The following is a list of events and releases that occurred in 2021 from the AKB48 Group.
Like in 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in several releases, concerts, and events being cancelled, postponed, or scaled back.
Members
- January 1: NMB48 announces disbandment of Team N, Team M, and Team BII. All promoted members will belong to NMB48, while Kenkyuusei will remain intact.
- March 14: JKT48 announces disbandment of Team J, Team KIII, Team T, and JKT48 Academy. All members will belong to JKT48.
- April 29: Miyawaki Sakura, Yabuki Nako, and Honda Hitomi finish activities with IZONE and return to their respective groups.
- May 21: Akiyoshi Yuka, Ikeda Yura, Okada Nana, Nojima Kano, Furuhata Nao, Mimura Hino, Yano Honoka, Yamauchi Suzuran, and Yamasaki Amiru form the unit Nona Diamonds, as the winning members of the AKB48 Group Third Singing Contest.
- August 14:
- December 5: SGO48 announces they will disband after the group's third anniversary.
- December 8: AKB48 holds its sixth team shuffle AKB48 16th Anniversary Team Shuffle.
Auditions
- August 14: NMB48 announces 8th Generation auditions.
- September 18: STU48 announces New Wave Project auditions in conjunction with the Actor's School Hiroshima.
- November 26: HKT48 announces 6th Generation auditions.
- December 8: AKB48 announces 17th Generation auditions.
- December 18: SKE48 announces 11th Generation auditions.
Kenkyuusei promotions
- January 1:
- February 13: Allyza Mae Roxas, Bhrianna Chriszell Chua, Jana Ross Angeles, Kathlene Claire Apduhan, and Klaryle Mercado promoted to MNL48 Team Unknown.
- March 12: Adzana Shaliha, Indah Cahya, Kathrina Irene, and Marsha Lenathea promoted to JKT48.
- April 9:
- July 1: Mheijie Calis promoted to MNL48 Team Unknown.
- August 14: Hirayama Mai and Manabe Anju promoted to NMB48.
- October 1: Ikeda Yura, Imaizumi Miria, Utsumi Rine, Osaki Serika, Kawamata Anna, Kawamata Yuuna, Kudo Riko, Kojima Aiko, Sako Himeka, Shimizu Sara, Suzuki Ayaka, Takao Sayaka, Taguchi Reika, Tanaka Miho, Nakahiro Yayoi, Harada Sayaka, Minami Yurina, Muneyuki Rika, Yoshizaki Rinko, Yoshida Sara, Rissen Momoka, and Watanabe Natsuki promoted to STU48 2nd Generation.
- November 11: Aubrey Lopez, Charmaine Tosoc, Christine Joyce Dela Cruz, Rachel Frances Suazo promoted to MNL48 Team Unknown.
- December 18: SKE48 announces promotion of all 10th Generation members, which will take effect on January 15, 2022.
Departures
Notable
- February 15: Rona Anggreani graduates from JKT48. She was the last 2nd Generation member to leave the group.
- March 11-14: Adriani Elisabeth, Amanina Afiqah, Diani Amalia Ramadhani, Gabriel Angelina, Nabila Fitriana, Riska Amelia Putri, Sania Julia Montolalu, Anastasya Narwastu Tety Handuran, Fidly Immanda Azzahra, Kandiya Rafa Maulidita, Nurhayati, Rinanda Syahputri, Aurel Mayori, Umega Maulana, Viona Fadrin, Caithlyn Gwyneth, Chalista Ellysia, Christabel Jocelyn, Cindy Nugroho, Febi Komaril, Febrina Diponegoro, Gabriella Stevany, Keisya Ramadhani, Nabila Gusmarlia, Putri Elzahra, and Shinta Devi graduate from JKT48, following the disbandment of all teams and JKT48 Academy.
- March 19: Yamamoto Ayaka graduates from NMB48.
- April 30: Matsui Jurina and Takayanagi Akane graduate from SKE48. Matsui was the last 1st Generation and original Team S member to leave the group.
- May 15: Marsela Mari Guia graduates from MNL48.
- May 28: Minegishi Minami graduates from AKB48. She was the last 1st Generation and original Team A member to leave the group.
- May 29: Moriyasu Madoka graduates from HKT48.
- June 19: Miyawaki Sakura graduates from HKT48.
- June 29: Gabrielle Skribikin graduates from MNL48.
- August 8: Yabushita Fu graduates from STU48.
- August 31: Shiroma Miru graduates from NMB48. She was the last 1st Generation member to leave the group.
- November 8: Ogino Yuka graduates from NGT48.
- December 9: Yokoyama Yui graduates from AKB48.
- December 22: Châu Ngọc Đoan Thảo, Huỳnh Ngô Kim Châu, Lê Mẫn Nghi, Lê Phạm Thuỷ Tiên, Lê Sunny, Lê Thị Thu Nga, Ngô Thị Cẩm Nhi, Nguyễn Hồ Trùng Dương, Nguyễn Lê Ngọc Ánh Sáng, Nguyễn Thanh Hoàng My, Nguyễn Thị Minh Thư, Nguyễn Thị Nhi, Nguyễn Trương Tường Vy, Phạm Lâm Ánh Trúc, Trần Cát Tường, Trần Lý Minh Thư, Võ Ngọc Xuân Ca, Võ Phan Kim Khánh, and Vương Mai Linh graduate from SGO48, following the group's disbandment.
- December 28: Oya Shizuka graduates from AKB48. She was the last 4th Generation member to leave the group.
All members
For a list of all graduated members for the year 2021, click below.
Releases
Albums
Singles
Digital
Events
Concerts
Request Hour
Graduation
Anniversaries