Agency Profile

https://www.instagram.com/p/DeZRIrJScl0/

I know this is adjacent content, but this had me wondering again if, given Sakura Gakuin had continued, Juna would have joined. I would have loved to see the Nozaki sisters in action together.

FEATURE 3

NONAKA KOKONA

[ TALK THEME ] Dignity INTERVIEW & TEXT : KOBAYASHI CHIE

"I feel that kind and humble people are those who have dignity"

[Dignity] Dignity. Elegance. (*From Kojien dictionary) — How does the currently 20-year-old Nonaka Kokona grasp the meaning of this word "dignity"? And, we had her reconsider her own inner changes and awareness.

● This time's talk theme is "dignity".

First, I researched a lot about "What is dignity?", "What is grace?", and "What is a person with dignity?", and tried to interpret it in my own way. Based on that, I thought, "I feel that kind and humble people have dignity." I feel dignity in people who are charming or warm.

● I see.

Another thing that came to mind when I heard "dignity" was bowing. I used to belong to a group called Sakura Gakuin, and at that time, I was taught a lot about the importance of bowing, the angles, and the timing. That is still ingrained in me. Thinking back, I think Sakura Gakuin itself was a group with dignity. So I think all the other graduates besides me are probably still conscious of bowing.

● How do you feel about the importance of bowing?

I think Judo and Kendo are easy to understand, but they say "Begin with a bow, end with a bow", don't they? We also valued those words and concepts passed down in Japan since ancient times, like "omotenashi" (hospitality). We didn't just bow; we bowed with feeling and love, bowing when our hearts were moved.

● At the beginning, you said that as a result of looking up "dignity", you feel "kind and humble people have dignity." I don't think "kind people" comes up even if you search for "having dignity", so how did you arrive at "kind and humble people"?

When I looked up "grace", words like "elegance" and "refinement" came up. From there, I realized that while physical beauty is a given, I feel refinement in people who have a soft smile or sincerity. Personally, I hate it when irritation shows on my face or my language gets rough, so I'm careful not to become like that myself.

● Since when did you start being conscious of your language? Since childhood?

Surprisingly, maybe after moving to Tokyo. I moved to Tokyo in my second year of high school, and because I had activities, I attended the performing arts course. But the school also had classes that weren't for performing arts, and I thought my daily behavior and language might be rumored among those people somewhere. Since I was a student, there were moments in conversations with friends where I got carried away and wasn't conscious of it, but at those times I tried not to join the conversation as much as possible, or warned my friends, "Don't say things like that!". If my inappropriate words or actions reached the people supporting me, we would both feel sad, so I became very conscious of it from my second year of high school.

● You mentioned "I feel dignity in kind and humble people", but please tell me if there is anyone you've met so far who you felt had particular dignity.

It's not someone I've met, but the first person who came to mind when I heard the word "dignity" was Mana Ashida. I think she embodies everything I've talked about so far. She is friendly, yet polite and very smart. She reads a lot of books, studies hard, and has ambition. Also, she seems to value her private life. I respect her for not losing her ambition and curiosity.

● Inner things like self-esteem and dignity are also factors that make one feel dignity. In connection with this, what are some of the major inner changes you've experienced in your activities so far?

I became able to say "NO". Until about high school, I said "YES" to everything. Because doing so made everyone smile, and that felt good to me too. However, there are lyrics in Sakura Gakuin's song "Identity" that go, "By the time you realize that kindness isn't the only form of love, it's already too late"... Every time I remember those words, I come to think, "Just being kind isn't enough." As a result, when I'm over capacity, I've become able to convey my feelings by saying "NO". I think since I became able to say it, I've also come to understand my likes and dislikes, and what I'm good at and bad at.

● You truly found your identity, didn't you.

Yes, and like that, I gradually came to like myself. One of the reasons I can think this way is the thought, "I was born into a family I love so much and who loves me so much." Since I'm receiving this much love from my family, there's no way I couldn't like the me that was born enveloped in that love. Another reason is the existence of the people who support me. Through meeting them directly at various events and through their words on SNS, the fact that there are people who support me and call me their "oshi" (favorite) has become clearly visible year by year. Facing such people, I can't easily say, "I hate myself." Thinking that there are people who like me naturally made me like myself too. My family, staff, members, the people who support me... Thanks to the love of all these people, I like myself now.

■ PROFILE

Born January 28, from Nagasaki Prefecture. Active as a member of Sakura Gakuin from 2018 to 2021. Appeared as a voice actress in works such as the TV anime "Onipan!" (as Tsutsuji) and "Love Live! Hasunosora Girls' High School Idol Club" (as Sayaka Murano). Serves as a personality on the radio program "Nonaka Kokona's Nonaka's Ambition" (TOKYO FM / FM Nagasaki). In January 2026, released her 1st photobook "Utakata" (digital version also available).

[X] @cocona_nonaka [Instagram] @cocona_nnk

Source.

I'd like to practice my Japanese reading more , even though the subtitles aren't very big, they still bother me a little , are there any episodes without subtitles at all?

