Nantettatte AKB48
Nantettatte AKB48 is the seventh studio album by Japanese girl group AKB48. It was released on December 25, 2024, through EMI Records and Universal Music Japan, their first album in six years after their previous Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake o Shitteiru and after departure from You Be Cool! and King Records in 2023.
Titled after Kyoko Koizumi's 1985 single "Nantettatte Idol" and based on the concept "idol time machine", the album comprises covers of idol songs from three different eras of Japan: Shōwa, Heisei, and Reiwa. Commercially, Nantettatte AKB48 debuted atop the Oricon Albums Chart and Billboard Japan Hot Albums, selling over 185,000 copies.
On November 19, 2024, AKB48 announced the studio album, titled Nantettatte AKB48, to be released on December 25. To commemorate their 20th anniversary, it consists of 14 cover versions of idol songs from three different eras of Japan: seven songs from Shōwa era, five from Heisei era, and two from Reiwa era. The limited edition Blu-ray disc includes performances on the last day at AKB48 Theater in Don Quijote, Akihabara before temporary closing due to renovation from September 1 to December 8, 2024.
Promotion
Kyoko Koizumi's cover "Nantettatte Idol" was released as Nantettatte AKB48s lead single on November 19, 2024, the same day as the album announcement. Yuiri Murayama serves as the song's choreographic center. Its music video, directed by Shin Ishihara, premiered on December 25, depicting the existence of idols in the 1980s. The group performed "Nantettatte Idol" at 2024 FNS Music Festival on December 12, and CDTV Live! Live! on December 31. Additionally, Seiko Matsuda's "Cherry Blossom" and Morning Musume's "Love Machine" were available as a promotional singles on December 18.
Commercial performance
Nantettatte AKB48 debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart with 184,764 copies, becoming AKB48's sixth consecutive number-one albums and the ninth overall. The album entered the Billboard Japan Hot Albums at number one, earning 190,999 physical sales and 233 downloads.