Kakizaki Memi's final blog post: Thank you!

Thank you 

Kakizaki Memi
2019.08.12   09:28h


Good evening, it's Kakizaki Memi.

I graduated from Hinatazaka46 today!

Thank you very much for coming to the graduation ceremony, despite it being so late

Sugai Yuuka blog: Kakizaki Memi

Thank you 

Sugai Yuuka
2019.06.30


Good evening.

A few days ago, it was announced that Kakizaki Memi of Hinatazaka46 would graduate, and Hamagishi Hiyori would go on hiatus.

Memi-chan entered Hiragana Keyaki as a member of the first generation, so we have been working together since the early days.

When I heard she was graduating, I was shocked.
Even now I still don't want to believe it.

I wanted to carefully write all about her, and there ended up being so much that it never seemed to end.


When we were rehearsing together,
And when I watched her programs, her professional consciousness seemed so strong.

When I went to see the stage play Magia Record,
I remember being moved to the bottom of my heart by the way she had memorized such a huge amount of script, and by how she went out and boldly sang and acted.

I was able to work hard together with her as a member of the same Team Blue in Zambi.

In the fight scene, she really slammed into me, but I was able to withstand it.
At that time, the straight-ahead feeling in her eyes was overpowering.

She's an extremely hard worker and so cute. I respect her.

When Hiragana Keyaki became independent as Hinatazaka,
At out last joint mini-live at a national handshake event,
We had a little wind-up party.

Through our tears, we took a photo together
I remember it still.

Nagahama Neru blog: Thank you to Memi, my precious friend

High boots,   346

Nagahama Neru
2019.06.28


Hello.

How are you!
I recently bought some cute high boots,
But bit by bit the rain has stopped.

Maybe the rainy season is over....



A few days ago, it was announced
That I have been given a graduation event:
"Giving Thanks with All My Might Day."


From little children to adults,
Women and men...as many people as possible,
I'm hoping it will be an event I can enjoy with all of you.
I'm right in the midst of thinking about all this with the entire Keyakizaka team.


I will talk about the details
When they are released!



Pre-sales to fan-club members
Have begun,
Going from today until July 1st.

Since this will be my last event,
I would be happy if you wanted to come.



Also, Memi's graduation has been announced.

Miss Memi...
Thank you for everything you've done.
You have given your all for a very long time!
To start, let's have another long soak, maybe even at a hot spring.
 
Memi
Is the precious friend
Who comes up and collapses against me to be petted.

From now on
Let's go to all kinds of places,
Look at all kinds of things,
And talk about all kinds of subjects!

Memi's graduation: Good news from Takase Mana

Memi fans' worries are much reduced today, after words from Takase Mana in her blog.

Manafi makes a point of saying Memi has spoken to her often, over a long period of time, about other things she wants to do, and about graduating in order to do them. She says that Memi will not have any regrets. 

Fans are making the implication that Memi has not suffered from any of the wilder things speculated, such as a serious illness, or being attacked by a stalker. 

We still don't know for sure why she is quitting now, as opposed to earlier or later. The change of the name and atmosphere of the group must be part of the immediate push. But the idea of graduating is not something new, and has a positive feeling behind it.

Here is the part of Manafi's 27 June blog that deals with Memi:


(...)


And the number of handshake lanes I've sold out has risen to 13!
It's still not enough
But I am truly filled with feelings of gratitude!!


In recent handshake events,
Even though there have been sad things, I have been optimistic, thinking a sad face would not do, and have faced you all with many smiles and had handshake events that were truly enjoyable, from the bottom of my heart.

A lot of things have happened in a short time
That have shaken you fans.
People have been coming to my lane crying.
It surprised Kono-chan, who was in my lane for the national handshake event. You never know how long we will be able to continue meeting, so it came strongly to me again what happiness, what a miracle it is that I can meet and talk with you all directly.

Through tears, you all told me your feelings, about me and about the group, and I came close to crying myself.
There was talk about Memi, but there were a lot of people who said how much they loved us as a combo. I thought about a lot of things, such as that if I had become more popular sooner, we could have done more together.
But I've been hearing from Memi for a long time about ways she would like to live in the future, and things she would like to try doing, and that she wanted to graduate to do them, so this is not something she will regret.

