A “Sakamichi Joint Selection” unit gathering selected members from all three groups — Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 — has been announced, with Inoue Nagi chosen as center. On 5ch reaction threads, some users pointed to a past joint project from the Keyakizaka46 era that put Hirate Yurina at center and flopped, while others questioned the criteria used to pick members. Some speculated the move is aimed at securing a slot for the year-end Kohaku Uta Gassen singing contest, and opinions were split over the overall brand strength of the Sakamichi franchise and how far this kind of cross-group project can reach beyond its core fanbase.
What people said
2AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:00
They already tried this with Hirate as center back in the day — and it went nowhere.
4AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:05
Well, the whole Akimoto/Sashihara camp is just copying Hello! Project anyway.
6AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:11
Starting stuff like this reeks of a franchise on its way out.
7AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:13
Sakamichi's probably going to flip age brackets with Hello! Project and AKB at this rate.
12AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:45
Not just a Sakamichi thing, but doing an 'all-star' thing like this — only people already in that scene even get it. No matter how hyped the village is internally, it has zero pull with the general public.
13AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:47
I like Hinatazaka's Shogenji Yoko. Not interested in anyone else.
14AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:47
If this lineup went on TV and said 'we're Nogizaka46,' the general public wouldn't even notice lol
16AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:49
Shogenji, come join Hello! Project — you're friends with Ebata Hisaki, right?
18AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:50
Kind of like the old Sakamichi/AKB thing back in the day, huh.
19AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:53
For a group thrown together like this, it's pretty plain — no sparkle to it.
21AnonymousSep 24, 2026 21:59
Shouldn't they have picked Kanemura over Uemura?
22AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:01
Even Nogizaka's image has taken a hit from scandals, so Kohaku looked out of reach — maybe this is a last-ditch move to get them on the show.
26AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:05
Something felt off about the lineup — turns out Kanemura's not in it.
27AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:05
I only really know Nogizaka — isn't the rest kind of weak? The lineup looks way too predictable, like there weren't better picks available.
31AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:09
I can only place the ones connected to Juice=Juice members.
32AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:09
Don't need Uemura, Ikeda, or Ichinose — the lineup would be cleaner without them.
42AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:17
It's pretty pathetic that they can only generate buzz from the setup/gimmick stage instead of the actual performance. I watch Nogizaka too, but it's strictly for the variety segments — that group isn't one you watch for singing and dancing.
43AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:19
Yeah, Sakurazaka really is struggling to settle on who'll carry the next generation.
46AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:27
I watch all three Sakamichi shows, and Hinatazaka is overwhelmingly the most entertaining — though Nogizaka's overwhelmingly the cutest.
51AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:31
Re: #46 Hinatazaka's always been the variety group. Sakurazaka is the gloomiest, most boring as an act — though apparently their own fans rate Sakurazaka as the most fun right now.
47AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:27
They're so short on songs to perform at Kohaku that maybe this is how they're forcing their way onto this year's lineup?
53AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:33
Re: #47 They'd been stacking up former centers for a while now, so it looks like this Sakamichi selection was decided early this year.
58AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:35
The visuals aren't standing out from other groups much anymore — back when Shiraishi Mai and Hashimoto Nanami were around, they really caught your eye.
69AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:46
Re: #58 Things were glamorous back when those two were around.
71AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:48
Even Maiyan lamented that they don't have a signature song.
74AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:57
Re: #71 I'd guess a fair number of people know her as an influencer, at least.
73AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:56
There's no way this gets them onto Kohaku in time.
76AnonymousSep 24, 2026 22:57
Re: #73 Nogizaka's slot is already locked in, so the song barely matters. Sales alone really are huge for them, even if the songs and skills are weak.
Background and Key Points of the Discussion
The “Sakamichi Series” is the collective name for three groups — Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46 (now Sakurazaka46), and Hinatazaka46 — which have historically been produced by the same team, and a joint project centered on Hirate Yurina was also organized back in the Keyakizaka46 era. Regarding the choice of Inoue Nagi as center this time, the thread saw views suggesting it was less about ability and more a “predictable lineup of former centers,” along with speculation that the real aim is securing a slot at the Kohaku Uta Gassen year-end singing contest. It’s worth noting, as a matter of fact, that NHK doesn’t announce Kohaku lineups until December each year, so nothing is confirmed at this point. There was also an exchange over “why Ichinose was picked,” reflecting a long-running point of contention among Sakamichi group fans about selection criteria — though such threads also tend to mix in baseless speculation. Overall, skepticism stood out about how far a cross-group project like this can reach beyond the existing fanbase, with the thread split between voices pointing to a decline in the Sakamichi franchise’s overall pull and those simply intrigued by it as a new attempt.
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