FAQThe names in this FAQ are written first name first, surname second, unlike in Japan.
CONTENTS1. What is Hello! Project?
1.1. Current and former units/artists
1.2. Subgroups
1.3. Shuffle groups
1.4. Members of Hello! Project groups
1.5. H!P Kids
1.6. H!P Eggs
1.7. H!P Trainees
2. What is Morning Musume?
2.1. Current and former members
2.2. Generations
2.3. Graduations
2.4. Singles and albums
2.5. Other works (tv, musicals, movies)
3. Who/what is x?
3.1. Tsunku
3.2. Atsuko Inaba
3.3. Makoto
3.4. Cubic Cross
3.5. Sonin/Sonim
3.7. UFG/UFA/J.P ROOM
3.6. TNX/Nice Girl Project
4. Hello! Project members
4.1. Current members
4.1.1. Hello! Project Taiwan
4.1.2. H!P Eggs
4.2. Up-front limbo
4.3. Past members
4.3.1. Active members
4.3.2. Retired
5. H!P Member birthdays
5.1. H!P Members by birth year-------------------------
1. What is Hello! Project? Hello! Project is an umbrella term for idol girl groups and artists managed by Upfront Agency and mainly produced by Tsunku. Hello! Project was born in 1997 when its main group, Morning Musume, was formed. Hello! Project is based in Japan.
1.1. Current and former units/artistsCurrently in Hello! Project:
Morning Musume, Berryz Koubou, ℃-ute, Buono!, Erina Mano, S/mileage, Aika Mitsui.
Hello! Project Trainees (Eggs)
Hello! Project Taiwan: Frances & Aiko
Elder Club members, graduated from Hello! Project on March 31, 2009:
Melon Kinenbi, Aya Matsuura, Yuko Nakazawa, Yuki Maeda, Atsuko Inaba, Kei Yasuda, Natsumi Abe, Kaori Iida, Nozomi Tsuji, Miki Fujimoto, Ongaku Gatas, Mai Satoda, Mari Yaguchi, Rika Ishikawa, Hitomi Yoshizawa, Asami Konno, Makoto Ogawa, Erika Miyoshi, Yui Okada
Former and inactive units:
Michiyo Heike, Sheki-dol, T&C Bomber/Taiyo & Cisco Moon, Rika Ishii, Chinatsu Miyoshi, Mini Moni, Tanpopo, Pucchi Moni, Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto, ZYX, Romans, Aa!, Gomattou, W, Nochiura Natsumi, Country Musume, DEF. DIVA, Maki Goto, GAM, Morning Musume Tanjou 10-nen Kinentai, Athena & Robikerottsu, Coconuts Musume, Kira☆Pika, Viyuden, Eco-moni, High-King, Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi, Milky Way, Shugo Chara Egg, Guardians 4, Ice Creamusume.
The Mass GraduationBy 2008 Hello! Project had been growing steadily for over 10 years, resulting in a mix of idols and groups varying greatly in age and image. Hello! Project had been split into Wonderful Hearts (younger, more idol-oriented members) and Elder Club (more experienced and mature members) for concert tours since 2006. In October 2008, a mass graduation for Elder Club members was announced. It has been suggested that the purpose was, firstly, to give the older members a chance to break free from the idol stereotype, and secondly, to emphasize Hello! Project's image as an idol brand. A majority of the graduated members are expected to continue activities in entertainment business and with Up-front Group, just not under the name 'Hello! Project'.
1.2. SubgroupsSubgroups are Hello! Project units formed mainly of Morning Musume members.
For example, Tanpopo, Pucchi Moni and Mini Moni are subgroups.
Melon Kinenbi and Country Musume are not.
