Mari Yaguchi
Encyclopedia
, known professionally by her birth name of (born January 20, 1983) is a Japanese pop artist and former member of Hello! Project
. She is a former member of Morning Musume
and Tanpopo
, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni. She later became the leader of both Morning Musume Sakuragumi
and ZYX
.
She is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.
during the second generation auditions in 1998, but resigned suddenly in April 2005. She said her reason was a desire to move on "as an adult" with her career. The underlying reason she had to quit was that the tabloid magazine Friday discovered she was in a relationship with actor Shun Oguri
, though she was 22 at the time. Yaguchi's TV show continued as before, and she began to focus on Japanese variety shows rather than on a singing career. Yaguchi and Oguri reportedly broke up in April 2006.
In her early years in the group, Yaguchi was often perceived as being "the short one" as she did not stand out a lot. However, by the time 4th generation had joined, she had become one of the most active members of the group. Her famous catchphrase is "Sexy Beam!", one of her solo lines from Morning Musume's "Koi no Dance Site
" single, and she was asked jokingly in "Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari
", "When will your real sexy beam come out?" The "Sexy Beam!" line has made its way around fans and fellow musicians alike. When she resigned from Morning Musume, she was the last member to have joined before the year 2000 (Kaori Iida
had left nearly 2 months earlier).
Her first post-Morning Musume recording, "Nigiyaka na Fuyu," a collaboration with Berryz Kobo, appears as the coupling track on Berryz Kobo's November 2005 single "Gag 100kaibun Aishite Kudasai
."
Yaguchi starred in the Japanese drama series called along with fellow Hello! Project member Mai Hagiwara
. Yaguchi was also one of the main actors in the Japanese daytime drama series called . She co-hosted her show Yaguchi Hitori, and did MCing for Hello! Project concerts. From May 25, 2007 to June 6, 2007, Yaguchi performed in Damn Yankees
, a popular 1955 Broadway
musical, at the Tokyo Aoyama Theater.
In summer of 2007, Yaguchi was recruited to host the Gyao internet TV show Midtown TV, which became her third television show on air. Live broadcasts of Midtown TV aired weekdays and Yaguchi hosted on Thursdays. Mari and seven Hello! Pro Egg
s appeared live and with audience on Ciao TV. With that commencing, Yaguchi was in four TV shows being aired simultaneously.
It was announced October 19, 2008, on the official Hello! Project
website, that Yaguchi, together with the entire Hello! Project Elder Club, would graduate March 31, 2009. A graduation concert was held at Yokohama Arena
on February 1, 2009.
Following the popularity of singles and an album released in conjunction with the Japanese variety program, , Yaguchi released her debut single, , four years after her final release in Morning Musume
. She performed the song for the first time on Quiz! Hexagon II on February 25, 2009.
In December 2010, a rumor began circulating, claiming that Yaguchi would be marrying her boyfriend, actor Masaya Nakamura
. Nakamura and Yaguchi were quick to state on their blogs saying that while it remained a possibility, the marriage was not finalized. Additionally, it was announced that Yaguchi will be joining the newly formed group, "Dream Morning Musume" alongside other former Morning Musume members.
Yaguchi and Nakamura submitted their marriage papers on May 22, 2011. The two originally had planned on getting married mid-March, but postponed to May due to the earthquake.
} || March 25, 2009 || 6 || 33,126 ||align="left"| Debut solo single
is performed by
|-
| 2 || || January 13, 2010 || 2 || ~37,000 ||align="left" | Credited as Yaguchi Mari with Straw Hat
This song is the twelfth One Piece
opening, starting from episode 426 and ending with episode 458.
|}
Hello! Project
is the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
. She is a former member of Morning Musume
Morning Musume
, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
and Tanpopo
Tanpopo
was the first official subgroup of Japanese pop girl group Morning Musume formed in November 1998. They specialized in singing slow and mature songs, which morphed to an old-fashioned and upbeat style—a genre somewhat similar to that of the band from which it originated.-History: The group...
