# Kyōko Saitō

Kyōko Saitō (Japanese: 齊藤京子, Hepburn: Saitō Kyōko, born September 5, 1997) is a Japanese actress, singer, model, and television presenter, represented by Toho. She is a former regular model for the fashion magazine ar and former member of the Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46. Her fans are known as the Kyonkois (きょんこいず, Kyonkoizu).

## Career
### Music

Saitō had aspired to become a singer since middle school. She attempted and failed multiple singing auditions until she tried out for Keyakizaka46's subgroup Hiragana Keyakizaka46 (renamed to Hinatazaka46 in 2019) after she learned that Yui Imaizumi, whom she had met at one of the previous auditions, was a Keyakizaka46 member. Her musical career began on 11 May 2016 when she passed the auditions, which was hosted on the streaming platform Showroom. Saitō, along with ten other people that passed the audition, joined Neru Nagahama in Hiragana Keyakizaka46 and was known as the "first generation". Her first concert occurred on 28 October of the same year at Akasaka Blitz, where she performed Kanji Keyakizaka46's songs "Silent Majority" and "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai", as well as Hiragana Keyakizaka46's own "Hiragana Keyaki".
During her time at Hiragana Keyakizaka46, Saitō participated in every single between "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai" and "Kuroi Hitsuji". She is the center (lead performer) for the song "Soredemo Aruiteru", a B-side for the single "Kaze ni Fukarete mo", and performed a solo song on the group's first album Hashiridasu Shunkan, titled "Igokochiwaruku Otona ni natta" (居心地悪く大人になった, lit. 'Uncomfortably became an adult'). After Hiragana Keyakizaka46 was renamed into Hinatazaka46, Saitō has also participated in every single and album until her departure. She also performed in the song "Hatsukoi Door", a B-side of "Jiwaru Days" performed by Sakamichi AKB, a collaboration between members of AKB48 Group and Sakamichi Series.
In June 2020, Saitō announced that the name of her fandom would be Kyonkois (きょんこいず, Kyonkoizu), a combination between her nickname Kyonko and "love" (恋, koi).
On May 18, 2022, Saitō performed "Boku Nanka" on the YouTube channel The First Take. It was the first solo performance by a Hinatazaka46 member, and the third one by the group, on the channel. The song was rearranged with piano and strings to showcase her voice, and she commented that she projected her own insecurities into her performance.
On September 10, 2022, during the first performance of Hinatazaka46's nationwide tour "Happy Smile Tour 2022" at Aichi Sky Expo, Hinatazaka46's eighth single "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" was announced for release on October 26, 2022, with Saitō as the center (lead performer), and the title song was performed live for the first time. It would be the first time in 5 years for Saitō to hold the center position since "Soredemo Aruiteru", first released in 2017, and the first time as the center for a title song.
Aside from Hinatazaka46, Saitō and the comedienne Hiccorohee, her co-host on the talk show Kyoccorohee, released their debut single under the name Kyoccorohee, "After You!", digitally on January 1, 2024, and as physical media on February 14. The main song, written by Hinatazaka46 lyricist Yasushi Akimoto, was first revealed live on Music Station Superlive 2023 on December 22, 2023. Saitō also wrote the lyrics for her solo B-side song on the single. The music video is published on Hinatazaka46's YouTube channel and is the first song on the channel to be performed by a non-member.
On January 11, 2024, Saitō announced that she would leave Hinatazaka46 on April 5. Her "graduation" concert was held on the same day at the Yokohama Stadium, which was also the day before Hinatazaka46's 2-day 5th Hinatansai anniversary concert at the same venue. Her final participation on a Hinatazaka46 music release was for the 11th single, "Kimi wa Honeydew", serving as the center for the B-side "Boku ni Tsuzuke" (僕に続け, lit. 'Follow Me').

