Melonpan Alliance Disbandment

Eshtar July 3, 2013

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Focusing on the love of Melonpan (メロンパン), a type of sweet bun in Japan, the Melonpan Alliance (メロンパン同盟/Melonpan Doumei) is a club that exists within the 48 Group, with many members from each of 48 groups.

Founded by Matsui Rena (SKE48), the President and Shimazaki Haruka (AKB48), the Vice-President, on June 2010, Melonpan Alliance focuses on promoting Melonpan consumption and has a goal of eating Mt. Fuji Melonpan that exists only at the 5th rest station of Mt. Fuji.

Over the years, the Melonpan Alliance managed to gain more members, united by the love to Melonpan. The members are Ichikawa Miori (AKB48, NMB48), Fukumoto Aina (NMB48), Isohara Kyoka (SKE48), Miyawaki Sakura (HKT48), Murashige Anna (HKT48), Tomonaga Mio (HKT48), and Matsuoka Natsumi (HKT48).

One of the members, Fukumoto Aina (Ainyan), is scheduled to graduate on July 7th and thus, on the last AKB General Handshake event for Aina on June 16th, the Melonpan Alliance managed, for the first time, to wear a matching outfit that comprised of a T-shirt, a cap, earrings, a purse, boots, and a skirt—all Melonpan themed.

They also have matching Melonpan rings that they did not wear on the day in case it hurt the fans during the handshake session.

Below are the photos of the members using the said outfit of MLP48 (Melonpan 48).

The full outfit of Melonpan Alliance, uploaded by Miyawaki Sakura, is featured below, along with the rings, uploaded by Matsui Rena in her ameblo post.

Only July 1st however, Matsui Rena declared the disbandment of Melonpan Alliance. It was featured on Weekly Playboy 2013 No. 28, which was also their first and last photo session as the Melonpan Alliance.

Matsui stated further on her ameblo update about the disbandment of the alliance. Without Ainyan, who had been a member since the beginning of the Alliance, there will be something lacking within Melonpan Alliance and for that reason, the members decided to disband the group.

Rena expressed her apology for not being able to meet the many expectations of fans of the alliance. However, she also stated that she is more than happy that the members of Melonpan Alliance were able to form good relationships with each other regardless of their status as members of different groups.

Rena also said that with their first and last photo shoot, the Melonpan Alliance also managed to reach the goal that had been set since the beginning of their founding: eating Mt. Fuji Melonpan. Thus, there is no regret.