, one of its first sub groups, and also founded Minimoni. She later became the leader of both Morning Musume Sakuragumi
Morning Musume Sakuragumi
, meaning "Sakura Group", was one of the subgroups derived from the Japanese pop group Morning Musume in 2003. Its equivalent was Morning Musume Otomegumi. Like its counterpart, the sole purpose of Sakuragumi was to accommodate towns with smaller concert venues. The group was meant to embody the...
and ZYX
ZYX
was a short-lived Japanese pop group made up of five Hello! Project Kids members led by Mari Yaguchi of Morning Musume. Yaguchi acted as a mentor and the group released two singles. ZYX is important in that it is the first unit that Hello! Project Kids officially joined with the second being Aa!...
.
She is currently a member of Dream Morning Musume.
Biography
Mari Yaguchi became a member of Morning MusumeMorning Musume
, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
during the second generation auditions in 1998, but resigned suddenly in April 2005. She said her reason was a desire to move on "as an adult" with her career. The underlying reason she had to quit was that the tabloid magazine Friday discovered she was in a relationship with actor Shun Oguri
Shun Oguri
is a Japanese actor, director and voice actor.-Career:Born to a theater director father, Tetsuya Oguri, and having an actor brother, Ryo Oguri, Shun Oguri started his acting career quite early in his life...
, though she was 22 at the time. Yaguchi's TV show continued as before, and she began to focus on Japanese variety shows rather than on a singing career. Yaguchi and Oguri reportedly broke up in April 2006.
In her early years in the group, Yaguchi was often perceived as being "the short one" as she did not stand out a lot. However, by the time 4th generation had joined, she had become one of the most active members of the group. Her famous catchphrase is "Sexy Beam!", one of her solo lines from Morning Musume's "Koi no Dance Site
Koi no Dance Site
is the eighth single of the J-pop idol group Morning Musume, released on January 26, 2000 as an 8 cm CD. It sold a total of 1,229,970 copies making it their second highest selling single and a number-two hit on the Oricon Charts. In 2004, it was re-released as part of the Early Single Box and again...
" single, and she was asked jokingly in "Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari
Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari
is the 23rd single by the J-pop idol group Morning Musume. It was released on July 22, 2004. It sold a total of 91,789 copies in the music stores that report to Oricon and peaked at number three on the Oricon Charts....
", "When will your real sexy beam come out?" The "Sexy Beam!" line has made its way around fans and fellow musicians alike. When she resigned from Morning Musume, she was the last member to have joined before the year 2000 (Kaori Iida
Kaori Iida
is a Japanese pop singer and actress, associated with Hello! Project and best known as a founding member of the girl band Morning Musume. She has also recorded with the Morning Musume side project band Tanpopo and is currently a solo artist...
had left nearly 2 months earlier).
Her first post-Morning Musume recording, "Nigiyaka na Fuyu," a collaboration with Berryz Kobo, appears as the coupling track on Berryz Kobo's November 2005 single "Gag 100kaibun Aishite Kudasai
Gag 100kaibun Aishite Kudasai
is the 9th single by Berryz Kobo. It was released on November 23, 2005 by Up-Front Works' Piccolo Town label, as well as a version by Marvelous Entertainment, which featured a slightly different track listing...
."
Yaguchi starred in the Japanese drama series called along with fellow Hello! Project member Mai Hagiwara
Mai Hagiwara
is a Japanese pop singer, currently a member of C-ute and Hello! Project Kids.Hagiwara joined Hello! Project after passing the 2002 Hello! Project Kids audition. She is the youngest out of the fifteen Hello! Project Kids and is also the youngest member in C-ute. As a member of Hello! Project, she...
. Yaguchi was also one of the main actors in the Japanese daytime drama series called . She co-hosted her show Yaguchi Hitori, and did MCing for Hello! Project concerts. From May 25, 2007 to June 6, 2007, Yaguchi performed in Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees
Damn Yankees is a musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop and music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League...
, a popular 1955 Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musical, at the Tokyo Aoyama Theater.
