I. Introduction
Girls² (pronounced Girls Girls) is a Japanese pop and idol girl group formed for the tokusatsu TV drama Himitsu x Senshi Phantomirage! The group is under the Sony Music Associated Records label and managed by LDH Japan.
II. Career
III. Pre-debut
On March 29, 2019, during Magical2's Special Live in Osaka, a new girl group was announced. A video was shown to the audience which was later uploaded onto social media. It was revealed that four girls from Magical2 would join along with the three (at the time) members of Mirage2. Alongside that, they also announced the final member, Yuzuha Oda from Miracle2.
The video revealed that their debut song would be used as the 1st opening theme song for the 3rd Girls x Heroine series, Secret x Heroine Phantomirage! They performed for the first time during that stage with 'Daijoubu' as well as Mirage2's “Janken Pon”. After the performance, the group performed Miracle2's debut song, “Catch Me”. Misaki was also announced to be the leader of the group.
Fans wondered why only 8 members were in the group, and why Yuki from Magical2 as well as the four from Miracle2 weren't participating. However, it was later clarified that the girls were all still EXPG students which later became graduates. All 8 girls were the main cast of each season of the Girls x Heroine series and members of their idol groups.
IIII. 2019: Debut, New Member & 1st Mini-Album
Later, news also released that the girls2 members (except Mirage2) were to be Oha Girls on the show OhaSuta called Oha Girl from Girls2 starting from April 1, 2019, with each girl taking a particular day of the week.
On June 26, 2019, Girls2 debuted with their first single 'Daijoubu'.
In the show "Phantomirage", a new cast member was added called Seira Kureha who was played by Ran Ishii. Fans already knew she would join the idol group Mirage2 but it was unknown if she would join Girls2.
On July 6, 2019, Ran was announced to be the newest member via social media. With the announcement of the new member, a mini-album was revealed to be released on October 30, 2019. The title track "Koisuru Kamo (Mini-Album) (Maybe Falling in Love) was then used as the second opening of the show.
Just like Magical2 who were Alvark Tokyo's cheer girls, Girls2 were previously the cheer girls for the 2019-2020 season.
A new subunit was announced called Misaki Kurea from Girls2, where the duo released a digital single Friendship No.1 which was used as the ending theme for anime Puzzle & Dragons X.
IIIII. 2020: 2nd Mini-Album, "Chuwapane" Tour, and Anime
On November 17, 2019, Girls2 announced that they will have a Live Tour called "Girls2 Live Tour 2020 ~Chuwapane~ from March 7 to June 28, 2020, in 8 towns in Japan. However, due to COVID-19, all of their performances from March to May were cancelled, including their release events for Chuwapane.
They were announced to provide the theme song "Guru Guru" for February 22, 2020 movie release "Movie Meow Meow Japanese History ~Ryoma's Crazy Time Travel!~" (映画 ねこねこ日本史 ～龍馬のはちゃめちゃタイムトラベルぜよ！～). It was also revealed on January 12 that Chuwapane is also the name of the title track for their 2nd mini-album where the title track is also used as the 3rd opening for Phantomirage. To celebrate their first live tour, Girls2 held a Girls2 Cafe available in Harajuku, Tokyo from March 20 until April 6.
For the entire month of March, Girls2 released a series of news through a project named "10 Made Todoke" (in reference to the Miracle2 song). A documentary about the success of Girls2 will air on TV Tokyo on March 22 and March 29 called "Girls2 ~The Miracle of 9~ which will be narrated by E-girls member, Nonoka Yamaguchi.
On March 3, 2020, a Girls2 based anime "Girl School. ~St. Girls Square Academy~ was announced via OhaSuta. It will air on April 6 every Monday with Girls2 voicing their own characters, as well as providing the opening theme. Girls2 will also make a cameo appearance in the live-action 2020 of the manga "Kiss Him, Not Me" with the same name whilst also providing the theme song "Watashi ga Motete Dousunda".
On September 24, a new project "Asadan" was announced where Girls2 members, Misaki, Kurea, Kira, and Youka, would appear on KBC's "Asadesu." with dance exercise instructors KEIJI (Exile Keiji) and Bobby (Exile Nesmith). The theme song "Dancing" was released digitally on October 1st with Keiji and Bobby as features.
Two new songs were announced on October 6 and will be used as the opening and ending themes for the anime Meow Meow Japanese History. "Japanese STAR" and "Neko Neko Nihonshi Oboe Uta ~ Zenjidai Maruwakari♪~" will be released digitally on October 7.
On October 14, Girls2 digitally released "#Kizuna Plus" which will be used as the first image song for Takeshita Street, Harajuku. They will also perform on "TGC Teens 2020 Winter Live" on November 13.
