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The franchise doesn't limit itself to music. It has spawned mobile games, frequent commercial collaborations and even three DatingSim games published by Creator/{{Bandai Namco|Entertainment}} released for [=PlayStation=] consoles. One notable mobile game, released during the height of UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, was ''[=AKB48=] WORLD'' when you can be part of the group FOR REAL!![[note]]albeit, as part of managing the activities of the group[[/note]] It's not the group's first management game, though, since there was also the short-lived ''[=AKB48=] Cherry Bay Blaze'' for the Chinese market, launched in late-2019 and was shuttered in January 2021 after a major management change at AKB. However, the game will officially end services in December of 2023. Aside from that, it has its own [[Anime/AKB0048 anime]], which is set in the future & directed by Creator/ShojiKawamori, and a [[Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei manga]], set more or less in the present day. There's also the mystery manga series ''[=AKB48=] Satsujin Jiken'' (''[=AKB48=] Murder Mystery'') written by Gosho Aoyama of ''Manga/CaseClosed'' fame, which has been adapted into a 5-part live-action commercial series for Glico Fruit Ice. In the live-action TV side, there are ''Series/MajisukaGakuen'', the group's longest and most popular drama series, and ''Series/MendolIkemen'', that features the members of no3b. And of course, the LongRunner VarietyShow ''Series/AKBingo'' and its spiritual successor ''[=AKB48=] Goodbye Mr. Mouri''.

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The franchise doesn't limit itself to music. It has spawned mobile games, frequent commercial collaborations and even three DatingSim games published by Creator/{{Bandai Namco|Entertainment}} released for [=PlayStation=] consoles. One notable mobile game, released during the height of UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, was ''[=AKB48=] WORLD'' when you can be part of the group FOR REAL!![[note]]albeit, as part of managing the activities of the group[[/note]] It's not the group's first management game, though, since there was also the short-lived ''[=AKB48=] Cherry Bay Blaze'' for the Chinese market, launched in late-2019 and was shuttered in January 2021 after a major management change at AKB. However, the game will officially end ended services in December of 2023. Aside from that, it has its own [[Anime/AKB0048 anime]], which is set in the future & directed by Creator/ShojiKawamori, and a [[Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei manga]], set more or less in the present day. There's also the mystery manga series ''[=AKB48=] Satsujin Jiken'' (''[=AKB48=] Murder Mystery'') written by Gosho Aoyama of ''Manga/CaseClosed'' fame, which has been adapted into a 5-part live-action commercial series for Glico Fruit Ice. In the live-action TV side, there are ''Series/MajisukaGakuen'', the group's longest and most popular drama series, and ''Series/MendolIkemen'', that features the members of no3b. And of course, the LongRunner VarietyShow ''Series/AKBingo'' and its spiritual successor ''[=AKB48=] Goodbye Mr. Mouri''.
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The franchise doesn't limit itself to music. It has spawned mobile games, frequent commercial collaborations and even three DatingSim games published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment BANDAI]] released for [=PlayStation=] consoles. One notable mobile game, released during the height of UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, was ''[=AKB48=] WORLD'' when you can be part of the group FOR REAL!![[note]]albeit, as part of managing the activities of the group[[/note]] It's not the group's first management game, though, since there was also the short-lived ''[=AKB48=] Cherry Bay Blaze'' for the Chinese market, launched in late-2019 and was shuttered in January 2021 after a major management change at AKB. However, the game will officially end services in December of 2023. Aside from that, it has its own [[Anime/AKB0048 anime]], which is set in the future & directed by Creator/ShojiKawamori, and a [[Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei manga]], set more or less in the present day. There's also the mystery manga series ''[=AKB48=] Satsujin Jiken'' (''[=AKB48=] Murder Mystery'') written by Gosho Aoyama of ''Manga/CaseClosed'' fame, which has been adapted into a 5-part live-action commercial series for Glico Fruit Ice. In the live-action TV side, there are ''Series/MajisukaGakuen'', the group's longest and most popular drama series, and ''Series/MendolIkemen'', that features the members of no3b. And of course, the LongRunner VarietyShow ''Series/AKBingo'' and its spiritual successor ''[=AKB48=] Goodbye Mr. Mouri''.

