Hit Prayer Campaign
Hit Prayer Campaigns (ヒット祈願 Hitto Kigan) are challenges the members of Sakamichi Series groups undergo on their various variety shows in hopes that their upcoming single or album will become a hit. Generally, Hit Prayer Campaigns involve some sort of physical or mental challenge designed to push members into difficult situations, which they must overcome with courage or teamwork. Examples include bungee jumping, mountain climbing, and cheerleading.
Hit Prayer Campaigns began with Nogizaka46's first single, Guru Guru Curtain. They have since become a staple of the Sakamichi Series, with each single and album involving some sort of hit campaign before its release.
Hit Prayer Campaigns are filmed as episodes of the groups' variety shows. They are then aired 0-2 weeks prior to the single or album's release date.
Nogizaka46
Nogizaka46 Hit Campaigns are aired on Nogizaka46's variety shows, Nogizakatte, Doko? (2011-2015) and Nogizaka Under Construction (2015-Present)
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode Guru Guru Curtain Passing Out Tissues Senbatsu members passed out tissues on the streets of Tokyo to promote the upcoming single. Senbatsu - Oide Shampoo Passing Out Shampoo Senbatsu members passed out shampoo around Oita Prefecture to promote the upcoming single. Senbatsu 30 Hashire! Bicycle Riding Bicylces Senbatsu members rode bicycles in four parts of Japan to promote the upcoming single. Akita: Ikoma Rina, Nishino Nanase, Wakatsuki Yumi, Ichiki Rena
Toyama: Hashimoto Nanami, Fukagawa Mai, Saito Yuri, Hoshino Minami
Tokushima: Shiraishi Mai, Ikuta Erika, Takayama Kazumi, Ito Marika
Miyazaki: Matsumura Sayuri, Sakurai Reika, Nakada Kana, Inoue Sayuri45 Seifuku no Mannequin Mountain, Water, Fire, Cliff Challenge Senbatsu members split into four teams, Mountain, Water, Fire, and Cliff, and completed various tasks. Mountain: Shiraishi Mai, Matsumura Sayuri, Saito Asuka, Inoue Sayuri. Prayed at a temple on a mountain in Tottori.
Water: Ikuta Erika, Noujou Ami, Ichiki Rena, Akimoto Manatsu. Stood under a raging waterfall.
Fire: Sakurai Reika, Hashimoto Nanami, Takayama Kazumi, Hoshino Minami. Walked on a live fire.
Cliff: Ikoma Rina, Nishino Nanase, Wakatsuki Yumi, Fukagawa Mai. Walked to the edge of a cliff and prayed for the single's success.62-63 Kimi no Na wa Kibou Akimoto Manatsu Skydiving Challenge Akimoto Manatsu skydived alone. Akimoto Manatsu - Girl's Rule Captain Bungee Jumping Challenge Sakurai Reika bungee jumped alone. Sakurai Reika 90 Barrette Waterfall Challenge Senbatsu members split into four teams and stood under raging waterfalls. Gunma Prefecture: Ikoma Rina, Wakatsuki Yumi, Matsumura Sayuri, Takayama Kazumi
Okinawa Prefecture: Nishino Nanase, Saito Asuka, Fukagawa Mai, Hori Miona
Iwate Prefecture: Nakamoto Himeka, Akimoto Manatsu, Kawago Hina, Eto Misa
Kanagawa Prefecture: Hashimoto Nanami, Ito Marika, Sakurai Reika, Shiraishi Mai.
