Berryz Koubou
| Berryz Kobo | |
|---|---|
Berryz Kobo in 2012. From left to right:
Saki Shimizu, Momoko Tsugunaga, Chinami Tokunaga, Maasa Sudo, Miyabi Natsuyaki, Yurina Kumai, and Risako Sugaya. |
|
| Background information | |
| Native name | Berryz工房 |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2004–2015 (hiatus) |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | Berryz Kobo on YouTube |
| Past members |
Saki Shimizu Momoko Tsugunaga Chinami Tokunaga Maasa Sudo Miyabi Natsuyaki Yurina Kumai Risako Sugaya Maiha Ishimura |
Berryz Kobo (Berryz工房 Berryz Kōbō?, literally "Berryz Workshop") was a Japanese idol girl group. The pop group was part of Hello! Project, produced by Tsunku, who also wrote their songs. Of all the musical acts in Hello! Project, Berryz held the title of the most consistent line-up, having kept all of their original members (with no new members added) since their one and only graduation (Maiha Ishimura) in 2005.
The group was formed in 2004 and debuted with its first single in March of the same year. In 2007, Berryz Kobo set the record for being the youngest act ever to give a solo concert at Saitama Super Arena. In 2008, the group received the Best Asian Newcomer Award at the Asia Song Festival and a Cable Music Award at the 41st Japan Cable Awards ceremony. As of December 2014, the group had released 36 singles, 9 studio albums, 1 EP and 1 compilation album. Berryz Kobo's combined CD and DVD sales exceeded 1 million copies in Japan alone.
All the group's members were initially selected during the audition for Hello! Project Kids in 2002.
Since then, the girls undertook serious professional training in Hello! Project.
In 2002, Maasa Sudo and Risako Sugaya, as members of the group 4Kids, played in the Minimoni movie Okashi na Daibōken!.
In 2003, some Hello! Project Kids were placed in bands led by Morning Musume members: Miyabi Natsuyaki was selected to be in Aa!, while Saki Shimizu and Momoko Tsugunaga were in the group called ZYX. Both units were short-lived, and their activities came to a stall with the creation of Berryz Kobo.
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