10 Favorite Berryz Kobo Songs
With all Hello! Project songs now available on streaming services and the excitement surrounding it, I have to say that Berryz Kobo is still my absolute favorite. I don't think another idol group will ever come along that captivates me quite like they did. I only became a fan in the last two years before their hiatus, so if I could have one wish, it would be to have followed their journey from the very beginning as they grew from little girls into young women.
I don't have the confidence to fully articulate the charm of Berryz, so for now, I'd like you to listen to these 10 masterpieces that I'm recommending based on my current mood. Please note that this list is based entirely on my own personal bias, ranging from their representative hits to more niche tracks.
1. Anata Nashi de wa Ikite Yukenai
The well-known debut single of Berryz. It showcases Tsunku's signature eccentricity in having young girls sing songs that are far too mature for them, but the song itself is truly incredibly cool. The genre is apparently called neo-soul. While Tsunku♂ is the main vocalist for the most part, the re-recorded version included on their 9th album features vocals that have evolved into something truly powerful, so I highly recommend comparing the two.
2. Nanchuu Koi wo Yatteru YOU KNOW?
Their 7th single. It's read as "Yatteru chuu no?". I love the Para Para-esque style of this song, and the lyrics, which feel like a true-to-life depiction of middle schoolers who have just started dating. I first learned about this song because Iwao from Football Hour, a huge Berryz fan, introduced it on TV. Risako's "ka-na-ta" really resonates into the distance in the later years.
3. Sabori
A great masterpiece included on their 2nd album, "Dai 2 Seichouki". There are no misses among the true-to-life songs for elementary and middle schoolers included on their early albums, but this song makes me cry just listening to it. Songs that start with the "Tokkuma" (Chinami Tokunaga and Yurina Kumai) duo—whom I personally call the Berryz innocence combo—are truly never misses.
4. VERY BEAUTY
Their 13th single. It's a recurring thought that if I woke up in the morning and looked like Risako, I wouldn't have a single complaint. Because it's sung by the slightly older, adolescent Berryz, it hits the tear ducts again. It reminds me of that feeling from my student days when my heart would race as spring arrived. The fact that the song title, which doesn't appear in the lyrics, refers not to physical beauty but to the state of one's heart is just so Tsunku♂ and so Hello! Project.
5. Ai no Sukisuki Shisuu Jousouchuu
The first track on their 4th album, "4th Ai no Nanchara Shisuu". What a song title and album title, but it's a quintessential idol song that makes your heart flutter. It's also exciting for fans to call out the names of the members during their solo parts at the end of the chorus.
6. Ground demo Rouka demo Medatsu Kimi
A unit song included on their 6th album, "6th Otakebi Album". The maiden hearts sung by the "Kumaazu" (Maasa Sudo & Yurina Kumai) duo—two members who are undeniably conspicuous due to their height and low-pitched voices—are the best. The line "felt the muscles" in the second verse is peak Tsunku♂.
7. Mou Kodomo ja nai Watashi na no ni...
A B-side track from their 28th single. A Chinami-focused song. It's packed with the charm of Chinami, which I've grown to love more and more as time goes by. Chinami's smile, innocence, and purity—all these elements make this song shine. This is less of a song review and more of my thoughts on Chinami.
8. WANT!
They look like executives of an evil organization, but the gap between that tough appearance and the lyrics, which sing about a very naive maiden's heart, is amazing. As the title suggests, the chorus lists things they want to do. The "kyawaii" in the first verse is a textbook example of Tsunku-style singing.
9. Asian Celebration
If you can think this song is great on the first listen, I think you have the makings of a true Hello! Project fan. It's a song that embodies the Berryz concept of being serious about messing around. I love the song structure where the two of them trade lines. Miyabi-chan, who is in charge of the DJ part, is just so Miyabi Natsuyaki.
10. Otona na no yo!
This is one of my top-tier favorite songs. The lyrics, the melody, and the choreography are all at the highest level. It is supreme how the lyrics depict them acting like adults, even though they had all reached adulthood, with a slight sense of trying to appear more mature. I feel that Risako, who for some reason tended to be talked about by those around her, is undeniably the protagonist of this song. I want to make this my life's theme song.
So, while I don't think these are necessarily 10 songs I would recommend to someone who knows nothing about them, I do think they are 10 songs that convey which parts of Berryz I love. Even 11 years after their hiatus, I intend to continue sharing the charm of Berryz and spreading the word whenever I get the chance.