AKB48’s “Motokaredesu” becomes the 46th single to reach #1 in a row since 2009

While AKB48 may not be the money making powerhouse as the group once were, if there is one thing consistent, it’s that the female idol group can still take the #1 spot on the Oricon Weekly Chart and their latest 59th single “Motokaredesu” released on May 18th, became the group’s 46th single to reach #1 in a row since the group’s 14th single from 2009 titled “River”.

The single sold 329,000 copies for its first week but the group has not had a million seller (in the group’s first week) since their 57th single “Shitsuren, Arigato” from 2020. But the same can be said for Nogizaka46, who has also a string of #1 hits in a row but has not had a million seller since the release of their 2020 25th single “Shiawase no Hogoshoku”.

But despite the drop in sales, the fact that the group has continued to sell over 300,000 copies is still amazing for an idol group, as most female idol groups in Japan tend to stay under 60,000 copies sold.