S/mileage's new name is ANGERME, 3rd gen members announced

[aerosuffly]

I don't like that clip. The 2ki announcement wasn't all happy really. Sakichy broke down because she knew her leaving likely trigger the 2ki audition (or vice versa whatever we never gonna know). Yuuka knew she is leaving soon and wasn't too happy. And when the girls weren't truly happy with new members, fans knew something was wrong.

Hopefully the history won't repeat tomorrow (today in Japan). Maybe the 3ki announcement be as big as MM 12ki. But they don't seem to have any event schedule.

[Denki]

The reason the 2nd gen auditions were held was because Saki wanted to quit S/mileage. From day 1, the auditions where fishy for most fans. Yuuka, on the other hand, felt comfortable on graduating after they joined. Yet people can't seem to forget her. After thinking about it, AyaKanon made the right decision to leave the past behind.

This time around is different because all of the members are happy for the new members and are willing to accept them, or at least America is since it's a surprise for them. I was reading Take-chan's recent blog today and she was super excited on because she will become a senpai today.

[aerosuffly]

Yep, I agree. But they could really have announce the new member at one of their concert or event in the near future. 2 weeks is a very short period for this kind of news, so I can't stop thinking that this will turn bad because they didn't have enough time to carefully plan for it. Well, too late for crying now.

[BerryzCelebration]

I saw some people saying stuff like AyaKanon just don't want 2nd gen/3rd gen to be associated with the S/mileage name, since AyaKanon have been there from the start, but I disagree.

When you look up S/mileage or when you think about S/mileage (This goes for new fans and people who stopped listening to them), you think of 4 girls who wear mini skirts as their gimmick and sing cute songs. You don't usually think of 6 girls who sing energetic/cool songs, unless you still follow the group or you stopped following them around the time Yuukarin graduated.

S/mileage basically is and will always be Ayaka, Yuuka, Kanon and Saki, the 4 bestfriend with the shortest skirts in the idol world. I'm glad that AyaKanon/UF staff are choosing to change the name, because that's their past. S/mileage is going through some huge changes right now, and they don't want to just be remembered for their past.

I just hope they pick good KSS, whether they excell in singing, dancing, personality, looks, or a potential ace.

[Starra]

I always thought they were going to hold the auditions because Saki was graduating, and not the other way around.

And if Saki did leave because of the auditions, then that's... kinda selfish, imo. I know she was young and I'm not trying to be super harsh but eh.

[JonCC]

I always thought they were going to hold the auditions because Saki was graduating, and not the other way around.

Yep that's it.
Many people wrongly think it's the opposite though.
Not that hard though: lot's of bitter idiots around to perpetuate the lie.

According to Tsunku, earlier in the year Saki approached him about returning to a normal life. Although he urged her to stay due to her singing abilities he accepted her resignation. This is partly why Tsunku announced new S/mileage member auditions.

http://yonasu.com/ogawa-saki-to-graduat ... o-project/

and

In the beginning of May this year, she informed me,
"I've been hesitant for some time, and I've discussed it with the staff a few times, but my feelings of wanting to return to a normal junior high student has strengthened, so please let me quit."

http://www.tokyohive.com/article/2011/0 ... o-project/

Plenty more sources to be found (just a Google search away), including on JPLOP.
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5749

The fact that this is still being discussed 3 years later is quite nuts.
.
.
.
But then again Kikka vs Aika still gets brought up so

[Starra]

Apparently the new members have already been announced?
http://natalie.mu/music/news/127790

Aikawa Maho, Sasaki Rikako and Murota Mizuki.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

I'm thrilled with those choices!

I love Mizuki and Rikako, and have been intrigued by Maho since she was introduced.

[JonCC]

Huh.....

*checks previous post*

Add three, making it a total of nine (odd-numbered which is a plus).
Hamaura, Inaba, Sasaki/Murota --> boom: supercharged S/mileage..

Well fuck yeah...

[Menno]

From Starra's link