In summer of 2007, Yaguchi was recruited to host the Gyao internet TV show Midtown TV, which became her third television show on air. Live broadcasts of Midtown TV aired weekdays and Yaguchi hosted on Thursdays. Mari and seven Hello! Pro Egg
Hello! Pro Egg
are a group of female singers under the Hello! Project banner. They are girls chosen when Tsunku and other audition administrators see talent in them that can be developed further, in the hope of one day turning them into successful musicians, and possibly integrating them into other Hello!...
s appeared live and with audience on Ciao TV. With that commencing, Yaguchi was in four TV shows being aired simultaneously.
It was announced October 19, 2008, on the official Hello! Project
Hello! Project
is the umbrella name for all female idol Japanese pop recording artists collective that are under contract with the Up-Front Group. The "mothership" group of Hello! Project is the super-group Morning Musume. Hello! Project's current leader is Risa Niigaki, the leader of Morning Musume...
website, that Yaguchi, together with the entire Hello! Project Elder Club, would graduate March 31, 2009. A graduation concert was held at Yokohama Arena
Yokohama Arena
is an indoor sporting arena located in Yokohama, Japan. The capacity of the arena is 17,000 and was opened in 1989. The arena was modeled after US sports venue Madison Square Garden in New York City. It is a five minute walk from the closest subway station, Shin-Yokohama Station on the JR/Yokohama...
on February 1, 2009.
Following the popularity of singles and an album released in conjunction with the Japanese variety program, , Yaguchi released her debut single, , four years after her final release in Morning Musume
Morning Musume
, sometimes referred to as is a Japanese idol girl group, whose act generally revolves around singing and dancing to upbeat melodies. They are the lead group of Hello! Project, which is managed and produced by Tsunku, who composes nearly all the lyrics and melodies of their songs...
. She performed the song for the first time on Quiz! Hexagon II on February 25, 2009.
In December 2010, a rumor began circulating, claiming that Yaguchi would be marrying her boyfriend, actor Masaya Nakamura
Masaya Nakamura (actor)
' is a Japanese stage and screen actor from Osaka.Nakamura is affiliated with the acting group D-BOYS, produced by . He joined the D-BOYS group on July 2007...
. Nakamura and Yaguchi were quick to state on their blogs saying that while it remained a possibility, the marriage was not finalized. Additionally, it was announced that Yaguchi will be joining the newly formed group, "Dream Morning Musume" alongside other former Morning Musume members.
Yaguchi and Nakamura submitted their marriage papers on May 22, 2011. The two originally had planned on getting married mid-March, but postponed to May due to the earthquake.
Discography and releases
Singles
| # | Title | Release date | Peak rank | Sales | Description |
|---|
| 1 |
is performed by
|-
| 2 || || January 13, 2010 || 2 || ~37,000 ||align="left" | Credited as Yaguchi Mari with Straw Hat
This song is the twelfth One Piece
One Piece
is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
opening, starting from episode 426 and ending with episode 458.
|}
Photobooks
| # | Title | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 7, 2002 | ISBN 4-8470-2697-7 | |
| 2 | July 2, 2003 | ISBN 4-0485-3657-5 | |
| 3 | Off | June 12, 2004 | ISBN 4-8470-2810-4 |
Essay books
| # | Title | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 10, 2003 | ISBN 4-8470-1502-9 | |
| 2 | June 25, 2007 | ISBN 4-0878-0470-4 |
Movies
- 1998 –
- 2000 –
- 2002 –
- 2002 –
- 2003 –
- 2006 –
- 2008 –
- 2008 – Journey to the Center of the EarthJourney to the Center of the Earth (2008 film)Journey to the Center of the Earth is an American 2008 3D adventure film starring Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, and Anita Briem...
(Japanese release, voice)
Television series
- 2003 –
- 2006 –
- 2006 –
- 2009 –
- 2011 –
Television shows
- 2004 – 2009:
- 2006 – 2007:
- 2007 – 2008: Midtown TV
- 2009 – 2011:
- April 2011 – October 2011: