MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN is a five-member idol group under the music production company WACK. Formed in 2019 through the Japanese television show “MONSTER IDOL,” a project of TBS’s variety program “Wednesday Downtown” produced by comedian Kuro-chan, the group currently comprises AiKA THE SPY, NAO OF NAO, LEONAEMPiRE, MOMOTi NGALE, and HANAEMONSTER. Fans affectionately refer to them as “MAMETSUBU.”

In 2025, Kuro-chan of Yasuda Dai Circus was appointed as the official producer of the group, which has continued to evolve as an idol group capable of “swinging between cute and cool songs.” Beyond music, the members engage in various activities, including television appearances and diverse projects on their YouTube channel “Mame-tube.” Notably, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN has performed twice in London. An interview was conducted with the five members of MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN.

– First of all, could you introduce yourselves one by one?

NAO: My name is NAO OF NAO. I’m in charge of the blue color and often take on the role of organizing the group. My favorite food is ramen, which I eat once or twice a week. I recommend the ramen (not the tsukemen) at Dougenzaka Mammoth, a tsukemen shop in Shibuya. Please give it a try!

HANAE: I’m HANAEMONSTER, and my color is yellow-green. I once left MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN but have returned (laughs). My specialty is softball. In Japan, there’s a game called ‘ketsu-bat’… I wonder if people overseas are familiar with it (laughs)? It’s a game where you hit someone’s bottom with a plastic bat, and I’m good at making a satisfying sound. My hobby is eating potato salad; I enjoy ordering it at various pubs and restaurants, taking pictures, and collecting them.

LEONA: My name is LEONAEMPiRE, and my color is gold. I’m from Tokushima Prefecture. My favorite foods are takoyaki, yakiniku, and white rice. I played volleyball from elementary through high school, covering positions like libero, middle blocker, and outside hitter, but never setter, as it requires quick thinking… I’m not great at multitasking (laughs).

AiKA: I’m AiKA THE SPY, representing the color red, from Aichi Prefecture. I have a sweet tooth and love trying all kinds of confections. I adore Japanese sweets, but when traveling abroad, I seek out local treats. My favorite Japanese snack is thin, crispy chips with a light, crunchy texture. I especially enjoy the simple lightly salted flavor with mayonnaise (laughs). My special skill is styling my bangs neatly. Please take a look at them!

MOMOTi: My name is MOMOTi NGALE, and my color is silver. Before becoming an idol, I worked as a nurse in a gastroenterology department. I’ve played the piano since childhood and participated in soft tennis from sixth grade through my fourth year of university, even competing in the Eastern Japan tournament. I’m also a fan of anime and manga; my favorite anime is ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion,’ and my favorite manga is ‘Tokyo Ghoul.’

– What kind of group is MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN?

NAO: MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN is an idol group that originated from a Japanese variety show. The audition process was televised, and the group was formed with members selected through this audition. However, our audition was different from typical idol auditions; the selection process was quite unique. The judge in charge was comedian Kuro-chan, who chose members based on his own rather extreme biases. For instance, there was a member named Kaedephoenix, whom Kuro-chan eliminated for an unusual reason: “I want her to be an idol, but I also want her to be my girlfriend, so I’m going to drop her” (laughs).

HANAE: Kuro-chan has always liked cute idols, but MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN itself is a group that’s a bit different from the orthodox ‘cute’ idol groups. I think the contrast between his preferences and our group’s style is interesting and adds to our mysterious charm.

– Kuro-chan is a famous Japanese comedian. How does it feel to have someone like him involved with your group?

HANAE: To be honest, he feels like a relative to us (laughs). He’s very close, so I don’t usually perceive him as a ‘big shot’. But when I see Kuro-chan on TV with famous people, I sometimes realize that he really is a great person. Kuro-chan appears on TV frequently; for example, he promotes our group, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN, by saying, ‘Please support MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN,’ and he mentions our name on various programs.

NAO: He also plays our songs on his radio show regularly. I think he’s really amazing in that regard as well.

HANAE: The other day, we recorded a show together, and he gave me very specific advice like, ‘You should do this more,’ or ‘It will be easier for the MC if you speak like this.’ Because he’s been in the variety and TV industry for so long, he’s been able to teach me so much. Especially since he became our producer, there have been more and more occasions where I’ve felt his greatness.

– AiKA, you’ve known Kuro-chan since the early days of the group, right? How does it feel to have him involved with the group?

AiKA: We’ve been together since the beginning, so he’s a natural part of the group. But when we go out together, people around us are very happy to see him and say, ‘It’s Kuro-chan!’ That’s when I realize how popular Kuro-chan is (laughs). We’re together all the time, so we don’t usually think about it, but everyone likes Kuro-chan. So I think, ‘A very good person has become our producer.’

– LEONA, you were assigned to ‘gag training’ in 2024, weren’t you? How did you feel about being put through the gag ordeal by Kuro-chan, who is at the forefront of comedy?

