[GENERAL] The Sakurazaka46 / Keyakizaka46 Thread

I hope this band idea will be pushed forward.
I can't speak for other people who play/played in a "band", but to me the best parts were always the hours spent in a studio, practicing together, no matter the results, so this first video gave me really good vibes.

Airi and Riko are quite the pair and in two days they did more than I expected.
Adding Nagisa feels like a good choice, she's quite talented, would get a spotlight and it would be good to have a trained ear in the group.

I'm torn about Inori though.
She's popular enough to not need to be in a band-unit, she probably has other jobs that require her attention more than this... and I'm still hurt by the way Nakada Kana played bass back in Nogidan (even though I still have their One Night Carnival cover on my playlist lol) so, I'd rather see someone already proficent playing bass.

This said, even though I always loved the idea of a band in the group, I'm not sure how much mngmnt believe in it, so crossing my fingers for a good outcome.
I would love if they organize some sort of "audition" withing the group though, they sorta did for the basketball group.... and I have no idea what they are gonna do with that lol

Oh and I also would add a second guitar, of course

 

It would be interesting if the band played in anira. I think it would be a nice addiction.

 

The idea of an audition by @Dill would easily provide at least one SokoSaku episode. The band is a must, IMHO kust to break the monotony of a group with amazing performances, excellent J-pop songs, experimental ideas and amazing dances but nothing else...

The rehearsals would provide the best material. You see good things come from the "journey" as well, not the "destination". Of course if the idea is supported enough we may enjoy a live performance of this group, performing at least decently. But the practicing, the efforts and the interaction, if handled smartly, would provide footage for a nice small documentary.

Nogis have the Star Tanjou, Hinatas have the Narimashou and the Parade, we have... nothing! I don't count the variety show by the 4 girls, nor the ChocoSaku, which is just a SokoSaku annex/extension...

P.S. I grasp the opportunity to express once again my wish for a cross-group small docus/locations. Such attempts like the Okamoto Hina + Mukai Itoha small festival of uncontrollable laughter should and MUST have more episodes: I crave a Murayama Miu + Konishi Nanami "date" say for example, to go fashion shopping, or an athletic "triathlon" or "pentathlon" between the sportsladies Kawasaki Sakura + Murai Yu + Shimizu Rio boosted by the cheers of their respective groupies... And think about a comedic demonstration of manzai featuring duets like Yumiki/Sugawara vs Yamashita/Hirao vs Takeyui/Inori (or Kiraki/Marinon)...

 

I mean by contract is not for the song. I said that only popular member ends up having extensions after graduation.

solo song in my mind is like a dedicated song with mv only for that member, which requires to hire a music producer + mv director (all money spend). Usually they only offer it to popular member, eg: yuipon, nanase, maiyan, mizuki asuka shiori, etc. or something like one waystair

of course the management should give opportunities to all members, and I can see they tried. If it doesn't require much money, management will support it eg the basketball unit where they promote it via youtube and sokosaku. Or if possible, try to persuade popular ace member to create an unit with you! I believe it will works too. So the popular member "will cover the bill" and the less popular one will get a boost of popularity. This is how usually work in business.

Investor would not gamble their money to something that they think would not making money. But if the equation between 1 proven money maker + 2 non popular member, they will try to gamble it.

 

Both Zaka and 48G management used to put their pushes in a unit. Lol 48 management did this all the time in the past, all pushed girls were in a unit or were heavily marketed as a pair with another girl at some point.

I can see Zaka did this many times as well. NaoMiku, MaiyanxNanamin, Karaage Sisters, YokoKaho, Yuichans, the many gundans...I think Saku is the group that has explored this dinamic the least, our most recent case is the TenRin push in magazines that has been going on for a while and the Saku Meets unit that managed to get a b-side. Honestly I think they should invest in another duo...MioRika maybe.

 

I'm surprised management never pushed the Moritamura pair considering how popular they seem to be in the fandom. Though I guess you could say they don't really fit, Hikaru seems to fit more with Karin or Ten while Hono seems to fit with Rena.

 

Speaking of pairs, I find Shizuki/Yu pair amusing.
So far I haven't see anything with the two of them, but I'm still catching up, yet I'm not sure Yu will survive the experience

Still, they are so different and yet both so talented, I can't wait to see more of them together.

On the other hand, Mio/Miu or Mio/Rika do nothing for me, perhaps because they are all kinda quiet... now, pairing Mio with Itoha would open a new universe of everything under the sun lol
...or Yuuzu, but the relationship between Mio and Yuuzu is very sisterly and cute, so I'm quite biased

When it comes to 2kis though, I think the aces can fit with each other well no matter what.
This said, Hono/Renaa, feel a bit unbalanced to me, but may be just me.

 

MioRika is not among my fave pairs but I can see why so many buddies support them. Rika has the princess waifu image while Mio does a great ideal boyfriend kyara.

Now ShiiYu....I don´t know if I see the logic. Pairs are usually about complementing each other, but I don´t see how they can be a sort of yin-yang. But who knows? Management might surprise us next single. I still prefer AiShii

MiuItoha on the other hand would be hella interesting.

 

I think for pairing there are 2 different types (or more?)

