After nearly a decade with the Japanese idol group NMB48, Kojima Karin has announced her graduation, marking the end of an era for the beloved member and longtime captain of Team N.
Joining the group in 2016 and quickly rising to captaincy in 2017, Karin has been a central figure in NMB48’s journey, which started in 2011 with a unique rotating graduation system that regularly introduces new members while longtime idols move on.
During a recent performance at the NMB48 Theatre in Osaka on June 26, 2025, Karin shared her heartfelt decision to graduate, reflecting on the nearly nine years she has devoted to the group she deeply cherishes.
She reminisced about moving alone from Saitama to Osaka, driven by her admiration for NMB48, and described each day with the group as a blessing.
Looking ahead, Karin revealed plans to embark on a solo career with her first concert titled “The Color of Bloom,” scheduled for August 16 at Billboard Live Osaka.
Her official graduation from NMB48 will take place in November 2025.
Committed to giving back to her fans and the community, she expressed her intention to continue working as an individual talent, especially aiming to energize the Osaka and Kansai regions through her future activities.
Her graduation marks a significant moment for NMB48 fans, signaling both an end and a fresh beginning for Karin as she transitions into the next phase of her career.
