Sasaki Rikako graduated ANGERME and Hello!Project in Spring 2024

[DonJuan]

Official Announcement.

That probably explains why she became neither leader nor sub-leader.

[Shoujo Q]

Well that sucks, but I knew it was coming. Still sucks though.

I fixed the title, since she's also graduating H!P.

I hope whatever she does.... she does an amazing job and makes bank doing it.

[JPope]

From Tokyo Hive: "I've encountered something that excites me from the bottom of my heart, which is 'to express.' One of my reasons for graduating is that I wanted to know more about a different side of me. As much as I have grown in Hello! Project, which I love so much, I strongly felt the desire to move someone's heart and become their light in a different way. In life, we make choices and there are times we fear the unknown, but I don't want to live my only life with regret because I didn't try something."

That's pretty cryptic, lol. The time seems about right for her, though, as H!P is well into a new generational shift, and Anju in particular is well stocked with young talent. And at 22, Rikako is still young enough to pursue something much bigger than UF. This is how it should be done.

Also, I didn't realize that Kamiko was already 24, so we might be closer to Layla taking over than we think. Feel old yet?

[DonJuan]

I fixed the title, since she's also graduating H!P.

Thanks!

That's pretty cryptic, lol. The time seems about right for her, though, as H!P is well into a new generational shift, and Anju in particular is well stocked with young talent. And at 22, Rikako is still young enough to pursue something much bigger than UF. This is how it should be done.

Rikako on the next Produce 101 season? but yeah, considering Rikako is already in 6th place of H!P seniority (after Ikuta -> Ayumi -> Sakura -> Aarii -> MM 12th gen) this makes sense. I remember her being the baby in Anju lol.

Which also makes me wonder when all the MM girls are going to graduate. The other groups have their members with the highest seniority up for graduation (Aarii, Rikako, Rei is a special case I guess since Kobushi seniority does not really play into her Juice seniority (she's seen as a senior to YumeRiai but not to Ruru I think?), Tsubaki let go of Riko and Yumeno - and Kiki not too long ago either).



At this point it should be Yokoyan's turn at Morning lol.



The rest of the list, if anyone is interested.

[JPope]

Rikako on the next Produce 101 season?

Not gonna lie, that thought briefly crossed my mind, lol. If she had the opportunity to do a show like that, she'd be tough to beat.

Which also makes me wonder when all the MM girls are going to graduate. The other groups have their members with the highest seniority up for graduation (Aarii, Rikako, Rei is a special case I guess since Kobushi seniority does not really play into her Juice seniority (she's seen as a senior to YumeRiai but not to Ruru I think?), Tsubaki let go of Riko and Yumeno - and Kiki not too long ago either).



At this point it should be Yokoyan's turn at Morning lol.

Lotsa hot pink at the top of that chart.

[Shoujo Q]

Rikako has graduated, and she graduated on the most epic of concert setlist. (Taken from Amped and Jplop and Edited down.)

Opening Act : Rosy Chronicle / MC Intro (with 2 new members) + CHO Chokotto Rock'n'Roll (without 2 new members)
- Opening
1. Taiki Bansei
2. Desugita Kui wa Utarenai
3. Manner Mode
4. Bibitaru Ichigeki
5. Nanakorobi Yaoki

MC Intro
6. Uwasa no Narushii
7. Uraha=Lover *Start at main stage, walk to center stage
8. 23ji no Persona
9. Zenzen Okiagarenai SUNDAY
10. Wasurete Ageru

- VTR : Rikako in her hometown and message. (Costume Change)
11. Mahoutsukai Sally

12. Short cut / Sasaki, Hashisako, Hirayama
13. Tenshinranman / Sasaki, Shimoitani, Goto
14. Panya-san no Arubaito / Sasaki, Kawana, Tamenaga, Matsumoto
15. Jitensha Chiririn / Sasaki, Kamikokuryo
16. Uchouten LOVE / Sasaki, Kawamura, Ise
17. Kousaten / All

18. Forever Friend
- MC
19. Akai Earphone
20. Ai no Kedamono
21. Aisare Route A or B?
22. Tsugitsugi Zokuzoku
23. 46okunen LOVE
24. Natsu Shogun (Last Song)

Encore
Rikako's Graduation (She's so... pooofy)
25. Kimi Dake janai sa...friends (They broke me with the screen behind her showing her generation mates. One who never got a graduation and the other who had to graduate without an audience.)
- Sasaki Rikako's Graduation speech
26. Tabidachi no Haru ga Kita
MC - Member Messages
27.THANK YOU, HELLO GOOD BYE
28. Tomo yo
Double Encore - Rikako says her final goodbye



I got a talking to in the stream for pointing out the poof. Sorry I upset you fan, but she's wearing all the Tutus! ALL OF THEM! It was really distracting.

[DonJuan]

I thought you were joking but:



LMAO!

[JPope]

Ha ha! One of the baddest bitches to ever grace the Hello! Project goes out with one of the girliest outfits, which is awesome. The Great Japanese Tulle Shortage of 2024 will have been worth it.

I missed this live and will have to watch it later, but Rikako was one of those n00bs who grabbed my attention immediately, and kind of helped define Angerme from the get-go, at least for someone like me who didn't follow S/mileage at the time. So this is a pretty big graduation for me, but it's a happy one, because I think she picked the perfect time to go. She neither left too soon (Funaki, Momona) nor too long (Fukumura, Erina, Daishi), and had a pretty long prime of her career.