Generation 3rd Gen Thread

Sakurazaka46 3rd Generation​

All rights to Seed&Flower​

Members:
Ishimori Rika (石森璃花) - Jan. 13, 2002 / Gunma
Endo Riko (遠藤理子) - Jan. 09, 2006 / Saitama
Odakura Reina (小田倉麗奈) - Jul. 25, 2004 / Tokyo
Kojima Nagisa (小島凪紗) - Jul. 07, 2005 / Nagano
Taniguchi Airi (谷口愛季) - Apr. 12, 2005 / Yamaguchi
Nakashima Yuzuki (中嶋優月) - Feb. 17, 2003 / Fukuoka
Matono Mio (的野美青) - Nov. 08, 2006 / Fukuoka
Mukai Itoha (向井純葉) - May 09, 2006 / Hiroshima
Murai Yu (村井優) - Aug. 18, 2004 / Tokyo
Murayama Miu (村山美羽) - Feb. 15, 2005 / Tokyo
Yamashita Shizuki (山下瞳月) Jan. 22, 2005 / Kyoto

Short History:
- Auditions were held from July to December 2022
- 9 out of 11 members were introduced from January 6th to 15th, 2023
- The two remaining members were introduced on March 1st and 2nd (academic reasons)

Generation Songs:
- Natsu no Chikamichi (Sakurazuki) Center: Taniguchi Airi
- Shijima no Bōryoku (Start over!) Center: Yamashita Shizuki
- Anthem time (Start over!) - Center: ???

Links: Stage48 3rd Gen Wiki / Sakurazaka46 Website (Member Page)

 

Since the Generation Threads are well received in other group's thread's, I decided to open one for our lovely 3rd gen as well.

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Small cross post - as @ukifune posted in the S46/K46 News thread on saturday, Nagisa, Shizuki & Mio promoted (and played) the recently released SakuKoi mobile game. Please watch it.^^

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

The game hasn't officially been released yet, and this was a first playthrough. They were adorable though owo

 

This thread could be a good idea. Maybe my series of posts about the 3gen Showrooms should have gone here. Here's the final Showroom, an outstanding one by Yamashita Shizuki which cemented her turn-around in my esteem: not only is she a great performer, she's a great personality, too.

The thread may be a good idea, for posts about multiple members, but shouldn't it be on the "General" board? Not on the "News and Releases" board.

 

@ukifune In Nogi's, but especially in AKB's thread - the Gen-threads are used quite frequently. I like them, because they, as you said, prevent from multi-posting in the member section, but also collect info about one specific generation unlike the main discussion thread. (I'm surprised it wasn't created when the auditions were announced)

 

3rd Gen members will take part in the 'TGC Special LIVE Performance Stage' at the event finale of IDOL RUNWAY COLLECTION to be held in Yoyogi, Tokyo on 8/7:
https://crea.bunshun.jp/ud/pressrelease/64b674cf760b060baf00000b

 

Supposed to be shown live at 2:30pm Monday (Tokyo time) on TikTok live ("LIVE" in left column). Not sure if this is available overseas.

 

People are reporting on Twitter that Nogizaka captain Umezawa Minami writes in her talk that she loves Seijaku no Bouryoku and listens to it every day, impressed with the polish of the 3gens.

 

Good performance! (thx for the video)
I hope the girls keep working on heir stamina, I was tired on their behalf way before BAN started lol

I didn't know Umezawa is the current Nogi Captain. Best of luck to her! I agree with her... 3kis are growing fast and strong

I haven't checked her thread yet.. did Miu cut her hair?

 

I see the comment repeated that management is really doing a job these days. Here's another example: 3gens featured by BLT mag both on the cover and in the magazine:



"Sakurazaka46 3rd Generation: 11 people's identity" and lists the names of all eleven.

 

The 3gens' Sunday performance has shown up on line. Wonderful concert. Over 1.5 hours of intense performance. What a group. First time at centre for Miu and for Itoha, as far as I know.

Newcomers LIVE at THEATER MILANO
2023.11.12 18:00～
Sakurazaka 3Gens

Pre-show offstage announcements
Ishimori, Yamashita

SET LIST
Overture
① Natsu no Chikamichi (Taniguchi)
② Anthem time (Nakashima)
MC
③ Omotta yorimo Sabishikunai (Matono)
④ Sore ga Ai na no ne (Yamashita)
⑤ Kimi to Boku to Sentakumono (Mukai)
Dance Track
⑥ Guuzen no Kotae (Taniguchi)
⑦ Blue Moon Kiss (Murai)
⑧ Sakurazuki (Odakura)
MC (Ishimori, Endou, Odakura, Kojima, Nakashima)
Dance Track
⑨ Nobody’s fault (Murai)
⑩ Naze Koi wo Shite Konakattan Darou? (Matono)
⑪ Hanshin Hangi (Murayama)
MC (Taniguchi, Matono, Mukai, Murai, Murayama, Yamashita)
⑫ Seijaku no Bouryoku (Yamashita)
⑬ Dead end (Murai)
⑭ BAN (Ishimori)
⑮ Mamoribito (Kojima)

