History YMMV / AKB48

* StuntDouble: Used in {{AKB Kagekidan Infinity}}. In order to create the illusion of Ruka appearing on the balcony, disappearing, and then reappearing on the main stage, a stunt double was used. The stunt double was on the balcony, their back turned, and the main actress for Ruka appeared on the main stage after the double was gone.

* StuntDouble: Used in {{Theatre/AKBKagekidanInfinity}}. In order to create the illusion of Ruka appearing on the balcony, disappearing, and then reappearing on the main stage, a stunt double was used. The stunt double was on the balcony, their back turned, and the main actress for Ruka appeared on the main stage after the double was gone.

* StuntDouble: Used in AKBKagekidanInfinity. In order to create the illusion of Ruka appearing on the balcony, disappearing, and then reappearing on the main stage, a stunt double was used. The stunt double was on the balcony, their back turned, and the main actress for Ruka appeared on the main stage after the double was gone.

* AwesomeMusic: For starters, "RIVER" has a pretty funky beat.

* [[HeReallyCanAct She Really Can Act]]:

* InternetBackdraft: AKB48's concepts have drawn criticism for sexualizing schoolgirls (and minors by proxy), and the music video for "Heavy Rotation" raised a lot of eyebrows from some {{Moral Guardian}}s for having tons of MaleGaze {{Fanservice}}. Some have even claimed their concepts to be sexist, as AKB48's primary audience is adult men, but when you bring up the fact that "Heavy Rotation" and their schoolgirl concept were envisioned by Mika Nakagawa, a woman, that only invites more debate.

* ContractualPurity: Many IdolSinger groups in Japan, both male and female, have a no-dating rule to keep up the image of being attainable, but AKB48 has become one of the most common examples of the "love ban", especially after Minami Minegishi's scandal in 2013 (where she was caught spending the night at [[Music/{{EXILE}} Alan Shirahama's]] home) made international news. A year before that, Rino Sashihara's alleged ex-boyfriend sold her out to the media by releasing intimate details about their relationship, almost nearly ruined her career and caused her to be transferred to Music/{{HKT48}}. Fortunately, both girls were able to pick their careers back up after that, ''especially'' Sashihara, who now consistently ranks high on popularity polls.

* ContractualPurity: Many IdolSinger groups in Japan have a no-dating rule, but AKB48 has become one of the most common examples of the "love ban", especially after Minami Minegishi's scandal made international news. [[note]]In 2013, she was caught spending the night at Alan Shirahama's (a member of Music/{{EXILE}}) home.[[/note]] Another related scandal, where Rino Sashihara's alleged ex-boyfriend sold her out to the media by releasing intimate details about their relationship, almost nearly ruined her career and caused her to be transferred to Music/{{HKT48}}. Fortunately, both girls were able to pick their careers back up after that, ''especially'' Sashihara, who consistently ranks high on popularity polls.

* EarWorm: Good luck forgetting some of their songs like Heavy Rotation!

* ContractualPurity: Many IdolSinger groups in Japan have a no-dating rule, but AKB48 has become one of the most common examples of the "love ban", especially after Minami Minegishi's scandal made international news. [[note]]In 2013, she was caught spending the night at Alan Shirahama's (a member of [=EXILE=]) home.[[/note]] Another related scandal, where Rino Sashihara's alleged ex-boyfriend sold her out to the media by releasing intimate details about their relationship, almost nearly ruined her career and caused her to be transferred to Music/{{HKT48}}. Fortunately, both girls were able to pick their careers back up after that, ''especially'' Sashihara, who consistently ranks high on popularity polls.

* ContractualPurity: Many IdolSinger groups in Japan have a no-dating rule, but AKB48 has become one of the most common examples of the "love ban", especially after Minami Minegishi's scandal made international news. [[note]]In 2013, she was caught spending the night at Alan Shirahama's (a member of [=EXILE=]) home.[[/note]] Another related scandal, where Rino Sashihara's alleged ex-boyfriend sold her out to the media by releasing intimate details about their relationship, almost nearly ruined Sashihara's career and caused her to be transferred to HKT48. Fortunately, both girls were able to pick their careers back up after that, ''especially'' Sashihara, who consistently ranks high on popularity polls.

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: Oku Manami, often forgotten former original Team K member, is surprisingly popular with [=JKT48=] fans. There are Indonesian fanclubs dedicated to her, and most of the comments in the videos/pictures related to her are made by Indonesian users.

* HilariousInHindsight: In 2011, AKB had this comedy show called Bimyo, and the first episode had a skit in which Sashihara was the group's center. The idea was ridiculous at the time. Fast forward to 2013 though...

