Hit Prayer Campaign
Hit Prayer Campaigns (ヒット祈願 Hitto Kigan) are challenges the members of Sakamichi Series groups undergo on their various variety shows in hopes that their upcoming single or album will become a hit. Generally, Hit Prayer Campaigns involve some sort of physical or mental challenge designed to push members into difficult situations, which they must overcome with courage or teamwork. Examples include bungee jumping, mountain climbing, and cheerleading.
Hit Prayer Campaigns began with Nogizaka46's first single, Guru Guru Curtain. They have since become a staple of the Sakamichi Series, with each single and album involving some sort of hit campaign before its release.
Hit Prayer Campaigns are filmed as episodes of the groups' variety shows. They are then aired 0-2 weeks prior to the single or album's release date.
Nogizaka46
Nogizaka46 Hit Campaigns are aired on Nogizaka46's variety shows, Nogizakatte, Doko? (2011-2015) and Nogizaka Under Construction (2015-Present)
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode Guru Guru Curtain Passing Out Tissues Senbatsu members passed out tissues on the streets of Tokyo to promote the upcoming single. Senbatsu - Oide Shampoo Passing Out Shampoo Senbatsu members passed out shampoo around Oita Prefecture to promote the upcoming single. Senbatsu 30 Hashire! Bicycle Riding Bicylces Senbatsu members rode bicycles in four parts of Japan to promote the upcoming single. Akita: Ikoma Rina, Nishino Nanase, Wakatsuki Yumi, Ichiki Rena
Toyama: Hashimoto Nanami, Fukagawa Mai, Saito Yuri, Hoshino Minami
Tokushima: Shiraishi Mai, Ikuta Erika, Takayama Kazumi, Ito Marika
Miyazaki: Matsumura Sayuri, Sakurai Reika, Nakada Kana, Inoue Sayuri45 Seifuku no Mannequin Mountain, Water, Fire, Cliff Challenge Senbatsu members split into four teams, Mountain, Water, Fire, and Cliff, and completed various tasks. Mountain: Shiraishi Mai, Matsumura Sayuri, Saito Asuka, Inoue Sayuri. Prayed at a temple on a mountain in Tottori.
Water: Ikuta Erika, Noujou Ami, Ichiki Rena, Akimoto Manatsu. Stood under a raging waterfall.
Fire: Sakurai Reika, Hashimoto Nanami, Takayama Kazumi, Hoshino Minami. Walked on a live fire.
Cliff: Ikoma Rina, Nishino Nanase, Wakatsuki Yumi, Fukagawa Mai. Walked to the edge of a cliff and prayed for the single's success.62-63 Kimi no Na wa Kibou Akimoto Manatsu Skydiving Challenge Akimoto Manatsu skydived alone. Akimoto Manatsu - Girl's Rule Captain Bungee Jumping Challenge Sakurai Reika bungee jumped alone. Sakurai Reika - Barrette Waterfall Challenge Senbatsu members split into four teams and stood under raging waterfalls. Gunma Prefecture: Ikoma Rina, Wakatsuki Yumi, Matsumura Sayuri, Takayama Kazumi
Okinawa Prefecture: Nishino Nanase, Saito Asuka, Fukagawa Mai, Hori Miona
Iwate Prefecture: Nakamoto Himeka, Akimoto Manatsu, Kawago Hina, Eto Misa
Kanagawa Prefecture: Hashimoto Nanami, Ito Marika, Sakurai Reika, Shiraishi Mai.