ENCORE
⑯ Buddies (Nakashima)
MC (all)
⑰ Sakurazaka no Uta

View from the stage:


I'm not sure, but I suspect the block of empty seats at the left of the first balcony was for special guests (e.g., 1-2 gen members) who would come in after the lights went down. This image is from just before the concert started.

From my reading of forum rules, it is legitimate for me to say you can find the show on bilibili.com. Also on aidoru-online.me

The dependable Murai centred three songs. Taniguchi, Yamashita, Matono and Nakashima had two each. First time at centre for Miu, Itoha and Odakura (I believe). Taniguchi did Karin's Guuzen no Kotae, and Matono did her Naze Koi (complete with cat's-cradle strings).

 

The repeat delivery is on 17 Nov on Zaiko for those who are still interested in showing support. Tickets for the 2 Dec live are also out.

I wonder if they have different setlists for the different days? I really hope that it wouldn't be the same songs and centers throughout.

I'm a bit disappointed that Ishimori only centered Ban which was something she had been doing since the training camp. I was hoping she would try her hand at something new. Or perhaps she did but we just did not get the chance to see it (as per my earlier question.)

Endo did not center any song this time so I kind of felt bad for her. I did get a feeling while watching that she was not comfortable with some of the non-3rdgen songs for some reason.

Kojima was under-utilised I feel but of course it would be hard for everyone to get the chance to center 2 songs.

Itoha was crying while singing Mamoribito (at the later parts)? My heart went out to her and I was moved by the whole performance of the song. Her performances throughout the live caught my eye too.
Odakura didn't perform Seijaku and Mamoribito though. I hope she didn't injure herself during one of the earlier songs (but she was there for Dead End!).

Matono was interesting during the live. When the camera focused on her during her non-singing parts at some parts, she looked so serious. Her deep voice also caught me off guard haha.

Murai's Blue Moon Kiss was a different flavour in a good way haha.

Yamashita was like a steady rock throughout. So too were many of the others. Really think this gen is dependable and talented.

 

Itoha's naturalness and emotion always strike me. She seems crazy, a bit uncontrolled, but also seems to work so hard and to put herself on the line. I am beginning to see hints of Miu's intense dancing from her.

Matono is clearly a future star, but quite opposite to Itoha: controlled, thoughtful, less extraverted, it appears. They have appeared together on radio, with nice results.

Yamashita is such a rock, and such an expert dancer. Her moves are clean and sharp. She can convey emotion, but she can also give the camera a little wink. In her thread, I've posed some more pics from her recent cover gravure in BLT magazine.

I personally keep expecting Enrico to break out as a star, but she is still growing. We know she can sing. Her dancing is coming along. And as expressed in last Sunday's SokoSaku, she is a sharper personality than her image suggests. And I like that.

I too wonder if they do different songs in different performances. Seems like a good idea, for training and for testing, if nothing else.

 

What a great performance, I can't wait to see the next one!
And yes, of course they are still more confortable with their own songs, but it's good to see how much they are growing following their senpai steps.

My signature is a little wild lately, with Itoha going up thanks to the last subbed episodes of SokuSaku and Mio just taking place in that surpring soft spot I have for her, and now this! Yet, no matter what I think of each of them individually, as a group they are out of ths world.
The weaknes of one is compensated by the strength of the other and the same goes for their talents, their skills and personalities.
3kis together are still beautiful like they have been since that first episode of the documentary.

I took a lot of notes whatching the performance, and the only real complaint I have is about the stage. I have no idea about Nogi and Hinata songs, but Sakura's are better suited for bigger stage in my opinion.

Other than this, everything else looked great, eve Buddies, though I expected (for whatever reason) to see more women there.
In short about the girls:

Rika: For me this is her best BAN so far and I'm not disappointed staff keeps giving it to her. Every time she perfoms it, it's a little more polished, a little better, so... I'm quite satisfied. She also looked at ease from start to finish (Reina and her have this magic way to not look tired at all) and it seems to me her expressions got better.

Riko: Like @JaeRoler said, she looked a bit lost with some song, but the next moment she was back smiling and giving everything so.... I think it's only matter of time before she gets her fair share of stage lights and surprise us once again.

