S/mileage (スマイレージ) is a Japanese pop group under the Hello! Project umbrella. Was entirely made up of Hello! Pro Egg's, who were mostly part of the Egg unit as well untill the 2nd Gen. Auditions. It was mentioned, though, that the group’s member line-up may change before their major debut. They graduated from Egg status in 2010 and became full time members of Hello! Project. They have sold over 156,293, copies in Japan alone. S/mileage's highest selling single is Uchouten LOVE with 32,528. S/mileage's lowest selling single is Suki Chan with 399.
In May, 2011, Tsunku announced an S/mileage audition, seeking up to six new members. The audition began in June. On August 14, 2011, five members were added to the group as sub-members.
Info
S/mileage, August 2011
S/mileage, April 2011
S/mileage, February 2011
S/mileage, Dcember 2010
S/mileage, September 2010
S/mileage, July 2010
S/mileage, May 2010
S/mileage, March 2010
S/mileage, November 2009
S/mileage, September 2009
S/mileage, June 2009
2009
S/mileage was announced on Tsunku's blog on April 4, 2009 and was given its name on May 8, 2009. The unit features Wada Ayaka, Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon, and Ogawa Saki although Tsunku has said that in order to make the best group possible, additional members may be added or current members may be removed. However, as their debut indie single has been recorded and the filmed, the current line-up might be definitive.
On May 7, 2009 he revealed the groups name to be "S/mileage". Tsunku explained that the name "S/mileage" is taken from "Smile", "Mileage", and "Age", and that it means "the age of smiles".
S/mileage's first indie single (aMa no Jaku) was released at the Hello! Pro Egg ~Nakano STEP!~ concert on June 7, 2009.
On November 23, 2009, during Hello! Pro Egg's Shinjin Kouen concert, a video message from Tsunku was played to S/mileage, where it was announced that they will graduate from Hello! Pro Egg and make their debut in Hello! Project in 2010. Initially when the group was first formed, Tsunku had said that in order to make the best group possible, additional members might be added or current members might be removed. Wada, Maeda, Fukuda, and Ogawa were confirmed to be the definite line-up of S/mileage. Their graduation and debut will happen on March 27, 2010.
2010
Some time in early 2010, the group's official name was changed to the katakana version of their name (スマイレージ), though it is still romanized as S/mileage.
On February 28, 2010, Tsunku announced that in order for the group to debut, 10,000 people had to send a picture of themselves smiling before March 25, 2010. If the goal was not achieved, their debut might be postponed or even cancelled. Pictures could be sent in on this site. The results would be announced on April 3, 2010. If successful, they would debut in May 2010.
The girls gathered 16,000 pictures 3,110 of them were gathered by the members themselves. Record belongs to Kanon, for 2-3 hours she gathered 135 pictures. The girls then officially debuted with their debut single Yume Miru 15sai.
S/mileage members Maeda Yuuka, Wada Ayaka, and Fukuda Kanon are currently providing voices for the anime Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri. Their song Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii!!! is also being used as the ending theme for that anime.
S/mileage appeared as the opening support act at fellow Hello! Project unit C-ute's concert C-ute Concert Tour 2010 Spring: Shocking Live on March 20. On April 3, they performed a joint concert with Erina Mano, at which Tsunku announced that the girls would indeed make their major debut, and revealed the completed mosaic. Their first major single, "Yume Miru Fifteen", was released on May 26 and their first tour will take place in October.
In late August, S/mileage's first album was announced.
2011
In 2011, S/mileage celebrated their first anniversary,
In honor of their first anniversary, Tsunku announced that there would be an audition, seeking up to six new members, and his plans to have "sub-members", The auditions begin in June.
On August 10, 2011, S/mileage's single Uchouten LOVE sold 29,328 copies in its first week, making it the highest first-week sales by S/mileage yet.
It has been annouced that S/mileage, along with C-ute, would be on this year's "24H TV Marathon".[
On August 14, 2011, five new members were announced in the last leg of the Hello! Project 2011 Summer ~Nippon no Mirai wa WOW WOW Live~ tour: Nakanishi Kana, Kosuga Fuyuka, and Tamura Meimi, along with two former Hello! Pro Egg members, Takeuchi Akari and Katsuta Rina.
On August 24, 2011, it was announced on S/mileage Site that Ogawa Saki will be graduating for S/mileage and Hello! Project on August 27, 2011, on the live event of Uchouten LOVE at Higashi Betsuin Hall in Nagoya.
Comment from Ogawa Saki
Thank you for always supporting me.
As of August 27th 2011 I, Ogawa Saki, will graduate from S/mileage as well as Hello! Project.
Since our major debut last year in May, I have enjoyed every single day as part of S/mileage.
However, somewhere down in my heart, I felt there was a gap between myself and the S/mileage me. I have talked it over with the staff many times and have been constantly worrying about it, and with everyone working their hardest to move forward and myself still uncertain of things, I decided that it was not in the best interest of S/mileage and I will return to being just a normal girl.
I apologize for the last minute announcement.
While there may be feelings of sadness, S/mileage will always be a group with it’s trademark smile!
I’ll be working my hardest to end with a smile until my last event on 8/27, I know there isn’t a lot of time left but I hope you can support me!
The new members will power up S/mileage after I graduate so I hope you’ll continue to support them.
Thank you very much for all your support up til now.
