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{{Short description|Japanese idol girl group}}
{{Infobox musical artist 2
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
|Name = Mini Moni
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
|Img = MiniMoni.jpg
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
|Img_capt = Mini Moni, 2002: L to R: Mika Todd, Ai Kago, Ai Takahashi, Nozomi Tsuji
| name = Mini-Moni
|Background = group_or_band
| image = MiniMoni.jpg
|Birth_name =
| image_size = 197
|Alias = Minihams, Minimoni to Takahashi Ai
| caption = Mini-Moni, promoting "[[Lucky Cha Cha Cha!]]", 2003. From L to R: [[Nozomi Tsuji]], Mika, [[Ai Takahashi]] and [[Ai Kago]]
|Born =
| background = group_or_band
|Died =
| native_name = ミニモニ。
|Origin = [[Tokyo, Japan]]
| native_name_lang = ja
|Instrument =
| alias = {{flatlist|
|Genre = [[J-pop|Japanese pop]]
* [[Ken Shimura|Baka Tono-sama]] to Mini-Moni Hime
|Occupation =
* Mini-Hamus}}
|Years_active = [[2000]]&mdash;[[2004]]
|Label = [[Zetima Records]]
| origin = [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
| genre = [[J-pop]]
|Associated_acts = [[Morning Musume]], [[Tanpopo]], [[Coconuts Musume]], [[W (Double You)]], [[Ken Shimura|Baka Tono-sama]] to MiniMoni Hime
| years_active = {{flatlist|
|URL =
* 2000&ndash;2004
|Current_members = [[Mika Todd]]<br />[[Ai Kago]]<br />[[Ai Takahashi]] (2002-2004)<br />[[Nozomi Tsuji]]
* 2018}}
|Past_members = [[Mari Yaguchi]] (2000-2002)
| label = [[Zetima]]
| spinoff_of = {{flatlist|
* [[Morning Musume]]
* [[Coconuts Musume]]}}
| spinoffs = {{flatlist|
* [[Hello! Project Shuffle Unit|Shin Mini-Moni]]}}
| website = {{url|http://www.helloproject.com}}
| current_members =
| past_members =
* [[Mari Yaguchi]]
* Mika
* [[Ai Kago]]
* [[Nozomi Tsuji]]
* [[Ai Takahashi]]
}}
}}
'''Mini Moni''' ('''ミニモニ。''', also known as '''Minimoni.''', '''mini-moni.''', etc) was a subgroup of [[J-pop]] girl group [[Morning Musume]]. They were one of Morning Musume's most popular subgroups for their entire existence, because of the combination of their outrageous music videos and live performances, their vocal harmonies, and their widely varied musical styles.


{{nihongo|'''Mini-Moni'''|ミニモニ。||stylized as '''mini-moni.'''}}<ref name="guardian 2005-08-21"/><ref name="ann 2011-12-20"/> was a sub-unit of the [[Japanese idol]] [[girl group]]s [[Morning Musume]] and [[Coconuts Musume]]. It was formed by [[Up-Front Promotion]] in 2000 and associated with [[Hello! Project]]. The group was founded by [[Morning Musume]] members [[Mari Yaguchi]], [[Nozomi Tsuji]], and [[Ai Kago]], with [[Coconuts Musume]] member Mika later added as a member. After Yaguchi's departure in 2002, Morning Musume member [[Ai Takahashi]] was added into the group.
==Information and History==
The group was founded in late 2000 by Morning Musume member [[Mari Yaguchi]], who had an idea for a subgroup whose members were 150 cm (4' 11") in height or shorter. Yaguchi, and Morning Musume's songwriter and producer [[Tsunku]], selected two of Morning Musume's newest members, [[Ai Kago]] and [[Nozomi Tsuji]], for the new subgroup, and the trio began performing in concerts as Mini Moni. American-born [[Mika Todd]] of [[Coconuts Musume]] was later added into the group to give the group "an international flavor", and [[Tsunku]] made them official. Their debut single, "[[Minimoni Jankenpyon!]]", was a #1 hit.


Throughout their career, Mini-Moni appeared in media aimed at children, having two animated series from 2001 to 2002, variety shows, as well as a 2002 film based on their stage personas titled ''Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!''.<ref name="guardian 2005-08-21"/> In addition to that, they also appeared in several ''[[Hamtaro]]'' movies, performing the theme songs under the name {{nihongo|'''Mini-Hamus'''|ミニハムず}}.
While Mini Moni was initially directed towards younger listeners (in spite of the fact two of the members, Yaguchi and Todd, were in their late teens), they also had an older fan base consisting of older Morning Musume fans (especially of Yaguchi, Kago and Tsuji) and the parents of the younger Mini Moni fans.


The group later disbanded in 2004, after Todd left Hello! Project and Tsuji and Kago left Morning Musume to debut in [[W (duo)|W]]. In 2009, Mini-Moni was revived as a [[Hello! Project Shuffle Unit]] and concert-only unit under the name Shin Mini-Moni; the group had new members and remained active until 2011.
The quartet released several singles in 2001 and 2002, and most of these tracks were compiled into their first album ''[[Minimoni Song Daihyakka Ichimaki]]''. The album's musical styles spanned wildly from track to track, defiantly incorporating such diverse styles as [[blues]], [[electronica]], [[march music]], [[jazz]], [[reggae]], and horn-driven 60's [[soul music]].


