NEW![Promise Me the Spotlight] Going Viral – A Special Feature with AKB48’s Momoka Ito x Mizuki Natsuno! – Part 2

Interviews #AKB48 #K MANGA #Mizuki Natsuno #Momoka Ito #Promise Me the Spotlight September 18, 2026

Welcome back to part 2! If you missed part 1, you can read it here.

From terror to trending

Mizuki Natsuno:
Actually, I already feel like we’re kind of close. The scale is totally different, but I’ve also experienced going viral… That became the catalyst for me to keep going as an idol. Could you tell me about when you experienced going viral?

Momoka Ito:
At first, I was more scared than happy. The first time I went viral on X, it wasn’t the usual people who were talking about me or AKB48. It was someone’s post who I’d never seen before. Tons of photos of me were being shared somewhere I’d never looked before, and lots of people I didn’t know were commenting on them, and the social media impressions were somewhere in the millions I think… I definitely felt that the internet was a scary thing then.

Mizuki Natsuno:
When those replies keep pouring in, you definitely end up feeling more confused and scared about what will happen than happy, huh…

Momoka Ito:
Exactly! As time went by, the buzz turned into a real sense of accomplishment for me though. Thanks to going viral, a lot more people turned up at my handshake events than before. And then, with me as the starting point, they came to know and love the current AKB48. There were also some who didn’t become my fans, though, and that made me a little sad [laughs].
But more than that, I’m so happy that this is an opportunity for people to get to know AKB48, so I want people to keep spreading

Mizuki Natsuno:
You really love your group! You must adore AKB48!

Momoka Ito:
It’s because I’m part of AKB48 that I can generate buzz like this. Now, the number of times I go viral is increasing little by little, but I’m really happy every single time. I’m not just happy, though – I know I have to use these opportunities as best I can, so I try my best to do promotion when something pops off. Also, I started wondering if there were any skills I could learn to help keep me on top of things, so I started learning English! I already had the Eiken Pre-1* certification, but I’m hoping to get a high score in the TOEIC** exam and try my hand at a quiz show to expand my range. I bought a TOEIC vocabulary book to start with!

*Eiken is the Test in Practical English Proficiency, one of the most widely used English-language testing programs in Japan.
**TOEIC is the Test of English for International Communication. It is an international, standardized test that measures the everyday English language proficiency of non-native speakers working in global or professional environments.

Mizuki Natsuno:
Wow, so not only can you do rakugo*, you can speak English too…! There are so many places to see you these days. I’ve got a lot to learn from you about making the most of the chances we’re given!

*Rakugo is a traditional form of Japanese verbal comic storytelling.

⇧ Volume 4 – the pose that made Natsuki go viral!

Doing whatever I can!

Mizuki Natsuno:
Ito-san, you were picked as the center for two singles in a row, right? Were you aiming to become the center from the start?

Momoka Ito:
Ever since I joined, I’ve been saying that I want to become the “face” of AKB48, but I was scared of saying “center” out loud and couldn’t bring myself to say it in front of fans. I wasn’t worried about whether it was possible or not, I just worked while holding that feeling that I 100% would stand there someday. And then, for the release of our 67th single, Nagori Zakura, I was chosen as center for the first time. At first… I was terrified!

Mizuki Natsuno:
Huh? You were scared?

Momoka Ito:
During the performance for Nagori Zakura, we get into a V formation. At that moment, everyone else disappears from my field of vision. The sense of loneliness and the fear when it happens… but those thoughts disappeared pretty quickly! My senpai created choreography that would be easy for me to perform, and let me stand in the middle when we took photos because I was the center. It’s thanks to all their support that I’m able to do so!

Mizuki Natsuno:
You’re also the center for the 68th single, Suki-ish. Is there anything you’re hoping to achieve in your second stint?

Momoka Ito:
I want to make sure all kinds of different people know the name AKB48! I think there are already a lot of people who know who we are, but within those people, there are probably quite a lot of folks who don’t know the AKB48 of today. So I want to continue standing as the center so I can contribute whatever I can to AKB48’s success! That’s why I’m giving everything I do, every single day, everything I can!!!

Mizuki Natsuno:
(Such passion… I want to feel the same way.) I’m currently in the third row, but I’ll keep aiming to become the center. I’m going to try my best not to lose to you, Ito-san!

Momoka Ito:
In that case, I’ll work even harder so I don’t lose to you, Natsuki-chan!

I’m going to stand on stage at Tokyo Dome!

Mizuki Natsuno:
There’s one more thing I wanted to ask you, Ito-san. What’s your biggest goal as the current AKB48?

Momoka Ito:
As our Soukantoku (general manager), Narumi Kuranoo, set for us, it’s to stand on stage at Tokyo Dome! The amazing senpai before us stood on that legendary stage, and I want to stand on the very same one with the current members. There’s no doubt in my mind that this huge target is possible with our current lineup. For the sake of the fans who are always cheering for us, I’ll work my butt off!

Mizuki Natsuno:
(So cool…!) Hearing you say that gives me chills! I can’t wait to see you perform at Tokyo Dome! Finally. could I ask you to make a promise to your fans?

Momoka Ito:
Of course! I, Momoka Ito, promise that we will share the most amazing moment together at Tokyo Dome!

⇧ Volume 4 – Ema Asuka’s peace sign pose!

The Beauty x The Ponytail

Momoka Ito:
Ah, that’s right. While I have the chance, can we take a picture together?

Mizuki Natsuno:
Huh, really?! Yes, of course we can!

Momoka Ito:
Getting to talk with you today has been a really thrilling experience! Let’s both do our best to make the idol world even more amazing, okay?!

Mizuki Natsuno:
Okay! I’ll give it my all, too! Ito-san, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me today!

▼▼If you want to learn more about Momoka Ito, check out her official X account and other official links below!