Onyanko Club

Onyanko Club (おニャン子クラブ) was a 19 member Japanese idol group originally formed with 11 members on April 1, 1985. Members were also co-hosts of the Fuji Television variety show "Yuuyake Nyan Nyan." All members were required to be enrolled in either high school, college, or university to join.

They made their official idol debut with the release of their first single Sailor Fuku wo Nugasanaide, which was released on July 5, 1985. Onyanko Club disbanded on September 20, 1987 after their final concert performance. However, on November 20, 2002, 14 former members reunited for a short while and released the 10th and final single Shomikigen. They ceased activities again the same year.

They are notable for being the first rotational large-scale idol group that reached mainstream popularity, and are also the origin of the now commonplace "graduation" system. They are also notable for being the direct inspiration behind two other highly successful groups, Morning Musume and AKB48.

Onyanko Club is the first idol group that | Akimoto Yasushi had direct involvement in. He was Onyanko Club's chief lyricist and television scriptwriter. He also was one of the judges who voted in audition candidates. Kasai Kazuji (笠井一二) was the producer of the group for their appearances on television, media appearances and concerts.

Members
Each member was assigned a number when they joined. The founding members (1-11) were assigned their numbers by lottery. Subsequent members were assigned a number based on when they joined.

Final Line-Up

 * 14 Tomikawa Harumi (富川春美) (Joined April 5, 1985)
 * 17 Jounouchi Sanae (城之内早苗) (Joined May 10, 1985)
 * 18 Nagata Ruriko (永田ルリ子) (Joined May 17, 1985)
 * 19 Iwai Yukiko (岩井由紀子) (Joined June 21, 1985)
 * 22 Shiraishi Mako (白石麻子) (Joined July 26, 1985)
 * 28 Yokota Mutsumi (横田睦美) (Joined November 29, 1985)
 * 29 Watanabe Minayo (渡辺美奈代) (Joined November 29, 1985)
 * 33 Fukawa Tomoko (布川智子) (Joined January 17, 1986)
 * 36 Watanabe Marina (渡辺満里奈) (Joined March 27, 1986)
 * 38 Kudo Shizuka (工藤静香) (Joined May 23, 1986)
 * 40 Ikuina Akiko (生稲晃子) (Joined June 13, 1986)
 * 41 Kaise Noriko (貝瀬典子) (Joined August 10, 1986)
 * 42 Saito Makiko (斉藤満喜子) (Joined August 10, 1986)
 * 47 Yamamori Yuriko (山森由里子) (Joined October 24, 1986)
 * 48 Agatsuma Kayo (我妻佳代) (Joined January 23, 1987)
 * 49/B1 Yoshimi Mitsuko (吉見美津子) (Joined April 1987)
 * 50/B2 Sugiura Miyuki (杉浦美雪) (Joined April 1987)
 * 51/B3 Miyano Kumiko (宮野久美子) (Joined April 1987)
 * 52 Suzuki Wakako (鈴木和佳子) (Joined April 17, 1987)

