Sakura Gakuin

Sakura Gakuin (2020)

Sakura Gakuin (さくら学院; Cherry Blossom Academy) is a Japanese pop idol group under the agency Amuse whose music and activities are based on the Japanese school system. Just like in Japanese schools, the members of Sakura Gakuin wear a special uniform. The Japanese school year ends at the end of March, and this is when Sakura Gakuin release their albums. Singles are released at various times throughout the year. Also just like Japanese schools, Sakura Gakuin have “school clubs” with a variety of themes. When a member of Sakura Gakuin graduates from ninth grade in real life, she also graduates from the group. Sakura Gakuin was formed in April 2010 with their first appearance at TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL in August. The group was under the label TOY'S FACTORY from December 2010 to November 2011 while subunit Twinklestars' singles were distributed by Goflag. The group later changed their label to Universal J (Universal Music Japan) from November 2011 to March 2015.

Members

• Shiratori Sana (白鳥沙南) (Joined May 6, 2018)
• Nonaka Kokona (野中ここな) (Joined May 6, 2018)
• Tanaka Miku (田中美空) (Joined May 7, 2017)
• Yagi Miki (八木美樹) (Joined May 7, 2017)
• Sato Neo (佐藤愛桜) (Joined May 6, 2019)
• Todaka Miko (戸高美湖) (Joined May 6, 2019)
• Nozaki Yume (野崎結愛) (Joined May 6, 2018)
• Kimura Sakia (木村咲愛) (Joined May 6, 2019)

Graduated Members

• Muto Ayami (武藤彩未) (Graduated, March 25, 2012)
• Miyoshi Ayaka (三吉彩花) (Graduated, March 25, 2012)
• Matsui Airi (松井愛莉) (Graduated, March 25, 2012)
• Nakamoto Suzuka (中元すず香) (Graduated, March 31, 2013)
• Sugimoto Mariri (杉本愛莉鈴) (Joined May 6, 2012. Graduated, March 31, 2013)
• Horiuchi Marina (堀内まり菜) (Graduated, March 30, 2014)
• Iida Raura (飯田來麗) (Graduated, March 30, 2014)
• Sugisaki Nene (杉﨑寧々) (Graduated, March 30, 2014)
• Sato Hinata (佐藤日向) (Graduated, March 30, 2014)
• Kikuchi Moa (菊地最愛) (Joined July 2010. Graduated, March 29, 2015)
• Mizuno Yui (水野由結) (Joined July 2010. Graduated, March 29, 2015)
• Taguchi Hana (田口華) (Joined July 23, 2011. Graduated, March 29, 2015)
• Notsu Yunano (野津友那乃) (Joined May 6, 2012. Graduated, March 29, 2015)
• Isono Rinon (磯野莉音) (Joined July 23, 2011. Graduated, March 27, 2016)
• Ooga Saki (大賀咲希) (Joined May 6, 2012. Graduated, March 27, 2016)
• Shirai Saki (白井沙樹) (Joined May 5, 2013. Graduated, March 27, 2016)
• Kurashima Sara (倉島颯良) (Joined May 5, 2014. Graduated, March 25, 2017)
• Kurosawa Mirena (黒澤美澪奈) (Joined May 6, 2015. Graduated, March 25, 2017)
• Yamaide Aiko (山出愛子) (Joined May 5, 2013. Graduated, March 24, 2018)
• Okada Megumi (岡田愛) (Joined May 5, 2014. Graduated, March 24, 2018)
• Okazaki Momoko (岡崎百々子) (Joined May 6, 2015. Graduated, March 24, 2018)
• Asou Maaya (麻生真彩) (Joined May 6, 2015. Graduated, March 30, 2019)
• Hidaka Marin (日髙麻鈴) (Joined May 6, 2015. Graduated, March 30, 2019)
• Shintani Yuzumi (新谷ゆづみ) (Joined May 6, 2016. Graduated, March 30, 2019)
• Fujihira Kano (藤平華乃) (Joined May 6, 2015. Graduated, August 30, 2020)
• Yoshida Soyoka (吉田爽葉香) (Joined May 6, 2015. Graduated, August 30, 2020)
• Aritomo Tsugumi (有友緒心) (Joined May 6, 2016. Graduated, August 30, 2020)
• Mori Momoe (森萌々穂) (Joined May 6, 2016. Graduated, August 30, 2020)

Sub Units

Sakura Gakuin promoting "Verishuvi" (2011)

Sakura Gakuin promoting "WONDERFUL JOURNEY" (2012)

Sakura Gakuin promoting "Ganbare!!" (2013)

Sakura Gakuin promoting "Heart no Hoshi" (2014)

