AKB48
AKB48 (pronounced A.K.B. Forty-Eight) is a Japanese idol musical girl group named after the Akihabara area in Tokyo, where the group's theater is located. AKB48 has sold more records than any other female musical act in Japanese history.[2] AKB48's producer, Yasushi Akimoto, wanted to form a girl group with its own theater and performing daily so fans could always see them live (which is not the case with usual pop groups giving occasional concerts and seen on television).[3] This "idols you can meet" concept includes teams[4] which can rotate performances and perform simultaneously at several events[5] and "handshake" events, where fans can meet group members.[3] Akimoto has expanded the AKB48 concept to several girl groups within Japan, and internationally in Mainland China, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Philippines.
This article is about the Japanese idol group. For a group of idol groups this belongs to, see AKB48 Group.
AKB48
AKB48 have been characterized as a social phenomenon.[6] They are among the highest-earning musical acts in Japan, and are the fifth-best-selling girl group worldwide. For example, their 2012 sales from record and DVD/Blu-ray releases reached $226 million, earning the group the top spot in the 2012 artist ranking.[7][8] As of April 2019, the group has sold over 60 million records,[9] including over 6 million albums.[10] At least 35 AKB48's singles have topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, with at least 30 singles selling over a million copies each,[11] making the group the highest selling musical act in Japan in terms of singles sold.[12][13] Their highest selling single, "Teacher Teacher", sold over 3 million in 2018 according to Billboard / Soundscan.[14] Between 2010 and 2020, AKB48's singles have occupied at least the top two spots of the Oricon Yearly Singles Chart.[15]
History[edit]
2005–2006: Creation and independent releases[edit]
In July 2005, Yasushi Akimoto held an audition for a new theater-based idol girl group.[28] Of the 7,924 who auditioned, 24 were chosen as first-generation group members.[28] On December 8, 20 members debuted as Team A in the AKB48 Theater[29] performing "Party ga Hajimaru yo" (PARTYが始まるよ)[30] to an audience of seven; attendance quickly increased.[31][32] In January 2006, AKB48 cafe waitress Mariko Shinoda joined Team A as a "1.5 generation" member when her popularity with patrons prompted Akimoto to give her a special audition.[33][34]
The group's second audition was held in cooperation with telecommunications company NTT DoCoMo in February 2006, with applicants submitting audition videos on mobile phones.[35][36]
Musical style[edit]
Andrew Joyce and Kenneth Maxwell of The Wall Street Journal described the music as "sugar-sweet pop tunes and sometimes-suggestive lyrics". During AKB48 performances, "members perform a revue of simply choreographed routines in front of a roughly 95-percent-male audience. The music is typical Japanese pop: fast-paced numbers with high-pitched, singalong choruses."[283]
Reception[edit]
Tower Records Japan CEO Ikuo Minewaki described AKB48 as a popular act,[323] and the group has been characterized as a social phenomenon in Japan.[6] In 2012 AKB48 had record sales in Japan of over $226 million.[324] Total sales of over $128 million were reported for 2013, and of over $96 million in 2015.[7][325] According to Oricon, as of January 6, 2012 AKB48 sold a total of 11,787,000 singles, setting a record for "the most singles sold in Japan by a female group".[13] The group's last 35 singles have topped the weekly Oricon Singles Chart. In 2010 "Beginner" and "Heavy Rotation" placed first and second, respectively, on the list of Japan's bestselling singles of the year;[326] From 2010 to 2019, AKB48's singles have occupied at least the top two,[15] and sometimes the top four or five spots of the Oricon Yearly Singles Chart.[327] As of June 2018, the group has sold over 60 million records,[9] including over 6 million albums.[10] AKB48 is the highest selling musical act in Japan in terms of singles sold.[12] However, AKB48's 42nd single "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby" failed to sell more than one million copies in the first week after its release, ending a run of single releases achieving this feat, starting with "Everyday, Katyusha" in 2011.[328]
Beside CD sales, AKB48 enjoys commercial success in other areas as well. The group has six singles certificated by RIAJ for reaching a million downloads each.[329] According to Joysound, AKB48 has been named the karaoke artist of the year for four years in a row (2011–2014).[330] In 2011, eight positions of annual top 10 photobook sales were occupied by group members.[331] In 2012, six members topped the individual rankings of advertisement campaigns.[332] AKB48 is also one of the most viewed Japanese artists on YouTube.[333]
AKB48 holds several Guinness World Records, including being recognized on December 1, 2010, as the "largest pop group" when it numbered 48 members.[19][334] It set a record for "most same-product television endorsements within 24 hours" on February 28, 2012, after 90 group members appeared in 90 different commercials aired in the Kanto, Kansai and Tokai regions of Japan.[335] Japanese ambassador to the United States Ichirō Fujisaki, on meeting the group during its visit to Washington, D.C., said that "AKB" stood for "adorable, kind and beautiful".[8] On February 1, 2012, Japan Post issued a stamp commemorating the group.[336]
Controversies[edit]
One of the group's risqué music videos has been considered controversial. "Heavy Rotation"'s video was criticized by Western reporters for showing AKB48 members in lingerie, hugging, kissing and sharing a bath. Its director, Mika Ninagawa, said that she wanted to appeal to men and women with a creative, fun video because of the group's increasing popularity among girls.[337] In an interview, she accepted responsibility for its content: "Mr. Akimoto left everything to me. He did not give me any tips at all...I tried to show how AKB48 is in real life, in the video. In the dressing room, they seemed very close to each other. Then I came up with the concept [of a] girls' high school."[338]
In February 2013 group member Minami Minegishi, had her head shaved and appeared in a YouTube video to apologize after it was reported by a tabloid that she had spent the night with a man in violation of her contract; she was demoted to the status of trainee. Although her shaved head was self-inflicted in an apologetic response to her fans and peers for her demotion, it was seen as an overreaction and attracted criticism of how the situation was handled.[339]
A 2016 NHK documentary reported that the popularity of AKB48's handshake sessions may contribute to the decline of romantic relationships among young Japanese people, including "herbivore men", which triggered debates. According to the report, some fans would rather spend their time supporting their favourite idols than actively pursuing love interests.[340]
Philanthropy[edit]
In February 2012 AKB48 said it would donate ¥580 million to the Japanese Red Cross, and later it was reported that the group had raised a total of over ¥1.25 billion for earthquake and tsunami relief.[347] On March 8, 2013, the group released "Tenohira ga Kataru Koto", another song dedicated to the March 2011 disaster victims, on its website for free digital download.[348] On the second anniversary of the disaster AKB48 and its sister groups visited the affected areas, performing at schools and the AKB48, SKE48, NMB48 and HKT48 theaters with proceeds aiding the ongoing recovery.[349]
