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Japan Adds to 'Marshmallow Idols' Scene with Pottya

Japan's newest "marshmallow idol" group Pottya debuted in Japan on Thursday, and you might notice that this group of singers deviates from Japan's "norm" for the idol business. The record label auditioned 2,141 girls to join Pottya (whose name is play on the Japanese word for "chubby") but ultimately selected Risa Ooki, Maika Inudou, Mai Yokokawa, Emi Tsukada, and Michiko Oohashi. Each girl averages about 76kg (about 167.5lbs).

The girls also released their first music video preview on Thursday.

Marshmallow Girls (like their counterpart, Sausage Bread Guys) started gaining attention in 2013 as an equally cute, fashionable body type. Since then, idol groups advertised for their cute chubbiness started appearing in Japan and Korea. Avex Records' group, simply called "Chubbiness" debuted in 2013, and help promote the restaurant chain, Chubby's. The group's music video introduces the 10 girls and their ideas of acceptance by pointing out that just because a girl is chubby, doesn't mean she doesn't work hard.

Source Natalie Music via Hachima Kikou, Tokyo Girls Update