Kobushi Factory

Kobushi Factory promoting Kobushi Sono Ichi (2016)
Back: Wada Sakurako, Hirose Ayaka, Taguchi Natsumi, Ogawa Rena,
Front: Fujii Rio, Hamaura Ayano, Inoue Rei, Nomura Minami

Kobushi Factory (こぶしファクトリー) is a Japanese pop girl group, managed by Up-Front Promotion and part of Hello! Project.

Members

• Hirose Ayaka (廣瀬彩海, leader) (Mustard)
• Fujii Rio (藤井梨央, sub-leader) (Turquoise)
• Nomura Minami (野村みな美) (Royal Blue)
• Ogawa Rena (小川麗奈) (Red)
• Hamaura Ayano (浜浦彩乃) (Pink)
• Taguchi Natsumi (田口夏実) (Orange)
• Wada Sakurako (和田桜子) (Green)
• Inoue Rei (井上玲音) (Purple)

History

Kobushi Factory was formed on January 2, 2015 at the Hello! Project 2015 WINTER ~DANCE MODE!~ concert where it was announced that their group name would be declared later in January and an indie single would be released in March. The member lineup was revealed to consist entirely of trainees from Hello! Pro Kenshuusei; Fujii Rio, Hirose Ayaka, Nomura Minami, Ogawa Rena, Hamaura Ayano, Taguchi Natsumi, and Inoue Rei.

The announcement of the group name was delayed until February 25, 2015 when it was revealed to be Kobushi Factory. The group's name embodies several meanings; the elegance of the Japanese kobushi magnolia blossom, which itself signifies welcome, friendship, and trust in floriography, and the strength symbolized by a clenched fist (握りこぶし; nigirikobushi). "Factory" represents the inheriting of the spirit of senior group Berryz Kobo as they go on indefinite hiatus, and the members wish to become a close, long-lasting unit just like them. At the time of the announcement it was also disclosed that Berryz Kobo member and Captain, Shimizu Saki, participated in the choosing of the name as her first official task acting in her role as Hello! Project Advisor.

The group's first indie single was simultaneously advertised with the name, to be released and sold as a venue only exlusive during the "Week End Survivor" stage play in which each member was to participate, beginning in March 2015.

At the March 8, 2015 "Hello! Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~March no Nama Tamago Show!~" concert it was announced that Hirose Ayaka and Fujii Rio would be the respective leader and sub-leader of Kobushi Factory. Three months later on June 2, 2015 at the "Hello! Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~June no Nama Tamago Show!~" concert the group's major debut single was revealed in a surprise announcement, to be released in autumn 2015.

Discography

Studio Albums

• [2016.11.30] Kobushi Sono Ichi (辛夷其ノ壱)

Other Albums

• [2015.08.05] Engeki Joshi-bu Musical "Week End Survivor" (演劇女子部 ミュージカル「Week End Survivor」) (soundtrack album)
• [2017.03.22] Butai "JK Ninja Girls" Original Soundtrack (舞台「JKニンジャガールズ」オリジナルサウンドトラック) (soundtrack album)

Singles

• [2015.04.21] Nen ni wa Nen / Survivor (念には念 / サバイバー) (Indies)
• [2015.09.02] Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan / Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san no Uta / Nen ni wa Nen (Nen Iri Ver.) (ドスコイ!ケンキョにダイタン / ラーメン大好き小泉さんの唄 / 念には念 (念入りVer.))
• [2016.02.17] Sakura Night Fever / Chotto Guchoku ni! Chototsu Moushin / Osu! Kobushi Tamashii (桜ナイトフィーバー / チョット愚直に！猪突猛進 / 押忍！こぶし魂)
• [2016.07.27] Samba! Kobushi Janeiro / Bacchikoi Seishun! / Ora wa Ninkimono (サンバ！こぶしジャネイロ / バッチ来い青春！/ オラはにんきもの)
• [2017.06.14] Shalala! Yareru Hazu sa / Ee ja nai ka Ninja nai ka (シャララ！やれるはずさ / エエジャナイカ ニンジャナイカ)

Video Releases

• [2016.10.19] Kobushi Factory Live Tour 2016 Haru ~The Cheering Party!~ (こぶしファクトリー ライブツアー2016春 ～The Cheering Party！～)

Compilations / Other

• [2015.12.16] Hello! Project - Petit Best 16 (#13 Nen ni wa Nen, #14 Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan, #15 Survivor)
• [2016.12.14] Hello! Project - Petit Best 17 (#6 Chotto Guchoku ni! Chototsu Moushin)

Accolades

• [2015] The 57th Japan Record Awards 2015 "New Artist"
• [2015] The 57th Japan Record Awards 2015 "Best New Artist"

External Links

• Official Website
• Official YouTube