BeForU was a Japanese pop girl group that performed music primarily for the Bemani series of rhythm games.
In 2006, the group made their major label debut under Avex Trax.
[citation needed] BeForU formed via a competition held on November 20, 2000, for a new J-pop group singing for Konami and their bemani series of video games, namely Dance Dance Revolution.
Their first single "Dive", promoted widely throughout the J-Pop community, appeared in the 2001 French film Wasabi, made its first appearance on DDR Extra Mix, and its official debut on DDR 5th Mix.
By DDR -Max 2- 7th Mix, Shiyuna was the only member of the group that had not received a solo in any Bemani game.
In 2004, Shiyuna, the only BeForU member without any solos, left the group to pursue other venues.
In the following month, BeForU soon followed and released the single "Red Rocket Rising" on November 1, 2006.
On December 12, 2007, Riyu announced on her blog that due to illness, Miharu Arisawa would retire from the group.
Their departures were effective immediately, and as such, these two members would be unable to perform at a scheduled concert on December 30, where a "graduation" took place for Noria and Risa Sotohana.
A new song entitled "Kimi to Sora to Zutto" was announced at Riyu's Carnival and the 3rd Generation performed it, without Sayaka due to illness.
Their next album, also titled Shangri-La but written in katakana (シャングリラ) this time, followed on October 8, 2008.
This also applies to "Tears" and "Under the Sky", which are solo songs by Noria Shiraishi and Sayaka Minami, respectively.
In addition, two songs featuring a BeForU solo member other than Riyu Kosaka are present in the series.