Niigaki Risa graduated at Nippon Budokan [5/18]

[erilaz]

^ So if the Gokies are "the MM killing generation," it follows that Morning Musume。will be completely dead after Risa leaves.

[Daisuki Daiiyo]

^ Possibly, and then Smirage can rise up to be the new flagship group! Though that would suck for the newer gens, since they've got so much promise and potential.

"Killing" was a bit harsh (though the subgroups did die with the Gokkies), perhaps taint or ruin would be better? Once the last of the ruining factor is removed, things will be alright again Like, cutting the rotten part out of an apple, so that you can salvage what's still fresh.

[danzarely]

i still don't get why Gaki didn't get a sub-leader. she didn't know/want to work with anyone but Aichan in leading? she wanted the title all for herself? it seems to me if she was going to be leader for so little, having a sub-leader would have been a good move. get them involved in the leadership so that they're in better shape when you hand them the reins.

All Morning Musume leaders have all said openly, being leader is just a title. It holds no responsibility other than talking at events for MM. People think Risa was teaching the kids how to dance? No, she was recorded giving a tip or two, but trust me - the choreographer is the one teaching the dance, she's getting paid for that really well.

Maybe being "leader" makes them go a little extra on helping the young ones occasionally, but I'm 99.8% sure Gaki would rather take her free time to get a caramel macchiato than stick around and teach uncoordinated 12 year olds how to do the Renai Revolution 21 pump.

*reign.

On the Risa grad stuff: Well, I can't say that I am sad to see her go lol. The last of the MM killing generation will be out the door, finally

If by "Killing Generation" you mean the last generation to have above average sales figures, then yes. I suppose Shabondama and Ai Araba did all right, but really the Gokkies were the last generation to be in the limelight of celebrity, and their sales were pretty strong, including the last #1 albums MM has ever had.

On them being the last in the sub-groups, they didn't "kill" the subgroups - the subgroups were ditched for the "new groups" venture (ROMANS, Aa!, Gomattou, Nochiura Natsumi)
just because the new groups didn't pan out has nothing to do with Gokkies, especially considering they weren't even involved

[Celedam]

Maybe being "leader" makes them go a little extra on helping the young ones occasionally, but I'm 99.8% sure Gaki would rather take her free time to get a caramel macchiato than stick around and teach uncoordinated 12 year olds how to do the Renai Revolution 21 pump.

You've never really been part of a team, have you?

[danzarely]

Maybe being "leader" makes them go a little extra on helping the young ones occasionally, but I'm 99.8% sure Gaki would rather take her free time to get a caramel macchiato than stick around and teach uncoordinated 12 year olds how to do the Renai Revolution 21 pump.

You've never really been part of a team, have you?

They aren't a team. They are employees. Fans often forget that. Yes the young ones would do it for the fun of it I'm sure, but take Sayu's paycheck away and think she is sticking around "for the team" ... no.

I'm going on fact - all the "Leaders" and "Sub Leaders" have said, bluntly, "It doesn't mean anything." So all this sub leader should be training under Risa for the role talk is silly, because there is no role to train for, it's just a title.

[Sohee]

They're a team of employees and when 12 year olds join, then the managers have to do their work to 200% but the leader of the team has to do their job too. Graduated members have all said that the leaders during when they were in the group (especially Yoshizawa, it seems but even Iida and Aichan) have generally cared for the members of the group and made them feel better when they haven't been okay. And that for example is something that especially younger/inexperienced members need when they're suddenly thrown into showbiz and not knowing left or right.

No one has said that the leaders suddenly are responsible for the sales of the group or whatever. But they are leaders and they have the title for a reason.

Berryz Kobo and Cute though? I doubt Saki and Maimi do much these days but that's because they are all so experienced they don't really need to do much but to be able to talk well at concerts and give nice speeches every now and then.

[Celedam]

What Sohee said, plus a followup question...

Do you think everyone else hates their school or work as much as you hate yours?

[teth]

Maybe being "leader" makes them go a little extra on helping the young ones occasionally, but I'm 99.8% sure Gaki would rather take her free time to get a caramel macchiato than stick around and teach uncoordinated 12 year olds how to do the Renai Revolution 21 pump.

You've never really been part of a team, have you?

They aren't a team. They are employees. Fans often forget that. Yes the young ones would do it for the fun of it I'm sure, but take Sayu's paycheck away and think she is sticking around "for the team" ... no.

I'm going on fact - all the "Leaders" and "Sub Leaders" have said, bluntly, "It doesn't mean anything." So all this sub leader should be training under Risa for the role talk is silly, because there is no role to train for, it's just a title.

Just because they are employees of a talent company does not mean they don't function as a group.
And your paycheck analogy is lame because you can technically apply that to ANYTHING.
No matter WHAT the motivation is, a team is a team.
Even when Momusu just started out with 1st gen, even tho the members did not think of each other as friends, they still functioned and worked together as a TEAM/GROUP because they knew they had to unify to make it.

By the fact that you have had such low interest in the group these days, you have clearly missed how Leaders have actually played a role in the group...especially since Ai-chan became leader.

Even if they have gone on "fact" (from where?) to say such a thing, their other statements have said otherwise

[iceymoon]

"Leader" is not the same "Manager" or some other title that implies a whole new job description, but the leaders do play a role. Most important of which is to make sure the members are getting along, and working together. Managers and staff can only do so much about that, since they're not exactly peers, they don't get to level with them.. it'd be like a going to a teacher about how you lent your friend your notes a while back, but now she doesn't want to share hers.

Remember when Yossi was was told by Tsunku in a televised message that he's counting on her to be the one to break the ice with JunLin and make them feel part of the group? That's a responsibility given to a leader. And seeing how often Japanese do lectures and talks and meetings even from just the little we've seen, I'm guessing they get this kind of thing all the time. It may not be a huge undertaking of a responsibility, but it's still a responsibility that falls to them as leaders. We already know it's part of their job to give the pep-talks, after all they won't always be accompanied by the same staff members (managers change, or may be required to do the talking to the companies/staff they are working with while the girls themselves standby).. as member of the group, the leader is the only person that can be counted on to always be there with the group. I think it would have been great for Sayu to have taken part in some of that with Gaki, especially in welcoming 10th gen.

[danzarely]

Do you think everyone else hates their school or work as much as you hate yours?

I style celebrities for a living, most recently Britney Spears soooo......

Even if they have gone on "fact" (from where?) to say such a thing

Utaban many times, best example probably the Onna ni Sachi Are MUSIC FIGHTER where they asked "How do you pick a leader? ... Tsunku says "You're leader." ... oh, what does a leader do? ... Nothing at all."
All I'm saying is all this talk about "training" someone to be leader is just silly, if you think Risa works any harder in the team because she is the oldest and innately "leader" you're out of your mind, in fact, as it was pointed out by Ai once - the younger members tend to be the most help to new members. 9th gen have even said this talking about how Aika has been the biggest help to them.

I guarantee you any random 9th gen member has helped 10th gen as much as Risa, if not more.