Going for the Gold! PASSPO☆ Launches Sister Group Petit PASSPO☆!

| Features | Posted by Kai Okudara on Jun.01.2015

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After weeks of waiting to see what “new project” was going to hatch on May 31st, girls’ rock unit PASSPO☆ revealed their sister group Petit PASSPO☆ (read as: Puchi PASSPO☆) during the afternoon “flight” (PASSPO☆ term for lives/events) at Akasaka Blitz!

Petit PASSPO☆ was introduced as having the concept of “singing, dancing, sweating idols”, who have the goal of being the official cheering group of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 5 members are in charge of the 5 colors of the Olympic rings and their music has been composed and arranged to be energetic and cheerful to encourage athletes. Captain (PASSPO☆ term for leader) Ai Negishi explained, “Just as PASSPO☆ was formed with the original concept of a ‘group made by everyone’, Petit PASSPO☆ is a group that we are producing. This is a project that we decided to do since everyone in PASSPO☆ has become adults”.

Mio Masui designed the sporty tracksuit inspired outfits for Petit PASSPO☆ and Natsumi Takenaka (longtime choreographer for PASSPO☆) and Anna Tamai were in charge of the group’s choreography. One of the hot topics surrounding the first appearance of Petit PASSPO☆ was that member Riko Fujimoto is the younger sister of Yukimi Fujimoto. Tamai teased that right when the members came out on stage, all the “passengers” (PASSPO☆ term for fans) were scrambling to pick their favorite one.

: Fujimoto sisters! Riko and Yukimi

: Fujimoto sisters! Riko and Yukimi

: Fujimoto sisters! Riko and Yukimi

Check out the members’ information below and see if you found your favorite one!

Hinata Yagi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/yagihinata
Birthdate: November 10, 2000
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Blood Type: A
Color: “Kurokami Nihon” (black)
Nickname: “Hina”
Secret Weapon: Smile, Cheerfulness
Charm Point: Eyes
Favorite Food: Fruits
Favorite Music: Kana Nishino
Favorite Famous Person: Mariya Nishiuchi
Hobby: Badminton
Habit: Saying “I’ll do it later”.
Thing you want right now: Intelligence
Last time you smiled: All the time
Last time you cried: When I win or lose a game/match
Future goal: Actress

Yuna Yamamoto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/yunanami1021
Birthdate: October 21, 2001
Birthplace: Shizuoka, Japan
Blood Type: A
Color: “Spanish Yellow” (yellow)
Nickname: “Yuu-nan”
Secret Weapon: Can get along with anyone
Charm Point: Long eyelashes
Favorite Food: Strawberries
Favorite Music: J-pop
Favorite Famous Person: Nanao
Hobby: Reading shonen manga, making videos
Habit: Touching my nose
Thing you want right now: iPhone 6
Last time you smiled: When I watched a video by “Hajime Shachou”.
Last time you cried: When I rode the bus that goes from Nagoya to Tokyo too far, I cried because I was surprised.
Future goal: Model

Omoka Chiba
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chibaomoka
Birthdate: June 21, 1998
Birthplace: China
Blood Type: O
Color: “China Red” (red)
Nickname: Omochu
Secret Weapon: Always smiling
Charm Point: Yaeba (snaggletooth)
Favorite Food: Strawberries
Favorite Music: Love Songs ♡♡
Favorite Famous Person: Reina Triendl
Hobby: Karaoke, odekake (going out)
Habit: Touching my bangs/fringe
Thing you want right now: iPhone 6
Last time you smiled: I’m always smiling! (LOL)
Last time you cried: I don’t cry!
Future goal: I want to be on television a lot!! I want to be a model! I want to try acting in a lot of TV drama and films!!

Riko Fujimoto
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fujimotoriko
Birthdate: August 11, 2001
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Blood Type: B
Color: “Aussie Blue” (blue)
Nickname: Rii-chan
Secret Weapon: I hate to lose
Charm Point: Mole under my eye
Favorite Food: Tomato
Favorite Music: K-pop
Favorite Famous Person: Risa Shin’nabe (volleyball player)
Hobby: DANCE!!
Habit: Where ever I go, I end up dancing!
Thing you want right now: Everything (LOL)
Last time you smiled: I’m always smiling
Last time you cried: I cry when I watch TV drama
Future goal: To appear with an artist I like

Eri Hokazono
Twitter: https://twitter.com/C2LyfQ1spVAAia6
Birthdate: May 9, 2000
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Blood Type: ?
Color: “Bangladesh Green” (green)
Nickname: Eririn
Secret Weapon: Always cheerful and smiling
Charm Point: Long eyelashes
Favorite Food: Omu-rice and fruits
Favorite Music: Western music
Favorite Famous Person: Tina Tamashiro
Hobby: Listening to music, collecting Disney goods, shopping
Habit: Sticking out my lower lip
Thing you want right now: Super strength, concentration, and studying abilities
Last time you smiled: I’m smiling everyday =)
Last time you cried: When my friend went overseas.
Future goal: To become a lovely lady

Right after they were introduced, Petit PASSPO☆ performed an upbeat dance song about Japan titled “Samurai Girl” in front of the packed audience at Akasaka Blitz. Following the theme of the group, the dance had some sports-inspired moves and featured a baton (designed by Riko’s older sister Yukimi) being passed among the members as they sang their verses.

Here is a short sample of “Samurai Girl” from Natsumi Takenaka’s Instagram account showing her and Anna Tamai working out the choreography in the studio.

ぷちぱすぽ☆『サムライガール』はたけにゃあんにゃで振りを担当しました〜 #PASSPO #ぷちぱすぽ

A video posted by 竹中夏海 (@tknk723) on Jun 1, 2015 at 2:31am PDT

Petit PASSPO☆ was the opening act for the evening flight and performed “Samurai Girl” again followed by the debut of a second song, “Seishun Dreamer”, a Japanese festival-style anthemic rock song that had the audience clapping and stomping their feet.

Petit PASSPO☆ also has an international connection. Eri Hokazono is half Bangladeshi, Omoka Chiba is half Chinese (her self-introduction was partially in Chinese), and Riko Fujimoto can speak English. With the Tokyo Olympics 5 years away, Petit PASSPO☆ has just left the starting line! With the guidance of veterans like PASSPO☆, it should be exciting to watch them grow up!

The members of PASSPO☆ and Petit PASSPO☆ meeting for the first time (Fujimoto sisters excluded, of course).