[11/26] Michishige Sayumi graduated from Morning Musume. '14 at Yokohama Arena

[Celedam]

Odds and ends…





Y'know, we're so accustomed to being distant fans of a fading group, stuck in our particular kind of echo chamber, that maybe this news is bigger in Japan than we realize.

[iceymoon]

is this the same place that did the 3D rendering of Yaguchi cheating on her ex?
also, i found the web posting of it so i wonder if it's a web-only thing. http://jp.tomonews.net/80905674727425

[randompasserby]

Y'know, we're so accustomed to being distant fans of a fading group, stuck in our particular kind of echo chamber, that maybe this news is bigger in Japan than we realize.

Me saying this kinda holds little weight, obvious bias and all that, but...
I'm pretty sure from every coverage I've followed so far that this is the first actual clean graduation since the golden era that's actually taken as a pretty big deal by the general public in Japan. What's more striking to me than the number of coverage is the fact that they're discussing it and still is now even after the initial splash of the announcement has subsided. Who's going to Momusu's next leader, what's going to happen now to MM, what's she going to do after her graduation... etc.

Besides, it's Michishige.
Beyond Idol fans she's already a household name through variety, albeit usually an infamous one. Her story, no, her "legend" (for real, that's a thing. Big enough thing to be mentioned/reference in many articles etc) after becoming Leader also has penetrated a little into the mainstream and converted many who used to dislike her into fans. She also have quite a lot of other talents and idols as her fans, the most out of any MM members as far as I can tell, and they continue to spread the waves to their own fans themselves.

So yeah... Sayu's grad is a pretty big deal
Nothing less than Saitama Super Arena for her please. Or better.

[Sohee]

A big part is also the fact that while MM are getting popular again -- no one knows any members but her. Which probably makes a lot of people go: "Wait MM are getting popular again and the only member we know are graduating WHAT." and adds to the effect it has.
It would never been this big of a deal if she'd have graduated even just a year or so ago though. It's definitely a lot thanks to the continuous popularity of the group. <3

[321BreakinOut]

I hope they don't fall flat when she leaves


They need to put Riho on more shows lol

[Amped]

ameba lists reasons why Sayumi is the greatest leader in history
http://news.ameba.jp/20140509-677/

[randompasserby]

There's a few articles/mentions out there that's getting to almost ridiculous levels of hyperbolic gushing that even I winced a little

-Asahi newspaper's digital article about Sayu's Christ-like sense of self-sacrifice.
http://astand.asahi.com/magazine/wrcult ... 00001.html (subscription needed, haven't found a full transcript of it yet >_< )

I've also heard about a few radio shows that mentioned Sayu but can't find the sound-rip yet so...
Among them supposedly was a Keio University Economics professor saying Sayu is the Ideal Image of a leader and some SF writer discussing Sayu.

You know... I'm loving all these attentions to Sayu but now I'm starting to get worried about the backlash lol ^^;
I'll try to be more level-headed from now on

-----edit
Tried translating parts of the above ameba article but the reasons listed are a bit abstract lol that it'd just be confusing if I only translated parts of it.
Can't agree more with the conclusions though.

For these reasons, even in a group with as much history as Morning Musume, she could be said to be the greatest Leader. Michishige Sayumi is by no means a genius. But through her hard work she has become one of the best Idols there is. And with that attitude/approach of hers, even after she graduates at the end of the Fall tour, she will forever remain in Morning Musume as one of its greatest legacy.

There is half a year left until Michishige Sayumi who is truly, a very rare Idol will graduate from morning Musume '14. During that time remaining, Leader Michishige Sayumi herself and all the members who respect and love their Leader Michishige Sayumi, could still show a tremendous growth and surprise the fans even further. It's still not too late now, I want more people to see 「The current Morning Musume。」. I can guarantee that you will be moved by the experience that you can't quite get anywhere else.

cmiiw as always

[esm]

Okay, "Christ-like sense of self-sacrifice" is going a bit too far.

[randompasserby]

I know, right? lol. click bait at its finest.
and that's with me toning it down a little already the actual article wrote "surpass" orz

[321BreakinOut]

Um, all y'all tripin. Yossie and Yuuko were the best leaders