to:

The franchise doesn't limit itself to music. It has spawned mobile games, frequent commercial collaborations and even three DatingSim games published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment BANDAI]] Creator/{{Bandai Namco|Entertainment}} released for [=PlayStation=] consoles. One notable mobile game, released during the height of UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, was ''[=AKB48=] WORLD'' when you can be part of the group FOR REAL!![[note]]albeit, as part of managing the activities of the group[[/note]] It's not the group's first management game, though, since there was also the short-lived ''[=AKB48=] Cherry Bay Blaze'' for the Chinese market, launched in late-2019 and was shuttered in January 2021 after a major management change at AKB. However, the game will officially end services in December of 2023. Aside from that, it has its own [[Anime/AKB0048 anime]], which is set in the future & directed by Creator/ShojiKawamori, and a [[Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei manga]], set more or less in the present day. There's also the mystery manga series ''[=AKB48=] Satsujin Jiken'' (''[=AKB48=] Murder Mystery'') written by Gosho Aoyama of ''Manga/CaseClosed'' fame, which has been adapted into a 5-part live-action commercial series for Glico Fruit Ice. In the live-action TV side, there are ''Series/MajisukaGakuen'', the group's longest and most popular drama series, and ''Series/MendolIkemen'', that features the members of no3b. And of course, the LongRunner VarietyShow ''Series/AKBingo'' and its spiritual successor ''[=AKB48=] Goodbye Mr. Mouri''.
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The franchise doesn't limit itself to music. It has spawned mobile games, frequent commercial collaborations and even three DatingSim games published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment BANDAI]] released for [=PlayStation=] consoles. One notable mobile game, released during the height of UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, was ''[=AKB48=] WORLD'' when you can be part of the group FOR REAL!![[note]]albeit, as part of managing the activities of the group[[/note]] It's not the group's first management game, though, since there was also the short-lived ''[=AKB48=] Cherry Bay Blaze'' for the Chinese market, launched in late-2019 and was shuttered in January 2021 after a major management change at AKB. It has its own [[Anime/AKB0048 anime]], which is set in the future & directed by Creator/ShojiKawamori, and a [[Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei manga]], set more or less in the present day. There's also the mystery manga series ''[=AKB48=] Satsujin Jiken'' (''[=AKB48=] Murder Mystery'') written by Gosho Aoyama of ''Manga/CaseClosed'' fame, which has been adapted into a 5-part live-action commercial series for Glico Fruit Ice. In the live-action TV side, there are ''Series/MajisukaGakuen'', the group's longest and most popular drama series, and ''Series/MendolIkemen'', that features the members of no3b. And of course, the LongRunner VarietyShow ''Series/AKBingo'' and its spiritual successor ''[=AKB48=] Goodbye Mr. Mouri''.

to:

The franchise doesn't limit itself to music. It has spawned mobile games, frequent commercial collaborations and even three DatingSim games published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment BANDAI]] released for [=PlayStation=] consoles. One notable mobile game, released during the height of UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, was ''[=AKB48=] WORLD'' when you can be part of the group FOR REAL!![[note]]albeit, as part of managing the activities of the group[[/note]] It's not the group's first management game, though, since there was also the short-lived ''[=AKB48=] Cherry Bay Blaze'' for the Chinese market, launched in late-2019 and was shuttered in January 2021 after a major management change at AKB. It However, the game will officially end services in December of 2023. Aside from that, it has its own [[Anime/AKB0048 anime]], which is set in the future & directed by Creator/ShojiKawamori, and a [[Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei manga]], set more or less in the present day. There's also the mystery manga series ''[=AKB48=] Satsujin Jiken'' (''[=AKB48=] Murder Mystery'') written by Gosho Aoyama of ''Manga/CaseClosed'' fame, which has been adapted into a 5-part live-action commercial series for Glico Fruit Ice. In the live-action TV side, there are ''Series/MajisukaGakuen'', the group's longest and most popular drama series, and ''Series/MendolIkemen'', that features the members of no3b. And of course, the LongRunner VarietyShow ''Series/AKBingo'' and its spiritual successor ''[=AKB48=] Goodbye Mr. Mouri''.
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** There's also the ''Anime/{{ICE}}'' OVA, where a group of selected members performed the songs and voiced characters.

