Up Up Girls (Kari)



Up Up Girls (Kari) (アップアップガールズ(仮); pronounced Up Up Girls Kakko Kari), or simply Up Up Girls, is a Japanese girl group originally consisting of seven former Hello Pro Kenshuusei members currently under. They were originally known as Up Front Girls (Kari) (アップフロントガールズ(仮)), but they changed to their current name in June, 2011. As the name implies, the group is still in its tentative stage. The last part of their name, (仮), read 'kakko kari' is often used as a logo to represent the group. Their name is often shortened to Apuga (アプガ).

Unlike other idol groups that were under UP-FRONT PROMOTION, Up Up Girls were not part of Hello! Project. Up Up Girls performed live every Thursday at MAP Theater, Akihabara, as one of the regular weekday acts until the theater was closed down. For a short time they moved their act to Hatsudai The DOORS. They still regularly perform at different venues

All members of Up Up Girls are also members of UFZS, a K-Pop dance cover group which was formed a year before Up Up Girls.

Up Up Girls (Kari)

 * Furukawa Konatsu (古川小夏; Pink ) UFZS Leader
 * Mori Saki (森咲樹; Green )
 * Saho Akari (佐保明梨; Yellow )
 * Sekine Azusa (関根梓; Orange )
 * Arai Manami (新井愛瞳; Blue )


 * Former Members
 * Sengoku Minami (仙石みなみ; Red ) (Graduated September 16, 2017)
 * Sato Ayano (佐藤綾乃; Purple ) (Graduated September 16, 2017)

Up Up Girls (2)

 * Takahagi Chinatsu (高萩千夏)
 * Yoshikawa Mayu (吉川茉優)
 * Kajishima Aya (鍛治島彩)
 * Hashimura Riko (橋村理子)
 * Nakaoki Rin (中沖凜)
 * Nakagawa Chihiro (中川千尋)
 * Sasaki Honoka (佐々木ほのか)

Up Up Girls (Pro Wres)

 * Miu (ミウ)
 * Raku (ラク)
 * Hirano (ヒラノ)
 * Hikari (ヒカリ)

2011
On March 3rd, a new project was announced for 5 of Hello Pro Egg members: Sato Ayano, Arai Manami, Sekine Azusa, Furukawa Konatsu, and Mori Saki.

In March, it was revealed that a new TV show featuring the previously mentioned five and Sengoku Minami would be aired on Sky Perfect TV channel, entitled Up Front Girls. Various Internet social media also opened for Up Front Girls, such as Ameba blogs, a Ustream channel, and a staff Twitter account.

In early May, Up Front Girls held a series of shows for a fan club event. In the last show of the event, Saho Akari, who had already completed her training in Hello Pro Egg in April, made a surprise appearance, and announced herself as a new member of Up Front Girls.

In early June, each member was finally assigned an image color.

In late June, at their weekly Ustream show, to the members' surprise, the management decided to change the group name to "Up Up Girls (Kari)".

A few days later, it was revealed that the group had been chosen as one of the regular performers at a new stage at Akihabara: MAP Theater, a joint collaboration between PigooHD and Sofmap Akihabara.

In September 2011, the officials at the MAP Theater ordered all performances to be stopped after a government inspection found the theater to be unsafe. While the theater was being fixed performances were temporarily moved to a new venue, Hatsudai The DOORS. Eventually the MAP Theater was officially closed, and performances were then continued at various venues.

In late 2011 the group collaborated with the South Korean duo TENSI LOVE, by acting as backup dancers for their performances. The group also performed covers of two of the groups songs at events, "Shine" and "Cake House". Soon after this at another event, the instrumental of a new song was revealed to the members; it was to be their first original song. It was decided that their next project would be to debut as Korean artists.

2012
In January 2012 the group performed a tentative version of their still-untitled original song over Ustream. The next month they performed the song yet again and its title was announced to be "Going my ↑".

Up Up Girls were invited to perform as the opening act at IDOL NATION, on August 11.

Up Up Girls and THE Possible will perform together at Shinjuku Blaze. The event is set for October 7.

