Dummies Guide to Stardust: Momoclo

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                                                       Momoiro Clover Z
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                                                           About
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Momoiro Clover Z are a five member idol group. Originally they weren't meant to be idols but after doing many street performances and getting their own songs and gaining popularity they became what they are now. Known as Momoiro Clover, they added the Z to their name to signify their rebirth after Hayami Akari decided to graduate from the group. They are easily the biggest idol group in Japan right now and are popular with all ages because of their variety talents. Originally led by Takagi Reni, the leader is now Momota Kanako. Known for their "famous manager," Kawakami Akira, who is ever present unlike most managers. They were known as the "Weekend Heroines" because they were too young and busy with school to perform on weeknights. Their sales might not come close to putting a dent into the heavy hitter that is AKB, but their mainstream popularity is on an entirely different level. There's not much you need to know as you either know it already or you don't care.

                                                        Current Members
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Momota Kanako:
-Born 1994-07-12
-Image color is red
-One of the original members
-Nicknames are Kanako↑↑ and Dekochan (for her huge forehead)
-Center and current leader of the group after Takagi Reni was asked to step down November of 2008
-Known as the "Cinderella from the Tea Plantation" because she's from Shizuoka
-Known for her large forehead and dimples
-Also known for her famous "ebizori jump" from Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujo
-Blog is http://ameblo.jp/momota-sd/

Takagi Reni: (Ryan's forever girl, Sofia would maybe also like kinda Kazu typish)
-Born 1993-06-21
-Oldest member of the group
-Image color is purple
-One of the original members
-Nickname is Renichan
-Former leader until she was asked to step down November of 2008
-Known as the "electric girl" she is... quite... eccentric
-Well known for her hengao talents
-Blog is http://ameblo.jp/takagi-sd/

Tamai Shiori: (Wendy's pick)
-Born 1995-06-04
-Image color is yellow
-One of the original members
-Nickname is Shiorin
-Known as "everyone's little sister" and is the "spoiled gluttonous" character
-Great at nothing, good at everything. Momoclo jack of all trades.
-Blog is http://ameblo.jp/tamai-sd/

Sasaki Ayaka: (Addie maybe like??? Not meant to be an insult??????)
-Born 1996-06-11
-Youngest member of the group
-Image color is pink
-Joined the group at the end of 2008 along with Hayami Akari and Kashiwa Yukina
-Nickname is Aarin
-Known as "Momoclo's idol" and is very much that type
-Sexy tantou
-Blog is http://ameblo.jp/sasaki-sd/

Ariyasu Momoka: (Hanna would probably like, very Hinachun type)
-Born 1995-03-15
-Image color is green
-Joined in July of 2009 right before their first indies single was released
-Nickname is pretty much just Momoka
-Known as the "tiny giant" because of her strong voice and powerful dancing despite her short statue (148 cm)
-Blog is http://ameblo.jp/ariyasu-sd/

                                                         Past Members
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Hayami Akari:
-Born 1995-03-17
-Image color was blue
-Was the subleader of the group
-Joined the group at the end of 2008 along with Sasaki Ayaka and Kashiwa Yukina
-Nickname was Akarin
-Was known as the "Momoclo's cool beauty" for obvious reasons
-She graduated from the group because she felt she wasn't a good idol
-Her graduation is still felt to this day, they are always paying homage to her even now and her departure signified a new era
-After her graduation she began a career of acting and modelling to pretty decent success

-----------------------------------------------------The Line of Unimportance----------------------------------------------------
Kashiwa Yukina:
-Born 1994-08-12
-Graduated in March of 2009, before their single debut
-Went on to join Nogizaka46

Fujishiro Sumire:
-Born 1994-06-08
-Graduated in December of 2008 to be in a different stardust group, Creamy Parfait, with Ikura Manami
-Became an actress and model under Stardust after their disbandment in December of 2009
-Continued to appear in all the off-shot Creamy Parfait groups

Ikura Manami:
-Born 1994-02-04
-Graduated in December of 2008 to be in a different stardust group, Creamy Parfait, with Fujishiro Sumire
-Continued to be in the Creamy Parfait off-shots until she left Stardust in 2011
-She has continued acting

Wagawa Miyu:
-Born 1993-12-19
-Graduated in December of 2008 because she decided she didn't want to be an idol
-Continued acting in Stardust until she left in 2011
-Joined the Creamy Parfait off-shot, Creamytation, until she left Stardust

Takai Tsukina:
-Born 1995-07-06
-Graduated in August of 2008 after passing an audition for SKE48
-Left SKE48 in August of 2009 and rejoined 3Bjunior
-Was in the Creamy Parfait off-shot, Creamytation and Creamytation Z
-Continued performing with 3Bjunior until she left Stardust in 2014

Kawakami Risa:
-Born 1994-02-04
-Graduated in May of 2008 before debut
-Left Stardust in 2010

                                                     Recommended Viewing
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So there is a lot I can recommend to be honest but there's a large gap where there's not much good going on
-Momoiro Punch PV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5w6Q7TeLSE
the beginning of momoclo was really good... pre-momoka

-Ikuze! Kaitou Shojou PV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7z9M0vFPbI
THE momoclo song and probably still the best, happy to own the re-release

-Chai Maxx PV:
http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/Momoiro-Clover---Chai-Maxx-%2528Eng-Sub%2529/4b80a56697491b6a6fe1d9c414ed62fa
sorry for the awful site, one of their best songs, we don't talk about chai maxx zero

-Akarin e Okuru Uta performance:
https://youtu.be/wUEvlrDSFkE?t=3m39s
graduation song for Akarin at her graduation concert, very emotional you might cry even if you hate them

-Z Densetsu ~Owarinaki Kakumei~ PV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCRlKdMnPLI
not great but pretty decent, this their "new theme" for Z after Akarin's departure, good for learning their characters

-Wani to Shampoo performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzYnHEDX7dw
my favorite momoclo song, your mileage may vary, it's very momoclo but I think in a good way

Neo STARGATE PV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiX22vnR-SU
people rave about this but also while also good it's also very characteristic of what's bad about momoclo

Yume no Ukiyo ni Saite Mina PV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivJZljEostE
this is the one with KISS, it's actually really good, the PV is beautiful too

Hajimete no Momoclo Documentary:
http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=87916
this is subbed, if you for some reason decide you want to know more about momoclo this is everything to get you started

                                                      Personal Opinions
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They started out great, there were some bumps here and there, then Z happened and they were bad. They're getting better and there's good stuff to enjoy here and there throughout their history, but unless you're trapped like me I wouldn't recommend them honestly. Maybe if they keep getting better. One good thing I have to say is management might fuck up constantly, but they ARE ever present. And they DO seem to care about the girls. Especially Kawakami. He might not be the best dad, but he's definitely Momoclo's dad. Just appreciate Takagi Reni. That's all you gotta do.

                                                           Links
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Official website: http://www.momoclo.net/
Fan forum (also all stardust): http://momoiroclover.net/
Credit to http://momoirocloverz.wikia.com/wiki/Momoiro_Clover_Z for all the past member bullshit I didn't know off the top of my head
That's about it