Ikuta Erika suffered a leg injury and did not participate.110-111 Kidzuitara Kataomoi Nishino Nanase Bungee Jumping Challenge Nishino Nanase bungee jumped from the Macau Tower in Macau, China (764 feet/233 meters) Nishino Nanase 123 Natsu no Free & Easy Cleaning the Buddha Statue Senbatsu members visited and cleaned the head of the 120 meter tall Ushiku Daibutsu in Ibaraki Prefecture. Matsui Rena and Hoshino Minami could not attend, and instead cleaned the Ueno Daibutsu in Ueno Park, Tokyo. Senbatsu 141 Nandome no Aozora ka? Climbing Mt. Fuji Ikuta Erika and five other Senbatsu members climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji Ikuta Erika, Akimoto Manatsu, Hoshino Minami, Hori Miona, Ikoma Rina, Sakurai Reika 153-154 Inochi wa Utsukushii Hanging Posters in the Tokyo Subway Senbatsu members hung posters in the Tokyo subway to promote the upcoming single. Senbatsu - Taiyou Knock Fielding Ground Balls, Spelunking Jyuu Fukujin members fielded 100 ground-balls (baseball) wearing the uniforms worn in Hatsumori Bemars. Ikoma Rina also went spelunking in a cave. Jyuu Fukujin - Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru Visit Shrine, Catch Fish, Climb 13 Slopes Jyuu Fukujin members climbed to a shrine in Hokkaido, caught fish, or ran up 13 slopes in Tokyo. Shrine: Ikuta Erika, Akimoto Manatsu, Fukagawa Mai, Nishino Nanase
Fish: Takayama Kazumi, Shiraishi Mai, Hashimoto Nanami, Eto Misa
Slopes: Hoshino Minami, Saito Asuka- Harujion ga Sakukoro Ikuta Erika Solo Parachute Jump Ikuta Erika did a solo parachute jump from 4000 meters in Guam. Ikuta Erika - Hadashi de Summer Saito Asuka Visits Myanmar Saito Asuka visited Myanmar alone. She prayed at Shwedagon Pagoda as well as the Golden Rock for the single's success. Later, her relatives met her at the airport and gave her flowers and a necklace. Asuka is half-Burmese, and her mother was born and raised in Myanmar. Saito Asuka - Sayonara no Imi Hashimoto Nanami Shows Off Hokkaido Members traveled around Hokkaido sightseeing and enjoying the scenery. They are guided by Hashimoto Nanami who is originally from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Hashimoto Nanami, Ikuta Erika, Hoshino Minami, Ikoma Rina - Influencer Ice Climbing Members of the Mountain Climbing Club climbed a frozen waterfall. Mountain Climbing Club - Nigemizu Scuba Diving Ozono and Yoda learn to scuba dive in order to search for sea turtles and the good fortune that comes with encountering them. Ozono Momoko, Yoda Yuuki - Itsuka Dekirukara Kyou Dekiru Water carrying Members recreate a scene from Asahinagu where they carry pales of water up a set of stairs as a form of training. Akimoto Manatsu, Hoshino Minami, Takayama Kazumi -
Keyakizaka46
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode
Hiragana Keyakizaka46
Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Hit Campaigns were aired on Hiragana Keyakizaka46's variety show, Hiragana Oshi
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode Hashiridasu Shunkan Bungee Jumping All members bungee jumped from a bridge in Gunma Prefecture. Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Members -
Sakurazaka46
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode
Hinatazaka46
Nogizaka46 Hit Campaigns are aired on Hinatazaka46's variety shows, Hiragana Oshi (2019) and Hinatazaka de Aimashou (2019-Present)
Single Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode Kyun 120 km Relay Marathon Members completed a 120 km relay marathon from Hyugazaka, Minato City, Tokyo to Hakone, Kanagawa. The members paired into teams of two, and ran 12 km per team to reach the final goal. Hinatazaka46 Members Hiragana Oshi 48-50 Doremisolasido Dragon Boat Race Members completed a 15 km rowing trip across Lake Biwa in a dragon boat, starting at Miami Beach. The journey took over 5 hours. The members then hiked 1 km to a shrine to pray for the upcoming single's success. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 14-15 Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no? One-Take Music Video Members created a one-take music video set to the song Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?, performing stunts such as jump roping and table cloth pulling. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 24-25 Sonna Koto Nai yo Inflitrate an All-Girls High School Members visited an all-girls high school and listened to students' insecurities, telling them "Sonna Koto Nai yo!" ("That's not true!") to encourage them. Members also snuck into students' classrooms as guest appearances. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 44 Hinatazaka Fishing Challenge Select members went on a fishing trip and caught fish. Select Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 74-75 Kimi Shika Katan Cheerleading Performance Members performed a cheerleading performance of Kimi Shika Katan with stunts such as back-handsprings and lifts. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 108-109 Tteka Giant Mural Members created a giant banner to be wrapped around the guardrail of the merry-go-round at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park. Hinatazaka46 Members -
