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[[caption-width-right:350:[[BigWordShout Waccchaaaaaaaaaaaa!!]]]]

Momoiro Clover Z is an [[IdolSinger idol]] [[GirlGroup group]] [[FiveManBand consisting of five members]] formed in 2008 under the agency Stardust Promotion, originally named Momoiro Clover and started with various member formations until they finally came up with 6 girls in their major debut. The group noted for their [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience colour assigned]] system for each member and their attempt to break the cute image of idols. Basically this idol group concept is an entire {{Take That}} to the idol culture in Japan; they dance like crazy and have some unusual choreography, such as doing handsprings, cartwheels and [[InASingleBound awesome jumps]] instead of lighthearted cute dances, wear strange costumes ranging from [[Franchise/SuperSentai Sentai]] outfits to [[MaskedLuchador wrestling masks]], shamelessly do some strange routines on TV (the ''komanechi dance'' and weird faces among others), and continually do homages to other forms of subculture such as {{Professional Wrestling}}, 80's {{Sketch Comedy}}, and {{Toku}}. As a result, they've gained attention and gradual popularity because of their uniqueness. Beginning as [[StreetPerformer Street Performers]] in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUbSWT3Thw4 Yoyogi Park]], they finally got a major debut in 2010 after releasing two indie singles. After their sub-leader's departure in April 2011, the group changed its name to Momoiro Clover Z. Now, their singles have topped the Japanese music charts, and they have performed in various prestigious music venues in Japan such as Nippon Budokan, Yokohama Arena, Saitama Super Arena, and have also done overseas performances in Germany, France and Malaysia.

The members can be easily distinguished by their Power Ranger-like colours (Red, Yellow, Pink, Green and ... [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers Purple?]]) and their unique 3 minutes introduction lines, are:
* '''Kanako Momota''', ''The Cinderella from Tea Plantation'', the Red, and, [[RedIsHeroic you guessed it]], {{The Leader}}. Nicknamed for her hailing from Shizuoka, famous for its tea products, and noted for her excessive dimples (her ''pitfall of love'') and wide forehead. One of the original members.
* '''Shiori Tamai''', a.k.a '''Shiorin''', ''[[LittleSisterHeroine Everyone's Little Sister]]'', the Yellow. She is known for being easily driven to tears anywhere, and as such, gained the nickname Spoiled Crybaby. One of the original members.
* '''Ayaka Sasaki''', a.k.a '''Ahrin''', ''The Momoclo's Idol'', the Pink, [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment She is an idol between the idols themselves]], nicknamed such for having [[PinkMeansFeminine the most idol-like personality]], trying to be cute, sexy and modest all the time. The youngest member.
* '''Momoka Ariyasu''', ''The [[GentleGiant Little Giant]]'', the Green, noted for her high voice and being the shortest member. The last member to join the group, coming from a top class dance school.
* '''Reni Takagi''', ''the Electric Girl'', the Purple, known for her [[PurpleIsPowerful intense dances]], as if she was being electrocuted, one of the original members and [[ADayInTheLimelight initially the leader]].

Their ex-member is '''Akari Hayami''' the Blue, originally the sub-leader nicknamed ''Momoclo's Cool Beauty'', left in April 2011. their ex-member at the time during pre-debut formation including Miyu Wagawa, Manami Ikura, Tsukina Takai (of [=SKE48=]), Sumire Fujishiro, Yumikawa Runa and Kashiwa Yukina (of Nogizaka46)

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!!Momoiro Clover Z contains examples of:
* AlterEgoActing: The group has ''three'': UFI ([[FunWithAcronyms Unfinished Fantastic Idol]]) with a slightly altered personality and name for each member, Momokuro-Tei Ichimon, introduced as mysterious singer for Joshiraku ending and Morifu!.
* AngelFaceDemonFace: The concept of the ''Saraba'' singles.
* AnimeThemeSong: Naturally as a part of Star Child record label specializing in anime music, and once participating in Anime Music Festival, Animelo Summer Live.