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** There's also the ''Anime/{{ICE}}'' ''Anime/{{ICE|2007}}'' OVA, where a group of selected members performed the songs and voiced characters.
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[=AKB48=] is divided into five teams: Team A, Team K, Team B and Team 4. Each roughly consists of 20 members, with the exception of Team 8, which debuted with 47 members at the time of its conception, each one of them from a different Japanese prefecture. As a very large musical act which emphasizes group identity over individual ones, membership is rather fluid, and the girls regularly exit the group for various reasons. Before they exit, they usually hold farewell performances or "graduation ceremonies", although there are those who choose to exit without fanfare, which includes those who are fired by the management. In addition to regular members, there are also trainees (''kenkyuusei''), understudies who have not been assigned teams and only occasionally perform in the theatre. As of 2023, the group, including trainees, consists of 85 members, and is captained by Mion Mukaichi of Team A, who is not only considered the leader of [=AKB48=] but also all of its sister groups. There was also Team 8 which was compromised of Japan's different prefectures, but it was shuttered in 2023.

Speaking of sister groups, [=AKB48=] has produced a total of sixteen sister groups, eleven of which are active and affiliated with the main group, one is active but no longer affiliated, while the remaining four have been disbanded. They are collectively called the "[=AKB48=] Group". They are as follow:

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[=AKB48=] is divided into five teams: Team A, Team K, Team B and Team 4. Each roughly consists of 20 members, with the exception of Team 8, which debuted with 47 members at the time of its conception, each one of them from a different Japanese prefecture. As a very large musical act which emphasizes group identity over individual ones, [=AKB48=]'s membership is rather fluid, and the girls regularly exit the group for various reasons. Before they exit, they usually hold farewell performances or "graduation ceremonies", although there are those who choose to exit without fanfare, which includes those who are fired by the management. In addition to regular members, there are also trainees (''kenkyuusei''), understudies who have not been assigned teams and only occasionally perform in the theatre. As of 2023, the group, including trainees, consists of 85 members, 58 members. It used to divide its members into teams (Team A, K, B, 4, and is captained 8), each consisting of roughly 20 members and led by Mion Mukaichi of Team A, who is not only considered the leader of [=AKB48=] but also all of its sister groups. There a captain. However, this team system was also Team 8 which was compromised of Japan's different prefectures, but it was shuttered abolished in 2023.

Speaking of sister groups,
August 2023, replaced by a more streamlined generational system that divides members based on seniority.

On a related note,
[=AKB48=] has produced a total of sixteen sister groups, eleven of which are active and affiliated with the main group, one is active but no longer affiliated, while the remaining four have been disbanded. They are collectively called the "[=AKB48=] Group". While the team system has been abolished in [=AKB48=], not all of the sister groups have done so. They are as follow:



