The 1st to 3rd Generation are known as the Original Teams (1st Gen: Team A, 2nd Gen: Team K, 3rd Gen: Team B).
As more auditions were held later on, the successful candidates would take part of an in-training team of members. The trainees would work as "under members" that substituted for the official members in various activities, especially the theater performances. When any of the official members would graduate, one of the in-training members would be promoted to fill the space.
This group of trainees was called AKB48 SEED. The term was was dropped later on, and changed to Kenkyuusei (Research Students). After more generations were created, the Kenkyuuseis started to perform by their own stages in the theater. In 2009 Team Kenkyuusei was created, and the Kenkyuusei Selection was held for the first time. Since then, the Kenkyuuseis have even been part of senbatsu. In 2012, with the Tokyo Dome Team Shuffle, the Kenkyuuseis stopped replacing members on stage performances, just performing on their own Kenkyuusei Stage.
Currently, with exception of the 8th generation, all the generations have at least one member in the group. The members after the 9th generation are usually called the new generation members. Recently this term been used to describe the members after the 12th generation instead.
AKB48 had a total of 186 original members during all their 15 generations. As of May 2015, AKB48 has 129 members and 13 Kennin (including Team 8 Kennin).
- Bolded names indicate members, which are still active in AKB48 or one of the sister groups
- Italicized names indicate members with pending graduations
AKB48 Auditions
1st Generation (Original Team A)
- Announced October 2005
Members (21): Hirajima Natsumi, Hoshino Michiru, Itano Tomomi, Kawasaki Nozomi, Kojima Haruna, Komatani Hitomi, Maeda Atsuko, Masuyama Kayano, Minegishi Minami, Nakanishi Rina, Narita Risa, Ohe Tomomi, Orii Ayumi, Oshima Mai, Sato Yukari, Takahashi Minami, Tojima Hana, Urano Kazumi, Usami Yuki, Watanabe Shiho | Shinoda Mariko (joined the group on 2006/1/22)
- Now in Team K (1): Minegishi Minami
- Now Graduated (19): Usami Yuki, Orii Ayumi, Hoshino Michiru, Watanabe Shiho, Masuyama Kayano, Ohe 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
2nd Generation (Original Team K)
- Announced February 2006
Members (17): Akimoto Sayaka, Hayano Kaoru, Imai Yuu, Kasai Tomomi, Kobayashi Kana, Masuda Yuka, Matsubara Natsumi, Miyazawa Sae, Noro Kayo, Ohori Megumi, Oku Manami, Ono Erena, Oshima Yuko, Sato Natsuki, Takada Ayana, Uemura Ayako, Umeda Ayaka
- Now graduated (17): Uemura Ayako, Imai Yuu, Takada Ayana, Hayano Kaoru, Ohori Megumi, Noro Kayo, Ono Erena, Oku Manami, Sato Natsuki, Masuda Yuka, Kasai Tomomi, Matsubara Natsumi, Akimoto Sayaka, Oshima Yuko, Umeda Ayaka, Miyazawa Sae, Kobayashi Kana
3rd Generation (Original Team B)
- Announced December 2006
Members (13): Inoue Naru, Kashiwagi Yuki, Katayama Haruka, Kikuchi Ayaka, Matsuoka Yuki, Nakagawa Haruka, Nakaya Sayaka, Noguchi Reina, Ota Aika, Saotome Miki, Tanabe Miku, Watanabe Mayu, Yonezawa Rumi
