All AKB48Groups and Adjacent Groups
Top L-R: Chiu Pin-han (Team TP), Anna (SGO48), Sita (CGM48), Glory (DEL48)
Bottom L-R: Yuiyui (AKB48), Shani (JKT48), Mobile (BNK48), Abby (MNL48), Liu Nian (Team SH), Miion (AKB48)
AKB48 Groups (AKB48グループ), or 48 Groups, are the sister groups of the Japanese idol group AKB48. All are based on the same concept – idols you can meet. As of June 2024, there are twelve AKB48 groups across five different countries and six Japanese prefectures. Other idol groups, such as the Sakamichi Series, IZ*ONE, the SNH48 Groups, and more, are not sister groups of AKB48 but are related in other ways. This article provides a list of all relevant groups across these categories.
Official AKB48 Groups:
Japanese Groups:
AKB48
Name: AKB48 (Akihabara48)
City: Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan
Color: Pink
Agency: DH
Years Active: 2005-Present
Teams: Team A, Team K, Team B, Team 4, Team 8, Regular Members, Kenkyuusei
Sub-Units: Chocolove from AKB48, No Sleeves, Not yet, Watarirouka Hashiritai 7, DIVA, French Kiss
Note: As of October 2023, AKB48 has retired the teams system and disbanded the teams. This does not apply to their sister groups.
SKE48
Name: SKE48 (Sakae48)
City: Sakae, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Color: Orange
Agency: Zest
Years Active: 2008-present
Teams: Team S, Team KII, Team E, Kenkyuusei
Sub-Units: Love Crescendo, Prima Stella, Coming Flavor
NMB48
Name: NMB48 (Namba48)
City: Namba, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Color: Leopard Pattern
Agency: Showtitle (Yoshimoto Kyogo)
Years Active: 2010-present
Teams: Team N, Team M, Team BII, Promoted Members, Kenkyuusei
Sub-Units: QUEENTET, Danceable!, Kyunmart, W1N-C, LeopAje, Mix Juice, Chouzetsu KawaE, FRONTIER, LAPIS ARCH, Ripriple, Twinkle
HKT48
Name: HKT48 (Hakata48)
City: Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Color: Black
Agency: Mercury
Years Active: 2011-present
Teams: Team H, Team KIIV, Team TII, Kenkyuusei
See also: Graduated Members
NGT48
Name: NGT48 (Niigata48)
City: Niigata, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Color: Red and White
Agency: Flora
Years Active: 2015-present
Teams: Team NIII, Team G, Regular Members, Kenkyuusei
Note: In 2019, NGT48 ended the team system after the assault of Maho Yamaguchi.
STU48
Name: STU48 (Setouchi48)
City: Setouchi Region, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Color: Blue and White
Agency: STU
Years Active: 2017-present
Teams: Regular Members, Kenkyuusei
Sub-Units: Seto7, Setomaiku, MiKER!, Charming Trip, STUDIO, Katte ni! Shikoku Kanko Taishi, Aoi Himawari
Indonesian Groups:
JKT48
Name: JKT48 (Jakarta48)
City: Jakarta, Indonesia
Color: Red
Agency: JKT48 / Indonesia Creators Economy
Years Active: 2011-present
Teams: Team J, Team KIII, Team T, Regular Members, Trainees,
Sub-Units: 4 Gulali, JKT48 Dangdut, JKT48 Band, JKT48 Acoustic, JKT48 Dance Project, JKT48V
Note: In 2021, the teams system was retired due to the impact of COVID-19.
Thai Groups:
BNK48
Name: BNK48 (Bangkok48) (บีเอ็นเคโฟร์ตีเอต)
City: Bangkok, Thailand
Color: Orchid
Agency: independent Artist Management (iAM)
Years Active: 2017-present
Teams: Team BIII, Team NV, Trainees
Sub-Units: Mimigumo, Charaline, QRRA
CGM48
Name: CGM48 (Chiang Mai48) (ซีจีเอ็มโฟร์ตีเอต)
City: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Color: Mint
Agency: independent Artist Management (iAM)
Years Active: 2019-present
Teams: Team C, Trainees
Chinese Groups:
AKB48 Team SH
Name: AKB48 Team SH (AKB48 Team Shanghai)
A.K.A: Go Ahead Girl Group (冲吧少女组合, Chōng ba Shàonǚ Zǔhé)
City: Shanghai, China
Color: Pink and White
Agency: Shangyue Culture
Years Active: 2018-present
Teams: Regular Members, Trainees
Sub-Units: Holiday Girls
Taiwanese Groups:
AKB48 Team TP
Name: AKB48 Team TP (AKB48 Team Taipei)
City: Taipei, Taiwan
Color: Mango
Agency: Good Talk
Years Active: 2018-present
Units: Team TP, Daisy, Bellflower, Sakura, Trainees, TIC TAC TOE, Peek A Boo
Sub-Units: The Puzzle5
Note: Uses units instead of teams.
Filipino Groups:
MNL48
Name: MNL48 (Manila48)
City: Manila, Philippines
Color: Blue
Agency: Hallohallo Entertainment Inc.
