AKB48 Members

The 1st to 3rd Generation are known as the Original Teams (1st Gen: Team A, 2nd Gen: Team K, 3rd Gen: Team B).

Later on, when more auditions were held, all the future successful candidates would take part of a in-training team of members that would work as sub and under for the official members in various activities (mostly the Theater Performances). And finally, when any of the official members would graduate, a girl would be promoted to fill the space.

This group of girls was called AKB48 SEED. The term was dropped later on and changed to Kenkyuusei Members (Research Students). After more auditions were held and eventually more generations were created, the Kenkyuusei started to perform by themselves in the theater on their own stage.

In 2009 the Team Kenkyuusei was created and the Kenkyuusei Selection was held for the first time. Since then, the Kenkyuusei had more presence in the group, even being part of Senbatsu and appearing on TV shows. After the 2012 Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle, the Kenkyuusei rarely subbed for members of Team A, Team K, and Team B at theater shows any longer. This was because those teams had over 16 members, and since only 16 could perform at once, there was usually a surplus of members to perform. However, until the AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri Team 4 only had 16 members, so whenever a Team 4 member could not perform a Kenkyuusei would fill her place.

Currently five generations (2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th) don't have remaining active members. Besides the regular auditions, AKB48 also participates in the AKB48 Group Draft Kaigi to recruit new members. They also had a special audition to recruit Team 8 and two auditions to recruit temporary members (Otona AKB48 and Baito AKB). Team 8, having one member from each prefecture, holds separated auditions everytime a member graduates. AKB48 also has Concurrent Members, members from sister groups who have a concurrent position in AKB48. However, after the AKB48 Team Shuffle 2017, no sister group members hold Concurrent positions on AKB48. Instead, all members of Team 8 are Concurrent members, being members of two teams on the same group.

AKB48 has had 209 original members over 16 generations (not including Draft, Team 8 members, Kennin, transferred and temporary members) and a total of 395 members (Plus Draft, Team 8 members, Kennin, transferred and temporary members). As of September 2020, AKB48 has 91 members, plus 8 Kenkyuusei and 1 member in IZONE.

AKB48 Original Teams

Bolded names indicate members, which are still active in AKB48 or one of the sister groups
Italicized names indicate members with pending graduations

1st Generation (Original Team A)

Miichan

Announced October 30, 2005.
20 members formed Team A on October, 2005.

Members (21): Itano Tomomi, Usami Yuki, Urano Kazumi, Oe Tomomi, Oshima Mai, Orii Ayumi, Kawasaki Nozomi, Komatani Hitomi, Kojima Haruna, Sato Yukari, Takahashi Minami, Tojima Hana, Nakanishi Rina, Narita Risa, Hirajima Natsumi, Hoshino Michiru, Maeda Atsuko, Masuyama Kayano, Minegishi Minami, Watanabe Shiho | Shinoda Mariko (joined the group on 2006/1/22)

Now in Team K (1): Minegishi Minami
Now Graduated (20): Usami Yuki, Orii Ayumi, Hoshino Michiru, Watanabe Shiho, Masuyama Kayano, Oe Tomomi, Komatani Hitomi, Tojima Hana, Nakanishi Rina, Narita Risa, Kawasaki Nozomi, Oshima Mai, Hirajima Natsumi, Urano Kazumi, Sato Yukari, Maeda Atsuko, Shinoda Mariko, Itano Tomomi, Takahashi Minami, Kojima Haruna
Tojima Hana and Komatani Hitomi left the group but then returned as SDN48's 3rd Generation.

2nd Generation (Original Team K)

Announced February 2006.
17 members formed Team K on February 26, 2006.

Members (17): Akimoto Sayaka, Imai Yu, Uemura Ayako, Umeda Ayaka, Oshima Yuko, Ohori Megumi, Oku Manami, Ono Erena, Kasai Tomomi, Kobayashi Kana, Sato Natsuki, Takada Ayana, Noro Kayo, Hayano Kaoru, Masuda Yuka, Matsubara Natsumi, Miyazawa Sae

Now Graduated (17): Uemura Ayako, Imai Yu, Takada Ayana, Hayano Kaoru, Ono Erena, Oku Manami, Ohori Megumi, Noro Kayo, Sato Natsuki, Masuda Yuka, Kasai Tomomi, Matsubara Natsumi, Akimoto Sayaka, Oshima Yuko, Umeda Ayaka, Miyazawa Sae, Kobayashi Kana

3rd Generation (Original Team B)

Yukirin

Announced December 9, 2006.
13 members formed Team B on December, 2006.

