Mariya Suzuki

2.1. Early Life and Background

Mariya Suzuki was born on April 29, 1991, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Before successfully joining AKB48, she demonstrated considerable determination by attempting and failing four consecutive auditions, including auditions for AKB48's Team B. For both the 4th and 6th generation kenkyuusei auditions, she successfully passed the initial document screening, even reaching the final selection stage for the 6th generation before ultimately being unsuccessful.

2.2. Idol Activities: AKB48 and SNH48

Suzuki's official unveiling as an idol occurred in January 2009 at the "Request Hour Set List Best 100 2009" event held at SHIBUYA-AX. On August 23, 2009, during the evening performance of the "Yomiuri Shimbun 135th Anniversary Concert AKB104 Senbatsu Members Sokaku Matsuri," it was initially announced that she would be promoted to Team A in October of that year. However, this decision was later modified; on February 28, 2010, during a kenkyuusei performance, it was announced that her promotion destination would be changed to Team B. She was officially promoted to Team B on May 21, 2010, and began participating in the `Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"` performance from that day forward.

On March 25, 2010, it was announced during the evening performance of "AKB48 Manseki Matsuri Kibō Sanpi Ryōron" that she would be transferring agencies to Dresscode. This transfer was officially confirmed and announced on Dresscode's website on November 1, 2010. A significant career change came on August 24, 2012, at the opening day of "AKB48 in TOKYO DOME ~1830m no Yume~," where it was revealed that she would be transferred to SNH48, the Chinese sister group. She officially completed her transfer to SNH48 on November 1, 2012.

On January 25, 2013, it was announced that her contract with Dresscode had been terminated as of December 31, 2012, and she had transferred to Flave Entertainment, effective January 1, 2013. A few months later, on April 28, 2013, during the final night performance of "AKB48 Group Rinji Sōkai ~Shirokuro Tsukeyou Janai ka!~," she was announced to hold a concurrent position with AKB48 Team A, with this concurrent membership beginning on the same day. Her first performance as an SNH48 member, alongside Sae Miyazawa, took place on October 11, 2013, at the SNH48 Theater in Shanghai, where they performed the `Team K 4th Stage "Saishuu Bell ga Naru"` setlist. On November 11, 2013, with the formation of new SNH48 teams, she was assigned to Team SII.

Her concurrent assignment within AKB48 was later changed on February 24, 2014, at the "AKB48 Group Grand Shuffle Festival" held at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo, where it was announced she would be concurrently assigned to Team K. This change became effective on April 24, 2014. On June 10, 2016, she became a full-time member of AKB48 Team K, with her concurrent status being officially rescinded. Mariya Suzuki announced her graduation from AKB48 during a theater performance on February 9, 2017. Her graduation concert was held on April 30, 2017, and she concluded all activities with AKB48 on June 10, 2017. Notably, from April 25, 2017 (the day after Chisato Nakata's graduation) until her own graduation, she was the oldest member of AKB48.

2.3. Post-AKB48 Activities

After her graduation from AKB48, Mariya Suzuki continued to pursue her career in the entertainment industry. In March 2019, she joined "Sotsugyo☆Hoshi" (Graduation Star), a new idol group produced by Yoshimasa Inoue. The group made its re-debut in April 2019, and Suzuki appeared with Sotsugyo☆Hoshi on the television program `Yaguchi Mari no Kayou The NIGHT` on April 3, 2019.

From July to September 2019, Suzuki took on her first lead role in a musical, portraying the titular character in Gekidan Tosho's production of `Cinderella`. She further showcased her musical theater talent by starring as Snow White in Gekidan Tosho's `Shirayuki Hime` (Snow White) musicals, performing in August 2020 and again from July to October 2021 across various venues. On November 20, 2021, she joined SAISON, a limited-time idol unit formed for a one-year period. This unit notably included other former AKB48 members, namely Ayaka Okada, Haruka Ishida, and Misato Nonaka. SAISON concluded its activities on January 28, 2023.

