Morning Musume 9th gen audition + mass graduation

[Milly]

Source: Tsunku's blog



9th gen audition! Yay <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /dance.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />



Jun Jun, Lin Lin, Kame graduation! Nooooooooo <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />



Details:

9th gen audtion-> Looking for girls age 10-17



graduation->

Eri: Medical reasons (Atopic dermatitis). It's been a problem ever since she joined. She tried medication and covering it up with foundation but with the sweating and costume changes during concerts it never got better. A specialist said that skin diseases can eventually have an effect on physical and mental health as well. Eri decided to take some time off from the entertainment business for it to heal.

JunLin: Tsunku says they've improved enough to stand alone as entertainers. They'll return to China and continue singer and/or talent activities.



They'll all graduate Hello Project at the end of the Autumn tour of Morning Musume.

[eri]

It has been a long time since we've had a line up change so this is really exciting. I'm surprised the Pandas have been here for so long and I really thought Risa and Takahashi would leave first. As awesome as LinLin is, I'm looking forward to some new faces in the group.



Does this mean that Kamei is retiring from show business all together? I guess concerts would not be good for her skin problem, but she can probably continue on as a typical TV presence. One really sad thing is, we probably will never see LinLin ever again if she goes back to China. Plus, even if she is a celebrity there, it will be hard to get subs for her appearances <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> I feel like I got on the LinLin love bus late in the game and now it is too late.



9th gen, jesus...

[EmEl]

Sadly the Chinagirls have become my favorites of the group. Oh well, can't have dirty foreigners in the group for too long (yes, I know, three years has actually been a long time). They were always called Foreign Exchange Students, weren't they? At least they won't be homesick anymore. Goodbye, dumb airhead Junjun, you were adorable.



I'd think we'd got one last single for them. They could've fit in two if they had one soon, since the fall tour stretches to December 12. But since we haven't heard about one, I guess we'll have just one.

[Cyrene]

WHAT.

ERI!?

NO.



I mean, I understand why she's leaving. Living with that condition must be really difficult and I wish the best of luck to her healing. I'm also extremely sad she's leaving because she was one of my last favorites. The Risa stands alone...The Risa stands alone. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />. JunLin is not a surprise, but without them I feel that MM will be missing good vocals again. In fact, losing Eri is a BIT HIT when it comes to their sound.



Moving on to new auditions, the 10-17 age range means we'll probably get another 12 year old in the group. Yay woo, exciting. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /frown.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':frown:' />

[Duncan]

Whaaaaaaaaaaat? No no no no no no no no no noooo! All my favorite members!

[EmEl]

Moving on to new auditions, the 10-17 age range means we'll probably get another 12 year old in the group. Yay woo, exciting. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /frown.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

Yeah, I didn't think about it, but with so few people left in the group, I guess this audition had better finally result in more than one winner. 10 would be sort of young though. Actually, you know what? I hope a 10 year old wins. I want her to be best friends with Takahashi.



EDIT: wow, they care about the international fans? Translation of Tsunku's announcement on their myspace page (It's what Milly already told us.)



Also pictures. Risa is sad, Junjun is super-sad. Eri's eyes are teary. Linlin is... talking.

Big announcement from the Morning Musume。



About the graduation of Eri Kamei, 6th generation member



Eri Kamei came to me several times regarding her health condition. One time, she said to me : "I would like to find the time to cure the atopic dermatitis that I'm suffering from".

Since the time she joined the Morning Musume。, it looks like she was dealing with symptoms like itching and slight skin color changes. She took medication to calm the symptoms down and she also used make-up to cover it but during live concerts, there is a lot of sweat and many outfits to put on, which made her recovery very difficult.

Some may say it is "just a skin problem" but according to doctors, an external problem like skin problem may move to an internal level. It may as well have an impact on her spirit, her mental level. Also, for her, it is a serious thing so she decided to focus on her recovery instead of letting it continue.

Eri Kamei will graduate from the Morning Musume。 and the Hello! Project on the last day of the Morning Musume。Autumn 2010 concert tour.

