Ginger+Mint: H!P 101

Buono!

Formed: 2007

Buono! is Hello!Project's experiment, allowing a break from the typical yet varied idol songs and just lets the girls rock out. All three girls are great singers, with natural charisma. They even have a fun chemistry (sometimes they are like The Three Stooges, just less stupid.) I really think they are a great group for introducing new fans to idols.

They started out singing theme songs for the anime Shugo Chara in 2007. At first, they were still cutesy and idoly, just with a cooler and less sparkly fashion sense. But single after single, their discography filled more with pop-rock than any other genre. As the girls' voices matured as they reached their late teens and adulthood, their harmonies became more prominent, too. This idol group focuses as much on the quality of music as the charm of the girls (that can be said for H!P in general, but with Buono! this is even more apparent.)

And it's very cool when one can recognize references to other rock songs in their songs. They're just an epic group all around, and I'm glad they were still able to survive after Shugo Chara ended. Like a genie granted freedom.

The Members

* Though they don't play their own instruments (instead they perform with their backing band, Dolce), they do have "image instruments" they are sometimes identified with in photos. And they have even "played" those instruments a couple times!

Momoko Tsugunaga (Momo) / Leader / Berryz Koubou / 20 / Pink / Drums

Personality: Acts impossibly cute, to the point of annoying. Her character always seeks attention and pouts or glares when anyone tries to dent her overconfidence.
Talent: She's a high energy performer, and she's actually a powerful singer, when the song or particular performance calls for it. But she has her particular, consistent character, so her unique, nasally voice often sounds high and cutesy. She's like a voice actress playing a character rather than using her natural voice. She's a bit more natural in Buono!, though.
Quirk: She holds her pinky out all the time. She says it is an antenna to pick up the love from her fans. When she uses her pinky as a weapon, she calls it her "Pinky Drill".

Miyabi Natsuyaki (Miya) / Berryz Koubou / 19 / Red / Bass

Personality: Cool, chill, sometimes nicknamed the "ice queen". She can have fun and tease, but never hesitates to roll her eyes at Momo's antics. The most serious of the trio.
Talent: One of the most skilled singers in Hello!Project.
Quirk: Fashionable and constantly changes her hairstyle through cuts, extensions, and dyes. Has a long face.

Airi Suzuki (Airin) / C-ute / 17 / Green / Guitar

Personality: An easy-going, dorky genius. She's a very lovable person that makes hard work look simple.
Talent: One of the best singers in Hello!Project. But she's also a great dancer, actress, and artist. Signs point to her being a good student, too. Airi's the kind of person that if she sets out to do something, 9 times out of 10, she'll be a success.
Quirk: Her dad is a professional golfer. Her mom used to be one, too. Airi is actually not that great at golf. This may be the one thing she's not good at. Also, she created a type of being called Suu-san that she illustrates her autographs and messages with.

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