V-u-den

v-u-den (美勇伝, also romanized as Biyuuden and Viyuden) is a Hello! Project group produced by Up-Front Agency. They were, at one point, one of the most active groups in Hello! Project. It was active from 2004 to 2008, and became reactive again as of 2009 under the name Zoku v-u-den (続·美勇伝). The revival group released one song, "ONLY YOU", on the compilation album Chanpuru 1 ~Happy Marriage Song Cover Shuu~ before returning to an indefinite hiatus.

First Generation

 * Ishikawa Rika (石川梨華) (L)
 * Miyoshi Erika (三好絵梨香)
 * Okada Yui (岡田唯)

Second Generation (Zoku v-u-den)

 * Michishige Sayumi (道重さゆみ) (Graduated in November 2014)
 * Junjun (ジュンジュン) (Graduated in December 2010)
 * Sugaya Risako (菅谷梨沙子)

History
v-u-den was formed in August of 2004 and consisted of Ishikawa Rika (then a member of Morning Musume), Miyoshi Erika (winner of a 2003 Hello! Project audition), and Okada Yui (a former Hello Pro Kenshuusei who made her debut). The group's formation was announced alongside Ishikawa's graduation from Morning Musume, and her official reason for graduating was to lead v-u-den full-time.

In 2004, They hosted the TV show Majokko Rikachan no Magical Biyuuden. In early 2005, Miyoshi and Okada released a photobook called "hello! x2". They released a decent number of singles, did a small tour in Singapore, and even performed in Ribbon no Kishi: The Musical.

From April 3, 2005 until September 30, 2006, they had their own radio show, v-u-den B.B.L..

In 2006, All 3 members of v-u-den appeared in the movie Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki. Ishikawa playing the villain-ess and Miyoshi and Okada playing the friends of the heroine.

January 26th, 2008, it was announced that v-u-den would disband after the completion of their summer concert tour, v-u-densetsu 5 tour.

On June 29, 2008, V-u-den disbanded.

In 2009, it was announced the creation of a revival unit of this group is called Zoku·v-u-den. The three new members were Michishige Sayumi and Junjun (both Morning Musume) and Sugaya Risako (Berryz Koubou).

On December 15, 2010, Junjun graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project, effectively leaving the group.

In 2011, Zoku v-u-den performed their first concert as a duo (without Junjun) at the Hello! Project 2011 WINTER ~Kangei Shinsen Matsuri~ A gana Live, performing "Koisuru♡Angel♡Heart" and "Renai Sentai Shitsu Ranger". This was their last performance as a group; on November 26, 2014, Michishige Sayumi graduated from Morning Musume '14 and Hello! Project, effectively leaving the group.

The Name

 * 美 bi (び) : beauty
 * 勇 yuu (ゆう) : bravery
 * 伝 den (でん) : legend

美勇伝 is found romanized in several ways on the Internet, including "v-u-den", "Biyuuden", and "vi-yu-den", among others. There is evidence that references each of the above spellings of the name, including their costumes in the H.P. All Stars video, their singles, their photobooks and magazine articles. Which one is correct depends on the romanization system you use or on how Tsunku is feeling on any particular day.

The differences in romanization are largely due to a misunderstanding of the sound being pronounced. The Japanese language doesn't really have a "V" sound. So while the group's name may be spelled with a V, it will be pronounced as a "B" sound by native Japanese speakers.

Albums

 * [2005.10.26] Suite Room Number 1 (スイートルームナンバー1)
 * [2007.11.21] v-u-den Single Best 9 Vol.1 Omaketsuki (美勇伝シングルベスト9 Vol.1おまけつき)

Singles

 * [2004.09.23] Koi no Nukegara (恋のヌケガラ)
 * [2005.03.02] Kacchoii ze! JAPAN (カッチョイイゼ! JAPAN)
 * [2005.05.25] Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari (紫陽花アイ愛物語)
 * [2005.08.10] Hitorijime (ひとりじめ)
 * [2005.10.05] Kurenai no Kisetsu (クレナイの季節)
 * [2006.05.10] Issai Gassai Anata ni∮A.ge.ru♪ (一切合切 あなたに∮あ·げ·る♪)
 * [2006.11.22] Aisu Cream to My Purin (愛すクリ~ムとMyプリン)
 * [2007.05.23] Koisuru♡Angel♡Heart (恋する♡エンジェル♡ハート)
 * [2007.09.26] Jaja Uma Paradise (じゃじゃ馬パラダイス)
 * [2008.04.23] Nanni mo Iwazu ni I LOVE YOU (なんにも言わずに I LOVE YOU)