All Morning Musume subgroups changed over the years:
Tanpopo (1st gen): Mari, Kaori, Aya
Tanpopo (2nd gen): Mari, Kaori, Ai Kago, Rika
Tanpopo (3rd gen): Rika, Risa, Asami Konno, Ayumi (Melon Kinenbi)
Pucchi Moni (1st gen): Maki, Kei, Sayaka
Pucchi Moni (2nd gen): Maki, Kei, Hitomi
Pucchi Moni (3rd gen): Hitomi, Makoto, Ayaka (Coconuts Musume)
Mini Moni (1st gen): Mari, Ai Kago, Nozomi, Mika (Coconuts Musume)
Mini Moni (2nd gen): Ai Kago, Nozomi, Mika, Ai Takahashi
1.3. Shuffle groupsShuffle groups were formed once a year from 2000 to 2005. The shuffles were formed by splitting Hello! Project into three groups who released their own single and competed against each other to see who could sell the most. In 2003 the concept changed when the shuffle groups were all featured on the same single. Furthermore, the 2004 shuffle group consisted of every H!P member, and the 2005 shuffle groups only included a few selected members (instead of splitting the entire Hello! Project).
2000:
Akagumi 4: Maki, Yuko, Miho (T&C), Danielle (Coconuts Musume)
Kiiro 5: Natsumi, Kei, Michiyo Heike (solo), Ruru (T&C), Ayaka (Coconuts Musume)
Aoiro 7: Sayaka, Mari, Kaori, Atsuko (T&C), Miwa (T&C), Lehua (Coconuts Musume), Mika (Coconuts Musume)
2001:
3 nin Matsuri: Ai Kago, Rika, Aya Matsuura (solo)
7 nin Matsuri: Maki, Mari, Michiyo, Ayumi (MK), Asami Kimura(Country Musume), Lehua, Ayaka
10 nin Matsuri: Natsumi, Nozomi, Hitomi, Kei, Kaori, Mika, Rinne (Country Musume), Hitomi Saitou (MK), Megumi (MK), Masae (MK)
2002:
Happy 7: Ai Kago, Ai Takahashi, Makoto Ogawa, Risa Niigaki, Mika, Asami Kimura, Hitomi Saitou
Sexy 8: Mari, Maki, Hitomi, Rika, Michiyo, Ayaka, Mai (Country Musume), Masae
Odoru 11: Natsumi, Nozomi, Kaori, Kei, Asami Konno, Rinne, Aya, Miki Fujimoto (solo), Rika Ishii (solo), Megumi, Ayumi
2003:
Salt 5: Ai K., Aya, Natsumi, Makoto, Yuki Maeda
7 Air: Ai T., Rika, Risa, Masae, Atsuko Inaba, Mika
11 Water: Mari, Miki, Kaori, Nozomi, Hitomi Y., Asami Konno, Asami Kimura, Ayaka, Hitomi Saitou, Megumi Murata, Ayumi Shibata
2004:
Hello! Project All Stars
2005:
Sexy Otona Jan: Miki, Miyabi, Megumi Murakami
Elegies: Ai T., Reina, Ayumi, Mai S.
Puripuri Pink: Yuko, Kaori, Kei, Atsuko
1.4. Members of Hello! Project groupsCountry Musume (2nd gen): Rinne
Country Musume (3rd gen): Rinne, Asami Kimura
Country Musume (4th gen): Rinne, Asami, Rika Ishikawa (also known as Country Musume ni Ishikawa Rika)
Country Musume (5th gen): Rinne, Asami, Rika, Mai Satoda
Country Musume (6th gen): Asami, Rika, Mai
Country Musume (7th gen): Asami, Mai, Miuna Saitou, Asami Konno, Miki Fujimoto (also known as Country Musume ni Fujimoto to Konno)
Country Musume (8th gen): Mai
Coconuts Musume (1st gen): April, Danielle, Ayaka, Mika, Chelsea
Coconuts Musume (2nd gen): Danielle, Mika, Ayaka, Lehua
Coconuts Musume (3rd gen): Mika, Ayaka, Lehua
Coconuts Musume (4th gen): Mika, Ayaka
Coconuts Musume (5th gen): Ayaka
Melon Kinenbi: Megumi Murata, Hitomi Saitou, Masae Ohtani, Ayumi Shibata
Gomattou: Maki Goto, Miki Fujimoto, Aya Matsuura
ZYX: Mari Yaguchi, Megumi Murakami, Saki Shimizu, Momoko Tsugunaga, Maimi Yajima, Erika Umeda
Romans (pronounced Romance): Mari Yaguchi, Rika Ishikawa, Hitomi Saitou, Ayaka, Mai Satoda
Aa! - Reina Tanaka, Miyabi Natsuyaki, Airi Suzuki
