SKE48

SKE48 (S.K.E. Forty-eight) is a Japanese idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. SKE48 is named after the Sakae district in Nagoya of Aichi Prefecture, where the group is based. The group performs at SKE48 Theater on 2F of Sunshine Sakae, a shopping center in Sakae, Nagoya. Avex Group is its current official label. The group has sold nearly 11 million CDs in Japan.

Concept

SKE48 was founded based on the concept of "idols you can meet". The group's chief producer Yasushi Akimoto once said that his aim was to create an idol group that is unlike any other ordinary idol groups (who only give occasional concerts and are mostly seen on TV). SKE48 would perform in its own theater regularly, and fans would always be able to watch the girls performing live. The SKE48 Theater is in the Sunshine Sakae of Nagoya, Aichi. Members of this group are dispatched into three groups, chronologically named "Team S", "Team KII" and "Team E". Kenkyūsei (trainees) is the group of members training to be promoted into one of these teams.

History

Yasushi Akimoto was offered the chance to start a production in Nagoya along with the renewal of the Sunshine Sakae 2F, when he was thinking of expanding his "48 project" nationwide. He had offers from outside Japan, but he decided to use Nagoya as the place to move on with the project. Akimoto said that selected members from AKB48 and SKE48 may release a single together.^[1] They released their first single in 2009.

In AKB48's single "Ōgoe Diamond", Jurina Matsui became the center and the first and only member of SKE48 to be featured on a single cover and in the song itself.^[2] Including Matsui, some members of SKE48 have appeared in the PV, marking the first collaboration made by the two groups so far.

On May 28, 2011, Avex picked up SKE48 and were to release their debut single under the label called "Pareo wa Emerald" on July 27, 2011.^[3]

On August 25, it was announced that SKE48 member Yui Matsushita would leave the group at the end of September 2011 due to ankle injuries.^[4]

On August 7, 2012, SKE48 member and captain of Team S, Hirata Rikako announced her graduation to pursue a career as a reporter.^[5]

On the first day of the Tokyo Dome Concert held on August 24, 2012, it was announced that Rie Kitahara of AKB48, Team K would hold a concurrent position in SKE48. Anna Ishida of Team KII would hold a concurrent position in AKB48, Team B.^[6]

On November 1, it was announced that Kumi Yagami, one of the group's first generation members, would graduate but the date was not announced.^[7]

On December 9, SKE48CAFE&SHOP with AKB48 was opened to the building 5F with a theater. There is a cooking menu that the members of SKE48 devised.

On January 15, 2013, it was announced that eight members, three from Team S, two each from Team KII and E, and one kenkyusei, would graduate from the group, along with Yagami (whose graduation was already announced in November 2012) sometime in the spring 2013.^[8] On April 13, it was announced that teams were to be reorganized and nine kenkyusei members would be promoted to full members. Yuka Nakanishi became the captain of SKE48 as well as leader of Team S, and Rena Matsui was promoted to leader of Team E.^[9] Rie Kitahara, who was in both SKE48 and AKB48, was removed from SKE48's lineup during the final concert of "AKB48 Group Rinji Soukai" concert series at the Nippon Budokan on 28 April, with her final theater performance as a SKE48 member on May 9.^[10]

On February 24, 2014, it was announced that Rena Matsui would hold a concurrent position with Nogizaka46 after teams were reorganized and kenkyusei members were promoted to full members.^[11] Concurrent member with SKE48 and AKB48 Mina Ōba was fully transferred to SKE48 Team KII and other members from AKB48, NMB48, and HKT48 were permanently transferred or given concurrent positions in SKE48. Former Team K member Miyazawa Sae was transferred from SNH48 and appointed the new leader of Team S.^[12]

On March 15, 2015, the members who passed the seventh generation audition were revealed.^[13] On June 6, 2015, SKE48 became the first sister group to have more members rank in the annual Single Senbatsu Sousenkyo than AKB48. In 2015, SKE48 released two singles. A third release was published under the label "Love Crescendo" and was promoted as SKE48's first sub project.