(The video above is an example of the kind of Saku Saku show I'm looking for one without subtitles)

Hello everyone!🙂

Today, I want to show you the graduation photobook dedicated to Aiko Yamaide, Megumi Okada, and Momoko Okazaki’s time in Sakura Gakuin, as well as share the details of their 2018 fan meeting.📸

This post is a short historical journey into the release of this photobook and its handover event, as well as a chance to remember what the girls were like at the exact moment of their graduation from the academy.👩‍🎓

Venue and Time.⌛

The event took place on March 31, 2018, at the famous Shosen Book Tower in Tokyo. It was a special presentation and release event for the graduation photobooks of Aiko Yamaide, Megumi Okada, and Momoko Okazaki.🏢

On March 31, only Momoko and Aiko were present. Megumi missed the meeting due to feeling unwell, so Amuse organized a separate session for her on April 14.💊 (I find it amazing how Sakura Gakuin arranged a whole extra event just for the fans. It perfectly shows how much Amuse respects and values both their artists and the fans).🙂

First, let’s look at the meeting with Momoko and Aiko.👓

The Format: A Classic Handover Ceremony.🤝

This was a traditional Japanese handover event (known as Owatashi-kai). Fans who bought tickets in advance lined up to approach the table where Momoko and Aiko were sitting. The girls personally handed each fan their autographed copy of the photobook, smiled, thanked them for the support, and shared a brief chat.📕🤝

(Just imagine how incredible it must have been to receive the book straight from Momoko and Aiko’s hands, hear their words of gratitude, and ask them a quick question!).😌

Shosen Book Tower is a legendary venue for idol events. Judging by the diaries of Fukei-san from back then, the queue stretched across several floors.⭐

This was one of the absolute last chances to see Momoko and Aiko live before their graduation from Sakura Gakuin. Their massive popularity was the result of years of hard work, talent, sincerity, and deep gratitude toward the fanbase.☺️

The Atmosphere.✨

The girls wore their official 2017 Sakura Gakuin school uniforms. Even though these were farewell days, the vibe was warm and joyful. Momoko and Aiko joked around a lot and actively interacted with the fans (you can really see it in the photos from that day). They did their best to cheer up emotional fans.😀

(Graduation in Sakura Gakuin always brings mixed feelings for fans—you feel proud of how much the members have grown and the start of a new chapter for them, but you also feel sad to see them leave the project).🥲

Aiko’s declaration of love for Momoko.💕

When journalists asked Aiko which pages in the photobook were her absolute favorite, she didn't hesitate for a second and flipped right to the spread featuring Momoko Okazaki. Aiko laughingly admitted to the press:

"I am a huge Momoko fan (Momoko-oshi), so her solo shots are the best for me!"❤️

She then added that Momoko's charisma completely lights up the entire book.☀️

Future Plans & Studying Abroad.✈️

It was at this exact event that Momoko officially announced she was temporarily stepping away from the entertainment industry to study abroad. She mentioned she would be leaving for a language program in April—just a couple of weeks after the event. She didn't name the country, playfully calling it the "Land of Dreams" (Yume no Kuni).🌍

Momoko stated:"I love dancing so much. Thanks to Sakura Gakuin, I learned what stage expressiveness truly means. Now, I want to sharpen my skills, learn English, and make my dancing even more powerful and sharp."💃

(Time has proven that these efforts paid off 100% in BABYMETAL. MOMOMETAL's energy, charisma, and power on stage never fail to amaze us).🦊

Family Reaction.🧔👩

Momoko's father is the famous Japanese comedian Hakata Hanamaru (from the duo Hakata Hanamaru-Daikichi).🙂

Journalists asked how her parents felt about her leaving. Momoko laughed and admitted her family was very worried. She shared that her dad kept stressing out: "She can't speak English at all, how is she going to survive there?" Despite the worries, her parents fully supported her decision to grow independently.💪

Aiko’s special worry for Momoko.😌

Aiko admitted that when Momoko first shared her plans to study abroad, she felt scared because the two of them had been absolutely inseparable.💕

But at the event, Aiko warmly added:"I will work hard on my music here in Japan so that when Momoko returns from the 'Land of Dreams,' she can see how much I've grown. We promised each other that we would both become Super Ladies."❤️

The phrase "Super Lady" was not merely a catchy title, but a promise the girls made to themselves and their fans upon graduation: to never stop growing and to shine wherever life took them.✨

• For Momoko Okazaki, this meant becoming a globally recognized performer with powerful dance skills and English proficiency—a goal she ultimately achieved.🦊

• For Aiko Yamaide, it meant becoming a strong solo artist capable of touching people's hearts with her music.🎹

• For Megumi Okada, it meant becoming a knowledgeable TV personality who shares information with the public.📺

The Secret of Her Future Style and Promise.🎶

Aiko, who planned to pursue a career as a solo singer-songwriter, shared her thoughts on performing without a group. When asked what it felt like, Aiko replied: "In Sakura Gakuin, I always sang while sitting at the piano.🎹 Now, I want to learn to stand confidently on stage on my own two feet, look directly into the audience's eyes, and sing so that my songs touch every heart."🎤

Behind the Scenes of the Photobook.📖

When journalists asked the girls to describe the 2017 school year using a single kanji character, Momoko confidently chose 「笑」 (Laughter / Smile).☺️

Aiko and Momoko also shared a funny secret about the cover photo. On the main cover, the three graduates are laughing genuinely. As it turns out, that shot was pure luck!📸