==History==
The group's almost anarchic presentation would also carry into some of the group's television appearances, many of which are circulated online, especially amongst the band's non-Japanese cult audience; these antics have included: Kago playfully saying "big doo-doo" (in English) in response to a Japanese TV interviewer's question (a bleeped version of the clip has been misidentified as "Kago says fuck you"); band members collectively grabbing the buttocks of a female assistant backstage at a concert (dubbed by some Western fans as the "Mini Moni Ass Grab", in parody of the song title "Mini Moni Bus Guide"); and an [[Utaban]] appearance where Kago slugged Yaguchi in the crotch while Yaguchi was in the middle of a sentence (which was actually a Morning Musume appearance for the song "Souda! We're ALIVE). <!--And for the record, I'm not making any of this up - I have some of these clips, but I don't think uploading them for proof would fall within Wikipedia's guidelines.-->
===2000–2004: Formation===
The group was founded in late 2000 by Morning Musume member [[Mari Yaguchi]], with the concept of having members {{cvt|150|cm|ftin}} and shorter.<ref name="guardian 2005-08-21">{{cite news | first=Chris | last=Campion | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/aug/21/popandrock3 | title=J-Pop's dream factory | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=2005-08-21 | access-date=2019-08-23 | archive-date=14 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614000713/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/aug/21/popandrock3 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="abema 2018-02-12">{{cite news | url=https://times.abema.tv/posts/3692326 | title=辻希美、ミニモニ。1日限りの復活を報告「息切れヤバかったなぁ」 | language=ja | work=[[AbemaTV|Abema Times]] | date=2018-02-12 | access-date=2019-08-25 | archive-date=27 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827161212/https://times.abema.tv/posts/3692326 | url-status=live }}</ref> Together with Morning Musume's songwriter and producer, [[Tsunku]], she selected two new members, [[Ai Kago]] and [[Nozomi Tsuji]] and the trio began performing in concerts as Mini-Moni. [[Mika Todd]] from [[Coconuts Musume]] was later added to the group.<ref name="abema 2016-11-17">{{cite news | url=https://abematimes.com/posts/1586634 | title=加護亜依、4歳の娘が辻希美を選びショック 「フ、、フラれた」 | language=ja | work=[[AbemaTV|Abema Times]] | date=2016-11-17 | access-date=2019-08-25 | archive-date=25 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825215853/https://abematimes.com/posts/1586634 | url-status=live }}</ref> They made their official CD debut with "[[Mini-Moni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!]]" in 2001,<ref name="abema 2018-02-12"/> which became a #1 hit.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}


Simultaneously with their single releases, the band became the subject of a series of short cartoons of their own, ''Yarunoda Pyon!'', in which they supplied their own voices. They also contributed their voices to the ''[[Hamtaro]]'' cartoon series, in which hamster versions of MiniMoni are featured. The group recorded two songs especially for ''Hamtaro'' under the group pseudonym '''MiniHams'''.
The quartet released several singles in 2001 and 2002, with most of these tracks compiled on their first album ''[[Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan]].'' Simultaneous to their single releases, the band became the subject of a series of short cartoons, ''Mini-Moni Yaru no da Pyon!'', voicing their own characters. They also contributed their voices to a string of movies based on the ''[[Hamtaro]]'' cartoon series, which featured a hamster version of Mini-Moni known as Mini-Hamus.


[[Image:Minimoni01.jpg|thumb|215px|All five members of MiniMoni in a still from ''Okashina Daibouken'' (2002).]]
[[File:Minimoni01.jpg|thumb|215px|All five members of Mini-Moni in a still from ''Okashi na Daibōken'' (2002).]]
In 2002, [[Mari Yaguchi]] graduated from Mini Moni to take on leading the subgroup [[ZYX]], one of the first [[Hello! Project]] groups to incorporate the [[Hello! Project Kids]] (including a couple of then-future members of [[Berryz Koubou]]). Another Morning Musume member, [[Ai Takahashi]] took Yaguchi's place, while Mika Todd, as the oldest member of the current lineup, took over as the band's leader. That same year, all five members of Mini Moni filmed the movie ''[[MiniMoni Ja Movie: Okashina Daibouken]]'' (''MiniMoni The Movie: The Great Cake Adventure''), part of the storyline of which, in the context of the movie's fantasy setting, "explains" how Yaguchi ended up leaving MiniMoni to begin leading ZYX and how Takahashi ended up in the band.
In 2002, Yaguchi graduated from Mini-Moni to take on the leadership of the subgroup [[ZYX (pop group)|ZYX]]. [[Ai Takahashi]] was added as a member, while Mika Todd, took over Yaguchi's place as the band's leader. That same year, all members of Mini-Moni starred in the film ''[[Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!]]'', a fictional account explaining the change in members.


