STU48
STU48 is a Japanese idol group and sister group of AKB48. It is named after the Setouchi Region and is the first member of AKB48 Group to have a. The group is co-owned by the tourism board of Setouchi Region and is highly involved in their promotional efforts.
History
2016
The formation of STU48 was announced on October 2016.2017
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.In April, Setouchi Destination Marketing Organization, 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.
First MV from STU48 was released on June 2017.
2018
On January 16, the variety show STU48 no Setobingo!, based on AKBingo! and hosted by the comedy duo Maple Chogokin, started airing on Nippon TV. It would run for 11 episodes.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. However, due to the 2018 Japan floods and other factors, the launch date would be delayed to spring 2019.
In July, it was announced that their second single, originally planned to be released on August 29, was also postponed due to the floods. The new release date was later confirmed to be February 13, 2019.
In October, the group announced the formation of five "extra-curricular" subunits. Unlike the subunits of its sister groups which mainly performed music, each of these subunits would focus on different types of activities.
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.
On December 25, the group released their first member guidebook titled. On December 26, the music video for their second single title song, "Kaze wo Matsu"2=風を待つ, shot as an uncut long take by quadcopter drone in Onomichi, Hiroshima, was released.
2019
On February 13, STU48 released their second single, "Kaze wo Matsu"2=風を待つ, in five versions. The bonus content included DVDs featuring the members modelling the real-life uniforms of Setouchi schools. First week sales reached 276,316 copies according to Oricon, doubling that of their debut single.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.
On June 2, in an episode of STU Imousu TV, the group's third single was announced to be released on July 31. The title song would be performed by all 29 active members and trainees, and each subunit would have their own songs. The music video for the title song,, was released on July 2.
On December 3, 24 new members joined the group as second generation trainees, or. Their debut performance took place on the STU48-go on December 21 and 22.
2020
On January 11, STU48's second original stage play, titled "Bokutachi no Koi no Yokan" and produced by then captain Nana Okada, was performed for the first time at the STU48 Theater on the STU48-go, docked at Hiroshima Port at the time. The play included the song by =LOVE, an idol group produced by former STU48 and HKT48 member Rino Sashihara. 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" and yuri, but also a good learning experience.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.
On March 28, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, STU48's third anniversary celebration was held via live streaming on the video service Niconico. The fifth single was also announced to be released on May 27.
On June 4, STU48 announced the renewal of the subunits, including the formation of sister subunits to the existing ones for the second generation trainees.
Shipboard theater
The STU48 Theater is situated on a ferry named 2=ＳＴＵ48号. She was formerly called and operated by :ja:壱岐対馬シーライン|Iki-Tsushima Sea Line, and has previously been a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship before acquired by the STU48 management.The name of the ship was decided through contest, which was announced on May 11, 2018 by the STU48 management. 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, making it the new name of the ship.
The remodeling of STU48-go was carried out at the Japan Marine United facilities in Onomichi, Hiroshima. Several STU48 members visited the shipyard during the process, and Azusa Fujiwara and Honoka Yano personally painted the ship's name on her bow. On January 22, 2019, the group released a music video for the song "Shukkō" 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.
On February 25, the group released a list of ports in the Setouchi Region where the ship was planned to dock for performances. On March 19, the certificate of nationality for the ship was issued. The ship was officially commissioned on April 16.
The port and starboard hulls of the ship bear the code "UW2", which means "Welcome" in maritime flag signaling.
On July 15, STU48-go was present at the Marine Day event organized by the CtoSea Project, held at the Port of Tokyo.
On July 9, 2020, the STU48 management announced that the shipboard theater would be retired in the spring of 2021, and that performances would be held around the Setouchi Region with no fixed venue.
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".Awards
The following table lists some of the major awards received by the group.| Year | Ceremony | Award | Nominated Work |
| 2018 | 60th Japan Record Awards | New Artist Award | |
| 2019 | 11th CD Shop Awards | Shikoku Block Award | Kurayami |
Subunits
These are the active subunits as of June 2020.Girls' traveling units
These units promote Setouchi tourism both domestically and overseas and also explore the world of beauty and fashion.Charming Trip
little Charming Trip
Shikoku units
These units promote Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four major islands, especially its less-known interesting places and activities.Katte ni! Shikoku Kanko Taishi
All members except Yuka Oki are Shikoku natives.Katte ni! Shikoku Kanko Guide
Performance units
STUDIO
In November 15, 2018, Imamura and Kadowaki were two of the three 48 Group members 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, after passing the dance audition held by Yomiuri TV.mini STUDIO
MC & sports units
MiKER!
MiKER! is a merger between the former MC unit Setomaiku and sports unit Seto 7. Kai and Shinano were members of both units.In November 3, 2018, Kai, Takino, and former Seto 7 member Maiha Morishita participated in the 38th Hiroshima International Peace Marathon.