Cute (Japanese group)

Cute
Company type	Girl group
Industry	Music
Founded	2005
Founder	Tsunku
Headquarters	Japan
Key people	Maimi Yajima, Saki Nakajima, Airi Suzuki, Chisato Okai, Mai Hagiwara
Products	Music recordings, concerts

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Cute (Japanese group), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025

, was a Japanese girl group affiliated with Hello! Project and produced by Tsunku. The primary members consisted of Maimi Yajima, Saki Nakajima, Airi Suzuki, Chisato Okai, and Mai Hagiwara, all of whom had previously been part of Hello! Project Kids. The original lineup also included Megumi Murakami, Erika Umeda, and trainee Kanna Arihara, who eventually left the group.

After releasing music independently, Cute made their major-label debut in 2007 with the single "Sakura Chirari", which earned them the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist that same year. In 2008, they received a nomination for the Japan Record Award Grand Prix, with their track recognized as one of the year's standout songs. Every single they released under a major label reached the top 10 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

2002–2004: Formation and early activities

The members were chosen through auditions held in 2002 for Hello! Project Kids. They appeared on variety programs like Hello! Morning and Hello Kids, while also serving as backup dancers for other Hello! Project performers. Some members took part in films such as Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken! and Koinu Dan no Monogatari.

In 2003, subunits led by Morning Musume members were formed, with Suzuki joining Aa! and Umeda, Yajima, and Murakami becoming part of ZYX. These groups were short-lived, especially after the creation of Berryz Kobo in January 2004. Tsunku intended to rotate Hello! Project Kids through Berryz Kobo to allow them to balance school commitments. Meanwhile, members continued participating in television and theatrical productions such as Little Hospital, Promise Land: Clover no Daibōken, and Here's Love.

2005–2006: Establishment and indie releases

Contrary to initial plans to rotate members within Berryz Kobo, those Hello! Project Kids not selected for that group formed a new unit in 2005. Tsunku named this ensemble "Cute," using "°C" as a substitute for "C" to symbolize the girls' spirited energy. The group's formation was officially announced on June 11, 2005. On January 2, 2006, Kanna Arihara, a member of Hello! Pro Egg, joined the lineup.

Their debut single, "Massara Blue Jeans," was released on May 6, 2006. Between May and July of that year, they issued four indie singles: "Oki na Ai de Motenashite," "Soku Dakishimete," and "Wakkyanai (Z)," which were primarily sold during concerts with limited availability elsewhere. Notably, "Oki na Ai de Motenashite" served as the second ending theme for the anime Kirarin Revolution.

On October 31, 2006, Megumi Murakami departed from the group to concentrate on her education.

2007–2008: Major-label breakthrough, 58th Kohaku Uta Gassen appearance, and Japan Record Awards

On February 21, 2007, Cute launched their first major-label single "Sakura Chirari", which debuted at number three on the Oricon Daily Singles Chart. With an average age of just 13 years old, they became the youngest ensemble to break into the top 10. On December 30, 2007, they received the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist; due to labor regulations related to age, Tsunku accepted the accolade on their behalf. That same year-end event saw them perform at the 58th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen alongside fellow groups Morning Musume and Berryz Kobo.

Towards the end of 2008, Cute was nominated for the prestigious Japan Record Award Grand Prix with their song "Edo no Temari Uta II", ultimately earning the Gold Award as one of the main prize contenders. Originally composed for veteran enka artist Hiroshi Itsuki, Tsunku reworked it into a contemporary boogie-style track suitable for Cute by altering its lyrics. This single was released on July 30, 2008.

2009: Arihara and Umeda Exit

On February 26, 2009, Hello! Project revealed that Kanna Arihara would be stepping back from all activities, including those with Cute, to undergo treatment for hallux valgus (commonly known as a bunion). By July of the same year, Arihara formally withdrew from the entertainment field. According to Excite.co.jp, her exit was connected to a dating controversy in 2008 involving Johnny's Jr. member Ryosuke Hashimoto, which negatively affected her public reputation.

Subsequently, on August 1, 2009, Hello! Project announced that Erika Umeda would be graduating from both Cute and Hello! Project following the conclusion of the group's autumn concert tour in 2009 to focus on a modeling career. Her official graduation occurred on October 25 during the tour's final performance in Osaka. The last single featuring Umeda, "Everyday Zekkōchō!!", released on September 19, 2009, achieved the number 1 spot on the Oricon daily singles chart and secured number 2 on the weekly chart—marking the highest chart position for Cute at that time. After her departure, the group refreshed their official member color assignments in November 2009.

