Tsubaki Factory

Tsubaki Factory promoting "Date no Hi wa Nido Kurai Shower Shite Dekaketai / Junjou Centimeter / Kon'ya Dake Ukaretakatta" (2018)
Back: Yamagishi Riko, Onoda Saori, Ono Mizuho, Niinuma Kisora, Tanimoto Ami
Front: Kishimoto Yumeno, Asakura Kiki, Ogata Risa, Akiyama Mao

Tsubaki Factory (つばきファクトリー; Camellia Factory) is a Japanese pop girl group managed by Up-Front Promotion and part of Hello! Project.

Members

• Yamagishi Riko (山岸理子, leader) (Light Green)
• Ogata Risa (小片リサ, sub-leader) (Light Orange)
• Niinuma Kisora (新沼希空) (Light Blue)
• Tanimoto Ami (谷本安美) (Light Purple)
• Kishimoto Yumeno (岸本ゆめの) (Yellow)
• Asakura Kiki (浅倉樹々) (Light Pink)
• Ono Mizuho (小野瑞歩) (joined August 13, 2016) (Emerald Green)
• Onoda Saori (小野田紗栞) (joined August 13, 2016) (Peach)
• Akiyama Mao (秋山眞緒) (joined August 13, 2016) (Light Red)

History

Tsubaki Factory promoting "Kedakaku Sakihokore!" (2015)

Tsubaki Factory was unveiled on April 28, 2015 through various news articles, and later a special page on the official Hello! Project website. It was revealed that former Berryz Kobo member and Captain, Shimizu Saki, helped in the choosing of both the members and the name of the group while acting in her new role as Hello! Project Advisor. The lineup was announced consisting of only Hello! Pro Kenshuusei trainees, including Ogata Risa, Yamagishi Riko, Niinuma Kisora, Tanimoto Ami, Kishimoto Yumeno, and Asakura Kiki.

The name Tsubaki Factory holds several meanings, most of which surround a type of Camellia tree blossom. "Tsubaki" originates from three kanji used in the past; Tsu (強; strong), Ba (葉; leaves), Ki (木; tree), while in floriography the blossom also holds the meanings of pride, gentleness, and charm. Historically it was believed that the Tsubaki was a holy plant, as it seemed the leaves continued to grow greener during the winter while most other plants withered away for the season. "Factory", similar to fellow Hello! Project group Kobushi Factory, represents the carrying on of the spirit of senior group Berryz Kobo after entering their indefinite hiatus.

Tsubaki Factory promoting "Hitorijime / Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo" (2016)

Following these various meanings the hope is for them to grow into a group that emobides nobility and elegance, and stays fresh and strong like evergreen plants.

The leader and sub-leader of the group, Yamagishi Riko and Ogata Risa respectively, were announced on August 8, 2015 at the "Hello! Project 2015 SUMMER ~CHALLENGER~" concert. Their first indie single was revealed at the same time, to be sold at the "Hello! Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~September no Nama Tamago Show!~" concert on September 6th. During a fan club event on August 13, 2016 a surprise announcement revealed the addition of three new members taken from the Hello Pro Kenshuusei, Ono Mizuho, Onoda Saori, and Akiyama Mao. The group's major debut was announced the next month on September 4, 2016 at the "Kenshuusei Happyokai 2016 ~SINGING!~" recital, to take place sometime in January 2017.

At another fan club event on October 21, 2016 it was announced that the group's major debut single would be a triple a-side released on February 22, 2017, referred to as Tsubaki no Tsu Tsu Tsu Day using a play on the number 2 and their name. The group revealed the first song from the single at their next fan club event. The name of the leading a-side song was confirmed on January 2nd to be "Hatsukoi Sunrise", the full single being a triple a-side.

On November 9, 2017 it was announced that Tsubaki Factory was the winner of a Newcomer Award from the 50th Japan Cable Awards that was later presented at a ceremony on December 4th. The following week on November 16th it was announced that they were one of the recipients of the Newcomer Award from the 59th Japan Record Awards, and at the ceremony on December 30th it was revealed that they were also the winner of the Best Newcomer Award.

It was announced on September 21, 2018 that Tsubaki Factory would perform the Japanese versions of the opening and ending themes for the animated series "Trolls: Sing Dance Hug! (トロールズ：シング・ダンス・ハグ!), to air on TV Tokyo beginning October 3rd. The songs were titled "Hair up Sora e!" (Hair up 空へ!) and "Mou Saikou!" (もうサイコー!), covers of the original English songs Hair in the air and Best Day Ever. The project would feature a music video for "Mou Saikou!" with choreography by MAIKO.

