Sakamichi Series
Sakamichi Series | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Genre | J-pop |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Label | Sony |
| Members | |
Sakamichi Series (Japanese: 坂道シリーズ; "Sloping Roads Series") is a Japanese idol group franchise that began with Nogizaka46, an "official" rival group of AKB48. It currently consists of four groups: Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, Hinatazaka46, and Yoshimotozaka46. Despite the name, the groups are not required to have exactly 46 members. Except for Yoshimotozaka46, all the groups were named after real streets in Minato, Tokyo and have all-female memberships.
History
The first group, Nogizaka46, was formed on August 22, 2011 with 36 members and released their debut single "Guruguru Curtain" on February 22, 2012.
The second group, and Nogizaka46's first sister group, Keyakizaka46, was created on August 21, 2015 with 22 members. It was initially named Toriizaka46 before it was changed for unspecified reasons. They released their first single "Silent Majority" on April 6, 2016. A subgroup named Hiragana Keyakizaka46 was created shortly after with 12 members.
On February 21, 2018, Yoshimotozaka46 was announced as the third group in the franchise and 46 members passed the final audition on August 20. Unlike the other groups, it has both male and female members of various ages and most members are comedians affiliated with the Osaka-based talent agency Yoshimoto Kogyo, which also manages the idol group NMB48 and the Produce 101 Japan group JO1. They released their first single, "Nakasete Kure yo", on December 26, 2018.
On February 11, 2019, Hiragana Keyakizaka46 became independent and changed its name to Hinatazaka46, thus becoming the fourth group in the franchise. They released their debut single, "Kyun", on March 27, 2019. On July 16, 2020, it was announced that Keyakizaka46 would also be rebranded into Sakurazaka46, which came into effect on October 14.
In the summer of 2018, the Sakamichi Joint Audition was held for the all-female groups and 36 of those who auditioned were accepted. Of the 36, 21 were immediately accepted to the groups:
- Nogizaka46 (11): Sakura Endō, Haruka Kaki, Sayaka Kakehashi, Saya Kanagawa, Yuri Kitagawa, Yuna Shibata, Rei Seimiya, Mayu Tamura, Ayame Tsutsui, Seira Hayakawa, Mio Yakubo
- Keyakizaka46 (9): Rina Inoue, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Rina Matsuda, Riko Matsudaira, Hikaru Morita, Ten Yamasaki
- Hiragana Keyakizaka46 (1): Hinano Kamimura
The remaining 15 were grouped as the trainee group Sakamichi Kenshūsei (坂道研修生) in 2019. One trainee, Manami Matsuoka, dropped out, and the 14 remaining ones were assigned to the three groups on February 16, 2020:
- Nogizaka46 (5): Haruka Kuromi, Rika Satō, Runa Hayashi, Miyu Matsuo, Nao Yumiki
- Sakurazaka46 (6): Hikari Endō, Rei Ōzono, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Kira Masumoto, Rena Moriya
- Hinatazaka46 (3): Mikuni Takahashi, Marie Morimoto, Haruyo Yamaguchi
In 2021, members of Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 co-starred in a television series for the first time in the mystery drama Borderless, based on the novel of the same title by Tetsuya Honda. It was followed by its 2023 sequel, Actress.
In 2026, a new group named Aobazaka46 was announced. It would be active for one year, after which its members would be transferred to Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 as the newest generations. This has been compared to the 2018 Joint Audition, with the one-year activity period as the time when each member's development could indicate which group would be the most suitable for her.
Current groups
| Group name | Group color | Years active | Teams (if split) |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nogizaka46 (乃木坂46) | Purple | 2011–present | 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, 4th Gen, 5th Gen, 6th Gen | Tokyo, Japan |
| Sakurazaka46 (櫻坂46) | White-Pink | 2015–2020 (as Keyakizaka46) 2020–present (as Sakurazaka46) | 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, 4th Gen | Tokyo, Japan |
| Yoshimotozaka46 (吉本坂46) | Orange | 2018–present (currently on indefinite hiatus) | 1st Gen, 2nd Gen | Osaka, Japan |
| Hinatazaka46 (日向坂46) | Sky Blue | 2015–2019 (as Hiragana Keyakizaka46) 2019–present (as Hinatazaka46) | 1st Gen, 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, 4th Gen, 5th Gen | Tokyo, Japan |
Management
Several corporate entities manage the Sakamichi Series groups.
