[News] Oku Manami to graduate

[maliciel]

From Oku:

I have a message from Oku to her fans, so allow me to post it here.
(The text below is verbatim)

It is sudden, but there is something I have to announce today.
This time, it is the announcement of Oku Manami.
Since I was 10, I've been in AKB. And since then, I've worked hard, albeit a little cluelessly.

It wasn't all good, but really, I've many great memories.
And more than anything, support from staff (Aki-P included) and all the fans.
In my 5 years in AKB, I've had the privilege to meet a lot of people, and experience a lot of things.

In my own way, I've gone through some things, but
Somewhere in my heart, I've longed for the experience of 'student life'.
Gradually, it became 'what do I really want to do?'
I spent my days being unsure of this (?)

Being in AKB with such half-baked ideals,
Is inexcusable to all the fans that supported me, as well.

No matter how much I thought about it,
No matter how many times I sought advice from the staff..

"Continue studying"

To reach that dream, I decided on graduating from AKB.
In my 5 years,
For everything bothersome that I've done,
For all the worry I've caused..

Even then, to everyone that has supported me..
I don't know what to say,
But I am very thankful.
Thank you.

The last time I will meet you all is in the April handshake event.
When more is decided, it will be announced.
It will not be long till I graduate, but till then, please treat me well.

[mode107]

It's weird. One of the first girls I noticed when I become an AKB fan, and now she's going.
A sad day for Mariko-sama and Meetan as well.

[Datalanche]

She is one of the few girls in AKB that I would say that I 'dislike', so I can't say I'm very distraught. I hope Nakamata Shiori gets her spot.

[Melchizadek]

My AKB Imouto is leaving. 

I always thought she'd be in AKB48 for a long time, since she was still so young.  I also think she has a lot more potential than most people believe, and thought she would one day grow to the point where she would wow everybody.

Oh well, we'll always have Katatsumuri.

[rtpaus3178]

I'm not much of a fan of Maachan, but this is still sad news. Graduations suck, and I hate to see them go.
I wish her all the best for the future and beyond.

[Meania]

I must admit, I did not know Oku's name until today and can't say I remember her from much other than Majisuka Gakuen... but still a shame that she is graduating! ;   n ;

At the same time I'm pretty relieved that it wasn't a front girl... D:

[MayuchiOshi]

i never expect one of the youngest member to graduate but still,it is her decision that she want to experience school life...i will respect that decision and hope she enjoy her school life once she enroll into a school

all the best to Maachan!

[mixedmedia]

Not my favorite member even though I share the same kanji in my last name, but it's too bad she never fulfilled her potential or was able to give her all to her idol career.  At least she didn't wait until later when her options would be more limited.

Hopefully, she's able to enjoy student life, maybe end up in some famous university and do something amazing.

[SomethingWild]

I feel bad for her fans and for Mariko and Meetan who seme to have a special bond with her.

I was sorta expecting this, because she didn't really seem into it anymore. Best of luck to her in her future ventures!

[carenduna]

This must be a very difficult decision to make, but concentrating on her education now is the right thing to do considering her age.

It was always a delight to spot her in any of the performances, but for me, I will always enjoy seeing her in my favourite AKB song, 'Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara', and so will continue seeing her at least once a week

I wish her good luck and great enjoyment of her life!

[tutu48]

i really hope she's staying with akb for more years to come... but well.. it's her decision and i can only wish her good luck..
 

[boykun]

I'm not a big fan, but she was one of the first I noticed. She hasn't appeared in much of anything recently, has she.

I was kind of expecting her to go since she's been so in the back. I don't see her at all except in Mariko's tweets.

Best of luck to you, signorina.

[MrMojo]

Maachan is graduating 

She was one of the first girls I've noticed when I started with AKB48, mainly due to her mixed heritage.
She started so young ~10-11 yrs old and lasted until now ~16 yrs old.

Maybe it's good that she leaves now and becomes a regular student again. She wasn't pushed much except in the early AKBingo episodes where you saw her ofter but she was featured less and less and ended in the back 3rd row of performances.

Damn you Aki-P for not pushing her!!
She had the potential of an idol but, without any encouragement or support, she was lost! What does anyone expect as she's still a young girl?! What does she have to do when her agency wasn't even supporting her 

I really liked her as she's so cute 

Please come back for special performances like anniversary events and AX!

Good luck in your studies and best wishes for your future, Maachan.

[maliciel]

Damn you Aki-P for not pushing her!!

Somehow I don't think this was the case. Aki-P himself said she was made for stardom. But while I think a part of it was her being in the company of some really charismatic girls, part of it was also the lack of self-motivation on her part. I think she decided a while ago that she didn't want to do this.

[Jimitty]

Erepyon and Maachan were my favorites. Now they're both graduated 

[alohellofan]

I'm sad to see her go. Hope that she comes back later after her schooling.

[edsonmassao]

Graduating is always a sad chapter in AKB history

But if it is what she wants, all we need to do is to wish the best for her!