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SKE48’s Aikawa Honoka, who’s been rocking the idol scene for a solid 10 years and is the big boss of current Team S, found herself in a bit of a pickle at a handshake event on April 11, 2025, in Chiba’s Makuhari Messe.
The 21-year-old star, known for her love of Nagoya Grampus and a good bowl of ramen, had just one fan turn up to meet her—yep, you heard that right, one lone supporter! And now, the internet’s absolutely buzzing about it.
Honoka, who’s been with SKE48 since 2015, shared a snap of the moment on X, showing a fan waving a glow stick with a massive grin stood there looking chuffed.
She captioned it, “Today’s handshake event, about one fan.”
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Cheeky, right?
The post, which dropped at 9:49 AM on April 12, has since gone viral, racking up loads of reactions from fans and netizens alike.
For those not in the know, handshake events are a massive part of the 48 Group vibe—think AKB48 and their sister groups like SKE48.
It’s all about that “idols you can meet” motto, giving fans a chance to have a quick natter or snap a pic with their faves.
SKE48, who kicked off back in 2008 in Nagoya’s Sakae district, are usually mobbed at these events, thanks to their mega fanbase both in Japan and abroad.
So, Honoka having just one fan show up? That’s a proper head-scratcher.
Some fans reckon the whole Chiba event was a bit of a flop, with one commenter on X saying, “Curtain overall was pretty empty, to be fair 😅.”
Others were quick to cheer Honoka on, with one fan gushing, “Today too, Hono-chan is the cutest!!!” Another pointed out her beaming smile, saying, “That huge grin gives me nothing but good vibes.”
It’s clear Aikawa Honoka’s not letting this get her down—she’s all about keeping the positivity flowing, which is probably why she’s made it this far in the cutthroat idol game.
SKE48’s proper proud of their Nagoya roots, often popping up in local ads and events to rep their city. They’ve been a cultural gem there since their first single, Tsuyokimono Yo, dropped in 2009, a year after they got started by big-shot producer Yasushi Akimoto.
Normally, their local fans are dead loyal, so this quiet moment in Chiba feels like a bit of a blip. Could be the location, could be the timing—who knows?
Honoka, though, is taking it all in stride. She’s been grafting hard to keep her name out there, even sharing her Instagram link on X and rallying her followers with a cheeky, “You can still be at the front of the Aikawa fan line!”
She’s also celebrating her 10th anniversary as an idol this year, saying she’s “still ready to sprint from the starting line.” Proper inspiring, that!
At the end of the day, this viral moment just shows how unpredictable the idol life can be. One day you’re the star of the show, the next you’re waving to a crowd of… well, one. But if anyone can bounce back, it’s Aikawa Honoka—she’s got the smile, the grit, and the ramen obsession to keep her going. Big up to her!
本日の握手会、ヲタク約1名。 pic.twitter.com/VadjSwtmYL
— 相川暖花（SKE48） (@honoka_ske48) April 12, 2025