** Miho Miyazaki (5th Generation) got into Senbatsu in the first two elections, was considered one of the upcoming centers and best [=MCs=], and is reportedly the favorite member of Yasushi Akimoto himself. In an ''Series/AKBingo'' episode, she related to the junior members how she lost most of her fans after [[FormerlyFit gaining weight]] and couldn't regain momentum even after getting back into shape. She wrapped up her story with the motto "Weight Goes Up, Job Goes Down". She's still relatively popular in Showroom and radio shows, but nowhere near the earlier expectations.

** [=HebiRote=] for 'Heavy Rotation' and KFC/KoiChun for 'Koisuru Fortune Cookie'.

** Team B's Watanabe Mayu, who has previously starred in several dramas. One role that really shows off her acting prowess is Usa Shijimi/herself in the live-drama adaption of the manga "Saba-Dol", in which Mayu is actually a woman in her early 30's concealing her age.

** Miho Miyazaki got into Senbatsu in the first two elections, was considered one of the upcoming centers and best [=MCs=], and is reportedly the favorite member of Yasushi Akimoto himself. In an ''Series/AKBingo'' episode, she related to the junior members how she lost most of her fans after [[FormerlyFit gaining weight]] and couldn't get back her momentum even after getting back into shape. She's still relatively popular in Showroom and radio shows, but nowhere near the earlier expectations.

%%* NightmareFuel:
%%** The original uncut PV for "Beginner" is... rather intense for an idol group.

%%* TheRival: [=Nogizaka46=]. Officially, at that.

** Miho Miyazaki got into Senbatsu in the first two elections, was considered one of the upcoming centers and best [=MCs=], and is reportedly the favorite member of Yasushi Akimoto himself. In an ''Series/AKBingo'' episode, she related to the junior members how she lost most of her fans after gaining weight and couldn't get back her momentum even after getting back into shape. She's still relatively popular in Showroom and radio shows, but nowhere near the earlier expectations.

%%* LesYay: Everywhere.

** After Yuko's graduation, and since she ranked #1 in the elections, Mayu Watanabe is now the face of AKB.

* FandomRivalry: With [[HelloProject Morning Musume]] fans. However, some members of [=AKB48=] are fans of Morning Musume and vice versa. There are even some members (ex: Yuki Kashiwagi) who auditioned for Morning Musume.

** Also, many fans from AKB's GoldenEra are quickly leaving the fandom now that older members are graduating and younger members from sister groups start taking the spotlight.

* EpicFail: Amina Sato failing to recognize FaceOfTheBand Atsuko Maeda in the game show Series/DasshutsuGameDERO!.
* FaceOfTheBand - Atsuko Maeda. Probably the ''most'' promoted member of Music/{{AKB48}}. She's the center for almost all Music/{{AKB48}} singles to date.

* FandomRivalry: With [[{{HelloProject}} Morning Musume]] fans. However, some members of AKB48 are fans of Morning Musume and vice versa.
** There are even some members (ex: Yuki Kashiwagi) who auditioned for Morning Musume.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: Oku Manami, often forgotten former original Team K member, is surprisingly popular with JKT48 fans. There are Indonesian fanclubs dedicated to her, and most of the comments in the videos/pictures related to her are made by Indonesian users.

* LesYay: Everywhere.
* LyricsVideoMismatch: "Iiwake Maybe" is about love, but the video is about Atsuko Maeda and Yuko Oshima's fight and cooling-off attempt by having a cycling competition.

* MeanCharacterNiceActor: Sae Miyazawa in the [=PV=] for "Oogoe Diamond".
* NightmareFuel: The original uncut PV for "Beginner" is... rather intense for an idol group.
** Same goes to "Manatsu no Sounds Good!".
** Some Adrenaline no Yoru episodes are pretty intense.
** The 2016 Hulu drama "Crow's Blood" is definitely NOT for the faint of heart.

** She did have a pretty solid solo career, though.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Most of the girls, such as Mayu Watanabe and Haruka Shimazaki.

* PerformanceVideo: "Oogoe Diamond" and "GIVE ME FIVE!", among others.
* ReplacementGoldfish: When teams originally followed the standard of having 16 members, this was how Kenkyuusei were promoted--a graduating member meant a spot for a trainee to be promoted and take a new place in the team.

* [[{{HeReallyCanAct}} She Really Can Act]]: Yuko is a surprisingly good actress. Yasushi Akimoto, producer of AKB, said he thinks that she'll be an internationally known actress in 10 years.
** Sayaka Akimoto as well.

