I. Introduction
メロン記念日 (Melon Kinenbi or Melon Kinen-bi) was one of the most stable groups within Hello! Project. The group debuted in 2000 after successfully completing the Second Morning Musume and Heike Michiyo Protegee Audition in 1999. Unlike almost every other Hello! Project group, the lineup remained unchanged throughout it's over ten years of history. Melon Kinenbi have experimented with various musical styles over the years ranging from bubblegum pop to more recently rock. On February 2010 it was announced that the group would disband after their 10th anniversary concert tour. The band occasionally worked as dancers for other Hello! Project artists (See the music video for Goto Maki's single "Yaruki! IT'S EASY"). They would end up reuniting in 2018, and announced an new album for their 25th anniversary in 2025, the group now is a 3 piece though as Otani Masae departed due to going through great mental strain, trauma and depression in the years since they were fully active on a full time basis.
The group has been referenced by multiple J-Pop idols as an inspiration to explore different styles and for groups letting members have their own individual styles and personalities.
II. History
III. 1999
In May of 1999, application details were included with Morning Musume’s 5th single "Manatsu no Kousen" for the 2nd Morning Musume & Heike Michiyo Protegee Audition. The second interviews were held in June, and 3,687 people had sent in their applications. In August, four people were selected as winners: Saito Hitomi, Murata Megumi, Otani Masae, and Shibata Ayumi.
In December, the group’s name was decided as "Melon Kinenbi."
They participated in their first concert, Hello! Project Happy New Year 2000, as back up dancers for Miyoshi Chinatsu's performance of Love, Yes I Do.
IIII. 2000
On February 19th, Melon Kinenbi made their debut with "Amai Anata no Aji," a single produced by Tsunku. At the time of its release, the group was lacking in popularity. The major criticisms for the group were that the members did not have distinct personalities, and that the group did not have a distinct style. Sales struggled as well, which prompted rumors of disbandment.
Later on, after their third single, the group would establish different concepts for each member. Saito was labeled as the sexy one, Murata as the cute/dreamy one, Otani as the tomboy, and Shibata as the natural beauty. The caracteristic of the group was that each girl possesses a unique character, as evidenced in one of the remarks made by all the members: “If it weren’t for this unit, we wouldn’t have interacted with each other (because we are so different)”. The combination of different personalities created a dynamic that made the group interesting.
In June, they released their second single, Kokuhaku Kinenbi, with music and lyrics written by Tsunku. He said that he wanted Melon Kinenbi to follow the similar image as Morning Musume for this [release]. I created this song with the image of the summer holiday season. It is about a girl who met a boy at her part-time job and innocently fell in love with him.
Tsunku said in an interview in 2013: "at the time of their debut, Melon Kinenbi may have been the group with the poorest sense of rhythm in the entire history of Hello! Project. Some of them couldn’t even sidestep on time. In that sense, Shibata was the perfect center for the group — while she learned to vocalize better in the later days of the group, in the beginning she couldn’t sing to save her life. It’s not that she was a bad singer perfect per se… she just couldn’t put any feeling into it. But that was kind of their appeal then. They were like everyone’s favorite “talentless idols” and that’s what made them great. We were already using Pro Tools at the time, meaning we could fix pitch issues if we wanted to, but with their debut song, “Amai Anata no Aji” I purposefully avoided editing Shibata’s vocals much. I wanted it to have that “Tsukasa Ito feel.”"
IIIII. 2001
Melon Kinenbi released their third single, Denwa Matteimasu, in March.
In October, the group released their fourth single, "This is Unmei." They had been told that if this single also sells poorly, the group will disband. Thanks to the success of the single, the group regained its energy. The number of fans increased, but it was not enough to hold solo concerts yet, so the group appeared as guests for other groups under Hello! Project. When Matsuura Aya appeared on NHK’s "Kohaku Uta Gassen", the unit appeared as her background dancers.
IIIV. 2002
On Valentine's Day they released their fifth single, Saa! Koibito ni Narou, followed by their sixth single, Natsu no Yoru wa Danger!, in June, and their seventh single, Kousui, in October.
When the group was formed, Murata was appointed leader since she was the oldest among the members. But after some discussions among the members, Saito took over as leader in October 2002 with the release of "Kousui." This change was officially announced during the single’s release events.
