Shugo Chara Egg!
| Company type | Idol groups |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Entertainment |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Up-Front Promotion |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Yuuka Maeda, Akari Saho, Kanon Fukuda, Ayaka Wada, Mizuki Fukumura, Irori Maeda, Nanami Tanabe, Aika Mitsui, Yurina Kumai, Risako Sugaya, Saki Nakajima |
| Products | Singles, albums, soundtracks, drama CDs |
| Parent | Hello! Project |
, also referred to as My Guardian Characters, is a Japanese shōjo manga series authored by the creative duo Peach-Pit. The narrative centers on Amu Hinamori, an elementary school student whose outward "cool and spicy" demeanor sharply contrasts with her shy nature. Upon expressing a desire to embody her authentic self, she encounters three vibrant eggs that hatch into her Guardian Characters: Ran, Miki, and Su.
This manga inspired three animated seasons and generated twelve theme singles (openings and endings), two insert song singles, two character albums, four original soundtrack albums, one game single, and four drama CDs.
Additionally, this article discusses musical units formed to perform these songs.
Shugo Chara Egg!
was a Japanese idol ensemble established by Up-Front Promotion in 2008, affiliated with Hello! Project. Created specifically to provide music for the Shugo Chara! anime series, its initial members were trainees from Hello! Project's pre-debut group, Hello! Pro Egg: Yuuka Maeda, Akari Saho, Kanon Fukuda, and Ayaka Wada.
Apart from contributing songs to Shugo Chara!, Shugo Chara Egg! also performed in the stage musical Shugo Chara! the Musical. Following the departure of Maeda, Fukuda, and Wada—who debuted with Smileage—their roles were filled by Mizuki Fukumura, Irori Maeda, and Nanami Tanabe. These new members also appeared in live-action segments on Shugo Chara! Party!
2008–2009: Formation, Debut, and Musical Performance
On September 3, 2008, Hello! Project revealed plans for a subgroup debuting in October to sing theme songs for the Shugo Chara! anime. The lineup was unveiled at a September 20 event where Yuuka Maeda portrayed Amulet Heart; Akari Saho as Amulet Spade; Kanon Fukuda as Amulet Clover; and Ayaka Wada as Amulet Diamond. Their debut single "Minna no Tamago" was used as the opening theme starting October 4, 2008, and released on December 10, 2008. The single featured the B-side "Hajimari no Uta," with a video single released January 21, 2009.
The group's second single "Shugo Shugo!" served as the opening theme for Shugo Chara! Doki from January 2009 and was issued on February 25. In April 2009, they included a cover of Guardians 4's debut track "Omakase Guardian" as a B-side.
A theatrical adaptation of Shugo Chara!, staged August 13–23, included all Shugo Chara Egg! members. On May 1, 2009, Maeda took the lead role of Amu; Fukuda played Nadeshiko; while Saho and Wada joined the supporting cast. Shortly after the musical concluded, Maeda, Fukuda, and Wada announced their exit to pursue careers with Smileage. Their last release was a rendition of Guardians 4's "School Days," issued September 2, 2009.
2009–2010: Member Transitions and Group Dissolution
The October 2009 edition of Nakayoshi introduced new members Mizuki Fukumura and Irori Maeda as Amulet Heart and Amulet Clover respectively, who appeared alongside Saho hosting live-action segments on Shugo Chara!'s latest season titled Shugo Chara! Party!. The group launched "Watashi no Tamago," paired as a double A-side with Guardians 4's "Party Time," on November 18, 2009.
Nanami Tanabe succeeded Wada as Amulet Diamond in January 2010. On January 20, Shugo Chara Egg! released "Arigatō (Ōkiku Kansha)" as a B-side accompanying Guardians 4's final single. A compilation album combining works from Shugo Chara Egg!, Guardians 4, and Buono!, named Shugo Chara! Song Best, was released on March 10, 2010. This was followed by the DVD collection Shugo Chara! Clip Best on March 17. The group's activities concluded following the finale of Shugo Chara! Party broadcast on March 27, 2010.
Members
Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2
- Akari Saho (佐保 明梨) – Amulet Spade (2008–2010)
- Mizuki Fukumura (譜久村聖) – Amulet Heart (2009–2010)
- Irori Maeda (前田 彩里) – Amulet Clover (2009–2010)
- Nanami Tanabe (田邉奈菜美) – Amulet Diamond (2009–2010)
Former Members
- Yuuka Maeda (前田 憂佳) – Amulet Heart (2008)
- Kanon Fukuda (福田 花音) – Amulet Clover (2008)
- Ayaka Wada (和田 彩花) – Amulet Diamond (2008)
Television Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2010 | Shugo Chara! Party! | Hosts for live-action segments | TV Tokyo |
Stage Productions
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Shugo Chara! the Musical |
Guardians 4
Template:Infobox musical artist
Guardians 4 (ガーディアンズ4) was a Japanese idol unit created by Up-Front Promotion in 2009 under the umbrella of Hello! Project. Formed to perform songs for the anime series Shugo Chara!, its lineup featured Aika Mitsui from Morning Musume, Yurina Kumai and Risako Sugaya from Berryz Kobo, along with Saki Nakajima representing Cute.
Background
In April of 2009, Hello! Project introduced Guardians 4 as performers for the second season titled Shugo Chara!! Doki. Their debut track "Omakase Guardian" served as the opening theme beginning April 4 and was released May 27. The single included cover versions by Shugo Chara Egg!, along with "Summer Has Come!" as additional tracks. The video single became available June 10.