### Modeling

From 2019 to 2024, Saitō was a regular model for the fashion magazine ar.
Saitō's solo photobook, titled Totteoki no Koibito (とっておきの恋人, Special Lover), was released on January 19, 2021. It was produced by ar magazine's editorial team with the concept of "dating at various locations in Tokyo". The initial print run was 115,000 copies, and a total of 40,000 additional copies were reprinted within its release week. The book placed first in Oricon's photobook sales ranking for its release week with an estimated 84,000 copies sold and was third place with 135,119 copies sold in that year's annual photobook ranking, which saw the top three ranks dominated by Hinatazaka46 with Nao Kosaka's photobook on first and the group's Hinasatsu Vol. 01 on second.

### Acting

Saitō made her acting debut in the Hiragana Keyakizaka46 television drama Re:Mind (2017), and also appeared in the Hinatazaka46 drama Dasada (2020). She co-starred in the 2021 television drama adaptation of the Tetsuya Honda novel Borderless (ボーダレス), which features selected members of Nogizaka46, Sakurazaka46, and Hinatazaka46 co-starring in a television drama for the first time, and its 2023 sequel Actress. In 2023, she appeared in her first solo lead role in the television drama adaptation of the manga Nukarumi no Shokutaku, and also did her first feature film dubbing work for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, as April O'Neil.
In 2019, Saitō played high school student Wakame Isono in the stage adaptation of the manga Sazae-san, which ran from September to October. She shared the role with Nogizaka46 member Manatsu Akimoto.
In May 2024, after her departure from Hinatazaka46, Saitō announced that she has signed with the Toho Entertainment talent agency and intended to further pursue acting.

### Other ventures

Saitō is a ramen enthusiast, inspired by the manga and anime series Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles, and her catchphrase is "I love ramen, I'm Kyōko Saitō" (ラーメン大好き、齊藤京子です, ramen daisuki, Saitō Kyōko desu). She is featured in a 2018 television special titled after her catchphrase, in which several members take her to their recommended ramen restaurants. In April 2019, she became an ambassador for the 2019 Ramen Girls Expo in Shizuoka. In February 2021, she was appointed as the "Jjigae Miso Angel" by the ramen chain Hidakaya for her fondness of their Jjigae Miso ramen. In 2023, the cup noodle brand CupStar, in whose commercials Hinatazaka46 had previously appeared, released a Hidakaya Jjigae Miso Ramen limited edition product, with Saitō's likeness featured on the lid.
Saitō is also known for her proficiency in the language game babigo (バビ語). She often demonstrated this ability in variety shows, with fellow member Kumi Sasaki serving as "interpreter".
On April 1, 2021, the late-night dance talk show Kyoccorohee [ja], co-hosted by Saitō and comedienne Hiccorohee [ja], started airing on TV Asahi. Since then, live events based on the show have been held in 2022 at the EX Theater Roppongi and in 2023 at the Tokyo International Forum, Hall A. According to Saitō, the show's appeal lies in having long-winded conversations between two women who are "not on the same wavelength".

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
| 2023 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem | April O'Neil (Japanese dub) | | |
| 2025 | #Iwilltellyouthetruth | An acquaintance of Kiriyama | | |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2017 | Re:Mind | Kyōko Saitō | |
| 2020 | Dasada | Makoto Ogasawara | |
| 2021 | Borderless [ja] | Kiri Katayama | |
| 2023 | Actress | Kiri Katayama | |
| 2023 | Nukarumi no Shokutaku | Mia Nejiki | Lead role |
| 2024 | Renai Senryaku Kaigi | Akane Mugita | |
| 2024 | Doraemon Birthday Special: Nobita and the Greek Cake Legend | Bard (voice) | |
| 2024 | Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | April O'Neil (Japanese dub) | |
| 2025 | Sudden Marriage | Mao Koshiba | Lead role |

### Variety show

| Year | Title | Notes | Ref(s) |
| 2018 | Keyakizaka46 Ramen Daisuki, Saitō Kyōko Desu | | |
| 2021–present | Kyoccorohee | | |

