Hate (2012)

Bottom Row: Matsui Jurina, Oshima Yuko (Grad), Atsuko Maeda (Grad), Watanabe Mayu (Grad), Takahashi Minami (Grad)

Top Row: Takajo Aki (Grad), Kitehara Rie (Grad), Kojima Haruna (Grad), Shinoda Mariko (Grad), Itano Tomomi (Grad), Kashiwagi Yuki, and Miyazawa Sae (Grad)

Hate is not a song you’ll find in the 48 Group Franchise unless you dig very deep. The song has long been forgotten and I can only think of a couple times recently that the song has been performed outside of the theater. . . . and I may even be mistaken. With an extremely western pop oriented sound, Hate, a track off AKB48’s 2nd Album, goes to a place that few AKB48 songs have ever gone.

CLICK HERE to watch them perform the song live in 2012 at their Tokyo Dome Concert!

2. Junai no Crescendo (純愛のクレッシェンド) (2007)

In thumbnail: Minegishi Minami, who announced graduation in 2020

Junai no Crescendo is a song of which we will never tire. Many of the 48Group girls have performed this song and if you pay attention to the group long enough, you’ll have heard it quite the handful of times in a year. A song from Team A’s 4th Stage, Junai no Crescendo was originally performed by No3b, a Team A subunit who later released 9 singles.

No3b (No Sleeves), an AKB48 Subunit consisting of 1st Generation members Kojima Haruna (Grad), General Manager Takahashi Minami (Grad), and Minegishi Minami (Announced Graduation in 2020)

Watch a more current version below, as NMB48’s Shibuya Nagisa takes the lead.

In Thumbnail: NMB48’s Murase Sae, of Produce48 fame

The only official music video of this song in any language is JKT48’s version, released in 2018.

3. Skirt, Hirari (スカート、ひらり) (2006)

Skirt, Hirari is one of my absolute favorite AKB48 songs. From Team A’s very first stage (AKB48’s first ever performance, as all the first Generation Members later became Team A), Skirt, Hirari is a song that may have originally done them more harm than good. Because of a . . . ahem. . . specific dance move during the chorus, AKB48 became known as the Panty Group. Of course, the thought is laughable now in 2020 (especially after we all witnessed over 10 years of kpop). Watch some old and new 48Group all-stars perform at the AKB48 theater in 2016!

In Thumbnail: Team B’s Kashiwagi Yuki, who in 2019 vowed to stay in AKB48 until after she reached 30 years old.

Yes. We love her.

First frame of video, members from left to right: NMB48’s Yamamoto Sayaka (Grad), AKB48’s Kashiwagi Yuki, AKB48’s Takahashi Minami (Grad), HKT48’s Sashihara Rino (Grad), AKB48’s Watanabe Mayu (Grad), HKT48’s Miyawaki Sakura, and NGT48’s Kitehara Rie (Grad)

Now, I must bring your attention to moments that 48Group fans wait for most.

What we yearn all the time.

Reunions.

At the link below, watch a breathtaking video from Kojima Haruna’s Graduation Concert in 2017. It was the beginning of Day 2 and the first song to play was Skirt Hirari. Right before the fans’ eyes, Kami7 members who had been long graduated stood before them. Maeda Atsuko, Oshima Yuko, Shinoda Mariko, Takahashi Minami, and Itano Tomomi were back.

CLICK HERE to witness a moment every fan could wish they could relive forever.

4. Hikoukigumo (ひこうき雲) (2008)

Hikoukigumo is a song that many casual listeners tend to forget about, as the music video that was released featured “Theater Girls”. These members weren’t very prominent in the public eye and performed more regularly in the theater. This song is notable perhaps for the way it makes the live audience feel. The song is usually performed towards the end of a concert or stage, as the choreography involves the use of a towel. During this time, 48Group fans will all brandish their own towels, and will perform the choreography with them.

And while I’m watching on my computer screen, I brandish my own towel as well. Swinging it in circles. . . all in quarantine. (Darn you corona)

Watch AKB48 (and the audience!) perform Hikoukigumo in 2013:

In Thumbnail: Team A captain Shinoda Mariko (Grad)

BONUS: Yume de Kiss Me! (夢でKiss me!) (2016) by Miyawaki Sakura

Revealed in Team A’s 7th Stage, this was a song that everyone was thrilled with. Show me someone who doesn’t like Miyawaki Sakura and I will show you something else that is also impossible. Watch her perform again below!

Upon finishing this list, I’ve noticed that I’ve only talked about older songs. Please check out more Team A songs on our Team A Song Playlist below!

Tell us your favorite Team A songs in the comments!