I'll be honest...while I'm interested in seeing how these new members will develop in the future, I must admit it was hard for me to get excited about 10th gen during the audition process. There are several reasons for that:
1. It came about fairly quickly. Just as we were adjusting to new members after years of no new members, news breaks out about more additions already, even though the short time frame between generations had been done before (3rd to 4th back in late '99 / early 2000).
2. 10 finalists (later eight) compared to the 5 of the 9th gen auditions. It was a bit difficult for me to keep track of everyone with more in the field.
3. Partially related to the previous point, it was difficult for me to develop any true favorites out of this bunch, whereas with the 9th gen auditions I easily became attached to two (Riho and Zukki), who fortunately both ended up winning.
4. The realization that no matter who gets in, I'll most likely eventually warm up to them anyway by simply being part of the group and having a chance to develop into something. I didn't care at all about Eripon during her audition, but after seeing her become what she has I'm glad she made it in.
5. Distractions elsewhere in the H!P-related world: Ogawa's sudden departure from S/mileage, the buzz surrounding Takahashi's graduation, Kago's recent downfall.
6. Echoing the sentiments of many others: NO KARIN.
Considering all factors, I can't complain about the result. Kudou, despite her ridiculously young age and undeveloped looks, seems ready to fit right in thanks to her nice audition performances and Eggs-perience. Iikubo brings a nice balance to both her generation and the group with her age, height, slightly chubby/non-scrawny face, and modeling background. And the other two, well, they look like they could cut a bitch if messed with the wrong way.
Of course, with the departure of Takahashi's prominent voice and stage presence, these girls have a big void to fill.
Naturally, with audition winners comes audition losers, and while we can be disappointed as fuck that so-and-so didn't make it while what's-her-face did, it's not the end of the world, let alone the end of a group that has faced many changes in roster and showbiz prominence over the past 14 years and is still going. I mean, who's to say the alternative would've been a good fit for the group? And why stop at comparing this to only the 8th gen auditions? What if Yukina Kinoshita, a front runner during the 5th gen auditions, got the nod over Konkon? Would the universally beloved 4th gen be as universally beloved had Fujimoto and Satoda took the place of the vocally-weak Rika or surprise pick Nono? (Hell, get rid of Nono right there and say goodbye to Mini Moni as well) Would Kumi Koda actually bring the same kind of star power she has now had she been picked over (or with) Gocchin? Okay, I'll admit some of this historic speculation I'm throwing out can be fun to think about, but the point I'm making is that we really don't know how things will turn out for the winners and losers until shit actually happens, as exemplified by history (and point number 4 above). H!P management obviously hasn't been perfect, but they're obviously doing something right, or else we wouldn't be here talking about 10th gen at all.
And not meaning to come off as picking on one person, but one last minor off-topic point...
Bangs are a good thing tbh, have you noticed how scary Akimoto Sayaka looks with her forehead exposed?
There's reason Sayumi ensures her bangs are covering her forehead before having the pic taken
Scary? Really? I think both Sayaka and Sayu look more attractive with their bangs swept and/or forehead shown. I usually (with few exceptions) don't like the wall-of-bangs look that completely covers and obscures the top of the face (i.e. Gaki's "helmet" from the past couple of years, Risako's eyebrow-hairline).
Sayu thankfully at least parts her bangs above one of her eyes which I think works nicely. I think an exposed forehead would only look "scary" if the girl had an oddly-shaped head or receding hairline.