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| Ye Zhien Takes Centre Stage in TSH48’s Nagori Zakura Election, Three New Faces Make Senbatsu Debut. (TSH48) |
TSH48 have finally unveiled the highly anticipated senbatsu line-up for Nagori Zakura, and there is one name sitting exactly where fans expected the spotlight to land. Ye Zhien has officially secured the coveted Centre position after weeks of intense voting, proving once again that when it comes to fan support, she remains one of the group's biggest forces. After all the campaigning, point collecting, predictions, spreadsheets and sleepless refreshing of rankings, supporters can finally put their calculators away—at least until the next election arrives.
The announcement follows a competitive voting period that ran from 19 April to 31 May 2026, with fans rallying behind their favourite members in hopes of seeing them earn a place in the final formation.
The selected senbatsu will perform Nagori Zakura, the Mandarin version of AKB48's 67th single. Known for its emotional theme and symbolism of lingering cherry blossoms, the song has long been considered one of the more meaningful entries in the idol catalogue, making this year's result even more significant for those involved.
Standing at the centre of it all is Ye Zhien, whose victory quickly became one of the most discussed topics among TSH48 supporters.
As the member tasked with leading the performance, expectations are naturally high, but many fans believe she is more than ready for the challenge.
Speaking after the results were revealed, Ye Zhien expressed gratitude towards everyone who supported her throughout the election period.
"I still can't fully believe this result. Thank you to everyone who stood by me and gave me strength during these past weeks. Every vote, every message and every bit of encouragement meant so much. Becoming the Centre for Nagori Zakura is a huge honour, and I will work hard to create a performance that all of you can be proud of. This achievement belongs to all of us, not just me."
Joining her in the senbatsu formation are Wang Xiaoyang, Chen Jiayi, Gui Chuchu, Zhang Yilin, Huang Zhenxuan, Wang Anni, Wu Fan, Cheng Anzi, Zhang Shiyu, Cheng Lexin, Zhang Jiazhe, and Wei Xiaoya.
The line-up combines established fan favourites with rising talents, creating a formation that many believe offers a strong balance between experience and fresh energy.
One of the biggest talking points, however, was not the members who were expected to make the cut but those who managed to break through for the first time.
Long Qingrui, Gan Xingwan, and Li Wenhuan officially achieved their first-ever senbatsu placements, marking an important milestone in their idol journeys. Every election season promises surprises, and this year decided to deliver three of them at once.
Fan reactions across social media have been lively, passionate and, in true idol fandom fashion, occasionally dramatic. Many supporters praised Ye Zhien's victory as a well-deserved outcome, pointing to her consistent performances and strong connection with fans.
Others celebrated the arrival of the three first-time senbatsu members, describing the results as proof that newer faces can still rise through the ranks in an increasingly competitive environment.
Not everyone agreed on every placement, of course. Some fans questioned whether certain members should have ranked higher, while others jokingly claimed their prediction charts had suffered "total destruction" after the final reveal.
Several supporters also noted that the inclusion of fresh faces could help keep the group dynamic evolving rather than relying solely on established popularity.
For TSH48, the conclusion of the election marks the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end of one. With Ye Zhien leading the formation and three newcomers entering senbatsu for the first time, expectations surrounding Nagori Zakura have risen considerably.
The real test now moves from voting numbers to the stage itself, where fans will finally see how this much-discussed formation comes together. Did the election produce the perfect senbatsu, or were there members you think deserved a spot?