The Graduation Announcement of Michishige Sayumi

These are my thoughts on Sayu's Graduation Announcement, what Sayu means to me as a fan and also what I personally think she has done for the group. You do not have to agree with everything in here, just so you know; what I say is not valid for everyone. This is all purely based on the opinions I have, it is not solid fact. We can all agree to disagree.

Michishige Sayumi is graduating.

Let that sink in.

This has been my desktop for a while now, and it will stay that way for a while!!!

This post is a little late due to the fact that this whole day I have been distracted with other stuff such as video editing and entertaining my baby niece, who has a tendency to come into my room and want to play on the computer or have me put make-up on her, so my sincerest apologies.

Of course, as everyone and their mother knows by now, Michishige Sayumi has announced her graduation from Morning Musume ('14) and Hello! Project, and is set to leave the group at the end of their Autumn concert. Her message, as well as the message from Tsunku and the official statement for the Hello! Project website, have all been translated thanks to Takamruyo, so be sure to read them all.

I, Michishige Sayumi, will be graduating from Morning Musume on the final day of Morning Musume ’14′s 2014 Autumn concert tour. 

I have said roughly two years ago when I was appointed leader that I would “pay my debt of gratitude to Morning Musume”. During it all, it has not been by my efforts alone that we were able to achieve 5 consecutive Number 1s, but through all our various activities, little by little, I feel that perhaps I was able to pay off the favor. 

Therefore, after consulting with Tsunku-san and the company, it was decided the graduation will take place in this year’s concert tour. 

Nevertheless, there is still time left, I still have things I want to teach and to show my juniors.
I would still like to create precious memories with all the fans as well. 

And now, from here on is when I truly pay back the favor.
I would like to graduate from Morning Musume in its best form, as I pass the baton over to the next generation. 

Best regards until Autumn. 

April 29, 2014
Morning Musume ’14 leader
Michishige Sayumi

Looking towards the future, clearly

My reaction to this news was exactly this; "....................................................... What?" and then a few tears pricking the eyes and a need to process it all. It was a bit of a shock to the system for me, if you will.

Still, this was to be expected. I mean, she's been around for 11 years now and the Morning Musume she came into and knew has gone, and she's succeeded in a way most of the leaders before her haven't succeeded before - it's her time to go, though I will admit that I didn't expect this announcement now. More like Autumn time this year, which ironically is the time she's actually leaving, but there we go; she's going, and one of my damn predictions has come true, albeit it being one of the few predictions I didn't want to come true this year. At all.

But as I said, and as many people will say; It is time for Sayu to leave, and now is as good a time as any.

Bye Bye, Past.

Sayumi has been around to see many sides of Morning Musume, if you think about. She has seen them in the dire state that was the Platinum era à la Takahashi Ai, she has seen them in the middle of rising back to the spotlight, and then she has seen them back in the spotlight thanks to her leadership; she's basically been through a cycle that is similar to life, death and then rebirth, with her as the creator essentially. From the ashes, she brought Morning Musume back to the flame and from there, they were reborn.

From a fans point of view, we have seen Sayu work hard with the group that she loves so much, both defending and fighting for it from many sides, and grow up as a result too. Ever since becoming a leader she has truly blossomed and proven that she is different from the other leaders who headed the group, continuously showing that her efforts were to not be in vain and allowing us to see how much she truly loved this group, a group she was finally leading; she had the drive and determination for the group that other leaders had lacked since the Golden years, and thanks to everything she put into not only promoting the group but the other members, putting her own TV image on the back-burner in order to do so, she has watched Morning Musume grow from a group of awkward, mismatched members who felt more like a cluster of toddlers into something more, something more refined.

As a Leader Sayumi is powerful, admirable and, above all, amazing. She is someone who I, as well as many others, respect.

Even though her graduation announcement has garnered a lot of attention and tears, I am honestly glad to see her leaving on a high note; Morning Musume have reached a record of 5 consecutive #1 singles on the Oricon chart, with their previous record only being 4, and I feel like Sayumi was waiting for something like this to happen before she went - it just means that when she goes, she will leave knowing that Morning Musume are in a better form than the one she experienced when she was simply a member and not the leader. She's leaving with a peace of mind, I suppose, and I don't blame her; why go when the group you love so much has once again fallen back into a cycle of bad promotion, zero recognition and/or an endless cycle of only one member being known by the public of Japan? It would kill anyone I believe, so I really don't blame Sayu for leaving now, when Morning Musume is recognised and liked by the public again.