Reina: I never saw any idol perform for 2 hours and don't sweat even a bit. But I suppose this is part of Reina-sama charm lol. Probably Reina was the one I was more curious to see, because when it comes to dancing she seems always a bit behind; but I'm pleased to see her growing too and, more important, that no one is really left behind in this group, no matter how good the best dancers are. Also, since BlueMoon Kiss became one of my favorite songs if sang by Renaa, I would have loved to see it centered by Reina. Sakurazuki performance made me appreciate a regal Reina, Renaa is more a "girl next door who makes your heart go kyun"...but both work, so I'm looking forward to see her challenge Renaa spot in my ranks.

Nagisa: I'll never stop worry about Konnagi. It seems to me she gets lost during all the performance, only to explode in Mamoribito, which I love drammatically. I hope she'll be given something more YAY to perform, because it seems to me she would do really good with a song made to cheer people up.

Airi: What to say I haven't already said? She's so "there" the only one who could stop her is herself.

Yuzuki: Since I'm completely and unshamedly biased, I loved everything about Yuzu, even her mistakes lol and her tears, and her dance, which can still be improved, and even her voice.. well, I think she needs to get better at singing, but her talking voice is perfect. Beautiful and expressive.

Mio: Everytime I watch her, I'm torn between LOL and COOL!!! I kind of adore her in the same way one can adore a puppy, but I expect A LOT from her. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I hope they'll give her jobs like modeling or acting. I look forward to it. (We also share a starcrush on Pon so, how I could not like her? lol)

Itoha: Like I said she's growing on me, when she laughs and when she cries, I laugh and I cry too lol And she got better on stage for sure. Also, she catched my eyes even when the camera wasn't focused on her and this is great for a performer.

Yuu: I love her dancing. Probably she is not the best dancer of the group, but she is surely part of the best ones. It seems to me she lacks the dramaticity Shizuki or Miu fill their dancing with, but I like her because of this. I loved Techi on stage because she put everything and more in her performance. Watching Yuu dance, enjoing her, is like getting free of my own weight. She's like a fresh breeze. Lighter and fast, and happy. I really enjoy watching her dance. (Even so, BlueMoon Kiss belong to Renaa still lol)

Miu: ehh on stage Miu looks like a woman where the others are still girls, older ones included. She's an amazing performer and she's even getting better at talking, so.. maybe a center is not that far away from her future. If I was mngmnt, after this performance, I would give her the chance.

Shizuki: last but first in the hearts of many! I never hid the fact I have never been particularly taken by her and it's still the same. The tsundere part is a bit out of my zone, I guess. This said, there's no doubt Shizuki is the best dancer of the group right now and mngmnt chose well pushing her forward.

It was a while since last time I wrote so much here, but 3kis made it worth.
I'm still very glad they were chosen to be part of Sakura and I probably will always feel like this.

 

I must say, Murai going all doe-eyed during Blue Moon Kiss made my heart flutter a bit.

 

Airi and Shizuki dancing Shounin Yokkyuu in Sakurazakas recent YT short

if the video does not show watch the video here

EDIT: Yuzuki and Yu

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

I finally watched our 3rd gens performance at Shinzanmono at Milano Theater. Three times. One after the next. It's been a blast. I don't remember getting more excitement out of a Sakurazaka performence before. Ever, with the exception of that very first 2017 Keyaki Republic.

And don't rush forward proclaiming that it was the final "surprise" song from the Keyaki repertoire (for which so many times in these forums I was making a big fuss that it should not be abandoned). No, it was something that permeated this concert from beginning to end, something non-stop, persistent that covered and tainted everything.

What made this concert really unique, the best I've seen so far, it was...

Spoiler: PASSION

I've never felt so much passion overflowing from any idol group before. Even from Keyaki of the past. Even from those 2 hectic and hugely amazing "Backs Live" where girls excluded from Sakura 8 had so much to prove - and did! Sakura 3rd gens have proved to me today that they mean indeed serious business!

First of all compared to the other sister "newcomers" and despite they are the freshest of the three, they were by far so much ahead! Even compared to the so much glorified Nogizaka 5th gen with their huge experience and exposure amassed from almost 2 seasons of Star Tanjou and much more performances (which by the way had a very interesting Shinzanmono presence). In this point we have to give proper respect to Takahiro Sensei and his choreographies that although hard and chaotic have turned these 11 girls into real monsters compared to the other "newcomers". I don't mean to say that Sakura 3rd gen is more talented. No. I simply say that if the 12 new Hinatas or the 11 new Nogis had the chance to "grow in idolhood" bathed in the "waters of the Takahiro dancing river" they would show similar results. Indeed, a very significant part of what Keyaki was than and Sakura is now, are because of the "touch" of Takahiro sensei...

