Iriyama Anna performs her last live as a member of AKB48, Kawaei Rina shows up as a surprise guest

Iriyama Anna (26) performed her last live as a member of AKB48 at her graduation performance held at the AKB48 Theater in Tokyo on March 16th.

Joining AKB48 in 2010, she quickly rose the ranks and became one of the group’s most popular members and taking part in a single two years after.

In 2014, her life and a few other AKB48 members (including former member, turned actress Kawaei Rina) were changed when a man attempted to kill members with a knife at a handshake event, with Iriyama’s right hand and head was cut with a knife.

Iriyama’s right hand had to rehabilitate and it had taken years. In 2018, she made a big decision to go to Mexico for a year to appear in a Spanish TV drama, which was the first for any AKB48 member. And has had made a career in Mexico as an actress.

At the graduation event, her good friend Kawaei Rina (27) showed up with a bouquet of flowers

Iriyama said at the graduation event, “Eight years ago (after the incident), my handshake events were gone, and I think it made me feel really sad. Still, thank you so much for watching over me until the end and dreaming with me. I’m just grateful to everyone. I’m glad I joined AKB48. I love AKB48. I was really happy. I graduated as an idol with all my heart. I hope I can continue to work in Mexico, mainly in the actress business, and be able to appear in movies and dramas over there”.

 

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