hasbrialeblog: 46/48 Groups 2021/22 Graduations

As sad as it may seem, few of the Original Members of the AKB '48 Groups and Sakamichi 46 Idol Group - Nogizaka46 will be graduating this year (2021). And for a AKB Group & Nogizaka46 Super Fan it is nothing more than a "Sayuringo Punch to the gut!". Here is a list of some members who announced Graduation (卒業 Sotsugyou) or have Graduated in 2021/22. This page is updated regularly with Member Graduations as it happens.

Nogizaka46

First & Second Gen Graduations

1st Generation Members:

Matsumura Sayuri

She announced her graduation on April 15, 2021 and will end her activities with the group after June 22nd-23rd, 2021 at Yokohama Arena: Sa~ Yu~ Ready? Sayuringo Gundan Live／Matsumura Sayuri Graduation Concert

Graduation Song: Sa~ Yu~ Ready?

Takayama Kazumi

She announced her graduation on July 22nd, and will leave the group by the end of September 2021.

Graduation Song: Watashi No Iro

Ikuta Erika

Ikuta Erika announced that she will graduate from the group on December 31. Her graduation was held at Yokohama Arena on 14 and 15 December 2021. Ikuta updated in her blog on October 25 that reads: "I took my time, and I've made the resolve to embark on a new journey at last!" To her fans, she expressed, "When I think about our memories, I can't help but to feel sad. But it would make me happy if you would accept my decision."

Graduation Song: Toki no Wadachi

Hoshino Minami

Hoshino Minami announced on December 3rd that she will be graduating from the group in February, 2022. On her blog, she said, "I joined Nogizaka46 when I was 13 years old. Before I realized it, 10 years have passed. There were a lot of hard times, but meeting the members and seeing the beautiful view provided by the fans, I was able to do my best."

Higuchi Hina & Wada Maaya

Nogizaka46 official web site announced on 18 July 2022 that their 1st generation members Higuchi Hina and Wada Maaya's will be graduating, they will leave the idol group after the 30th single's activities.

Nogizaka46 announced "Higuchi Hina Graduation Ceremony" for 31 October 2022 to be held at Tokyo International Forum.

Higuchi Hina said, "It's because 'I wanted to make a willing choice.'" She continued, "Rather than being done with a set goal, I felt it was more important to take a step forward now when I have the energy to keep going. My decision to graduate from the group is not a goal that I vaguely decided, but a choice to move on. I want to build my life based on willing choices."

Wada Maaya says, "There were many times I wanted to quit. But coming this far, what I feel is... Thank you everyone! I did my best! I've done it! It was fun! That's what I felt, so I made the decision to graduate."

2nd Generation Members:

Hori Miona

Graduated on March 28, 2021 during the 2nd Generation Members Concert as a part of Nogizaka46's 9th Birthday Live. The Announcement was made on November 27, 2020.

Graduation Song:

Shinuchi Mai

Shinuchi Mai announced her graduation on Nogizaka no ANN (Nippon All Night) radio show on November 17, 2021. She will be leaving the group in Jan 2022. Her solo song "Anata kara no sotsugyō" is included in Nogizaka46 Best Album Time Flies.

Ito Junna

Ito Junna announced her graduation on May 16th, 2021 and her last live was Nogizaka46 Under Live 2021. She officially graduated from the group on August 29, 2021.

Watanabe Miria

Watanabe Miria announced her graduation on May 16th, 2021 and her last live was Nogizaka46 Under Live 2021. She officially graduated from the group on August 31, 2021.

Terada Ranze

Terada Ranze announced her graduation through the "Documentary of Ranze Terada" video on YouTube on September 17th, 2021. The video was released in Kimi ni Shikarareta's Blu-Ray disc. Her final concert was the Nogizaka46 28th SG Under Live, and she concluded her activities as a member on December 12, 2021.

