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Sasaki Rikako (佐々木莉佳子) is a Japanese pop singer, dancer and model. She is a 3rd generation member of ANGERME under Hello! Project.[1][2][3] She first joined Hello! Project in March 2013 as a Hello Pro Kenshuusei member.[4][5]

Prior to joining Hello! Project, she was a member of the local idol group SCK GIRLS. She graduated from SCK GIRLS on March 31, 2013.

She is set to graduate from ANGERME and Hello! Project at the end of the group's upcoming spring concert tour in 2024.[6]

Biography[]

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Early Life[]

Sasaki Rikako was born on May 28, 2001 in Kesennuma, Miyagi to Sasaki Toshishige and Estella.

2011-2012[]

On March 11, 2011, Sasaki and her family lost their home to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[7] After the earthquake, her father sent an application in for her to join the local idol group SCK45, now called SCK GIRLS, because he thought it would cheer her up.

In summer 2012, Sasaki participated in the Morning Musume 11ki Member "Suppin Utahime" Audition for an opportunity to join Morning Musume, but was not chosen to enter the group.[4]

2013[]

On March 1, Sasaki joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei.[2] She was introduced as the sole 18th generation member at the Hello! Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2013 ~3gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~ event on March 31.[4][5] On the same day, she graduated from SCK GIRLS. She blogged on April 2 thanking staff members of SCK GIRLS for supporting her.

On June 13, Sasaki participated in a release event for Ten Made Nobore! at Ikebukuro Sunshine city with Juice=Juice, Tanabe Nanami, Hamaura Ayano and Murota Mizuki.

2014[]

From March 14 to March 23, Sasaki participated in the musical Bokutachi Karen na Shounen Gasshoudan along with Yasuda Kei, Ogawa Makoto and 7 other trainees. On opening day, the Hello Pro Kenshuusei single "Karen na Gasshoudan" was released to promote the musical.

On May 4, Sasaki won the judge's dance award at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2014 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ event for her performance of "Kiseki no Kaori Dance.".

On May 31, it was revealed that Sasaki had won the Pichi Lemon audition for new models. She was first featured in the fashion magazine on June 30.

From June 5 to June 15, Sasaki participated in the musical LILIUM -Lilium Shoujo Junketsu Kageki- along with selected Morning Musume '14 members, S/mileage, and fellow trainees Tanabe Nanami and Kaga Kaede. She played the role of "Mimosa", one of the followers of Princess Marguerite (played by Sato Masaki).

On October 4, it was announced that Sasaki was selected to join S/mileage as the 3rd generation, along with Murota Mizuki and Aikawa Maho,[1][2][3] subsequently leaving Hello Pro Kenshuusei.[8]

2015[]

On February 28, Sasaki released her first solo e-Hello! Blu-ray, Greeting ~Sasaki Rikako~.

On June 1, Sasaki celebrated her 14th birthday at a special birthday event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2015. The event featured two performances in Tokyo.

On July 20, she released her first solo photobook, titled RIKAKO.

On October 31, Sasaki was featured as model for Pichi Lemon for the last time, with the fashion magazine discontinuing its publication.

2016[]

Sasaki was featured in the March issue of fashion magazine Seventeen, released on February 1. In the issue, it was announced that that she was chosen to become a ST model.[9]

On June 3, Sasaki celebrated her 15th birthday at a special event called ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2016. The event featured two performances at TOKYO FM HALL.

2017[]

On February 21, Sasaki held a talk event at the Hello! Project Official Shop in Akihabara.[10]

On March 2, Sasaki was featured alongside Haga Akane in the Graduation2017 Chuugaku Sotsugyou published by TOKYONEWS magazine&mook, a collection of interviews and gravure photos commemorating her and other idols' graduation from middle school.[11]

On May 29, Sasaki celebrated her 16th birthday at fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2017, featuring two shows as TOKYO FM HALL.

2018[]

On January 30, Sasaki and Morning Musume '18 member Ishida Ayumi were announced as the image characters of "Eagles Girl", the female fans of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.[12] They were appointed on Eagles Girl Day, which was held on June 23 during the home game against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.[13] They both danced with the Tohoku Golden Angels cheerleading team and received the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch.[14]

On May 19, Sasaki appeared as a Seventeen model in the Rakuten GirlsAward 2018 SPRING/SUMMER at Makuhari Messe.[15]

On May 22, Sasaki celebrated her 17th birthday at fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2018, featuring two shows as TOKYO FM HALL.

