I. Introduction
°C-ute was a Japanese pop girl group managed by Up-Front Promotion and was part of Hello! Project. They disbanded on June 12, 2017.
II. Group History
°C-ute's formation was officially announced by Tsunku on June 11th, 2005 and would consist of the seven members of the Hello! Project Kids who were not part of Berryz Kobo. In January 2006, Arihara Kanna, a Hello! Pro Egg, was added to the group and made her debut during Hello! Project's 2006 Winter concert tour. For the rest of 2006, °C-ute appeared in several concerts performing original songs which were sold as indie singles. On October 31st, 2006, Murakami Megumi suddenly resigned from °C-ute and from Hello! Project; the official reason stating that she wanted to continue her education and lead a private life. The group made their major debut in February 2007 with the single, "Sakura Chirari".
°C-ute had a weekly thirty minute radio show called Cutie Party. It began on October 7th, 2006 and aired on FM FUJI every Saturday from 23:00 to 23:30 as the opening portion of Hello! Project Night. In 2008, it was replaced with Cutie☆Paradise. Like Morning Musume before them, at their debut concert each of the group's members were given a color used for merchandise, costumes, and the like. Those colors: Umeda Erika - yellow; Yajima Maimi - pink; Nakajima Saki - orange; Suzuki Airi - green; Okai Chisato - blue; Hagiwara Mai - purple; and Arihara Kanna - red.
In the fall of 2007, °C-ute entered into the spotlight in the Japanese media because of their rising popularity, increasing sales and award nominations. °C-ute was a nominee for the "Newcomer Award" as part of the annual YTV show "Best Hits Kayousai". Although they didn't win, they got a prize for being the runner-up and performed on the show. On November 26th, it was announced that they were nomined for the 40th Japan Request Awards, a radio-related award (presented to artists who gets the most number of their songs requested). They didn't win, but they got medals for being the runner-up, and performed on the show. On November 29th, it was announced that °C-ute had won the New Artist Award from the 49th Japan Record Awards (Nihon Record Taishou), along with JYONGRI, Stephanie and Takasugi Satomi. On December 30th, 2007, °C-ute was chosen as "Best New Artist" by Japan Record Awards, 14 out of the 21 panel judges voted for them. In December 2007, °C-ute (along with Morning Musume and Berryz Kobo) performed at the 58th Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
°C-ute performed in the 41st Japanese Lyricist Awards (Nihon Sakushi Taisho) in November 30th, 2008, along with other Up-Front artists like Horiuchi Takao and Fujimoto Miki. They appeared in the show because the lyricist of Edo no Temari Uta II (Yoshioka Osamu) was nominated (and won). °C-ute performed a short version of ZARD's Makenaide and Edo no Temari Uta II. On December 1st, 2008, it was announced °C-ute had won the Excellent Work/Gold award from the 50th Japan Record Awards (Nihon Record Taishou), along with EXILE, Tohoshinki, Koda Kumi and other eight artists. The show was broadcasted on December 30, and EXILE won the Japan Record Award.
On February 26th, 2009, Arihara Kanna was scheduled to take a short break for medical reasons (she had developed a bunion). On July 11th, 2009 it was revealed that she was leaving °C-ute and Hello! Project to return to the life of a normal girl. On August 1st, 2009, Hello! Project announced that Umeda Erika would be graduating from °C-ute at the end of their current tour on October 25th, 2009, in hope of becoming a fashion model. As of April 2010, Erika is officially a model signed to ILLUME. As of November 2009, the new member colours are: Yajima Maimi - red, Nakajima Saki - blue, Suzuki Airi - pink, Okai Chisato - green and Hagiwara Mai - yellow.
On March 12th, 2011, it was announced that their performance in Fukuoka and other events has been canceled do to the earthquake and tsunami. Later that year on June 18th, 2011, C-ute did a live streaming of their °C-ute Concert Tour 2011 Spring "Chou! Chou Wonderful" concert via Youtube. Besides them, only U2, Alicia Keys and DURAN DURAN had done a Youtube live streaming before, and they were the first Japanese artists to do so.