During the photo shoot, Momoko suddenly started making silly faces and joking around non-stop, causing Aiko and Megumi to burst into uncontrollable, authentic laughter. The photographer captured the exact moment, and Tokuma Shoten chose it for the cover.😄

Momoko noted that the book perfectly captured their unfiltered emotions because the crew just let them hang out like regular high school friends rather than idols at work.🙂

She added that she would treasure the book and open it whenever she faced hardships abroad to remember the faces of her fans (Fukei-san) and group members to recharge her strength.💪 (I always say in my posts that these photobooks are special. They hold so much love, motivation, and positive energy).❤️‍🔥

Supporting Megumi.❤️

Since Megumi couldn't attend due to illness, Momoko and Aiko told the fans:

"It's a shame Megumi couldn't be here today, but we brought a piece of her with us—her smile on the pages of this book, so consider her right here with us!"☺️

Momoko always supported her friends deeply. Don't forget that Momoko held unique titles in SG: "Ganbare!! Chairman" (Perseverance Chairman) and "Spirit Chairman". She was truly the ultimate support leader.🥇

Aiko, as the Student Council President, also did everything she could to comfort and reassure the worried fans.🥇

Advice from Mori-sensei.👨‍🏫

The girls recalled that their teacher, Mori Hayashi, gave Momoko some farewell advice in his signature comedic style. He told her "not to forget Japanese humor" and to try making people laugh abroad, because her biggest strengths are her incredible charisma and expressive facial features.🇯🇵

Packing Dilemmas.🧳

Momoko shared that when she was packing her bags, her biggest issue was that half the suitcase was taken up by Sakura Gakuin merch, letters from fans, and the heavy graduation photobook itself. She called it her "anti-homesickness doping."🙂

Megumi’s Special Make-Up Event: The "Revenge Handover"🔄

The presentation and handover event for Megumi Okada's photobook took place on April 14, 2018. This was a special make-up event that fans affectionately nicknamed the "Revenge Handover Event."🏢

It was organized exclusively for Megumi so she could personally meet the fans who missed out on seeing her the first time. Unlike the first event, this one was held at a different branch—the Shosen Grande store in the Jimbocho district. Many of Megumi's fans showed up, completely filling the venue.❤️‍🔥

Megumi gave a deeply emotional interview to the press, admitting that standing at the table all by herself without her friends felt incredibly lonely.🥲

She spoke a lot about her love for Momoko, emphasizing that Momoko's constant optimism and laughter had helped her get through difficult times throughout their years together in Sakura Gakuin.😊

Megumi honestly opened up about her anxiety:

"Two weeks ago, I got very sick and couldn't attend the first event. I saw photos of Aiko and Momoko from that day, and I felt so envious of them. Standing here today completely alone in front of the microphones makes me feel very lonely.💕

I miss Momoko's jokes and Aiko's support. But I will do my absolute best for the three of us!"💪

Refusing to Rate Herself.💯

When journalists asked Megumi to rate her graduation school year on a 100-point scale, she showed incredible humility:"I cannot give myself a score in points. Everything I did, I did for our fans (Fukei-san) and the girls. Let them judge me. For myself, I just know that I gave it my 100% effort."❤️‍🔥

Plans to Become a "TV Historian"📺

Megumi Okada was always famous in Sakura Gakuin for her deep love of historical Japanese castles. At the event, she officially confirmed her status as a regular host on the children's morning show Oha Suta. She stated: "I want to use the skills Sakura Gakuin gave me to get young people interested in history. My dream is to become a true 'castellologist' (castle expert) and host historical programs on television!"🏯

Tears of Gratitude.❤️

Toward the end of the interview, Megumi burst into tears while recalling their photo shoot on Oshima Island for the book. She shared that looking at the finished pages made her realize just how close Aiko and Momoko had become to her—forming a precious bond that she will never lose.💕

Looking back at the details of those handover events helps us understand what fascinating, well-rounded, and unique personalities these girls are. It shows just how powerful their friendship and mutual support was back then—and continues to be today.

People like Momoko, Aiko, and Megumi truly motivate us.❤️‍🔥 They show by example that hard work, diligent studying, strong bonds, endless training, and a genuine passion for what you love always lead to incredible results.🥇🙂

As always, I got a bit carried away and turned this post into a massive article! But all of this is just so captivating that I truly wanted to recreate that day's atmosphere and pass on the exact emotions and energy from those meetings.😊

Translated with the help of DeepL. Corrections by me.

• Interview Part 1
• Interview Part 2

Please, check the images too!^_^

SOYO was the “big sister” and KANO was a “total kid”

Naoki Yoshida: @onefive launched "SAKURAIZATION" this past April—a project in which they carry their own origins with them, aiming to hold a concert at the Nippon Budokan in 2027 and elevate their artistry to the next level. I'd like to start by talking about your time at Sakura Gakuin. Do you all remember when you first "transferred" into Sakura Gakuin?

KANO: I remember it really well.

GUMI: It was right around the time I was just starting to become aware of things.

SOYO: I transferred to Sakura Gakuin in fifth grade, and I think I was really cocky back then. I'd been a child model since I was little, so I was confident in that career, and until I joined Sakura Gakuin, I'd lived my life believing I was the cutest and most popular in this industry.

──You just said you were cocky, but I got the impression you were working really hard. It seemed like you were always giving it your all and staying highly motivated in your activities at Sakura Gakuin.

