Retro Idols of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s (*and a Few Non-idol Singers)

Rosanna Zambon (born: July 3, 1950) came from Italy to Japan in 1967, met Kato Hideo / "Hide" (born: December 15, 1942), formed a duet and made their debut in 1968. They have 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart. In 1975, they became more than just duet partners, they became husband and wife. Hide died in 1990.

*They're not "idol" singers, but I still add them anyway since I like their songs.

lyrics + translation

There's no official documentation of who is the first Japanese idol ever, but Okazaki Yuki (born: July 31, 1953) was definitely one of the earliest generation of idol. She made her singing debut in 1970, two years after her acting debut. 

lyrics + translation

Amachi Mari (born: November 5, 1951) who debuted in 1971 used to be the most popular idol in early 1970s. She has 5 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Her stats was significantly higher than other idols from her era, she used to be "on another level", thus made her the "queen" for a few years in the first half of 1970s.

lyrics + translation

Minami Saori, also known as her Christian name: Cynthia,  (born: July 2, 1954) was one of the biggest idol in early 1970s who debuted in 1971. Her songs might never reached #1 in Oricon chart, with #2 is her highest record, but to judge her success only based on that will be very misleading since her total song sales was still significantly higher than some other idols who have one or more Oricon #1 ranked song. She was big!

Minami Saori is a long-time close friend of Asaoka Megumi, since their idol days until decades later in modern days.

lyrics (translation was made by other user, not mine).

Like a vintage manga character comes to life, she was the cutest 1970s idol, period! Asaoka Megumi (born:October 11, 1955) made her debut in 1972 and instantly rose to fame. Her signature song about "left-handed boyfriend" was so hype in 1973, it inspired companies to manufacture products for left-handed people. Megumi wasn't only a top idol, but also a trendsetter that her signature "hime (princess) hairstyle", a hairstyle that was used by girls from noble family in ancient Japan, became a trend for young girls in early 1970s, from normal girls to some celebrities. That hairstyle also made her being called "hime-sama (princess)" sometimes. Even today, hime hairstyle still exists. Asaoka Megumi has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart. As a singer, there's no doubt about Megumi's singing skill.

Megumi has long-time close friendship with Minami Saori and Asada Miyoko since their idol days until decades later in modern days.

lyrics + translation

^ Asaoka Megumi who looked like she came straight out of a vintage manga 😆

lyrics + translation

Asada Miyoko (born: February 15, 1956), nickname: Miyo-chan, was one of the top idol in 1970s who was best known with her cute looks and soothing voice. She made her debut in 1973. She was more specialized as an actress, even then she still appeared in a lot of singing program and has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart. 

Miyoko is a long-time close friend with Asaoka Megumi since their idol days until decades later in modern days.

lyrics + translation

Abe Shizue (born: November 28, 1951) was also one of the top idol of 1970s. She made her debut in 1973. She was one of the most beautiful idols in the '70s, but she's not just all looks, she's also a good singer.

lyrics + translation

Agnes Chan (born: August 20, 1955) was an idol from Hong Kong. Her Chinese name is: Chen Mei Ling, and Agnes is her Christian name. She came to Japan in 1972 invited by a Japanese songwriter, made her debut that year and became one of the biggest idol in early 1970s. Agnes Chan has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart.

Beside a singer, Agnes Chan is also known for her humanitarian works which she has done since a very young of age, even before she became a singer. In 1998, Agnes was appointed as the first ambassador of Japan Comitee for UNICEF and has done a lot of charity works since then.  In 2016 she became "UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asia and the Pacific Region". As UNICEF ambassador, she has visited many war-torn countries and famine stricken countries, doing humanitarian works helping people all around the world.

lyrics + translation

Sakurada Junko (born: April 14, 1958) , nickname: Junpei, was a very popular idol in 1970s. She made her debut in 1973, the same generation as Yamaguchi Momoe and Mori Masako, they were called "hana no chusan trio". Junko was a top idols with many hit songs. and won many awards. She has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart, although her total sales are much higher than that. Based on sales, she was probably the number #4 among all 1970s female idols. Junko was also a successful actress who has starred in a total of 17 movies and 28 dramas, and won at least 5 awards as an actress.

lyrics + translation

Ota Hiromi (born: January 20, 1955) was one of the top idols from 1970s. She was also a songwriter and composer. Even since she was 8, the time she learnt piano for the first time, she has already composed her first music. Ota Hiromi made her singing debut in 1974. Her music style is a fusion between idol songs and folk songs, it turned into her own unique characteristic. She was one of the best looking idols in her era, her voice was amazing, and she has the popularity; thus made her a complete idol.

lyrics + translation

Yamaguchi Momoe (born: January 17, 1959) was the most popular idol in the 1970s, the "queen" of the '70s. She has 4 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart, but her total song sales was much higher than idols who have a lot more Oricon #1 charted songs. From all the idols on this list, Momoe has the 5th highest sales. She retired from entertainment industry in 1980, still in the peak of her popularity, because of her marriage.

lyrics + translation

lyrics + translation

Iwasaki Hiromi (born: November 12, 1958), nickname: Hiroring,  was one of the most popular idol in 1970s. She made her debut in 1975. One thing Hiromi has that excel most other idols is consistency. Since her debut day in mid 1970s until now, for almost 50 years non stop, she still regularly release new singles. She has a very long career. Iwasaki Hiromi has collected 3 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Among 1970s idols, she has the 3rd highest song sales.

lyrics + translation

Okada Nana (born: February 12, 1959) was a popular idol in late 1970s who specialized in acting. She debuted as actress in 1974 and as singer in 1975. She was more popular as an actress , having starred in a lot of movies in late 1970s to early 1990s, mostly as the main protagonist, but she also has a decent singing career. She has released 7 albums in total. As for her acting career, she has starred in a total of 25 movies and about 138 dramas from late 1970s to late 2010s.

lyrics + translation

Candies might be the first idol group in idol history, which members consisted of Miki (Fujimura Miki, born: January 15, 1956), Ran (Ito Ran, born: January 13, 1955), and Sue ( Tanaka Yoshiko, born: April 8, 1956). They made their debut in 1973 but only became really popular started from 1975. Candies have 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart.

In late 1977, Candies - still in the peak of their popularity - suddenly announced they would disband soon. The period between the announcement and their final concert was when their popularity rose even further to the next level. Their song sales and concert attendance exploded. So did the ratings of TV shows where they performed. They officially disbanded in 1978 and never perform together again. Sue died of illness in 2011.

lyrics + translation

Pink Lady are an extremely popular idol duo from 1970s consisted of Mie(Nemoto Mitsuyo, born: March 9, 1958) and Kei(Masuda Keiko, born: September 2, 1957), they were on par with Yamaguchi Momoe as the most popular idol of the '70s. Just like the title of one of their songs "Pink Typhoon", Pink Lady were so big they swept through the late 1970s with their hype like a pink typhoon. 

Pink Lady have 9 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. They have ten songs that sold more than 1,000,000 copies each. They appeared in a lot of tv ads, any product they advertised would get massive boost on sales. They have their own anime with them as the main character. They released Pink Lady dolls (like Barbie-type doll) and other merchandise. They were so big in their era, they even have a tv show in the US called: "Pink Lady and Jeff".

Even the biggest typhoon will cease. After their decline, Pink Lady announced in 1980 that they would disbanded the next year. After that, Pink Lady would reunited only to disband again several times in: 1984, 1989, 1996 and 2003. Finally they had enough and reunited for the last time in 2011 and announced that they will never disband again. Even now, Mie and Kei can still perform and dance with the same energy as when they were young.

lyrics + translation

Oba Kumiko (born: January 6, 1960), nickname: Kumin, was a popular idol in late 1970s. She appeared on TV for the first time in 1974, made her movie debut in 1976 and debuted as singer in 1977. Her popularity boosted when she starred as lead role in the TV series: "Comet-san" in 1978. She was more of an actress than singer, having starred in about 130 dramas and 11 movies (mostly support roles / guest roles, mostly from 1970s to 1990s, but still act as recent as 2020). As singer, she has released 13 singles and 9 albums. She also does voice acting, stage show and variety show, and writes books.

lyrics + translation

Takada Mizue (born: June 23, 1960) was a top idol in late 1970s to early 1980s. In 1976, she became the grand champion of a talent show: "Kimi wa Star da!" (a rival program of another talent show "Star Tanjou!"). She made her debut as idol singer in March 25, 1977. Despite her small stature (153.8 cm), she had a powerful voice. In her first year alone, she has won 11 newcomer awards and performed in Kohaku Uta Gassen right away with her debut song.

In her career, Takada Mizue has released a total of 26 singles and 10 original albums. Her total single sales are 3,229,000 copies but there's no information of her total album sales , so I don't know about her total sales. Takada Mizue has performed 7 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen (1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984).  She has appeared in 4 dramas  (1978 - 1982, mostly support role / guest role). She was also a regular in 3 variety shows.

lyrics + translation

Sakakibara Ikue (born: May 8, 1959) was a top idol in late 1970s. In 1976, she won the first ever HoriPro Talent Scout Caravan (* a very popular audition program held from 1976 - 2020 by a famous agency company: HoriPro. A lot of idols came from this audition. One of HoriPro biggest idols was Hori Chiemi) and made her debut as idol singer in January 1, 1977 (some idols debuted in the same year as her included Oba Kumiko and Takada Mizue). 

As a singer, Sakakibara Ikue has released a total of 39 singles and 17 original albums. There's no information about her total sales but incomplete data showing her ten highest selling singles have sold a total of 1,196,000 copies. Sakakibara Ikue has performed 6 times consecutively in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1978 - 1983. She has won 13 awards from 1976 - 1981. 

As an actress, she has starred in 59 dramas (1977 - 2021) and 6 movies (1976 - 2022). She has also been regular cast in a lot of variety shows and tv programs from 1977 until now. In late 1970s, she appeared regularly in Japanese Disney programs, she even voiced Mickey Mouse in Japanese dub back then. She was also for playing the role of Peter Pan in Japanese version of "Peter Pan" musical stage play in 1981 - 1987. And she was the presenter of "The Top Ten" from 1981 - 1986.

lyrics + translation

Ishikawa Hitomi (born: September 20, 1989), nickname: Hit-chan, was a top idol in late 1970s. She made her debut as idol singer in May 25, 1978.

