

NiziU Group Profile
- Group Name: NiziU (ニジュー)
- Meaning of Name: "Nizi" from Nizi Project (rainbow), symbolizing members with various charms, and "U" meaning "You", indicating the group and fans.
- Debut: Dec 2, 2020
- Current state: Active
- Years Active: 2020 - Present
- Entertainment Company: JYP Entertainment, Sony Music Japan
- Fandom: WithU
- Members: Mako, Riku, Rima, Rio, Maya, Miihi, Mayuka, Ayaka, Nina
- Oldest Member: Mako
- Youngest Member: Nina
- Most Popular Member: Mayuka
- Notable Albums: U, COCONUT, Press Play
-
Country:
Japan
- Generation: A 4th Generation K-pop/J-pop group (Gen 4)
NiziU is a Japanese girl group active in the J-Pop/K-Pop music scene. The group was formed through the survival reality show Nizi Project, produced by JYP Entertainment in collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment Japan.
They officially debuted in Japan on December 2, 2020, with nine members — all Japanese nationals: Rio, Maya, Riku, Ayaka, Mayuka, Rima, Miihi, Mako, and Nina. Among them, Nina’s father is American, but she also holds Japanese nationality.
Meaning of NiziU
The name “NiziU” is a combination of Nizi — meaning “rainbow,” symbolizing “many people with different colors,” and the letter “U,” representing “you” (the fans).
It carries the message of individuals with diverse personalities and talents coming together to shine like a rainbow, while staying connected with their fans.
Fandom & Lightstick
The group’s fandom name is WithU.
“WithU” is derived from “[Need] U,” with “U” representing the fans, reflecting the close bond between NiziU and their supporters. The fandom name ties directly to the group’s meaning, completing the phrase: “We need you, and we’re with you.”
Lightstick:
It can light up in 12 different colors and comes with interchangeable covers in each member’s representative color, allowing fans to customize it for their favorite member. The design features a simple dome shape with a black-and-white cube at the center.
In addition, there is the NiziU Light Band, a compact wristband version with the same lighting functions, ideal for fan meetings or on-the-go use.
Popularity
NiziU enjoys strong popularity in Japan and across Asia. Their early breakthrough came with the pre-debut EP Make You Happy (June 2020), which topped multiple Japanese music charts such as Line Music, AWA, and Rakuten.
Their music blends J-Pop foundations with K-Pop elements, mixing dance-pop, house music, and Motown influences into catchy melodies. The group’s strong synergy between music and visuals is showcased in their MVs and live stages. Their songs often carry positive energy and memorable hooks, aligning perfectly with their “colorful” rainbow concept.
In promotional visuals, NiziU maintains a bright and vibrant concept, using bold color palettes and styling that highlight each member’s representative color. Their music videos frequently feature rainbow motifs, reinforcing the symbolism behind their name.
Photo Gallery






Members of NiziU
Mako
- Full Name: Mako Yamaguchi (山口 真子)
- Alias: Woof Woof
- Birthday: Apr 04, 2001 (24 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height: 159 cm (5'3")
- Weight: 42 kg (92 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- MBTI: ESFJ (The Consul)
- Place of Birth: Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Language Skills: Japanese, Korean
- Position: Leader, Lead Vocalist, Lead Dancer
- Training period: 2017–2020 (3 Years and 10 Months)
Mako is the lead vocal, sub-rapper, and main dancer, standing out through her versatile performance abilities and excellent dance techniques refined through 3 years of training at JYP. Her strengths lie in her ability to handle both vocals and dance at a high level simultaneously, with natural leadership skills and stability in live performances. Mako also demonstrates creative thinking when participating in lyric writing for "LOVE YOURSELF", contributing to expressing the group's unique musical personality.
Riku
- Full Name: Ooe Riku (大江梨久)
- Alias: Squirrel
- Birthday: Oct 26, 2002 (22 years old)
- Blood type: AB
- Height: 162 cm (5’4”)
- Weight: 48 kg (106 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Position: Lead Vocalist
- MBTI: ESFP
- Place of Birth: Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Language Skills: Japanese, Korean
- Training period: Approx. 1 Year 7 Months (May 2019 - Dec 2020)
Riku is the lead vocalist of NiziU, taking on key singing parts, especially in the chorus. She has stable breath control, maintains accurate pitch, and blends well with the voices of other members. During performances, Riku moves flexibly on stage and maintains interaction with the audience while keeping precise timing in sections that require both singing and dancing.