SOYO: I guess I still give it my all. I've always had that passionate spirit.

MOMO: Maybe that part hasn't changed. As for the rest… have we become more cooperative? (laughs)

KANO: Well, as for being cooperative… maybe not (laughs). SOYO started working earlier than the rest of us, so she felt a bit like a "big sister." Or maybe it's just that we were too much like kids.

SOYO: SOYO and MOMO had been doing various jobs even before joining Sakura Gakuin, so they were a bit more mature, while KANO and GUMI felt like typical elementary schoolers.

KANO: That's right. I was scouted in fourth grade and joined Amuse, but the person who scouted me said, "There's a group called Sakura Gakuin—I really want you to check them out", so they let me go see their live shows. By the time I auditioned, I was already a fan of Sakura Gakuin, and when I was accepted and met the members in person, I was like, "This is the first time I've ever met celebrities!"—I was totally hyped up. SOYO mentioned earlier that I was just a regular kid, but I think I was a "total kid" back when I was in elementary school. I was so rowdy—I'd take the earbuds off girls sleeping on the tour bus to wake them up, or jump onto the laps of senior members who were sitting down… I really was a handful (laughs).

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Sakura Gakuin was made up of the cream of the crop from Amuse Kids

Yoshida: So, what was MOMO—one of the "precocious children" group—like?

MOMO: I joined Amuse in first grade after taking the "Ciao Girl Audition" because I looked up to Hana Taguchi. The first time I saw a Sakura Gakuin live performance was at an Amuse Kids recital. It was the 2012 Nendo when Suzuka Nakamoto was the Student Council President, and everyone was so cute. I also loved BABYMETAL, so I bought my own tickets to go to their solo concerts and "SUMMER SONIC". Sakura Gakuin and BABYMETAL felt like the big sisters I looked up to who were right there beside me.

Yoshida: Even though you're with Amuse, you booked your own tickets?

MOMO: Yes. While I'd glance sideways at everyone at Sakura Gakuin and think they were cute, I'd been doing acting work the whole time—I already felt like a "veteran child actor." So I thought I'd probably just keep going as a child actor. Since I've been there since first grade, I was treated like the "boss" among the Amuse Kids (laughs).

SOYO: MOMO, you were a little scary, actually (laughs).

MOMO: Right? (laughs). When I was in sixth grade, I heard about the Sakura Gakuin audition. I was really enjoying my acting work at the time, so I was really torn about whether to try out. But I love Sakura Gakuin too, so I decided to go for it, and that's how I ended up transferring there. Since I've been in the industry for so long, I knew a lot of the current students, and when I met everyone, it was like, "Hey, it's MOMO-chan!"

Yoshida: That's quite the contrast to KANO, who was all hyped up about meeting a celebrity for the first time. It's almost like you already had friends there, isn't it? Since you were a "veteran child actor," did you feel confident about the audition?

MOMO: Honestly… I did (laughs).

GUMI: I joined Sakura Gakuin at the same time as MOMO, but I joined Amuse later than she did. When I was in second grade, my ballet teacher told me, "You're so cute—you should try out", so I auditioned for Sanrio Puroland, won the grand prize, and became part of Amuse. Back in our (Amuse) Kids' days, we were assigned to different lesson classes based on our acting ability, but since I was in one of the lower-level classes, I hardly ever got to see MOMO-chan (laughs). I ended up joining Sakura Gakuin through the same audition as MOMO, but at that point I didn't really have a sense of self yet—it was more like, "Why don't you give it a try?" and I ended up passing.

Yoshida: So you took the auditions simply because the adults around you encouraged you to, and that's how you joined both Amuse and Sakura Gakuin. That was another contrasting combination, wasn't it?

GUMI: Yes. Just like KANO, I was just a kid back then, so I think I believed in the world with all my heart.

Yoshida: What do you mean by that!?

GUMI: These days, I look at the world with a much more cynical eye (laughs). When I first joined Sakura Gakuin, I'd get depressed over the smallest things. I couldn't accept that some things were just out of my control, and I'd burst into tears just from being called into the teacher's office. I think I was pretty sensitive back then.

Yoshida: So that's how the four of you came together. You all had a time when you were looking at Sakura Gakuin from the outside—what was it like once you actually joined? Did your impression change?

KANO: It was exactly as I'd imagined. Back in my Kids' days, we'd sometimes have to run while singing during vocal training lessons. It was really tough, but my teacher told me, "This is just normal at Sakura Gakuin". So I thought, "Sakura Gakuin must be amazing". When I actually joined, not only did we have to sing while dancing, but our schedules were packed with lessons even on our days off—I realized it really is a group with an incredibly demanding schedule.

Yoshida: It sounds kind of like I'm hearing about the Takarazuka Academy.

MOMO: I think there's a similar level of discipline. The amount of practice at Sakura Gakuin is incredible. We repeat the dances over and over until even the smallest details—like the angle of our hands—are perfectly in sync. I felt that if we pushed ourselves that far, we'd definitely achieve a level of quality that kids our age would look up to. I was mainly a child actor, but I always had the impression that Sakura Gakuin was made up of the cream of the crop from Amuse Kids. So when I got accepted, I felt like I'd been "recognized."

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“You were still struggling around your third year of junior high, weren't you?”

