Hinatazaka46 Unveils 17th Single 'Kind of love' with 4th Gen Kaho Fujishima as Solo Center

Hinatazaka46 announced the release of their 17th single, "Kind of love," on May 20th, bringing great excitement and surprise to their fans. The announcement was made as a surprise during Day 2 of the "7th Hina Tanjosai" concert held on April 5th, plunging the venue into a whirlwind of excitement.

The highly anticipated center position was given to 4th generation member Kaho Fujishima, marking her first solo center role. Following the surprise announcement during the live performance, the new song was unveiled for the first time, and fans reacted enthusiastically to her confident performance, with comments like "High expectations!" and "Kahorin center is the best!" Fujishima's solo center is drawing significant attention as it heralds the dawn of a new era for the group.

The new song "Kind of love" features a Latin-flavored melody composed by Nasca, making it pleasantly catchy and memorable. With its title meaning "something like love," the track, combined with its choreography, is expected to bring out a fresh charm, distinct from Hinatazaka46's previous works. Despite being its debut performance, the venue saw an unprecedented surge of excitement, with fans instantly synchronizing their calls. Surprised comments like "My voice is gone!" and "How did we manage the calls so perfectly?" were heard.

The formation revealed Kaho Fujishima at the center, with Yoko Shogenji and Manami Ohno serving as the front row. The selection of Sakura Matsuo and Mari Morimoto also delighted fans, marking a significant achievement as all 3rd generation members made it into the senbatsu (selected members for the single). Fans also showed great interest in the placement of each member, such as Nao Kosaka's position in the center of the second row.

The release date is set for Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Pre-orders have already begun, and fans are eagerly expressing their excitement with comments like "Can't wait!" and "Pre-order complete!" All eyes are on how "Kind of love," a new step for the group, will evolve Hinatazaka46 in their future activities.

The context

Hinatazaka46 is a highly popular Japanese idol group, part of the "Sakamichi Series" alongside Nogizaka46 and Sakurazaka46. Known for their energetic performances and uplifting "happy aura" concept, they have a dedicated fanbase. For idol groups, the release of a new single is a major event, often accompanied by extensive promotional activities and fan engagement.

The "center position" in an idol group's formation is extremely significant. It is typically given to the member who leads the performance, often sings the main lines, and is considered the "face" of that particular single. A "solo center" for a single is a prestigious role, highlighting the member's growing importance within the group. For a 4th generation member like Kaho Fujishima, who are relatively newer recruits, to be selected as a solo center so early in their career signifies immense potential and a strategic push by management to introduce new blood at the forefront.

"Hina Tanjosai" (literally "Hinata's Birthday Festival") is an annual concert celebrating the group's debut anniversary, a key event for both the members and fans. Announcements made during these large-scale live performances are often done as surprises to maximize fan excitement.

"Senbatsu" refers to the select group of members chosen to participate in a single's recording, choreography, and promotional activities. Not all members of a large idol group are always in the senbatsu, so being chosen is an honor. The fact that all 3rd generation members made it into the senbatsu for this single is a testament to their growth and the group's expanding talent pool. "Calls" are synchronized chants and cheers performed by fans during live performances, a unique aspect of Japanese idol culture. The ability to instantly perform calls for a brand-new song demonstrates the fans' deep engagement and the song's immediate impact.