Afterwards, Mini-Moni released "[[Crazy About You (Minimoni song)|Crazy About You]]" and later the album ''[[Mini-Moni Songs 2]].'' They also starred in a mini-series called ''Mini-Moni de Bremen no Ongakutai'' starring Takahashi, Tsuji, and Kago; Mika Todd made brief appearances in two episodes. The group disbanded in May 2004 at [[Mika Todd]]'s graduation concert, following the release of a final single, "[[Lucky Cha Cha Cha!]]"
They started to have a more mature, modern R&B-heavy sound to their music with the single [[Crazy About You]], a style the group explored more heavily on their second album ''[[Minimoni Songs 2]]''. However, their silly side was also well represented on the album with two more songs they contributed to ''Hamtaro'' as MiniHams. Former member Yaguchi also appears on three cuts, two of which previously appeared on the ''Okashina Daibouken'' soundtrack. They also starred in a mini-series called MiniMoni's [[The Brementown Musicians]] starring Takahashi, Tsuji, and Kago; Mika made brief appearances in two episodes.


===2018: 20th anniversary reunion===
The group was put on indefinite hiatus in May of 2004 after the [[sotsugyou|graduation]] of [[Mika Todd]] and the release of one final single, "[[Lucky Cha Cha Cha!]]"


On 12 February 2018, [[TV Tokyo]] aired a television special celebrating Mini-Moni's 20th anniversary. Yaguchi and Tsuji made an appearance and performed "Mini-Moni Jankenpyon!" with [[Morning Musume|Morning Musume '18]] members [[Ayumi Ishida (Morning Musume member)|Ayumi Ishida]] and Reina Yokoyama.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1746885 | script-title=ja:加護亜依、辻希美＆矢口真里でのミニモニ。特別復活に言及 | language=ja | work=Model Press | date=2018-02-15 | access-date=2018-08-29 | archive-date=30 August 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830004958/https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1746885 | url-status=live }}</ref>
In February [[2006]] MiniMoni's name was invoked on American television ([[NBC]]'s ''[[The Tonight Show With Jay Leno]]'') during a skit claiming that one of Leno's house band members had started out as a member of MiniMoni; a manipulated picture of the Leno band member with MiniMoni (in their outfits from the cover of ''MiniMoni Songs 2'') was aired as part of the sketch.[http://www.cultofpop.com/?p=225]


==Members==
==Post-MiniMoni member careers==

* {{nihongo|[[Mika Todd]]|ミカ|}} is currently in [[Los Angeles]] studying music, occasionally traveling back to Japan to perform in a jazz group with her pianist father [[Johnny Todd]]. She released a self-titled solo [[EP]] in [[2005]] that has been available only at her rare live performances.
* [[Mari Yaguchi]] (2000-2003)
* {{nihongo|[[Mari Yaguchi]]|矢口真里|}} quit Morning Musume in early 2005 and embarked on a solo career under the [[Hello! Project]] banner.
* [[Nozomi Tsuji]] (2000-2004)
* {{nihongo|[[Ai Kago]]|加護亜依|}} and {{nihongo|[[Nozomi Tsuji]]|辻希美|}} graduated from Morning Musume in August 2004 and are both in a duo called [[W (Double You)]] under the [[Hello! Project]] banner. Ai Kago was under suspension for most of 2006 for underage smoking, but is back in Tokyo as of January 2007 and is speculated to return to performance with W in Spring of the same year.
* [[Ai Kago]] (2000-2004)
* {{nihongo|[[Ai Takahashi]]|高橋愛|}} is still a member of [[Morning Musume]]; her distinctive vocals have been more prominent on their past few singles and on their albums ''[[Ai no Dai 6 Kan]]'' and ''[[Rainbow 7]]''.
* Mika Todd (2000-2004)
* [[Ai Takahashi]] (2003-2004)

==Legacy==

In June 2007, an excerpt from a November 2000 episode of ''Mini-Moni Chiccha'' (their segment on Hello! Project's variety show ''[[Hello! Morning]]'') of a [[prairie dog]] suddenly turning his head became the basis for the Internet phenomenon the [[Dramatic Chipmunk]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Caroline | last=McCarthy | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/five-second-dramatic-chipmunk-video-takes-the-web-by-storm/ | title=Five-second 'Dramatic Chipmunk' video takes the Web by storm | work=[[CNET]] | date=2007-06-22 | access-date=2020-03-10 | archive-date=5 December 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205155629/https://www.cnet.com/news/five-second-dramatic-chipmunk-video-takes-the-web-by-storm/ | url-status=live }}</ref> A parody of the Dramatic Chipmunk clip, including lookalikes of Mini-Moni, appears in [[Weezer]]'s music video for their 2008 single "[[Pork and Beans (song)|Pork and Beans]]".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/spot-the-memes-in-weezers-pork-and-beans/news-story/631567e9e5ef1df10bc86bb1f16c0dcb?sv=1128012ec3b0cb0ceabf491583772363 | title=Spot the memes in Weezer's Pork and Beans | work=[[News.com.au]] | date=2009-10-23 | access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

