Manatsu Akimoto (秋元 真夏, Akimoto Manatsu, born August 20, 1993, in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese actress, tarento and former idol. She is a former member of the girl group Nogizaka46.
Manatsu Akimoto | |
|---|---|
| 秋元 真夏 | |
_(cropped).jpg) Akimoto in 2018 | |
| Born | August 20, 1993 Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupations |
idol (formerly) |
| Years active | 2011-present |
| Agent | Japan Music Entertainment |
| Known for | Captain of Nogizaka46 (2019-2023) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | J-pop |
| Years active | 2011-2023 |
| Labels | Sony Records/N46Div |
| Formerly of | Nogizaka46 |
Life and career
Akimoto was born in Tokyo on August 20, 1993.[1] Her family moved to Saitama Prefecture, where she was raised, when she was 7 months old.[2] 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.[3] 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.[3] She ended up signing up for the auditions on the final deadline date when she stumbled upon the news on her phone.[4]
Akimoto passed the auditions on August 21, 2011, becoming one of the first generation members and a temporary main selection member.[5][6] 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.[7][8] Akimoto enrolled in university, but against her parents' wishes she returned to Nogizaka46, training to prepare for her debut.[9] She was present at almost all Nogizakatte, Doko? studio recordings and Nogizaka46 live concerts as a trainee.[10][11]
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.[12][11] She debuted as an actress in the television drama Bad Boys J in April 2013.[13] As of 2019[update], 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.[14][15]
On August 14, 2019, Akimoto was named the next captain of Nogizaka46, replacing Reika Sakurai.[16]
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.[17] Third generation member Minami Umezawa took her place as captain.
On March 1, 2023, Akimoto announced her affiliation with Japan Music Entertainment.[18]
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-side | Last single to participate |
Albums with Nogizaka46
| Year | No. | Title | Praticipated song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 | Tōmei na Iro |
|
| 2016 | 2 | Sorezore no Isu |
|
| 2017 | 3 | Umarete Kara Hajimete Mita Yume |
|
| 2019 | 4 | Ima ga Omoide ni Naru made |
|
Other featured songs
| Year | Artist | Title | Albums / Singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | HoneyWorks | "Daikirai na Hazu Datta." | Non-album single |
| 2023 | Nogizaka46 | "Bokutachi no Sayonara" | Hito wa Yume wo Nido Miru |
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hana Moyu | NHK | Taiga drama | [19] |
Bibliography
Photobooks
- Manatsu no Kiatsu Haichi (July 28, 2017, Tokumashoten) ISBN 9784198643751[20]
- Shiawase ni Shitai (April 8, 2020, Takeshobo) ISBN 9784801922440[21]
References
External links
Media related to Manatsu Akimoto at Wikimedia Commons- Official Profile
- Manatsu Akimoto at IMDb
