing", singing in solo, duo, trio or in chorus.

They rank alongside the likes of Morning Musume, Perfume, Momoiro Clover Z, Nogizaka46, Cute, E-Girls as the best JPop groups in Japan.

AKB48 has sister groups in Japan - SKE48, HKT48, NMB48, NGT48, STU48 and overseas in Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Vietnam and India collectively referred to as AKB48 Group.

The group has a staggering 140+ members divided into Team A, Team K, Team B, Team 4 and Team 8. They also have a Trainees group called Kenkyuusei, and an international transference team called Team Kaigai. Below picture is from June 2018.

Few of these members have become Absolute Legends:

Facts As of Jan 2020:

• AKB48 is the second-best-selling music artist in Japan by sales (60+ million)
• Highest overall single sales for a female group on the Oricon (Japan) charts
• Guinness World Record for world's "largest Pop group" in 2010 when they had 48 members
• In 2011 Record Sales in Japan estimated to be over $200 million
• June 2018, they have sold over 56 million records/singles including over 6 million albums 
• As per Oricon, 11,787,000 singles sold as of January 6, 2012 - the most by a Female Group
• 12 #1 Singles to top Oricon TOP10 Weekly Singles Chart

Billboard Japan Top 100 Records - RANKED BY PERFORMANCE ON CHART

• 13 No. #1 HITS
• 14 TOP 10 HITS
• Total 18 SONGS

Best Songs/Featured Hits:

Associated 48 Groups Acts: SKE48 - Chime Wa Love Song HKT48 - Make Noise  HKT48 - Tomaranai Kanransha HKT48 - Buttaoreru Made STU48 - Omoidasete Yokatta

Discography:

Singles (Released upto March 2019):

• [2006.02.01] Sakura no Hanabiratachi (桜の花びらたち; Cherry Blossom Petals)
• [2006.06.07] Skirt, Hirari (スカート、ひらり; Skirt, Flutters)
• [2006.10.25] Aitakatta (会いたかった; I Wanted to Meet You)
• [2007.01.31] Seifuku ga Jama wo Suru (制服が邪魔をする; My School Uniform Gets in the Way)
• [2007.04.18] Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou (軽蔑していた愛情; Scorned Love)
• [2007.07.18] Bingo!
• [2007.08.08] Boku no Taiyou (僕の太陽; My Sun)
• [2007.10.31] Yuuhi wo Miteiru ka? (夕陽を見ているか?; Do You See the Sunset?)
• [2008.01.23] Romance, Irane (ロマンス、イラネ; No Need for Romance)
• [2008.02.27] Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008 (桜の花びらたち2008; Cherry Blossom Petals 2008)
• [2008.10.22] Oogoe Diamond (大声ダイヤモンド; Diamond Shout)
• [2009.03.04] 10nen Zakura (10年桜; 10-Year Cherry Blossoms)
• [2009.06.24] Namida Surprise! (涙サプライズ!; Tearful Surprise!)
• [2009.08.26] Iiwake Maybe (言い訳Maybe; Maybe It's an Excuse)
• [2009.10.21] RIVER
• [2010.02.17] Sakura no Shiori (桜の栞; Cherry Blossom Bookmark)
• [2010.05.26] Ponytail to Shushu (ポニーテールとシュシュ; Ponytail and Scrunchie)
• [2010.08.18] Heavy Rotation (ヘビーローテーション)
• [2010.10.27] Beginner
• [2010.12.08] Chance no Junban (チャンスの順番; My Turn by Chance)
• [2011.02.16] Sakura no Ki ni Narou (桜の木になろう; Let's Become a Cherry Tree)
• [2011.05.25] Everyday, Katyusha (Everyday、カチューシャ; Everyday, Headband)
• [2011.08.24] Flying Get (フライングゲット)
• [2011.10.26] Kaze wa Fuiteiru (風は吹いている; The Wind is Blowing)
• [2011.12.07] Ue Kara Mariko (上からマリコ; Mariko from the Top)
• [2012.02.15] Give Me Five!
• [2012.05.23] Manatsu no Sounds Good! (真夏のSounds Good!; Midsummer's Sounds Good!)
• [2012.08.29] Gingham Check (ギンガムチェック)
• [2012.10.31] UZA
• [2012.12.05] Eien Pressure (永遠プレッシャ; Eternal Pressure)
• [2013.02.20] So long!
• [2013.05.22] Sayonara Crawl (さよならクロール; Goodbye Crawl)
• [2013.08.21] Koi Suru Fortune Cookie (恋するフォーチュンクッキー; In Love With Fortune Cookie)
• [2013.10.30] Heart Ereki (ハート・エレキ; Heart Electric)
• [2013.12.11] Suzukake Nanchara (鈴懸なんちゃら)
• [2014.02.26] Mae Shika Mukanee (前しか向かねえ; I Only Look Forward)
• [2014.05.21] Labrador Retriever (ラブラドール･レトリバー)
• [2014.08.27] Kokoro no Placard (心のプラカード; Heart's Placard)
• [2014.11.28] Kibouteki Refrain (希望的リフレイン; Hopeful Refrain)
• [2015.03.04] Green Flash
• [2015.05.20] Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai (僕たちは戦わない; We Won't Fight)
• [2015.08.26] Halloween Night (ハロウィーン・ナイト)
• [2015.12.09] Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby (唇に Be My Baby; In Lips Be My Baby)
• [2016.03.09] Kimi wa Melody (君はメロディ; You're a Melody)
• [2016.06.01] Tsubasa wa Iranai (翼はいらない; I Don't Need Wings)
• [2016.08.31] LOVE TRIP/Shiawase wo Wakenasai (LOVE TRIP / しあわせを分けなさい; Share Your Happiness)
• [2016.11.16] High Tension (ハイテンション)
• [2017.03.15] Shoot Sign
• [2017.05.31] Negaigoto no Mochigusare
• [2017.08.30] #SukiNanda
• [2017.11.22] 11-gatsu no Anklet (11月のアンクレット)
• [2018.03.14] Jabaja (ジャーバージャ)
• [2018.05.30] Teacher Teacher
• [2018.09.19] Sentimental Train (センチメンタルトレイン)
• [2018.11.28] NO WAY MAN
• [2019.03.13] Jiwaru DAYS (ジワるDAYS)

Digital Singles:

• [2008.06.13] Baby! Baby! Baby!
• [2011.04.01] Dareka no Tame ni -What can I do for someone?- <Haishin Gentei Charity Song> (誰かのために -What can I do for someone?- ＜配信限定チャリティソング＞)
• [2013.03.08] Tenohira ga Kataru Koto

Studio Albums:

• [2011.06.08] Koko ni Ita Koto (ここにいたこと)
• [2012.08.15] 1830m
• [2014.01.22] Tsugi no Ashiato (次の足跡)
• [2015.01.21] Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!
• [2017.01.25] Thumbnail

Best of AKB48 / Greatest Hits:

• [2008.01.01] SET LIST ~Greatest Songs 2006-2007~ (SET LIST～グレイテストソングス 2006-2007～)
• [2010.04.07] Kamikyokutachi (神曲たち; Godly Songs)
• [2010.07.14] SET LIST ~Greatest Songs Kanzenban~ (SET LIST～グレイテストソングス～完全盤; SET LIST ~Greatest Songs~ Complete Edition)
• [2015.11.18] Zero to Ichi no Aida