Hinatazaka de Aimashou (Hinatazaka46 variety show)
Illustration: WhyTrend

What happened

On the night of June 7, 2026, TV Tokyo aired an episode of Hinatazaka de Aimashou ("Let's Meet at Hinatazaka"), the regular variety show (a Japanese TV format mixing talk, games, and comedy) starring Hinatazaka46, an idol group (a pop act whose members are marketed individually to fans). Titled "Hinatazaka46's Latest Relationship Chart & Faction Re-Election," the episode ran a mock "election" to reshuffle the in-show "factions" that members belong to, with the possibility of brand-new factions forming.

The same episode featured the TV debut of 'Enshuritsu' ("Pi"), a song by the group's fifth-generation members included on their 17th single, performed as a studio live.

Why it is trending now

The excitement built on a storyline from the previous week's episode (May 31), in which member Nao Kosaka declared she was leaving an in-show member group nicknamed "Kizuna 6." The faction re-election put the fallout of that decision front and center. Because the show airs in a late-night slot, posting spiked in real time, and the buzz extended further once the episode became available right after broadcast on Lemino, a Japanese streaming service.

How fans reacted

The loudest reaction centered on Kosaka, who appeared as a "faction leader." Fans flooded social media with comments like "I'll follow Leader Kosaka forever," delighted to see a member usually framed as guarded take on a warm, welcoming role. New faction names and a tearful moment from members Rio Shimizu and Saki Katayama also drew attention.

What to watch next:

The new and reshuffled factions teased in this episode set up future installments, so viewers will be watching how the lineups settle and whether the 5th-generation members keep gaining prominence. The 'Enshuritsu' studio performance and the full episode remain available on Lemino.