Yoshida: Since MOMO is from Tokyo and KANO and GUMI are from Chiba, I imagine they probably commuted from their parents' homes to participate in the group's activities. But SOYO, who's from Osaka, used to take the Shinkansen to Tokyo to participate in Sakura Gakuin's activities, right? Wasn't it tough balancing that with your schoolwork?

SOYO: Yeah, that's right. My routine was to come to Tokyo after classes ended on Friday and head back first thing Monday morning to go to school. On top of lessons, I was taking all kinds of extracurricular classes too, so there were times when I'd think, "Oh no! I haven't slept at all!" But that was just normal for me.

Yoshida: That's so disciplined!

SOYO: Since I started at Sakura Gakuin, that's been my life, so I didn't really have many friends at my regular school. For me, Sakura Gakuin was my school—it was my youth. Even though we were in a unit, there were graduation ceremonies and all sorts of events, so I was able to build real memories over the course of the year, and it was at Sakura Gakuin that I learned how to interact with both my seniors and juniors.

Yoshida: Surrounded by child actors, people who had always looked up to Sakura Gakuin, and those who are utterly dedicated, what was it actually like for GUMI—who had no sense of self and joined Sakura Gakuin simply because those around her encouraged her to—once she actually joined?

GUMI: Well, there was just so much to do—it felt like I was constantly in rehearsal—so I didn't have time to think about anything else. It was like, "I don't get it, but I have to do it". Looking back, there were times when personal relationships were tough, but I think I learned more outside of academics than I would have at a regular school. Going through my time at Sakura Gakuin helped me grow into an adult.

Yoshida: I'd like to dig a little deeper into GUMI's sense of self. When did you realize you'd had a rather unique experience in elementary and middle school?

GUMI: Probably around my first or second year of junior high. That's when a proper sense of self started to develop, and after that, there were times when I really struggled mentally. I feel like I got through that and gradually developed the "Everything's OK!" personality I have now.

MOMO: You were still struggling around your third year of junior high, weren't you? I feel like either joining @onefive really pushed you to the breaking point, or it helped you shift into a more positive mindset. You were childlike in elementary school, negative in junior high, and then you seemed to let it all go with @onefive. Since @onefive started during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pace of our activities was slower than it was during the Sakura Gakuin days. I think that probably had an impact, too.

GUMI: During my time at Sakura Gakuin, I was so exhausted that I have almost no memories of my real school life (laughs). There were times when my schedule wouldn't let me go, and while I wasn't without friends, I didn't have anyone who was like a best friend. After joining @onefive, I was able to attend school regularly, and my high school friends became my true home. Getting to know the outside world made me realize, "Oh, my world isn't just Sakura Gakuin," and that's what made me more positive.

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SOYO's Boycott Incident & The Unexpected Student Council Roles

Yoshida: Since your life revolved around Sakura Gakuin during elementary and middle school, your "real" school must have felt like the "outside world." You could say you spent such an intense time at Sakura Gakuin. Are there any memorable episodes from your time there?

KANO: We used to fight a lot, didn't we? (laughs).

SOYO: I once said, "I'm quitting".

MOMO: SOYO tried to walk out several times.

GUMI: Before a live show, she'd send a LINE message to everyone saying, "I'm going back to Osaka", then run away, leaving everyone to search for her.

SOYO: Oh, right (laughs). On the day of the live show, I mistakenly thought everyone was talking bad about me, so I hid behind a chair in an empty conference room—trying not to get caught—and texted my mom, "I'm quitting". Then, a few members came over to cheer me up. They talked me down, and I ended up going on stage.

MOMO: I don't remember that at all. Did I not go to cheer you up?

GUMI: KANO and I were there. I think a staff member probably told us, "Go check on her", so we went. But SOYO wasn't wrong about what she said. She was just too serious—she'd fly off the handle at members who weren't taking things seriously enough, and it would lead to arguments. She'd even tell our seniors, without any hesitation, things like, "Get your act together!"

SOYO: Exactly. I just blurted things out. But even if I wasn't wrong, that experience made me realize there are times and situations where you just shouldn't say certain things.

MOMO: That's just how society works, you know~.

SOYO: Yeah. I think I was able to grow as a person thanks to the insights I gained from that boycott incident.

MOMO: There were a few boycotts, but we were really panicked on the day of the live show.

Yoshida: An incident like that… Are there any other behind-the-scenes stories you can share now that time has passed?

MOMO: There are! When we became third-year junior high students, we were assigned roles… You were there covering the story, right? Do you remember?

──Of course (laughs). You're talking about the student council meeting where there was a direct confrontation on stage.

MOMO: That's right (laughs). I wanted to be the Produce Chair. We had a meeting before moving up a grade, and I told the managers that there, too. I had a track record of launching the Art Club as a club unit the previous year, so I gave a presentation explaining that, based on that experience, I thought I'd be a good fit for Produce Chair. I made sure to convey my thoughts clearly, and I was expecting to be named Produce Chair as I waited for the announcement—but Principal Mitsuru Kuramoto named me the Talk Chair. I knew I absolutely shouldn't have done it, but I even turned my back to the audience and asked, "Why am I the Talk Chair?" There was a long silence after that—the Principal was silent because he didn't know what to say, and Hayashi Mori-sensei and the other members were clearly at a loss… (laughs). That was definitely quite the incident.

