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Welcome to STAGE48, the first and only English AKB48 network. Here you will find all you need to know about the theatre idol group AKB48 and their sister and rival groups. Have a gander around the website, and make sure to stop by the forum!
AKB48
AKB48 is a Japanese idol group based in Akihabara, Tokyo, were they have their own theater in Don Quixote. The group, established in 2005, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and is signed under King Records, originally from DefSTAR RECORDS/Sony Music Japan. Currently the group consists of three teams: Team A, Team K and Team B. There is also a trainee team, Research Students, and a international transference team, Team Kaigai, summing up a total of 83 members as of December, 2012. They hold the record of having the highest overall single sales of a female group on the Oricon charts and also holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's "largest pop group".
The group also have five sub-units: No Sleeves, established in 2008, Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, established in 2009, French Kiss, established in 2010 and Not yet and DiVA, established in 2011. Itano Tomomi, Iwasa Misaki, Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, Takahashi Minami and also the former members Sashihara Rino, Kasai Tomomi, Maeda Atsuko, Oshima Mai, Ono Erena e Hayano Kaoru debuted on a solo career.
SKE48
SKE48 is a Japanese idol group based in Sakae, Nagoya, were they have their own theater in Sunshine Sakae. The group, established in 2008, it's the first AKB48 sister group, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and is signed under avex trax, originally from Nippon Crown records. Currently the group consists of three teams: Team S, Team KII and Team E. There is also a trainee team, Research Students, summing up a total of 53 members as of January, 2013.
NMB48
NMB48 is a Japanese idol group based in Namba, Osaka, were they have their own theater in Yes-Namba Building. The group, established in 2010, it's the second AKB48 sister group, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and is signed under laugh out loud records. Currently the group consists of three teams: Team N, Team M and Team BII. There is also a trainee team, Research Students, summing up a total of 72 members as of December, 2012.
HKT48
HKT48 is a Japanese idol group based in Hakata, Fukuoka, were they have their own theater in Hawks Town Mall. The group, established in 2011, it's the third AKB48 sister group, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and is signed under Universal Music Japan. Currently the group consists of one team: Team H. There is also a trainee team, Research Students, summing up a total of 39 members as of October, 2012.
SDN48
SDN48 is a Japanese idol group known to be the "mature version" of AKB48, only with members aged 20 or above. The group, established in 2008, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and was signed under Universal Music Japan. The group don't have Teams, with the members divided by generation: 1st Generation, 2nd Generation and 3rd Generation. All the members graduated from the group, that disband on March 31, 2012.
JKT48
JKT48 is a Indonesian idol group based in Jakarta, were they have their own theater in fX Sudirman. The group, established in 2011, it's the first international AKB48 sister group and is produced by Akimoto Yasushi. Currently the group consists of one team: Team J. There is also a trainee team, Research Students, summing up a total of 53 members as of January, 2013.
TPE48
TPE48 is a Taiwanese idol group based in Taipei, were they will have their own theater. The group, established in 2011, it's the second international AKB48 sister group and is produced by Akimoto Yasushi. They are currently holding auditions for the group.
SNH48
SNH48 is a Chinese idol group based in Shanghai, were they will have their own theater. The group, established in 2012, it's the third international AKB48 sister group and is produced by Akimoto Yasushi. Currently the group don't have teams. There is only a trainee team, Research Students, summing up a total of 26 members as of December, 2012.
Nogizaka46
Nogizaka46 is a Japanese idol group. The group, established in 2010, it's the first AKB48 rival group, is produced by Akimoto Yasushi and was signed under Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The group don't have Teams, with the members divided by generation: 1st Generation, summing up a total of 23 members as of January, 2012.
Events
Annually, a election, called Senbatsu Sousenkyo (Senbatsu Election), happens, were the fans can vote on their favorite members from AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48. The same happens on Request Hour, were the fans vote on their favorite songs.
The group also hold annually the Janken Tournament, were the Senbatsu members are selected by a Janken (Rock, Scissors and Paper) game, the Kouhaku Utagassen, with special shuffles and the Unit Matsuri, with performances from sub-units and solos.