Years Active: 2018-present
Teams: Team MII, Team NIV, Team L, Team Unknown, Regular Members, Trainees
Sub-Units: Baby Blue
Note: The teams system has been retired.
Malaysian Groups:
KLP48
Name: KLP48 (Kuala Lumpur48)
City: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Color: Green
Agency: 48 Entertainment SDN. BHD.
Years Active: 2024-present
Notable Units:
QUADLIPS
Name: QUADLIPS
Years Active: 2024-present
Background: AKB48’s first global unit consisting of members from SKE48, JKT48, BNK48, and MNL48.
Nona Diamonds
Name: Nona Diamonds (ノナ ダイヤモンズ)
Years Active: 2021
Background: A unit created of the winners of the AKB48 Group Third Singing Contest, featuring members from AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48 and STU48.
INDY CAMP
Name: INDY CAMP
Color: Neon Green
Years Active: 2021-present
Background: A special unit of BNK48 and CGM48 members produced by Thai guitarist and singer-songwriter Rat Pikartpairee. The members participate in writing and composing their music.
eRAA
Name: eRAA (อีร่า)
Color: Fuschia
Years Active: 2023-present
Background: A special unit of BNK48 (and formerly CGM48) members created to promote the culture of Isan (Northeast Thailand).
Former Units:
Tentoumu Chu!
Name: Tentoumu Chu! (てんとうむChu!)
Years Active: 2013-2016
Background: A unit formed of selected trainees from AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and HKT48. The members also starred in the drama Joshikou Keisatsu and the variety show Tentoumu Chu! no Sekai o Muchu ni Sasemasu Sengen!
Note: Never formally disbanded, but has been inactive since 2016 except for a special performance in 2019. With Nagisa Shibuya‘s graduation in 2023, there are no remaining members.
Dendenmu Chu!
Name: Dendenmu Chu! (でんでんむChu!)
Years Active: 2015-2016
Background: A unit formed of members from AKB48 and HKT48.
Note: Never formally disbanded, but has been inactive since 2016.
NO NAME
Name: NO NAME (ノーネーム)
Years Active: 2012-2013
Background: A unit of members from AKB48, SKE48, and NMB48 who voice the main characters in AKB0048, an anime based on AKB48. The unit also performed the opening and ending themes for the show.
Project Groups:
Baito AKB
Name: Baito AKB (バイトAKB)
Years Active: 2014-2015
Background: Baito AKB was a collaboration project between AKB48 and the part-time job website Baitoru. 53 applicants were given a part-time position as an AKB48 member, participating in rehearsals, events, and performances part-time and being paid ¥1000 per hour like at a standard job. It was a temporary project which lasted from October 2014 to February 2015.
Disbanded Groups:
Japanese Groups:
SDN48
Name: SDN48 (Saturday Night48)
City: Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan
Color: Silver
Agency: AKS
Years Active: 2009-2012
Teams: 1st Generation, 2nd Generation, 3rd Generation
Sub-Units: Natsuaki, 7cm
Note: Designed to be a more mature version of AKB48; members were 20+ years old and performances were open only to guests aged 18 or older. No official reason given for disbandment, but likely due to poor sales.
Indian Groups:
DEL48
Name: DEL48 (Delhi48)
City: Delhi, India
Color: Orange and White
Agency: YKBK48 Entertaiment
Years Active: 2019-2020
Note: Disbanded due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MUB48
Name: MUB48 (Mumbai48)
City: Mumbai, India
Color: Green and White
Agency: YKBK48 Entertaiment
Years Active: —
Note: A planned group which never debuted. It was officially canceled alongside DEL48’s disbandment.
Vietnamese Groups:
SGO48
Name: SGO48 (Saigon48)
City: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Color: Lotus
Agency: YAG Entertainment
Years Active: 2018-2021
Note: Disbanded due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AKB48-Adjacent Groups:
UNLAME
Name: UNLAME (アンレイム)
Agency: DH
Years Active: 2023-present
Background: UNLAME is an idol group formed from the winners of the audition show OUT OF 48, whose contestants included both AKB48 members and regular contestants. 5 out of 7 of the original members are concurrent AKB48 members.
IZ*ONE
Name: IZ*ONE (アイズワン/아이즈원)
Agency: Off The Record, Stone Music Entertainment, Vernalossom
Years Active: 2018-2021
Background: IZ*ONE was a temporary Korean-Japanese girl group formed from the winners of the survival show Produce 48. Produce 48 was a survival show born from a collaboration between Produce 101 and AKB48. IZ*ONE was a massive success, but ultimately their contracts were not renewed and the group disbanded in 2021.
OJS48
Agency: AKS
Years Active: 2010
Background: OJS48 (Ojisan48) was a male idol group. It was composed of former police officers and detectives with an average age of 61 years old. The group disbanded shortly after the release of their debut single, which sold poorly. Post disbandment, some members became security guards for AKB48.
