Heartbreak Behind the Headlines: Nonochan’s Agency Collapse Revealed

The truth behind the sad news about Nonoka Murakata (Nonochan, 5), the “Nursery Rhyme Prodigy” who captivated audiences across Japan and social media, has finally come to light.

According to a report on April 18 by foreign outlet Shujo Prime, Nonochan, known for her adorable nursery rhyme competition videos, has switched to a new agency after her previous agency went out of business.

Nonochan, who had previously signed up with the ENPRO talent agency, had flourished in the entertainment world with their backing. She landed movie roles and released albums, keeping busy with exciting projects. Unfortunately, ENPRO filed for bankruptcy last month, leaving Nonoka’s entertainment career in limbo.

Following the news of ENPRO’s bankruptcy on March 28, Nonochan’s team announced a change of address for fan letters and gifts on X (formerly known as Twitter). This announcement revealed that Nonochan had found a new agency at Samurai Partners Inc.

An anonymous advertising industry worker said, “The company that Nonochan has transferred to is not an entertainment planning company. It’s an advertising company that conducts events and promotions using YouTubers.”

An anonymous entertainment program producer said, “Nonochan is from Fukuoka. Samurai Partners is also located in Fukuoka. Both sides are primarily engaged in YouTube activities. They may have initially contracted to continue their YouTube activities,” suggesting the possibility that Nonochan’s representatives hastily signed a contract due to her agency’s bankruptcy.

When reporters contacted Samurai Partners about the details of Nonochan’s signing, they declined to comment, citing confidentiality. While they remained tight-lipped about Nonochan’s future projects, Samurai Partners did assure the public that they plan to keep her busy.

Since her debut in 2021, Nonochan has released six albums. Last year, she expanded her acting career by participating in the dubbing of the movie Sylvanian Families the Movie: A Gift from Freya.

Nonochan’s video, participating in the Japanese Nursery Rhyme Contest 2020, garnered attention and much love in Korea.