*** For a variety show that also featured Tentoumu Chu!, the members were told to prank their seniors (who actually knew the whole time and are testing their acting skills). Okada was told to act as if she were being possessed by a cat. Although the project was to see who had the worst acting ability, she was highly praised for her overwhelming performance.
** Another young member who's shown great acting skills is SKE48's Nao Furuhata. Even though she has had no experience in acting, she was the winner of an acting audition in an SKE TV show "Position Zero" and was given a guest role in a serial drama.
** Starting October 2015, there is a series airing called "Adrenaline no Yoru", which is a horror series featuring 40 of the members from AKB and their sister groups. This drama is actually a huge audition between all 40 members. Whoever wins will become the leading role in a drama set to air in autumn 2016.
*** BannedEpisode: Haruka Shimazaki's episode "Music box" got banned from being shown on TV because the content was too scary.
*** On March 16th, Haruka Shimazaki was announced as the winner. Aside from "Adrenaline no Yoru", she has done other horror projects such as the movie "Ghost Theater" and the upcoming live action movie adaption of "Haunted Campus". (And if you saw her episode in Adrenaline no Yoru, you can probably understand why, cuz, boy, she can scream!)
** Similar to Adrenaline no Yoru, another competition series called "Koi Kojo" started airing in April 20th. Instead of horror, the members now take on the romance drama, with various kinds of love stories! There's even been confirmed to be kiss scenes and bed scenes. Just like the last competition, the winner will receive the leading role in a drama set to air in spring 2017.
*** The winner of that contest was Team B's Watanabe Mayu, who has previously starred in several dramas. One role that really shows off her acting prowess is Usa Shijimi/herself in the live-drama adaption of the manga "Saba-Dol", in which Mayu is actually a woman in her early 30's concealing her age.
* SignatureSong: "Heavy Rotation" and "Aitakatta".

* SpotlightStealingSquad: No one expected HKT48's Rino Sashihara to beat fan favorites Mayu Watanabe and Yuko Oshima to get the first place in the 2013 General Election preliminary results as well as in the actual election!
** Sister group kennins in AKB48 singles are often seen as this, mainly sister group aces.
* {{Stunt Double}}: Used in AKBKagekidanInfinity. In order to create the illusion of Ruka appearing on the balcony, disappearing, and then reappearing on the main stage, a stunt double was used. The stunt double was on the balcony, their back turned, and the main actress for Ruka appeared on the main stage after the double was gone.

* TearJerker: The PV and lyrics to "Sakura no Ki ni Narou".
** Also, the song "Rider". It's a song dedicated to a loyal fan who passed away.
** The PV to Atsuko Maeda's solo "Flower" is also very sad.

* TheRival: Nogizaka46. Officially, at that.
* TheScrappy: After predicting that AKB's popularity will probably wane in 1-2 years a lot fans bashed Rino Sashihara for being the "negative idol" and "unsupportive of her group." Thankfully the backlash seems to have died down by now. She's managed to make a fanbase of her own now that she's in HKT, and has been appointed as its manager.
** Yui Yokoyama, mainly because of her heavy promotion despite her status as a newly-promoted member.
*** As of late 2012, Yokoyama is mostly accepted by the fandom due in part to the effort she puts in, even being mostly accepted by the [=NMB48=] fandom when she was put in their senbatsu. As of 2015, she is now captain of Team A and will succeed Minami Takahashi as general manager after the latter's graduation.
*** Currently the AKB scrappy is Haruka Shimazaki, while a large number of SKE fans are annoyed at the likely prominence Rie Kitahara will soon have in the group.
*** Yokoyama and Kitahara have both been transferred back to AKB, despite mostly being accepted by the NMB and SKE fandoms and their team members. Newest scrappy is Miori Ichikawa, transferred to NMB. Many fans believe her cute appereance and behaviour doesn't fit with NMB's more sexy style.
** Miyawaki Sakura. Despite being HKT48 member, she's been getting huge push on AKB48 singles which puts people off. It doesn't help that she is one of the AKB48 ace candidates, despite already being one of the front members in HKT48.

* YoungerThanTheyLook: Sayaka Akimoto.
** JURINA MATSUI.
** Rina Chikano.

** Starting October 2015, there is a series airing called "Adrenaline no Yoru", which is a horror series featuring 40 of the members from AKB and their sister groups. This drama is actually a huge audition between all 40 members. Whoever wins will become the leading role in a drama set to air in 2016.

** Miyawaki Sakura. Despite being HKT48 member, she's been getting huge push on AKB48 singles which puts people off. It doesn't help that she is one of the AKB48 ace candidates, despite already being in front on HKT48.

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: Oku Manami, often forgotten former original Team K member, is surprisingly popular with JKT48 fans, most likely because she resembles JKT48 member Nabilah. There are Indonesian fanclubs dedicated to her, and most of the comments in the videos/pictures related to her are made by Indonesian users.

** Miyawaki Sakura. Despite being HKT48 member, she's been getting huge push on AKB48 singles which puts people off. It doesn't help that she is one of the AKB48 ace candidates, despite already being in front of HKT48.