As for her activities after that, I intend to discuss with her after her full recovery.





About the graduation of Jun Jun and Lin Lin, 8th generation members (foreign students)



In May 2005, both of them joined the Morning Musume。as foreign students and today, while being skilled singers and entertainers, they also greatly improved their japanese proficiency and they are now grown-up women. This is why I took the decision to graduate both of them at the same time as Eri Kamei on the last day of the Morning Musume。Autumn 2010 concert tour.

After graduation, they will enter a period of preparation before focusing on their singers and entertainer career in China.

[hayley]

Well this flat-out sucks. The current lineup since Koha left has been their best in years and years. I'm going to miss all three of them BAAD. Hopefully Eri will make a reappearance in the future, but JunLin... well, it was nice knowing them.



Now I'm going to go be grumpy all evening and confuse the bejeebus out of my husband.



<img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

[strawberryjam]

NOO!!! Don't wipe out all my favorites in one go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />



Well, I hate to say it, but it may be end of the fandom for me now. If it was 1 girl, I could deal, but not 3 at once. At this point, I don't find it mentally possible to like a 15 year old because I will have an identity crisis idolising someone this much younger than me. How do I do deal?! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... smooch.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />



Just for trivia, any girl that joins now will be younger than Sumire. Same age if she is 17 turning 18.

[Special Needs Tricycle]

;_________; ERIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII



I understaaaaand but maaaaaaan, 3 of them at once? I get having Junjun and Linlin graduate together, but do they need to lump Kamei in with them? Can't they graduate Eri first, have the auditions, and graduate the JunLin after 9th gen is decided?



Bahhhhh. I had a feeling Eri would be next, and that JunLin couldn't stay forever, but still. :/ This is the first time my favorite has left MM since KonKon. ;A; Looks like I need to switch to Sayu now.



I hope Eri's recovers and comes back to do something, but I really doubt it somehow. :<



Hopefully Junjun and Linlin don't disappear into obscurity, though. I find it really amazing that they shone through the language/race barriers and ended up being one of the more interesting members in the group, and not just bodies to keep the member count up. They deserve to be successful. :<



We're down to 5 now, too. WTF.



But fucking YES 9th gen. Waaay overdue. MM NEEDS this. And like, 5 or 6 members too. Young ones. I want at LEAST one 12 year old. MM is looking like a bunch of old ladies nowadays. And I'm sure Tsunku will add an egg or two as well. 4 years is way too long. I did think I predicted right that MM would get an audition right after S/mileage's debut storm calms down so they can use Bijo Gaku to promote the auditions instead of S/mileage's debut.



I'm at least glad they padded a super shitty announcement with a super good announcement. ;-;

[AEUGNewtype]

I haven't liked Eri for a long time, but god, why do Jun and Lin have to go????? So sad, cause I'm sure they'll just rot away in the Chinese entertainment industry instead of continuing to have interesting careers. And so weird to have a 5-member Musume again, just like 1st gen, except a lot more dead weight <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> This is gonna be too weird.

[EmEl]

I can't imagine that they will do anything substantial as a five member group, would they? Seems like announcing the auditions now is the best way to eliminate the time between 12/12 and the introduction of the new girls, but I don't know how fast they can get through these things.

[Shoujo Q]

I expected Eri to graduate next, but not for the reasons they stated. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':frown:' /> She wasn't one of my top favorites, probably somewhere in the middle, but I loved all of the 6th gen and it's going to be hard to see her go as she's one of the first from the generation I started with. Koharu doesn't count because I never liked her. ;D



As for JunJun and LinLin... <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> JunJun!!!! This sucks even more.