===Shin Mini-Moni===

{{main article|Hello! Project Shuffle Unit}}

On 26 May 2009, Yaguchi posted on her blog discussing how the head producer of Hello! Project, [[Tsunku]], had contacted her asking for permission to bring the group out of hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|last= Yaguchi|first= Mari|author-link= Mari Yaguchi|title= New Minimoni|url= http://ameblo.jp/mari-yaguchi/entry-10268625872.html|date= 2009-05-26|publisher= I'm a Beginner: Mari Yaguchi Official Blog|language= ja|access-date= 27 May 2009|archive-date= 29 May 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090529173243/http://ameblo.jp/mari-yaguchi/entry-10268625872.html|url-status= live}}</ref> Tsunku confirmed on his own blog that Mini-Moni would be revived as a [[Hello! Project Shuffle Unit]] with an entirely new line-up, announcing then-[[Angerme|Smileage]] member [[Maro Kannagi|Kanon Fukuda]] as the first member.<ref>{{cite web|author= Tsunku|author-link= Tsunku|title= Mini-Moni|url= http://ameblo.jp/tsunku-blog/entry-10267019385.html|date= 2009-05-27|publisher= Tsunku Official Blog|language= ja|access-date= 27 May 2009|archive-date= 18 April 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140418090344/http://ameblo.jp/tsunku-blog/entry-10267019385.html|url-status= live}}</ref> He later announced then-[[Morning Musume]] member [[Qian Lin|Linlin]] as the group's leader,<ref>{{cite web|author= Tsunku|author-link= Tsunku|title= Minimoni|url= http://ameblo.jp/tsunku-blog/entry-10267019973.html|date= 2009-06-03|publisher= Tsunku Official Blog|language= ja|access-date= 3 June 2009|archive-date= 11 June 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090611185401/http://ameblo.jp/tsunku-blog/entry-10267019973.html|url-status= live}}</ref> with then-[[Hello Pro Kenshūsei|Hello Pro Egg]] trainees [[Akari Takeuchi]] and [[Karin Miyamoto]] as the final two members. The group, rebranded as {{Nihongo|Shin Mini-Moni|新ミニモニ。||{{literal translation}} New Mini-Moni}}, released songs for Hello! Project's compilation albums ''Champloo 1: Happy Marriage Song Cover Shū'' and ''Petit Best 10''.<ref>{{cite web | title=チャンプル1～ハッピーマリッジソングカバー集～ | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/322924/products/822402/1/ | language=ja | work=[[Oricon]] | access-date=2019-09-20 | archive-date=5 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605084046/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/322924/products/822402/1/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=プッチベスト10 | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/52027/products/845011/1/ | language=ja | work=[[Oricon]] | access-date=2019-09-20 | archive-date=26 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526055200/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/52027/products/845011/1/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The group was also active as a concert-only unit until 2011.{{fact|date=November 2023}}


== Discography ==
== Discography ==

=== Albums ===
===Studio albums===
{| border="1" cellpadding="3" style="margin: 1em; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; text-align:center;"

|- style="background:#efefef;"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
!#||'''Title'''||'''Release date'''
|-
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title
|1||align="left"|{{nihongo|''[[Minimoni Song Daihyakka Ichimaki]]''|ミニモニ。ソング大百科1巻}}||2002-06-26
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Sales
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | [[List of music recording certifications#Albums|Certifications]]
|-
|-
!width="30"|[[Oricon|JPN]]
|2||align="left"|{{nihongo|''[[MiniMoni Ja Movie Okashi na Daibouken OST]]''|ミニモニ。じゃムービーお菓子な大冒険オリジナルサウンドトラック}}||2003-02-19
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|''[[Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan]]''|ミニモニ。ソング大百科1巻}}
| 2002
|
* Released: 26 June 2002
* Label: Zetima
* Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]]
| 4
|
* JPN: 200,000+
| [[Recording Industry Association of Japan|RIAJ]]: Gold<ref name="riaj">{{cite web | url=https://www.riaj.or.jp/f/data/cert/gd_search.html | title=一般社団法人 日本レコード協会 | format=Enter "ミニモニ。" in the アーティスト parameter and then click 検索 | language=ja | work=[[Recording Industry Association of Japan]] | access-date=2020-02-16 | archive-date=12 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112195129/https://www.riaj.or.jp/f/data/cert/gd_search.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|''[[Mini-Moni Songs 2]]''|ミニモニ。ソングズ2}}
| 2004
|
* Released: 11 February 2004
* Label: Zetima
* Formats: CD
| 11
| &mdash;
| {{n/a}}
|-
| colspan="6" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
|-
|-
|3||align="left"|{{nihongo|''[[Minimoni Songs 2]]''|ミニモニ。ソングズ2}}||2004-02-11
|}
|}


