Introduction to Berryz Kobou

The next short introduction post is about the H!P group Berryz Kobou (Berryz工房) meaning "Berryz Workshop" (don't know who Berry is, but somebody should congratulate the guy :P).  The members of Berryz and its sister group C-ute are often lovingly refered to as "the kids".  This name is not indicative of their age (especially considering that the girls are growing into beautiful ladies in front of our eyes) but of their origin.  The "kids" were winners of the Hello! Project Kids audition that took place in 2002 to recruit trainees and helpers for concerts, etc.  Out of close to 28 thousand applicants, only 15 girls were chosen.

Berryz Kobou was the first official group that was formed from the H!P Kids in 2004 consisting of 8 members.  One of the members (Ishimura Maiha) graduated in 2005, leaving the current lineup of 7 girls, ranging in age from 17 to 14.  They are:

• Shimizu Saki (captain) - oldest, shortest, mature yet playful
  
• Tsugunaga Momoko - insane!, overly-cute, high pitched idol voice
• Tokunaga Chinami - happy, smiling eyes, joking
• Sodou Maasa - very feminine yet with a strong build, funny
• Natsuyaki Miyabi - quiet, reserved, mature
• Kumai Yurina - tallest (by far!), kind-hearted
• Sugaya Risako - youngest yet very pretty, often lead singer

Some of the girls have very evident personalities (or maybe idol personas :P) but more on that at some later time.

Berryz Kobou has released 18 singles and 5 albums and have appeared in several concerts per year.  I leave you with a group picture from the latest (18th) single MADAYADE:

Top from left: Maasa, Miyabi, Chinami, Saki

Bottom from left: Yurina, Risako, Momoko