Smileage Maeda Yuuka graduated at end of year 12/31/2011

[AyuHikaru]

While I'm shocked, I'm kind of glad she's pulling a Konkon. She can always come back after she gets out of school

I'll miss her though, I've liked her since High King.

[SakuraTheShadow]

I'm not a fan of her what so ever though this really shocked me.

Though, I really wasn't a fan of S/mileage before. I didn't like how little members they had, how every song was the same tone, how every member was said to be seen with the same energetic genki personality. When the new member auditions was announced, when the sub-member concept was announced, and now with the graduations it gives the group more spice and excitement and all these changes is what made me actually start to like S/mileage.

If MM didn't do what they did with their members they would be selling as much as Berryz/C-ute too I bet. I'm a fan of those groups though, I like change. Change like this is exciting and makes the group more unique and more fun to follow.

[Amped]

official statement from Yuuka and Tsunku
http://s-mileage.jp/info/3298

this article mentions 3-ki audition next year, and Kouhaku could be Yuuka's last stage

紅白歌合戦が最後のステージ
来年３期スマイレージ募集

[Nayoko-Kihara]

She was never a favorite, but respect to Yuuka for making a difficult decision between two things she loves. I hope she's able to get in to her University of choice when that time comes.

[boinsie]

and Kouhaku could be Yuuka's last stage

As in, speculation of if they did get onto Kouhaku this year, or...? Did I miss something?

[Amped]

yeah.
--

Dawa, Kanon, Rina and Takechan react to the news this morning

http://ameblo.jp/wadaayaka/entry-11058439185.html
http://ameblo.jp/kanon-fukuda/entry-11058441698.html
http://ameblo.jp/smileage-submember/ent ... 52002.html
http://ameblo.jp/smileage-submember/ent ... 58849.html

Dawa will continue to work hard on their dream of performing at the Tokyo Dome.


edit
Kanana and Meimei reaction
http://ameblo.jp/smileage-submember/ent ... 81491.html
http://ameblo.jp/smileage-submember/ent ... 79633.html

[Pavlova]

... Not as sad as I was for Saki but still sad, Yuuka was my favorite egg for a long while, even if that was a long time ago.

I'll miss you bb girl.

Hope she does a Konno style comeback.

I have to say I admire Momoko, she's the one who's pulling off uni plus being a member at the same time..

Not that I say the others should do that, I myself do not work during class time because I can't handle it.

Oh well.

[Chatin]

And my other favorite S/mileage member takes a bow. Between Yuuka, Saki, Aichan, and Iwashima, some great talent has left H!P, this year.

High-King will need an update. Riho and Ayumi?

[22Tsuji22]

T___T This year is painful for graduations!

[RpgN]

Yuuka was always my favourite along with Saki from a casual perspective. Some of the new members are interesting and do add to the group, so they will have that.

It's sad to see her go, but I'm kind of getting used to graduations. The group will continue and it won't be much of a loss as long as new interesting members get added. I was such a drama queen when it came to this not too long ago. I'd probably still be more than sad if the remaining MM members leave but the blow would have been harder if I didn't get used to it like now. Along with getting worried wether the new members will fit in or not. If she truly wants to focus on education, she's made a good decision she can stand behind.