Sakurazuki

"Sakurazuki" is the fifth single by the Japanese idol group Sakurazaka46 after their 2020 renaming. The song is written by Yasushi Akimoto and is composed by NAZCA. It was released on February 15, 2023 by Sony Music Entertainment. The title track features Moriya Rena as the center.

Background and Release

The single was announced on the second day of Sakurazaka46's "2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY ~ Buddies Thanksgiving ~" concert on December 9, 2022 which was held at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo. Following the single announcement, the formation of the title track was announced at the end of the 113th episode of Soko Magattara, Sakurazaka? which was aired on the December 25, 2023.
The single title was then announced on January 4, 2023.
On January 18, 2023, the album artwork was revealed for the first time on Sakurazaka46's official site.
On February 1, 2023, the contents of each CD types were revealed. This single is released in five types: Limited edition features 4 types A, B, C, D with Blu-ray included, and a CD-only regular edition type.
This single was released 10 months after the release of their previous single "Samidare yo". This is also the last single feature Yumiko Seki who will graduate from the group after this single. Further, the 3rd generation members also participated in this single with the B-side song "Natsu no Chikamichi".
The title song "Sakurazuki" was performed for the first time on the February 10, 2023 broadcast of Music Station 2-hour SP.

Participating Members

Sakurazuki

Center: Rena Moriya

3rd Row: Yui Takemoto, Rina Matsuda, Mizuho Habu, Kira Masumoto, Rina Inoue
2nd Row: Ten Yamasaki, Rei Ōzono, Hikaru Morita, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi
1st Row: Yui Kobayashi, Rena Moriya, Minami Koike

This is Rena Moriya's first time holding the center position. Among members coming from Sakamichi Kenshusei, Rena Moriya is the first one to serve as a center for a group single. Further, Rei Ōzono who was also part of Sakamichi Kenshusei participated as Sakura Eight for the first time and this is also Kira Masumoto's first time making it into senbatsu. In addition, the second row members have all had previous experience as centers.

Cool

Center: Rei Ōzono

3rd Row: Yumiko Seki, Akiho Ōnuma, Fuyuka Saitō, Rina Uemura, Marino Kōsaka, Hikari Endō
2nd Row: Hikaru Morita, Karin Fujiyoshi, Ten Yamasaki, Hono Tamura, Rena Moriya
1st Row: Yui Kobayashi, Rei Ōzono, Minami Koike

Munen (無念)

Center: Rina Matsuda

Rina Uemura, Fuyuka Saitō, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Hikari Endō, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda

Moshikattara Shinjitsu (もしかしたら真実)

Center: Rena Moriya

Minami Koike, Yui Kobayashi, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Rei Ōzono, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda, Hikaru Morita, Rena Moriya, Ten Yamasaki

Tamashii no Liar (魂のLiar)

Center: Rena Moriya

Rina Uemura, Minami Koike, Yui Kobayashi, Fuyuka Saitō, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Hikari Endō, Rei Ōzono, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda, Hikaru Morita, Rena Moriya, Ten Yamasaki

Natsu no Chikamichi (夏の近道)

Center: Airi Taniguchi

2nd Row: Yū Murai, Yuzuki Nakashima, Reina Odakura, Nagisa Kojima, Rika Ishimori, Riko Endō, Itoha Mukai, Shizuki Yamashita
1st Row: Mio Matono, Airi Taniguchi, Miu Murayama

Sono Hi Made (その日まで)

Center: Yūka Sugai

Rina Uemura, Minami Koike, Yui Kobayashi, Fuyuka Saitō, Yūka Sugai, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Hikari Endō, Rei Ōzono, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda, Hikaru Morita, Rena Moriya, Ten Yamasaki