LEONA: Actually, it was originally a punishment. When I was first told, ‘LEONA, do the gag,’ I really thought I was going to hate Kuro-chan (laughs). At that time, Kuro-chan was still in the position of ‘advisor,’ and I had joined later as a new member, so I didn’t have much of a chance to interact with him. So I thought even more, ‘Why am I the only one who has to do this?’ (laughs). But when it came time for me to perform a gag, I asked him, ‘What should the next gag be?’ and he taught me a lot. Little by little, I began to understand and incorporate them into my own performances.

– Kuro-chan himself is a big fan of idols. What kind of group does he envision MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN to be?

NAO: Initially, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN was created because Kuro-chan wanted to form his ideal idol group. He wasn’t particularly interested in the cool and edgy idols like those under WACK, our agency. However, after deciding to give it a try, he listened to WACK’s music and gradually told us that he now loves both WACK’s music and our group. Kuro-chan mentioned that instead of being a traditional ‘orthodox idol group,’ he wanted us to be an idol group with duality: ‘We can swing to cute songs and also to cool songs.’

– Kuro-chan has also undergone a transformation as a producer, hasn’t he?

NAO: I believe his perspective has evolved from the beginning to now. For example, after we released the song ‘Restart,’ there was a challenge that led Kuro-chan to become a ‘consultant’: a competition between the song ‘Daijoubu Sunrise’ by WACK and ‘Rocketstart’ produced by Kuro-chan. If Kuro-chan’s song won, he would be appointed as a consultant; if WACK’s song won, Kuro-chan would ‘never be involved again’ (laughs). At that time, Kuro-chan was creating very traditional, ‘cutesy’ songs.

HANAE: The group went through many changes from there, and in 2025, Kuro-chan returned as our producer. The first song upon his return was a new track called ‘Reload.’ I think we’ve found the form of the ‘new MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN,’ which blends WACK’s style with the traditional idol elements that Kuro-chan favors. That’s why I believe this song truly symbolizes the current direction of MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN.

– Apart from your music and live performances, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN also uploads a lot of videos to YouTube. How did you come to create such content?

NAO: Well, we are a group that was born out of a variety show, so we thought our viewers would be interested to see what kind of projects idols they’ve seen on TV would try and how they would react. I think they would be curious about that.

HANAE: We take on some pretty tough challenges (laughs). I think it’s also typical of us to engage in a lot of projects with a strong variety-show style.

NAO: I’ve probably done almost all the things that are called ‘punishment games’ in Japan (laughs). We’ve drunk all kinds of penalty drinks, eaten insects, had clothespins put on our faces, drunk death sauce straight, played Russian roulette with wasabi sushi… ‘Punishment games’ are often seen on Japanese variety shows. I’ve experienced all the ‘punishment games’ commonly featured. In fact, I wonder if there are any punishment games I haven’t played yet (laughs).

– I think MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN might be the idol group that undergoes the most punishments.

NAO: I can say that with confidence (laughs). I think we are the idols who have experienced the most punishment games in Japan.

– There are a lot of videos on YouTube. Which one would you recommend people watch first?

NAO: ‘Every time AiKA says a sentence, all the members except AiKA receive an electric shock’ (laughs). I think you can enjoy this video even if you don’t understand the language. The concept is very straightforward: when a keyword is spoken, everyone gets an electric shock simultaneously. So, I think people who are seeing MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN for the first time, as well as international viewers, will enjoy it.

– What is the first song you would recommend to someone new to MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN?

MOMOTi: ‘MUST GO.’ I believe this song resonates deeply with those listening to MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN for the first time. It was released after the new members joined, and many fans have discovered and connected with us through ‘MUST GO.’ The lyrics encapsulate our history and journey, making it a song that resonates with a wide audience.

– The phrase ‘IKANAKUCHA (which means “I have to go” in English),’ which appears in the title, is often used in WACK groups, isn’t it?

NAO: Yes, WACK’s founder, Junnosuke Watanabe, often incorporates phrases like ‘IKANAKUCHA’ in the lyrics of other groups’ songs. However, it hadn’t been present in MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN’s songs until ‘MUST GO.’ When I saw that Watanabe included that in our lyrics, I was thrilled that it had finally come to us! That’s why I consider this song truly significant. Just having that line in the song motivates me; it’s like a talisman for me.

– Apart from ‘MUST GO’, are there any other songs you would recommend?

HANAE: I would suggest ‘Restart’. It’s one of MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN’s most popular songs and was our first track to enter the Billboard charts. For those who watched the auditions on ‘Wednesday’s Downtown’, this song symbolizes MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN. You could say it’s our calling card.

NAO: ‘Restart’ features a part called ‘Gachikoi Koujou’. When we performed in London, our overseas fans shouted it out in Japanese. I was really moved and thought, ‘Wow, they’re truly embracing Japanese idol culture.’ The song also guides you on how to participate during our live concerts.

AiKA: I recommend ‘MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN -Ookurisuruno Ha Zinseigekijou-‘. This song includes our group’s name, making it an excellent introduction. The chorus repeats, so it’s easy to remember, and I think it’s also simple for international fans to sing along. Plus, the song itself is very cheerful.