In December 2002, Melon Kinenbi held their first concert, Melon Kinenbi First Concert ~Korega Kinenbi~.
IIV. 2003
In January, Melon Kinenbi released their eight single, Akai Freesia. This was their first single to rank within the top 10 on the Oricon charts. It is also their best selling single! They followed up the release with their debut album 1st Anniversary, followed by the singles Chance of LOVE in May, MI DA RA Matenrou in September, and Kawaii Kare in December.
IIVI. 2004
In June they released their Twelvth single, Namida no Taiyou. A cover of Emy Jackson song of the same name, released in 1965. Later this year, they released Champagne no Koi followed by their second album.
Aside from their singing career, one of the other projects by the group was the comedy drama "Cyborg Shibata," which gained enough popularity to run for three seasons. The members participated in some musicals as well, both as the main and guest performers. They also held unique regular events called "MELON LOUNGE" at small venues, where each member would take turns becoming a DJ by selecting their own music and playing for the crowd. Some of the guest musicians who appeared on "MELON LOUNGE" included famous rock bands such as Dohatsuten and Beat Crusaders.
IIVII. 2005
On February 9th, the group released their last song produced by Tsunku, "Nikutai wa Shoujiki na EROS." Afterwards, different artists such as Sharam Q, Something ELse, and Shindo Atsushi participated in producing the songs for the unit.
IIVIII. 2006 - 2010
In the summer of 2006, Melon Kinenbi released their next single, Onegai Miwaku no Target / Crazy Happy!, which was counted as an indies single, only available at the Hello! Project Official Shops and the Melon Kinenbi Concert 2006 "MEL-ON TARGET". In March, they released their 15th single, Unforgettable. It was the first of Melon Kinenbi's singles to be produced by Sharam Q member Taisei. From May 15-20, Melon Kinenbi participated in the stage play "Watashi wo Dosei ni Tsuretette! 〜RPG Fly Me To The Saturn〜". In September, they released their 16th single, Onegai Miwaku no Target ~Mango-Pudding Mix~. It is a newer version of their indies release "Onegai Miwaku no Target", released the previous year. In March, they released the single Charisma・Kirei. This was the final single Melon Kinenbi released as part of Hello! Project, before their official graduation at the end of March 2009 along with the rest of the Elder Club.
From April 30th to May 6th, Melon Kinenbi appeared in the stage play "Kaba".
From August 8-10th, they appeared in the sequel to their spring play "Kaba", titled "Kaba 2". This play also featured Miyoshi Erika.
From November 19-23, Saito Hitomi, Murata Megumi, and Otani Masae all appeared in the stage play "Family of the Dead".
In 2008, the unit started having a monthly live show called "MELON GREETING."
From March 14-22nd, they appeared in the third installment of the Kaba series of plays, titled "Kaba 3", featuring Miyoshi Erika for the second time as well as a newcomer, Okai Asuna. On March 31st, the entire group officially graduated from Hello! Project along with the rest of the Elder Club. Starting the following day, the fan club also no longer belonged to Hello! Project and became independently operated by changing its name to "Melon Kinenbu" (Club for Melon Kinenbi).
After their graduation, they collaborated with other Japanese punk-rock groups for several limited-release indie singles. These singles were available at Tower Records.
From July 1st-5th, they starred in the stage play "UNO:R". On February 19th, 2010, two days after the release of MELON'S NOT DEAD, the group announced during their 10-year anniversary live "Seitan 3654 Nichi Kanshasai" that they would disband after the conclusion of their tour in May.
In April, they released a best-of album, URA MELON, with all of their singles' B-sides, as well as a DVD of their 10th anniversary live held in February. This was the group's last music release before ceasing activities at their last performance at Nakano Sun Plaza on May 3rd. After June 30th, their fan club ceased operation.
Shibata made her major solo debut under Universal Music in 2011. After that,she was without a contract from June to November 2013, but signed to another label and continued her acitvities from 2014 until her hiatus in 2016 due to her pregnancy. Otani is active as a live-centered singer. Saito retired from the entertainment industry, and is a local radio personalityin Niigata. Murata stayed with Up-Front Agency and changed her stage name, but after the earthquake she withdrew from the entertainment industry due to the destruction of her hometown.
IIIX. 2018 - Present
On October 21, Melon Kinenbi reunited to perform at the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hallo! Fes 2018 concert.
