SKE48 to get own official theater

Following in the dinky footsteps of their forefathers (or, fore-ladies), the wonderful girls of SKE48 are also now to get their own official venue.

Nagoya-based SKE (named after Sakae, an area in the city) have up to now being using the Sunshine Studio as their performing home, but from September it will revamped as a full theater, much like the famous AKB48 venue in Akihabara. This shows the growing success of the spin-off, probably the biggest AKB sister group. (There are several others, including in Fukuoka, Osaka and even Jakarta.)

It has a following of course in central Japan but also an increasing presence on a national level, recently appearing in advertising commercials.

Created in 2008, SKE48’s most famous members include: Rikako Hirata, Jurina Matsui (controversially, a mere 15!), Rena Matsui (picture below), Akane Takayanagi and Masana Oya.