Momoiro Clover Z
Momoiro Clover Z (Z is officially pronounced as /zɛd/ on international activities) (ももいろクローバーZ, Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto) is a Japanese idol group. It is commonly abbreviated as Momoclo (ももクロ, Momokuro).
Momoclo | |
|---|---|
 Live in August 2011. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | MCZ Pink Clover |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | dance-pop, power pop, bubblegum pop, teen pop, J-pop, pop rock, pop punk, contemporary R&B, comedy music |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Members | Kanako Momota Shiori Tamai Ayaka Sasaki Reni Takagi |
| Past member(s) | Akari Hayami Momoka Ariyasu et al. |
| Website | Official website (in English) Official channel |
The group is known for energetic performances, incorporating elements of ballet, gymnastics, and action movies.[1] In 2013, it was the 4th music artist by total sales revenue in Japan, with over ¥5.2 billion.[2]
Momoiro Clover Z is ranked as the most popular female idol group according to 2013 and 2014 surveys.[3]
Music style
change
Momoclo's songs are "hyperactive J-pop numbers".[4] Their live performances are heavily choreographed and acrobatic.[5] The group is known for their chaotic energy that is similar to that of punk bands.[6] The response from the audience is also enthusiastic.[7] Because of the hard dances, the girls' voices are not very stable. Nevertheless, they never lipsynch on stage.[8][9] Overall, the group and its music are progressive and forward-thinking.[4]
The group has worked with many famous songwriters and musicians, belonging to different genres of music, from pop to punk and heavy metal.[6] For example, Marty Friedman played the guitar for "Mōretsu Uchū Kōkyōkyoku Dai 7 Gakushō «Mugen no Ai»" (猛烈宇宙交響曲・第七楽章「無限の愛」), one of the singles, and also appeared on the group's concert.
(Who is Momoiro Clover Z - YouTube)
Members
changeOn stage, the members can be easily found by the colors of their clothes.
| Name | Color | Birth date and age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanako Momota | Red | July 12, 1994 | Leader |
| Shiori Tamai | Yellow | June 4, 1995 | Nickname: Shiorin |
| Ayaka Sasaki | Pink | June 11, 1996 | Nickname: Ārin |
| Reni Takagi | Purple | June 21, 1993 | Former leader |
| Akari Hayami | Blue | March 17, 1995 | Nickname: Akarin，Former sub leader |
| Momoka Ariyasu | Green | March 15, 1995 | Former child dancer of EXILE |
There were some other members before releasing the debut CD:
- Runa Yumikawa (弓川 留奈)
- Tsukina Takai (高井 つき奈)
- Miyū Wagawa (和川 未優)
- Manami Ikura (伊倉 愛美)
- Sumire Fujishiro (藤白 すみれ)
- Yukina Kashiwa (柏 幸奈)
Discography
changeSingles
change| No. | Title | Release date | Oricon Weekly Singles Chart |
Official video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent label | ||||
| 1 | "Momoiro Punch" (ももいろパンチ) | Aug. 5, 2009 | 23 | |
| 2 | "Mirai e Susume!" (未来へススメ！) | Nov. 11, 2009 | 11 | |
| Major label | ||||
| 1 | "Ikuze! Kaitō Shōjo" (行くぜっ！怪盗少女) | May 5, 2010 | 3 | Music |
| 2 | "Pinky Jones" (ピンキージョーンズ) | Nov. 10, 2010 | 8 | Live |
| 3 | "Mirai Bowl / Chai Maxx" (ミライボウル / Chai Maxx) |
March 7, 2011 | 3 | Music |
| 4 | "Z Densetsu: Owarinaki Kakumei" (Z伝説 ～終わりなき革命～) |
July 6, 2011 | 5 | Live |
| 5 | "D' no Junjō" (D'の純情) | 6 | Music | |
| 6 | "Rōdō Sanka" (労働賛歌) | Nov. 23, 2011 | 7 | Music |
| 7 | "Mōretsu Uchū Kōkyōkyoku Dai 7 Gakushō «Mugen no Ai»" (猛烈宇宙交響曲・第七楽章「無限の愛」) |
March 7, 2012 | 5 | Music |
| 8 | "Otome Sensō" (Z女戦争) | June 27, 2012 | 3 | Music |
| 9 | "Saraba, Itoshiki Kanashimitachi yo" (サラバ、愛しき悲しみたちよ) |
Nov. 21, 2012 | 2* | Music |
| 10 | "Gounn" (GOUNN) | Nov. 6, 2013 | 2 | Music |
| 11 | "Naitemo-iindayo" (泣いてもいいんだよ) | May 8, 2014 | 1 | Music |
| 12 | "Moon Pride" (MOON PRIDE) | July 30, 2014 | ||
*Billboard Japan Hot 100 number one
Albums
change| No. | Title | Release date | Oricon Weekly Albums Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battle and Romance (バトル アンド ロマンス) | July 27, 2011 | 2 |
| 2 | 5th Dimension (5TH DIMENSION) | April 10, 2013 | 1 |
| – | Iriguchi no Nai Deguchi (入口のない出口) | June 5, 2013 | 2 |
Collaboration
changeMomoiro Clover Z have collaborated with overseas artists.