Since her debut, she was known for her good looks and her singing ability. But after releasing 10 singles, none of it became a big hit, until her 11th single: "Machibuse" reached top 10 in Oricon chart for the first time and the sales far exceeded her previous songs, it even brought her to Kohaku Uta Gassen 1981.

She was also known as the host of the music program "Let's Go Young" from 1982 - 1986

lyrics + translation

Ishino Mako (born: January 31, 1961) was a popular idol from late 1970s well known for her catchprase: "million dollar smile".  She made her debut in 1978. As an idol, she has won a lot of awards and performed 2 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen. Ishino Mako was also a presenter for the legendary idol talent show: "Star Tanjou!" (a legendary talent show from which many top idols were born. The likes of: Sakurada Junko, Yamaguchi Momoe, Pink Lady, Nakamori Akina, Kyon2, and even Mako herself used to be contestant of this show before they debut as singers).

lyrics + translation

Matsuda Seiko (born: March 10, 1962) , dubbed: "the eternal idol", was undisputedly the biggest idol in 1980s, bigger than any idol ever existed in 1970s and 1980s. She's the "queen" of idol!

In 1980, Yamaguchi Momoe retired and Pink Lady announced their disbandment. Losing two biggest stars leaving a huge hole in idol industry that despereately needed someone to fill. Rookie idol: Matsuda Seiko was expected to become the next Momoe, but instead of becoming someone's heir, Matsuda Seiko became herself, built her own "throne", SURPASSED Yamaguchi Momoe (and any idols ever existed before her),  and became the "queen" herself!

Since her debut in 1980, Matsuda Seiko has 25 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Seiko was so dominant in early 1980s, she's simply on another level, no other idol could matched her.... except one person, her arch-rival, the  other "queen".

lyrics + translation

Nakamori Akina (born: July 13, 1965) was one of two overwhelmingly popular idols in 1980s, one of the two "queens", the only person who could rivaled Matsuda Seiko back then, and surpassed everybody else from their generation with their ridiculously high stats. She made her debut in 1982 and started from her 3rd singles, her songs started to dominated #1 spot in Oricon chart. In total she has 22 singles that reached #1st rank in Oricon Chart.

In every different era - whether it's athlete or celebrity - sometimes there'll be a great rivalry between two generational greats who have surpassed everyone else and only competing for the top between themselves. Such thing also existed in idol world. Matsuda Seiko was overwhelmingly popular in the '80s, she was basically the "queen" of idol that no other idols could matched her......until the emergence of the other "queen", her arch-rival: Nakamori Akina. 

lyrics + translation

Kawai Naoko (born: July 24, 1963) was one of the first generation idols of the 1980s. In fact, she used to be the number 2 after Matsuda Seiko, before more and more bigger idols emerged. Even so, until the last year of 1980s, only a few idols could end up surpassing her.

She made her debut in 1980 and has 1 Oricon #1 ranked song, but don't judge her based on that since her total sales are much higher than what a singer with one Oricon #1 ranked song supposed to have. Her vocal skill was one of the best among idols in her era.

Kawai Naoko also known to have had duets with high profile Hong Kong megastars like: Teresa Teng (Asia's queen of pop) and Jackie Chan (action movie mega star, he sings too).

lyrics + translation

Kashiwabara Yoshie (born: October 1, 1965) was a top idol from early 1980s, one of the first generation '80s idol who debuted at the same year as Matsuda Seiko and Kawai Naoko. The highest position her song ever reached in Oricon chart was #6, but her total sales is higher than some other idols who have more than one Oricon #1 ranked songs. She has also performed twice in Kohaku Uta Gassen. Her fans are not just average people, but even the crowned prince of Japan back then (the person who later became current emperor of Japan in Reiwa period. The current emperor was born in 1960, so he was still in his early 20s during Yoshie idol days) was a fans of her and had attended one of her concert.

Among idols, her close friend was Kawai Naoko

lyrics + translation

. 

Iwasaki Yoshimi (born: June 15, 1961) was a top idol in early 1980s, one of the first generation 1980s idols. She is the younger sister of Iwasaki Hiromi (a very big 1970s idol). Her sister: Hiromi made a debut as singer in 1975, and the young Yoshimi admired her and her interest in singing grew stronger. Iwasaki Yoshimi made her singing debut on February 21, 1980. In her first year alone, she has won 14 awards. She also performed in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1980. It's inevitable that people keep comparing her to her sister in her entire career, but Yoshimi herself was a top idol in her own right and a great singer.

lyrics + translation

Yakushimaru Hiroko (born: June 9, 1964) was a top idol from early 1980s. She is also a very popular actress. She made her acting debut in 1978 and her singing debut in 1981. 

As an actress,  she has starred in a total of 44 movies and 51 dramas. In her prime, she won a lot "Best Actress" awards. In the age where she need to play as someone's mom, she still won a lot of "Best Supporting Actress" awards. She has won about 48 award in total.

As a singer, Yakushimaru Hiroko was a very popular idol in early 1980s with hit songs. She has a total of 3 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Being popular in both fields, a lot of her songs were also used as OST in her own movies.

lyrics + translation

Koizumi Kyoko (born: February 4, 1966) , also known as her cute nickname: Kyon Kyon (キョンキョン) , was an extremely popular idol, (based on her total singles sales) she was arguably the 4th most popular female idol in the 1980s. Her stats make her an elite even among top idols, with 11 of her songs reached #1 in Oricon Chart. She was also a popular actress, she still acts in dramas and movies even now. 

Kyon2 was (or still?) a close friend of Nakamori Akina. Both of them were fellow participants of the same idol talent show, both debuted in 1982, and both were very big idols in their era. Instead of rivalry, they seemed to get along well. 

lyrics + translation

Matsumoto Iyo (born: June 21, 1965) , is one of the top idol from the 1980's, who made her debut in 1981. She won newcomer awards in her first year and since then she has a successful career as idol for almost a decade. She was also a presenter who hosted a popular music tv program back then, and acted in some teenage dramas. Iyo was one of the tv hosts on Onyanko Club variety show: "Yuuyake Nyan Nyan".

Matsumoto Iyo seems to be close friend with Hayami Yuu, they often appear together in many tv programs especially in modern days.

lyrics + translation

Hayami Yuu (born: September 2, 1966), the idol from Hawaii, was one of the top idol in 1980s. She was born in Japan but moved with her parents to Guam when she was 3 years old, and grew up in Hawaii from 7 to 14 years old. This made her fluent in speaking English. One day she got scouted in a Japanese mall in Hawaii by an idol talent scout. She returned to Japan and made her debut as idol in 1982. She has a successful career as idol for almost a decade. She was also an actress who has starred in 14 movies. 

Hayami Yuu seems to be close friend with Matsumoto Iyo, they often appear together in many tv programs especially in modern days. 

lyrics + translation

Hori Chiemi (born: February 15, 1967) was a top idol active in early to mid 1980s. She made her debut in 1982.  She has won at least 15 awards from various events and festivals. The highest position her song ever reached in Oricon Chart is #2. She was also an actress (starred in 17 dramas), radio host, and regular cast in some variety programs. Chiemi is also an author who has written 9 books, from fiction, autobiography, and books about family and parenting. 

lyrics + translation 

Ishikawa Hidemi (born: July 13, 1966) was a top idol from early 1980s. She made her debut in 1982, the same year as Nakamori Akina, Kyon2, Matsumoto Iyo, Hayami Yuu, Hori Chiemi and the boyband trio: Shibugakitai (<-- one of their member would later became her husband in 1990). In her career, she has released 30 singles and 16 albums; with total song sales of 2,486,864 copies. Her highest position in Oricon chart is #4. Hidemi has performed 1 time in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1985. She also has acting career which she has starred in 12 dramas. 

lyrics + translation

Harada Tomoyo ( born: Novermber 28, 1967) was a top idol in 1980s. She made her debut in acting and singing in 1982 when she was just less than 15 years old, and immediately won awards as actress. Tomoyo became a very popular actress who starred in a lot of movies and dramas, many of them used her own songs as the OST. 

As an actress, Harada Tomoyo has starred in a total of 31 movies and 28 dramas (still a very active actress with her latest drama and movie were from 2021). She won 12 awards as an actress in 1980s. 

Tomoyo also has a successful singing career with a lot of singles and albums. She has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart and has performed 1 time in Kohaku Uta Gassen. 

lyrics + translation

Kikuchi Momoko (born: May 4, 1968), a top idol with soothing smile and specialized in city pop songs. She made her debut in 1984. She has a very successful career with 7 of her songs reached #1 in Oricon Chart. Kikuchi Momoko is also a popular actress, she still acts in new drama even now. 

lyrics + translation

Oginome Yoko (born: December 10, 1968) , nicknamed: Oginome-chan, was a top idol in 1980s well-known for her eurobeat style songs that made her unique than mainstream idol singers back then. She made her debut in 1984. In her career, she has a total of 3 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. She has won 39 awards from various events, the most notably ones are winning gold in "Japan Record Awards" for 4 consecutive years. She looked like normal cute idol when she talked normally, but once she sings and dances, she became someone different, someone so cool. 

lyrics + translation

Okada Yukiko (born: August 22, 1967) , nicknamed: Yukko, was a top idol in mid 1980s. She made her debut in 1984 and in her first year alone she has won 14 awards, plus 4 more awards in 1985. She was expected to be "the next Matsuda Seiko", but she replied that she don't want to be someone else, she is herself.

Yukiko has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart. She has also starred in 5 dramas, shot a bunch of TV commercials and wrote 2 books.

Okada Yukiko commited suicide in April 8, 1986 and died at the age of 18.

lyrics + translation

Honda Minako (born: July 31, 1967) was a top idol from the 1980s. She made her debut in 1985 (*a tough year, because that was the same debut year as Nakayama Miho, MInamino Yoko, Saito Yuki, Asaka Yui, and a lot more idols; even Onyanko Club). The highest position her song has ever reached in Oricon chart is #2; or to be precise, she has three #2 ranked and three #3 ranked songs.

