Ushirogami Hikaretai
| Company type | Sub-unit of Onyanko Club |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Fate | Paused activities |
| Successor | Watarirouka Hashiritai (revival unit) |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Japan |
Key people | Shizuka Kudō, Akiko Ikuina, Makiko Saitō |
| Products | Singles, albums, concert video |
| Owner | Onyanko Club (parent group) |
Number of employees | 3 (members) (1987–1988) |
| Parent | Onyanko Club |
Ushirogami Hikaretai (うしろ髪ひかれ隊) was a Japanese idol J-pop ensemble active between 1987 and 1988. This group represented the third sub-unit of Onyanko Club, featuring members Shizuka Kudō, Akiko Ikuina, and Makiko Saitō. Their debut occurred during the "Onyanko Yumekojo Sailing 87'" concert tour.
Biography
Established in April 1987, Ushirogami Hikaretai was created as a successor to Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi, which ended following Mamiko Takai’s graduation from Onyanko Club. The lineup included Shizuka Kudō, Akiko Ikuina, and Makiko Saitō. Initially, Noriko Kaise was considered for the third spot but was ultimately passed over. At the group's inception, Ikuina was seen as the leading member. Their first single, released in May 1987, was used as the theme song for the anime High School! Kimengumi and achieved the top position on the Oricon charts. This track is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding songs associated with Onyanko Club.
In July 1987, Ushirogami Hikaretai co-hosted a radio program alongside TV personality Tsutomu Sekine. Despite Onyanko Club disbanding in September 1987, this subgroup continued its activities until pausing operations in May 1988. During their active period, they produced five singles, three albums, and a concert video filmed at the Tokyo Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan.
The chief director of the variety show , , commended their exceptional group cohesion. The lyricist , responsible for their songs, highlighted the superior quality of their music compared to other Onyanko Club-related works, attributing this to careful direction by . Saeki also recognized them as the rightful heirs to the legacy of Candies.
In October 2008, producer Yasushi Akimoto revealed plans to revive Ushirogami Hikaretai through a new unit named Watarirouka Hashiritai, composed of four members from his contemporary production AKB48, regarded as Onyanko Club's modern equivalent. Watarirouka Hashiritai performed the second opening theme for the anime Blue Dragon (anime).
Shizuka Kudō
Shizuka Kudō (工藤静香, Kudō Shizuka; born April 14, 1970, in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan))
Akiko Ikuina
Akiko Ikuina (生稲晃子, Ikuina Akiko; born April 28, 1968, in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan)
Makiko Saitō
Makiko Saitō (斎藤満喜子, Saitō Makiko; born September 19, 1970, in Hiroshima, Japan)
Distinguished by her prominent eyebrows, Saitō engaged in track and field during her junior high years and began pursuing an entertainment career early on, including local radio appearances. In 1986, she was runner-up in the Miss Seventeen contest organized by Shūeisha, which led to her joining Onyanko Club and relocating to Tokyo. She attended Horikoshi High School, known for its celebrity student body. In April 1987, she became part of the sub-unit Ushirogami Hikaretai. After the group halted activities in 1988, she launched a solo career with the single Yaritai hōdai and hosted the television program Sing! Idol Dome.
Saitō frequently appeared on variety shows and worked as a correspondent for the quiz show Naruhodo! The World, traveling to more than 25 countries. In 1998, she married Haruo Hibi, president of Meiraku Group, a food industry company, and they have two children together. In August 2021, she made her first public television appearance since marriage on a program hosted by professional golfer Nobuo Serizawa.
Discography
- Singles
- 1987.05.07 : Toki no Kawa wo Koete
- 1987.08.12 : Anata wo Shiritai
- 1987.11.11 : Mobius no Koibito
- 1988.02.25 : Horane, Haru ga Kita
- 1988.04.29 : Kyou wa Saikou!
- Albums
- 1987.09.05 : Ushirogami Hikaretai
- 1988.03.05 : BAB
- 1988.07.06 : Hora ne, Haru ga Kita - First Concert (live recording)
Videos
- メイドインハワイ (Made in Hawaii), VHS, Pony Canyon, Tokyo, 1988-03-10
- ほらね春が来たファースト・コンサート'88 (You see, spring has come. First concert '88), VHS, Pony Canyon, Tokyo, 1988-07-06
Further reading
- Mutō Tadashi, 写真集 うしろ髪ひかれ隊 メイドインハワイ (Photo Collection Ushirogami Hikaretai Made in Hawaii), Fuji Television, Tokyo, 1988
References
- Iwakiri Jun (editor), おニャン子白書 (The White Paper On Onyanko Club), Fusosha Publishing, Tokyo, 1987
- Ino Ryōsuke, おニャン子クラブと永遠のグループアイドル (Onyanko Club And Eternal Group Idols), Takarajimasha, Tokyo, 2003