College Cosmos

College Cosmos (カレッジ・コスモス) was an idol group made up of female university students which was formed in October 2018 as a joint project between Space Craft Group and .
The group was formed in search of a new type of idol to replace the present image of "idol (アイドル) = guuzou (偶像)"—guuzou being the Japanese word for "idol" which has the connotation of religious or cult-like worship. Therefore College Cosmos did not have the unspoken "love ban" rule."現役女子大生２５人「カレッジ・コスモス」　アイドルには珍しい「恋愛ＯＫ」で発進" (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 2018-10-03. The members balanced work and their studies with the aim of becoming known as an intellectual group of idols.
On May 31, 2020, the group suspended activities, and all current members graduated from the group.
==Members==
==History==
===2018===
On October 3, it was announced that Space Craft Group and had decided to start a joint idol group named College Cosmos that consists of 25 girls attending university."​カントリー・ガールズ山木梨沙の活動に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-10-03."現役女子大生25名で結成された“College Cosmos”(カレッジ・コスモス)誕生！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2018-10-03. Among the founding members was Country Girls' Yamaki Risa, who was a third year student in Keio University's Faculty of Business and Commerce and would participate alongside her Hello! Project activities.Yamaki Risa. "カレッジコスモス/山木梨沙" (in Japanese). Country Girls Official Blog. 2018-10-03. It was also decided that the group would make their CD debut in spring 2019, and on the same day of the announcement, the track "Kotoba no Mizu wo Roka Shitai" was pre-released for digital download."“College Cosmos”(カレッジ・コスモス) 楽曲「言葉の水を濾過したい」先行配信スタート！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2018-10-03.
At the press conference held for the formation of the group, it was announced that Yamaki would be double centers with Matsui Mari who is a fourth year student in Chuo University's Faculty of Law."「アップフロント×スペースクラフト」アイドル・カレッジコスモス始動 カントリー・ガールズ山木梨沙も所属" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2018-10-03.
On October 20 and 21, College Cosmos performed as the opening act for Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hallo! Fes 2018 and also participated in the SATOYAMA & SATOUMI with Nyaozane Matsuri in Kumagaya."“College Cosmos”出演情報！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2018-10-03.
===2019===
From January 2 to January 13, the group performed as the opening act for the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2019 WINTER concert tour."カレッジ・コスモス3/6にCDデビューが決定！発売記念イベント＆Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2019 WINTER中野公演 オープニングアクトのお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2018-12-18. Nitadori Megumi was unable to participate in the concerts due to "poor health","1/2 発売記念イベント出演者変更のご案内" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2018-12-31. and it was later announced on January 21 that she decided to withdraw from College Cosmos to treat an illness."似鳥めぐみ脱退のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-01-21.
On March 6, College Cosmos released their debut single "Yume wa Ijiwaru / Kotoba no Mizu wo Roka Shitai / Kigou Nanka ja nai Watashitachi wa"."カントリー・ガールズ山木梨沙 カレッジ・コスモスとして3月6日CDデビュー決定！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-12-18.
On March 28, it was announced that Funada Miko and Wakita Mana would be graduating from College Cosmos, in accordance with their graduations from university, on March 31 after Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hina Fes 2019, where the group performed as the opening act for all four shows.https://twitter.com/collegecosmos/status/1112261130481623040 Their individual College Cosmos Twitter and Instagram accounts would close on the same day."舩田美子・脇田茉奈 卒業のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-03-28. Both Funada and Wakita released their final messages through the College Cosmos website on their graduation day."舩田美子より皆さまへ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-03-31."脇田茉奈より皆さまへ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-03-31.
On April 5, College Cosmos started a new YouTube show, titled "College Cosmos Semi", which would be uploaded every Friday."「カレッジ・コスモス YouTube番組」初回配信日決定！！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-04-03."【カレッジ・コスモス ゼミ】「# 1 番組企画会議！」配信開始！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-04-12.
On May 15, the official fanclub opened."「カレッジ・コスモス」オフィシャルファンクラブ 5月15日(水)オープン！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-05-15. Fanclub members could submit names for the fanclub from May 18 to May 25."有料会員対象　「カレッジ・コスモス」オフィシャルファンクラブ ネーミング投票企画！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-05-18. The winning name "College Cosmos Circle" was publicly announced at the College Cosmos Open Campus vol.1 event on May 26, and "Cosmos Mate" was also decided as the nickname for fans."イベント「カレッジ・コスモス オープンキャンパス vol.1」開催決定！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-04-26."「カレッジ・コスモス」オフィシャルファンクラブ名決定！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-05-26.
On June 30, Hashimoto Sana suddenly graduated from the group as she had decided to challenge more things in her university life."橋本紗奈 卒業のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-07-01.
On August 4, College Cosmos performed at TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2019 on the SMILE GARDEN stage and the FESTIVAL STAGE."【出演情報】『TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2019』出演決定！！" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-05-23.
