Camellia Factory

Camellia Factory
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres J-pop, pop
Years active 2015 (2015)–present
Labels Up-Front Works
Associated acts Hello Pro Kenshusei
Magnolia Factory
Members Risa Ogata
Riko Yamagishi
Kisora Niinuma
Ami Tanimoto
Yumeno Kishimoto
Kiki Asakura
Mizuho Ono
Saori Onoda
Mao Akiyama

Camellia Factory (つばきファクトリー, Tsubaku Fakutori) is a Japanese idol group, formed in late April 2015 under the umbrella of Hello! Project. It is composed of nine girls who are members of Hello Pro Kenshusei. Their sister group is Magnolia Factory.

History

2015: Formation

On April 29, the group was announced through Japanese media as a new Hello Pro Kenshusei unit with six members,[1][2][3][4] and confirmed through Hello! Project Station with the members being Ogata Risa, Yamagishi Riko, Niinuma Kisora, Tanimoto Ami, Kishimoto Yumeno, and Asakura Kiki.

The name Tsubaki Factory (つばきファクトリー) literally means "Camellia Factory". Hello! Project advisor Shimizu Saki (formerly of Berryz Koubou) assisted in picking the group name. The camellia (tsubaki) was "decided with praising the noble and cold beauty and wanting the group to be fresh and strong like the evergreen." The word "factory", also used in the name of their sister group Kobushi Factory, is named to reference Berryz Koubou ("koubou" meaning "workshop"), so that the group may carry on Berryz Koubou's spirit.[5]

The group made their first performance at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ on May 4.[6] On May 16, Tsubaki Factory held a joint concert with sister group Kobushi Factory, and label mate Country Girls, during the Hello! Project New Fes! 2015. This was the first time the Factory groups performed together. On May 26, the group participated as an opening act at ANGERME STARTING LIVE TOUR SPECIAL @ Nippon Budokan "Taiki Bansei".

On August 8, during the Hello! Project 2015 SUMMER concert, Yamagishi Riko was announced leader of Tsubaki Factory, while Ogata Risa was announced sub-leader of the group.[7]

2015-16: Indies and New Members

On September 6, Tsubaki Factory released their first indies single "Seishun Manmannaka!" at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~9gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~ concert venue.

From October 8 to October 18, Tsubaki Factory starred in the Engeki Joshibu musical remake of Thank You Very Berry, which also featured and was directed by former Berryz Koubou member Sudo Maasa, who starred in the original stageplay.

On December 31, Tsubaki Factory released their second indies single "Kedakaku Sakihokore!" at the Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2015 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~ concert venue.

On March 19, Tsubaki Factory released their first mini album titled Tsubaki Factory SOUND + VISION Vol.1 at the Asobu. Kurasu. Sodateru. SATOYAMA & SATOUMI e Ikou 2016 venue as a limited pre-sale. The mini album was released for general sale on May 18.

On June 20, Tsubaki Factory participated as an opening act for their senior label mate ℃-ute's Concert Tour "Haru ~℃ONCERTO~", where the group performed the song "Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo". The song "Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo" is a cover of the 1992 single by Moritaka Chisato. This was the second time the group made a cover of Moritaka's work, the first being "17sai". On August 6, Tsubaki Factory released their third indies single "Hitorijime / Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo" at the Hello! Project 2016 SUMMER venue.

On August 13, it was announced at Tsubaki Factory's fanclub event that Hello Pro Kenshuusei members Ono Mizuho, Onoda Saori, and Akiyama Mao had joined the group as new members. The new 9 member line-up debuted on September 4 at Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2016 9gatsu ~SINGING!~, where it was announced by Hello! Project advisor Shimizu Saki that Tsubaki Factory would finally make their major debut in January 2017.

On October 22, they announced during the Tsubaki Factory Ouen Kikaku ~Camellia Fights! vol.2~ event that their major debut single would be released on February 22, 2017

2017: Major Debut

On January 3, all members graduated from Hello Project Kenshuusei.