In a "Road to Korea" video released in August 2012 the producer of the group announced that Furukawa Konatsu would now be the leader of the kpop dance cover group UFZS.

Around late December, it was announced that Up Up Girls were releasing their first album.

2013
It was revealed that Up Up Girls, along with THE Possible and Kikkawa Yuu would be guests at the upcoming Winter Hello! Project tour. Up Up Girls performed Chopper☆Chopper at the concert.

A 2 part horror movie titled Ada ~ADA~ featured all the members from Up Up Girls in it, and had Sato Ayano and Sengoku Minami taking on the lead roles. The movie was directed by Koji Shiraishi and was released on July 13.

In June, it was announced Up Up Girls would collaborating with idol groups Vanilla Beans, Caramel Ribbon, and Lyrical School's Mei to form the group T-Palette mini All Stars and release the single Bad Blood/Hereafter, which is the soundtrack to the movie Ada ~ADA~.

On July 15, Up Up Girls released their very first music video on Recochoku for the song Up Up Typhoon.

On October 1, they were transferred from to.

On October 31, Up Up Girls announced at Starry Night/Seishun Buildup's promotion event that each member will go to one of the 7 major cities in Japan to promote the group.

On November 28, it was announced that Up Up Girls would be on the Disney song cover album "Disney Rocks!!! Girls Power!", along with 15 other artists. The song they sing on the album is "We're All In This Together" (known in Japan as "Minna Star!") from High School Musical. The album was released on January 22, 2014.

On December 16, it was announced that Up Up Girls would be releasing their first Christmas song titled "Santa Claus" on December 22nd. It is a (Kari) CD, so it is a limited release.

2014
On January 1st the girls released their 12th digital single Up Ome!! ~Apuga no Oshougatsu da yo Zenin Shuugou!~

On February 6, it was announced at The Possible vs Kikkawa Yuu vs Up Up Girls Kakko Kari ~Kikkawa Yuu and Possi Possi Girls Kakko Kari~ collaboration concert that Up Up Girls would be collaborating with Kikkawa Yuu and THE Possible to form the group Team Makenki (Kari). Their first original song is Mugen, Fly High!!.

On February 12, it was announced that Up Up Girls' album "Second Album (Kari)" will come in different jacket covers for the areas covered by the 7 Major Cities Operation: Hokkaido, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kansai, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. Other areas will have the earlier announced jacket covers: regular edition and limited edition.

On April 9th 2014 the group released their 17th indies single titled (Kari) wa Kaesuze ☆ be your soul / Party! Party! / Jumper!

On July 1st they released Zenryoku! Pump Up!! / Kono Melody wo Kimi to.

On November 4th they released their 19th indies single Beautiful Dreamer / Zenryoku! Pump Up!! -ULTRA Mix- / Itadaki wo Mezase!

2015
On March 17, the group released their 3rd album titled Third Album (Kari).

2016
On March, the management of UPUPGIRLS（仮）, together with Kikkawa You, have been transfered to YU-M Entertainment (http://yum-e.jp/). They are still listed as artists under Up-Front Create. The president of YU-M Entertainment is former manager of Morning Musume(Platinum Era).

On April 5th they released their 20th indies single titled Party People Alien / Seven☆Peace.

On October 11th they released !!!!!!!! / Kimi to Iu Kasetsu their 21st indies single.

On November 8th UPUPGIRLS（仮）held their first Nippon Budokan concert. Another milestone achievement for the group. They also announced that auditions are open for a new group UPUPGIRLS(2).

2017
From February 10 to 12, Up Up Girls (Kari) set foot in Bangkok, Thailand for the first time for the JAPAN EXPO THAILAND 2017. They came with Kikkawa You and Ciao Bella Cinquetti.

In February, Takahagi Chinatsu, Yoshikawa Mayu, Kajishima Aya, and Hashimura Riko passed the new members audition. On March 19, it was revealed through a YouTube video that an additional member, Nakaoki Rin, would also be joining the group.

On April 28, it was announced that both Sengoku Minami and Sato Ayano would be graduating from the group on a future date.

On May 30, Up Up Girls (Kari) and DDT Pro-Wrestling announced they were working together to produce a new group called Up Up Girls (Pro-Wrestler) and auditions would open that day.