2.4. Personal Life

In April 2021, Mariya Suzuki announced her relocation to Sapporo, Hokkaido. On August 4, 2023, she publicly shared news of her marriage to Yu Nemoto, a comedian who is part of the Sapporo Yoshimoto duo Golden Rules. Later that year, on October 26, 2023, she announced her first pregnancy, revealing that she was expecting a boy. She reported the birth of her first son on February 10, 2024.

4.1. Group Singles

Suzuki participated in the following songs released on AKB48 and SNH48 singles:

• AKB48**
  • "RIVER": `Hikoukigumo` (Theatre Girls ver.)
  • "Ponytail to Shushu": `Boku no YELL` (Theatre Girls)
  • "Beginner": `Nakeru Basho` (DIVA)
  • "Chance no Junban": `Love Jump` (Team B)
  • "Sakura no Ki ni Narou": `Area K` (DIVA)
  • "Everyday, Katyusha": `Hito no Chikara` (Under Girls)
  • "Kaze wa Fuiteiru": `Vamos` (Under Girls Bara-gumi)
  • "Ue Kara Mariko": `Yobisute Fantasy` (Team B)
  • "GIVE ME FIVE!": `Jung ya Freud no Baai` (Special Girls C)
  • "Manatsu no Sounds Good!": `Mitsu no Namida` (Special Girls)
  • "Gingham Check": `Ano Hi no Fūrin` (Waiting Girls)
  • "Eien Pressure": `Watashitachi no Reason`
  • "Heart Electric": `Kiss made Countdown` (Team A)
  • "Maeshika Mukanee": `Koi toka...`
  • "Labrador Retriever": `Aishiki Rival` (Team K)
  • "Kibouteki Refrain": `Hajimete no Drive` (Team K)
  • "Kibouteki Refrain": `Reborn` (Team Surprise)
  • "Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby": `Onee-san no Hitorigoto` (Team K)
  • "Tsubasa wa Iranai": `Aishū no Trumpeter` (Team K)

4.2. Group Albums

Suzuki contributed to the following songs on AKB48 and SNH48 studio albums:

• AKB48**
  • `Kamikyokutachi`: `Kimi to Niji to Taiyō to`
  • `Koko ni Ita Koto`: `Ren'ai Circus` (Team B), `Koko ni Ita Koto`
  • `1830m`: `No Kan` (Team B), `Aozora yo Sabishiku Nai ka?`
  • `Tsugi no Ashiato`: `After rain`, `Kakushin ga Moterumono` (Team A)
  • `Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe!`: `Conveyor` (Team K)
  • `0 to 1 no Aida`: `Ai no Shisha` (Team K)
• SNH48**
  • `Isshin Zenshin`: `Harukanaru Higan` (So long!), `Sakura no Shiori` (Sakura no Shiori), `Theater no Megami` (Theater no Megami)

4.3. Theater Unit Songs

Mariya Suzuki performed in various unit songs during AKB48 and SNH48 theater stages, often serving as a backdancer or understudy for other members:

