On August 31, fans of the renowned J-pop supergroup AKB48 received a shock. Honda Hitomi, a beloved member and one of its superstars, announced her graduation from the group. She wrote, “I, Honda Hitomi, will graduate from AKB48. As the representative of Tochigi prefecture in Team 8, I have been in AKB48 for about 10 years now.”
“I served as the group’s center twice, as a member of Team 8. I was a member of IZ*ONE, and was given the chance to be a senbatsu member,” she continued. “With these experiences, I have grown day by day. I feel confident that all of this will serve as my foundation and illuminate my future. I’m grateful to Akimoto-sensei, who has helped me grow up to this point, to the fans who always support me, to the staff, to the members, and to everyone who has worked hard in their work. I was able to spend happy days with everyone.”
先ほど卒業発表をさせていただきました。
卒業までの残りの時間を大切に、これからもAKB48の為に全力で頑張ります。
今後ともよろしくお願いいたします。 pic.twitter.com/sFDAiA8J52— 本田仁美 (@hnd_htm__1006) August 30, 2023
Furthermore, Hitomi conveyed her gratitude for the love she received during her time with AKB48. She mentioned, “I will be leaving such a blessed environment I am truly grateful for, but I will never forget the love I received from everyone. I will continue to challenge various things and expand my potential. The single that will be released on September 27 will be the last single I will participate in, so I will be participating in all the talk sessions that have been announced. Regarding graduation performances and such, we will let you know as soon as they are decided.”
According to an official blog post by AKB48, Hitomi‘s activities with the group will persist, including the Budokan concerts, handshake events, and online talk sessions until January 2024.
What will Hitomi do next?
IZ*ONE, where Hitomi was a member, carved a niche in the K-pop scene, amassing an international fanbase known as WIZONE. However, the group disbanded on April 29, 2021, after the expiration of their exclusive contract. Despite this, all the members, including Hitomi, continue to make their mark in the entertainment world.
Hitomi, a multifaceted talent, isn’t merely a singer and songwriter. She’s also an actress, model, and radio host. After IZ*ONE‘s disbandment, she returned to Japan and made a comeback with AKB48 with the song “Nemohamo Rumor.” Earlier this year, rumors circulated about Hitomi joining Mnet’s survival show Queendom Puzzle, but they were quickly debunked.
HONDA HITOMI IS BACK !!!!!
With her graduation from AKB48 on the horizon, speculations are rife about Hitomi joining former IZ*ONE bandmate Miyawaki Sakura at HYBE, the label behind global sensations like BTS.
As Hitomi embarks on this new chapter, fans eagerly await her next move, confident that her past experiences will guide her to even greater heights in the industry. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Hitomi, aka Hiichan, made the surprising announcement in a since-deleted YouTube video. Source: Twitter/@48RequestHour.