- 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, Hori Mina
- Kikuchi Ayaka, a Team B member, left the group but then returned on the 7th generation
AKB48 SEEDs / Research Students
4th Generation
- Announced May 2007
Members (18): Deguchi Aki, Fujie Reina, Fujimoto Sara, Iinuma Yurina, Kaneko Satomi, Kuramochi Asuka, Kozuka Rina, Muranaka Satomi, Nakata Chisato, Nakanishi Yuka, Naruse Risa, Oya Shizuka, Saeki Mika, Sato Amina, Suzuki Nae, Uriya Akane, Watanabe Marie, Yoshioka Saki
- Now in Team B (1): Oya Shizuka
- Now Graduated (6): Naruse Risa, Saeki Mika, Sato Amina, Kuramochi Asuka, Nakata Chisato, Fujie Reina
- Former Kenkyuusei (7): Iinuma Yurina, Uriya Akane, Kaneko Satomi, Kozuka Rina, Suzuki Nae, Yoshioka Saki, Watanabe Marie
- Muranaka Satomi left the group but then returned for the 8th generation
- Fujimoto Sara left the group but then returned for the 9th generation
- Saeki Mika left the group but then returned for Baito AKB
- Deguchi Aki left the group but then returned to SKE48
5th Generation
- Announced October 2007
Members (13): Arima Yuka, Chikano Rina, Hatayama Arisa, Ishida Haruka, Kitahara Rie, Kohara Haruka, Miyazaki Miho, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Nito Moeno, Sashihara Rino, Uchida Mayumi, Tomita Mayu, Yamada Mizuki
- Now in Team A (1): Miyazaki Miho
- Now in HKT48 (1): Sashihara Rino
- Now Graduated (6): Kohara Haruka, Nito Moeno, Nakatsuka Tomomi, Uchida Mayumi, Ishida Haruka, Chikano Rina, Kitahara Rie
- Former Kenkyuusei (4): Arima Yuka, Tomita Mayu, Hatayama Arisa, Yamada Mizuki
6th Generation
- Announced April 2008
Members (4): Katano Yurie, Nishizawa Sara, Nonaka Misato, Takajo Aki
- Now Graduated (2): Nonaka Misato, Takajo Aki
- Former Kenkyuuseis (2): Katano Yurie, Nishizawa Sara
7th Generation
- Announced December 2008
Members (11): Hayashi Ayano, Ishiguro Remi, Iwasa Misaki, Katono Mizuho, Kikuchi Ayaka, Komori Mika, Maeda Ami, Matsui Sakiko, Sato Sumire, Suzuki Mariya, Suzuki Shihori
- Now Graduated (7): Komori Mika, Kikuchi Ayaka, Matsui Sakiko, Iwasa Misaki, Maeda Ami, Suzuki Mariya, Sato Sumire
- Former Kenkyuusei (3): Katono Mizuho, Hayashi Ayano, Ishiguro Remi
- Suzuki Shihori left the group but then returned on the 11th generation
8th Generation
- Announced April 2009
Members (15): Asai Madoka, Imai Yurie, Ishibe Aya, Ishii Ayaka, Kaku Grace, Komatsu Mizuki, Komizu Nanami, Miki Nikoru, Muranaka Satomi, Nishikawa Nanami, Sakamoto Rio, Sano Yuriko, Sugiyama Miku, Tomite Ami, Ueki Asaka
- Former Kenkyuuseis (14): Asai Madoka, Ishii Ayaka, Ishibe Aya, Imai Yurie, Ueki Asaka, Kaku Grace, Komizu Nanami, Sakamoto Rio, Sano Yuriko, Sugiyama Miku, Tomite Ami, Nishikawa Nanami, Miki Nikoru, Muranaka Satomi, Komatsu Mizuki
- Nishikawa Nanami left the group but returned as part of Nogizaka46's 2nd Generation
9th Generation
- Announced September 2009
