Hitomi Honda

Hitomi Honda (本田 仁美) is a Japanese singer and actress. She is a former member of the Japanese girl group AKB48. From 2018 to 2021, she was a member of the South Korean-Japanese girl group Iz*One.

2012–2017: Early career and debut in AKB48


From 2012 to 2014, when Honda was in elementary school, she appeared on Kodomojikan, a local program in her hometown.

Honda auditioned for AKB48's Team 8 in 2014 and was accepted into the group at the age of 12, representing Tochigi Prefecture. On 4 December, she was appointed the Tochigi Future Ambassador by the Governor of Tochigi Prefecture.

In 2017, she was the main reporter for a local program on Tochigi Television, introducing information about Tochigi Prefecture.

2018–2021: Breakthrough, Produce 48 and Iz*One


In April 2018, she hosted a radio program, Toyota Rental Lease Presents: Honda Hitomi Heat Is On, on Radio Berry.

In the 2018 AKB48 General Election from May to June, she ranked 82nd, entering the rankings for the first time. In August, Honda placed 9th on the reality girl group survival show, Produce 48, becoming a member of the Korean-Japanese idol group Iz*One. In September, it was announced that Honda would be appearing on an AKB48 title track for the first time with the release of "No Way Man" in November. On the same day, she announced that she would be taking a 2.5-year-long hiatus from AKB48 to focus on her activities with Iz*One. In October, she debuted as a member of Iz*One with the release of "La Vie en Rose".

In October 2020, Hitomi was the model for the Japanese brand titty&co for their Winter 2020 Collection; she later became the brand's exclusive model in 2021.

On 29 April 2021, Honda concluded activities with Iz*One with the expiration of her contract. In May, she appeared in the final performance for the AKB48 Team 8 national tour, her first appearance as a member of the group after her hiatus. On 8 October, she launched her own cosmetic beauty brand named NOTONE. Honda ended her management contract with Vernalossom on 31 December, transferring to DH a day later.

2022–present: Post-Iz*One activities, graduation from AKB48
On 23 February 2022, it was announced that Honda would serve as the A-side lead singer and the choreographic center for AKB48's 59th single, Moto Kare desu (元カレです), which marks her first time in both positions. She was appointed as the brand muse for Utena's haircare product Matomage in March. On 1 July, it was announced that DH was transferred to Mama & Son, affiliated with Production Ogi. Honda made her acting debut later that month with a cameo in the third episode of Octo: Kanjou Sousakan Shinno Akari. In October, she starred in Hokuo Kojirase Nikki, her first leading role.

Due to the suspension of AKB48 Team 8 activities in April 2023, Honda became a member of Team A starting 1 May. In July, she played the supporting role of Enami Misato in the show The Greatest Teacher. On 30 August 2023, Honda announced that she would be graduating from AKB48. Her last single with the group was "Idol Nanka Janakattara", AKB48's 62nd single which released on 27 September. In December, she hosted the pre-ceremony red carpet event for the 2023 Melon Music Awards with fellow former Iz*One member Nako Yabuki and Ha Ji-young. Her graduation concert was held on 26 January 2024, at Pacifico Yokohama, and she held her graduation and last theater live performance at the AKB48 Theater on 28 January 2024. Honda left Mama & Son entertainment on May 1, 2024.

Personal life
Honda's family consists of her mother, father, and an elder brother and sister. She is a fan of the Utsunomiya Brex basketball team, and from 4th to 6th grade she took part in their cheerleading school.

AKB48 General Election Placements
Since her debut in 2014, Honda has taken part in sixth edition of AKB48's annual general election. This is her ranking placement :

Concerts

 * AKB48グループ 東京ドームコンサート 〜するなよ? するなよ? 絶対卒業発表するなよ?〜 (AKB48 Group Tokyo Dome Concert 〜Suru na yo? Suru na yo? Zettai Sotsugyou Happyou Suru na yo?〜 (2014)
 * AKB48 紅白対抗歌合戦 2014 (AKB48 Kouhaku Utagassen 2014) (2014)
 * チーム8初の全国ツアー 〜47の素敵な街へ〜 (Team 8 National Tour 〜47 no Suteki na Machi e〜) (2014-2017)
 * こじまつり～小嶋陽菜感謝祭～ (Kojimatsuri ～Kojima Haruna Kanshasai～) (2017)
 * AKB48チーム８選抜コンサート〜僕たちは熱狂する〜 (AKB48 Team 8 Senbatsu Concert ~Bokutachi wa Nekkyou Suru~) (2018)
 * Iz*One 1st Concert "Eyes On Me" (2019)