Ikuta Erina to graduate from Morning Musume. '25 and H!P at the end of the Spring 2025 Tour

[Amped]

Announced at the "Hello! Project 2025 Winter Fes. "Kaku" Opening Day @ Shinagawa Stellar Ball (Tokyo) 1.2.25

Today on the 14th anniversary of 9th gen joining, Eripon herself made a simple and straightforward announcement that she will graduate after the Spring 2025 tour.

Ikuta during the last MC : "Today, we celebrate our 14th anniversary! Thank you very much. And Eri has an announcement. I will graduate from Morning Musume. and Hello! Project after the Spring Tour. I also wanted to try my hand at being a soloist!"

[Loverindesu]

Thank god, finally

I mean It was obviously coming, the girl is turning 28 this year so she will be out this year.

I’m not sure about her legacy and her contribution, to me she is the less talented from 9 gen, but I respect her as a dancer and her leadership allowed to other girls to shine. I wish her the best.

I’m eager to see Sakura and Miki/Maria leadership.

[Amped]

Upfront statement

Thank you for your continued support of Hello! Project and Morning Musume. '25.

Morning Musume. '25 Leader Ikuta Erina, will graduate from Morning Musume. '25 and Hello! Project after this Spring's Concert tour.

This year marks the 15th year since she joined the group on January 2nd, 2011 as a 9th gen. member, and currently serving as the leader of the group.

As we discussed her future activities from 2022 onwards,
she expressed her desire to pursue her personal dreams in a new environment, and after careful consideration, we have come to the conclusion that she will graduate after this Spring's concert tour.

We will inform you of her post-graduation activities.

We would like to ask for your continued support for Ikuta Erina, Morning Musume '25, and Hello! Project.

Ikuta Erina

Dear all

Thank you for your continued warm support.

I, Ikuta Erina, will graduate from Morning Musume. and Hello! Project on the last day of the Spring tour in 2025.

My life as a Morning Musume. member started on January 2nd, 2011.
I am very happy to know that I have had the support and encouragement of many more people over the past 14 years, more than I could have ever imagined.
I was really happy to have had many experiences as Morning Musume. in that time.

I have been able to overcome many experiences together with my friends, sometimes crying and sometimes rejoicing, all because of Hello Project, which taught me the importance of being in a group.

It has been about a year since I took over as leader in 2023, and I have been impressed by the sparkling appearance of my juniors.

Each member has his or her own merits, and I have done what I can to make them better in my own way.

In the midst of all this, I found a new dream for myself to move on to the next step, and that dream pushed me to decide to graduate so that I could take the big and great signboard of Morning Musume. and fulfill my dream as an individual, together with you all.
I had a dream that I wanted to challenge alone, which I could not experience in my current activities. It was the voices of our fans that helped me find this dream. I was so happy to hear many people say, 'I like this part of Eripon,' and it gave me the courage to pursue my dream.
I am thinking of leaving the agency I have worked with for 14 years to start in a new environment as I consider moving toward a new dream. However, in my mind, I intend to continue my entertainment activities without taking a break.
I love being 'Eripon' so much♡.

I am honored to have been a member of Morning Musume for half of its 27-year history.
I would like to continue to accumulate more experiences during the remaining years until my graduation.
I want to give back to many people!

I would like to enjoy Morning Musume. as much as I can, so let's make many dreams come true together with our fans!


https://www.helloproject.com/news/18325/

[Zunu]

She outlasted Ishida, so mission accomplished

[Denki]

There goes my oshimen.

[chaosgamma]

Jeez, I don't look at anything for a few days and Juice finally gets a single and Eripon's leaving me. I'm thrilled for one, sad for the other though of course it isn't unexpected.


One thing I don't believe I've seen anyone mention is that she's that last member who is older than Hello! Project.

[hewalksalone]

After reading a few (poorly translated) Japanese blogs. I get the impression that Ikuta stuck around just so that Ishida couldn't become leader.
In those blogs, Haga and Sakurai, not to mention Oda, both expressed that Ishida was sort of a bully. Oda feels regrets that she never really supported 12 gen and hinted that she was following Ishida's lead. In Riley's case, she's was made to feel like she was not being faithful to MM because she enjoys talking with members from other groups and taking 2shots with them. Ishida openly teased her for doing so.
I also think back to the time that Homatan was expressing some regrets at becoming an idol because she lost contact with her friends from home and Ishida basically told her to suck it up because (telling Homa) 'You chose to be an idol.. that is the life you chose'.
My point is that, I gained a new respect for Ikuta. She may have wanted to graduate sooner but she kept at it to prevent (possible) bullying.
Anyway, I'm freaking out about where, or even if I should post this. Should I have put it in Ishida's graduation thread, rants, or this one.

[Zunu]

After reading a few (poorly translated) Japanese blogs. I get the impression that Ikuta stuck around just so that Ishida couldn't become leader.

As I was saying...

[Tobo_Junny135]

Hmmm its not related to Ikuta’s graduation buuuut I did want to point out regarding the Homatan’s regrets MC. I don’t think Ishida meant it as a suck it up, it’s more she was relating to Homatan’s regrets that in choosing to become an idol there are things “we” had to sacrifice and was trying to cheer her up by being thankful she is part of Morning Musume. Like Homatan I’m sure Ishida was her age and has school friends she could not catch up with anymore but being in Momusu there are friends you can find here. Also Homare looks up to Ayumi so I really doubt this is the case.

I don’t think Ayumi intentionally meant to bully any of the members, this was just her way of communication. Which could be seen as “Mean” or “Strict” but I think its merely Ayumi was taking her role as a Senior seriously.

I’m sure if any of the girls had any concerns with Ayumi they would’ve discussed this with her.

[hewalksalone]

Bullying was the wrong choice of word. I regret it now.