The long-standing Japanese idol girl group, AKB48, has seen its fair share of ups and downs, but above it all, their popularity soars through generations of graduates as they are Japan’s highest-grossing female act. Utilising this fact, producers of the group have finally opted to tap into a different facet of groups, such as expanding their nationality range, and maybe we’ll see a boy group soon.
Yasushi Akimoto (秋元 康), producer of AKB48, has announced a worldwide audition and a theatre opening for a new idol group featuring an all-male lineup. Auditions are opening in the Summer, which means it will likely start later this month or in August.
The audition is open to participants aged 12 to 26 years old who are not currently signed under any talent agencies, record label or music publisher. “I am very honoured to have been appointed as the general producer of this content. I hope that everyone will witness every moment and think, “This is how the future is created”, comments Akimoto.
In light of the formation of the new boy group, a dedicated theatre will be built in a commercial facility in Tokyo where the group will be holding future events. The theatre will be operated by Mitsui Fudosan and include other commercial facilities operated by the company. The dedicated theatre serves as a foothold for the boy group for its main centre of operations, including regular performances and fan events, much like how AKB48 operates.
Not much is known about the particulars or the auditions, but reports say that participants worldwide are required to move to Tokyo after passing the audition, where they will be able to participate in future promotional events.
Sources: Twitter, PR Times Japan
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