On May 27, the Fami Hello! PHOTOBOOK was released, including Sasaki's gravure that was originally published in an October 2016 issue of Weekly Famitsu.[16]

On July 14, the summer 2018 commercial campaign for PIZZA-LA's "Yokubari Quarter" menu item began, starring Kamikokuryo Moe and Funaki Musubu in a commercial for a fourth time and Sasaki for the first time alongside comedian Degawa Tetsuro.[17][18]

On August 10, Ishida and Sasaki participated as Eagles Girls at the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles home game against the Saitama Seibu Lions.[19]

On October 4, Sasaki and Murota Mizuki held the ANGERME Murota Mizuki・Sasaki Rikako FC Event 2018 at Shinagawa Stellar Ball to celebrate the fourth anniversary of their debut as 3rd generation members of ANGERME.[20]

On November 3, the winter 2018 commercial campaign for PIZZA-LA's "Yokubari Quarter" menu item began, starring Kamikokuryo, Sasaki, and Funaki with Degawa Tetsuro.[21]

2019[]

From March 9, Sasaki began starring in PIZZA-LA's "Yokubari Quarter" spring 2019 commercial campaign with Degawa Tetsuro and fellow ANGERME members Kamikokuryo Moe, Funaki Musubu, and Ise Layla.[22][23]

On May 30, she celebrated her 18th birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2019, which featured two shows at Square Ebara Hiratsuka Hall.

2020[]

On March 1, Sasaki announced that she has graduated from being an ST model for the magazine Seventeen.[24]

On May 14, she opened up an official Instagram account.[25]

On May 28, she released her second photobook, Rikako -Shoujo, Dai Ni Shou-.[26][27]

On August 19, she celebrated her 19th birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2020, which featured two shows at LANDMARK HALL.[28] In compliance with government policy, cheering, crowding, standing, and closeness in the venue were prohibited, and wearing masks were required to enter.

2021[]

On May 28, she celebrated her 20th birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2021, featuring two shows at LANDMARK HALL.

On June 23, Sasaki Rikako became an exclusive CanCam model with the release of the magazine's August issue.[29]

On July 29, it was announced that Sasaki will be halting activities for the time being. On July 25, fellow ANGERME member Ise Layla was diagnosed with COVID-19, and after the confirmation of her diagnose, all members of Hello! Project underwent PCR tests which all of them tested negative for the virus, but Sasaki was classified as a close contact by the public health center. Although there is nothing wrong with her physical condition, she will be refraining from her activities for the time being and will be monitored under the instructions of the public health center and medical institutions.[30]

On August 6, it was announced that all Hello! Project members, managers, and tour staff had underwent PCR tests earlier in the week, and all of them had tested negative. As a result, the Hello! Project 2021 Summer Sapphire & Ruby show at Nakano Sun Plaza on August 8 will proceed as planned. Ise Layla and Sasaki Rikako had also taken PCR tests after their quarantine period, and had also tested negative. They will subsequently return to activities.[31]

2022[]

On May 27, she celebrated her 21st birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2022, featuring two shows at Hitotsubashi Hall.

2023[]

On May 31, she celebrated her 22nd birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Sasaki Rikako Birthday Event 2023, featuring two shows at Sunpearl Arakawa.

On June 2, it was announced that Sasaki had undergone a PCR test due to feeling feverish and lethargic, and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, she would temporarily halt activities in order to self-isolate. [32]

On December 21, it was announced that Sasaki will be graduating from ANGERME and Hello! Project at the end of the group's upcoming spring concert tour in 2024.[6]

Personal Life[]

Her father, Toshishige, works in the fishing industry in Sendai. Her mother, Estella, is a half Filipino and Spanish who immigrated from the Philippines to Japan 19 years prior to the day her daughter joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei.[33] She has an older sister named Aiko and an older brother named Yousuke.

