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| Former AKB48 Star Oshima Mai Shares Untold Story Behind Members Using Real Names. (Credits: Nikkan Sports) |
One of the more surprising stories from AKB48's early years has resurfaced thanks to former member Oshima Mai, who revealed that producer Yasushi Akimoto abruptly scrapped plans for members to use stage names and instead ordered everyone to perform under their real names.
Speaking on TOKYO FM's late-night programme TOKYO SPEAKEASY, the former AKB48 member joined WHITE SCORPION members AOI and ACE for a conversation that quickly turned into a nostalgic trip back to the group's formative days. What began as a discussion about idol self-introductions soon uncovered a little-known chapter from AKB48's launch period.
According to Oshima Mai, the original plan gave members the freedom to choose their own stage names. Like many aspiring idols at the time, she took the task seriously and spent considerable time imagining what identity she would present to fans.
"All of the first-generation members were thinking about stage names," Mai recalled. She explained that she had even envisioned an elegant, aristocratic-style name that would suit the image of a refined student from a classic Japanese school drama.
Just as the members were becoming attached to their ideas, however, the plan was suddenly abandoned.
According to Oshima Mai, Yasushi Akimoto stepped in and decided that every member should appear under their real names instead. The decision effectively ended discussions about carefully crafted idol aliases before they ever reached the stage.
For fans familiar with AKB48 today, the rule may seem ordinary. Many of the group's most recognisable names became household names precisely because they were authentic identities rather than fictional personas. Yet hearing that stage names were once on the table has fascinated longtime followers of the franchise.
The conversation also touched on the famous self-introduction culture that became a staple of AKB48 performances.
Oshima Mai shared one of her own introductions from the group's early days, jokingly recalling, "I'm the product of relaxed education, MaiMai, also known as Oshima Mai."
Looking back, she laughed at her younger self.
"I'd just introduce myself and that was it. I'm not exactly the best at studying, so I blame all of that on the education system," she joked, drawing laughter from her fellow guests.
Mai also reflected on the challenge of creating memorable catchphrases in a group packed with members. Some idols carefully crafted clever introductions, while others preferred audience participation routines.
"There were members who were really good at coming up with them. Some turned it into a call-and-response with fans. Others didn't really think about it at all," she explained.
As AKB48 continued to grow, practicality eventually became more important than creativity. With dozens of members sharing the same stage, lengthy introductions quickly became a problem.
"AKB had so many members. If everyone delivered a long catchphrase during a concert, it would eat up the entire MC segment," Mai said. "The trainee members would end up with only enough time to say, 'I'm so-and-so.' We felt bad for them, so introductions became shorter and shorter."
She added that theatre performances offered more flexibility because costume changes created opportunities for members to talk. However, even that became difficult as the group expanded.
"Eventually the blue warning light would start flashing," Mai recalled with a laugh. "It was basically telling us, 'Hurry up!'"
The reason was surprisingly practical. With younger members, including primary school students, participating in performances, concerts had to finish within strict time limits.
"There were members in their teens and even younger. If the show didn't finish by a certain time, they couldn't stay. Sometimes you'd reach the encore and think, 'Wait, where did that member go?'"
The revelation has generated plenty of discussion among fans online. Some admitted they were shocked that AKB48 nearly launched with stage names, while others argued that using real names helped create the group's unique connection with audiences.
A number of Japanese netizens jokingly wondered what their favourite members' alternative identities might have been if Akimoto had never changed the policy.
Others praised the decision, saying the use of real names helped make the group feel more relatable compared with traditional idol projects that relied heavily on carefully manufactured personas.
A few fans also joked that somewhere in an alternate universe, AKB48 history is filled with dramatically aristocratic stage names that sound like characters from a period drama rather than pop idols.
More than two decades after AKB48's creation, stories like these continue to offer a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of one of Japan's most influential idol groups.
Oshima Mai remains one of the most recognisable figures from AKB48's earliest era. Born on September 11, 1987, in Noda, Chiba Prefecture, she joined AKB48 in December 2005 as one of the original 24 members of Team A and went on to appear in many of the group's early A-side singles.
Her career gained further momentum in 2007 when she transferred to talent agency Horipro, while also joining the idol futsal team Xanadu loves NHC. She appeared with AKB48 at the prestigious NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 2007 before expanding her television activities through various entertainment programmes.
In February 2009, Oshima Mai announced her graduation from AKB48, with her final performance taking place at NHK Hall on April 26, 2009. After leaving the group, she successfully transitioned into a solo career, debuting in 2010 with the single "Mendokusai Aijō," which reached the Top 10 charts, before making her acting debut in the 2012 NHK drama Honjitsu wa Taian Nari, proving that life after AKB48 was anything but quiet.
Oshima Mai's candid memories not only highlighted the chaotic reality of managing a massive ensemble but also revealed how one last-minute decision from Yasushi Akimoto helped shape the identity of AKB48 as fans know it today.
Would AKB48 have been more memorable with elaborate stage names, or was Akimoto right to keep things real?