In the June 23 episode of Upcoming, it was announced that Up Up Girls (Kari) and ANGERME would hold a joint battle of the bands style live on September 12 at Zepp DiverCity. The live, which is sponsored by NTT docomo, is titled NTT docomo presents ANGERME VS Up Up Girls (Kari) ~THANK YOU! DEAR MY FRIENDS~.

Up Up Girls held their last live show with Sengoku Minami and Sato Ayano on September 15th. Both graduated from their group at their ceremony event on September 16th.

Television
Aired at Sky Perfect Channel as a monthly show, re-aired weekly and available to watch at pay per view service PigooHD, Up-Up Girls' TV show titled the same as their name, 'Up-Up Girls', featuring all members of the group. The show follows the pattern of a typical idol TV show, with lots of games and challenges done by the members. Occasionally, the show also includes various footage of the group's activities, such as events and live performances.

Internet
Two blogs opened for the group at Ameba, one for the members' daily blogging, and one solely for news purposes. They also have two internet video and broadcast portals. The first is Ustream, where they do a weekly show every Monday night. The second is Nico Nico Douga, where they upload various videos, ranging from event footage to dance covers. The staff also have an active account on Twitter. In 2012 the group started another regular internet broadcast titled "JouJou Shoujo's" (上々少女’s), through TV Asahi Douga.

Begining in 2016, UPUPGIRLS（仮）have regular livestream on Showroom every Tuesday, 9PM Tokyo time (https://www.showroom-live.com/upupgirls).

Live Stage
Up-Up Girls performed live every Thursday at MAP Theater, Akihabara, as one of the regular weekday acts until the theater was closed down. For a short time they moved their act to Hatsudai The DOORS. They still regularly perform at different venues.

In 2013 a new Livehouse opened at Akiba Cultures Zone called Akiba Cultures Theatre(http://akibalive.jp/access_map/) This will become UPUPGIRLS(仮）regular theater. As of May 31st 2017, they have done 119 regular liveshows at Akiba Cultures Theatre.

UFZS
All Up Up Girls members are also a member of UFZS. UFZS is a dance unit focusing mainly on covering Korean pop songs. It is produced by Josei Jishin. The group was revealed in late February, 2011, long before Up Up Girls was even revealed to the public. Initially formed to compete in a K-dance competition, "DREAM ON! vol.2", the group has since made a few appearance in a number of events and competitions, including the Japanese round of the Korean TV talent show, Superstar K3.

UFZS was originally a five members unit: Furukawa, Mori, Sato, Sekine, and Arai. Sengoku and Saho joined later in May, 2011, making all Up Up Girls members also members of the dance unit.

They made covers of Rainbow's A, After School's Bang!, Girls' Generation's Catch Me If You Can and I Got A Boy, PSY's Gangnam Style and Gentleman, 4Minute's Hot Issue, 2PM's I'll Be Back, AOA's Like a Cat and Short Hair, April's Muah!, T-ara's Roly Poly, yayaya, Sexy Love and Lovey Dovey and Gangkiz's Honey Honey.

Discography
See Up Up Girls (Kari) Discography

Albums=
 * Indie Albums
 * 1) [2013.01.30] First Album (Kari) (ファーストアルバム（仮))
 * 2) [2014.02.19] Second Album (Kari) (セカンドアルバム（仮))
 * 3) [2015.03.17] Third Album (Kari) (サードアルバム（仮）)
 * 4) [2017.08.29] 4th Album (Kari) (4thアルバム（仮）)


 * Digital Albums
 * [2013.08.04] Natsu Festival Sansen Kinen! 8/3「ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2013」Setlist Album (夏ﾌｪｽ参戦記念!8／3｢ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2013｣ｾｯﾄﾘｽﾄｱﾙﾊﾞﾑ)
 * [2013.08.11] Natsu Festival Sansen Kinen! 8/10「IDOL NATION 2013」Setlist Album (夏ﾌｪｽ参戦記念!8／10「IDOL NATION 2013」ｾｯﾄﾘｽﾄｱﾙﾊﾞﾑ)
 * [2013.09.23] Natsu Festival Sansen Kinen! 9/22「Inazuma Rock Festival 2013」Setlist Album (夏ﾌｪｽ参戦記念！9／22「ｲﾅｽﾞﾏﾛｯｸﾌｪｽ 2013」ｾｯﾄﾘｽﾄｱﾙﾊﾞﾑ)
 * [2014.02.16] Second Album (Kari) Special Remix Pack (セカンドアルバム(仮)スペシャルRemixパック)


