1. Overview
Momona Kasahara is a prominent Japanese singer and idol who has made a significant impact across two distinct phases of her career: as a member of Hello! Project's idol group Angerme, and more recently, as the leader and center of the global girl group ME:I. Born on October 22, 2003, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Kasahara's journey in the entertainment industry began at an early age, marked by her dedication to ballet and a persistent drive to perform. After several audition attempts, she joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei (trainees) and subsequently became a key member of Angerme. Her time in Hello! Project was characterized by her strong personality, powerful performances, and willingness to challenge traditional idol norms, notably during the "Red Lipstick Incident" where her independence was publicly affirmed. Following her graduation from Hello! Project to pursue further studies in singing and dancing abroad, Kasahara re-entered the spotlight through the rigorous survival audition program *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS*, where her exceptional talent, leadership, and emotional depth resonated deeply with viewers, ultimately leading her to secure the first-place ranking and debut as the leader and center of the highly anticipated group ME:I. Her career exemplifies resilience, personal growth, and a profound connection with her audience, consistently inspiring others through her artistic expression and integrity.
2. Early Life and Background
Momona Kasahara's formative years were shaped by her early exposure to performing arts and a strong desire to enter the entertainment world, which led her through various auditions and foundational training experiences.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Momona Kasahara was born on October 22, 2003, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. From the age of three, she engaged in intensive ballet training, which she continued for nine years, laying a strong foundation for her later career in dance and performance.
2.2. Early Career Attempts and Auditions
Kasahara's ambition to become an idol began early. In 2013, she applied for the Morning Musume 12th generation "Future Girls" audition, but she was deemed too young as she had not yet reached the minimum age of 10 at the time of application. Undeterred, she applied again in 2014 for the Morning Musume '14 "
3. Hello! Project Activities
Momona Kasahara's career within Hello! Project spanned several significant periods, beginning with her time as a trainee and culminating in her five-year tenure as a member of Angerme.
3.1. Hello Pro Kenshuusei Era
Momona Kasahara officially joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei on April 1, 2015. She made her first public appearance at the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2015 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ concert at Nakano Sun Plaza on May 4, 2015. During her trainee period, Kasahara reportedly viewed herself as an "inferior student." By the time of the Hello Pro Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2016 ~Haru no Koukai Jitsuryoku Shindan Test~ on May 5, 2016, she had decided it would be her last performance, having discussed it with her family and even informing her manager of her intention to quit. However, after performing Morning Musume's song "Itoshiku Kurushii Kono Yoru ni" with full dedication to leave no regrets, she surprisingly won the Best Performance Award, which is decided by both judges and audience votes. This unexpected victory led her to reconsider and decide to continue her idol activities.
3.2. Angerme Era
Just two months after her significant award in the Kenshuusei program, on July 16, 2016, during the opening of the Hello! Project 2016 SUMMER concert tour at Nagoya Civic Assembly Hall Forest Hall, it was announced that Momona Kasahara would be joining Angerme as its sole fifth-generation member. At the age of 12, she was the youngest member to debut in Hello! Project at that time, and she immediately began performing with the group. Her first musical contribution as an Angerme member was to the group's 22nd single, "Umaku Ienai / Ai no Tame Kyō made Shinka Shitekita Ningen Ai no Tame Subete Taika Shitekita Ningen / Wasurete Ageru," released on October 19, 2016. She remained a member of Angerme for approximately five years.
3.3. Hello! Project Graduation
On June 21, 2021, Momona Kasahara announced her intention to graduate from Angerme and Hello! Project by the end of the year. Her stated reason was to leave the entertainment industry temporarily and move abroad to further her studies in singing and dancing, aspiring to become an artist who could inspire others. Her graduation concert, titled "Angerme Concert 2021 'Tougenkyou ~Kasahara Momona Graduation Special~'," was held at Nippon Budokan on November 15, 2021. With this concert, she officially graduated from both Angerme and Hello! Project and ended her exclusive contract with Upfront Promotion. Her final participation in an Angerme music release was the digital single "SHAKA SHAKA #2 LOVE Colorful Life Hen." On the same day as her graduation concert, her last photobook, Dear sister, was released, which was notably co-edited by actresses Yu Aoi and Akiko Kikuchi, both known Angerme fans who personally pitched the project to Upfront Promotion.
4. PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS and ME:I Activities
After a period of hiatus from the entertainment industry, Momona Kasahara made a highly anticipated return by participating in *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS*, which ultimately led to her re-debut as a pivotal member of the girl group ME:I.
4.1. PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS Participation
On September 3, 2023, it was confirmed that Momona Kasahara would be participating as one of the 101 trainees in *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS*, a survival audition program designed to form a new global girl group. Her appearance quickly garnered significant attention, with her name trending on X (formerly Twitter) as fans eagerly followed her journey. Her tagline on the show was "Invincible Challenger," reflecting her determined approach.
