# Rena Kato

Rena Kato (加藤 玲奈, Katō Rena, born July 10, 1997) is a Japanese tarento, model, actress, hairdresser, makeup artist and former idol. She is a former member of the Japanese female idol group AKB48 and was in Team A.
She was also a member, along with her good friends Anna Iriyama and Rina Kawaei, of a one-shot AKB48 subunit named AnRiRe. Formed in 2012, the trio released their first and only single "Ikujinashi Masquerade" with Rino Sashihara from HKT48, charting at number one in Japan.

## Biography

Kato was born on July 10, 1997, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As a child, she appeared in many magazines as a model, and subsequently joined AKB48, aspiring to become a famous model someday. She joined AKB48 to pursue that dream, with the encouragement of her friends.
Kato participated in the 10th-generation auditions held by AKB48, and joined as a kenkyuusei trainee in March 2010. She officially participated on AKB48 singles on Chance no Junban's coupling song, titled "Fruits Snow", as part of Team Kenkyusei. On December 17, 2011, Rena Katō, together with two other members of AKB48, Ami Maeda and Anna Iriyama, held a large autograph-signing event in Hong Kong.
At the end of 2011, while still an AKB48 trainee, she appeared on the cover of the Japanese magazine Weekly Playboy with seven other top members of AKB48 and SKE48. It was the last issue of 2011. In 2012, she participated in the AKB48 drama Majisuka Gakuen 3, which was a sequel to the series, but with a different storyline completely unrelated to the previous adaptations. She was also promoted to Team 4 on March 23, 2012. Soon after the TV series Shiritsu Bakaleya Kōkō ended on June 30, 2012, it was announced that Rena Katō would participate in its film adaptation. The series and movie starred several Johnny's Jr. and AKB48 members. She participated on her first A-side in AKB48 on the summer single titled "Manatsu No Sounds Good!".
She was transferred to Team B after the AKB48 Tokyo Dome Shuffle on August 24, 2012, where her then-team, the first version of Team 4, was disbanded. In 2013, she participated in her second A-side in AKB48 on the summer single "Sayonara Crawl", which included 38 members. She got her first center song in "Heart Electric", the 33rd single's B-side, "Kaisoku To Dotai Shiryoku", as the center of Undergirls, a duo center with SKE48 member Suda Akari. In 2014, she got a knee injury and had to temporarily postpone her AKB48 activities, as a result, she was not able to participate in the Unit Matsuri 2014, as well as the AKB48 Request Hour Set List Best 200, except on the final day. Even with an injury, she and Yuki Kashiwagi held a large autograph-signing and handshake event in Hong Kong with thousands of fans. She resumed her activities on February 16, 2014. She was transferred back to Team 4 during the AKB48 Group Daisokaku Matsuri. She joined the Senbatsu for the third time in the 37th single's A-side, titled "Labrador Retriever", released on May 21, 2014. On March 26, 2015, she was transferred back to team B in the AKB48 Spring Shuffle 2015 event.
From 2015 to 2017, Kato held annual contests called Renacchi Sōsenkyo (れなっち総選挙, "Renacchi Elections"), inspired by the AKB48 Group's Senbatsu Sōsenkyo. It started when Kato made a list of her favorite members on social media at her fans' request, but received the approval of Yasushi Akimoto shortly after and eventually became an official event. Every year, AKB48 Group members can apply for the opportunity to take part in singles, photoshoots, and theatrical productions organized by her. Despite the name, the winners are decided by Kato and her team instead of by election.
On December 16, 2021, during a YouTube livestream, Kato announced her graduation from AKB48 to pursue a career as a beautician. Her last theater performance was on February 14, 2022, and her final group activity was on February 20. She states that she will continue performing arts activities while pursuing cosmetology.
Her official fanclub, "Rena's dresser", was launched on March 1, 2022, 9 days after graduating from AKB48.
On September 30, 2023, Kato announced via Instagram that she had obtained a beautician's license.
On April 14, 2024, Kato opened a second Instagram account that focuses on her hair and makeup career.