During a live public recording of their challenge television show in August 2014 °C-ute set the new Guinness World Records for the longest passing of an egg in a relay (1 hour 30 minutes) and the most snacks eaten in relay (1 hour). The records were approved by a representitive from the Guinness organization.
The disbandment of °C-ute was announced on August 20th, 2016 through various online and print news sources, followed closely by the official website and blogs of the members. The last performance for the group was scheduled to take place in June 2017 at Saitama Super Arena, during their 12th year of activities. Though the option to continue as a group outside of Hello! Project was offered, the members stated that once their goal of Saitama Super Arena had been reached they wanted °C-ute to end where it started - always as a part of Hello! Project.
The members announced their respective goals after disbandment through their blog on May 27th, 2017. Leader Yajima Maimi announced plans to join M-Line and pursue an acting career, Nakajima Saki likewise announced intention to pursue acting as well work through PR and nature focused Satoyama activities. Suzuki Airi revealed that she would continue with her modeling work and return to singing as a solo artist in 2018. Okai Chisato wrote that she intended to mainly focus on television variety and talk shows, but she would also return to singing at some point in the future. Hagiwara Mai revealed her decision to retire from the entertainment business to study abroad and learn English. On June 12th, 2017 they had their final performance at Saitama Super Arena.
III. Discography
IIII. Albums
[2006.10.25] Cutie Queen VOL.1 (キューティークイーン VOL.1)
[2008.03.12] 3rd ~LOVE Escalation!~ (3rd ~LOVE エスカレーション!~)
[2009.01.28] 4 Akogare My STAR (④憧れ My STAR; For My Admirable Star)
[2010.02.24] Shocking 5 (ショッキング5)
[2011.04.06] Chou WONDERFUL! 6 (超WONDERFUL!⑥; Very Wonderful! 6)
[2012.02.08] Dainana Shou "Utsukushikutte Gomen ne" (第七章 「美しくってごめんね」; Chapter 7 "Sorry for Being Beautiful")
[2013.09.04] 8 Queen of J-POP
[2015.12.23] °Cmaj9
IIIII. Mini-Albums
[2007.04.18] 2 mini ~Ikiru to Iu Chikara~ (②mini ~生きるという力~; 2 Mini ~The Power Called "Life"~)
[2013.12.31] "COUNTDOWN JAPAN 13/14" Shuutsuen Kinen! °C-ute 12/30 Setlist Album (「COUNTDOWN JAPAN 13/14」出演記念!°C-ute 12/30 Setlist Album) (Digital)
IIIIII. Best Albums
[2009.11.18] °C-ute nan desu! Zen Single Atsumechaimashita! 1 (℃-uteなんです! 全シングル集めちゃいましたっ!①)
[2012.11.21] 2 °C-ute Shin Seinaru Best Album (②℃-ute神聖なるベストアルバム) (self-cover best album)
[2013.07.04] Cutie Selection ~A nos Amis de France!~ (special French best album)
[2015.09.19] Cutie Selección Por los Fans Mexicanos (special Mexican best album)
[2017.05.03] °COMPLETE SINGLE COLLECTION
IIIIV. Split Albums
[2014.07.02] SUPPECIAL CUTIE BEST ALBUM ~Japan Expo 15th Year Anniversary Fans Selection Songs~ (Berryz Kobo×°C-ute)
IIIV. Singles
[2006.05.06] Massara Blue Jeans (まっさらブルージーンズ; Brand New Blue Jeans) (Indies)
[2006.06.03] Soku Dakishimete (即 抱きしめて; That is, Hold Me) (Indies)
[2006.07.09] Ooki na Ai de Motenashite (大きな愛でもてなして; Entertain Me With a Big Love) (Indies)
[2006.07.29] Wakkyanai (Z) (わっきゃない(Z); It's Easy) (Indies)
[2007.02.21] Sakura Chirari (桜チラリ; Cherry Blossoms Scattering)
[2007.07.11] Meguru Koi no Kisetsu (めぐる恋の季節; The Revolving Seasons of Love)
[2007.10.17] Tokaikko Junjou (都会っ子 純情; City Girl's Pure Heart)
[2008.02.27] LALALA Shiawase no Uta (LALALA 幸せの歌; Lalala Song of Happiness)
[2008.04.23] Namida no Iro (涙の色; Color of Tears)
[2008.07.30] Edo no Temari Uta II (江戸の手毬唄II; The Edo Handball Song II)
[2009.04.15] Bye Bye Bye!
