My Take on Takahashi Ai's Graduation from Morning Musume

It's been about a week since Takahashi Ai (Morning Musume's current leader) announced at the Hello! Project Winter Concert that she would be graduating (leaving) the group after the Fall Tour this year.
Copied from my tumblr, here's my opinion on this.

So now that I've finally calmed down and no longer have a heart attack, here's my reaction and understanding of this overall situation...

I was just minding my own business, checking out the new articles on Allkpop, then as I scroll down I see the Tokyohive news and see "Morning Musume's Leader Takahashi Ai To Graduate In The Fall!"

My reaction:

WUT?

I was absolutely SHOCKED. I mean, I knew she would be the next one to graduate, but this early?

Morning Musume is just about to regain momentum, and then this happens. At most, I expected her to graduate next year after the Spring Concert. But I guess that's not the case anymore ;~;

Although this is a good card played by UFA. Wotas and fans alike are gonna be buying her last few singles by the bus loads, and definitely album and concert sales will go through the roof. I would not be surprised if her last single hits #1, which I'm seriously hoping it does.

But it will be seriously weird for their first single without her. I mean, her vocals have been around since Mr. Moonlight, the 13th single. They've now produced over 40. 

They better book the biggest place in all of Tokyo for this graduation, because with all of her hard work I'd say it's worth it. Not to mention the possibility of hundreds of thousands of fans would want to go to her graduation concert (Just look at the turn out for Eri, Junjun, and Linlin's).

OOH. And a nice elegant dress too~!

I pray Ai will be the most active OG. She's absolutely got the talent for it, so hopefully she'll release a bunch of singles, an album, etc. Plus, I think it's also time for the other (especially new) members to shine as well, and maybe have the solo distribution fair again.

As for Gaki being the next leader, I'm happy for her. She worked hard for the title and deserves it, and I think she'll make a great leader. I hope she'll be a little less uptight than Ai was, and let everyone's personalities come out more naturally.

But the question is, who will be the next subleader? It's between Sayumi and Reina. Sayu could possibly get it because she's older, but I don't think the position suits her. She's amazing and very popular on variety shows, but I can't see her as leader.

Now Reina (my bias<3), she's been wanting the title of leader for a long time now. And since she's usually the lead vocalist in the songs and works just as hard, I think she should get subleader, and then once Gaki graduates Sayu can take sub.

Well, now slipping back into reality, it's confirmed Sayu will definitely be the next subleader. I hope she'll be a good figure for the new Kyukkies ^^