Ka-wa-ii! (か-わ-いい!) was a Japanese pop idol group signed to The Girls Division. The group was initially formed with six girls from the Hello! Pro Girl audition. Ka-wa-ii! officially disbanded on December 31, 2020
Ka-wa-ii! actively promoted as a group from January 2010 up until December 2020. During its' 10 year run, Ka-wa-ii! had a total of 30 members spanning nine different generations, sold over 10 million copies of their singles and albums worldwide, and were frequently recognized as the idol group who popularized retro idol pop in the early 2010's. Despite their list of achievements, the group was ultimately disbanded after struggling to adapt to the current music climate. At the time of the disbandment, Ka-wa-ii! had seven members.
Their best selling single was Perfect Idol / WONDER RUSH!!! / Akai Seifuku with 2,308,697 copies sold. Ka-wa-ii!'s lowest selling single was "WANNA YOU! / Makenai yo. / Cosmic Idol" with only 32,943 copies sold.
Their group color was Pink.
Members
- 7th Generation (2016)
- Shibuya Nana (渋谷奈々; Red)
- Okumura Hisae (奥村久枝; Blue)
- Nagasaki Ayaka (長崎綾香; Orange)
- 8th Generation (2017)
- Shirase Koyuki (白瀬小雪; Pink)
- 9th Generation (2019)
- Kikkawa Mizuki (吉川瑞希; Seafoam Green)
- Goto Ikumi (後藤郁美; Daisy)
- Onishi Kanon (大西花音; Purple)
- 1st Generation (2009)
- Koga Hikaru (古賀ひかる; Light Blue; Former Leader, Graduated May 1, 2014)
- Abe Kasumi (阿部かすみ; Silver; Former Sub Leader, Graduated March 15, 2013)
- Sato Miki (佐藤みき; Gold; Graduated March 15, 2013)
- Ono Usagi (小野うさぎ; Indigo; Former Sub Leader, Graduated August 31, 2013)
- Ogawa Melody (小川メロディ; Dark Pink; Left February 1, 2014)
- Mahiro Rima (真宙りま; Blue; Former Leader, Graduated November 29, 2014)
- 2nd Generation (2013)
- Nao Rika (奈緒りか; Green; Former Leader, Graduated August 3, 2017)
- Taguchi Ayano (田口綾乃; Blue; Former Sub Leader, Graduated June 11, 2016)
- Suzuki Hoshi (鈴木保志; Orange; Withdrew, October 8, 2013)
- 3rd Generation (2013)
- Kobayashi Erika (小林エリカ; Silver; Graduated, June 11, 2016)
- Tatsuki Maya (樹マヤ; Light Pink; Graduated, February 14, 2017)
- 4th Generation (2014)
- Higo Rino (肥後梨乃; Light Green; Dismissed, April 7, 2016)
- Nakayaki Ruu (中山琉; Yellow, Graduated, August 3, 2017)
- Aoki Mutsumi (青木睦; Orange; Former Leader, Graduated May 17, 2020)
- Saito Arisa (斎藤ありさ; Light Purple; Graduated, February 14, 2017)
- 5th Generation (2014)
- Juliet (ジュリエット; Light Blue; Graduated, September 3, 2016)
- Nakanishi Miyako (中西宮古; Orchid; Graduated, August 3, 2017)
- Komura Hanako (古村花子; Gold; Graduated May 17, 2020)
- Niigata Keri (新潟ケリ; Red; Left, October 15, 2016)
- 6th Generation (2015)
- Takeda Yukari (武田ゆかり; Dark Pink; Graduated December 21, 2019)
- Sugimoto Nanami (杉本七海; Light Yellow; Graduated December 10, 2018)
- Yamoto Kanna (矢本カンナ; Ice Blue; Graduated April 23, 2020)
- 8th Generation (2017)
- Esumi Sofia (江角ソフィア; Red; Left October 15, 2018)
History
2009
In November, the six winners of the Hello! Pro Girl Audition would form the group Ka-wa-ii!
2010
Ka-wa-ii! debut with the song Go Girl Go! on January 31st and the single became number one on the weekly Oricon Chart selling 50,000 copies on the first day and 500,000 in one week, making this single a success.
On October 10th Ka-wa-ii had their first concert debut. Ka-wa-ii! performed three of their singles, Go Girl Go!, Love Cider, and Zettai Bomber! at S/mileage 1st Live Fall Concert Tour 2010 ~Devil Smile Angel Smile~ .
