Rena Katō

is a Japanese hairdresser, makeup artist and former idol, tarento, model, & actress. She is a former member of the Japanese female idol group AKB48 and was in Team A.

She was also a member, along with her good friends Anna Iriyama and Rina Kawaei, of a one-shot AKB48 subunit named AnRiRe. Formed in 2012, the trio released their first and only single "Ikujinashi Masquerade" with Rino Sashihara from HKT48, charting at number one in Japan.

At the end of 2011, while still an AKB48 trainee, she appeared on the cover of the Japanese magazine Weekly Playboy with seven other top members of AKB48 and SKE48. It was the last issue of 2011. In 2012, she participated in the AKB48 drama Majisuka Gakuen 3, which was a sequel to the series, but with a different storyline completely unrelated to the previous adaptations. She was also promoted to Team 4 on March 23, 2012. Soon after the TV series Shiritsu Bakaleya Kōkō ended on June 30, 2012, it was announced that Rena Katō would participate in its film adaptation. The series and movie starred several Johnny's Jr. and AKB48 members. She participated on her first A-side in AKB48 on the summer single titled "Manatsu No Sounds Good!".

She was transferred to Team B after the AKB48 Tokyo Dome Shuffle on August 24, 2012, where her then-team, the first version of Team 4, was disbanded. In 2013, she participated in her second A-side in AKB48 on the summer single "Sayonara Crawl", which included 38 members. She got her first center song in "Heart Electric", the 33rd single's B-side, "Kaisoku To Dotai Shiryoku", as the center of Undergirls, a duo center with SKE48 member Suda Akari. In 2014, she got a knee injury and had to temporarily postpone her AKB48 activities, as a result, she was not able to participate in the Unit Matsuri 2014, as well as the AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 200, except on the final day. Even with an injury, she and Yuki Kashiwagi held a large autograph-signing and handshake event in Hong Kong with thousands of fans. She resumed her activities on February 16, 2014. She was transferred back to Team 4 during the AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri. She joined the Senbatsu for the third time in the 37th single's A-side, titled "Labrador Retriever", released on May 21, 2014. On March 26, 2015, she was transferred back to team B in the AKB48 Spring Shuffle 2015 event.

From 2015 to 2017, Kato held annual contests called , inspired by the AKB48 Group's Senbatsu Sōsenkyo. It started when Kato made a list of her favorite members on social media at her fans' request, but received the approval of Yasushi Akimoto shortly after and eventually became an official event. Every year, AKB48 Group members can apply for the opportunity to take part in singles, photoshoots, and theatrical productions organized by her. Despite the name, the winners are decided by Kato and her team instead of by election.

On December 16, 2021, during a YouTube livestream, Kato announced her graduation from AKB48 to pursue a career as a beautician. Her last theater performance was on February 14, 2022, and her final group activity was on February 20.

Her official fanclub, "Rena's dresser", was launched on March 1, 2022, 9 days after graduating from AKB48.

On September 30, 2023, Kato announced via Instagram that she had obtained a beautician's license.

On April 14, 2024, Kato opened a second Instagram account that focuses on her hair and makeup career.

On July 31, 2026, Kato's fanclub was closed. The following day, August 1, she announced her departure from Mama&Son.

Personal life On August 8, 2025, Kato announced her marriage to her non-celebrity boyfriend.

