CD Shop Awards
Momoiro Clover Z's first single after Hayami's departure was "", accompanied by a new group image and stage performance. The girls wore outfits with helmets and so-called "transformation belts" reminiscent of Japanese superhero movies, and the music video also borrowed from such "Super Sentai" imagery. In July, Momoiro Clover Z released their first album, "Battle and Romance". Later in December, "Hotexpress" described the band as the number-one breakthrough idol artist of 2011 and stated that the album became a big turning point for them. Next February, "Battle and Romance" won the Grand Prix at the CD Shop Awards as the best CD of the year selected by music shop employees from all over the country. Momoiro Clover Z was the first idol group to win the award. On Christmas Day, 2011, Momoiro Clover Z gave a concert at Saitama Super Arena to their biggest audience to date: all 10,000 tickets were sold out.