Nakanishi Kana (中西香菜) is a designer, YouTuber, and former Japanese idol under Hello! Project as a second generation member and sub-leader of ANGERME. She was first introduced at the Hello! Project 2011 SUMMER ~Nippon no Mirai wa WOW WOW Live~ concert on August 14, 2011.
She retired from the entertainment industry following her graduation from both ANGERME and Hello! Project on December 10, 2019.[1][2]
On July 15, 2020, she launched the accessory brand Solpenna.[3] The name of the brand comes from the Italian words "sol (sun)" and "penna (feather)". Nakanishi designs and models the items herself.
In 2021, she became a founding member of the YouTube girl group, Youplus (of which she acted as leader[4]) alongside other former idols who became YouTubers such as Ogata Haruna.[5][6] Youplus disbanded on September 3, 2023.
Biography[]
Nakanishi Kana, January 2022
Nakanishi Kana, November 2019
Nakanishi Kana, July 2019
Nakanishi Kana, May 2019
Nakanishi Kana, April 2019
Nakanishi Kana, October 2018
Nakanishi Kana, May 2018
Nakanishi Kana, December 2017
Nakanishi Kana, June 2017
Nakanishi Kana, October 2016
Nakanishi Kana, April 2016
Nakanishi Kana, November 2015
Nakanishi Kana, July 2015
Nakanishi Kana, February 2015
Nakanishi Kana, August 2014
Nakanishi Kana, April 2014
Nakanishi Kana, December 2013
Nakanishi Kana, July 2013
Nakanishi Kana, May 2013
Nakanishi Kana, March 2013
Nakanishi Kana, November 2012
Nakanishi Kana, August 2012
Nakanishi Kana, May 2011
Nakanishi Kana, February 2012
Early Life[]
Nakanishi Kana was born on June 4, 1997 in Osaka, Japan.
She learned piano from when she was 5 years old to 12.
2011[]
In summer 2011, Nakanishi auditioned for the S/mileage Shin Member Boshuu! audition, with her audition number being #1111. On August 14, during the Hello! Project 2011 SUMMER concert tour, Nakanishi Kana was announced as a S/mileage sub-member along with Katsuta Rina, Takeuchi Akari, Kosuga Fuyuka, and Tamura Meimi.
On October 16, Nakanishi was promoted to an official member of S/mileage along with the other sub-members, becoming the second generation members.
2012[]
On May 13, information was released about an event featuring Morning Musume's 9th and 10th generation members as well as S/mileage’s 2nd generation members, titled Mosuma FC Event ~Gachi☆Kira~, that would take place throughout June and early July at Yokohama Blitz.
2013[]
On April 14, S/mileage's 2nd generation members held a fanclub event.
On May 26, it was announced that Nakanishi would take part in a new project called Yattaruchan Daisakusen starting in August, for which she would go on a mission to become "Super Yattaruchan", along with the support of Takeuchi Akari. On the same day, Nakanishi opened an official Twitter account.[7]
On July 24, she announced that she finished shooting for her first solo DVD, sweet kana, which was later released on October 3.
2014[]
On March 2, Takeuchi Akari and Nakanishi tweeted that their Twitter accounts would become inactive, but they would start to update their blog more often. Some of Nakanishi's last tweets stated: "Maido! I still need to grow so I don't think I've become Yattaruchan yet but I'm glad I learned many things and met many people through Operation Yattaruchan(*^_^*)", "Maido! I feed very sad and I don't agree w/the decision(>_<) I won't forget everything that happened on Twitter and I'll keep updating the blog so please read it(*^_^*) Thank you(*^_^*)", and "Maido! I hope I can tweet again, to be continued...".[8]
On June 2, Nakanishi celebrated her 17th birthday at fanclub event titled S/mileage ~Nakanishi Kana Birthday Event 2014~. The event featured two performances in Tokyo.
2015[]
On June 4, Nakanishi celebrated her 18th birthday at a fanclub event called ANGERME Nakanishi Kana Birthday Event 2015, featuring one performance at TOKYO FM HALL.
