Sayashi Riho to Graduate from Morning Musume。'15 on 12/31

[Chatin]

The dynamic of the group will be so different without her there. It's gonna be very interesting for 2016.

I'll miss Riho's presence in the group and would hope they manage to sneak out a single or album before December is up. Wouldn't mind her returning as the first H!P soloist in a while. Or join Miyabi in some hot dance group.

[boinsie]

My girl wont even get an official final single..
And she wont be for Morning Mususme 60th single?!(

I mean, they potentially could rush out a 60th... Release One & Only as a single w/a Riho solo as a B-side.

[Celedam]

What rush? It's been more than two months since they released their 59th. I'm expecting them to announce their 60th any day now.

[DARC1993]

60th is another milestone single though. I doubt they would "rush" it out and also with a member leaving. I don't see them doing it :d

[otaku_blue]

Maimi's reaction/announcement on her own blog:

I think there are people who are already aware,

but Morning Musume。’15’s Sayashi Riho has announced on her own blog that she will be graduating from Morning Musume。 on December 31st of this year.

It’s sudden, so I think people are surprised and upset.

But for me, who has seen how strong her sense of responsibility is and how stoic she is from up close as a member of Hello! Project,
I felt like it was a very characteristic decision by her.

She’s loved dance since the beginning and her skill level is high,
so surely she wants to go overseas to expand the breadth of her skills beyond that of Hello! Project.

For everyone, I’m sure that it’s sad and you can’t overcome your feelings when a member you support graduates,
but I think deciding to level up your life experiences and skill is a really positive thing.

Not just her English and dancing,
but I feel like she’ll come back one or two levels more mature due to her experiences in a new environment overseas.

It takes a lot of courage to make a decision to change your current circumstances,
and I’m sure she’s uneasy about leaving Japan.

I want us in Hello! Project to support her decision and encourage her.

The rest of us will have to liven up Hello! Project so as not to lose to the girl working hard overseas,
and I want to make it into place that she can return to relieved.

There’s only 2 months remaining, and it’s a short time,
but let’s support the girl who was part of Morning Musume。 for 5 years and still aims for the top together.
Please continue to support Sayashi Riho,
Morning Musume。,
and Hello! Project.

Hello! Project leader
℃-ute leader
Yajima Maimi

http://maimilog.com/2015/10/29/blog-upd ... ncement-2/

[resop2]

I guess Riho will be going to the same school that Makoto and Aika went to?

And, when she comes back will they make a smaller group for her, like when they made Biyuden for Ishikawa Rika?

[Celedam]

Maybe they'll make the dance club a smaller, more permanent group, with her as the leader. It would fit with H!P's "performance" image.

[erilaz]

So much for my plan to be at her graduation. Even if I could manage to get a ticket to the countdown concert, there's no way I can go to Japan at the end of December.

[aerosuffly]

This must have been decided suddenly because she is still on Morning Musume' 16 calendar, perhaps to accommodate Spring 2016 semester.

It is really too sudden.

[Saik-yo]

This must have been decided suddenly because she is still on Morning Musume' 16 calendar, perhaps to accommodate Spring 2016 semester.

It is really too sudden.

They probably didn't want to alarm anyone so soon.