** ''{{Yosuga No Sora}}'': "''Pinky Jones''"
** ''LightNovel/DragonCrisis'': "''Mirai Bowl''"
** ''{{Double J}}'': "''Wani to Shampoo''"
** ''{{Bodacious Space Pirates}}'': "''Mouretsu Uchuu Koukyouku Dai Nana Gakushou: Mugen no Ai''" and "''LOST CHILD''"
** ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' Best Wishes Season 2: "''Mitte Mitte Kochichi''"
** ''Manga/{{Joshiraku}}'' "''Nippon Egao Hyakkei''"
** And future project for {{Sailor Moon}} theme song
** They also [[CoverVersion covered]] {{Gundam SEED}}'s ''Believe'', {{Haruhi Suzumiya}}'s ''Saikyou Pare Parade'', and Anime/{{Glass Fleet}}'s ''Tsuyoku Tsuyoku''.
* BareYourMidriff: Averted and subverted, Momoiro Clover Z is one of the idol groups that hardly shows any sexiness in their costumes. The most revealing costume is Ahrin's (the self-proclaimed sexy one) in her solo song ''Datte Aarin Nanda Mon''.
** Straighter examples were the Koko Natsu and Kono Uta costumes.
* BigOlEyebrows: The signature look and charm point of Akari.
* BookEnds: ''Ano Sora'' is their first recorded song, and is performed in nearly all of their big concerts and final live concerts tour as part of the encore.
** Their first performance is on the streets of Yoyogi Park. Guess what the final spot of their very first national wide live tour was.
* CallBack / ContinuityNod: Done on the B-Side of their ''Rodou Sanka'' single, ''Santa-San''. Near the end of song, they change the lyrics in the refrain into the lyrics to ''Koko Natsu'', another B-Side single, due to the similarity in the chorus melodies, notably in the refrains. In the Music Videos, they've even burst in with Koko Natsu outfit, recording style and settings.
** The lyrics for ''Z Densetsu'' is a nod to their introductory line. The dance in Momoka's part also references a move that she often randomly does. They even referenced Akari's departure with the narrator announcing BLUE! and the group answering with a confused "ah?".
** The refrains of Akari graduation's song is taken from their first major debut single.
** Their overture is a remix of ''Kaito Shojo'', ''Koko Natsu'', ''Z Densetsu'' and ''Wani to Shampoo''.
* CallingYourAttacks: In a fighting scene at Gokurakamon live.
* {{Catchphrase}}: We are the Idols that you can meet right now, The weekend heroines, Momoiro Clover Z! [[hottip:*:''Watashi tachi ima, aeru aidoru, shuumatsu heroine, Momoiro Clover Z'']]
** ''Ahrin da yo! ''
* ChristmasSongs: ''Santa-san''.
* CoolMask: Just look at all of the promotional material for ''5th Dimension''.
* CoverVersion: See Anime Theme Song above. They also did m.o.v.e's ''Words of the Mind''.
* CuteClumsyGirl: Momoka is the clumsiest out of all the girls. She even got the highest score in cuteness on one variety show just for being barely able to stand up after a long sit.
* CuteMute: Momoka in every TV appearances and stages during her voice treatment in the early 2013.
* CuteLittleFangs: Kanako, Momoka, and Akari.
* DarkerAndEdgier: [[TheMovie Their first theatrical movie]], ''Shirome'', is a horror movie. Also, in the 2010 movie Shuumin Police, they briefly appear as [[{{Delinquents}} Delinquents]] [[KillerRabbit carrying a rake, whip, baseball bat, pipe and pickaxe]]!
** The ''Kimi to Sekai'' Music Video.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Literally averted in this case; they were ''normal'' girls during the pre-major single times, with normal outfits, dances, lyrics and songs just like yet another idol group.
* EpicInstrumentalOpener: The Overture.
* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: The girls are popular among Japanese girls. They've even held an annual women-only concert called ''Onna Matsuri''[[hottip:*:''Girl's Festival'']]. In the 2012 concert in Budokan, they've gained audiences of freaking 10,000 women.
* FiveManBand
** TheHero: Kanako
** TheLancer: Reni
** TheSmartGuy: Shiori
** TheBigGuy: Momoka
** TheChick: Ayaka
** SixthRanger: Akari
* {{Fangirl}}: They're fangirls of another idol group, S/mileage of {{Hello Project}}.
* ForeheadOfDoom: Kanako's pride.