After losing their home to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, the Sasaki family lived in temporary housing. As of April 2013, she is living in Tokyo with her mother and sister.[4]

When Sasaki was introduced as a Hello Pro Kenshuusei member on March 31, 2013, she was about to begin her 6th year in elementary school. When she debuted in S/mileage in October 2014, she was a first year middle school student. She graduated from middle school in March 2017.[34]

Sasaki notably gets along best with her generation mates Murota Mizuki and Aikawa Maho.

She is also close to Kaga Kaede and Ichioka Reina, and once blogged saying that she loved them.[35]

Here is a list of nicknames that was used to refer to Sasaki Rikako:

  • Rikako (りかこ): Official nickname, given her since Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
  • Rikako-tan (りかこたん)
  • Ricchan (りっちゃん)[36]

Profile[]

  • Specialty: Break an egg with one hand, Dancing,[2] Foot race,[37] Running[2]
  • Hobbies: Listening to music,[37] sports,[2] collecting Koibito Dukan goods
  • Motto: "Shoshi kantetsu" (初志貫徹; Carrying out one's original intention)[37]
  • Favorite Colors: Orange,[37] Pink
  • Favorite Food: Sticky rice cakes
  • Favorite Subject: Physical Education[39], Music[40]
  • Worst Subject: Arithmetics[39], Mathematics[41]
  • Favorite Sports: Volleyball,[37] Athletics,[37] Soccer (Football)[37]
  • Favorite ANGERME Song: "Watashi, Choito Kawaii Urabanchou"
  • Other Favorite Songs: "Bokura no Kagayaki"[39]
  • Looks up to: Kudo Haruka[39], Matsuura Aya

  • Discography[]

    Main article: Sasaki Rikako/Discography

    Solo Songs[]

    Solo Blu-rays[]

    Publications[]

    Main article: Sasaki Rikako/Publications

    Solo Photobooks[]

    Works[]

    Theater[]

    TV Programs[]

    Internet[]

    Commercials[]

    • [2018–2019] PIZZA-LA "Yokubari Quarter" (よくばりクォーター)

    Radio[]

    • [2015-] AS1422 (アンジュルムステーション1422)

    Music Videos[]

    Magazines[]

    • [2014–2015] Pichi Lemon (ピチレモン)
    • [2016–2020] Seventeen

    Rankings[]

    Award Place /
    Position
    Best Dancer in Hello Pro Kenshuusei
    (March 2014 Issue of Gekkan Entame)[42]
    3
    Best at Physical Activity in Hello Pro Kenshuusei
    (March 2014 Issue of Gekkan Entame)[42]
    Beautiful Idol General Election 2012
    Elementary School Group[43]
    2
    Beautiful Idol General Election 2013
    Elementary School Group[44]
    4
    Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2014 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~
    Judge's Special Award for Dance Performance
    (awarded by judge Mitsubachi Maki)
    1

    Trivia[]

