I don't know why people are rushing to push Maipuru out the door just because she's the oldest, that's a lousy reason to oust her if you ask me, especially when she's the current leader and the best vocalist of the group. I think Maipuru should stay at least 2 more years if not until the end. I mean it's one thing if she shows signs that she doesn't want to be a part of Idoling, but she seems to be enjoying being in the group more than before, and if she wants to stay then there's no reason to make her leave.
I might be in the minority, but some change actually might do some good for Idoling, because it's been like 2 years since any member graduated and while new members were kept added after that, seeing the same face all the time and expecting the same thing over and over has become somewhat dull and not as exciting as a fan.
Idoling is one of those very rare groups that I don't really have a member I dislike or anything, but if I ask myself how many of them I could be without and still be a fan, I would name half of the group, so it may be a good indicator that Idoling just has too many that I consider to be extra baggage.
I also don't like the criteria of the 5th gen. audition, they are clearly looking for younger blood and not necessarily the polished talent that is far more needed than anything for Idoling. I would imagine that there are hardly anyone who is 15 years old and a fully matured singing talent. But if the 5th gen. lights a fire under some of the underwhelming members, I'd welcome the new additions.
Having said that let me just state where the current members belong in my mind:
Maipuru - Like I said, she is too vital of a member right now for her to graduate any time soon, age alone is not a good enough reason.
Tonooka - Idoling is practically feeding off of her recent stardom, they'll not let her go just yet, not to mention she's one of the ace singers.
Yazawa - Hmm, well she's an interesting case, I could see her leaver or stay, but I don't think she's ready to leave and make it on her own. Besides, she's one of the very few talkers and a comic relief so I don't mind if she stays.
Fonchi - I don't necessarily think she's not worth anything, but at the same time I don't think I'd miss her if she's gone also, if that makes any sense? I don't think she's really very tight with any of the other members, so maybe it's for the best that she graduates and gets work just for her.
Rurika - She makes me nervous in that she's very emotional and fragile, I don't want to see her become a leader in that respect, but she's very popular and an ace singer so I don't think Idoling can even last that long without her fan base so no way she's leaving.
Morita - She's less of a gray-area than Fonchi, I think she adds a lot to the dynamics of the group with her unique personality and her genius ability of creating hilarious moments spontaneously, but I'm more suspicious of her motivation towards the group than anyone, sometimes I wonder why she hasn't left the group yet, maybe she does like being in the group but doesn't really show it. Who knows, but yeah I'd rather see her stay.
Kawamura - I've tried so hard to take her in, but I just don't find her assets to be of any value to the group, her character is too off-beat, she's not exactly a visual supplement to the group either, and she looks like 35 years old. Sure she can sing, but nothing that someone like Yurippe couldn't replace, but I don't see her leaving either because she herself knows more than anybody else that she's nothing without Idoling.
Serina - I just don't find her very interesting, I don't know what happened to her, she just doesn't seem very engaging, and just keep repeating the same old act of being a superficial idol person. I honestly don't think she has any talent other than looking cute.
Sakai - I don't find her pretty at all, she just look so plain, even less so than Kawamura, and I don't find her character appealing at all, she talks so annoying, and I don't like her personality either, other members say she's nice but I think she's just playing nice, and not very nice inside.
Asahi - No way she's leaving.
Kikuchi - I think she has enough talent to be her own and survive, but I don't think she'll leave yet, not this time.
Miyake - Don't see why she would want to graduate, she's better off being with Idoling for a while.
Yurippe - She's the next ace singer, so NO.
Okawa - NO WAY.
Kaede - She's the youngest! Ridiculous! NOT leaving!
Ruka - Again, youngest so no!
Yuuna - She's the only 4th gen. member that is shaping into a decent character, and has the looks to go with it, she's a future ace.
Nomoto - Weight problem is an issue not in the sense of affecting Idoling's image, but more of she not taking care of her health.
Kaoru - She just came back from the hiatus!! C'mon now!
Ojima - I may be imagining this but she's the only member that I feel like she isn't unsure of her motivations to be in Idoling, I'm not so sure that she's really enjoying being an idol, so if she feels like leaving then she probably will without any hesitation so I don't know if I'm willing to emotionally invest in someone like that and I haven't, I don't feel that her personality is suited for show business to be honest.
Wow, that's a long post, sorry about that, but I just had to get this off my mind.