Miyawaki Sakura: The Untold Story of Her AKB48 Journey

Miyawaki Sakura stands as the only idol who has never ranked down in all Senbatsu Elections she participated in, showcasing her remarkable popularity growth throughout her career. Beginning her musical journey with HKT48 in 2011, she steadily climbed from 47th place in her first election to an impressive 3rd place in her final appearance.

Throughout her idol career, Sakura Miyawaki HKT48 achievements included becoming co-captain of Team KIV. Furthermore, her talents extended beyond HKT48 when she became a concurrent member of AKB48 from 2014 to 2018. Notably, Miyawaki Sakura AKB48 accomplishments were significant as she became the first HKT48 member chosen by management to center an AKB48 A-side, holding center positions for singles like "Kimi wa Melody" and "No Way Man". Her dedication eventually led her to place second on Produce 48, which resulted in her joining the temporary group IZ*ONE and taking a hiatus from HKT48.

Early Days in HKT48

In July 2011, Miyawaki Sakura embarked on her idol journey by successfully passing the audition for HKT48's first generation of trainees. Initially performing "LOVE LOVE LOVE" by DREAMS COME TRUE during her audition, she was notably the only member of HKT48's first generation to come from Kagoshima Prefecture.

Joining as a first-generation trainee

Sakura's official debut as an HKT48 member came on October 23, 2011, at a national handshake event for the song "Flying Get". Her theater debut followed a month later on November 26, when she performed in a revival of SKE48 Team S stage "Te wo Tsunaginagara". This performance marked a significant milestone as it coincided with the opening day of the HKT48 theater. At this point in her career, Sakura was still in her second year of middle school, balancing her education with the demanding schedule of an idol trainee.

Prior to joining HKT48, Sakura had built a foundation as a child actress under Nuts Production. Additionally, in September 2010, she had traveled to New York City to participate in a Broadway Experience training program, which undoubtedly enhanced her performance skills for her new role.

Promotion to Team H and early performances

Following several months as a trainee, Sakura received a promotion to full member status on March 4, 2012, joining HKT48's Team H along with 15 other trainees. This promotion represented a significant step forward in her idol career, as she became part of the 16 full-time members constituting the original Team H formation.

During this period, Sakura began to stand out among her peers. She was selected as the center for her unit song "ウィンブルドンへ連れて行って" (Take me to Wimbledon), displaying her growing popularity within the group. Subsequently, she contributed to HKT48's first singles, serving as one of the main singers for "Suki! Suki! Skip!" and "Melon Juice".

In 2012, Sakura also demonstrated her compassionate nature when she visited areas affected by the Great Tohoku Earthquake. Her heartfelt reflections posted on Google Plus caught the attention of general producer Yasushi Akimoto, who was moved to tears by her poetic observation about flowers blooming from small buds emerging from the ground after hardship.

First election ranking and national exposure

The turning point in Sakura's early career came during AKB48's 4th General Election in June 2012. At just 14 years old, she achieved what no other HKT48 member had done before:

Became the first and only HKT48 member to rank in the AKB48 general election
Received 6,635 votes, placing her at 47th position (Next Girls)
Earned the distinction of being the youngest member overall to be voted into the Top 64

This achievement generated significant buzz, leading to telephone interviews from local broadcasting stations. As a result of her growing popularity, Sakura was chosen as a Senbatsu member for AKB48's 28th single "UZA" released in October 2012, marking her first appearance on an A-side of an AKB48 single.

Throughout 2013, Sakura continued her upward trajectory, appearing on the A-side for AKB48's 31st single "Sayonara Crawl" released on May 22. Her rising fame was further confirmed in the 5th Senbatsu Election where she jumped from 47th to 26th place, receiving 25,760 votes – almost four times the number she had received the previous year.

Rise Within AKB48

The year 2014 marked a pivotal moment in Miyawaki Sakura's idol career, as she began taking on significantly more prominent roles within the 48 Group's flagship team. Her talents and growing popularity earned her opportunities that no other HKT48 member had achieved before.

