[Has their relationship been officially confirmed?] The truth behind the reports about Maika Sasaki's boyfriend - What is the "special relationship" that Bunshun has uncovered?

Does =LOVE's absolute center, Sasaki Maika, have a boyfriend? We'll explain in detail the details of their "special relationship" as reported by Shukan Bunshun, the identity of her partner, Hinata Wataru, the agency's official response, fan reactions, and future impacts.

 

 

table of contents   1. Does Maika Sasaki have a boyfriend? | Let's start with the conclusion 2. Contents of the Bunshun scoop: What was reported about the secret rendezvous at the apartment? 3. Who is her alleged boyfriend? | Profile of actor Hinata Wataru 4. How they met and started dating | Why they became close even without appearing together 5. Official response from the agency: Is it really okay to ban dating? 6. Fan and public reaction | Why are there mixed reactions? 7. What about past love affair rumors? | This is the first real scandal 8. Impact on future activities | Possibility of a change in center? 9. Q&A | Frequently asked questions about Maika Sasaki's boyfriend

 

1. Does Maika Sasaki have a boyfriend? | Let's start with the conclusion

 

To conclude, following the report in Shukan Bunshun published in December 2025, it is considered highly likely that Sasaki Maika is in a relationship.

Maika Sasaki, who holds overwhelming popularity and is a symbol of =LOVE, has been completely free of any major scandals since her debut. This latest love affair scoop has come as a huge shock not only to fans but also to those in the industry.

 

The reason this report attracted attention is that it was not just a rumor, but detailed descriptions of the specific circumstances, such as entering and leaving the apartment, the use of a spare key, and the proximity of their living areas. Furthermore, since the agency did not explicitly deny the relationship, it is being seen as a response that is essentially "close to acknowledging it."

 

 

 

 

2. Contents of the Bunshun scoop: What was reported about the secret rendezvous at the apartment?

 

According to Shukan Bunshun Online, on the evening of December 7, 2025, at around 5:00 p.m., a man wearing a cap and a mask was seen cycling home to his apartment in a quiet residential area in Tokyo.

The man parked his bicycle in the bicycle parking lot for residents and used a key to enter the apartment. It has been reported that Maika Sasaki was waiting for him when he returned.

 

Bunshun described their relationship as a "special relationship," a play on her signature song. The distance between them is difficult to explain as simply being friends, and the report also mentioned that they have been meeting at each other's homes on multiple dates, and that they may be living together.

 

 

 

 

3. Who is her alleged boyfriend? | Profile of actor Hinata Wataru

Sasaki Maika's reported boyfriend is Hinata Wataru, a young actor affiliated with Horipro.
He entered the entertainment industry in his teens and is known as a talented young actor who has appeared in a wide range of works, including special effects, serial dramas, and historical dramas.

 

item	Content
name	Wataru Hyuga
year of birth	2004
Affiliated agency	Horipro
Major appearances	"Kamen Rider Revise," "What Will Ieyasu Do?", "My Sister's Lover," and others

 

In particular, his role as Igarashi Daiji in "Kamen Rider Revise" greatly increased his recognition among young people, and he has since appeared in historical dramas, gaining recognition as an actor who will lead the next generation.

 

 

 

 

4. How they met and started dating | Why they became close even without appearing together

 

Surprisingly, the two have never worked together officially before.
According to Bunshun and testimony from people involved, the two met through a mutual acquaintance, and as they deepened their private interactions, their relationship naturally developed into a relationship.

 

Additionally, reports have also stated that Hinata Wataru is renting an apartment near Sasaki Maika's apartment, which suggests that this is likely a stable relationship rather than just a temporary fling.

 

 

 

 

5. Official response from the agency: Is it really okay to ban dating?

In response to an interview with Shukan Bunshun, both agencies stated
"Privacy is left to the individual."
This is an extremely cautious response that does not deny the relationship.

 

=LOVE is a group that does not have a written ban on dating, due to the policy of their producer, Rino Sashihara. Sashihara herself has said in the past that "how you deal with it after it's discovered is more important than the relationship itself," so this incident is not a violation of the rules.

 

However, since Maika Sasaki is the face and center of the group, the extent of her influence has been controversial.

 

 

 

 

6. Fan and public reaction | Why are there mixed reactions?

Fans have been divided in their reactions to this news.
Negative opinions included comments such as, "It's painful that the center is in a relationship at a time when the group is at its peak," and "The timing is bad, right before the Record Awards."

 

On the other hand, there are also many calmer views, such as, "It's only natural considering he's 25 years old," "He's not prohibited from dating in the first place," and "If having a large number of female fans means love, then it's not a fatal blow."
It could be said that the different fanbase from other idol groups is what has led to this group's positive evaluation.

 

 

 

 

7. What about past love affair rumors? | This is the first real scandal

Prior to this Bunshun report, there had been no definitive reports of a romantic relationship involving Sasaki Maika.
There have been rumors stemming from search terms and misunderstandings surrounding the dog, but this is the first case where photos, testimony, and an agency response have all been provided.

 

This makes the symbolism and impact of this scoop extremely significant.

 

 

 

 

8. Impact on future activities | Possibility of a change in center?

 

At this point, many people believe that the possibility of a hiatus or a change in center is low.
This is because the agency has not taken a strong stance, and the group's policy is that "romance = immediate out."

Rather, this could be a turning point in which Sasaki Maika's individual side as an actress and artist will receive more attention in the future. Whether this latest report will end up being a negative or a turning point in her growth will depend on her attitude and activities going forward.

 

 

 

 

9. Q&A | Frequently asked questions about Maika Sasaki's boyfriend

Q1. Have Sasaki Maika and Hinata Wataru officially admitted to dating?
There has been no official comment, but neither agency has denied the relationship.

 

 

Q2. Is =LOVE a group that prohibits relationships?
No. There is no official no-dating rule.

 

 

Q3. Is there a possibility that you will suspend your activities due to this news?
At present, this appears unlikely.

 

 

Q4. What has the fan reaction been like?
Although there is some unrest, many believe that the long-term damage will be limited.

 

 

 

 

summary

 

This news about Maika Sasaki's boyfriend is not just gossip, but can also be seen as an event that symbolizes the changes in modern idols' views on love and fan culture.

How will Sasaki Maika deal with this situation and what path will =LOVE choose? Attention will likely continue to be focused on this.

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