On January 1, it was announced that Melon Kinenbi would have a limited-time official comeback to celebrate their 25th anniversary. They opened a group social media account to promote the revival on X and instagram. They also said they would release one notice for five consecutive days. Otani Masae would not be a part of the revival at her own request. She posted to instagram saying "I have recieved messsages from you, so I'll let you know here [instagram history]. I can no longer appear before you as Otani Masae of Melon Kinenbi. A lot has happened in my life since the group disbanded. Even if I were to stand on stage, I would still be concerned about how I am percieved. I have been undergoing treatment for depression and panic disorder for the last seven years, but there are still many times I find myself unable to control things. I decided that it would be difficult to participate in the program, as you never know what you're like each day until you wake up, so I declined. I'm sorry, but I don't know what kind of acitivties they'll be doing after the reunion, and right now I find it difficult to even try to find out the details myself. However, I hope that everyone attending this memorable 25th anniversary event will enjoy themselves. I would appreciate your understanding."
On January 3rd, all of their discography was made available on music streaming services. As a commemoration of the ban on subscription、"All songs commentary & episode" by the members will be updated daily in relay format. On February 22nd, they performed at YOSHIKO's 25th anniversary live show "445 Night vol.2" (at Veats Shibuya). On February 23rd, they held the live event Melon Kinenbi 25 Shuunenkinen Talk Live at Shinjuku Loft Plus One. There were two performances, at 12:45 and 16:00. Tickets went on sale on January 5th at noon on Live Pocket. Tickets cost ¥4,500.
On May 3rd, the exact date of the band's disbandment 15 years ago, they will hold the event Members to Miru Melon Kinenbi FINAL STAGE "MELON'S NOT DEAD" Bakuon Joueikai at Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas. It will be a screening of the Non-Stop Melon Live Version, a non-stop edit of Melon's live performance without the MC.
III. Discography
IIII. Albums
[2003.03.12] 1st Anniversary
[2004.12.01] THE Nimaime (THE二枚目)
[2010.02.17] MELON'S NOT DEAD
IIIII. Mini-Albums
[2007.12.12] Melon Juice (メロンジュース)
IIIIII. Best-of Albums
[2006.12.06] FRUITY KILLER TUNE
[2008.12.10] MEGA MELON
[2010.04.21] URA MELON
IIIIV. Other Albums
[2002.05.22] Folk Songs 2(with Nakazawa Yuko / Matsuura Aya / Ishii Rika)
IIIV. Singles
[2000.02.19] Amai Anata no Aji (甘いあなたの味)
[2000.06.28] Kokuhaku Kinenbi (告白記念日)
[2001.03.07] Denwa Matteimasu (電話待っています)
[2001.10.11] This is Unmei (This is 運命)
[2002.02.14] Saa! Koibito ni Narou (さぁ！恋人になろう)
[2002.06.19] Natsu no Yoru wa Danger! (夏の夜はデインジャー！)
[2002.10.23] Kousui (香水)
[2003.01.29] Akai Freesia (赤いフリージア)
[2003.05.08] Chance of LOVE (チャンス of LOVE)
[2003.09.10] MI DA RA Matenrou (MI DA RA 摩天楼)
[2003.12.03] Kawaii Kare (かわいい彼)
[2004.06.09] Namida no Taiyou (涙の太陽)
[2004.10.27] Champagne no Koi (シャンパンの恋)
[2005.02.09] Nikutai wa Shoujiki na EROS (肉体は正直なEROS)
[2006.06.10] Onegai Miwaku no Target / Crazy Happy! (お願い魅惑のターゲット) (indies)
[2007.03.28] Unforgettable (アンフォゲッタブル)
[2007.09.05] Onegai Miwaku no Target ~Mango Purin Mix~ (お願い魅惑のターゲット ~マンゴープリンMix~)
[2008.03.17] Charisma, Kirei (カリスマ・綺麗)
[2009.06.24] DON'T SAY GOOD-BYE with BEAT CRUSADERS (indies)
[2009.07.22] Pinch wa Chance Baka ni Narouze! with NEW ROTE'KA (ピンチはチャンス バカになろうぜ!) (indies)
[2009.08.12] sweet suicide summer story with Midori (indies)
[2009.10.21] Seishun-on-the-Road with THE COLLECTORS (青春・オン・ザ・ロード) (indies)
[2009.12.30] Melon Tea with GOING UNDER GROUND (メロンティー) (indies)
IIIVI. Compilations / Others
[2001.12.21] Hello! Project - Petit Best 2 ~3, 7, 10~ (#9 This is Unmei)
[2002.12.10] Hello! Project - 2003 Nendo Hawaii Genteiban Hello! Project Best 1 (#15 Kousui)
[2002.12.10] Hello! Project - 2003 Nendo Hawaii Genteiban Hello! Project Best 2 (#9 Natsu no Yoru wa Danger!)