There is so much I want to put down in writing, so much emotion that chokes me, that even an essay won't do. So I'll try to restrict myself to the very top of my personal highlights (as all of this concert was a highlight by itself)...

The first part (Natsu no Chikamichi until Microscope) the happy, light, girly part set the mood for a perfect concert and the girls seemed happy, most of them relaxed and confident.
- My highlights were Mio's husky rap (she is such an adorable young brat) and my second oshi Rika who was such a soothing angel when performing Microscope...

With the second part after the dance track (Guuzen, Blue Moon, Samidareyo) things started getting more serious. The happy, girly mood gave its place to a colorful palette of female emotions, innocent, spicy, romantic but full of womanhood. The overal image of the group gave me the impression of molecules getting closer to each other turning gas into liquid. This group of girls are working so perfectly with one another, like a well-tuned machine.
- My highlight was Yu-chan's edition of "oh, Kissu-chatta" and "Konna-ni suki" both followed with a small, perky, awkward giggle!

The third and final part after the second dance track (Nobofa, until Mamoribito) was the serious part. Liquid solidified into hot metal giving the impression that the more songs the girls performed the more energy they piled-up, the more fierce they became. No exhaustion, only fire. They were so much set on fire! Highlights are too many.

- Murai, once again pulled all the team into an unforgettable Nobofa, proving she is the technical ace dancer of the group.
- Mio made me laugh so much after being tangled in the strings during "Naze koi". The whole scene was so surreal as if that poor girl was entangled in cob-webs, that it was on repeat several times and the laugh was uncontrollable... I'm sure she left the venue at night with a piece of string still tangled on her. BUT she proved how cool she is by letting this go and carrying on with the song and a smile on her pretty face as if nothing had happened. Such a perfect young professional!
- My queen gave me the best Hanshin Hangi I've ever watched. Miu is such an imposing dancer. While not technical as Yu or talented like Shii-chan, this girl's moves are grandiose, crisp and strong, while her posture and face are transforming her into the lioness she really is. Such an amazing presence! And when the dance is over, she's back again, that dorky laugh at the end of her MC part was pure gold!
- Seijaku was the religious moment of the concert. It is was the song that brought some girls into tears, tears that were multiplied as we moved towards the end of the concert. The moment of silence (no whisper, no penlights from the audience) was simply AWESOME. I don't recall such a moment in any idol event before.
- At last they threw the baby into the ocean! And the tiny fighter survived and delivered! Speaking about Riko and her performance on the demonically chaotic Nagaredama, one of the big highlights IMO.
- Of course BAN, which has become a staple for the 3rd gens and my beloved Rika.
- And finally Konnagi (with her amazingly cute eyes, the eyes that laugh even when in tears, the eyes that are always moving, reflecting the spirit and sparkle of that smart and sensitive girl) and her Mamoribito, another religious moment of goosebumps.

The encore (Buddies and Sakurazaka no Uta) put me into thoughts as to why the girls are so emotionally on edge. Rika was clearly weeping... It could have been from the emotional stress, the immense effort to deliver an impeccable performance, or the way the fans were showing their love and admiration (or all of these)...

But it was the second encore: Nobody could expect to see the girls (my Miu at the front) all dressed in Keyaki uniforms, announce that they will honour their departing senpais with "Kataru nara...". Miu, Shii-chan and all the girls grabbed and pulled out a piece of their soul and offered that to all of us, old Keyaki and new Sakura fans. For me it was a moment of exaltation, a moment when finally I felt the spell is gone and that the "Keepers" or the "Guardians" (mamoribito) are here to keep the legends alive!

Because at that moment I realized that Rika was weeping knowing that she WILL perform one of the songs of her middle-school memories, one of the songs of her BELOVED group (remember that 46 on her basketball uniform?), Miu was overwhelmed for a similar reason, all the girls (even those who were not following Keyaki) at these magical 4 minutes, realized how heavy that uniform was, how heavy it is to be a "Keeper" but also how amazingly GREAT!

I have to say I was impressed by the possessed audience and how fiercely thay were reacting to the performance. The venue was the only weak spot (as my impression was that it wasn't the best acoustically - too much echo), however it was ideal for a more intimate experience.

Finally I have to give proper kudos to the lighting that although spartan worked miracles in creating a somber atmosphere when needed and of course camerawork and the amazingly well-timed and executed close-ups to all girls that captured every emotion. I think we all enjoyed their pretty faces so much this time...

 

Well, if according to Rod Stewart, even the President needs PASSION, why not our 3rd gen girls?

But seriously, I'm glad management picked the right girls for this wonderful 3rd gen. And yes, they are showing us they are passionate about their performances. Sakurazaka is in good hands.