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Today on The Girls Live, Mizuki, Kudo, and Maria said they want a "visual" member for 13th gen. Basically become the new face of the group.

Too bad Matsuoka Mayu isn't available for real.

They don't have one currently?

"We want a visual member" said the three members I consider visuals in the group xD But, considering they mean an ace, then yeah, that's what they need.

^ They don't really have one. It's not like it was with Riho who they would literally introduce as the ace/center. By the way, was that always a thing? I didn't join the H!P fandom until 2013 so I don't know, but did they always have a designated "ace/center" before Riho?

^ "Designated"? As in officially? I don't know about that, but the group has almost always had an ace/face/center of some sort. Sometimes two. Basically:

1997–1999: Nacchi
1999–2002: Maki (the Golden Era)
2002–2004: Nacchi and Rika
2004–2005: Rika and Miki
2005–2007: Miki and Aichan
2007–2011: Aichan and Reina (the Platinum Era)
2011–2013: Reina and Riho (the Colorful Era)
2013–2015: Riho

I don't count Koharu as an ace or center of the group, because even though she was specifically hired to be that (i.e., the so-called "miracle") and got the push in songs like "Resonant Blue", she was always better known for her solo work as Kirari.

Interesting, so until Riho, no one really went around saying they were the ace/center of the group in tv appearances, interviews, etc., it was just something that was apparent/understood. I guess that makes her a special case, because other groups don't really go around announcing who their center/ace is now that I think about it (e.g., Karin and Airi).

I guess for now MM is in a situation same as Angerme, where they don't really have an ace, but they do have a consistent set of front girls.

well currently they have MaaSaku as centers, but I think they don't feel confident about Maachan.

I wonder if they are worried that Masaki will want to join Lovendor when she turns 18?

I am so loving MaaSaku center right now but i know visuals are important to a group. Hey the more the merrier

I hope they don't add 4 new girls just for the sake of having new members. MM needs another girl who's strong vocally and a great dancer with confidence (another Riho basically lol)