On December 1, Girls2 announced they will hold another collaboration with Takeshita Street, but with GaruGaku called "Girls²×GaruGaku＝Happy²Winter2020 Takeshita Street". The song used will be South2's newest song Holy Magic ~Otona ni Natte mo Tokenai Mahou~.
On December 23 via Oha Suta, Girls2 were revealed to provide the theme song "STARRRT!" for the Lovepatrina film.
IIIV. 2021: Girls2 REVOLUTION, GaruGaru Youtube, "Enjoy the Good Days" Live Tour
After Girls2 Online Live in November, Girls2 announced a second documentary that would be uploaded to Youtube every Wednesday and Saturday. The documentary will have 24 episodes, beginning on January 2.
In the new year, Girls2 revealed a new youtube channel titled "GaruGaru Channel" that will show the other side of Girls2 and will upload their first video on January 11. GaruGaru is a channel where they'll play games and challenges unique to teens. The channel is stated to be planning various collaborations! They will upload every Monday and Thursday!
Girls2 appeared in the special edition of the March Issue of Nylon Japan which released on January 28, due to winning "Nylon's Next 2021" under the category “Girl Groups”.
On February 18, 2021, Girls2 were announced to be the image models for ABC Mart's "HAWKINS Loafer", with their posters and behind-the-scenes videos to appear in various stores. 3 days later, on February 22, it was announced that Girls2 were to appear as one of the opening acts at Tokyo Girls Collection 2021 S/S. After their performance, Girls2 revealed their 4th EP "Girls Revolution/Party Time!" will be released on April 28.
On March 1, all 9 Girls2 members were announced as cast in the upcoming Lovepatrina movie, starring as their Heroine roles. After their Garugaku Anime Live, they revealed that they were to have a live action sequel to their anime titled ”Garugaku. Girls Garden” which will start air July 7 on TV Tokyo. With the announcement of their 4th EP, Girls2 renewed their website.
Girls2 made guest appearance on "TGC teen 2021 Summer supported by KIREIMO" where they performed Enjoy and Good Days for the first time. On that stage, all Girls2 members featured on the runway for Poneycomb Tokyo "Marvel Apparel" with whom Girls2 are collaborating with.
On August 10, Girls2 first live tour "Girls2 First Live Tour -Enjoy The Good Days-" was announced to be held in Tokyo, Aichi and Osaka. They then revealed in October that they’re to release their first full album, which includes new songs, on January 12, 2022.
Girls2 1st Full Album "We are Girls²" was announced on October 2, set to release in January of 2022, revealing to include 2 new songs such as "80's Lover".
IIV. 2022: Anniversary Live, "Shangri-La" Live Tour
Their 2nd release of 2022 “C'mon Neo Zipang!!! / Juga Juga JUNGLE (EP)", was revealed in February after their Zepp Namba Fanmeeting event.
In commemoration of their 3rd anniversary, Girls2 held their first arena live for a 1-day only Girls2 3rd Anniversary Live - Daijoubu - at Pia Arena MM. At the live, Girls2 announced their 7th EP Shangri-la, further revealing their next live tour as well as a new TV program where Girls2 were cast.
Their 8th EP Love Genic, will be released on December 21, and will feature 3 new songs, as well as 2 bonus songs.
IIVI. 2023: Ran Graduates, APOKI Collaboration, "Activate" Live Tour
On February 7, it was announced that Ran would graduate from Girls2 and leave SL Square LLP at the end of March to "go towards new goals". Further announcing she would not be participating in their upcoming April fanmeeting, and it will only be with 8 members. She officially graduated from the group on March 31, 2023.
The days following Ran's graduation, Girls2 begins a countdown for April 4 at 6pm (JST). This launched a new and updated website and the announcement of their next EP "Countdown" which will feature virtual K-POP artist APOKI.
On June 9, Girls2 announced "Girls2 LIVE TOUR 2023 -activate-", their first live tour with "8 active members". They will hold a 11 nationwide hall tour performances in 9 cities, starting with the Sapporo performance in October.
Girls2 and iScream released an announcement stating a live on YouTube (and other social media platforms) would happen on June 24 to reveal a special announcement. This was later revealed to be a collab single between the two groups called "Rock Steady", set to release on September 6. The members revealed their personal Instagram accounts through this 4th anniversary live.
IIVII. 2024: 5th Anniversary Live, Girls2 x iScream "DNA", EP "Yorimichi - Take it easy baby -, NIPPON HAKU, and Live Tour 2025 announcement
To commemorate their 5th anniversary, Girls2 announced "Girls2 5th Anniversary We are Girls2 -The Live-", as well as the release of their 2nd full-album "We are Girls² - Ⅱ - on March 20, 2024.
