Kasai is one of my all-time top favorites. Long before SKE48 existed and before Yuki was in the picture, Kasai was already there.
This is her first official profile picture:

She barely changed in the past 5 years

I'll quote myself to save some time:
Even though Kasai usually comes across are someone who is easily scared, she does have amazing spirit. I mean, she doesn't whine. When she was visiting a waterfall she sat in some poison ivy but didn't complain about it. When she showed her wadaiko skills (which were surprisngly epic) she hurt her hands pretty badly, but she took without any fuss. I guess she's tougher than she seems, which is great. She did get all squeaky and "ahhhhh kowai yo" around some insects, but that's part of her appeal as well. Strong men like us will protect her from any insects! 
I still believe Kasai suffers from a wrong image. OK, yes, a part of her does seem like she's a "man-killer." She knows she is sexy and she definitely how to use it. However, I feel there is so much more to her that a lot of people don't see. I think she's one the most caring people in the group.
I was lucky enough to see Kasai perform twice in Paris and to see her during one of the signing sessions. This is one of the pics my friend took:

She is absolutely breathtaking. The definition of beautiful. Seeing the girls in real life can have some strange effects. I guess it's just a certain vibe they have or don't have. Some girls impress whereas others just don't. Kasai impressed the crap out of me. She performed Kinjirareta Futari with Matsui Rena at the time, but I must admit I couldn't get my eyes off Kasai at the time. (Incidentally, my Rena Oshi era did start that exact same day.) She's probably one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen.
Kasai had a lot of bad luck this past year. Health issues and such, which I think are part of the reason why she's dropping in popularity. She hasn't been around as much as she used too. In one of the Naruhodo episodes she didn't get recognized as being an AKB48 member. I showed the same episode to a friend and strangely enough he also thought Kasai wasn't in AKB48. Strange and sad. I hope this isn't the start of some downward spiral. HoriPro did a crap job at managing her career as well. There is barely any solo Tomomi merch, yet the fans have been screaming for it for years. I know I have. It wasn't until very recently she got her first solo cover on some magazine. I guess that's a start, even if it was some pervy magazine. At least she appears on various variety shows every now and then, so hopefully she has a future there after AKB48. Imo, she has one of the best voices in AKB48, so I hope she'll continue singing as well.
In sum, Kasai's been in my mind for a looong time and that 'bond' is worth a lot. Kasai has never disappointed me and I will continue to root for her and support her whenever I can.