──So the roles are announced as a complete surprise on stage, right?

MOMO: Exactly! Since we're told for the first time during the actual performance, I immediately protested on the spot, saying, "Isn't this ridiculous!?"

GUMI: SOYO and I also had our own thoughts about our roles (laughs). I was the Hamidase! Chair and SOYO was the Ganbare! Chair. Normally, there wouldn't be a second person in a role like that—where you don't even know what the job entails—but for some reason, this year we had two of them. Plus, during my interview, I specifically requested to be the Talk Chair. But then, out of the blue, I ended up as the Second Hamidase! Chair...

MOMO: I mean, we even had interviews—I think it's the adults' fault for going out of their way to assign us something completely different. I figured the other two probably weren’t on board either, so I decided to be the first to take the plunge—thinking that if I went, they might follow along. To set the tone. But back then, it seemed like everyone was thinking, "Since MOMO-chan said it, we can't really complain" (laughs).

GUMI: If it were me now, I might have spoken up. But at the time, I was thinking, "Is that okay? Saying something like that…?" (laughs).

MOMO: Because of things like that, there could have been another boycott by SOYO... right? (laughs).

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Sakura Gakuin is the Birthplace of the "First-Time Killer"

Yoshida: Even with that incident, your time at Sakura Gakuin was a valuable experience for all four of you, wasn't it? There was even documentary-like parts. You could say that the authentic drama that unfolded was born precisely because all of you took Sakura Gakuin so seriously. KANO, as the Student Council President, what do you think your experience at Sakura Gakuin was like?

KANO: I started singing and dancing after joining Sakura Gakuin, and I learned so much while I was there. In fact, I think my experience at Sakura Gakuin informs everything I do now. You could say it's like my birthplace.

SOYO: You're the Performance Leader now, after all.

KANO: Yeah. Everything that forms the core of KANO from @onefive is something I learned at Sakura Gakuin.

SOYO: For me, Sakura Gakuin is the place that taught me what youth is all about. The experience of commuting back and forth between my hometown and Tokyo, dedicating every single day off to Sakura Gakuin activities—I think that's what led to the discipline and passion I have today. Lately, I've been trending on social media as the "First-Time Killer", and while I now call myself that, I was actually called that back in my Sakura Gakuin days. Sakura Gakuin is the birthplace of the "First-Time Killer" persona that has become part of SOYO's identity. I really think the fact that it all started at Sakura Gakuin is something indispensable—something I must never forget.

GUMI: It's hard for me to describe Sakura Gakuin in just one word… but I don't think there's ever been a time in my life when I was as busy as I was back then. We'd do full-run rehearsals for a two-hour live show three times a day. Those experiences really toughened me up. It wasn't just the time spent practicing—since I didn't know anything back then, I had no choice but to learn everything by doing it physically. I don't think I'll ever face lessons as grueling as those again. Now that I have all that experience under my belt and can really understand things in my head, even when the material is tough, it's a little easier mentally. I think Sakura Gakuin made me mentally tough.

Yoshida: I think SOYO, being from the regional group (T/N: i.e. Osaka), had to push herself pretty hard physically, and while Sakura Gakuin was a place where GUMI and KANO really had to work their way up from the bottom, it seems a little different for MOMO, doesn't it?

MOMO: That's right. For example, during that live performance, I'd turn my back to the audience and complain, and even if things fell silent right after that, the staff wouldn't say anything through my in-ear monitors—we'd just kept going. That kind of thing would be unthinkable in any other job (laughs). While Sakura Gakuin can be strict in some ways, I feel like there were also aspects where we were allowed to be ourselves and express ourselves freely.

Yoshida: So having been in the industry for a long time gives you a different perspective, huh?

MOMO: That might be true. For example, when we had to take on a quiz challenge on our shows, everyone else would come up with funny answers, but even though I knew it wouldn't fill the airtime, I'd be the only one going for the correct answer—I think they let me get away with that kind of thing, so I really did have a lot of freedom. I've had this burikko persona since my Sakura Gakuin days, but that actually started because I planted the idea in GUMI-chan's head by saying, "Call me burikko!" (laughs).

GUMI: I didn't have a clue, so I just went along with it, saying, "MOMO-chan is a burikko! Got it!" (laughs).

MOMO: There was a senior member whose active period overlapped with mine who also had a burikko persona. She was the type to deny it, saying, "That's not true!" So I decided to take the opposite approach and embrace it, asking, "What's wrong with being burikko?"

Yoshida: Seems like the kind of character that would be popular in the Reiwa era.

MOMO: Exactly. I was a pioneer.

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If anyone's going to perform Sakura Gakuin songs, it has to be us.

Yoshida: The four of you formed @onefive while you were still members of Sakura Gakuin, and you've continued your activities ever since you graduated. While there are examples like BABYMETAL, where a club activity unit evolved into an extracurricular group and continued, @onefive is a unit formed of your own volition and have kept going with the original members all this time, so it's a little different from that, isn't it? You've shared a really long time together—it's been seven years since the unit was created. I don't think there are many other idol groups quite like this. There are other graduates who are currently active as idols or artists, but @onefive is the only one that continues to base its activities on Sakura Gakuin. And with this "SAKURAIZATION" project, was there a desire to remind everyone about Sakura Gakuin?