Nogizaka46, LLC
Nogizaka46, LLC (乃木坂46合同会社) is the agency that manages Nogizaka46. It was established in 2012 as a joint venture between Sony Music Labels and North River, Inc, with each party holding 50% ownership. North River was registered as a company primarily providing transportation services for the entertainment industry and was co-owned by Yasushi Akimoto, Kyoraku Sangyo, AKS (now Vernalossom), and Shinsuke Akimoto, with Kenji Kitagawa as representative director. In 2020, North River was wholly acquired by and became a subsidiary of entertainment company KeyHolder, Inc., making Nogizaka46, LLC an equity-method affiliate of KeyHolder. Yasushi Akimoto subsequently became a special advisor and second-largest shareholder of KeyHolder, holding 7.59% of its shares as of 2025, while Kitagawa became an executive vice president at the company and director of several of its subsidiaries, including North River.
Nogizaka46, LLC also manages several former Nogizaka46 members.
Current individual talents
Seed & Flower
Seed & Flower, LLC (Seed & Flower合同会社) is the company that manages Sakurazaka46 and Hinatazaka46. It was established in February 2016 as Dog House, LLC by Sony Music Labels and Y&N Brothers, co-owned by Yasushi Akimoto. It was renamed Seed & Flower in August 2016 and subsequently became the management company of Keyakizaka46, rebranded to Sakurazaka46 in 2020, and Hiragana Keyakizaka46, rebranded to Hinatazaka46 in 2019. The company also managed the now-disbanded rock band Thinking Dogs, for whom Yasushi Akimoto wrote several songs.
Seed & Flower also manages several former Keyakizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 members.
Current individual talents
Former individual talents
Yoshimoto Kogyo
Yoshimoto Kogyo is the company that manages Yoshimotozaka46. The group was formed from talents already affiliated with Yoshimoto Kogyo, including comedians, actors, and other entertainers. Sony Music acts as the label and Yasushi Akimoto as producer.
Parodies
- WACK debuted a one-off shuffle unit named Dōgenzaka43 (道玄坂43) consisting of every idol under the company at the time, they released the single, "Kyōniku Jakushoku ~Tsuyoi Yatsura wo Kucchimae~" (強肉弱食時代 〜強い奴らを食っちまえ〜), on June 16, 2021.
Notes
- ↑ "North River" is the direct translation of Kitagawa (北川).
References
- ↑ AKB48“公式”ライバル乃木坂46、36人決定 毎日が総選挙?! [AKB48’s “Official” Rival, Nogizaka46, Finalizes 36-Member Lineup—Is Every Day a General Election?!]. Oricon News. June 25, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
- ↑ 乃木坂４６「ぐるぐる」オリコン２位発進 [Nogizaka46's "Guruguru" Debuts at No. 2 on the Oricon Charts]. nikkansports.com (in Japanese). February 22, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
- ↑ 鳥居坂46、いきなり「欅坂46」に改名 初代22人決定 [Toriizaka46 Suddenly Renamed “Keyakizaka46”; First 22 Members Announced]. Oricon News. June 25, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2026.
- ↑ 乃木坂46、新グループ「欅坂（けやきざか）46」1期生メンバー決定 「鳥居坂46」からチーム名変更 [Nogizaka46's new group Keyakizaka46 selects its first-generation members, changing its name from Toriizaka46] (in Japanese). Model Press. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ↑ 「吉本坂４６」目指すはバラエティー感不要のアイドル 秋元氏「最強のグループを」 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能 [Yoshimotozaka46 aims to be an idol group that needs no variety-show appeal; Akimoto says, "We want to create the strongest group"]. Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- 1 2 吉本坂46、メンバー46名決定 初代Wセンターは？＜一覧＞ - モデルプレス [Yoshimotozaka46 selects 46 members; who will be the first co-centers? (list)]. Model Press (in Japanese). Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- ↑ けやき坂46が「日向坂46」に改名！ファンも驚き「まさか改名するとは」「おめでとう!!」 [Hiragana Keyakizaka46 changes its name to Hinatazaka46! Fans are surprised: "I never expected a name change" and "Congratulations!!"]. RBB Today.