* Music/SKE48: Formed in 2008 and based in Nagoya, it is composed of Team S, Team KII and Team E. It distinguishes its style from AKB's by focusing on a more summery and flirty vibe in its songs, with [[PseudoRomanticFriendship the relationship between Rena Matsui and Jurina Matsui (not related)]] becoming a big selling point. The acronym "SKE" refers to Sakae, an area in Nagoya where the group's theater is located. It currently has 56 members.
* Music/NMB48: Formed in 2010 and based in Osaka, it is composed of Team N, Team M and Team BII. Has a HotterAndSexier style in many of its songs, with many of its members focusing [[TheIdiotFromOsaka in comedy skits and wackier personalities than the other group's members]]. The acronym "NMB" refers to Namba, an area in Osaka where the group's theater is located. As of 2023, the group has 61 members.
* Music/HKT48: Formed in 2011 and based in Fukuoka, it is composed of Team H, Team KIV and Team TII. Focused on a cutesy, {{kawaiiko}} style in its earlier years. The acronym "HKT" refers to Fukuoka's Hakata ward. It currently has 45 members.
* Music/NGT48: Formed in 2015 and based in Niigata. Rather than teams, its subunits are based on generations, after management dissolved the team system in 2019, following a scandal surrounding member Maho Yamaguchi being assaulted in 2018. It currently has 24 members.
* Music/STU48: Formed in 2017, it was formerly based in a CoolShip that wandered the waters that bathe the Setouchi region. The ship has since been decommissioned, and the group now tours the Setouchi region with no fixed venue. Like [=NGT48=], it has no team system. Its image focuses on a cooler, fancier style similar to that of Music/Nogizaka46 and its sister groups, and it's very involved in tourism promotion of the area. It currently has 49 members.

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* Music/SKE48: Formed in 2008 and based in Nagoya, it is composed of Team S, Team KII and Team E. It distinguishes its style from AKB's by focusing on a more summery and flirty vibe in its songs, with [[PseudoRomanticFriendship the relationship between Rena Matsui and Jurina Matsui (not related)]] becoming a big selling point. The acronym "SKE" refers to Sakae, an area in Nagoya where the group's theater is located. It currently has 56 64 members.
* Music/NMB48: Formed in 2010 and based in Osaka, it is composed of Team N, Team M and Team BII. Has a HotterAndSexier style in many of its songs, with many of its members focusing [[TheIdiotFromOsaka in comedy skits and wackier personalities than the other group's members]]. The acronym "NMB" refers to Namba, an area in Osaka where the group's theater is located. As of 2023, the group It currently has 61 56 members.
* Music/HKT48: Formed in 2011 and based in Fukuoka, it is composed of Team H, Team KIV H and Team TII.KIV. Focused on a cutesy, {{kawaiiko}} style in its earlier years. The acronym "HKT" refers to Fukuoka's Hakata ward. It currently has 45 38 members.
* Music/NGT48: Formed in 2015 and based in Niigata. Rather than teams, its subunits are based on generations, after management dissolved the team system in 2019, following a scandal surrounding member Maho Yamaguchi being assaulted in 2018. It currently has 24 23 members.
* Music/STU48: Formed in 2017, it was formerly based in a CoolShip that wandered the waters that bathe the Setouchi region. The ship has since been decommissioned, and the group now tours the Setouchi region with no fixed venue. Like [=NGT48=], it has no team system. Its image focuses on a cooler, fancier style similar to that of Music/Nogizaka46 and its sister groups, and it's very involved in tourism promotion of the area. It currently has 49 48 members.



* [=JKT48=]: Formed in 2011 and based in Jakarta (Indonesia), it is composed of Team J, Team KIII, and Team T. The project's first group outside of Japan. It currently has 43 members.
* [=BNK48=]: Formed in 2017 and based in Bangkok (Thailand), it is composed of Team BIII and Team NV. It currently has 45 members.
** [=CGM48=]: Formed in 2019 and based in Chiang Mai (Thailand). BNK's first sister group, and the first instance of an overseas group forming a sister group of its own. It currently has 30 members.
* [=MNL48=]: Formed in 2018 and based in Manila (Philippines), it is composed of Team MII, Team NIV, Team L, and Team Unknown. It currently has 27 members.
* [=AKB48=] Team SH: Formed in 2018 and based in Shanghai (China). It was created after the original Chinese group [=SNH48=] left the AKB project. It currently has 57 members.
* [=AKB48=] Team TP: Formed in 2018 and based in Taipei (Taiwan), it is composed of Unit Tic Tac Toe and Unit Peek A Boo. A retooling of the never-realized [=TPE48=] project. It currently has 40 members.

