I was waiting for this thread and it seems that I was partly responsible for it continuing... hmm. So let's wrap up a terrible year with some warmth and cheer for who you think is Nogizaka's member of the year. Previous: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
It was rather close and up the last minute I had it flipped. But I think I want to reward an unsung member more than that one who's already awesome. Member of the Year Yamazaki Rena. She's a college graduate and she's got a radio show. What more can we say about the hardest working member? She's putting in the work daily and yet she's barely getting the recognition. One of these days she's going to make senbatsu because the hard work needs to pay off. Runner Up Yamashita Mizuki. Photobook did well. She was on the live action adaptation for Eizouken movie and drama. Center for the 26th single. She was tasked with the unenviable job to follow Shiraishi as Nogi's center. Knowing her, she's got this. Honorable Mentions Umezawa Minami. Photobook did well, and getting that flanking position in the front -- nice.
Kubo Shiori Every time they needed her to step up she proved herself. subbing for Ikuta and got twitter trending. duet with Ikuta and does it again
Mizuki is an obvious choice. Getting a solo center that is not an airdrop or graduation single is huge. So far only members who are the top ace in the group got it: Maiyan, Nanase, Ikuta, Asuka. Other than her, Umezawa also has a big breakthrough this year. She wasn't part of the 4 top 3rd gen members who were initially being pushed, but she proves herself and is now able to match them.
Thanks for continuing this thread. Been a bit busy for year end stuff. Anyway... Member of the Year Shiraishi Mai Runner Up Umezawa Minami Honorable Mention Kaki Haruka
Saito Asuka. Well, she has steadily climbed the ladder since becoming center for the first time way back in 2016. Nothing was given to her on a silver platter. This year, with the departure of Maiyan, she has established herself as the face of the group. She would have centered a regular single for sure if it wasn't for covid. Say what you want about Route246, just another center duty for her. In every music show they perform she's put in front. Other product promotion, she's there. Movie? Yes, it's a trio but she's still the lead role. New single to promote? Still goes back to her to finish the year at Kouhaku. Who do we expect to center the coupling song (Wilderness World) of the new single based on the preview? Asuka. Everything goes back to her and I expect this to continue for as long as she's with the group. New year coming, a new era of Nogizaka is here. She won't be doing it alone but I have no doubt in my mind, this is Asuka's group to lead moving forward. Kubo Shiori. Nogi 48-hr saw a more confident/reliable Shichan. She just delivers what she's asked to do even tho more often than not, she takes the back seat. Kaki Haruka. When they put you on the stage to sing alone while your senpai did it as pair, they must trust you that much. When they give your group a show and you excel, that is something to be proud of. You centered a song and it clicked. Some say it's the song. Well yeah, but would I say it's Kaki. Why not? She's perfect