Growing Up with Karen na Ivory: From HoneyWorks Covers to Original Hits
Introducing Karen na Ivory
After introducing Takane no Nadeshiko a few months ago, we couldn’t miss the chance to shine a light on their seniors, Karen na Ivory, and continue our exploration of HoneyWorks’ idol branch.
Like the Takane-ko, Karen na Ivory was born from a large-scale audition titled “TIF de Debut 2021 by TWIN PLANET”, organized by TWIN PLANET with the support of TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2021. Out of a total of 3,167 applicants, the 10 selected members officially debuted on October 3, 2021, giving their very first performance on the HOT Stage of the festival with their debut song Itsu datte Tatakatteiru (いつだって戦っている).
The group’s name, Karen na Ivory, combines “Karen” (可憐, meaning delicate or charming), which evokes something tender, endearing, and worthy of protection, with “Ivory” (象牙, shiro-iro, associated with elephants), a symbol of strength, kindness, and loyalty to one’s companions.
This name reflects the wish for the members to grow into idols who are both cute yet noble, gentle yet strong, and deeply caring toward one another. It also carries the nuance of the “ivory color,” representing the undefined shade of adolescence, somewhere between childhood and adulthood.
The group’s color is white.
Current Lineup of Karen na Ivory
- Odagiri Nanasa (小田桐ななさ) – Nanasa
Born: July 21, 1999 (26) – Aomori Prefecture
Member color: Orange
Founding Member @Kareai_nanasa - Shibasaki Akari (柴咲あかり) – Akari
Born: March 7, 1999 (26) – Chiba Prefecture
Member color: Purple
Founding Member @Kareai_akari - Takazawa Yuria (高澤百合愛) – Yuripi
Born: April 8, 2002 (23) – Chiba Prefecture
Member color: Dark Pink
Founding Member; Vice-Leader @Kareai_yuria - Tsuchiya Remi (土屋玲実) – Remirin
Born: February 19, 2001 (24) – Shizuoka Prefecture
Member color: Green
Founding Member @Kareai_remi - Teramoto Rie (寺本理絵) – Riitan
Born: March 24, 2002 (23) – Tokyo
Member color: Red
Founding Member @Kareai_rie - Nagao Rio (永尾梨央) – Rio-chan
Born: June 15, 2003 (22) – Hiroshima Prefecture
Member color: Blue
Founding Member; Leader @Kareai_rio
Background: Former Actors School Hiroshima → SPL∞ASH, ex-MISS ME member - Hazama Miharu (波左間美晴) – Miharun
Born: April 27, 2002 (23) – Fukuoka Prefecture
Member color: Light Pink
Founding Member @Kareai_miharu - Fukuda Hinata (福田陽菜) – Fukuhinya
Born: September 14, 2001 (23) – Kagawa Prefecture
Member color: Yellow
Founding Member @Kareai_hinata - Ichinose Nao (一ノ瀬直緒) – Nao-chan
Born: September 8, 2001 (23) – Nagano Prefecture
Member color: Light Blue
Joined September 23, 2024 @Kareai_nao - Kawai Kokoyu (河合ここゆ) – Kokoyun
Born: September 5, 2009 (15) – Aichi Prefecture
Member color: Light Green
Joined September 23, 2024 @Kareai_cocoyu - Tachibana Miku (橘美空) – Mikuchan / Mikushii
Born: November 11, 2004 (20) – Nagano Prefecture
Member color: Light Purple
Joined September 23, 2024 – currently on hiatus (since March 3, 2025) @Kareai_miku - Nishihara Yura (西原悠桜) – Yurako
Born: November 26, 2006 (18) – Hiroshima Prefecture
Member color: Mint
Joined September 23, 2024 @Kareai_yura
Indeed, two original members have already left the group: Kosaka Nene in August 2023 and Nakira Mia at the end of February 2024. Four new members were then announced on SHOWROOM in September 2024, before officially joining the group on October 17 during the group’s third anniversary concert.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, between those first three years and the arrival of the new recruits, the journey so far has been remarkable and certainly deserves a proper recap!
Original Songs, HoneyWorks Covers and Teamwork Rooted in True Friendship
Starting with Itsu datte Tatakatteiru (いつだって戦っている), the group has released a significant number of digital singles, mixing original songs with covers of classic HoneyWorks compositions.