NAO: Recently, during our live performance in Taiwan, everyone mimicked our ‘Mame-mame’ chants and got really excited. Some fans even said, ‘I want to do the “Mame-mame”‘ during the meet-and-greet session. It made me realize that because it’s a simple phrase, it can cross language barriers and connect with people.

MOMOTi: What really impressed me at the London concert was that the atmosphere was a bit different from Japanese idol fans. In Japan, there’s a strong ‘oshi culture’. For example, fans might say, ‘I like this member, so I’ll attend the concert wearing their color,’ or ‘I’ll wear a T-shirt with my favorite member’s face on it.’ There’s a sense that fans enjoy the act of supporting their favorite member. But in London, while fans do have their favorites, I felt there was a stronger emphasis on ‘enjoying the live experience itself.’ Everyone danced together, fully embracing the music, and seemed to enjoy the performance with the same enthusiasm as the artists. I found this atmosphere slightly different from Japanese live performances. Both styles are very appealing, and I think it probably relates to cultural and national characteristics. I could genuinely feel their deep love for the music.

– What should we pay attention to in order to fully enjoy MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN’s live performances?

MOMOTi: In WACK groups, there’s a culture where everyone dances the chorus choreography together, and MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN is no exception. Specifically, the ‘Mame-mame’ dance for ‘MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN -Ookurisuruno Ha Zinseigekijou-‘ was choreographed by NAO OF NAO and HANAEMONSTER. We believe it’s a routine that will captivate audiences worldwide (laughs). When you attend our live shows, don’t hesitate to dance along with us. I dream that one day, the ‘Mame-mame’ dance will become a global sensation!

– What message would you like to convey to readers who have become interested in MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN after reading the article?

MOMOTi: In the beginning, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN was often described as ‘not like WACK.’ However, after various experiences, more people now say we embody the ‘WACK style.’ If you’re interested in WACK, I’d encourage you to follow MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN’s journey as well. Doing so might deepen your appreciation for our lyrics and music.

AiKA: Attending our live performances will undoubtedly uplift your spirits. That’s why we want you to experience our shows firsthand. We aim to visit more countries in the future to energize audiences everywhere. When we come to your country, please join us. Of course, we’d also be delighted if you attended our performances in Japan!

LEONA: We have a diverse range of songs. Some are fun to dance to, others are soft and moving, and some are intense and electrifying. If you love music, you’ll definitely enjoy our group. When we performed ‘Starry Carnival’ in London, many attendees who didn’t know us danced freely to the song, which made us very happy. Whenever we perform this song live, I hope everyone enjoys it in their own way.

HANAE: With comedian Kuro-chan as our producer, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN places importance on ‘making people smile,’ and we strive to bring joy to our audiences during live performances. Nowadays, many idol groups specialize in specific genres, like ‘cute’ or ‘cool.’ However, MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN is funny, mysterious, cute, and cool all at once. We have numerous music videos and YouTube content on ‘Mame-tube,’ so please check them out. We’d love for you to attend our live shows!

NAO: We’re the only group in WACK that’s also active on YouTube, which makes us unique. While we want everyone to enjoy our live performances, we also hope more people worldwide discover us through our online videos, accessible from anywhere. If you’re curious about Japanese variety shows, please visit our channel. We use TikTok, YouTube, and various platforms to connect, so please listen to our songs as well. Each member of MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN has a vibrant personality, so we hope you’ll find your favorite and come see us live. If this article piqued your interest, please listen to our music and watch our YouTube videos. And one day, when MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN visits your country, let’s have fun together at a live show!

INTERVIEW：Hiroo Nishizawa
Photo：Yuki Ohashi

■Live information

WACK in the UK Vol. 5
DATE: Wed. 26th Mar. 2025
OPEN: 7PM
VENUE: The Underworld (London)
APPEARANCE : KiSS KiSS,ASP and GANG PARADE

General Tickets: £30 (Entry from 7pm)
VIP Upgrade Ticket: £120 – strictly limited. It includes:
· Light lunch with the members
· Cheki photo with group of choice
· Cheki photo with member of choice (plus autograph)
· Exclusive T-shirt (Japanese XL size)
· Early entry to the show.
· VIP ticket holders do not need to purchase a general entry ticket.
To upgrade via DICE please purchase a general ticket, then log into your DICE account and choose the upgrade option.
————-
Timetable:
12:30 – VIP light lunch and cheki event
14:00 – Cheki ticket sale begins for general ticket holders.
14:30 – General cheki event
18:30 – VIP early entry
19:00 – General entry
19:30 – KiSS KiSS
20:20 – ASP
21:10 – GANG PARADE
22:00 – End
About Cheki event:
Cheki are a type of polaroid style photo that is popular in Japan. The VIP ticket already includes 2 cheki opportunities. Further opportunities, as well as opportunities for general ticket holders, will be available by purchasing cheki tickets from the mech stand. Each cheki ticket purchased will allow for one cheki to be taken with a member of the ticket holder’s choice.

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