Former Members

 * 1 Okuda Mika (奥田美香) (Founding member; fired April 25, 1985)
 * 2 Enokida Michiko (榎田道子) (Founding member; fired April 25, 1985)
 * 3 Yoshino Kayoko (吉野佳代子) (Founding member; fired April 25, 1985)
 * 4 Nitta Eri (新田恵利) (Founding member; graduated September 26, 1986)
 * 5 Nakajima Miharu (中島美春) (Founding member; graduated March 31, 1986)
 * 6 Kihara Aki (樹原亜紀) (Founding member; graduated March 30, 1987)
 * 7 Tomoda Mamiko (友田麻美子) (Founding member; fired April 25, 1985)
 * 8 Kokusho Sayuri (国生さゆり) (Founding member; graduated March 30, 1987)
 * 9 Nagoya Mika (名越美香) (Founding member; graduated September 26, 1986)
 * 10 Sato Mayumi (佐藤真由美) (Founding member; fired April 25, 1985)
 * 11 Fukunaga Satomi (福永恵規) (Founding member; graduated September 26, 1986)
 * 12 Kawai Sonoko (河合その子) (Joined April 5, 1985; graduated March 31, 1986)
 * 13 Utsumi Kazuko (内海和子) (Joined April 5, 1985; graduated March 30, 1987)
 * 15 Tatsumi Rika (立見里歌) (Joined April 19, 1985; graduated April 5, 1987)
 * 16 Takai Mamiko (高井麻巳子) (Joined April 26, 1985; graduated April 5, 1987)
 * 20 Teramoto Yoko (寺本容子) (Joined July 19, 1985; withdrew in September 1985)
 * 21 Gomioka Tamaki (五味岡たまき) (Joined July 26, 1985; graduated September 20, 1985)
 * 23 Hayashi Kaori (林香織) (Joined August 2, 1985; graduated March 27, 1986)
 * 24 Mita Fumiyo (三田文代) (Joined August 16, 1985; graduated March 27, 1986)
 * 25 Yoshizawa Akie (吉沢秋絵) (Joined August 30, 1985; graduated September 26, 1986)
 * 26 Akasaka Yoshie (赤坂芳恵) (Joined September 27, 1985; withdrew October 4, 1985)
 * 27 Matsumoto Aki (松本亜紀) (Joined October 25, 1985; withdrew October 25, 1985)
 * 30 Mikami Chiaki (三上千晶) (Joined November 29, 1985; graduated February 1986)
 * 31 Yajima Yuko (矢島裕子) (Joined November 29, 1985; graduated March 1986)
 * 32 Yamamoto Susan Kumiko (山本スーザン久美子) (Joined December 13, 1985; graduated September 26, 1986)
 * 34 Yumioka Mami (弓岡真美) (Joined January 10, 1986; graduated December 25, 1986)
 * 35 Okamoto Takako (岡本貴子) (Joined January 10, 1986; graduated December 25, 1986)
 * 37 Onuki Kaori (大貫かおり) (Joined May 9, 1986; withdrew September 1986)
 * 39 Takabatake Maki (高畠真紀) (Joined May 30, 1986; graduated December 25, 1986)
 * 43 Moriya Toshie (守屋寿恵) (Joined August 10, 1986; graduated March 20, 1987)
 * 44 Takada Naoko (高田尚子) (Joined August 10, 1986; graduated March 20, 1987)
 * 45 Yoshida Yumiko (吉田裕美子) (Joined September 19, 1986; graduated March 20, 1987)
 * 46 Nakajima Sanae (中島早苗) (Joined September 25, 1986; graduated March 20, 1987)
 * B4 Tominaga Hiroko (冨永浩子) (Joined August 10, 1986; graduated March 20, 1987)
 * B5 Yamazaki Mayumi (山崎真由美) (Joined September 25, 1986; graduated March 20, 1987)

Kenshuusei

 * Yolinda Yan (ヨリンダ・ヤン) (Joined July 13, 1987; graduated July 31, 1987)

Official 2002 Reunion Members

 * 4 Nitta Eri
 * 6 Kihara Aki
 * 8 Kokusho Sayuri
 * 9 Nagoya Mika
 * 13 Utsumi Kazuko
 * 14 Tomikawa Harumi
 * 15 Tatsumi Rika
 * 17 Jounouchi Sanae
 * 19 Iwai Yukiko
 * 22 Shiraishi Mako
 * 28 Yokota Mutsumi
 * 29 Watanabe Minayo
 * 32 Yamamoto Susan Kumiko
 * 33 Fukawa Tomoko

Sub-Units

 * Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
 * Nyangilas
 * Ushirogami Hikaretai

Spin-Off Groups:

 * B-gumi (B組) 1986-1987: Onyanko Club's sister group for middle school students only. Members were given unique numbers starting with letter B. It was intended to split off completely from Onyanko Club, but disbanded when two out of five of its members (Tominaga Hiroko and Yamazaki Mayumi) decided to leave upon middle school graduation. The other three members (Yoshimi Mitsuko, Sugiura Miyuki and Miyano Kumiko) assimilated into Onyanko Club upon entering high school.
 * Musukko Club (息っ子クラブ) 1986-1987: An all male version of Onyanko Club.

Successor Groups

 * Nezumikko Club (ねずみっこクラブ) 1992-1993: The first successor group of Onyanko Club.
 * CHECKICCO (チェキッ娘) 1998-1999: The second successor group to Onyanko Club.
 * Watarirouka Hashiritai 7: A sub-unit of AKB48 that was based on the style of Onyanko Club's sub-units.

Discography
Albums=
 * Albums
 * 1) [1985.09.21] KICK OFF
 * 2) [1986.03.10] Yume Catalog (夢カタログ)
 * 3) [1986.07.10] PANIC THE WORLD
 * 4) [1987.02.21] Side Line
 * 5) [1987.08.05] Circle


