In a dystopian future where music is deemed illegal, AKB0048, successors to the idol group AKB48, rebel against the government to bring music to people's hearts. In the year 0048, three thirteen year old girls, Nagisa Motomiya, Orine Aida and Yuuka Ichijō, decide to audition to become members of AKB, although Nagisa has trouble singing due to the restrictions placed upon her by her father. As the girls hear they've passed the first round of auditions, Nagisa becomes downhearted as she wouldn't be allowed to go. However, after hearing about Yuuka's and Orine's reasons for wanting to join AKB, Nagisa decides to join Yuuka and Orine and head off to the auditions.
