STU48 (Setouchi48) is a Japanese idol group and sister group of AKB48 named after the Setouchi Region. The group had a shipboard theater (船上劇場, senjō gekijō) from 2019 to 2021. It is co-owned by the tourism board of Setouchi Region and is highly involved in their promotional efforts. The group's captain is Azumi Okada and the vice captain is Akari Fukuda.
The formation of STU48 was announced in October 2016.[1] The application period for new members was open from January to February 5, 2017. AKB48 members Mayu Watanabe and Yuki Kashiwagi visited the governments of seven Setouchi prefectures (Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Ehime, Hyogo, Okayama, Tokushima and Kagawa) between them to promote the auditions.[2] On February 22, it was announced that Nana Okada of AKB48 and Rino Sashihara of HKT48 would be concurrent members of STU48 and respectively hold the positions of captain and theater manager.[3] On March 19, 44 applicants who passed the auditions to become first generation members were introduced,[4] and STU48's first generation was formed with 31 members on March 31.[5]
In April, Setouchi Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), the tourism board of Setouchi Region, announced their support of STU48 in the forms of capital investment, business development support, and assistance in coordinating with local governments.[6]
The "Omoidasete Yokatta" music video was filmed at the Shōdoshima Olive Park, Kagawa Prefecture[7]
STU48 made their debut performance on May 3 at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as part of the 2017 Hiroshima Flower Festival.[8] Their first independent live show was on June 3 at the Okayama Mirai Hall.[9] Their first music video, "Setouchi no Koe", was also released in June,[10] and the song was included in the AKB48 single "Negaigoto no Mochigusare".[11] They also participated in the AKB48 single "11gatsu no Anklet", performing the B-side "Omoidasete Yokatta".[12]
On November 25, Rino Sashihara canceled her concurrent position to focus on her activities with HKT48.[13]
2018: Debut single, New Artist Award
On January 16, the variety show STU48 no Setobingo! (STU48のセトビンゴ！, STU48's Setobingo!; Unlike the other Bingo! shows, the title is customarily rendered in katakana instead of romaji), based on AKBingo! and hosted by the comedy duo Maple Chōgōkin (Kazlaser and Natsu Ando), started airing on Nippon TV.[14] It would run for 11 episodes.
The "Pedal to Sharin to Kita Michi to" music video was filmed at the Hill of Hope in Onomichi[15]
STU48's first single, "Kurayami" (暗闇, "Darkness"), was released on January 31. It sold an estimated 152,003 copies in its first week, according to Billboard Japan.[16] The group also participated in the AKB48 single "Jabaja" released in March, performing the B-side "Pedal to Sharin to Kita Michi to".[17]
On April 14, STU48 theater manager Manabu Yamamoto revealed the ship that would be used for the STU48 theater and announced that it would start operating in summer 2018.[18] However, due to the 2018 Japan floods and other factors, the launch date would be delayed to spring 2019.[19][20] The release date of their second single, originally planned for August 29, was also postponed to February 13, 2019.[21]
In October, the group announced the formation of five "extra-curricular" subunits. Besides performing music, each of these subunits would also focus on different types of activities.[22] They released their first member guidebook titled Mirai Kōro (未来航路, Future Course) on December 25.[23]
In November, the group was selected as one of the New Artists of The Year for the 60th Japan Record Awards, making them a candidate to win the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist. They are the first group in the AKB48 Group to earn the distinction.[24]
2019: Theater ship launch, second generation recruitment
Onomichi cityscape, shown in "Kaze wo Matsu" MV
On February 13, STU48 released their second single in five versions. The bonus content included DVDs featuring the members modelling the real-life uniforms of Setouchi schools.[25] First week sales reached an estimated 276,000 copies according to Oricon, doubling that of their debut single.[26] The music video for the title song, "Kaze wo Matsu" (風を待つ, "Waiting for the Wind"), was shot as one long take by quadcopter drone in Onomichi, Hiroshima and released earlier on December 26, 2018.[27][28]
On April 16, the group's newly remodeled ship, the STU48-go, was officially launched in a ship commissioning ceremony at Hiroshima Port. The event was live streamed on Showroom and attended by Hiroshima Prefecture governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and other government officials. STU48 performed live in the shipboard theater for the first time that evening, with an original stage play titled "GO! GO! little SEABIRDS!!" produced by Nezumi Imamura.[29]