Members (14): Fujimoto Sara, Ishiguro Atsuki, Ito Ayaka, Kinumoto Momoko, Mori Anna, Nagao Mariya, Nakamura Mariko, Oba Mina, Shimada Haruka, Shimazaki Haruka, Takamatsu Eri, Takeuchi Miyu, Yamauchi Suzuran, Yokoyama Yui
- Now in Team A (1): Yokoyama Yui
- Now in Team B (1): Takeuchi Miyu
- Now in SKE48 (2): Yamauchi Suzuran, Oba Mina
- Now Graduated (5): Mori Anna, Nagao Mariya, Shimazaki Haruka, Nakamura Mariko, Shimada Haruka
- Former Kenkyuuseis (5): Ito Ayaka, Ishiguro Atsuki, Kinumoto Momoko, Takamatsu Eri, Fujimoto Sara
10th Generation
- Announced March 2010
Members (10): Abe Maria, Fujita Nana, Ichikawa Miori, Iriyama Anna, Iwasaki Hitomi, Izuta Rina, Kato Rena, Kanazawa Yuuki, Kobayashi Marina, Nakamata Shiori
- Now in Team A (2): Iriyama Anna, Kato Rena
- Now in Team K (1): Fujita Nana
- Now in BNK48 (1): Izuta Rina
- Now in TPE48 (1): Abe Maria
- Now Graduated (2): Nakamata Shiori, Kobayashi Marina, Ichikawa Miori
- Former Kenkyuuseis (2): Iwasaki Hitomi, Kanazawa Yuuki
11th Generation
- Announced July 2010
Members (10): Kawaei Rina, Kawakami Marina, Kojima Natsuki, Morikawa Ayaka, Natori Wakana, Okazaki Chinami, Suzuki Shihori, Toyoda Saki, Ushikubo Sara, Yamaguchi Nau
- Now in Team B (1): Kojima Natsuki
- Now Graduated (4): Morikawa Ayaka, Suzuki Shihori, Kawaei Rina, Natori Wakana
- Former Kenkyuuseis (5): Ushikubo Sara, Okazaki Chinami, Toyoda Saki, Kawakami Marina, Yamaguchi Nau
12th Generation
- Announced April 2011
Members (10): Hirata Rina, Iwata Karen, Muto Tomu, Omori Miyu, Saeed Yokota Erena, Sasaki Yukari, Suzuki Rika, Takahashi Juri, Tano Yuka | Eguchi Aimi (joined the group on 2011/06/11)
- Now in Team K (2): Tano Yuuka, Mutou Tomu
- Now in Team B (2): Sasaki Yukari, Takahashi Juri
- Now in Team 4 (1): Omori Miyuu
- Now Graduated (2): Iwata Karen, Hirata Rina
- Former Kenkyuuseis (3): Suzuki Rika, Saeed Yokota Erena, Eguchi Aimi
13th Generation
- Announced September 2011
Members (16): Aigasa Moe, Amemiya Maika, Hasegawa Haruna, Iwatate Saho, Kita Shiori, Kitazawa Saki, Mitsumune Kaoru, Mogi Shinobu, Moriyama Sakura, Murayama Yuiri, Okada Ayaka, Oshima Ryoka, Shinozaki Ayana, Takashima Yurina, Umeta Ayano, 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 Kenkyuuseis (5): Amemiya Maika, Kita Shiori, Hasegawa Haruna, Moriyama Sakura, Watanabe Nene
14th Generation
- Announced July 2012
Members (6): Hashimoto Hikari, Kojima Mako, Maeda Mitsuki, Nishino Miki, Okada Nana, Uchiyama Natsuki
- Now in Team K (1): Kojima Mako
- Now in Team 4 (1): Okada Nana
- Now Graduated (4): Maeda Mitsuki, Hashimoto Hikari, Uchiyama Natsuki, Nishino Miki
15th Generation
- Announced May 2013
Members (12): Fukuoka Seina, Ichikawa Manami, Komiyama Haruka, Mukaichi Mion, Owada Nana, Sato Kiara, Tsuchiyasu Mizuki, Yumoto Ami | Okawa Rio, Tatsuya Makiho (joined the group on 2013/10/28) | Ino 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 (3): Okawa Rio, Tatsuya Makiho, Sato Kiara
- Now Graduated (3): Tsuchiyasu Mizuki, Owada Nana, Ino Miyabi
16th Generation
- Announced December 8, 2016
