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Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku
Kanji

私立恵比寿中学

a.k.a

Ebichu

Years Active

2009 - present

Origin

Tokyo, Japan

Label

DefSTAR Records
Sony Music Japan

Website

Shiritsu Ebichu.jp

Member

03: Rika Mayama
05: Ayaka Yasumoto
07: Mirei Hoshina
10: Hinata Kashiwagi
11: Kaho Kobayashi
12: Riko Nakayama
13: Sakuragi Kokona
14: Kokubo Yuno
15: Kazemi Nonoka

Former Member

01: Kanon
02: Narumi Uno
07: Hinaki Yano
10: Rio Koike
02: Reina Miyazaki
01: Mizuki
04: Natsu Anno
06: Aika Hirota
08: Hirono Suzuki
09: Rina Matsuno (Deceased)

Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku (私立恵比寿中学, abbreviated Ebichu (エビ中)) is an idol girl group represented by Stardust Promotion under Entertainment Section 3's 3Bjunior. The group was formed in 2009, with the concept of a group of middle school students and was advertised as being a group with very rough singing and dancing skills. The group is nicknamed King of Gakugeeeekai (King of 学芸会, King of School Play).

Group Notes[]

The morning bell has rung! We are Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku! —Introduction line
(朝のチャイムがなりました! 私立恵比寿中学です!)
  • The group was formed as a quintet on August 4, 2009 from a Japanese leading talent agency Stardust Promotion. Much like its sister group, Momoiro Clover Z, Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku (Ebichu) was originally started out as a newcomer training program for future actress of Stardust before went into a full fledged idol group in 2010.[1] At present, there are six members with average age at 21.[2]
  • Their debut stage was at the annual Starfest live where they covered two Hello!Project songs, Koi Kana and Hana O Puun.
  • The group performed as back-up dancers for Momoiro Clover Z several times in concerts before their major debut. They also participated in some song collaborations.
  • The group's name is translated to "Ebisu Private Junior High School". As the name suggests, its theme revolves around junior high schools and the group has a nickname of Eien ni Chugakusei (エビ中の永遠に中学生, Middle School Students Forever).[3]. The members are introduced and identified by their student attendance number (出席番号, shusseki bangou) (i.e Student Number #03: Rika Mayama). Thir main costumes are school uniforms and the student numbers are often incorporated on their outfits.[4]
  • In addition, Ebichu's key-figures are referred in a way they are like school staffs: Ryoji Fujishita (Stardust Entertainment Section 3 Managing Director) as the "chairman", Yuichi Fujii (manager) as the "headmaster", Kenichi Maeyamada (main songwriter and music producer) as the "music teacher", Hiroshi Ishizaki (Stardust Music A&R department staff and social media admin) as the "substitute teacher" and Kineo Kondo (script and stage producer) as the "language teacher".[5][6]
  • The group is officially nicknamed King of Gakugeeekai (King of School Play) and its concept was advertised as being a group with very rough singing and dancing skills. Or, more accurately, the group's slogan is "Unarticulated dance and shaky vocals."[5]
  • The group also aims for subculture genre approach instead of idol fans. They are dubbed as Subdol (Subculture Idol). [5]
  • The term for those who left the group or withdrew is referred as "moved schools" (転校, tenkou).[7] A newly joined member is referred as the "transfer student" (転校生, tenkousei).[8] Their event is often called as "lesson" and their fans are called "Ebichu Family".
  • The group's name is derived from Ebisu, Shibuya, a neighborhood where Stardust Promotion has its headquarters.[9]
  • The group is Momoiro Clover Z's little sister and Team Syachihoko's older sister.[10]
  • Ebichu (エビ中) can also means "in a shrimp". A shrimp becomes their representative symbol and mascot and is featured in their logo.
  • Although they are also known for not being color coded, Ebichu has a bit of a color coded system. Sometime their outfits (starting at the 9-member lineup) were colored with blue, green, or pink. Green is for students in the 1st year of either junior high or high school (Ayaka, Rina, Hinata, Aika). Pink is for 2nd year (Mirei, Kaho, Riko, and formerly Natsu, and Hirono), and Blue is for 3rd year (Rika, and formerly Mizuki). Since their major debut, they have implemented individual member colors as well, used frequently in fan goods, color coded lyrics, promotional items, and sometimes their costumes.
  • With the exception of Hinaki Yano, who was from Hyogo, all members are from the Kanto region.

