Vernalossom

AKS has managed the Japanese idol groups AKB48, SKE48,^[1] NMB48,^[2] HKT48,^[3] and NGT48, as well as the Japanese promotional activities of South Korean-Japanese idol group, Iz*One.

AKB48 employed a so-called "transfer system" for the first to tenth generation members, where members started out under AKS management, and should receive a contract offer from other artist management companies after a predetermined period.^[4] Members in the next generations would be managed directly by AKS, although they could still accept offers to transfer to other agencies.

In 2016, ownership of NMB48 was transferred from Kyoraku Yoshimoto Holdings to AKS, putting all the 48 groups at the time under AKS's banner.^[2]

In 2019, the talent agency KeyHolder acquired SKE48 and placed it under the management of its subsidiary SKE, Inc., renamed in June to Zest, Inc.;^[5][6] AKS received a 20% stake in the subsidiary.^[7] It was also announced that Yasushi Akimoto is no longer part of AKS management, but still being involved as the creative producer.^[8] In June, NMB48 was sold back to Kyoraku Yoshimoto Holdings.^[2]

In 2020, AKS was restructured into Vernalossom and transferred ownership of their three remaining Japanese idol groups to three independent business entities, while Vernalossom would retain control of the AKB48 sister groups outside Japan.^[9][10] AKB48 would be managed by DH, headed by Kazuki Uchimura, who is also the CEO of the AKB48 Group costume maker, Osare Company. HKT48 would be managed by Mercury^[11] and NGT48 by Flora,^[12] both of which are subsidiaries of the holding company Sproot, itself co-owned by Line Corporation, Septeni Holdings [ja],^[13] and the advertising company Piala.^[14] In May, it was announced that KeyHolder has also bought out Vernalossom's subsidiary North River, Inc., a transportation company which also owned 50% of Nogizaka46's management company.^[15]

On 1 April 2023, it was announced on Vernalossom's homepage that all of the company's business operations would be transferred to a branch subsidiary company named Superball, effective from the same day.^[16]

Current artists (under the Superball)

Units

• MNL48 (2011 - present) (based in Manila, Philippines, with P.O.S inc.)
• BNK48 (2017 - present) (based in Bangkok, Thailand, with Independent Artist Management (iAM))
• JKT48 (2018 - present) (based in Jakarta, Indonesia, with PT Indonesia Musik Nusantara (part of IDN))
• TSH48 (2018 - present) (previously AKB48 Team SH, based in Shanghai, China, with Shanghai Sengyu Culture Development (AKB48 China))
• TPE48 (2018 - present) (based in Taipei, Taiwan, with Good Luck)
• CGM48 (2019 - present) (based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Independent Artist Management (iAM))
• QUADLIPS (2024 - present) (based in Bangkok, Thailand)
• KLP48 (2024 - present) (based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 48 Entertainment Sdn. Bhd.)

Talents

• Kokoa Kai (STU48's 1st Generation member)

Former artists

Pre-Superball (until 2023)

• AKB48 (Transfer to DH, Co. Ltd.)
• SKE48 (Transfer to Keyholder/ZEST, Co. Ltd.)
• NMB48 (Transfer to Kyoraku Yoshimoto, Co. Ltd.)
• HKT48 (Transfer to Mercury, Co. Ltd.)
• NGT48 (Transfer to Flora, Co. Ltd.)
• SDN48 (2010–2012)
• IZ*ONE (2018–2021, co-managed by Off The Record)
• Sakura Miyawaki (Transfer to A.M. Entertainment in Japan and SOURCE MUSIC in South Korea (with LE SSERAFIM))
• Hitomi Honda (Transfer to DH, Co. Ltd. in Japan, now under iNKODE in South Korea)
• DEL48 (2019–2020)
• SGO48 (2018–2021)
• Nako Yabuki (Transfer to Twin Planet in Japan)

Superball Era (since 2023)

• SHEKI (former JKT48's 1st Generation member)
• Shania Gracia (former MNL48's 3rd Generation Member)

• Companies portal