A “My Story” Unfolds: Nakamura Mai’s Solo Journey
The solo concert, “My Story,” was a deep dive into Nakamura’s eight-year idol journey. She opened the show with a heartfelt greeting, “Thank you for coming today! I believe this time is a story we weave together! Please follow me with all your might!” The atmosphere was electric as she performed songs like “Kaze wo Matsu,” her first song as a selected member for a title track, and the emotionally charged “Suki Sugite Naku,” which she now centers.
The stage also saw heartwarming collaborations. Nakamura performed “Oshibe to Meshibe to Yoru no Chouchou” with fellow member Ishida Chiho, who is soon to graduate. A wave of cheers swept through the hall when former member Oki Yuka made a surprise appearance for “Kinjirareta Futari,” a duet that resonated deeply with long-time fans.
Nakamura expressed profound gratitude to her supporters. “Eight years have passed since I joined STU48, and I’m truly happy to be able to hold a solo concert! I often wonder what I can give back to all of you who support me, but I hope to become a presence that can make everyone smile when they feel tired or stressed. I’d be happy if you could feel me close today!” She also reflected on her growth as a center, stating, “After experiencing being center, I started thinking more about the group and those around me, not just myself. I’ve often thought about how STU48 can grow even more. I work hoping that STU48 can become a group that everyone can proudly say, ‘STU48 is a great group.'”
During the encore, members rushed to the stage with a cake and flowers for a “Namida Surprise!” birthday celebration. Nakamura then called upon the 4th generation trainees, who joined STU48 in August of the previous year, to perform “Pedal to Sharin to Kita Michi to.” She joyfully declared, “These are the friends who will connect STU48’s future with us! I received young energy from them.”
“Connect”ing the Future: A Fresh Generation Takes the Stage
The second concert of the day, “STU48 Fresh Concert ~Connect~ Produced by Mai Nakamura,” marked a group first: a concert entirely produced by a member. This show featured 29 members from the 2.5th, 3rd, and 4th generation trainees, showcasing the fresh, burgeoning talent within STU48. The concert kicked off with “Fune kara Orita Bokutachi wa…” and included powerful performances of songs like “Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo” and “Yume e no Route.”
Rio Okamura of the 2.5th generation expressed her aspirations: “I hope the day will come when we, the next generation, stand at the forefront of STU48. We worked hard in lessons together, and I’m truly happy to perform in front of so many people today. Please continue to support us as we work hard!” Saki Sogawa, a 3rd generation member set to graduate on April 11th, teared up as she reflected on her journey: “Training with the 2.5th and 3rd generation members I’ve been with, and the fresh 4th generation trainees, and seeing my 3rd generation peers teaching the 4th generation, made me realize how much we’ve grown together. I felt that STU48 is truly a group surrounded by irreplaceable members.”
Kurea Inoue, a 4th generation trainee, shared her emotional experience: “This was our first anniversary concert as 4th generation trainees, and we didn’t know anything, and many songs were new to us. It was very hard to prepare in such a short time, but we all worked so hard. Honestly, I was anxious, but I’m truly happy to have successfully held this concert. Thank you all for coming!” The concert concluded with Yuuka Kurushima of the 2.5th generation rallying the audience, “Please continue to dream various dreams with us! And please follow us!” before a powerful performance of “Chikara.”
Nakamura Mai shared her thoughts on producing the concert: “Holding a solo concert and a produced concert was a very big challenge for me. The solo concert was a dream I’d held for a long time. The produced concert was created with the 2.5th, 3rd, and 4th generation trainees. The theme is ‘Connecting with Dreams.’ I hope that even when times are tough, they will continue to chase their dreams, hand-in-hand with their fellow members, and connect this group to the future.”
Future Horizons: Photobooks and More
Adding to the excitement, Nakamura Mai announced the release of a digital special edition of her 1st photobook and a 2nd photobook, scheduled for August 27, 2026. She enthusiastically told her fans, “I’m excited to see what kind of me will be captured, so please look forward to it!” The day concluded with “Eien Yori Tsuzuku You ni,” bringing an end to a memorable 26-song setlist.
These concerts highlight STU48’s vibrant present and promising future, showcasing both established talent like Nakamura Mai and the fresh energy of its younger generations. This commitment to nurturing new talent and providing platforms for growth ensures the group’s continued evolution, offering a dynamic example of Japan’s ever-evolving Kawaii idol culture to a global audience.
Related Links:
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STU48 13th Single “Suki Sugite Naku” MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAE2nHK0qpk -
STU48 13th Single “Suki Sugite Naku” Special Edition:
https://lnk.to/gG7KElEw -
“Lemon to Lemon” MUSIC VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/h6xkbbEoIrU -
STU48 Official X:
https://x.com/STU48_official_ -
STU48 Official HP:
https://sp.stu48.com -
STU48 Official YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@stu4858 -
STU48 9th Anniversary Concert Special Page:
https://sp.stu48.com/feature/9e6f03177780f1519e715d1b4796ca32