History[]

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku is named after a fictitious school in Ebisu, a neighbourhood in Shibuya, Tokyo. It was planned as a group of elementary and middle school students. The band was officially nicknamed "King of School Play", and its concept was advertised as being a group with very rough singing and dancing skills. Or, more accurately, the band's slogan was "Unarticulated dance and shaky vocals." Ebichu was formed as a quintet on August 4, 2009. Since then the lineup changed several times, with some members having "changed school" (the group's official term for leaving it) and some having "transferred in" (joined).

In June 2011, it was announced that Ebichu was to hold its first solo concert, on October 8 at Shibuya O-East. Parts of it were released on the band's first solo live DVD, which appeared on February 15 of the next year. In total, in October Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku gave three sold-out performances.

2012: Major Debut[]

As of March 2012, there were nine members and the only two original members who still remained in the group were Rika Mayama and Mizuki. Although in April 2012 they both entered high school, it was decided that they would remain in the group. They started joking that they were middle school students forever.

After six self-published "indie" singles on the talent agency's recording label, the latest few of which charted on Oricon, the group signed a temporary contract with the major label Defstar Records to release a single titled, incidentally, Karikeiyaku no Cinderella ("Temporary Contract Cinderella"). The release date had already been determined as May 5, 2012, the Children's Day. The contract signing was made into a ceremony, which was held on March 4 in the presence of a large audience of fans. The single Karikeiyaku no Cinderella debuted at number 7 in the Oricon daily ranking for May 1. Having peaked in the daily chart at second position, it also debuted at number 7 in the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

On June 25, 2012, Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku took part in Yubi Matsuri, an idol festival produced by Rino Sashihara from AKB48. The concert was held at Nippon Budokan before a crowd of 8,000 people and featured such girl groups as Idoling!!!, Super Girls, Tokyo Girls' Style, Nogizaka46, Passpo, Buono!, Momoiro Clover Z, and Watarirouka Hashiritai 7.

On July 1, 2012, Ebichu held a three and a half hour solo concert at Nippon Seinenkan, their first solo concert at the venue. The show was called "Jā Best Ten" and featured an imaginary ranking of the band's songs, counted down in the style of 1980s TV shows. It also included the first public performance of the song Go! Go! Here We Go! Rock Lee, a closing theme of the anime Naruto SD, to be released as the group's second single in August.

2013: Chunin[]

The girls declared that they were aiming for third place in the Oricon chart with their third single, titled Ume, which was released on January 13. The goal was achieved — the single actually placed 3rd in the weekly chart.

The 4th single titled Te wo Tsunagou / Kindan no Karma was released on June 5, the first A-side is the Japanese ending theme song for Pokemon Best Wishes Season 2: Decolora Adventure, while Sakura-go-round, one of the B-sides, is the ending theme song for Pokemon Best Wishes Season 2: Episode N

On June 24, the first full length album Chunin was released, containing 14 songs: the four major singles with thier b-sides, a cover of Yellow Magic Orchestra's Taisou and 6 new songs including 2 interludes. It peaked at number 7 on the Oricon weekly chart. 

In December 2013 it was announced that 3 members, Mizuki, Natsu Anno and Hirono Suzuki, would leave the group at a concert that would be held on April 15, 2014, at the Nippon Budokan. After leaving, they will study to enter universities and get trained to be actresses. It was also said that one of the three, Anno, would study abroad and would not return to Japan for a long time.

2014: School moving, transferred members and 8-member lineup[]

During the 3Bjunior LIVE FINAL: Ore no Fujii 2014 on January 4, it was announced that Kaho Kobayashi and Riko Nakayama of the unit Team Daioh Ika would be transfered to the group, starting a new system with 8 members after the graduation of Mizuki, Natsu Anno and Hirono Suzuki. They started activities in the "Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku Luck To The Future PART2" perfomance on March 21.

On April 15, 2014, the "Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku Gōdō Shuppatsushiki ~Ima, Kimi ga Koko ni iru~" concert was held. This was the last perfomance of original member Mizuki and members Natsu Anno and Hirono Suzuki.

Later that month a new tour called "Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku Spring Sony Music Labels Rookie Tour 2014 Umarekawari Chou Chou Bone to Etcetera" started, this was the first tour with the new system of 8 members. It was held from April 27 to June 15, during this tour the single Butterfly Effect was released.

2015: Kinpachi, Natsudaze Johnny, and Super Hero[]

In the middle of December 2015 it was announced that Hinata Kashiwagi had been diagnosed with sudden deafness and that the release of the group's third album, scheduled for release on 10 February 2016, had been postponed for an indefinite period of time. The album, titled Anarchy, was finally released on April 20.