[2002.12.18] Hello! Project - Petit Best 3 (#12 Kousui)
[2003.04.26] Hello! Project - 2003 Nendo Hawaii Genteiban Hello! Project Best 3 (#10 Akai Freesia)
[2003.12.17] Hello! Project - Petit Best 4 (#10 Chance of LOVE)
[2004.12.22] Hello! Project - Petit Best 5 (#5 Namida no Taiyou)
[2005.12.21] Hello! Project - Petit Best 6 (#9 Nikutai wa Shoujiki na EROS)
[2006.12.20] Hello! Project - Petit Best 7 (#7 Onegai Miwaku no Target)
[2007.12.12] Hello! Project - Petit Best 8 (#7 Onegai Miwaku no Target ~Mango Pudding Mix~)
[2008.12.10] Hello! Project - Petit Best 9 (#7 Charisma, Kirei)
[2013.12.31] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 1 (#15 Kokuhaku Kinenbi)
[2013.12.31] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 2 (#16 GIVE ME UP)
[2014.07.09] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 3 (#8 Fuwafuwafuu, #9 Itsuka Oozora no Shita de, #19 This is Unmei)
[2021.02.10] Hello! Project - Hello! Project no Zenkyoku Kara Atsumechaimashita! Vol. 7 Eiga "Ano Koro."Hen (#8 Kousui)
IIIVII. DVDs
[2002.11.27] Melon Kinenbi Single M Clips 1 (メロン記念日シングルMクリップス1)
[2003.05.08] Melon Kinenbi Live Tour 2003 Haru ~1st Anniversary~ (ライブツアー2003 春～1st Anniversary～)
[2003.12.03] Melon Kinenbi Single V Clips 2 (メロン記念日シングルVクリップス2)
[2004.02.11] Melon Kinenbi ~'03 Christmas Special Chou Shibu Melon~ (メロン記念日 ～03’クリスマススペシャル 超渋メロン～)
[2004.09.29] Shin Cyborg Shibata!! (新サイボーグしばたっ！！)
[2004.11.26] Melon Kinenbi Live Tour 2004 Natsu ~Gokujou Melon~ (メロン記念日ライブツアー2004夏～極上メロン～)
[2005.09.28] Tatakae!! Cyborg Shibata San (闘え!!サイボーグしばた3)
[2005.06.02] Melon Kinenbi Nippon Seinen kan Kouen '2005 Revue&Concert｢Murata san,Gokii?｣ (メロン記念日 日本青年館公演 '2005 レビュー&コンサート｢むらたさ～ん、ごきっ?｣)
[2006.03.15] Melon Kinenbi Concert Tour 2005 Fuyu ~Kyou mo Melon Ashita mo Melon, Christmas wa Musk Melon de!~ (メロン記念日コンサートツアー2005冬「今日もメロン明日もメロン、クリスマスはマスクメロンで！」)
[2007.01.01] Melon Kinenbi Live House Tour 2006 ~Shakunetsu Tengoku~ (メロン記念日 LIVE HOUSE TOUR '2006 ~灼熱天国 IN YOKOHAMA BLITZ~)
[2007.03.28] Melon Kinenbi Concert Tour 2006 Fuyu ｢FRUITY KILLER TUNE｣ (メロン記念日 コンサートツアー2006冬「FRUITY KILLER TUNE」)
[2007.04.25] Hello☆Pro On Stage! 2007 ｢Rock desu yo!｣ (ハロ☆プロ オンステージ！2007 『Rockですよ！』)
[2007.05.09] Melon Kinenbi Single V Clips 3 (メロン記念日シングルVクリップス3)
[2007.09.04] Melon Kinenbi Live House Tour 2007 ~LOCK ON!~ (メロン記念日 ライブハウスツアー2007 ～LOCK ON！～)
