Introduction to C-ute

In 2005, a group called C-ute (°C-ute) formed out of the remaining 7 H!P Kids.  This younger sister group to Berryz Kobou often complements Berryz with the choice of songs and performances.  Having worked together for years, all the H!P Kids seem to still be friends even though they are in two competing groups (although I am not sure if they feel they compete as such). The joke of the wota community is that what C-ute lack in singing talent (lack is a very loose term here since most of them are actually very good singers), they make up in other attributes, consistantly beating Berryz at various contests.

The lineup of C-ute was changed in 2006 with the graduation of Murakami Megumi and addition of Arihara Kanna.  Kanna was not part of the H!P Kids audition and is not considered a "kid".  She entered H!P as part of the Hello! Pro Egg group of trainees.  The current lineup involves girls aged 13-17 as follows:

• Umeda Erika - oldest, tallest, reserved, mature
• Yajima Maimi (leader) - scatterbrain, mature yet playful
• Nakajima Saki - cute
• Suzuki Airi - very pretty, amazing voice, usually lead singer
• Okai Chisato - short, dog!, smiling, joker
• Hagiwara Mai - youngest, the kid
• Arihara Kanna - nice smile

C-ute has released 4 indie singles, 7 singles, and 4 albums.  They have also appeared in many H!P concerts as well as their own concerts.  Here is a group picture:

Top from left: Erika, Mai, Chisato, Kanna

Bottom from left: Airi, Maimi, Saki