Takahashi Ai To Leave Morning Musume

Takahashi Ai To Leave Morning Musume

Coming on the heels of the great momentum and renewed fan interest that was gained by the announcement of the 9th generation members; Hello!Project has managed to put that to an end ,cause some fans to announce they are jumping to AKB48 and a mix of other in shock remarks.

For me, I am not surprised and you should really prepare yourself for more to come as Morning Musume is rebuilding itself.

Earlier this evening current leader Takahashi Ai, announced her upcoming graduation from both Morning Musume and Hello!Project .

Aichan said that she was asked back when it was decided that Kamei Eri ,JunJun and LinLin would graduate ,to decide when she wanted to graduate as well.

Aichan decided that devoting ten years of her life to Morning Musume and Hello!Project was enough and that now is the time to move on.

Aichan will not be leaving Morning Musume ,immediately. She will stay on to help mold and shape the 9th generation and to prepare Risa and  Sayumi [most likely] to become Leader and Sub-Leader . It was also announced that Niigaki Risa will become the new leader after Tanahashi`s graduation.


Aichan will officially graduate at the end of Morning Musume's 2011 Autumn concert tour [in 9 months].

Aichan has had a good run ,she has been a member of this group longer then anyone else and has been the longest leader in the group's history.

Aichan will remain in entertainment after her graduation, by either continuing in music or acting or both. Her plans will be announced later.

As sad as this event will be to her fans ,it was time under the way Morning Musume works . You also have to respect her decision and how she is leaving .She could have easily done a Fujimoto Miki and walked away from this new lineup ,without them being properly prepared for the change . Instead all the way to the end ,she is showing her love ,concern and leadership , by making sure that the 9th generation are properly trained ,that Risa and Sayu[again most likely ,not official announcement] have time to prepare to take over the group.

Takahashi Ai , may not have been the most publicly outspoken leader ,however she will end her time as one of the most caring.

--------------
Extra notes
Sub Leader Note- The next sub leader will be either Sayu or Reina .It`s always been believed that Sayu was after Eri in rank .With Eri graduated ,Sayu should be next in leadership rank. Both want to be the leader of Morning Musume before their graduation.

The Up-Front chairmen Yamazaki has a lot of say in who joins and who leaves Morning Musume and has been doing so since 2006 .


Her MC announcement this evening