NGT48 (read "N.G.T. Forty-eight") is a Japanese girl group produced by Yasushi Akimoto.[1] NGT48 is named after Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture, where the group is based. The group performs at the NGT48 Theater which is located in the fourth floor of the LoveLa2 shopping mall in Niigata City.[2][3]

NGT48
NGT48's logo
Background information
OriginNiigata, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Years active2015–present
Labels
MembersSee members
Websitengt48.jp

After then-member Maho Yamaguchi's assault in December 2018, after which she had claimed that the management had done nothing to address other NGT48 members allegedly involved in assisting her attackers, in April 2019, the NGT48 management dissolved the team system, with all current members unified according to generations.

History

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2015–2018: Debut

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The creation of the group was announced on January 25, 2015 on the final, fifth day of a traditional series of AKB48 concerts entitled AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 1035 2015.[4] In October 2015, the Niigata-based company Kuriyama Beika Co., Ltd. (栗山米菓) appointed NGT48 a "bakauke PR ambassador", a PR ambassador for its product named bakauke.[5] As of December 2015, NGT48 is collaborating with McDonald's on a 48-piece bucket of Chicken McNuggets sold in Japan. Each bucket features photos of NGT48[6][7][8] and comes with a collectible card with a photo of a random member of the group.[9] NGT48's own theater opened in Niigata on January 10, 2016.[3][10][11]

The group's members are part of the cast of a television series adaptation of Higurashi When They Cry,[12] which was premiered from May 20 on BS Sky PerfecTV!.[13][14] The group also recorded the theme song for the series. It is titled "Kimi wa Doko ni Iru?" and is included on the Theater Edition of the 44th single by AKB48, "Tsubasa wa Iranai", which was released on June 1, 2016.[13][14][15][16][17][18]

Their debut single, "Seishun Dokei", was released on April 12, 2017 under Ariola Japan. In 2018, Noe Yamada and Rena Hasegawa participated in the South Korean competition show Produce 48, representing NGT48.[19] Hasegawa placed 71st and was eliminated during the first round; Yamada placed 41st and was eliminated during the second round.

2018–2019: Group restructure

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Following Maho Yamaguchi's alleged assault, during a press conference on March 29, 2019, the city of Niigata announced that they were cutting ties with NGT48 effective April,[20] including ending their radio show, "Port de NGT."[21] On April 11, 2019, after apologizing to the Niigata government for mishandling Yamaguchi's assault allegations, the official NGT48 website announced that the management was dissolving the team structure and reintroducing the current members as a unified "first generation" after their final performances on April 21.[22][23] On April 17, Yuki Kashiwagi announced she was withdrawing from NGT48, her last performance with them being at Team NIII's concert on April 21.[24]

On April 21, Yamaguchi, Rena Hasegawa, and Riko Sugahara announced they were graduating from NGT48 on May 18, 2019,[25][26][27] following the ending of Team NIII's and Team G's stages. Then, the two teams' structure of NGT48 was disbanded after their final performance of Team NIII's Hokori no Oka (誇りの丘) Stage and Team G's Saka Agari (逆上がり) Stage.

On May 21, 2019, Minami Kato was demoted to kenkyūsei after posting an Instagram story of Yamaguchi's graduation with the caption, "I'm doing my nails over here. I wish someone would change the channel."[28][29][30] The NGT48 management also decided to halt social media posts from all members for the time being.[29][31]

On July 18, 2019, Fuka Murakumo also announced her graduation from the group, with her graduation taking place at the end of August 2019.[32]

After seven months of inactivity, the group had its first concert on August 3, 2019, at the Tokyo Idol Festival, with plans to resume activity in the fall.[33] On August 13, the group started their 1st stage without any teams entitled Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai (夢を死なせるわけにいかない), a revival stage from AKB48's Himawarigumi 2nd Stage.

On August 26, Anju Sato announced she was graduating on September 25.[34] On February 18, 2020, Moeka Takakura announced that she will graduate from the group on March 22, 2020.[35]

Controversies

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Maho Yamaguchi assault and lawsuit

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Members

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As of May 2019, according to the official website.[36]

First generation

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Name Birth date (age) Election rank
8 9 10
Yuka Ogino (荻野由佳) (1999-02-16) February 16, 1999 (age 25) 95 5 4
Anju Satō (佐藤杏樹) (2001-11-05) November 5, 2001 (age 23) N/A N/A N/A
Reina Seiji (清司麗菜) (2001-04-19) April 19, 2001 (age 23) N/A N/A N/A
Marina Nishigata (西潟茉莉奈) (1995-10-16) October 16, 1995 (age 29) N/A 41 24
Nanako Nishimura (西村菜那子) (1997-08-11) August 11, 1997 (age 27) N/A N/A 43
Noe Yamada (山田野絵) (1999-10-07) October 7, 1999 (age 25) N/A N/A 91
Tsugumi Oguma (小熊倫実) (2002-12-15) December 15, 2002 (age 21) N/A N/A 69
Yuria Kado (角ゆりあ) (2000-05-22) May 22, 2000 (age 24) N/A 77 N/A
Aina Kusakabe (日下部愛菜) (2002-02-06) February 6, 2002 (age 22) N/A N/A N/A
Rika Nakai (中井りか) (1997-08-23) August 23, 1997 (age 27) 96 23 37
Ayuka Nakamura (中村歩加) (1998-07-28) July 28, 1998 (age 26) N/A N/A 64
Miharu Nara (奈良未遥) (1998-03-20) March 20, 1998 (age 26) N/A N/A 21
Hinata Homma (本間日陽) (1999-11-10) November 10, 1999 (age 25) N/A 13 16
Fūka Murakumo (村雲颯香) (1997-07-05) July 5, 1997 (age 27) N/A N/A N/A

