Indeed! I think it's time for her. And leaders use to announce their graduations on the Winter concerts (Ai-chan and Gaki-san graduation announcements were on Winter 2011 and 2012 respectively) so I think it's normal to suspect she's going to announce it already. Even if she graduates on Autumn 2014.
MM: Sato Masaki, Ogata Haruna, Kudo Haruka, Oda Sakura ;ºC: Okai Chisato;
I hope that Sayu announces her graduation at this concert, she's gettin' up there in age and it's time for her to marry a hawt actor and make us some bunny-babies. Her graduation may kill the techno stuff as they move into a new era, I fear. I will miss the Sayuborg.
I would love for them to throw tradition aside and keep her in indefinitely, and that would seem to be best for business IMO, but it really is likely she'll be gone by this time next year. Spring 2015 is the absolute most optimistic latest I'd think.
No I certainly wouldn't pick anyone out in particular (I was worried about Zukki about a year ago but that phase seems to have passed off fine), I just think that we may get surprised but who might want to go next that it may not just be Sayumi or there's still that outside chance it could be someone else first...Tsunku even said this a while back though I'm not necessarily reading things in to him saying that.
Does anyone know the estimated price of Nakano concert ticket? (Jan 2 - 6)
I want to ask a friend in Japan to buy it for me but if it is very competitive (ticket sold out within few hours after sale time), then I will try to get a 2nd-hand ticket by myself.
I'm thinking Sayu will actually graduate next year. Who knows when she'll actually announce it. I think definitely after 12th gen comes along which I'm hoping the auditions will be announced soon. When 12th gen is chosen and they are comfy she'll graduate like how Gaki did with 10th gen.
I don't think Sayu will announce graduation as long as MM gets super popular again
That's exactly when I think she'd graduate because that's her goal, to get everyone to know Morning Musume '14 so them getting more popular would actually give her more reason to go. I wouldn't mind a new unit but I love all the groups now. Be that as it may, new groups will be added soon because, let's face it, Berryz are getting up there in age and the life of an idol isn't very long. They probably have 3 years left, 5 tops (I say that like it's not a long time lol)
For me, it doesn't seem like Elder Club has been gone that long, but it'll be 5 years this March. Been 3 since EJL graduation... time flies when you're focused on upcoming events/releases/tv spots/concert tours...
But really, the typical idol age has slowly been increasing since AKB came to dominance, so being in your mid to late 20's as an idol isn't too horrible. There IS the expectation of settling into marriage or whatever in one's 30s, but even that is being pushed further and further back as more women enter the workforce in Japan and focus on their careers.
Spoiler
I dunno though... part of me is hoping for an Elder Club II, where Berryz/C-ute eventually graduate but stay as part of H!P in some capacity (be it through participation in new groups, solo acts, or annual BerryKyuu tours). I'm just curious how H!P leadership will eventually work if they don't keep Sayu or H!P Kids around on the label. Outside of Berryz/C-ute and current leader, the next oldest is Mitsui, then Miyazaki, then Wada, then Iikubo. Mitsui has been around long enough and has experience leading, as does Wada, but Miyazaki and Iikubo are relatively new to it. Perhaps this is why they were so gung-ho about keeping Aika around? Because they knew they wouldn't be keeping the older girls within H!P? Granted H!P leadership isn't what it was under Nakazawa, but with the KSS beginning to actually be utilized, you'll have quite an influx of these younger girls debuting and needing guidance for certain things. Ehh, this is turning into a totally off-topic ramble lol
I really am looking forward to new unit announcement(s). It's always exciting getting to watch a new group grow, and the rivalry with their peers (mostly J=J in mind here) will be interesting
As for Sayu... I dread that day and don't want to think about it until it's announcement, upon whence I shall bawl like a baby. Though she may not be the strongest performer, I really love watching her sing and dance with all her determination - and let's face it, she won't likely be doing much singing after MM