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* [=JKT48=]: Formed in 2011 and based in Jakarta (Indonesia), it is composed of Team J, Team KIII, and Team T.(Indonesia). The project's first group outside of Japan. It used to follow the team system, but has abolished it. It currently has 43 41 members.
* [=BNK48=]: Formed in 2017 and based in Bangkok (Thailand), it is composed of Team BIII and Team NV. It currently has 45 44 members.
** [=CGM48=]: Formed in 2019 and based in Chiang Mai (Thailand). BNK's first sister group, and the first instance of an overseas group forming a sister group of its own. It currently has 30 29 members.
* [=MNL48=]: Formed in 2018 and based in Manila (Philippines), it is composed of Team MII, Team NIV, Team L, and Team Unknown. (Philippines). It used to follow the team system, but has abolished it. It currently has 27 23 members.
* [=AKB48=] Team SH: Formed in 2018 and based in Shanghai (China). It was created after the original Chinese group [=SNH48=] left the AKB project. It currently has 57 56 members.
* [=AKB48=] Team TP: Formed in 2018 and based in Taipei (Taiwan), it is composed of Unit Tic Tac Toe and Unit Peek A Boo. A retooling of the never-realized [=TPE48=] project. It currently has 40 28 members.



In 2020, all [=AKB48=] events were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It planned to resume after the safety measures were implemented, but the capital's ongoing state of emergencies made it impossible. Also, the handshake events were suspended indefinitely. In 2022, Team 8 announced that it would be winding down its activities the following year and go on hiatus indefinitely, while its members would continue their activities as part of the other four teams. In 2023, alongside a move to Creator/UniversalMusicGroup, [=AKB48=] returned its handshake events. Also that same year, the group announced that it would replace the original team system with a new system. These changes were followed by a large number of graduations, reducing the member count (excluding trainees) to less than 48 for the first time in many years.

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In 2020, all [=AKB48=] events were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It planned to resume after the safety measures were implemented, but the capital's ongoing state of emergencies made it impossible. Also, the handshake events were suspended indefinitely. In 2022, Team 8 announced that it would be winding down its activities the following year and go on hiatus indefinitely, while its members would continue their activities as part of the other four teams. In 2023, alongside a move to Creator/UniversalMusicGroup, [=AKB48=] returned its handshake events. Also that same year, the group announced that it would replace the original team system with a new generational system. These changes were followed by a large number of graduations, reducing the member count (excluding trainees) to less than 48 for the first time in many years.
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'''[=AKB48=]''' is an [[IdolSinger idol]] [[GirlGroup girl group]], founded in 2005. Despite the name, the group usually has ''way'' more than 48 members at any point in time, with even more members scattered in its many sister groups and units.

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'''[=AKB48=]''' [=AKB48=] is an [[IdolSinger idol]] [[GirlGroup girl group]], founded in 2005. Despite the name, the group usually has ''way'' more than 48 members at any point in time, with even more members scattered in its many sister groups and units.

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* EndOfAnAge: The closing scene of the MV for "Mata Aeru Hi Made", showing [[EmptyChairMemorial 21 chairs]] each with a lighted candle, each one symbolizing a member of the 1st generation. With the graduation of the final 1st gen member Minami Minegishi. 14 years after their debut, this is truly the end of an era.

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* EndOfAnAge: EndOfAnAge:
**
The closing scene of the MV for "Mata Aeru Hi Made", showing [[EmptyChairMemorial 21 chairs]] each with a lighted candle, each one symbolizing a member of the 1st generation. With the graduation of the final 1st gen member Minami Minegishi. 14 years after their debut, this is truly the end of an era.era.
** The official ending of the Team system, as well as the graduation announcement by Yuki Kashiwagi, the last of the original members, in October 2023 meant that the AKB48 as that everyone has known for its entire existence is officially ending and moving into a new era.

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