At least I still have Aika, Reina, Sayumi and Takahashi. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />



As much as ALL of this sucks, I'm glad for the 9th Audition. They really did need a line-up change. Everything, even though it was good it was getting stale. Heck! Even if they do get new members, it might as well still be the Takahashi and Reina show. New blood might change that and I'm all for a song that doesn't involve those two heavily. But again, I don't know if it will help, it seems all likely candidates have been taken into the 48 fold lately. I'm surprised the audition age is so low. BUT I AM going to give myself a bright side and pray to every deity that there is; that if he picks some random girl in the audition he'll PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE throw in an egg or two into the group. I'm not picky, but I wouldn't mind giving Kikkawa Yuu another chance. And more then half the eggs are over the age of 12, so Tsunku can have a bunch to pick from. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... stling.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> Just sayin, wouldn't NOT help, even a little. Just don't pick Hirano, the girl can't smile to save her soul and she's older then Takahashi. But then again, I wouldn't smile either if I was old enough to be the mother of the youngest eggs.





... And on another note, what's gonna happen to the new Minimoni, Biyuuden, and Tanpopo now? D: Man this sucks! But I gotta keep Positive!!! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />





Edit: On the audition site, they don't have Asuka, Sayaka, Ishigura, Maki, or Kago on there. It'd be more funny, if I wasn't so sad. :<

[aine]

Fuck. Gotta rework the banners again.



[long post about how 6th gen is my favourite and Eri the 2nd favourite out of it and I liked JunLin too and I thought the current lineup was perfect and I'm sad to see them go and worried about the future of MM; if I have anything to add that wasn't said already I'll add it]



<img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

[Milly]

I like watching the auditions and I've gotten used to the graduations (of course, I'll definitely miss them). I just wish they didn't all leave at the same time. I'd much rather they'd let JunLin stay until after the next spring tour.



I wonder how UFA looks back on this exchange student experiment. There was a long awkward period in the beginning because of the language and culture barrier and even after they settled in they weren't very popular with the wota, even though they made most tv appearance 300x more interesting. And also, whatever happened to that Korean girl?



Btw, if they're thinking of bringing in some eggs I vote for Kikkawa Yuu and Miyamoto Karin.

[Shoujo Q]

[quote name='Milly' post='82607' date='Aug 8 2010, 08:03 AM']Btw, if they're thinking of bringing in some eggs I vote for Kikkawa Yuu and Miyamoto Karin.[/quote]



Those are my picks also, but I also like Mori Saki. That way every group can have a Saki. Of course I hope her voice has improved since this 2008.



Edit: Or any of these three, but I really like Irori Maeda or the Other Okai sister.

[Gerald]

I'm sad Eri is going as she (together with Ai) was my favourite. She has come on a lot as a performer recently but I understand the reasoning and it seems as if she will be back in the entrtainment business at some point and I wish her well with her health.



I'll miss JunLin but I feel they were under-used and never really allowed to show their personalities fully. I know nothing of the Chinese entertainment industry but I hope they can keep working if that's their wish.



A 9th Generation audition is good news especially if Tsunku picks some new members with vocal talent <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... stling.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> (it could happen) but please no bloody 12 year old Kago wannabes.



I wonder how many will be picked. I always preferred a larger MM but unless this causes a boost in popularity I guess finances will mean 3 out and 3 in. MM48 anybody?

[Pi Mako]

Wow, I'm actually surprised by this news that there will be a 9th gen audition. To be honest, I thought Tsunku would let MM die a long, slow death and keep the same members.



Very cool, though. I have no hopes for the new members, his choices have been shit for nearly the last 3 gens (minus Aika and yes I know alot of you hate her, but oh well). I'm expecting cutesy 10 year old girls that can't sing; what else is new?



I'm not surprised Eri is graduating. I thought that girl would have been out before Koharu for sure. Best of luck to her. I'm also not surprised JunJun/LinLin are graduating either. But shit. Other than Aika, those 3 girls are the only members I liked. At all. Why is Risa still here? Kick her out and just make Reina the sub-leader <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/meh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> (not that I like Reina anymore than I like Risa, hah).



Well, throw in Kikkawa Yuu and I'll be happy, but it ain't gonna ever happen. I would be most amused if Kanon Fukuda were to be "randomly" thrown in, though.

[Ap2000]

With JunJun and LinLin going, I really have nobody to look forward to in shows and songs anymore.

Let's just hope the 9th gen brings on somebody interesting unlike the "outcomes" of the last two. Ugh...