Discography

Singles

With AKB48 Year No. Title Role Notes 2010 19 "Chance no Junban" B-side Her first single appearance in AKB48. Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Fruits Snow" as Team Kenkyuusei. 2011 20 "Sakura no Ki ni Narō" B-side Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Ougon Center" as Team Kenkyuusei. 21 "Everyday, Katyusha" B-side Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Anti" as Team Kenkyuusei. 23 "Kaze wa Fuiteiru" B-side Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Kimi No Senaka" as Undergirls, and on "Tsubomitachi" as Team 4 + Kenkyuusei. 2012 25 "Give Me Five!" Special Girls A Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "New Ship" as part of Special Girls A. 26 "Manatsu no Sounds Good!" A-side, Selection 10 Her first participation on an A-side. Also sang on the track "Choudai, Darling!" as part of Selection 10. 27 "Gingham Check" B-side Did not rank on the election. Sang on the track "Ano Hi No Fuurin" as Waiting Girls. 28 "Uza" B-side, New Team B Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Tsugi No Season" as Undergirls, and on "Seigi No Mikata Janai Hero" as New Team B. She is now part of Team B. 29 "Eien Pressure" B-side, OKL48 Did not participate on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Watashitachi No Reason"; and on "Eien Yori Tsuzuku Yōu Ni" as part of OKL48. 2013 30 "So Long!" B-side Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Waiting Room" as Undergirls, and on "Sokode Inu no Unchi Funjau Kane?" as Team B. 31 "Sayonara Crawl" A-side Also sang on "Romance Kenjuu" as Team B. 33 "Heart Electric" B-side, Center Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Kaisoku To Doutai Shiryoku" as the center of Undergirls, a duo center with Suda Akari. 34 "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-side Did not participate on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on the track "Mosh & Dive" as Undergirls, and "Party Is Over" as AKB48 Senbatsu. 2014 35 "Mae Shika Mukanee" B-side Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Kino Yori Motto Suki" as Undergirls. 36 "Labrador Retriever" A-side Also sang on "Heart no Dasshutsu Game" as New Team 4. She is now part of Team 4. 37 "Kokoro no Placard" B-side Ranked 32nd in 2014 General Election. Sang on "Dareka ga Nageta Ball" as Undergirls. 38 "Kiboteki Refrain" A-Side Also sang on "Me o Akete Mama no First Kiss" as part of Team 4. 2015 39 "Green Flash" B-side Sang "Haru no Hikari Chikadzuita Natsu" 40 "Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai" A-side 41 "Halloween Night" B-side Did not participate on title track. Ranked 28th in 2015 General Election. Also sang on "Sayonara Surfboard", "Ippome Ondo", "Yankee Machine Gun" and "Gunzou".42"Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby"A-SideAlso sang on "Madona's Choice" as a part of Renacchi's Senbatsu Sousenkyo and "Kin no Hane wo Motsu Hito yo" as part of Team B. 2016 43 "Kimi wa Melody" A-side Marked as the 10th Anniversary Single. Also sang on "LALALA Message" as Next Generation Senbatsu and "Mazariau Mono" as NogizakaAKB. 44 "Tsubasa wa Iranai" A-side Sang on "Koi o Suru to Baka o Miru" as Team B. 45 "Love Trip / Shiawase wo Wakenasai" B-side Also sang "Densetsu no Sakana" as Under Girls and "Black Flower". 46 "High Tension" A-sideSang on "Happy End" as Team B. 2017 47 "Shoot Sign" A-side Sang on "Accident Chū" 48 "Negaigoto no Mochigusare" A-side 49"#sukinanda"B-sideDid not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Darashinai Aishikata" as Undergirls, and on "Give Up wa Shinai" as Tofu Pro Wrestling.50"11gatsu no Anklet"A-side201851"Jabaja"A-side52"Teacher Teacher"A-sideSang on "Romantic Junbichuu" as Team A.53"Sentimental Train"B-sideDid not participate on title track. Ranked 36th in 2018 General Election. Sang on "Tomodachi ja nai ka?" as Next Girls.54"No Way Man"B-sideDid not participate on title track. Sang on "Ike no Mizu wo Nukitai" as Ike no Mizu Senbatsu.201955"Jiwaru Days"B-sideDid not participate on title track. Sang on "Generation Change" as AKB48 Coupling Senbatsu.56"Sustainable"B-sideDid not participate on title track. Sang on "Seishun Da Capo".2020—"Hanarete Ite mo"—Charity song during the COVID-19 pandemic202158"Nemohamo Rumor"B-sideHer very last single appearance in AKB48. Did not participate in title track. Sang on "Black Jaguar" as First Generation.

