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"Sakurazuki"
Type A cover
Single by Sakurazaka46
B-side	"Cool" (all versions) "Sono Hi Made" (regular) "Munen" (Type A) "Moshikashitara Shinjitsu" (Type B) "Tamashii no Liar" (Type C) "Natsu no Chikamichi" (Type D)
Released	February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)
Genre	J-pop
Length	4:42
Label	Sony Music Japan
Composer(s)	NAZCA
Lyricist(s)	Yasushi Akimoto
Sakurazaka46 singles chronology
"Samidare yo" (2022) "Sakurazuki" (2023) "Start over!" (2023)
Music video
"Sakurazuki" on YouTube

"Sakurazuki" (桜月) is the fifth single by the Japanese idol group Sakurazaka46 after their 2020 renaming. The song is written by Yasushi Akimoto and is composed by NAZCA. It was released on February 15, 2023 by Sony Music Entertainment. The title track features Moriya Rena as the center.

Background and Release

The single was announced on the second day of Sakurazaka46's "2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY ~ Buddies Thanksgiving ~" concert on December 9, 2022 which was held at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo. Following the single announcement, the formation of the title track was announced at the end of the 113th episode of Soko Magattara, Sakurazaka? which was aired on the December 25, 2023.

The single title was then announced on January 4, 2023.

On January 18, 2023, the album artwork was revealed for the first time on Sakurazaka46's official site.

On February 1, 2023, the contents (track listing) of each CD types were revealed. This single is released in five types: Limited edition features 4 types A, B, C, D with Blu-ray included, and a CD-only regular edition type.

This single was released 10 months after the release of their previous single "Samidare yo". This is also the last single feature Yumiko Seki who will graduate from the group after this single. Further, the 3rd generation members also participated in this single with the B-side song "Natsu no Chikamichi" (夏の近道).

The title song "Sakurazuki" was performed for the first time on the February 10, 2023 broadcast of Music Station 2-hour SP (TV Asahi).

Album Artwork

Track Listing

Type A

Type B

Type C

Type D

Regular Edition

Participating Members

Sakurazuki

Center: Rena Moriya

• 3rd Row: Yui Takemoto, Rina Matsuda, Mizuho Habu, Kira Masumoto, Rina Inoue
• 2nd Row: Ten Yamasaki, Rei Ōzono, Hikaru Morita, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi
• 1st Row: Yui Kobayashi, Rena Moriya, Minami Koike

This is Rena Moriya's (2nd Generation) first time holding the center position.Among members coming from Sakamichi Kenshusei (including those in Nogizaka46 and Hinatazaka46), Rena Moriya is the first one to serve as a center for a group single. Further, Rei Ōzono (2nd generation) who was also part of Sakamichi Kenshusei participated as Sakura Eight for the first time and this is also Kira Masumoto's first time making it into senbatsu. In addition, the second row members have all had previous experience as centers.

Cool

Center: Rei Ōzono

• 3rd Row: Yumiko Seki, Akiho Ōnuma, Fuyuka Saitō, Rina Uemura, Marino Kōsaka, Hikari Endō
• 2nd Row: Hikaru Morita, Karin Fujiyoshi, Ten Yamasaki, Hono Tamura, Rena Moriya
• 1st Row: Yui Kobayashi, Rei Ōzono, Minami Koike

Munen (無念)

Center: Rina Matsuda

• Rina Uemura, Fuyuka Saitō, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Hikari Endō, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda

Moshikattara Shinjitsu (もしかしたら真実)

Center: Rena Moriya

• Minami Koike, Yui Kobayashi, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Rei Ōzono, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda, Hikaru Morita, Rena Moriya, Ten Yamasaki

Tamashii no Liar (魂のLiar)

Center: Rena Moriya

• Rina Uemura, Minami Koike, Yui Kobayashi, Fuyuka Saitō, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Hikari Endō, Rei Ōzono, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda, Hikaru Morita, Rena Moriya, Ten Yamasaki

Natsu no Chikamichi (夏の近道)