Rima
- Full Name: Yokoi Rima (横井りま)
- Alias: Rimarin, 中林里茉, Nakabayashi Rima
- Birthday: Mar 26, 2004 (21 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height: 163 cm (5'4")
- Weight: 46 kg (101.41 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Position: Main Dancer, Vocalist, Lead Dancer
- MBTI: INFP
- Place of Birth: Osaka, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Training period: Approx. 1.5 Years
Rima is a rapper and singer in the group Niziu, responsible for the main rap parts and supporting vocals. She has the ability to write rap lyrics in both Japanese and English, contributing to the linguistic diversity of the group’s songs. In addition to rapping, Rima also takes part in writing lyrics for some of the group’s tracks, playing a role in linking vocal sections and creating energetic pacing for performances.
Rio
- Full Name: Rio Hanabashi (花橋 梨緒)
- Alias: Ri-chan
- Birthday: Feb 04, 2002 (23 years old)
- Blood type: B
- Height: 159 cm (5'3")
- Weight: N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Position: Lead Dancer, Sub-Vocalist
- MBTI: ENFP (The Campaigner)
- Place of Birth: Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Education: Nisshin City Nisshin Higashi Junior High School
-
Country:
Japanese
- Training period: Approx. 7 months (JYP trainee prior to Nizi Project)
Rio, NiziU's versatile dance queen, commands stages and hearts worldwide, embodying the group's meteoric rise to global J-Pop stardom.
Maya
- Full Name: Katsumura Maya (勝村摩耶)
- Alias: White swan, Cowl Chan
- Birthday: Apr 08, 2002 (23 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height: 159 cm (5’3")
- Weight: N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Position: Lead vocalist, lead dancer
- MBTI: ENFP (The Campaigner)
- Place of Birth: Ishikawa, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Training period: 2018–2020 (approx. 2 Years)
Maya serves as a vocalist, often handling mid-range lines and bridges to smooth the transition between rap sections and the chorus. Her standout skills are steady breath control and clear enunciation, well-suited to mid-tempo tracks. On stage, she maintains consistent facial expressions, shifts her gaze in time with the beat, and keeps her arm movements compact while dancing to avoid obscuring the melody.
Miihi
- Full Name: Miihi Suzuno (鈴野 未光)
- Alias: Miihi, Mihii-chan, Queen Miihi
- Birthday: Aug 12, 2004 (21 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height: 160 cm (5’3”)
- Weight: N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Position: Main Vocalist
- MBTI: ENFP
- Place of Birth: Kyoto, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Training period: 2018-2020 (2 Years)
Miihi serves as NiziU’s lead vocalist, lead dancer, and often its center. She handles parts that demand clear pronunciation and smooth pitch transitions, all while keeping rhythm when singing and dancing simultaneously. On stage, she adjusts her distance from the microphone to control volume and vocal quality.
Mayuka
- Full Name: Mayuka Ogou (小合麻由佳)
- Alias: Chameleon, Mayu-chan, Ogou
- Birthday: Nov 13, 2003 (21 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height: 162 cm (5’4”)
- Weight: 45 kg (99 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Position: Lead Rapper, Sub Vocalist
- MBTI: ISFP (The Adventurer)
- Place of Birth: Kyoto, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Training period: Nov 2019 – Jun 2020 (Approx. 7-8 Months)
Mayuka’s role in NiziU is lead rapper and sub-vocalist. She performs the main rap sections, often alternating with the singing parts of other members. Her technique focuses on clear rhythm, steady breathing, and the ability to transition between rapping and singing when performing with the group.
Ayaka
- Full Name: Arai Ayaka (新井彩花)
- Alias: N/A
- Birthday: Jun 20, 2003 (22 years old)
- Blood type: A
- Height: 167 cm (5’6")
- Weight: 47 kg (104 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Position: Visual, Vocalist
- MBTI: ESFP
- Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
-
Country:
Japanese
- Training period: 2019–2020 (Approx. 1 year)
Ayaka is the visual and sub-vocalist of NiziU, taking on short singing parts or providing background vocals. During performances, she maintains her position to optimize camera angles and group formation, while coordinating smoothly with the group’s choreography. Ayaka uses a stable mid-range voice and adjusts her breathing to blend harmoniously with the other members.
Nina
- Full Name: Nina Hillman (牧野仁菜)
- Alias: Nina Makino, Woof Woof, 니나
- Birthday: Feb 27, 2005 (20 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height: 171 cm (5'7")
- Weight: N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Position: Main Vocalist, Maknae
- MBTI: INFJ
- Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington, USA
-
Country:
Japanese-American
- Language Skills: Japanese, English
- Training period: 2020 (0.5 Years)
Nina is the main vocalist of NiziU, known for her powerful voice, wide range, and expressive stage presence. Born in the U.S. to a Japanese mother and American father, she brings a unique bicultural edge to the group. With a background in musical theater, Nina delivers strong emotional performances and bridges global audiences with her fluency in English and Japanese. Despite being the youngest, she shows impressive vocal control and professionalism. Offstage, she enjoys baking and musicals, adding warmth to her bright and energetic image.