Rino Sashihara


Rino Sashihara is a Japanese singer, producer and actress. She is best known as a former member of idol groups HKT48, concurrently acting as the HKT48 theater manager, AKB48 and STU48. She was also a member of AKB48's unit Not Yet and is the producer of the idol groups =LOVE and ≠ME.

Career

2007–2012: AKB48

In October 2007, she auditioned and was chosen as a trainee for the 5th generation of AKB48. She was promoted to a regular member of Team B in August 2008. Her first title track single was "Ōgoe Diamond", in October of that year. She placed 27th in the popularity-driven 2009 General Election, where she was grouped with the "Under Girls", the ones who would perform on the first B-side singles. She remained in that position on the follow-up single releases until the following year, the 2010 General Election, where she placed 19th and was grouped with the main girls who sing on the title track. On August 2009, AKB48 announced that she would transfer to Team A, although the transfer did not occur until July 2010.
On December 4, 2010, Sashihara attempted to upload 100 articles in a day on her official blog, with the number of page views reaching 35 million on the same day.
In January 2011, Sashihara starred in a half-hour television program titled "Although You Are Sashiko ", broadcast by TBS, which features her character. The program was subtitled "A variety program to train Sashiko".
Sashihara starred as the lead character in the NTV4 drama "Muse no Kagami" starting on January 14, 2012. She sings the theme song titled "Soredemo Suki Da yo", which was released as her debut solo single in May 2, on the major record label Avex Trax.
In April 2012, it was announced that Sashihara would produce Yubi Matsuri, an idol festival to be held at Nippon Budokan on June 25, featuring girl groups such as Momoiro Clover Z, Idoling!!!, Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, Super Girls, Tokyo Girls' Style, Passpo and Watarirouka Hashiritai 7.

2012–: Transition to HKT48

On June 16, 2012, Sashihara was demoted and transferred to HKT48, due to her involvement in a dating/sex scandal. The tabloid Shukan Bunshun published an article in which a man who allegedly dated and slept with Sashihara came forwards. Sashihara replied by saying that the man was "just a friend", and the story was completely false. On June 20, 2012, Sashihara had a panic attack onstage, and hyperventilated due to the stress.
Sashihara officially debuted at the HKT48 Theater as a member of HKT48 Team H on July 5, 2012. Her "Send-off Party" stage performance for AKB48 was, however, postponed since it coincided with Natsumi Matsubara's birthday stage performance. Her send-off was eventually held on July 23, 2012, and involved Team A as well as HKT48 Team H members as guest performers.
Sashihara released her second single, "Ikujinashi Masquerade", on October 17, 2012. The single reached number one on the Oricon Weekly chart, which made it only the third solo single by an AKB48 member ever to do so.
On April 28, 2013, it was announced at the Budokan Arena concert that Sashihara would assume the position of HKT48 co-manager and theater manager, while continuing to be a member of HKT48 Team H. In an interview with Asahi Shimbun, she said "I helped select the numbers and members to perform when HKT48 held its first concert at Nippon Budokan hall. What I had in mind was to use old songs of AKB48. The reason is that the current age makeup of HKT48 and the progression of the members’ growth are similar to those of AKB48 several years ago." Although already enjoying a privileged position inside her destination group as :ja:HaKaTa百貨店|show host and unofficial leader, Sashihara's promotion was also seen by some as a confirmation of Yasushi Akimoto's wish to grant her a role in the management of the group because of her production skills, something he's been hinting at since as early as 2010.
Sashihara's talents as self-producer have not gone unnoticed by the management, which has granted her many opportunities to demonstrate her full potential throughout the years. Most notably, in 2012 Sashihara was tasked with producing her own concert "Yubi Matsuri", which was held in June 25, 2012, and featured a multitude of idol groups from various agencies, ranging from Idoling!!! to Buono!
On May 12, 2013, during the night show AKB Eizo Center it was announced that she would produce SKE48 member Kaori Matsumura's first solo single "Matsumurabu", which was originally planned to be released in a limited number of one thousand copies with an additional batch to be reprinted later. The allotted budget for the single was set at ten thousand yen, with Sashihara being given free reins over costume design, lyrics writing, PV direction, as well as choice of music and instrumental arrangement. Commenting on the news, producer Yasushi Akimoto explained that the reason for Sashihara's full-spanning involvement in the project was because he was sure that, as an idol fan herself, she knew what was best to bring out Matsumura's charm.
Sashihara was announced as having received the most votes in AKB48's annual general election in 2013. She received 150,570 votes, beating out Yuko Oshima, who received 136,503 votes. She thus earned the right to be the center on their single "Koi Suru Fortune Cookie".
In the wake of her mainstream popularity, on August 11, 2014, Sashihara's first autobiography, "Gyakuten-ryoku ~ Pinchi o Mate ~", was published by Koudansha, recording over 20,000 copies sold in its first week of release and prompting a number of subsequent reprints. The content of the book, compiled on the basis of a series of interviews with Sashihara, presents a recollection of various periods of her private life from her teenage years as a wota and hikkikomori up to her current job as a group manager with a stress on the lessons she learned by overcoming hurdles and "turning a predicament into a strong point". The book was widely advertised by press as a self-improvement volume, whose reading was recommended to salarymen and OL, as well.
In 2015, Sashihara won AKB48's general election with a total of 194,049 votes, returning to the center position. In 2016, Sashihara won AKB48's general election with a total of 243,011 votes.In 2017, Sashihara won AKB48's general election with a total of 246,376 votes.
In 2017, she started the production work of Japanese idol group =LOVE. On February 21, it was announced that she would become a concurrent member and theater manager of the newly founded STU48. She resigned from STU48 on November 25 to focus on HKT48.
She announced graduation from HKT48 on December 15, 2018 and graduated on April 28, 2019 at Yokohama Stadium.