On February 22, Tsubaki Factory released their major debut single, "Hatsukoi Sunrise / Just Try! / Uruwashi no Camellia". On January 24, it was announced that 'Hatsukoi Sunrise' would be the opening theme for the television show "music-ru TV" for the month of February. Later on February 24, it was announced that 'Hatsukoi Sunrise' will also be the ending theme for the Ehime Asahi TV show "Love Chu Chu" for the month of March. The single sold 35,241 copies (oricon) in its first week, beating their sister group Kobushi Factory's major debut single, "Dosukoi! kenkyo ni daitan / Ramen daisuki koizumi-san no uta / Nen ni wa nen" sales by 600 copies. The single ended selling a total of 40,000+ copies overall.[8]

On March 25 it was revealed during the Hello! Project Hina Fest 2017, that Tsubaki leader Yamagishi Riko would be releasing her first Photobook titled "Riko" on April 27, published by Wani Books. She is the first Tsubaki Factory member to release a photobook.[9]

On April 17, it was announced that Tsubaki Factory and their sister group Kobushi Factory would be performing at "@JAM 2017" as part of the May 27, 2017 lineup.[10] Tsubaki Factory also made an appearance on BS-ASAHI's "Idol Otakarakuji LIVE" on May 21.[11] On May 24, Tsubaki Factory performed at GIRLS ROCKS. On June 12, the group performed as one of the opening acts of C-ute's final concert, "℃ - ute Last Concert in Saitama Super Arena ~ Thank you team ℃ - ute ~".[12] On June 17, Tsubaki Factory performed at the 2017 Girls Idol Festa.[13]

On June 16, Hello!Project announced that member Asakura Kiki has been diagnosed with lumbar herniated disc, and therefore would cease activities from the group until June 30.[14] She is the second member in Hello!Project to have been diagnosed with this condition, the first being Morning Musume member Sato Masaki. On June 23, Tsubaki Factory performed as the opening act for senior label mate Morning Musume's concert, "Morning Musume '17 Concert Tour Haru ~THE INSPIRATION!~". Asakura Kiki was not present during this performance.[15]

On July 26, Tsubaki Factory released their second major single, "Shuukatsu Sensation / Waratte / Hana Moyou". It has 3 title songs and 7 editions. The group performed "Shuukatsu Sensation" for the first time during the concert "Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2017 6gatsu ~June Tripper!~". Asakura Kiki was not present in the dance scenes of the three songs music videos.[16]

On August 7, Tsubaki Factory will perform in TV ASAHI's "Roppongi Hills Summer Festival SUMMER STATION".[17][18]

On November 9, it was announced that Tsubaki Factory had won a Newcomer Award from the 50th Japan Cable Awards, and they were presented their award at the ceremony on December 4.[19][20]

On November 13, Hello!Project announced on their Youtube show The Girls Live, that Tsubaki Factory would be releasing their 3rd single "Teion Yakedo / Shunrenka / I Need You ~Yozora no Kanransha~" on February 21, 2018. "Teion Yakedo" was pre-released digitally on December 2 to promote the single. The song is described as a melancholic winter song which is perfect for the cold season. The composer of the song Riko Ohashi has done previous works with Japanese Idol group Nogizaka46.[21][22]

On November 16, Tsubaki Factory were also announced to have won a Newcomer Award from the 59th Japan Record Awards.[23] At the ceremony on December 30, they were presented their award and were later announced as the winners of the Best Newcomer Award out of three other artists.[24]

Members

Name Nicknames Birth date and age Date Joined Prefecture
of origin		 Member color Notes
Risa Ogata (小片リサ) Risamaru November 5, 1998 April 28, 2015 Tokyo      Light Orange Sub-leader
Riko Yamagishi (山岸理子) Rikoriko November 24, 1998 Chiba      Light Green Leader
Kisora Niinuma (新沼希空) Kisora October 20, 1999 Aichi      Light Blue
Ami Tanimoto (谷本安美) Anmii
Mii		 November 16, 1999 Hokkaido      Light Purple
Yumeno Kishimoto (岸本ゆめの) Kishimon April 1, 2000 Osaka      Yellow
Kiki Asakura (浅倉樹々) Kiki September 3, 2000 Chiba      Light Pink
Mizuho Ono (小野瑞歩) Omizu September 29, 2000 August 13, 2016 Tokyo      Emerald Green
Saori Onoda (小野田紗栞) Saorin December 17, 2001 Shizuoka      Peach
Mao Akiyama (秋山眞緒) Maopin July 29, 2002 Osaka      Light Red