Discography

Albums

• [2018.11.14] first bloom

Mini-Albums

• [2016.05.17] Tsubaki Factory SOUND + VISION Vol. 1 (つばきファクトリーSOUND＋VISION Vol.1) (Indies)

Singles

• [2015.09.06] Seishun Manmannaka! (青春まんまんなか!) (Indies)
• [2015.12.31] Kedakaku Sakihokore! (気高く咲き誇れ!) (Indies)
• [2016.08.06] Hitorijime / Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo (独り占め / 私がオバさんになっても) (Indies)
• [2017.02.22] Hatsukoi Sunrise / Just Try! / Uruwashi no Camellia (初恋サンライズ / Just Try! / うるわしのカメリア)
• [2017.07.26] Shuukatsu Sensation / Waratte / Hanamoyou (就活センセーション / 笑って / ハナモヨウ)
• [2018.02.21] Teion Yakedo / Shunrenka / I Need You ~Yozora no Kanransha~ (低温火傷 / 春恋歌 / I Need You ～夜空の観覧車～)
• [2018.07.18] Date no Hi wa Nido Kurai Shower Shite Dekaketai / Junjou cm / Kon'ya Dake Ukaretakatta (デートの日は二度くらいシャワーして出かけたい / 純情cm / 今夜だけ浮かれたかった)
• [2019.02.27] Sankaime no Date Shinwa / Fuwari, Koi Tokei (三回目のデート神話 / ふわり、恋時計)

Other Singles

• [2015.10.08] Engeki Joshi-bu Musical "Thank You Very Berry" Original Soundtrack (演劇女子部 ミュージカル「サンクユーベリーベリー」オリジナルサウンドトラック)
• [2016.12.07] Engeki Joshi-bu "Nega Poji Poji" Original Soundtrack (演劇女子部「ネガポジポジ」オリジナルサウンドトラック)

Digital Singles

• [2017.12.02] Teion Yakedo (低温火傷)
• [2018.07.17] Hyokkori Hyoutanjima (ひょっこりひょうたん島) (Kobushi Factory / Tsubaki Factory)

Video Releases

Concerts / Live

• [2016.03.28] Tsubaki Factory FC Event 2015 ~Mini Mini ☆ Christmas-kai~ (つばきファクトリーFCイベント2015 ～ミニミニ☆クリスマス会～)
• [2016.12.24] Tsubaki Factory FC Event 2016 (つばきファクトリー FCイベント2016)
• [2017.01.26] Tsubaki Factory Ouen Kikaku ~Camellia Fights! vol.1~ (つばきファクトリー応援企画 ～キャメリア ファイッ！vol.1～)
• [2017.02.11] Tsubaki Factory Ouen Kikaku ~Camellia Fights! vol.2~ (つばきファクトリー応援企画 ～キャメリア ファイッ！vol.2～)
• [2017.03.25] Tsubaki Factory Ouen Kikaku ~Camellia Fights! vol.3~ (つばきファクトリー応援企画 ～キャメリア ファイッ！vol.3～)
• [2017.04.26] Tsubaki Factory Ouen Kikaku ~Camellia Fights! vol.4 Mini Mini☆Christmas-kai 2~ (つばきファクトリー応援企画 ～キャメリア ファイッ！vol.4　ミニミニ☆クリスマス会2～)
• [2017.06.01] Tsubaki Factory Ouen Kikaku ~Camellia Fights! vol.5~ (つばきファクトリー応援企画 ～キャメリア ファイッ！vol.5～)
• [2018.05.03] Tsubaki Factory One Man LIVE ~First Blossom~ (つばきファクトリー ワンマンLIVE ～First Blossom～)
• [2018.09.05] Kobushi Factory & Tsubaki Factory Premium Live 2018 Haru "KOBO" (こぶしファクトリー&つばきファクトリー プレミアムライブ2018春 “KOBO”)

Event V

• [2018.08.21] Date no Hi wa Nido Kurai Shower Shite Dekaketai / Junjou cm / Kon'ya Dake Ukaretakatta (デートの日は二度くらいシャワーして出かけたい / 純情cm / 今夜だけ浮かれたかった)

Stage Play

• [2016.02.03] Engeki Joshi-bu Musical "Thank You Very Berry" (演劇女子部 ミュージカル「サンクユーベリーベリー」)
• [2017.05.17] Engeki Joshi-bu "Nega Poji Poji" (演劇女子部「ネガポジポジ」)

DVD Magazines

• [2016.03.25] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.1
• [2016.09.24] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.2
• [2016.11.03] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.3
• [2017.03.11] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.4
• [2017.10.07] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.5
• [2018.04.15] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.6
• [2018.05.03] Kobushi Factory & Tsubaki Factory DVD Magazine Vol.1
• [2018.08.16] Tsubaki Factory DVD MAGAZINE vol.7

Compilations / Other

• [2015.12.16] Hello! Project - Petit Best 16 (#17 Thank You Very Berry)
• [2016.12.14] Hello! Project - Petit Best 17 (#7 Hitorijime)
• [2017.12.13] Hello! Project - Petit Best 18 (#8 Hatsukoi Sunrise)
• [2018.12.12] Hello! Project - Petit Best 19 (#13 Teion Yakedo, #14 Konya Dake Ukaretakatta, #15 Hyokkori Hyoutanjima)

Accolades

• [2017] 50th TBS Nihon Yusen Taishou "TBS Nihon Yusen Taishou New Artist Award"
• [2017] The 59th Japan Record Awards 2017 "New Artist"
• [2017] The 59th Japan Record Awards 2017 "Best New Artist"

External Links

• Official Website
• Official Blog
• Official Twitter
• Official Facebook
• Official YouTube