Berryz Koubou - Miyabi Natsuyaki, Saki Shizimu, Momoko Tsugunaga, Risako Sugaya, Yurina Kumai, Maasa Sudou, Chinami Tokunaga
W - Ai Kago and Nozomi Tsuji
Eco-moni - Rika Ishikawa and Sayumi Michishige
Nochiura Natsumi - Natsumi Abe, Aya Matsuura, Maki Goto
Viyuden - Rika Ishikawa, Erika Miyoshi, Yui Okada
DEF. DIVA - Natsumi Abe, Rika Ishikawa, Aya Matsuura, Maki Goto
GAM - Aya Matsuura, Miki Fujimoto
℃-ute - Erika Umeda, Maimi Yajima, Airi Suzuki, Kanna Arihara, Chisato Okai, Saki Nakajima, Mai Hagiwara
Ongaku Gatas - Rika Ishikawa, Hitomi Yoshizawa, Mai Satoda, Asami Konno, Miki Korenaga, Arisa Noto, Yuri Sawada, Minami Sengoku
Buono - Airi Suzuki, Miyabi Natsuyaki, Momoko Tsugunaga
Kira☆Pika - Koharu Kusumi, Mai Hagiwara
Milky Way - Koharu Kusumi, Yuu Kikkawa, Sayaka Kitahara
Athena & Robikerottsu - Risa Niigaki, Aika Mitsui, Chisato Okai, Saki Nakajima
High-King - Ai Takahashi, Reina Tanaka, Maimi Yajima, Saki Shimizu, Yuuka Maeda
Shugo Chara Egg (1st gen): Yuuka Maeda, Kanon Fukuda, Ayaka Wada, Akari Saho
Shugo Chara Egg (2nd gen): Akari Saho, Mizuki Fukumura, Irori Maeda, Nanami Tanabe
Hangry&Angry - Rika Ishikawa, Hitomi Yoshizawa
Guardians 4 - Saki Nakajima, Risako Sugaya, Aika Mitsui, Yurina Kumai
S/mileage (1st gen): Yuuka Maeda, Kanon Fukuda, Ayaka Wada, Saki Ogawa
S/mileage (2nd gen): Kanon Fukuda, Ayaka Wada, Meimi Tamura, Akari Takeuchi, Rina Katsuta, Kana Nakanishi
1.5. H!P Kids15 H!P Kids were selected in an audition in 2002. In 2003, some of them were selected for temporary units Aa! and ZYX. In 2004, eight of the kids debuted as Berryz Koubou. One of the members, Maiha Ishimura, graduated in 2005. In the same year the remaining seven H!P Kids who were not chosen for Berryz Koubou formed a unit, ℃-ute. Before ℃-ute's first major single release, one of its members, Megumi Murakami, graduated. While H!P Kids practically no longer exists, some fans still call Berryz and ℃-ute H!P Kids.
1.6. H!P EggsThe first H!P Egg audition was held in 2004, with as many as 32 girls chosen. Since then auditions have been held almost every year, and Eggs have also been chosen from a Morning Musume auditions (Yuu Kikkawa, Minami Mogi, Aina Ootsuka), H!P Kansai audition (Irori Maeda) and S/mileage audition (Fuyuka Kosuga, Kanae Yamaga, Sakura Oda, Mizuki Murota). However, unlike in the first audition, recently only 1-3 applicants have been successful at a time.
H!P Eggs are trainees developing their idol potential and aiming to debut officially. While at first they were only backdancers at H!P concerts, they have been given more and more chances to perform since 2006. That year six H!P Eggs were chosen to form The Possible which is now a TNX unit. Since 2007 H!P Eggs have been featured in several units such as Ongaku Gatas, Milky Way, High-King and Shugo Chara Egg.
Several H!P Eggs have chosen to leave before getting a chance to debut, their departure never explained or announced to the public.
At the end of 2010 H!P Eggs were announced to have their last Shinjin Kouen, concerts that H!P Eggs had had three or four times a year since 2007. January 2011 brought uncertainty about the status of H!P Eggs when only a few were seen at the Hello! Project Winter 2011 tour. In May 2011, it appeared that only eight Eggs remained, the rest having completed their training or having been let go.