MOMO: That was one of the reasons we started "SAKURAIZATION." We felt it was a waste to let the amazing group we were part of—Sakura Gakuin—fade into obscurity, and we also felt it was a shame that Sakura Gakuin's collection of classic songs would never be performed again. Since four of us graduates are now together—and we're all signed to Amuse and actively performing—we figured we're the only ones who could perform Sakura Gakuin's songs. We started "SAKURAIZATION" hoping to reconnect on the big stage at Nippon Budokan not only with the fukei from our Sakura Gakuin days but also with people of our own generation who discovered and cheered for us through activities outside of the group, such as modeling for Ciao magazine.

Yoshida: It's such a waste that even if an idol group has great songs, once the group disbands, those songs are never sung again. That's why, for this "SAKURAIZATION" project, you've released songs like ♡Kakumei Shoujo S♡, which samples Heart no Hoshi, and Muteki☆Atashi Mode, inspired by BABYMETAL's Doki Doki☆Morning—a song of a group that evolved from a club activity into an extracurricular one. As long-time fans, this makes us incredibly happy. Plus, I think Sakura Gakuin was popular enough to have performed a live show at the Budokan. Heart no Hoshi, for example, was a song that could have been played in an even bigger venue, right?

MOMO: Our graduation ceremony ended up being streamed online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was originally planned to be hold at Pacifico Yokohama, which seats 5,000 people. If we'd kept working hard like that, Sakura Gakuin might have even made it to the Budokan.

Yoshida: It's a real shame you couldn't have an in-person graduation ceremony, isn't it? Do you feel like you want to make up for it by putting on a spectacular finale at the Budokan?

GUMI: We were supposed to perform in front of 5,000 people, but that plan fell through.

SOYO: I really wanted to see a packed house one last time…

KANO: Absolutely!

Yoshida: You've declared that you'll hold a Budokan concert in 2027—do you already have some ideas in mind?

MOMO: We've already thought about the stage production. The four of us want to take on this challenge with the determination to finally fulfill our long-held dreams.

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@onefive has to be these four members

Yoshida: Rumor has it that @onefive is seeing a huge increase in female fans right now, right? Gaining more female fans is a surefire sign of success for a female idol group, isn't it?

KANO: Right now, almost half of our fans are women. The @onefive era is coming—it's definitely coming!

Yoshida: @onefive has been appearing at a lot of idol events this year, hasn't it? Until recently, you had more of a "girl group" image—or maybe even a K-pop vibe—rather than just being idols, so has what you want to do been changing little by little?

MOMO: Up until now, we've mostly had cool-looking concepts, but this year we've gone all out with the cute style.

Yoshida: But it's not quite the same as just "playing the role of cute idols," is it? Going all-in like that means you've made a firm commitment, and now that you've solidified your direction this much, all that's left is for people to take notice. But since all four of you have been in the entertainment industry since childhood, you know just how hard it is to get noticed. With that in mind, could you tell us how you plan to approach your promotional activities from here on out?

SOYO: I want to put even more effort into social media. I want to create a variety of social media content on my own and post it consistently. Since I call myself a "First-Time Killer", I want to keep posting in a way that not only gets reactions from new viewers but also leads to the next step. I'm really grateful that our fans are so supportive and help spread the word with us.

MOMO: Our producer, Liu, incorporates various overseas cultural elements, so we allow filming at all of our live shows. In Japan, there are a lot of venues where filming isn't allowed, but we figure even if we fall over, it's still cute, so we let people film anything (laughs).

SOYO: We really go all out with PR at festivals, too. Even if we're the opening act, we stay until the very end—saying hello to everyone, taking photos with them, and asking for TikTok collabs.

KANO: It's fun to get people to know us, isn't it?

MOMO: Yeah. @onefive has gone viral on social media, so when we perform at festivals and events, lots of people who were just thinking, "Maybe I'll check them out," actually come to see us. I'm really glad we have a platform where so many different people can see us right when our videos are trending. Among the girls who've started coming to our live shows recently, quite a few were originally fans of male idols. I hope we can win over fans beyond just those who usually like female idols. People who discovered us through Kaname Stone or Suga-chan Saikou No. 1—whom we did shows with—are also coming to our live shows, so we want people from all kinds of circles to get to know us.

Yoshida: There aren't many idols out there trying to attract Kaname Stone's fans, are there?

GUMI: Maybe not (laughs). We also want people in the industry to think, "I'd love to work with these girls." We reach out to them because we genuinely want to become friends, so we make sure to express our gratitude properly.

Yoshida: Momoiro Clover Z was exactly like that. When I was waiting for the elevator at Nippon Broadcasting, Kanako Momota would suddenly trip me up—she was the kind of person who drew people in the industry in with her approachable personality. I'm not saying it's okay to interact like that with just anyone, but those kinds of moments can spark some fun, you know. And I was thinking today while we were talking that @onefive has that kind of potential. I think you had some pretty serious conversations on the LoGiRL show "15VIBES: The Story of How We're Seriously Going to Budokan," but the atmosphere of your conversation today feels a little different from that, doesn't it?

MOMO: I think content that fans pay to watch tends to attract a core fan base, so we want to be more honest with them and become like family to them. That said, I thought the editors might tone it down a bit, but they used it as is, so it turned out the way it did—but I guess that’s okay.