=== Singles ===
===Singles===

{| border="1" cellpadding="3" style="margin: 1em; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
!#||'''Title'''||'''Released date'''
|-
|-
!rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
|1||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Minimoni Jankenpyon!]]"|ミニモニ。ジャンケンぴょん！}}||2001-01-17
!rowspan="2"| Year
!colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
!rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Sales
!rowspan="2"| Album
!scope="col" rowspan="2" | [[List of music recording certifications#Albums|Certifications]]
|-
|-
!width="30"|[[Oricon|JPN]]
|2||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Minimoni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin|Minimoni Telephone! RIN RIN RIN]]"|ミニモニ。テレフォン！リンリンリン}}||2001.09.12
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!|Mini-Moni Jankenpyon!]]"|ミニモニ。ジャンケンぴょん！}} / {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!|Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!]]"|春夏秋冬だいすっき!}}
|3||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Minihamuzu no Ai no Uta]]"|ミニハムずの愛の唄}}||2001-12-05
| rowspan="3" | 2001
| 1
|
* JPN: 800,000+
| rowspan="5" | ''[[Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan]]''
|
* [[Recording Industry Association of Japan|RIAJ]]: Double Platinum<ref name="riaj"/>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin / Mini-Moni Bus Guide|Mini-Moni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin]]"|ミニモニ。テレフォン！リンリンリン}} / {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin / Mini-Moni Bus Guide|Mini-Moni Bus Guide]]"|ミニモニ。バスガイド!}}
|4||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Minimoni. Hinamatsuri!]]"|ミニモニ。ひなまつり！}}||2002-01-30
| 1
|
* JPN: 400,000+
|
* RIAJ: Platinum<ref name="riaj"/>
|-
|-
|5||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Ai~n Taisou]]"|アイ～ン体操}}||2002-04-24
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Hams no Ai no Uta]]"|ミニハムずの愛の唄}}<br>{{small|(as Mini-Hamus)}}
| 3
| &mdash;
| {{n/a}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Hinamatsuri! / Mini Strawberry Pie|Mini-Moni Hinamatsuri!]]"|ミニモニ。ひなまつり！}} / {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Hinamatsuri! / Mini Strawberry Pie|Mini Strawberry Pie]]"|ミニ。ストロベリ〜パイ}}
|6||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Genki Jirushi no Oomori Song]]"|げんき印の大盛りソング}}||2002-11-27
| rowspan="4" | 2002
| 2
|
* JPN: 200,000+
|
* RIAJ: Gold<ref name="riaj"/>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Aīn Taisō / Aīn! Dance no Uta|Aīn Taisō]]"|アイ〜ン体操}} / {{nihongo|"[[Aīn Taisō / Aīn! Dance no Uta|Aīn! Dance no Uta]]"|アイ〜ン!ダンスの唄}}<br>{{small|(as [[Ken Shimura|Bakatono-sama]] with Mini-Moni Hime)}}
|7||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Minihamuzu no Kekkon Song]]"|ミニハムズの結婚ソング}}||2002-12-04
| 3
|
* JPN: 200,000+
|
* RIAJ: Gold<ref name="riaj"/>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Genki Jirushi no Ōmori Song / Okashi Tsukutte Okkasi!|Genki Jirushi no Ōmori Song]]"|げんき印の大盛りソング}} / {{nihongo|"[[Genki Jirushi no Ōmori Song / Okashi Tsukutte Okkasi!|Okashi Tsukutte Okkasi!]]"|お菓子つくっておっかすぃ〜}}<br>{{small|(as Mini-Moni + [[Ai Takahashi]] &amp; 4Kids)}}
|8||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Rock'n Roll Kenchoushozaichi ~Oboechaina Series~]]"|ロックンロール県庁所在地~おぼえちゃいなシリーズ！~}}||2003-04-09
| 9
| &mdash;
| rowspan="5" | ''[[Mini-Moni Songs 2]]''
| {{n/a}}
|-
|-
|9||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Minimoni Kazoe Uta]]"|ミニモニ。数え歌}}||2003-05-14
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Hams no Kekkon Song]]"|ミニハムずの結婚ソング}}<br>{{small|(as Mini-Hamus)}}
| 10
| &mdash;
| {{n/a}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Rock 'n' Roll Kenchōshozaichi|Rock 'n' Roll Kenchōshozaichi (Oboechaina Series)]]"|ロックンロール県庁所在地〜おぼえちゃいなシリーズ〜}}
|10||align="left"|"[[Crazy About You|CRAZY ABOUT YOU]]"||2003-10-16
| rowspan="3" | 2003
| 7
| &mdash;
| {{n/a}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Ofuro Version) / Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Date Version)|Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Ofuro Version)]]"|ミニモニ。数え歌〜お風呂ば〜じょん〜}} / {{nihongo|"[[Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Ofuro Version) / Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Date Version)|Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Date Version)]]"|ミニモニ。数え歌〜デートば〜じょん〜}}
|11||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Mirakururun Grand Purin!]]"|ミラクルルングランプリン！}}||2003-11-19
| 9
| &mdash;
| {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row"| "[[Crazy About You (Mini-Moni song)|Crazy About You]]"
| 5
| &mdash;
| {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Lucky Cha Cha Cha!]]"|ラッキーチャチャチャ！}}
| 2004
| 6
| &mdash;
| {{n/a|Non-album single}}
| {{n/a}}
|-
| colspan="6" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
|-
|-
|12||align="left"|{{nihongo|"[[Lucky Cha Cha Cha!]]"|ラッキーチャチャチャ！}}</small>||2004-04-21
|}
|}