[2009.07.01] Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (暑中お見舞い申し上げます; Express a Summer Greeting Card)
[2009.09.16] EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!! (EVERYDAY 絶好調!!; Everyday in Perfect Form!!)
[2010.01.06] SHOCK!
[2010.04.28] Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ (キャンパスライフ ~生まれて来てよかった~; Campus Life ~I'm Glad I Was Born~)
[2010.08.25] Dance de Bakoon! (Danceでバコーン!; Dance Explosion!)
[2010.12.01] Aitai Lonely Christmas (会いたいロンリークリスマス; I Want to Meet You This Lonely Christmas)
[2011.02.23] Kiss me Aishiteru (Kiss me 愛してる; Kiss Me, I Love You)
[2011.05.25] Momoiro Sparkling (桃色スパークリン; Pink Sparkling)
[2011.09.07] Sekaiichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko (世界一HAPPYな女の子; World's Happiest Girl)
[2012.04.18] Kimi wa Jitensha Watashi wa Densha de Kitaku (君は自転車 私は電車で帰宅; To Get Home You Ride a Bike and I Ride the Train)
[2012.09.05] Aitai Aitai Aitai na (会いたい 会いたい 会いたいな; I Miss, I Miss, I Miss You)
[2013.02.06] Kono Machi (この街; This Town)
[2013.04.03] Crazy Kanzen na Otona (Crazy完全な大人; A Crazy, Perfect Adult)
[2013.07.10] Kanashiki Amefuri / Adam to Eve no Dilemma (悲しき雨降り / アダムとイブのジレンマ; Sad Rainfall / The Dilemma of Adam and Eve)
[2013.11.06] Tokai no Hitorigurashi / Ai tte Motto Zanshin (都会の一人暮らし / 愛ってもっと斬新; Living Alone in The City / Love is More Original)
[2014.03.05] Kokoro no Sakebi wo Uta ni Shitemita / Love take it all (心の叫びを歌にしてみた; I Made a Song From the Cry in My Heart)
[2014.07.16] The Power / Kanashiki Heaven (Single Version) (悲しきヘブン (Single Version); Sad Heaven)
[2014.11.19] I miss you / THE FUTURE
[2015.04.01] The Middle Management ~Josei Chuukan Kanrishoku~ / GamushaLIFE / Tsugi no Kado wo Magure (The Middle Management ～女性中間管理職～ / 我武者LIFE / 次の角を曲がれ)
[2015.10.28] Arigatou ~Mugen no Yell~ / Arashi wo Okosunda Exciting Fight! (ありがとう～無限のエール～ / 嵐を起こすんだ Exciting Fight!)
[2016.04.20] Naze Hito wa Arasoun Darou? / Summer Wind / Jinsei wa STEP! (何故人は争うんだろう？ / 人生はSTEP！)
[2016.11.02] Mugen Climax / Ai wa Maru de Seidenki / Singing ~Ano Koro no You ni~ (夢幻クライマックス / 愛はまるで静電気 / Singing〜あの頃のように〜)
[2017.03.29] To Tomorrow / Final Squall / The Curtain Rises (ファイナルスコール)
IIIVI. Vinyls
[2015.12.23] Arigatou ~Mugen no Yell~ / Arashi wo Okosunda Exciting Fight! (ありがとう～無限のエール～/嵐を起こすんだ Exciting Fight!)