It was the Morning Musume she grew up knowing after all, and the Morning Musume she hopes to see even after she's gone I believe. All she ever wanted was to see Morning Musume be successful again, and she has achieved that completely.

Sure, I have my fears of what might be after she's gone; don't we all? I mean, she's the best leader the group has had in a long time. She has cherished and nurtured Morning Musume, caring for all of the members who have come in during her time and truly bringing the group together. She has made this group feel whole in my eyes, creating a balanced and level playing field. It once felt like it was just these older girls and some kids, with Riho as a front-runner and the rest playing backing dancers, but now it really feels fuller and a lot more friendly.

She made Morning Musume feel like 'Morning Musume' again.

I'm really going to miss Sayumi when she goes, because she has always been a member that always seemed to be 'there', someone I could rely on to never go away. From the year of 2009, when I started watching Morning Musume, she was a member who I thought was cute and fun to watch, and now she has become a member who is so beautiful and who has truly matured in many ways. She is no longer that cute, sugary-sweet girl with a tongue like acid, but instead a young woman who has developed fully as a leader and proven just how passionate she is about the group she has lead up until this point.

We don't have long now, but the time we do have with Michishige Sayumi of Morning Musume ('14) will be cherished by the fans. From now until that point, I look forward to what Sayu will bring us during her last months with the group she has raised so well.

CHAYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!

Okay! Musume Digest #96

DISCLAIMER:
This Digest may not contain an Idol group that you like, or that you follow. If this post does not contain an Idol group you yourself actively follow, then my deepest apologies, but I cannot follow each and every Idol group on the planet. I am one person, and whilst I do post about groups that I like as well as groups that I barely even follow (read: BABYMETAL) that does not mean I will also actively look for news on the Idols you may follow. If I do not have the resources, I will not be able to post much or anything about them. Please respect this, as I don't have the time to go scouring across the internet for Idols that I know next to nothing about, or that I have little to no resources to. Again, I am ONE person; if I had a team behind me it would be a lot easier, however this is something that I do for me, in my own free time, because I want to. I could just as easily not do this, however I do it because I want to, and I find it fun. Thank you.

This week, in Idol News and Digest...

The Hello! Project site gets an update, finally! Koha gets nekkid from the waist up!? Obaasan Musume? Terrible Fashion choices for Berryz yet again! Akimoto Sayaka to star in a super-cool looking psychological thriller movie! Labrador Retriever covers revealed! E-girls lose another member! Attack on Titan sell 30 million copies of volume 13! And a bit more! Are you ready to Digest?

Well, Hello Kitty~

As always, my opinions will be my opinions - you don't have to like them, love them, or hate them, but this is my voice, and I will speak with it. You enter this blog, then you enter a domain of whatever the heck I wanna say. Got it? GOT IT!!!

So we've had some controversy a la Avril Lavigne lately, and it isn't just in the J-Pop community... anyone wanna say Hello, Kitty?

Good Lord, I care about this more than I care to admit. URGH!!!

Fueled by happiness and rainbows, I see, Harajuku Girls

 There is a hullabaloo right now in the world of Music and Videos, with many running around in a tizzy about Avril Lavigne's latest little ditty Hello Kitty, and all of its apparent offensive glory. Right down from the candy-infested Colour bomb of a video to the straight-faced Harajuku Girls Asian women dancing enthusiastically (read: with the excitement of a sleeping pigeon) this is the video that has everyone talking; it's bad, it's offensive, and it's oh-so 'weeabo', meaning that this is the be all and end all of the world, for some reason.

... Okay, what am I missing here? Like seriously... what is everyone having a flap about?

