AKB48 is a Japanese idol girl group formed on December 8, 2005. As of 2024, the group consists of 43 members, including 30 official members and 13 trainees.[1][2]
The member lineup often changes as members graduate from the group and are replaced by members promoted from trainee status. Monica Hesse of The Washington Post describes the AKB48 audition process as "American Idol-esque".[3]
The group has publicized special events for choosing the promotional and recording lineup for some of its singles.[4] In 2009, the concept of sōsenkyo (総選挙, "general elections") was introduced.[5] To obtain a ballot, voters have to buy the group's latest "election single",[6] or sign up for the official paid fanclub. The members who receive the most votes will get to participate in the recording of AKB48's next single,[5] and are heavily promoted.[7] The highest voted member earns the right to be the center performer during the group's live performances.[4][6]
Narumi Kuranoo is the current leader or "general manager" of AKB48 and all of its sister groups.[8] The results from AKB48's annual general elections from 2009–2018 are included.
Members are listed by order below as they appear on the official website's roster as of July 1, 2024[update].[2]
Official members
Key
Denotes elections that the member did not take part in
N/A
Denotes elections the member took part in but did not rank
Trainees (研究生, kenkyūsei) are members who have entered the group but have not been assigned or promoted to a fixed team. Currently the trainees are 18th generation-members who were introduced on April 9, 2023, and 19th generation-members who were introduced on March 17, 2024.
^"AKB48、第17期生11名お披露目 最年少は14歳、メンバー実妹も" [AKB48, 17th generation 10 trainess unveiled, The youngest is 14 years old, including member's sister]. modelpress (in Japanese). April 20, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
^"AKB48 13thシングル選抜総選挙 結果発表" [13th single selection general election result announced]. AKB48 Official Blog (in Japanese). Ameblo.jp. July 8, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
^"AKB48 選抜総選挙 結果" [AKB48 Selection Election]. AKB48 Official Blog (in Japanese). Ameblo.jp. June 9, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
^"AKB48 22ndシングル選抜総選挙結果" [AKB48 22nd Single selection Election]. AKB48 Official Blog (in Japanese). Ameblo.jp. June 10, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
^"AKB48 27thシングル選抜総選挙 開票結果" [AKB48 27th Single selection election vote counting result]. AKB48 Official Blog (in Japanese). Ameblo.jp. June 6, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
^"AKB48 32ndシングル 選抜総選挙" [32nd single selection elections]. AKB48 Official Site (in Japanese). June 8, 2013.
^"AKB48 37thシングル 選抜総選挙" [37th single selection elections]. AKB48 Official Site (in Japanese). June 7, 2014.
^"AKB48 41stシングル 選抜総選挙" [41st single selection elections]. AKB48 Official Site (in Japanese). June 6, 2015.
^AKB48 45thシングル 選抜総選挙 [45th single selection elections]. AKB48 Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved July 8, 2016.
^"『第10回AKB48 世界選抜総選挙』完全レポート『全100位メンバーコメント&会場フォト』" [“10th AKB48 World Senbatsu General Election” Complete Report “All 100th Place Member Comments & Venue Photos”]. ORICON NEWS. Retrieved March 19, 2024.