Mayu Watanabe


Mayu Watanabe is a Japanese former singer, actress, and former member of the Japanese idol girl group AKB48 under Team B. In the annual AKB48 General Elections event, she had consistently been voted by fans to rank among the group's top members. She has released five solo singles, many of which have peaked in the top ten in the Oricon charts, and one solo album. She left the group on the last day of 2017 and pursued an acting career until her retirement from the entertainment industry in June 2020.

Career

AKB48

Watanabe auditioned for AKB48's 3rd generation and was placed in the newly formed Team B. Her official nickname, Mayuyu, was coined by then fellow member Rumi Yonezawa. Her first appearance on an AKB48 single title track was on "Bingo!". She performed in all of the singles except when the lineups were determined by rock-paper-scissors tournaments, and she has appeared on all the A-sides for the group's singles since then.
In 2009, she placed fourth overall in the group's first general election to determine the line-up for the group's 13th single. She placed fifth overall the next year for the group's 17th single.
She appeared on the cover of the December 2010 issue of UP to boy magazine together with Airi Suzuki from Cute. That was the first gravure collaboration between Hello! Project and AKB48.
On May 13, 2011 she released her photo book, Mayuyu. She commented that the book "is filled with a lot of expressions that I haven’t shown until now, it’s a book I’m really pleased with!” Regarding her cover picture, she said, “Despite being embarrassed, I did my best on the front cover, so I want a lot of people to look at it!” For AKB48's general election in 2011, Watanabe placed fifth overall.
In 2012, Watanabe got her first lead role in the Japanese TV drama Saba Doru, where she played a 38-year-old high school teacher who is hated by her pupils, whilst having a hidden life as the highly popular idol Mayu Watanabe, based on her real-life self. On February 29, Watanabe released her debut solo single, "Synchro Tokimeki", which is also the opening theme for the drama.
Watanabe participated as a voice actress in the anime series AKB0048. In the anime, she plays a main character Chieri Sono, and is part of the AKB48 subgroup NO NAME, which sings the opening and ending themes for the series. The series features a supporting character, Mayu Watanabe Mark 3, which is modeled after her likeness, and is voiced by Yukari Tamura. She reprised her role as Chieri Sono for the series' second season which aired in 2013.
Watanabe ranked second overall at the 2012 AKB48 general elections with 72,574 votes. On August 24, during the group's reorganization announcement at the AKB48's Tokyo Dome concert, she was moved from Team B to Team A.
On July 25, she released her second solo single, "Otona Jellybeans" which reached number three on the Oricon weekly chart. Her third solo single "Hikaru Monotachi" was released on November 21, 2012, and reached number one in the Oricon singles chart. The single was released in five versions, including one that has an illustration book. Her B-side "Sayonara no Hashi" was the theme song to the anime film Nerawareta Gakuen for which she voiced one of the lead characters. In July 2013, she released her fourth solo single. "Rappa Renshūchū". A contest was held to determine the cover artwork for one of its editions.
Meanwhile, in AKB48, she received her first center position on the group's 30th single "So Long!", which was released on February 20, 2013. On April 19, she released her second photobook Seifuku Zukan Saigo no Seifuku. In the AKB48 election for the members for their 32nd major label single, she placed third overall with 101,210 votes.
In 2014, Watanabe become a regular on the television show Utage!, and semi-regular on the TV show Renai Sosenkyo. In AKB48, she was transferred from Team A to Team B in the "Daisokaku Matsuri". She performed an hour-long solo live concert at AKB48's Natsu matsuri. In the elections to determine the member line-up for AKB48's 37th major label single, she placed first, with 159,854 votes. Thus, she took centre position for the song "Kokoro no Placard".
In 2015, Watanabe received her first leading role in a prime-time TV drama, Tatakau! Shoten Girl, broadcast by Fuji TV and Kansai TV. This drama aired from April 2015, at 10 pm. The theme song for this drama, "Deai no Tsuzuki", was sung by Watanabe, and was also released as her fifth solo single on June 10, 2015. She held solo live concerts to support the single on September 19. In 2015, a web poll conducted by My Navi Student declared her the second Cutest Idol from both the men's choices and women's choices lists, behind Kanna Hashimoto of the idol group Rev. from DVL.
On October 26, 2016, Watanabe released her third photobook "Shiranai uchi ni".
On June 17, 2017, Watanabe announced at the 9th General Election she will graduate from the group. On October 31, Watanabe had her graduation concert. Later she had her last handshake on November 18, 2017. She performed at the AKB48 theatre for the last time on December 26, 2017. She sang and performed on the stage of the "68th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen" on December 31, 2017, and it was her last activity as a member of AKB48.

