Total Sales of ‘Nantettatte AKB48’ Album Soar to First

AKB48 has returned to the spotlight, claiming the top position on Billboard Japan's Top Album Sales chart with their latest release, Nantettatte AKB48. 

The album, launched on 25 December 2024, sold an impressive 190,999 copies in its first week (23–29 December). This marks a significant achievement for the group, known for its innovative concepts.

The album, themed Idol Time Machine, is AKB48's first-ever cover album, featuring 14 iconic tracks spanning the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras. 

Among these, the 1980s classic Nantetatte Idol stands out as a fan favourite. 

On its release day alone, the album sold 159,155 copies, according to Billboard Japan.

However, it’s worth noting that Oricon and Billboard Japan metrics differ. 

While Oricon tracks shipments and store sales within Japan, Billboard Japan incorporates digital sales and streaming into its rankings, offering a broader perspective.

Despite topping the album charts, Nantettatte AKB48 couldn’t match the first-week sales of AKB48’s latest single, Koi Tsun Jatta, which sold 411,100 copies. 

AKB48 10th Album “Nantetatte AKB48” sold 147,455 copies on the first day, ranking #1 on Oricon Chart.

This highlights the difficulty for the group to achieve the million-sales milestone seen during their peak era in 2016–2017. 

Nonetheless, the strong performance of this album underscores AKB48's enduring presence in the Japanese music industry.