Nogizaka46

2011

The formation of Nogizaka46 was first announced on June 29, 2011, when it became the first group to be labelled as the "official rival" to the group AKB48. This is unlike other groups related to AKB48, like NMB48 and SKE48, because these groups are created as AKB48's sister groups. Even their name "Nogizaka46" also carries the meaning that "even with fewer members than AKB48, we won’t lose".

The final auditions for the group was held over the weekend of 20–21 August, where 56 finalist competed for the 36 available places. Overall, 38,934 people applied to join their auditions. The list of the 36 selected members was announced on 22 August. In a surprise announcement, it was also announced that another 16 girls would be joining the group as a provisional “senbatsu” member.

Nogizaka46 have their own variety show on television, hosted by the comedian duo Bananaman, which started to air on October 2, 2011. This variety show is entitled Nogizakatte, Doko? (乃木坂って、どこ?, Lit: Where is Nogizaka?), and is aired on the main television stations in the TX network; mainly TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TV Setouchi, TV Hokkaido, and TVQ Kyushu Hoso.

2012

On February 22, Nogizaka46 made their debut with the single Guruguru Curtain. It ranked second on the Oricon chart and sold 136,309 copies in the first week. Their second single Oide Shampoo, was released on May 2, became the first number one song on the Oricon weekly chart, with sales of 156,000 copies. On June 25, Nogizaka46 took part in Yubi Matsuri, an idol festival produced by Rino Sashihara from AKB48. The concert was held at Nippon Budokan before a crowd of 8,000 people and featured such girl groups as Idoling!!!, Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, Super Girls, Tokyo Girls' Style, Passpo, Buono!, Momoiro Clover Z, and Watarirouka Hashiritai 7. From September 1 to September 9, the group performed their first musical 16 nin no Principal at Shibuya Parco Theater. In December, Nogizaka46 reached number one on the Oricon yearly chart in newcomers sales category, with annual sales of 870 million yen.

2013

On February 22, Nogizaka46 held their first anniversary concert called Nogizaka46 Birthday Live at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. They performed all songs featured in the previous four singles, and about 9,000 fans gathered for the concert. On April 7, Nogizaka46 began a radio program. This program is entitled Nogizaka46no, No (乃木坂46の「の」, Lit: Nogizaka46's No) and produced by Nippon Cultural Broadcasting. From December 2012 to April 2013, the audition for the 2nd generation took place. Out of 16,302 applicants, 14 were chosen and 13 were introduced at the 16 nin no Principal deux, the sequel to the 2012 musical, performed at Akasaka ACT Theater from May 3 to May 12. On October 22, Nogizaka46 released their first photobook Nogizaka Ha. It ranked fourth on the Oricon weekly book ranking with 27,000 copies sold. On the final leg of their national tour 「真夏の全国ツアー2013 FINAL!」 Nogizaka46 announced their upcoming concert at the famed Tokyo Nippon Budokan which will take place on December 20.

2014

Nogizaka46 1st Year Birthday Live 2013.2.22 Makuhari Messe DVD and Blu-ray were released on February 5 and February 22, respectively. It reached number one on the Oricon weekly DVD chart, selling 12,000 copies in the first week. On February 22, Nogizaka46 held the 2nd Year Birthday Live at Yokohama Arena, and 13,000 fans, the largest number ever, came to watch their concert. During the show, the group announced that their musical 16 nin no Principal trois would open at Akasaka ACT Theater on May 30 and run until June 15.

On February 24, AKB48 group's big team shuffle, a.k.a. "AKB48 Group Dai Sokaku Matsuri", was held at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo. It was announced that Rina Ikoma would join AKB48's Team B, much to the audience's shocking surprise reaction. Also in the same event, it was announced that Rena Matsui from SKE48's Team E would hold a concurrent position with Nogizaka46. On July 5, Nogizaka46 attended the Japan Expo 2014 in Paris, and made their first overseas performance.

2015

On January 7, Nogizaka46 released their first album Tōmei na Iro. It reached the number one on the Oricon weekly albums chart, and number eleven on the 2015 yearly chart. On February 22, Nogizaka46 held the 3rd Year Birthday Live at Seibu Dome in Saitama. Approximately 38,000 people attended the concert, and it recorded the biggest audience in the group's history. On March 26, during AKB48's spring solo live concert at Saitama Super Arena, it was announced that the exchange program between Rina Ikoma and Rena Matsui would be canceled. On April 20, their renewed variety show Nogizaka Kōjichū (乃木坂工事中, Lit: Nogizaka Under Construction) started to air succeeding the former show Nogizakatte, Doko?. On July 11, their first featured drama Hatsumori Bemars was premiered on the TX network. On December 31, Nogizaka46 appeared NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the first time, and sang their 5th single song Kimi no Na wa Kibō.

2016

In this year, the 4th Year Birthday Live was postponed until August 28, the final three days of the Summer National Tour 2016, due to a lack of concert halls caused by the reconstruction boom for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. From February 20 through February 22, Nogizaka46 broadcast their Internet TV program Nogizaka46 4th Anniversary Nogizaka 46 hours TV on six websites simultaneously. On February 27, their 12th single Taiyō Nokku was selected for the 30th Japan Gold Disc Award for the best five singles.

On May 25, they released their second album Sorezore no Isu. It reached the number one on the Oricon weekly albums chart, and number three on the first half of the year ranking. The 2nd Nogizaka 46 hours TV was aired on June 10 as a part of their second album's sales event. On August 5, they released their second photobook 1 Jikan Okure no I Love You. It sold 41,000 copies in the first week and ranked 1st on Oricon weekly book ranking.

From July 19 to September 4, the 3rd generation audition took place. In the final stage of the audition, 13 candidates appealed to internet audiences through the streaming service called Showroom. On September 4, it was announced that 12 candidates passed the final screening and one declined. They were chosen from 48,986 applicants that were the largest number of applicants ever. On November 9, Nogizaka46 released the 16th single Sayonara no Imi. It reached number one on the Oricon weekly single chart, selling 827,717 copies in the first week and it was the group's first Million single certified by RIAJ. On December 31, Nogizaka46 made their second appearance on NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and sang Sayonara no Imi.

Controversies

In April 2012, the choreography for Nogizaka46's second single, "Oide Shampoo", has been the subject of criticism. When the music video for the song was published on YouTube, it became a hot topic on the Internet, receiving negative response from many viewers. As part of choreography, the girls lift their skirts over their faces, fully exposing their petticoats. Some commenters found the video obscene and stated that they felt uncomfortable watching it. Some also found that the dance was sexually suggestive.

Documentary

Television

Concerts

Stages

DVDs