So whats the hype all about AKB48. Well to put it simply I have just come across this group and its quite interesting as a music band or rather theater group. The total number of members currently adds up to 44 members. Yes people 44 girls all in all and the youngest currently is only mere 13 years old while the oldest is 23. However there are some members who have already left the group and moved on. Or rather retired then again its quite interesting to get to know about them.
Formed by Akimoto Yasushi and their songs used for commercials or tv-shows, they initially debuted with 20 members where the initial audition held had 7,924 applicants, 45 were shortlisted and only 24 were chosen out of the shortlisted applicants and formed Team A. The next audition saw 11,892 applicants and 18 were added to the group and formed Team K. Interestingly the auditions was carried using videos that applicants had to record on their mobiles phones and send them in. Team B was formed with another 18 more members later on in the same year as Team K was formed.
At one point the number of members of this group went up to 53, then came down to 48 later on after some of the initial member graduated from the group which then truly reflected the 48 in the group’s name. The most amount of members that appeared on stage was 46 at one during the 58th Annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the first time.
So far their music is good in my opinion and having so many voices singing at one go. Feels like and entire choir if you ask me.
The following picture only displays 44 of the current 48 members.