NUANCE is a Japanese idol group originating from Yokohama. They were formed in March 2017 through a public audition held by Minimaring Studio, selecting four to five members from approximately 60 applicants.
The group was created through a project to select an idol unit that would perform the theme song for the “Gachi Choco!” edition of the “Gachi! Series,” a campaign organised by the Yokohama Federation of Shopping Street Associations. The Gachi! Series is a set of promotional competitions held among Yokohama’s shopping streets, featuring category-based contests designed to promote local shopping districts through featured products.
The unit name comes from the French word nuance, meaning subtle differences in language and expression, and is said to reflect the “unique and non-negotiable aspects” associated with being a Yokohama resident.
NUANCE’s debut release for the project included the theme song “シャララ シャララ” (Shalala Shalala), which was associated with the Gachi Choco! campaign.
Each member is also associated with a specific animal. These animal motifs are used in their solo sections of the song “Mirai Circus,” where they introduce themselves with the line, “I am [animal name] from Mirai Circus.”
On April 1, 2022, the group changed its name from “nuance” to “NUANCE” following the addition of new members.
In addition to live performances, they participate in shopping street tours and local media activities, contributing to the revitalisation of Yokohama’s shopping districts.