Members (13): Inoue Naru, Ota Aika, Kashiwagi Yuki, Katayama Haruka, Kikuchi Ayaka, Saotome Miki, Tanabe Miku, Nakagawa Haruka, Nakaya Sayaka, Noguchi Reina, Matsuoka Yuki, Yonezawa Rumi, Watanabe Mayu

Now in Team B (1): Kashiwagi Yuki
Now Graduated (10): Inoue Naru, Noguchi Reina, Matsuoka Yuki, Yonezawa Rumi, Nakaya Sayaka, Katayama Haruka, Nakagawa Haruka, Ota Aika, Tanabe Miku, Watanabe Mayu
Former Kenkyuusei (1): Saotome Miki
Candidates (5): Iso Reina, Otsuka Aki, Sakata Ryo, Fujishima Mariachika, Horie Mina
Kikuchi Ayaka, originally a 3rd generation member, dismissed from the group but then returned in the 7th generation

AKB48 SEEDs / Kenkyuusei (4th Gen - 16th Gen)

4th Generation

Shiichan

Announced May 26, 2007.

Members (18): Iinuma Yurina, Uriya Akane, Oya Shizuka, Kaneko Satomi, Kuramochi Asuka, Kozuka Rina, Saeki Mika, Sato Amina, Suzuki Nae, Deguchi Aki, Nakata Chisato, Nakanishi Yuka, Naruse Risa, Fujie Reina, Fujimoto Sara, Muranaka Satomi, Yoshioka Saki, Watanabe Marie

Now in Team B (1): Oya Shizuka
Now Graduated (7): Naruse Risa, Saeki Mika, Sato Amina, Nakanishi Yuka, Kuramochi Asuka, Nakata Chisato, Fujie Reina
Former Kenkyuusei (10): Iinuma Yurina, Kaneko Satomi, Kozuka Rina, Yoshioka Saki, Watanabe Marie, Fujimoto Sara, Muranaka Satomi, Deguchi Aki, Suzuki Nae, Uriya Akane
Nakanishi Yuka transferred to SKE48 joining its 1st generation
Muranaka Satomi left the group but then returned for the 8th generation
Fujimoto Sara left the group but then returned for the 9th generation
Deguchi Aki left the group then joined SKE48's 1st generation
Saeki Mika left the group but then returned as a Baito AKB member

5th Generation

Myao

Announced October 6, 2007

Members (13): Arima Yuka, Ishida Haruka, Uchida Mayumi, Kitahara Rie, Kohara Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Chikano Rina, Tomita Mayu, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Nito Moeno, Hatayama Arisa, Miyazaki Miho, Yamada Mizuki

Now in Team A (1): Miyazaki Miho
Now Graduated (8): Kohara Haruka, Nito Moeno, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Uchida Mayumi, Ishida Haruka, Chikano Rina, Kitahara Rie, Sashihara Rino
Former Kenkyuusei (4): Yamada Mizuki, Arima Yuka, Tomita Mayu, Hatayama Arisa

6th Generation

Announced April 2008.

Members (4): Katano Yurie, Takajo Aki, Nishizawa Sara, Nonaka Misato

Now Graduated (2): Nonaka Misato, Takajo Aki
Former Kenkyuusei (2): Nishizawa Sara, Katano Yurie

7th Generation

Announced December 2008.

Members (11): Ishiguro Remi, Iwasa Misaki, Katono Mizuho, Kikuchi Ayaka, Komori Mika, Sato Sumire, Suzuki Shihori, Suzuki Mariya, Hayashi Ayano, Maeda Ami, Matsui Sakiko

Now Graduated (7): Komori Mika, Kikuchi Ayaka, Matsui Sakiko, Iwasa Misaki, Maeda Ami, Suzuki Mariya, Sato Sumire
Former Kenkyuusei (4): Ishiguro Remi, Katono Mizuho, Hayashi Ayano, Suzuki Shihori
Suzuki Shihori left the group but then returned on the 11th generation

8th Generation

Announced April 2009.
No one got promoted to any team.