Ikuta Erika suffered a leg injury and did not participate.110-111 Kidzuitara Kataomoi Nishino Nanase Bungee Jumping Challenge Nishino Nanase bungee jumped from the Macau Tower in Macau, China (764 feet/233 meters) Nishino Nanase 123 Natsu no Free & Easy Cleaning the Buddha Statue Senbatsu members visited and cleaned the head of the 120 meter tall Ushiku Daibutsu in Ibaraki Prefecture. Matsui Rena and Hoshino Minami could not attend, and instead cleaned the Ueno Daibutsu in Ueno Park, Tokyo. Senbatsu 141 Nandome no Aozora ka? Climbing Mt. Fuji Ikuta Erika and five other Senbatsu members climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji Ikuta Erika, Akimoto Manatsu, Hoshino Minami, Hori Miona, Ikoma Rina, Sakurai Reika 153-154 Inochi wa Utsukushii Hanging Posters in the Tokyo Subway Senbatsu members hung posters in the Tokyo subway to promote the upcoming single. Senbatsu 176 Taiyou Knock Fielding Ground Balls, Spelunking Jyuu Fukujin members fielded 100 ground-balls (baseball) wearing the uniforms worn in Hatsumori Bemars. Ikoma Rina also went spelunking in a cave. Jyuu Fukujin - Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru Visit Shrine, Catch Fish, Climb 13 Slopes Jyuu Fukujin members climbed to a shrine in Hokkaido, caught fish, or ran up 13 slopes in Tokyo. Shrine: Ikuta Erika, Akimoto Manatsu, Fukagawa Mai, Nishino Nanase
Fish: Takayama Kazumi, Shiraishi Mai, Hashimoto Nanami, Eto Misa
Slopes: Hoshino Minami, Saito Asuka- Harujion ga Sakukoro Ikuta Erika Solo Parachute Jump Ikuta Erika did a solo parachute jump from 4000 meters in Guam. Ikuta Erika - Hadashi de Summer Saito Asuka Visits Myanmar Saito Asuka visited Myanmar alone. She prayed at Shwedagon Pagoda as well as the Golden Rock for the single's success. Later, her relatives met her at the airport and gave her flowers and a necklace. Asuka is half-Burmese, and her mother was born and raised in Myanmar. Saito Asuka - Sayonara no Imi Hashimoto Nanami Shows Off Hokkaido Members traveled around Hokkaido sightseeing and enjoying the scenery. They are guided by Hashimoto Nanami who is originally from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Hashimoto Nanami, Ikuta Erika, Hoshino Minami, Ikoma Rina, Akimoto Manatsu, Matsumura Sayuri - Influencer Ice Climbing Members of the Mountain Climbing Club climbed a frozen waterfall. Mountain Climbing Club (Ikoma Rina, Akimoto Manatsu, Hoshino Minami, Saito Asuka, Terada Ranze, Watanabe Miria) - Nigemizu Scuba Diving Ozono and Yoda learn to scuba dive in order to search for sea turtles and the good fortune that comes with encountering them. Ozono Momoko, Yoda Yuuki - Itsuka Dekirukara Kyou Dekiru Water carrying Members recreate a scene from Asahinagu where they carry pales of water up a set of stairs as a form of training. Akimoto Manatsu, Hoshino Minami, Takayama Kazumi - Synchronicity Mountain Climbing Ikoma, the Moutain Climbing club president, leads a few Nogizaka46 3rd Generation on a climb up Mt. Kentoku imparting advice and wisdom before her graduation. Hoshino tags along. Ikoma Rina, Hoshino Minami, Ozono Momoko, Kubo Shiori, Yoda Yuuki, Yamashita Mizuki - Jikochuu de Ikou! Outdoor sports Members go canyoning, bike riding, and four-wheeling. Ayane bows out feeling sick. Hoshino tags along. Saito Asuka, Hoshino Minami, Umezawa Minami, Iwamoto Renka, Suzuki Ayane - Kaerimichi wa Toomawari Shitaku Naru 46km Bus Ride Members take a bus ride from Kanagawa to Nogizaka Shrine reminiscing with Nanase upon her graduation. Saito Yuri, Shiraishi Mai, Ikuta Erika, Akimoto Manatsu, Yoda Yuuki - Sing Out! Skydiving Sakaguchi volunteers to skydive. Sakaguchi Tamami - Yoakemade Tsuyogaranakutemoii Climbing Mt. Fuji Captain and Nogizaka46 4th Generation climb Mt. Fuji. Akimoto Manatsu, Endo Sakura, Kaki Haruka, Kanagawa Saya, Kakehashi Sayaka, Kitagawa Yuri, Seimiya Rei, Shibata Yuna, Tamura Mayu, Tsutsui Ayame, Hayakawa Seira, Yakubo Mio - Shiawase no Hogosyoku - - - - Boku wa Boku wo Suki ni Naru Shrine Visits The three 3rd Gen front members visit shrines to test their luck. They seek to pull "great fortunes" from the omukuji. Umezawa Minami, Kubo Shiori, Yamashita Mizuki - Gomen ne Fingers crossed Skydiving, Waterfalls, Bungee jumping - - 312-313 Kimi ni Shikarareta Dominoes Members setup a complicated 12000 domino layout. Kaki Haruka, Shinuchi Mai, Kakehashi Sayaka, Higuchi Hina, Tsutsui Ayame 326-327 Actually... Romping through Chiba - - 353-354 Suki to Iu no wa Rock daze! Rock climbing, Mt. Fuji Members scale a rock face at Mt. Takatori in Kanagawa. Nogizaka46 4th Generation then climb Mt. Fuji on a whim. Kaki Haruka, Kanagawa Saya, Yumiki Nao, Sato Kaede, Yamashita Mizuki 375-376 Koko ni wa Nai Mono Asuka in Asuka For her graduation single, Asuka visits Asuka in Nara prefecture to visit a shrine while carrying encouraging thoughts for the rest of the members. Saito Asuka 389 Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru Legend Hit Campaign Akimoto's final project teaming up with comedian Degawa Tetsuo in performing car stunts. Kaki, Tamura, and Inoue provide moral support. Akimoto Manatsu 401 Ohitorisama Tengoku - - Inoue Nagi 426-428 Monopoly Japan's Tallest Staircase Endo and Kaki attempt to conquer 4600 stairs while answering Nogizaka trivia and performing. Endo Sakura, Kaki Haruka 440-443 Chance wa Byoudou Circus Trapeze Yamashita attempts to do a simple trapeze transfer at a circus show, but fails. To make up for the failure, she passes out tissues around Tokyo Tower. Yamashita Mizuki 458 Cheat Day Painting Art Pieces Members divide into two groups to paint a mural or an even larger display piece with "cheat day" as their theme. Endo Sakura, Kaki Haruka, Kanagawa Saya, Tsutsui Ayame, Ikeda Teresa, Inoue Nagi, Ogawa Aya, Sugawara Satsuki, Tomisato Nao 477
