Maeda Yuuka

Maeda Yuuka (前田憂佳) was a Japanese pop singer signed to Hello! Project. She joined the project in 2004 as a member of Hello! Pro Egg, and is also a former member of S/mileage, High-King and Shugo Chara Egg!. She graduated from Hello! Pro Egg with the original S/mileage in 2009. On December 31, 2011, Maeda graduated from S/mileage, Hello! Project, and Up-Front Agency.

Early Life
Maeda Yuuka was born on December 28, 1994 in Chiba, Japan to a couple whose names are undisclosed. She has an older sister.

2004
Maeda Yuuka joined Hello! Project as a member of Hello! Pro Egg in June 2004 when she passed the auditions alongside 29 other girls. The aim of the group was to prepare the young girls for their debut into the world of entertainment, as such Maeda received free dance and vocal training alongside the other Eggs.

2005
In October 2005, Maeda became one of the founding members of Hello! Pro Egg group Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai. They debuted at Morning Musume's enviromental Culture Festival 2005.

2006
In 2006, Maeda Yuuka continued her training and appeared at numerous Hello! Project concerts as a backing dancer, including the Country Musume concert "Country Musume LIVE 2006 ~Shibuya des Date~".

In March Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai's blog opened and in July their first song was announced, "Minna no Ki". On August 22, Tomoiki went to do tree-planting activities at PLANT A TREE farm and herb garden in Yamanashiken.

In September, Maeda performed "Minna no ki" with Tomoiki at Morning Musume’s environmental Culture Festival 2006 and were backing dancers to Morning Musume’s Kusumi Koharu.

Also she released a single in a mini-unit known as Paretto.

2007
In April 2007, Maeda recieved a role in the musical "Soto wa shiroi haru no kumo" which was later released onto DVD. A few months later in September, Maeda featured in "Standardsong Entertainment's "Ekubo ~people song~". Maeda also took part in a television show, "Chao.TV" (started 2007/09/02). Maeda appeared as a part of Tomoiki at Morning Musume’s environmental Culture Festival 2007.

2008
In 2008, Maeda recieved her first proper Hello! Project role when she was selected to become part of the new unit, High-King, alongside important Hello! Project singers such as Morning Musume's Takahashi Ai and Tanaka Reina. The group was created to promote Morning Musume's upcoming rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella", titled Cinderella the Musical. The group's debut single, "C\C (Cinderella\Complex)", was released on June 11, 2008 and attained a peak rank of #6.

Maeda was selected to be one of the four members for a new Hello! Pro Egg unit alongside Wada Ayaka, Fukuda Kanon and Saho Akari. The group was called Shugo Chara Egg! and was formed to record the opening songs for the anime that Buono! sings for, Shugo Chara!. She released two singles with the group until she graduated from the group along with Wada and Fukuda.

In April, Maeda took part in another musical, "Bijogi Junction". Maeda, along with the original Shugo Chara Egg! joined the cast of Shugo Chara! the Musical. She played the main role of Hinamori Amu.

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

On May 8, Tsunku revealed the name of the new group to be "S/mileage" on his blog, that means "the age of smiles."

2010
In May, Meada and the rest of the S/mileage members graduated from Hello! Pro Egg in the Hello! Project spring concert.

2011
On December 31, Maeda retired from the entertainment industry in order to concentrate, study, and prepare for an entrance exam for college.

Maeda, who has been a member of S/mileage ever since its formation back in April 2009, commented: “I noticed that my feeling of wanting to go to college has been getting bigger and bigger”. Producer Tsunku♂ also commented: “Though she could have worn two hats (juggling career & school), she is the type of a girl who wants to put all of her full effort into one thing”.

Maeda concluded with the promotional activities for her last single “Please Mini Skirt Post Woman!” which was released on December 28th, her birthday.

On December 31, 2011, she graduated from S/mileage and Hello! Project, and retired from Up-Front Agency.

