Single Sakurazaka46 11th [UDAGAWA GENERATION] (2025/02/19)

Yeah, Run was incredible in the MV but Rena really stole the show!! Absolutely radiant throughout! The fragile boxes was weird but cool haha and I loved the ending choreography where we got to see the backs members a little closer. I had forgotten Rika made it into senbatsu so seeing her in that part was a welcome surprise. Itoha looked like the literal sun with that smile! Takahiro really did not let up with the choreography, insane from start to finish, I can only hope when they perform this in concerts they have a little break segment before moving into a slower song haha, girlies need a break. The MV might seem 'cheaper' than the others but that's mostly down to the way it felt like a minimal shot MV and in one setting, essentially a glorified dance mv. However this type of camerawork is expensive and the OUTFITS???? I know the designers put their blood sweat and tears into each garment, that probably took a good chunk of the budget lol

Overall not my favourite A-side as a song, but MV carries it hard and put this one into the top 4 A-sides for me

 

Excellent MV. Very enjoyable. But I had trouble recognizing people in all parts of the video.

Hikaru was outstanding. I look forward to her cartwheel in live performances, lol.

Rin was Rin. Outstanding in a simple, graceful way. Still a bit blonde, though she has been pulling back on that, it seems to me. Airi really struck me, too. Better and better. Sharper and sharper (from watching Shii-chan?).

Udagawa-cho 宇田川町 is the sub-district of Shibuya, Tokyo, heading north and west from the "Shibuya Scramble" multi-directional pedestrian intersection. Includes Center-gai street.

View from Shibuya Scramble northwest into Udagawa. Note Shibuya Tsutaya music store, with Center-gai street to the left of it heading into Udagawa:



EDIT: YouTube views -- 363,000 in seven hours (from 10pm to 5am, Japan time).

EDIT: Japanese comments suggest that the MV is one cut (i.e., no video cuts within that period) until about 2:25. Japanese comment: "Finally an AKB song!" Lots of very positive comments. One commenter says it was so different that they were unsure at first, but then found themselves playing it on repeat. "Addictive."

 

It should have been Hono's center position. Look at the second scene, she fits the type of song much more, visually and from her mimics.
Also, overall, the song's vibe is as crazy as from Nagaredama.
Pikarun is too small and cute for that type of song.

 

I said I didn't like the song (compared with previous ones of course) when I first listened to it... Now I like it a bit more... AND...!

I'm sooooo happy that Sakurazaka46 never seizes to surprise me, never stops keeping me hyped, my enthusiasm at top level and my passionate love toward them as fiery as ever! What a production!!! This MV is one more proof that image and movement may boost a song by adding two more equally important dimensions. Now the song is complete: it leaves us with image=memories and impressions=imagination.

But there is also another part of the story here, something that I keep saying again and again (and I am so happy that Sakurazaka productions seems to reeflect and prove it again and again): That Sakurazaka is so much multidimentional that they can perform and deliver ANY style of music/song. Wrapped so nicely into the "J-pop wrapping" so far we had so many different styles and (sub)genres, from heavy head-bangers, to rap, to prog, to mellow, to weird, to fussion, to, to, to... These girls can take anything, absorb it, make it their own and DELIVER it!

So, under this perspective, I'm happy to add "Udagawa generation" into the chain of songs that make this line of successes... I may not like it as much as the 3-4 previous A-sides but it's OK: I enjoy it as much!

Now regarding the girls, I liked the fact that we could see all of them (I wanted some more split seconds of Rika however, Miu was visible in 3-4 moments and she was gorgeous). Renaa freaking out while on air and flapping her hands frenetically before crash landing on the card-boxes was hilarious as hell and Run... oh Run...! Run is the absolute guarantee that she can undertake the mission (even missions-impossible) and turn it to success. This professional idol is truly and undeniably the girl to turn to when the going gets tough! While the other godesses like Karin, Ten and Hono would turn songs into success only for specific styles, Run can take on everything. Run darling, I'm happy it was you to be given this song. You added more value and meaning to the performance.