• Baton Club Twinklestars (バトン部 Twinklestars)
• Heavy Music Club BABYMETAL (重音部 BABYMETAL)
• Newspaper Club SCOOPERS (新聞部 SCOOPERS)
• Cooking Club Minipati (クッキング部　ミニパティ)
• Go Home Club sleepiece (帰宅部 sleepiece)
• Science Club Kagaku Kyumei Kiko LOGICA? : Ver.2.0 (科学部 科学究明機構ロヂカ? : Ver.2.0; Scientific Investigation Department LOGICA? : Ver.2.0)
• Purchasing Club (購買部)
• Tennis Club Pastel Wind (テニス部 Pastel Wind)
• Wrestling Club (プロレス同好会)
• Art Club Art Performance Unit trico dolls (美術部 Art Performance Unit “trico dolls”)

History

Sakura Gakuin was formed in April 2010 with eight members, with Muto Ayami as the Student Council President (i.e., the leader). Mizuno Yui and Kikuchi Moa joined in July 2010, completing the lineup which debuted at TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2010 (August 7 and 8, 2010). In July 2011, two more members joined giving Sakura Gakuin twelve members. On October 13, 2011 Sakura Gakuin began a series of “Hikari no Tenshi” (“Angel of Light”) Wi-Fi commercials dressed as angels, along with promos for a YouTube channel. At the end of the Japanese school year in March 2012, the three eldest members, Muto Ayami, Miyoshi Ayaka and Matsui Airi, graduated. In May 2012, three new girls were added, making the lineup twelve members again, and Nakamoto Suzuka became the new Student Council President. At the end of March 2013, Suzuka graduated, as expected, but Sugimoto Mariri also graduated in order to focus on her modeling career. In May 2013, two new members were added, and Horiuchi Marina became the third Student Council President. The group later released the single Ganbare!! which ranked 6th in Oricon Weekly Chart. Horiuchi Marina, Iida Raura, Sugisaki Nene and Sato Hinata all graduated in March 2014. Sakura Gakuin added two new members in May 2014 and this is the first time Sakura Gakuin have had ten members since 2010. Kikuchi Moa was elected the fourth Student Council President of 2014, with Mizuno Yui as the Vice President. Moa, Yui, Hana and Yunano all graduated on March 29, 2015. In May 2015, six new members were added, and Isono Rinon was appointed as the fifth Student Council President of 2015. The group had a two-day 5th anniversary live on December 5 and 6, 2015. Isono Rinon, Ooga Saki and Shirai Saki graduated in March 2016. In May 2016, three new members were added, and Kurashima Sara became the sixth Student Council President of 2016. In March 25, 2017, Kurashima Sara and Kurosawa Mirena graduated from the group. In May 2017, the group welcomed two new members, and Yamaide Aiko became the seventh Student Council President of 2017. Yamaide Aiko, Okada Megumi and Okazaki Momoko graduated from the group in March 2018. In May 2018, three members joined the group, and Shintani Yuzumi became the eighth Student Council President of 2018. Shintani Yuzumi, Asou Maaya and Hidaka Marin graduated from the group in March 30, 2017. The group later welcome three new members in May 6, 2019 and Fujihira Kano became the ninth Student Council President of 2019. Fujihira Kano, Yoshida Soyoka, Aritomo Tsugumi, Mori Momoe were revealed to be part of @onefive, a group separated from Sakura Gakuin during Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2019. The quartet were originally scheduled to graduate on March 29, 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the graduation was postponed and held virtually on August 30, 2020. On September 1, 2020, Sakura Gakuin announced the closure of all activities on August 31, 2021 as the group enters its 10th anniversary.

Discography

Albums

• [2011.04.27] Sakura Gakuin 2010 Nendo ~message~ (さくら学院 2010年度 ~message~)
• [2012.03.21] Sakura Gakuin 2011 Nendo ~FRIENDS~ (さくら学院 2011年度 ~FRIENDS~)
• [2013.03.13] Sakura Gakuin 2012 Nendo ~My Generation~ (さくら学院 2012年度 ~My Generation~)
• [2014.03.12] Sakura Gakuin 2013 Nendo ~Kizuna~ (さくら学院 2013年度 〜絆〜)
• [2015.03.25] Sakura Gakuin 2014 Nendo ~Kimi ni Todoke~ (さくら学院2014年度 ～君に届け～)
• [2016.03.03] Sakura Gakuin 2015 Nendo ~Kirameki no Kakera~ (さくら学院 2015年度 ～キラメキの雫～)
• [2017.03.03] Sakura Gakuin 2016 Nendo ~Yakusoku~ (さくら学院 2016年度 ～約束～)
• [2018.03.03] Sakura Gakuin 2017 Nendo ~My Road~ (さくら学院 2017年度 ～My Road～)
• [2019.03.03] Sakura Gakuin 2018 Nendo ~Life Iro Asenai Hibi~ (さくら学院 2018年度 ～Life 色褪せない日々～)
• [2020.03.03] Sakura Gakuin 2019 Nendo ~Story~ (さくら学院 2019年度 ～Story～)
• [2021.08.07] Sakura Gakuin 2020 Nendo ~Thank you~ (さくら学院 2020年度 ～Thank you～)