2010–2012: Growth via iTunes and YouTube

On February 23, Cute unveiled their 15th single titled "Kiss Me Aishiteru". Their subsequent release, the 16th single "Momoiro Sparkling", entered the Oricon daily singles chart at number 4 on May 24 and maintained a presence within the Top 30 of the Oricon Weekly rankings for two weeks, peaking at positions 6 and 17.

The Cute Concert Tour 2011 Haru: Chō! Chō Wonderful Tour performance was streamed live on June 18, 2011, through Cute’s official YouTube channel. This broadcast attracted an international audience totaling 93,144 viewers, as confirmed by group leader Maimi Yajima alongside Up-Front Agency executives. On February 8 of that year, they released their seventh studio album titled Dai Nana Shō 'Utsukushikutte Gomen ne'.

On April 8, Cute participated in Idol Yokochō Matsuri—a festival featuring various idol groups—which marked their first concert outside of Hello! Project collaborations. Their energetic performance earned accolades from BARKS, highlighting their status as a leading act within Hello! Project.

Their eighteenth single "Kimi wa Jitensha Watashi wa Densha de Kitaku" ("You ride your bicycle while I take the train home") was launched on April 18. The music video had been made available earlier, on March 12, via Cute’s official YouTube channel. Selling more than 40,000 copies during its initial week and reaching number three on the Oricon weekly singles chart, it became their best-selling single at that point.

On June 20, Cute released a collaborative CD single with fellow Hello! Project Kids group Berryz Kobo, titled "Chō Happy Song" ("Superhappy Song"). This unique track merges Berryz Kobo’s "Because Happiness" with Cute’s "Shiawase no Tochū," both composed by Tsunku, creating a new song when played simultaneously. Although originally slated for announcement during a summer Hello! Project concert, fans discovered this innovative combination in mid-April. The song sparked considerable online attention, prompting a digital release of all three tracks on April 28.

Additionally in June, Cute’s live concert held at the Yokosuka Arts Theater on June 30 was streamed live via YouTube, further enhancing their online engagement.

On September 5, Cute issued their nineteenth single "Aitai Aitai Aitai na". This track had its debut performance on July 21 during the Hello! Project 15th Anniversary Live 2012 Summer tour held in Osaka.

2013–2015: International appearances, Budokan milestone, 10th anniversary

On April 3, Cute revealed plans for their inaugural solo overseas show titled "Cutie Circuit ~Voyage a Paris~," scheduled for July 5 in Paris, France. They marked a significant achievement by performing at Nippon Budokan for the first time on September 9 and 10, coinciding with "Cute's Day," which celebrated their 200th live performance.

On January 26, 2014, °Cute announced the release of their 24th single, "Kokoro no Sakebi o Uta ni Shitemita / Love Take It All," set to launch on March 5 in five different editions. On February 24, they collaborated with Reebok to promote the "Your Reebok" customizable product line debuting in March. Both songs from the single were featured prominently in the "Your Reebok x °Cute" promotional campaign.

The track "Love take it all" was chosen as the theme song for BS-TBS' 2014 Idol Campaign commercial starting March 5. Additionally, °Cute premiered a six-episode monthly television series titled °Cute no Challenge TV on BS-TBS. On April 15, both Berryz Kobo and °Cute were honored guests at the 15th Japan Expo held in Paris. During a concert tour on May 3, Yajima Maimi announced that Cute would return to Budokan for another performance on September 10, designated as "°C-ute no Hi."

Their 25th single, "The Power / Kanashiki Heaven (Single Version)," was released on July 16. On August 23, during a live broadcast at Asakusa Blitz involving hundreds of fans, °Cute set two world records: the longest egg-passing relay lasting one hour and thirty minutes, and the highest number of snacks consumed in a relay within one hour. On September 27, they appeared at the Aomori SHOCK ON festival alongside Berryz Kobo and other artists. November brought the release of their 26th single, "I miss you / THE FUTURE," on the 19th and a special performance at Tower Records' 35th anniversary event the following day.