2016: Anarchy, Massugu, "Chūsotsu": Ebichū no Ike Ike Best and "Chūkara": Ebichū no Waku Waku Best[]

In November 2016, the group simultaneously released two best-of albums, "Chūsotsu": Ebichū no Ike Ike Best and "Chūkara": Ebichū no Waku Waku Best. The latter featured one new song, titled "Sudden Death".

2017: Ebicracy, SING-A-LONG SING-A-SONG, 7-member lineup[]

On February 8, 2017, member Rina Matsuno died, aged 18. Matsuno was unable to perform at the group's concert the day before due to a health issue and was taking medical treatment at home in Tokyo. In the early morning on February 8 her condition suddenly worsened. At around 5 AM her parents called 119. She was taken in the ambulance, but pronounced dead at the hospital. It is presumed that she died from an illness. In her last post on Instagram on February 6 she said that she had returned from a family trip to Hakone.

The group's website continued listing Rina Matsuno as a member until April 1. Then it was reported that the group will continue with the remaining 7 members and will release a new album, titled Ebicracy, on May 31. In August 31 2017, Aika Hirota announced that she will be withdrawing from the group in January 2018.

On November 8, they released their 11th single titled SING-A-LONG SING-A-SONG, it was the first single after a year and 2 months, also the first and only single with 7 members as well as the last single for Aika Hirota.

2018: Moving school of Aika Hirota and 6-member lineup[]

On January 2018, Ebichu skipped it's Christmas Daigakugeikai in favor of Aika Hirota's graduation concert in January 3 titled ~forever aiai~. On January 3, Aika Hirota performed her last concert in Nippon Budokan along with the other members. She officially bow out after the concert. It was Ebichu's last performance as a 7 member line up. Ebichu decided to continue it's activity as a 6 member line up and had their first performance the day after Aika Hirota's graduation titled ~Ebichu Pride~.

On May 1, Ebichu had their very first match with Momoiro Clover Z in various games streamed live in preparation for Stardust Planet Natsu S concert. They would have rematches again in June 6 and July 9.

On June 6, they released their 12th single titled 'Dekadonden' where they collaborated with Naomi Watanabe for the MV. This was the first single with 6 members and the first without Aika Hirota since Asa no Chime ga Narimashita! in 2010.

Ebichu held a three day Christmas Daigakugekkai concert on December. Mirei Hoshina was not able to perform on the 2nd and 3rd day due to a head injury she sustained during rehearsal. During the concert, Ebichu announced they would be releasing their 5th album on 13 March, 2019. A surprising announcement was also made where they will be releasing their 6th album in Autumn.

2019: MUSiC and playlist[]

On January 2019, Ebichu and Negicco held a three day joint concert titled [EbiNegi#2], [EbiNegi#3] and [EbiNegi the Final]. On March 13, Ebichu released their 5th album titled MUSiC. It ranked 2nd on Oricon album chart on the day of release. On April 16, a special collaboration event with the music website, Natalie was held to celebrate Ebichu's 10 year anniversary since its conception.

On May 2021, three students (Cocona Sakuragi, Yuno Kokubo, and Nonoka Kazami) transferred to Ebichu. In the following month, they released a new single called "Earphone Riot".

In April 2022, Hinata Kashiwagi announced she will be transferring schools (withdrawing from the group) in December 2022, as of now, there are 10 members in the group since two new members were added into the group after Hinata's graduation (Emma Sakurai and Yuna Nakamura).


Members[]

No. Name Kanji Date of Birth Active Notes
03 Rika Mayama 真山りか December 16, 1996 (1996-12-16) (age 27) Aug.09 - present
05 Ayaka Yasumoto 安本彩花 June 27, 1998 (1998-06-27) (age 25) Oct.09 - present Former Minitia Bears member
07 Mirei Hoshina 星名美怜 November 2, 1997 (1997-11-02) (age 26) May.10 - present
11 Kaho Kobayashi 小林歌穂 June 12, 2000 (2000-06-12) (age 23) Jan.14 - present Former Team Daioh Ika member
12 Riko Nakayama 中山莉子 October 28, 2000 (2000-10-28) (age 23) Jan.14 - present Former Team Daioh Ika member
13 Cocona Sakuragi 桜木心菜 September 14, 2005 (2005-09-14) (age 18) May 5 - present
14 Yuno Kokubo 小久保柚乃 March 20, 2007 (2007-03-20) (age 16) May 5 - present
15 Nonoka Kazami 風見和香 August 25, 2007 (2007-08-25) (age 16) May 5 - present
16 Emma Sakurai 桜井えま September 5, 2007 (2007-09-05) (age 16) 0ct 1 - present
17 Yuna Nakamura 仲村悠菜 May 29, 2007 (2007-05-29) (age 16) Oct 1 - present