Takase Mana blog: Kakizaki Memi's graduation

Idols

Takase Mana
2019.06.22  21:55


Good evening, everyone (｡･ω･)ﾉﾞ
It's Takase Mana

Kakizaki Memi's graduation and Hamagishi Hiyori's hiatus have been announced.

Hiyo-tan
Hiyo-tan is really an honest kid, everyone's little sister, someone who sees everything around her and is kind to people.
With her continuing poor health, even when she was able to take part in activities, she sometimes had to rest. But she continued to do her very best.

Speaking personally, for Kyun she was in the position next to me and always made me laugh!
When she was not able to take part in lives or TV recording, I felt quite lonely.
With Hiyo-tan not there, we change our positioning a bit to fill the gap, and for bigger performances we make changes in our movements.
Hiyo-tan should not worry but just relax and rest, so that when she returns she will be able to perform and work even harder.
Hiyo-tan's place will be here for her whenever she returns. We'll wait for you!
Since you've decided on a hiatus, I want you to rest properly and become better, and return with your usual smiling face.

And then, Memi.

Ahh...honestly, I don't know what to write, or how.

Kakizaki Memi announces her graduation

Important announcement

Kakizaki Memi
2019.06.21  18:00h

This is Kakizaki Memi.

Today I have something to announce to everyone.

I apologize for the suddenness of this,
But with the activities for the 1st single
I will be graduating from Hinatazaka46.

Since around April I have been unable to get my mind and body in balance, and have been allowed many absences from work.

I am truly sorry for the great trouble and worry I have caused the fans who support me, the members of Hinatazaka46, and staff of various organizations.

In the time off I have received, I have thought a lot about things up to now and about the future.

With friends around me thinking about university and so on, I've been thinking about my own future,
And in thinking over my life, I have made the choice called "graduation".
I will take time from now on to think about what I will do after graduating.

I was in third-year middle school when I entered Hiragana Keyaki,
And now I'm suddenly in third-year high school.

It seems like the time has passed in a flash.
No matter what part I look at, it's packed with memories. It's like a dream.

There were fun things and bitter things. It was a tremendously important life experience.

Nagahama Neru blog: Long post about her history with Hiragana/Hinata...and Keyaki.

Hinatazaka,  338

Nagahama Neru
2019.03.26


Good evening!

Today was sunny in Tokyo!
Spring weather!
It was so nice and warm that my feelings even became calmer.


A few days ago,

I happened to come across a place that made me think:
"Hey, haven't I been here before?"

Even in Tokyo,
I've noticed that there are places that give me a nostalgic feeling.
I get a feeling that's somehow a happy sadness.

Life in Tokyo....



Tomorrow,
Hinatazaka46's debut single
Kyun comes out.


For a little while now -- no, for a really long while
I have thought of writing about this.
So when you have the time to read it....



In 2015, as a member of Hiragana Keyaki,
I became an idol.

Watanabe Miho blog: Feelings about the name-change to Hinatazaka

Acceptance and determination

Watanabe Miho
2019.02.14


Hello, everyone!
It's Watanabe Miho, of Hiragana Keyaki, now changed to Hinatazaka46.
It's a strange feeling.
I'm gradually, gradually getting used to it.
Actually, I'd already thought of changing the opening and ending of my posts.
On the 24th of this month I'll turn 19,
And I was thinking I might change them that day
But it's come a little sooner than I expected ( ᷇࿀ ᷆ )‬
And I still haven't quite decided what to make them.
I'll decide soon!
On the SHOWROOM the day before yesterday a lot of announcements were made.

At first, my head was full of a lot of things,
But after  while I calmed down and was able to think about the situation.

[Things announced on SHOWROOM]
Independent single debut!
The CD will be released on March 27 (pre-orders now!)
Orders for individual handshake events will start February 14
On https://fortunemusic.jp/ ☁︎☁︎

Mechakari tie-up
Will continue, please feel welcome
To borrow as many outfits as you like  ☜

Why did Kakizaki Memi cry when the Hiragana Keyaki to Hinatazaka name-change was announced?

On the Hiragana Keyaki SHOWROOM broadcast a couple of days ago, they announced that the group would put out its own single, would have a Debut Countdown Live concert, would have their own website and fanclub, etc. Kakizaki Memi seemed happy about all those things.