## Discography
### Singles
#### With AKB48

| Year | No. | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2010 | 19 | "Chance no Junban" | B-side | Her first single appearance in AKB48. Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Fruits Snow" as Team Kenkyuusei. |
| 2011 | 20 | "Sakura no Ki ni Narō" | B-side | Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Ougon Center" as Team Kenkyuusei. |
| 2011 | 21 | "Everyday, Katyusha" | B-side | Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Anti" as Team Kenkyuusei. |
| 2011 | 23 | "Kaze wa Fuiteiru" | B-side | Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "Kimi No Senaka" as Undergirls, and on "Tsubomitachi" as Team 4 + Kenkyuusei. |
| 2012 | 25 | "Give Me Five!" | Special Girls A | Did not participate in title track. Sang on the track "New Ship" as part of Special Girls A. |
| 2012 | 26 | "Manatsu no Sounds Good!" | A-side, Selection 10 | Her first participation on an A-side. Also sang on the track "Choudai, Darling!" as part of Selection 10. |
| 2012 | 27 | "Gingham Check" | B-side | Did not rank on the election. Sang on the track "Ano Hi No Fuurin" as Waiting Girls. |
| 2012 | 28 | "Uza" | B-side, New Team B | Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Tsugi No Season" as Undergirls, and on "Seigi No Mikata Janai Hero" as New Team B. She is now part of Team B. |
| 2012 | 29 | "Eien Pressure" | B-side, OKL48 | Did not participate on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on "Watashitachi No Reason"; and on "Eien Yori Tsuzuku Yōu Ni" as part of OKL48. |
| 2013 | 30 | "So Long!" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Waiting Room" as Undergirls, and on "Sokode Inu no Unchi Funjau Kane?" as Team B. |
| 2013 | 31 | "Sayonara Crawl" | A-side | Also sang on "Romance Kenjuu" as Team B. |
| 2013 | 33 | "Heart Electric" | B-side, Center | Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Kaisoku To Doutai Shiryoku" as the center of Undergirls, a duo center with Suda Akari. |
| 2013 | 34 | "Suzukake no Ki no Michi de "Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru" to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nan-nichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono" | B-side | Did not participate on title track; lineup was determined by rock-paper-scissors tournament. Sang on the track "Mosh & Dive" as Undergirls, and "Party Is Over" as AKB48 Senbatsu. |
| 2014 | 35 | "Mae Shika Mukanee" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Kino Yori Motto Suki" as Undergirls. |
| 2014 | 36 | "Labrador Retriever" | A-side | Also sang on "Heart no Dasshutsu Game" as New Team 4. She is now part of Team 4. |
| 2014 | 37 | "Kokoro no Placard" | B-side | Ranked 32nd in 2014 General Election. Sang on "Dareka ga Nageta Ball" as Undergirls. |
| 2014 | 38 | "Kiboteki Refrain" | A-Side | Also sang on "Me o Akete Mama no First Kiss" as part of Team 4. |
| 2015 | 39 | "Green Flash" | B-side | Sang "Haru no Hikari Chikadzuita Natsu" |
| 2015 | 40 | "Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai" | A-side | |
| 2015 | 41 | "Halloween Night" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Ranked 28th in 2015 General Election. Also sang on "Sayonara Surfboard", "Ippome Ondo", "Yankee Machine Gun" and "Gunzou". |
| 2015 | 42 | "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby" | A-Side | Also sang on "Madona's Choice" as a part of Renacchi's Senbatsu Sousenkyo and "Kin no Hane wo Motsu Hito yo" as part of Team B. |
| 2016 | 43 | "Kimi wa Melody" | A-side | Marked as the 10th Anniversary Single. Also sang on "LALALA Message" as Next Generation Senbatsu and "Mazariau Mono" as NogizakaAKB. |
| 2016 | 44 | "Tsubasa wa Iranai" | A-side | Sang on "Koi o Suru to Baka o Miru" as Team B. |
| 2016 | 45 | "Love Trip / Shiawase wo Wakenasai" | B-side | Also sang "Densetsu no Sakana" as Under Girls and "Black Flower". |
| 2016 | 46 | "High Tension" | A-side | Sang on "Happy End" as Team B. |
| 2017 | 47 | "Shoot Sign" | A-side | Sang on "Accident Chū" |
| 2017 | 48 | "Negaigoto no Mochigusare" | A-side | |
| 2017 | 49 | "#sukinanda" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Sang on the track "Darashinai Aishikata" as Undergirls, and on "Give Up wa Shinai" as Tofu Pro Wrestling. |
| 2017 | 50 | "11gatsu no Anklet" | A-side | |
| 2018 | 51 | "Jabaja" | A-side | |
| 2018 | 52 | "Teacher Teacher" | A-side | Sang on "Romantic Junbichuu" as Team A. |
| 2018 | 53 | "Sentimental Train" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Ranked 36th in 2018 General Election. Sang on "Tomodachi ja nai ka?" as Next Girls. |
| 2018 | 54 | "No Way Man" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Sang on "Ike no Mizu wo Nukitai" as Ike no Mizu Senbatsu. |
| 2019 | 55 | "Jiwaru Days" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Sang on "Generation Change" as AKB48 Coupling Senbatsu. |
| 2019 | 56 | "Sustainable" | B-side | Did not participate on title track. Sang on "Seishun Da Capo". |
| 2020 | — | "Hanarete Ite mo" | — | Charity song during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021 | 58 | "Nemohamo Rumor" | B-side | Her very last single appearance in AKB48. Did not participate in title track. Sang on "Black Jaguar" as First Generation. |