- Kiss released a collaboration single with Momoiro Clover Z, titled "Yume no Ukiyo ni Saitemina" (January, 2015).
- Lady Gaga designated Momoiro Clover Z for an opening act of her concert (August, 2014).
The group sings theme music for anime which are famous overseas too.
- Pokémon - "Mite Mite Kocchichi" (June, 2012)
- Sailor Moon - "Moon Pride" (July, 2015)
Name origin
changeThe group formed in the spring of 2008 and officially debuted as a six-member unit a year later. It was originally named "Momoiro Clover", which means "Pink Clover". The name was chosen to show that the band was composed of innocent girls who wanted to bring happiness to people.[10][11][12][13]
In 2011, the group faced a crisis because subleader Akari Hayami suddenly quit. Then, the management added the letter "Z" to the name. In Japan, "Z" is a symbol of evolution.[14][15]
The group is nicknamed "Weekend Heroines" (週末ヒロイン, Shūmatsu Hiroin), because most of its members are students and the group is active mainly on weekends.[16][17]
The group gives a special emphasis to closeness to the fans and its slogan is "Idols you can meet right now" (いま、会えるアイドル, Ima, aeru aidoru). They used to perform on park walkways for passers-by. They also gave free concerts in electronics stores and sold CDs by themselves. Though the group made it big, their deep appreciation of the fans can be seen at their live concerts and events, when they make deep and long ojigi, a bow to say thanks.[18]
References
change- ↑ "ja:進化するアイドル ももクロが凄いワケ". hotexpress (in Japanese). 2011-12-16. Archived from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
- ↑ "Oricon 2013 Yearly Charts : Artist Total Sales". Tokyohive. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
- ↑ "ももクロ、初のAKB超え タレントパワーランキング". Nihon Keizai Shimbun (in Japanese). 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 7 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Rihanna, Grimes and J-pop rule at this year's Summer Sonic". Japan Times. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ↑ "Momoiro Clover Z dazzles audiences with shiny messages of hope". The Asahi Shimbun. 2012-08-29. Archived from the original on 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The not-so-odd coupling between noise acts and J-pop". Japan Times. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ↑ "海外バイヤーに、ももいろパンチ!! ＴＩＭＭショーケースライブにももクロ参上（その２ 完）". 47news (Yonnana News). 2011-10-28. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
- ↑ "進化するアイドル ももクロが凄いワケ" (in Japanese). hotexpress. 2011-12-16. Archived from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
- ↑ "Live report: Summer Sonic 2012". Time Out Tokyo. 2012-08-23. Archived from the original on 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
- ↑ "[Momoiro Clover] Momoiro Clover debut from major label releasing "Ikuze! Kaito Shojo" (2010-05-06)". Kawaii Girl Japan. 2010-05-06. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
- ↑ "[Momoiro Clover] 2 Years Anniversary Live Concert! (2010-06-18)". Kawaii girl Japan. 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
- ↑ "Japan Expo - Momoiro Clover Z". Japan Expo. 2012-03-22. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
- ↑ "【エンタがビタミン♪】「悲しみでいっぱいだった」。"ももクロ"から"ももクロZ"になり1年。早見あかりの脱退を高城れにが語った。" (in Japanese). TechinsightJapan. 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
- ↑ "ももいろクローバーZが"アニキ"ことアニソンの帝王・水木一郎と対戦！" (in Japanese). WebNewtype. 2011-04-17. Archived from the original on 2013-04-12. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
- ↑ Gagget Tsūshin (2011-07-16). "Zとは何か？ももいろクローバーZ、その「終わりなき革命」を考える" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-03-28.
- ↑ "スペシャル企画－ももいろクローバー特集". Fumi Komyu!. 2011. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
- ↑ "アイドル特集『2010年 アイドルグループ最前線！アイドルグループを一挙紹介!!』-ORICON STYLE ミュージック" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
- ↑ "ももいろクローバーZ コンサート". 構成作家ポッター平井のコラム. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
Other websites
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- Official website (in Japanese)
- Official website (in English)
- YouTube channel (videos up to 2013; a shared channel with sister groups)
- YouTube channel (videos from 2014)