3rd Draft

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Name Birth date (age) Election rank
10
Chikana Ando (安藤千伽奈) (2001-01-13) January 13, 2001 (age 23) N/A
Kairi Satō (佐藤海里) (2000-08-05) August 5, 2000 (age 24) N/A
Nanami Takahashi (高橋七実) (2001-07-07) July 7, 2001 (age 23) N/A
Yunako Tsushima (對馬優菜子) (2001-08-20) August 20, 2001 (age 23) N/A
Miyu Fujisaki (藤崎未夢) (2000-11-17) November 17, 2000 (age 24) N/A

2nd Generation

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Name Birth date (age)
Nanami Ōtsuka (大塚七海) (2000-11-07) November 7, 2000 (age 24)
Haruka Ogoe (小越春花) (2004-06-26) June 26, 2004 (age 20)
Sayaka Kawagoe (川越紗彩) (2000-10-14) October 14, 2000 (age 24)
Sara Komiyama (小見山沙空) (2004-07-27) July 27, 2004 (age 20)
Yume Sogabe (曽我部優芽) (2002-03-16) March 16, 2002 (age 22)
Hina Terada (寺田陽菜) (2004-03-13) March 13, 2004 (age 20)
Yū Tominaga (富永夢有) (2002-07-16) July 16, 2002 (age 22)
Ai Furusawa (古澤愛) (2000-10-01) October 1, 2000 (age 24)
Aoi Furutate (古舘葵) (2004-08-10) August 10, 2004 (age 20)
Kaho Mashimo (真下華穂) (1999-11-08) November 8, 1999 (age 25)
Hino Mimura (三村妃乃) (2002-06-15) June 15, 2002 (age 22)
Hinata Morohashi (諸橋姫向) (2003-01-04) January 4, 2003 (age 21)

Former members

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Name (Birthdate) Election Team Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ayaka Mizusawa (水澤彩佳) ((1994-11-05)November 5, 1994)                 N/A   Kenkyūsei Graduated on March 31, 2017.[37]
Yuria Ōtaki (大滝友梨亜) ((1995-04-21)April 21, 1995)                 N/A N/A Kenkyūsei Graduated on October 31, 2017.
Rie Kitahara (北原里英) ((1991-06-24)June 24, 1991) 13 16 13 13 21 19 11 12 10 Team NIII Graduated on April 18, 2018.
Aya Miyajima (宮島亜弥) ((1997-11-27)November 27, 1997)               N/A 70 Team NIII Graduated on August 7, 2018.
Mau Takahashi (髙橋真生) ((2001-06-03)June 3, 2001)               N/A N/A N/A Team NIII Graduated on October 6, 2018.
Runa Hagiri (羽切瑠菜) ((1999-11-29)November 29, 1999)                     Kenkyūsei Resigned on March 10, 2019.
Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木由紀) ((1991-07-15)July 15, 1991) 9 8 3 3 4 3 2 5 Team NIII Left on April 21, 2019.
Maho Yamaguchi (山口真帆) ((1995-09-17)September 17, 1995)               N/A 53 70 First generation Graduated on May 18, 2019.
Riko Sugahara (菅原りこ) ((2000-11-23)November 23, 2000)               N/A N/A N/A First generation Graduated on May 18, 2019.
Rena Hasegawa (長谷川玲奈) ((2001-03-15)March 15, 2001)               N/A N/A 77 First generation Graduated on May 18, 2019.
Mirii Yamazaki (山崎美里衣) ((2000-11-21)November 21, 2000)                     Kenkyūsei Graduated on June 12, 2019.
Tomoka Takazawa (高沢朋花) ((2003-06-01)June 1, 2003)                     Kenkyūsei Graduated on June 30, 2019.
Ayusa Watanabe (渡邉歩咲) ((2001-03-09)March 9, 2001)                     Kenkyūsei Graduated on June 30, 2019.
Moeka Takakura (高倉萌香) ((2001-04-23)April 23, 2001)               N/A 25 67 First generation Graduated on March 23, 2020.
Ayaka Tano (太野彩香) ((1997-07-20)July 20, 1997)               N/A N/A 53 First generation Graduated on October 31, 2020.
Minami Kato (加藤美南) ((1999-01-15)January 15, 1999)               76 71 30 First generation Graduated on January 31, 2021.