On March 11, 2016, 2 members of SKE48 members Yuria Kizaki and Kanon Kimoto voiced in the Live action Anime film Shimajiro in Bookland.^[14]

On February 7, 2020, Jurina Matsui announced her graduation from SKE48.^[15] In July 2020, Kazuya Ebine, an executive from SKE48's managing company Zest, was arrested for allegedly paying two underage girls to have sex in his car in November 2019.^[16]

In September 2025, SKE48 was officially appointed as the 2026 Asian Games supporters in Aichi-Nagoya.^[17]

Members

Team S

Team S is associated with the color yellow, the current leader is Honoka Aikawa and the vice-leader is Haruka Kumazaki.

Team KII

Team KII is associated with the color red, the current leader is Miki Itō and the vice leader is Natsuki Kamata.

Team E

Team E is associated with the color light sea green, the current leader is Kimie Akahori and Rika Aoki as the vice-leader.

Kenkyuusei

Captaincy history

Group captaincy

Team captaincy

Team S

Team KII

Team E

Graduated members

Discography

Studio albums

Stage albums

Singles

See also

• AKB48
• NMB48
• HKT48
• JKT48
• NGT48
• STU48
• BNK48
• MNL48
• TPE48
• TSH48
• SGO48
• CGM48
• DEL48

References

1. ^ "SUNSHINE SAKAEプレス発表会およびSKE48プロジェクト発表" (in Japanese). Scramble Egg. 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
2. ^ Kono, Tommy (September 19, 2012). "Matsui Juina Solo interview: Next Center of AKB48". AKB48wrapup.com references "ja:松井珠理奈&大島優子! AKB新曲「UZA」はWセンター!!" (in Japanese). hochi.yomiuri.co.jp. 2012-09-18. Archived 2012-09-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
3. ^ "SKE48 Finds New Home in Avex, Unveils New Single" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2011-05-28. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
4. ^ "SKE48松下唯、9月末での卒業を発表" (in Japanese). natalie. 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
5. ^ "Hirata Rikako Graduation (Japanese)". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
6. ^ "Reformation of AKB48 in Tokyo Dome Concert" (in Japanese). 2012-08-24.
7. ^ "SKE48's Yagami Kumi to graduate from the group". Tokyohive. 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
8. ^ "9 members of SKE48 announce their graduation from the group". Tokyohive. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2013-01-15.
9. ^ "SKE48 Team Shuffle Announced". Japanverse. 2013-04-13. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
10. ^ "ja:AKB48北原里英、心境を告白「こんなにも大切で大好きになれた」" (in Japanese). modelpress. April 18, 2013. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
11. ^ "The results of AKB48 group's big team shuffle!". Tokyohive. 2014-02-24. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
12. ^ "ja:AKB48公式サイト AKB48グループ 大組閣祭り" (in Japanese). AKS. Archived 2014-03-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
13. ^ "Ske48 Official Web Site". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
14. ^ Cast and crew Archived March 26, 2023 at the Wayback Machine kodomo.benesse.ne.jp
15. ^ "SKE48松井珠理奈が卒業発表「勇気を振り絞って一歩踏み出したい」 | ORICON NEWS". www.oricon.co.jp. February 10, 2020. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
16. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (2020-07-29). "Police Arrest SKE48 Management Company Executive for Soliciting Minors". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
17. ^ "SKE48 Named Official Supporters for Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya". Tonboriday. 2025-09-13. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
18. ^ "AKB48 13thシングル選抜総選挙 結果発表" [13th single selection general election result announced] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Blog. Ameblo.jp. 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
19. ^ "AKB48 選抜総選挙 結果" [AKB48 Selection Election] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Blog. Ameblo.jp. 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
20. ^ "AKB48 22ndシングル選抜総選挙結果" [AKB48 22nd Single selection Election] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Blog. Ameblo.jp. 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
21. ^ "AKB48 27thシングル選抜総選挙 開票結果" [AKB48 27th Single selection election vote counting result] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Blog. Ameblo.jp. 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
22. ^ "AKB48 32ndシングル 選抜総選挙" [32nd single selection elections] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Site. 2013-06-08.
23. ^ "AKB48 37thシングル 選抜総選挙" [37th single selection elections] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Site. 2014-06-07.
