[News] Masuda Yuka to quit AKB48

[CtrlZee]

I think this is a little too selfish on her part. We're all well aware that she's got her own ambitions for her talent, and we should let her pursue those, but all of a sudden announcing a resignation which can shake the "great singers of AKB" aspect? She could've made it a bit gentler. I do agree on SomethingWild that she prolly did this on purpose, it almost looks like she really set the scandal and timed it with the release so she's set free from the strict "no love or relations" rule of idols. But then...

At least graduate instead! At least let your fans see you on the stage perform on the last day and say a proper goodbye!

Sigh, not that we can do anything about this. She's got everyone's support and everyone's gonna keep up that support.

[Jul3]

Yuka has posted a follow-up blog post: http://ameblo.jp/massuuu-yuttan/entry-11415891071.html

Translation by http://bilingual48.blogspot.hk/2012/11/follow-up-entry-from-masuda-yuka.html

After reading the article and all the related reports, as well as messages from everyone, I feel that my blog post yesterday was written poorly and did not say everything I wanted to say, which made more people worry about me.
The article used words like "passionate love" and "adultery", which really shocked me because these are really not true.
I was able to build many relationships with other performers, which includes ISSA-san.
We talked about our dreams, futures, acting and singing.
Every day we talked about various things.  ISSA-san, as one of the performers, is like a brother to me and there are no romantic feelings whatsoever.
However, it was true that I acted inconsiderately, so it is not surprising this incident was written up that way. I am very very sorry.
Stage performance will start soon.
I am going to do my best.

I'm not surprised at her graduating, especially as she has been withdrawing from big AKB events like Janken and Tokyo Dome. She seems to have carved out a future career for herself so I wish her all the best.

Btw, why do people say she won't get a goodbye performance? There has been no mention of that, and the AKB48 staff blog even said that they are still scheduling her final arrangements (see two posts above).

[YKT]

Stage performance will start soon.
I am going to do my best.

Stage performance

[muppet]

ISSA, a long time ago with another idol, Uehara Takako (no relationship, they did a film)


Here he is with Yuka

[marikojiyuu]

I feel it coming. Skipping TOKYO DOME & withdrawal from Janken Tournament indicates she "dumps" AKB to pursue her dream. But it's just......too soon 

Well, AKB suffers a great loss since Yuka is such a good singer (the best in the group IMO). I don't know who could replace her. Wasamin, maybe? But she's more interested with her enka career and sure it took time to be the same level as Yuka.

Dang....this such a heart-breaking year  . But I wish her good luck for her future career. I know Takoyaki Musume gonna make it.   

[Delur]

I don't understand why skipping Tokyo Dome indicates she wanted to quit AKB

She won the competition to be Dorothy so it's not like she was going to put in half the effort into being Dorothy in order to go to Tokyo Dome and/or the janken taikai... i think she made the right decision to put 100% into the Wiz musical, it's just a shame the Dome concert was on at the same time

[SomethingWild]

I can see her wanting to graduate after getting her role in the Wiz, but if I were in her place, I would definitely prefer graduation to resignation. So unless I am understanding you incorrectly, I don't see why this would be purposeful.

It's faster and it immediately clears her of the idol image. IIRC, artists like Matsuura Aya struggled to get a new career going because she was still seen as "the idol."
I can think of another reason, but that's a bit hard to explain and may be rude to Yuka, so let's leave it at that. lol

Btw, why do people say she won't get a goodbye performance? There has been no mention of that, and the AKB48 staff blog even said that they are still scheduling her final arrangements (see two posts above).

Hmm, good point. I automatically assumed that people who are forced to quit due to a scandal don't get a graduation ceremony. However, Yuka sorta falls in between because she resigned on her own accord even though a "scandal" triggered it.

I don't understand why skipping Tokyo Dome indicates she wanted to quit AKB

Because it's Tokyo Dome. It's highly prestigious and it's been their big dream.

[marikojiyuu]

I don't understand why skipping Tokyo Dome indicates she wanted to quit AKB

Because it's Tokyo Dome. It's highly prestigious and it's been their big dream.

THIS. Tokyo Dome is an epitome of succes and this was/is the group's dream. Her decision to not attending Tokyo Dome means she put aside the group's dream and pursue her own.

Anyway the picture from the performance above, does it mean she's graduated?