AKB48 General Elections

the results of annual ranking
In January 2018, it was announced that Watanabe would play the titular character in the Japanese production of the Amélie adapted from the movie of the same title. The production ran from May 18 to June 3 at the Galaxy Theater in Shinagawa, Tokyo, and June 7–10 at the Morinomiya Piloti Hall in Osaka.
In April 2018, Watanabe had her first drama post-AKB48 titled Gan Shoumetsu no Wana ~Kanzen Kankai no Nazo~ where she played an insurance investigator.
In August 2018, Watanabe starred in the special drama Meibugyou! Tooyama no Kinshirou, a continuation from the same series in 2017.
Following two special dramas, Watanabe then had the lead role in a late-night drama Itsuka Kono Ame ga Yamu Hi Made in August 2018. Her character, Hikari, was a girl whose dream was to become a musical actress, but got her dreams smashed when her brother supposedly committed murder.
In late 2018, Watanabe also endorsed the brand Yakult. The commercial was directed by Ikeda Kazumasa who has directed music videos for Keyakizaka46 and Nogizaka46, while choreography was by Sasao Isao who choreographed one of Keyakizaka46's singles. The commercial also features some 33 professional dancers and performers including Spinboy Aichi, SORI and HICKY of the dance team SHIFFLE!! among others.
Watanabe also guested several music shows, namely Utacon and UTAGE. In Utacon, she sang musical songs, including collaborations with several famed musical actors.
Towards the end of 2018, Watanabe was named the ambassador for JAL Honolulu Marathon.
On 1 June 2020, Production Ogi announced her retirement from the entertainment industry due to health reasons. Her contract was terminated amicably on the previous day.

Personal life

Tokyo Mode describes Watanabe as a girl who used to be an "otaku obsessed with illustrations, anime, and special effects shows". Her public appearances are often accompanied by life-sized animated characters and many fans wear such costumes at her meet-and-greet events. In several episodes of the AKB48 variety show AKBingo!, she demonstrated her specialty of drawing various manga characters in seconds. She also unofficially endorsed the character Pompompurin for the 30th Sanrio Character Awards in 2015.
She is a musical theater enthusiast and attends performances both in Japan and overseas. She has also performed with the all-female troupe Takarazuka Revue.

Discography

Solo singles

* RIAJ Digital Track Chart was established in April 2009 and cancelled in July 2012.