4.1.1. Performance and Evaluation
Throughout the competition, Kasahara demonstrated exceptional versatility and consistent high performance. In the trainee evaluation, where participants ranked each other, she placed 8th out of 101. During the class evaluation, she was initially placed in the highest A-class and maintained this ranking in the re-evaluation. She took on various critical roles in the program's battle stages:
- In the **Group Battle**, she served as both the center and sub-vocal for her team, securing a win against their opposing group and earning a benefit (bonus votes for winning groups). She ranked 5th overall among 96 participants in this stage.
- For the **Position Battle**, she chose the RAP & VOCAL position and acted as her group's leader, also writing her own rap lyrics. Her group placed 1st, earning another benefit, and she ranked 2nd among the seven participants who chose the RAP & VOCAL position.
- In the **Concept Battle**, she performed as a sub-vocal. Her group achieved 1st place among all competing groups, granting them a benefit. Within her group, she ranked 3rd, and 3rd overall among the 35 participants in this round.
- During the **Debut Evaluation**, she took on the roles of main vocal and leader for her team.
Kasahara's journey was marked by her ability to successfully fulfill every major role (center, leader, main vocal, sub vocal, and rap) across different stages and consistently earn benefits in all battles. Her final ranking was determined by audience voting (National Voting), where she secured an overwhelming first place with 1,116,716 votes, confirming her debut. This victory also designated her as the center for ME:I's debut song.
4.2. ME:I Debut and Main Activities
Following her impressive first-place finish in *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS*, Momona Kasahara debuted as a member of the girl group ME:I. On February 26, 2024, it was announced that she would be the leader of ME:I, a testament to her demonstrated leadership qualities and extensive experience. She also took the center position for the title track "Click" from ME:I's first single, MIRAI, which was released on April 17, 2024. Her official member color within ME:I is Black, and her official character name, part of the group's "ME:EYE's" concept, is MO:NA.
5. Persona and Public Image
Momona Kasahara's public image is characterized by her diverse talents, philosophical outlook, and a personal authenticity that has resonated deeply with her fans.
5.1. Personality and Skills
Momona Kasahara is known by the nicknames "Momona" and "Kassa." She is the eldest of three sisters. Her aunt's marriage to popular singer Eito has also brought a unique connection to her family.
Kasahara's personality is often described as honest, sincere, and profound, leading some to compare her to a shonen manga protagonist due to her directness and unwavering determination. Within Angerme, she was affectionately known as "Angerme's big dog" due to her energetic and loyal demeanor. Actress Akiko Kikuchi, who co-edited Kasahara's photobook, noted her sincerity: "Kasahara-san always confronts her emotions with an almost excessive honesty. That aspect of her, even as an adult, makes me respect her and truly believe in her." Actress Yu Aoi, another co-editor, added that Kasahara "truly faces herself. She is humble and respectful towards others, and also has a certain shyness. Not just her appearance, but her inner self and her gaze are very captivating."
Her talents include extensive dancing skills, developed through nine years of ballet and acrobatics. She is particularly renowned for her exceptional writing ability. Her letters, including the one read at her Angerme graduation concert, and her blog posts frequently become topics of discussion among fans due to their depth and eloquence. Aoi commented on her writing, stating, "Her choice of words and her way of feeling are truly wonderful."
5.2. Interests and Preferences
Momona Kasahara has a wide array of interests that reflect her thoughtful and artistic nature. Her hobbies include film photography, reading, music appreciation, film viewing, and cycling.
She enjoys jazz and classical music, and she has cited artists such as Keith Jarrett and Shiina Ringo as favorites. She also listens to K-pop and is a fan of the group Red Velvet. For her life's theme song, she chose "Kemono Yuku Hosomichi" by Shiina Ringo and Hiroji Miyamoto, while her personal best song is "EPILOGUE : Young Forever" by BTS.
Her favorite foods include peaches and chocolate. She also enjoys various onigiri fillings such as fatty mackerel, bonito flakes with cheese, and salmon roe.
In terms of animals, she has a fondness for birds, owning a cockatiel, and also enjoys deep-sea fish. During her sixth year of elementary school, she served as the head of the school's breeding committee.
5.3. Notable Anecdotes and Philosophy
A significant event in Momona Kasahara's career that highlighted her independent spirit and the supportive environment of Angerme was the "Red Lipstick Incident" in 2018. At 14 years old, Kasahara wore red lipstick, which led to criticism from some fans who preferred a more "childlike" image for idols. In response, Angerme's then-leader, Ayaka Wada, publicly defended Kasahara during a concert's MC segment, stating, "There isn't a single correct mold for idols, and conforming to one is not necessarily the right thing to do. I want Momona to wear red lipstick again." This strong statement of support from Wada, coupled with other members also wearing colored hair or red lipstick, fostered a culture of individuality and solidarity within the group, challenging traditional idol norms.
