Gwen Stefanis animated series inspired by the Harajuku girls that became a part of her solo act in 2004 will make its American debut on Nickelodeon October 3rd.
Kuu Kuu Harajukupremiered in Australia in November 2015, with the show chronicling the adventures of a group called HJ5. The animated cadre comprises four girls named Love, Angel, Music and Baby, and their leader, G (Stefanis Harajuku Girls went by the same stage names, which were culled from the title of her debut solo LP, Love. Angel. Music. Baby.)
LikeJosie and the Pussycatsor Jem and the Holograms, episodes of Kuu Kuu Harajukufind HJ5 preparing for a gig thats inevitably interrupted by a revolving door of annoyances, including alien invaders, monsters and cantankerous politicians.
The artwork is so beautiful and the whole series turned out better than I could have ever imagined, Stefani said. I love that this is an animated series for young girls that celebrates creativity, imagination and individuality.
Gwen Stefani on No Doubt's Future, Working With PrinceKiss' Top 10 Albums Ranked18 Great Bruce Springsteen Collaborations
The Harajuku Girls were inspired by Stefanis visits to the Harajuku neighborhood of Tokyo and its wild fashion. The group served as Stefanis backup dancers/entourage while she promoted and toured in support of Love. Angel. Music. Baby. They also appearedin numerous music videos through Stefanis 2006 follow-up, The Sweet Escape.
Stefanis use of the girls, though, was not without controversy.The singer was rebuked by critics, who claimed that her usage was racist and symbolized cultural appropriation. In a 2005 post on her website, comedian Margaret Cho called Stefanis performances a minstrel show.
While three of the Harajuku girls appeared in the 2012 video for No Doubts Settle Down, Stefani has phased out the group in her own act. In 2014, while she worked on what would become her 2016 solo LP This Is What the Truth Feels Like, she told Rolling Stone, I wasnt gonna bring back the Harajuku Girls. You kind of run out of ideas. After a while, youre just competing with yourself.
Nickelodeon will air the first few episodes of Kuu Kuu Harajuku October 3rd through October 7th at 4 p.m. ET/PT, before the show moves to its regular slot on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Stefani co-created the series with Gillian Carr, Steve Aranguren and Madellaine Paxson.