The '80s idol unit Ushirogami Hikaretai is being "re-formed," twenty years after its breakup. Music producer Yasushi Akimoto has assembled four girls from AKB48 to recreate the group, which he is renaming Watarirouka Hashiritai.

Ushirogami Hikaretai was formed in 1987 by Shizuka Kudo, Akiko Ikuina, and Makiko Saito, who were all members of the popular group Onyanko Club. They broke up in 1988 after releasing a string of hit singles. Akimoto, who was their producer and lyricist, is following the same formula this time, recruiting members of AKB48 for the project. The four are Mayu Watanabe, Aika Ohta, Haruka Nakagawa, and Natsumi Hirajima, all part of Team B. They also happen to be managed by Production Ogi, the same agency that represented Ushirogami Hikaretai.

Watarirouka Hashiritai already has an anime tie-in with the series "BLUE DRAGON," with their song "Aoi Mirai" being used as the new opening theme. However, their first CD single has not yet been decided, though it is scheduled for release in January through Pony Canyon.