In 2019, Kasahara notably cut her long hair and donated it to hair donation efforts, which provide medical wigs for individuals undergoing cancer treatment or suffering from hair loss.
Her personal motto is a quote from Mori Ōgai's collection of aphorisms, Chiebukuro: "Rather be a small lamp that shines by itself than a great moon that shines by borrowing the light of the sun." This philosophy underscores her belief in self-reliance and the importance of creating one's own light.
5.4. Relationship with Hello! Project
Despite her previous departures, Momona Kasahara maintains a unique and enduring connection with the Hello! Project community. Her journey within Hello! Project, including her multiple attempts to join Morning Musume and her self-admitted struggles as an "inferior student" during her Kenshuusei days, showcases her determination. Her decision to continue after winning the Best Performance Award as a Kenshuusei highlights a pivotal moment where her talent was affirmed. After her debut with ME:I, many current and former Hello! Project members, including Angerme colleagues, extended their heartfelt congratulations, demonstrating the lasting bonds she formed. She has expressed admiration for former Morning Musume members Haruka Kudo and Masaki Sato, and particularly looks up to Ayaka Wada. She also remains a fan of former Morning Musume member Eri Kamei.
5.5. ME:I Persona
As a member of ME:I, Momona Kasahara has cultivated a distinct public image characterized by her strong leadership and expressive performance. Her member color is Black, and her official ME:EYE's character name is MO:NA. Her catchphrase during *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS*, "Invincible Challenger," perfectly encapsulates her fearless approach to diverse concepts and her ability to overcome challenges. Since her debut as the leader and center of ME:I, she has been praised for her commanding stage presence and her ability to anchor the group's performances. Fans and critics alike have noted her "handsome girl" image and her capacity to both surprise and reassure, making her a trusted and inspiring figure for the group.
6. Discography
Momona Kasahara's discography includes solo contributions and her participation in music related to the *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS* program.
6.1. Solo Contributions
- "Chikyu wa Kyo mo Ai wo Hagukumu" (地球は今日も愛を育むJapanese, "The Earth Also Nurtures Love Today") (Digital single, November 16, 2021)
6.2. PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS Related Music
The following table lists songs Momona Kasahara participated in during the *PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS* program, which were later released on the program's official album.
| Release Date | Song Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| February 7, 2024 | "LEAP HIGH! ~Ashita e, Meippai~" (LEAP HIGH! ~明日へ、めいっぱい~Japanese, "LEAP HIGH! ~To Tomorrow, With All Your Might~") | PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS |
| "&ME" | ||
| "Sozo Ijo" (想像以上Japanese, "More Than Imagination") | ||
| "FLY UP SO HIGH" |
7. Appearances
Momona Kasahara has appeared in various television, radio, and stage productions throughout her career.
7.1. Television
- Hobo Nichi no Kaidan.* (ほぼ日の怪談Japanese, "Hobonichi's Ghost Stories") (TV Kanagawa, August 30, 2020) - Lead role as Suzu Sasaki.
- PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS* (Lemino, October 5 - December 16, 2023) - Contestant (final episode broadcast live on TBS).
- Numa ni Hamatte Kiitemita Special Edition ~Numa Kore Opening! Fashion Numa~* (沼にハマってきいてみた 特別編 ～沼コレ開幕!ファッション沼～Japanese) (NHK E TV, July 21, 2024) - Live broadcast appearance.
- Mezamashi TV* (Fuji Television, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025 (scheduled)) - Monthly Entertainment Presenter.
7.2. Radio
- HELLO! DRIVE! -Harodra-* (Radio NEO, October 2016 - June 2019) - Served as a Thursday regular from October 2016 to September 2017, and a Friday regular from October 2017 to June 2019.
7.3. Stage
- Engeki Joshibu "MODE" (Zenrosai Hall Space Zero, October 1-10, 2016) - Role as Kayo Misaki.
- Engeki Joshibu "Yumemiru Television" (Zenrosai Hall Space Zero, October 5-15, 2017) - Role as Chiyo Nitta.
- Engeki Joshibu Zenrosai Hall/Space Zero Collaboration "Attack No.1" (Zenrosai Hall Space Zero, November 29 - December 9, 2018) - Role as Suzume Obata.
8. Publications
Momona Kasahara has released personal photobooks.
8.1. Photobooks
- Momona (Odyssey Books, October 22, 2019) - Photographed by Susumu Miyawaki.
- Dear sister (Odyssey Books, November 15, 2021) - Photographed by Yoko Takahashi, co-edited by Yu Aoi and Akiko Kikuchi.