Best Albums

• [2014.05.05] Houkago Anthology from Sakura Gakuin (放課後アンソロジー from さくら学院) (Sakura Gakuin Bukatsudo)

Singles

• [2010.12.08] Yume ni Mukatte / Hello! IVY (夢に向かって / Hello! IVY; Toward The Dream)
• [2011.12.21] Verishuvi (ベリシュビッッ)
• [2012.02.15] Tabidachi no Hi ni (旅立ちの日に; On The Day of Departure)
• [2012.09.05] WONDERFUL JOURNEY
• [2013.02.27] My Graduation Toss
• [2013.10.09] Ganbare!! (顔笑れ!!; Hang In There!!)
• [2014.02.12] Jump Up ~Chiisana Yuki~ (Jump Up ～ちいさな勇気～)

DVD Singles

• [2014.10.22] Heart no Hoshi (ハートの地球)
• [2015.03.04] Aogeba Toutoshi ~From Sakura Gakuin 2014~ (仰げば尊し ～From さくら学院 2014～)

Other Singles

• [2011.11.23] FRIENDS
• [2015.09.27] Mathematica! (マセマティカ！)
• [2015.12.08] School days -2015-
• [2016.09.17] Melodic Solfege (メロディック・ソルフェージュ)
• [2019.12.08] Merry Xmas to you

DVDs

• [2012.06.27] SAKURA GAKUIN FIRST LIVE & DOCUMENTARY 2010 to 2011 ~SMILE~ (さくら学院)
• [2013.02.27] Sakura Gakuin SUN! -Matome- (さくら学院SUN! -まとめ-; Summary)
• [2013.07.03] The Road to Graduation Final ~Sakura Gakuin 2012 Nendo Sotsugyo~ (さくら学院2012年度　卒業~; Year of Graduation)
• [2014.02.12] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2013 -Live Edition- (さくら学院祭☆2013 -LIVE EDITION-)
• [2014.07.23] Sakura Gakuin The Road to Graduation 2013 ~Kizuna~ (さくら学院 The Road to Graduation 2013 ～絆～; Bonds)
• [2015.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2014 ~Kimi ni Todoke~ (The Road to Graduation 2014～君に届け～; From Me to You)
• [2016.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2015 ~Kirameki no Kakera~ (The Road to Graduation 2015 ～キラメキの雫～)
• [2016.11.02] Shuoh Gakuen Gasshobu (秋桜学園 合唱部; Autumn Cherry Blossoms Academy Chorus Club)
• [2017.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2016 ~Yakusoku~ (The Road to Graduation 2016 ～約束～; Promise)
• [2018.02.14] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2017 (さくら学院祭☆2017)
• [2018.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2017 ~My Road~ (The Road to Graduation 2017 ～My Road～)
• [2019.02.14] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2018 (さくら学院祭☆2018)
• [2019.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2018 ~Life Iro Asenai Hibi~ (The Road to Graduation 2018 ～Life 色褪せない日々～)
• [2020.02.14] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2019 (さくら学院祭☆2019)
• [2020.12.08] The Road to Graduation 2019 ~Story~ (The Road to Graduation 2019 ～Story～)

Blu-rays

• [2015.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2014 ~Kimi ni Todoke~ (The Road to Graduation 2014～君に届け～; From Me to You)
• [2016.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2015 ~Kirameki no Kakera~ (The Road to Graduation 2015 ～キラメキの雫～)
• [2017.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2016 ~Yakusoku~ (The Road to Graduation 2016 ～約束～; Promise)
• [2018.02.14] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2017 (さくら学院祭☆2017)
• [2018.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2017 ~My Road~ (The Road to Graduation 2017 ～My Road～)
• [2019.02.14] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2018 (さくら学院祭☆2018)
• [2019.07.07] The Road to Graduation 2018 ~Life Iro Asenai Hibi~ (The Road to Graduation 2018 ～Life 色褪せない日々～)
• [2020.02.14] Sakura Gakuin Festival☆2019 (さくら学院祭☆2019)
• [2020.12.08] The Road to Graduation 2019 ~Story~ (The Road to Graduation 2019 ～Story～)

Filmography

TV Series

• [2012] Sakura Gakuin SUN!

Book

Photobook

• [2021.02.15] Sakura Gakuin 10th Anniversary "Thank you..." (さくら学院 10th Anniversary「Thank you…」)

External Links

• Official Site
• Official Blog
• Official Twitter
• Official Profile
• Universal Music Japan Official Profile
• Nico Nico Video Official Channel
• Japanese Wikipedia: さくら学院