Kitano Hinako

Kitano Hinako announced on January 31, 2022 on her official blog that she is graduating from the group and her final activity will be at the end of April, 2022. Nogizaka46 held the Kitano Hinako Graduation Concert on March 24th, 2022 at PIA Arena MM in Yokohama.

Kitano said, "I have decided to walk on the new path that I would like to continue forever. The decision to leave this warm and kind place was made last year. I was really happy. I was able to be myself at a place I love and cherish. I was also loved by the people I love. Thanks to everyone's love, my heart was filled with so much love."

Yamazaki Rena

Yamazaki Rena announced her graduation on June 13, 2022 on her radio show. The graduation date was set for July 17, 2022. The “Nogizaka46 10th Anniversary Concert” in May 2022 was her last concert with Nogizaka46.

3rd Generation Members:

Ozono Momoko

Ozono Momoko is the First member of 3rd Generation to graduate, making it the longest generation across 48Groups and Sakamichi Series to stay intact - 5 years without any graduations. She announced her graduation on July 4, 2021, her graduation ceremony was held during Nogizaka46 Summer National Tour 2021 on August 22nd and her final day in the group was September 4, 2021.

HKT48

Miyawaki Sakura

A member of HKT48's Team KIV. She announced her graduation on May 15, 2021 and will have her graduation performance on June 19, 2021 at Marine Messe Fukuoka: HKT48 Miyawaki Sakura Graduation Concert ~Bouquet~

Graduation Announcement:

Graduation Song:

Tashima Meru

Tashima Meru (Meruchan) announced graduation from HKT48 at Saturday's performance (Jan 15, 2022). The graduation performance will be held on March 14th, and the final day of the activity will be held in Fukuoka on April 3rd. On her Instagram post she says..

When I was 18 years old, I appeared in the movie "Don't Cry, Akaoni", which made me want to become an actress. Since then, I have continued to say that I want to play, and that feeling has not been shaken, and I am 22 years old. It has been 10 years since I joined HKT48 at the age of 12. When I thought about the future seriously, I decided to graduate because I wanted to challenge myself toward my dream of being an actress.

HKT48 is a youth for me, and it is an important place where I am now and raised because everyone was there. Of course, it wasn't just fun, but there were nights when I was crying because it was painful. But all I remember was a lot of fun, and thanks to everyone, I'm so grateful that I was able to feel like that. I'm not quitting the entertainment world, and I hope you will continue to watch over new challenges! Idol Last Run, I want to run through with everyone like me, so thank you!

Moriyasu Madoka

A member of HKT48's Team KIV. She announced her graduation on March 6, 2021 and a graduation concert was held on May 29, 2021 at Kitakyushu Soleil Hall: HKT48 Concert Minna Genki ni Shitotta? ~Moriyasu Madoka Graduation Ceremony~

Graduation Video:

Murashige Anna

Murashige Anna will be graduating from HKT48. She announced this at HKT48 performance held at HKT48 Theater in Fukuoka City on September 19th. Murashige said, “I, Murashige Anna will graduate from HKT48. I would like to welcome the 10th anniversary of HKT48. Thank you for your support until the end.

Ueno Haruka (Team H) (Announced in 2021)
Kamijima Kaede (Team H) (Announced in 2021)
Mizukami Rimika (Team H)
Imada Mina (Team KIV)
Kumazawa Serina (Team KIV)
Matsumoto Hinata (Team TII)

SKE48

Matsui Jurina

Matsui Jurina, SKE48 founding member, held her graduation concert “Jurina Sotsugyou De Nani Ka Ga Okoru No Ka” on April 11, 2021.

Graduation Song: Memories ~ Itsu no Hi Ka Aeru Made

Takeuchi Saki

A member of SKE48's Team KII. She announced her graduation on February 25, 2021 and will end her activities with the group at the end of May at a performance held at SKE48 Theater in Nagoya City.

Soda Sarina

A member of SKE48's Team KII. She announced her graduation on May 10, 2021, and will leave the group on June 30, 2021.