I'm really sorry for the Pandas... maybe they can become an owarai duo or something ? =(

[Shoujo Q]

Here's the Audio from the Concert on YouTube. (Not sure how long it'll last.)



You really don't even need subs to feel the emotion. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

[Ap2000]

[quote name='strawberryjam' post='82601' date='Aug 8 2010, 12:01 PM']Just for trivia, any girl that joins now will be younger than Sumire. Same age if she is 17 turning 18. [/quote]



That's weird...

I hate that kid so much in the audition and I was so happy that she didn't make it.

But after seeing the pics of her in AKB now:

http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=20763.0



I think she would have been the far better choice.



[quote name='Milly' post='82607' date='Aug 8 2010, 02:03 PM']Btw, if they're thinking of bringing in some eggs I vote for Kikkawa Yuu and Miyamoto Karin.[/quote]



Yuu should have been put into MM instead of Aika already of course, but that other egg looks like an insect.

[EmEl]

On the plus side, musume-audition.com seems to be getting hammered by too much traffic. But it's possibly due to the wotas like us rather than applicants.



[quote name='PQ' post='82613' date='Aug 8 2010, 06:50 AM']Here's the Audio from the Concert on YouTube. (Not sure how long it'll last.)



You really don't even need subs to feel the emotion. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':puppyeyes:' />[/quote]

Oh, man, someone in the crowd wailed at hearing Kamei's name.



And barks has better quality pictures if you want to see the emotion. The picture of Aika supporting JunJun makes me sad.

[tsukinobyouin]

Well this blows. Two of my top three members (JunJun, Eri) and a really valuable member (LinLin) all at once? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':puppyeyes:' />



JunLin were just finally getting established in the group and had really developed their characters. Sending them back to China is such a waste. Like others have said, I really doubt we'll hear from them again. And what about the shuffle units? All three girls were in small groups and had big roles. It would have been one thing if they'd all graduated and stayed within H!P or UFA, but it's such a huge loss for all three of them to leave that umbrella entirely.



I suppose there's some hope Eri might come back some day when she's feeling better, but then she'll just be another wasted talent over at M-line. I do feel bad for her and can understand why she'd want to leave though.



Poor JunJun, that girl LOVES being in MM. There's so few of them these days that really seem to mean it when they say they love being in the group. I really hope we're all wrong and they have some great career in China, but this statement worries me:

After graduation, they will enter a period of preparation before focusing on their singers and entertainer career in China.

So basically, we won't hear from them while they "prepare," and LinLin will probably be the singer while JunJun is the entertainer. As in we'll never hear from her since subs of Chinese shows are rare =/



God damnit Tsunku, why can't you ever graduate anyone with PURPOSE anymore. The last girl to graduate that had a solid career lined up was Rika in '05. Not that there's anyone in MM who could have some Goto Maki-esque solo career, but I can't imagine a new unit or soloist could sell any less than Mano Eri or the M-line girls that release once every 5 years.

[Geof]

That's a damn shame about all 3 girls & I don't know which I feel worse for. In a way, I guess I probably feel worse for JunJun & LinLin since they're effectively being sold off into prostitution. Graduating them now kinda makes it seem like they were just a 10th anniversary gimmick that's run it's course.

[stoveroad]

With three members graduating, and given how much I gush like an idiot for these particular three, the group is going to feel like it has a gaping hole in it for a while. Post graduation, Eri will probably find romance and wind up married fairly quick, Linlin, chosen for her virtue and non-offensiveness, will glide around on a golden cloud delivering messages from The Heavenly Emperor to his earthly subjects, and Junjun will take her idol money and buy a banana plantation in South America.



[quote name='Ap2000' post='82615' date='Aug 8 2010, 09:03 AM'][quote name='Milly' post='82607' date='Aug 8 2010, 02:03 PM']Btw, if they're thinking of bringing in some eggs I vote for Kikkawa Yuu and Miyamoto Karin.[/quote]



Yuu should have been put into MM instead of Aika already of course, but that other egg looks like an insect.

