Sakura Gakuin 2012 Nendo - "My Graduation Toss" Interview

I recently found this interview that the girls did with Kawaii Girl Japan in 2012 and it made me realise just how much has changed in that time!

Perhaps the most ironic difference is that Yui-chan said she wanted "to be taller than all of the other members" and everyone laughed. But now, she is one of the tallest members; she is now taller than Moa-chan and is just 3cm shorter than Suu-chan (who is two years older than her!)

I'd also just like to point out Mariri's facial expression at 6:03 of the video, how adorable Suu-chan's laugh is, and how Nenedon's new year resolution was to work out as much as she ate, haha!

Uniforms of Sakura Gakuin - current uniform (2013-present)

In 2013 they debuted their new-look uniform.
They kept their red ties/ribbons and V-neck, but
introduced a new beige-y coloured blazer and
blue-ish plaid skirt. They also kept the logo
on their blazers the same. 

Uniforms of Sakura Gakuin - second uniform (late 2010-2012)

Later on in 2010 they changed their uniform style.
They coordinated their tie colour to red
(elementary school students still wearing ribbons),
to match the red rim of their new V-necks and new
red plaid skirts. They re-vamped their logo and
blazer also.

Uniforms of Sakura Gakuin - first uniform (early 2010)

Sakura Gakuin Uniform, April 2010
The first SG uniform consisted of a  black skirt,
shirt and tie (or ribbon) and black blazer with a
logo with an 'S' on it.  Members wore different coloured ties,
or ribbons if they were elementary school. 

   

Here is another picture of the first uniform
(minus the blazer).

Who are Sakura Gakuin?

For many Fukei, Sakura Gakuin need no introduction. However, if you're a new fan of the girls, I hope to tell you everything you need to know about them!

Sakura Gakuin is a female idol group formed in 2010 by the agency Amuse Inc. Its name literally means 'Cherry Blossom Academy' in English. It is a school-themed group, so the members are called 'students', the staff are called 'senseis' (teachers), they wear a school uniform, and the leader of the group is called the 'student council president'. Just like a school, once a member reaches a certain age they must 'graduate'; ie, leave the group. For Sakura Gakuin, a member must graduate when they leave Junior High School (9th Grade). Graduations are always emotional events, as it is a final farewell to the members who are leaving, and since the idols spend so much time together, it is like having to 'say goodbye to an elder sister' as one member so aptly put it.
Each year, the members who make up the group are called a 'class' or 'Nendo'. So in 2010 it would have been '2010 Nendo' (Class of 2010), in 2011 it would have been '2011 Nendo' and so on. Right now, we are in '2014 Nendo' of Sakura Gakuin.
The group also have various sub-units which they call 'clubs' or 'extra curricular activities'. There have been 7 clubs in Sakura Gakuin: Twinklestars (baton club), BABYMETAL (heavy music club), Sleepiece (Go-Home Club), Mini Pati (cooking club), SCOOPERS (newspaper club), Pastel Wind (tennis club) and Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh LOGICA? (science club). Twinklestars, Sleepiece and SCOOPERS have since retired.
BABYMETAL is still going strong and are receiving worldwide fame, however since their frontwoman is Nakamoto Suzuka (aka SU-METAL) who graduated from Sakura Gakuin in 2012, and since Kikuchi Moa (MOAMETAL) and Mizuno Yui (YUIMETAL) will graduate at the end of 2014 Nendo, the group is no longer considered a sub-unit of Sakura Gakuin.
From 2014 Nendo onward, Sakura Gakuin is completely made up of transfer students. These are idols who are 'transferred' in to "replace" a previous member who has graduated. All of the original members (ie the 8 members present at the group's formation) have all graduated and become 'Super Ladies'. Kikuchi Moa and Mizuno Yui joined in 2010, however they were transferred in 3 months after Sakura Gakuin's formation, and so were considered to be the first transfer students.
Confusing, huh?
Please continue to support Sakura Gakuin, its members and its graduates! 

The original 8 members of Sakura Gakuin; Ayami, Ayaka, Airi, Suzuka, Raura, Hinata, Nene and Marina.
They look so young here and now are all Graduates! The SG family has expanded considerably since then, however the Super Ladies remain in the centre of their activities, often attending their concerts, graduations and transfer ceremonies and remaining in close contact with their fellow members!

Member Post #19 - MEGUMI OKADA

Okada Megumi-chan is one of the new members of Sakura Gakuin, having joined in 2014. She appears to have made quite a close friendship with our vice principal, Yui Mizuno. She is one of the two students wearing the ribbon of Elementary School this year.
Megumi-chan is 12 years old.

Member Post #18 - SARA KURASHIMA

Kurashima Sara-chan is one of the newest additions to the Sakura Gakuin family, joining in 2014. She has only been in the group a few months, and so has not yet joined any sub-units, however has expressed an interest in joining LOGICA? She already has a reputation among the members of the group for being Shirai's lookalike!
Sara-chan is 12 years old.

Member Post #17 - AIKO YAMAIDE

Yamaide Aiko-chan joined Sakura Gakuin in 2013. She is currently the youngest member of the group, and one of the two members to wear the ribbon of Elementary School. Aiko-chan's favourite subject in school is English and when attending Sakura Gakuin activities stays in the Sakura Gakuin dorm with Shirai-san.
Aiko-chan is 11 years old.

Member Post #16 - SAKI SHIRAI

Shirai Saki-chan joined Sakura Gakuin in 2013. She is not yet in any sub-units, though she has said she is interested in joining LOGICA? Saki-chan is often referred to by her surname of Shirai as there are two Saki's in the group.
Shirai-san is 13 years old.

Member Post #15 - SAKI OOGA

Ooga Saki-chan joined Sakura Gakuin in 2012. She is also known as 'Baby-chan' as she looks younger than she is, and gets a lot of attention from other Idol groups (and the Fukei!) for being 'kawaii' (cute). She is in Pastel Wind. She is referred to as Baby-chan more often than Saki-chan as there are two Saki's in Sakura Gakuin!
Baby-chan is 14 years old.

Member Post #14 - RINON ISONO

Isono Rinon-chan joined Sakura Gakuin in 2011. She is the last remaining member of Kagaku Kyumei Kikoh LOGICA? after fellow members Marina and Hinata graduated this March. The fact that LOGICA? didn't retire this year as other sub-unit Sleepiece did hints that Amuse staff are trying to fill the two spaces with a new line-up.
Rinon-chan is 13 years old.

Member Post #13 - YUNANO NOTSU

Notsu Yunano-chan joined Sakura Gakuin in 2012. She is the Chairman of Talk for 2014 Nendo and is in Pastel Wind. She has a close bond with Hana Taguchi as they knew each other outside of the group through their modelling before they joined Sakura Gakuin.
Yunano-chan is 14 years old and will graduate the group next year with  Moa Kikuchi, Yui Mizuno and Hana-chan.