 * Best Albums
 * 1) [1986.10.21] SUPER BEST (スーパーベスト)
 * 2) [1986.12.21] NON-STOP ONYANKO (NON-STOP おニャン子)
 * 3) [1987.03.05] Kahou (家宝)
 * 4) [1987.12.05] ONYANKO CLUB BEST (おニャン子クラブ ベスト)
 * 5) [1997.03.21] ULTRA NYANKO OMOTE SPECIAL
 * 6) [1997.03.21] ULTRA NYANKO URA SPECIAL
 * 7) [2001.12.05] MY COLLE!CTION ONYANKO CLUB BEST (MYこれ!クション おニャン子クラブBEST)
 * 8) [2002.12.18] Onyanko Club Mini Best (おニャン子クラブ ミニ・ベスト)
 * 9) [2002.12.18] Onyanko Club Solo & Unit Mini Best (おニャン子クラブ ソロ&ユニット ミニ・ベスト)
 * 10) [2005.07.27] 30-35 VOL. 3 "Onyanko Club" Tokushuu (30-35 VOL.3 「おニャン子クラブ」特集)
 * 11) [2010.04.21] My Kore! Lite Onyanko Club (Myこれ!Lite　おニャン子クラブ)
 * 12) [2012.11.21] The Premium Best Onyanko Club (ザ・プレミアムベスト おニャン子クラブ)


 * Compilation Albums
 * 1) [1999.03.17] Onyanko Club A Men Collection Vol. 1 (おニャン子クラブA面コレクション Vol.1)
 * 2) [1999.03.17] Onyanko Club A Men Collection Vol. 4
 * 3) [1999.03.17] Onyanko Club A Men Collection Vol. 5
 * 4) [1999.04.21] Onyanko Club B Men Collection Vol. 1 (おニャン子クラブB面コレクション Vol.1)
 * 5) [1999.04.21] Onyanko Club B Men Collection Vol. 5
 * 6) [1999.05.21] Onyanko Club A Men Collection Vol. 2
 * 7) [1999.05.21] Onyanko Club A Men Collection Vol. 3
 * 8) [1999.06.19] Onyanko Club B Men Collection Vol. 2
 * 9) [1999.06.19] Onyanko Club B Men Collection Vol. 3
 * 10) [1999.06.19] Onyanko Club B Men Collection Vol. 4
 * 11) [2006.09.20] Debut Album ni Hari wo Otoshite... Onyanko Club Hen (デビューアルバムに針を落として… おニャン子クラブ編)
 * 12) [2007.07.18] "Onyanko Club" SINGLES Complete (「おニャン子クラブ」SINGLESコンプリート)
 * 13) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 1 (シングルレコード復刻ニャンニャン 1)
 * 14) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 2
 * 15) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 3
 * 16) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 4
 * 17) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 5
 * 18) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 6
 * 19) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 7
 * 20) [2015.12.16] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan 8


 * Live Albums
 * 1) [1987.06.03] Onyanko Sailing Yume Koujou '87 LIVE (おニャン子Sailing夢工場'87 LIVE)


 * Mini Album
 * 1) [1987.10.21] Onyanko Club CDV GOLD (おニャン子クラブCDV GOLD)


 * Remix Mini Albums
 * 1) [2000.09.20] EURO Onyanko Club (EUROおニャン子クラブ)


 * Collaboration Karaoke Albums
 * 1) [2004.11.17] Bokura no Original Karaoke ~Onyanko / Otome Juku Hen~ (ぼくらのオリジナルカラオケ～おニャン子・乙女塾編～) (w/ Otome Juku)


 * -|Singles=
 * Singles
 * 1) [1985.07.05] Sailor Fuku wo Nugasanaide (セーラー服を脱がさないで)
 * 2) [1985.10.21] Oyoshi ni Natte ne TEACHER (およしになってねTEACHER)
 * 3) [1986.02.21] Jaa Ne (じゃあね)
 * 4) [1986.04.21] Otto CHIKAN! (おっとCHIKAN!)
 * 5) [1986.07.21] Osaki ni Shitsurei (お先に失礼)
 * 6) [1986.11.01] Koi wa Question (恋はくえすちょん)
 * 7) [1987.01.21] NO MORE Koi Ai Gokko (NO MORE 恋愛ごっこ)
 * 8) [1987.05.21] Katatsumuri Samba (かたつむりサンバ)
 * 9) [1987.08.21] Wedding Dress (ウェディングドレス)
 * 10) [2002.11.20] Shomikigen (ショーミキゲン)


 * Limited Singles
 * 1) [1987.03.21] Kaiin Bangou no Uta / Shin Kaiin Bangou no Uta (会員番号の唄 / 新・会員番号の唄)


