Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku
Native name	私立恵比寿中学
Also known as	Ebichu King of Gakugeeeekai
Origin	Tokyo, Japan
Genres	J-pop pop
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Stardust Ongaku Shuppan (2010–2011) Defstar Records (2012–2015) SME Records (2015–present)
Associated acts	Momoiro Clover Z Team Syachihoko Tacoyaki Rainbow Bullet Train Dish 3B Junior
Website	shiritsuebichu.jp
Members	Rika Mayama Ayaka Yasumoto Aika Hirota Mirei Hoshina Rina Matsuno Hinata Kashiwagi Kaho Kobayashi Riko Nakayama
Past members	Kanon Narumi Uno Hinaki Yano Rio Koike Reina Miyazaki Mizuki Natsu Anno Hirono Suzuki

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku (私立恵比寿中学 Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku, lit. "Ebisu Private Junior High School") is a Japanese girl idol group. The band's name is officially shortened to Ebichu (エビ中),^[1] which is a double entendre that can mean "in a shrimp". The group was created by 3B Junior, the third section of the talent agency Stardust Promotion. Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku is a "little sister" group to another Stardust Promotion girl group, Momoiro Clover Z.^[2][3]

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 is "Unarticulated dance and shaky vocals."^[4] Ebichu was formed as a quintet on August 4, 2009.^[5][6] At present, there are eight members. The only original member who is still in the group is Rika Mayama. Although in April 2012 they both entered high school, it was decided that they would remain in the group. They joke that they are middle school students forever.^[7]

In June 2011, it was announced that Ebichu was to hold its first solo concert, on October 8 at Shibuya O-East.^[8] Parts of it were released on the band's first solo live DVD, which appeared on February 15 of the next year.^[9] In total, in October Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku gave three sold-out performances. 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.^[10][11] The single "Karikeiyaku no Cinderella" debuted at number 7 in the Oricon daily ranking for May 1.^[12] Having peaked in the daily chart at second position, it also debuted at number 7 in the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.^[13]

On June 25, 2012, Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku 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.^[14][15]

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.^[16]

The girls declared that they were aiming for third place in the Oricon chart with their third single, titled "Ume".^[17][18] The goal was achieved — the single actually placed 3rd in the weekly chart.

It was announced that the 3 members Mizuki, Natsu Annno and Hirono Suzuki will leave the group in a concert, held on April 15, 2014 at the Nippon Budokan. After leaving, they will study to enter universities and get trained to be actresses. Especially Natsu Anno will study abroad, and not return to Japan for a long time.^[19]

In the middle of December 2015 it was announced that Hinata Kashiwagi had been diagnozed 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.^[20]

Members

The members are assigned so-called attendance numbers, just like in Japanese schools. Initially the numbers were given in the order of joining the group, but once, when several members left, the remaining members held an election to reassign their numbers.

Current members

3. Rika Mayama (真山りか), born December 16, 1996
5. Ayaka Yasumoto (安本彩花), born June 27, 1998
6. Aika Hirota (廣田あいか), born January 31, 1999
7. Mirei Hoshina (星名美怜), born November 2, 1997
9. Rina Matsuno (松野莉奈), born July 16, 1998
10. Hinata Kashiwagi (柏木ひなた), born March 29, 1999
11. Kaho Kobayashi (小林歌穂), born June 12, 2000
12. Riko Nakayama (中山莉子), born October 28, 2000

Former members

1. Kanon (奏音), born February 7, 1997
2. Narumi Uno (宇野愛海), born March 19, 1998
7. Hinaki Yano (矢野妃菜喜), born March 5, 1997
10. Rio Koike (小池梨緒), born January 18, 1998
2. Reina Miyazaki (宮﨑れいな), born August 24, 1997
1. Mizuki (瑞季), born February 27, 1997
4. Natsu Anno (杏野なつ), born July 12, 1997
8. Hirono Suzuki (鈴木裕乃), born March 24, 1998