Members (19): Asai Nanami, Harima Nanami, Honma Mai, Inagaki Kaori, Kurosu Haruka, Nagatomo Ayami, Noguchi Nanami, Maeda Ayaka, Michieda Saki, Muto Orin, Umemoto Izumi, Sato Minami, Shoji Nagisa, Suzuki Kurumi, Taguchi Manaka, Taya Misaki, Yamane Suzuha, Yamauchi Mizuki, Yasuda Kana
- Now in Team A (3): Suzuki Kurumi, Taguchi Manaka, Maeda Ayaka
- Now in Team K (2): Muto Orin, Yasuda Kana
- Now in Team 4 (4): Asai Nanami, Inagaki Kaori, Taya Misaki, Yamauchi Mizuki
- Still part of Team Kenkyuusei (9): Umemoto Izumi, Kurosu Haruka, Sato Minami, Shoji Nagisa, Nagatomo Ayami, Harima Nanami, Honma Mai, Michieda Saki, Yamane Suzuha
- Former Kenkyuusei (1): Noguchi Nanami
Transferred Members
1st Generation
- Announced February 2014
Members (4): Kizaki Yuria, Nakanishi Chiyori, Nozawa Rena, Ogasawara Mayu
- Now in Team K (1): Nozawa Rena
- Now in Team B (1): Nakanishi Chiyori
- Now Graduated (2): Ogasawara Mayu, Kizaki Yuria
Concurrent Members
1st Generation
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
3rd Generation
- Announced April 2013
Members (3): Furuhata Nao, Kodama Haruka, Yagura Fuuko
- Concurrency Ended (2): Yagura Fuuko, Furuhata Nao, Kodama Haruka
4th Generation
- Announced June 2013
- Concurrency Ended (1): Nozawa Rena (Transferred permanently to Team B)
5th Generation
- Announced February 24, 2014
Members (6): Ikoma Rina, Kotani Riho, Miyawaki Sakura, Shibuya Nagisa, Tomonaga Mio, Yamamoto Sayaka
- Concurrency Ended (3): Ikoma Rina, Kotani Riho, Yamamoto Sayaka, Shibuya Nagisa, Tomonaga Mio, Miyawaki Sakura
6th Generation
- Announced March 2015
Members (7): Kitagawa Ryoha, Nakano Ikumi, Sakaguchi Nagisa, Shiroma Miru, Watanabe Miyuki, Yabuki Nako, Yamada Nanami
- Now in Team K (2): Nakano Ikumi, Yamada Nanami
- Now in Team 4 (1): Sakaguchi Nagisa
- Concurrency Ended (3): Kitagawa Ryoha, Shiroma Miru, Yabuki Nako
- Now Graduated (1): Watanabe Miyuki
Draft Members
1st Generation
- Announced November 10, 2013
Members (6): Goto Moe, Kawamoto Saya, Nishiyama Rena, Shimoguchi Hinana, Takita Kayoko, Yokoshima Aeri
- Now in Team A (1): Goto Moe
- Now in Team K (1): Shimoguchi Hinana
- Now in Team B (1): Takita Kayoko
- Now in Team 4 (1): Kawamoto Saya
- Now Graduated (2): Nishiyama Rena, Yokoshima Aeri
2nd Generation
- Announced May 10, 2015
Members (7): Chiba Erii, Hiwatashi Yui, Kubo Satone, Nishikawa Rei, Takahashi Kira, Yamabe Ayu
- Now in Team A (2): Chiba Erii, Nishikawa Rei
- Now in Team B (3): Kubo Satone, Hiwatashi Yui, Yamabe Ayu
- Former Kenkyuusei (2): Takahashi Kira, Nomura Nao
3rd Generation
- Announced January 21, 2018
Members (19): Ishiwata Sena, Ootake Hitomi, Omori Maho, Okada Rina, Katsumata Saori, Kamiyama Riho, Kitagawa Yuri, Kuramoto Miyuu, Kobayashi Ran, Saito Haruna, Sato Shiori, Suenaga Yuzuki, Tada Kyoka, Nagano Megumi, Harasawa Otohi, Furukawa Nazuna, Honda Sora, Yahagi Moeka, Yoshihashi Yuzuka
