OG (Graduated Members) / M-line Club / M-line Music

[Parhelion69]

disclaimer: This is all my opinion, ofc

I think it's all BS.
That doesn't fit with the official reason, the contractual problems with her parents family, that is actually more plausible.

If the girl went through all the trouble to go to MM auditions, then stay as KSS, later be in a group which would surely debut (it was a no-brainer), then why would she feel insecure with her singing and then just quit? She was auditioning for an idol group, not an artist one.
Sorry, but I can't take her seriously...

Anyway, I hope she is happy now, and that she can meet her objectives. She's still young, so she can accomplish a lot. Good luck Aina.

[Sohee]

It's not that impossible to think that a 12-13 year old would have that mindset that they just wanna meet their idol. Reina did the same thing - she auditioned for 5th gen because she wanted to meet Goto Maki lol. And then again for 6th to see how far she'd go now that she was allowed to audition.

Most likely she didn't even think about her singing until she started to think more about what would happen "from now on" when she was in KSS and she started to get to do more and had met Okai etc.

I mean. Seriously? She was 12-13. A kid. She'd think like a kid too, until she's been in the working (showbiz) world for a while.

[Celedam]

That doesn't fit with the official reason, the contractual problems with her parents, that is actually more plausible.

Where was that given as the official reason? That sort of thing is almost never discussed in public; it would go against the entire Japanese culture.

As I remember it, that was just the reason that some people concocted in order to explain the timing and abruptness of her departure, because they couldn't believe she'd choose to quit after making it so far.

[questorminator]

I think I'll give the girl some credit for putting out her version of the events, even if it doesn't seem to make sense to some of us. At the very least, I find her reasons to be unique and interesting.

[JonCC]

That doesn't fit with the official reason, the contractual problems with her parents, that is actually more plausible.

Where was that given as the official reason?

Here (the original announcement of her departure from Juice=Juice): http://www.up-fc.jp/helloproject/news_Info.php?id=4775

Translation from Estrea@ H!O
We sincerely thank you for always supporting Juice=Juice.

In line with Otsuka Aina's own wishes, along with some overlap of contractual issues with her family, we were unfortunately unable to reach an agreement with the terms of the contract, and with respect to her family's non acceptance of the contract terms, from July 5th Otsuka Aina will no longer be part of Juice=Juice or the Hello!Pro Kenshuusei.

From now on Juice=Juice will continue on with only 5 members.
We beg the understanding of the fans on this matter, and hope that you will continue to support them.

[Celedam]

Read it again. It only says there was a disagreement with her and her family, not specifically with her parents. It was fans who blamed the parents for being greedy and pulling her out against her wishes. Her explanation now would jibe with the idea that she pulled herself out, against her parents' and the agency's encouragement.

EDIT: You're enlarging the relevant passages as if I cannot read them for myself? Really, you're going to be that guy?

[questorminator]

Also, since Aina is a minor, it's only natural for the statement to indicate that her family made the decision for her since I don't think she can legally do so yet.

Or at least, that statement was made similar to most press-releases that I've seen regarding a talent/artist/idol's withdrawal from contract negotiations.

[JonCC]

EDIT: You're enlarging the relevant passages as if I cannot read them for myself? Really, you're going to be that guy?

No, I'm doing that because choosing the 'bold' option on this board hardly seems to make a visual difference (at least on my monitors).
I've been doing this for a while now.

[AyuHikaru]

Wouldn't they have just said personal reasons if it wasn't a contract thing and Aina didn't like her own voice? Official statements they've made in the past have used "personal reaons" or "Wanting to continue her studies". I don't know, the above statement is very specifics and leans the reader to a very specific outcome that doesn't match up with Aina's version of events. "Contract problems" doesn't equate to "Aina doesn't like her singing."

[questorminator]

^
Well, you do have a point. But a refusal to join may also technically fall under "contractual problems". If, for example, she insists on having a personal voice coach included in her contract terms, and was rejected but was adamant about it, then that's "contractual problems" too. The term easily covers a lot of ground that it can mean anything.