Who is she?
Niigaki Risa is a fifth generation member and the current leader of Morning Musume. She joined the group in August 2001 along with Takahashi Ai, Konno Asami, and Ogawa Makoto.
# Name: Niigaki Risa (新垣里沙)
# Nicknames: Gaki-san, Mame and Sacchun
# Birthdate: October 20, 1988 (23)
# Birthplace: Kagoshima, Japan (Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture)
# Blood type: B
# Height: 154.4 cm (5'0.8")
# Skills: Hangul, finishing a task,can text without looking at the keys,self-proclaimed Disney master.
# Hobbies: Going to Disneyland
# Motto: If you open it, close it! Where there's hills, there's valleys.
# Favorite food: Eihire (dried stingray fins), Mickey waffles, grilled eel and parfaits
# Favorite words: Do what you can to be considerate every day.
# Favorite colors: Pea-green, white
# Hello! Project groups:
* Morning Musume (2001–)
* Tanpopo (2002)
* Happy 7 (2002)
* Morning Musume Sakuragumi (2003–2004)
* 7AIR (2003)
* H.P. All Stars (2004)
* Hello! Project Akagumi (2005)
* Wonderful Hearts (2006–2009)
* Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai (2007)
* Athena & Robikerottsu (2007–2008)
* ZYX-α (2009–)
# Other:
* POCKY GIRLS (2002)
[Risa is a bit of a "Reaction Queen" ^o^...]
Niigaki Risa was selected from Love Audition 21 to join Morning Musume as a fifth generation member on August 26, 2001, along with Takahashi Ai, Konno Asami, and Ogawa Makoto. She made her debut appearance on the single "Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~," and first appeared on the fourth studio album, 4th Ikimasshoi!.
Prior to joining Morning Musume, Niigaki was a finalist out of 1,000 entrants in the "Kiss Girl Audition" to become the new Tomy image girl, held by TV Tokyo's "Oha Star" program. She appeared in a commercial with the other finalist, Hasegawa Ai, for Tomy Karaoke Machine Kiss-site, but ultimately lost out the Grand Prix prize to Hasegawa (ironically, Niigaki later starred in a commercial for the same company as a part of Morning Musume). Additionally, she did some work as a magazine model since spring 2000.
In September 2002, the fifth generation were placed into the Morning Musume subgroups, and Niigaki was added to the Tanpopo roster along with Konno Asami and participated in one single, "BE HAPPY Koi no Yajirobee."
Niigaki was placed in Morning Musume Sakura Gumi in January 2003 and released two singles as a part of the group before it went inactive.
In March 2006, she became a member of the kickball team Metro Rabbits H.P.
On June 1st, 2007, following the resignation of leader Fujimoto Miki, Niigaki became Morning Musume's new sub-leader, supporting Takahashi Ai as the new leader. To date, she is the youngest member to become sub-leader, being only 18 at the time.
Since Tsuji Nozomi went on maternity leave, Niigaki replaced her as the voice of Athena from the anime Robby & Kerobby.
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[2002] とっかえっ娘。 (Tokkaekko)
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[2003] 子犬ダンの物語 (Koinu Dan no Monogatari)
TV Dramas
* [
2002] おれがあいつであいつがおれで (Ore ga Aitsu de Aitsu ga Ore de)
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[2002] はいからさんが通る (Haikara-san ga Tooru)
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[2002] エンジェールハーツ (Angel Hearts)
Musicals
* [
2006] リッボンの騎士ザ・ミュージカル (Ribbon no Kishi: The Musical)
Radio Shows
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[2002-2003] タンポポ編集部 OH-SO-RO! (Tanpopo Henshubu OH-SO-RO!)
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[2007-date] GAKI*KAME
Anime
* [2007-date] ロビーとケロビー (Robby & Kerobby) (Voice) as Athena
DVDs
* * [2007.06.13] Alo Hello! Niigaki Risa DVD
* [2009.01.21] Alo Hello! 2 Niigaki Risa DVD
* [2010.07.14] Alo Hello! 3 Niigaki Risa DVD
Photobooks - しゃしんしゅ
# [2004.10.07] Niigaki Risa (新垣里沙) amazon.co.jp
# [2006.06.25] Amanatsu (あま夏) amazon.co.jp
# [2007.05.27] Isshun (一瞬) amazon.co.jp
# [2008.04.25] Happy girl amazon.co.jp
# [2010.07.14] Alo Hello! Niigaki Risa Photobook -MAHALO- (アロハロ！新垣里沙写真集-MAHALO-)
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TRIVIA:
*
Love Audition 21 audition songs:
o Round 1: "Otome Pasta ni Kandou" (Tanpopo)
o Round 2: "Chu! Natsu Party" (3nin Matsuri)
* Although born in Kagoshima, Niigaki moved at age 6 to Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture. Her grandparents are from Okinawa.
*
Niigaki's original nickname "Omame" was given to her by Yaguchi Mari, shortly after Niigaki joined Morning Musume; mame means "bean", and it supposedly referred to Niigaki's large, bean-shaped head. She was later given the nickname "Gaki-san" by Okamura-sensei during the Mechaike Bakajo Kimatsu Test; gaki means "kid" or "brat", making the nickname a pun on the fact that she was the youngest member of Morning Musume at the time. In the years since then, "Gaki-san" (usually pronounced "Gakksan") has become her most frequently used nickname among both the fans and the other the members of the group, although some graduated members still call her "Mame-chan".
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Only Goto Maki calls her "Nii Nii".
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Has stated that she has excellent vision and that she can clearly see the faces of the audience in the very back row of a performance hall, as well as on the second and third floors.
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Her trademark "Mayuge Beam" ("Eyebrow Beam") move is derived from the "Sexy Beam" move from "Koi no Dance Site." Niigaki has said that her favorite part of her face are her eyebrows.
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Calls her grandmother "Baba-chan."
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Was a big fan of Morning Musume before joining the group, and even collected bromides and telephone cards.
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Named Abe Natsumi as the member she admired the most.
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Is close friends with Takahashi Ai & Kamei Eri.
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She said in a 2004 interview that her rivals were her co-5th generation members Konno Asami, Ogawa Makoto and Takahashi Ai.
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She is allergic to pollen.
* The nickname, Gakinkomame was given by 6th generation member Fujimoto Miki.
-To date, she is the youngest member of Morning Musume to become sub-leader, at only 18.
- Her shoe size is 37.
-Has said that the song that gets her fired up at concerts is "HOW DO YOU LIKE JAPAN? ~Nihon wa Donna Kanji Dekka?~" and the song that fits her perfectly is "Shanimuni Paradise".
-These are her opinions of the characters of the other Morning Musume members:
* Takahashi Ai: Sabaa! (Refreshing!)
* Kamei Eri: PPP!! (Poke Poke Puu~)
* Michishige Sayumi: Surprisingly quick!!!
* Tanaka Reina: Hyper Hyper Girl
* Kusumi Koharu: Does things at her own pace.
* Mitsui Aika: Intelligent.
* Junjun: Crybaby
* Linlin: Interesting.
-These are the other members' opinions on Niigaki's character:
* Takahashi: Reliable person.
* Kamei: Sparkling.!!
* Michishige: Nice!!
* Tanaka: Reliable.
* Kusumi: Reliable.
* Mitsui: Reliable.
* Junjun: Hardworking.
* Linlin: Green princess.
Gaki-Love forever ~
<3
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