On May 6, 2025, the Tokyo Garden Theater played host to the "AKB48 20th Year Spring Concert 2025 Murayama Yuiri Graduation Concert," which featured two performances, one in the afternoon and another in the evening. The night show, titled "—Ringo no Hana ga Saku Koro ni—," was particularly special as it highlighted the graduation ceremony of Murayama Yuiri, a beloved member of the group.
During the concert, Murayama performed a total of 37 songs, showcasing her versatility by imagining what her career might have looked like had she belonged to different teams instead of Team 4. Notable graduation members such as Kashiwagi Yuki and Okada Nana were present to lend their support, adding to the emotional atmosphere of the event.
As the concert reached its climax, an encore featured Murayama dressed in a stunning red and white dress, where she took a moment to express her heartfelt gratitude. Addressing the audience, she shared, "At first, I just wanted to stand on the theater stage, but I realized I love that space created by all of you, the fans. It's truly sad not to stand on that stage anymore, but you all have inspired me to keep growing and to want to see many more things in the future. I hope you will continue to support the somewhat clumsy Yuiri from now on. Thank you for supporting and finding me over the past 14 years!"
After her emotional speech, Murayama performed her graduation song, "Yuiri," with great passion, followed by a final performance of "Shoujotachi yo" alongside her fellow members, bringing the evening to a poignant close.
In a press conference held immediately after the concert, Murayama reflected on her 14 years with AKB48, stating, "More than feeling sad or lonely, the joy of the experience has won out. I’ve lived my life straight as an AKB48 member, and it has gone by in the blink of an eye. I can’t believe I’m already turning 28 this year." She also touched on some of the more challenging aspects of her career, saying, "I was very frustrated by the perception that members who perform in the theater are non-selected. I wanted the theater to shine just as brightly as the selected members, and that feeling was influenced by Chii-chan (Nakata Chisato)."
Looking ahead, Murayama expressed her aspirations for life after graduation, declaring, "I want to become an 'anything shop.' I want to start from scratch and experience everything I haven't yet. I want to find out what I'm good at, what I'm not, and where I can grow. I’m ready to take on any challenge!"
Meanwhile, the excitement for AKB48 continues as the group prepares for their 20th anniversary celebrations. Just a day before Murayama's graduation concert, AKB48 held their "20th Year Spring Concert 2025 ~Kore kara da Mirai Tsukuro ja nai ka?~" on May 5, 2025, at the same venue. During the encore, they made a surprise announcement regarding a nationwide tour to commemorate their two decades in the industry.
AKB48 Group General Manager Mukaichi Mion revealed via video that the "AKB48 20th Year Live Tour 2025 ~PARTY ga Hajimaru yo~" will kick off in August 2025, visiting cities such as Aichi, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Miyagi. The tour will culminate in a series of six performances at the iconic Nippon Budokan from December 4 to December 7, 2025.
In a light-hearted moment during the spring concert, Takashi was offered the position of "AKB48 20th Anniversary Support Group Leader," a role that delighted both the audience and the performers.
As AKB48 continues to evolve, the group is not only celebrating their past but also looking forward to a future filled with new challenges and opportunities. The combination of Murayama Yuiri's heartfelt graduation and the announcement of the upcoming tour signifies a pivotal moment for the group, blending nostalgia with anticipation.
The emotional farewell to Murayama Yuiri marks the end of an era for AKB48, while the forthcoming tour promises to usher in a new chapter. Fans can expect a vibrant celebration of the group's legacy and their commitment to music and performance.