Albums

With AKB48 Year Title AlbumNotes 2011 High School DaysKoko ni Ita Koto Her first album appearance in AKB48. She participated as an AKB48 trainee. Koko ni Ita Koto Sang with AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and SDN48 members.2012 Itsuka Mita Umi no Soko1830m Sang as Up-And-Coming Girls. Chokkaku Sunshine Sang by Team 4 members. Yasashisa no Chizu Sang by Selection 10. The song was used for a campaign with AKB48 and the Japanese Red Cross. Aozora yo Sabishikunai ka? Sang with AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and the HKT48 members.2014 Watashi LeafTsugi no Ashiato Sang with Rina Kawaei, Anna Iriyama, and Jurina Matsui. Ponkotsu Blues Sang by Majisuka Gakuen 3 main cast. Kanashiki Kinkyori Renai Sang with Team B.2015 Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe! Sang with AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48 members and Rina Ikoma from Nogizaka46. Namida wa ato Mawashi Sang with Team 4. Music Junkie0 to 1 no Aida Sang with Team B. Rosario Sang with Anna Iriyama, Yuria Kizaki and Haruka Kodama.2017Ano Hi no JibunThumbnailSang with AKB48.Tanjobi TANGOSang with Anna Iriyama and Haruna Kojima.2018Kutsuhimo no MusubikataBokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake o ShitteiruSang with Album Senbatsu.Kiss CampaignSang with Anna Iriyama and Sakura Miyawaki.

With Sashihara Rino with Anrire Ikujinashi Masquerade (October 17, 2012)

Chart performance Title Release date Chart position Oricon sales Notes OriconWeeklySinglesChart BillboardJapanHot100 Firstweek Total October 17, 2012 1 4 68,403 81,769 Single by Sashihara Rino with Anrire

Stage units Team Kenkyūusei 4th Stage "Theater no Megami"

Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"

Team K 6th Stage "Reset"

Team A 5th Stage "Mokugekisha"

Team 4 1st Stage "Boku No Taiyo"

Team B Waiting Stage

Team 4 3rd Stage "Idol No Yoake"

Appearances

Movies Gekijōban Shiritsu Bakaleya Kōkō (October 13, 2012) Nidome no Natsu, Nidoto Aenai Kimi (September 1, 2017) Tsujiura Renbo (May 21, 2022)

TV dramas Majisuka Gakuen 2 (Final episode, July 1, 2011, TV Tokyo) - Rena Majisuka Gakuen 3 (Episode 2 — final episode, July 20 — October 5, 2012, TV Tokyo) - Shokkaku So Long! (Team B episode - February 13, 2013, TV Tokyo) - Yuka Majisuka Gakuen 4 (Episode 1 — final episode, January 19 — March 30, 2015, Nippon Television) - Dodobusu Majisuka Gakuen 5 (Episode 1 — final episode, August 24 — October 27, 2015, Nippon Television, Hulu) - Dodobusu AKB Horror Night: Adrenaline's Night Ep.23 - There's, Another One (2015) - Shōko Kyabasuka Gakuen (Episode 5 — final episode, December 4, 2015 — January 4, 2016, Nippon Television) - Dodobusu Tofu Pro Wrestling (January 22 — July 2, 2016, TV Asahi) - Cutie Renacchi

Variety shows AKBingo! (April 2, 2011 - 2021, TV Tokyo) Shukan AKB (June 1, 2011 - May 25, 2012, TV Tokyo) Ariyoshi AKB Kyowakoku (January 20, 2011 - March 29, 2016, TBS) AKB Nemousu TV (Season 8 - 9, Family Gekijo) 27

AKB Konto, Bimyo (October 20, 2011 - November 3, 2011, Hikari TV Channel) AKB48 to Chome Chome! (Yomiuri TV) AKB48 no Anta, Dare? (NotTV) AKB Kousagi Dojo (December 7, 2012 - March 28, 2014, TV Tokyo) Saturday Night Child Machine (April 13, 2013 - June 29, 2013, TV Tokyo) AKB Kanko Taishi (April 10, 2014, FujiTV)