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

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).