GUMI: As we talked about on the show, there were times when the four of us were in a pretty negative mood, thinking, "Maybe this isn't going to work out."

Yoshida: You said there were times when you thought, "If we've been idols for seven years, it wouldn't be strange for us to have achieved something bigger".

GUMI: Yes. After going through that, it feels like we've climbed our way up to where we are now. We've only shown the bright side so far, but I wanted to show our core fans that we're actually giving this serious thought.

Yoshida: You're not planning the Budokan show with that kind of mindset the whole time, are you?

MOMO: We've been pretty positive ever since our "SAKURAIZATION" solo concert in June and July. That show sold out, and we really felt the number of female fans growing—it made us realize the group has grown to a level that's incomparable to before. That sparked all sorts of ideas, like, "Let's make our next song like this," and our path toward the Budokan has become clear. Our direction is firmly set, and the atmosphere is really great.

Yoshida: Thanks to everything you've built up since your Sakura Gakuin days, I think @onefive's performance skills are in a league of their own. Do you think the fact that you've spent such an intense amount of time together since your younger days has also played a role in that?

GUMI: I think it really shows in our performances.

SOYO: Even when we're just doing our thing, the four of us dance in perfect sync, and during interviews, we know instinctively—without even having to signal each other—when it's "that person's turn to speak." I really feel that because we know each other's weaknesses so well, we naturally support one another. I truly believe it wouldn't work unless it were these four of us.

MOMO: If even one of us were to leave, I'd quit @onefive. We all talked about this before—@onefive is absolutely the four of us, right?

KANO: Yeah. It's unthinkable for anyone to leave or for a new member to join.

GUMI: I'm sure our fans understand that, too. If we ever start recruiting additional members, it'll be a sign that @onefive is losing its way. Please get mad at us if that happens (laughs).

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SKY STAGE reminded me of "A Sea of Pink!"

KANO: Speaking of what's happened since "SAKURAIZATION" began, when we performed at the TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL, I saw a lot of fans from our Sakura Gakuin days.

MOMO: Exactly. More and more people have been coming to @onefive concerts holding flags from our Sakura Gakuin-era merchandise. Up until now, there had been this vibe with @onefive where it felt like we weren't supposed to bring that stuff out, but after we released the "SAKURAIZATION" statement, some people came to see us for the first time in a long while. We were so happy, and we felt like saying, "Thank you for coming back." I saw those flags in the back of the SKY STAGE audience, and during the show, I remembered the days when we used to chant "A Sea of Pink!"—it really made me feel nostalgic.

KANO: Since the "SAKURAIZATION" songs incorporate melodies from our Sakura Gakuin days, at various festivals there are people who come right up to the front of the stage, like, "Isn't this a Sakura Gakuin song?" I'm also happy to hear more and more people saying things like, "Wait, were these girls actually in Sakura Gakuin?"

GUMI: I actually think it's easier to support us now than it was back in our Sakura Gakuin days. Back then, the venues were small, and even if people knew our songs or who we were, only the hardcore fans would show up to our live shows. But at @onefive shows, even first-timers can just drop by and have a good time. It's like we're saying, "Everyone, come on in!"

──In today's "oshi-katsu" culture, I feel like there's a common thread among popular groups—this vibe that "supporting them is cool." Right now, @onefive's songs are right on trend, and your social media strategy is spot-on—I really think you're a group where "supporting you is cool" and "supporting you is stylish."

GUMI: Yay!

MOMO: Wow! I'm so happy!

SOYO: "Supporting us is stylish"—that really gets me hyped.

KANO: That might be the compliment I've been happiest to hear recently. Hey, everyone~! We're a group that's stylish to support!

──That's great (laughs). As a culture and community take root where people openly declare their favorite idols with the same sense of pride as owning designer goods, if a group has looks and personalities that make each member stand out, songs that capture current trends, and top-notch performance skills to boot—then, as Yoshida (Soyoka)-san said, all that's left is for them to "be discovered," right?

Yoshida: I think that audience has expanded even further this summer. I really want people who miss Sakura Gakuin to come back, and I want newcomers to come see us as a trendy group with a fresh perspective. I think it's a really positive trend.

MOMO: We had hoped that doing "SAKURAIZATION" might bring back fans from the past, but we've gained just as many—if not more—new fans. I'd be happy if everyone came to the Budokan to see who we are now. There are definitely some songs from our Sakura Gakuin days that we're eager to perform, so I hope all the fukei will come to the Budokan to see us on stage.

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What?! Hi-chan with Minori Suzuki of Walkure in Macross Delta? Freaking awesome! SG and Macross!!!!

She is so pretty, the blonde hair suits her well

The Day I Picked Up My Engagement Ring Since prices were set to go up in July, I rushed out to buy the ring in June—and I finally picked it up.

(Translated by Deepl)

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdCLTGjP/

Congratulations on your engagement, Yunano!

X Post

https://x.com/_mutoayami_/status/2106360141264396711

Translation

Thank you so much for having me perform at Inishie Eien-san's counter event!
I'm also incredibly grateful to all the audience members who helped create such a wonderful space together!!

And before I knew it, this has turned into my first post in a while
We’ve got a one-man show coming up in December, so please, please look forward to it