List of AKB48 members

AKB48 is a Japanese idol girl group formed on December 8, 2005. As of 2024, the group consists of 42 members, including 29 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 September 30, 2024.[2]

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ a b "AKB48公式サイト｜メンバー情報 (AKB48 Official Site – Member List)". AKB48 Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved January 31, 2021. List is subject to change from graduations and transfers.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  3. ^ Hesse, Monica (March 27, 2012). "Japanese girl group AKB48 breezes through D.C. in whirlwind of cuteness". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Japan's AKB48, a girl pop group whose lineup is chosen by fans, set to go global". Daily News. New York. Associated Press. June 12, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  5. ^ a b AKB48 (February 14, 2011). What is AKB48? / AKB48 [Official] (in Japanese and English). YouTube. Retrieved June 29, 2011.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b St. Michel, Patrick; Kikuchi, Daisuke (May 31, 2012). "AKB48 'election' shows marketing brilliance". The Japan Times. p. 17.
  7. ^ "Girl idol group about mass exposure, fans". The Japan Times. August 24, 2010. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  8. ^ "AKB48横山由依&向井地美音、新旧総監督が思い明かす". Modelpress (in Japanese). Netnative. April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.