Their follow-up single "School Days," launched September 2, functioned as the second opening theme and contained a Shugo Chara Egg! cover plus "Itsuka Koko de." Its video single was issued September 16. In October, "Party Time" debuted as the first opening for Shugo Chara! Party!, released November 18 alongside Shugo Chara Egg!'s "Watashi no Tamago" in a double A-side format. The corresponding video single arrived December 2.
The final single "Going On!", released January 20, 2010, acted as the concluding opening theme for Shugo Chara! Party!, featuring Shugo Chara Egg!'s B-side "Arigatō (Ōkiku Kansha)". This was followed by a video single release on February 3. A compilation album titled Shugo Chara! Song Best, encompassing tracks from Guardians 4, Buono!, and Shugo Chara Egg!, launched March 10 alongside the DVD collection Shugo Chara! Clip Best on March 17. The group ceased activities after the series finale aired on March 27.
Members
- Aika Mitsui (光井愛佳) (Morning Musume)
- Yurina Kumai (熊井友理奈) (Berryz Kobo)
- Saki Nakajima (中島早貴) (Cute)
- Risako Sugaya (菅谷梨沙子) (Berryz Kobo)
Ending Themes
Honto no Jibun
'Honto no Jibun' ('ホントのじぶん', 'True Self') marks Buono!'s debut single featuring lead vocalists Airi Suzuki, Miyabi Natsuyaki, and Momoko Tsugunaga. It served as the initial ending theme for Shugo Chara!, with its B-side track Kokoro no Tamago functioning as an opening theme.
Renai Rider
'Ren'ai Rider' ('恋愛♥ライダー', 'Love Rider') is Buono!'s sophomore single serving as the second ending theme for Shugo Chara!.
Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!
Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! represents Buono!'s third single utilized as the third ending theme of Shugo Chara!, accompanied by B-side Minna Daisuki, which served as the second opening theme.
===Gachinko de Ikou!===Template:Infobox song
'Gachinko de Ikō!' ('ガチンコでいこう!', 'Do Your Best and Go') is Buono!'s fourth single serving as the fourth ending theme of Shugo Chara!.
Rottara Rottara
Rottara Rottara is Buono!'s fifth release and first ending theme for Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
Minna no Tamago
Minna no Tamago marks Shugo Chara Egg!'s inaugural single used as the third opening theme for Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
Co-no-Mi-chi
Co-no-Mi-chi is Buono!'s sixth single serving as the second ending theme for Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
===Shugo Shugo!===Template:Infobox song
Shugo Shugo! is Shugo Chara Egg!'s sophomore release functioning as the fourth opening theme for Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
MY BOY
MY BOY represents Buono!'s seventh single used as third ending theme of Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
Omakase♪Guardian
Omakase♪Guardian stands as Guardians 4's debut release serving as fifth opening theme of Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
===Take It Easy!===Template:Infobox song
Take it Easy! is Buono!'s eighth single acting as fourth ending theme of Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
School Days
School Days is Guardians 4's second release serving as sixth opening theme of Shugo Chara!! Doki—.
PARTY TIME
PARTY TIME is Guardians 4's third single functioning as first opening theme of Shugo Chara Party. Its B-side "Watashi no Tamago" by Shugo Chara Egg!, acts as first opening for Shugo Chara!!! Dokki Doki.
Bravo☆Bravo
Bravo☆Bravo represents Buono!'s ninth release serving as first ending theme of Shugo Chara Party.
===Going On!===Template:Infobox song
Going On! is Guardians 4's fourth track serving as second opening theme for both Shugo Chara!!! Dokki Doki and Shugo Chara Party.
Insert Songs
Meikyū Butterfly
'Mystery Butterfly' performed by Nana Mizuki premiered in episode twelve.
BLACK DIAMOND
'BLACK DIAMOND,' also by Nana Mizuki, debuted in episode thirty-nine.
Character Song Albums
===Shugo Chara! Character Song Album Best!===Template:Infobox album
This compilation features character songs performed by principal cast members including Kanae Itō and Nana Mizuki; it was released March18,2009.
Shugo Chara! Character Song Album Best! 2
The second character album includes multiple voice actors; issued August5,2009.
Soundtracks
Shugo Chara! Original Soundtrack Vol.1
The first soundtrack album features background scores composed by Di'LL; released March19,2008.
Shugo Chara! Original Soundtrack Vol.2
Second volume in soundtrack series; launched August20,2008.
Shugo Chara! Original Soundtrack Vol.3
Third installment in soundtrack collection; issued November19,2008.
Shugo Chara! Original Soundtrack Vol.4
Fourth soundtrack volume; released February18,2009.
Shugo Chara!! Doki Original Soundtrack Vol.1
Soundtrack accompanying second season; published December16,2009.
Shugo Chara!! Doki Original Soundtrack Vol.2
Second soundtrack volume for season two; came out August18,2010.
Additional Releases
===Niji-iro Chara Change!===Template:Infobox song
Character songs delivered by main voice actresses; released November5,2008.
Chart Performance
Singles
Regarding chart success on Oricon weekly singles rankings: key releases from Shugo Chara Egg!, such as "Minna no Tamago," "Shugo Shugo!", and "Watashi no Tamago," attained peak positions between #9 and #14. Meanwhile,Guardians 4's singles including "Omakase Guardian," "School Days," "Party Time," and "Going On!" achieved rankings ranging from #8 to #18.
Video singles
Video singles released by both ensembles secured positions on the Oricon DVD charts, achieving rankings ranging between #23 and #68.