Manatsu Akimoto

is a Japanese actress. She is a former first generation member of the idol girl group Nogizaka46.

Akimoto was the last first generation member to graduate Nogizaka46 after being in the group for over 11 years since its debut on February 22, 2012. Her graduation concert was held on February 26, 2023.

Biography Akimoto was born in Tokyo on August 20, 1993. Her family moved to Urawa (now part of Saitama City), Saitama Prefecture, when she was 7 months old, and she was subsequently raised there. When her parents were deciding on her name, her mother suggested naming her "Miruku" or "Hikari," but after much thought, her father decided to name her "Manatsu" as she was born in the summer. She has a younger brother three years her junior.

Career She was the vice-president of the student council in middle school and was active in the home economics and cooking clubs. In high school, she was the student council president. In her third year of high school, she was informed about the Nogizaka46 first generation member auditions and recruitment. However, Akimoto's career goals at the time were closer towards being a television presenter or actress and she was not actively interested in becoming an idol.

Akimoto passed the auditions on August 21, 2011, becoming one of the first generation members and a temporary main selection member. However, due to her studies and obligations, she was not active with the rest of the members until she graduated from high school in April 2012. Akimoto enrolled in university, but against her parents' wishes she returned to Nogizaka46, training to prepare for her debut. She was present at almost all Nogizakatte, Doko? studio recordings and Nogizaka46 live concerts as a trainee.

In October 2012, Akimoto was selected as a main selection member for the fourth Nogizaka46 single, "Seifuku no Mannequin", during the recording of a Nogizakatte, Doko? episode, marking her unexpected debut as an official member of Nogizaka46. , Akimoto is active as a regular main selection member of Nogizaka46. She is also active as a television personality, with numerous appearances on variety shows as a panelist, guest and assistant MC.

On August 14, 2019, Akimoto was named the next captain of Nogizaka46, succeeding Reika Sakurai.

Akimoto announced her graduation from Nogizaka46 on January 7, 2023. Her graduation concert was held on February 26, 2023. She is the last first generation member to leave the group. Her position was succeeded by third generation member Minami Umezawa as the new captain for Nogizaka46.

On March 1, 2023, Akimoto announced her affiliation with Japan Music Entertainment.

Public image While Akimoto was part of Nogizaka46, she was adored by her members and was known for her tenacious and patient personality. She was also known as a "people person" because of her exceptional communication skills, as she also hangs out and goes out to eat with many of the Nogizaka members.

Within Nogizaka46, she is close [and still remains] friends with Ikuta Erika, Shiraishi Mai, Asuka Saitō, Nishino Nanase, Reika Sakurai, Sayuri Matsumura, and Rena Matsui.

Despite being in a musical ensemble, she has admitted that she can hardly sing or dance, and her singing voice has been criticized by their group manager, with Akimoto saying, "I'm about the worst in the group in both dancing and singing".

Discography Singles with Nogizaka46

Year No. Title Role Notes 2012 4 "Seifuku no Mannequin" A-side First single to practicipate; Also sang on "Yubi Bōenkyō" 2013 5 "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" A-side Also sang on "Shakiism", "Romantic Ikayaki" and "Psychokinesis no Kanosei" 6 "Girl's Rule" A-side Also sang on "Sekai de Ichiban Kodoku na Lover" and "Ningen to Iu Gakki" 7 "Barrette" A-side Also sang on "Tsuki no Ōkisa" and "Sonna Baka na…" 2014 8 "Kizuitara Kataomoi" A-side Also sang on "Romance no Start" and "Toiki no Method" 9 "Natsu no Free & Easy" A-side Also sang on "Nani mo Dekizu ni Soba ni Iru" and "Sono Saki no Deguchi" 10 "Nandome no Aozora ka?" A-side Also sang on "Korogatta Kane o Narase!" and "Tender Days" 2015 11 "Inochi wa Utsukushii" A-side Also sang on "Tachinaorichū" 12 "Taiyō Nokku" A-side Also sang on "Muhyōjō" and "Hane no Kioku" 13 "Ima, Hanashitai Dareka ga Iru" A-side Also sang on "Popipappapā" and "Kanashimi no Wasurekata" 2016 14 "Harujion ga Sakukoro" A-side Also sang on "Yūutsu to Fūsen Gum" 15 "Hadashi de Summer" A-side Also sang on "Boku Dake no Hikari" 16 "Sayonara no Imi" A-side Also sang on "Kodoku na Aozora" and "2dome no Kiss Kara" 2017 17 "Influencer" A-side Also sang on "Jinsei o Kangaetakunaru" 18 "Nigemizu" A-side Also sang on "Onna wa Hitori ja Nemurenai", "Hito Natsu no Nagasa Yori…" and "Naitatte Iijanaika?" 19 "Itsuka Dekiru kara Kyō Dekiru" A-side Also sang on "Fuminshō" and "Māiika?" 2018 20 "Synchronicity" A-side Also sang on "Against" as 1st Generation member 21 "Jikochū de Ikō!" A-side Also sang on "Soratobira" and "Anna ni Sukidatta no ni…" 22 "Kaerimichi wa Tōmawari Shitaku Naru" A-side Also sang on "Kokuhaku no Junban" 2019 23 "Sing Out!" A-side 24 "Yoake Made Tsuyogaranakutemoii" A-side Also sang on "Boku no Koto, Shitteru?" and "Boku no Omoikomi" 2020 25 "Shiawase no Hogoshoku" A-side Also sang on "Sayonara Stay With Me" — "Sekaijū no Rinjin yo" — Charity song during the COVID-19 pandemic — "Route 246" — 2021 26 "Boku wa Boku o Suki ni Naru" A-side Also sang on "Ashita ga Aru Riyū" and "Wilderness World" 27 "Gomen ne Fingers Crossed" A-side Also sang on "Zenbu Yume no Mama" 28 "Kimi ni Shikarareta" A-side Also sang on "Tanin no Sora ni" 2022 29 "Actually…" A-side Also sang on "Fukayomi" and Suki ni Natte Mita" 30 "Suki to Iu no wa Rock da ze!" A-side 31 "Koko ni wa Nai Mono" A-sideLast single to participate

Albums with Nogizaka46

Year No. Title Participated song 2015 1 Tōmei na Iro "Boku ga Iru Basho" "Kakumei no Uma" 2016 2 Sorezore no Isu "Kikkake" "Taiyō ni Kudokarete" "Kuchiyakusoku" 2017 3 Umarete Kara Hajimete Mita Yume "Skydiving" "Settei Ondo" "Bōkyaku to Bigaku" 2019 4 Ima ga Omoide ni Naru made "Arigachi na Ren'ai" "Hozue o Tsuite Nemurenai" "Mosugu ~Zambi Densetsu~"

Other featured songs

Filmography Film Television