Concurrent position in AKB48 Team A

On January 11, 2014, during the first day of HKT48's Kyushu 7 Prefecture Tour at Oita, Sakura received news of her transfer to the newly formed Team KIV. Her career took another major leap forward on February 24, 2014, at the AKB48 Group Grand Reformation Festival, where she was not only promoted to vice captain of Team KIV but simultaneously given a concurrent position in AKB48 Team A. This dual membership allowed her to perform with both groups, considerably expanding her visibility across the 48 Group fandom. Throughout this period, the proportion of her AKB48 activities gradually overtook her HKT48 commitments, though she remained primarily identified as an HKT48 member. Her concurrent position in Team A lasted until December 8, 2017, when it was officially canceled during the AKB48 12th Anniversary Shuffle.

First A-side participation and center roles

While Sakura first appeared on an AKB48 A-side with "UZA" in October 2012, her biggest breakthrough came in 2014. Despite losing in the 3rd round of the preliminary competition at that year's rock-paper-scissors tournament, management selected her to share the center position with Mayu Watanabe for AKB48's 38th single "Kiboteki Refrain". This appointment made her the first local HKT48 member to hold a center position on an AKB48 A-side – remarkably, she centered for AKB48 before ever taking the center position in her own group HKT48.

Her center roles continued with AKB48's 43rd single "Kimi wa Melody" released on March 9, 2016, where she achieved her first solo lead position. This particular single was especially significant as it marked the final appearance of two founding AKB48 members, Minami Takahashi and Sae Miyazawa. Sakura would go on to center or co-center several more AKB48 singles, including "Negaigoto no Mochigusare" (with Jurina Matsui) and her final center position with "No Way Man".

Sakura Miyawaki AKB48 election rankings

Perhaps most impressive was Sakura's consistent upward trajectory in AKB48's annual general elections:

Sakura never ranked down in any election, steadily climbing from 47th place to 3rd place over seven years. Her 2015 seventh-place finish fulfilled her stated goal of entering the prestigious "Kami 7" (top 7 members). By 2018, she had more than doubled her vote count from 2015, receiving an impressive 141,106 votes. At the 2015 post-election ceremony, fellow HKT48 member Rino Sashihara referred to Miyawaki as "HKT48's main pillar and greatest treasure", acknowledging her vital contribution to the group's success.

Key Moments and Milestones

Beyond her impressive election rankings, Miyawaki Sakura's career was defined by several pivotal moments that showcased her versatility as an idol, actress, and media personality.

Becoming co-captain of Team KIV

On February 24, 2014, at the AKB48 Group Grand Reformation Festival, Miyawaki Sakura received a significant promotion when she was appointed co-captain of Team KIV. This leadership position represented a major vote of confidence in her abilities, particularly considering she was only 15 years old at the time. Throughout her tenure as co-captain, she helped guide the team's development while simultaneously managing her concurrent position in AKB48 Team A.

Her leadership role was temporarily paused on October 29, 2018, when she took a hiatus to participate in IZONE. Upon completing her IZONE activities, she returned to her position as co-captain on April 29, 2021. Miyawaki remained in this leadership role until her graduation from HKT48 on June 19, 2021, at which point the position was abolished, signifying her irreplaceable status within the group.

Lead roles in dramas and variety shows

In 2015, Miyawaki's acting career reached new heights when she secured a lead role alongside Shimazaki Haruka in AKB48's drama Majisuka Gakuen 4. Her performance was so well-received that she reprised her role in Majisuka Gakuen 5 later that same year.

Her dramatic portfolio expanded with several prominent roles:

Togawa Maki in the horror series CROW'S BLOOD (2016)
Same/Sakura in Cabasuka Gakuen (2016-2017)
Cherry Miyawaki in Tofu Pro Wrestling (2017)

Moreover, she made guest appearances in popular shows like Doctor Y Gekai Kaji Hideki and Yuusha Yoshihiko to Michibikareshi Shichinin. These acting opportunities demonstrated her versatility beyond idol activities and helped expand her fanbase.

Solo photobook and media recognition

In July 2015, Miyawaki reached another career milestone with the release of her first solo photobook simply titled Sakura. The publication achieved remarkable commercial success, reaching number 1 on the weekly Oricon photobook chart and number 3 on the general book chart, cementing her status as one of the group's most marketable members.