The group's third single was released on July 31. The title song, "Daisuki na Hito" (大好きな人, "Beloved Person"), was performed by all 29 active members and trainees (Fu Yabushita would be absent as she was on hiatus for health reasons), and each subunit would have their own songs.[30] The music video for the title song was released on July 2.[31]
24 new members joined the group as second generation trainees, or "research students" (研究生, kenkyūsei). Their debut performance took place on the STU48-go on December 21 and 22.[32]
2020: Mitsuki Imamura appointed captain, AKB48 Group singing contest
STU48's second original stage set list, titled "Bokutachi no Koi no Yokan" (僕たちの恋の予感, "Premonition of Our Love") and produced by then captain Nana Okada, was performed for the first time at the STU48 Theater on the STU48-go on January 11, and included the song "Teokure Caution" (手遅れcaution, "Missed Chance Caution") by =LOVE, an idol group produced by former STU48 and HKT48 member Rino Sashihara.[33] In several interviews, various members commented that the stage play was "interesting" and "difficult to express" since there are several songs with themes unfamiliar to the group, such as "queens and slaves" (dominance and submission) and yuri, but also a good learning experience.[34][35]
On January 18, during STU48's concert at Tokyo Dome City Hall, Nana Okada announced that she would step down as the group's captain and appointed Mitsuki Imamura as her successor and Akari Fukuda as deputy captain, but would retain her concurrent membership.[36] The fourth single title song, "Mubō na Yume wa Sameru Koto ga Nai" (無謀な夢は覚めることがない, lit.'Reckless Dreams Never Wake Up'), was performed live for the first time at the concert.[37] The music video was recorded at the Chichibugahama Beach in Kagawa Prefecture and Ushimado Olive Garden in Okayama Prefecture, and features one of the group's most intense dance routines.[38]
Mitarai preservation district, Kure
On March 28, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, STU48's third anniversary celebration was held via live streaming on the video service Niconico, where the fifth single was announced to be released on May 27.[39] The music video for the title song, "Omoidaseru Koi wo Shiyō" (思い出せる恋をしよう, lit.'Let's Create A Memorable Love'), was filmed at the Mitarai preservation district in Kure, Hiroshima and released in two versions for the full members and trainees.[40] The single would include ballots to vote for members of a new subunit called the Setouchi PR Unit, which results were announced on October 18.[41][42]
In June, the group announced the renewal of the subunits and the formation of sister subunits[43] to the existing ones for the second generation trainees.[44] In July, the online community Setouchi Library was launched, in which members can learn and collaborate in projects related to the Setouchi Region with the group's members and subject matter experts.[45] The service was shut down in March 2022.[46]
On December 1, Yura Ikeda and Nana Okada won the first and third places, respectively, at the third AKB48 Group No. 1 Singing Ability Contest (AKB48グループ歌唱力No.1決定戦, AKB 48 gurūpu kashō-ryoku nanbā 1 kettei-sen). Honoka Yano also ranked among the top 8 finalists.[47] Among the six member groups of the AKB48 Group, STU48 had the most members advancing to the finals with seven contestants: Yura Ikeda, Honoka Yano, Nana Okada (represented both STU48 and AKB48), Aiko Kojima, Arisa Mineyoshi, Mahina Taniguchi, and Sara Shimizu (dropped out due to health issues).[48] In an interview, Okada commented that the group's achievements in the contest could be attributed to many members having trained since childhood, naming Actor's School Hiroshima as one of the training grounds, and that singing abilities, while not essential for idols, would open many new opportunities for them.[49]
2021–2022: Theater ship final tour, Nana Okada's departure, New Wave Project
On January 15, 2021, STU48 appeared in its first concert at the Nippon Budokan, where they announced the release of their sixth single on February 17 and performed the title song live for the first time.[50] The STU48-go went on its final tour from April 10 to May 23, with the last stop of the tour being Hiroshima Port in Hiroshima City.[51]
On September 12, during the last day of the STU48 summer tour at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall, the seventh single was announced. It was also announced that effective October 2021, all active second generation trainees would be promoted into full members. Nana Okada also announced that she would end her concurrency with STU48 after the promotions of the single has ended.[52] Her last concert with the group was on March 18, 2022, at the Kobe Kokusai Hall.[53]
On September 20, STU48 announced a collaboration with Actor's School Hiroshima called the "New Wave Project", an STU48 trainee recruitment project exclusively for active ASH students, at the 2021 ASH Autumn Act.[54] Four New Wave Project participants were announced to have been accepted as STU48 trainees in February 2022[55] and started their activities in May.[56]
