Inaba Manaka

"Inaba Manaka, June 2018"

Inaba Manaka (稲場愛香) is a Japanese pop singer under Hello! Project as a member of Juice=Juice and the leader of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. She is also a former member of Country Girls.

She was first introduced as a 19th generation member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei on May 5, 2013 and debuted in Country Girls on November 5, 2014. Due to asthma problems, Inaba graduated from Country Girls on August 4, 2016 after a three months absence from the group. She made her return to Hello! Project on September 8, 2017 as a solo act based in Sapporo and the leader of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido. It was then announced on June 13, 2018 that she would join Juice=Juice.

Prior to joining Hello! Project, she was a member of the idol group PEACEFUL, which she was the group's sub-leader.

Early Life
Inaba Manaka was born on December 27, 1997 in Hokkaido, Japan to a couple whose names are undisclosed. Since age 4, she began practicing both singing and dancing, aiming to join the entertainment industry. During her pre-idol childhood, she attended a dance school at in Sapporo.

2010-2012
In fall 2010, she auditioned for Morning Musume's 9th generation, but failed to pass the third round.

In December 2010, Inaba participated in the 61st NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen as a back dancer for EXILE.

In 2011, Inaba passed the Hokkaido Idol Project audition, and was added to a new idol group called PEACEFUL under the stage name MANAKA. She was assigned the sub-leader role. The group released their first and only single, "START!!", on June 8, 2011. On July 31, 2012, PEACEFUL disbanded.

2013
On May 5, Inaba was introduced as a member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei alongside Tanaka Karen, Mikame Kana, Fujii Rio, Mashiro Kana and Inoue Hikaru at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2013 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~.

On October 26, Inaba participated as a back dancer for the Morning Musume Concert Tour 2013 Aki ~CHANCE!~ concert in Hokkaido.

2014
On January 25, Inaba participated in the Hello! Project 2014 WINTER ~GOiSU MODE~ concert held in Hokkaido.

From March 15 to May 30, Inaba participated in the opening act and as a back dancer for the Morning Musume '14 Concert Tour Haru ~Evolution~ along with 5 other Hello Pro Kenshuusei members.

On November 5, it was announced that Inaba was added to Country Musume, now called Country Girls, alongside Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta and Ozeki Mai. She concluded her trainee activities following the November/December Nama Tamago Show.

2015
On December 29, Inaba celebrated her 18th birthday at a fanclub event called Country Girls Inaba Manaka Birthday Event 2015, featuring three performances at TOKYO FM HALL.

In August, Inaba announced she received own regular corner on the music program Uta-navi!, titled "Manakan Music", in which she would learn and introduce various genres of music.

2016
In February, Inaba released her first Blu-ray, titled Greeting ~Inaba Manaka~. A mini photobook containing photos taken during the Blu-ray's filming was later released on July 16.

On April 28, it was announced, after consulting with a doctor, that Inaba would be taking a break from activities due to asthma. It was stated that she would be absent from "Boogie Woogie LOVE / Koi wa Magnet / Ranrarun ~Anata ni Muchuu~" release events, Country Girls Live Tour 2016 Haru Natsu, as well as the Hello! Project 2016 SUMMER concert tour. Additionally, the Kizetsu Suru Hodo Aishiteru! musical, which starred Inaba as the main character, would cancel its remaining performances for May 28 and 29.

On August 4, it was announced that Inaba had graduated from Country Girls due to the lack of improvement in her asthma. She would, however, still be with and management would look into possibilities for her in the future.

2017
On September 8, it was announced on the official Hello! Project website that her asthma had stabilized, and she would be resuming activities as the leader of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido, while also pursuing independent activities in Sapporo. She began her "new start" by performing at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido Teiki Kouen Vol.4 on September 18.

On September 21, Inaba made a guest appearance on the Hokkaido radio show IMAREAL, where it was announced that she would host a regular corner on the show every Tuesday starting October 3.

On December 29, Inaba celebrated her 20th birthday at a fanclub event titled Inaba Manaka Birthday Event 2017, which featured two shows at PENNY LANE 24.