1.7. H!P TraineesH!P trainees replace H!P Eggs as of early 2012. The training they receive is no longer free. Their activities as of April 2012 seem to be very similar to H!P Eggs.
2. What is Morning Musume?Morning Musume is a popular idol group in Japan.
In 1997, ASAYAN held an audition for a new female rock vocalist who would be produced by Sharan Q. Michiyo Heike was the winner of the contest. But five losers were selected to join an all-girl group who would be produced by Tsunku. These members were Yuko Nakazawa, Natsumi Abe, Kaori Iida, Aya Ishiguro and Asuka Fukuda. This was the first formation of Morning Musume.
2.1. Current and former membersAs of May 18, 2012, the members are Sayumi Michishige, Reina Tanaka, Mizuki Fukumura, Erina Ikuta, Kanon Suzuki, Riho Sayashi, Haruna Iikubo, Ayumi Ishida, Masaki Sato and Haruka Kudo.
Former members include Asuka Fukuda, Aya Ishiguro, Sayaka Ichii, Yuko Nakazawa, Maki Goto, Kei Yasuda, Natsumi Abe, Nozomi Tsuji, Ai Kago, Kaori Iida, Mari Yaguchi, Rika Ishikawa, Asami Konno, Makoto Ogawa, Hitomi Yoshizawa, Miki Fujimoto, Koharu Kusumi, Eri Kamei, Lin Qian (Linlin), Chun Li (Junjun), Ai Takahashi, Aika Mitsui and Risa Niigaki.
2.2. Generations'Generation' refers to a particular girl or a group of girls who joined Morning Musume after winning an audition. The first generation was formed by the original members.
Exceptions are Miki Fujimoto, a previous solo artist who joined Morning Musume earlier than the rest of 6th gen, and the Chinese members Junjun and Linlin, who joined 8th gen later than Aika.
1st gen - Yuko, Aya, Natsumi, Kaori, Asuka
2nd gen - Mari, Kei, Sayaka
3rd gen - Maki
4th gen - Rika, Hitomi, Nozomi, Ai Kago
5th gen - Ai Takahashi, Asami, Makoto, Risa
6th gen - Miki, Eri, Reina, Sayumi
7th gen - Koharu
8th gen - Aika, Junjun, Linlin
9th gen - Mizuki, Erina, Kanon, Riho
10th gen - Haruna, Ayumi, Masaki, Haruka
2.3. GraduationsWhen a Morning Musume member leaves the group, it is called a graduation. Often a special graduation concert is held, but not always.
Reasons for graduations:
Asuka Fukuda - Graduated in April 1999 to continue her schooling.
Aya Ishiguro - Graduated in January 2000 to pursue a career in fashion design. She married Shinya of the j-rock band, Luna Sea, in May of 2000. She has since had three children, released books and keeps
a blog.Sayaka Ichii - Graduated in May 2000 to learn more about song-writing and to continue her education. She came back to the music business in late 2001 and was the leader of a group called Cubic Cross. She left the business again in 2003 to marry the guitarist of her group, Naoki Yoshizawa, and to become a mother.
Yuko Nakazawa - Graduated in April 2001 to pursue her solo career.
Maki Goto - Graduated in September 2002 to pursue a solo career in Hello! Project. She left Hello! Project in 2007 and has signed a contract with Avex. (
Maki's Avex thread)
Kei Yasuda - Graduated May 2003 to continue various activities in Hello! Project.
Natsumi Abe - Graduated on January 25, 2004 to continue a solo career in Hello! Project.
Nozomi Tsuji/Ai Kago - Graduated August 1, 2004 to form a group, W. Kago Ai's contract was cancelled in March 26, 2007 because of tabloid scandals. She is now building an entertainment career outside of H!P. Tsuji Nozomi is now a mother and is married to Taiyou Sugiura.
Kaori Iida - Graduated January 2005. She has released solo material. She is married to Kenji from the disbanded band 7 House. In 2008 she gave birth to a baby boy who later died from renal failure. She has returned to the entertainment career as a part of Dream Morning Musume.
Mari Yaguchi - Graduated (resigned) April 14, 2005 for personal reasons.
