Sakura Gakuin

Sakura Gakuin (2014)

Sakura Gakuin (さくら学院; Cherry Blossom Academy) is a Japanese pop idol group under the agency Amuse and the label Universal Music Japan 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. Their major debut single, entitled "Yume ni Mukatte / Hello! IVY", was released on December 8, 2010 under the label TOY'S FACTORY. One single by the school club / subunit Twinklestars was distributed by Goflag, and now they are signed with Universal J (Universal Music Japan).

Members

• Kikuchi Moa (菊地最愛) (Joined July 2010)
• Mizuno Yui (水野由結) (Joined July 2010)
• Taguchi Hana (田口華) (Joined July 23, 2011)
• Isono Rinon (磯野莉音) (Joined July 23, 2011)
• Notsu Yunano (野津友那乃) (Joined May 6, 2012)
• Ooga Saki (大賀咲希) (Joined May 6, 2012)
• Shirai Saki (白井沙樹) (Joined May 5, 2013)
• Yamaide Aiko (山出愛子) (Joined May 5, 2013)
• Kurashima Sara (倉島颯良) (Joined May 5, 2014)
• Okada Megumi (岡田愛) (Joined May 5, 2014)

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 (杉崎寧々) (Graduated, March 30, 2014)
• Sato Hinata (佐藤日向) (Graduated, March 30, 2014)

Sub Units

Sakura Gakuin promoting "Verishuvi" (2011)

Sakura Gakuin promoting "WONDERFUL JOURNEY" (2012)

• Baton Club Twinklestars (バトン部) (Inactive; Reactive on 27 September 2014)
• Heavy Music Club BABYMETAL (重音部)
• Cooking Club Minipati (クッキング部　ミニパティ)
• Newspaper Club SCOOPERS (新聞部) (Inactive)
• Go Home Club sleepiece (帰宅部) (Inactive)
• Tennis Club Pastel Wind (テニス部) (Inactive)
• Science Club Kagaku Kyumei Kiko LOGICA? (科学部 科学究明機構ロヂカ?; Scientific Investigation Department LOGICA?) (Inactive)
• Purchasing Club
• Wrestling Club

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.

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〜)

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)

Other Singles

• [2011.11.23] FRIENDS

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～)

Filmography

TV Series

[2012] Sakura Gakuin SUN!

External Links

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