Otsuka Aina

Otsuka Aina (大塚愛菜) is a former Japanese pop singer once under Hello! Project. She is a former member of Juice=Juice and Hello Pro Kenshuusei. She was first introduced as a trainee at a fanclub event in June 2011.
It was announced on July 5, 2013 that she had withdrawn from both Hello Pro Kenshuusei and Juice=Juice, subsequently leaving Hello! Project. From April 2014 to April 2018, she was active as an independent solo idol and actress.
==Biography==
===Early Life===
Otsuka Aina was born on April 3, 1998 in Tokyo, Japan to a couple whose names are undisclosed.
===2010===
In 2010, Otsuka participated in the Morning Musume 9ki Audition. She sang "EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!" by ℃-ute, and managed to become a finalist, but was not chosen to enter Morning Musume.
===2011===
On June 20, as the Morning Musume 10ki Member "Genki Jirushi" Audition was occurring, it was revealed that Otsuka would be joining Hello Pro Egg alongside Ogawa Rena and Mogi Minami."ハロプロ エッグ 2011 発表会～9月の生タマゴShow！～" (in Japanese). UP-FC. 2011-06-20. Later that year, she participated in the S/mileage Shin Member Boshuu! auditions, but failed to pass.
On September 11, she made her debut as a Hello Pro Egg member at the Hello Pro Egg 2011 Happyoukai ~9gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~ concert.
===2012===
In summer 2012, while practicing for a S/mileage concert, Otsuka injured her ankle and was unable to participate as a back dancer.
In September 2012, Hello Pro Kenshuusei announced their first single, Kanojo ni Naritai!!!, and Otsuka was one of the chosen Kenshuusei to sing in the song alongside Miyamoto Karin, Tanabe Nanami, Taguchi Natsumi and Hamaura Ayano.
===2013===
On February 3, during the Bravo! concert in Fukuoka, it was announced that Otsuka would be debuting in a new unit called Juice=Juice, alongside Miyamoto Karin, Kanazawa Tomoko, Miyazaki Yuka, Takagi Sayuki and Uemura Akari."ハロプロ研修生内、新ユニット結成のお知らせ。" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2013.02.03.
On June 8, it was announced that Otsuka had suffered a hip/lower back injury before the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2013 ~6gatsu no Nama Tamago Show!~, afterwards she went to the doctors and was diagnosed with muscle strain/contusion on her left hip, because of this injury she was unable to sing and dance in an event on June 9. 
On June 13, Otsuka participated in an Ikebukuro Sunshine city event, due to her hip injury she remained off stage for most of the event. Towards the end of the event, Otsuka appeared on stage and Tsunku announced Juice=Juice's major debut, while the other Juice=Juice members cheered and cried, Otsuka stood still with no reaction to the news. This was her last event as a member of Juice=Juice.
On July 5, it was announced that Otsuka withdrew from both Hello Pro Kenshuusei and Juice=Juice due to issues with her contract and family.UP-FRONT PROMOTION. "Juice=Juice 大塚愛菜に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project Fanclub. 2013-07-05.
Because of the withdrawal, Otsuka didn't receive a graduation ceremony. 
Following her departure, the Hello! Project Store was forced to stop selling items with images of Otsuka, including Juice=Juice group items. Her profile was eventually removed a few days later.
===2014===
On April 24, Otsuka Aina wrote on her blog the reality of why she left Juice=Juice suddenly.伝えたいこと。 (in Japanese) Otsuka Aina Second Step. 2014-02-24 (archived)
On April 20, Otsuka performed at the Shisui Deux cafe.
On April 22, Otsuka started her official Ameba blog, she mentioned in her first post that she wants to sing again, and would do her best from this point on, proceeding step-by-step. Girls News posted an article saying that Otsuka would be resuming public life.
On July 5, Otsuka held her first solo event, titled "Otsuka Aina, Otsuka de Utau ♪", at the Shisui Deux café.
===2015===
On April 3, she held a birthday event at Shibuya Star Lounge.