    • She was the first Hello Pro Kenshuusei member who came from an idol group outside of Hello! Project.
    • She gained media attention, and a following for resembling former AKB48 members Maeda Atsuko and Oshima Yuko.
    • She was invited to the television show Star☆Draft where she danced to AKB48's "Heavy Rotation" and "Flying Get".
    • She is a fan of rock and metal music, and has a collection of band T-shirts which includes AC/DC, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, KISS, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Motley Crue, Slash, Slayer and The Misfits. She also has a jacket with Black Label Society, Green Day, Iron Maiden, Slipknot and The Misfits patches. In an interview, she has also mentioned liking Whitesnake.
    • She wants to try singing "Jishin Motte Yume wo Motte Tobitatsu Kara" by Takahashi Ai.
    • For her, the hardest thing about being a Hello Pro Kenshuusei was not receiving any lines in "Oheso no Kuni Kara Konnichiwa".
    • Her rival in Hello Pro Kenshuusei was Murota Mizuki. She says that Murota is good at singing and dancing and is very energetic and emotional during MCs, so she wants to be like her and someday exceed that.
    • Her dream is to become a top idol, and have her name spoken whenever someone mentions "Hello! Project" or "idol".
    • She's always dreamed of being an idol or being on TV, and she thinks that it's important for idols to have actual skill.
    • She is the third Hello Project member of Filipino descent after Lehua Sandbo and April Barbaran.
    • She wants to work as a model and idol at the same time.
    • Tsunku's commented on Sasaki in late 2013: "Your dancing has gotten better. Because of that, I want your singing to get better, too. Within that, the details in feeling the rhythm, like we always say, and the feeling of conscientiously putting your heart into it. That feeling might be the part you're lacking the most. Your expressions are big, like "look at me!" and that's a good thing."[45]
    • According to an interview in JUNON magazine released in July 2014, Sasaki hoped on getting an orange member color.
    • She admires Kudo Haruka because even with her husky voice she does her best to sing.
    • She is the first ANGERME member to be born in the 21st century.
    • The first CD she ever bought was "The☆Peace!" by Morning Musume.[46]
    • She bought a copy of "Wakuteka Take a chance", "Help me!!" and "13 Colorful Character".
    • She brings a bar of soap with her everywhere.
    • She'd like to go to a haunted house with Kudo Haruka.
    • She and former Morning Musume member Sayashi Riho are born on the same day.
    • In Fukuda Kanon's final interview before her graduation, she had this to say about Sasaki: "She’s just so cute. Just having Rikako around brightens up a room. She has a rare gift and I hope she continues to invigorate ANGERME from her (sic) on, too."[47]
    • She shares the same last name as Up Up Girls (2) member Sasaki Honoka.
    • She is currently into the girls band "Chilli Beans".
    • She is actually a Quarter, but she likes saying "half" instead.
    • She is the last remaining member who was part of the group when named S/mileage.


    Honorary Titles[]

    Honorary Titles
    Preceded by
    Wada Sakurako
    Youngest member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei
    March 1, 2013 – September 21, 2013 
    Succeeded by
    Funaki Musubu
    Preceded by
    Tamura Meimi
    Youngest member of ANGERME
    October 4, 2014 – July 15, 2016
    Succeeded by
    Kasahara Momona

    References[]

