Photo Courtesy of Billboard Japan
Written by, Eric B. Thornton
Thirty-three members. Let that number sink in. In a pop landscape where even a dozen performers feels like an army, the idea of a 33-member supergroup moving as one fluid entity sounds like a logistical fever dream. Yet, for Japanese pop sensation Sakurazaka46, it’s not just a reality—it’s an art form. Fresh off a conversation across the globe with five of its vibrant members— Ten, Karin, Rena, Hono, and Hikaru, we got a peek behind the curtain of this mesmerizing collective. This isn’t just manufactured pop; it’s a meticulously crafted storm of human energy, emotion, and jaw-dropping synchronicity that’s beginning to make waves far beyond Tokyo’s city limits.
During our chat, they confirmed the entire 33-member roster is present for their major domestic tours, like the latest finale at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome. However, they’re masters of adaptation. “Some songs all 33 of them sing together,” they explained, “but it all depends on the song.” For more intimate tracks, the stage might host smaller units of three to five, while international shows, like their recent stop in Los Angeles, featured a lean but powerful 14-member crew.
This ability to scale their energy without losing impact is their secret weapon. The members who performed in LA were blown away by the reception. They described the American audience as “much warmer, more welcoming than they imagined,” a testament to the universal language of a killer performance. The experience left a mark, with member Rena fondly recalling her first visit: “Just walking the streets was a whole new and exciting experience… especially Santa Monica made a very big impression on me. The ocean was beautiful, and the whole city was just really colorful.”
But the spectacle is nothing without the soul, and that’s where Sakurazaka46 truly excels. Their choreography is a fascinating dance between military precision and raw, individualistic expression. While a head choreographer lays the foundation, the group explained how their unique personalities are woven into the fabric of the performance. They spoke of signature moves unique to certain members, little flashes of character that break through the unified front.
This philosophy is best seen in their more emotional numbers, like the powerhouse track “Start over!.” Member Karin gave me a stunning insight into their process for songs that demand a deeper connection. For the “free dance” sections, she revealed a conscious choice: “I don’t want to rehearse it… to bring out something new every single time I perform it.” Instead of a polished, predictable routine, they chase a feeling. “It’s more about bringing out the humane side of the song instead of staying in tune,” she explained. It’s a bold choice that favors authentic, in-the-moment passion over sterile perfection—a risk that pays off in dividends, creating performances that feel alive and beautifully unpredictable.
This dedication to authenticity is what fuels their connection with fans, or “Buddies,” as they’re known. The members’ faces lit up when describing the live experience—the feeling of the entire venue clapping in unison or jumping together during the intro to “ Start over!”. It’s a collective energy exchange, where the line between performer and audience blurs into one massive, pulsating celebration.
With inbound ticket sales for Tokyo Dome and Kyocera Dome, and having an international live stream for the tour finale, Sakurazaka46 is clearly looking to bring that celebration to a global stage. They are more than just a pop group; they are a force of nature. A tidal wave of perfectly synchronized movement, underpinned by the powerful, fiercely individual hearts of 33 performers. The storm is coming, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.
Check out our interview below!
(this interview has been condensed for brevity)
FRANK151: First, thank you for sitting down with us. I know you have a big group, could we start with some introductions?
Sakurazaka46: I’m Ten. // I’m Karin. // I’m Rena. // I’m Hono // I’m Hikaru.
FRANK151: Your live shows are massive. How many members are on stage at once? Is it the full 33, or more of a tag-team situation depending on the song?
Sakurazaka46: So in total, it’s 33 members. For our major national tours, like at the Tokyo Dome or Kyocera Dome, all 33 of us are there. But it all depends on the song. Some songs all 33 of us sing together, but for others, there are smaller units of three to five people. For our recent show in Los Angeles, it was 14 members.
FRANK151: Let’s talk about that LA show. How was the experience? Was it your first time here?
Rena: Yes, it was my first time in LA. Just walking the streets was a whole new and exciting experience. The buildings were nice, but especially Santa Monica made a very big impression on me. The ocean was beautiful, and the whole city itself was just really colorful.
Rena: The audience was much warmer and more welcoming than we imagined. They clearly enjoyed the show, and it was really nice to see the whole audience enjoying our performance.
FRANK151: Let’s dive into the music. One of your more emotional songs is “Shonin Yokkyu.” What does that title mean?
Sakurazaka46: “Shonin Yokkyu” means the need to be accepted by others. It’s about that desire to have people look at you and acknowledge you—like, “Here I am.”
FRANK151: With a song that intense, does the performance change from the recording studio to the live stage?
Hikaru: “Shonin Yokkyu” is a very fast song, we start dancing from the first note, so it’s important to stay focused. But it’s also a song about emotion, so we try to express what we are feeling in that moment while performing.
FRANK151: And what about “Start over!”? It has such a powerful energy.
Karin: With “Start over!,” there are parts in the performance where I get to dance freely. To keep that feeling authentic, I try not to rehearse it too much. I want it to be a fresh and new feeling every time I perform it on stage. It’s more about bringing out the humane side of the song instead of just staying perfectly in tune. I want to express a more personal feeling.
FRANK151: What’s a memorable moment you’ve had performing live, whether in Japan or LA?
Ten: During our live performances, it’s really nice to see the audience all clapping in unison or, for the intro of “Start over!”, jumping at the same time. The Sakurazaka46 live show is about everyone—the staff, the members, and our fans—creating one single experience together. When you feel the whole venue shake because everyone is moving together, it’s a wonderful feeling.