89 fans
おニャン子クラブ, also known as Onyanko Club, was a Japanese pop idol group formed in Tokyo on April 1, 1985. The group initially consisted of nine high school girls and two graduates, who were selected from participants in special episodes of Fuji TV's weekly late-night show All Night Fuji. Their debut television appearance occurred on the first episode of Fuji TV’s daily live variety show "Sunset Meow Meow" (夕やけニャンニャン), which aired from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The group quickly gained attention with their debut single "Sailor Fuku o Nugasanai de", released by Canyon Records on July 5, 1985. The single peaked at Number Five on the Oricon Japanese single chart in August of the same year.The group's rise to fame was marked by both successes and controversies. In less than three weeks from the launch of "Sunset Meow Meow", six members were caught smoking in a kissaten (Japanese-style café) near Fuji TV's old headquarters, leading to their dismissal from the group. Despite this setback, おニャン子クラブ continued to produce popular music and maintain a strong fan base.Throughout their career, おニャン子クラブ released several notable albums and singles. Their debut album Kick Off, directed by Hiroshi Watanabe, was released on September 21, 1985, and reached Number Two on the Oricon Japanese album chart. The album contained ten songs composed by various musicians, with lyrics written by Yasushi Akimoto. The group's subsequent releases included "OttoCHIKAN!" (April 21, 1986), which became a significant hit, and their second studio album Circle, released on August 5, 1987. Notable members such as Shizuka Kudo went on to have successful solo careers.The group also participated in various spin-off projects, including Nyangilas and Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi, whose songs were used as theme songs for popular anime series like High School! Kimengumi and Tsuide ni Tonchinkan. Additionally, several members of the group appeared in television dramas and other media, further expanding their influence. For instance, Sonoko Kawai made her appearance as a supporting character in episodes 11 and 12 of Fuji TV's live-action TV series Sukeban Deka, and her solo single "Namida no Jasmine LOVE" debuted at Number Five on the chart and topped it for two consecutive weeks.Despite their success, the group disbanded on September 20, 1987. Posthumous releases include compilations such as "おニャン子クラブ"SINGLES コンプリート, released in July 2007, and ザ・プレミアムベスト おニャン子クラブ in November 2012, which highlighted their enduring influence on Japanese pop culture. The group's impact was also recognized through various re-releases and special editions of their music, ensuring that their legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and music enthusiasts alike.