Finally, "ambience", costumes and make-up: It may have looked "cheap" to some of you, but for me it was "as minimal as it needed to be". Everything was minimized so as the focus were the girls, their crazy dancing and their costumes. Which were by all means excellent... Please management issue some pictures with every girl with her respective costume+make-up!!!

Kudos to everyone involved!!!

 

I admittedly was almost rolling my eyes during the first several seconds, but the dynamism of everyone's movement and the camera work changed my attitude (I just didn't understand the "circus tent" as a setting).

I really loved the second part where everyone appeared in their extravagant outfits and makeup (Hikaru's small stature in the center was particularly cute during the few seconds in which the whole group was backlit). That part near the very end where it looks like Rena was grabbing Hikaru's waist was cute too!

I hadn't heard the song until now. I like the theme of the lyrics. On a funny note, I guess Aki-P can be added to the subset of older ladies and gentlemen who think "Gen-Z" is a byword for any teenager Almost 75% of Gen-Z is now an "adult" and wouldn't have the issues that the song's viewpoint person does. In fact apart from three people, all of the original 21 Keyaki members were of Gen-Z.

Some Gen-Z don't even know they are Gen-Z. About a year ago, former Hinatazaka member Miyata Manamo posted on Instagram that she was surprised to learn (that day) that she was Gen-Z.

 

Was it Itoha in the Raw box? And who was in the last Fragile box with the ink running down?

 

This is their best mv till this day [among with samidareyo] i still really love this song. I do think other members are more suitable as the center like hono or karin.

Also what i like about the mv, is that the first segment [in their normal outfits] is a one take

 

Now that I have rewatched the MV a couple of times, I have more to say:

• Renaa stole the show, in some moments it even looked like a RunRena w-center. I wish she got to center a song like this someday.
• I noticed that there is a part where Run interacts with previous 2ki centers Karin, Rena, Ten. Coincidentally they are the 2kis who centered after 1st album.
• I bet most of the budget went to those dresses in the end + make up. Even if it´s just 14 girls, make up, hairstyling and dresses(especially handmade ones) cost a lot and as we know, they keep these in their costume room so it´s not rented.
• I admire Sakurazaka for not being afraid to change. They could have kept themselves in the safe zone of their successes but decided to go full on funky circus, not every group is willing to take these kinds of risks nowadays.
• Itoha smile caught my attention, she is so charismatic and fits this concept so well.
• Can´t even imagine the work that was taking all these costumes to the filming set just for that final scene with Run. I don´t know about sakamichi costumes, but I know AKB costumes are conserved in very specific conditions with a specific temperature set to preserve the material.
• Runrun is a clown just like in Masatsukeishu lol
• I still think it should have been a Karin or HonoRin w-center, they fit this vibe so much.

 

One more thing: How I wish there was some kind of documentary showing the reactions of the girls when they were appearing each one to the others with their costumes + make-up. I bet there would have been some very serious cases of extreme laughter and generally noice happening. As I know there is often footage from the preping of the girls if there is any kind of footage from this, I would pay dearly to watch it...

 

I wish they have several version of MV even it is in the same place and concept, but just different edit. So we can see other members more (more screen time). Eg like MV (official), MV (dance version), MV (close up version)

It's good to see that they're not scared to take drastic changes. (From IWTC) So for nogi fans or long history group who always complain that it is always similar, they somehow get what they want. I think the management listen to the fans input and experiment it to sakurazaka.

better to take risk and fail but always stay fresh than sticking to generic concept and gradually going down

 

Just watching the Music Video!!!! It rising into one of their best Music Video. I though this MV was produced by "Cool" mv director, turn out it was produced by Ikeda!