In January 2022, STU48 members took five of the top 8 finalist positions at the fourth AKB48 Group No. 1 Singing Ability Contest, including the top three: Nana Okada (1st place), Yura Ikeda (2nd), Honoka Yano (3rd), Sara Shimizu (5th), and Mitsuki Imamura (7th).[57][58] Their eighth single "Hana wa Dare no Mono?" was released on April 13.[59] They held their first concert at the Hiroshima Green Arena on July 11 for their fifth anniversary celebration.[60]
2023–present: Mitsuki Imamura's graduation, Azumi Okada appointed captain
On December 24, 2023, during STU48's annual Christmas concert, captain Mitsuki Imamura announced that she will be graduating from the group. Her graduation concert was on March 31, 2024, at the Hiroshima International Conference Center.[61] 2.5th Generation member Azumi Okada took Imamura's place as captain.[62]
Former shipboard theater
STU48-go
STU48-go at Harumi Pier, Tokyo
History
Japan
Name
STU48-go (former), New Izena (former), Mikasa (current)
The former STU48 Theater was situated on a ferry named STU48-go (STU48号) and was the first shipboard theater in Japan.[63] The ship was formerly called Mikasa (みかさ) and operated by Iki-Tsushima Sea Line [ja], and has previously been a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ship before acquired by the STU48 management.[64][65]
The name of the ship was decided through contest, which was announced on May 11, 2018, by the STU48 management.[66] From around 2000 names which were submitted, 24 were chosen by the members for the final voting by fans on June 30 through the streaming app SHOWROOM, and STU48-go earned the most votes (9.8%), making it the new name of the ship.[67]
The remodeling of STU48-go was carried out at the Japan Marine United facilities in Onomichi, Hiroshima[68][69] with technical support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, especially concerning safety measures.[70] Several STU48 members visited the shipyard during the process, and Azusa Fujiwara and Honoka Yano personally painted the ship's name on her bow.[71] On January 22, 2019, the group released a music video for the song "Shukkō" (出航, "Setting Sail") from their then upcoming second single, which was shot on the ship and unfinished onboard theater and performed by all 33 members and trainees active at the time.[72][73]
On February 25, the group released a list of ports in the Setouchi Region where the ship was planned to dock for performances.[71] On March 19, the certificate of nationality for the ship was issued.[74][75] The ship was officially commissioned on April 16.
On July 15, STU48-go was present at the Marine Day event organized by the C to Sea Project, held at the Port of Tokyo.[77]
On July 9, 2020, the STU48 management announced that the shipboard theater would be decommissioned in the spring of 2021, and that performances would be held around the Setouchi Region with no fixed venue.[78] On February 7, 2021, the ship's last tour was announced, starting on April 10 and ending on May 23, with the last stop of the tour being Hiroshima Port in Hiroshima City.[51][79] The ship has since been returned to Iki-Tsushima Sea Line and renamed back to Mikasa.[80]
Reception
In a January 23, 2019 article, Tokyo Sports remarked that STU48 has the "highest level of stage performance" in the AKB48 Group, and that many of its members have a "neat" image similar to that of Nogizaka46. Since Nogizaka46 and the other Sakamichi Series groups do not have their own theaters, STU48 has the opportunity to win over fans who wish for closer interaction through their regular theater performances. The article also predicted that the NGT48 assault scandal, which came to light earlier that month, might cause that group's fans to switch to STU48, in part due to captain Nana Okada's "dislike of disturbance" and "ability to keep the members disciplined".[73]
Awards
The following table lists some of the major awards received by the group.
The theme of "girls' journey" refers to literally visiting Setouchi tourism destinations and promoting them domestically and overseas[84] and exploring the world of beauty and fashion. They have their own travel-related television programs, such as STU48 no IttekimaSU! (STU48の行ってきまSU!, "STU48's We're Leaving!") on Shinhiroshima Telecasting[85] and STU48 Furusato Senden LABO (STU48 ふるさと宣伝LABO, "STU48 Hometown Promotion Lab") on Yamaguchi Broadcasting.[86]
Charming Trip
Native name
Charming Trip
Theme
Girls' Journey (女子旅)
Leader
Chiho Ishida
Members
Minami Ishida, Hina Iwata, Arisa Mineyoshi (concurrently with STUDIO)
These units promote Shikoku, one of Japan's five major islands, especially its less-known interesting places and activities.[87]
Katte ni! Shikoku Kanko Taishi
Native name
勝手に！四国観光大使 (Do As You Like! Shikoku Tourism Ambassadors)
Theme
Shikoku Island Tourism
Leader
Akari Fukuda
Members
Mahina Taniguchi, Aoi Hyodo, Mai Nakamura, Yuka Oki (concurrently with MiKER!)