During rehearsals for the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2018 WINTER concert tour in December, Inaba rejoined the Hello! Project Station Dance Club.

2018
On February 17, Inaba and Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido released the indies single "Hankouki! / Ice day Party" for limited sale at the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2018 WINTER concert venue in Sapporo.

On June 13, it was revealed that Inaba Manaka had joined Juice=Juice as a new member and would begin activities with the group in the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2018 SUMMER concert tour. In addition, she would continue activities in Hokkaido.

From June 16 to June 18, she held the Inaba Manaka Fanclub Tour in Hokkaido ~Nokkori Toukibi Kee!~.

Personal Life
Family= She has a younger brother.

When Inaba joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei, she was a first year high school student. She was the manager of her high school baseball team in Hokkaido for half of her first year, but unfortunately had to resign when she became too busy with her activities as a Hello Pro Kenshuusei member.
 * -|Education=

In March 2016, Inaba graduated from high school.

The following list are notable friendships Inaba Manaka has acquired:
 * -|Friendships=
 * Miyamoto Karin: Manaka gets along well with Juice=Juice member Miyamoto Karin
 * Nakanishi Kana: She gets along well with ANGERME member Nakanishi Kana.
 * Sasaki Rikako: She is good friends with ANGERME member Sasaki Rikako.

Here is a list of nicknames that have been used to refer to Inaba Manaka:
 * -|Nicknames=
 * Manakan (まなかん): Official nickname, given to her by Tsunku when she joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
 * Inabaccho (いなばっちょ): Her second official nickname, given to her by Kobushi Factory's Hamaura Ayano.
 * Ma~nyan (ま～にゃん): Her nickname in PEACEFUL.

Profile
Stats=
 * Name: Inaba Manaka (稲場愛香)
 * Stage Name: MANAKA (in PEACEFUL)
 * Nicknames: Manaka (まなか), Manakan (まなかん), Inabaccho (いなばっちょ), Ma~nyan (ま～にゃん)
 * Birthdate:
 * Birthplace: Hokkaido, Japan
 * Blood type: B
 * Height: 151cm
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 2013-05: Joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei
 * 2014-11-05: Joined Country Girls
 * 2016-04-28: Hiatus
 * 2016-08-04: Graduated from Country Girls
 * 2017-09-08: Returned from hiatus as a soloist and the leader of Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido
 * 2018-06-13: Joined Juice=Juice
 * Country Girls Color: Italian Red (2014–2016)
 * Juice=Juice Color: Hot Pink (2018–)
 * PEACEFUL Color: Yellow
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Hello Pro Kenshuusei (2013–2014)
 * Country Girls (2014–2016)
 * Hello! Project Station Dance Club (2015–2016; 2017–)
 * Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido (2017–2018)
 * Juice=Juice (2018–)
 * Other Groups:
 * PEACEFUL (2011–2012)
 * -|Q&A=
 * See also: List:Inaba Manaka Other Q&As


 * Specialty: Dance (jazz, hip-hop), memorizing dances, making people laugh, English level 5, make-up and hair arrangement
 * Hobbies: Reading, painting/drawing, having wild ideas, listening to music,  watching dramas and movies, sky appreciation, studying Korean, looking at the moon
 * Motto: "Kanzen nenshou" (完全燃焼; Complete burning), "Jibun rashiku" (自分らしく; Be yourself), "Nisshin geppo" (日進月歩; Ever improving)
 * Favorite Food: Fruits, ice cream, cheese, honey, spicy food
 * Favorite Flowers: Roses, carnations
 * Favorite Color: Pink, white, black
 * Favorite Sports: Baseball, football (Soccer), badminton
 * Treasured Item: Her dreams
 * Favorite Hello! Project songs: "Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe", "Wagamama Ki no Mama Ai no Joke", "Ren'ai Revolution 21", "Suki yo, Junjou Hankouki.", "Uchouten LOVE", "Suki-chan", "Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne"
 * Looks Up To:  Sayashi Riho, Miyamoto Karin, Kudo Haruka, Takahashi Ai

Discography

 * See also: List:Inaba Manaka Discography Featured In

Singles

 * Collaboration Singles
 * [2018.02.17] Hankouki! / Ice day Party (Hello Pro Kenshuusei Hokkaido feat. Inaba Manaka)

