In Japan, being an idol is serious business. Getting caught in anything that has the potential of crushing a fan’s dreams could easily result in the idol getting fired. Simple things that common people partake in without as much as a blink of an eye, such as dating, smoking, or even putting on weight, are huge taboos for many members of Japanese idol groups.

But recently, a new idol group that overturns the conventional concept of weight-watching has surfaced. Instead of watching their weight to keep slim, the chubby idols from Chubbiness are required to maintain their well-rounded figures, or risk getting sent out of the group!

The last time we said “behold, the rise of the marshmallow girls“, we meant it. In June last year, music giant Avex collaborated with popular Japanese girls’ fashion magazine CanCam in organizing a Zenkoku Puniko Audition (nationwide chubby girl audition). After stringent selections from a pool of 3,500 applicants, 10 cheerful marshmallow girls made it into the all-rounded idol group, Chubbiness, who are set for their debut as professional artistes in March this year.

▼ Meet the bubbly girls from Chubbiness!





八重樫 琴美 Kotomi Yaegashi (Leader)

Birthdate: 26 September 1994

Hometown: Osaka Prefecture

Height: 156cm (5’1″)

Blood type: B

Hobbies: Eating, fantasizing, photography

Favorite chubby part of herself: Face





高尾 苑子 Sonoko Takao

Birthdate: 30 October 1993

Hometown: Fukuoka Prefecture

Height: 157cm (5’2″)

Blood type: Unknown

Hobbies: Reading, going for walks, doing stretches before bedtime

Favorite chubby part of herself: Chin





池山智瑛 Chiaki Ikeyama

Birthdate: 4 May 1992

Hometown: Aichi Prefecture

Height: 158cm (5’2″)

Blood type: A

Hobbies: Skin care, health care methods

Favorite chubby part of herself: Buttocks





才原 茉莉乃 Marino Saihara

Birthdate: 20 January 1992

Hometown: Hyogo Prefecture

Height: 155cm (5’1″)

Blood type: A

Hobbies: Cosplay, visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines

Favorite chubby part of herself: Thighs





浅川 美咲 Misaki Asakawa

Birthdate: 16 November 1995

Hometown: Saitama Prefecture

Height: 161cm (5’3″)

Blood type: O

Hobbies: Shopping, piano

Favorite chubby part of herself: Hands





森本 愛理 Eri Morimoto

Birthdate: 8 March 1994

Hometown: Osaka Prefecture

Height: 161cm (5’3″)

Blood type: A

Hobbies: Futsal, dance, karaoke, shopping

Favorite chubby part of herself: Cheeks





堀川 杏美 Ami Horikawa

Birthdate: 28 November 1994

Hometown: Saitama Prefecture

Height: 158cm (5’2″)

Blood type: B

Hobbies: Shopping, drawing, fashion, studying about makeup

Favorite chubby part of herself: Tummy





河合 秋奈 Akina Kawai

Birthdate: 5 November 1994

Hometown: Osaka Prefecture

Height: 161cm (5’3″)

Blood type: AB

Hobbies: Music appreciation, watching dance videos

Favorite chubby part of herself: Boobs





中崎 絵梨奈 Erina Nakazaki

Birthdate: 8 June 1993

Hometown: Fukuoka Prefecture

Height: 153cm (5′)

Blood type: O

Hobbies: Drawing, reading, anime, reading manga

Favorite chubby part of herself: Upper arms





嶋 梨夏 Rika Shima

Birthdate: 16 August 1989

Hometown: Hyogo Prefecture

Height: 150cm (4’11”)

Bloody type: A

Hobbies: Visiting power spots, cooking, movie appreciation

Favorite chubby part of herself: Legs

In an interview with Nikkan Spa, the reporter notes that all members of Chubbiness enjoy eating and when the conversation revolves around the topic of food, the girls become very lively and happy. Even though they don’t own svelte and slender figures like typical idols do, their friendliness and candid characters make them easy to talk to, and that is one of their charming points as an idol group. The members of Chubbiness also get along very well, and they share very close-knit ties even though the group has only been formed recently, which is a rare sight especially among large idol groups, whose members often end up in fierce competition or politics within the group.

▼ The girls pointing out each other’s best chubby parts.

Eri & Akina



▼ Ami & Chiaki



▼ Misaki & Rika



▼ Erina & Sonoko



▼ Marino & Kotomi



Will they be able to spark off a “marshmallow girl” revolution in Japan? This up and coming, one of a kind idol group is definitely something we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for!

For their latest activity updates and information, head over to Chubbiness’ official website, Facebook, Twitter and blog (all in Japanese)!

Source: Zhaizhai News

Reference: Chubbiness (Avex)

Images: Nikkan Spa, Chubbiness Official Blog