OG (Graduated Members) / M-line Club / M-line Music

[Zunu]

It surprises me how many former H!P member quit H!P to return to showbiz soon after with a different agency/ idol group (some of which the quality I found questionable). Not talking about going solo, which I can get into if you want a change of pace, but as part of a new group.

I always thought H!P was one of the best companies in the industry and had a reputation for being one of best for their idols, but the current transfers leave me in much doubt.

You raise a sobering point but I'd like to believe there's a more benign explanation for that phenomenon. I mean, I could be totally wrong, but it seems to me that at least half of the members who choose to stay in the industry wind up in M-line, so I don't think the overall situation is that bad. However, it's clear to anyone at this point that Up-Front doesn't really have the clout to advance their solo members to the top tier of performers, with very rare exceptions. So it wouldn't be surprising if young adults are seduced by promises of fame and fortune to jump ship to a startup or rival agency. And it could also be the case that Up-Front may not necessarily want to continue a business relationship with its graduated members. Speaking of M-line:

M-line Music #166

MC: Tasaki Asahi & Hasegawa Moemi (Bitter & Sweet)


00:00～ Opening
00:37～ Studio Talk① "Recently, Bitter & Sweet..."
03:51～ VTR① Takeuchi Akari and Sato Masaki "Umaku Ienai"
　　　　　M-line Special 2024 Autumn ～brand new～ (September 7th, Shinjuku ReNY)
06:40～ Studio Talk② About "Umaku Ienai" ～Halloween is almost here!
10:20～ SPOT
12:25～ Studio Talk③ Bitter & Sweet New Single "29sai" Song Commentary
15:20～ VTR② Bitter & Sweet "29sai" MV Making ~ Event Announcement
21:09～ Studio Talk④ Snack Time "Brown Sugar Cookies"
24:54～ Studio Talk⑤ About "TNamida GIRL"
26:03～ VTR③ Takeuchi Akari & Ozeki Mai "Namida GIRL"
　　　　　M-line Special 2024 Autumn ～brand new～ (9.7 Shinjuku ReNY)
28:39～ Ending
30:13～ Studio Live Bitter & Sweet "Orange Line"

[DJChisato1]

It surprises me how many former H!P member quit H!P to return to showbiz soon after with a different agency/ idol group (some of which the quality I found questionable). Not talking about going solo, which I can get into if you want a change of pace, but as part of a new group.

I always thought H!P was one of the best companies in the industry and had a reputation for being one of best for their idols, but the current transfers leave me in much doubt.

I keep seeing people say this but for the life of me, I'd have a hard time coming up with 10 names over the past 12 years. If I think long and hard maybe 6. From the way people speak about it'd I'd swear it's half of H!P is leaving for other agencies.

Also, the recent transfers leaving you in doubt is what's called "confirmation bias". It ignores the overwhelming majority 99% of girls that don't leave for other agencies. There are a large number of H!P members. The law of large numbers will always have someone out sick, injured, hiatus, at 73 members there will be multiple grads per year.

I'd be super interested in your list. Maybe I'm forgetting a bunch or we have a differing opinion on what counts and what doesn't.

[Zunu]

Another performance from Airi's last episode before the renewal with Ooishi Masayoshi on "Cover desho de SHOW!!"

Here they sing the classic "Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono"

At one point Airi kinda loses her voice for reasons, and Masayoshi steps in to cover the melody.

Worth a watch!

[sukibeam]

I keep seeing people say this but for the life of me, I'd have a hard time coming up with 10 names over the past 12 years. If I think long and hard maybe 6. From the way people speak about it'd I'd swear it's half of H!P is leaving for other agencies.

Me too. I'm trying to think of girls who ended up at an unaffiliated entertainment agency - excluding members who had to join another agency due to scandal - and this is what I've got:

Aikawa Maho, Fukuda Kanon, Hamaura Ayano, Ichioka Reina, Kasahara Momona, Murota Mizuki, Sayashi Riho, Tamura Meimi, Yamazaki Yuhane

I think maybe the better question is what is in ANGERME's drinking water.

Spoiler: show

My personal opinion that no one asked for? H!P artists' popularity very rarely extends beyond the dedicated fandom and into the general public. It takes a special talent to do so, and I think many of the members realize it's safer to stick with the company they know (and Japan is still a country that values and rewards loyalty). At least they're guaranteed MCing, guest appearances, touring opportunities... I feel Miyamoto Karin made a smart move in this regard by not chasing clout elsewhere. She was popular since her Egg days, but her appeal is very specific.