Profile
Stats=
 * Name: Maeda Yuuka (前田憂佳)
 * Nicknames: Yuukarin (ゆうかりん), Yuuka (ゆうか)
 * Birthday:
 * Height: 160cm (5'3")
 * Birthplace: Chiba prefecture
 * Blood type: B
 * Western Zodiac: Capricorn
 * Eastern Zodiac: Dog
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * 2004-06-??: Egg
 * 2009-04-04: S/mileage Member
 * 2010-03-27: Member
 * 2011-12-31: Graduated
 * Up-Front Agency Status:
 * 2004-06-??: Member
 * 2011-12-31: Retired
 * Years in S/mileage: 2 Years
 * Hello! Project Groups:
 * Hello! Pro Egg (2004–2010)
 * Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai (2005-2009)
 * Shugo Chara Egg! (2008-2009)
 * S/mileage(2009-2011)
 * Hello! Project Mobekimasu (2011)
 * High-King (2008)
 * Lilpri (2010-2011)
 * -|Q & A=
 * Close friends: Saho Akari, Noto Arisa, Yutoku Ayumi
 * Hobbies: Looking at the sky and listening to music
 * Pets: Haru (dog), Aochan (hamster), three turtles, goldfish, carp.
 * Special skills: Piano, penmanship.
 * Favorite H!P song: "Happiness ~Koufuku Kangei!~"
 * Favorite character: Stitch
 * Favorite tree: Cherry tree
 * Favorite sport: Basketball
 * Favorite thing: Dogs, hamsters, cheese omelette, salmon
 * Favorite color: Red, black, white, pink
 * Disliked food: Durian, spicy food
 * Dislikes: Ghosts

Solo DVDs

 * [2010.08.04] Maeda Yuuka Junpaku
 * [2012.02.15] See You-karin ~Special Making Edition~

Discography Featured In
Singles=
 * S/mileage
 * aMa no Jaku (First Debut Indies Single)
 * Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai (Indies)
 * Suki-chan (Indies)
 * Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii (Indies)
 * Yume Miru Fifteen
 * ○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!!
 * Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama
 * Short Cut
 * Koi ni Booing Buu!
 * Uchouten LOVE
 * Tachiagirl
 * Please Miniskirt Postwoman! (Last Single)


 * Shugo Chara Egg!
 * Minna no Tamago
 * Shugo Shugo!


 * Lilpri
 * Little♡Princess☆Pri!
 * Idolulu


 * Tomoiki Ki wo Uetai
 * Minna no Ki


 * High-King
 * C\C (Cinderella\Complex)


 * Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Singers
 * Ai wa Katsu


 * Oha Girl Maple
 * My School March


 * Bekimasu
 * Makeruna Wasshoi!


 * Hello! Project Mobekimasu
 * Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku


 * Paretto
 * Sekai wa Bokura wo Matteiru (世界は僕らを待っている)


 * -|Albums=
 * S/mileage
 * Warugaki 1


 * Hello! Project
 * Petit Best 7 (Compilation Album)
 * Hello! Project Special Unit Mega Best (Compilation Album)
 * Chanpuru 1 ~Happy Marriage Song Cover Shuu~ (Cover Album)
 * Petit Best 10 (Compilation Album)
 * Petit Best 11 (Compilation Album)
 * Petit Best 12 (Compilation Album)


 * -|Concerts=
 * S/mileage
 * S/mileage 1st Live Fall Concert Tour 2010 ~Devil Smile Angel Smile~
 * S/mileage 2011 Limited Live "S/mile Factory"
 * S/mileage 2011 Fall Tour ~Gyakushuu no MINI SKIRT~


 * Hello! Project
 * [2009.11.04] Hello! Project 2009 Summer Kakumei Gannen ~Hello! Champloo~
 * [2010.03.31] Hello! Project 2010 WINTER Kachou Fuugetsu ~Shuffle Date~
 * [2010.04.14] Hello! Project 2010 Winter Kachou Fuugetsu ~Mobekimasu!~
 * [2010.07.18 - 2010.08.08] Hello! Project 2010 Summer ~Fankora~
 * [2011.02.23] Hello! Project 2011 Winter ~Kangei Shinsen Matsuri~ A gana Live
 * [2011.02.23] Hello! Project 2011 Winter ~Kangei Shinsen Matsuri~ B kkuri Live
 * [2011.07.16~17] Hello! Project 2011 SUMMER ~Nippon no mirai wa WOW WOW Live~
 * [2011.07.16~17] Hello! Project 2011 SUMMER ~Nippon no mirai wa YEAH YEAH Live~