Membership Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales
JPN
Oricon

[38]
JPN
Billboard

[39]
Mikansei no Mirai (未完成の未来) 3 3

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released, sales, certifications and album name
No. Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Albums
JPN
[41]
JPN
Hot

[42]
Oricon Billboard
Japan
First week Total
1 "Seishun Dokei" (青春時計) 2017 1 1 160,271 208,247 277,180 Non-album singles
2 "Sekai wa Doko Made Aozora na no ka?" (世界はどこまで青空なのか?) 2 2 148,442 201,800 266,946
3 "Haru wa Doko kara Kuru no ka?" (春はどこから来るのか?) 2018 1 1 109,012 165,917 189,405
4 "Sekai no Hito e" (世界の人へ) 2 2 143,303 175.607 207,269
5 "Sherbet Pink" (シャーベットピンク) 2020 2 5 80,011 132,985 165,736
6 "Awesome" 2021 3 37 76,530 84,822 197,836
7 "Ponkotsu na Kimi ga Suki da" (ポンコツな君が好きだ) 2 6 62,530[44] 171,087
8 "Wataridoritachi ni Sora wa Mienai" (渡り鳥たちに空は見えない) 2022 1 12 43,826[45] 172,146
9 "Ano sa, Iya Betsu ni..." (あのさ、いや別に…) 2023 2 5 52,241[46]
10 "Isshun no Hanabi" (一瞬の花火) 2024 5 9 55,430[47]

Other songs

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Title Year Albums
"Max Toki 315gō" (Maxとき315号) 2016 "Kimi wa Melody"
"Kimi wa Doko ni Iru?" (君はどこにいる?) "Tsubasa wa Iranai"
"Midori to Mori no Undokōen" (みどりと森の運動公園) 2017 "Shoot Sign"
"Tomodachi de Imashō" (友達でいましょう) 2018 "Jabaja"

Filmography

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Television shows

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See also

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References

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  2. ^ 新潟)「NGT48」劇場オープン 公演にファンら来場:朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun Company. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  3. ^ a b NGT48、劇場オープン3ヶ月延期 来年1月10日に (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  4. ^ "新グループはNGT48、新潟に新劇場オープン" (in Japanese). Natalie. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
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  6. ^ "NGT48: McDonald's Japan Has a 48-Piece Chicken McNugget Meal". Fortune. November 24, 2015.
  7. ^ "NGT48がチキンマックナゲットボックスを飾る – AKB48 : 日刊スポーツ". Nikkan Sports.
  8. ^ "マクドナルド史上最多48ピースのナゲット発売! NGT48と新潟県限定コラボ". Navi News. November 30, 2015.
  9. ^ "[マクドナルド]NGT48のカード付きナゲット48ピースが販売地域拡大 AKBグループと初コラボ". Navi News. December 14, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
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  11. ^ "【本格始動】NGT48、劇場初公演を詳細レポート かとみなの「側宙」が見られるのはNGT48劇場だけ!". T-SITE NEWS. January 19, 2016.
  12. ^ "NGT48 Idols Star in Live-Action When They Cry – Higurashi Horror Show". Anime News Network. January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "NGT48、新曲の「君はどこにいる?」が出演ドラマ『ひぐらしのなく頃に』主題歌に決定". Musicman-NET. April 13, 2016.
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  18. ^ "NGT48「君はどこにいる?」がドラマ『ひぐらしのなく頃に』主題歌に決定 秋元康がドラマにあわせ書き下ろし". Real Sound. April 13, 2016.
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  22. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 11, 2019). "NGT48 Idol Group Dissolves Current Teams, 'Restarts' With New Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  23. ^ "NGT48、チーム制度取りやめを発表「1期生と研究生として再スタート」". Oricon (in Japanese). April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  24. ^ "AKB48柏木由紀、NGT48兼任解除へ". Oricon (in Japanese). April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  25. ^ "NGT48山口真帆、卒業発表「このグループに変わってほしかった」【コメント全文】". Oricon (in Japanese). April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
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  27. ^ Komatsu, Ryujiro (April 22, 2019). "Member leaving idol group, upset about handling of assault case". Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  28. ^ "NGTメンバー、山口真帆を批判? 真偽不明の「インスタスクショ」が拡散". J-Cast (in Japanese). May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  29. ^ a b "NGT48加藤美南が不適切投稿で研究生に降格処分、NGTメンバーSNSの運用停止が決定". Natalie (in Japanese). May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  30. ^ Morrissy, Kim (May 22, 2019). "NGT48 Idol Minami Katō Demoted After 'Inappropriate' Instagram Post About Maho Yamaguchi". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
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  42. ^ "Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese).
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  44. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2021年12月20日~2021年12月26日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking December 20, 2021 – December 26, 2021] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  45. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2022年12月26日~2023年01月01日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking December 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  46. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2023年07月31日~2023年08月06日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking July 31, 2023 – August 6, 2023] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  47. ^ オリコン週間 シングルランキング 2024年08月26日~2024年09月01日 [Oricon Weekly Single Ranking August 26, 2024 – September 1, 2024] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
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  49. ^ TV ひぐらしのなく頃に. allcinema (in Japanese). Stingray. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  50. ^ ドラマ『ひぐらしのなく頃に』続編、11月放送開始 (in Japanese). oricon ME inc. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
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