In my list above, I can understand the Beyo girls jumping ship because - let's face it - Beyo has like 1 single a year. Sayashi had talents that I don't think UFP was equipped or willing to nurture past what was necessary inside the MoMusu group dynamic. ANGERME is very much a group that fosters individuality and fearlessly chasing one's dreams, so it almost makes sense to me why so many of them have moved on to such varying things.

Takagi Sayuki would have probably ended up on this list as well, if not for her scandal. She was getting mainstream recognition for her vocals being one of the best in H!P, and would have likely followed in Suzuki Airi's footsteps with a stable solo career.

[DJChisato1]

My list is a little different. Can you even count Aikawa since she left for health reasons then joined a modeling agency like 4 after her medical hiatus. I also wouldn't count Maro, since she left H!P and then hung around UF for years. I low key think Ichioka was fired/forced to resign for a reason not made public. Hama-chan is complicated.

My list: Nakanishi Kana*(Injury related) Ogata Haruna, Kasahara Momona, Murota Mizuki, Sayashi Riho, Tamura Meimi, Yamazaki Yuhane

[Zunu]

There are sh*ttier Agencies than UF.

I think you and I are basically in agreement on this, but I'm still not sold on the idea of UF being a shitty agency at all. I'm not saying they're perfect, I mean in any large enough group of employees, some of them are going to have sub-optimal experiences, hence the confirmation bias you spoke of upthread. But consider this, maybe a few girls switching agencies is actually a sign of how good UF is? What do I mean?

First off, I can't pretend to actually know what goes on behind the scenes, so I'm completely speculating. But talking about the past 10 years or so, approximately the time of the Shimamura Uta debacle to present day, my impression of UF is that they really try to be holistically supportive of their talent, even when they're on the way out of the door. Which means being attentive to their physical and mental health concerns, and also helping the talent craft a career trajectory and exit strategy that is best for them. Girls are allowed to take extended breaks, they don't seem coerced into shooting photobooks or made to maintain slender body types, and if/when they want to leave, it seems like it's mostly on their own schedule and that post-graduation they have the freedom to maintain a loose or tight relationship with Up-Front if they want, but if they don't, they are allowed to move on to other pastures as well. Just like IRL, you might work for a particular company for a few years, and eventually feel like you've learned everything you can, and want to seek out new and possibly more lucrative employment. That doesn't mean you hate your current job, you might even love it or at least feel gratitude, but you just want a change of routine that you're only going to get at a different shop. And if your current employer is based, they will give you their blessing, write references, give you a friendly exit interview, etc. But if they are shitty, they will make you sign non-competes, hold up your severance or PTO payouts, give you a hostile exit interview, threaten to sue you for breach of contract, make it difficult for you to stay in the industry, etc.

So what I'm saying is that UF doesn't seem to interfere with the talent's future career opportunities. And the ease the girls have at jumping to other agencies is a positive sign of that, not a negative one.

That's my head canon, anyway.

[DJChisato1]

Calling UF a Sh*tty agency is just an inside joke among fans. I don't think they are sh*tty at all. I would only trust UF to take care of my own daughter.

"I mean in any large enough group of employees, some of them are going to have sub-optimal experiences"
Exactly. I agree 100%. Life happens

I just don't see the mass exodus that some of the fandom claims there is. Too early to hit the panic button.
UF is good at what they do, they stay in their lane, they are successful and profitable. That's good enough for me.

[boinsie]

Nakanishi Kana and Murota Mizuki both performed at Ogata Haruna's HaruFes event!

[Amped]

SEVEN COLORS episode #5 10.30.24 - All of them participate in a dance and vocals battle. I thought Yuhane would be the last one added, but they added two new girls (11th and 12th participants) to the the audition and the battle. At the end, the girls will be divided into groups.

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV14VSVYLEx6/

Yuhane is added to the intro now





Also announced, it was revealed that the plan is for the selected members of this audition to debut on January 25th, 2025 in a live concert at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza (Tokyo) and to aim for overseas in the next 2~3 years.
https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4414197

[Amped]

SEVEN COLORS

Yamazaki Yuhane's 1st Dance Skill Check


Produce 101 girls 1st Dance Skill Check

Kitazato Rio (Yuhane's new friend)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDfoB5V_E6Y

Sutani Yurara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmiIM8HhR_M

Kino Riko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQlk3WDSR-E

12 girls in the household now

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