On April 12, Girls2 announced 2nd collaboration single with iScream, which will be released on June 19. Later, on April 26, it was revealed that single was titled "D.N.A."
On June 24, was announced their new EP, and will be released on October 30. It will include 3 songs, among which new song "Yorimichi -Take it easy baby-".
In late August, Girls2 traveled overseas for the first time to perform in Bangkok, Thailand, for a Japan major exhibition, "NIPPON HAKU BANGKOK 2024", to which they received an official invitation.
In early November, Girls2' first spring live tour was announced, which will take place next year. On November 4, it was revealed that live tour's title is "Girls² LIVE TOUR 2025 - Garu Garu Eight -" and also a performances schedule.
III. Discography
IIII. Albums
[2022.01.12] We are Girls²
[2024.03.20] We are Girls² - II -
IIIII. Best Albums
[2021.03.24] TV Anime "GaruGaku. ~Sei Girls Square Gakuin~" Complete Best (TVアニメ『ガル学。～聖ガールズスクエア学院～』コンプリート・ベスト) (Best of GaruGaku.)
[2022.02.23] Ohagirl☆THE BEST -2019～2022- (おはガール☆THE BEST -2019～2022-) (Best of Ohagirl from Girls²)
IIIIII. Other Albums
[2022.06.29] Girls Warriors -Girls×Senshi Series Nonstop DJ Mix by DJ Kazu- (Girls Warriors - ガールズ×戦士シリーズ ノンストップDJミックス by DJ和 -) (Remix)
IIIIV. Mini-Albums
[2019.10.30] Koisuru Kamo (恋するカモ)
[2020.04.29] Chuwapane! (チュワパネ!)
[2020.07.29] Watashi ga Motete Dousunda (私がモテてどうすんだ)
[2020.11.18] Daiji na Mono / Kizuna Plus (大事なモノ/#キズナプラス)
[2021.01.13] Japanese STAR (ジャパニーズSTAR)
[2021.04.28] Girls Revolution / Party Time!
[2021.08.25] Enjoy / Good Days
[2022.08.24] Shangri-la
[2022.12.21] Love Genic / Bye-Bye-Bye
[2023.05.24] Countdown
IIIV. Singles
[2019.06.26] Daijoubu (ダイジョウブ)
[2019.08.07] Hashire! Getsu Ka Sui Moku Kin Youbi! (走れ！月火水木金曜日！)
[2019.12.18] Ohayou no Smile (おはようのスマイル) (Ohagirls²)
[2020.02.19] Girl meets Girl (Ohagirl from Girls²)
[2022.04.27] C'mon Neo Zipang!!! / Juga Juga JUNGLE
[2023.12.20] Accelerate (アクセラレイト)
IIIVI. Collaborative Singles
[2023.09.06] Rock Steady (Girls² x iScream)
IIIVII. Digital Downloads
[2019.04.29] Hashire! Getsu Ka Sui Moku Kin Youbi! (走れ！月火水木金曜日！)
[2019.09.23] Ohayou no Smile (おはようのスマイル) (Ohagirls²)
[2019.10.05] Furefure 2020 (フレフレ 2020)
[2019.10.07] Friendship No.1 (フレンドシップ No.1)
[2020.01.12] Chuwapane! (チュワパネ!)
[2020.04.06] Sakura Michi! (サクラ道！) (east²)
[2020.04.06] Sentimental (センチメートル)
[2020.07.06] Shining You, Shining Me ~Yume no Chikara de~ (Shining You, Shining Me ～夢のチカラで～) (south²)
[2020.08.03] Whatcha×2 (ワチャ×２) (west²)
[2020.08.31] Seeno de Go! (セーノでGO！) (east²)
[2020.09.08] All OK! (オールOK！) (east²)
[2022.06.18] Good Days (Live Version)
[2022.06.18] Chuwapane! (Live Version) (チュワパネ!)
[2022.07.06] Seventeen's Summer
[2022.10.14] Bye-Bye-Bye
[2023.04.06] Countdown feat. APOKI
IIIVIII. Videos
[2021.12.22] Drama "GaruGaku. ~Girls Garden~" (ドラマ「ガル学。～Girls Garden～」)
[2021.12.22] Anime "GaruGaku. Sei Girls Square Gakuin" + Live "GaruGaku. Anime LIVE 2021 ~Tsunagu Tsunagu~" (アニメ「ガル学。～聖ガールズスクエア学院～」+ ライブ「ガル学。Anime LIVE 2021 ～ツナグツナグ～」)
IIIIX. Compilations/Other
[2020.09.23] Oha Star - "Ashita wo Tsukurou"