Discography

Singles

No.	Title	Release date	Charts
			Oricon Weekly Singles Chart [21]
Indie (Stardust Digital)
—	"Asa no Chime ga Narimashita!"* (朝のチャイムがなりました!, "The Morning Bell Has Rung!")	February 14, 2010	—
1	"Ebizori Diamond!!" (えびぞりダイアモンド!! Ebizori Daiamondo!!, "Shrimp Jump Diamond"[11][22] or "Ace at Saying 'I Am Sorry' ['Ebizori']")	August 7, 2010	—
2	"Chime!" (チャイム! Chaimu!, "School Bell!")	January 10, 2011	—
3	"The Tissue (Tomaranai Seishun)" (ザ・ティッシュ～とまらない青春～, "The Tissue (Unstoppable Youth)")	April 27, 2011	73[23]
4	"Oh My Ghost? (Watashi ga Akuryō ni Natte mo)" (オーマイゴースト? ～わたしが悪霊になっても～, "Oh My Ghost? (Even If I Turn into an Evil Spirit)")	July 27, 2011	59[24]
5	"Motto Hashire!!" (もっと走れっ!!, "Run Faster!!")	October 5, 2011	46[25]
Major (Defstar Records)
1	"Karikeiyaku no Cinderella" (仮契約のシンデレラ, "Temporary Contract Cinderella"[11][22])	May 5, 2012	7
2	"Go! Go! Here We Go! Rock Lee / Otona wa Wakatte Kurenai"** (Go! Go! Here We Go! ロック・リー / 大人はわかってくれない, "Go! Go! Here We Go! Rock Lee / Adults Won't [Can't] Understand")	August 29, 2012	7
3	"Ume" (梅, "Plum")	January 16, 2013	3
4	"Te o Tsunagō / Kindan no Karma" (手をつなごう / 禁断のカルマ, "Let's Hold Hands / Forbidden Karma")	June 5, 2013	5
5	"Mikakunin Chūgakusei X" (未確認中学生X, "Unidentified Junior High School Student X")	November 20, 2013	4
6	"Butterfly Effect" (バタフライエフェクト, "Butterfly Effect")	June 4, 2014	3
7	"Haitateki!" (ハイタテキ!)	November 5, 2014	3
8	"Natsudaze Johnny"   (夏だぜジョニー Natsu Da ze Jōnī, "It's Summer, Johnny!")	June 17, 2015	2
Major (SME Records)
9	"Super Hero" (スーパーヒーロー Sūpāhīrō)	October 21, 2015	3
"—" indicates that the single didn't chart

* "Asa no Chime ga Narimashita!" is a cover single.
** The song "Go! Go! Here We Go! Rock Lee" is an ending theme for the new Naruto anime series "Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals" (Ep. 14 – present).

Albums

No.	Title	Release date	Charts
			Oricon Weekly Albums Chart [26]
—	Ebichū no Zeppan Best: Owaranai Seishun   (エビ中の絶盤ベスト～おわらない青春～,  "Ebichu's Best of Out of Print: Neverending Youth")	November 21, 2012	19
1	Chūnin (中人, "Middle-schooler")	July 24, 2013	7
2	Kinpachi (金八)	January 28, 2015	2
3	Anarchy (穴空 Anākī)	April 20, 2016	2

Music videos

Title	Director
"The Tissue (Tomaranai Seishun)"	Ieizumi "Yeti" Hideaki[27]
"Oh My Ghost? (Watashi ga Akuryō ni Natte mo)"	Ieizumi "Yeti" Hideaki[28]
"Motto Hashire!"	Ieizumi "Yeti" Hideaki[29]
"Karikeiyaku no Cinderella"	Ieizumi Hideaki[30]
"Hōkago Getabako Rock 'n' Roll MX"	Masakazu Fukatsu[31]
"Go! Go! Here We Go! Rock Lee"	Hideaki Fukui[32]
"Otona wa Wakatte Kurenai"	Kanji Sutō[33]
"Ume"	Toshitaka Shinoda[34]
"Ganbatteru Tochū"	unknown[35]
"Te o Tsunagō"	Satoshi Tani[36]
"Kindan no Karma"	Tsuchiya Takatoshi[37]
"Mikakunin Chūgakusei X"	Tsutomu Sekine[38]
"Yūwaku Shitai ya" (Famien ver.)	Kineo Kondō[39]
"Mikakunin Chūgakusei X" (Saitama Super Arena ver.)	Kineo Kondō[40]
"U.B.U"	Ebichū no Eien ni Chūgakusei (Kari) 2 production team[41]
"Butterfly Effect"	Ikioi[42]
"Haitateki"	Ikioi[43]