Anna Kawamata, Rika Muneyuki, Rinko Yoshizaki, Momoka Rissen, Miho Tanaka (concurrently with pin MiKER!)
All members except Yuka Oki are Shikoku natives.
Katte ni! Shikoku Kanko Guide
Native name
勝手に！四国観光ガイド (Do As You Like! Shikoku Tourism Guides)
Theme
Shikoku Island Tourism
Members
None
Performance units
The performance units focus on singing and dancing skills.
STUDIO
Native name
STUDIO
Theme
Performance (singing and dancing)
Leader
Mitsuki Imamura
Members
Arisa Mineyoshi (concurrently with Charming Trip), Maiha Morishita
Yura Ikeda, Aiko Kojima, Himeka Sako, Sara Shimizu, Ayaka Suzuki
On November 15, 2018, Imamura and Miyuna Kadowaki were two of the three 48 Group members (the third being Hijiri Tanikawa of AKB48) selected to become the lead performers for the "No Way Man" live performance in Best Hits Kayosai, replacing the members who transferred to IZ*ONE (namely Hitomi Honda of AKB48 and Sakura Miyawaki and Nako Yabuki of HKT48), after passing the dance audition held by Yomiuri TV.[88]
Aoi Himawari is the only unit which includes a former STU48 member, Miyu Sakaki, and all the other members are concurrently members of other units.[93]
On September 26, 2021, they held their first solo live at the Cave-Be live house in Hiroshima.[94][95]
Setouchi PR Unit
Original
Native name
瀬戸内PR部隊
Theme
Setouchi Region public relations
Members (by votes)
Chiho Ishida
Yūka Oki
Yumiko Takino
Akari Fukuda
Hina Iwata
Former members
Miyuna Kadowaki (#1)
Fū Yabushita (#5)
Membership into this unit was based on fan voting using the ballots included with the fifth single.[41]
Season 2
Native name
瀬戸内PR部隊Season2
Theme
Setouchi Region public relations
Members (by votes)
Chiho Ishida
Yuka Oki
Akari Fukuda
Serika Osaki
Mai Nakamura
Rinko Yoshizaki
Sayaka Takao
The voting for the second Setouchi PR Unit took place from April 13 to May 2, 2022 using ballots included with the eighth single.[96][97] The results were announced on May 23.[98]
Members
Regular members
1st Generation
The first generation members of STU48 originally consisted of 31 people[99] and joined the group on March 31, 2017.[5]
The 3rd Draft members were recruited at the third AKB48 Group Draft Conference, a joint audition for AKB48 and all its Japan-based sister groups. Originally consisting of five people,[100] they debuted as trainees in January 2018. Two trainees left the group and the three remaining ones became full members on August 3, 2019.[101]
Name
Birth date
Remarks
Yūka Oki (沖侑果)
(1999-12-01) December 1, 1999 (age 24)
Announced graduation
Soraha Shinano (信濃宙花)
(2003-08-09) August 9, 2003 (age 20)
Mai Nakamura (中村舞)
(1999-04-04) April 4, 1999 (age 25)
2nd Generation
The second generation member recruitment began in August 2019.[101] 24 people who passed the auditions debuted as trainees in December 2019[32][102] and the remaining ones became full members in October 2021.[52]
Name
Birth date
Remarks
Yura Ikeda (池田裕楽)
(2004-02-08) February 8, 2004 (age 20)
Utsumi Rine (内海里音)
(2002-11-05) November 5, 2002 (age 21)
Serika Osaki (尾崎世里花)
(1997-11-16) November 16, 1997 (age 26)
Yūna Kawamata (川又優菜)
(2003-12-10) December 10, 2003 (age 20)
Riko Kudō (工藤理子)
(2002-03-29) March 29, 2002 (age 22)
Aiko Kojima (小島愛子)
(1997-12-07) December 7, 1997 (age 26)
Himeka Sako (迫姫華)
(2007-03-14) March 14, 2007 (age 17)
Sara Shimizu (清水紗良)
(2006-02-12) February 12, 2006 (age 18)
Ayaka Suzuki (鈴木彩夏)
(2000-08-24) August 24, 2000 (age 23)
Announced graduation
Sayaka Takao (高雄さやか)
(1998-12-04) December 4, 1998 (age 25)
Reika Taguchi (田口玲佳)
(2001-06-02) June 2, 2001 (age 22)
Sayaka Harada (原田清花)
(2001-06-19) June 19, 2001 (age 22)
Rika Muneyuki (宗雪里香)
(2000-06-15) June 15, 2000 (age 23)
Sara Yoshida (吉田彩良)
(2002-02-19) February 19, 2002 (age 22)
Momoka Rissen (立仙百佳)
(2004-11-30) November 30, 2004 (age 19)
Announced graduation
Natsuki Watanabe (渡辺菜月)
(2000-12-12) December 12, 2000 (age 23)
2.5th Generation
This batch was recruited through the New Wave recruitment project, held exclusively for Actor's School Hiroshima students, and was originally referred to as the New Wave Project trainees. Four candidates who passed the auditions debuted as trainees in May 2022.[56][103] It was officially designated 2.5th Generation during the group's sixth anniversary concert.