2011
On Febuary 13th, Ka-wa-ii! became a center group and Ka-wa-ii! had their first concert a few days later.
On May 2nd Ka-wa-ii! release their first album, 1 Happy Days which had most of their released singles and some songs just made for the album.
In December Ka-wa-ii! was voted Best Petite Idol Group 2011 and was featured on the cover of UTB+ magazine.
2012
Ka-wa-ii released three singles in eight months and opened an official YouTube Account under the username KAWAIIChannel where they uploaded all the music videos from their singles and special announcements.
On December 17th Abe Kasumi and Sato Miki announced that they put in for Graduation. Abe Kasumi released this statement the same day.
"Dear fans,
I'm sorry to disappoint you but I've decided to graduate from Ka-wa-ii! to go back to my normal life. When I first joined Ka-wa-ii I was excited to perform and sing, but that spark has faded and I can't connect with my Ka-wa-ii self anymore. I've decided that it would be the best for me and the group that I should leave my activities from Ka-wa-ii and continue my normal life. Please support me and Ka-wa-ii and remember Ka-wa-ii! for their cute looks!
Abe Kasumi
A few days later Sato announced that she was leaving Ka-wa-ii! to focus on studies.
On December 21st a video was posted on the Ka-wa-ii! Channel with Mahiro Rima announcing it. The video was announcing the second generations auditions which would start on January 1st 2013 and end on February 4th 2013. The new members would be announced on February 5th 2013.
2013
Ka-wa-ii will release their new single, Rock On! which will debut the second generation and will be Abe Kasumi and Sato's Miki's last single on March 1, 2013.
On February 3, the three new members who won the auditions will debut in Ka-wa-ii! 2013 Tour Haru ~Egao Sensation~.
On March 15, Abe Kasumi and Sato Miki both graduated from Hello! Project.
On May 18, Ka-wa-ii! released their thirteenth single, Get In SYNC/MINOR.
On July 7, Ka-wa-ii! released their fourteenth single, Lollipop no Ongaku.
On July 23, Kawa-ii! uploaded their next single's dance shot on their Youtube channel. The single was confirmed to be Electro♥Hearts/NEW CHALLENGE.
On August 31, Kobayashi Erika and Tatsuki Maya were added to Ka-wa-ii! and sub leader Ono Usagi graduated to become a H!P soloist.
Electro♥Hearts/NEW CHALLENGE became Ka-wa-ii!'s best selling single, with 10,000,000 copies sold, becoming the second best selling single in Hello! Project.
On October 8, Suzuki Hoshi withdrew from the group. She will still be featured in Eien Idol / ROCK FROM THE DEAD.
On November 15, Ka-wa-ii!'s 17th single, Kataomoi Rotation was announced. It will be released on February 28, 2014.
2014
On February 1, Ogawa Melody left the group due to health problems.
On March 15, Koga Hikaru announced her graduation from Ka-wa-ii!;
"I, Koga Hikaru will graduate from Ka-wa-ii! on May 1, 2014.
Originally, I was supposed to graduate from Ka-wa-ii! back in 2011, when I first entered high school, but after a lot of convincing, I was able to stay in the group until I graduated from high school, at my parents' wishes.
I have loved every moment in Ka-wa-ii! ad I can't wait to see what this new generation can do!"
On April 15, the sub members were promoted to full member status.
On the same day, it was revealed that Hello!Project DIVAS. member, Saito Arisa would join Ka-wa-ii! and become the fourth member of the fourth generation.
On April 30, Koga passed on her leader status to Mahiro Rima, and Nao Rika was made sub leader.
On June 19, during a Ka-wa-ii! mini live, Mahiro Rima announced her graduation from Hello! Project.
On July 17, during the Ka-wa-ii! Summer Party 2014 ~Ka-wa-ii! PARTY~ event, Ka-wa-ii!'s 5th generation was announced to be trainee members Juliet Jefferson (who will go by Juliet), Nakanishi Miyako, Niigata Keri, and Komura Hanako.
On November 29, Mahiro Rima graduated from Ka-wa-ii! and Hello! Project. Nao Rika became leader, while Taguchi Ayano became sub leader.
2015
On April 22, Ka-wa-ii!'s audition for a sixth generation was announced.
On October 21, the sixth generation was announced at Ka-wa-ii!'s 2015 Concert at Budokan. The generation was comprised of Takeda Yukari, Sugimoto Nanami, and Yamoto Kanna. They'll begin full Ka-wa-ii! activities in December 2015.
