v-u-den

Zoku v-u-den (2009)

v-u-den (2008)

v-u-den, Biyuuden, or Viyuden (美勇伝) was a Japanese pop girl group produced by Up-Front Agency and part of Hello! Project. Originally active from 2004 to 2008, the group is now active as of 2009 under the name Zoku v-u-den (続·美勇伝).

History

v-u-den was formed in August of 2004 and consisted of Ishikawa Rika (former member of Morning Musume), Miyoshi Erika (winner of a 2003 Hello! Project auditon), and Okada Yui (a former Hello! Pro Egg who made her debut). The group's formation was announced alongside Ishikawa's graduation from Morning Musume, and her official reason for graduating was to lead v-u-den full-time.

They hosted the TV show Majokko Rikachan no Magical Biyuuden in 2004 and had their own radio show, v-u-den B.B.L. from April 3, 2005 until September 30, 2006. In early 2005, Miyoshi and Okada released a photobook called "hello! x2". They released a decent number of singles, did a small tour in Singapore, and even performed in Ribbon no Kishi: The Musical. They were, at one point, one of the most active groups in Hello! Project.

All 3 members of v-u-den appeared in the movie Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki

v-u-den disbanded on June 29, 2008.

The Name

美 bi (び) : beauty

勇 yuu (ゆう) : bravery

伝 den (でん) : legend

美勇伝 is found romanized in several ways on the Internet, including "v-u-den", "Biyuuden", and "vi-yu-den", among others. There is evidence that references each of the above spellings of the name, including their costumes in the H.P. All Stars video, their singles, their photobooks and magazine articles. Which one is correct depends on the romanization system you use or on how Tsunku is feeling on any particular day.

The differences in romanization are largely due to a misunderstanding of the sound being pronounced. The Japanese language doesn't really have a "V" sound. So while the group's name may be spelled with a V, it will be pronounced as a "B" sound by native Japanese speakers, and this is where the romanization gets confusing.

Members

First Generation (2004–2008)

• Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華, leader)
• Miyoshi Erika (三好絵梨香)
• Okada Yui (岡田唯)

Second Generation / Zoku v-u-den (2009–)

• Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ, leader) (Morning Musume)
• Junjun (ジュンジュン) (Morning Musume)
• Sugaya Risako (菅谷梨沙子) (Berryz Kobo)

Discography

Albums

• [2005.10.26] Suite Room Number 1 (スイートルームナンバー1)
• [2007.11.21] v-u-den Single Best 9 Vol.1 Omaketsuki (美勇伝シングルベスト9 Vol.1おまけつき)

Singles

• [2004.09.23] Koi no Nukegara (恋のヌケガラ)
• [2005.03.02] Kacchoii ze! JAPAN (カッチョイイゼ! JAPAN)
• [2005.05.25] Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari (紫陽花アイ愛物語)
• [2005.08.10] Hitorijime (ひとりじめ)
• [2005.10.05] Kurenai no Kisetsu (クレナイの季節)
• [2006.05.10] Issai Gassai Anata ni∮A.ge.ru♪ (一切合切 あなたに∮あ·げ·る♪)
• [2006.11.22] Aisu Crea~m to My Purin (愛すクリ~ムとMyプリン)
• [2007.05.23] Koisuru♡Angel♡Heart (恋する♡エンジェル♡ハート)
• [2007.09.26] Jaja Uma Paradise (じゃじゃ馬パラダイス)
• [2008.04.23] Nanni mo Iwazu ni I LOVE YOU (なんにも言わずに I LOVE YOU)

Compilations / Other

• [2004.12.22] Hello! Project - Petit Best 5 (#9 Koi no Nukegara)
• [2005.12.21] Hello! Project - Petit Best 6 (#7 Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari)
• [2006.12.20] Hello! Project - Petit Best 7 (#6 Issai Gassai Anata ni∮A.ge.ru♪)
• [2007.12.12] Hello! Project - Petit Best 8 (#6 Aisu Crea~m to My Purin)
• [2008.12.10] Hello! Project - Petit Best 9 (#6 Nanni mo Iwazu ni I LOVE YOU)
• [2009.07.15] Hello! Project - Champloo 1 ~Happy Marriage Song Cover Shuu~ (#10 ONLY YOU) (Zoku v-u-den)
• [2021.02.10] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 7 Eiga "Ano Koro."Hen (#10 Koi no Nukegara)

DVDs

• [2005.08.17] v-u-den First Concert Tour 2005 Haru ~v-u-densetsu~
• [2006.02.25] v-u-den Live Tour 2005 Aki v-u-densetsu II ~Kurenai no Kisetsu~
• [2006.03.15] v-u-den Single V Clips 1
• [2007.03.07] v-u-den Live Tour 2006 Aki v-u-densetsu III ~Aisu CREAM to My Purin~
• [2007.08.08] v-u-den Concert Tour 2007 Shoka v-u-densetsu IV ~Usagi to Tenshi~
• [2008.04.30] v-u-den Single V Clips 2 ~Arigatou v-u-den Debut Kara no Daizenshuu~
• [2008.09.17] v-u-den Concert Tour 2008 Shoka v-u-densetsu V ~Saishuu Densetsu~

Photobooks

• [2005.03.05] ハロハロ！ 三好絵梨香＆岡田唯 写真集from美勇伝 (Hello!x2 Miyoshi Erika & Okada Yui from v-u-den) (with Miyoshi Erika, Okada Yui) amazon.co.jp
• [2005.07.29] 美勇伝 ファーストコンサートツアー2005春 ～美勇伝説～ (v-u-den First Concert Tour 2005 Haru ~Biyudensetsu~) amazon.co.jp
• [2005.10.??] W&v-u-den―Hello!Project2005夏の歌謡ショー 05’セレクション!コレクション! (W & v-u-den - Hello! Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show '05 Selection! Collection!) (with W) amazon.co.jp
• [2006.01.12] fleur de fleur amazon.co.jp
• [2006.04.??] 安倍なつみ&美勇伝in Hello! Project 2006 Winter (Abe Natsumi & v-u-den in Hello! Project 2006 Winter) (With Abe Natsumi) amazon.co.jp

External links

• Hello! Project Official Website: Discography page
• Japanese Wikipedia: 美勇伝
• English Wikipedia: v-u-den