Singing is her passion since childhood. Behind her petite body and innocent looks, there was a powerful voice. Honda Minako was as one of the idols with best vocal skill. Even after becoming a singer, she never stopped practising and honing her vocal skill. In her later years, her vocal range has reached 3 octaves. Beside an idol singer, she has tried other music genres: enka (Japanese folk music), rock, musical stage play, classical , and even jazz. 

She was a social person. She has a lot of celebrities friends. Among idols, her best friend was Minamino Yoko, fellow top idol who was her highschool classmate, they even used to sit next to each other in classroom. Okada Yukiko was also her highschool classmate.  She was also close with her seniors in singing, the like of Matsumoto Iyo, Hayami Yuu and Iwasaki Hiromi.

Honda Minako died in November 6, 2005 at the age of 38, because of leukemia.

lyrics + translation

Saito Yuki (born: September 10, 1966) was one of the top idol in 1980s who made her debut in 1985. She has 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon Chart. Her singing career was already impressive, but she was much bigger as an actress. In her career, Saito Yuki has starred in a total of 124 dramas (not included cameo / guess appeareances in 9 dramas)  and 33 movies. Since her acting debut in 1985 until now, she has appeared in at least one drama or movie almost evey single year. In 2022 alone, Saito Yuki has already starred in 3 dramas. But from all her dramas, one of the most iconic one is Sukeban Deka (1985) where she acted as a badass girl fighting crime with a yoyo as her weapon. 

lyrics + translation

Minamino Yoko (born: June 23, 1967) , nickname: Nanno, was a big idol in late 1980s. She started her debut as actress in 1984 and debuted as singer in June 23, 1985 (right at her 18th birthday). Nanno has a total of 9 songs that reached #1 spot in Oricon Chart. Beside a successful singer, she is also a very popular actress. In her career, Minamino Yoko has starred in: 125 dramas, and 31 movies (and if that's not enough, she also appeared in 27 stage plays and hosted 5 of her own radio shows). One of her most iconic role was when she played the main protagonist in Sukeban Deka Season 2 (1985). In her idol days, Nanno was also an idol with high commercial value who appeared in TV ads for many big brand companies. She was a well-rounded top idol!

lyrics + translation

Asaka Yui (born: December 4, 1969) was one of the top idols in late 1980s. She made her debut 1985. Her career is something to be appreciated; she started as small-time idol whose song ranked at #120 on Oricon Chart and climbed her way up into a top idol with 4 Oricon #1 ranked songs. Asaka Yui was also well-known with her role as the main character in the tv series: Sukeban Deka Season 3.

lyrics + translation

Nakayama Miho (born: March 1, 1970) , nickname: Miporin, was an extremely popular idol from 1980s, she was the 3rd most popular female idol in 1980s. Since her debut in 1985 until 1994, for almost a decade, all her singles were ranked in top 10 in Oricon Chart. In total, she has 8  Oricon #1 ranked songs. Two of her songs even sold more than 1,000,000 copies each. She was an elite even among top idols. 

lyrics + translation

Kudo Shizuka (born: April 14, 1970), nickname: Shi-chan, was an extremely popular idol from 1980s, she also deserved to be called the 3rd most popular female idol of the 1980s (her stats & achievement were almost identical to Nakayama Miho, they're equal). She was a member of the infamous large scale idol group: Onyanko Club,  but since the group disbanded and she went solo in 1987, Shizuka became a much bigger idol. Even her debut single already reached #1 in Oricon Chart, which was one among a total of 11 Oricon #1 ranked songs she has collected in her entire singing career. She too was an elite even among top idols in her era, a super idol!

lyrics + translation 

Onyanko Club ( pronounce: O-Nyanko-Club, means: the kitty club) was the first large scale group in idol history. They were formed in 1985 and introduced in their own variety show called "Yuuyake Nyan Nyan". They started with a formation of 11 members, but then they kept adding new members by audition from that tv show. In the end they have a total of 52 members registered under Onyanko Club. As for their age range, the oldest member was born in 1965 and the youngest one was born in 1971. But it doesn't mean all these 52 girls were all there at the same time. When some new members were accepted, some old members might have already 'graduated' ( the term they used when a member quit the group), so they were never all 52 members together. And when they performed on stage, it was usually mostly main members with less than 20 people. Beside the main group, Onyanko Club also have 3 sub-units; small sub-groups with a few girls each.

Onyanko Club have a short but very successful career. They have released 9 main singles with 6 of them reached #1 in Oricon chart.

Onyanko Club officially disbanded after their last concert in September 20, 1987. Some of their ex-members switched to solo idols with successful careers, each of them have several Oricon #1 ranked songs. Some of them became actress, etc. But among all ex members, the most popular one was obviously Kudo Shizuka.

lyrics + translation

Kawai Sonoko (born: June 20, 1965) was a top idol from 1980s. She joined Onyanko Club in 1985 and became member number 12. Even during her Onyanko Club days, she has already released her solo songs, but on April 1, 1986, she 'graduated' from Onyanko Club to focus more on her solo career (although she still regularly appeared in their tv show even after her "graduation"). As a solo singer, she has released a total of 9 singles and 7 albums. Kawai Sonoko has 4 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. She was also known for her youthful looks; being the oldest member of Onyanko Club (she was 20 when she joined)  but she looked as young if not younger than her teenage teammates.

lyrics + translation

Kokusho Sayuri (born: December 22, 1966), nickname: Sayu-chan, was a top idol from 1980s. She was one of the founding members of Onyanko Club (they started with 11 original members before kept adding new member through audtion) as member number 8. Although she isn't their real leader, behind the stage she took the "leader" role who guide younger members. 

She released her first solo single in February 1, 1986 while still a member of Onyanko Club. She went full solo after "graduated" from Onyanko Club in March 1987, few months before the group disbandment. In her career, Kokusho Sayuri has a total of 3 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. She released her last single in 1988 and then shifted her focus to acting.

As an actress, Kokusho Sayuri appeared in A LOT of dramas. She has starred in a total of 165 dramas and 12 movies.

lyrics + translation

Takai Mamiko (born: December 28, 1966), nickname: Mami-chan, was a top idol from 1980s. One day in 1985, she was shopping in Harajuku when a scout approached her and invited her to Onyanko Club audition, which later she passed and accepted as member number 16. She was considered one of the most beautiful members of Onyanko Club and immediately gained attention of the fans. Beside Onyanko Club main group, she was also assigned a two members sub-group called "Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi". Personality wise, among Onyanko Club members, Takai Mamiko was said to be the most innocent and "pure" one. 

She released her first solo single in June 1986 while she still was Onyanko Club member. Takai Mamiko "graduated" from Onyanko Club in April 1987, few months before the group disbandment. After she went full solo, she focused more on acting - her real passion - although she still released a few more singles. As a solo singer, Takai Mamiko has 4 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Meanwhile her sub-group  have 5 (out of 6 singles) Oricon #1 ranked songs.

lyrics + translation

Iwai Yukiko (born: May 26, 1968), nickname: Yuuyu, was a top idol in 1980s. She was a cosplay model for a magazine usually photographed in military cosplay costumes before she joined Onyanko Club audition in 1985 and accepted as Onyanko member number 19. Beside being one of the most important members of the main group, she was also assigned an Onyanko sub-group called Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi; a duo with her and Takai Mamiko, and they were successful with high song sales. As the shortest member (*and the shortest among 1980s idols, even shorter than the likes of Kyon2 and Asaka Yui) with baby face, Yuuyu was cute, almost like a mascot of the group, and many fans were fond of her.

She made her solo debut in March 25, 1987, a few months before Onyanko Club disbandment, with this song as her debut song. In her career, she has two Oricon #2 ranked songs, and her total song sales as solo singer (all singles + all albums) are about 513,970 copies. She also starred in some dramas and quite active in reality shows from late 1980s to mid 1990s.

lyrics + translation

Watanabe Minayo (born: September 28, 1969) was a top idol from 1980s. In November 1985, she participated in Onyanko Club audition in "Yuuyake Nyan Nyan" TV program and passed, she was accepted as Onyanko Club member number 29. 

She started her solo career in July 1986 while she was still an Onyanko member. She never "graduated" and stayed with the club until it's disbandment. In her career, Watanabe Minayo has 5 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart.  She released her last single in 1996 and stopped for decades, but released a new one in 2021. In total she has released 18 singles and 6 albums. Her total song sales are about 1,486,671 copies. Minayo also starred in 41 dramas and 5 movies, and a bunch of varitey shows.

lyrics + translation

Watanabe Marina (born: November 18, 1970) was a top idol from 1980s. She participated in Onyanko Club audition in March 1986 and accepted as Onyanko Club member number 36. 

She made her solo debut in October 1986, just less than 7 months since she join the group. Even so, she never "graduate" and stayed with the group until it's disbandment. Her debut song reached #1 in Oricon chart and broke Yamaguchi Momoe's record as the youngest female singer to reach Oricon #1 chart (her record last for 14.5 years until someone else broke it).  In her career, Watanabe Marina has 4 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Her total song sales are about 1,397,029 copies. She has also starred in 55 dramas (mostly from 1987 - 2002) and a lot of TV ads. She has also written 10 books about travel and health.

lyrics + translation 

Nitta Eri (born: March 17, 1968) was a top idol from 1980s. Onyanko Club started with 11 members formation (before they kept adding new members) and Nittta Eri was one of the founding members. She joined Onyanko Club in April 1985 and became Onyanko CLub member number 4.

She released her first solo single in January 1st, 1986 while still a member of Onyanko Club. She went full solo after "graduated" from Onyanko Club in September 1986. In her career, Nitta Eri has 4 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart. Her total song sales are about 1,528,210 copies. Eri also starred in 5 movies and 15 dramas. She also wrote 3 books.

lyrics + translation

Fukunaga Satomi (born: January 26, 1967) was a top idol in 1980s. She was one of the original members of Onyanko Club. There was once a late night variety show called "All Night Fuji" in Fuji TV and she was one of their casts. 11 girls from that show were picked and put into their new project, an idol group called Onyanko Club. Satomi already got a normal job offer at a computer company but she chose to work in entertainment. Onyanko Club were born with 11 original members (before they kept adding new members), with Fukunaga Satomi as member number 11. 

