GLOSSARY

This is a cohesive list of terms that are commonly used within the 48G Universe, including their sister groups inside and outside of Japan. There are more terms than the ones I have listed, but these are the most important ones that I believe new fans of AKB48 need to know. This is in alphabetical order by their Japanese term, unless posted otherwise.

  • Captain/Leader - The person who has the most authority over a certain team or group. An example would be Cherprang, who is Captain of the entire BNK48 group, and Pun, who is the Captain (or Leader) of BNK48’s Team BIII. Some groups also appoint Vice-Captains/Co-Captains for their teams. For example, Jennis is the Vice-Captain of BNK48’s Team BIII.

  • Center - A member (or members) who are the main focus on a group’s single. They tend to get the most media exposure/promotion. Notable centers are Maeda Atsuko and Matsui Jurina. “Sayonara Crawl” is the song with the most center positions (4 people).

  • Hiatus - A member who has temporarily ceased activities from their group for any reason, such as health, academics, or contract issues. Example: Miyawaki Sakura is on hiatus from HKT48 due to her activities as an IZ*ONE member.

  • Kami 7 - "Godly 7" or "Top 7"; these refer to the 7 most popular members of the group, as usually stated by their rankings in the Senbatsu Election. The term originates from the song "Skirt, Hirari", which featured seven Senbatsu members.

  • Kenkyussei - A trainee member who has not been promoted to any team. Most trainee members usually move to a team when a promoted member graduates from her respective group.

  • Kennin - A "kennin", or cocurrent position, is a position where a girl holds two member positions in two different groups.

  • Senbatsu - A term used in ALL48 groups that refers to the members who are selected to feature in a group's A-side track. Usually, Senbatsu consists of 16 members, but that can vary. Example: Iiwake Maybe featured 21 Senbatsu members.

  • Senbatsu Sousenkyo - Also known as "General Election". An annual election where fans can vote for their favorite member for a chance to be featured in AKB48's next single. It is one of AKB48's most highly anticipated events. JKT48, SNH48, BNK48, and MNL48 also hold their own General Elections.

  • Sotsugyou - Also known as "graduation"; when a member leaves her respective group. Sometimes, if the member was very popular or highly significant to the group, they can have their own Graduation Concert (ex. Takahashi Minami). A special farewell theater ceremony is usually held for a graduated member; at the end of the performance, they take down their picture from the wall (see below).

  • Team Kaigai - A special team for "Study Abroad Program" members. These members are often temporary or permanent members of an international sister group. For example: Izuta Rina is a Team Kaigai member who was transferred to BNK48. She is now the General Manager of CGM48, BNK48's domestic sister group.

  • Transfer - A member leaves one group or team and moves to another. For example, Sashihara Rino was transferred to HKT48 from AKB48.

Kawaei Rina right after her graduation performance. She has taken down her official picture from the wall, signifying that she is no longer a member of AKB48. This is a tradition that ALL48 members participate in when they leave their group.

NOTABLE AKB48 MEMBERS

  • Maeda Atsuko (前田敦子)

  • Joined AKB at the age of 14 as a first generation member (part of the original Team A)

  • Graduated in 2012

  • Known as “the Face of AKB48” and “AKB’s Absolute Ace”

  • Won AKB’s first and third general elections (2009 and 2011 respectively), and placed 2nd in the 2010 general elections

  • Sang on every A-side track from the beginning until 2011. Her track record was broken due to her not placing within the top 16 during the 2011 Janken Tournament

  • Has made appearances in AKB’s music videos since her graduation, most notably Kibouteki Refrain, and returning to sing for AKB48’s 10th Anniversary Single, Kimi Wa Melody

  • Gave birth to a son on March 4, 2019. Coincidentally, the birth occurred on the same day as the 10th Anniversary of AKB48’s 11th single “10nen Sakura”.

  • Oshima Yuko (大島優子)

  • Joined AKB as a second generation member (part of the original Team K)

  • Graduated in 2014 to pursue an acting career

  • Was appointed captain of Team K in 2012, and maintained her position until her graduation

  • Has placed within the Top 2 of AKB48’s General Elections from 2009 to 2013 (she placed first in 2010 and 2012).

  • Takahashi Minami (高橋みなみ)

  • Joined AKB’s first generation (part of the original Team A)

  • Graduated in 2016

  • Centered some of AKB’s earliest singles. She was the center of their debut single “Sakura no Hanabiratachi”

  • Was appointed Team A’s captain in 2009

  • In 2012, Shinoda Mariko replaced Takahashi as captain of Team A, and Takahashi became the first General Manager of all AKB’s sister groups. She remained as the General Manager until her graduation.

  • Watanabe Mayu (渡辺麻友)

  • Joined AKB’s third generation (part of the original Team B)

  • Graduated in 2017

  • Was once transferred to Team A, but was transferred back to Team B. She remained with that team until her graduation.

  • Had one of the most successful solo careers out of any AKB member.

  • Retired from the entertainment industry on June 1, 2020

  • Has placed within the Top 5 in the General Elections from 2009 to 2017. She placed first only once, in 2014.

  • Yokoyama Yui (横山由依)

  • Joined AKB48 in 2009 as a ninth generation member.

  • Was promoted to Team K in 2010, the first member of her generation to be promoted.

  • Is now a member of Team A

  • At 27 years old, she is the oldest member of Team A.

  • Current and former members of AKB, including members who were older than her, always admired and respected Yui.

  • Auditioned for SKE48’s second generation, but failed.

  • Auditioned for AKB48’s eighth generation, but she felt unmotivated and didn't go.

  • Was temporary captain of Team A, and captain of Team K

  • In 2014, General Manager Takahashi Minami announced her graduation. She says that when she leaves AKB, Yui would take over the General Manager position.

  • Became AKB48’s second General Manager on December 8, 2015, on AKB48’s 10th Anniversary. She stepped down from the position on April 1, 2019.

  • Mukaichi Mion (向井地美音)

  • Joined AKB in 2013 as a fifteenth generation member

  • Was initially promoted to Team 4; is now a member of Team A.

  • When Oshima Yuko graduated from the group in 2014, she nominated Mion as her successor. Now, when AKB performs songs such as “Heavy Rotation” and “Gingham Check” (which were previously centered by Yuko), Mion now takes the center position.

  • On December 8, 2018, Yokoyama Yui appointed Mion as the future General Manager of the 48Group. Mion took the position on April 1, 2019, becoming the third (and current) General Manager.

  • Her highest General Election ranking was 13th place, which she achieved in both 2016 and 2018 (8th and 10th Elections respectively)