Off the bat, how is this video offensive? Yes, she features Japanese girls in the video and apparently 'fetishes' the fuck out of it all too, and yes she wears a cupcake skirt and speaks in broken Japanese - but tell me what fan doesn't at some point in their life as a fan of Anime/Manga/J-Pop? I mean, calling her out to be racist because she's doing what a majority of us fans do in life at one point in time is like the pot calling the blasted kettle black, isn't it? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the look of a Japanese Idol made a fetish of plenty, like their innocence or sexy bodies? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Seriously, if you're going to finger point Avril for doing what a good majority of companies already do AKS, Hello! Project then maybe you need to take a good look at the Japanese Entertainment industry again and come back for a second good look.

I also feel like we shouldn't be jumping to the gun here when other artists have previously done something similar to this in their videos or songs, singing in either broken Japanese or featuring Japanese girls/elements to their videos. Anyone remember Gwen Stefani? Harajuku Girls? Jesus, she sang a song about them and everything that was duller than this song is! Also, don't forget Beckii Cruel and her short-lived Japanese Idol run; this isn't the first, or last, video that has come from an English-speaking artist that features the Japanese look or culture. So going on that this is terrible, racist and weeabo-ish is like saying other artists are saints regarding how they may have done their videos.

Honestly, other than all the deranged hype over this video, I really don't mind it that much. It's not an amazing video by all means - sure, it's an explosion of cupcakes, colour and over-the-top excitement on Avril's part, but otherwise it's very boring and very try-hard, to the point where the 'enthusiasm' Avril pulls off appears fake and over done. Don't get me wrong here, because she could be having the time of her life for all we know, but from what I can see it all seems like she's putting it on. That said, whatever. It's not like I've ever done an over-the-top reaction to something...

Oh wait, but I have! Still though, if that's what she wants for her video, or what the director wants, kudos to them and all that jazz. That said, the video is rather boring aside from the fuck-tonne of colour thrown in there. The rest of it though? Stale enthusiasm that I want to pass on.

Someone chuck a cupcake at me!

The video, in all of its un-enthusiastic glory, has an even worse song accompanying it, though a bloody catchy one at that. It's like this cluster-fuck of shit EDM borrowed from Morning Musume's One Two Three, which I wish was on right now Holy fuck rather than this tripe. The lyrics are just as awful, and not because of the broken Japanese, but because of everything written in this song. It's. Just. Shit.

It all reminds me of why I abandoned English music in the first place, actually. It's terrible!!!

Still, the song is a personal preference thing here, and what won't work for me will probably work for others. Seriously though, don't write out this song for the pure fact that it hosts shitty lyrics and a shitty backing track, or because people are ripping their hair out over it being 'racist' or 'weeabo' that word makes a big appearance today... because maybe you'll like it; I just don't, however it's stuck in my fucking head and I am repeating it right now. ARRRRRGH!!!!

ARGH! No wonder you frowned your way through this video! STOP SMILING!!!!

Hello Kitty has a shit song and a boring MV that is filled with so many try-hard actions and emotions, but once you get past the 'she's so RACIST!!!' or 'She's a weeabo!!!' thoughts and ideas, then the video really isn't as bad as people are making it out to be - it's just bland and dull aside from the colour explosion of the product-placement store that is Candy A-Go-Go and Avril's Cupcake tutu. There really is nothing much to it, in both song and video. People are just reading far too deeply between the lines, and creating their own story as they do so if you ask me.

Avril just so happened to post a video that didn't agree with a good majority of the world, but whatever. Let her do her thing and get over it.



Now, time to numb my mind with huge doses of alcohol and the shit-storm of One Two Three... urgh, I've stooped so low in my life.

Chiima

Bump.y to Disband this June, Time for the Feels to set in... (Grab the tissues for me ;w;)

Bump.y are set to disband this June... and now I am going to be listening to their songs on a loop.

My feels ;_______;

So it was decided that, due to their individual activities as actresses and the commitment they have to growing in that specific field, the girls would all graduate from the group and Bump.y would formally disband in late June. The decision was made by the staff, and for me, this is totally understandable, but also very obvious.

In a way, somewhere in the back of my mind, I guess I have always had a feeling that one day Bump.y would disband eventually, because I was always aware of the fact that their activities as actresses were a higher priority than their endeavours as Idols. That I completely understand, and it is a notion I fully support, because the girls of Bump.y are lovely actresses.