Solo DVDs/Blu-rays

 * [2016.02.20] Greeting ~Inaba Manaka~

Solo Fanclub DVDs

 * [2018.xx.xx] Inaba Manaka Fanclub Tour in Hokkaido ~Nokkori Toukibi Kee!~

Photobooks

 * [2016.07.16] Inaba Manaka Mini Photobook "Greeting -Photobook-"

Magazines

 * [2014.05.20] CD Journal (with Tanabe Nanami, Yoshihashi Kurumi, Sasaki Rikako)
 * [2015.02.06] Top Yell
 * [2015.02.09] BOMB (with Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta, Ozeki Mai)
 * [2015.02.20] CD Journal (with Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta, Ozeki Mai)
 * [2015.02.24] B.L.T (with Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta, Ozeki Mai)
 * [2015.02.28] Gekkan Entame (with Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta, Ozeki Mai)
 * [2015.03.06] BIG ONE GIRLS (with Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta, Ozeki Mai)
 * [2015.03.19] Shukan Famitsu (with Yamaki Risa, Morito Chisaki, Shimamura Uta, Ozeki Mai)

Theater

 * [2016] Kizetsu Suru Hodo Aishiteru!
 * [2018] Time Repeat ~Kibou no Wakusei~

TV Programs

 * [2014–2016; 2017–] The Girls Live
 * [2015–2016] Uta-navi! (うたなび！)

Internet

 * [2014–2016; 2017–] Hello! Project Station

Radio

 * [2015] Country Girls no Tadaima Radio Kenshuuchuu!! (カントリー・ガールズの只今ラジオ研修中!!)
 * [2015–2016] Country Girls no Tadaima Radio Housouchuu!! (カントリー・ガールズの只今ラジオ放送中!!)
 * [2017–] IMAREAL

Trivia

 * She was the second Hello Pro Kenshuusei member who was in a non-Hello! Project idol group prior to joining.
 * She was the first Hello Pro Kenshuusei member to be from Hokkaido.
 * In an issue of Gekkan Entame, she was ranked the best dancer in Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
 * She wants to be the kind of idol that brings happiness and dreams to others.
 * She doesn't want to lose to anyone in dancing.
 * She wants to get better at facial expressions.
 * She had said that her dream was to join Morning Musume and debut in 2014.
 * During her time in Hello Pro Kenshuusei, she said that if she saw a shooting star, she'd wish to debut.
 * She wants to try singing "Uchouten LOVE" by S/mileage, and "Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne" by Juice=Juice.
 * Her rival in Hello Pro Kenshuusei was Fujii Rio. As generation mates they had a sense of wanting to work hard together, but her dancing is powerful and they had been challenging each other to do better.
 * She says that because she lives in Hokkaido, it was difficult for her to attend Hello Pro Kenshuusei lessons and events, so she put all her strength into the ones she could attend.
 * In late 2013, Tsunku commented on Inaba: "Your dancing is amazingly good. Your legs are improving beautifully. For expressions you have a nice smile. Because you're from Hokkaido I don't think you'll be able to attend everything, so I hope that you'll watch videos in your normal life and regularly copy the dances and singing so as not to fall behind."
 * AOL published an article on Inaba, suggesting she would be Satoda Mai's successor and join Country Musume. The writer also mentioned Inaba's high skill and good dancing.
 * She had been learning how to cook, studying Korean and watching Korean dramas during her hiatus.
 * While watching her Hello! Project Station interview in episode #236, Inaba noticed herself looking up in a diagonal direction over and over. She was really nervous during the shoot and forgot to breathe, but she had fun once her instincts slowly came back.
 * She goes to karaoke to sing and dance on her own, and wants to go to karaoke again with Oda Sakura.
 * She has loved shoes since she was little and would walk around in her mother's high heels.
 * She likes to wear clothes and makeup according to the season.
 * She is the third Hello! Project member to have "graduated" from a main group to then "debut" in another main group (graduated from Country Girls in August 2016 and debuted in Juice=Juice in June 2018). The first to do so was Ishikawa Rika.