Kawaii Lab.

Kawaii Lab.
FoundedFebruary 14, 2022 (2022-02-14)
FounderAsobisystem
GenreJapanese pop
Country of originJapan
LocationHarajuku, Japan
Official websitekawaiilab.asobisystem.com

Kawaii Lab. (カワイイラボ, Kawaii Rabo) (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese idol project by Asobisystem founded in 2022, with the goal of sharing the Japanese idol worldwde. The project is led and produced by model and former Musubizm leader Misa Kimura and has produced girl groups Fruits Zipper, Candy Tune, Sweet Steady, and Cutie Street.

History

2022–present: Establishment and formation of girl groups

Kawaii Lab. was founded on February 14, 2022, as an idol project by Asobisystem.[1] The project is led by model and TV personality Misa Kimura, a former member of Musubizm where she was the group's leader.[2] Its slogan slogan is "From Harajuku to the world" (原宿から世界へ, Harajuku kara Sekai e) as it aims to produce idols who can be active on the world stage.[3]

On the day that Kawaii Lab. was established, Idolater, a girl group formed in 2019, joined the project as its first artist.[4] The seven member line-up of the project's first girl group, Fruits Zipper was revealed on February 22, 2022.[4] Fruits Zipper released their debut digital single, "Kimi no Akarui Mirai o Oikakete" (君の明るい未来を追いかけて), on April 10.[5] On December 14, the first members of Kawaii Lab.'s second girl group, which would later be known as Candy Tune, were announced.[6]

Candy Tune's seven-member line-up was complete by mid-February 2023 and they released their debut eponymous digital album on March 7.[7] On September 13, Fruits Zipper released its debut maxi single, "Watashi no Ichiban Kawaī tokoro" (わたしの一番かわいいところ).[8] The song, which had originally been released digitally on April 29, 2022, went viral on TikTok.[9] Idolater disbanded after their final concert on October 15.[10] On November 21, Kawaii Lab. launched the trainee group called Kawaii Lab. Mates.[3]

The formation of Kawaii Lab.'s third girl group, Sweet Steady, was announced on January 23, 2024. Sweet Steady's initial eight-member line-up consisted only of promoted trainees from Kawaii Lab. Mates.[11] Sweet Steady released their debut digital single, "Hajimari no Aizu", on March 1.[12] On July 23, Kawaii Lab. announced that they would form a fourth girl group.[13] The group's name Cutie Street and eight member line-up consisting of three promoted Kawaii Lab. Mates members was revealed on July 30.[14] On August 7, Candy Tune's debut maxi single, "Kiss Me Pattisier", was released.[15] On November 13, Cutie Street released their debut maxi single, "Kawaii Dake ja Dame Desu ka?" (かわいいだけじゃだめですか？).[16] Sweet Steady released their debut maxi single on December 18.[17]

Artists

Current

Former

  • Idolater

References

  1. ^ FRUITS ZIPPER＆CUTIE STREETがチャートで示す存在感 時代の空気を的確に捉える「KAWAII LAB.」人気の理由とは. Real Sound (in Japanese). October 25, 2024.
  2. ^ アソビシステムから日本のアイドル文化を世界へ発信するプロジェクト「KAWAII LAB.」発足＆2月22日に新アイドルグループ「FRUITS ZIPPER」誕生. Barks (in Japanese). February 14, 2022.
  3. ^ a b アソビシステム「KAWAII LAB. MATES」にデビューを目指す15名、アイドル経験者も多数. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. November 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b アソビシステム、日本アイドル文化を世界へ発信する新プロジェクト『KAWAII LAB.』発足！ 新アイドルグループ・FRUITS ZIPPER誕生. Pop 'n' Roll (in Japanese). February 14, 2022.
  5. ^ アソビシステム発アイドルグループ FRUITS ZIPPER、TikTok話題曲がバイラル好調 "KAWAII"無敵ぶりを発揮するプロ集団. Real Sound (in Japanese). June 14, 2022.
  6. ^ KAWAII LAB.新グループのメンバー2名発表. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 14, 2022.
  7. ^ CANDY TUNE、1stアルバムリリース FRUITS ZIPPERを生み出したプロジェクトによる新生7人組アイドル. Spice (in Japanese). March 7, 2023.
  8. ^ FRUITS ZIPPER、1stシングル「わたしの一番かわいいところ」ジャケ写公開 9・13発売. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. July 27, 2023.
  9. ^ アソビシステム発アイドルグループ FRUITS ZIPPER、TikTok話題曲がバイラル好調 "KAWAII"無敵ぶりを発揮するプロ集団. Real Sound (in Japanese). June 14, 2022.
  10. ^ IDOLATER、10・15ラストライブで解散を発表 大石楓夏「残り少ない時間を皆様と笑顔で」. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. September 8, 2023.
  11. ^ 総フォロワー数180万超え、FRUITS ZIPPERの妹分・SWEET STEADY誕生 3月にデビューライブ. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 23, 2024.
  12. ^ SWEET STEADY、1stデジタルシングル「始まりの合図」3・1リリース決定 FRUITS ZIPPERの妹分グループとして話題に. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. February 22, 2024.
  13. ^ FRUITS ZIPPERら輩出「KAWAII LAB.」より新アイドルグループ発足、「TIF」のステージでお披露目. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 23, 2024.
  14. ^ 日プ女子・桜庭遥花がアイドルに、FRUITS ZIPPERら輩出KAWAII LAB.から新グループデビュー. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 30, 2024.
  15. ^ CANDY TUNE、1stシングルCD「キス・ミー・パティシエ」4形態のジャケット写真公開. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. July 3, 2024.
  16. ^ CUTIE STREET、1stシングル『かわいいだけじゃだめですか？』リリース 単独ライブ開催＆FC開設も. Real Sound (in Japanese). September 9, 2024.
  17. ^ SWEET STEADY、1stシングルCD「ぱじゃまぱーてぃー! / ダイヤモンドデイズ」ジャケット写真公開. Oricon (in Japanese). November 6, 2024.