Morning Musume. '17 13th Generation : Kaga Kaede & Yokoyama Reina

[Amped]

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.

[Zunu]

Too bad Matsuoka Mayu isn't available for real.

[b229b24k]

They don't have one currently?

[jeiwa42]

"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?

[Celedam]

^ "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.

[jeiwa42]

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.

[Chibs]

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

[resop2]

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

[gustave154]

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

[bisuketto]

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)