2011/08/24
S/mileage Ogawa Saki
Ogawa Saki will graduate from S/Mileage and Hello! Project on August 27 without any ceremony or special concert (due to the last minute announcement), at S/Mileage's event for their latest single as a 4-nin "Uchouten LOVE". After 7 years within Hello! Project, Ogawa Saki will graduate to return to a normal life and not return to Hello! Project. Uchouten Love was the last single to feature Ogawa Saki and the next single Tachiagaaru will be the first single to not feature Saki.
Members
Main Line-up
- Wada Ayaka (和田彩花) (L)
- Maeda Yuuka (前田憂佳)
- Fukuda Kanon (福田花音)
Sub-Members
Auditions started around June. The members were announced on August 14, 2011.
- Nakanishi Kana (中西香奈)
- Kosuga Fuyuka (小数賀芙由香)
- Takeuchi Akari (竹内朱莉)
- Katsuta Rina (勝田里奈)
- Tamura Meimi (田村芽実)
Former Members
1st Generation
- Ogawa Saki (小川紗季, Graduated on August 27, 2011)
Discography
Albums
- [2010.12.08] Warugaki 1 (悪ガキッ①)
Singles
- [2009.06.07] aMa no Jaku (ぁまのじゃく) (Indies)
- [2009.09.23] Asu wa Deeto na no ni Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai (あすはデートなのに、今すぐ声が聞きたい) (Indies)
- [2009.11.23] Suki-chan (スキちゃん) (Indies)
- [2010.03.14] Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii (オトナになるって難しい!!! (indies)
- [2010.11.24] My School March (マイ・スクール・マーチ) (Oha Girl Maple with S/mileage) (Compilation single)
- 1. [2010.05.26] Yume Miru 15sai (夢見る １５歳)
- 2. [2010.07.28] ◯◯ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!! (◯◯ がんばらなくてもええねんで!!)
- 3. [2010.09.29] Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama (同じ時給で働く友達の美人ママ)
- 4. [2011.02.09] Shortcut (ショートカット)
- 5. [2011.04.27] Koi ni Booing Buu! (恋にBooingブー！)
- 6. [2011.08.03] Uchouten LOVE (有頂天LOVE)
- 7. [2011.09.28] Tachiagaaru (タチアガール)
DVDs
- [2010.01.31] Toe the line (FC Limited)
- [2010.??.??] Special Joint 2010 Haru ~Kansha Mankai! Mano Erina 2 Shuunen Totsunyuu & S/mileage Major Debut e Sakura Sake! Live~ (Mano Erina, S/mileage)
- [2010.06.26] S/mileage Ouen Kikaku ~S/mileage Mega Bank vol.0~ & S/mileage Member Solo Event (FC Limited)
- [2010.09.28] Yume Miru 15-sai Debut Event (FC Limited)
- [2010.12.29] S/mileage 1st Live Fall Concert Tour 2010 ~Devil Smile Angel Smile~
Digital Releases
- [2010.06.18] Yume Miru 15sai PAX JAPONICA GROOVE REMIX(夢見る 15歳 PAX JAPONICA GROOVE REMIX)
Works
TV
- [2010] Hanbun Esper (半分エスパー)
- [2010–] Test no Hanamichi (Wada Ayaka)
- [2010–] Oha Star (Ogawa Saki)
- [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) (Wada Ayaka, Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon)
- [2010–] Bijou Gaku (美女学)
Internet
- [2009–] S/mileage no TAKEOFF (スマイレージのTAKEOFF) (FC Limited)
Radio
- [2010–] FIVE STARS (Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon) (Wednesdays)
Theater
- [2009] Koisuru Hello Kitty (恋するハローキティ)
- [2010] Gekidan Gekiharo Dai 8 Kai Kouen "Smile Recipe" (劇団ゲキハロ第8回公演 「スマイルレシピ」)
Movies
- [2011] Youth Individual (若者の個々の)
Awards
- [2010.11.19] The 52nd Japan Record Awards 2010 "New Artist"
- [2010.12.30] The 52nd Japan Record Awards 2010 "Best New Artist"
Trivia
- Before they were S/mileage the group was in Mano Erina's first two singles.
- S/mileage were the backup dancers in Mano Erina's third major single "Sekai wa Summer Party", fourth major single "Kono Mune no Tokimeki wo" and fifth major single "Love & Peace = Paradise".
- The groups first indies single "aMa no Jaku" was released under the TNX indies label "Good Factory", but they are still signed to Up-Front and are a part of Hello! Project
- The group consists of three members of Shugo Chara Egg!, another H!P Egg group, Hello! Pro Eggs Ogawa Saki, Takeuchi Akari, and Katsuta Rina, and three girls who have not been part of H!P before.
- In all their singles, they wear skirts or dresses. (With Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama, they wore skirts and shorts)
- Is the second group to have auditions to add new members to the group. (The first being Morning Musume)
- Everyone in the group has short hair, since their single Shortcut.
- With second generation added, the group has the same number of members as Morning Musume.
- Only 3 members of S/mileage ( Nakanishi Kana, Kosuga Fuyuka, and Tamura Meimi) were not a part of Hello! Pro Egg before hand.
Total Sales Count
| Year | Year Sales | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 |
399 |
399 |
| 2010 | 107,870 | 108,269 |
| 2011 | 48,024 | 156,293 |