Onyanko leader was kept secret, but years later it was revealed that their first leader was actually Fukunaga Satomi. When they performed, Satomi was usually place at the center. When Onyanko Club shot some dramas, Satomi would usually get the leading role.

She made her solo debut in May 1986 before she "graduated" from Onyanko Club in September of the same year. Satomi has a short solo career. From 1986 - 1987, she has released a total of 4 singles and 3 albums. Her total song sales as solo singer are 441,730. But whatever Onyanko Club have achieved, she also had a big role in it since she was one of their most important members.

lyrics + translation 

Jounouchi Sanae (born: May 17, 1968) was an idol / enka singer in 1980s later turned a fully enka singer. Sanae already learned folk music since her childhood and aspired to become an enka singer.When Onyanko Club started auditioning for new member in 1985, she reluctantly joined with the expectation that she wouldn't pass anyway. But she got accepted instead and became Onyanko Club member number 17. Sanae was the only enka singer in the group. She was said to be the best singer among Onyanko girls. She got her solo debut in 1986. Her debut song reached #1 in Oricon chart . After Onyanko Club disbandment, she continued her solo career as enka singer until now. 

lyrics + translation

Yoshizawa Akie (born: October 20, 1968) was a popular idol in 1980s. She was the member of the infamous idol group in mid 1980s: Onyanko Club. She was scouted to the group audition around the same time she auditioned for the "Sukeban Deka 2" tv series and got accepted in both. Akie became Onyanko Club member number 25.

Akie got her solo debut in November 1, 1985; she was the second Onyanko member to debut after Kawai Sonoko. Later she "graduated" from Onyanko Club in September 1986 and continued her career as solo singer. In her entire career she has released 8 singles and 5 albums, with two of her songs reached #1 in Oricon chart.  Her total sales are 742,880 copies. She was also an actress who has appeared in 8 dramas and 2 movies. Her most notable role was in "Sukeban Deka 2".

^ lyrics + translation

Utsumi Kazuko (born: February 16, 1967) was a top idol in 1980s and the member of the infamous Onyanko Club. She was a child actress first appeared in a drama in 1972 and continued her child actor activities until 1981. In 1985, She participated in Onyanko Club audition and got accepted as Onyanko Club member number 13. She was one of the most senior members who has appeared in "Yuuyake Nyan Nyan" since episode 1 and one of the main faces of the group in their early year. Later it was revealed that Utsumi Kazuko was one of the two vice-leaders of Onyanko Club, together with Kokusho Sayuri. 

She was  given her proper solo debut on November 7, 1986.  She later "graduated" from Onyanko Club in April 1987 although she would later still regularly appeared in "Yuuyake Nyan Nyan" (*Onyanko Club own variety show) as guest until their disbandment. As a solo singer, Utsumi Kazuko has released a total of 4 singles and 1 original album. Her total song sales are 161,560 copies.

As for her acting career, as child actress, she has appeared in a total of 10 dramas (1972-1980) and 1 movie (1972). As teen idol, she has appeared in 7 dramas (1986-1989) and 2 movies (1986, 1991).

lyrics + translation

Idols are identical with cuteness, but Sakai Noriko was simply too cute, she could melt people's heart. Sakai Noriko (born: February 14, 1971), nickname: Nori-P,  was one of the top idols in late 1980s. She made her idol debut in 1986 and released her first song in 1987. She was also one of regular cast member of idol tv program: Momoco Club before focusing on her solo career. Her smile, her body languages, everything of her emitted cuteness. But she didn't only sell cuteness, Noriko also has good vocal skill like a proper singer. Noriko is also a talented actress, one of her most popular drama is: "Hoshi no Kinka" (1995) where she played as a mute character. Her most popular song "Aoi Usagi" was used as OST for that drama, so when she sing that song live, she will use sign language in her coreography, just like her drama character.

lyrics + translation

Nishimura Tomomi (born: December 17, 1970) , nickname: Tororin, was a top idol from 1980s. From 1984 to 1985, she was part of an idol magazine and talent show: "Momoco Club" (just like Sakai Noriko and Ito Miki). She made her debut both as actress and idol singer in 1986. In her career, the highest position her song ever reach in Oricon chart is #2. To be precise, she has three Oricon #2 and three Oricon #3 ranked songs. She is also an actress who has starred in 15 movies and 38 dramas.

Among idols, she was a big fans of Kikuchi Momoko, kinda like her cute younger sister. Tomomi was also highschool friend with Sakai Noriko.

lyrics + translation 

Moritaka Chisato (born: April 11, 1969) was a top idol in late 1980s; a multi-talented artist who's also a song-writer which most of her songs were written by herself, and she can also play drum and other instruments. Moritaka Chisato has one special characteristic when she perform live on stage: to wear flashy - almost cosplay-like - costumes.

Moritaka Chisato was rising newcomer in late 1980s and she actually reached her highest peak in early to mid 1990s, where she became regular performers in Kohaku Uta Gassen.  In her entire career, she has 2 songs that reached #1 in Oricon Chart, but her actual total song sales were much higher. Compared to all 1980s female idols, Chisato has the 6th highest song sales. 

lyrics + translation

Wink were a very popular idol duo in late 1980s to mid 1990s, consisted of Suzuki Sachiko (born: February 22, 1969) and Aida Shoko (born: February 23, 1970). 

Suzuki Sachiko and Aida Shoko first met in 1987 when they both participated in a beauty contest held by a magazine. They befriended each other for awhile but stop catching up. One year later, in 1988, a coincidence (they called it fateful meeting) brought them together when Sachiko and Shoko somehow went to audition at the same company in the same day. They were about to audition as solo singer, but the audition staff thought their voices would be better to complement each other and suggested them to form a duo. A series of coincidences brought them together, Wink were born. Even their birthdates almost looks like a coincidence. 

Wink came with a unique concept: singing with expressionless faces without smiling. Add that with their doll-like costume (in earlier phase of their career; changed into normal clothings in later years) and doll-like coreography. Imagine opening a music box, then two extremely beautiful dolls come out singing and dancing, that's the perfect way to describe Wink! Their concept were different, fresh and made them stand out.

Wink have their place among elite top idols in their era. Based on their total sales they were arguably the 7th most popular female idols of 1980s. They have 5 songs that reached #1 in Oricon Chart. 

Every celebrities will eventually declines. The inevitable came to Wink in mid 1990s and eventually Wink "disbanded" in 1996. But they refused to call it disbandment, and technically they're not completely disbanded since in every decade (mostly every 10th of their anniversary), Sachiko and Shoko will temporarily reunite again as Wink for one day. So far they've had their reunion performance in 1998, 1999, 2008 and 2018.

lyrics + translation

lyrics + translation

Princess Princess (also called Pri Pri) was a very popular all-girl rock band in late 1980s to early 1990s. Their member consisted of: Kishitani Kaori (former stage name: Okui Kaori, born: February 17, 1967, vocal), Nakayama Kanako (born: November 2, 1964, guitar), Watanabe Atsuko (born: October 26, 1964, bass), Konno Tomoko (born: July 15, 1965, keyboard), Tomita Kyoko (born: June 2, 1965,  drum).

Their journey to the top wasn't smooth. They started the band in 1983 under the band name: "Akasaka Komachi". At that time, their management company pushed them into the "idol" route which are not the music genre they really wanted. So, in 1985, they changed to another management. In 1986, Princess Princess was born with pop-rock as their genre.

Princess Princess have a total of 5 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart.  Their total song sales in their entire career are 11,000,000 copies 

* They are not "idol", they are rock band

* But they were cute rockers, visually as cute as "idols", and it's a compliment

lyrics + translation

Moriguchi Hiroko (born: June 13, 1968, real name: Hanamura Hiromi) was an idol singer in 1980s. She dreamed to be a singer since childhood but her path was full of hardship. She already faced rejections in more than 100 auditions before she even started, and once she finally debuted as idol singers in 1985, though her debut single was moderately successful and used as Gundam OST, all her next singles from 1986 - 1989 flopped really bad, to the point that she was almost dismissed from her company.

They didn't fire her, she would be put into a different path of career; as a variety idol (*idol specializes in variety show). Her new role landed her more jobs. She started to appear in more and more variety shows. Her speciality back then was to impersonate other idols. She started to establish her name as "variety idol", but still, she wanted to sing.

After years of hardship, her time to shine finally came in 1991 when she released her song: "Eternal Wind" , another Gundam OST which became her biggest hit and brought her to her first Kohaku Uta Gassen. She would continue performing in Kohaku Uta Gassen every year from 1991 to 1996, six times in total. Yeah, from someone whose songs not even ranked in Oricon chart at all, she turned into a six times Kohaku performer.

In her career, Moriguchi Hiroko has sang a lot of Gundam OST for several different Gundam series, she is called the "Gundam goddess". 

lyrics + translation

Nishida Hikaru (born: August 16, `1972) was a top idol in late 1980s to the first half of 1990s. She was born in Japan but grew up in Los Angeles from 1973 to 1985. In 1979, the young Hikaru sang in a chorus with many other children in Stevie Wonder's song that was part of his album released in 1979. At some point, she went back to Japan and appeared in JAS  (* a Japanese airlines) commercial in 1988 and starred in her first musical stage play not long after. Still in the same year, April 6, 1988, she debuted as idol singer (the same debut year as Wink).

As a singer, she has released a total of 25 singles and 12 albums. Her total song sales (all singles + all albums) are about 1,153,550 copies. She has performed 4 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1998.  As an actress, she has starred in 48 dramas (1989 - 2011) and 2 movies (1990, 2001).

lyrics + translation

CoCo was a popular idol group active from 1989 to 1994 with their members: Miyamae Maki (born: January 16, 1973) , Haneda Erika (born: March 7, 1973), Ono Mikiyo (born: June 17, 1974), Miura Rieko (born: September 1, 1973), Senou Azusa (born: April 3, 1973). 

CoCo made their debut in September 1989. Their first eleven singles were all reached top 10 in Oricon chart with four of them reached #3 for four consecutive times which is their highest position in Oricon chart. In their entire career, CoCo have about 1,657,874 total song sales. 