[2016.08.10] Naze Hito wa Arasoun Darou? / Summer Wind / Jinsei wa STEP! (何故人は争うんだろう？/人生はSTEP！)
IIIVII. Split Singles
[2011.09.17] Seishun Gekijou (青春劇場) (Berryz Kobo×°C-ute) (Digital)
[2011.11.09] Amazuppai Haru ni Sakura Saku (甘酸っぱい春にサクラサク) (Berryz Kobo×°C-ute)
[2012.04.28] Chou HAPPY SONG (超HAPPY SONG) (Berryz Kobo×°C-ute)
IIIVIII. Other Singles
[2008.03.20] Koero! Rakuten Eagles (越えろ! 楽天イーグルス; Exceed! Rakuten Eagles)
[2010.10.13] Akuma de Cute na Seishun Graffiti (アクマでキュートな青春グラフィティ)
IIIIX. Compilations / Other
[2006.12.20] Hello! Project - Petit Best 7 (#11 Ooki na Ai de Motenashite)
[2007.12.12] Hello! Project - Petit Best 8 (#9 Sakura Chirari)
[2008.12.10] Hello! Project - Petit Best 9 (#3 Edo no Temari Uta II, #14 Koero! Rakuten Eagles)
[2009.07.15] Hello! Project - Champloo 1 ~Happy Marriage Song Cover Shuu~ (#2 Ai wa Katsu - °C-ute, Mano Erina)
[2009.12.02] Hello! Project - Petit Best 10 (#3 EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!!)
[2009.12.23] Various - Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 5th Anniversary "Songs of Rakuten Eagles" (#5 Koero! Rakuten Eagles)
[2010.12.15] Hello! Project - Petit Best 11 (#4 Dance de Bakoon!)
[2011.12.21] Hello! Project - Petit Best 12 (#8 Kiss me Aishiteru, #9 Momoiro Sparkling)
[2012.12.05] Hello! Project - Petit Best 13 (#5 Kimi wa Jitensha Watashi wa Densha de Kitaku, #6 Aitai Aitai Aitai na)
[2013.12.11] Hello! Project - Petit Best 14 (#5 Crazy Kanzen na Otona, #6 Adam to Eve no Dilemma)
[2013.12.31] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 1 (#7 Bye Bye Bye!)
[2014.07.09] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 3 (#6 Ooki na Ai de Motenashite)
[2014.07.09] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 4 (#4 Tokaikko Junjou, #7 Kimi no Senpou, #13 Crazy Kanzen na Otona, #18 Neru Ko wa Cute)
[2014.08.13] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 5 (#6 ENDLESS LOVE ~I LOVE YOU MORE~)
[2014.08.13] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 6 (#13 Kanashiki Amefuri, #15 Sekaiichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko)
[2014.12.10] Hello! Project - Petit Best 15 (#5 Love take it all, #6 Kanashiki Heaven (Single Version))
[2015.12.16] Hello! Project - Petit Best 16 (#3 GamushaLIFE, #2 Tsugi no Kado wo Magare)
[2016.12.14] Hello! Project - Petit Best 17 (#1 Jinsei wa STEP!, #10 Jinsei wa STEP! (Lil'Yukichi Remix feat. Cherry Brown))
[2017.12.13] Hello! Project - Petit Best 18 (#1 Zenbu Owatta Kaerimichi)
[2020.01.08] Hello! Project - Petit Best 20 2020 (Disc 1 #19 Sekaiichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko, Disc 2 #1 Campus Life ~Umarete Kita Yokatta~, #3 Urayanjau, #7 Final Squall. Disc 3 #8 Yuuwaku no Kyuujitsu)