Members (15): Asai Madoka, Ishii Ayaka, Ishibe Aya, Imai Yurie, Ueki Asaka, Kaku Grace, Komatsu Mizuki, Komizu Nanami, Sakamoto Rio, Sano Yuriko, Sugiyama Miku, Tomite Ami, Nishikawa Nanami, Miki Nikoru, Muranaka Satomi

Former Kenkyuusei (15): Komatsu Mizuki, Nishikawa Nanami, Asai Madoka, Ishii Ayaka, Ishibe Aya, Kaku Grace, Komizu Nanami, Sakamoto Rio, Sugiyama Miku, Tomite Ami, Miki Nikoru, Imai Yurie, Muranaka Satomi, Ueki Asaka, Sano Yuriko

Nishikawa Nanami left the group but then returned as Nogizaka46's 2nd Generation

9th Generation

Yuihan

Minarun

Ranran

Announced September 20, 2009.
The ninth generation formed parts of the first incarnation of Team 4.

Members (14): Ishiguro Atsuki, Ito Ayaka, Oba Mina, Kinumoto Momoko, Shimazaki Haruka, Shimada Haruka, Takamatsu Eri, Takeuchi Miyu, Nakamura Mariko, Nagao Mariya, Fujimoto Sara, Mori Anna, Yamauchi Suzuran, Yokoyama Yui

Now in Team A (1): Yokoyama Yui
Now in SKE48 (2): Oba Mina, Yamauchi Suzuran
Now Graduated (6): Mori Anna, Nagao Mariya, Shimazaki Haruka, Nakamura Mariko, Shimada Haruka, Takeuchi Miyu
Former Kenkyuusei (5): Ito Ayaka, Ishiguro Atsuki, Kinumoto Momoko, Takamatsu Eri, Fujimoto Sara

10th Generation

Annin

Izurina

Renacchi

Announced March 31, 2010.

Members (10): Abe Maria, Iriyama Anna, Ichikawa Miori, Izuta Rina, Iwasaki Hitomi, Kato Rena, Kanazawa Yuuki, Kobayashi Marina, Nakamata Shiori, Fujita Nana

Now in Team A (2): Iriyama Anna, Kato Rena
Now in CGM48 (1): Izuta Rina
Now Graduated (5): Nakamata Shiori, Kobayashi Marina, Ichikawa Miori, Fujita Nana, Abe Maria
Former Kenkyuusei (2): Iwasaki Hitomi, Kanazawa Yuuki

11th Generation

Announced July 24, 2010

Members (10): Ushikubo Sara, Okazaki Chinami, Kawaei Rina, Kawakami Marina, Kojima Natsuki, Suzuki Shihori, Toyoda Saki, Natori Wakana, Morikawa Ayaka, Yamaguchi Nau

Now Graduated (5): Morikawa Ayaka, Suzuki Shihori, Kawaei Rina, Natori Wakana, Kojima Natsuki
Former Kenkyuusei (5): Toyoda Saki, Okazaki Chinami, Kawakami Marina, Ushikubo Sara, Yamaguchi Nau

12th Generation

Miyupon

Yukarun

Tomu

Announced April 2011

Members (10): Iwata Karen, Omori Miyuu, Saeed Yokota Erena, Sasaki Yukari, Suzuki Rika, Takahashi Juri, Tano Yuka, Hirata Rina, Muto Tomu | Eguchi Aimi (joined the group on 2011/06/11)

Now in Team K (1): Muto Tomu
Now in Team B (1): Sasaki Yukari
Now in Team 4 (1): Omori Miyuu
Now Graduated (4): Iwata Karen, Hirata Rina, Tano Yuka, Takahashi Juri
Former Kenkyuusei (3): Suzuki Rika, Saeed Yokota Erena, Eguchi Aimi

13th Generation

Announced September 24, 2011.
9 members formed the new Team 4 on August 24, 2013.

