Mini-Moni

{{Short description|Japanese idol girl group}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2013}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Mini-Moni | image = MiniMoni.jpg | image_size = 197 | caption = Mini-Moni, promoting "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!", 2003. From L to R: Nozomi Tsuji, Mika, Ai Takahashi and Ai Kago | background = group_or_band | native_name = ミニモニ。 | native_name_lang = ja | alias = {{flatlist| * Baka Tono-sama to Mini-Moni Hime * Mini-Hamus}} | origin = Tokyo, Japan | genre = J-pop | years_active = {{flatlist| * 2000–2004}} | label = Zetima | spinoff_of = {{flatlist| * Morning Musume * Coconuts Musume}} | spinoffs = {{flatlist| * Shin Mini-Moni}} | website = {{url|http://www.helloproject.com}} | current_members = | past_members = * Mari Yaguchi * Mika * Ai Kago * Nozomi Tsuji * Ai Takahashi }}

{{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 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!''.<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}}.

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== ===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=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=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}}

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.

thumb|215px|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–present: Post Mini-Moni activities===

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.<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>

==Members==

* Mari Yaguchi (2000-2003) * Nozomi Tsuji (2000-2004) * Ai Kago (2000-2004) * 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".<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===

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-Smileage member 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 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 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 ==

===Studio albums===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title ! 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" | Certifications |- !width="30"|JPN |- ! 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: CD | 4 | * JPN: 200,000+ | 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 | — | {{n/a}} |- | colspan="6" style="font-size:90%;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. |- |}

===Singles===

{| 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 !scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications |- !width="30"|JPN |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Mini-Moni Jankenpyon!"|ミニモニ。ジャンケンぴょん！}} / {{nihongo|"Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!"|春夏秋冬だいすっき!}} | rowspan="3" | 2001 | 1 | * JPN: 800,000+ | rowspan="5" | ''Mini-Moni Song Daihyakka Ikkan'' | * RIAJ: Double Platinum<ref name="riaj"/> |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Mini-Moni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin"|ミニモニ。テレフォン！リンリンリン}} / {{nihongo|"Mini-Moni Bus Guide"|ミニモニ。バスガイド!}} | 1 | * JPN: 400,000+ | * RIAJ: Platinum<ref name="riaj"/> |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Mini-Hams no Ai no Uta"|ミニハムずの愛の唄}} {{small|(as Mini-Hamus)}} | 3 | — | {{n/a}} |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Mini-Moni Hinamatsuri!"|ミニモニ。ひなまつり！}} / {{nihongo|"Mini Strawberry Pie"|ミニ。ストロベリ〜パイ}} | rowspan="4" | 2002 | 2 | * JPN: 200,000+ | * RIAJ: Gold<ref name="riaj"/> |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Aīn Taisō"|アイ〜ン体操}} / {{nihongo|"Aīn! Dance no Uta"|アイ〜ン!ダンスの唄}} {{small|(as Bakatono-sama with Mini-Moni Hime)}} | 3 | * JPN: 200,000+ | * RIAJ: Gold<ref name="riaj"/> |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Genki Jirushi no Ōmori Song"|げんき印の大盛りソング}} / {{nihongo|"Okashi Tsukutte Okkasi!"|お菓子つくっておっかすぃ〜}} {{small|(as Mini-Moni + Ai Takahashi & 4Kids)}} | 9 | — | rowspan="5" | ''Mini-Moni Songs 2'' | {{n/a}} |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Mini-Hams no Kekkon Song"|ミニハムずの結婚ソング}} {{small|(as Mini-Hamus)}} | 10 | — | {{n/a}} |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"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〜}} | rowspan="3" | 2003 | 7 | — | {{n/a}} |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"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 (Date Version)"|ミニモニ。数え歌〜デートば〜じょん〜}} | 9 | — | {{n/a}} |- ! scope="row"| "Crazy About You" | 5 | — | {{n/a}} |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"Lucky Cha Cha Cha!"|ラッキーチャチャチャ！}} | 2004 | 6 | — | {{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. |- |}

===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"|JPN |- ! scope="row"| {{nihongo|"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.}} {{small|(as Mini-Hamus)}} | 2003 | 22 | — | ''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: Adventures in Ham-Ham Land'' | Themselves | Voice in anime film; cameo |- | rowspan="2" | 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== *''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 == *[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}}

Category:Japanese pop music groups Category:Japanese girl groups Category:Musical groups established in 2000 Category:Japanese idol groups Category:Hello! Project groups Category:Minimoni Category:Musical groups from Tokyo Category:Video games based on musicians Category:Band-centric video games Category:Video games based on real people