BRONZE ERA
2018-2020 | Plateau & back to roots
AKB48's plateau becomes more pronounced:
★ Events discontinuation (SSK and Janken)
★ Not invited to NHK's Kouhaku Uta Gassen
★ Cancellation of AKBINGO and AKB48 SHOW
Around this time, AKB48 begins the move to go return to their roots and break off their reliance on sister groups' aces on their 12th anniversary shuffle, where all sister groups' kennin positions are cancelled.
Instead, Team 8 becomes a more integral part of the group, as all members are given kennin positions to the original teams (A, K, B, and 4).
And home-grown AKB48 members start to rise up:
★ Okada Nana as center of Jabaja
★ Oguri Yui as center of Teacher, Teacher
★ Yamauchi Mizuki as center of Shitsuren, Arigatou
★ Mukaichi Mion receives the new Soukantoku title
But, the COVID-19 pandemic hits them immensely. Theater performances are halted for months at a time and AKB48 is only able to release 1 single in 2020, where they used to be able to produce 4-5 singles a year.
RENAISSANCE ERA
2021-NOW | Fight to the top again
The last of AKB48's 1st generation member Minegishi Minami graduates from the group at PIA Arena MM.
The next day, AKB48 shows their determination to carry on the torch by performing 48 songs non-stop at their solo concert, reaffirming the current members' passionate wish to reach the top again.
With looser COVID-19 regulations, AKB48 is also able to perform at their theater regularly. Several projects are announced as well, with more emphasis on fresh members.
These new projects include:
★ New TV Show: AKB48, Saikin Kiita?
★ New singles with AKB48-only senbatsu
★ Several stage plays featuring fresh generation members
And so, this era signfies AKB48's revenge to reclaim back their throne as Japan's top idol group!