Members (16): Aigasa Moe, Amemiya Maika, Iwatate Saho, Umeta Ayano, Okada Ayaka, Oshima Ryoka, Kita Shiori, Kitazawa Saki, Shinozaki Ayana, Takashima Yurina, Hasegawa Haruna, Mitsumune Kaoru, Murayama Yuiri, Mogi Shinobu, Moriyama Sakura, Watanabe Nene

Now in Team A (1): Shinozaki Ayana
Now in Team K (1): Mogi Shinobu
Now in Team B (2): Iwatate Saho, Kitazawa Saki
Now in Team 4 (1): Murayama Yuiri
Now Graduated (6): Mitsumune Kaoru, Takashima Yurina, Aigasa Moe, Umeta Ayano, Oshima Ryoka, Okada Ayaka
Former Kenkyuusei (5): Amemiya Maika, Kita Shiori, Hasegawa Haruna, Moriyama Sakura, Watanabe Nene

14th Generation

Naachan

Announced July 2012.

Members (6): Uchiyama Natsuki, Okada Nana, Kojima Mako, Nishino Miki, Hashimoto Hikari, Maeda Mitsuki

Now in Team 4 (1): Okada Nana
Now Graduated (5): Maeda Mitsuki, Hashimoto Hikari, Uchiyama Natsuki, Nishino Miki, Kojima Mako

15th Generation

Manami	Komiharu	Kiichan	Seichan	Miion	Yuami
Omegu

Announced May, 2013

Members (12): Ichikawa Manami, Owada Nana, Komiyama Haruka, Sato Kiara, Tsuchiyasu Mizuki, Fukuoka Seina, Mukaichi Mion, Yumoto Ami | Okawa Rio, Tatsuya Makiho (joined the group on 2013/10/28) | Iino Miyabi, Taniguchi Megu (joined the group on 2014/04/14)

Now in Team A (1): Mukaichi Mion
Now in Team K (3): Ichikawa Manami, Komiyama Haruka, Yumoto Ami
Now in Team B (2): Taniguchi Megu, Fukuoka Seina
Now in Team 4 (1): Sato Kiara
Now Graduated (5): Tsuchiyasu Mizuki, Owada Nana, Iino Miyabi, Okawa Rio, Tatsuya Makiho

16th Generation

Naamin	Kaori	Minami	Kururun	Manaka	Ayamin
Maichan	Sakipon	Orin	Kanabun	Zukkii	Zunchan

Announced December 8, 2016

Members (19): Asai Nanami, Inagaki Kaori, Umemoto Izumi, Kurosu Haruka, Sato Minami, Shoji Nagisa, Suzuki Kurumi, Taguchi Manaka, Taya Misaki, Nagatomo Ayami, Noguchi Nanami, Harima Nanami, Homma Mai, Maeda Ayaka, Michieda Saki, Muto Orin, Yasuda Kana, Yamauchi Mizuki, Yamane Suzuha

Now in Team A (5): Sato Minami, Suzuki Kurumi, Taguchi Manaka, Michieda Saki, Yamane Suzuha
Now in Team K (3): Nagatomo Ayami, Muto Orin, Yasuda Kana
Now in Team 4 (5): Asai Nanami, Homma Mai, Inagaki Kaori, Kurosu Haruka, Yamauchi Mizuki
Now Graduated (2): Taya Misaki, Maeda Ayaka
Former Kenkyuusei (4): Noguchi Nanami, Shoji Nagisa, Umemoto Izumi, Harima Nanami

Transferred Members

1st Generation

Chori

Announced February 24, 2014

Members (4): Ogasawara Mayu, Kizaki Yuria, Nakanishi Chiyori, Nozawa Rena

Now in Team B (1): Nakanishi Chiyori
Now Graduated (2): Ogasawara Mayu, Kizaki Yuria, Nozawa Rena

Concurrent Members

1st Generation

Announced March 24, 2012

Members (2): Matsui Jurina, Watanabe Miyuki

Concurrency Ended (2): Watanabe Miyuki, Matsui Jurina

Watanabe Miyuki returned as a Kennin member for the 6th Generation

2nd Generation

Announced August 24, 2012

Members (2): Ishida Anna, Kotani Riho

Concurrency Ended (2): Ishida Anna, Kotani Riho

Kotani Riho returned as a Kennin member for the 5th Generation