Yamauchi Suzuran

Yamauchi Suzuran announced earlier in October that she will graduate from the group on November 30. Yamauchi said, "I will aim to obtain my qualification to teach golf, which has been a dream of mine since I was small and deliver the charm of this sport called golf that helped me to grow. Golf is my life.". Yamauchi's graduation concert was held in November.

Oba Mina

Oba Mina, the leader of SKE48's Team KII, announced her graduation on October 9, 2021, and will graduate on April 3, 2022, her 30th birthday.

Fukai Negai (Team E) (Announced in 2021)
Igarashi Hayaka (Team KII)
Wakita Aoi ‎ (Kenkyuusei)

NGT48

Kato Minami

Kato Minami, announced Graduation on December 25th 2020 and on January 31st, 2021 graduated from the group.

Kado Yuria (1st Generation)
Yamada Noe (1st Generation) (Announced in 2021)
Kusakabe Aina (1st Generation)
Nakamura Ayuka (1st Generation)

STU48

Yabushita Fu

Yabushita Fu announced her graduation on April 16, 2021 and her graduation concert was held on August 8, 2021 at Kobe International House Kokusai Hall: STU48 Yabushita Fu Graduation Concert ~Fu ga Ita Koto~

Sasaki Miyu

Sasaki Miyu announced her graduation on October 5, 2021 and graduated on December 31, 2021.

Taguchi Reika (2nd Generation) (Announced in 2021)

Sakurazaka46

Matsudaira Riko

Matsudaira Riko graduated from Sakurazaka46 2nd Generation on March 14, 2021 (Announcement was made on January 8, 2021).

Moriya Akane and Watanabe Rika

The announcement was made on Oct 22, 2021 by Sakurazaka46 management that both the members will be graduating after the release of "Nagaredama" and it's associated activities. Moriya Akane and Watanabe Rika were Keyakizaka46's first generation members, they stay at the group after Keyakizaka46 changed their name to Sakurazaka46. It is the first time Keyakizaka46 first generation members graduate from Sakurazaka46. Graduation concert "Sakurazaka46 1st YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE" was held on December 9 & 10 and on December 19th the duo officially graduated.

Watanabe Risa

Watanabe Risa will graduate from Sakurazaka46 upon completion of the group's 4th single activities. The group will hold a 2 day graduation concert on 21-22, May 2022 at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. She will release Graduation Memorial Photobook on May 17th! The “Watanabe Risa Graduation Memorial Book: Dakishimetakunaru Shunkan” was shot in unique locations of snowy Hokkaido and sunny Okinawa.

Harada Aoi

Harada Aoi announced her graduation from the group on her blog on 29 January 2022. She will leave the group after finishing her activities for the fourth single. She said, "It's been about six and a half years since the group was formed, and I'm really grateful to all the fans who have always been on my side and supported me. Every word I receive is my own encouragement and confidence. I was thankful."

Sugai Yuuka

Sugai Yuuka announced her graduation from Sakurazaka46 on 22 August2022 and will be graduating at the Sakurazaka46 2nd Tour 2022 "As you know?" Finale scheduled to be held at Tokyo Dome in November (8th & 9th).

Sugai said, "It's a forward-looking graduation after giving much thought." On her future activities, she expressed, "From now on, I want to spend more time confronting myself, take on new experiences and challenges, encounter things I never imagined, and discover new things in order to become a mature person with a lot of heart. Also, I want to clear the way in order to carry out activities that will give people emotion and power. I will do my best so that I will be able to meet everyone again in one way or another."

Hinatazaka46

Watanabe Miho

Watanabe Miho is a member of Hinatazaka46's 2nd Generation. She announced her graduation on April 3rd, 2022 and will graduate at the conclusion of Hinatazaka46's 7th single activities.

AKB48

Minegishi Minami

Minegishi Minami, Member of AKB46 's Team K, announced her graduation on December 8, 2019. Her graduation got postponed and a concert was eventually rescheduled to May 22, 2021, and was held at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama.