Sakura Gakuin
| Company type | Idol girl group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Amuse Inc. |
| Defunct | 2021-08-31 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | Japan , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
| Owner | Amuse Inc. |
Number of employees | 8 (at disbandment) (2021) |
| Parent | Amuse Inc. |
Sakura Gakuin was a Japanese idol girl group created in 2010 under the guidance of the Amuse talent agency. The ensemble featured between 10 and 12 members, all aged from 10 to 15, aligning with Japan's compulsory education years. Embracing a school life motif, the group followed an academic calendar: each year they issued a new studio album, welcomed fresh members through "transfers," and bid farewell to those "graduating" after finishing compulsory schooling every March.
Members also took part in smaller units inspired by school club activities, each showcasing unique musical genres. These sub-groups contributed tracks to the main group's albums or released singles on their own.
The collective officially ceased activities on August 31, 2021.
Concept
Functioning as a , Sakura Gakuin typically included 10 to 12 girls aged between 10 and 15 years old, corresponding to grades five through nine. The concept revolved around school life and extracurricular clubs, featuring roles such as a "principal" (), a "teacher" (), and various sub-units referred to as "clubs." Annually in mid-March, coinciding with the conclusion of the academic year, the group launched a new album followed by a concert where senior members "graduated" after completing compulsory education. Each May brought new recruits from lower grades who "transferred in" to join the lineup.
2010–2011: Formation and Message
Sakura Gakuin was launched in April 2010 by the talent agency Amuse Inc.. The members documented their experiences through handwritten journals. In August of that year, they took part in the inaugural Tokyo Idol Festival (TIF). October saw the creation of the baton-twirling sub-unit Twinklestars with seven participants; the following month, they released their debut single, "Dear Mr. Socrates," which was available exclusively at live performances. Their first independent concert occurred on November 28, 2010. On December 8, they debuted commercially with the single "Yume ni Mukatte / Hello! Ivy."
Their initial album, Sakura Gakuin 2010 Nendo: Message, was originally scheduled for release on March 23, 2011, but was postponed until April 27 due to the earthquake and tsunami on March 11. That year saw Hana Taguchi and Rinon Isono joining the group. Twinklestars announced a new single titled "Please! Please! Please!", which came out on July 6. In August, Sakura Gakuin appeared at Tokyo Idol Festival 2011. On October 23 in Tokyo, they revealed their second single, "Verishuvi," which was released on December 21 via Universal Music; its live premiere took place on November 23.
2012: Friends, establishment of sub-units, and My Generation
On February 15, 2012, Sakura Gakuin released their third single, "Tabidachi no Hi ni," which reached number six on the daily Oricon Singles Chart. In April of that year, three members—Ayami Mutō, Ayaka Miyoshi, and Airi Matsui—graduated and were succeeded by Yunano Notsu, Saki Ooga, and Mariri Sugimoto in May. During TIF 2012 in August, the group introduced a new tennis club sub-unit led by Nene Sugisaki. On September 1, they unveiled another sub-unit representing the science club called Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh Logica?, which announced its debut single "Science Girl ▽ Silence Boy" set for release on November 21. Additionally, on October 6, Babymetal declared their major label debut with "Ijime, Dame, Zettai" planned for January 9, 2013.
2013–2015: Updated Image, Kizuna, and Kimi ni Todoke
On February 27, 2013, Sakura Gakuin unveiled their fifth single, "My Graduation Toss," followed by their third studio album, My Generation, released on March 13. The graduation ceremony for Suzuka Nakamoto and Mariri Sugimoto took place at Tokyo International Forum on March 31 as part of the 2012 graduation concert.
The new academic year commenced on May 5, 2013, at Shibuya Cultural Center Owada, introducing two fresh members and a beige-colored uniform. Their track "Ganbare!!" achieved a peak position of number 6 on the Oricon Weekly Chart. On February 12, 2014, the seventh single "Jump Up (Chiisana Yūki)" and the fourth DVD Sakura Gakuin Festival 2013: Live Edition were released. The Road to Graduation 2013 Final event at Shibuya Public Hall marked the graduation of Marina Horiuchi, Raura Iida, Nene Sugisaki, and Hinata Satō, the last of the original lineup.
In May 2014, the group expanded to ten members with the addition of Sara Kurashima and Megumi Okada. The graduation concert held in March 2015 saw the departure of Moa Kikuchi, Yui Mizuno, Hana Taguchi, and Yunano Notsu. Subsequently, six new members joined on May 6, bringing total membership to twelve. Rinon Isono assumed the role of fifth Student Council President; Saki Ooga was appointed Education Chairman; and Saki Shirai took on the position of third Talk Chairman.
2016–2019: Kirameki no Kakera, Yakusoku, My Road, Life Iro Asenai Hibi, and Story
March 2016 marked the graduation of Saki Ooga, Saki Shirai, and Rinon Isono. In May, Momoe Mori, Tsugumi Aritomo, and Yuzumi Shintani joined the ensemble. The group transitioned from beige to gray uniforms while promoting Sara Kurashima to class president, Aiko Yamaide to vice president, and Mirena Kurosawa to MC chairman. After Sara and Mirena's departure in March 2017, Miku Tanaka and Miki Yagi were inducted in May. Leadership roles were reassigned with Aiko as class president; Megumi Okada as talk chairman; Momoko Okazaki as perseverance chairman; and Maaya Asō as Education Chairman. The graduation ceremony for Aiko, Megumi, and Momoko was held at Nakano Sun Plaza on March 24, 2018.
In May 2018, Sana Shiratori, Kokona Nonaka, and Yume Nozaki became new members. Leadership appointments included Yuzumi Shintani as class president; Maaya Asō as talk chairman; Marin Hidaka as breakthrough chairman; Kano Fujihira as performance chairman; and Soyoka Yoshida as education chairman.
On March 30, 2019, Maaya Asō, Marin Hidaka, and Yuzumi Shintani graduated. The group adopted deep blue uniforms replacing gray. New members Neo Sato, Miko Todaka, and Sakia Kimura joined in May. Kano Fujihira was named class president; Soyoka Yoshida took on perseverance chairman; Tsugumi Aritomo became breakthrough chairman; and Momoe Mori was appointed talk chairman. During the Sakura Gakuin Festival encore on October 19, 2019, @onefive members debuted their performance of "Pinky Promise."
The graduation concert initially planned for March 29, 2020—marking the exit of Kano Fujihira, Soyoka Yoshida, Tsugumi Aritomo, and Momoe Mori—was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately canceled. Instead, a virtual-only graduation ceremony was conducted on August 30.
2020–2021: Tenth Anniversary and Disbandment
On September 1, 2020, Sakura Gakuin declared its continuation as an eight-member unit until its disbandment scheduled for August 31, 2021. All remaining members held student council positions with Kokona Nonaka serving as the tenth and final Student Council President. Other significant roles included Sana Shiratori as Talk Chairman; Miki Yagi as third vice-president; Miku Tanaka as second spirit chairman; Yume Nozaki as first PR chairman; Neo Sato as fourth education chairman; Miko Todaka as third performance chairman; and Sakia Kimura appointed first "reckless" chairman—the youngest ever to hold this title. The group commemorated its tenth anniversary with an online concert titled 10th Anniversary Sakura Gakuin 2020: The Days on June 5, 2021. Their concluding live performance took place at Nakano Sun Plaza on August 29 before officially disbanding two days later.
Members
Sakura Gakuin utilized a membership rotation system that corresponded with the academic stages of elementary and junior high school in Japan. Upon finishing their third year of junior high, members officially graduated from the group, a transition commemorated by a graduation event held near the conclusion of the school year.
At the time of disbandment, the ensemble consisted of eight members:
| Name | Date of birth | Prefecture of origin |
Grade in year of disbandment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sana Shiratori (白鳥 沙南) | June 20, 2005 | Kumamoto | Junior high year 3 | 7th Talk Chairperson |
| Kokona Nonaka (野中 ここな) | January 28, 2006 | Nagasaki | Junior high year 3 | 10th Student Council President |
| Miku Tanaka (田中 美空) | June 18, 2006 | Ōita | Junior high year 2 | 2nd Spirit Chairperson |
| Miki Yagi (八木 美樹) | December 11, 2006 | Osaka | Junior high year 2 | 3rd Student Council Vice-President |
| Neo Satō (佐藤 愛桜) | December 1, 2006 | Saga | Junior high year 2 | 4th Education Chairperson |
| Miko Todaka (戸高 美湖) | August 14, 2006 | Hiroshima | Junior high year 2 | 3rd Performance Chairperson |
| Yume Nozaki (野崎 結愛) | November 15, 2007 | Aichi | Junior high year 1 | 1st PR Chairperson |
| Sakia Kimura (木村 咲愛) | February 20, 2009 | Tokyo | Elementary school year 6 | 1st Reckless Chairperson |
Past members
Individuals who depart from Sakura Gakuin do so after completing their ninth grade studies, officially recognized as having "graduated" from the group.
Template:Birth date and age 1998 12 23 | Kanagawa Prefecture | Mood chairman (2013) | {{nihongo Moa Kikuchi 菊地 最愛}} | Template:Birth date and age 1999 07 04 | Aichi | Fourth student council president (2014) | {{nihongo Yui Mizuno 水野 由結 }} | Template:Birth date and age 1999 06 20 | Kanagawa | Production chairman (2014) | Template:Nihongo Hana Taguchi 田口 華 | Template:Birth date and age 2000 03 04 | Nagano Prefecture | Spirit ("kiai") chairman (2014) | Template:Nihongo Yunano Notsu 野津 友那乃 | Template:Birth date and age 1999 12 14 | Tokyo | Talk chairman (2014)Stage name Yunano Honjyō | Template:Nihongo Rinon Isono 磯野 莉音 | Template:Birth date and age 2000 11 16 | Kanagawa | Fifth student council president (2015) | Template:Nihongo "Saki Ooga" 大賀 咲希 | Template:Birth date and age 2000 04 11 | Tokyo | Education chairman (2015) | Template:Nihongo "Saki Shirai" 白井 沙樹 | Template:Birth date and age 2000 09 28 | Niigata Prefecture | Talk chairman (2015) | Template:Nihongo "Sara Kurashima" 倉島 颯良 | Template:Birth date and age 2002 02 24 | Ibaraki | Sixth student council president (2016) | {{nihongo Mirena Kurosawa 黒澤 美澪奈 }} | Template:Birth date and age 2001 05 22 | Tokyo | MC chairman (2016) | Template:Nihongo Aiko Yamaide 山出 愛子 | Template:Birth date and age 2002 12 01 | Kagoshima Prefecture| Seventh student council president (2017)
Second vice president (2016)| Template:Nihongo Megumi Okada 岡田 愛| Template:Birth date and age 2002 04 04| Aichi| Talk chairman (2017)| {{nihongo Momoko Okazaki 岡崎 百々子 }}| Template:Birth date and age2003-03-03| Kanagawa| Perseverance ("ganbare") chairman (2017)| Template:Nihongo Maaya Asō 麻生 真彩| Template:Birth date and age2003-11-04| Kanagawa| Talk chairman(2018)
Education chairman(2017)| Template:Nihongo Marin Hidaka 日髙 麻鈴| Template:Birth date and age2003-12-01| Kanagawa| Breakthrough ("hamidase") chairman(2018)| Template:Nihongo Yuzumi Shintani 新谷 ゆづみ| Template:Birth date and age2003-07-20| Wakayama Prefecture| Eighth student council president(2018)| {{nihongo Kano Fujihira 藤平 華乃}}| Template:Birth date and age2004-08-28| Chiba Prefecture| Ninth student council president(2019)
Performance chairman(2018)| {{nihongo Soyoka Yoshida 吉田 爽葉香}}| Template:Birth date and age2004-06-14| Osaka| Perseverance ("ganbare") chairman(2019)
Education chairman(2018)| {{nihongo Tsugumi Aritomo 有友 緒心}}| Template:Birth date and age2004-09-07| Chiba| Breakthrough ("hamidase") chairman(2019)| {{nihongo Momoe Mori 森 萌々穂}}| Template:Birth date and age2004-12-08| Tokyo| Talk chairman(2019)|
| Graduation date | Name | Date of birth | Prefecture of origin |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2012 | Ayami Mutō (武藤 彩未) | April 29, 1996 | Ibaraki Prefecture | First student council president (2010-2011) Former member of Karen Girl's |
| Airi Matsui (松井 愛莉) | December 26, 1996 | Fukushima Prefecture | ||
| Ayaka Miyoshi (三吉 彩花) | June 18, 1996 | Saitama Prefecture | ||
| March 31, 2013 | Suzuka Nakamoto (中元 すず香) | December 20, 1997 | Hiroshima | Second student council president (2012) Former member of Karen Girl's |
| Mariri Sugimoto (杉本 愛莉鈴) | August 4, 2000 | Hiroshima | Departed following elementary school instead of continuing into junior high | |
| March 30, 2014 | Marina Horiuchi (堀内 まり菜) | April 29, 1998 | Tokyo | Third student council president (2013) First vice president (2012) |
| Raura Iida (飯田 來麗) | April 9, 1998 | Tokyo | Performance chairman (2013) | |
| Nene Sugisaki (杉﨑 寧々) | May 8, 1998 | Ibaraki
|- |- |
Sub-groups
The sub-groups within the ensemble served as supplementary activities, each characterized by unique concepts and musical styles. For example, the Heavy Music Club Babymetal fused J-pop with heavy metal and showcased Gothic Lolita costumes; the Go Home Club Sleepiece performed in sleepwear accompanied by gentle dance routines; and the Science Club Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh Logica?, whose members donned lab coats, sought to captivate listeners through science-inspired themes.
Following lead vocalist Suzuka Nakamoto's graduation in 2013, Babymetal was established as a standalone band.[1]
| Club[2] | Sub-group name | Members by nendo | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Club (バトン部, Baton-bu) | Twinklestars | 2010–2011 | Ayami, Raura, Marina, Nene, Hinata, Yui, Moa | |||||||||||
| 2014 | Yui, Moa, Yunano, Sara, Aiko | |||||||||||||
| Heavy Music Club (重音部, Jūon-bu) | Babymetal | 2010–2013 | Suzuka (leader), Yui, Moa | |||||||||||
| Cooking Club (クッキング部, Kukkingu-bu) | Mini-Pati (ミニパティ) | 2010 | Raura (pink), Marina (yellow), Nene (green) | |||||||||||
| 2011–2014 | Hana (pink), Yui (yellow), Moa (green) | |||||||||||||
| 2015–2017[3] | Aiko (pink), Momoko (yellow), Marin (green) | |||||||||||||
| Go Home Club (帰宅部, Kitaku-bu) | Sleepiece | 2010–2013 | Raura (pink), Marina (yellow), Nene (green) | |||||||||||
| 2015 | Maaya (pink), Saki Ooga (yellow), Mirena (green) | |||||||||||||
| 2016 | Maaya (pink), Kano (yellow), Mirena (blue) | |||||||||||||
| Newspaper Club (新聞部, Shinbun-bu) | Scoopers | 2010–2011 | Ayaka, Airi | |||||||||||
| Tennis Club (テニス部, Tenisu-bu) | Pastel Wind | 2012 | Nene (leader), Hana, Yunano, Marina |
- |
2013 | Nene (leader), Hana, Yunano, Saki Ooga | ||||||||
| Science Club (科学部, Kagaku-bu) | Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh Logica? (科学究明機構ロヂカ？) |
2012–2013 ("Ver. 1.0") | Marina (leader), Hinata, Rinon | |||||||||||
| 2015 ("Ver 1.2") | Rinon (leader), Sara, Megumi | |||||||||||||
| 2016 ("Ver 2.0") | Sara (leader), Megumi, Momoko | |||||||||||||
| Pro-wrestling Fan Club (プロレス同好会, Puroresu dōkō-kai) | Pro-Wrestling Circle | 2014 | Hana, Rinon | |||||||||||
| Purchasing Club (購買部, Kōbai-bu) | Kōbaibu | 2014 | Yunano, Saki Shirai |
- |
2015 | Saki Shirai, Soyoka |
- |
2016–2019 | Soyoka, Tsugumi |
- |
Art Club (美術部, Bijutsu-bu) | Art Performance Unit Trico Dolls[lower-alpha 1] | 2018 | Momoe (leader), Yuzumi, Yume |
Unofficial lineups
There have been multiple occasions when sub-units performed with non-official lineups or when unofficial sub-units participated in group events. Notable instances include:
| Date | Sub-unit | Song | Lineup | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 24, 2012 | Babymetal | Doki Doki Morning | Marina (lead), Ayaka, Airi | Concert shuffle segment |
| Sleepiece | Medaka no Kyōdai | Moa, Yui, Rinon | ||
| Mini-Pati | Princess a la Mode | Ayami, Suzuka, Hinata | ||
| Scoopers | Brand New Day | Raura, Nene, Hana | ||
| October 26–27, 2012 | Mariri, Saki Ooga | Sakura Gakuin Festival 2012 | ||
| December 8, 2013 | Twinklestars | Dear Mr. Socrates | Marina, Raura, Nene, Hinata, Moa, Yui, Yunano | 3rd Anniversary Concert |
| Babymetal | Doki Doki Morning | Hana (lead), Saki Ooga, Aiko | ||
| Sleepiece | Medaka no Kyōdai | Hinata, Moa, Yui | ||
| M&M[lower-alpha 2] | Interstellar Fight | Marina, Moa | ||
| Hana o Pun | ||||
| Funky Sakura Babys[lower-alpha 2] | Runway Beat | Raura, Yui, Rinon | ||
| December 7, 2014 | Scoopers | Brand New Day | Yui, Rinon | 2014 Shuffle Night event |
| sleepiece | Suimin Busoku | Yunano, Saki Ooga, Saki Shirai | ||
| Pastel Wind | Yosōijō no Smash | Moa, Yui, Rinon, Aiko | ||
| Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh Logica? | "Science Girl, Silence Boy" | Hana, Yunano, Sara | ||
| Black Babymetal[lower-alpha 3] | "Onedari Daisakusen"[lower-alpha 4] | Aiko, Megumi | ||
| October 9, 2017 | Pastel Wind | "Scoreboard ni Love ga Aru" | "Maaya, Aiko, Tsugumi Aritomo, Momoe Mori"[lower-alpha 5] | "2017 After School Anthology/Shuffle Night" |
| "Scoopers" | "Brand New Day" | "Megumi, Momoko" | ||
| "Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh Logica?" | "Welcome to My Computer" | "Aiko, Marin, Yuzumi" | ||
| "Babymetal" | "Gimme Chocolate!!"[lower-alpha 6] | "Maaya, Marin, Kano Fujihira"[lower-alpha 7] | ||
| "March 30, 2019" | "Sleepiece" | "Suimin Busoku/Medaka no Kyōdai (mashup)" | "Final graduation performance of Maaya (member from Sleepiece during 2015-2016)" | |
| "October 19–20, 2019" | "@onefive"[lower-alpha 2] | "Pinky Promise" | "Kano, Soyoka Yoshida, Tsugumi, Momoe" | "Debut of @onefive at Sakura Gakuin Festival" |
| July 31, 2020" | "Trico Dolls" | "C'est la Vie" | "Kokona, Neo, Yume" | "2020 Hōkago Anthology event" |
| "Pro-Wrestling Circle" | "Spin in the Wind" | "Miki, Miko" | ||
| "Various dates 2020–2021" | "Kōbaibu" | "Akindo Soul" | "Miki, Neo" | "Used as a platform for merchandise promotion; not officially recognized as a sub-unit." |
Discography
- Sakura Gakuin 2010 Nendo: Message (2011)
- Sakura Gakuin 2011 Nendo: Friends (2012)
- Sakura Gakuin 2012 Nendo: My Generation (2013)
- Sakura Gakuin 2013 Nendo: Kizuna (2014)
- Sakura Gakuin 2014 Nendo: Kimi ni Todoke (2015)
- Sakura Gakuin 2015 Nendo: Kirameki no Kakera (2016)
- Sakura Gakuin 2016 Nendo: Yakusoku (2017)
- Sakura Gakuin 2017 Nendo: My Road (2018)
- Sakura Gakuin 2018 Nendo: Life Iro Asenai Hibi (2019)
- Sakura Gakuin 2019 Nendo: Story (2020)
- Sakura Gakuin 2020 Nendo: Thank You (2021)
External links
- ↑ Although Babymetal separated from Sakura Gakuin, they continued their performances independently. Yui Mizuno stayed until 2018, after which temporary "Avenger" members took over until 2023 when former member Momoko Okazaki officially joined.
- ↑ Source: さくら学院 – 部活動紹介 | Amuse, Inc.
- ↑ Live report: さくら学院卒業式 - Natasha, Inc.
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- Sakura Gakuin
- Japanese pop music groups
- Japanese girl groups
- Japanese idol groups
- Japanese-language singers
- Musical groups established in 2010
- 2010 establishments in Japan
- Universal Music Japan artists
- Child musical groups
- Musical groups from Tokyo
- Fictional schools
- Amuse Inc. artists
- 2021 disestablishments in Japan
- Musical groups disestablished in 2021