But the final surprise announcement -- unknown to the members -- was the name-change from Hiragana Keyakizaka46 to Hinatazaka46. When that announcement was made, the other members burst into cries of delight, but Memi looked desolate, almost in tears. Why?

Memi has answered that question in a couple of long Keyaki Message posts. She says that she was shocked by the announcement, and felt that all the work they had put into Hiragana might now count for nothing. She is very emotionally attached to Hiragana Keyakizaka46 -- even loves it -- and really didn't understand why a name-change was necessary.

But she says she likes the new name, which she agrees is perfect for the group's image, and will work hard to understand why the name-change had to happen.

Iguchi Mao blog -- Photos of Memi (plus video of a new Hiragana song)

Iguchi's Eye #1 -- Kakizaki Memi

Iguchi Mao
2019.02.05


As for the title,
After complete confusion about whether to call it
First Champion Burikko Kakizaki Memi,
Snow Princess Kakizaki Memi, or
Strongest Babyface Kakizaki Memi,
I ended up calling it
Iguchi's Eye #1


I thought that
Mao's photos
Might be getting same.

So I rearranged things
A bit (lol).

Memi-chan waiting.

Kakizaki Memi in bis magazine, again (with links to stores)

translated from bis magazine website 2019.01.20

Kakizaki Memi of Hiragana Keyakizaka46 makes her appearance with a selection of three trendy retro items.

Kakizaki Memi of Hiragana Keyaki introduces items of bewitching retro fashion. Items that give a plus of retro feeling to normal casual fashion.

Saitou Kyouko: Being an idol is my true vocation

Vocation

Saitou Kyouko
2019.01.29


Being an idol is absolutely a vocation for me.

It's an occupation in which I enjoy the main activities and spend each day happily.

I feel huge gratitude to the judges who passed me in the audition.

For whatever fraction of a long life, it's great that I have become an idol.

I want to be an idol from now on.

Ramen-lover Saitou Kyouko

Kakizaki Memi in fashion magazine bis (with links to shops)

translated from bis magazine website 2019.01.26

Kakizaki Memi of Hiragana Keyakizaka46 introduces girly coordinates that are both sweet and loose!

Girls are always attracted to a sweet and fluffy girly style. Ribbons, frills, lace, pastel colours, etc. Let's realize a romantic design in retro style, creating an entrancing up-to-the-minute look.
 

Keyakizaka46 shrine visit group photos -- Kanji and Hiragana -- with names

Keyakizaka46 -- Kanji and Hiragana, with all their generations -- made the group's traditional first shrine visit of the year a few days ago. It was to the Ookunitama Jinja shrine, in western Tokyo.

The visit was briefly reported on the Keyakizaka website, with more info in the manager's blog that goes out only to fanclub members in Japan.

This seemed to me a good opportunity to learn the new members a bit better, as well as to have a record of what the whole group looks like now. Group photos of Kanji, Hiragana, and of the two together.

First, Kanji Keyaki (click all images to enlarge):

back row (l-r): Inoue Rina, Tamura Hono, Seki Yumiko, Matsuda Rina, Fujiyoshi Karen, Matsudaira Riko; Oda Nana, Habu Mizuho, Koike Minami, Ishimore Nijika (with Koike's hand on her arm).

middle row: Takemoto Yui, Morita Hikaru; Uemura Rina, Watanabe Risa, Ozeki Rika, Saitou Fuyuka (leaning leftward, hair sharply parted).

front row: Satou Shiori, Hirate Yurina, Suzumoto Miyu, Nagasawa Nanako, Nagahama Neru, Watanabe Rika, Sugai Yuuka (in white jacket).

1 gens green, 2gens blue. missing: Harada Aoi, Moriya Akane, Yamasaki Ten.

Kakizaki Memi: Fan reaction to the Snow Princess blog post

There has been a lot of fan reaction to Memi's big blog post of photos of her by her sister. Twitter and 5channel have been active. Here is a selection of posts, translated from Japanese -- as well as some examples of fan-made covers for a prospective photobook.

