Miyawaki Sakura‘s career in HKT48 was a journey of consistent growth, from a promising first-generation member to becoming one of the most prominent faces of not just HKT48, but the entire 48 Group, before her international debut.
Here’s a breakdown of her time in HKT48:
1. Early Days & Formation of HKT48 (2011-2013)
- Debut: Sakura joined HKT48 as a 1st generation kenkyuusei (trainee) in December 2011 at the age of 13. She quickly stood out for her expressive performances and visual appeal.
- Team H: In March 2012, she was promoted to the newly formed Team H, HKT48’s first official team.
- First AKB48 Senbatsu: A significant early achievement came in October 2012, when she was selected for the senbatsu (main lineup) of AKB48’s 28th single, “Uza.” This was a remarkable feat for a junior member from a sister group, showcasing her early recognition and potential.
- HKT48 Debut Single: She was part of the senbatsu for HKT48’s debut single, “Suki! Suki! Skip!” released in March 2013.
2. Rising Star & Concurrent Position (2014-2016)
- Team KIV Captain: In January 2014, during the AKB48 Group Shuffle, she was appointed the captain of HKT48’s newly formed Team KIV, demonstrating leadership potential. She also began a concurrent position with AKB48’s Team A, which significantly raised her profile within the entire 48 Group.
- First HKT48 Center: In September 2014, she achieved her first center position in an HKT48 single, “Hikaeme, I Love You!”, sharing it with Haruka Kodama.
- First AKB48 Center: Her biggest breakthrough came in November 2014, when she was chosen as one of the centers (alongside Mayu Watanabe) for AKB48’s 38th single, “Kibouteki Refrain.” This solidified her status as a top-tier member across the entire group.
- General Election Success: Sakura consistently climbed the ranks in the annual AKB48 Senbatsu General Elections:
- 2012: #47 (Next Girls)
- 2013: #26 (Undergirls)
- 2014: #11 (Senbatsu) – Her first time in the main senbatsu.
- 2015: #7 (Kami 7) – Her first time in the coveted “Kami 7” (Top 7).
- 2016: #6 (Kami 7)
- Acting Roles: She took on the lead role of “Sakura” in the popular AKB48 drama series “Majisuka Gakuen 4” (2015) and “Majisuka Gakuen 5” (2015), further expanding her public recognition.
- Photobooks: She released her first solo photobook, “Sakura,” in July 2015.
3. Consolidating Stardom & Leadership (2016-2018)
- Continued AKB48 Prominence: Sakura remained a consistent front-row member and frequent center candidate for AKB48 singles, often appearing on magazine covers and TV shows.
- General Election Peak: In 2017, she achieved her highest election rank at #4, reinforcing her position as one of the most popular members across the 48 Group.
- Solo Center in HKT48: She continued to center HKT48 singles, notably “Saikou ka yo” (2016) and “Kiss wa Matsuしかないのでしょうか?” (2017), establishing herself as HKT48’s undisputed ace.
- Team KIV Captaincy: She continued her role as Team KIV captain until the Produce 48 hiatus.
4. Produce 48 & Hiatus (2018-2021)
- Produce 48 Participation: In 2018, Sakura participated in the Korean-Japanese survival reality show “Produce 48.” This was a pivotal moment, as she put her established career on the line to compete with trainees from both countries. She faced immense pressure but showcased significant growth, resilience, and a strong work ethic.
- Debut with IZ*ONE: On August 31, 2018, she was announced as a final member of the project girl group IZ*ONE, ranking 2nd overall.
- Hiatus from HKT48: Upon joining IZ*ONE, Sakura officially went on hiatus from HKT48, along with the other 48 Group members who made the final lineup, to focus on her activities with IZ*ONE for the 2.5-year contract period.
5. Return & Graduation (2021)
- IZ*ONE Disbandment: IZ*ONE officially disbanded in April 2021.
- Graduation Announcement: In May 2021, Miyawaki Sakura announced her graduation from HKT48.
- Graduation Concert: She held her graduation concert, “Miyawaki Sakura HKT48 Graduation Concert ~Bouquet~” at Marine Messe Fukuoka on June 19, 2021, marking the official end of her decade-long career with HKT48.
- Join LE SSERAFIM: After graduating from HKT48, she was scouted by HYBE and joined the debut group of Source Music’s new girl group LE SSERAFIM.
Miyawaki Sakura’s career in HKT48 is a testament to her dedication, talent, and ability to adapt and grow. She evolved from a cute young idol into a mature, respected leader and performer, successfully navigating the competitive environment of the 48 Group and ultimately launching herself onto the international stage.