Nogizaka46

Nogizaka46 (乃木坂46; Nogizaka Forty-six) is a Japanese female idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto, created as the "official rival" of the group AKB48. They are the first group from the Sakamichi Series, which also includes sister groups Sakurazaka46 (formerly Keyakizaka46), Yoshimotozaka46, and Hinatazaka46.

The group's musical catalogue includes twenty-eight singles and five compilation albums. Starting with their third single, each of Nogizaka46's single releases has reached the top position on the weekly Oricon chart. The group has also created radio shows, theater productions, television programs, and films, including NogiBingo!, Hatsumori Bemars, Nogizaka Under Construction, Asahinagu, and a series of documentary films about the group.

Nogizaka46 has twice won the Grand Prix at the annual Japan Record Awards, with consecutive wins for "Influencer" in 2017 and "Synchronicity" in 2018. The group has sold nearly 18 million CDs in Japan.

In 2011, Sony Music Entertainment Japan announced its plan to co-produce a new idol group with AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto after AKB48, which was signed to Sony's Defstar Records label from 2006 to 2008, became a hit and was considered a "missed opportunity" by Sony. The formation of Nogizaka46 was first announced on June 29, when it became the first group to be labelled as the "official rival" to the group AKB48, rather than a sister group like NMB48 or SKE48. The group was named after the location of the Sony Music Japan offices near Nogizaka Station. Producer Yasushi Akimoto said that the number "46" was chosen as a direct challenge to AKB48, implying that Nogizaka46 would succeed with fewer members. In contrast to AKB48 and its sister groups, the image of Nogizaka46 is based on the Japanese people's perception of conservatively-dressed private all-girls high school students in France, which carries the connotations of elegance and refinement.

Overall, 38,934 people applied to join Nogizaka46. Final auditions for the group were held from August 20–21, 2011, with 56 finalists competing for 36 available places, and 16 of them were selected as "senbatsu" ("selection") members for performances and media appearances. Many of the founding members have prior experience in the entertainment industry.

On October 2, 2011, the group launched its first television variety show, titled Nogizakatte, Doko? (乃木坂って、どこ?, Lit: Where is Nogizaka?) and hosted by the comedy duo Bananaman.

On February 22, 2012, Nogizaka46 released their debut 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 of the same year, and became their first number one song on the Oricon weekly chart, with sales of 156,000 copies. The choreography for "Oide Shampoo" caused a brief controversy, as critics disapproved of the members lifting their skirts over their faces during one part of the performance.

In June 2012, Nogizaka46 took part in Yubi Matsuri, an idol festival produced by Rino Sashihara, performing before 8,000 people at Nippon Budokan. They debuted their first musical theater production, titled 16 nin no Principal, at Shibuya Parco Theater in September 2012. By the end of 2012, Nogizaka46 reached number one on the Oricon yearly chart in the newcomers sales category, with annual sales of ¥870 million.