"Kakizaki Memi suits the snow, I think. Even in that white and shining silver word, her smile is blinding" -- Nananero [Twitter nananero_n46, who made the cover]

• the blog's destructive power is awesome. I'm shaken.
• the blog has become something amazing. Thank you, Oneesan [=elder sister]. Looking at this blog post will help me bear the wait for a photobook.
• good work. I like the variation in expressions. Memi kneading the snowball...oshi
• isn't this somewhat better quality than a magazine gravure?

Kakizaki Memi blog: Lots of photos

Lots of photos  

Kakizaki Memi
2019.01.18


Good evening
It's Kakizaki Memi.

Happy New Year! 

Please be nice to me again this year! 

Keyakizaka member popularity, as measured by inclusion in Japanese Twitter profiles

One way of gauging entertainers' popularity is to count how many times members are included in Twitter profiles. If you put someone in your profile, you probably really like them.

These Keyaki numbers are generated every month or so by a poster on 5channel, who counts only Japanese Twitter.

The top names by far remain Nagahama Neru, Hirate Yurina and Watanabe Risa. But when we look at the increase from late October's count to this count on the last day of 2018, we see good news for Hiragana, too. Risa is the top gainer, but the new Hiragana centre Kosaka Nao has gained more mentions than Neru (!), second only to Risa. And the members who stand beside her now, Kakizaki Memi and Watanabe Miho, are both in the top seven gainers.

The other big gainer I see is Suzumoto Miyu, who gained the sixth-most of any member.

Here are the full lists: first by absolute numbers, then by gains over the two months.


Mentions in Twitter profiles
[★=Gana 1gen ☆=Gana 2gen]
※()in brackets=increase 10/26 to year-end

14,452 Nagahama Neru (+315)
13,749 Hirate Yurina (+284)
12,036 Watanabe Risa (+398)

*7,745 Sugai Yuuka (+196)
*7,424 Watanabe Rika (+177)
*7,114 Kobayashi Yui (+149)
*4,751 Koike Minami (+157)
*3,877 Suzumoto Miyu (+268)
*3,540 Moriya Akane (+49)
*3,418★Saitou Kyouko (+176)
*3,149 Uemura Rina (+57)

Managers being recruited for Keyakizaka

Seed & Flower, the Sony company that manages both Keyakizaka groups, has announced that it is recruiting managers for the groups.

Experience favored but not required. Monthly salary Y300,000 (just under $3000). Hours of work 11am to 7:30pm. All social insurance fees paid, two days off a week, three-month trial period, transport costs paid, annual vacation after six months' employment.

English-speakers are not the target audience here, but I have translated the recruitment call, just to let people dream. I'll talk about it more after the translation.

_________________________________________________________

• Major recruitment call for staff of quickly advancing idol groups Keyakizaka46/Hiragana Keyakizaka46!
• Seeking candidates overflowing with ambition, with or without experience, who are interested in the entertainment world, and will convey excitement to fans.
• Those who will spare no effort in dealing with people and who take careful pains in doing their work are especially welcomed.
• Management and administrative personnel are also being recruited.
• Those with experience especially welcomed.

• Large recruitment of managers for Keyakizaka46/Hiragana Keyakizaka46!
• Those with experience especially welcomed.

Kakizaki Memi blog: 2018 -- what a full year

2018

Kakizaki Memi
2018.12.31


Good evening,
It's Kakizaki Memi.

Today, 2018 is coming to an end!!!!

I wonder what kind of New Year's everyone is having...

Every year, I eat sukiyaki
I love sukiyaki, lol 


What a joy it is to fill myself with it

Kakizaki Memi: "I'll spend the winter doing as much burikko as I want"

Lots of good reaction to the new talkative Memi in last weekend's Hiragana Oshi. She and Manamo were "seeded" top burikkos and the other members took their turn trying to do burikko (pleadingly seductive) gestures, to hilarious effect.

While the others were trying their hand, Memi was next to Kasuga doing commentary. She said she was surprised how much potential Miho showed as a burikko. Lol. Me, too.

The line that got the most reaction -- almost to the point of becoming a meme -- was that this winter she would "do [burikko] as much as I want" (やり放題 yarihoudai). She thought that girls were cutest in winter, with mufflers and gloves, etc. All this she explained with a nice mix of cute, direct, and ironic.

"I'll do it as much as I want"