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| “Like the Wind, Nine Years Flew By” – Kubo Shiori to Graduate from Nogizaka46 |
Nogizaka46 member Kubo Shiori (24) has officially announced her graduation from the group via her personal blog post on 16 September, bringing her nine-year idol journey to an emotional turning point.
Her graduation will be marked with a two-day concert titled “Nogizaka46 Kubo Shiori Graduation Concert” at Yokohama Arena on Wednesday, 26 November and Thursday, 27 November 2025.
Doors open at 5pm, with shows starting at 6:30pm on both nights.
Advance ticket sales for the concert are set to begin on Sunday, 21 September at 6pm, with further details to be shared through the group’s official website.
Blog Announcement: “It Felt Like the Wind”
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Kubo Shiori titled her farewell blog entry “Like the Wind, These Nine Years Flew By”.
She reflected on her idol journey that began when she joined Nogizaka46’s 3rd generation in 2016, at just 15 years old.
“I loved idols since I was six, and becoming a Nogizaka46 member felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from,” she wrote.
“But when I looked at myself objectively, I realised the timing to graduate is now. I want to learn how to make choices for myself, without relying on the group. I felt I must stand on my own.”
She also apologised gently to juniors, recalling moments during the summer tour when younger members asked her to stay longer.
“Every time they said, ‘Please stay with us,’ I’d reply ‘I will!’ – but that was the only lie I told. I’m sorry,” she admitted.
For Kubo Shiori, Yokohama Arena carries deep significance. It’s the venue where she reclaimed her youth, and now, it will be where she draws the curtain on her Nogizaka chapter.
“It’s where I’ve watched the backs of members I love, and now it’s where I’ll put a full stop on my own youth. Please come if you can – it would make me happy,” she urged fans.
She closed her announcement with warmth and gratitude: “Nogizaka46 was my dream, and I’ll enjoy it right to the end. I want to savour every moment, step firmly, and still run through like the wind. Thank you, always.”
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Career Highlights
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3rd Gen Entry (2016): Passed the auditions and quickly established herself as one of the core members of her generation.
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First Centre (2023): Took centre position alongside Yamashita Mizuki (now graduated) for the single “Hito wa Yume o Nido Miru”.
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Acting Success: Became the first active Nogizaka member to appear in both an NHK morning drama (Anpan) and a Taiga drama (What Will You Do, Ieyasu). She also starred in the NHK night drama Mirai no Watashi ni Bukkamasareru!?, & Kaibutsu.
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Radio Personality: Hosted Nogizaka46 no All Night Nippon every Wednesday late night, even holding a live event earlier this year at Yokohama Arena.
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Cheerleading Roots: A proud Miyagi native, she was once part of Rakuten Eagles’ Junior Cheer Girls before her idol debut.
Shiori Kubo’s graduation marks the end of an era for Nogizaka46, but her message suggests she’s ready to take bold new steps on her own. With a proven track record in acting, radio, and stage performance, her post-idol career is set to be just as promising.
For now, fans have one last chance to see her in purple uniform glory – on 26 and 27 November at Yokohama Arena.