Rika Ishikawa - Graduated May 2005. She and two new Hello! Project members, 2004 audition winner Erika Miyoshi, and H!P Egg Yui Okada, formed a new group, Viyuden. Viyuden disbanded in 2008.
Asami Konno - Graduated July 23rd 2006 to continue her education in a university. She returned to Hello! Project to continue activities in Gatas H.P. Brilhantes in June 2007.
Makoto Ogawa - Graduated August 27th 2006. She took time off to study abroad, but continued activities in 2008.
Hitomi Yoshizawa - Graduated May 6th 2007 to pursue solo activities.
Miki Fujimoto - Graduated (resigned) June 1st 2007 for personal reasons.
Koharu Kusumi - Graduated December 6th 2009 to pursue a modeling career.
Eri Kamei, Lin Qian & Chun Li - Graduated December 15th 2010. Eri graduated for health reasons (persisting skin problems), whereas Linlin and Junjun's exchange in Japan came to an end.
Ai Takahashi - Graduated September 30th 2011 to focus on musical and theatre activities.
Risa Niigaki & Aika Mitsui - Graduated May 18th 2012 to pursue other activities. Aika graduated because of a persistent leg injury that wasn't healing properly, and might have resulted in permanent damage if she continued activities in MM. Aika remains a member in Hello! Project, unlike Risa.
2.4. Singles and albumsSingles (49)
0 - Ai no Tane ('97.11.3)
1st - Morning Coffee ('98.1.28)
2nd - Summer Night Town ('98.5.27)
3rd - Daite HOLD ON ME ('98.9.9)
4th - Memory Seishun no Hikari ('99.2.10)
5th - Manatsu no Kousen ('99.5.12)
6th - Furusato ('99.7.14)
7th - Love Machine ('99.9.9)
8th - Koi no Dance Site ('00.1.26)
9th - Happy Summer Wedding ('00.5.17)
10th - I Wish ('00.9.6)
11th - Renai Revolution 21 ('00.12.13)
12th - The Peace ('01.7.25)
13th - Mr. Moonlight ~ai no big band~ ('01.10.31)
14th - Souda! We're ALIVE ('02.2.20)
15th - Do it! Now ('02.7.24)
16th - Koko ni Iruze ('02.10.30)
17th - Hyokkori Hyoutanjima ('03.2.19)
18th - As for One Day ('03.4.23)
19th - Shabondama ('03.7.30)
20th - Go Girl! Koi no Victory ('03.11.06)
21st - Ai Araba It's All Right ('04.01.23)
22nd - Roman MY DEAR BOY ('04.5.21)
23rd - Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari ('04.7.22)
24th - Namida Ga Tomaranai Houkago ('04.11.03)
25th - The Manpower! ('05.01.19)
26th - Osaka Koi no Uta ('05.04.27)
27th - Iroppoi Jirettai ('05.07.27)
28th - Chokkan 2 ~Nogashita Sakana wa Ookiizo!~ ('05.11.09)
29th - SEXY BOY ~Soyo Kaze ni Yorisoutte~ ('06.03.15)
30th - Ambitious ('06.06.21)
31st - Aruiteru ('06.11.08)
32nd - Egao YES! ~Nude~ ('07.02.14)
33rd - Kanashimi Twilight ('07.04.25)
34th - Onna ni Sachi Are ('07.07.25)
35th - Mikan ('07.11.21)
36th - Resonant Blue ('08.04.16)
37th - Pepper Keibu ('08.09.24)
38th - Naichau Kamo ('09.02.18)
39th - Shouganai Yume Oibito ('09.05.13)
40th - Nanchatte Renai ('09.08.12)
41st - Kimagure Princess ('09.10.28)
42nd - Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai ('10.02.10)
43rd - Seishun Collection ('10.06.09)
44th - Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game ('10.11.17)
45th - Maji Desu ka Ska! ('11.04.06)
46th - Only You ('11.06.15)
47th - Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa o Honki de Negatterun da yo!/Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai! ('11.09.14)
48th - Pyoco Pyoco Ultra ('12.01.25)
49th - Ren'ai Hunter ('12.04.11)
Albums (12)
First Time ('98.7.8 )
Second Morning ('99.7.28)
Love Paradise ('00.3.29)
Best Morning Musume 1 ('01.01.31)
Ikimasshoi ('02.3.27)
Number Five ('03.3.26)
Best Morning Musume 2 ('04.3.31)
Ai no Dai 6 Kan ('04.12.15)
Rainbow 7 ('06.02.15)
SEXY 8 BEAT ('07.03.21)
Cover You ('08.11.26)
Platinum 9 DISC ('09.03.18)
10 My Me ('10.03.17)
Fantasy! Juuichi ('10.12.01)