Senou Azusa quit the group in 1992 to pursue her solo career. At first they were about to add new member but then decided to stay with just 4 members for another two years. On April 12, 1994 they announced their disbandment. August 21, 1994, after their last concert, CoCo oficially disbanded. Each of their ex-members continued their solo career in singing and acting.

lyrics + translation

Mi-Ke were a famous idol trio formed in 1991 consisted of: Murakami Haruka (born: December 3, 1969), Utoku Keiko ( born: April 7, 1967), and Watanabe Mami (born September 22, 1969). Before their debut, they were chorus singers / backing vocals for a band called B.B Queens. Their names "Mi-Ke" means three colors, where they usually wore costumes in 3 different colors or styles. Their songs are mostly parodies of 1960s songs, with lyrics that looks like normal song lyrics but are actually formed of multiple vintage song titles being put together into sentences. 

Mi-Ke were formed in 1991 and disbanded in 1993. They have short but successful career where they constantly appeared on TV, won some awards, performed 2 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen, and all of their main singles were used as soundtrack of dramas, tv programs, anime and tv ads. 

lyrics + translation

Takahashi Yumiko (born: January 7, 1974) was a top idol from early 1990s. She made her acting debut in 1989 and her singing debut in 1990. As singer she has released 24 singles and 10 original albums. Her total song sales (all singles + all albums) are about 1,710,202 copies. As an actress, she has starred in 75 dramas (with her latest drama was in December 2022). She also seems to be very active in stage play. In early 1990s, she was called "the last orthodox idol of the 20th century" (*maybe not literally, but it's true that idol singers that really feel like idol were getting rare in 1990s as the idol trend faded away. But Takahashi Yumiko in her early career was a true idol singer stayed true to her root).

lyrics + translation

SPEED were an extremely popular girl group from mid to late 1990s with their members: Arakaki Hitoe (born: April 7, 1981) (leader), Uehara Takako (born: January 14, 1983), Imai Eriko (born: September 22, 1983) and Shimabukuro Hiroko (born: April 7, 1984).  They made their debut in 1996 while still in very young ages even for idol standard, with their average age back then was 13.5 years old. They were very young but quickly rose to the top, surpassing most singers older than them. 

How big were SPEED in their prime?

- They have 5 songs that reached #1 in Oricon chart.

- They have 4 singles with 1,000,000+ sales each. Their single with the "lowest" sales (by their standard) still sold 580,000+ copies. And then they have 2 albums with 2,000,000+ sales each, one album with 1,900,000+ sales, and even the one with "lower" sales (by their standard) still sold 880,000+ copies. 

- Their total sales (singles + albums) in their entire career are about 19,646,009; that made them surpassed some of Japan biggest female idols like Pink Lady, Yamaguchi Momoe, Kudo Shizuka, Nakayama Miho, Koizumi Kyoko (Kyon2).... and only lose to Nakamori Akina and Matsuda Seiko. 

- In "Top 50 Japanese Idols of All Time" list from 2011, SPEED were ranked in #5. (* Matsuda Seiko was #2 and Nakamori Akina #3)

- They have performed 4 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1997, 1998, 1999, 2008

- Most of those were achieved only in 3 years and 8 months (1996 - 2000). If they have longer career, they might even topple the "queens" from their thrones.

SPEED disbanded in March 2000. By then, all their members already have solo singles and wanted to pursue their solo careers independently. After the disbandment, SPEED have a short reunions in 2001 and 2003, and  reunited permanently in 2008 and wanted to start over again, but unfortunately they can never reached the level of their prime ever again. In 2014 SPEED disbanded once again after their member: Arakaki Hitoe got married and retired from singing. 

lyrics + translation

lyrics + translation

Ito Miki (born: April 9, 1971) was one of the idols from 1980s. She made her debut in singing and acting in 1987. She was regular cast member of an idol tv program called "Momoco Club" before she made her solo debut. At her peak in her first year, her songs were ranked between #13 - #18 in Oricon chart. She has released a total of 3 albums and 7 main singles between 1987-1989. Beside singing, she also acted in tv dramas and movies (she appeared in about 21 dramas and 5 movies from 1987-2001, mostly as support role), and appeared in some TV commercials.

lyrics + translation

Tachibana Risa (born: October 19, 1971) was a popular idol in late 1980s. She made her debut in both singing and acting in 1987; in fact, her first single was the OST of her first drama. As a singer, the first year of her career was successful that her first four songs were ranked between #2 - #4 in Oricon chart, regularly appeared in "The Best Ten" and won a lot of newcomer awards, most notably: newcomer award in "Japan Record Awards" defeating other potential newcomer idols of that year like: Sakai Noriko, Hatada Rie, BaBe, etc. Risa has released a total of 12 singles and 5 original albums in her entire career with her total song sales are 354,710 copies.

Aside from song sales though, in other aspects Risa was a popular idol in late 1980s. In 1987-1989 alone, she has starred in 11 dramas and 4 movies. She also appeared in quiet a lot of TV commercials. She was also a regular cast in some reality shows.  There was even a video game with Tachibana Risa as the main character. 

lyrics + translation

Shimada Nami (born: February 1, 1971) was a moderately popular idol in late 1980s. When she was 3 years old, she already starred for commercials as child model for awhile. In 1984 she passed an audition and got a role in a movie. She then joined Momoco Club (idol magazine and variety show) in 1985, around the same time as Nishimura Tomomi and one other idol: Sugiura Miyuki, these three became close friends. She made her debut as idol singer in 1986, changing her real name: Shimada Naoko into the stage name: Shimada Nami. She has released 14 singles and 9 original albums with her total sales (all singles + all albums) are 567,394 copies. The highest position her song ever reached in Oricon chart is #7. As for her acting career, she only appeared in that one movie as support role. 

lyrics + translation

Ogawa Noriko (born: July 20, 1973) was a popular idol in late 1980s. She started as a child actress and has already starred in a drama since 1979 when she was just 6 years old. She later appeared in a lot of dramas and movies in late '80s to the '90s. As an idol singer, she made her debut in 1987. In total she has released 23 singles, 10 albums and 5 mini albums with total sales of 595,481 copies. 

Ogawa Noriko has a decent singing career but she was even bigger as actress. In 1980s alone she had appeared in 29 dramas ( and 40 more in 1990s, and then 15 more in 2000s with her latest drama was from 2009) and 5 movies (and three more in 1995, 1997, 2004). She also did some radio shows in 1980s and took part in 25 stage plays from 1991 - 2004.

lyrics + translation

Ito Chieri (born: April 1, 1971) was an idol in late 1980s. She has already loved singing and dreamed to become a singer since her childhood , she even loved to mimick 1970s idols like Yamaguchi Momoe and Pink Lady. She got her debut as an actress instead, appeared in a guess role in a drama in early 1987, although what she really wanted was to become a singer. Few months later in mid 1987 when she shot her 3rd drama, she got her debut as singer with her debut song used as one of the filler songs in that drama. 

As a singer, Ito Chieri has released 7 singles and 2 original albums. Her total song sales are 133,817 copies. As an actress, she has appeared in 23 dramas (the last was from 1994) and 4 movies (the last was from 2005).

lyrics + translation

Matsumoto Noriko (born: January 30, 1968) was an idol from mid 1980s. She won the grand prix in a beauty contest held by "Miss Seventeen" magazine in 1984. She made her debut in 1985 both in acting and singing. In her career she has released 13 singles and 3 original albums, with her total song sales are 297,880 copies. In acting, she has appeared in 12 dramas (1987 - 1991) and 3 movies (1985 - 1989). In 1987, she started doing comedy too.

lyrics + translation

Morikawa Miho (born: May 5, 1968) was a popular idol singer in the second half of 1980s. Her real name is Enami Miho, Morikawa is her mom's family name which she used as stage name. She already loved singing since her childhood and competed in a lot of local singing contest and won a lot of prizes. When she entered junior high school in early 1980s, she already decided to be a singer, took vocal training, joined auditions, etc but needed to wait a few years later until her official debut in July 21, 1985. That was a tough year to debut because it was the same debut year as many big idols like Nakayama Miho, Nanno, Saito Yuki, Onyanko Club, Honda Minako, etc. She started to gain attention because of her singing ability. In her career, Morikawa Miho has released a total of 30 singles and 16 albums. In 1990, she changed her label company and moved away from idol route into a more mature singer. 

^ lyrics + translation

BaBe was a duo in late 1980s consisted of Kondo Tomoko (born: February 17, 1966) and Nikaido Yukari (born: August 29, 1965). They were vocalist in some amateur bands before but only met in a jazz dance class. In 1984 they formed a duo called "Breakers" in their dance class. In 1985 they were scouted by a management company and appeared as extras in a movie. Then they moved to another agency and BaBe was born in February 21, 1987. With their background, they were known to dance well whey they sang.

The first year of their career was successful. Their first two songs sold more than 100,000 copies each and they won a lot of newcomer awards. In their career, BaBe have released 8 singles and 4 original albums. The highest position their song ever reached in Oricon chart is #4 and their first album even reached #2. Their total song sales are 876,230 copies. 

lyrics + translation

Tamura Eriko (born: January 16, 1973) , nickname: Eririn, was a popular idol in very late 1980s to early 1990s. She was born in Japan but lived in Dusseldorf, West Germany, from the age of 8 to 14. She returned to Japan at the age of 14, entered an audition, won the grand prix, and scouted by a production company. She made her acting debut in 1988, and then debuted as idol singer in March 1989. 

As an actress (*in Japan, not including her career abroad), she has appeared in 19 dramas (1988 - 2001), 16 one-shot dramas (1988 - 2000) and 6 movies (1989 - 2006).

 As a singer, she has released a total of 16 singles and 8 original albums. Her total song sales are 563,960 copies. She has won 15 awards, 10 of which were newcomer awards she won in her debut year.

Tamura Eriko also had her own anime : "Idol Densetsu Eriko" aired from March 1989 to March 1990. 

lyrics + translation

Yoshimoto Miyoko (born: March 18, 1969), nickname: Michon,  was a popular idol in mid 1980s. When she was in elementary school, she was a fan of late 1970s idol: Ishino Mako. At third grade of elementary school, she won a singing competition in her district, became quite popular in her hometown, she became aware of entertainment world, and she called that moment as her unofficial "debut". In 1983, she made it into final in another singing contest / audition and got scouted. March 21, 1985, Yoshimoto Miyoko made her official debut as idol singer.