===Soundtrack appearances===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title
!rowspan="2"| Year
!colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
!rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Sales
!rowspan="2"| Album
|-
!width="30"|[[Oricon|JPN]]
|-
! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"[[Mirakururun Grand Purin! / Pīhyara Kouta|Mirakururun Grand Purin!]]"|ミラクルルン グランプリン!}}{{efn|name=mirakururun grand purin|"Mirakururun Grand Purin!" was released as a double [[A-side]] single with "Pīhyara Kouta" (performed by [[Natsumi Abe]] under her character's name, Purin). The sales and [[Oricon]] ranking reflects both songs.}}<br>{{small|(as Mini-Hamus)}}
| 2003
| 22
| &mdash;
| ''[[Mini-Moni Songs 2]]''
|-
| colspan="5" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
|-
|}

==Filmography==

===Television===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Network
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2000-2004
| ''[[Hello! Morning]]''
| Themselves
| [[TV Tokyo]]
| [[Morning Musume]]'s variety show
|-
| 2001
| ''Mini-Moni Yaru no da Pyon!''
| Themselves
| [[TV Tokyo]]
| Voice in anime; segments in ''[[Oha Star]]''<ref name="ann 2011-12-20">{{cite news | first=Egan | last=Loo | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-20/former-morning-musume-ai-kago-reveals-marriage-pregnancy | title=Former Morning Musume Ai Kago Reveals Marriage, Pregnancy | work=[[Anime News Network]] | date=2011-12-20 | access-date=2019-08-23 | archive-date=23 August 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823184417/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-12-20/former-morning-musume-ai-kago-reveals-marriage-pregnancy | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2003
| ''Mini-Moni the TV''
| Themselves
| [[TV Tokyo]]
| Voice in anime<ref name="ann 2011-12-20"/>
|-
| 2002-2004
| ''Hello Kids''
| Themselves
| TV Tokyo
| Mini-Moni's variety show
|-
|}

===Films===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Hamtaro|Hamtaro: Adventures in Ham-Ham Land]]''
| Themselves
| Voice in anime film; cameo
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2002
| ''[[Hamtaro|Hamtaro: The Captive Princess]]''
| Themselves
| Voice in anime film; cameo
|-
| ''[[Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!]]''
| Themselves
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Hamtaro|Hamtaro: Miracle in Aurora Valley]]''
| Themselves
| Voice in anime film; cameo
|-
|-
|}

==Video games==
*''Mini-Moni: Dice de Pyon!'' ([[Konami]], 20 March 2002, [[PlayStation]])
*''Mini-Moni ni Naru no da Pyon!'' ([[Bandai]], 26 September 2002, PlayStation)
*''Mini-Moni: Shaka tto Tambourine! Dapyon!'' ([[Sega]], 19 September 2002, PlayStation)
*''Mini-Moni: Step Up Pyon Pyon Pyon'' (Konami, 12 December 2002, PlayStation)
*''Mini-Moni HapiMoni: Mika no Happy Morning chatty'' ([[Shogakukan]], [[Game Boy Advance]])
*''Mini-Moni: Onegai Ohoshi-sama'' (Game Boy Advance)

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*Hello! Project.com: [http://www.helloproject.com/artist/23/ Official profile], [http://www.helloproject.com/disco/23/index.html Official discography]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090606084921/http://www.up-front-works.jp/discography/zetima/27/list.html Official discography on the Up-Front Works site] {{in lang|ja}}
*[[ThePPN:Minimoni]]
*Projecthello.com: [http://www.projecthello.com/minimoni/ Mini Moni lyrics]


{{Hello! Project}}
;Fansites
{{Minimoni}}
*[http://www.freewebs.com/minimoni/ MiniMoni<3]


{{Morning Musume}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Hello! Project]]
[[Category:Japanese pop music groups]]
[[Category:Japanese musical groups]]
[[Category:Japanese girl groups]]
[[Category:Girl groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2000]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2000]]
[[Category:Japanese idol groups]]

[[Category:Hello! Project groups]]
[[de:Mini Moni]]
[[Category:Minimoni]]
[[ja:ミニモニ。]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Tokyo]]
[[pt:Mini Moni]]
[[Category:Video games based on musicians]]
[[fi:Minimoni]]
[[Category:Band-centric video games]]
[[tl:Minimoni]]
[[Category:Video games based on real people]]
[[th:มินิโมนิ]]

Latest revision as of 21:43, 6 August 2024

Mini-Moni
ミニモニ。
Mini-Moni, promoting "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!", 2003. From L to R: Nozomi Tsuji, Mika, Ai Takahashi and Ai Kago
Mini-Moni, promoting "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!", 2003. From L to R: Nozomi Tsuji, Mika, Ai Takahashi and Ai Kago
Background information
Also known as
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresJ-pop
Years active
  • 2000–2004
  • 2018
LabelsZetima
Spinoffs
Spinoff of
Past members
Websitewww.helloproject.com

Mini-Moni (ミニモニ。, stylized as mini-moni.)[1][2] was a sub-unit of the Japanese idol girl groups Morning Musume and Coconuts Musume. It was formed by Up-Front Promotion in 2000 and associated with Hello! Project. The group was founded by Morning Musume members Mari Yaguchi, Nozomi Tsuji, and Ai Kago, with Coconuts Musume member Mika later added as a member. After Yaguchi's departure in 2002, Morning Musume member Ai Takahashi was added into the group.