Former Members (Moved Schools)[]

Attendance Number[]

The use of attendance number (出席番号, shusseki bangou) is a staple in this group. A member always uses "attendance number xx: (name)" in their introduction line. Each member is assigned to an attendance number since she has joined the group. The new member will be assigned as the last in attendance numbers. As of 2014, there were two instances of attendance number change (出席番号変更, shusseki bangou henkou) to rearrange their vacant number (欠番, ketsuban) after a member left the group.

Right before their major debut, when Reina graduated from the group, the attendance number hasn't been rearranged, thus leaving the numbers #01, #02, #04, #06, #07, #08, & #09 vacant.

No. Name Kanji Date of Birth Active Notes
01 Kanon 奏音 February 7, 1997 (1997-02-07) (age 27) Aug.09 - Feb.10
02 Narumi Uno 宇野愛海 March 19, 1998 (1998-03-19) (age 26) Aug.09 - Jan.11
07 Hinaki Yano 矢野妃菜喜 March 5, 1997 (1997-03-05) (age 27) Feb.10 - Apr.11
10 Rio Koike 小池梨緒 January 18, 1998 (1998-01-18) (age 26) May.10 - Jun.11 Former Minitia Bears member
Currently in Ito Wokashi
02 Reina Miyazaki 宮崎れいな August 24, 1997 (1997-08-24) (age 26) Aug.09 - Dec.11 Former Leader
01 Mizuki 瑞季 February 27, 1997 (1997-02-27) (age 27) Aug.09 - Apr.14
04 Natsu Anno 杏野なつ July 12, 1997 (1997-07-12) (age 26) Oct.09 - Apr.14 Former Minitia Bears member
06 Aika Hirota

廣田あいか

January 31, 1999 (1999-01-31) (age 25)

Apr. 10 -Jan.18

08 Hirono Suzuki 鈴木裕乃 March 24, 1998 (1998-03-24) (age 25) May.10 - Apr.14 Former Minitia Bears member
09 Rina Matsuno 松野莉奈 July 16, 1998 - February 8, 2017 (Aged 18; deceased) May.10 - Feb.17 Former Minitia Bears member
10 Hinata Kashiwagi 柏木ひなた March 29, 1999 (1999-03-29) (age 24) Jan.11 -Dec.16
Name Original
number
1st change
June 30, 2010
2nd change
June 14, 2011
current
Kanon 01 (left) (left) (left)
Mizuki 02 01 01 (left)
Narumi Uno 03 02 (left) (left)
Reina Miyazaki 04 03 02 (left)
Rika Mayama 05 04 03 03
Natsu Anno 06 05 04 (left)
Ayaka Yasumoto 07 06 05 05
Hinaki Yano 08 07 (left) (left)
Aika Hirota 09 08 06 (left)
Mirei Hoshina 10 09 07 07
Rio Koike 11 10 (left) (left)
Hirono Suzuki 12 11 08 (left)
Rina Matsuno 13 12 09 (deceased)
Hinata Kashiwagi 13 - 10 10
Kaho Kobayashi 11 - - 11
Riko Nakayama 12 - - 12
Cocona Sakuragi 13 - - 13
Yuno Kokubo 14 - - 14
Nonoka Kazami 15 - - 15

Discography[]

Single and Albums Releases[]

Live Concerts and DVD Releases[]

