Otani Masae

Otani Masae大谷(おおたに)雅恵(まさえ)
Name
Nicknames	Masao Maashii Otani Masae aka Himawari MELODY
Personal Information
Born	February 25, 1982 (1982-02-25)
Birth Place	Miyazaki, Japan
Origin	Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan
Blood Type	O
Zodiac Sign	Pisces
Height	160cm
Professional Information
Genres	Japanese Pop
Occupation	Singer
Years Active	2000-present
Associated Acts	Melon Kinenbi, 10-nin Matsuri, Sexy 8, 7AIR, H.P. All Stars, Muratani Shimai
Melon Kinenbi
Joined	February 19, 2000
Debut Single	Amai Anata no Aji
Last Single	Melon Tea
Links
Blog	Jinsei Itsu Demo Seichouki
Twitter	@OTANI_MASAE

Otani Masae (大谷雅恵) is a Japanese pop singer. She is a former member of the Hello! Project group Melon Kinenbi. She was well known for dyeing her hair many different colors while in Hello! Project.

She used to work under the name Otani Masae aka Himawari, a name she chose after annoucning a competition at her blog for a new stage name. Her last release under this name is the 2013 single BOY'S. She also was the member of the Korean pop cover group 4C Crew under the name MELODY.

In addition to her activities as a solo artist and member of 4C CREW, she is also worked as an instructor, in both vocals and dance, for the idol-themed café AKIHABARA Backstage pass.

As of 2017, she is a member of Muratani Shimai alongside her former Melon Kinenbi groupmate Murata Megumi.

Biography

Otani Masae

Otani Masae, 2010

Know for dyeing her hair all the time

1999

Otani was recruited from the Second Morning Musume and Heike Michiyo Protegee Audition in 1999. Along with Saito Hitomi, Murata Megumi, and Shibata Ayumi, who all then became the group Melon Kinenbi.

2006

In September 2006, Otani had landed a small part in the movie Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki, starring other H!P members Matsuura Aya and Ishikawa Rika.

2009

In 2009, Otani graduated with the rest of the Elder Club from Hello! Project, along with all the other Melon Kinenbi members.

From August 5-9, she appeared in the stage play "Sukoshi Hanarete, Soko ni Ite" alongside fellow Melon Kinenbi member Shibata Ayumi.

2010

In May of 2010, Melon Kinenbi disbanded and she decided to leave Up Front Agency. Having the goal of eventually performing her own music. She has yet to sign to a new agency. In December, the former idol will be performing at the IVY HALL in Shibuya for a special event called “X’mas CHAPEL LIVE & SWEETS PARTY.” Currently she plans to begin her transition to a theater actress and will be in some productions next spring.

Otani also recently teamed up with another Melon Kinenbi member, Shibata Ayumi, to make the mail order only photo book, “YOU&I.” The book contains original songs made by Shibata herself, and even came packaged with a CD recording of “YOU&I.” The book is available through Shibata's official fan club site which also offers posters, clear files, and a cell phone strap.

2011

In 2011, Otani has so far released two digital singles for cellphone only download via the site mero.jp and will release both of those songs on CD. Her debut song “Killing My Caddy” was put out in extremely limited distribution in August, but will be coming out officially on January 12th. It will be followed up with her second release, “ENDLESS LOVE”, on February 9th. A music video was also released for her second single.

Shortly after, in April, the announcement of her third single was made. It is called "Bangin'" and was marketed as mug-rock, which is a genre apparently made up by Otani herself.

After the release of her third single, she started making her own music, releasing indies singles (sold only at her live events).

2014

In 2014, she opened her own web shop, selling t-shirts, clear files, CDs and DVDs. Her first DVD Otani Masae Birthday Live Birthday + Payday = Everyone Togather could be bought from the site for 3,000 yen.

She also stopped using the stage name Otani Masae aka Himawari. Her releases afterwards credit her as Otani Masae.

2015

In 2015, her online shop closed, but later re-opened.

In April, she released her first mini-album 33.

2016

As part of a Japan/Korea music exchange, Otani announced that she would be the newest member of Korean artist group named 4C CREW under the name MELODY. To be involved with a K-pop group is something that she has always wanted to do. Their first live, 4C CREW SHOWCASE, would be held at the Shin-Okubo R & B bar on February 27.

On February 24 at 8:00 PM, Otani held a talk show at Official Hello! Project Shop in Akihabara in commemoration of joining 4C CREW. A janken tournament for goods was also held and a 4C CREW mini album, poster and T-shirt were sold.

Her last mention as member of 4C CREW on their Twitter was in May. Shortly after, the absence of MELODY and SANA was addressed. 4C CREW would continue on as "JS & KyonA from 4C CREW" until their last Twitter post in June 2017 before entering an indefinite hiatus.

In 2016, Murata Megumi and Otani announced at the beginning of the year that they were going to hold a live event in the fall. They sang six songs; two cover songs in English, as well as covering Taiyou to Ciscomoon, MAX, and their Melon Kinenbi songs "Eros" and "Denwa Matteimasu". They held several live events as the duo Muratani Shimai, and announced the release of their first single in March 2017. Their group name is a combination of kanji in their last names.

2017

In 2017, Muratani Shimai released the CD Single "Reborn". It was sold exclusively at their Muratani☆Todoro no Enshuai live event at Shinjuku Loft with no plans of a general distribution. Merchandise from the event was however later made available for purchase on an online store in April.

2018

In 2018, Otani stopped updating her blog, focusing on her twitter account.

2019

Ohtani is sporadically releasing new songs and promotes her music by holding live events at clubs. In 2019, Otani started using BIGO LIVE, a leading mobile LIVE streaming community to show your talents and meet interesting people.  