To celebrate their decade-long career on April 1, 2015, Cute released their triple-A side 27th single titled "The Middle Management ~Josei Chuukan Kanrishoku~ / Gamusha LIFE / Tsugi no Kado wo Magare." Their landmark concert during The Future Departure tour took place on June 11 at Yokohama Arena.

2016–2017: Closing chapter and disbandment

After Berryz Kobo announced their indefinite hiatus in 2014, members of Cute began privately contemplating their own futures. These discussions were revisited with management in February 2016, where they expressed desires to explore different career avenues. While continuing as Cute independently from Hello! Project or pausing activities were options considered by members, they ultimately resolved to disband. This decision was publicly shared on August 19, 2016 through their official Facebook page.

On November 2, Cute released their milestone 30th single, "Mugen Climax / Ai wa Maru de Seidenki / Singing (Ano Koro no Yō ni)." Their farewell concert was held on June 12, 2017 at Saitama Super Arena. The event featured appearances by former members Megumi Murakami, Kanna Arihara, and Erika Umeda, along with notable guests such as Berryz Kobo (excluding Risako Sugaya), ex-Berryz member Maiha Ishimura, Momoiro Clover Z, Rino Sashihara, Yuki Kashiwagi, and Nicole Fujita. The final show was broadcast across several networks and streamed internationally in locations including Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Members

Former members

Erika Umeda (departed October 25, 2009)
Kanna Arihara (departed July 2009)
Megumi Murakami (departed November 1, 2006)

Musical style and themes

The majority of the group's songs were composed and written by their producer, Tsunku. By 2012, Cute had adopted a bright and lively image. Their 16th and 17th singles released in 2011 showcased upbeat tracks in a major key, while the 18th single, "Kimi wa Jitensha Watashi wa Densha de Kitaku" (April 2012), represented a significant stylistic shift with its rock ballad style focusing on themes of farewell at dusk, reflecting a more mature direction.

Public image

BARKS highlighted Cute's "powerful performance" during the Idol Yokochō Matsuri festival in April 2012 as "overwhelming," emphasizing their exceptional cohesion within Hello! Project.

Meanwhile, Kawaii Girl Japan acclaimed Cute as "Hello! Project's top performer," praising them as "the premier live act" among idol groups. Their vibrant yet graceful stage presence at the Nico Nico Chōkaigi festival captivated spectators, with members adeptly changing facial expressions to maintain fan engagement. The group’s supporters are collectively known as "Team Cute."

Controversies

On December 4, 2008, an episode of the TV Tokyo variety show Yorosen! featuring Cute included a segment titled "Great Men of the World" that depicted Adolf Hitler. A member of Cute portrayed a "teacher," referring to Hitler as "Uncle Hitler," imitating him and stating his speeches had a "soothing effect." This segment provoked significant backlash online for glorifying Hitler and trivializing historical events. Both TV Tokyo and the show's producers apologized, admitting that the content stemmed from a misinterpretation of history and was inappropriate.

In popular culture

The likenesses of Okai, Hagiwara, and Suzuki appeared in episode 36 of Gintama, alongside the group's logo. Additionally, all eight members of Cute made appearances in episode 93 of Gintama.

Indie singles

"Massara Blue Jeans"
"Soku Dakishimete"
"Ōki na Ai de Motenashite"
"Wakkyanai (Z)"

Major singles

Studio albums

Cutie Queen Vol. 1
2 Mini: Ikiru to Iu Chikara
3rd: Love Escalation!
4 Akogare My Star
Shocking 5
Chō Wonderful! 6
Dai Nana Shō 'Utsukushikutte Gomen ne'
8 Queen of J-pop
°Cmaj9

Compilation albums

Awards

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result
2007	Best Hits Kayosai	New Artist Award	Cute	Template:Won
	Best Hits Kayosai	Best New Artist Award	Cute	Template:Nom
	Japan Cable Awards	Cable Music Award	"Meguru Koi no Kisetsu"	Template:Won
	49th Japan Record Awards	New Artist Award	"Tokaikko Junjō"	Template:Won
	49th Japan Record Awards	Best New Artist Award	"Tokaikko Junjō"	Template:Won
2008	50th Japan Record Awards	Gold Award	"Edo no Temari Uta II"	Template:Won
2008	50th Japan Record Awards	Grand Prix	"Edo no Temari Uta II"	Template:Nom

External links