Berryz Koubou have gone on indefinite hiatus as of 3/3

[Starra]

Well, damn. That much closer to falling out of the fandom.

You're still in the fandom?

[Chatin]

Well, damn. That much closer to falling out of the fandom.

You're still in the fandom?

I lurk a lot more.

[Starra]

Haha, I was half joking . Just haven't seen you 'round these parts much so I assumed you'd kinda dropped out.

[esm]

I wonder what happens when H!P ends.

[BerryzCelebration]

I probably would have stopped being a fan by then. Probably because by then, the 9,10, and 11 gen would be gone, and S/mileage and Ju=Ju too.

[Rika-chan]

I wonder what happens when H!P ends.

It's going to be the end of the world.

[wotakubrandon]

The thing I don't like is people who can't seem to let go.

This is the fandom that still complains about 8th gen auditions and this just happened.

[AyuHikaru]

All of our complaints about how they seemed too complacent with their position or seemed "lazy" (As some of the harsher people put) actually make a lot of sense now. There's a good chance they stopped having the heart for this years ago, probably about 2 years ago (As thats when we all started noticing it) but them and the management decided to try to push for 10 years and that helped pumped them up and get them excited again while it was happening, but ultimately, they wanted to leave the life. Honestly, with the way some of the members have been asking (Including my beloved Risako, who only recently found her spark again) I didn't find it surprising, I just found it very sad. Their hearts just were not in it anymore. If we AS THE FANS could see it, behind all the events and glamour and curtain that Celebrity uses to try to hide real emotions - behind the curtain it must have been REALLY REALLY apparent they just didn't want to do it anymore.

I will mourn Berryz. I will celebrate Berryz. Then I will let Berryz move on with their lives.

Here's to another solid 9 months, Berryz.

[Daisuki Daiiyo]

It's always easy to say in retrospect that we saw this coming because so-and-so's face looked bored in a PV or what have you, but as a DD Berryz fan, I can say that I am legitimately shocked. Paying attention to all of their releases, their DVD Magazine's, their TV Appearances, making-ofs and etc, they were always energetic and enjoyed what they do. They have a dynamic and camaraderie that is the best out of all of the H!P groups when it came to concert MCs, backstage footage, or DVD Magazine's. They line up jokes with ease, and have rapid-fire banter. And I have watched a lot of the recent DVD Magazines lol (I have a lot of spare time, and want to know the newer girls more so this is what I do). MM's new and still kind of stiff (thank god they have Maachan), S/mileage has a divide (though it's closing more recently) C-ute's off stage dynamic is really subdued (sans Chisato) and JuJu who? Current H!P really needs a new idol TV shows lol. Also, comparative to when would you say Socko lost her spark? Probably throughout 2012 or something? Because 2011 was ace for Berryz, and at the start of the year in 2013, Socko was doing great (and also talking the most in Berryz tailored releases-- when they went to the restaurant and ate the still-moving octopus, anyone?). lol writing anything in-favor of Berryz on this forum is like shouting into empty space though lol. No one ever hears it, and is already thoroughly convinced that Berryz was limping along the past 3 years due to sales and Maasa's face in PVs.

Anyway, I take this as a Takahashi-esque graduation. Could they have gone on longer? Sure. Would I have loved for them to? Definitely. But after a while, it's just time to move on and make room for the fresh meat. I don't see this as a reflection of their talent or dedication, but simply that they have reached 10 years, and it's time to make room (ala Aichan). There's a reason it's a hiatus, instead of a graduation. Probably because some wanted to continue, while some wanted to explore other things while putting Berryz on the back burner (Maasa and her acting, Yurina and some modelling maybe), so a hiatus allows for everyone to have both. Their bond is also really strong in that they could've just graduated off whoever wanted to do other stuff, but they decided that this was best. As stated previously, elsewhere on this forum too, H!P seems to be going in the "cool H!P" direction. And Berryz being a group from 2003/4 at the height of H!P silliness lol, was not going to fit in this mold without a severe change.

I'm sad, but it's been 10 good years. I'll just hope and pray that Buono! returns, or that Miya goes solo. And I'll continue cultivating my S/mileage fandom, since they seem to be going the Berryz route anyway (long skits at concerts, cover's of H!P classics as their b-sides and at cons, and an awkward line-up that you're sure won't work, but for some reason it does.)

[Jessi]

Its kind of crazy, but I think Tsunku is leading us back to the point where Morning Musume is the most senior group...

Can you believe it that the Platinum Era will be gone after Michishige, Berryz is on its way out... and C-ute doesn't have much time after...

All of H!P is quickly becoming new... After C-ute and if and when Ayaka and Kanon from S/mileage leave... the Kyukkies will be the most senior members.

FUKUCHAN... lover of H!P... may become the LEADER of H!P within the next few years........

O_O

When that day comes I will feel really old.