References

1. "Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku's official site". Stardust Promotion, Inc. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
2. ももクロ妹分・私立恵比寿中学が新曲を発表 (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
3. De View (2011-06-20). 平均年齢12.7歳のガールズユニット「私立恵比寿中学」が新曲発表　ニューシングルは「おばけテクノ」と「高速盆踊り (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
4. "Power Push - 私立恵比寿中学 (1/7)" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
5. 校長からの話. Shiritsu Ebisu Chūgaku's official blog (in Japanese). 2010-08-05. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
6. "Power Push - 私立恵比寿中学 (2/7)" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
7. "Power Push - 私立恵比寿中学" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
8. 私立恵比寿中学、初のワンマンライブ開催決定 (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
9. "Power Push - 私立恵比寿中学 (4/7)" (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
10. 「ケン・ヒライの妹分に」エビ中デビュー"仮"契約調印式 (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-03-04.
11. "(Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku) We send you report from the signing ceremony of Shiritsu Ebisu Chugakku’s major label debut "temporary contract" filled with the mysteries!". Kawaii Girl Japan. 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2012-05-04.
12. "CDシングル デイリーランキング-ORICON STYLE ランキング（2012年05月01日付）" (in Japanese). Oricon. 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2012-05-03.
13. "Oricon Weekly CD Singles Ranking 2012/05/14" (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
14. 指原莉乃「ゆび祭り」で豪華コラボ版「ヘビロテ」実現 (in Japanese). Natalie. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
15. "指原莉乃プロデュース「第一回ゆび祭り」、DVD&Blu-rayでの発売が決定!" (in Japanese). My Navi. 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
16. "Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku has held their first live at Nippon Seinenkan named "Jyaa Best Ten" on July 1. « Kawaii girl Japan". Kawaii Girl Japan. 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
17. "私立恵比寿中学 真夏の撮影で"校長"に怒られたこととは？3rdシングル「梅」へ抱負" (in Japanese). News Lounge. November 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
18. エビ中が新曲『梅』でオリコン3位を目指す!. De View (in Japanese) (Oricon). 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
19. http://natalie.mu/music/news/106631
20. "エビ中ひなた突発性難聴により握手会中止、アルバム発売も延期に". Nstalie. 2015-12-17. Retrieved 2016-01-02.
21. "私立恵比寿中学のCDシングルランキング、私立恵比寿中学のプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
22. "(Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku) They’ve performed a few songs in new costumes! Reporting from their first live at AKASAKA BLITZ!". Kawaii Girl Japan. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
23. "ザ・ティッシュ～とまらない青春～ 私立恵比寿中学のプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE" (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
24. "オーマイゴースト？～わたしが悪霊になっても～ 私立恵比寿中学のプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE" (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
25. "Oricon Weekly CD Singles Ranking 2011/11/14" (in Japanese). Oricon Inc. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
26. "私立恵比寿中学のCDアルバムランキング、私立恵比寿中学のプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
27. "The Tissue (Tomaranai Seishun)" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
28. "Oh My Ghost? (Watashi ga Akuryō ni Natte mo)" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
29. "Motto Hashire!" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
30. "Karikeiyaku no Cinderella" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
31. "Hōkago Getabako Rock 'n' Roll MX" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
32. "Go! Go! Here We Go! Rock Lee" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
33. "Otona wa Wakatte Kurenai" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
34. "Ume" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
35. "Ume" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
36. "Te o Tsunagō" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
37. "Kindan no Karma" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
38. "Mikakunin Chūgakusei X" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
39. "Mikakunin Chūgakusei X" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
40. "Mikakunin Chūgakusei X" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
41. "U.B.U" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
42. "Butterfly Effect" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
43. "Haitateki" (in Japanese). Space Shower TV. Retrieved 2015-01-30.

External links

• Official website
• Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku's channel on YouTube
• Official Ameblo blog
• Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku on Twitter
• Official USTREAM
• Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku's channel on YouTube (The channel is not available outside Japan.)
• Official merchandise on Smooch.jp
• Oricon profile
• Stardust Digital's channel on YouTube