1985 was a tough year to debut, it was the same debut year as many big idols (Nakayama Miho, Nanno, Saito Yuki, Onyanko Club, Asaka Yui, Honda Minako, etc ). Still she had a decent success. The next year in 1986, two of her songs made it into "The Best Ten" music program. She also became regular in some variety shows, most notably: "Young Studio 101". 

As a singer, she has released a total of 19 singles ( five of them reched top 10 in Oricon chart ) and 10 albums. Her total song sales are 857,440 copies. She also has successful acting career, in which she has appeared in 22 dramas as regular cast (1992 - 2016), 85 dramas as guest / single appeareance (1986 - 2023) and 9 movies (1995 - 2020).

lyrics + translation 

Yoshida Mariko (born: November 19, 1970) was an idol and singer/songwriter in late 1980s. She won a magazine contest in 1987 and made her debut in 1988. In her entire career, she has released 12 singles and 5 original albums. There's no information about her total sales (all singles + all albums), but incomplete data shows her total single sales are about 133,000 copies, and her album sales are said to be higher than her singles. Beside singing, she has starred in two dramas (1988 and 1991) and done some radio shows. 

lyrics + translation

Tomita Yasuko (born: February 27, 1969) was an idol-actress in the 1980s. She made her debut as actress in 1983, being selected as main lead out of 127,000 people auditioned for that movie. November 21, 1983, she debuted as singer with that movie's OST as her debut song. 

As singer she has released a total of 11 singles and 6 original albums. There's no information about her total sales but her songs position in Oricon chart were somewhere between #22 - #50. Tomita Yasuko was much bigger as an actress, in which she has starred in 122 dramas (1985 - 2023)  and 38 movies (1983 - 2022). She also appeared in a lot of variety shows and a lot of commercials.

lyrics + translation

Nakamura Yuma (born: February 16, 1970) was a moderately popular idol singer in 1980s. She won an audition sponsored by manga magazine "Weekly Young Jump" in 1986 and made her acting debut in  "Sukeban Deka 3". A few months later, January 1, 1987, Nakamura Yuma debuted as idol singer.

As a singer, she has released a total of 11 singles and 8 original albums. In her later career, she could even write and compose half of the songs in her album. Her total sales are 498,480 copies. As an actress, she has starred in 29 dramas (1986 - 2002) and 5 movies (1987 - 2006).

lyrics + translation

Onishi Yuka (born: July 6, 1968) , nickname: Yucchi, was a moderately popular idol singer in 1980s. Ever since she was a little girl, the young Yuka already aspired to be idol with Matsuda Seiko as her inspiration. She made her acting debut in 1984, starring in a drama. A year later, she made her first movie debut in 1985 and even won newcomer award in "Yokohama Movie Festival". At that same year, Onishi Yuka debuted as idol singer in February 25, 1985.  In 1986, she played as the older sister of the three sisters characters in "Sukeban Deka 3" tv series and her songs were used as insert songs in it, which boosted her popularity. 

As a singer, Onishi Yuka has released a total of 15 singles and 8 original albums. The highest position her song ever reached in Oricon chart was #9. Her total song sales (all singles + all albums) are about 315,390 copies. Her acting career is more impressive, which she has appeared in 80 dramas (1984 - 2013, some were one shot dramas, some as guest roles, but that's still a lot) and 15 movies (1985-2012).

lyrics + translation

Sagara Haruko (born: March 1, 1968) was an actress and idol singer in 1980s. She made her debut as an actress by starring in a drama in 1984, but she became more well known one year later when she played second lead role in "Sukeban Deka 2" tv series in 1985. As an actres, she has appeared in a total of 23 dramas (1984 - 2001) and 16 movies (1986-2002). Sagara Haruko made her singing debut on May 2, 1986. As a singer, she has released 10 singles and 2 original albums. The highest position her song ever reached in Oricon chart is #19. Her highest selling single sold 34,000 copies. There's no information about her total song sales but it's safe to assume that she was bigger as an actress than as singer.

lyrics + translation

Goto Kumiko (born: March 26, 1974), nickname: Gokumi, was a popular idol-actress, model - and briefly an idol singer - in late 1980s to early 1990s. She made her acting debut in 1986 when she was just 12 years old, but already won some newcomer awards. Goto Kumiko was known for her exotic beauty, she was once called "the national beauty". 

As an actress, she has starred in a total of 25 dramas (1986-1994) and 11 movies (1988-1995 + 1 more in 2019). If she didn't retire early, she could have a lot more dramas and movies like those former big idol actresses with 100+ dramas.

She also has a brief singing career although just for one year. She debuted as singer in March 18, 1987 and released two singles, one original album and one compilation album. Her singles reached #3 and #10 in Oricon chart. Her total song sales are 144,580 copies. But apparently she didn't have much interest in singing so she just concentrated on her acting career.

lyrics + translation

The Checkers was a seven members rock band and - confirmed by their own words - male idols active from early 1980s to early 1990s. They were extremely popular 1980s male idols (*around the level of Kudo Shizuka and Nakayama Miho, with their total sales slightly higher than those two, but just slightly). 

Their members:

- Fujii Fumiya (born: July 11, 1962), vocalist ; nickname: Fumiya,

- Takeuchi Toru (born: July 21, 1962), guitar, leader; nickname: Toru,

- Takamoku Yoshihiko (born: September 9, 1962), chorus, percussion, known for his trademark mustache; nickname: Moku, 

- Odoi Yuji (born: November 2, 1962), bass, vice leader' nickname: Yuji or Yu-chan, 

- Tsuruku Masaharu (born: March 31, 1964), chrous, keyboard; nickname: Masaharu or Ma-san, 

- Tokunaga Yoshiya (born: June 7, 1964, died: August 17, 2004), drums; nickname: Kurobee, 

- Fujii Naoyuki (born: December 27, 1964), saxophone, guitar, flute, Fujii Fumiya's younger brother; nickname: Naoyuki or Nao-chan, 

Started as amateur band, The Checkers officially debuted in September 21, 1983.  In their entire career, The Checkers have released a total of 31 singles and 10 original albums. ALL their singles reached top 10 of Oricon chart and never declined even once until their disbandment in 1992, with 9 of their singles managed to reach #1 in Oricon chart. Their total sales are 15,380,000 copies. They have performed 9 consecutive times in Kohaku Uta Gassen .

lyrics + translation

Tahara Toshihiko (born: February 28, 1961) , nickname: Toshi-chan, was an extremely popular male idol in the 1980s, arguably top 2 biggest 1980s male idol. He was part of a male idols trio called "Tanokin Trio" with Matchy and Nomura Yoshio. Then he made his solo debut in June 21, 1980, the sales exploded and established him as one of the biggest 1980s male idol.

In his entire career, Toshi has released a total of 74 singles (1980 - 2023) and 23 original albums (1980 - 2013). From 1980 until March 1990, all of his 37 singles were ranked within top ten of Oricon chart, with 12 of them reached #1. In 2011, the long running music program released their version of "Top 50 Japanese Idols" list and Toshi was ranked #17 with total sales of 12,700,000 copies. He has performed 7 consecutive times in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1980 - 1986. Toshi has the most appeareance in "The Best Ten" music program, they even installed a special sofa with his name on it. He has also performed a total of 158 times in "Yoru no Hit Studio".

lyrics + translation

Kondo Masahiko (born: July 19, 1964), nickname: Matchy, was an extremely popular male idol in the 1980s, arguably top 2 male idol in his era.  In 1979, he starred in a highschool drama together with fellow "Tanokin Trio" members: Tahara Toshihiko (Toshi) and Nomura Yoshio. Following Toshi's big success in his solo debut, Matchy also given a solo debut by his office few months later on December 12, 1980 and his popularity also exploded. His debut song sold more than 1 million copies and since then he established himself as top 2 (or top 3) biggest male idol in 1980s.

In his entire career, Matchy has released a total of 53 singles (1980 - 1987) and 18 original albums. In 2011, "Music Station", a long running music program, released their version of "Top 50 Japanese Idols", Matchy was ranked #18 with total song sales of 12,670,000 copies. From all his singles, 16 of them reached #1 in Oricon chart. He has performed 10 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen (1981-1988, 1996, 2015). As for his acting career, he has starred in 35 dramas (1979 - 2017) and 14 movies (1981-2000). 

lyrics + translation

Shibugakitai were a very popular male idol trio in the 1980s with their members: Yakumaru Hirohide (born: February 19, 1966, nickname: Yakkun) , Motoki Masahiro (born: December 21, 1965, nickname: Mokkun), and Fukawa Toshikazu (born: August 4, 1965, nickname: Fukkun). They first appeared in a high school drama in 1981 and officially made their singing debut in May 5, 1982. 

In their career, they have released a total of 28 singles and 11 original albums. "Music Station", a long running music program, released their version ot "Top 50 idols" list in 2011, in which Shibugakitai were ranked #33 with total sales of 5,430,000 copies. They have 1 song that reached #1 in Oricon chart but from all 28 of their singles, 23 of them reached top 10 in Oricon chart. Shibugakitai have performed 5 consecutive times in Kohaku Uta Gassen (1982 - 1986). 

They disbanded in 1988.

lyrics + translation

Hikaru Genji were an extremely popular male idol group who took the late 1980s by storm. They were called the last super idol of Showa era.

The members:

- Uchiumi Koji (born: January 11, 1968), leader

- Osawa Mikio (born: April 20, 1969), 

- Morohoshi Kazumi (born: August 12, 1970), 

- Sato Hiroyuki (born: November 2, 1970), 

- Yamamoto Junichi (born: February 28, 1972), 

- Akasaka Akira (born: May 8, 1973), 

- Sato Atsuhiro (born: August 30, 1973), 

Hikaru Genji officially debuted in August 19, 1987. They brought a new and fresh concept: singing on roller skates with acrobatic coreography. Their songs were fantasy themed, like songs about light, star, galaxy, space, etc. Their popularity exploded and they took the late 1980s by storm. 

In their career, Hikaru Genji have released a total of 26 singles and 14 original albums. All their singles reached top 10 in Oricon chart with 10 of them reached #1. At their highest peak, four of their songs managed to occupy four out of ten spots in Oricon yearly chart of 1988 (#1, #2, #3, #7). Their total song sales are 12,220,000 copies. They had performed 6 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1988 - 1993.

