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  Observing the 3rd Generation — The 4th generation members performed the 3rd generation’s song ‘Seijaku no Bouryoku’ during their training camp and at the ‘First Showcase’ (12th June 2025). Did you feel anything while watching their performance? Mukai: When we watched them at the ‘First Showcase’, we were so moved that some of the 3rd generation members even cried. It was a performance that only the 4th generation could pull off, and it really inspired us, making us feel like, ‘We have to work hard too’. Ishimori: I could feel their respect for the original version of ‘Seijaku no Bouryoku’. Their individual interpretations also came through clearly and it was stimulating to learn that, ‘This kind of performance style is also possible’. It really gave me a fresh perspective. Murayama: I was really looking forward to it, but I couldn’t make it to the ‘First Showcase’ because of another work commitment. I watched the footage at home and even through a screen, I could really feel thei...

  How Each of Them Will Come into Bloom It has been a year since the Sakurazaka46 3rd generation members passed their auditions. The blossoming individuality of the eleven members is bringing new life to the group. The sensational girls are forging their own trajectory of growth. — It’s been a year since the eleven of you first met each other as members of Sakurazaka46’s 3rd generation. Now, I’d like you to talk about the future while looking back at the past and also the present. First of all, shall we start with talking about which members have changed from their initial impression or shown you a new side of theirs while spending time together? Mukai: I wonder… Surprisingly, we still have the same vibes from when we first met, so I think there are only a few members who have changed their impressions by a lot. Yamashita: That’s right… Everyone already showed their true colors from the beginning, so I feel like we’ve barely changed. Murai: It’s just that we were divided into two g...

  Q Ishimori-san, what kind of childhood did you have? Rika: I was always singing at home as a kid. We’d have songs that everyone had to sing in kindergarten, and even after going home I’d sing them by myself. I especially remember practicing “Jabujabu Ondo” for Girls’ Day. I have a video from back then too. Q So you were alone often? Rika: I played a lot with everyone in 1st and 2nd grade of elementary school, but starting around the 3rd year I started spending a lot of time alone. Q What was the reason for that? Rika: I don’t think there was really a reason for it. By junior high it became easier to spend time alone and that had become the norm, and the reason for that was the basketball club. Since it was an environment with only girls, I worried about the eyes around me and whether or not something I said could hurt someone’s feelings, so it became scary for me to speak up in front of a crowd of people.  Q And you eventually ended up quitting the basketball club, right? Ri...