2020 in AKB48 Group

The following is a list of events and releases that occurred in 2020 from the AKB48 Group.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several releases, concerts, and events were cancelled, postponed, or scaled back.

Members

• March 15: Allyza Mae Roxas, Aubrey Lopez, Bhrianna Chua, Charmaine Tosoc, Christine Joyce Dela Cruz, Glaciana Marie Pelagio, Jana Ross Angeles, Jashmin Iballo, Kathlene Apduhan, Klaryle Mercado, Lorraine Pingol, Mheijie Calis, Miyaka Montoro, Querubin Gonzalez, Rachel Frances Suazo, and Yiesha Amera Ungad join MNL48 as 3rd generation Trainees.
• March 26: Jillian Shane Pilones join MNL48 as a 3rd generation Trainee.
• April 15: AKB48 launches OUC48 (short for Ouchi kara, nippon wo genki ni) to support Japan's stay-at-home order.
• September 12: Asao Momoka, Orisaka Koharu, Kameno Zion, Kuroda Fuuwa, Satsuki Aika, Sumino Wakana, Hayakawa Yuna, Hirayama Mai, Manabe Anju, Yoshino Misaki, and Wada Miyu join NMB48 as 7th generation Kenkyuusei.

Auditions

• January 1: NMB48 announces 7th Generation auditions
• January 31: MNL48 announces 3rd Generation auditions

Kenkyuusei promotions

• January 1:
  • Kobayashi Rina, Sakamoto Nami, Sadano Haruka, Shobu Marin, and Yamasaki Amiru promoted to Team N.
  • Abe Wakana, Sato Ami, Sugiura Kotone, Deguchi Yuina, Maeda Reiko, and Mizobuchi Maria promoted to Team M.
  • Okamoto Rena, Ogawa Yuuka, Nakano Mirai, Hara Karen, Miyake Yuria, and Yokono Sumire promoted to Team BII.
• January 18: Ruth Carla Dela Paz promoted to Team NIV.
• January 26: Christina Samantha Tagana promoted to Team MII.
• March 1:
  • Aoumi Hinano, Akahori Kimie, and Arano Himeka promoted to Team S.
  • Okamoto Ayaka and Shirai Yukino promoted to Team KII.
  • Ikeda Kaede and Tanabe Mizuki promoted to Team E.
• August 4: Anne Nicole Casitas and Trisha Labrador promoted to Team NIV.
• October 5:
  • Takeuchi Nanami, Nakasaka Miyu, and Hirano Momona promoted to Team S.
  • Iriuchijima Sayaka, Kawashima Miharu, Suzuki Ena, and Fujimoto Fuyuka promoted to Team KII.
  • Ishikawa Kanon and Suzuki Kokona promoted to Team E.
• December 8:
  • Furukawa Nazuna and Honda Sora promoted to Team A.
  • Nagano Megumi promoted to Team K
  • Ishiwata Sena, Kuramoto Miyuu, Homma Mai, and Yoshihashi Yuzuka promoted to Team 4
• December 25: Ando Chikana, Otsuka Nanami, Ogoe Haruka, Kato Minami, Kawagoe Saaya, Komiyama Sara, Sato Kairi, Sogabe Yume, Tsushima Yunako, Terada Hina, Tominaga Yu, Fujisaki Miyu, Furusawa Mana, Furutate Aoi, Mashimo Kaho, Mimura Hino, and Morohashi Hinata promoted to NGT48.

Notable departures

• December 21: Yoshida Akari graduates from NMB48.
• December 23: Murase Sae graduates from NMB48.

Releases

Singles

• January 15: SKE48 - So~Yu~Toko Aru Yo Ne?
• January 29: STU48 - Mubou na Yume wa Sameru Koto ga Nai
• March 18: AKB48 - Shitsuren, Arigatou
• April 22: HKT48 - 3-2
• May 13: NMB48 - Datte Datte Datte postponed due to COVID-19
• May 27: STU48 - 5th Single postponed due to COVID-19
• July 22: NGT48 - Sherbet Pink
• August 19: NMB48 - Datte Datte Datte
• September 2: STU48 - Omoidaseru Koi wo Shiyou
• November 18: NMB48 - Koi Nanka No thank you!

