Hopes, Fears, and Predictions for 2023 (Nogizaka46)

Let's start our usual end-of-the-year thread.
First of all, my last year HFP.

Spoiler

Hopes

• Corona pandemic is over - It is not over, but get better than before,
• Good title song and, especially, Under song, - Koko ni wa inai mono was good, so it come true
• Rena, Yuna, or Runa enter Senbatsu, - RUNA and YUNA enter Senbatsu!!!
• Interesting + Funny variety show for 5ki. - Shin Nogi Star, but it is normal, not that interesting to me

Fears

• Bananaman graduation - No, and I think they will be around for more years...
• Young member graduation (3ki and 4ki) - Thankfully, nothing happened.

Prediction

• Yamazaki Rena graduation - Yes, on July, she left Nogi
• Airdrop center from 5ki - Aruno-chan center Actually...
• Another "normal" title song/Under song - Unfortunately, no Under song released this year that enter my playlist
• All 1ki and 2ki leave Nogi - no one leave Nogi yet, but Asuka soon...

My hopes, fears, and prediction for 2023
Hopes

• A really good Under Song, at least Nichijou or Sabita class,
• Group photobook, not Satsu or Mode, but a photobook with mizugi and stuff...
• New variety show for 5ki, ShinStar is just too long for me.
• The revival of NOGITEN!!!

Fears

• Bananaman graduation.
• 4ki members graduation.
• Scandal.
• Mediocre or bad song, especially UNDER song.

Prediction

• 5ki center (Nagi please!!!) and 5ki enter Senbatsu.
• no OG left by the end of 2023.
• Maybe it is too soon, but an announcement of a 6ki audition by the end of the year?

+++
Last year's HFP thread:
http://stage48.net/forum/index.php?threads/hopes-fears-and-predictions-for-2022-nogizaka46.23722/

 

To kick things off: I got nothing right except the Ayane prediction. Although, remind me, did a Sakuraka or Hinata single sell more than Actually...?

Spoiler: it was a hopeless year

Hopes
Handshakes resume
Audience can cheer at the the 10th BDL
YAC, Reno, Hazuki senbatsu
US Tour

Fears
4th Gen graduation

Predictions
Endou gets a 3rd center
Akimoto waits until her 10th year to graduate
Ayane will be the only 2nd Gen
Sato Rika will be the 1st 4.5 to make senbatsu
Both Sakurazaka and Hinatazaka will have a single surpass Nogizaka in sales (?)

I may be repeating myself here. And next year is quite hopeful...

Hopes
Handshakes resume
YAC, Reno, Hazuki senbatsu
Another Runa/Yuri lofi rap song
Kaki/Yama W-center
Aruno solo song
A unit song that reminds me of AraRoma with members to match
A unit song that reminds me of Dankeschoen with members to match
A unit song that reminds me of Dekopin with members to match
Iroha will sell 1 slot

Fears
6th Gen announcement

Predictions
Endou gets a 3rd center
Sato Rika will be the next 4.5 to make senbatsu
Edit: Less graduations than this year! (Easy peasy because of how many we had in 2022!) I'll say 4 graduations...
That being said, a 4th Gen will graduate

 

Hopes
Some good unit songs pop out; Asuka stays at least partially in entertainment.

Fears
Any important 3th gen member graduates (Kubo, Yoda, Yama). They are already well known to the public and could decide to leave the group to focus on other activities.

Predictions
Manatsu and a couple 3rd gen members graduate, but not the 3 members mentioned above.

 

Spoiler: 2022

Hopes
· Entire Nogi 4th gen to experience senbatsu before 5th Gen airstrike ー well, having every single one is indeed difficult, Aside from Aruno 5th no other 5th actually have experienced senbatsu.
· Nogichuu to expand number of members present in studio. ー still need to work on this.
· Roke shoots for Nogichuu & Sokosaku. ー I believe we still haven't had any Roke shot in 2022.

Fear

· Akimoto Manatsu not gradding by the 1st half of the year. ー This year, for sure!.

Predictions

· Kaki, Mayutan PB. ー Quite certain Mayutan will get a PB in 2023.
· Yuna regular senbatsu. ー a W.

Hope
· Ume become the captain, vice: Kubo
· Nogichuu recording can afford more members to present
· Some Roke shoot!
· Saachan & Yuri speedy recovery
· Increase in Live safety, need to start installing safety bar/ barrier
· COVID clearing-up, I want to hear the fan's cheers during Live!

Fear
· Akimoto not graduating

Prediction
· 5th rampant senbatsu airdrops
· PB: Mayutan, Yan, Yuna, Ayame ー order in those who are more likely

 

Spoiler: 2022

Hopes:

• I just hope Kubo will finally center. It's 2022 or never for me - Never gonna happen, I think. And I have fully accepted it
• Reno Under center next single - Not immediately but still check
• Runa and Rika selected Senbatsu before 5th gen enters the scene - Runa at last, hang-on Rika
• Unit (Kubo, Kaki, Seira, Yuna, Runa) and better song this time. - Check for the 31st single, although not with Kaki and Seira. Still, there's Reno and Riria plus it's my favorite among the 3 unit songs

I have nothing to fear anymore

Predictions:

