Watanabe Mayu Graduation Concert ~Minna no Yume ga Kanaimasu you ni~
Mayu Watanabe showed again the love for her birthplace by choosing to perform her graduation concert at Saitama Super Arena on October 31st.
The title of Mayuyu’s last and legendary concert was inspired by the last sentence of her beloved Team B catchphrase “Watanabe Mayu Sotsugyo Concert ～Minna no Yume ga Kanaemasu You ni～” which could be translated “May everyone’s dream come true”.
Once all the 17,000 fans took their seats, projection mapping of 7 golden eagles symbolizing the famous AKB48 Kami 7 filled the giant screens in the arena. Mayu Watanabe appeared on stage via a suspended platform wearing a white dress adorned with beautiful embroidery worthy of a French queen. Her voice trembled with emotion as the performance began with an orchestral arrangement of “Shonichi”, the top ranked song from the first AKB48 Request Hour (2009). The tears on her usually smiling face left a painful reminder that it was to be her last concert as an AKB48 member.
Mayuyu finally expressed her hopes and trust towards the group’s future and that she will always have a well-wishing eye on it. “Sakura no Hanabiratachi” wrapped up the concert. Mayuyu greeted her fans and the other members before eventually hugging Yukirin for the last time. An aerial bucket adorned with great angel wings lifted Mayuyu up in the air while fans kept calling out her as she finally disappeared, leaving behind her 11 years of her life as an idol.
The 48 franchise said goodbye once again to one of their legendary idols. One of the cute faces of Team B will remain for the fans a charismatic center and a wonderful friend for her teammates but she will be missed for much more than that. From 250 fans in the theater to the 17,000 Mayu oshis in Saitama Super Arena, the 11 years she spent within the group has been an overwhelming achievement. Through all those years, she grew up by captivating hearts with great and sometimes painful efforts.
#AKB48 #WatanabeMayu #渡辺麻友
Performing Members:
Team A: Iriyama Anna, Oya Shizuka, Kojima Natsuki, Sasaki Yukari, Takita Kayoko, Taniguchi Megu, Nakanishi Chiyori, Hiwatashi Yui, Miyazaki Miho, Yokoyama Yui
Team K: Abe Maria, Ichikawa Manami, Kubo Satone, Shinozaki Ayana, Shimada Haruka, Shimoguchi Hinana, Tano Yuuka, Fujita Nana, Minegishi Minami, Mogi Shinobu, Mukaichi Mion, Muto Tomu, Yumoto Ami
Team B: Kashiwagi Yuki, Kato Rena, Goto Moe, Sakaguchi Nagisa, Takeuchi Miyu, Tatsuya Makiho, Nishikawa Rei, Fukuoka Seina, Ma Chia-Ling, Yamabe Ayu, Watanabe Mayu
Team 4: Iino Miyabi, Iwatate Saho, Okawa Rio, Omori Miyuu, Okada Nana, Kawamoto Saya, Kitazawa Saki, Kojima Mako, Komiyama Haruka, Sato Kiara, Takahashi Juri, Chiba Erii, Nozawa Rena, Murayama Yuiri
Team 8: Yamada Nanami, Nakano Ikumi, Sakaguchi Nagisa, Oguri Yui, Kuranoo Narumi
AKB48 Kenkyuusei: Asai Nanami, Inagaki Kaori, Umemoto Izumi, Kurosu Haruka, Sato Minami, Shoji Nagisa, Suzuki Kurumi, Taguchi Manaka, Taya Misaki, Nagatomo Ayami, Harima Nanami, Homma Mai, Maeda Ayaka, Michieda Saki, Muto Orin, Yasuda Kana, Yamauchi Mizuki, Yamane Suzuha
Team S: Matsui Jurina, Kitagawa Ryoha
Team KII: Obata Yuna
Team E: Suda Akari
Team N: Yamamoto Ayaka, Yamamoto Sayaka
Team M: Shiroma Miru
Team H: Kodama Haruka, Sashihara Rino, Tanaka Miku, Yabuki Nako
Team KIV: Tomonaga Mio, Miyawaki Sakura
Team TII: Matsuoka Hana
Team NIII: Ogino Yuka, Kitahara Rie, Homma Hinata
STU: Takino Yumiko
Graduates: Ota Aika, Nakagawa Haruka, Hirajima Natsumi, Katayama Haruka, Urano Kazumi, Tanabe Miku, Nakaya Sayaka, Kikuchi Ayaka