 * Collaboration Albums
 * [2013.07.17] T-Palette Records 2nd Anniversary Mix 〜Diggin'on you〜 (#3 Respect Tokyo; #20 Sutorera! ~Straight Up!~)
 * [2014.01.22] Disney Rocks!!! Girls Power! (ディズニー・ロックス!!! ガールズパワー)  (#15 We're All in This Together)


 * -|Singles=
 * Indie Singles
 * 1) [2012.04.25] Going my ↑
 * 2) [2012.06.27] Barebare I LOVE YOU (バレバレI LOVE YOU)
 * 3) [2012.07.25] Uppercut! / Yuudachi! Through the Rainbow (アッパーカット！ / 夕立ち！スルー・ザ・レインボー)
 * 4) [2012.08.29] Mechakyun♡Summer ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ (メチャキュン♡サマー('▽`)ノ)
 * 5) [2012.09.26] Namen na! Ashi Girls / Marble Hero (なめんな！アシガールズ / マーブルヒーロー)
 * 6) [2012.10.03] End Of The Season
 * 7) [2012.11.07] UPPER ROCK / Ichiban Girls! (UPPER ROCK/イチバンガールズ!)
 * 8) [2012.12.05] Chopper☆Chopper / Survival Girls (チョッパー☆チョッパー／サバイバルガールズ)
 * 9) [2013.02.20] Respect Tokyo / Sutorera! ~Straight Up!~ (リスペクトーキョー / ストレラ!～Straight Up!～)
 * 10) [2013.03.13] SAKURA DRIVE / Dateline
 * 11) [2013.04.10] Next Stage / Ano Saka no Ue Made, (Next Stage / あの坂の上まで、)
 * 12) [2013.06.05] Ginga Joujou Monogatari / Burn the fire!! / Natural Born Idol (銀河上々物語／Burn the fire!!／ナチュラルボーン・アイドル)
 * 13) [2013.07.24] Summer Beam! / Up Up Typhoon (サマービーム!/アップアップタイフーン)
 * 14) [2013.09.04] SAMURAI GIRLS / Widol Seven (SAMURAI GIRLS / ワイドルセブン)
 * 15) [2013.10.30] Starry Night / Seishun Buildup (Starry Night / 青春ビルドアップ)
 * 16) [2013.12.25] Nijiiro Mosaic / ENJOY!! ENJO(Y)!! (虹色モザイク／ENJOY!! ENJO(Y)!!)
 * 17) [2014.04.09] (Kari) wa Kaesuze ☆ be your soul / Party! Party! / Jumper! ((仮)は返すぜ☆be your soul / Party! Party! / ジャンパー！)
 * 18) [2014.07.01] Zenryoku! Pump Up!! / Kono Melody wo Kimi to (全力! Pump UP!! / このメロディを君と)
 * 19) [2014.11.04] Beautiful Dreamer / Zenryoku! Pump Up!! -ULTRA Mix- / Itadaki wo Mezase! (Beautiful Dreamer/全力! Pump Up!! -ULTRA Mix-/イタダキを目指せ)
 * 20) [2016.04.05] Party People Alien / Seven☆Peace (パーリーピーポーエイリアン/セブン☆ピース)
 * 21) [2016.10.11] !!!!!!!! / Kimi to Iu Kasetsu (！！！！！！！！ / 君という仮説)
 * 22) [2017.05.09] UPPER DISCO / FOREVER YOUNG (アッパーディスコ／FOREVER YOUNG)
 * 23) [2017.11.28] Joujou do Konjou / Be a Girl (上々ド根性／Be a Girl)
 * Digital Singles
 * 1) [2012.03.26] Going my ↑
 * 2) [2012.05.22] Barebare I LOVE YOU (バレバレI LOVE YOU)
 * 3) [2012.06.22] Uppercut! / Yuudachi! Through the Rainbow (アッパーカット！ / 夕立ち！スルー・ザ・レインボー)
 * 4) [2012.08.01] Mechakyun♡Summer ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ (メチャキュン♡サマー('▽`)ノ)
 * 5) [2012.09.26] Namen na! Ashi Girls / Marble Hero (なめんな！アシガールズ / マーブルヒーロー)
 * 6) [2012.09.21] End Of The Season
 * 7) [2012.10.24] UPPER ROCK / Ichiban Girls! (イチバンガールズ!)
 * 8) [2013.02.25] SAKURA DRIVE / Dateline
 * 9) [2013.10.07] Starry Night / Seishun Buildup (Starry Night / 青春ビルドアップ)
 * 10) [2013.11.18] Nijiiro Mosaic / ENJOY!! ENJO(Y)!! (虹色モザイク／ENJOY!! ENJO(Y)!!)
 * 11) [2013.12.19] Santa Claus (サンタクロース)
 * 12) [2014.01.01] Up Ome!! ~Apuga no Oshougatsu da yo Zenin Shuugou!~ (アプオメっ!!～アプガのお正月だょ 全員集合!～)


