NMB48

In July 2010 it was announced that a new sister-group of AKB48 would be started in Osaka. Named after the Namba district, NMB48 debuted on October 9th. At first, the group consisted of 26 members, named Team Kenkyuusei. Soon after their debut, Yamauchi Ayaka resigned from the group due to illness. Of the remaining 25 members, 16 were promoted to Team N on March 10th, 2011, leaving the group divided into two sub-teams under the umbrella name of NMB48. After an audition, 23 more girls were added to the group in June, with these "second generation" members adding up to the required 48 girls.

On January 1st, 2011, NMB48 debuted with the so-called 'NMB48 1st Stage' song Dareka no tame ni, released as a digital single. On July 20th they released their first single Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo. Member Yasushi Akimimoto offered the challenge that the group's song would rank first place in the Oricon charts during its first week after release, otherwise they would wear bloomers during a live. The challenge was met, with the single selling over 218,000 copies and soaring to first place.

On October 19th the group came out with their second single Oh my God! They are set to release their third single, Junjou U-19 in February 2012.