* GenkiGirl: ALL OF THEM!
* GirlishPigtails: Shiori often had these before her haircut in Battle and Romance era.
* GirlGroup: Naturally, but they're not just your average idol group.
* GratuitousEnglish: Akari's introduction: "''My smile will change the world. You decide my future. Can't stop''". What?
* HeyItsThatGuy: If you're Japanese, you will utter this line every time you watch their live concert.
** Their manager, Kawakami was the manager of a famous actress named Erika Sawajiri, and made a cameo in ''Otome Sensou'' MV as a statue.
** That badass guitar part in ''Mugen no Ai''? It's by no other than now-a-weeaboo-ex-{{Megadeth}} guitarist, Marty Friedman, and apparently he is a big fan of this group, having he made [[InTheStyleOf a whole album as heavy metal cover of their songs]], and [[OneOfUs set their photos as his twitter account background.]]
** The hot-blooded manly voice ([[SpokenWordInMusic narrating]]) Z Densetsu? IT'S ICHIROU MIZUKI'S!
** {{Hyadain}} also contributed a lot of their best songs since their debut.
* {{Homage}}: Lots.
** Some to {{Super Sentai}}. The single ''Z Densetsu'' aims for this; they're wearing henshin belts, striking a {{Super Sentai Stance}}, having the yellow one as a [[BigEater Big]] [[HimitsuSentaiGoranger Curry Eater]] (she actually is), and a scene parodying [[BrainwashedAndCrazy cyborg brainwashing]] trends in old tokusatsu shows.
** Every single of their big live concert is announced and narrated in a fashion similar to {{Professional Wrestling}} matches. Their manager is a big fan of pro wrestling; the most blatant homage is in their first album title, "Battle and Romance", named from a Japanese wrestling promotion, "Wrestling And Romance" (WAR).
** The ''Chai Maxx'' pose is homage to Keiji Mutoh's, a professional wrestler, signature pose, also Reni is shown dressed as Danpei, the coach from {{Ashita no Joe}} in this boxing themed Music Video.
** The music video of ''Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujou'' shows the girls fighting an obvious {{Expy}} of a {{Kamen Rider}} {{Mook}}, Shocker Combatant.
** ''Morifu! '' is an homage to an 80’s comedy group called Drift (''Dorifu'' in Japan). Some dance parts in this song and ''Chai Maxx'' also borrowed from them.
** The ''Otome Sensou'' outfits? YES!! THAT'S {{Mobile Suit Gundam}} ZAKU II!! Although it's been stated that the costume was based on wrestling duo Wrestling/TheRoadWarriors, it more resembles Zaku, especially that pipe thingy.
** The song ''Kuroi Shuumatsu'' is a homage to its English translation, Music/{{Black Sabbath}}, with their notable heavy metal songs. Reni even copied Tony Iommi’s coughing from the beginning of ''Sweet Leaf'' song.
** Male singer group Kishidan, being fans of the group, made a single song entirely as an homage to them.
* HurricaneOfPuns: In ''Wani to Shampoo''. Also a trademark in many Hyadain songs, such as ''Mirai Bowl''.
* IHaveManyNames: Momoiro Clover, Momoiro Clover Z, Momokuro, Momoclo, [=MomokuroZ=], MCZ, Momokuro-chan
* LadyOfWar: Literally, ''Otome Sensou''.
* LetsDuet: Their duet song, Kanako and Akari, Kanako and Shiori, Reni and Momoka and all of them are [[CallAndResponseSong Call And Response Songs]].
** They have done several collaborative performances with other artists, such as {{Music/Tokyo Girls Style}} and miwa.
* LuckyCharmsTitle: ''Koko Natsu'' and ''Mitte Mitte Kocchihi'' are both stylized with stars in their names.
* ListSong: ''Momoclo no Nippon Manzai!'' lists all 47 prefectures in Japan along with each region speciality. Of course, the {{Kansai Regional Accent}} is also played with in this song.
* MakeAWish: Their only dream back in their days as street performers was to appear in the Japanese New Year Eve music show, Kohaku, and in 2012, they finally got it.
* MeaningfulReleaseDate: ''Rodo Sanka'', or ''Labor Hymn'', a single about working labor, is released in November 23, which is the Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan.