## Discography
### Songs from Keyakizaka46's singles and albums

List of songs from Keyakizaka46's singles and albums, showing single and album name :
| Year | Song | MV | Single or album | Notes |
| 2016 | "Hiragana Keyaki" (ひらがなけやき) | | "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai" | |
| 2016 | "Dare Yori mo Takaku Tobe!" (誰よりも高く跳べ!) | | "Futari Saison" | |
| 2017 | "W-KEYAKIZAKA no Uta" (W-KEYAKIZAKAの詩) | | "Fukyōwaon" | |
| 2017 | "Bokutachi wa Tsukiatteiru" (僕たちは付き合っている) | | "Fukyōwaon" | |
| 2017 | "Soredemo Aruiteru" ("それでも歩いてる") | | "Kaze ni Fukarete mo" | Center |
| 2017 | "No War in the Future" | Center | "Kaze ni Fukarete mo" | |
| 2017 | "Chinmoku Shita Koibito yo" (沈黙した恋人よ) | | Masshiro na Mono wa Yogoshitaku naru | |
| 2017 | "Eien no Hakusen" (永遠の白線) | | Masshiro na Mono wa Yogoshitaku naru | |
| 2017 | "Taiyou wa Miageru Hito o Erabanai" (太陽は見上げる人を選ばない) | | Masshiro na Mono wa Yogoshitaku naru | |
| 2018 | "Ima ni Mite Iro" (イマニミテイロ!) | | "Glass wo Ware!" | |
| 2018 | "Happy Aura" (ハッピーオーラ) | | "Ambivalent" | |
| 2019 | "Kimi ni Hanashite Okitai Koto" (君に話しておきたいこと) | | "Kuroi Hitsuji" | |
| 2019 | "Dakishimete Yaru" (抱きしめてやる) | | "Kuroi Hitsuji" | |

### Hiragana Keyakizaka46
#### Albums

The songs listed below are not included in any singles and albums above. :
| Year | Album | Song | Notes |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Kitai Shitenai Jibun" (期待していない自分) | |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Halloween no Kabocha ga Wareta" (ハロウィンのカボチャが割れた) | |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Oide Natsu no Kyoukaisen" (おいで夏の境界線) | |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Yakusoku no Tamago" (約束の卵) | |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Sharin ga Kishimu you ni Kimi ga Naku" (車輪が軋むように君が泣く) | |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Konna Seiretsu o Dare ga Saseru no ka?" (こんな整列を誰がさせるのか？) | |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Igokochiwaruku Otona ni Natta" (居心地悪く大人になった) | Solo |
| 2018 | Hashiridasu Shunkan | "Hiragana de Koishitai" (ひらがなで恋したい) | |