Keyakizaka46
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode
Hiragana Keyakizaka46
Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Hit Campaigns were aired on Hiragana Keyakizaka46's variety show, Hiragana Oshi
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode Hashiridasu Shunkan Bungee Jumping All members bungee jumped from a bridge in Gunma Prefecture. Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Members Hiragana Oshi 10-11
Sakurazaka46
Single or Album Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode
Hinatazaka46
Hinatazaka46 Hit Campaigns are aired on Hinatazaka46's variety shows, Hiragana Oshi (2019) and Hinatazaka de Aimashou (2019-Present)
Single Hit Prayer Campaign Name Hit Prayer Campaign Summary Participating Members Episode Kyun 120 km Relay Marathon Members completed a 120 km relay marathon from Hyugazaka, Minato City, Tokyo to Hakone, Kanagawa. The members paired into teams of two, and ran 12 km per team to reach the final goal. Hinatazaka46 Members Hiragana Oshi 48-50 Doremisolasido Dragon Boat Race Members completed a 15 km rowing trip across Lake Biwa in a dragon boat, starting at Miami Beach. The journey took over 5 hours. The members then hiked 1 km to a shrine to pray for the upcoming single's success. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 14-15 Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no? One-Take Music Video Members created a one-take music video set to the song Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?, performing stunts such as jump roping and table cloth pulling. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 24-25 Sonna Koto Nai yo Inflitrate an All-Girls High School Members visited an all-girls high school and listened to students' insecurities, telling them "Sonna Koto Nai yo!" ("That's not true!") to encourage them. Members also snuck into students' classrooms as guest appearances. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 44 Hinatazaka Fishing Challenge Select members went on a fishing trip and caught fish. Select Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 74-75 Kimi Shika Katan Cheerleading Performance Members performed a cheerleading performance of Kimi Shika Katan with stunts such as back-handsprings and lifts. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 108-109 Tteka Giant Mural Members created a giant banner to be wrapped around the guardrail of the merry-go-round at Fuji-Q Highland amusement park. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 131 Boku Nanka Various Promotion Activities Members were split into four different teams and carried out various promotion activites of their team leaders' choosing in different prefectures. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 160-161 Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight One-Take Music Video The MV was set in a school with a cultural festival setting with center Saito Kyoko going around and visiting the various clubs. The ending shot had a band consisting of Sasaki Kumi, Kanemura Miku, Takahashi Mikuni, Takase Mana and Kawata Hina performing with musical instruments behind dancing members. Saito Kyoko missed the previous One-Take MV from 3rd single due to scheduling conflict with her involvement in the Sazae-san stageplay. Free Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 182 One choice 100 Tiktok Videos The members, led by center Nibu Akari, Kageyama Yuka and Kamimura Hinano, challenged going viral on their official Tiktok channel by uploading 100 videos during the period of 15 April to 23 April 2023. All the videos were edited by Nibu Akari. This is the first Hit Campaign involving the Hinatazaka46 4th Generation. Hinatazaka46 Members Hinatazaka de Aimashou 206 Am I ready? Walk for 46km The main members were to walk 46km until Niu Shrine in Gunma prefecture with the center Kamimura Hinano walking all legs while her partners rotate between the other front row members. The support team carried out various activities to support the main members such as setting up refreshment corners unbeknownst to them. Main Members: Kamimura Hinano, Matsuda Konoka, Nibu Akari, Kawata Hina, Kanemura Miku. Support Members: Saito Kyoko, Hamagishi Hiyori, Sasaki Kumi, Takahashi Mikuni, Higashimura Mei, Takase Mana, Kosaka Nao Hinatazaka de Aimashou 220-221