On September 1, it was announced that the nine members who graduated from university back in March would also graduate from College Cosmos at the end of October, and new active university students would join the group to replace them. As a result, the second single would be the last for Ito Mai, Aya, Hiraga Sakino, Sakamoto Misaki, Watanabe Marin, Fukusawa Kyoka, Niinomi Rina, Okamoto Mayuko, and Aono Natsuki."カレッジ・コスモスに関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-09-01.
On October 9, College Cosmos released their second single "Shiawase no Arika wa Dochira Desu ka / Watashi Kakumei".https://collegecosmos.jp/contents/255351
On October 18, it was announced that Yamaki Risa would graduate from College Cosmos, and later on retire from the entertainment industry in accordance with Country Girls' suspension of activities on December 26."カントリー・ガールズ 活動休止のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-10-18.
On October 24, it was announced that Wakita Rina had decided to also graduate from the group on October 31 in order to focus on her studies."脇田璃奈 卒業のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-10-24.
On October 31, College Cosmos held a mini live and handshake event at LaQua Garden Stage to commemorate the release of "Shiawase no Arika wa Dochira Desu ka / Watashi Kakumei". Entry into the handshake event required a ticket found in the limited editions of the single, but entry into the mini live was free. This mini live also served as the graduation concert for Yamaki Risa, Wakita Rina, and the nine members who graduated from university back in March."せせりうま/山木梨沙" (in Japanese). Country Girls Official Blog. 2019-10-23."カレッジ・コスモス10/9発売2ndシングル発売記念＆卒業記念ミニライブ＆握手会(10/31 東京：ラクーアガーデンステージ）のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-10-23.
On December 16, it was announced that Nakajima Nana was employed and graduated from College Cosmos on December 13 as a result."中島菜々 卒業のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2019-12-16.
===2020===
On February 10, it was announced that Matsuoka Motoka, who found employment, and Tsushima Haruka, who decided to dedicate her time to studying, would both be graduating from the group on March 31."松岡資佳・對馬桜花 卒業のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2020-02-10.
On March 13, it was announced that Matsui Mari would graduate from College Cosmos on March 31."松井まり 卒業のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2020-03-13.
On May 15, it was announced that College Cosmos would be ending activities at the end of the month and all of the current members would graduate. This was decided as a result of discussions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic,カレッジ・コスモス活動休止のお知らせ" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2020-05-15. and it will be announced in the future when the group will reboot with new members.
On May 30 and 31, the remaining six members of College Cosmos held a remote talk in commemoration of their collective graduation from the group.https://youtu.be/i_sE-_h5MEMhttps://youtu.be/arRMBIEbaJA In accordance with stay at home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each of the members attended the talk remotely from the safety of their individual homes.
==Group Name Origin==
The second part of the group's name, "Cosmos", was chosen for two different meanings:"CollegeCosmosとは？" (in Japanese). College Cosmos. 2018-10-03.
#An ordered and harmonious universe.
#The cosmos flower, called akizakura (秋桜) in Japanese, which in hanakotoba (flower language) means "the true heart of a maiden".
==Discography==
===Singles===
#[2019.03.06] Yume wa Ijiwaru / Kotoba no Mizu wo Roka Shitai / Kigou Nanka ja nai Watashitachi wa
#[2019.10.09] Shiawase no Arika wa Dochira Desu ka / Watashi Kakumei
===Songs===
;Digital Songs
*[2018.10.03] Kotoba no Mizu wo Roka Shitai
==Concerts & Events==
===Concerts Participated In===
*[2018.10.20~10.21] Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hallo! Fes 2018 (opening act)
*[2018.01.02~01.13] Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2019 WINTER (opening act)
*[2019.03.30~03.31] Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hina Fes 2019 (opening act)
*[2019.08.24~09.01] Hello! Project 2019 SUMMER (opening act)
===Events Participated In===
*[2018.10.20~10.21] SATOYAMA & SATOUMI with Nyaozane Matsuri in Kumagaya
==Works==
===Internet===
*[2019-2020] College Cosmos Semi (カレッジ・コスモス ゼミ; College Cosmos Seminar)
==Trivia==
*Aside from Country Girls member Yamaki Risa, the other 24 members of College Cosmos were models under Space Craft Group as part of the female college student section , which was a group of Miss Contest beauty pageant contestants from various universities. 
*Aside from Country Girls member Yamaki Risa, two other College Cosmos members also have had brief experience as idols. Suga Marin had been a local idol as a member of PEACEFUL from 2011 to 2012, while Funada Miko had been a part of the idol trainee unit seeDream briefly in 2016 going by the name Kawase Miko (川瀬美子).
*Post-suspension, Natsuki was one of the few members of College Cosmos to remain active in the entertainment industry. She was an idol with Space Craft Group's idol unit Merci Merci, which also consisted of CampusQueen models.Saira Natsuki's TwitterSaira Natsuki's Instagram She graduated from the group on February 4, 2023.
==References==
==External Links==
*Official Site
*Official Twitter
*Official YouTube Channel
Category:College Cosmos
Category:2018 Units
Category:Country Girls
Category:20th Generation Hello Pro Kenshuusei
Category:Members currently attending university
Category:2020 Disbanded