Atsuko Maeda Holds Final Performance With AKB48, Graduates From Group

Popular AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda has graduated from the group today, holding a special farewell performance at AKB48 Theater in Akihabara which was broadcast worldwide for all of her fans to enjoy.

With a capacity of only 250 people at the AKB48 theater, Maeda was going to hold a parade before her final concert for fans to see her one last time. Despite it getting shut down by police due to security and safety concerns, thousands of people lined the streets outside of theater, wanting to be part of AKB48 history.

After performing a special medley of songs, the theater chanted for an encore performance. Instead of calling out "Encore!" though, the audience chanted "Acchan!", indicating their strong desire to spend more time with her before graduating.

The members present for the performance each took their turns to say something special to Maeda as they shared the stage as group members for the last time.

"I really like you Acchan. Because this is the last moment of Acchan as an idol, I want to shake your hand as one of your fans," group member Haruna Kojima told her before shaking her hand. "But I want to hug you as your fellow AKB member," she added, giving her a loving hug.

Itano Tomomi reveal that she has been in a fight with Maeda ever since a month ago, and only reconciled their differences the day before their Tokyo Dome Concert. She expressed her regrets for not cherishing their last month together.

"Thank you very much for everything up until now. I love this theater, all of the members I've danced with on this stage, and the people who has supported me. I'm don't know if the past 7 years have been long or short, but it was the best 7 years of my life. Everybody, thank you very much. This is from AKB48 team A’s Maeda Atsuko. Thank you very much," she told her fellow group members and the audience before performing "Sakura no Hanabira tachi", her last performance as an AKB48 member.

After the final performance, Maeda stood on stage by herself, giving a message to everyone around the world listening. "I'm so happy to be able to return here together with you fans on the day after the Tokyo Dome concert. This made me realized again that this is AKB48 is about and that I've been able to stay in such a wonderful place. I've been filled with happiness over these years. I'm really happy that I was able to meet the members, Akimoto-san and the staff, and of course, all of you fans. Thank you so much everybody. Thanks to you, I could graduate without any trouble. I will try my best from here on out. Thank you very much," she said,bowing to the crowd and leaving the stage with a smile.

Check out Maeda's fellow members saying their final goodbyes below:

AKB48 前田敦子 別れの言葉 (1/2)

AKB48 前田敦子 卒業公演 / 高橋みなみ 小嶋陽菜 峯岸みなみ 篠田麻里子 板野友美 柏木由紀 渡辺麻友 指原莉乃

AKB48 前田敦子 別れの言葉 (2/2)

AKB48 前田敦子 卒業公演 / SKE48 松井玲奈 松井珠理奈 AKB48 宮澤佐江 河西智美 大島優子 前田敦子