2016
In January, both Taguchi Ayano and Kobayashi Erika announced their graduations for June 11, 2016.
On March 2, Higo Rino was suspended from the group due to skipping rehearsals and events. She will stay on suspension until April 23.
On April 6, Ka-wa-ii!'s seventh generation was announced. The generation consists of Shibuya Nana, Okumura Hisae, and Nagasaki Ayaka.
On April 7, Higo Rino was dismissed from the group due to conduct. The message from Girls Division:
We originally suspended Higo due to her continually missing rehearsals, show filming, etc. We were not aware on her reasoning why she was skipping out until recently. It was brought to our attention that Higo was meeting up with an adult male during the time she was missing in Ka-wa-ii! and multiple times during her suspension. After careful evaluation, we have decided to dismiss Higo Rino from Ka-wa-ii! and UP-FRONT as a whole. Her conduct broke contract on multiple occasions and she has been given several chances to make up for her behavior. Higo's goods and other merchandise have been removed due to the contract termination. As of now, Ka-wa-ii! will continue on without Higo Rino, and no other changes will occur. We hope you'll support Ka-wa-ii! during this challenging time. ~2016-04-07 (AKIBA, Ka-wa-ii! general manager)~ |
On April 15, Niigata Keri went on hiatus due to a severe back injury. She wouldn't be present in any Ka-wa-ii! events, but was hoping to make a full return later in the year.
On June 11, Taguchi Ayano and Kobayashi Erika graduated from Ka-wa-ii!.
On July 23, Tatsuki Maya and Saito Arisa announced their graduations for February 2017. Both girls would be graduating to focus on their unit, Shooting Star.
On September 3, Juliet graduated from Ka-wa-ii! during the The Girls Division's summer tour. The graduation was last-second, but occurred due to Juliet having to return to America.
On October 15, Niigata Keri left the group after being on hiatus for six months. Her injury would take a longer time to heal than what was originally predicted.
2017
On January 3, Nao Rika, Nakayaki Ruu, and Nakanishi Miyako announced their graduation in order to form a new group, BEAT DIVA.
On February 14, Tatsuki Maya and Saito Arisa graduated from the group.
On May 17, FLORA member Esumi Sofia and Girls Division Kenshuusei Shirase Koyuki were added to the group.
On August 2, Nao Rika, Nakayaki Ruu, and Nakanishi Miyako graduated from the Ka-wa-ii! Summer Fiesta 2017.
2018
On April 13, it was announced that Sugimoto Nanami will graduate from Ka-wa-ii! and The Girls Division in order to focus on her acting career. She will graduate at the end of Ka-wa-ii!'s fall 2018 tour.
Towards the end of August, Takeda Yukari was absent from multiple events due to "poor physical condition". Later on September 2, it was decided that Takeda Yukari would go on hiatus to treat her severe asthma. However, she would still be featured in Ka-wa-ii!'s upcoming single that would be release on September 15.
On October 15, Esumi Sofia cancelled her concurrency with Ka-wa-ii!, effectively leaving the group.
On December 10, Sugimoto Nanami graduated from the group.
2019
On February 16, Ka-wa-ii!'s 9th generation audition was announced. The application would open on February 17 and close on March 5.
On April 2, Takeda resumed activities after being on hiatus for 7 months.
On July 3, it was announced that Ka-wa-ii!'s 9th generation will be revealed on July 7, during Ka-wa-ii!'s summer fanclub event.
On July 7, Kikkawa Mizuki, Goto Ikumi, and Onishi Kanon were revealed to be the 9th generation members.
On July 29, Takeda Yukari went on semi-hiatus to focus on her health, and would participate in activities on a case-by-case basis.
On October 3, it was announced that Takeda would graduate from Ka-wa-ii! at the end of 2019. Due to the nature of her health problems, she decided that it would be better to leave and focus on other activities in the entertainment industry. She would resume limited activities until her graduation date.
On December 21, Takeda graduated from Ka-wa-ii!
2020
On January 6, Yamoto Kanna announced her graduation to focus on her acting career. She will graduate from Ka-wa-ii! on April 23, 2020.
On February 28, it was announced that Ka-wa-ii! would be cancelling all in person promotional fansigns, meet and greets, and mini-lives due to coronavirus concerns. They still would promote "Oh! My Mistake!" on television shows. They would hold special world wide signing events online.
