Kudo Haruka graduated from from Morning Musume. '17 and H!P (12/11)

[aerosuffly]

Very respectable decision. She has ambition and more importantly courage to leave her comfort zone and face unforeseen challenges. Tsunku also said that courage is the most important values to succeed (see one of the interview clip in his thread). It will be a big change for MM, for 10-ki and for her, but it will be interesting. I wish of them luck.

[AyuHikaru]

Her words that she wants to play a normal school girl are interesting to me. Do you think she's tired of her "Ikemen" role?

[erilaz]

But damn, April is not a good fandom month for me. In 2005 my all time favourite member Yaguchi resigned from MM and while my interest for the group decreased, I've always stayed a fan but it wasn't until Kudo joined in 2011 that I really started paying attention to them and their releases again. It's just not the same if you don't have a member that's your favourite.

Same as you, Yaguchi was my original favorite in the group and Kudō is my favorite in the current lineup. But I've had to let go of a string of favorite members in the interim, as well: Yoshizawa, Takahashi, Niigaki, Sayashi. It's all part of being a Morning Musume｡ fan.

[rikkikow]

Blame yourselves for denying her a H!PS win. She has one more chance, right? But it will never happen.

[CaptainBerryzGiraffe]

...oh my god...
duu...
i can't believe it...
this was the most unexpected thing ever, the biggest shock I've had since Meimei....
DUUUUUU NOOOOOOOOO T-T

[Starra]

Huh. Well. I didn't expect this. Don't have much of a reaction otherwise. I'm pretty neutral about her.

Although, I'm proud of her for actually doing what she wants and following her dreams. I'm also glad she's found something she's passionate enough about to pursue like this.

[otaku_blue]

Well, at least now we know why she's letting her hair grow out, after so many years with a boy cut.

I always thought it was dumb how she's forced to keep her hair short and styled in a certain way.
I'd love to see one single where she had longer girlish hair. So I'm quite sad to see her go without having this happen first.
Hopefully they let her grow her hair out if she wants to for her final single.

A solo a-side might also be a good push for her to get some more exposure? But even just be centre for her last single is good. I hope she gets picked up by a good agency she has a lot of potential.

I'm still quite shocked she's graduating. It feels like the closest I'll ever feel to watching a little sister graduate and grow up.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

^ Did she say she was leaving Up-Front too?

[otaku_blue]

Right now? No.
But if she wants to hit it big as an actress, I'd assume trying for a different agency might be better for her. Besides, I'm sure UF would easily take her back if she does and wants to change back.

[Shoujo Q]

Mano doesn't seem to be doing bad for herself as far as getting acting gigs. But part of me clings to the idea she'll stay and join M-Line and live happily ever after in the UF basement. But I know that's not real. That only happens to the ones that outstay their welcome and they have no possible future outside of making a family and/or making a little extra cash with M-Line appearances.