Hikaru Genji disbanded in 1995.

lyrics + translation

ZARD was an extremely popular one-woman band in the 1990s. 

Sakai Izumi (born: February 6, 1967), real name: Kamachi Sachiko, worked as promotional model in her early 20s (around 1989-1990)  while also appeared as extras in some dramas and variety shows, although she continued to have a strong desire to be singer.

In August 1990, Kamachi Sachiko went to audition for B.B Queen backing vocal group (<-- the trio backing vocal girls later formed their own idol trio called Mi-Ke) but she got rejected. A producer recognized her talent and formed a group called ZARD with her as the sole member. Kamachi Sachiko started to use the stage name: Sakai Izumi.

ZARD debuted on February 10, 1991 as one person band. Starting from her second single, four more members joined (guitarist, bass, drum, keyboardist) but half of them left after their 5th single and the other half left after their 7th single, so once again ZARD became a one person band. ZARD is basically Sakai Izumi herself.

In her career, ZARD / Sakai Izumi has released a total of 45 singles, 11 original albums, 4 compilation albums, 5 "Best of" albums, and 1 live album. 

How big was ZARD at its peak?  (*P.S: really REALLY big!!)

- 12 Oricon #1 ranked singles and 11 Oricon #1 ranked albums

- 3 singles sold more than 1 million copies each; and a bunch of singles with 700k-800k sales each

- 2 original albums with 2 millions+ sales each, 3 albums with 1 million+ sales each

- 1 compilation album with 2 millions+ sales

- 1 "Best of" album with 3 millions+ sales!!!, one more with 1.49 millions sales, and another one with 943k sales.

-  Total sales (all singles + all albums) : 37,700,000 copies

-  3rd highest selling Japanese singer of 1990s, THE highest selling Japanese female singer of 1990s.

-  10th highest selling Japanese singer of all time (as of May 2023)

Sakai Izumi was also a talented songwriter who wrote most of ZARD songs and even wrote songs for other big singers like Teresa Teng, WAND, etc. In total, she has written about 150 songs in her career.

Yet there's something unique about her: Sakai Izumi very rarely appeared on TV. She was also very private about her personal life. 

Sakai Izumi died in 2007 at the age of 40

lyrics + translation

* ZARD is not idol singer.

Warabe was a popular idol trio in early 1980s born from a variety show, with their members: Takabe Tomoko (born: August 25, 1967), Kurasawa Atsumi (born: April 20, 1967) and Takahashi Mami (born: September 20, 1967). 

There was once a very popular variety show: "Kin-chan no Doko Made Yaru no!" aired from October 6, 1976 to September 24, 1986 with average ratings of 30%. The show was in the format like slice of life drama following the daily life of Hagimoto family. Hagimoto family have three daughters, previously played by dolls and child actors, but in 1982 the three sisters characters had grown up as high school students and they casted the three young actresses: Takabe Tomoko, Kurasawa Atsumi and Takahashi Mami to play them.

The three girls also formed an idol trio called Warabe and debuted on December 21, 1982 (which technically made them also one of the class'82 idols, the star-studded year that produced a lot of big idols with successful careers). They had a very promising start with their debut song exploded with very high sales. 

Unfortunately in June 1983, one of the members: Takabe Tomoko involved in a certain scandal and resigned from that show and the group. The two remaining members continued as Warabe until July 1985, they decided to re-boot the show with the three sister characters played by entirely new casts. Following that, Warabe disbanded.

Warabe had a short but successful career. They have released a total of 4 singles and 2 albums. Their total single sales are 2,031,410 but there's no information about their albums sales, so there's no data of their total sales. 

lyrics + translation

Rebecca was once a very popular pop rock band active in mid 1980s to 1991. 

Their members have changed several times but these are their current members:

- Nokko (born: November 4, 1963), real name: Yamada Nobuko, vocal

- Dobashi Akio (born: September 19, 1960), current leader, keyboard

- Takahashi Noriyuki (born: December 10, 1959), bass

- Odawara Yutaka (born: February 6, 1963), drum

*among their ex-members, the notable mention is: Kogure Takehiko (born: March 8, 1960), the founder, former leader, composer and guitarist of the group.

Rebecca was formed in 1982 as an amateur band. They originally had a male vocalist but soon replaced by Nokko. They won CBS/Sony audition in August 1983 and made their professional debut on April 21, 1984. Their first year was tough with their first two singles couldn't even make it into top 100 in Oricon chart. January 1985, Rebecca took another blow with their founder/leader/composer/guitarist: Kogure Takehiko and their drummer left the group. Somehow they could survive with new members.

April 1985, their third single entered Oricon chart for the first time although only at #54. Then came their fourth single "Friends" in October 1985 that exploded into a big hit, followed by their fourth album that reached #1 in Oricon chart and sold 1.3 millions copies one month later. After that, hit songs and high selling albums started to follow.

In their career, Rebecca have released a total of 17 singles and 7 original albums. There's no information about their total sales but their total singles sales are 1,954,000.....AND then they have 1 album with 1,300,000 sales and three more albums with 800,000+ sales each. Although they don't have an Oricon #1 ranked single, their last four albums all reached #1 in Oricon chart consecutively. They have performed 1 time in Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Rebecca disbanded on February 14, 1991. They had two short reunion in 1995 and 1999, and then finally reunited permanently in 2015

lyrics + translation

* Rebecca are not "idol" singers.

Nagayama Yoko (born: January 13, 1968), was a very popular enka singer, but before that she also used to be idol singer from 1984-1990.

She already attended folk song class since 4 years old.  When she was a kid, she also appeared in some comedy programs, especially on the folk song segment. In 1984, she planned to debut as enka singer but then her agency though the then 16 years old Nagayama Yoko was too young to be enka singer, so they made her debut as idol singer instead on April 1, 1984. Then she became regular member in the music program "Let's Go Young" from April 1985 to April 1986.

She released her last single as idol singer in 1990 and then stopped her singing career to focus on acting. In 1993, she re-debuted as enka singer and immediately reached an entirely different level, became a very big enka singer who performed 14 times in Kohaku Uta Gassen (1993-2007).

As idol, she has released a total of 17 singles and 5 original albums. Her total single sales as idol are 600,000 copies but there's no information about her album sales. As enka singer, she has released a total of 55 singles and 44 original albums. Her total single sales as enka singer are 2,340,000 copies but there's no information about her total album sales. She also has acting career which she appeared in 19 dramas (1985-2017) and 1 movie (1988).

lyrics + translation 

Ito Tsukasa (born: February 21, 1967) was a top idol in early 1980s. When she was a kid, she joined a children theater group and appeared in drama for the first time in 1973. According to a producer, as child actress she was seen as a "child prodigy" and "could act better than adults". 

In 1980, she played in a popular teen drama "San nen B-gumi Kinpachi Sensei", and one year later, September 1, 1981, she debuted as idol singer. Her bunny teeth became her trademark look.

Ito Tsukasa has released a total of 9 singles and 8 original albums in her career. There's no information about her total sales (all singles + all albums), but her total single sales alone are already 917,560 copies (*add that with 8 albums, obviously her total sales are above 1 million and deserved to be called top idol). As for her acting career, she has starred in 66 dramas (1973 - 2015) and 2 movies (1991, 2003). She also has voiced 2 animes (1984-1986) and 2 anime movies (1991, 2003).

lyrics + translation

Shonentai was a male idol trio once very popular in mid to late 1980s with their members:

- Nishikiori Kazukiyo (born: May 22, 1965), nickname: Nikki, the leader of the group.

- Uekusa Katsuhide (born: July 24, 1966), nickname: Kacchan.

- Higashiyama Noriyuki (born: September 30, 1966), nickname: Higashi.

The name "Shonentai" was originally just another name for "Johnny's Junior", a group of young trainees belong to "Johnny & Associates" (*the infamous entertainment agency most big male idols signed to back then), there were about 20-30 people at that time. In 1981, four of them were put into a group simply called "B Team" appeared on singing programs as backup dancers for more senior Johnny's idols like Tahara Toshihiko (Toshi), Kondo Masahiko (Matchy), etc. In 1982, one of the members left, and with the three remaining members, the group's name changed into "Johnny's Shonentai". Later the group's name changed again into just "Shonentai" and held their first solo concert in April 1984, still before their official debut. 

Shonentai officially made their debut on December 12, 1985. Kitagawa Johnny once called their group "the best masterpiece" in his agency. Unlike a lot of other idols who barely had any training, Shonentai were properly trained for years in vocal, dancing and any other lessons needed for entertainment. 

In their career, Shonentai have released a total of 26 singles and 6 original albums. Nine of their singles and two of their original albums reached #1 in Oricon chart. They have performed 8 consecutive times in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1986-1993. In 2011, "Music Station" released their version of "Top 50 idols" list, Shonentai were ranked #31 with total sales (all singles + all albums) of 5,480,000 copies.  For their acting career, as a group (not including the members' solo career) they had appeared in 10 dramas (1983-2001) and 4 movies (1982-1987). Shonentai also had their own musical series called "PLAYZONE" that was held every year from 1986-2008.

lyrics + translation

Miyazawa Rie (born: April 6, 1973) was a top idol active in very late 1980s to early 1990s, and an award-winning top actress. 

She was born in Tokyo to a Dutch father and a Japanese mother. Her entertainment career started at the age of 11 when she featured on the front cover of the "Seventeen" magazine. One year later in 1985, she made her first TV appearance by starring in three different commercials.  Miyazawa Rie made her acting debut in 1988, starring in a movie and won "newcomer of the year" in "Japan Academy Award". April 1989, she played her first leading role in a drama. And then, September 15, 1989, she debuted as idol singer.

In her singing career, Miyazawa Rie has released a total of 7 singles and 3 albums. She has one Oricon #1 ranked single. Her total song sales (all singles + all albums) are about 1,069,960 copies. She has performed once in Kohaku Uta Gassen 1990. 

