Recent Hello!Project Graduations

Welcome back to my blog!

I know it has been way too long, but life happened. I always kept listening to Japanese and Korean music, but ever since last autumn I have gotten more into Japanese Idols again. Out of all the Idol groups out there I am still the biggest Hello Project fan, and recently there have been a lot of changes to their groups.

Let me talk about all the recent graduations and the ones still to come this year, starting with Kaedy.

Kaga Kaede - Graduation from Morning Musume '22 on December 10, 2022 in Nippon Budokan

This one has been a while ago, but it still feels very recent (especially since Momusu has not been doing much recently and they just started touring again).

Kaga Kaede joined Morning Musume in 2016 together with Yokoyama Reina as the 13th Generation. As I was living in Japan during the announcement and also during her first single with them, she has always been an important member in the group for me. I even met her at an handshake event and went to several concerts in 2017. Even before, she was one of my favourite KKS and one of the most deserving to be in Haropro's flagship group. Even though me and a lot of other fans had the feeling she was a little underused, she still added a lot to the group performance wise and I was excited to see her further growth.

Her graduation announcement came as a surprise, but I can also very much understand. As sad as her graduation was, I am looking forward to her future musical and acting activities!

Asakura Kiki - Graduation from Tsubaki Factory on April 2, 2023 at Makuhari Messe

This Graduation happened only two weeks ago, so it is the most recent one. Again, Tsubaki Factory had their Major Debut when I was in Japan and I have been cheering for them ever since their formation.

As one of the original members and one of the best vocals of the group, Kiki has always been an important pillar of Tsubaki Factory.

Her graduation made me really sad, but obviously she has been an Idol for a long time so it is very understandable. I do really hope we will hear from her again soon!

Yamagishi Riko and Kishimoto Yumeno - Graduation from Tsubaki Factory, End of Fall Tour

 

After Kiki, it really makes sense to talk about Riko and Yumeno next, as they just announced their double graduation for the end of the fall tour.

Having three of the original members graduate in the span of a year is really heartbreaking. 

Riko is such a hard worker and I just recently got very emotional seeing how much she improved and how amazing she is as a leader.

Kishimon is my personal favourite of the group, so her graduation obviously makes me the saddest. I do really hope she can go solo soon, she has such a great voice.

In general Tsubaki Factory went through a lot and does not seem to catch a breath. I don't think the so called 'scandal' had anything to do with the graduation announcements but it was very unfortunate that people care so much about their personal lives.. let them be normal human beings!

They had new member additions not too long ago and during that time everyone was wondering if that was the best decision. As only two members of the original lineup + three members from the debut lineup will be left after this year, it makes a lot more sense now. Otherwise Tsubaki Factory could have had a similar fate to Kobushi Factory (still sad about that). And I do think they have been planning their graduations since last year. The new members are great and I am still excited for the groups' future. I will definitely enjoy the last few months of this line-up and cheer them on!

Takeuchi Akari - Graduation from ANGERME on June 20, 2023 at Yokohama Arena

It was just announced that Takeuchi Akari's Graduation Concert will be at Yokohama Arena and we cheered!

Ever since she announced her graduation last year I have been very nostalgic about her time in ANGERME (and Smileage before). She has grown so much from her time as an Egg, and now she is the leader of her group!

I can't lie, I did not actively listen to ANGERME's new releases much since Ayaka graduated, and a lot more members have graduated since.. They do seem like such a fun group to be in and I am glad to see them doing well. The line-up is so different and I am still having a hard time getting used to it, but I will always support them.

Akari ist such a great performer and I am so happy I got to see her live in 2017 as well. I am excited for the amazing graduation concert this year!

Fukumura Mizuki - Graduation from Morning Musume '23, End of Fall Tour

Last but definitely not least I want to talk about Fuku-chan. She announced her graduation at the end of last year and is supposed to graduate this fall. Mizuki has been the group's leader since 2014 and has the longest tenure in Hello Project (together with Akari actually). She is part of the line-up that I came to love so much and the current era is literally called after her. You cannot deny her influence on the group, she has the biggest love for the members and is such a great leader. (I just realized that three leaders are graduating this year..)

As always, Morning Musume is about change and I will be looking forward to the new era as well. Ikuta Erina Era?? I am a little worried, because I don't know how long Eripon, Ayumi and Sakura will still stay in the group. Even 12th gen is getting close to their 10th year, which feels unreal.

It feels like yesterday when I watched Michishige Sayumi's graduation and experienced the change of an era first hand. 2014 - 2017 are probably my favourite years of the group, but I still love them a lot.

I am very excited for this year and I do hope Mizuki will get a proper send off (Album + last (two) singles + solo song). With Akari getting a solo song and YokoArena for graduation, I am hopefull that Mizuki will get the same if not better.

That's all for today, see you in my next post!