SDN48
| Company type | Female idol group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Yasushi Akimoto |
| Defunct | 2012-03-31 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Successor | 7cm (unit formed by former members) |
| Headquarters | Akihabara , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Kayo Noro (captain) |
| Products | Music singles and albums |
| Owner | Yasushi Akimoto (producer) |
| Parent | Universal Music Japan |
SDN48 (pronounced S.D.N. Forty-Eight, an abbreviation for Saturday Night 48) was a Japanese female idol ensemble conceptualized and produced by Yasushi Akimoto, centered around an "adult idol" theme. The group was led by former AKB48 member Kayo Noro, who held the position of captain. SDN48 launched their major label career in November 2010 with the single "Gagaga" and concluded activities with a final concert on March 31, 2012.
2008–2009: Origins
In 2008, Yasushi Akimoto, producer of AKB48, initiated "Saturday Night 48," designed to appeal to a mature audience with shows scheduled every Saturday at 10 p.m., exclusively for attendees aged 18 and above. The group's image incorporated more provocative costumes to set them apart from the traditional AKB48 style. By July 2009, original members included AKB48's Megumi Ohori and Kayo Noro, joined by newcomers selected through auditions. Their inaugural stage performance, Yūwaku no Garter ("Garter of Temptation"), debuted on July 25.
After AKB48's team reorganization following their Nippon Budokan concert, Noro, Ohori, Yukari Sato, and Kazumi Urano exited AKB48 to dedicate themselves fully to SDN48, with Noro assuming leadership as captain. On September 27, 2009, understudy Yuki Iwata withdrew from the group due to health complications. In November of the same year, Eiko Maeda transitioned from sister group SKE48 to SDN48 and adopted the stage name Machiko Tezuka upon joining.
2010–2011: Launch on a Major Label
At their first anniversary performance, Noro revealed that SDN48 would make their major debut under Universal Music in the autumn and that the previous age limit would be lifted. Through their television program Suppon no Onna-tachi, SDN48 conducted a senbatsu election to determine the top twelve members who would feature in their debut single. Megumi Ohori, formerly of AKB48, secured first place and served as center for "Gagaga," released on November 24, 2010. On September 30, second-generation member Sakura Fukuyama left due to health reasons and was succeeded by Chen Qu from China. Their second single, Ai, Juseyo ("Love, Give Me Please"), originally slated for release on March 23, 2011, was delayed until April 6 because of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
2012: Group Dissolution
The group officially disbanded on March 31, 2012, as all members graduated simultaneously. Subsequently, former SDN48 members took part in AKB48's second revival stage concert held on May 15.
2013: Reunion and Subsequent Endeavors
A reunion performance took place at the AKB48 theater on March 31, 2013. Later on May 6, seven ex-members established a new unit named 7cm under the label Avex. This lineup consisted of Juri Kaida, KONAN, Mana Ito, Haruka Umeda, Megumi Imayoshi, Mami Kato, and Miyuu Hosoda. The group ceased activities on August 30 of the same year.
First Generation
- Kazue Akita
- Megumi Imayoshi
- Haruka Umeda
- Kazumi Urano (formerly with AKB48 Team B)
- Misa Okochi
- Megumi Ohori (formerly with AKB48 Team K)
- Jyuri Kaida
- Mami Kato
- Masami Kochi
- Haruka Kohara (formerly with AKB48 Team B)
- Sayaka Kondo
- Yukari Sato (formerly with AKB48 Team A)
- Serina
- Chen Qu
- Machiko Tezuka (formerly with SKE48)
- Nachu
- Reiko Nishikunihara
- Kayo Noro (Captain; formerly with AKB48 Team K)
- Chisaki Hatakeyama
- Hiromi Mitsui
Second Generation
- Yuki Aikawa
- Akiko
- Mana Ito
- Aimi Oyama
- Yuki Kimoto
- Konan
- Yui Takahashi
- Marina Tsuda
- Natsuko
- Akane Fukuda
- Yumi Fujikoso
- Miyuu Hosoda
- Rumi Matsushima
Third Generation
- Seara Kojo
- Hitomi Komatani (previously part of AKB48 Team A)
- Saemi Shinahama
- Jung Si-yeon
- Hana Tojima (formerly AKB48 Team A member)
- Miray
Former Members
- Ayami Nakazato (graduated December 24, 2009), previously a back dancer for Kishidan and member of OZ-MAX under DJ OZMA
- Sakura Fukuyama (graduated October 2010)
- Kana Ito (graduated February 2011)
- Yuka Ninomiya (graduated May 2011)
- Tomomi Tanisaki (graduated May 2011)
- Sayo Hayakawa (graduated July 2011)
- Understudy
- Yuki Iwata (withdrew September 24, 2009)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | Oricon Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Korea | First Week | Total | |||
| 2010 | "Gagaga" | 3 | 27 | Next Encore | 63,627 | 79,128 |
| 2011 | "Ai, Chuseyo" | 3 | — | 64,020 | 71,236 | |
| "Min Min Min" | 3 | — | 72,584 | 82,543 | ||
| "Kudokinagara Azabu-Jūban Duet With Mino Monta" | 3 | — | 67,018 | 69,885 | ||
| 2012 | "Makeoshimi Congratulation" | 2 | — | — | 74,459 | 90,507 |
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Position | Oricon Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | First Week | Total | ||
| 2012 | Next Encore | 1 | 48,085 | 50,312 |
| Yūwaku no Garter | 31 | |||
SDN48 First Stage "Yuuwaku no Garter"
At the AKB Theater, SDN48 presented a single stage performance titled "Yuuwaku no Garter," which was generally segmented by generation.