- Now in Team Kenkyuusei (18): Ishiwata Sena, Ootake Hitomi, Omori Maho, Okada Rina, Katsumata Saori, Kamiyama Riho, Kuramoto Miyuu, Kobayashi Ran, Saito Haruna, Sato Shiori, Suenaga Yuzuki, Tada Kyoka, Nagano Megumi, Harasawa Otohi, Furukawa Nazuna, Honda Sora, Yahagi Moeka, Yoshihashi Yuzuka
- Withdrew (1): Kitagawa Yuri
Team 8 Toyota Members
- Announced April 2014
Members (58): Chou Kurena, Fukuchi Rena, Fujimura Natsuki, Gyouten Yurina, Hama Sayuna, Hamamatsu Riona, Hashimoto Haruna, Hayasaka Tsumugi, Hidaritomo Ayaka, Hirose Natsuki, Hitomi Kotone, Honda Hitomi, Iwasaki Moeka, Kita Reina, Kondo Moeri, Kuranoo Narumi, Miyazato Rira, Mogi Kasumi, Moriwaki Yui, Nakano Ikumi, Nagano Serika, Oda Erina, Oguri Yui, Okabe Rin, Okubora Chinatsu, Ota Nao, Onishi Momoka, Sakaguchi Nagisa, Sato Akari, Sato Nanami, Sato Shiori, Shimizu Maria, Shimoaoki Karin, Shitao Miu, Takahashi Ayane, Takaoka Kaoru, Tani Yuri, Tanikawa Hijiri, Yaguchi Moka, Yamada Nanami, Yamamoto Ai, Yamamoto Ruka, Yokomichi Yuri, Yokoyama Yui, Yoshikawa Nanase, Yoshino Miyu | Hattori Yuna (joined the group on 2014/7/26) | Yoshida Karen (joined the group on 2015/4/3) | Terada Misaki, Noda Hinano, Utada Hatsuka (joined the group on 2016/6/25) | Takahashi Sayaka, Hirano Hikaru (joined the group on 2016/12/9) | Yamada Kyoka (joined the group on 2017/3/20) | Kawahara Misaki (joined the group on 2017/8/8) | Okumoto Hinano (joined the group on 2017/9/2) | Harumoto Yuki (joined the group on 2017/9/10) | Okuhara Hinako (joined the group on 2017/11/19)
- Now in Team 8 (45): Abe Mei, Okabe Rin, Oguri Yui, Ota Nao, Oda Erina, Onishi Momoka, Gyouten Yurina, Kuranoo Narumi, Sakaguchi Nagisa, Sato Akari, Sato Shiori, Sato Nanami, Shitao Miu, Shimizu Maria, Shimoaoki Karin, Takaoka Kaoru, Takahashi Ayane, Tanikawa Hijiri, Chou Kurena, Nakano Ikumi, Nagano Serika, Hashimoto Haruna, Hama Sayuna, Hayasaka Tsumugi, Hitomi Kotone, Hidaritomo Ayaka, Honda Hitomi, Miyazato Rira, Mogi Kasumi, Yaguchi Moka, Yamada Nanami, Yamamoto Ruka, Yokomichi Yuri, Hattori Yuna, Yokoyama Yui, Yoshikawa Nanase, Yoshida Karen, Terada Misaki, Noda Hinano, Utada Hatsuka, Takahashi Sayaka, Hirano Hikaru, Yamada Kyoka, Kawahara Misaki, Okumoto Hinano, Harumoto Yuki, Okuhara Hinako
- Now Graduated (12): Okubora Chinatsu, Moriwaki Yui, Iwasaki Moeka, Fujimura Natsuki, Yamamoto Ai, Kita Reina, Kondo Moeri, Yoshino Miyu, Fukuchi Rena, Tani Yuri, Hamamatsu Riona, Hirose Natsuki
Special Audition
AKB48 Taiwan Audition
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- Announced October 2015
- Now in Team B (1): Ma ChiaLing
- Now in TPE48 (6):: Zhang YuLing, Guo XingYu, Lin Jie, Qiu PinHan, Chen ShiYuan, Chen ShiYa
- Former members (6): Zhou JiaAn, Xiong ZiNing, Lin YuXin, Cao ShuoLing, Tang ZhiQing, Yang FuXuan, Xu ChunLing, Yang YiTong, Wang Xin
Temporary Members
Otona AKB48
- Duration: April - September 2014
- Now Graduated(1): Tsukamoto Mariko
Baito AKB
- Baito AKB
- Baito AKB Paruru Selection
Baito AKB Paruru Selection
- Announced February 9, 2016
- Now Graduated (3): Iida Yuka, Shigefuji Fuyuka, Hinode Yuka
- Announced February 2016