Juice=Juice

Juice=Juice promoting "Romance no Tochuu" (2013)
Back: Kanazawa Tomoko, Miyazaki Yuka; Front: Takagi Sayuki, Miyamoto Karin, Uemura Akari

Juice=Juice (ジュース=ジュース) is a Japanese pop girl group managed by Up-Front Agency and part of Hello! Project.

Members

• Miyazaki Yuka (宮崎由加, leader) (Peach)
• Kanazawa Tomoko (金澤朋子, sub-leader) (Apple)
• Takagi Sayuki (高木紗友希) (Lemon)
• Miyamoto Karin (宮本佳林) (Grape)
• Uemura Akari (植村あかり) (Melon)

Former Members

• Otsuka Aina (大塚愛菜, withdrew July 5, 2013) (Orange)

History

Juice=Juice was formed in early February 2013 by producer Tsunku, through a letter announcement during the annual Hello! Project Winter concert tour. It was said to be the first of multiple new units created using members from the Hello! Pro Kenshuusei. The members, Miyamoto Karin, Takagi Sayuki, Otsuka Aina, and Kanazawa Tomoko from Hello! Pro Kenshuusei, and Miyazaki Yuka from Up-Front, were revealed at the concert. Tsunku stated that despite Yuka's not being a trainee, he decided to add her due to her already close relationship to Hello! Project through auditions and activity as a member of the SATOYAMA group GREEN FIELDS, and because he thought it would be fun and interesting. He also stated that the group would start at an indie level and work their way to a major debut, and that the lineup was not yet permanent, therefore as they worked to their debut he may add, remove, or change out members.

On February 25, 2013 Tsunku revealed the name of the group to be "Juice=Juice", stating that he wanted it to be always fresh and full of personality, and that in Japan anything is called "juice" whereas overseas unless it's 100% pure it's not "juice". Despite that he said they would not be a childlike group and that he wants them to reach beyond their limits with being cool. An official video announcement was also uploaded, where Tsunku revealed the name and meaning to the group members for the first time, and assigned them each a fruit and corresponding color. Karin recieved grape (purple), Sayuki lemon (yellow), Aina orange, Akari melon (green), Tomoko apple (red), and Yuka peach (pink).

The group's first live appearance took place at the "Hello! Project Haru no Dai Kansyasai Hinamatsuri Festival 2013" on March 2, 2013. Three months later at an event taking place on June 13, 2013 at Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Tsunku announced the group's major debut to take place sometime in the summer. He also announced that Miyazaki Yuka would be the leader and Kanazawa Tomoko would be the subleader. On July 5, 2013 it was suddenly announced that member Otsuka Aina would no longer be part of the group, or Hello! Pro Kenshuusei, due to contractual issues that were unable to be settled with her family. In response Tsunku stated that despite her leaving he would not be adding a new member to the group, but would continue to leave open the possibility for lineup changes in the future.

Discography

Singles

• [2013.04.03] Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne (私が言う前に抱きしめなきゃね; Before I Say So, You've Gotta Hug Me, Okay?) (Indies)
• [2013.05.08] Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru (五月雨美女がさ乱れる; Early Summer Rain Beauties Go Wild) (Indies)
• [2013.06.12] Ten Made Nobore! (天まで登れ!; Climb to the Sky!) (Indies) (Hello! Pro Kenshuusei feat. Juice=Juice)
• [2013.09.11] Romance no Tochuu / Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne (MEMORIAL EDIT) / Samidare Bijo ga Samidareru (MEMORIAL EDIT) (ロマンスの途中/私が言う前に抱きしめなきゃね(MEMORIAL EDIT) / 五月雨美女がさ乱れる(MEMORIAL EDIT); In the Middle of Romance / Before I Say So, You've Gotta Hug Me, Okay? / Early Summer Rain Beauties Go Wild)
• [2013.12.04] Ijiwaru Shinaide Dakishimete yo / Hajimete wo Keikenchuu (イジワルしないで 抱きしめてよ / 初めてを経験中; Don't Tease, Just Hold Me / Experiencing a First)

Digital Singles

• [2013.06.08] Ten Made Nobore! (天まで登れ!; Climb to the Sky!)

Compilations / Other

• [2013.12.11] Hello! Project - Petit Best 14 (#9 Romance no Tochuu)

Video Releases

• [2013.09.23] Romance no Tochuu (ロマンスの途中)

External Links

• Hello! Project Official Profile
• Official Blog
• Official Facebook
• Official YouTube