- Pairing that fits aesthetic/business
- Pairing that is built of closeness of that members

Ten, karin, hikaru are close with each other so any dynamic between this trio is superb. You can see their closeness on sokosaku, especially teamwork capability episode 210 & choko 33. (Most of the time, answer from them (+hono,) are the same, so most likely they have a chat about it bts)

Some pairing beside tenrinrun:
Hikaru: hono, airi, mio
Ten: kira, itoha and most current with rena?
Karin: rena, shizu, hono, inoue, zono
Hono: rena, rin, run,
Shizu: airi, yu, mio
Mio: rika, miu, shizu
Inoue x chuke
Itoha miu
Broken pairing like marino x inoue is hard too watch, it feels very one sided. Surprisingly karin fits with almost everyone she likes. Her arch enemy is onuma. She always acts awkward beside her. (Eg: when onuma slap her own cheek) it's like karin doesn't understand her at all lol. And when guessing elephant with english word.... karin looks like trying her best not to loose herself there.

my current fav pairing

 

I do think Mio-Itoha would be interesting because they have opposite image, but the thing abt Itoha is she hasn't develop image or ability to be A-Side center... same with Rika. Miu-Mio was odd pair, giving same energy with Karin and Ten. I do think they will go back with AiriShi as 3rd gen pair. I don't know whether in daily life they were close or not, but it feels like they destined to each other lol, not only have similar height, their aura was opposite but compliment each other.

Talking abt Hono-Rena, tbh they were not match at all to be paired. These two have similar image.

Abt 4th gen, I saw a lot comment talking abt they only feels like filler but I do think they were awesome. Hiiro and Momomi alr scream out center material, couldn't wait for their first showcase!!

 

Funny how it´s always the 4th gens who are accused of being "filler". Nogi 4ki and Hina 4ki also suffered from the same accusations, I´ve seen tons of comments claiming that Nogizaka popularity fell off because 4ki was underwhelming and failed to keep the bar, that KakkiSaku are the only okay ones etc and I remember Hinata 4ki suffering even more, people called them ugly and filler, even some ohisama rejected them in the start, they had to deal with hate virals on twitter and heavy comparisons with Nogi 5ki and Saku 3ki. It took them a while to start being accepted by part of the fandom.

I was hoping that Saku 4ki wouldn´t have to deal with that bit I guess the 4th gen curse is true judging by the fact that we didn´t even had SokoSaku debut and people are already calling them filler.

 

Maybe because of the timing, it is usually after 1ki graduation wave and other generation has become the pillar. (I don't know about hinata). It is not a curse if even the management plan it that way and not promoting their talents (they want & need back/under member). When hiring people, there is always a purpose. Maybe because of the timing, their purpose is setting differently. No matter how good the talent is, if they don't get promoted, it won't go anywhere

In 4ki, I feel momomi can be a dark horse. I read japanese fans said that she got a medal from athletic/running ability, not at national level, but a level that needs a lot of perseverance to achieve it. With the right ambition and hard work, she might be future star in the making.

For hono rena, their interaction is so so but their double combo visual is god tier

 

What about Airi-Karin?
https://x.com/Jiyorin_/status/1914244825051992460

As for 4gens being "filler", we really have zero way of judging until we actually see them do something, either perform or have something like the training camp. Just from first look, I personally see a lot of possibility, in appearance, in personality, in previous background. I'll enjoy what comes and hope for the best.

 

Ah are we really not making 4th gen thead... I want to talk a lot about them. Momomi greeting card was out, she resemble Ensaku in those picture. She's def the choosen one lol. I couldn't wait for 12th june. I hope they show and perform something new.

 

No, I don't think 4th gen will be a filler generation. It is meant to be impactful, carry the legacy and give the 3rd gen girls a well-needed competition. And if we consider the possibility of some mass exodus, they will have to help the 3rd genders carry the group.

It is still early to pick oshis, I know that. We'll have to "learn" the girls and so far we've seen almost nothing. Well, except for Neo-chan that is no "newcomer".

However, I feel like a grumpy old man... I mean no bad feelings towards the new girls, it is just too early for me to accept them as I feel that 3rd genders are still "new". Maybe the fact that time has passed so fast, ticked me the wrong way. Or maybe I desperately need a documentary with 7 episodes to indulge myself into the "new blood"...

I feel grumpy as from what we've already seen from Nogi and Hinata, that maybe this time, management won't give us those 7-episode "super-productions" and I'm getting vibes that show "cheapness"... Maybe I'm wrong ..

Yet, so far I've got no thrills...

 

All 4ki handwritten profiles are now available in Sakurazaka 4ki Official Site, as well as some photos. I fixed the translated ones in their respective solo threads but you can also find other translations on twitter. I´m curious to see what are your impressions so far...I will start with mine.

• Chihiro wrote monomane as one of her skills! She didn´t stroke me as a potential variety girl at first but here we are! She is definitely top3 in my list now.
• A lot of them enjoy early Saku b-sides. I wonder if they will bring a bit of that Saku back...Saishuu no Chikatsu ni Motte is pretty popular among 4ki.
• Katsumata Haru is clumsy and in some angles she looks similar to Nogi Kikki.
• Momomi really has the vibe...I don´t know how to explain but she definitely has it. I believe she and Haru might impress us in Omotenashikai.

 

chihiro did it for her audition and also in her intro vlog i hope she demonstrates it on sokosaku!

 

Karin is busy appearing in mv premier on 2025.05.07 - 21:00 jpn time

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

if the video does not show watch the video here 4ki documentary trailer. It's on the saku channel so it will most likely be subbed

 

I think one of the reasons why 3ki managed to grab as much attention and establish themselves in the fandom is the 3ki songs and the 3ki-only concerts. It gives them a chance to truly shine without the attention being taken away by their senpais. It helps a lot that some of the songs are very very good.

So I'm looking forward to the 4ki songs and am quietly optimistic.