Throughout their career, Mini-Moni appeared in media aimed at children, having two animated series from 2001 to 2002, variety shows, as well as a 2002 film based on their stage personas titled Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!.[1] In addition to that, they also appeared in several Hamtaro movies, performing the theme songs under the name Mini-Hamus (ミニハムず).

The group later disbanded in 2004, after Todd left Hello! Project and Tsuji and Kago left Morning Musume to debut in W. In 2009, Mini-Moni was revived as a Hello! Project Shuffle Unit and concert-only unit under the name Shin Mini-Moni; the group had new members and remained active until 2011.

History

[edit]

2000–2004: Formation

[edit]

The group was founded in late 2000 by Morning Musume member Mari Yaguchi, with the concept of having members 150 cm (4 ft 11 in) and shorter.[1][3] Together with Morning Musume's songwriter and producer, Tsunku, she selected two new members, Ai Kago and Nozomi Tsuji and the trio began performing in concerts as Mini-Moni. Mika Todd from Coconuts Musume was later added to the group.[4] They made their official CD debut with "Mini-Moni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!" in 2001,[3] which became a #1 hit.[citation needed]

The quartet released several singles in 2001 and 2002, with most of these tracks compiled on their first album Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan. Simultaneous to their single releases, the band became the subject of a series of short cartoons, Mini-Moni Yaru no da Pyon!, voicing their own characters. They also contributed their voices to a string of movies based on the Hamtaro cartoon series, which featured a hamster version of Mini-Moni known as Mini-Hamus.

All five members of Mini-Moni in a still from Okashi na Daibōken (2002).

In 2002, Yaguchi graduated from Mini-Moni to take on the leadership of the subgroup ZYX. Ai Takahashi was added as a member, while Mika Todd, took over Yaguchi's place as the band's leader. That same year, all members of Mini-Moni starred in the film Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!, a fictional account explaining the change in members.

Afterwards, Mini-Moni released "Crazy About You" and later the album Mini-Moni Songs 2. They also starred in a mini-series called Mini-Moni de Bremen no Ongakutai starring Takahashi, Tsuji, and Kago; Mika Todd made brief appearances in two episodes. The group disbanded in May 2004 at Mika Todd's graduation concert, following the release of a final single, "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!"

2018: 20th anniversary reunion

[edit]

On 12 February 2018, TV Tokyo aired a television special celebrating Mini-Moni's 20th anniversary. Yaguchi and Tsuji made an appearance and performed "Mini-Moni Jankenpyon!" with Morning Musume '18 members Ayumi Ishida and Reina Yokoyama.[5]

Members

[edit]

Legacy

[edit]

In June 2007, an excerpt from a November 2000 episode of Mini-Moni Chiccha (their segment on Hello! Project's variety show Hello! Morning) of a prairie dog suddenly turning his head became the basis for the Internet phenomenon the Dramatic Chipmunk.[6] A parody of the Dramatic Chipmunk clip, including lookalikes of Mini-Moni, appears in Weezer's music video for their 2008 single "Pork and Beans".[7]