Miyazawa Rie was bigger as an actress, she has appeared in a total of 54 dramas (1988-2021)  and 31 movies (1988-2023). She has also performed in 37 stage plays (1991-2024). She has won a total of 34 movie awards (1988-2019), 2 drama awards (2003, 2014) and 5 theater awards (2004-2017). She also has appeared in a lot of CMs.

lyrics + translation

Mihara Junko (born: September 13, 1964) was a top idol active mostly in the first half of 1980s. In 1972 on her second grade of elementary school, she joined Fuji Theater Company and started to appeared regularly in their performances. In 1979, she got a regular role in the popular drama: "3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi Sensei" and her popularity skyrocketed due to the delinquent role she played. Mihara Junko made her singing debut on September 21, 1980, which made her one of the first generation 1980s idols (*debuted the same year as Matsuda Seiko, Kawai Naoko, Kashiwabara Yoshie, Iwasaki Yoshimi, etc). 

In her career, she has released a total of 20 singles and 15 original albums. There's no information about her total sales (all singles + all albums), but she has 4 singles with 100k+ sales and 1 single with 200k+ sales; her total single sales alone are about 1,047,000 copies, add that with the sales of her 15 albums (*her first album alone has sold 328,000 copies), there's no doubt that Mihara Junko was a top idol when in her prime. And she has performed 1 time in Kohaku Uta Gassen in 1982. 

Mihara Junko also had a successful acting career which she has appeared in 106 dramas (1978-2010, a lot of one shot drama and guest roles) and 18 movies (1980-2010). 

lyrics + translation

Mizuki Arisa , born: December 5, 1976, was a top idol in 1990s and a very big actress in her era. She began her career as child model from the age of four, appearing in some commercials and modelled for magazines. Entering her pre-teens, she made her acting debut by starring in a drama in 1988, co-starring with SMAP in their debut drama. She then made her singing debut on May 15, 1991. Being a big actress, a lot of her songs were used as theme songs for her dramas. 

In her career, she has released a total of 25 singles and 7 original albums. Her total sales (all singles + all albums) are 2,991,888 copies. With that kind of numbers, she was clearly a top idol, even more impressive considering she achieved that during "idol winter period" when most idols failed.

But Mizuki Arisa was even bigger as an actress. She has starred in a total of 83 dramas (1988-2024) and 12 movies (1991-2024), playing a lot of lead roles. In fact in 2010, she was recorded in Guiness World Record as the actress who got at least one lead role in drama every single year for 19 consecutive years (1991-2010). And....apparently that record needs to be updated because she still got at least one lead role in drama every single year until 2023. 

* In 1997, she officially changed the romanization of her name from Mizuki Arisa into Mizuki Alisa.

lyrics + translation

Watase Maki, nickname: Chanmaki, born: February 22, 1969, was an idol briefly active from 1987-1988. 

She was a fan of Matsuda Seiko (the biggest 1980s idol) since elementary school, even dressed as her, imitating her hairstyle, and singing mimicking her when she was a kid, which inspired her to become singer. In 1986, she won "1986 Young Jump Queen" - a contest held by Young Jump magazine - out of 8,000 applicants and entered the entertainment industry. She made her debuted as idol singer on June 2, 1987 (*debuted the same year as Moritaka Chisato, Sakai Noriko, Tachibana Risa, BaBe, Ishida Hikari, Hatada Rie, etc).

In her idol career, she has released a total of 3 singles and no album. Her total sales as idol singer are 33,580 copies. She barely has acting career, she only appeared once in a movie in 1990. 

lyrics + translation

In 1988, Watase Maki who didn't feel being an idol suit her decided to switched to rock and formed a band: LINDBERG, with her as the vocalist. They made their official debut on April 25, 1989. 

Out of all their singles, four of them reached #1 on Oricon chart and four other reached #2. Their highest selling song sold 610k copies. There's no information about their total sales, but their total single sales alone are 5,781,000, and that haven't included their 17 original albums, 7 "Best" albums, a lot of compilation albums, etc. They have even performed once in Kohaku Uta Gassen. 

lyrics + translation

Watanabe Misato, born: July 12, 1966, was a top idol in the second half of 1980s, and continued to be top singer through the 1990s and 2000s (*and probably is still quite popular even now). 

When in high school, she formed an amateur band with her friends and performed in school festival. In 1984, she participated in the 3rd Miss Seventeen contest (with 180,325 applicants, their record highest participation) and won the best vocalist category, and worked as model for Seventeen magazine for a while. She made her debut as idol singer on May 2, 1985. Like the common case in 1980s, young debutant singer her age was marketed as "idol" despite her music was more rock-like than the typical idol songs. Her first three singles only sold 3,000+ to 5,000+ copies, but she finally made her breakthrough half a year later when her 4th single became a big hit (which sold almost 445,000 copies) and brought her to join the ranks of top idols and big singers in that era. From late 1980s to the first half of 1990s, she became one of the highest earning artists in her label. 

In her career, she has released a total of 59 singles and 24 original albums. 2 of her singles and 8 of her albums reached #1 on Oricon chart. Her total sales (all singles + all albums) are 13,214,000 copies. Watanabe Misato has one record (*just in this one aspect) that can match Matsuda Seiko and Nakamori Akina (two biggest 1980s idols far above any other 1980s idols) which is to have at least one single or one album that chart at #1 on Oricon chart for 8 consecutive years. For someone her calibre, somehow she has 'only' performed once in Kohaku Uta Gassen, and that too was in 2005. Despite her impressive singing career, she seems to never appear in any drama or movie. But she was also known as a popular radio personality, at one point, she had four regular radio programs a week. 

lyrics + translation 

Amuro Namie, born: September 20, 1977, was a 1990s idol turned one of the biggest Japanese singer in 1990s; and since her popularity spanned far beyond the 1990s, she was also one of the biggest singer in Japan's Heisei era (1989-2019). 

One day around 1988, the young Amuro Namie (*fifth grade of elementary school), a very shy little girl, came to talent training school "Okinawa Actors School" to accompany her friend to observe lessons. Makino Masayuki, the principal / founder / owner of "Okinawa Actors School" who immediately saw star quality in her, invited her to join and even freed her from paying tuition. In 1991, when she was in her second year of junior high school , she was selected as member of the dance performance group "SUPER MONKEY'S" formed from "Okinawa Actors School" students. They made their debut on September 16, 1992. She quickly outshone the other members that in July 1994, the group changed its name into "Amuro Namie with SUPER MONKEY'S" with Amuro Namie became the sole vocalists. On April 26, 1995, Amuro Namie finally made her solo debut. Her popularity rapidly raised, releasing hit song after hit song, setting records, and quickly established herself as one of the biggest Japanese singer in the 1990s, and later, one of the biggest singer in the entire Heisei era, and even one of the best-selling singers in Japanese history. 

In her career, she has released a total of 47 singles and 12 original albums (not including compilation albums, "best" albums, live albums, collaboration projects, etc). Her total sales (all singles + all albums) are 35,841,321 copies. As for her acting career, she has starred in 7 dramas (1993-1995, 2011) and 2 movies (1996). Amuro Namie has performed 10 times on Kohaku Uta Gassen (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2017). 

How big exactly was Amuro Namie? 

- Total song sales (all singles + all albums) :  35,841,321 copies. 

- Her singles chart positions from 1995-2017 :

#5 (debut song), #4, #3, #1, #1, #1, #2, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #2, #3, #3, #7, #4, #2, #2, #7, #3, #8, #7, #2, #8, #7, #8, #11, #6, #2, #2, #7, #2, #3, #3, #1, #1, #3, #2, #3, #4, #4, #3, #8, #2, #4, #6, #3, #6 

- Her albums chart positions from 1995-2017

#1, #1, #3, #1, #1, #1, #2, #3, #4, #4, #2, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1, #1 

- Her highest selling song sold 2,296,200 copies and her highest selling album sold 3,359,450 copies. Besides those, she has 4 singles and 4 albums that sold more than 1 million copies each,......and 1 album that sold 2.4 millions copies

- She has performed 10 times on Kohaku Uta Gassen (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2017). 

- She won A LOT of awards in her whole career from 1995 to 2017......and still won awards from 2018-2021 years after she retired !!! 

- The only Japanese artist to have at least one million-selling single or album each in her teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s.

- The first teenage singer in Japan to reach the total sales of 20 million copies. 

- In 1996-1997, she sparked a fashion trend called "Amuraa" style, which teenage girls copied her iconic looks by dying their hair brown, tanned their skins, and wore items like miniskirts, crop tops and platform boots. 

- When she peformed on Kohaku Uta Gassen 1998, the rating raised to 64.9%, which is the highest rating for a singing performance in Japanese history. 

- Her highest selling song is the number #1 best-selling Japanese female solo artist song of all time. 

lyrics + translation 

MAX was a very popular idol group in the second half of 1990s to very early 2000s. 

All the members were students in Okinawa Actors School. They were originally members the 5 girls idol group SUPER MONKEY'S debuted in 1992. As the member Amuro Namie's popularity rapidly grew and outshone other members, the group name was changed to "Amuro Namie with SUPER MONKEY'S"  During this period, Amuro Namie was ready to make her solo debut, so the four other SUPER MONKEY'S members formed their own group called MAX and made their own debut on May 10, 1995. Their first and second single didn't sell so they were given ultimatum if their third single still didn't sell, they would be send back to Okinawa. At the most critical point of their career, their third single became a hit, which only followed by bigger and bigger hit songs. MAX transformed from mere sidekick of the megastar Amuro Namie into a very big idol group in their own right. 

Members:

- Nana, real name: Takushi Nanako , born: March 25, 1976

- Mina, real name: Ameku Minako, born: December 29, 1977

- Lina, real name: Matsuda Ritsuko, born: February 26, 1977

- Reina, real name: Miyauchi Reina, born: January 6, 1978. 

Former member:

- Aki, real name: Maeda Aki, born: October 22, 1980.  She joined the group in 2002 to replace Mina who temporarily left, and later quit the group in 2008 to become a singer-songwriter,  and replaced by Mina who returned to the group. 

In their career, they have released a total of 38 singles and 5 original albums (not including best albums, compilation albums, remix albums, etc). Their total sales was said to be around 10,000,000+ copies. They have at least one million-selling album . They have performed 5 times on Kohaku Uta Gassen (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001). As for their acting career, as a group (*not including members' solo career), they have appeared together in a total of 3 dramas (1995-2007) and 3 movies (1996-2001). 

lyrics + translation