The photobook featured images shot in three significant locations: Kagoshima (her hometown), Fukuoka (where she began her idol career), and Tokyo (where she worked as an actress). It included diverse content ranging from school uniform and swimwear photos to concert shots and even pictures from her original audition.

Alongside these achievements, March 9, 2016 marked another significant milestone when she secured her first solo center position on AKB48's 43rd single "Kimi wa Melody". This accomplishment was particularly meaningful as the single commemorated the graduation of founding AKB48 members Minami Takahashi and Sae Miyazawa.

Indeed, by 2016, Miyawaki Sakura had firmly established herself as a multi-talented figure within the 48 Group ecosystem, successfully balancing her responsibilities as an idol, actress, and media personality.

Produce 48 and the IZ*ONE Era

In mid-2018, a groundbreaking collaboration between the Korean Produce 101 series and Japanese idol group AKB48 was announced, creating the survival show Produce 48. For Miyawaki Sakura, this presented a unique opportunity to expand her horizons beyond Japan's idol industry.

Why she joined Produce 48

After achieving substantial success in HKT48 and AKB48, Sakura sought new challenges that would push her artistic boundaries. In her own words: "What I learned on 'Produce 48' was different than what I learned in 48. I even made new precious friends". Essentially, her participation reflected ambitions to grow beyond her established comfort zone in the Japanese idol system.

The show's format, allowing 96 contestants from both Korea and Japan to compete for spots in a temporary group, aligned perfectly with her aspirations. For Sakura, who had reached third place in the 2018 AKB48 General Election [previous section reference], Produce 48 offered an entirely fresh platform to showcase her talents internationally.

Finishing 2nd and debuting in IZ*ONE

Throughout the competition, Miyawaki Sakura HKT48 popularity was evident as she consistently ranked among the top contestants. On August 31, 2018, the finale revealed her securing second place with an impressive 316,105 votes, finishing behind only Jang Won-young who became the center of the newly formed group.

The 12 winners, selected solely by Korean viewers, debuted as IZONE on October 29, 2018. The group was designed as a temporary project with a predetermined contract lasting two years and six months. Their Korean debut mini-album "COLORIZ" marked the beginning of what would become a highly successful cross-cultural group.

Hiatus from HKT48 and international fame

Concurrent with her IZONE debut, Miyawaki Sakura announced a complete hiatus from her HKT48 activities. On September 24, 2018, both AKB management and IZONE's agency confirmed that she would be halting all AKB48 Group activities until April 2021. Before her departure, she participated in one final recording for AKB48's single as the center, though without joining the subsequent promotions.

Sakura's message to her Japanese fans showed her commitment: "I'll carry HKT48 on my back as I venture overseas, and I'll return to HKT48 after receiving a lot of love as IZ*ONE". She clarified that this was not a graduation, but a temporary pause.

During her time with IZ*ONE, the group achieved remarkable success. Their Japanese debut single "Suki to Iwasetai" peaked at number two on both the Oricon Singles Chart and Billboard Japan Hot 100. It sold over 200,000 copies in its first week and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan with over 250,000 unit sales.

After two and a half years of activities spanning multiple successful releases in both Korea and Japan, IZ*ONE officially disbanded on April 29, 2021. Following this, Sakura returned briefly to HKT48 before announcing her graduation from the group on May 15, 2021.

Return and Graduation from HKT48

Following her disbandment from IZ*ONE, Miyawaki Sakura's homecoming to HKT48 lasted just under two months before her final curtain call. This brief chapter marked the conclusion of her decade-long journey with the group that launched her career.

Comeback to HKT48 and final performances

After completing her contractual obligations with IZ*ONE, Sakura officially returned to HKT48 Team KIV on April 29, 2021. Merely sixteen days after her return, on May 15, 2021, she shocked fans by confirming rumors about her departure from the group. A preview of her interview with Japanese fashion magazine Vivi had leaked earlier, hinting at this major career decision.

In her announcement, she expressed gratitude: "I joined HKT48 at the age of 13 and worked as a 1st generation member for about 10 years... It was in this HKT48 that the idol Miyawaki Sakura was born". Her final theater performance occurred on June 27, 2021, officially ending her decade-long chapter with HKT48.