On November 15, Otsuka announced she would be releasing her first indie singles called "Dreamer", which is an original song she first performed on March 15.https://twitter.com/aina_otsuka43/status/577097140092039168 The single will be released on November 29.https://twitter.com/aina_otsuka43/status/665846921487978496
===2016===
On November 6, Otsuka blogged that she was still supporting Juice=Juice from the shadows and wishes she could attend their Budokan concert. She, however, had her own event that evening. http://ameblo.jp/ainaotsuka/entry-12217063614.html
On November 8, Otsuka visited Budokan for Up Up Girls (Kakko Kari)'s concert. https://twitter.com/aina_otsuka43/status/795968020824735745
===2018===
On April 3, Otsuka held a birthday live event, where she announced her sudden retirement from show business.https://twitter.com/aina_otsuka43/status/981177188794826753
==Personal Life==
==Profile==
==Discography==
===Singles===
*[2015.11.29] Dreamer (indies single)
==Publications==
===Other Books===
*[2017.05.18] Hello Pro Specia~l
===Magazines===
*[2013.04.03] UTB Vol. 214 (with Miyamoto Karin & Uemura Akari)
*[2013.07.22] Girls! (with Juice=Juice, released after departure)
==Works==
===Internet===
*[2013.04.16] Hello Pro Kenshuusei no Tadaima Kenshuuchuu!
===Music Videos===
*[2014] Ichijiku (イチヂク) - Jitsumami Shojo (自撮少女)
===Theater===
*[2014.12.17~21] Seven Friends Seven Minutes
==Trivia==
*She auditioned because she wanted to meet Okai Chisato.
*She became a Hello! Project fan after she saw the music video to ℃-ute's "Tokaikko Junjou".
*When asked what group she'd like to debut in, she answered ℃-ute.
*Her closest friend within Hello Pro Kenshuusei was Mogi Minami.
*Her best sports are golf and soccer, the former of which she had played since first grade.
*Wants to try bungee jumping at an amusement park.
*She participated in the 9th, 10th and 11th generation Morning Musume auditions, and S/mileage's 2nd generation auditions, but failed.
*She has been a back dancer in various concerts for Mano Erina.
*Tsunku's comment on her: "An exceptional person left from the final round of the 9th generation Morning Musume Audition, Her voice quality through the mic is something that draws you in".
*She said her favorite member in Morning Musume is Ikuta Erina.
*She gave Kanazawa Tomoko a present for her 18th birthday, just three days before she left .
*She says her source of energy is looking at Okai Chisato and Natsuyaki Miyabi photos.
*Brief glimpses of her can be spotted in the MVs for Romance no Tochuu (featured on Hello! Station), and Watashi ga Iu Mae ni Dakishimenakya ne (MEMORIAL EDIT).
*A photo of Otsuka and members promoting Romance no Tochuu was leaked.
*Anican R YanYan made a mistake on their Vol. 11 (November 11, 2013) information, they claimed that Otsuka would be featured, instead of Kanazawa, promoting Ijiwaru Shinai de Dakishimete yo / Hajimete wo Keiken-chuu.
==References==
==External Links==
*Twitter
*Instagram
*Youtube
*Official Blog "HAPPY DIARY" (inactive)
*Hello Pro Kenshuusei Blogs: March 2013, December 2012, September 2012, June 2012, March 2012
*Hello! Project departure announcement
de:Otsuka Aina
es:Otsuka Aina
it:Otsuka Aina
Category:Soloists
Category:2011 Additions
Category:Members from Tokyo
Category:April Births
Category:1998 Births
Category:Members who failed a Morning Musume audition
Category:Members born in Heisei Period
Category:Members born after Hello! Project's formation
Category:Members who failed a S/mileage audition
Category:Orange Member Color
Category:Juice=Juice
Category:Aries
Category:Blood Type O
Category:2013 Departures
Category:Members featured in Hello! Project Station
Category:Otsuka Aina
Category:Hello Pro Kenshuusei
Category:Hello Pro Kenshuusei Formers
Category:12th Generation Hello Pro Egg
Category:Retired
Category:Tiger