Among these covers are Tokyo Summer Session (東京サマーセーション), originally released in 2015 and performed by CHiCO with HoneyWorks; Dai Kirai na Hazu Datta (大嫌いなはずだった), part of the HoneyWorks meets TrySail project in 2017; and Kinyoubi no Ohayou (金曜日のおはよう), one of HoneyWorks’ most iconic songs, first released in 2014, originally performed by Gero and later popularized by CHiCO with HoneyWorks.
The group has also covered #Chouzetsu Kawaii (#超絶可愛い), a HoneyWorks track released in 2020 and originally performed by Kotoha.
But beyond the covers, Karen na Ivory also has many original songs, with some strongly centered around the theme of idols, such as their second digital single Oshihen Nante Yurusanai (推し変なんて許さない) and Idol de Yokatta (アイドルでよかった).
A theme that also seems to delight part of their audience, as shown by this excerpt from a Japanese fan’s feedback:
For context, I’m usually a fan of SKE48, one of the 48 groups produced by Yasushi Akimoto.
SKE48 doesn’t often sing about “idols as idols.” [...] By contrast, HoneyWorks’ idol songs often describe both the struggles of being an idol and the happiness that outweighs them. One shining example is Idol de Yokatta with its elegant melody, it sings from the idol’s perspective about the importance of fans’ existence.
普段、僕はＳＫＥ４８というアイドルグループを推しています。秋元康プロデュースの４８グループですね。
なかなかアイドルについて歌う曲はＳＫＥ４８にはありません。[...] それに対してＨｏｎｅｙＷｏｒｋｓさんが製作されるアイドル曲は、どこかアイドルであることの大変さやそれを乗り越えるぐらいの幸福感が描かれています。なかでも「アイドルでよかった。」はとても上品なメロディーの中で、アイドル目線で見たファンの方の存在について歌います。
This theme will also carry into the group’s future, most notably with their cover of Hokori Takaki Idol (誇り高きアイドル), a 2020 HoneyWorks song that paints both an idealistic and realistic picture of idol life. This track, a true anthem to idol identity, is included in their first full album Shiro ja Irarenai (白じゃいられない), released on January 29, 2025, marking their major debut.
A perfect transition to the next chapter of our story!
Major Debut with New Members…
In June 2024, during their concert at Zepp Shinjuku as part of their second national tour, things began to move quickly. Their major debut was announced, along with auditions to welcome new members into the group (following the departure of two members in 2023 and 2024).
As a result, four new members, Nao Ichinose, Kokoyu Kawaii, Miku Tachibana, and Yura Nishihara, were introduced on September 23, 2024 via SHOWROOM, and made their first stage appearance on October 17 during the group’s third anniversary concert.
In the meantime, the group also delivered their first overseas performance at the TIF Asia Tour 2024 in Shanghai, held on October 3 of the same year.
But let’s return to their first full album, which marked the group’s major debut under the label CROWN GOLD / NIPPON CROWN. Entitled Shiro ja Irarenai (白じゃいられない), it was released on January 29, 2025, featuring a total of 25 tracks that combine new songs with many older ones, newly re-recorded by the 12-member lineup for the occasion.
The limited edition even includes HoneyWorks cover songs and all the tracks we’ve performed since our stage debut. Everything has been newly re-recorded with all 12 members’ voices, so that’s something I’d love fans to pay attention to.
初回限定盤にはHoneyWorksさんのカバー曲も含めて、私たちがステージデビューした時からの楽曲が全て収録されています。全て新録なので、今の12人の歌声が詰まっているところにも注目して、聴いていただきたいです。
The main track of the album, Shojo-tachi to Ivory (少女たちとアイボリー), released on November 20, 2024, portrays the coming-of-age journey of a group of young girls aboard a ship called Ivory, a clear metaphor for the group itself. Through lyrics that evoke dreams, love, solidarity, and collective growth, they sail through storms, dance with energy, and continue their voyage from city to city.
More than just a song, this track serves as both an introduction and a warm welcome message to the four new members who joined the group’s ship.
The story is that the 8 original members are on a ship, and the 4 new members board. Leader Rio Nagao plays the captain, and I use binoculars to spot the new members. Each of the 8 has a role, so I hope fans will notice those details.
There’s also a scene where the 8 originals stand on stairs and the 4 new members join them. I think that really represents the current KareAi.