It doesn't mean I am any less sad, however. I am rather upset by this sudden turn of events, but also relieved; I would rather they did what they loved, just like any other fan. I think what has cushioned this blow however is the fact that I was expecting something like this to happen eventually - that realisation that their acting was more important has become a reality, so I am glad I had that feeling rather than the sudden, surprising announcement that could have ensued if it was another group, like say HouPri suddenly disbanding oh Christ, that would KILL ME or Fudanjuku losing another member I would be in bed with tissues, chocolate and possibly alcohol but with Bump.y, it was just... obvious. It was very obvious where their duties and preferences laid for a long time, and I can't blame them for wanting to do one activity over the other.

Of course, Bump.y are very important to me; I've been into this group just as long as I have Morning Musume, and introduced to them around the time I was introduced to Fudanjuku, so I'm going to feel surprised and saddened by this announcement regardless, because I hold Bump.y on such a high pedestal. There is no doubt I will grieve the decision, because I'm doing so now and wondering what my life will be like without the magic of Bump.y and what could have been wonderful future songs for the group. No matter what, no matter how much I understand and accept this decision, I am still going to feel at a loss for what will happen in late June.

It really feels just like yesterday that I was introduced to the group, which was back in 2010, yet even then I didn't really get into them until 2011 (2010 was the year of my introduction to Idols groups I supposed, because even then I was on the edge of the fence with H!P) but I found love for the group and their music, which seemed to have taken a bit of a step-back into the 80's with a K-pop flare at that point. It was then and there that I really delved into their music and started to follow them, eagerly anticipating what they would produce. I found a passion for Bump.y, and it became fun to watch this fresh and endearing young group grow in both their sound and their image.

And despite how much I had to wait, I don't think I ever gave up on Bump.y; I would always just wait it out, hoping for more news to come along soon, even if it did take a year or so for something to come up about them.

That wait was always worth it, though.

With every article that came out about a member and their latest acting gig, or if a new song and video came out, I was happy - it meant they were still there and still active, and knowing that was enough for me. Sure, it felt like I had to wait long periods of time for something small to pop up, but seeing that article had always been worth it; if my Digests are anything to go by, you will know how happy I am to just see that one of these girls is acting in or something, even if it's a small role - it makes me feel giddy knowing they are furthering their careers. Yes, it takes a long time to hear word about just one of these girls, let alone the group as a whole, but hearing that news was always always worth it in the end - Bump.y were worth it, and they still are, because no matter what they would impress me, and I knew that when I would eventually see a new video or song from this group I liked so much, there would be growth in there somewhere, and I would be impressed one way or another.

Bump.y are, and always were, the group that I would happily wait for when it came to news. Patience is not my virtue, however for some reason it felt natural to wait for Bump.y, even if I became worried at some points. It just felt like the longer I waited, the better the outcome no matter what. Yes, there would be something I wasn't over the moon with, but there would be something that would stun me and give me that urge to continue following them, and to further my desire to just wait for what they produced next.

They made me smile, I enjoyed their music, and I wanted to continue following them as a fan of their music and videos. They have always been able to pull me back, and I am glad that they were created, because it has truly been wonderful following and waiting for them.

This group was strong and impressive, full of life and just so wonderful to follow. I love them, I will for a long time, and whilst I am sure I won't get over the fact they are disbanding soon, I know that they are doing it with the intention of furthering and bettering their careers in the TV/Film industry, and honestly, I would rather they continue as actresses than Idols, because that is how they began, and that is what they are good at.

Their activities as Idols are ending, sure, but as Kira on Twitter informed me, they aren't leaving me or the fans; they are still here, and that does make me happy to know that.

From hopeful young actress-Idols to fully-fledged actresses, Bump.y will soon fly the nest, and whilst I will miss Bump.y as a whole greatly, I will continue to watch these girls as much as I can. Until that fateful day however, I want to continue supporting Bump.y, a group who can make me feel excited, happy and impressed no matter what.



Chiima~

You Guys Read A Lot...

