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| Sakurazaka46 Performs First US Live Show at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles |
Sakurazaka46 has officially made their mark in America! The popular Japanese idol group pulled off a smashing debut performance on 4 July at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles — one of the biggest Japanese pop culture events in North America. The girls lit up the Peacock Theater stage as part of the J-POP SOUND CAPSULE @AX2025 ~Anisong World Matsuri Returns~, and let’s just say... overseas Buddies were loving every second.
This was Sakurazaka46’s first-ever live performance in the States, but they certainly didn’t come in cold. Over the past couple of years, they’ve built a rep overseas with showings at Japan Expo Paris 2023, a double win at the Asia Artist Awards in the Philippines, and a groundbreaking appearance as the first Japanese idol group to hit the main stage at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap Festival 2024. Domestically, their ongoing “5th TOUR 2025: Addiction” has even started offering exclusive tickets for international fans — a clear sign they’re going global for real.
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Now back to LA — the group stepped onto a stage that’s hosted legends like Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, so expectations were sky-high. And honestly? They smashed it.
Once the custom event Overture started playing, the venue went wild. Fans — many of them local or flying in just for this — were shouting just like Japanese Buddies do back home. First up on the setlist was “Start over!” with Fujiyoshi Karin taking centre stage. Behind them? A massive LED screen playing their HUNTER×HUNTER collaboration MV — a nod to their 2023 YouTube project with Weekly Shonen Jump. Safe to say, fans of both idols and anime were thrilled.
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During MC time, captain Matsuda Rina hyped the crowd with a bright “Sakurazaka46 in Los Angeles! Are you having fun?” — met by loud cheers. Yamazaki Ten followed up with a sweet and simple “Thank you for your love and support!” in English, sending a wave of warm fuzzies through the audience.
Next up was the surprise of the night — the duo of Matsuda Rina and Morita Hikaru took on “Pikkaan!,” the ending theme for the Pokémon anime, produced by Giga & TeddyLoid. It’s a rare one even in Japan, and to see it performed live in LA? An absolute treat. The cuteness overload from their performance had the whole crowd completely locked in.
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The vibe quickly shifted with the third track — “Jigoujitoku (自業自得)” — led by centre Yamashita Shizuki. This one hit different. Intense choreography, fierce energy, and an almost defiant edge — a reminder that Sakurazaka46 aren’t your typical cutesy idols. You could feel the crowd clocking the uniqueness of their artistry — like, “Wait, this is idol music?”
Finally, the girls wrapped up the night with “Shounin Yokkyuu (承認欲求),” also from their 2nd album Addiction, which recently got remixed by overseas DJs. Morita Hikaru took the lead this time, channelling a whole different aura from her earlier Pokémon vibes — full power, no holding back. The choreography was razor sharp, and you could just feel the unity between the members.
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As the music faded, the girls bowed out gracefully. The last to leave, Ozono Rei, turned and gave the deepest bow of the night — and the crowd responded with the loudest applause yet.
A truly unforgettable debut for Sakurazaka46 in America — and by the looks of it, this is just the beginning of their overseas chapter.
SETLIST – “J-POP SOUND CAPSULE @AX2025 Anisong World Matsuri Returns”
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Overture (Anime Expo version)
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M1. Start over!
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M2. ピッカーン! (Pikkaan!) – Pokémon anime ending theme
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M3. 自業自得 (Jigoujitoku)
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M4. 承認欲求 (Shounin Yokkyuu)