Compilations / Other

 * [2005.12.21] Petit Best 6 (#7 Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari)
 * [2006.12.20] Petit Best 7 (#6 Issai Gassai Anata ni∮A.ge.ru♪)
 * [2007.12.12] Petit Best 8 (#6 Aisu Cream to My Purin)
 * [2008.12.10] Petit Best 9 (#6 Nanni mo Iwazu ni I LOVE YOU)
 * [2009.07.15] Chanpuru 1 ~Happy Marriage Song Cover Shuu~ (#10 ONLY YOU) (Zoku v-u-den)

DVDs

 * [2005.08.17] v-u-den First Concert Tour 2005 Haru ~v-u-densetsu~
 * [2006.02.25] v-u-den Live Tour 2005 Aki v-u-densetsu II ~Kurenai no Kisetsu~
 * [2006.03.15] v-u-den Single V Clips 1
 * [2007.03.07] v-u-den Live Tour 2006 Aki v-u-densetsu III ~Aisu CREAM to My Purin~
 * [2007.08.08] v-u-den Concert Tour 2007 Shoka v-u-densetsu IV ~Usagi to Tenshi~
 * [2008.04.30] v-u-den Single V Clips 2 ~Arigatou v-u-den Debut Kara no Daizenshuu~
 * [2008.09.17] v-u-den Concert Tour 2008 Shoka v-u-densetsu V ~Saishuu Densetsu~

Group Photobooks

 * [2005.03.05] Hello!x2 Miyoshi Erika & Okada Yui from v-u-den (ハロハロ！ 三好絵梨香＆岡田唯 写真集from美勇伝) (with Miyoshi Erika, Okada Yui)
 * [2005.07.29] v-u-den First Concert Tour 2005 Haru ~Biyudensetsu~ (美勇伝 ファーストコンサートツアー2005春 ～美勇伝説～)
 * [2005.10.??] W & v-u-den - Hello! Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show '05 Selection! Collection! (W&v-u-den―Hello!Project2005夏の歌謡ショー 05’セレクション!コレクション!) (with W)
 * [2006.01.12] fleur de fleur
 * [2006.04.??] Abe Natsumi & v-u-den in Hello! Project 2006 Winter (安倍なつみ&美勇伝in Hello! Project 2006 Winter) (With Abe Natsumi)

TV Programs

 * [2004.10.04-2004.12.24] Majokko Rikachan no Magical v-u-den (魔女っ娘. 梨華ちゃんのマジカル美勇伝?)

Movies

 * [2006] Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki

Concerts

 * [2005.01.29-2005.01.30] Hello Project 2005 All Stars Dairanbu ~A Happy New Power Iida Kaori Sotsugou Special~ (Aichi Kyouhaku Partnership Jigyou Event)
 * [2005.05.28-2005.05.29] v-u-den FIRST CONCERT TOUR 2005 Haru ~v-u-den Densetsu~ (Aichi Kyouhaku Partnership Jigyou Event)
 * [2005.07.10/16/23/4] Hello Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show -'05 Selection! Collection (Aichi Kyouhaku Partnership Jigyou Event)

Events

 * [2004.10.24] Debut Single "Koi no Nukegara" Hatsubai Kiren Special Event (デビューシングル「恋のヌケガラ」発売記念スペシャルイベント?)
 * [005.02.??] "Visit Japan Campaign" Opening Event (「ビジット・ジャパン・キャンペーン」オープニングイベント?)
 * [2005.03.24] Miyoshi Erika & Okada Yui Shashinshou & Biyuuden (三好絵梨香＆岡田唯 写真集発売＆握手会?)
 * [2005.06.03] 3rd Single "Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari" Hatsubai Kiren Event (3rdシングル「紫陽花アイ愛物語」発売記念イベント?)

Radio

 * [2004.04.03-present] B.B.L.
 * [2005.02.04-2005.05.18] Haro Poro Yanen

Internet

 * [2005.05.26] 11th Haro Pro Video Chat