On Saturday, Japanese idol singer supergroup AKB48 held the first of its spring concert 2023 performances at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama. As the first concert by the group in roughly three years to allow full cheering from fans in attendance and a total of three dozen songs performed, there was plenty for fans in attendance to be excited about, but there was also a big surprise, as an announcement was made that all of the AKB48 “teams” are being abolished.
Because of the huge size of AKB48, which has a total of 85 members, the group is subdivided into five teams: Team A, Team K, Team B, Team 4, and Team 8. While AKB48 also performs together as a whole, the teams each have their own segments within the group’s concerts, individual promotional events, image colors, and even captains.
But during the April 29 concert, Team A captain Mion Mukaichi, who also holds the position of “General Manager” of AKB48, told the crowd that the team system is being done away with.
▼ Mion Kukaichi
The team system has been part of AKB48’s structure since the group’s debut in 2005, so this marks a major change in how the idols will perform and operate. In addressing the fans, Mukaichi said she was sad to see the system ending, but added “I think this is good timing for AKB to be united as a whole and kick things up a notch.” Former Team B captain Yuki Kashiwagi, who joined AKB48 in 2006 and at 31 years old is its oldest member, added “Everyone will keep doing their best as members of AKB. I hope people will cheer for and support the group as a whole.”
▼ Yuki Kashiwagi
Of the five teams, Team 8 (whose members all concurrently hold positions with other teams as well) is the first to cease operations, with the second day of the Spring Concert 2023 on April 30 its last team event. The remaining four teams, A,K, B, and 4, will be disbanded this fall, with each holding “sayonara concerts” between August 4 and 6.
On the bright side, the dissolution of the teams doesn’t mean their members are being dismissed, as they’ll remain members of AKB48. And in a crowd-pleasing move, the number of on-stage performers at the permanent AKB48 Theater in Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood is being doubled, from 8 to 16, as pandemic protocols are scaled back. Still, for fans who were devoted to not just AKB48, but to a particular team, this is the end of an era.
Source: Daily via Hachima Kiko, San Sports
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10 Comments
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Moonraker
The ミュジック scene can never become banal enough for Japanese tastes.
didou
Glad to hear such a development for the team. Wish this fading underground band and its 85 members a success. Hope to be part of their concert and seeing them at the Fuji Rock or Summer Sonic festivals.
Michael Machida
On Saturday, Japanese idol singer supergroup AKB48 held the first of its spring concert 2023 performances at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama.
... Did you see the word: Supergroup in this article?
I did. And I am still laughing.
stormcrow
Maybe it's time for you to quit and settle down, honey. Get married and have a family.
Time to say goodbye to the horny teenage boys, the overweight oji-sans and all of that other AKB48 silliness!
Jonathan Prin
I know why they do that : on commercial purposes to drain more clients as fame is surely reducing. One has to take every single yen out of the profiles described just above.
If one is talented, should have been able to get a fame on her own...
Abe234
The team system was basically just a money grab, where nobody knew who was a real singer. I hope the popularity of K-pop brings the other down. They might actually find some real talent, and some real singers and actually improve their dancing. Atleast with K-pop I think the female and male groups actually each sing individually. I do t think I know the voice of a single AKB48 or SKE or What blah blah 48 or 46 singer.
Concerned Citizen
While you're at it, how about also abolishing the predatory, slave driving management offices who use and abuse these young girls?
Paul
Idol supergroup? Drinking bar hostesses is a better description!
lillibet
I know nothing of AKB48 but do listen to some K.Pop. I do however have my best most favourite female groups in the world, Lovebites and Bandmaid, both hail from Japan and are heavy metal or something like that. Watching them perform is an absolute joy and their music is out of of this world. Every member of these bands are virtuoso's at their instruments, their skills are mesmerising. I love Haruna the Lovebites drummer, she just has to be the best in the world right now, and then there Miyako the pianist/guitarist. I could write an essay on all these wonderful women and still not praise them enough. Japan has produced the 2 best rock bands in the world right now.