Graduation concert and farewell messages

On June 19, 2021, the "HKT48 Miyawaki Sakura Graduation Concert Bouquet" took place at Marine Messe Fukuoka. The carefully curated setlist included:

A nostalgic performance of "Yume wo Miteiru Aida" with fellow former IZ*ONE member Yabuki Nako
A touching video message from Honda Hitomi, completing the IZ*ONE-HKT48 connection
Special appearances by graduated members Rino Sashihara and Haruka Kodama
Her graduation song "Omoide ni Suru ni wa Mada Hayasugiru" (It's Too Early to Turn it Into a Memory Yet)

During this emotional farewell, Sakura and Nako performed wearing microphones and in-ear monitors gifted by IZ*ONE fans, symbolizing the bridge between her Japanese and Korean careers.

Impact on HKT48 and fans

The announcement of Sakura's departure generated mixed reactions. Some fans expressed disappointment at the brevity of her return. Nevertheless, her position as co-captain of Team KIV was abolished upon her graduation, highlighting her irreplaceable status within the group.

Her sudden graduation announcement came as a shock, given that upon joining IZONE, she had stated: "I'll carry HKT48 on my back as I venture overseas, and I'll return to HKT48 after receiving a lot of love as IZONE" [previous section reference]. Yet in her farewell message, Sakura acknowledged: "I am well aware that I must have felt sad or disappointed by announcing my graduation as soon as I came back".

The graduation concert, streamed via dTV and ZAIKO, gave fans worldwide a chance to witness the conclusion of Miyawaki Sakura's transformative HKT48 journey before she embarked on new musical horizons.

Legacy and Transition to LE SSERAFIM

After completing her chapter with HKT48, Miyawaki Sakura embarked on a transformative musical path in South Korea. The veteran idol, with over a decade of experience, would soon reinvent herself within the rapidly evolving K-pop landscape.

Debut with LE SSERAFIM

On March 14, 2022, Sakura signed an exclusive contract with Source Music alongside former IZ*ONE teammate Kim Chaewon. Afterward, she was officially unveiled as the first member of LE SSERAFIM on April 4, 2022. The group's name, cleverly crafted as an anagram of "I'm Fearless," reflected their bold concept.

LE SSERAFIM officially debuted on May 2, 2022, with their first mini-album "FEARLESS". The release shattered expectations, selling over 300,000 copies in its first week and setting a new record for a K-pop girl group's debut.

New musical direction and global reach

For Sakura, this marked her third debut in the idol industry. "This feels different, for sure... LE SSERAFIM will likely be my last debut and my last group, so I really want to do well," she expressed.

Unlike her previous experiences, Sakura underwent extensive training before this debut, taking Korean lessons alongside vocal and dance fundamentals. Consequently, her performance style evolved dramatically from her HKT48 and AKB48 days.

Writing and producing contributions

Beyond performing, Miyawaki Sakura began developing as a songwriter and composer. Her creative contributions include lyrics and composition for "Good Parts (when the quality is bad but I am)" (2022), "FEARNOT (Between you, me and the lamppost)" (2023), "Swan Song" (2024), and lyrics for "CRAZY" (2024).

FAQS

Fans often wonder about Miyawaki Sakura's personal journey beyond her professional achievements. What challenges did Sakura face when transitioning from Japanese to Korean idol culture?

According to Sakura herself, adapting to Korean training methods proved difficult: "I was an idol for 7 years, so why can't I do anything? I kept thinking that. Before our debut, we practiced for 10 hours a day, but I'd never practiced for such long periods before". This adjustment period involved many tears and uncertainty.

How did Sakura perceive cultural differences between Japan and Korea?

"In Japan, many people refrain from expressing their honest opinions, but in Korea, people are very direct and straightforward. They deliver their opinions clearly and firmly say 'No' or 'I don't like it', which surprised me".

What personal philosophy guides Sakura's approach to imperfections?

"Nobody wants to have to look at their own mistakes. They'd rather just forget they ever happened. But even your mistakes are part of where you're going and where you've been, so I think it's better to acknowledge and embrace everything".

What are Sakura's hobbies and special skills?

Besides her well-known gaming passion, Sakura enjoys movies, theater appreciation, reading, drawing, and remarkably "being able to sleep anywhere".