AKB48 general election placements

Sashihara's placements in AKB48's annual general election:
EditionYearFinal rankNumber of votesPosition on singleSingle
12009271,170Undergirls"Tobenai Agehachou
22010196,704Senbatsu"Heavy Rotation"
32011945,227Media Senbatsu"Flying Get"
42012467,339Senbatsu"Gingham Check"
520131150,570Center"Koi Suru Fortune Cookie"
620142141,954Senbatsu"Kokoro no Placard"
720151194,049Center"Halloween Night"
820161243,011Center"Love Trip / Shiawase wo Wakenasai"
920171246,376Center"#SukiNanda"

Discography

Solo singles

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

Singles with HKT48

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013"Suki! Suki! Skip!"A-sideAlso sang on "Onegai Valentine", "Ima ga Ichiban" and "Seifuku no Bambi"
2013"Melon Juice"A-sideAlso sang on "Doro no Metronome" and "Namioto no Orugoru"
2014"Sakura, Minnade Tabeta"A-sideAlso sang on "Kimi wa Doushite?", "Kidoku Suru" with Team H and "Kimino Kotoga Sukiyaken"
2014"Hikaeme I Love You!"A-sideAlso sang on "Idol no Ouja" with Team H
2015"12 Byō"A-sideAlso sang on "Rock Da yo, Jinsei wa..." and "Chameleon Joshikōsei" with Team H
2015"Shekarashika!"A-sideAlso sang on "Tasogare no Tandem" and "Buddy" with Team H
2016"74 Okubun no 1 no Kimi e"A-sideAlso sang on "Chain of love"
2016"Saikō Kayo"A-sideAlso sang on "Yume Hitotsu" and "Yozora no Tsuki o Nomikomou" with Team H
2017"Bagutte Iijan"A-side, CenterAlso sang on "Hitsuzenteki Koibito" and "HKT48 Family"
2017"Kiss wa Matsushikanai no Deshōka?"A-side
2018"Hayaokuri Calendar"A-sideAlso sang on "Kisetsu no Sei ni Shitaku wa nai"
2019"Ishi"A-side, CenterGraduation single. Also sang on "Dare Yori Te wo Furou" and "Itsudatte Soba ni Iru"