### Albums
#### With AKB48

| Year | Title | Album | Notes |
| 2011 | High School Days | Koko ni Ita Koto | Her first album appearance in AKB48. She participated as an AKB48 trainee. |
| 2011 | Koko ni Ita Koto | Koko ni Ita Koto | Sang with AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and SDN48 members. |
| 2012 | Itsuka Mita Umi no Soko | 1830m | Sang as Up-And-Coming Girls. |
| 2012 | Chokkaku Sunshine | 1830m | Sang by Team 4 members. |
| 2012 | Yasashisa no Chizu | 1830m | Sang by Selection 10. The song was used for a campaign with AKB48 and the Japanese Red Cross. |
| 2012 | Aozora yo Sabishikunai ka? | 1830m | Sang with AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, and the HKT48 members. |
| 2014 | Watashi Leaf | Tsugi no Ashiato | Sang with Rina Kawaei, Anna Iriyama, and Jurina Matsui. |
| 2014 | Ponkotsu Blues | Tsugi no Ashiato | Sang by Majisuka Gakuen 3 main cast. |
| 2014 | Kanashiki Kinkyori Renai | Tsugi no Ashiato | Sang with Team B. |
| 2015 | Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe! | Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe! | Sang with AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48 members and Rina Ikoma from Nogizaka46. |
| 2015 | Namida wa ato Mawashi | Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe! | Sang with Team 4. |
| 2015 | Music Junkie | 0 to 1 no Aida | Sang with Team B. |
| 2015 | Rosario | 0 to 1 no Aida | Sang with Anna Iriyama, Yuria Kizaki and Haruka Kodama. |
| 2017 | Ano Hi no Jibun | Thumbnail | Sang with AKB48. |
| 2017 | Tanjobi TANGO | Thumbnail | Sang with Anna Iriyama and Haruna Kojima. |
| 2018 | Kutsuhimo no Musubikata | Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake o Shitteiru | Sang with Album Senbatsu. |
| 2018 | Kiss Campaign | Bokutachi wa, Ano Hi no Yoake o Shitteiru | Sang with Anna Iriyama and Sakura Miyawaki. |

#### With Sashihara Rino with Anrire

* Ikujinashi Masquerade (October 17, 2012)

##### Chart performance

| Title | Release date | Chart position | Chart position | Oricon sales | Oricon sales | Notes |
| Title | Release date | Oricon Weekly Singles Chart | Billboard Japan Hot 100 | First week | Total | Notes |
| "Ikujinashi Masquerade" (意気地なしマスカレード, "Sissy Masquerade") | October 17, 2012 | 1 | 4 | 68,403 | 81,769 | Single by Sashihara Rino with Anrire |

## Stage units
### Team Kenkyūusei 4th Stage "Theater no Megami"

* "Hatsukoi yo, Konnichiwa" (初恋よ　こんにちは)

### Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"

* "Romance Kakurenbo (Zenza Girls)" (ロマンスかくれんぼ)

### Team K 6th Stage "Reset"

* "Lemon No Toshigoro (Zenza Girls)" (檸檬の年頃)

### Team A 5th Stage "Mokugekisha"

* "Miniskirt No Yosei (Zenza Girls)" (ミニスカートの妖精)

### Team 4 1st Stage "Boku No Taiyo"

* "Idol Nante Yobanaide" (アイドルなんて呼ばないで)

### Team B Waiting Stage

* "Dakishimeraretara" (抱きしめられたら)

### Team 4 3rd Stage "Idol No Yoake"

* "Kataomoi No Taikakusen (Center)" (片思いの対角線)

## Appearances
### Movies

* Gekijōban Shiritsu Bakaleya Kōkō (October 13, 2012)
* Nidome no Natsu, Nidoto Aenai Kimi (September 1, 2017)
* Tsujiura Renbo (May 21, 2022)

### TV dramas

* Majisuka Gakuen 2 (Final episode, July 1, 2011, TV Tokyo) - Rena
* Majisuka Gakuen 3 (Episode 2 — final episode, July 20 — October 5, 2012, TV Tokyo) - Shokkaku
* So Long! (Team B episode - February 13, 2013, TV Tokyo) - Yuka
* Majisuka Gakuen 4 (Episode 1 — final episode, January 19 — March 30, 2015, Nippon Television) - Dodobusu
* Majisuka Gakuen 5 (Episode 1 — final episode, August 24 — October 27, 2015, Nippon Television, Hulu) - Dodobusu
* AKB Horror Night: Adrenaline's Night Ep.23 - There's, Another One (2015) - Shōko
* Kyabasuka Gakuen (Episode 5 — final episode, December 4, 2015 — January 4, 2016, Nippon Television) - Dodobusu
* Tofu Pro Wrestling (January 22 — July 2, 2016, TV Asahi) - Cutie Renacchi

### Variety shows

* AKBingo! (April 2, 2011 - 2021, TV Tokyo)
* Shukan AKB (June 1, 2011 - May 25, 2012, TV Tokyo)
* Ariyoshi AKB Kyowakoku (January 20, 2011 - March 29, 2016, TBS)
* AKB Nemousu TV (Season 8 - 9, Family Gekijo)
|- | 27
* AKB Konto, Bimyo (October 20, 2011 - November 3, 2011, Hikari TV Channel)
* AKB48 to Chome Chome! (Yomiuri TV)
* AKB48 no Anta, Dare? (NotTV)
* AKB Kousagi Dojo (December 7, 2012 - March 28, 2014, TV Tokyo)
* Saturday Night Child Machine (April 13, 2013 - June 29, 2013, TV Tokyo)
* AKB Kanko Taishi (April 10, 2014, FujiTV)