Checkicco

Checkicco (チェキッ娘, CXCO) was an idol group from 1998 to 1999 that was under the production of Onyanko Club and AKB48 producer Akimoto Yasushi. The group's concept was easy, to become the Onyanko Club of the Heisei Era according to Fuji TV producer Mizuguchi Masahiko. However, there was a little problem with the budget and concept for a little while until Akimoto Yasushi stepped up to help. He helped from Dreamcast with the budget by providing advertising of the new group and providing them with a budget. They announced and held their first audition on the television DAIBA tteki!! with six girls becoming the first generation of the group. The group was named Checkicco, meaning Check It Girls, would be adding members throughout their short career to reach a grand total of 21 members. The group appeared on various televisions and then started their own Cheki TV. They debuted at the end of 1998 with the single Dakishimete. Months later, in March 1999, Shimokawa Mikuni decided to graduate from the group to pursue a solo career. Even though they appeared on many television programs, including various spinoffs of the DAIBA television shows, the viewership of the DAIBA television shows and the sales of Dreamcast items that featured the group declined, causing the group the breakup. Among many at the time, the rumor was they were doing so poorly due to Morning Musume being the top idol group at the time and be the true Onyanko Club of the Heisei Era. There was a brief reunion on the special GIRL POP FACTORY in 2004 with the members Tanaka Rina, Igarashi Megumi, Kaida Satomi, and Oota Yuka.