Just a note of thanks to all who document
The activities of the new "Center", Mayu Watanabe.
It has been great fun to watch Mayu san develop as a performer, and also
as a person, and she has shared a lot of what she went through, with her Kouhai
The last couple of years. The positive attention that Mayu has given the younger girls,
has paid off, with girls like Marina Kobayashi growing in
confidence and now helping the younger girls in turn.
Mayu stood out to me in the beginning, and also her contemporary Erena Ono.
I thought for sure that these two would have a long lasting rivalry,
pitting one slightly over developed girl (Erena) versus the late blooming, slightly
withdrawn Mayu.
Well that rivalry vanished when Erena left the group ( although she is back as a solo performer
and actress), but Mayu still had lots of challenges.
Her determination really stood out in those early years,
and she proved to be a champion.
And of course , the Kawaii....
Please enjoy this tribute to a younger Mayu
with thanks to Truang Doan, posted 15 Nov, 2010