Wada Ayaka

Wada Ayaka (和田彩花) is a Japanese idol. She is a former member and leader of the Hello! Project group ANGERME (formerly S/mileage), as well as the former sixth leader of Hello! Project.

She initially joined Hello! Project in 2004 as a founding member of Hello Pro Egg, later taking part in Shugo Chara Egg! in 2008 before debuting as a member and the leader of S/mileage in 2009. She became the leader of Hello! Project in 2016.

She graduated from ANGERME and Hello! Project on June 18, 2019.

Early Life
Wada Ayaka was born on August 1, 1994 in Gunma, Japan.

2002
On June 30, Wada Ayaka participated in the Hello! Project auditions to find singers to form Hello! Project Kids. She made it into the final round and then voluntarily dropped out.

2004
From June 19-20, 2004, Wada Ayaka passed the Hello Pro Egg auditions alongside twenty-nine other girls and subsequently joined Hello! Project as a member of Hello Pro Egg. The aim of the group was to prepare the young girls for their debut into the world of entertainment. As such, Wada received free dance and vocal training alongside the other Eggs.

2006
Wada continued her training and appeared at numerous Hello! Project concerts as a backing dancer, including the Country Musume concert Country Musume LIVE2006 ~Shibuya des Date~.

2007
In November 2007, Wada received a part in the musical Reverse! ~ Watashi no Karada Doko Desu ka?. Wada also took part in the TV show Chao.TV.

2008
Wada was selected to be one of the four members for a new Hello Pro Egg unit alongside Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon, and Saho Akari. The group was called Shugo Chara Egg! and was formed to record the opening songs for the anime Shugo Chara!. The line up released two singles.

2009
On April 4, Tsunku announced on his blog that a new group, later named S/mileage, was in the works. The members listed were Wada Ayaka, Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon and Ogawa Saki. He stated the lineup was subject to change, and that it would be their "major debut".

Wada and the original Shugo Chara Egg! were in Shugo Chara! the Musical. Wada and Saho Akari both played students, X-characters, and X-eggs.

From November 11 to 19, Wada starred in Koisuru Hello Kitty alongside the other S/mileage members and Mano Erina.

2010
Starting on March 29, Wada was a regular for the NHK educational television program Test no Hanamichi.

Wada and the other members of S/mileage graduated Hello Pro Egg in May 2010 and became full Hello! Project members. Wada, Maeda, and Fukuda became members of a new unit called Lilpri for the anime Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri in which all three girls voice characters. Wada also became a regular on a nagoya TV show called ''Go! Bungee Police'' with Yaguchi Mari.

2011
On February 25, Wada released her first solo photobook titled Wada Ayaka 16.

On August 9, Wada teamed up with Japan Press Network 47 News as a columnist. Her column, "Art Mileage", featured articles about her visits to museums in Japan. The column ran until November 17 with 10 articles in total.

2012
On February 15, Wada released her second solo photobook titled Aya aya.

On July 20, it was announced that Wada and Sayashi Riho were chosen to form the duo Peaberry. The unit released an indies single, titled "Cabbage Hakusho / Forest Time" (with Harvest), on November 7.

On September 23, Wada sprained her right ankle during the S/mileage Live Tour 2012 Aki ~Choi Kawa Banchou~ concert in Osaka. She was out for 2 to 3 weeks in order to heal.

2013
On February 27, a special gravure mook titled Graduation -Koukou Sotsugyou- featuring Wada and Suzuki Airi, in honor of their high school graduations, was released.

On February 12, it was announced that Wada would participate in a stageplay titled Moshimo Kokumin ga Shusho o Erandara. There was eleven showings, which it ran from April 24 to April 30.

On March 18, Wada had her last appearance on Test no Hanamichi.

On March 20, it was announced at an event that Wada and Fukuda Kanon will have a shared photobook about their last moments in high school. It is set to be released in April.

Beginning on September 27, 2013, Wada teamed up with PHP Biz Online Shuchi as a columnist. Her column, "Otome no Kaiga Annai" (乙女の絵画案内), consisted of review articles on antique western paintings and was compiled as a book.

2014
On March 14, Wada published her first art appreciation book, Otome no Kaiga Annai.

Starting from June 26, Wada began writing an art column for asianbeat titled "Ayaka Wada(ANGERME) presents 'Ukiyo-e'". The column concluded on April 23, 2015 with 10 articles.

