ZYX: What could have been for H!P

ZYX and “Fly High,” 2003. Veteran leader Yaguchi is seated, surrounded by youngsters, from left, Umeda, Saki, Maimi, Megumi (or is it Risako?) and Momoko.

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As great as C-ute and Berryz Kobo have turned out for Hello Project, it all might have been even greater had ZYX stayed around for awhile. In 2003, before Berryz and C-ute were even formed, elements of those ensembles were already in high gear, with Morning Musume star Mari Yaguchi leading them to some extraordinary, if only brief, heights.

ZYX and “White Tokyo,” 2004. The snowflakes included, from left, (front) Saki, Megumi , Momoko, (back) Umeda, Yaguchi and Maimi. Megumi performed in place of Risako in the classic winter 2004 Hello Project concert.

Who could ever forget the six snowflakes of ZYX and how they exploded in the winter 2004 Hello Project concert in Yokohama Arena? Abe’s graduation concert was amazing enough with perhaps the greatest ending sequence of any performance in music history, but the ZYX snowflakes made the most of their chance and really blew the doors off that place on that fateful, chilly January evening.

The number was called “White Tokyo,” a sweet cold-weather, snow-filled song of holiday-fueled infatuation.

But those two great songs pretty much ended ZYX. Tsunku had such explosive singing and dancing talent there, he just had to break it up into two groups. Of course, Mari was able to quietly retreat back to Morning Musume.

The dancing combo of Saki and Maimi split ways – Saki being named captain of Berryz Kobo later in 2004, and pulling Momoko along with her. Maimi became C-ute’s leader the following year, with Umeda and Megumi joining her in that lineup.

ZYX, with Risako -- er, I mean Megumi -- front and center, on the cover of the 2003 single “Fly High." Though Risako sang with ZYX in the H!P 2003 concert, it was Megumi who sang in the PV (confusing, isn't it?).

Note that Megumi’s exit later in 2006 from C-ute under a cloud of controversy might have been portended by her mysterious absence in the 2003 summer Hello Project concert when ZYX unleashed the spectacular single, “Fly High,” while decked out in sensational and courageously flamboyant hip-hop attire. Instead of Megumi, it was Risako – later to join up with Momoko and Saki in Berryz – who danced in the concert’s ZYX number, but Megumi appeared on the cover (or is that Risako?) along with appearing in the PV. Then, for reasons unknown, Tsunku finally stayed with Megumi and Risako was out for “White Tokyo.”

What would have happened had ZYX continued to exist? It could have well developed into a supergroup in and of itself. But because Yaguchi was already in her 20s and the rest of the girls only averaged around 11 or 12, the delicate chemistry would never have held together very long. Perhaps, in the end, it might have all been for the best.

But whenever you get bored, just pop in “White Tokyo” (2004) and “Fly High” (2003) and recapture a couple of Hello Project moments worth keeping alive forever.