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| Tomomi Itano Steps Back on Stage With RoLuANGEL as She Marks 20 Years in Showbiz |
J-Pop legend and former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano aka Tomochin made a rare return to the stage on 16 November, joining RoLuANGEL — the nine-member idol group she produces — for their special live show in Tokyo. The performance also doubled as a warm-up to her 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry, which she will officially celebrate next month.
RoLuANGEL, launched in January 2024, includes Itano’s younger sister Narumi among its members, making the collaboration a personal milestone as much as a professional one.
Dressed in a self-funded matching outfit, Itano greeted the crowd by introducing herself as “the tenth member”.
The venue erupted in applause as she stepped into formation with the younger idols.
She performed four tracks alongside the group, including Dancing and Gunjou Start Line.
After the final chorus, she admitted, slightly out of breath, that it had been quite a while since she spent that long dancing on stage.
“There’s a bit of an age gap between me and the members, so I ran out of breath quickly,” she said with a laugh.
“But I still look like I’m in my twenties, right? Thank you.”
Itano became visibly emotional when reflecting on her journey from AKB48’s early era to her current role as a producer.
“Idols look bright on stage, but behind the scenes there are many tough moments,” she said, her voice shaking.
“I created this group because I wanted to support girls who dream of becoming idols. It’s difficult until you finally get noticed. While my name still has some visibility, I want to help as many young talents as possible.”
Tears surfaced as she continued.
“I genuinely want them to succeed. I want them to stand on big stages, even arenas like Tokyo Dome, the way we once did. I’ll keep supporting them so their dreams can come true.”
The audience responded with loud cheers, with many appreciating her candidness and continued dedication to nurturing the next generation.
The event also introduced RoLuANGEL’s newest member, 21-year-old Horiguchi Mirei, who officially joins the now nine-member lineup.
Alongside Narumi Itano and the rest of the team, the group is gearing up for a stronger push as they move into their second year.
Fans are now watching closely to see how RoLuANGEL’s momentum builds under her guidance, especially as she heads into her milestone anniversary.