 * Event Singles (represented by (仮))
 * 1) [2012.03.10] Going my ↑
 * 2) [2012.05.03] Barebare I LOVE YOU (バレバレI LOVE YOU)
 * 3) [2012.05.03] Rainbow
 * 4) [2012.06.10] Uppercut! (アッパーカット！)
 * 5) [2012.06.10] Yuudachi! Through the Rainbow (夕立ち！スルー・ザ・レインボー)
 * 6) [2012.07.15] Mechakyun♡Summer ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ (メチャキュン♡サマー('▽`)ノ)
 * 7) [2012.08.12] Namen na! Ashi Girls (なめんな！アシガールズ)
 * 8) [2012.08.12] Marble Hero (マーブルヒーロー)
 * 9) [2012.10.07] Ichiban Girls! (イチバンガールズ!)
 * 10) [2012.10.28] Kakko Tsukete Ii Desho! (カッコつけていいでしょ!)
 * 11) [2013.12.22] Santa Claus (サンタクロース)
 * 12) [2016.02.14] Shooting Star
 * 13) [2016.02.14] You're the best


 * Collaboration Singles
 * 1) [2013.08.21] Bad Blood / Hereafter (T-Palette mini All Stars)
 * 2) [2014.09.17] Mugen, Fly High!! (無限、FlyHigh!!) (Team Makenki)


 * -|DVDs=
 * Event DVDs
 * [2011.08.09] Up Up Girls (Kari) ga Up Front Girls (Kari) Datta Koro no Event DVD ni Narimashita!! (UP UP GIRLS(仮)がUP FRONT GIRLS(仮)だった頃のイベントがDVDになりました!)
 * [2011.12.28] Up Up Girls (Kari) no Natsu no Event no DVD wo Fuyu ni Hatsubai shichaimasu!! Nenmatsu ppoi omake tsuki! (Kari) THE DVD Part.2 (アップアップガールズ(仮)の夏のイベントのDVDを冬に発売しちゃいます!!年末っぽいおまけ付き!(仮)THE DVD Part.2)
 * [2012.04.27] Up Up Girls (Kari) ga Going my↑ wo Hatsu hirou shita Live no DVD (Kari) THE DVD Part.3 (アップアップガールズ(仮)がGoing my ↑を初披露したライブのDVD！(仮)THE DVD Part.3)