On November 29 during the ANGERME First Concert Tour 2015 Aki "Hyakka Ryouran" ~Fukuda Kanon Sotsugyou Special~, Nakanishi and Takeuchi Akari were appointed as joint sub-leaders of ANGERME.
2016[]
On June 6, Nakanishi celebrated her 19th birthday at a fanclub event called ANGERME Nakanishi Kana Birthday Event 2016, featuring two performances at TOKYO FM HALL.
2017[]
On June 5, Nakanishi celebrated her 20th birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Nakanishi Kana Birthday Event 2017. The event featured two shows at TOKYO FM HALL.
On October 28, Nakanishi made a guest appearance at the premium Halloween night screening of Wonder Woman at Isetan Shinjuku's rooftop garden.[9]
2018[]
On June 8, Nakanishi celebrated her 21st birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Nakanishi Kana Birthday Event 2018, which featured two shows at Square Ebara Hiratsuka Hall.
On August 27, Nakanishi was appointed as a migration PR ambassador for Niihama, Ehime Prefecture alongside Up Up Girls (Kakko Kari) member Saho Akari.[10]
On December 19, it was announced that Nakanishi was diagnosed with enthesitis in her left Achilles tendon. She first complained about foot pain in the middle of November which the doctor examined overtime, but due to the lack of recovery and her foot hurting when she walked, a thorough examination was done and resulted in the diagnosis of enthesitis. Nakanishi requires at least four to six weeks of treatment, forcing her to take absence from ANGERME's appearance at rockin'on presents COUNTDOWN JAPAN 18/19 on December 29 and limiting her participation for other events and lives up to January 13 to only sitting or MCs.[11][12]
2019[]
On January 16, Nakanishi's injury was recently reexamined and it was decided that she could not participate in the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2019 WINTER concert tour up to mid-February due to her having difficulty walking for too long when traveling.[13] As of February 7, she still required medical treatment and had to restrict further activities. She was able to participate in the MC segments of the ANGERME Live Tour 2019 Haru ~Rinnetenshou~ shows on February 17, but was absent for remainder of the live tour, which ended on March 10, as well as the Hello! Project concert tour, which ended on March 3.[14] Nakanishi returned to performing in the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hina Fes 2019 at the end of March.[15]
On June 3, she celebrated her 22nd birthday at a fanclub event titled ANGERME Nakanishi Kana Birthday Event 2019, which had two shows at TOKYO FM HALL.
On September 30, Nakanishi announced that she would graduate from both ANGERME and Hello! Project, and retire from the entertainment industry on December 10 at the end of the ANGERME Live Tour 2019 Natsu Aki "Next Page" at Toyosu PIT.[1][2][16] She made her decision to graduate earlier in the year while she was recovering from her injury, but postponed the announcement until after Katsuta Rina's graduation. She is interested in studying beauty and food, as well as business management. She wants to expand her horizons and challenge new things, but has not yet decided what path to take.
Statement from UP-FRONT PROMOTION[1]
|
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| いつもハロー！プロジェクト及びアンジュルムを応援していただきありがとうございます。 アンジュルムの中西香菜ですが、 芸能活動に区切りをつけ、 卒業については、今年の初めから話し合っていましたが、 12月10日(火) 豊洲PIT公演まで、短い期間となりますが September 30, 2019 |
Statement from Nakanishi Kana[1]
|
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| いつも応援して下さるファンの皆さんへ。 12月10日のツアー最終公演をもってアンジュルム及びハロー！プロジェクトを卒業することになりました。 私は中学2年生・14歳の時に加入し、大阪から上京してアイドル人生がスタートしました。 毎日がとても幸せでした。 十分すぎるほどのたくさんの経験をさせて頂きました。 足を怪我してお休みすることになった時、思うように動けなかった分、 スマイレージ、アンジュルムとしてたくさんの人と出会うことが出来て、たくさんの幸せをもらったので、 スマイレージから今までこうして活動できていること、 卒業まで短い期間になりますが、全力で活動していきますので、応援してくれたらうれしいです。 ずっと続いていくグループになりますように。 私はアンジュルムが大好きです！！ Nakanishi Kana |
On November 15, Nakanishi Kana held a "Yattaruchan Cinema" talk event sponsored by Kaiju Radio at the AEON Cinema THEATUS Chofu movie theater.[17]
On November 29, Nakanishi Kana released her first visual photobook, Kana.[18]
On December 8, it was revealed that Fukuda Kanon had written and composed a solo song for Nakanishi called "Tenshi no Namida" in honor of her graduation.[19] The next day, the song was uploaded onto ANGERME's official YouTube channel.[20] The song will be released for digital download on December 20, 2019.