Sakamichi Series:
The Sakamichi Series (坂道シリーズ, “Sloping Roads Series”) is an idol franchise begun in 2011 with the debut of Nogizaka46. Nogizaka46 is the official rival of AKB48. To contrast AKB48, the Sakamichi Series are designed to be more elegant and refined. The “46” in their names is a challenge that they won’t lose even with less members.
Nogizaka46
Name: Nogizaka46 (乃木坂46)
Color: Purple
Agency: Nogizaka46 LLC
Years Active: 2011-present
Sub-Units: Cinq Étoiles, Nogidan, Sayuringo Army Corps, Girls’ School Quartet, Karaage Sisters
Sakurazaka46
Name: Sakurazaka46 (櫻坂46)
Color: White and Pink
Agency: Seed & Flower LLC
Years Active: 2015-present
Note: Previously known as Kanji Keyakizaka46 or Keyakizaka46 from 2015-2020. Rebranded on October 14, 2020.
Yoshimotozaka46
Name: Yoshimotozaka46 (吉本坂46)
Color: Orange
Agency: Yoshimoto Kyogo
Years Active: 2018-present (Hiatus)
Sub-Units: CIRCUS, RED, Sweet MONSTER
Note: An unconventional mixed-gender group with members’ birth years ranging 1955-2005. Comprised of comedians and talents from Yoshimoto Kyogo. On indefinite hiatus since February 2022.
Hinatazaka46
Name: Hinatazaka46 (日向坂46)
Color: Blue
Agency: Seed & Flower LLC
Years Active: 2015-present
Sub-Units: Hanachanzu, Lima Cantik, FACTORY, 2002 line, Ayameichan, Miipan Family, Color Chart
Note: Formerly a unit of Keyakizaka46 known as Hiragana Keyakizaka46 from 2015-2019. Became an independent group on February 11, 2019.
Sakamichi Series-Adjacent Groups:
Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora
Name: Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora (僕が見たかった青空, “The Blue Sky I Wanted to See”)
Agency: Ligareaz Management
Years Active: 2023-present
Background: Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora, BokuAo for short, is an idol group which debuted in 2023. They are the official rival group of Nogizaka46.
SNH48 Groups:
SNH48 originally was originally the the first Chinese sister group of AKB48, established in 2013. In June 2016, SNH48 Management created the new groups BEJ48 and GNZ48, which violated their contract with AKB48. The two split and SNH48 continued as an independent group and franchise unaffiliated with AKB48. As of June 2024, SNH48 has four sister groups and plans to launch new groups in countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Their producer is Wang ZiJie.
SNH48
Name: SNH48 (Shanghai48)
AKA: Shanghai Siba Girls (上海丝芭女子组合, Shànghǎi Sībā Nǚzǐ Zǔhé)
City: Shanghai, China
Color: Light Blue
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2013-present
Teams: Team SII, Team NII, Team HII, Team X, Team XII, Team FT, Overseas Trainees, Trainees
Sub-Units: Seine River, ElectroEyes Girls, Style7, HO2, BlueV, DEMOON, Color Girls, 7Senses
BEJ48
Name: BEJ48 (Beijing48)
City: Beijing, China
Color: Rose
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2016-present
Teams: Team B, Team E, Team J, Promoted Members, Trainees
GNZ48
Name: GNZ48 (Guangzhou48)
City: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Color: Olive Green
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2016-present
Teams: Team G, Team NIII, Team Z, Class 4, Class 8, Trainees
Sub-Units: OUTTOO, NEBULOVE
CKG48
Name: CKG48 (Chungking48)
City: Chongqing, China
Color: Gold
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2017-2019, 2019-present
Teams: Team C, Team K, Trainees
Sub-Units: SPICY
Note: Disbanded in January 2019 due to a reorganization project. Reformed March 2019.
CGT48
Name: CGT48 (Chengdu48)
City: Chengdu, China
Color: Lava
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2023-present
Teams: Team CII, Team GII, Trainees
Disbanded Groups:
SHY48
Name: SHY48 (Shenyang48)
City: Shenyang, Liaoning, China
Color: Magenta
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2017-2019
Teams: Team SIII, Team HIII, Trainees
Note: Disbanded on January 19, 2019 due to a reorganization project. Members were transferred to different sister groups.
SNH48 Adjacent Groups:
IDOLS Ft
Name: IDOLS Ft (Idol Studio Ft)
Agency: STAR48
Years Active: 2019-present
Background: IDOLS Ft is an internet-based idol trainee group composed of former SNH48 Group members. The members conduct their activities online, interacting with fans, livestreaming, etc. If trainees meet certain qualifications, they can rejoin one of the SNH48 Groups as an official member again.
JNR48
Name: JNR48 (Junior48)
Agency: STAR48, Shanghai Xiaoyuan Art Troupe
Years Active: 2020-present
Background: JNR48 is a junior idol project consisting of members aged 6-14. While it is affiliated with SNH48, it is not considered one of their sister groups.
Made by fairymetal
Related:
PRODUCE 48 (Survival Show) Contestants Profile
The Youngest and Oldest 48Group Members
Which is your favorite AKB48 group? Are any missing? Feel free to comment down below! 