オリジナルメンバー8人の船に新メンバー4人が乗り込んでくるというストーリーになっていて、リーダーの永尾梨央ちゃんが船長で、私は双眼鏡で新メンバーを探していたり、8人それぞれの役割があるので、そこに注目して観ていただけたら嬉しいです。
オリジナルメンバー8人が階段にいて、そこに新メンバー4人が合流するシーンも、今の可憐なアイボリーを一番表していると思います。
In the same interview, the members of Karen na Ivory share their favorite songs and what they mean to them. Teramoto Rie cites Hokoritakaki Idol (2025 ver.) (誇り高きアイドル), originally by HoneyWorks, which she considers a true guide for expressing an idol’s emotions. Ichinose Nao mentions Bokura wa Kitto Sugoku nai (2025 ver.) (僕らはきっとすごくない), whose lyrics take on even more meaning after their major debut and perfectly reflect the group’s youthful spirit. Hazama Miharu talks about Koi no Yajirushi (恋の矢印), an iconic HoneyWorks song that deeply moved her from the first listen and brought her great joy at the group’s official debut. Finally, Nagao Rio highlights Shoujo-tachi to Ivory (少女たちとアイボリー), the first song they performed as a 12-member group, whose lyrics validated all the trials they experienced before the debut and moved all the members upon their first listen.
Leading to the First Single in Major
Barely finishing their promotions, the group announced in March 2025 the release of their first major single, Sore wa Suki tte Koto / Koi no Guidebook (それは好きってこと / 恋のガイドブック), scheduled for June 4, 2025. Koi no Guidebook (恋のガイドブック) serves as the ending theme for the drama Yabusaka dewa Gozaimasen, inspired by the manga of the same name. The song’s lyrics are directly inspired by lines from the manga, as explained by Nagao Rio:
In the original manga, the heroine Fushigi-san couldn’t say the line, “Please keep liking me.” But in our song, she actually says it. As a fan, that moment made my heart race, it’s my favorite part.
「やぶさかではございません」のヒロインの不思議さんは、原作の漫画では「これからも好きでいてね」というセリフを言えなかったんですけど、『恋のガイドブック』では「これからも好きでいてね」と言えているところに、私のオタク心がざわつきました。そこが一番の推しポイントです。
As for Sore wa Suki tte Koto (それは好きってこと), fans were expecting a typical “kawaii” song, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. Exploring themes of love, vulnerability, and self-acceptance, it speaks to those who feel misunderstood or rejected, offering a message of hope and support, delivering a powerful and heartfelt message.
I was surprised too, but in a good way. I especially love the line, “Because it ends, the present is beautiful.” It inspires me to cherish every experience.
私も『それは好きってこと』というタイトルだから、かわいい系の曲だと思っていたので、いい意味でのギャップを感じました。＜終わりあるから 今が美しい＞という歌詞が特に好きなんですけど、終わりがあるから色々な経験をしようと思います。
A little bonus with the song Saigo no Speech (最後のスピーチ), an emotional ballad that reflects the group’s passion and gratitude toward their fans. This one’s our favorite track from the single here at BONJOUR IDOL.
On the Road to a Bright Future…
With dedicated and passionate members, Karen na Ivory is well on its way to continuing to offer us a bright future and why not beyond Japan’s borders? After Shanghai, the 12 members could venture into new territories, as suggested by Teramoto Rie, who studied in the United States, in this interview:
I studied abroad in the U.S. for almost a year between my first and second year of high school. I was shy and not good at making friends, and with the cultural differences, every day was really tough. Around that time, I found the music video for “Want you! Want you!” by =LOVE on YouTube, and it gave me so much energy. That’s when I started to dream of becoming an idol who could give people the same kind of energy. [...] Since middle school, I’ve wanted to go to France, I read about it in a book at my school library. So I’d love to perform there. And since I studied abroad in the U.S., I’d also like to return there like a “hometown comeback.”
高校1年生から2年生にかけて、ほぼ1年間アメリカに留学していたんですけど、人見知りで、人間関係も苦手なので、友達を作るのが難しかったこともありますし、日本とアメリカの文化の違いもあって、苦しい毎日を送っていた時に、YouTubeで「＝LOVE」さんの『Want you! Want you!』のMVを観て、すごく元気をもらって、私もアイドルになって、元気を与えられるような存在になりたいと思うようになりました。[...] 中学生の時に、学校の図書館でフランスの本を読んでからずっと「フランスに行きたい！」と思っているので、フランスでライブができたらいいなと思いますし、留学していたアメリカにも、第二の故郷に凱旋みたいな感じで行きたいです！
So why not dream of a possible visit to France in the coming years!