Center: Airi Taniguchi

• 2nd Row: Yū Murai, Yuzuki Nakashima, Reina Odakura, Nagisa Kojima, Rika Ishimori, Riko Endō, Itoha Mukai, Shizuki Yamashita
• 1st Row: Mio Matono, Airi Taniguchi, Miu Murayama

Sono Hi Made (その日まで)

Center: Yūka Sugai

• Rina Uemura, Minami Koike, Yui Kobayashi, Fuyuka Saitō, Yūka Sugai, Mizuho Habu, Rina Inoue, Hikari Endō, Rei Ōzono, Akiho Ōnuma, Marino Kōsaka, Yumiko Seki, Yui Takemoto, Hono Tamura, Karin Fujiyoshi, Kira Masumoto, Rina Matsuda, Hikaru Morita, Rena Moriya, Ten Yamasaki

Chart performance

External links

• "Sakurazuki" Single Official Page - Sakurazaka46 Official Site
• Music Video
  • 櫻坂46『桜月』 on YouTube (January 25, 2023)
  • 櫻坂46『Cool』 on YouTube (February 7, 2023)
  • 櫻坂46『夏の近道』 on YouTube (February 11, 2023)
  • 櫻坂46『その日まで』 on YouTube (October 26, 2022)

Notes

1. Actual broadcast time is early morning of December 26, 2023 but Japan broadcasting adopts a timing system that goes past 24-hour so early morning of a certain day will still be counted as part of the previous date.

References

1. ^ "櫻坂46の5thシングル「桜月」MV公開、監督は「僕のジレンマ」手がけた金野恵利香". 音楽ナタリー. ナターシャ. 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
2. "桜月 櫻坂46". ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
3. "5thシングル 発売決定！". 櫻坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
4. "5thシングルのタイトルは『桜月』に決定！最新アーティスト写真も公開！". 櫻坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
5. "櫻坂46、5thシングルタイトルは「桜月」 躍動感ある新ビジュアルも解禁". ORICON NEWS. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
6. "5thシングル『桜月』ジャケットアートワーク公開！". 櫻坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
7. "5thシングル『桜月』商品収録内容決定！". 櫻坂46公式サイト (in Japanese). 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
8. "5thシングル『桜月』商品収録内容決定！". 櫻坂46公式サイト. Seed & Flower. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
9. "【深ヨミ】櫻坂46『桜月』5作連続CDシングル首位 地域別販売動向に変化は？ | Daily News". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-03-06.
10. "櫻坂46 関有美子が卒業発表「自分を信じて進んでいきたい」". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
11. "KAT-TUN、Mステで新曲「Fantasia」披露 カメラワークにも絶賛の声". ORICON NEWS. 2023-02-10. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
12. ^ "FORMATION". 櫻坂46 公式サイト. Seed & Flower. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
13. ^ "櫻坂46、新センターは坂道研修生出身初の守屋麗奈 歴代センターが2列目【フォーメーション発表】". ORICON NEWS. oricon ME. 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
14. ^ "5thシングル『桜月』の作品に三期生の参加が決定！". 櫻坂46 公式サイト. Seed & Flower. 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
15. Oricon Singles Chart:
    • Keyakizaka46: "欅坂46のシングル売上ランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
    • Sakurazaka46: "櫻坂46のシングル売上ランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
16. "Hot 100". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). (for singles)
    • "Sakurazuki". February 22, 2023.
17. "【オリコン上半期ランキング2023】King & Prince、「作品別」で7冠達成 男性アーティスト35年ぶりの「シングル」＆「アルバム」同時1位 3ページ目 | シングルランキング 1位~25位". Oricon (in Japanese). June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
18. Cumulative digital sales for "Sakurazuki":
    • "週間 デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2023年02月20日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
    • "週間 デジタルシングル (単曲) ランキング 2023年02月27日付" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
19. "Japanese single certifications – Sakurazaka46 – Sakurazuki" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved March 15, 2023. Select 2023年2月 on the drop-down menu

• 2023 singles
• 2023 songs
• Sakurazaka46 songs