• Yuna Senbatsu next single - Check
• Senbatsu for 4.5 girls also next single - Check, but on the single that followed
• All seniors gone before 2023 - Almost
• Of course, aidrop 5th gen as usual - Super check
• The next 3rd gen will graduate - Nope
• Endo will center again - Nope
• One graduation announcement will be like this: Center - Saito Asuka - Yes

Hopes

• Mao and Miku Senbatsu if not on the next single, then on the 33rd
• It would probably take more time but I hope Aya continues to grow in confidence, gain more fan support, and eventually Senbatsu by the end of next year
• Sato Rika finally selected to Senbatsu
• Keep a spot to rotate non-permanent Senbatsu members. Kaede to Tamami to Reno perhaps. Or as I mentioned, Rika or Miyu
• As always, hoping for more units with any combination of my favorites Kubo, Reno, Kaki, Seira, Runa, Yuna, and now add Aya, Nagi, and Mao. Of course, give them a good song.
• Kaki (solo) center for a 3rd time and more acting jobs in the future
• More outside jobs for Kubo. Whether TV, movie or stage as long as she gets more offers (actually, already got one for this just today)
• Now that she's back, I hope Seira gains her momentum back as well
• I'm very satisfied with Star Tanjo nearing the 40-episode mark so I hope they'll give 5th gen a new show after this or a different variety for Nogizaka

Fears

• Runa is the last 4.5 to Senbatsu and even worst, they drop her back to UG
• Iroha's struggle with HS results will continue

Predictions

• This time, pretty sure Endo Sakura will be center again
• 5th generation will be in Senbatsu next single, but not center.
• Because I think a more senior member will be the next center: Yamashita, Endo or Kaki.
• I feel like 5th gen will likely have a W-center in the future and it's gonna be Nagi x Sakura.
• Sakura will receive a strong push, more than the other 5th
• If they'll release 3 single next year, more than half of 5th gen will be in Senbatsu by that 3rd single release
• This is quite easy and expected. Ayane and Manatsu will graduate next year

 

Firstly last year....

Spoiler

Hopes:
- Better acting gigs for Yamashita
Yes, she landed in asadora. Congrats Mizuki.

- Reno for Under center and then senbatsu
yes for Under center, not senbatsu though

- 3rd gen new center, Yoda or Kubo
Nope

- 5th gen to have a good singer like Ikuchan
Yeah, more than 1 in fact, with training they can be as good as Iku

- Nogi to have more live singing opportunities
More or less for 5ki only through Star Tanjou, which is good enough for me

- Interesting 5th gens members
Better than I ask for. I love (almost) all 5ki, in fact they managed to revive my interest in Nogi.


Predictions:
- Remaining 1st and 2nd gen grads
Not exactly, only 1 left in each gen

- 5th gen airdrops
Yes, though it's the worst airdrop, like WTH are they thinking?

- New shows for 5th gens
Star Tanjou


Fears:
- 3rd gens getting more sidelines with 5th gen arrival
Well, it's more or less the same. I’m glad there are still chance for Kaede and Tamami to enter senbatsu. But that’s because 5ki inclusion in senbatsu has been delayed, possibly due to the failed airdrop.

- More 3rd gen grads
No (there are still a few days left till end of the year, I hope I don't have to correct myself here)

- Bananaman grads
No, long live Bananaman

Hopes:

• Sales continue the upward trend
• Nagi, Satsuki, Sakura, Teresa in senbatsu
• Nagi / Satsuki center
• 5ki center for Teresa
• Better HS sales for NaoNao next single
• More 5ki concert with live singing
• New game-based variety show for 5ki
• Reno enter senbatsu
• Lead heroine role in a good drama for Yamashita
• Another center for 3ki (Yama / Yoda / Kubo)

Fears:

• Another 3ki graduation
• More hiatus due to health/other issue
• Major scandal

Prediction:

• Don’t feel like predicting now
  

 

Spoiler: Yes but actually... no

Hopes
- A 5th Gen that surprises us in a positive way (don't know how to rate this)
- 3 singles, one of them so strong that they win their third GP (well, sadly not)
- (like for every other musician as well) The audience can vociferously cheer again (50/50)
- Another center for Yamashita (and Kaki) (Kaki had her center, and TECHNICALLY Yamashita centered as well, tho just as substitute with Asuka in Actually...)

Fears
- (the obvious) Covid continuous (50/50)
- A horrible 5th Gen which does nothing for Nogizaka (It's more like the complete opposite)
- More graduations from 3rd and 4th gen. Members (didn't happen, luckly)

Predictions
- Yamashita and Asuka center (diff. Singles) (Asuka had her center at the end. For Yamashita - see above)
- (for 90%) No more 1st and 2nd gen. members at the end of 2022 (still three left)
- Graduation in Nissan Stadium and one on the next birthday concert (Akimoto?) (Nope)
- Umezawa becoming captain and Kubo inherits her vice-captain position (close, but not close enough)

Hopes
- A-Side center for Yamashita and Kaki
- Nagi and Satsuki being part of two senbatsu!
- Three singles

• At least one Wcenter

Fears
- Yamashita Grad announcement
- More injuries

Predictions
- Three singles
- Nagi and Satsuki being part in one, either of them at least in two senbatsu
- Another center for Endo
- Akimoto grad announcement

• therefore Umezawa becoming captain
• followed by a surprise announcement vice-captain (4th or even 5th Gen)

- Every 1st & 2nd Gen left at the end of the 2023
- Two Grad announcements (one 3rd & one 4th gen member)