[2007.12.29] Melon Kinenbi Concert Tour 2007 Fuyu ｢100% Melon Juice｣ (メロン記念日 コンサートツアー 2007 冬｢100%メロンジュース｣)
[2008.09.06] Melon Kinenbi Live House Tour 2008 Yojigen Jack!! (メロン記念日 ライブハウスツアー2008 四次元ジャック！！)
[2009.08.16] Melon Kinenbi Live Tour2009 ｢Gaisen｣ (メロン記念日 ライブツアー2009 ｢凱旋｣)
[2010.02.19] Melon Kinenbi 10th ANNIVERSARY LIVE ｢Seitan 3654nichi Kansyasai｣ (メロン記念日10th ANNIVERSARY LIVE 『生誕3654日感謝祭』)
[2010.07.14] Melon Kinenbi FINAL STAGE "MELON'S NOT DEAD"
IIIVIII. Non DVD released Concerts
[2002.12.09 ~ 19] Melon Kinenbi First Concert ~Korega Kinenbi~ (メロン記念日 ファーストコンサート ～これが記念日～)
[2003.08.09 ~ 29] Melon Kinenbi Live Tour 2003 SUMMER~Natsu Melon~ (メロン記念日 ライブツアー 2003 SUMMER～夏メロン～)
[2004.03.05 ~ 21] Melon Kinenbi Live Tour 2004 Haru ~Mou Horetyauzo!~ (メロン記念日 ライブツアー 2004 春 ～もぅ ホレちゃうぞ!～)
[2004.06.14 ~ 16] Melon Kinenbi Special Live 2004 ~Bonus~ (メロン記念日 スペシャルライブ 2004 ～ボーナス！～)
[2004.12.11 ~ 26] Melon Kinenbi Concert Tour 2004 Fuyu 'The☆Melon Show!' (メロン記念日 コンサートツアー 2004 冬 ｢ザ☆メロンショー!｣)
[2006.06.11 ~ 12] Melon Kinenbi Concert 2006 'Mel-On Target' (メロン記念日 コンサート 2006『MEL-ON TARGET』)
[2008.12.28 ] Melon Kinenbi Concert2008Fuyu ｢MEGA MELON SINGLE MATCH｣ (メロン記念日コンサート2008冬「MEGA MELON SINGLE MATCH」)
[2008.12.31 ] Melon Kinenbi Countdown Live 2008-2009 ｢MEGA MELON DEATH MATCH｣ (メロン記念日 COUNTDOWN LIVE 2008-2009 ｢MEGA MELON DEATH MATCH｣)
[2009.12.30 ] Melon Kinenbi 2009 Otsukare Live ~Neko! Neko! Neko!~ (メロン記念日2009 おつかれライブ~ネコ!ネコ!ネコ!~)
[2009.12.31 ] Melon Kinenbi Countdown Live~Tora! Tora! Tora!~ (メロン記念日2009~10 カウントダウンライブ~トラ!トラ!トラ!~)
[2010.02.21 ] Melon Kinenbi 10th ANNIVERSARY LIVE ｢2000~2004｣ ｢2005~2010｣ (メロン記念日10th ANNIVERSARY LIVE 『2000~2004』『2005~2010』)
[2010.04.24 ~ 25] Melon Kinenbi FINNAL TOUR ~MELON'S NOT DEAD~ (メロン記念日FINAL TOUR "MELON'S NOT DEAD")
IV. Photobooks
[2003.09.30] Melon Kinenbi in Hello! Project 2003 Natsu (メロン記念日 in Hello! Project 2003夏)
[2004.03.13] Melon Kinenbi in Hello! Project 2004 Winter (メロン記念日 in Hello! Project 2004 Winter)
[2004.06.09] Taiyou to Kajitsu (太陽と果実)
[2004.09.29] Melon Kinenbi in Hello! Project 2004 Summer (メロン記念日 in Hello! Project 2004 summer)
[2005.10.25] Goto Maki + Melon Kinenbi Hello! Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show '05 Selection! Collection! (後藤真希+メロン記念日Hello!Project2005夏の歌謡ショー―05’セレクション!コレクション!) (With Goto Maki)