• SNH48**
  • `Team SII 1st Stage "Saishuu Bell ga Naru"`: `Yoru Chou` (Oshibe to Meshibe to Yoru no Chōchō)
• AKB48**
  • `Team A 5th Stage "Ren'ai Kinshi Jourei"` Performance:
    • `Squall no Aida ni` (backdancer)
    • `Manatsu no Christmas Rose`
    • `Ren'ai Kinshi Jourei`
    • `Kuroi Tenshi` (understudy for Reina Fujie and Chisato Nakata)
  • `Team B 4th Stage "Idol no Yoake"` Performance:
    • `Kataomoi no Taikakusen` (backdancer)
  • `Kenkyuusei "Idol no Yoake"` Performance:
    • `Aishiki Natasha`
    • `Zannen Shoujo`
  • `Team K 5th Stage "Saka Agari"` Performance:
    • `Wagamama na Nagareboshi` (backdancer, understudy for Kana Kobayashi)
  • `THEATRE G-ROSSO "Yume wo Shinaseru Wake ni Ikanai"` Performance:
    • `Hajimete no Jelly Beans` (standby for Sae Miyazawa, Aki Takajo, Reina Fujie, and Ayaka Nakaya)
  • `Team B 5th Stage "Theater no Megami"` Performance:
    • `Arashi no Yoru ni wa`
    • `Locker Room Boy` (understudy for Natsumi Hirajima)
  • Shinoda Team A Waiting Performance:
    • `Ame no Pianist` (understudy for Sumire Sato)
  • Yokoyama Team A Waiting Performance:
    • `Candy` (understudy for Fuko Yagura)
    • `Zannen Shoujo` (understudy for Juri Takahashi)
  • `Team K 7th Stage "RESET"` Performance:
    • `Kokoro no Hashi no Sofa` (understudy for Mako Kojima)
    • `Kiseki wa Ma ni Awanai` (took over Shihori Suzuki's position after her graduation)
  • Soichiro Tahara "Do~ naru?! Do~ suru?! AKB48" Performance:
    • `Bye Bye Bye` (Haruna Kojima's position)
  • `Team K 8th Stage "Saishuu Bell ga Naru"` Performance:
    • `Return Match` (understudy for Nana Fujita and Shinobu Mogi)
    • `22-nin Kyōdai no Uta` (took over Aki Takajo's position after her graduation)
  • `Team B 7th Stage "Tadaima Ren'ai Chuu"` Performance:
    • `Jun'ai no Crescendo` (understudy for Misaki Iwasa)
  • `Revival Performance "Boku no Taiyo"`:
    • `Himawari` (standby for Haruka Shimada, Miki Nishino, and Nana Okada)

6.1. Television

Suzuki has appeared in various television dramas and programs.

• `Majisuka Gakuen` (TV Tokyo): She was featured in the final episode on March 26, 2010, as a student of Majisuka Jogakuen.
• `Majisuka Gakuen 2` (TV Tokyo): She appeared in Episode 4 and the final episode on May 6, 2011, and July 1, 2011, respectively, playing a character named Mariya.
• `JIM BEAM SUMMER CAMP` (Hokkaido TV): On August 14, 2021, she appeared as a Jim Beam Ambassador.
• `Mayonaka no Ii ne` (Sapporo TV): She was a regular on this program from April 2022 to March 2023.
• `Dosanko WEEKEND` (Sapporo TV): Beginning April 8, 2023, she served as an MC until December 2023, transitioning to a reporter role from April 2024 onwards.

6.2. Stage

Her stage career includes roles in various plays and musicals.

• `Alice in Deadly School` (October 14-17, 2010, Rikkyo Hall) as Chisato Domoto.
• `Rakka Girl` (February 3-4, 2011, Shibuya Cultural Center Owada Densho Hall) as Kiyomi Shirogane, appearing as a daily guest.
• `Doryoku Shinai de Shusse Suru Houhou` (March 9 and 13, 2011, Sasazuka Factory) as Myu.
• `Stranger than Paradise ~Shin'ai~` (August 11, 2011, Theater Green BOX in BOX THEATER) as Editor Sudo, in a special guest appearance.
• TAIYOMAGICFILM productions:
  • 11th Performance `Sakura Saku Koro 2016` (October 5, 2016, Akasaka RED/THEATER) as Imouto, appearing as a daily guest.
  • 12th Performance `Jibunjikan Ryoko` (September 22 - October 1, 2017, Akasaka RED/THEATER) as Tomono Matsui.
• `Hamlet` (December 2017, Rikkyo Hall) as Ophelia.
• `funky Nurse ~Kibaran ka!~` (March 2018, Shinjuku Mura LIVE Studio) as Ai Kusawake.
• Gekidan TEAM-ODAC productions:
  • 29th Main Performance `HOME ~Itsuka Kaeruyo, Boku dake no HOME~` (May 9-14, 2018, Kinokuniya Hall) as Anri Masuno.
  • 30th Main Performance `Neko to Inu to Yakusoku no Hi 2018 -Natsu` (July 7-16, 2018, Zenrosai Hall / Space Zero).
• `Casket ~Shinkai kara Mieru Hoshi~`.
• `Minamijūjisei e no Prelude` (October 29 - November 4, 2018, Mitsukoshi Theater) as Lulu.
• `Nijiiro Shouka`.
• Gekidan Tosho Musicals:
  • `Cinderella` (July 13-15, 2019, Mitsukoshi Theater; also performed in other locations including Izu-Nirayama Jidaigekijo, Fukushima Bunka Center, Mooka Shimin Kaikan, Yaita-shi Bunka Kaikan, Shiki Shimin Kaikan, Kawasaki Shimin Plaza, Fuchu no Mori Art Theater, Oi River Bunka Center, Higashikurume Shogakushu Center Marronnier Hall) as lead Cinderella.
  • `Shirayuki Hime` (Snow White) (August 23, 2020, Fuchu no Mori Art Theater; August 29, 2020, Shiki Shimin Kaikan; September 22, 2020, Higashikurume Shogakushu Center Marronnier Hall, and other locations) as lead Snow White.
  • `Shirayuki Hime` (July - October 2021; July 18-21, 2021, Mitsukoshi Theater; also performed in other locations including Awa-shi AELWA, Anan-shi Bunka Kaikan, Kōnosu-shi Bunka Center, Kikugawa Bunka Kaikan AEL, Kawasaki Shimin Plaza Furusato Theater, Fukuyama-shi Kanbe Bunka Kaikan) as lead Snow White.
• Reading Play `Five senses ~Gokan~` (November 30, 2020, eplus LIVING ROOM CAFE&DINING).

