P-pop idol group MNL48 has revealed plans to enter a new chapter in its history with a change of operating company name and group name set for January 2026, the group’s management announced in an official statement. The decision reflects the organization’s commitment to growth and evolution while honoring the group’s history and the strong bonds it has built with fans over the years.
In a notice shared by MNL48 Inc., the management expressed gratitude to fans for their ongoing support and explained that the name changes are part of broader efforts to move forward into new beginnings. They assured supporters that “the spirit of MNL48 and the dedication of its members will remain unchanged,” and indicated that further details about the new group name and future developments will be revealed at a later date.
The group previously underwent a major operational shift earlier in 2025, when MNL48 Inc. was established in Japan to strengthen the group’s structure and guide its future activities in collaboration with LiveBuzz Productions Inc. in the Philippines.
The announcement has also sparked wider discussion within the larger idol community. Observers note that other AKB48 sister groups such as AKB48 Team SH (China) and AKB48 Team TP (Taiwan) are also expected to undergo name changes in 2026 as part of broader reorganizations under the global 48 Group framework, according to fan-reported updates circulating online.
Supporters and industry followers are watching closely as the group prepares to launch its next era, hoping that the renaming will usher in new opportunities while preserving the legacy and fan-centered identity that MNL48 has cultivated since its debut in 2018.