Miyawaki Sakura’s graduation announcement receives support from fans in Japan and internationally, but several HKT48 fans in Japan are not so thrilled

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Miyawaki Sakura’s announcement that she will graduate from HKT48 is no surprise to many people who have seen her popularity skyrocket as a member of IZ*ONE.

And with rumors that she may sign with BTS management HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) and may be joining their girl group, many have felt that her opportunity presented to her is no doubt positive.

Many fans from Japan, South Korea and internationally posted their support for Miyawaki Sakura’s decision to graduate, while a few HKT48 fans showed their anger.

While it’s not surprising that Miyawaki Sakura will be graduating, you can’t blame HKT48 fans who are upset with Miyawaki Sakura because they believed the intention of joining IZ*ONE was for the three J-line members to return back, and use their experience to make their respective idol groups better.

Some who are upset that the announcement was made immediately on her first appearance returning back to HKT48 and believe that the popularity of Miyawaki Sakura was because of the fans who supported her when she first emerged as an HKT48 member.

The angry HKT48 fan comments have even appeared on Korean videos:

But HKT48 fans should note that many things have changed since 2018 when Miyawaki Sakura left to join IZ*ONE.

A lot of the popular members of AKB48G have graduated from the group and many veterans who did graduate have said its time for the next generation of idols to continue and shine.

Sashihara Rino, who Miyawaki Sakura was close with, has graduated. Even her SKE48 rival, Matsui Jurina has recently graduated.

HKT48 will remain an idol group and the members who have shined on stage while Sakura was not with the group, will continue to shine.

Second, Miyawaki Sakura of 2021 and Miyawaki Sakura of 2018 have changed. Not only has she grown in popularity worldwide, the idol image she had as a 48 member has since evolved to K-Pop greatness, to almost girl crush popularity. Her image today and the music she is known for, doesn’t translate well for HKT48. There is no doubt she could pull it off, but she has evolved as an entertainer.

While as a member of IZ*ONE, TV shows allowed each member to get their spotlight via YouTube face cams. Sakura benefited from these solo face cams and she even commented numerous times of which her favorite was. AKB48G groups place more attention on the center and those in front. Not everyone gets as much camera time and there are no solo face cams.

Even as a member of IZ*ONE, her opinion mattered. She was able to compose and write and translate songs as a member of IZ*ONE (if AKB48G “popular” members are able to do this, it’s usually during graduation). She was able to have a voice and some freedom, despite the work being challenging and grueling. She was aware of how that hard work would pay off on camera and would benefit the group as well.

Even her graduation announcement, if you look in the comments, many fans, especially those outside of Japan are most excited to see where Miyawaki’s career will be next.

Third, Miyawaki Sakura’s comments on her radio show and on interviews about the differences with IZ*ONE and when she was a member of HKT48.

Miyawaki has talked about being part of television shows and interviewed by fashion magazines as a member of IZ*ONE, that she never had a chance to do as a member of HKT48. Shows she watched as a child and magazines she has read but never appeared before.

Sakura also has discussed how the demographic had changed that as a member of IZ*ONE, her biggest fans have suddenly become female.

If you look at SNS and also on YouTube, the comments have changed from idol fans to a big female following her for fashion sense and also an international audience who praise her.

And of course, lifestyle. It has always been known among AKB48G that some make money, some don’t make as much while members. As a member of IZ*ONE, Miyawaki Sakura had opportunities to star in a food cooking show in South Korea, appear solo in fashion magazines, represent a contact lens company, achieve millions of views on YouTube, invited to appear at TOKYO GAME SHOW and so much more.

Many popular former AKB48G members have found a way to transition to acting, modeling, becoming YouTubers. Some, have not been able to transition at all.

It all comes down to opportunities and with Miyawaki Sakura’s opportunity to achieve even more, now is a good time to take advantage of it.

While its understood how HKT48 fans, especially Miyawaki Sakura fans, help make Miyawaki Sakura popular in HKT48 and supported her through IZ*ONE, the Miyawaki Sakura of the 48 years and Miyawaki Sakura today are much different.

Opportunities are not something to waste away and one can say, “she should wait several years before graduating”, Miyawaki Sakura is 23-years-old, no one should expect these same opportunities offered today will be around when she is 26 or 27-years-old.

Especially knowing that for the majority of AKB48G members who graduated, very few have retained the same popular or surpassed that popularity they had as an idol. If anything, many have gotten married, had children and continue to challenge and find stable income opportunities. Especially during the pandemic, it hasn’t been easy.

For Miyawaki Sakura fans, this is an exciting time to see what she will do next?

 

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