Shin Mini-Moni

[edit]
Main article: Hello! Project Shuffle Unit

On 26 May 2009, Yaguchi posted on her blog discussing how the head producer of Hello! Project, Tsunku, had contacted her asking for permission to bring the group out of hiatus.[8] Tsunku confirmed on his own blog that Mini-Moni would be revived as a Hello! Project Shuffle Unit with an entirely new line-up, announcing then-Smileage member Kanon Fukuda as the first member.[9] He later announced then-Morning Musume member Linlin as the group's leader,[10] with then-Hello Pro Egg trainees Akari Takeuchi and Karin Miyamoto as the final two members. The group, rebranded as Shin Mini-Moni (新ミニモニ。, lit. New Mini-Moni), released songs for Hello! Project's compilation albums Champloo 1: Happy Marriage Song Cover Shū and Petit Best 10.[11][12] The group was also active as a concert-only unit until 2011.[citation needed]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Year Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
JPN
Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan (ミニモニ。ソング大百科1巻) 2002
  • Released: 26 June 2002
  • Label: Zetima
  • Formats: CD
 4
  • JPN: 200,000+
 RIAJ: Gold[13]
Mini-Moni Songs 2 (ミニモニ。ソングズ2) 2004
  • Released: 11 February 2004
  • Label: Zetima
  • Formats: CD
 11 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album Certifications
JPN
"Mini-Moni Jankenpyon!" (ミニモニ。ジャンケンぴょん！) / "Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!" (春夏秋冬だいすっき!) 2001 1
  • JPN: 800,000+
 Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan
"Mini-Moni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin" (ミニモニ。テレフォン！リンリンリン) / "Mini-Moni Bus Guide" (ミニモニ。バスガイド!) 1
  • JPN: 400,000+
"Mini-Hams no Ai no Uta" (ミニハムずの愛の唄)
(as Mini-Hamus) 		3 — —
"Mini-Moni Hinamatsuri!" (ミニモニ。ひなまつり！) / "Mini Strawberry Pie" (ミニ。ストロベリ〜パイ) 2002 2
  • JPN: 200,000+
"Aīn Taisō" (アイ〜ン体操) / "Aīn! Dance no Uta" (アイ〜ン!ダンスの唄)
(as Bakatono-sama with Mini-Moni Hime) 		3
  • JPN: 200,000+
"Genki Jirushi no Ōmori Song" (げんき印の大盛りソング) / "Okashi Tsukutte Okkasi!" (お菓子つくっておっかすぃ〜)
(as Mini-Moni + Ai Takahashi & 4Kids) 		9 — Mini-Moni Songs 2 —
"Mini-Hams no Kekkon Song" (ミニハムずの結婚ソング)
(as Mini-Hamus) 		10 — —
"Rock 'n' Roll Kenchōshozaichi (Oboechaina Series)" (ロックンロール県庁所在地〜おぼえちゃいなシリーズ〜) 2003 7 — —
"Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Ofuro Version)" (ミニモニ。数え歌〜お風呂ば〜じょん〜) / "Mini-Moni Kazoe Uta (Date Version)" (ミニモニ。数え歌〜デートば〜じょん〜) 9 — —
"Crazy About You" 5 — —
"Lucky Cha Cha Cha!" (ラッキーチャチャチャ！) 2004 6 — Non-album single —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Soundtrack appearances

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
JPN
"Mirakururun Grand Purin!" (ミラクルルン グランプリン!)[a]
(as Mini-Hamus) 		2003 22 — Mini-Moni Songs 2
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Network Notes
2000-2004 Hello! Morning Themselves TV Tokyo Morning Musume's variety show
2001 Mini-Moni Yaru no da Pyon! Themselves TV Tokyo Voice in anime; segments in Oha Star[2]
2003 Mini-Moni the TV Themselves TV Tokyo Voice in anime[2]
2002-2004 Hello Kids Themselves TV Tokyo Mini-Moni's variety show

Films

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Hamtaro: Adventures in Ham-Ham Land Themselves Voice in anime film; cameo
2002 Hamtaro: The Captive Princess Themselves Voice in anime film; cameo
Mini-Moni the Movie: Okashi na Daibōken! Themselves
2003 Hamtaro: Miracle in Aurora Valley Themselves Voice in anime film; cameo

Video games

[edit]
  • Mini-Moni: Dice de Pyon! (Konami, 20 March 2002, PlayStation)
  • Mini-Moni ni Naru no da Pyon! (Bandai, 26 September 2002, PlayStation)
  • Mini-Moni: Shaka tto Tambourine! Dapyon! (Sega, 19 September 2002, PlayStation)
  • Mini-Moni: Step Up Pyon Pyon Pyon (Konami, 12 December 2002, PlayStation)
  • Mini-Moni HapiMoni: Mika no Happy Morning chatty (Shogakukan, Game Boy Advance)
  • Mini-Moni: Onegai Ohoshi-sama (Game Boy Advance)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mirakururun Grand Purin!" was released as a double A-side single with "Pīhyara Kouta" (performed by Natsumi Abe under her character's name, Purin). The sales and Oricon ranking reflects both songs.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Campion, Chris (21 August 2005). "J-Pop's dream factory". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Loo, Egan (20 December 2011). "Former Morning Musume Ai Kago Reveals Marriage, Pregnancy". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b "辻希美、ミニモニ。1日限りの復活を報告「息切れヤバかったなぁ」". Abema Times (in Japanese). 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  4. ^ "加護亜依、4歳の娘が辻希美を選びショック 「フ、、フラれた」". Abema Times (in Japanese). 17 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  5. ^ 加護亜依、辻希美＆矢口真里でのミニモニ。特別復活に言及. Model Press (in Japanese). 15 February 2018. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  6. ^ McCarthy, Caroline (22 June 2007). "Five-second 'Dramatic Chipmunk' video takes the Web by storm". CNET. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Spot the memes in Weezer's Pork and Beans". News.com.au. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  8. ^ Yaguchi, Mari (26 May 2009). "New Minimoni" (in Japanese). I'm a Beginner: Mari Yaguchi Official Blog. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  9. ^ Tsunku (27 May 2009). "Mini-Moni" (in Japanese). Tsunku Official Blog. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  10. ^ Tsunku (3 June 2009). "Minimoni" (in Japanese). Tsunku Official Blog. Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
  11. ^ "チャンプル1～ハッピーマリッジソングカバー集～". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  12. ^ "プッチベスト10". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会" (Enter "ミニモニ。" in the アーティスト parameter and then click 検索). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
[edit]
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