On March 10, it was announced that Ka-wa-ii!'s upcoming concert tour, originally slated to begin on March 14, would be postponed until May due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The birthday FC event for Shibuya Nana and Okamura Hisae would be rescheduled at a different date. The finale / graduation concert for Yamoto Kanna would still continue as scheduled for the time being, however, Yamoto's final birthday and fansign event, originally scheduled for March 16, would be cancelled entirely.
On April 13, in response to the government's declaration of a state of emergency, Ka-wa-ii! cancelled their tour entirely. Yamoto's graduation concert that was scheduled for April 23 would be cancelled as well. However, the graduation concert was recorded entirely in March without an audience. It will be uploaded on YouTube on April 23 at the same time the graduation concert would have started.
On April 23, Yamoto graduated from the group.
On May 4, media sites began reporting that both Aoki Mutsumi and Komura Hanako would not be renewing their exclusive contracts with Girls Division. The company responded back quickly, stating that nothing had been confirmed, but both members were still going through contract negotiations.
On May 17, a statement was released on Ka-wa-ii!'s official website in regards to the status of the group. It was confirmed that Aoki Mutsumi and Komura Hanako would be leaving the group, effective immediately, as both members chose not to renew their contracts. Originally, a graduation concert was planned, but due to the ongoing pandemic, it was decided by Aoki and Komura to leave the group without fanfare. A press event was announced for May 25 in order to discuss the future of Ka-wa-ii!
Both members left a farewell message on the official website:
|
On May 25, the online press event took place:
- The first announcement was that Ka-wa-ii! would continue as a 7 member group, and there were no plans to add new members in the near future.
- 7th generation member Okumura Hisae would become the group's 5th leader. She was chosen to fill the leader position by the members themselves.
- Ka-wa-ii! would begin promoting and releasing under a new system. Mini-albums, digital singles, and full albums will become more frequently released, with singles not taking a priority. Unlike previous releases, mini-albums and studio-albums will feature entirely new songs.
- Ka-wa-ii!'s 1st mini album, "Can You Feel The Beat?" would be released on June 16, 2020 and would be the 1st release through the new system, as well as the first release to not feature Aoki Mutsumi and Komura Hanako.
- A color shuffle was implemented to display the new era.
On June 16, Ka-wa-ii! released their first mini album "Can You Feel The Beat?". The album was a relative success, selling 320,482 copies over the span of six weeks.
On October 4, it was announced that Ka-wa-ii! would disband on December 31, 2020. The sudden announcement came after months of deliberation. Since 2014, the sales for the group have been steadily decreasing, even with constant promotions. After discussion with all members, it was decided that Ka-wa-ii! would disband, with some of the members re-debuting in a new unit. The members have brought up their hopes of being known as themselves, rather than just being known as "that member of Ka-wa-ii!". More plans regarding the new unit, as well as the activities of the members who would not be in the new unit would be revealed at a later date.
On October 10, rumors regarding 8th generation member Goto Ikumi redebuting in a new arose after a picture of Girls Division's new girl group was accidently revealed on staff member's Instagram. The post and picture, featuring Goto and several trainees, was quickly removed.
The next day, it was formally announced that Goto Ikumi would redebut in the upcoming Girls Division group, NEBULA.
On October 19, more plans regarding the impending disbandment was revealed. Ka-wa-ii! would release one more single as a group in December 2020, and their last concert as a group would be held online on December 29, 2020. It was also confirmed that a special press event would be held on November 1, 2020 to address the future activities of the members.
On November 1, Ka-wa-ii! held an online press event to address the future of the members:
- Okumura Hisae, Nagasaki Ayaka, Shirase Koyuki, and Kikkawa Mizuki would redebut in a new unit in Spring 2021. The new unit would begin pre-debut activities on January 1, 2021.
- Shibuya Nana would have her solo debut in January 2021 with a mini-album.
- Goto Ikumi would redebut with the new unit, NEBULA and would begin promotions with her new group while completing her Ka-wa-ii! activities.
- Onishi Kanon would redebut in Girls Division at a later date.
On November 9, Ka-wa-ii! released their 2nd mini-album, "SO CURIOUS".
On December 16, Ka-wa-ii! released their 36th and final single, "FOREVER LOVE". The single did well on the Oricon charts and sold 520,394 copies in its' first week.
On December 29, Ka-wa-ii! held their final concert online, Ka-wa-ii! The Last Live ~EPILOGUE~. At the end of the concert, the group released a surprise digital single, "EPILOGUE".
