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 five teams: Team A, Team K, Team B, Team 4 and Team 8. In addition, the group also has trainees called Kenkyuusei, an international transference team, Team Kaigai, and an temporary team, Baito AKB. 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 members Matsushita Yui and Deguchi Aki have debuted as soloistsAnnually, 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.Watanabe Miyuki has debuted as soloist.
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 three teams:Team J, Team KIII and Team T. In addition, the group also has trainees called Trainee (Kenkyuusei). Former member Stella Cornelia debuted as a soloist.
The group holds the JKT48 Senbatsu Sousenkyo, where fans can vote on their favorite members.
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 three teams: Team SII, Team NII and Team HII. In addition, the group also has trainees called Research Students.
The group holds the SNH48 Senbatsu Sousenkyo, where fans can vote on their favorite members
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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. Members join the group as Kenkyuusei, being "promoted" after performing a song in a single.
Events
Annually, an election is held, called Senbatsu Sousenkyo (Senbatsu Election), where 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, Paper, Scissors) game, the Kouhaku Utagassen, with special shuffles and theUnit Matsuri, with performances from sub-units and solos.
