Onyanko Club

Onyanko Club is a multi member female Japanese Idol group that originated from the evening variety Fuji TV series "夕やけニャンニャン" [Yuyake Nyan Nyan].

Onyanko Club are known for popularizing the multi-member idol group in which club members were assigned membership numbers and in which older members would graduate and new members voted in, a model which AKB48 amongst others would later follow.

During their existence between 1985-1987, Onyanko Club, sub-groups and member solo releases numbered over sixty albums and over 130 singles.

Onyanko Club includes 52 total members during their existence, with sixteen members having their own solo releases. Some of these well known solo members include Sonoko Kawai, Marina Watanabe, Shizuka Kudo, Sanae Johnouchi and Eri Nitta. Three Onyanko Club sub groups were also formed consisting of Onyanko Club members and who also had their own releases. These three sub groups are Nyangilas, Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi and Ushirogami Hikaretai.

Production was handled by prolific lyricist and AKB48 founder Yasushi Akimoto, former Sadistic Mika Band bass guitarist, producer, arranger and songwriter Tsugutoshi Goto, composers Etsuko Yamakawa and Ken Takahashi, and arranger/ composer Jun Sato. One time guest composers include Yumi Matsutoya, Mariya Takeuchi and Taku.

After the disestablishment of Onyanko Club, some members went on to continue their singing careers, became actors, gravure models or worked behind the scenes in the Japanese entertainment industry, while others retired from the entertainment industry altogether.

Currently, only two members regularly release new music, singer Shizuka Kudo and Enka singer Sanae Johnouchi.