On April 1, 2024, following Mitsuki Imamura's graduation, all its members became full members.[104]
Name
Birth date
Remarks
Azumi Okada (岡田あずみ)
(2003-01-20) January 20, 2003 (age 21)
Captain (appointed March 31, 2024)
Rio Okamura (岡村梨央)
(2008-10-08) October 8, 2008 (age 15)
Yuka Kurushima (久留島優果)
(2005-09-24) September 24, 2005 (age 18)
Noa Morokuzu (諸葛望愛)
(2009-11-11) November 11, 2009 (age 14)
Trainees
3rd Generation
The third generation members were publicly introduced in April 2023.
^"STU48"劇場使用船"サプライズ発表 センター瀧野由美子も涙「今まで以上に気を引き締めて…」 - モデルプレス" [STU 48 "theater ship" surprise announcement, center Yumiko Takino burst into tears, "Tighten our lessons more than ever..."]. モデルプレス - ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース (in Japanese). April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
^"船通信" [Ship News]. STU48 (in Japanese). Retrieved October 25, 2018.
^"５ユニットでの"課外活動"がスタート！" [5 Extracurricular Units Started!]. www.stu48.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 7, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
^@AKB48G_singer (October 22, 2020). "決勝進出はこちらの20人に決まりました！" [We have decided to advance to the final with 20 people here!] (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
^"至極 たのしい四国". www.stu48.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
^STU48今村美月＆門脇実優菜＆AKB48谷川聖が話題 ダンスオーディションでセンター抜擢＜プロフィール＞ - モデルプレス [STU48's Mitsuki Imamura & Miyuna Kadowaki & AKB48's Hijiri Tanikawa are a hot topic, selected as centers in dance audition]. Modelpress (in Japanese). November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
^"瀬戸７" [Seto 7]. STU48 (in Japanese). December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
^"せとまいく". STU48. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
^"ひろしま国際平和マラソンに１万人駆ける" [10,000 people ran the Hiroshima International Peace Marathon]. www.msn.com (in Japanese). Retrieved November 18, 2018.
^"「第38回ひろしま国際平和マラソン」に参加決定！" [Participated in "The 38th Hiroshima International Peace Marathon"!]. STU48 OFFICIAL WEB SITE (in Japanese). Retrieved November 18, 2018.
^"青い向日葵". STU48 OFFICIAL WEB SITE｜STU48 FAN CLUB (in Japanese). Retrieved December 29, 2021.
^"【ビルボード】STU48『思い出せる恋をしよう』初週15万枚で5作連続シングルセールス1位" [[Billboard] STU48 "Let's make a memorable love" 150,000 copies in the first week, 5 consecutive single sales 1st place]. Billboard Japan. September 8, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
^ ab"【ビルボード】STU48『ヘタレたちよ』初週23.5万枚でシングル・セールス首位" [[Billboard] STU48 "Hetaretachiyo" top single sales with 235,000 copies in the first week]. Billboard Japan. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
^"【ビルボード】SixTONES『Good Luck!／ふたり』初週39.8万枚でシングル・セールス首位、JINソロ作が2位デビュー" [[Billboard] SixTONES "Good Luck! / Futari" topped single sales with 398,000 copies in the first week, JIN's solo work debuted at number two]. Billboard JAPAN. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
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