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| Yuiri Murayama Jumps Into Post-AKB Life With First Musical Lead Role “Shin Bakumatsu Junjoden” This August (Nikkan) |
Looks like Yuiri Murayama isn’t wasting any time after graduating from AKB48 — the fan-favourite idol is diving headfirst into the world of musical theatre with a major lead role in Shin Bakumatsu Junjoden, set to run from 8 to 24 August 2025 at Tokyo’s Kinokuniya Hall.
And yes, this will be her very first time headlining a stage production solo!
Based on a story by the legendary Tsuka Kōhei, Shin Bakumatsu Junjoden is a dramatic reimagining of the end-of-Edo-period chaos in Kyoto, with a twist — what if Okita Sōji, the famed Shinsengumi swordsman, was actually a woman?
It’s bold, emotional, and a total classic in Japanese theatre. But this time around, it’s getting a fresh new makeover as a musical for the very first time ever.
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Yuiri, 27, will be taking on the lead role of Okita, a character previously portrayed by the likes of Satomi Ishihara, Rena Matsui, and Yūka Sugai — not exactly small shoes to fill. But she’s all in.
“I honestly didn’t expect to be handed such a huge opportunity right after graduating,” she shared.
“There’s definitely some nerves, but more than that, I’m just really excited. Playing such a strong character like Okita Sōji might help me discover a new side of myself.”
It’s a full-circle moment, really.
After years of performing as part of AKB48 — where she built a solid rep for her presence and dedication — she’s ready to take that stage experience and channel it into something completely new.
“I want to give it my all — the singing, the dancing, the acting,” she said.
“Everything I learned in AKB48, I’ll bring with me. This is a challenge I truly want to enjoy with all my heart.”
Tickets are sure to be hot once they go on sale, and fans of both theatre and AKB48 will definitely want to keep an eye on this one. Yuiri’s post-idol era is off to a fiery start — and we’re absolutely here for it.