 * Live DVDs
 * [2012.12.12] Up Up Girls (Kari) 1st LIVE Daikanyama Kessen (Kari) (アップアップガールズ(仮) 1st LIVE 代官山決戦(仮))
 * [2013.04.03] Up Up Girls (Kari) 2nd Live Roppongi Kessen (Kari) (アップアップガールズ(仮)2nd ライブ六本木決戦(仮))
 * [2013.07.31] UP UP GIRLS (KARI) 3rd LIVE Yokohama BLITZ Dai Kessen (KARI) (アップアップガールズ(仮)3rd LIVE 横浜BLITZ 大決戦(仮))
 * [2013.12.25] Up Up Girls (Kari) 1st Live House Tour Apuga Dainishou (Kari) Kaisen (アップアップガールズ（仮） 1st ライブハウスツアー アプガ第二章（仮）開戦)
 * [2014.09.30] Up Up Girls (Kari) 1st Zenkoku Tour Apuga Dai Ni Sho (Kari) Shingun ~Nakano Sunplaza Cho Kessen~ (アップアップガールズ（仮）1st全国ツアー アプガ第二章（仮）進軍〜中野サンプラザ 超決戦〜)


 * Other DVDs
 * [2013.08.23] Up Up Girls (Kari) Taiban Angya (Kari) ~Official Bootleg BOX~ (アップアップガールズ（仮）対バン行脚（仮）～Official Bootleg BOX～)
 * [2013.08.28] Up Up Girls (Kari) THE DVD ~Mini MV Shuu Omaketsuki~ (アップアップガールズ（仮）THE DVD ～ミニMV集 おまけつき～)
 * [2014.12.03] JouJou Shoujo's Vol.1 (Kari) (上々少女's Vol.1(仮))
 * [2014.12.03] JouJou Shoujo's Vol.2 (Kari) (上々少女's Vol.2(仮))
 * [2014.12.03] JouJou Shoujo's Vol.3 (Kari) (上々少女's Vol.3(仮))
 * [2015.01.28] Up Up Girls (Kari) Fujisan Sanchou Choujou Kessen (Kari) THE DVD (アップアップガールズ（仮）富士山山頂 頂上決戦（仮）THE DVD)


 * -|Up Up Girls (2)=
 * Indie Singles
 * [2017.08.15] Sun!×3 / Ni no Ashi Dancing (Sun!×3／二の足Dancing)
 * [2018.01.01] Doshaburi no Terrace Seki / Fuyu Tote Tote (どしゃぶりのテラス席／フユトテトテ)
 * [2018.05.01] Tte Iu Hatsukoi no Oyakusoku / Happeace LOVE♡ (っていう初恋のお約束 / ハッピースLOVE♡)

Photobooks

 * [2013.05.28] Up Up Girls (Kari) 1st Document Photo Book RUN! Upga RUN! (Kari) (アップアップガールズ (仮) 1stドキュメント・フォトブック RUN!アプガRUN! (仮))

Magazines

 * [2012.11.25] bounce issue 350
 * [2013.03.01] De-View April 2013 Issue
 * [2013.09.20] PHOTO TECHNIC DIGITAL
 * [2013.12.20] Luck You Vol.36
 * [2014.02.07] GiRLPOP 2014 Spring (Back cover)
 * [2014.06.20] CD Journal
 * [2014.08.20] PHOTO TECHNIC DIGITAL

Calendars

 * [2012.12.19] Up Up Girls 2013 Calendar with pictures taken by Hirofumi Nagano (2013 長野博文撮り下しカレンダー写真集 with アップアップガールズ(仮))
 * [2013.09.XX] Up Up Girls 2014 Calendar (アップアップガールズ（仮）2014年カレンダー)

Trivia

 * They have 2 names: UFZS, which is the name for their group that does dance covers of Korean songs, and Up Up Girls (Kari), which is the name for their group in Japan.
 * Their name is also stylized as UPUPGIRLS kakkoKARI on their YouTube channels.
 * They're the first indie group to perform a one-man full concert at Nippon Budokan.
 * They're the first indie group to perform a live performance at the peak of Mt.Fuji.
 * They're the first Up-Front-Act to do the Harlem Shake.
 * The average age in the group is 19.5 years old (as of late-August 2014).
 * They've ranked at #1 on Oricon's weekly indie single chart four times and they've ranked #1 on Oricon's weekly indie album chart one time.
 * They have over 24,023 subscribers on their official YouTube channel (as of 2018-04-22).
 * The group name for the second generation, Up Up Girls (2), is pronounced "Up Up Girls (Kakko Niki)".