2020[]
On May 5, she opened an Instagram account, and appeared for the first time since her graduation by remotely joining Mano Erina's Instagram live as a guest.[21][22]
On July 10, she opened up a YouTube channel.[23]
On July 15, she launched both an official fan site on Fensi,[24] as well as an accessory brand named Solpenna.[3]
2021[]
On April 3, Nakanishi was announced as a member of the YouTube group CHAOSPIPIS (now Youplus) alongside five former members of other idol groups such as Ogata Haruna (from Morning Musume), Hayashida Mahiro (from Fairies), Okonogi Ruka (from akishibu project), Kawago Hina (from Nogizaka46), and Shiraki Riho (from Turtle Lily).[5] She founded the group in hopes of setting a new precedent of a second career for former idols searching for work after their graduation.[6]
2023[]
On July 8, it was announced that Youplus would be disbanding on September 3.[25] Following the disbandment of Youplus, Nakanishi retired from the entertainment industry.
2024[]
On February 15, she participated in Ogata Haruna 25th Birthday Party as a special guest.[26]
2025[]
On January 7, attorney and politician Fukunaga Katsuya announced his marriage to Nakanishi on social media.[27] After the press took interest to the press, Nakanishi and Fukunaga each released a formal announcement of their intent to register their marriage on January 23.[28][29].
Personal Life[]
Nakanishi has 2 siblings: an older sister by 2 years, Marina, and a younger brother. She also has two pet dogs named Chocolat and RuRu.
When she auditioned for S/mileage, Nakanishi was a 2nd year middle school student.
In March 2016, Nakanishi graduated from high school.[30] She attended Hinode High School, a private academy known for its alumni in the entertainment industry, and also graduated with Ikuta Erina.[31]
The following list are notable friendships Nakanishi Kana has acquired:
- Tamura Meimi: Nakanishi got along the best with Tamura Meimi in ANGERME.
- Aikawa Maho: She became friends with Aikawa Maho during the Hello! Project 2014 SUMMER concert tour.[32]
- Suzuki Kanon: She is good friend with former Morning Musume member Suzuki Kanon.
- Oda Sakura: She also is good friend with Morning Musume member Oda Sakura.
- Inaba Manaka: She gets along well with Juice=Juice member Inaba Manaka.[33]
- Kishimoto Yumeno: She gets along well with Tsubaki Factory member Kishimoto Yumeno.[34]
- Funaki Musubu: She gets along well with former ANGERME / Country Girls member Funaki Musubu.[35]
- Sato Masaki: Nakanishi hangs out often with Morning Musume member Sato Masaki, and has said Sato's family are really nice people.[36]
- Hirose Ayaka: Nakanishi gets along the best with former Kobushi Factory member Hirose Ayaka outside of ANGERME.
Nakanishi's given name, "Kana", means fragrance (香; ka) combined with a phonetic character (菜; na).
Here is a list of nicknames that was used to refer to Nakanishi Kana:
- Kananan (かななん): Official nickname, given her since joining S/mileage. Used by members and fans.[36]
- Kanana (かなな): Unofficial nickname, given her since joining S/mileage used by fans.
Profile[]
- Name: Nakanishi Kana (中西香菜)
- Nickname: Kananan (かななん),[36] Kanana (かなな)
- Birthdate: June 4, 1997
- Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
- Blood Type: A
- Height: 160 cm (5 ft 2.9 in)?