Timeline

  • Black (vertical) = Indie singles
  • Red (vertical) = Major singles

Discography

Singles

No. Title Release date Charts Sales Sales
Oricon Billboard (Oricon) (Billboard)
Weekly

Singles Charts

 First week Total sales First week Total sales
Indie Singles
1 "Seishun Manmannaka!"
(青春まんまんなか!)		 September 6, 2015 N/A N/A N/A
2 "Kedakaku Sakihokore!"
(気高く咲き誇れ!)		 December 31, 2015
3 "Hitorijime/Watashi ga Obasan ni Natte mo"
(独り占め／私がオバさんになっても)		 August 6, 2016
Major Singles
1 "Hatsukoi Sunrise / Just Try! / Uruwashi no Camellia"
(初恋サンライズ／Just Try!／うるわしのカメリア)		 February 22, 2017 3 2 35,241 41,201 54,376
2 "Shuukatsu Sensation / Waratte / Hana Moyou"
(就活センセーション／笑って／ハナモヨウ)		 July 26, 2017 5 5 34,744 38,522 59,280
3 "Teion Yakedo / Shunrenka / I Need You ~Yozora no Kanransha~"
(低温火傷／春恋歌／I Need You ～夜空の観覧車～)		 February 21, 2018 2 2 68,266 73,100 81,473
4 Date no Hi wa Nido Kurai Shower Shite Dekaketai / Junjou cm / Kon'ya Dake Ukaretakatta"
(デートの日は二度くらいシャワーして出かけたい/純情cm/今夜だけ浮かれたかった)		 July 18, 2018 2 2 58,170 63,960 65,478 TBA

Awards and nominations

Japan Record Awards

The Japan Record Awards is a major music awards show held annually in Japan by the Japan Composer's Association.

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2017 Camellia Factory New Artist Award[25] Won
Best New Artist Award Won

References

  1. ↑ "ハロプロに新たなユニット「つばきファクトリー」誕生". barks. 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  2. ↑ "ハロプロ、今年2組目の研修生ユニット「つばきファクトリー」結成". oricon style. 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  3. ↑ "ハロプロ新ユニット「つばきファクトリー」結成を発表". ドワンゴジェイピー news. 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  4. ↑ "ハロ!ステ#115". ハロ!ステ. 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  5. ↑ "Concerning the new Hello! Project unit 2015.04.30".
  6. ↑ "ハロプロの新星、つばきファクトリーが初舞台！南沙織の「１７才」をカバー". SANSPO.COM（サンスポ）. 産業経済新聞社. 2015-05-04. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  7. ↑ "つばきファクトリー、リーダーに山岸理子". barks. 2015-08-08. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  8. ↑ "M-ON ORICON OF THE WEEK 2017.02.28".
  9. ↑ "WANI BOOKS "RIKO"".
  10. ↑ "JAM FES 2017 LINEUP".
  11. ↑ "TV ASAHI IDOL LOTTERY".
  12. ↑ "C-UTE LAST CONCERT Tsubaki Factory News".
  13. ↑ "GIRLS IDOL FES 2017".
  14. ↑ "Notice regarding Asakura Kiku".
  15. ↑ "OPENING ACT Morning Musume17".
  16. ↑ "HELLO!PROJECT NEWS".
  17. ↑ "H!P NEWS: Tsubaki Factory Live Performance".
  18. ↑ "TV ASAHI "SUMMERSTATION LIVE" 2017".
  19. ↑ "MANTANWEB. 2017-11-09".
  20. ↑ "ORICON NEWS. 2017-11-09".
  21. ↑ "BLOG Ameblo Niinuma Kisora Tsubaki Factory 2017-11-14".
  22. ↑ "Tsubaki Factory Hello! Project. 2017-12-03".
  23. ↑ "BARKS. 2017-11-16".
  24. ↑ "ORICON NEWS. 2017-12-30".
  25. ↑ "第59回 日本レコード大賞" (in Japanese). Japan Record Awards.
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