My review about MV:

• Screentime (5/10). I felt sorry for their oshi that on the 3rd row, I almost forgot they were part of senbatsu
• Costume: They having carribean look like costume was not on my 2025 list lol anw it was look stunning, hairstyle was on point (7,9/10). Anddd their clown costume lol lol lol, that's weird af but looking at it's closely they were putting everything on those thing. These details from hairstyle, hairpin, makeup scream high budget! (9/10)
• Music video quality: I am not pro when it comes to cinematography, but I noticed that there's a bit lack quality on the video. The lightning was ok, the camera move was ok, but there's something that make it look cheaper. But maybe they were more focus on the storyline this time, like other Ikeda's work. (8/10)
• Storyline: The storyline from first MV until the end was smooth. I noticed that Morita also play as clowns at Masatsukeisu too, I was wondering whether it was connecting music video where they were connected each other. Everyone was look the same and bored on Masatsukeisu MV, then they watch Morita Clown performance and then become clown themselve lol. (8/10)
• The MVP in this MV indeed Run and Rena, it looks like double center lol. Thinking abt it again, this would be best move to put these two as double center.
• My favorite part was when Morita dancing from ten rin and move to 2nd row member and dancing together. Also Rena on those bom launcher while laughing was cute part!
• It's like Shakankyori and Cool kids
• Dance (8/10). Their dance was element that carried almost 1/3 of the mv rating.

Anw MV is (8,5/10). Easily become top 3 A-side MV after nagare and samidare.

 

despite the bad song, the MV is visually appealing. Feel bad for senbatsu peasant members tho lol barely visible. center did a good job.

 

One of the reason why I love this MV more than others

 

English subs now added to the MV!(must enable cc option)

 

The music/melody itself is nothing to write home about. The lyrics are just the same, but it is funny that right after Renaa is "blasted" from that cannon, the next English subbed line is literally "We can't even have a blast here anymore". (It would have been awesome if she had been actually 'shot' from inside the cannon, and not next to it, and have that visible wire digitally erased - Oh, well). Based on the circus theme, there is an AKB48's Halloween Nights connection: A line about "No longer care about Halloween". Was that intended or just a coincidence?

Where the music and lyrics lack, the MV's "shock value" in terms of customs and makeup more than makes up (pun intended) for it. While I like the MV for its visual impact, I wish the overall screen time were more balanced among all senbatsu members, not just Hikaru, Karin, and Ten. After these 3, Renaa got a bit extra. We could barely see Hono; Mio was basically lost even though she is a 2nd rower, and the poor gals from the 3rd row (I assume these are the 'senbatsu peasants' as someone mentioned before) were almost invisible. The fast camera work and heavy makeup didn't help either.

 

I know the screen time for 3rd row and even 2nd is cruel. But I don't see any nagging in twitter and youtube, only this forum. Not like last single where they count the duration of shizuki appearance in the first day the mv released. Shizuki meguri result also improve (back to original) than before when she is center for twice in a row.

it might be because of several things:
1. Seniority matters a lot in Japan so it is norm to see the "original" members get the special treatment. Also, generally, fans already approve hikaru as the "saku fav center" like endo sakura
2. Fans have enough Shizuki, 3ki fans want other members of 3ki to get the spotlight, 2ki fans want 2ki to center.
3. Not like Shizuki center, while 2ki is centering, they don't only focus to the center but also supporting member (the three members pillar), so when shizuki center, it is only about shizuki. But while hikaru is centering, it is always about the trio +2 extra (hono, rena), so a bit more balance lol.
4. I don't scroll much internet to see more people complaining (I doubt this, because it is the same as IWTC era)
5. The screen time is actually better than IWTC
6. All of above

with this for next single it is wise to be another 2ki center or 3ki center except shizuki

 

Song names were revealed, you can check them here

Tracklist:
1. Udagawa Generation
2. Nightmare Shoukougun
3. Nothing Special
4. Monshirochou ga tashika toneta
5. Ikanaide
6. ULTRAVIOLET
7. Yaru shika naijan

No info about who will sing which song yet

 

When yaru shikan naijan translated it means we have no chance to do it. So I wonder will it be Miichan Grad song? It's remind me of her experience on 2018 national tour.

 

Fingers crossed
Miichan totally deserves a grad song

 

Not sure if this is allowed

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1n...-1&vd_source=0d61d2d39f511aa08a605faa389b2533

Udagawa Generation live on Venue 101