Nishino Nanase announces that she will be graduating from Nogizaka46 to pursue her acting career

Nogizaka46 ace Nishino Nanase has announced on her blog that she will be graduating from the group.

Nishino wrote:

I have a sudden announcement I want to tell everyone, I have been indebted with your trust for seven years.

I, Nishino Nanase will be graduating from Nogizaka46.

From the age of 17 to age of 24-years-old, I have been with Nogizaka.

I have met many people, had felt many emotions but yet I was feeling incomplete.

I am not finished but what is my goal?  It would bother me that I would feel a high tension.

How long have I cried about it?  Something I couldn’t help. 

When I start thinking back of of my final audition, there were a lot of important memories that I have not told you.  There were plenty!

It was super fun!  Perhaps now in my life, I guess it was time to live beautifully and excitingly.

It was because of the members, staff and all the people who supported Nogizaka46 that I can do this.  Everyone made me feel confidence when I didn’t have much many times.  Thank you for giving me your thoughts through comments, letters and handshake meetings.

I have grown up and I thank everyone.

It might be that I have gotten a little stronger.

I feel a bit uneasy of leaving but I chose this myself.  I want to continue this work even when I am alone.  I am looking forward to what kind of things I will experience as I move forward.  I wonder what I will leave behind? 

I actually have been talking with staff for over a year but I finally have a chance to tell everyone today. I thought about it carefully and there were times I would decide not to go through with it over and over again.

While I will be performing throughout the rest of the year, my graduation concert is going to be held next year.

Thank you for your understanding.

I love performing live, when everyone is excited and having fun but I would like to finish with Nogizaka46.

The details of my schedule and where I will graduate is still being planned.

So please wait and look forward to it!