Sakurazaka46

Overview

Sakurazaka46 (櫻坂46) is a Japanese idol girl group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. Formed on August 21, 2015, it was known as Keyakizaka46 until its last concert as that name on October 13, 2020. It is the second act of the Sakamichi Series after Nogizaka46, and its fans are called Buddies. As Keyakizaka46, the group broke the first-week sales record for a female artist's debut single with "Silent Majority", and it has appeared regularly on NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Career history

Formation and the Keyakizaka46 years (2015–2020)

In February 2015, at Nogizaka46's 3rd Year Birthday Live, a new project was announced to recruit first-generation members, initially under the name Toriizaka46. At the final audition on August 21, 22 were chosen from 22,509 applicants, and the name was changed to Keyakizaka46 on the spot. Some members left before activities began. In October the group started its first regular TV show, Keyakitte, Kakenai? (TV Tokyo), and on November 30 Neru Nagahama's addition was announced, leading to the formation of the subgroup Hiragana Keyakizaka46.

The group debuted on April 6, 2016 with "Silent Majority", which sold about 262,000 copies in its first week and topped the Oricon chart. It followed with "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai" (August) and "Futari Saison" (November), and made its first Kōhaku appearance on December 31, 2016. In January 2017 Yūka Sugai and Akane Moriya were named captain and vice-captain. The group released "Fukyōwaon" in April, its first album in July, and "Kaze ni Fukarete mo" in October, and won the New Artist of the Year (Japanese) award at the Japan Gold Disc Awards.

In 2018 came "Garasu o Ware!" and "Ambivalent", and in November nine new members joined as the second generation. In February 2019 Hiragana Keyakizaka46 became independent as Hinatazaka46, and the single "Kuroi Hitsuji" was released on February 27. A Tokyo Dome concert followed in September 2019. In February 2020 six trainees were assigned as second-generation members, and on July 16 the online concert Keyakizaka46 Live Online, but with YOU! announced the name change. The final Keyakizaka46 single came in August, the first best album on October 7, and on September 20 the new name was unveiled on a large screen at Shibuya Scramble Crossing. After THE LAST LIVE on October 12–13, activity under the Keyakizaka46 name was suspended.

The Sakurazaka46 era (2020–present)

Sakurazaka46 began activities on October 14, 2020 and released its first single, "Nobody's fault", in December. From that single through the ninth, "Jigō Jitoku", every release sold over 300,000 copies in its first week. In January 2021 Sugai continued as captain with Rina Matsuda as vice-captain, and in November 2022 Matsuda became the second captain after Sugai's graduation. In January 2023 eleven third-generation members were announced, and their debut event was held in March. The group won the Popularity Award and Best Musician Award at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards and The Platinum Award at the 2025 Asia Star Entertainer Awards, and appeared on Kōhaku in 2023 and 2024.

In 2025 the group released "Nightmare症候群", "Addiction", "Make or Break", "死んだふり", "港区パセリ", "Alter ego" and "Unhappy birthday構文", along with special and complete editions such as "UDAGAWA GENERATION (Special Edition)" and "Addiction (Complete Edition)", plus a Ninajirachi remix of "承認欲求" in April.

Musical style

Produced by Yasushi Akimoto, the group adopted Nogizaka46's logo concept while establishing a distinct group identity. As Keyakizaka46 it drew attention for strong messages and performances; as Sakurazaka46 its motto urges members to bloom like cherry blossoms. Recent releases, including remix work, show a willingness to explore varied approaches.