[kingku3]

I highly doubt that the scandal itself was done on purpose. My guess is that she was already contemplating graduation as early as when she won the Dorothy role. The scandal was simply the catalyst for her to make that decision. The final straw so to speak.

[Joe]

I can think of another reason, but that's a bit hard to explain and may be rude to Yuka, so let's leave it at that. lol

Maybe she wants THE SEX? 

[almond]

Has there been any word from DiVA management on this yet?

[jafeijai]

^

この度はDiVAファンの皆様にご心配をお掛けしております事、大変申し訳ございません。 現段階ではDiVAとしてのコメントを出させて頂ける状況ではございませんが、皆様より今後の活動に関してご心配の声を沢山頂戴しております事に大変心苦しく、申し訳ない気持ちでいっぱいです。

So basically, official apology for causing worry, but technically no official comment.

[marikojiyuu]

From https://plus.google.com/u/0/117147321771860727748/posts/RAZEhoDJtoX :

ゆったん、AKB48としての活動は、
12/17(月)に開催される、「AKB48紅白対抗歌合戦」が最後です。

あの板の上で育った仲間が、あの板をバネに
これからも、自分の夢に向かってまっすぐ進んでいく姿を、
縁あった全ての人々に応援していただけますように。

ゆったんからのリクエストは「草原の奇跡」。

So, her activities will end at December 17th and the AKB48 Kouhaku Uta Gassen will be her last appearance. CMIIW.

[KudoShinichi]

Stage performance

[WindCaliber]

Article from TokyoHive:
November 30, 2012 7:24 am(EST)

On November 29th, AKB48’s Masuda Yuka performed with Team K at AKB48 Theater in Akihabara.

Masuda recently confirmed that she had spent the night at DA PUMP member ISSA’s place and
announced her withdrawal from the group. She appeared on stage with a smile and introduced herself as
usual, but turned serious as she started, “I have something to apologize to everybody about.”

“What appeared on today’s weekly magazine has caused trouble and concern to many people including
the fans who have supported me, and the members, staff, family and friends who are close to me. I am
very sorry,” she said and lowered her head. She added, “How I’m feeling now is written in my blog.”

Masuda also revealed, “I started a musical called ‘WIZ ~Oz no Mahoutsukai~’, and I learned many
things about singing and acting from all points of view. I wanted to learn more and more new things. For
me, it was a period when I was thinking about graduating.”

“To take responsibility for disappointing and troubling my important friends, I will withdraw from AKB48,”
she apologized and continued by expressing, “Honestly, right now in this theater, I didn’t think I would
get encouragement from everyone. Although I have mixed feelings, I will take each and every word to
heart, and would like to enjoy this performance together with everyone.”

Masuda’s graduation date will be announced once its been decided.

Masuda Yuka's G+ (12/01/12 8:14am(EST)

Today, I was given sometime to address the fans and apologize to them during
the handshaking session. Our General Manager Mr. Togasaki announced that it
has been confirmed that my final event as an AKB member will be the “AKB
KOHAKU UTAGASSEN” on December 17th.

Article from TokyoHive:
12/02/12 11:20am(EST)

It’s been announced that Masuda Yuka’s final day of activities as an AKB48 member will be on
December 17th’s ‘AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen‘.

As previously reported, Masuda admitted that she had spent the night at DA PUMP member ISSA’s
place, and announced her withdrawal from AKB48. Masuda once again apologized to her fans during a
handshake event for “Gingham Check” on December 1st. She then revealed that she will continue her
activities until the upcoming ‘AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen’ on the 17th.

This will be the group’s 2nd time to hold ‘AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen’. The members will be split
up into to two teams (red and white) and will challenge each other in a singing battle.

So Soon 

[WindCaliber]

Saw this on Nihongogo
Found the person responsible for Yuttan quitting!
http://youtu.be/OHpQ3iy2qP4?t=6m28s

[nori]

Saw this on Nihongogo
Found the person responsible for Yuttan quitting!
http://youtu.be/OHpQ3iy2qP4?t=6m28s

She maybe responsible lol but I would rather say she inspired Yuttan to pursue musicals rather than quit 

[WindCaliber]

It was funny 
 

Edit: Just realized I wasted my 500th post 

[Delur]

I gotta say that teacher really impressed me

I have never had any interest in musicals but the whole show was practically for Yuka ^_^, felt so happy that people immediately realise what an amazing talent Yuka is even though it's in America and Yuka's english was pretty bad (although she did get better quickly through the training that only Yuka seemed to receive )