6.3. Radio and Online Content

Suzuki has engaged in various radio programs, internet-streamed content, and appeared in music videos.

• Radio: She participated in `Odaiba Fighteen` on October 1, 2009, and March 18, 2010, broadcast from Decks Tokyo Bay Studio. She served as a personality for `Aigaku Oedo Idol Gakuen` (Rainbow Town FM) from December 5, 2010, to June 26, 2011, and for `Tokyo Idol Collection` (Rainbow Town FM) from July 3, 2011, to November 20, 2011.
• Online Streaming: She was part of the special program `Jōei made Matenai! 30-pun de Wakaru "Kokkuri-san Gekijoban" Tokubetsu Bangumi` streamed on Nico Nico Douga on December 21, 2011. She also appeared in `Shanghai School 48`, available on TV Asahi Douga starting February 20, 2014. Additionally, she took on the role of Misaki in `Mrs. Lost ~ Interventionist Ayame`, a Twitter drama streamed from May 14 to June 11, 2020.
• Music Videos: She appeared in the music video for Okuhanako's song "Fuyu Hanabi" released on January 22, 2014.

6.4. Events and Advertisements

Her public engagements include participation in fan events, special public appearances, and commercial endorsements.

• Events: She hosted "Mariyannu Wannetto" on November 16, 2012, at the AKB48 CAFE&SHOP AKIHABARA Theater Area. Her 22nd Birthday Party, "Yannu de Yansu!", was held on April 29, 2013, at the AKB48 CAFE&SHOP AKIHABARA Theater Cafe. She had the honor of throwing the first pitch at an Eastern League baseball game between the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on September 21, 2015, at Fighters Kamagaya Stadium.
• Advertisements: In 2014, she served as the image model for ADREE's Autumn & Winter Collection.

7.1. Magazine Series and Calendars

• Magazine Series: She had a serialization titled "~SNH48 Suzuki Mariya Shanghai Ryūgaku Nikki~" (SNH48 Mariya Suzuki's Shanghai Study Abroad Diary) in `Cool Music`, which later became `Cool Dangdai Getan`. This series ran from May 2013 to August 2014 and was published by Shanghai Dazui Advertising Media.
• Calendars: She released several calendars, including the `Suzuki Mariya 2012 Calendar` on November 19, 2011, followed by desk calendars: `Desk Suzuki Mariya 2013 Calendar` on December 7, 2012, and `Desk Suzuki Mariya 2014 Calendar` on December 6, 2013, all published by Hagoromo.