On September 1, Wada celebrated her 20th birthday. She had a special birthday event, titled S/mileage ~Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2014~. The event featured two performances in Tokyo.

2015
On February 2, it was announced that Wada Ayaka along with Fukuda Kanon were chosen as the plus models for this month issue of H!P Digital Books.

On March 25, Wada was announced as a new Charge Girl (weather girl) on TV Tokyo's morning program Charge 730!, appearing every Thursday.

On July 27, it was announced Wada's book Otome no Kaiga Annai would also be published in Traditional Chinese as Shao Nu De Ming Hua Dao Lan.

On August 3, Wada celebrated her 21th birthday. She had a special birthday event, titled ANGERME Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2015. The event featured two performances in Tokyo.

On September 24, Wada graduated as Charge Girl on the morning program Charge 730!.

2016
On February 10, Wada announced her second art appreciation book, Bijutsu de Meguru Nippon Saihakken ~Ukiyo-e・Nihonga Kara Butsuzo Made~, would be published on March 12.

On August 1, Wada celebrated her 22nd birthday at a fanclub event, titled ANGERME Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2016, which featured two performances at Yamano Hall.

On December 31 at the Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2016 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~, it was announced that Wada would succeed Yajima Maimi as the 6th leader of Hello! Project with Fukumura Mizuki as the sub-leader from 2017.

2017
On February 26, Wada participated as a one-day curator for a commentary course in the Sengoku Period Exhibition at the Museum of Kyoto.

On August 1, Wada celebrated her 23rd birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2017. The event had two performances at Yamano Hall.

On November 30, she began a monthly column in BIG ONE GIRLS magazine titled "ANGERME Wada Ayaka no Saishoku Kenbi" (ANGERME Wada Ayaka's Coloration and Beauty).

2018
On April 5, it was announced that Wada would be graduating from Hello! Project and ANGERME at the end of ANGERME's 2019 spring tour.

On May 27, the Fami Hello! PHOTOBOOK was released, including Wada's gravure that was originally published in the December 2015 issues of Weekly Famitsu.

On August 1, she celebrated her 24th birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2018, which featured two shows at Yamano Hall.

On August 16, the music video for 's August 22 single "" was uploaded on YouTube, featuring Wada and six other Hello! Project members who all sing as chorus.

On September 20, Wada appeared in a daily guest role in the stage play LADY OUT LAW! starring former ℃-ute member Yajima Maimi as the lead.

On October 15, Wada began an article series titled "Art ni Muchuu!" (Obsessed With Art!) for the art news smartphone app Pia.

During the first part of the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2018 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~ concert, she announced that Fukumura Mizuki would succeed her as the leader of Hello! Project after she graduates.

2019
On May 29, Wada released a personal photobook to commemorate her graduation, self-titled Wada Ayaka.

On June 2, she held the ANGERME 26th Single "Koi wa Accha Accha / Yumemita Fifteen" Hatusubai Kinen Event "Wada Ayaka Solo Live" at Yokohama Bay Hall. Fans could win a ticket to the event by entering the serial number from the event lottery card that only came with Limited Edition SP of "Koi wa Accha Accha / Yumemita Fifteen" to the lottery site Frentry.

On June 7 and 8, she held the ANGERME Wada Ayaka Fanclub Tour in Hakone ~Geijutsu no Tabi 2019~.

On June 18, she graduated from ANGERME and Hello! Project in the Hello Pro Premium ANGERME Concert Tour 2019 Haru Final Wada Ayaka Sotsugyou Special Rinnetenshou ~Aru Toki Umareta Ai no Teishou~ at Nippon Budokan. In a post-concert interview, Wada stated that she would take a short break from stage to focus on completing her master's thesis.

Personal Life
Family=
 * Main article: Family of Wada Ayaka

Her family is known for running a tombstone shop. She has a younger sister and a pet cat named Toranosuke.

Wada also had a pet dog named Cheese who passed away in December 2013.