- ↑ 欅坂46 結成記念日8・21にラストシングル 10月にラストライブ [Keyakizaka46 to release final single on August 21, its anniversary, and hold final live show in October] (in Japanese). Oricon. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- ↑ 欅坂46が10月ライブで5年の歴史に幕、改名し再始動「これからも私たちに期待していて」 [Keyakizaka46 to end its five-year history with an October live show and restart under a new name: "Please continue to look forward to us"] (in Japanese). Music Natalie. July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- ↑ 欅坂46、改名後の新グループ名は「櫻坂46」 [Keyakizaka46's new group name after renaming is Sakurazaka46] (in Japanese). Oricon. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ↑ 新グループ名発表! [Announcement of the new group name!]. Keyakizaka46 Official Website (in Japanese). September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
- ↑ 坂道合同オーディション配属決定 乃木坂4期11人、欅坂2期9人、けやき坂3期1人 [Assignments from the Sakamichi Joint Audition decided: 11 members to Nogizaka46's fourth generation, 9 to Keyakizaka46's second generation, and 1 to Hiragana Keyakizaka46's third generation]. Oricon News. June 25, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- ↑ 乃木坂46の4期生11人、日本武道館で初パフォーマンス（イベントレポート / 写真31枚） [Nogizaka46's 11 fourth-generation members perform for the first time at Nippon Budokan (event report / 31 photos)]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- ↑ 欅坂46、2期生に“元銀行員”加入 坂道最年少13歳は天下取り宣言 [Former bank employee joins Keyakizaka46's second generation; the Sakamichi Series' youngest member, aged 13, declares her ambition to conquer the world]. Oricon News. June 25, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- ↑ けやき坂46“3期生”上村ひなの登場で「可愛い」の声飛び交う 全員で初披露、ドッキリ映像も公開＜日本武道館「ひらがなくりすます2018」＞ - モデルプレス [Hiragana Keyakizaka46's "third-generation member" Hinano Kamimura draws cries of "cute"; the full lineup is unveiled for the first time, along with prank footage (Nippon Budokan's "Hiragana Christmas 2018")]. Model Press (in Japanese). December 14, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- ↑ 坂道合同オーディション合格者の配属先決定、12月には武道館でお見立て会 [Assignments for successful Sakamichi Joint Audition candidates decided; an introduction event will be held at Budokan in December]. Music Natalie. Natasha, Inc. November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ↑ 「坂道研修生」の14人配属発表 １人は辞退／詳細 - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ [Assignments announced for 14 Sakamichi Kenshūsei trainees; one withdrew (details)]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved October 5, 2026.
- ↑ 乃木坂46、櫻坂46、日向坂46がグループの垣根を超えてドラマ初共演！ 本格ミステリードラマ「ボーダレス」ひかりＴＶとdTVチャンネルで３月より独占配信 [Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 star together in a drama for the first time, crossing group boundaries! The full-fledged mystery drama "Borderless" will stream exclusively on Hikari TV and dTV Channel from March]. PR Times. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ↑ 🍭 乃木坂46、櫻坂46、日向坂46、グループの垣根を越えて出演する本格サスペンス『アクトレス』Leminoで独占配信！ - Pop'n'Roll(ポップンロール) [Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 cross group boundaries to star in the full-fledged suspense drama "Actress," streaming exclusively on Lemino!]. Pop'n'Roll. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ↑ 青葉坂46の狙いとは？ “坂道研修生”との決定的な違い、活動後に各グループへ配属される新制度の意図 [What is the aim of Aobazaka46? The decisive differences from Sakamichi Kenshūsei and the purpose of the new system assigning members to each group after their activities]. Real Sound (in Japanese). August 29, 2026. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
- ↑ 乃木坂４６合同会社の情報 [Information on Nogizaka46, LLC]. www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ "KeyHolder (4712)" (PDF). Walden Research Japan. February 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Basic Agreement for the Acquisition of All Shares of North River Co" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). JASDAQ. May 14, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ↑ "Our Business" (PDF). KeyHolder, Inc. April 1, 2026.
- 1 2 "Corporate Profile" (PDF). KeyHolder, Inc. April 1, 2026.
- 1 2 乃木坂46合同会社・Seed & Flower合同会社 タレント一覧 [Talent list for Nogizaka46, LLC and Seed & Flower, LLC]. Nogizaka46, LLC and Seed & Flower, LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Ｓｅｅｄ＆Ｆｌｏｗｅｒ合同会社の情報 [Information on Seed & Flower, LLC]. www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Company Registration Document" (Document). Ministry of Justice (Japan). July 1, 2025.
- ↑ "j-platpat". J-PlatPat. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ 【旧サイト】Thinking Dogs アコースティック コラボNight vol.2 [Thinking Dogs Acoustic Collaboration Night vol. 2]. LivePocket-Ticket- (in Japanese). Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ Thinking Dogs「世界は終わらない」インタビュー - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー [Thinking Dogs interview: "The World Will Never End"]. Music Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ 長濱ねる、「フラーム」移籍を発表 前事務所の退所も報告「１０年間は何ものにも代え難い大切な日々」と感謝…戸田恵梨香や有村架純ら所属 [Neru Nagahama announces transfer to FLaMme and departure from her former agency, expressing gratitude for "ten years of irreplaceable and precious days"; the agency also represents Erika Toda and Kasumi Arimura]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). August 5, 2025. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ 渡邉理佐 OFFICIAL WEBSITE [Risa Watanabe Official Website]. Risa Watanabe Official Website (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2026.
- ↑ BiSH参加の新ユニット「道玄坂43」デビューラストシングル無料発売 MVも解禁 [New unit Dōgenzaka43, featuring BiSH, releases its debut and final single for free; music video also unveiled]. Oricon News. June 16, 2021.
External links
- Joint talent list of Nogizaka46, LLC and Seed & Flower, LLC (in Japanese)
- Sakamichi Kenshūsei (in Japanese)