- Western Zodiac:
Gemini - Eastern Zodiac: Ox
- Hello! Project Status:
- UP-FRONT GROUP Status:
- 2011-08-14: Joined UP-FRONT AGENCY
- 2012-10-01: Transferred to UP-FRONT PROMOTION (as part of S/mileage)
- 2019-12-10: Retired
- Years in ANGERME: 8 years
- Official Kaomoji: 川*⌒ｖ⌒）
- S/mileage / ANGERME Color:
- Light Blue (2011-2014)
- Light Pink (2014-2019)
- Audition Song: "Suki-chan" by S/mileage
- Hello! Project Groups:
- Shuffle Units:
- trugranful (2016)
- Okaileage (2017)
- COOOOOUNGERME。 (2019)
- Concert Units:
- Hello! Project Mobekimasu (2011-2013)
- Other Groups:
- Youplus (2021-present)
Light Blue (2011-2014)
Light Pink (2014-2019)
- Specialties: Swimming, making weird faces
- Hobbies: Playing with her dogs, collecting gorilla items; she even owns a gorilla wallet
- Favorite Food: Okonomiyaki, fried green peppers
- Favorite Animal: Dogs
- Favorite Color: Light blue
- Favorite Subject: Science
- Favorite English Word: "Surprise!!"
- Favorite Songs: "Genkimono de Ikou!", "Yattaruchan",[36] "Koi Nara Tokku ni Hajimatteru"[36]
- Looks up to: Maeda Yuuka, Tanaka Reina, Wada Ayaka, Fukuda Kanon
Discography[]
- Main article: Nakanishi Kana/Discography
Digital Songs[]
- [2019.12.20] Tenshi no Namida
Solo Songs[]
- Yattaruchan (S/mileage cover; from SMILE FANTASY!)
- Sakura no Uta (from MODE)
Solo DVDs[]
- [2013.10.03] sweet kana (e-Hello! DVD)
- [2016.05.30] ANGERME Nakanishi Kana Birthday DVD 2016
Publications[]
- Main article: Nakanishi Kana/Publications
Solo Photobooks[]
Works[]
Movies[]
- [2012] Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro・Igyou (怪談新耳袋・異形)
TV Programs[]
- [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
- [2019] AI・DOL PROJECT (AI・DOL プロジェクト)
Internet[]
- [2013–2019] Hello! Project Station
- [2014–2016] MUSIC+
- [2015–2016] GREEN ROOM
- [2016–2019] Upcoming
- [2016–2017] Girls Night Out
- [2017–2019] tiny tiny
- [2018–2019] OMAKE CHANNEL
- [2018] Hello Pro no Monohon!
- [2019] Hello Pro no Oshigoto Challenge
- [2019] Hello Pro Kouhaku Taiko THE☆BATTLE 2019
Commercials[]
- [2012] Mister Donut (ミスタードーナツの)
Music Videos[]
- [2017] ℃-ute - To Tomorrow (as a back dancer)
Theater[]
- [2013] Warera Jeanne ~Shoujo Seisen Kageki~ (as Anemone and Violette)
- [2014] LILIUM -Lilium Shoujo Junketsu Kageki- (as Camellia)
- [2014] SMILE FANTASY!
- [2016] MODE (as Yamaguchi Sakura)
- [2017] Yumemiru Television (as Ome Shoji)
- [2018] Attack No.1 (as Onuma Miyuki)
Radio[]
Trivia[]
|
Honorary Titles[]
| Honorary Titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by First |
Sub-leader of ANGERME November 29, 2015 – December 10, 2019 (with Takeuchi Akari, 2015–2019; with Kawamura Ayano, 2019) |
Succeeded by Kawamura Ayano |
| Preceded by Wada Ayaka |
Oldest member of ANGERME June 19, 2019 – December 10, 2019 |
Succeeded by Takeuchi Akari |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "アンジュルム 中西香菜の卒業に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-09-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "いつも応援して下さるファンの皆さんへ。 中西香菜" (in Japanese). ANGERME Official Blog "ANGERME Amerika Nikki". 2019-09-30.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.solpenna.com/new/2020-07-15-004615.html
- ↑ https://twitter.com/youplusjp/status/1532909207556886529
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://twitter.com/chaospipis/status/1378304078338355201
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fbcb7fa69a9de7224e9aa04a5458f20f1db1cbef
- ↑ https://twitter.com/kana_nakanishi
- ↑ Nakanishi Kana. "Kana "Maido! I still...". smileage english (@namasma_eng) via Twitter. 2014-03-02.
