Ikuta Erika (Ikuchan) / 1st Gen

I think they literally translate the name. The correct one could be "Ikegami Hanae".

You can try to use this website (https://kanji.reader.bz/) and put the first name (花衣) on its reader. One of the results is Hanae, which is a girl name. So, it is most likely that is how you should read that name.

 

But Ikuta Erika is a better name, more particular and easier to remember. I don't get the name change idea they had at that time.

 

Yeah but thats before we all know the girl called Ikuta Erika, so Ikegami Hanae as stage name not so bad. Lots of popular artists also have stage name so she probably want to have one too, and stage name is good for protecting their identity/privacy outside entertainment industry.

 

I think Ikegami was a cool family name. It sounds like the name of assassin or ninja family or clan. I believe if Ikuchan didn't join Nogi and stay with Ota Pro, she would keep using that stage name.

I also think it is Nogizaka management policy to have the group members use their real names. Like Kawago Hina that apply for Nogi audition as Kawai Hina and Johnson as Asou Ririko. After they joined, they change their name to their real name. That means Ikuchan also can't use her stage name. Or maybe, her stage name was the property of Ohta Pro, so she couldn't use it anymore at the moment she left the agency and joined Nogizaka.

 

I see. Hanae makes much more sense.
I keep seeing "Kai" in all of the entries of Ikuta Erika on 48/46g related english wikis that i thought that's the only way how it's pronounce. Thanks

 

Who knows. But it was 10 years ago. It's unlikely that we'll hear that name again.

 

Now that I think about it. I remember watching on Nogi documentary, when names of 1st gen members who passed the audition were called, that the MC mispelled Ikuchan's name. Maybe that's why the agency chose a stage name before? Cause Ikuta Erika as a kanji name gets sometimes misinterpreted and confused?

 

Ikuchan in the Confidence man jp premiere in tokyo.


https://twitter.com/ikuta_staff/status/1480535265412530181?s=20





https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20220110-2246760/



Interview with part of the cast


if the video does not show watch the video here


Trailer


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

greeting event in tokyo with the confidence man jp cast yesterday.









https://mdpr.jp/cinema/2959888




Ikuchan in Datsuryoku news



Video:
https://m.bilibili.com/video/BV15L4y147Wi?spm_id_from=333.999.0.0




Video of the premiere of confidence man in tokyo last week.


if the video does not show watch the video here




Tv special with confidence man jp cast



Video:
https://m.bilibili.com/video/BV1WF411v7kL?spm_id_from=333.788.recommend_more_video.0




Ikuchan instagram



https://instagram.com/p/CYsfXRuv51n/

 

Santen CM + behind the scenes + interview


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY ERIKA-SAMA!!!
All the best today, in the future, always...

 

Happy birthday, Ikuchan!

Sadly it's the last time we can wish her happiness while she's still technically a member.
Crazy that we won't be celebrating members whose birthday is today any longer. 5th Gen, let's go!!

 

ikuchan day Wishing her career the best! Cant wait for her to appear in music show again

 

Happy birthday!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIKAAAA!!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, IKUCHAN

 

Why is my IG like this when searching Erika's name? Images won't show up

 

Happy Birthday to the eccentric pianist of Nogizaka46

 

Happy birthday Erika