Momoiro Clover Z

An idol group with a hyperactive sound and a passion for breaking with convention, Momoiro Clover Z has become one of Japan’s most beloved pop outfits. ∙ Formed in 2008, Momoiro Clover—the Z wasn’t added until three years later—started out on the street, performing for passersby in Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park. ∙ Battle and Romance, the group’s 2011 debut LP, spent 124 weeks on the Japanese charts, peaking at No. 2. ∙ In 2013, they performed at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium (Japan’s largest at the time), and the following year they headlined Tokyo’s National Stadium—the first female group to do so. ∙ Fans of hard rock and heavy metal, Momoiro Clover Z have collaborated with Yngwie Malmsteen, former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman, and legendary rockers Kiss. ∙ Their color-coded costumes nod to Japanese anime and sci-fi, and they recorded theme music for such iconic franchises as Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z, and Sailor Moon. ∙ The group has appeared in several films, and after starring in 2015’s Maku ga Agaru, they were voted winners of the Japanese Film Academy Prize Popularity Award.