It's currently 4:04am here in Britain and I am tired, yet writing a blog post... oh Jesus Karin, whhhhy!?

SO! The reason I am writing this post is because, first and foremost, I had the exciting breakthrough of a new PC 300,000 page views!!! HOLY HE------

PARURU BE WITH YOU ;W;

Seriously though, 300,000 pageviews!? I'm kind of shocked (and overwhelmed) but incredibly happy, too! I mean, I already broke that milestone of 250,000 pageviews Jesus guys, you read a lot!!! but HOLY HECK!!!! THIS IS AH-MAY-ZIIIING!!!!!!

... I'm still feeling a little flustered, you know? -fans self dramatically-

To be honest, I probably cried when I saw my view count. Given I'm an emotional wreck most of the time anyway, the chances of me crying is as high as the chance of rain in Britain. BUT THEY WERE HAPPY TEARS, REST ASSURED!!!

Of course I highly doubt I would have gotten this far without the giant push Ray of Idolminded and Greg of Selective Hearing have given me by allowing me to write on their sites I must get back to that now that life is a bit slower again... so to those two, the father of the Wota world (Hiii Ray!) and my Boss Man (Greg, Boss Man!!!) thank you so much for helping me get to this point as a blogger, and for helping me in my writing and love of Idols!

And of course I thank all of you, those who read this weird, stupid, possibly boring borderline freakish blog that I created! You make me happy, you make me smile and, of course, you make me the writer I am today!

For once, Chiima posts a short (for her) thank you post... YIKES!!!!
...

Aside from reading a lot though, I guess you watch a lot too?

HELLO, EVERYONE! Guess what I returned to!?

Happy 300,000 views! You are all wonderful! MWAH! <3

Chiima~

Okay! Musume Digest #95

DISCLAIMER:
This Digest may not contain an Idol group that you like, or that you follow. If this post does not contain an Idol group you yourself actively follow, then my deepest apologies, but I cannot follow each and every Idol group on the planet. I am one person, and whilst I do post about groups that I like as well as groups that I barely even follow (read: BABYMETAL) that does not mean I will also actively look for news on the Idols you may follow. If I do not have the resources, I will not be able to post much or anything about them. Please respect this, as I don't have the time to go scouring across the internet for Idols that I know next to nothing about, or that I have little to no resources to. Again, I am ONE person; if I had a team behind me it would be a lot easier, however this is something that I do for me, in my own free time, because I want to. I could just as easily not do this, however I do it because I want to, and I find it fun. Thank you.

This week, in Idol News...

That Vampire Play's Flyer! BK and C-ute to go to Japan Expo in PARIS!!! Music Station + MoMusu = Many Happy Fans! Yossie FINALLY opens up a damn blog! Another one Bites the Duest from NMB! Get Out, AKB members are leaving! AKB's Obaasan member has been chosen! Meet Ange☆Reve! HECK YEAH, BABYRAIDS! Two Voice actress confirmed for the newest Ghibli movie, AND MORE! Are you ready to Digest?

Okay! Musume Digest #94 ~Ultra Late Edition~

DISCLAIMER:
This Digest may not contain an Idol group that you like, or that you follow. If this post does not contain an Idol group you yourself actively follow, then my deepest apologies, but I cannot follow each and every Idol group on the planet. I am one person, and whilst I do post about groups that I like as well as groups that I barely even follow (read: BABYMETAL) that does not mean I will also actively look for news on the Idols you may follow. If I do not have the resources, I will not be able to post much or anything about them. Please respect this, as I don't have the time to go scouring across the internet for Idols that I know next to nothing about, or that I have little to no resources to. Again, I am ONE person; if I had a team behind me it would be a lot easier, however this is something that I do for me, in my own free time, because I want to. I could just as easily not do this, however I do it because I want to, and I find it fun. Thank you.

This Week, in Idol News...

Loads of Singles are being released on June 4th! Hello! Project Vampires!? Yajima Maimi is gorgeous! Awkward S/mileage! Kikkawa Yuu is sexy! (What's New?) TIF reveal Artist Lineups! Graduations and Withdrawals!? BABYMETAL to come to the UK, and MORE! Are you ready for some Digestin'?