Question from the readers:
Recently, I’ve been hearing opinions that names and surnames seem to influence the selection criteria in the recent Nogizaka auditions, particularly from the 4th generation onwards. What is the actual situation?
The Influence of Names in Nogizaka Auditions
I’ve been hearing a lot about the Nogizaka auditions lately, and there’s a particular opinion that names and surnames might be influencing the selection criteria. After hearing this, I started to think about it a bit. If we look at the members from the 4th generation onward, it does
seem like there are fewer unique or “sparkly” names. For instance, Aruno and Eisa have somewhat uncommon names, but many of the other members have traditional names like Kazu, Sakura, Aya, Satsuki, Nao, Mao, and Misora. There’s something comforting and familiar about these old-fashioned names. I think that during the auditions, not only names but also upbringing and family background might be taken into account. For example, many of the kids involved in activities like piano or ballet probably have backgrounds that influence this. It might seem a bit exclusive, but there’s definitely an impression that typical Nogizaka-like kids are being chosen.
Personal Anecdote
The other day, while discussing Nogizaka with a friend, something interesting came up. My friend said, “Aren’t the successful candidates in auditions often those with common surnames nationwide?” I couldn’t help but agree, saying, “That’s true!” There really are many typical surnames like Endo, Sato, and Tamura. At that moment, my friend jokingly wondered, “What would happen if I auditioned?” His surname is “Igari,” which made me laugh a bit. It really does feel like surnames matter too. I remember that “sparkly names” were a trend in the past, but I thought that such names might be a disadvantage in auditions. Although I’m also curious to see a few kids with unique names.
Conclusion
Regarding the influence of names and surnames in auditions, there might indeed be some criteria at play. What do you all think? I can’t wait to see what kind of new members Nogizaka will choose! I’d love for everyone to share their own stories related to auditions and names in the comments!
