The captain of the group is Kumi Sasaki,[3] with Mikuni Takahashi as vice-captain, and its fans are referred to as Ohisama (おひさま).

(2021), the weekly variety show Hinatazaka de Aimashō, as well as a feature film and two theatrically released documentaries.

At its founding, Hiragana Keyakizaka46 consisted of only one member, Neru Nagahama, who did not participate in the Keyakizaka46 final audition due to her parents' earlier disapproval and was assigned to the subgroup as a "special case";[6] she would later be appointed a "concurrent" (兼任, ken'nin) member of both groups and join the main Keyakizaka46 lineup starting from their second single, "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai" (2016).

Their first release as a group is the B-side "Hiragana Keyaki" (ひらがなけやき) from "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai",[16] although Nagahama did perform "Noriokureta Bus" (乗り遅れたバス, lit.

[24] The group's official Twitter[25] and TikTok accounts[26] were launched shortly, and their variety TV program was renamed to Hinatazaka de Aimashō.

[31][32] Hinatazaka46 attended the 70th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen for the first time in the group's history, where they performed "Kyun".

[36] On 16 January 2020, the members of Hinatazaka46 were featured in a television series titled Dasada, with Nao Kosaka as the main protagonist.

[40] Their mascot character, a sky blue bird named Poka, was introduced at the live streamed Hinakuri (Hina Christmas) 2020 concert on 24 December.

[41][42] On 7 March 2022, the group announced the audition for their fourth generation members with applications starting that day and screening taking place on 4 April.

[43] Twelve members passed the audition out of 51,038 participants,[44] and they were gradually introduced to the public from 22 September to 3 October.

[44][45] They would make their musical debut with the song "Blueberry & Raspberry", included on the group's 8th single, "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight".

[52][53] On 5 April, Kyōko Saitō parted ways with the group with a "graduation" concert held at the Yokohama Stadium.

She is the first member to leave who had served as original center (lead singer) for a title song, 2022's "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight".

[54] The 11th single, "Kimi wa Honeydew", released on 8 May, marked a significant change in the group's organization.

[89] On 5 October, the duo served as the opening act for MTV Live Match 2021, and also performed as part of Hinatazaka46 for the main event.

[92][93] In October 2020, the trio started the radio program Belc presents Hinatazaka46 no Yokei na Kotomade Yarimashō!

[b] on Tokyo FM;[94] the supermarket chain Belc, which sponsors the program, subsequently released limited edition food products in collaboration with them.

[99] In February 2021, the Saitama Trio were voted the most wanted unit (subgroup with their own songs) by fans on a Twitter campaign to commemorate Hinatazaka46's second debut anniversary.

[91] Hinatazaka46's sixth single, released in October 2021, would include their first song as a trio, "Akubi Letter" (あくびLetter, lit.

(20 October 2021: Nippon Gaishi Hall, also livestreamed)[168] The Happy Smile Tour 2022 took place from 10 September.