### Hinatazaka46
#### Singles

| Year | Single | Song | Notes |
| 2019 | "Kyun" | "Kyun" (キュン) | |
| 2019 | "Kyun" | "Joyful Love" | |
| 2019 | "Kyun" | "Mimi ni Ochiru Namida" (耳に落ちる涙) | |
| 2019 | "Kyun" | "Tokimeki Sō" (ときめき草) | |
| 2019 | "Do Re Mi Sol La Si Do" | "Do Re Mi Sol La Si Do" (ドレミソラシド) | |
| 2019 | "Do Re Mi Sol La Si Do" | "Kitsune" (キツネ) | |
| 2019 | "Do Re Mi Sol La Si Do" | "My God" | |
| 2019 | "Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?" | "Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?" (こんなに好きになっちゃっていいの?) | |
| 2019 | "Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?" | "Honto no Jikan" (ホントの時間) | |
| 2019 | "Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?" | "Mama no Dress" (ママのドレス) | |
| 2019 | "Konna ni Suki ni Natchatte Ii no?" | "Kawa wa Nagareru" (川は流れる) | |
| 2020 | "Sonna Koto Nai yo" | "Sonna Koto Nai Yo" (ソンナコトナイヨ) | |
| 2020 | "Sonna Koto Nai yo" | "Seishun no Uma" (青春の馬) | |
| 2020 | "Sonna Koto Nai yo" | "Suki to Iu Koto wa..." (好きということは…) | |
| 2020 | "Sonna Koto Nai yo" | "Mado o Hirakenakute mo" (窓を開けなくても) | |
| 2021 | "Kimi Shika Katan" | "Kimi Shika Katan" (君しか勝たん) | |
| 2021 | "Kimi Shika Katan" | "Koe no Ashiato" (声の足跡) | |
| 2021 | "Kimi Shika Katan" | "Dōsuru? Dōsuru? Dōsuru?" (どうする?どうする?どうする?) | |
| 2021 | "Kimi Shika Katan" | "Bōdai na Yume ni Oshi Tsubusarete" (膨大な夢に押し潰されて) | |
| 2021 | "Tteka" | "Tteka" (ってか) | |
| 2021 | "Tteka" | "Nando de mo Nando de mo" (何度でも何度でも) | |
| 2021 | "Tteka" | "Omoigakenai Double Rainbow" (思いがけないダブルレインボー) | |
| 2021 | "Tteka" | "Additional Time" (アディショナルタイム) | |
| 2022 | "Boku Nanka" | "Boku Nanka" (僕なんか) | |
| 2022 | "Boku Nanka" | "Hikōkigumo ga Dekiru Riyū" (飛行機雲ができる理由) | |
| 2022 | "Boku Nanka" | "Mayonaka no Zange Taikai" (真夜中の懺悔大会) | |
| 2022 | "Boku Nanka" | "Shiranai Uchi ni Aisareteita" (知らないうちに愛されていた) | |
| 2022 | "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" | "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" (月と星が踊るMidnight) | Center |
| 2022 | "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" | "Hey! Ohisama!" | Center |
| 2022 | "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" | "Kodoku na Shunkan" (孤独な瞬間) | Solo |
| 2022 | "Tsuki to Hoshi ga Odoru Midnight" | "Isshōichido no Natsu" (一生一度の夏) | Center |
| 2023 | "One Choice" | "One Choice" | |
| 2023 | "One Choice" | "Koi wa Nigeashi ga Hayai (恋は逃げ足が早い)" | |
| 2023 | "One Choice" | "Tomo yo Ichiban Boshi da (友よ 一番星だ)" | |
| 2023 | "One Choice" | "Ai wa Kocchi no Mono da (愛はこっちのものだ)" | |
| 2023 | "Am I Ready?" | "Am I Ready?" | |
| 2023 | "Am I Ready?" | "Sesshoku to Kanjō (接触と感情) | |
| 2023 | "Am I Ready?" | "Glass Mado ga Yogoreteru (ガラス窓が汚れてる)" | |
| 2023 | "Am I Ready?" | "Honegumi Darake no Natsuyasumi (骨組みだらけの夏休み)" | |

#### Albums

The songs listed below are not included in any singles above. :
| Year | Album | Song | Notes |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "Azato Kawaii" (アザトカワイイ) | |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "Dare Yori mo Takaku Tobe! 2020" (誰よりも高く跳べ! 2020) | |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "Hinatazaka" (日向坂) | |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "NO WAR in the future 2020" | Center |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "Tada Gamushara ni" (ただがむしゃらに) | |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "Dōshite Ame da to Ittan Darō?" (どうして雨だと言ったんだろう?) | |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "My Fans" | |
| 2020 | "Hinatazaka (ひなたざか)" | "Yakusoku no Tamago 2020" (約束の卵 2020) | |
| 2023 | "Myaku Utsu Kanjō [jp] (脈打つ感情)" | "Kimi wa 0 kara 1 ni Nare (君は0から1になれ) | |
| 2023 | "Myaku Utsu Kanjō [jp] (脈打つ感情)" | "Saisho no Byakuya (最初の白夜)" | |

#### Videography
##### Video albums

| Year | Video album | Ref(s) |
| 2022 | Hinatazaka46 3rd Anniversary Memorial Live in Tokyo Dome (日向坂46 3周年記念MEMORIAL LIVE ～3回目のひな誕祭～ in 東京ドーム) | |

### Kyoccorohee

| Year | Single | MV | Notes | Ref(s) |
| 2024 | "After You!" | | | |

### Sakamichi AKB

| Year | Single | Song |
| 2019 | "Jiwaru Days" | "Hatsukoi Door" (初恋ドア) |

## Solo concerts

* MTV Live Sessions: Kyoko Saito from Hinatazaka46 (broadcast only, June 5, 2022)
* MTV Unplugged Presents: Kyoko Saito from Hinatazaka46 (Pia Arena MM, May 21, 2023)