12, Smart ('11.10.12)
2.5. Other works (tv, musicals, movies)Musicals:Love Century (2001)
Morning Town (2002)
Edokko Chushingura (2003)
Help! Acchii Chikyuu wo Samasunda (2004)
Ribbon no kishi (2006)
Cinderella the Musical (2008)
Movies:Morning Cop (with Michiyo Heike)
Pinch Runner (2000)
Tokkaekko
Namatamago (Maki Goto, Mari Yaguchi, Kaori Iida, Nozomi Tsuji)
Koinu Dan no Monogatari
Mini Moni: the Movie (Mari Yaguchi, Nozomi Tsuji, Ai Kago, Mika Toda, Ai Takahashi)
TV:Morning Musume has had countless television appearances, but there are some that are particularly memorable.
ASAYAN
The show that held a rock vocalist audition which resulted in the birth of Morning Musume and Hello! Project. Followed Hello! Project's development during its first few years.
Hello! Morning
Morning Musume's own weekly tv show that aired during 2000-2007. The show included skits, games and tv performances.
Haromoni@
Morning Musume's weekly tv show that replaced Hello! Morning. The show ran from 2007 to 2008.
Utaban
A music variety show. Since 1998 Morning Musume has appeared on Utaban several times. Unfortunately, in their appearances during the last few years of Utaban Morning Musume had fewer and shorter appearances on the show. Utaban appearances are generally considered entertaining and hilarious by fans.
Music Fighter
A music variety show. Like Utaban, Music Fighter has had entertaining appearances by Morning Musume.
Yorosen!
Hello! Project's own tv show that aired on weekday nights 2008-2009.
Other:Sports Festivals:
H!P Sports Festivals were held from 2001 - 2004, and in 2006. In them the members are split into two teams and take part in a playful competition in various different sports. The events last for several hours and end with a live performance by the girls. So far there have been no news of another Sports Festival.
3. Who/what is x?3.1. Tsunku
Tsunku is the main producer of Hello! Project. He was previously the vocalist of the rock band Sharan Q.
3.2. Atsuko Inaba
Atsuko is a former member of the group, T&C Bomber. She acted as MC at Hello! Project concerts, performed in musicals and sang on CDs like the Douyou Pops series. She can also be heard singing the back vocals in several Hello! Project singles.
3.3. Makoto
Makoto is a member of Sharan Q who is familiar to H!P fans as the host of several Hello! Project concerts.
3.4. Cubic Cross
Sayaka Ichii's group after leaving H!P. It was produced by ex-Sharan Q member, Taisei.
3.5. Sonin/Sonim
A solo artist who was formerly in a group, EE Jump, with Maki Goto's little brother, Yuuki. She was produced by Tsunku, but was never a member of Hello! Project.
3.7. UFG/UFA/J.P ROOM
I wrote an explanation on UFG before, but considering the present circumstances, it bears repeating.
Up-Front Group is a conglomerate made up of many companies. They have management companies like UFA, JP Room, and UF Style as well as companies in music, TV, and stage production like TNX and Up-Front Music. As you can see from the list, they have holdings in lots of industries like printing, real estate, and foods, not just entertainment.
UFA is the music artist management company of UFG. JP Room handles talents for TV and stage. This is probably why you see Fujimoto and Ogawa under JP Room's talent list already.
A more detailed answer is in the link to my previous post.
3.6. TNX/Nice Girl Project
TNX is a company started by Tsunku in 2006. Nice Girl Project is an umbrella term for some of its idol groups and solo acts. Nice Girl Project includes The Possible (formed by ex-H!P Eggs), Canary Club, Karen, Peach and trainees Mariina, Shiorin and Chiichan.
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