24. ^ "ja:AKB48公式サイト AKB48 41stシングル 選抜総選挙" [41st single selection elections] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Site. Archived 2015-06-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-11-11.
25. ^ "AKB48 45th single Senbatsu general election results! tokyohive.com". tokyohive. 6Theory Media, LLC. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
26. ^ "AKB総選挙初"もうすぐ圏内"81～100位発表" (in Japanese). Oricon News. Oricon. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
27. ^ "ja:AKB48公式サイト AKB48 49thシングル 選抜総選挙" [49th single selection elections] (in Japanese). AKB48 Official Site. 2017-06-17. Archived from the original on 2017-06-06.
28. ^ "AKB総選挙"延長戦"81-100位発表" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
29. ^ "SKE48のアルバム売上ランキング" (in Japanese). ORICON STYLE. Oricon ME. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
30. ^ "Certifications Search Results: SKE48 (Physical Format)" (Enter "SKE48" into the "アーティスト" (Artist) field) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
31. ^ Peak chart position on Oricon: * "Te o Tsunaginagara (Team S)" * "Te o Tsunaginagara (Team KII)" * "Seifuku no Me (Team S)" * "Ramune no Nomikata (Team KII)" * "SKE Festival (Team E)" * "Ai o Kimi ni,Ai o Boku ni (Team S)" * "Jikanganai (Team KII)" * "Koe Dashite Ikoze!!! (Team E)"
32. ^ "SKE48のシングル売上ランキング" (in Japanese). ORICON STYLE. Oricon ME. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
33. ^ *"SKE48 Chart History: Japan Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020. *"Hot 100" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved September 9, 2021. *"Kokoro ni Flower" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved March 16, 2022. *"Zettai Inspiration" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved October 12, 2022. *"Suki ni Nacchatta" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved July 12, 2023. *"Ai no Hologram" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved March 6, 2024. *"Kokuhaku Shinpakusu" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved October 9, 2024. *"Tick Tack Zack" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved March 19, 2025. *"Karma" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved October 1, 2025. *"Sandal Daze" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
34. ^ "Certifications Search Results: SKE48 (Digital Platform)" (Enter "SKE48" into the "アーティスト" (Artist) field) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
35. ^ "週間 CDシングルランキング 2019年08月05日付" [Weekly CD Single Ranking for August 5, 2019] (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
36. ^ "週間 CDシングルランキング 2020年01月27日付" [Weekly CD Single Ranking for January 27, 2020] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
37. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2022年03月07日～2022年03月13日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking March 7, 2022 – March 13, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
38. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2022年10月03日～2022年10月09日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking October 3, 2022 – October 9, 2022] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
39. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2023年07月03日～2023年07月09日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking July 3, 2023 – July 9, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
40. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2024年02月26日～2024年03月03日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking February 26, 2024 – March 3, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
41. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2024年09月30日～2024年10月06日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking September 30, 2024 – October 6, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
42. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2025年03月10日～2025年03月16日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking March 10, 2025 – March 16, 2025] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
43. ^ "ja:オリコン週�� シングルランキング 2025年09月22日～2025年09月28日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking September 22, 2025 – September 28, 2025] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
44. ^ "ja:オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2026年03月16日～2026年03月22日" [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking March 16, 2026 – March 22, 2026] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 25, 2026. Retrieved March 25, 2026.

External links

• Official Site (in Japanese)