Bunshun examines why Keyakizaka46 is rebooting and changing their name

It was no doubt a shock when Keyakizaka46 announced that they were going to do a reboot (or in their words, the group will be reborn) and also change the name of the group.

Bunshun examined why the group is changing their name.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

• IJIME FIVE

The article said among Keyakizaka46 there were five known as IJIME FIVE (Five Bullies) who believed in the “Hirate One-Strong System” who are said to be responsible for the graduation of Imaizumi Yui (21) and also treated member Nagahama Neru (21) badly.  These five would often say “Keyakizaka was created by Hirate”.

For these five, there is no Keyakizaka center other than Hirate (NOTE: Hirate Yurina was the center for all eight singles before she graduated from the group).

But the name change was to separate the group from the Hirate Era Keyakizaka46.

• REBOOT

Prior to being renamed to Hinatazaka46, they were previously known as keyakizaka46 (lowercase) and were considered the “2nd army” (a term often used in sports as second string, backups) but were able to make a great leap forward and not be in Keyakizaka46’s shadow.

• THE RISE OF THE 2ND GENERATION

According to the article, future activities would be centered around the 2nd generation and members were informed.  And because of that, members were leaving the group because they were disgusted by the atmosphere. That it felt awkward and could not accept the focus to be on the second generation members.

Bunshun says that on July 17th, on Bunshun Online TV, a reporter will explain in detail the truth of the name change of Keyakizaka46.