Riho Kotani Announces Graduation From NMB48!

| 48 / 46 Group | Posted by Kai Okudara on Sep.14.2015

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Riho Kotani announced her graduation from NMB48 during the September 13, 2015 Team N “Koko ni Datte Tenshi wa Iru” performance at the NMB48 theater in Osaka.

Kotani explained, “It’s been 5 years since I joined NMB48 and it has become a new group as it changed and evolved as I have watched it from the position of a member, and with that viewpoint, I came to the decision that it was the time for me to move on to a new stage which is closer to my dreams. After graduating, I would like to work more on television programs which I love, as well as taking on the challenge of acting.”

Despite the shocking announcement during her belated birthday theater performance (her birthday was August 24th), Kotani remained cheerful when assuring fans that she would do her best until her final day as a member of NMB48. She reminded them that her first photobook “Jaguchi” would be going on sale on September 15th and that there were still tickets left for the upcoming handshake event.

A first generation member of the group, Kotani had been a senbatsu member (appearing on the A-side songs) from their debut single “Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shojo” until their 12th single “Duran Shonen”. NMB48’s 13th single “Must be now” will be her final single and the first time that she is not a part of the senbatsu but, she does appear in the coupling song “Kataomoi Yori mo Omoide wo…” (all versions) and the Team N song “Yume ni iro ga nai riyuu” (Type-A). Her final event and theater performance has not been decided yet.

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