 * -|Video Releases=
 * Video Releases
 * 1) [1985.11.16] Kagai Jyuugyou (課外授業)
 * 2) [1986.02.21] Rinkai Gakkou (臨海学校)
 * 3) [1986.05.21] Zenkoku Concert Abuna~i Kagai Jyuugou (全国縦断コンサート あぶな〜い課外授業)
 * 4) [1986.09.21] Kaigai Shuucchou (海外出張)
 * 5) [1986.11.15] Onyanko The Movie Kiki Ippatsu! (おニャン子・ザ・ムービー 危機イッパツ!)
 * 6) [1987.05.15] Sotsugyou SPRING Concert Sailing Yume Kojou (卒業記念SPRINGコンサート Sailing 夢工場)
 * 7) [1987.10.31] Onyanko Club Kaisan Kinen Zenkoku Jyuudan Final Concert (おニャン子クラブ解散記念 全国縦断ファイナルコンサート)
 * 8) [1988.01.21] Mago no Dai Made Onyanko Club (孫の代までおニャン子クラブ)
 * 9) [2003.10.16] Onyanko PANIC Sotsugyou Kinen Concert (おニャン子PANIC卒業記念コンサート)
 * 10) [2004.06.16] Yuuyake Nyan Nyan Onyanko Shirosho (1985 Nen 4 ~ 6 Gatsu) (夕やけニャンニャン おニャン子白書 (1985年4〜6月))
 * 11) [2004.10.20] Yuuyake Nyan Nyan Onyanko Shirosho (1985 Nen 7 ~ 8 Gatsu) (夕やけニャンニャン おニャン子白書 (1985年7〜8月))
 * 12) [2005.04.27] Yuuyake Nyan Nyan Onyanko Shirosho (1985 Nen 9 ~ 11 Gatsu) (夕やけニャンニャン おニャン子白書 (1985年9〜11月))
 * 13) [2005.12.07] Yuuyake Nyan Nyan Onyanko Shirosho Tanaoroshi Soukessan '85 / 12 Gatsu (夕やけニャンニャン おニャン子白書 棚卸し総決算'85/12月)


 * -|Box Sets=
 * Box Sets
 * 1) [2002.04.17] Onyanko Club "Saishuu Ban" ~The Final Episode~ (おニャン子クラブ「最終盤」～The Final Episode～)
 * 2) [2002.12.04] Onyanko Club Mikoukai Eizou THE BACK STAGE (おニャン子クラブ未公開映像 ザ・バックステージ)
 * 3) [2005.07.06] Onyanko Club Daizenshuu Jyoukan (おニャン子クラブ大全集・上巻)
 * 4) [2005.07.06] Onyanko Club Daizenshuu Gekan (おニャン子クラブ大全集・下巻)
 * 5) [2005.10.19] Onyanko Club in Getsuyou Drama Land BOX 1 (おニャン子クラブ in 月曜ドラマランド BOX 1)
 * 6) [2005.11.16] Onyanko Club in Getsuyou Drama Land BOX 2 (おニャン子クラブ in 月曜ドラマランド BOX 2)
 * 7) [2008.09.17] Onyanko Club Daizenshuu for HiQuality CD Jyou Gekan Gentei CD-BOX (おニャン子クラブ大全集 for HiQualityCD 上・下巻 限定CD-BOX)
 * 8) [2015.03.18] Single Record Fukkoku Nyan Nyan


 * -|Compilations / Others=
 * Compilations / Others
 * [1986.06.05] Hit Studio Top 14
 * [1990.03.21] Idol File Hozon Han (Josei Hen)
 * [1997.07.01] Golden J-POP 1985~86
 * [1997.11.19] Pika Ichi ~80'S~
 * [1998.11.16] 80's Idol JAPAN 2
 * [1999.03.17] PC Hits Great-Canyon 1986-1989 Best Selection
 * [1999.07.23] (Ho) 1980
 * [2000.11.22] Seishun Uta Nenkan '86 BEST 30'
 * [2002.03.06] Sakushi Katsudou 20 Shuunen Kinen Akimoto Ryu Toranomon Hen
 * [2002.03.20] Issen Ifuubi ~Star Toujou Hen~
 * [2002.09.19] My Kore! Kushon Catalog VOL.2
 * [2002.11.20] EPIC 25 1986~1990
 * [2002.11.27] Zoku Seishun Uta Nenkan '86
 * [2002.12.04] BOMB Presents "Eien no '80 Otakara Idol Ooshuugou!"
 * [2003.01.16] My! Kore Kusshon Pony Canyon Hizou Idol Unit 16 ~Onyanko Club Kara Checkicco Made~
 * [2003.03.26] You are my idol 80’s
 * [2003.04.23] My Kore! Kushon Josei Idol Shuen Movie Honnin Kashou Shudaika Special ~"Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" Kara "Yuki no Dashou" Made~
 * [2005.11.30] Gold J-POP Classics Pony Canyon Hen
 * [2006.08.23] Anime Uta Nenkan 1986
 * [2007.11.28] Moe Shou Kei
 * [2009.12.23] LOVELY POPS
 * [2010.08.25] Yappari Idol! Hit Selection