Digital

• June 21: AKB48 - Hanareteitemo

Events

• November 23: AKB48 e-Sports Tournament 〜Hanarete Tsuyokunatta Mono, wa Hommono.〜
• December 1: AKB48 Group Third Singing Contest

Concerts

• January 18:
  • HKT48 Senbatsu Member Concert ～NEW YEAR mo, "Shou mo nai Koto" Honki de Yarou ze! Yoroshiku Dozo!～
  • NGT48 Senbatsu Member Concert ~TDC Senbatsu, Gasshuku nite Kettei, Hajimete no Keiken~
  • STU48 Senbatsu Concert ~Tokyo ni wa Somaranaide Kaerimasu~
• January 19:
  • SKE48 Senbatsu Member Concert ～Watashitachi tte So~Yu~Toko Aru Yo Ne?～
  • NMB48 Senbatsu Member Concert ～10-Nen-me mo Live Shijo Shugi～
• January 21: AKB48 Tandoku Concert 2020
• January 22: Yuunaa Tandoku Concert 〜Kakegae no Nai Jikan〜
• January 23: HKT48 Tanaka Miku Solo Concert ～Minna de Issho ni Mikumonmon～
• January 24: STU48 Ishida Chiho solo concert 〜Ie! ni Kaeru Made ga Chiho Kondesu〜
• January 25:
  • SKE48 Suenaga Oka Solo Concert 〜Anata ga Mite ite Kureta kara...♡〜
  • NMB48 Umeyama Cocona Solo Concert ~ Warai ume Hanjo de Mochi Motte koi!~
  • NGT48 Homma Hinata Solo Concert ～Rai Issha! Hinata Matsuri～
• January 26:
  • AKB48 Kubo Satone Solo Concert 〜Wataame Rando e Yokoso〜
  • AKB48 Yamauchi Mizuki Solo Concert 〜"MY" Revolution〜
  • AKB48 Oguri Yui Solo Concert 〜YUIYUI TOKYO〜
• February 14: LAPIS ARCH Valentine LIVE 2020 ～Sweet & Bitter Youth～
• February 15: SKE48 Valentine's Day Live 2020 〜 CHOCOLATE 〜
• February 22 - February 28 November 29: 2020 AKB48 shin Unit Live Matsuri Kaisai Kettei no Oshirase
• May 27: ONE LOVE ASIA
• October 2 - October 4: Tokyo Idol Festival 2020
• October 24: NMB48 Next Gen Concert ～Namba Shika Katan!～

Request Hour

• January 19 - January 20: AKB48 Group Request Hour Setlist Best 50 2020

Graduation

• March 15: Takayanagi Akane's Graduation Concert postponed due to COVID-19
• April 2: Minegishi Minami's Graduation Concert postponed due to COVID-19
• September 26 - September 27: Matsui Jurina's Graduation Concert postponed due to COVID-19
• October 24: Yoshida Akari Graduation Concert ～Sayonara Pink Sayonara Idol～
• December 14: Murase Sae Graduation Concert ～Happy Saepy Ending～

Anniversaries

• October 3 - October 5: SKE48 12th Anniversary Fes 2020 ~ 12 performances one-off show ~
• October 23: NMB48 10th Anniversary LIVE ～Kokoro wo Hitotsu ni, One for all, All for one～
• December 8: AKB48 15th Anniversary

Stages

• January 11: Shonichi of STU48 2nd Stage Bokutachi no Koi no Yohan.
• January 31: Senshuuraku of NMB48 Kenkyuusei stage Yume wa Nigenai.
• February 2: Shonichi of STU48 Kenkyuusei stage Boku no Taiyou.
• June 13 - December 15: AKB48 Social Distance stages.
• July 25: Shonichi of IxR 1st Stage IxR ni Aeru ☆
• August 6: Shonichi of Team K Social Distance Stage K Shousuru Monotachi
• October 24: Senshuuraku of Team K Social Distance Stage K Shousuru Monotachi