AKB48

AKB48 is a Japanese female idol group that began performing in Akihabara, Tokyo, in 2005. Built around the idea of “idols you can meet,” it made regular performances at its dedicated theatre the center of its activity. The group held its first theatre show on 8 December 2005 and released “Sakura no Hanabiratachi” in 2006. Its lineup has continually evolved through multiple teams, auditions and member graduations. By linking theatre shows, fan events, television appearances and large concerts with an extensive catalogue of singles and stage songs, AKB48 established an influential model for Japanese idol culture from the late 2000s onward.