    1. 1.0 1.1 "話題の佐々木莉佳子ら3人増員" (in Japanese). ORICON STYLE. 2014-10-04.
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "スマイレージ 新メンバー決定!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2014-10-04.
    3. 3.0 3.1 Tommy V.D. "Say hello to S/mileage’s 3rd generation." Hello! News Service. 2014-10-04.
    4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Nakagawa Shinnosuke. "「街に笑顔」 夢はアイドル" (in Japanese). Yomiuri Online. 2013-06 (Archived: 2013-07-07).
    5. 5.0 5.1 "「ハロプロ研修生」公演、充実の内容で盛況。Juice=Juice第2弾シングル、5月先行発売発表" (in Japanese). De☆View. 2013-04-01.
    6. 6.0 6.1 "アンジュルム 佐々木莉佳子 の卒業に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2023-12.21.
    7. "気仙沼で活動する小学生アイドル・佐々木莉佳子親子の2年「思い出は流れたけど、私たちには未来がある」" (in Japanese). Shuu Pure☆News. 2013-03-23.
    8. Her Hello Pro Kenshuusei profile was taken down on October 10, 2014.
    9. アンジュルム佐々木莉佳子ファッション誌「Seventeen」専属モデルに決定! (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2016-02-01.
    10. http://www.helloproject.com/event/detail/071e8255c3bd1fbd42a73531f3eafb0a24a5e4ff
    11. "【予約】【佐々木 莉佳子(アンジュルム)ポストカード付】Graduation2017 中学卒業" (in Japanese). TOKYONEWS magazine&mook.
    12. "モーニング娘。'18石田亜佑美・アンジュルム佐々木莉佳子が「イーグルスガール」イメージキャラクターに決定!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-01-30.
    13. "6/23(土)はイーグルスガールデー!スタンドをピンクに染めよう!" (in Japanese). Rakuten Eagles. 2018-01-30.
    14. "6/23(土)始球式を務めた石田亜佑美さん・佐々木莉佳子さんからメッセージ" (in Japanese). Rakuten Eagles. 2018-06-23.
    15. https://twitter.com/angerme_upfront/status/969409469061808128
    16. "ハロー!プロジェクト20周年記念「ファミハロ!PHOTOBOOK」発売決定!!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-04-27.
    17. "今度のピザーラCMは“出川ゾウ”!! ~ゾウダンスで、イチキュッパ・オーン!!~" (in Japanese). @Press. 2018-07-12.
    18. "「PIZZA LA CMメイキング2018夏」予告篇" (in Japanese). ANGERME (via YouTube). 2018-07-12.
    19. "モーニング娘。'18石田亜佑美・アンジュルム佐々木莉佳子が、8/10(金)東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルスの試合にイーグルスガールとして参加!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-08-03.
    20. "★ファンクラブ会員限定イベント★「アンジュルム 室田瑞希・佐々木莉佳子FCイベント2018」開催決定!" (in Japanese). UP-FC. 2018-08-30.
    21. "アンジュルムの上國料萌衣・佐々木莉佳子・船木結が「PIZZA-LA」冬の新CMで出川さんと一緒の着ぐるみ姿で共演!体を張ったワイヤーアクションにも挑戦!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-11-01.
    22. "「PIZZA-LA CMメイキング2019春」予告篇" (in Japanese). ANGERME (via YouTube). 2019-03-07.
    23. "アンジュルムの上國料萌衣・佐々木莉佳子・船木結・伊勢鈴蘭「PIZZA-LA」春の新CM出演!!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-03-09.
    24. "seventeen 佐々木莉佳子" (in Japanese). ANGERME Member Official Blog. 2020-03-01.
    25. "ハロー!プロジェクトメンバーオフィシャルInstagramスタート!" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2020-05-14.
    26. https://twitter.com/wani_utb/status/1250262179581845508?s=21
    27. "写真集 佐々木莉佳子" (in Japanese). ANGERME Member Official Blog. 2020-04-15.
    28. "★ファンクラブ会員限定イベント★「アンジュルム 佐々木莉佳子バースデーイベント2020」開催決定!" (in Japanese). UP-FC. 2020-07-21.
    29. https://twitter.com/cancamtv/status/1403095070153187328?s=21
    30. "アンジュルム 佐々木莉佳子に関するご報告" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2021-07-29.
    31. "「Hello! Project 2021 Summer ~Sapphire & Ruby~」8/7(土)8(日)中野サンプラザ公演について" (in Japanese). 2021-08-06.
    32. http://helloproject.com/news/16012/
    33. "お客様の励ましもありますから「頑張って!」 (気仙沼市 本町)" (in Japanese). Kokoro Press. 2012-01-10.
    34. "無事☺︎ 佐々木莉佳子" (in Japanese). ANGERME Shin Member Official Blog. 2017-03-17.
    35. "おおさかだブヒ 佐々木莉佳子" (in Japanese). ANGERME Shin Member Official Blog. 2016-05-06.
    36. Pichi Lemon, 2014-10 Issue (pg 71).Gakken Marketing. Release Date: 2014-09-01. (Reference Image)
    37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 37.7 "ハロプロ研修生 > プロフィール > 佐々木莉佳子" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. (Archived: 2014-10-06).
    38. Magazine Image
    39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 "Hello Pro Kenshuusei Perfect Directory" (ハロぷろ研修生パーフェクト名鑑). BOMB Magazine, 2013-12 Issue (pg 54). Gakken Marketing. Release Date: 2013-11-09.
    40. http://ameblo.jp/angerme-ss-shin/entry-11982426504.html
    41. http://ameblo.jp/angerme-ss-shin/entry-11982426504.html
    42. 42.0 42.1 Gekkan Entame. March 2014 Issue. Published 2014-01-30.
    43. https://matome.naver.jp/odai/2135590320420300201
    44. http://xxidolxx.wix.com/idolsousenkyo#!js8/c5c5
    45. "ハロプロ研修生・佐々木莉佳子(ささきりかこ)2013冬" (in Japanese). Hello Pro Kenshuusei (via YouTube). 2014-01-23.
    46. Cool-Up Girls, 2014-06 Issue (pg 39). Ongaku Senkasha. Release Date: 2014-04-30.
    47. Sakurai Takamasa. "#39 Kanon Fukuda’s Final Interview as a Member of ANGERME". Asian Beat. 2015-11-25.

    External Links[]

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