* MeaningfulRename: They renamed the group by adding Z right after [[TearJerker Akari's graduation concert]]. This is explained as ''Z'' being a form of revolution for the group, and they will never be same without her.
* {{Mentor}}: Kawakami, as their manager, is portrayed as one. He often pushed their backs before shows.
* MusicForCourage: ''Rodo Sanka'', as mentioned above, is dedicated to labor workers. ''PUSH!'' is one as well.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: An Indian, sailor, boxer, angel, demon, pokemon, and DRUNK OLD MAN!
* OminousLatinChanting: More like Ominous Japanese chanting in ''Mouretsu'' and ''NEO STARGATE''.
** "OPEN THE GATE, OPEN YOUR SOUL"
* OneOfTheKids: Tamai, according to her.
* OverlyLongName: The full title of Mouretsu is "''Mouretsu Uchuu Koukyouku Dai Nana Gakushou: Mugen no Ai''"[[hottip:*:''Furious Space Symphony the 7th Movement 'Infinite Love'"'']].
* PlaygroundSong: ''Mite Mite Kocchichi''. The lyrics are even written entirely in Kana.
* PlayingToTheFetishes: The ''Kaitou Shojo'' Music video.
* PuniPlush: Ayaka.
* RedOniBlueOni: Kanako and Akarin are real best friends, to the extent that they have their own combination nickname, Dekomayu. Also serves as {{Tomboy and Girly Girl}}.
* RereleaseTheSong: Their first major debut, ''Kaitou Shojo'', got a 2012 special rerelease.
** Other examples can be found on the ''Battle and Romance'' album. They re-recorded ''Kaitou Shojo'', ''Mirai Bowl'', and ''Pinky Jones'', this time without Akarin's voice.
* RunningGag: Reni's weird face.
* SchoolUniformsAreTheNewBlack[=/=]KimonoIsTraditional: Their original concept and pre-major debut outfits were a mix of kimonos and school skirts, without any [[ColourCodedForYourConvenience colour differences for each members]].
* ShoutOut: Their catchphrase, "We are the idols that you can meet RIGHT NOW!" is a parody of Music/{{AKB48}}'s promotional concept, "Idols that you can meet".
* SillyLoveSong: As is the standard formula for idol songs. Even though they’re famous for many hilarious songs, they can’t escape this. ''Hashire! '' is one of the earliest examples, and ''Mouretsu'' is a love song, [[RecycledINSPACE in space!]].
* SingerNameDrop: Becomes a {{Stealth Pun}} in Pinky Jones; as a Japanese name can have multiple meanings, they make their names a part of the lyrics.
** A bit of a variation in ''Mirai Bowl'' and ''Mouretsu'', as the member color drop.
** Played straight in ''Kaitou Shojo'', ''Z Densetsu'', ''Momoclo no Nippon Manzai'', ''Morifu'', and their {{No Fourth Wall}} solo and duet songs.
* SingingVoiceDissonance: Momoka. She's even noted by the others as the one with the husky voice.
* SpiritualSuccessor: Both idol groups Shiritsuu Ebitsu Chuugaku and Team Syachihoko are officially regarded as their younger sister groups. Team Syachihoko were more obvious, since they have the whole color code system.
** The group is actually one to their agency's early attempt to idol group field, Harajuku Launchers (a.k.a Angel Eyes). These days, Angel Eyes has become the name of their official fan club.
* SurrealMusicVideo: Space Pirates in Bicycles!, Glowing Eyes!, AND KAMEHAMEHA!
* TalkativeLoon: All of them.
* TitleThemeTune: Z Densetsu, as a nod to 80's anime and tokusatsu series theme songs. "WE ARE MOMOIRO CLOVEEEER! ZEEEEEEEEEEE!"
* UpToEleven: A drastic departure from their concept prior to their major debut.
* WidgetSeries: Well... yeah.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Besides Akari, who is now a high profile fashion model and actress, many of their ex-members have not been seen in the entertainment industry.
* [[WhyDidItHavetoBeSnakes Why Did it Have to Be a Mystery Box?]]: Momoka is afraid of the mystery box game.
* YoungerThanTheyLook: Ayaka is the tallest and bustiest of all member, yet she is the youngest of the group.
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