 * Hello! Pro Egg
 * [2009.06.07] 2009 Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen 6gatsu ~Nakano Step!~
 * [2009.09.23] 2009 Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen 9gatsu ~Yokohama Jump!~
 * [2009.11.23] 2009 Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen 11gatsu ~Yokohama Fire!~
 * [2010.02.28] 2010nen Hello! Pro Egg Norimen Live 2gatsu
 * [2010.03.27] 2010 Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen 3gatsu ~Yokohama Gold!~

Photobooks

 * [2010.07.23] Maeda Yuuka 15sai
 * [2011.12.20] See You-karin

Film

 * [2010] Hoshisuna no Shima no Chiisana Tenshi ~Mermaid Smile~ (星砂の島のちいさな天使 〜マーメイドスマイル〜) (as Shimabukuro Yuka)

Television

 * [2007.09.02] Chao.TV (ちゃお.TV)
 * [2011] Hello Pro! TIME (ハロプロ！ＴＩＭＥ)

TV Dramas

 * [2006.07.31] がきんちょ～リターン・キッズ～ (Gakincho ~Return Kids~)
 * [2010] Hanbun Esper (半分エスパー)
 * [2010] 5nengo no Love Letter (5年後のラブレター) (as young Shimura Nao)

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 Takeshiro Layla)

Theater

 * [2007] Soto wa Shiroi Haru no Kumo (外は白い春の雲)
 * [2007] Ekubo ~people song~ (えくぼ～people song～)
 * [2008] Biyoji Junction (美女木ジャンクション)
 * [2009] Shugo Chara! (しゅごキャラ!) (as Hinamori Amu)
 * [2009] Koisuru Hello Kitty (恋するハローキティ)

Radio

 * [2010–2011] FIVE STARS

Commercials

 * [2011] Zombie Daisuki (ぞんびだいすき) (Nintendo DS)
 * [2011] McDonald's

Music Videos

 * [2009] Mano Erina - Hajimete no Keiken (はじめての経験) (as back dancer)
 * [2009] Mano Erina - Sekai wa Summer Party (世界は サマー・パーティ) (as back dancer)
 * [2009] Mano Erina - Kono Mune no Tokimeki wo (この胸のときめきを) (as back dancer)
 * [2009] Mano Erina - Love&Peace=Paradise (Love&Peace＝パラダイス) (as back dancer)

Magazines

 * [2010.04.27] Radio Bangumi (with Fukuda Kanon)
 * [2011.09.22] UTB+ Vol.4 (with Suzuki Airi & Sayashi Riho)

Rankings

 * She was voted 5th favorite member in the 2011 "Hello! Project Music Awards" event.

Trivia

 * Eats rice for breakfast.
 * Has a habit of touching her hair.
 * Her favorite spot is the balcony at school.
 * She is close friends with former Hello! Pro Egg members Saho Akari, Noto Arisa and Yutoku Ayumi.
 * She was Amulet Heart while in Shugo Chara Egg!.
 * She was featured in the MBS Drama "Gakincho ~Return Kids~".
 * In 2007, Maeda was featured in Standardsong Entertainment’s "Ekubo ~people song~".
 * She has the same surname as former Hello! Pro Egg member Maeda Irori, soloist Maeda Yuki, AKB48 member Maeda Ami, AKB48 former member Maeda Atsuko, and actress Maeda Ai.
 * She is the second S/mileage member to retire, in order to focus on their education, after Ogawa Saki.
 * Please Miniskirt Postwoman!, her graduation single, was released on her birthday.
 * Shares the same birthday with former V-u-den member Okada Yui