Where did the group AKB48 get their name?
AKB48 (pronounced A.K.B. Forty-Eight) are a Japanese idol group named after the Akihabara (Akiba for short) area in Tokyo, where the group’s theater is located.
When did AKB48 release their first independent single?
AKB48 released its first independent-label single, ” Sakura no Hanabiratachi “, in February 2006. It entered Oricon ‘s weekly Top 10 chart, with first-week sales of 22,011 (a rarity for an indie-label group). On March 31, Yuki Usami became the first member to “graduate” from the group.
What was the audition process for AKB48?
Monica Hesse of The Washington Post describes the AKB48 audition process as “rolling American Idol -esque”. The group has publicized special events for choosing the promotional and recording lineup for some of its singles. In 2009, the concept of sōsenkyo (総選挙, “general elections”) was introduced.
Where is the AKB48 Theater in Tokyo located?
The AKB48 Theater is in the Don Quijote store in Akihabara, Tokyo. The group is split into several teams, reducing its members’ workload (since the theater’s near-daily performance is by only one team at a time) and enabling AKB48 to perform simultaneously in several places. According to former member Misaki Iwasa, each team has its own theme.
Where is the theater of the AKB48 located?
The group’s chief producer, Yasushi Akimoto, said that his goal was to create a unique idol group which, unlike other idol groups which perform occasional concerts and appear primarily on television, would perform regularly in its own theater. The AKB48 Theater is in the Don Quijote store in Akihabara, Tokyo.
How does the audition process work for AKB48?
AKB48 has a system that allows members to “graduate” from the group when they are older and are replaced by trainees who are promoted. Monica Hesse of The Washington Post described the AKB48 audition process as “rolling American Idol -esque”.