Singles with AKB48

YearNo.TitleRoleNotes
200810"Oogoe Diamond"A-sideDebut in Team B.
200911"10nen Sakura"A-sideAlso sang on "Sakurairo no Sora no Shita de".
200912"Namida Surprise!"A-sideAlso sang on "Shonichi" as Team B.
200913"Iiwake Maybe"Under GirlsDid not sing on title track. Ranked 27th in 2009 General Election. Sang on "Tobenai Agehachō".
200914"River"Under GirlsDid not sing on title track. Sang on "Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara".
201015"Sakura no Shiori"Team Young JumpDid not sing on title track. Sang on "Choose Me!" as Team Young Jump. Debut in Team A.
201016"Ponytail to Shushu"Under GirlsDid not sing on title track. Sang on "Nusumareta Kuchibiru" and "Majijo Teppen Blues".
201017"Heavy Rotation"A-sideRanked 19th in 2010 General Election. Also sang on "Yasai Sisters" as 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 on "Kurumi to Dialogue" as Team A.
201120"Sakura no Ki ni Narou"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 9th in 2011 General Election. Also sang on "Seishun to Kizukanai Mama" and "Yasai Uranai" as Yasai Sisters.
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 "Noël no Yoru", and "Rinjin wa Kizutsukanai" as Team A.
201225"Give Me Five!"A-side, Selection 6A-side single group was called Baby Blossom, where she played trombone. She also sang on "Sweet & Bitter" as Selection 6.
201226"Manatsu no Sounds Good!"A-sideAlso sang on "Chōdai, Darling!"
201227"Gingham Check"A-sideRanked 4th in 2012 General Election. Participated from HKT48 Team H.
201228"Uza"A-side
201229"Eien Pressure"B-sideDid not sing on title track. Sang "Hatsukoi Butterfly" as HKT48.
201330"So Long!"A-side
201331"Sayonara Crawl"A-sideAlso sang on "Hasute to Wasute" as BKA48.
201332"Koi Suru Fortune Cookie"A-side, CenterRanked 1st in 2013 General Election.. Also sang on "Namida no Sei Janai" and "Saigo no Door".
201333"Heart Electric"A-sideIn main lineup with the nickname Rola.
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 Nannichi 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 "Wink wa Sankai" as HKT48.
201435"Mae Shika Mukanee"A-side
201436"Labrador Retriever"A-sideAlso sang on "Kyou Made no Melody".
201437"Kokoro no Placard"A-sideRanked 2nd in AKB48 6th General Elections.
201438"Kibouteki Refrain"A-side
201539"Green Flash"A-sideAlso sang "Hakimono to Kasa no Monogatari" and "Otona Ressha" as HKT48..
201540"Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai"A-sideAlso sang "Kimi ni Dai-ni shou".
201541"Halloween Night"A-side, CenterRanked 1st in 2015 General Election.
Also sang "Ippome Ondo".
201542"Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby"A-sideMinami Takahashi's graduation single. Also sang "365 Nichi no Kamihikōki" and "Senaka Kotoba".
201643"Kimi wa Melody"A-sideAlso sang "Mazariau Mono", "Make Noise" as HKT48 and center.
201644"Tsubasa wa Iranai"A-sideAlso sang
201645"Love Trip / Shiawase wo Wakenasai"A-side, CenterRanked 1st in 2016 General Election. Also sang on "Hikari to Kage no Hibi".
201646"High Tension"A-sideHaruka Shimazaki's graduation single.
201747"Shoot Sign"A-sideHaruna Kojima's graduation single. Also sang on "Tomaranai Kanransha" as HKT48.
201748"Negaigoto no Mochigusare"A-sideAlso sang on "Ima Para" as center and "Setouchi no Koe" as STU48.
201749"Sukinanda"A-side, CenterRanked 1st in 2017 General Election.
201750"11gatsu no Anklet"A-sideMayu Watanabe's graduation single.
201851"Jabaja"A-sideAlso sang on "Buttaoreru Made" as HKT48 and WCenter with Miyawaki Sakura.
201852"Teacher Teacher"A-sideAlso sang on "Kimi wa Boku no Kaze" as Center Exam Senbatsu.
201854"No Way Man"A-side
201955"Jiwaru Days"A-side, CenterGraduation single. Also sang on "Watashi Datte Idol!" and "Hitsuzensei" as IZ4648.

Albums with AKB48

; Kamikyokutachi
; Koko ni Ita Koto
; 1830m
; Tsugi no Ashiato
; Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!
; 0 to 1 no Aida
; Team B 3rd Stage Pajama Drive
; Team K 4th Stage Saishū Bell ga Naru
; Team A 4th Stage Tadaima Renaichū
; Kenkyūsei Tadaima Renaichū
; Team B 4th Stage Idol no Yoake
; Team Kenkyūsei Idol no Yoake
; Theatre G-Posso Yume o Shinaseru Wake ni wa Ikanai
; Team A 6th Stage Mokugekisha
; Team H 1st Stage Te o Tsunagi Nagara
; Team H Waiting Stage Hakata Legend
; Himawari-gumi Pajama Drive
; Team H 2nd Stage Seishun Girls
; Team H 3rd Stage Saishuu Bell ga naru

Music videos

Films