On December 31, Ka-wa-ii! officially disbanded. All of their social media platforms were archived, and their website was taken down from the Girls Division Web Portal.
Discography
- [2010.01.31] Go Girl Go!
- [2010.04.13] Ai Ai Cider
- [2010.08.11] Zettai Bomber!
- [2011.01.10] Dreamer.
- [2011.03.15] Viva La Party!~
- [2011.07.12] Fly Away
- [2011.12.07] Daisuki Desu!
- [2012.02.14] Electro Love
- [2012.04.27] Hai, Hai, Hai!!
- [2012.06.03] Onigai Senpai!
- [2012.12.31] Take a Chance! ~MIRAI MIRAI~
- [2013.03.13] Rock On!~
- [2013.05.18] Get in SYNC / MINOR
- [2013.07.07] Lollipop no Ongaku
- [2013.09.01] Electro♥Hearts / NEW CHALLENGE
- [2013.10.31] Eien Idol / ROCK FROM THE DEAD
- [2014.02.28] Kataomoi Rotation
- [2014.05.01] Nee, Nee? / ORIGINAL
- [2014.10.26] Perfect Idol / WONDER RUSH!!! / Akai Seifuku
- [2015.01.31] QUEEN HALATION / Yume no Tobira
- [2015.05.23] Itsuka wa Romance / The Middle Man / Ii Koto Ari Sou
- [2015.09.11] SECRET GARDEN / 100% no Tabi!! / Harajuku BLAST!
- [2016.01.31] Watashi no Jinsei wa Usode wa Arimasen / JOIN THE CLUB / Baka mo Ichi-Gei
- [2016.05.18] SURVIVOR GIRL / Unmei no Hoshi / Summer Breeze
- [2016.08.10] ZERO TO HERO / Nani? Nani? Watashi no Kawaii! / Heaven
- [2017.01.29] DAYDREAM WARRIOR / Hakkin no Yoake / HAPPY PARTY TRAIN!!!
- [2017.07.09] BET ON IT! / Ai no Wadai ni Tsuite / Dokusou (BET ON IT! / 愛の話題について / 独創)
- [2017.11.22] Dare Yori mo Takaku Tobe! / Hatsukoi Dorobou / Kibou no Rose (誰よりも高く跳べ! / 初恋泥棒 / 希望のローズ; Higher than Anybody Else, Jump! / First Love Thief / Rose of Hope)
- [2018.02.09] Chiffon / Ai wa Make Game / Junai no Crescendo (シフォン / 愛は負けゲームです / 純愛のクレッシェンド; Chiffon / Love is a Losing Game / Pure Love's Crescendo)
- [2018.06.20] Renai Circus / Kassai / Shortcake! (恋愛サーカス / 喝采 / ショートケーキ!; Love Circus / Applause / Shortcake!)
- [2018.09.15] Pit-a-Pat / Totemo, Totemo / Digital Jidai (ピット・ア・パット / とても、とても / デジタル時代; Pit-a-Pat / Very, Very / Digital Age)
- [2019.02.02] WANNA YOU! / Makenai yo. / Cosmic Idol (WANNA YOU! / 負けないよう / コスミくアイドル)
- [2019.06.18] Love&Live
- [2019.11.05] Petal Fortune
- [2020.03.01] Oh! My Mistake!
- [2020.12.16] Forever LOVE
- Digital Singles
- [2017.06.30] Amore! PARIS
- [2018.03.23] Chu, Chu, Chu!
- [2020.12.29] EPILOGUE
- Mini
- [2020.06.17] Can You Feel The Beat?
- [2020.11.09] SO CURIOUS
- Studio
- [2011.05.02] Happy Days
- [2012.12.13] Light Sensation
- [2013.06.17] Love Candy
- [2014.07.23] Rainbow!
- [2015.06.20] Oasis
- [2016.04.01] BRAVO!
- [2017.08.01] Lucky Seven
- [2018.11.26] Lemon Sugar Drop
Trivia
- The group line-up did not change from 2010-2012. Since 2013, the group's line-up changes yearly.
- The group's concept has changed over the years, originally being a Youth concept. However, their current concepts are bubblegum pop, teen crush, and R&B.
- As of 2017, their official fandom name is Kawapii (カワピ).
- Kawapii is a combination of the group's name and the word "happy". Their #1 goal is to make their fans happy.