On September 2, Otani announced she'd be holding a 9th anniversary concert called Otani Masae 9th Anniversary Live -Uta no Chikara- (大谷雅恵9th Anniversaryライブ〜うたのちから〜).  

Profile

• Name: Otani Masae (大谷雅恵)
• Nicknames: Masao, Maashii
• Stage Names:' Otani Masae aka Himawari
• Birthday: February 25, 1982 (1982-02-25)
• Birthplace: Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan (raised in Muroran, Hokkaido)
• Blood type: O
• Height: 160cm
• Western Zodiac: Pisces
• Eastern Zodiac: Dog
• Hobbies: Enjoying music
• Favorite colors: Garish colors
• Favorite flowers: Cockscomb
• Favorite season: Summer
• Favorite saying: "Dream + effort = reality"
• Favorite food: Raw food, Tuna
• Disliked food: Sweet and sour food
• Favorite songs: Kiseki no Hana, Endless Youth, Judas
• Looks up to: Beyonce Knowles, Lady Gaga
• Hello! Project groups:
  • Melon Kinenbi (2000–2010)
  • Hello! Project Akagumi (2005)
• Shuffle units:
  • 2001: 10-nin Matsuri
  • 2002: Sexy 8
  • 2003: 7AIR
  • 2004: H.P. All Stars

Discography

<tabber>Mini Albums=

• [2015.04.19] 33

Singles

• [2011.01.12] KILLING MY CADDY
• [2011.02.09] ENDLESS LOVE
• [2011.04.06] BANGIN'
• [2012.04.28] JUMP!!!!!
• [2012.06.30] MUSIC
• [2013.02.25] BOY'S
• [2014.02.25] CALL ME POP
• [xxxx.xx.xx] Merry Christmas Special Mix CD
• [2018] Flash
• [2019] Gale

Split Single

• [2014.10.10] my love (with Natural Born)

Solo Songs

• [2007.12.12] 6gatsu no Sunshine

DVD

• [2002.12.04] Hello! Project Douyou Eizou Shuu ~Ponkikies21~
• [2003.05.01] Atarashii Douyou
• [2014.02.25] Otani Masae Birthday Live Birthday + Payday = Everyone Togather

Discography Featured In

<tabber>Albums=

Melon Kinenbi

|-|Singles=

Melon Kinenbi

• Amai Anata no Aji
• Kokuhaku Kinenbi
• Denwa Matteimasu
• This is Unmei
• Saa! Koibito ni Narou
• Natsu no Yoru wa Danger!
• Kousui
• Akai Freesia
• Chance of LOVE
• MI DA RA Matenrou
• Kawaii Kare
• Namida no Taiyou
• Champagne no Koi
• Nikutai wa Shoujiki na EROS
• Unforgettable
• Onegai Miwaku no Target ~Mango-pudding Mix~
• Charisma, Kirei
• Onegai Miwaku no Target (indie)
• DON'T SAY GOOD-BYE (indie)
• Pinchi wa Chance - Baka ni Narou ze! (indie)
• sweet suicide summer story (indie)
• Seishun-on-the-Road (indie)
• Melon Tea (indie)

10nin Matsuri

• Dancing! Natsu Matsuri

Sexy 8

• Shiawase Desu ka?

7AIR

• Kowarenai Ai ga Hoshii no

Hello! Project Seikatai

• Ai no Merry Christmas

H.P. ALL STARS

• ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!

The Possible

• Nanja Korya?!

Muratani Shimai

• Reborn

|-|Other Albums=

• The Douyou Pops 2 Haru no Uta Shuu
• The Douyou Pops 3 Natsu no Uta Shuu
• The Douyou Pops 4 Aki no Uta Shuu
• Shinsaku Douyou Pops 1
• Sougen no Hito Original Cast Ban
• Shinsaku Douyou Pops 2
• Hello! Project Radio Drama Osaka Vol.1

Works

Theater

Edo Kara Chakushin!? ~Timeslip to Kengai!~

• [2003] Musical Sougen no Hito (ミュージカル 草原の人; Musical Prairie Girl)
• [2006] Edo Kara Chakushin!? ~Timeslip to Kengai!~
• [2009] Sukoshi Hanarete, Soko ni Ite (すこし離れて、そこに居て)
• [2010.03.07-22] Melon Kinenbi Monogatari ~DECADE OF MELON KINEN-BI~
• [2010.09.01-05] Kizame, Waga Hada ni Kimi no Ibuki wo

Movies

• [2006] Sukeban Deka Codename Asamiya Saki (スケバン刑事　コードネーム＝麻宮サキ)

Trivia

• She said in a 2004 interview that the person she respects the most is Beyoncé. In her blog, she says that she respects Lady Gaga.
• She was one of the MCs for the Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen June 2009 ~Nakano STEP!~.
• After leaving UP-FRONT AGENCY in 2010 she started to work part time at a café while working toward her new goals.
• She is known for frequently changing her hair color as seen throughout the various singles, albums and performances of Melon Kinenbi.
• Only one of her singles, "ENDLESS LOVE", has a music video.
• She often dyes her own hair.
• Her motto is "Dream+Effort=Reality"
• Her favorite food is tuna.
• Her favorite place is New York.
• She wants to get married.
• Her favorite song is "Judas" by Lady Gaga.
• Her favorite artists are P!nk and Lady Gaga.
• She appeared as a special guest at Shimizu Saki's 22nd birthday event to give a surprise birthday message to Saki.
• On her official Instagram she says her dream is to sing in Korea (written in Korean and Japanese).

External Links

• Otani Masae Official Blog "Jinsei Itsu Demo Seichouki"
• Twitter