Solo albums

AKB48

YearNo.TitleRoleNotes
20074"Bingo!"A-sideFirst single with Team B.
20075"Boku no Taiyō"A-side
20076"Yūhi o Miteiru ka?"A-side
20087"Romance, Irane"A-side
20088"Sakura no Hanabiratachi 2008"A-side
20089"Baby! Baby! Baby!"A-side
200810"Ōgoe Diamond"A-side
200911"10nen Sakura"A-sideAlso sang on "Sakurairo no Sora no Shita de"
200912"Namida Surprise!"A-side
200913"Iiwake Maybe"A-sideRanked 4th in 2009 General Election.
200914"River"A-side
201015"Sakura no Shiori"A-sideAlso sang on "Majisuka Rock 'n' Roll".
201016"Ponytail to Shushu"A-sideAlso sang on "Majijo Teppen Blues".
201017"Heavy Rotation"A-sideRanked 5th in 2010 General Election. Also sang on "Yasai Sisters" and "Lucky Seven"
201018"Beginner"A-side
201019"Chance no Junban"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Yoyakushita Christmas", and "Love Jump"
201120"Sakura no Ki ni Narō"A-side
2011–"Dareka no Tame ni – What can I do for someone?"–charity single
201121"Everyday, Katyusha"A-sideAlso sang on "Korekara Wonderland" and "Yankee Soul".
201122"Flying Get"A-sideRanked 5th in 2011 General Election. Also sang on "Seishun to Kizukanai Mama", "Ice no Kuchizuke", "Yasai Uranai"
201123"Kaze wa Fuiteiru"A-side
201124"Ue kara Mariko"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Noel no Yoru", and "Yobisute Fantasy"
201225"Give Me Five!"A-side Played keyboard in Baby Blossom. Also sang on "Hitsujikai no Tabi".
201226"Manatsu no Sounds Good!"A-sideCenter Also sang on "Chōdai, Darling!"and "Kimi no Tame ni Boku wa...".
201227"Gingham Check"A-sideRanked 2nd in 2012 General Election. Also sang on "Yume no Kawa".
201228"Uza"A-sideAlso sang on "Kodoku na Hoshizora".
201229"Eien Pressure"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Also sang on "Totteoki Christmas" and "Eien Yori Tsuzuku You ni" as OKL48. First single as member of Team A.
201330"So Long!"A-side, CenterAlso sang on "Ruby".
201331"Sayonara Crawl"A-side, CenterThis single had four centers.
201332"Koi Suru Fortune Cookie"A-sideRanked 3rd in 2013 General Election.
201333"Heart Electric"A-sideIn main lineup with the nickname Elizabeth. Also sang on "Kisu made Countdown" as Team A.
201334"Suzukake no Ki no Michi de "Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru" to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nan-nichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono"B-sideDid not sing on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Mosh & Dive". Sang on "Party is Over".
201435"Mae Shika Mukanee"A-side
201436"Labrador Retriever"A-side, CenterAlso sang on "Kyou Made no Melody" and "B Garden"
201437"Kokoro no Placard"A-side, CenterRanked 1st in 2014 General Election. Also sang on "Sailor Zombie" as Milk Planet and "Oshiete Mommy".
201438"Kibouteki Refrain"A-side, CenterCenter performer along with Sakura Miyawaki. Also sang on "Loneliness Club".
201539"Green Flash"A-sideAlso sang "Haru no Hikari Chikadzuita Natsu" and "Hakimono to Kasa no Monogatari"
201540"Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai"A-sideAlso sang "Barebare Bushi" and "Kimi no Dai-Ni Shou"
201541"Halloween Night"A-sideRanked 3rd in 2015 General Election. Also sang on "Ippome Ondo"
201542"Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby"A-SideAlso sang on "365 Nichi no Kamihikouki" as Asa ga Kita Senbatsu, "Senaka Kotoba", and "Kin no Hane wo Motsu Hito yo" as Team B.
201643"Kimi wa Melody"A-sideMarked as the 10th Anniversary Single.
201644"Tsubasa wa Iranai"A-sideSang on "Koi o Suru to Baka o Miru" as Team B.
201645"LOVE TRIP / Shiawase wo Wakenasai"A-sideAlso sang on "Hikari to Kage no Hibi" and "Black Flower".
201646"High Tension"A-side
201747"Shoot Sign"A-sideAlso sang on "Kanashii Uta wo Kikitaku Natta" as MayuYukirn.
201748"Negaigoto no Mochigusare"A-sideAlso sang on "Maebure" which she is the Center.
201749"#Sukinanda"A-sideRanked 2nd in 2017 General Election.
201750"11gatsu no Anklet"A-side, CenterLast single to participate. Also sang on "Sayonara de Owaru Wake Janai" which is her graduation song.

with Watarirouka Hashiritai

Appearances

Stage units

;Team B 1st Stage "Seishun Girls"
  1. "Ame no Dōbutsuen"
  2. "Fusidara na Natsu"
;Team B 2nd Stage "Aitakatta"
  1. "Nageki no Figure"
  2. "Nagisa no Cherry"
  3. "Senaka Kara Dakishimete"
  4. "Rio no Kakumei"
  5. "Skirt, Hirari"
;Team B 3rd Stage "Pajama Drive"
  1. "Pajama Drive"
;Team B 4th Stage "Idol no Yoake"
  1. "Zannen Shōjo"
;Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"
  1. "Hatsukoi yo Konnichiwa"
;Team A Waiting Stage "Waiting Stage"
  1. "Skirt, Hirari"
  2. "Glass no I LOVE YOU"
  3. "Candy"
;Team Surprise 1st Stage "Juuryoku Sympathy"
  1. "Suiyoubi no Alice"
  2. "Kimi no C/W"
  3. "Megami wa Doko de Hohoemu?"
;Team B 3rd Stage "Pajama Drive"
  1. "Temodemo no Namida"
;Team Surprise 2nd Stage "Bara no Gishiki"
  1. "Hatsukoi no Kagi"
  2. "Youchien no Sensei"
;Kizaki Team B Stage "Tadaima Renaichuu"
  1. "Haru ga Kuru Made"

    Variety