  • [2012.02.15] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku 1st One-Man LIVE
  • [2012.11.21] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku First Concert: Jaa Best Ten
  • [2013.03.24] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Toshiwasure Dai Gakugeikai: Ebichu no Jungle Daiboken
  • [2013.07.24] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku: Kuruizaki Ebi Road ~Owarinaki Shinkyu~
  • [2013.12.24] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku: Ebichu Natsu No Family Ensoku Ryakushite Famien In Kawaguchiko 2013
  • [2014.03.25] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Toshiwasure Dai Gakugeikai 2013: Ebichu no Star Conductor
  • [2014.08.27] Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku Goudou Shuppatsu Shiki ~Ima, Kimi ga Koko ni Iru~
  • [2014.12.24] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku: Ebichu Natsu No Family Ensoku Ryakushite Famien In Yamanakako 2014
  • [2015.04.05] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Touzai Dai Gakugeikai 2014 "Ebichu no Omocha Big Garage"
  • [2015.12.09] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku EbiChu Natsu no Family Ensoku Ryakushite Famien in Nagaoka 2015
  • [2016.04.20] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Toshiwasure Daigakugeikai 2015 Ebichu no All Attrac Star
  • [2016.12.21] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Ebichu Natsu no Family Ensoku Ryakushite Famien in FujiQ 2016
  • [2017.04.19] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Xmas Dai Gakugeikai 2016 ~Ebichu no Oceans Guide~
  • [2018.01.03] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Ebichu Natsu no Family Ensoku Ryakushite Famien in Morikoro Park 2017
  • [2018.04.18] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Daigakugeikai 2018 in Nihon Budokan

Works[]

  • TV Variety Shows
    • [2010 - 2011] Shochuko Ikkan Momoebi Gakuen - Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku no Bu
    • [2012] Ebichu no Eien ni Chuugakusei (Kari)
    • [2013] Ebichu no Eien ni Chuugakusei (Kari) 2
    • [2013] Ebichu Land!
    • [2014] Ebichu ☆ Global ka Keikaku
    • [2014] Ebichu Hi-land!
    • [2014] Ebichu no Tensai Bonsai Chuugakusei (Kari)
    • [2015] Ebichi Island!!!
    • [2015 - 2017] Ebichu Tasu Tasu
    • [2016] Ebichuu!!!!
    • [2017] Star ☆ Vegas
    • [2017] Otaqueeen English!
  • TV Dramas
    • [2014] Koukaku Fudou Senki Robo-san
    • [2019] Kami Tunes ~Narase! DTM Joshi~
  • TV Commercials
  • Radio
    • [2010 - 2011] Ebichu Kagai Jugyou in Kamoshita
    • [2012 -] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Housoubu
    • [2013 -] Ebichu ☆ Nanyanen
    • [2016 -] Ritsumeikan Daigaku presents Real Ganbatterutouchuu
  • Net Programmes
    • [2014] Soremiro! Kahoriko
    • [2017 - 2018] Ebichu Times
    • [2018 -] EbiChuu no Yukai de humhumhum na SHOWROOM
    • [2018] Kimi wa Houkago, Sora o Tobu
  • Stage Plays
    • [2015] Extra Shot Non Whipped Caramel Pudding Macchiato
    • [2016] Girl Business Satellite

Publications[]

  • Magazine-Book Special Features
    • [2013.10.17] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Omoide Album ~Rinkan Gakkou-hen~. (Tokyo News Mook Vol.384) Tokyo News Publishing.
    • [2013.10.03] Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Omoide Album 2014 ~Kaihin Gakkou-hen~. (Tokyo News Mook Vol.446) Tokyo News Publishing.
  • Documentary
    • [2013.09.07] Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku Spring DefSTAR Tonden Tour 2013 Documentary Video [EVERYTHING POINT]
    • [2014.09.24] Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku Spring Sony Music Labels Rookie Tour 2014 Documentary Movie [EVERYTHING POINT 2]
    • [2015.12.09] Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku Tobidase Zen10 Hall Tour 2015 [EVERYTHING POINT 3]
    • [2016.12.21] Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku [EVERYTHING POINT 4]
    • [2017.12.06] Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku [EVERYTHING POINT 5]
    • [2018.12.19] Kokokara

Trivia[]

  • Their major debut was on the same date (May 5) with Momoiro Clover Z's major debut. May 5 is also the children day in Japan, which fits to their junior high school theme.
  • Ebichu is the only group in Stardust Promotion to experience the death of a member.
  • The group's name sets the pattern for Stardust idol groups' name that is based on sea animals: ebi (shrimp), syachi (killer whale), tako (octopus) and ika (squid).
  • Apart from their general manager (Fujii), there are two other well-known female managers nicknamed Mizocchi and Ucchi. They are responsible for the girls' schedule and well-being either physically or emotionally. Both can be seen in most backstage footages and documentaries.
  • Among Stardust idol group, they are considered more adult in their behavior, aura and voice tone as commented by themselves and others whenever they have a collaboration with other groups.
  • They're the only Stardust idol group that doesn't have a costume that exposes their midriff.

Gallery[]

References[]

External Links[]

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