- ↑ "10月28日(土)『ワンダーウーマン』プレミアムハロウィンナイト上映会 中西香菜ゲスト出演決定！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2017-10-20.
- ↑ "愛媛県西条市、新居浜市、四国中央市が、アンジュルム・アップアップガールズ(仮)出演の移住PR動画対決を行います！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-08-27.
- ↑ "アンジュルム中西香菜に関するご報告" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-12-19.
- ↑ Nakanishi Kana. "みなさんへ。中西香菜" (in Japanese). ANGERME Official Blog "ANGERME Amerika Nikki". 2018-12-19.
- ↑ "アンジュルム中西香菜に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-01-16.
- ↑ "アンジュルム中西香菜に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-02-07.
- ↑ Nakanishi Kana. "復帰しました。中西香菜" (in Japanese). ANGERME Official Blog "Amerika Nikki". 2019-03-30.
- ↑ Takeuchi Akari. "ご報告。竹内朱莉" (in Japanese). ANGERME Official Blog "Amerika Nikki". 2019-10-01.
- ↑ "アンジュルム中西香菜「怪獣ラジオPresents『中西香菜のヤッタルチャンシネマ！』 」トークイベント出演！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-10-29. (Archived)
- ↑ "中西香菜(アンジュルム)ビジュアルフォトブック「香菜」発売決定！！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-11-01.
- ↑ Nakanishi Kana. "天使の涙♡中西香菜" (in Japanese). ANGERME Official Blog "Amerika Nikki". 2019-12-08.
- ↑ "中西香菜「天使の涙」" (in Japanese). ANGERME (via YouTube). 2019-12-09.
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zeZoQBz05/?igshid=lzclhwr2wl83
- ↑ https://twitter.com/erina_mano/status/1257675460919595008
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0AQxFBht2Q
- ↑ https://nakanishikana.fensi.plus/page/blogs/402299967567299606
- ↑ https://twitter.com/youplusjp/status/1677633957775699970
- ↑ https://twitter.com/harunaogatajp/status/1756619710622584964
- ↑ 福永弁護士が元ハロプロアイドルと結婚！指輪の上限「1000万円」NHK党から出馬、兵庫・斎藤知事問題でも話題 (in Japanese). YoroZoo News. 2025-01-08.
- ↑ https://x.com/fukunagakatsuya/status/1879480913702346829
- ↑ https://x.com/kananakanishi/status/1879480982036009335
- ↑ "4/1(^ ^)中西香菜" (in Japanese). ANGERME Amerika Nikki Blog. 2016-04-01.
- ↑ http://helloprosun.blog.jp/archives/48083926.html
- ↑ Nakanishi Kana. "スマイル！中西香菜" (in Japanese). S/mileage 2ki Official Blog. 2014-10-05.
- ↑ http://helloproradio.com/2014/08/31/ss1422-84-2014-08-24/ "SS1422 #84". 2014-08-24.
- ↑ http://helloproradio.com/2014/08/31/ss1422-84-2014-08-24/ "SS1422 #84". 2014-08-24.
- ↑ http://helloproradio.com/2014/08/31/ss1422-84-2014-08-24/ "SS1422 #84". 2014-08-24.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 36.6 "アンジュルム中西香菜が“20問20答”でハロプロ愛を語る！【ハロプロ誕生20周年記念連載】" (in Japanese). The Television. 2017-11-24.
- ↑ Nakanishi Kana. "幼馴染 中西香菜" (in Japanese). S/mileage 2ki Member Official Blog. 2013-11-19.
- ↑ Sakurai Takamasa. "#39 Kanon Fukuda’s Final Interview as a Member of ANGERME". Asian Beat. 2015-11-25.
External Links[]
- ANGERME Profile (archived)
- Nakanishi Kana Official Fan Site
- Social Media Pages: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok
- Nakanishi House YouTube channel
- Solpenna Accessory
- Official Blogs:
- Twitter (inactive)