When Wada joined Hello Pro Egg in 2004, she was a nine-year-old, turning ten, in the fourth year of elementary school. Since entering high school, Wada began to have an interest in western art and began visiting museums more often.
 * -|Education=

In December 2012 at the launch event for the single "Samui ne.", Wada and Fukuda Kanon both announced that they both would take the upcoming university entrance exams, which usually takes place in the winter season. On January 19, 2013, Ayaka announced on her blog that she began taking the entrance exam for an undisclosed university.

On April 1, 2013, Wada announced on that she had graduated from high school the day before, March 31, and would be starting university. It was rumored she is attending Jissen Women's University, majoring in art. In September 2013, it was confirmed that Wada was majoring in art and specializing in western paintings.

In an asianbeat interview published in March 2016, Wada said that she wants to become a curator.

In March 2017, Wada graduated from university with a bachelor's degree. On April 1, Wada announced she would continue her studies by starting graduate school that month. When she graduated from ANGERME and Hello! Project in June 2019, she was in her second year of graduate school and in the middle of writing her master's thesis, indicating that she took a gap year during 2018-2019.

Wada most notably gets along with Fukuda Kanon, and former Morning Musume member Iikubo Haruna. .
 * -|Friendships=

Wada's given name, Ayaka, means "color" (彩; aya) combined with "flower" (花; ka). Her parents chose it from either Reina, Reika, Erika, or Ayaka.
 * -|Name Meaning=


 * -|Nicknames=
 * DAWA: Official nickname, given her since joining Hello Pro Egg. Used by members and fans.
 * Ayacho (あやちょ／あや著): Official nickname, given to her by Fukuda Kanon. Used by members and fans.

Profile
Stats=
 * Name: Wada Ayaka (和田彩花)
 * Nickname: DAWA, Ayacho (あやちょ/あや著)
 * Birthdate:
 * Birthplace: Gunma prefecture, Japan
 * Bloodtype: A
 * Height: 163cm
 * Western Zodiac: Leo
 * Eastern Zodiac: Dog
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 2004-6: Hello Pro Egg member
 * 2009-04-04: S/mileage member
 * 2019-06-18: Graduated
 * Years in ANGERME: 10 Years
 * Official Kaomoji: 川 ´‘ _‘||
 * S/mileage / ANGERME Color:
 * Blue (2009-2014)
 * Red (2014-2019)
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Hello Pro Egg (2004-2010)
 * Shugo Chara Egg! (2008-2009)
 * ANGERME (2009-2019)
 * ZYX-α (2009-2011)
 * Lilpri (2010-2011)
 * Hello! Project Mobekimasu (2011)
 * Peaberry (2012-2016)
 * One-Shot Units:
 * Suzuki Kanon ni Peaberry wo Soete (2015)
 * Hagi-King (2017)
 * AFuRuRi (2019)
 * -|Q&A=
 * Hobbies: Collecting sparkling accessories, collecting belts and hats, shopping for clothes.
 * Special skills: Swimming, track-and-field.
 * Likes: Clothes, belts, hats, decorations.
 * Dislikes: Green caterpillars, TV shows with scary beings.
 * Favorite Food: American cherry
 * Least Favorite Food: Liver, milk
 * Favorite Colors: Pink, purple, and black
 * Favorite Animal: Dogs and Cats
 * Favorite English Word: "English"
 * Favorite Songs: "Dondengaeshi", "Namidacchi"
 * Looks up to: Matsuura Aya, Takahashi Ai

Discography

 * See also: List:Wada Ayaka Discography Featured In

Solo Songs

 * Gensou Genwaku Innocence  (from LILIUM -Lilium Shoujo Junketsu Kageki-)
 * aMa no Jaku (S/mileage cover; from SMILE FANTASY!)
 * Believe in Me (from MODE)
 * Oni no Producer (from Yumemiru Television)
 * Watashi no Yumemita Fifteen (from Rinnetenshou ~ANGERME Past, Present & Future~)

Solo DVDs

 * [2011.03.02] Ayaka
 * [2012.03.07] Aya
 * [2013.02.14] Vivid Flower (e-Hello! DVD)
 * [2014.08.01] The Season (e-Hello! DVD)
 * [2019.xx.xx] ANGERME Wada Ayaka Solo Special Live

Solo Fanclub DVDs

 * [2015.xx.xx] ANGERME Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2015
 * [2016.xx.xx] ANGERME Wada Ayaka Birthday Event 2016

Publications

 * See also: List:Wada Ayaka Publications Featured In

Solo Photobooks

 * [2011.02.25] Wada Ayaka 16
 * [2012.02.15] aya
 * [2019.05.29] Wada Ayaka

Books

 * [2014.03.14] Otome no Kaiga Annai
 * [2016.03.12] Bijutsu de Meguru Nihon Saihakken ~Ukiyo-e・Nihonga Kara Butsuzo Made~

Movies

 * [2012] Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro・Igyou (怪談新耳袋・異形) (as Shiori)
 * [2017] JK Ninja Girls (cameo)

TV Programs

 * [2007.09.02] Chao.TV (ちゃお.TV)
 * [2010–2013] Test no Hanamichi (テストの花道) (Regular)
 * [2010–2012] Hanasaka Times (花咲かタイムズ) (Disney Corner; Hanasaka Disney)
 * [2010–2011] Bijo Gaku (美女学)
 * [2010] Oha Star (おはスタ) (2 episodes)
 * [2010] Go! Bungee Police (出動！バンジーP)
 * [2011] S/mile Factory
 * [2011–2012] Hello Pro! TIME (ハロプロTIME)
 * [2012] S/mileage no Sono Joshiki Choto Mate Kudasai! (スマイレージのその常識チョトマテクダサイ!)
 * [2012–2013] Hello! SATOYAMA Life (ハロー! SATOYAMA ライフ)
 * [2014–2019] The Girls Live
 * [2015] Charge 730! (チャージ730！)
 * [2019] AI・DOL PROJECT

TV Dramas

 * [2010] Hanbun Esper
 * [2010] Love Letter 5 Years Ago (5年後のラブレター) (as young Kanzaki Mai)
 * [2012] Suugaku♥Joshi Gakuen (数学♥女子学園)

Anime

 * [2010–2011] Hime-chen! Otogichikku Idol Lilpri (ひめチェン!おとぎちっくアイドル リルぷりっ) (as Yukimori Ringo)

Theater

 * [2007] Reverse! ~ Watashi no Karada Doko Desu ka?
 * [2009] Obaachanchi no Curry Rice ~Smile Recipe~
 * [2009] Shugo Chara! (as Sakura, X-Egg)
 * [2009] Koisuru Hello Kitty
 * [2013] Moshimo Kokumin ga Shushou wo Erandara (もしも国民が首相を選んだら)
 * [2013] Warera Jeanne ~Shoujo Seisen Kageki~ (as Jeanne d'Arc and Gigi)
 * [2014] LILIUM -Lilium Shoujo Junketsu Kageki- (as Snow)
 * [2014] SMILE FANTASY!
 * [2016] MODE
 * [2017] Yumemiru Television
 * [2018] LADY OUT LAW! (daily guest role)
 * [2018] Attack No.1

Radio

 * [2015-] Wada Ayaka no Bijurme (和田彩花のビジュルム) (formerly ANGERME Wada Ayaka no Bijurme (アンジュルム和田彩花のビジュルム))

Music Videos

 * [2009] Mano Erina - Hajimete no Keiken (as a back-up dancer)
 * [2009] Mano Erina - Sekai wa Summer Party (as a back-up dancer)
 * [2009] Mano Erina - Kono Mune no Tokimeki wo (as a back-up dancer)
 * [2009] Mano Erina - Love&Peace=Paradise (as a back-up dancer)
 * [2017] ℃-ute - To Tomorrow (as a back-up dancer)
 * [2018] -

Commercials

 * [2011] Zombie Daisuki (ぞんびだいすき)
 * [2011] McDonald's
 * [2012] Mister Donut (ミスタードーナツの)

Internet

 * [2011] Michishige Sayumi no "Mobekimasutte Nani??" (道重さゆみの『モベキマスってなに？？』)
 * [2013-2019] Hello! Project Station (ハロ！ステ)
 * [2015-2016] GREEN ROOM
 * [2016-2017] Girls Night Out
 * [2016-] Upcoming (アプカミ)
 * [2018-] tiny tiny
 * [2018-] OMAKE CHANNEL

Rankings

 * She was voted 7th favorite member in the 2011 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.
 * She was ranked 3rd in the High School Group of the Beautiful Idol General Election 2012.
 * She ranked 10th in mixi's June 2013 Hello! Project Popularity Ranking.