[/quote]



Karin should be added just so Morning Musume could have an increased chance of finding hidden passages during dungeon crawling and have a member capable of night vision. And since no one else has said it yet, I'm predicting a Korean member to join. And she better have a fixation on a fruit.

[Shoujo Q]

[quote name='Peking Duck' post='82622' date='Aug 8 2010, 10:20 AM']With three members graduating, and given how much I gush like an idiot for these particular three, the group is going to feel like it has a gaping hole in it for a while. Post graduation, Eri will probably find romance and wind up married fairly quick, Linlin, chosen for her virtue and non-offensiveness, will glide around on a golden cloud delivering messages from The Heavenly Emperor to his earthly subjects, and Junjun will take her idol money and buy a banana plantation in South America.



[quote name='Ap2000' post='82615' date='Aug 8 2010, 09:03 AM'][quote name='Milly' post='82607' date='Aug 8 2010, 02:03 PM']Btw, if they're thinking of bringing in some eggs I vote for Kikkawa Yuu and Miyamoto Karin.[/quote]



Yuu should have been put into MM instead of Aika already of course, but that other egg looks like an insect.

[/quote]



Karin should be added just so Morning Musume could have an increased chance of finding hidden passages during dungeon crawling and have a member capable of night vision. And since no one else has said it yet, I'm predicting a Korean member to join. And she better have a fixation on a fruit.

[/quote]



They have to do something with the OTHER Korean member first before they go and buy another one.

[EmEl]

Aw, what the hell, who's gonna get Sexy Beam?



They're gonna give it to Sayu, aren't they?



Ugh, vomit beam.

[Madara]

<img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ryalot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':puppyeyes:' />



I should'a known that by writing this in my blog last week it would prove to be the kiss of death for this lineup:



"However, I’m wary of the prospect of future auditions for a possible 9th Gen. As far as I know nothing’s been announced, but I dread the day when it is. Why? Because these eight girls have achieved a dynamic that’s hard-earned. They perform so well together and the age range among them (17-23) is so perfect for this kind of thing, it would be a shame to upset it by having them joined by inexperienced younger girls. If there have to be new members, I would recommend recruiting from the Hello! Pro Eggs. Some of them are quite seasoned and have worked with MM before. I’m thinking particularly of Yuu Kikkawa, formerly of Milky Way, and Arisa Noto, formerly of Ongaku Gatas. But, for the time being, until the day when 9th Gen appears, I’m going to enjoy this near-perfect MM grouping as it is now."





Well that "as it is now" sure didn't last long. I finally come to grips with how great they are without Koharu and this happens. I'm sad and depressed.



My prayers, of course, are with Eri. Her health is most important and I hope she is able to get this condition cured.

[neshcom]

I'm gonna miss JunLin. I went from hating them with a passion to realizing they were the best singers in the group. Bye-bye panda bear! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... pyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':puppyeyes:' />



I can't say I'll be upset at Eri leaving. She kinda turned into a mature-type housewive personality at the end there. I hope they help her scolioleprosy soon.



YES 9TH GEN AUDITIONS, BUT NO TEN YEAR OLDS PLEASE. I just want Tsunku to please pick someone older who has singing experience and doesn't look like they're made out of potatoes. No tato-kids.



With just Sayu, Takahashi, Risa, Reina, and Aika left, Morning Musume has kind of become like a digest idol group. Cute, can-sing, and kinda-weird.



Upside: Aika might actually get to come out of that cage and sing some more lines! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /weeeh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':weeeh:' />

[Haru]

DGKJLJHKLJGJHKLBM

WHAT!!!!!!!



NOOO I LOVED JUNJUN AND LINLIN

AND ERI OMFG

AND...

AND...



woah this is

crazy



better response when i get back up off the floor from fainting

[thamychan]

I saw the news about the auditions before I saw the thing about the mass graduation... Damn, one night for three members??? I never cared too much about the Chinese but Eri always had a place in my heart since she won the sixth gen auditions. I'm so sad! I think I want to be there at the concert... Is it hard to get tickets?



Just read Linlin's message in her blog and I feel like crying. The chinese's graduation seems so unfair now they are finally getting to sing lines in songs!