Specualtions of AKB Graduations
AKB48 Graduation Speculations 2014
I frequently visit AKB48WrapUp.com for news on AKB + 48 groups. It's managed by people like you and me, so I know some things are rather biased. However, one of their more recent posts bring to question about "Who will graduate next?" and "Will announcements be at 2014 Tokyo Dome Concerts?"
The article is here: http://www.akb48wrap...-dome-concerts/
Of course, 48Groups have seen a lot of announcements and graduations of research students and members alike. But, as the article above raises, it isn't just a member, but more importantly a regular Senbatsu member, one of the top members. They mention the following to possibly announce:
Kojima Haruna
Kashiwagi Yuki
Takahashi Minami
With my own knowledge so far of these 3 members here is how I can agree with the decisions of the writer.
Kojima Haruna - 1st gen member, 26 years old. Senbatsu member of most of their major singles. Pretty much perfect model body.
Kashiwagi Yuki - 3rd gen member, 23 years old. Senbatsu member for a lot of major singles. Successful solo career
Takahashi Minami - 1st gen member, 23 years old. Senbatsu member for most of major singles. Solo career. Soukantoku, "AKB no tamashi"
I can see why these 3 have been chosen. All 3 are really popular and have huge fan bases. But could they really announce their graduation?
Kojima is 26, and not to mention trolled everyone at the election when she mentioned she wouldn't graduate this year. But could be too good to be true? In my opinion, I think she should graduate next year; I mean don't pull a Yuko and announce on New Years Eve (probably New Years Day yes ) but I can see her graduating next year.
Kashiwagi Yuki has a successful solo career at this moment, and she's an amazing idol. My opinion is that she very well could announce her graduation. I think she is ready to graduate.
Takahashi Minami has had a lot on her shoulders since becoming Soukantoku in 2012. And I think she handles it quite well, too. I'm amazed when I see her talking to all the girls - I look up to her even. Personally, since AKB will turn 10 years old next year, I think it would be good for both Kojima and Takahashi to graduate next year, a very special graduation for 10 years of being in the group.
But, anything can happen. Nothing is in my control There could be surprises, who knows. I hope fans will be prepared for it, along with other announcements. AKB and 48Group still amazes me with a lot of things. So I'm really curious to see how leadership will later be, and how the new generations will grow.
And by 1 or even all 3 of these potential members for graduation, I really do not want a new generation to come in with 20 or so members to fill in for the member lost. Work with the talent of girls that's there already. It bugs me to think that this could happen.
Yukirin is 23 not 24.
I think all 1st gen. girls will stay until the 10th anniversary next December. After that they will probably move on. I think Takamina will graduate before Kojiharu and Minegishi will probably be the last 1st gen. to graduate.
I think Yukirin will stay in the group a bit longer to see how her solo career will fare. She's very popular, but it's difficult to say how many fans will stick around after her graduation. There will be fans who only want pure virgin Yukirin the idol and not Yukirin the singer who is allowed to date and get married (someone who is not them).