Rinka Kanzaki May 2026

As she writes in the liner notes of her Moonchild single: "The paradox of being strong is admitting you are weak. And then dancing anyway."

Furthermore, Kanzaki has expressed a desire to choreograph for other artists. In a recent Instagram Live, she stated: "I want to create a dance crew that is specifically for plus-sized and disabled dancers. Dance should not be locked behind physical 'norms.'" rinka kanzaki

This article delves deep into the biography, career trajectory, musical style, and cultural impact of Rinka Kanzaki, explaining why she is more than just an idol—she is an icon in the making. Born on February 12, 2003, in the bustling heart of Tokyo, Rinka Kanzaki’s journey into entertainment began at an unusually early age. Unlike many artists who stumble into fame, Kanzaki was a trained performer from childhood. She began dancing at the age of four, specifically in the hip-hop and street dance genres—a fact that heavily influences her choreography today. As she writes in the liner notes of

Before the bright lights of television, Rinka Kanzaki was a student at the prestigious (EXILE PROFESSIONAL GYM), a talent academy run by the legendary LDH (Love, Dream, Happiness) agency. It was here that her raw talent was refined. EXPG is notorious for its rigorous training, often described as the "Olympic training center" for J-Pop dancers. This environment instilled in Kanzaki a relentless work ethic and a signature sharpness to her movements that separates her from typical idol performers. The Breakthrough: Hiatus and the "Girls²" Revolution Rinka Kanzaki’s first major public exposure did not come through a music video, but through a moment of controversy and recovery. In 2017, at only 14 years old, she was selected as a support member for the idol group Tokyo Girls’ Style . However, a sudden health issue forced her into a temporary hiatus. For a teenage performer, this was a devastating blow. Dance should not be locked behind physical 'norms

For the uninitiated, Girls² (pronounced "Girls Girls") is a 9-member performance group born from the hit drama series Girls × Heroine! . Rinka Kanzaki was cast as Momoka Tōyama , a role that required her to not only act but execute high-level action sequences. What made Girls² revolutionary was its "real-life" structure—the drama was fiction, but the group existed live on stage.