Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi

Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (うしろゆびさされ組) was a female Japanese pop music duo consisting of Yukiko Iwai and Mamiko Takai, formed in 1985. ^[1] In parallel to their membership in this duo, Iwai and Takai were at the same time members of Onyanko Club, a large pop group widely seen as a precursor to groups such as Morning Musume and AKB48. Onyanko Club sang back-up vocals on some of the songs released by Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi.^[1] They are most notable for singing several of the theme songs for the anime TV series High School! Kimengumi.^[2]

The group had a somewhat unusual appearance, due to the difference in height between Iwai and Takai.^[1][2] Takai was the taller one of the two, with a height of about 5' 4'' (about 162 cm), while Iwai barely reached 4' 11'' (about 150 cm), so the height difference was quite remarkable.^[1][2]

Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi debuted on television on 30 September 1985. Throughout their short-lived career, the group released six singles, three albums, a concert video, and two photo books (in addition to the Kimengumi soundtrack albums). The group disbanded after Takai's graduation from Onyanko Club on 5 April 1987.

Discography

Singles

All singles were released as EP singles.

• Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (うしろゆびさされ組) / A School Girl's Decision (女学生の決意, Jogakusei no Ketsui)
  (5 October 1985, 7A0525, Canyon)
• Banana Tears (バナナの涙, Banana no Namida) / Abunai Sa•Ka•Na (あぶないサ・カ・ナ)
  (21 January 1986, 7A0550, Canyon)
• Mr. Elephant's Scanty (象さんのすきゃんてぃ, Zō-san no Sukyanti) / Nekojita Kokoro mo Koi no Uchi (猫舌こころも恋のうち)
  (2 May 1986, 7A0577, Canyon)
• Nagisa no "......" (渚の『・・・・・』, Nagisa no Kagikakko) / Not Only ★ But Also (のっとおんりぃ★ばっとおるそう, Notto Onri Batto Orusō)
  (27 August 1986, 7A0628, Canyon)
• Waza Ari! (技ありっ!) / I'm Puzzling (わたしは知恵の輪, Watashi wa Pazuringu)
  (23 November 1986, 7A0666, Canyon)
• Kashiko (かしこ) / Beating Pythagoras (ピタゴラスをぶっとばせ, Pitagorasu o Buttobase)
  (21 February 1987, 7A0686, Canyon)

Sources:^[3][4][5][6]

Albums

• Fuwafura (ふ・わ・ふ・ら)
  (5 June 1986, C28A0495 (LP), 28P6545 (cassette), D32A0189 (CD), Canyon)
• An Balancing Toy (ＡＮ　ｂＡＬＡＮＣＩＮＧ　ＴＯＹ, An Baranshingu Toi)
  (15 December 1986, C28A0536 (LP), 28P6612 (cassette), D32A0248 (CD), Canyon)
• Unlimited (∞, Anrimiteddo)
  (5 June 1986, C28A0555 (LP), ? (cassette), D32A0276 (CD), Canyon)

Sources:^[4][5][7]

Collection albums

• My Collection: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Best (MY これ！クション　うしろゆびさされ組BEST, Mai Kore!kushon: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi Besuto)
  (5 December 2001, Pony Canyon)
• Our Best: Ushiroyubi Encyclopedia Package 1: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi (ぼくらのベスト うしろゆび大百科 package1 うしろゆびさされ組, Bokura no Besuto: Ushiroyubi Daihyakka Pakeiji Wan: Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi)
  (19 May 2004, PCCA-02036 (CD + DVD of Magical Ushiroyubi Tour), Pony Canyon)

Sources:^[8][9]

Kimengumi albums

The High School! Kimengumi soundtrack albums were produced jointly for the anime with Onyanko Club, Musukko Club, and Ushirogami Hikaretai

• High School! Kimengumi Music Collection (ハイスクール！奇面組　音楽組, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Ongakugumi)
  (21 February 1986, C25G0411 (LP), Canyon)
• High School! Kimengumi Music Collection 2 (ハイスクール！奇面組　音楽組2, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Ongakugumi Tsū)
  (21 July 1986, D30G-0034 (CD), Canyon)
• High School! Kimengumi Original Theme Song Collection (ハイスクール！奇面組　オリジナルテーマ・ソング組, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Orijinaru Tēma Songu Gumi)
  (21 October 1987, D32G0067 (CD), Pony Canyon)
• High School! Kimengumi Theme Song Collection Plus (ハイスクール！奇面組　テーマ・ソング組＋, Haisukūru! Kimengumi Tēma Songu Gumi Purasu)
  (17 March 1999, PCCG-00489 (CD), Pony Canyon)

Videography

• Magical Ushiroyubi Tour (マジカルうしろゆびツアー, Majikaru Ushiroyubi Tsuā) (29 March 1987)

Sources:^[8][10]

Voice acting

• High School! Kimengumi (ep.63, as themselves)

References