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Posted by ustar TH STAFF Saturday, October 1, 2011

Takahashi Ai graduates from Morning Musume and Hello! Project

TH STAFF
allkpop


On September 30th, Morning Musume wrapped up their live tour, "Morning Musume Concert Tour Fall 2011 Ai BELIEVE ~Takahashi Ai Graduation Special~", at the Nippon Budokan. This particular concert marked leader Takahashi Ai's official graduation from both Morning Musume and Hello! Project.

The day before, the concert introduced the four members of the 10th generation, and hosted surprise appearances by 5th generation members Ogawa Makoto and Konno Asami. But all that was a prelude to the main event on the 30th.

The concert kicked off with "Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~", and continued with the group's latest singles, "Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo!" and "Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!".

During the MC sessions, the 10th generation members greeted the audience. Iikubo Haruna exclaimed, "Can I fire up the crowd for the first time?.... Live house Budokan, yay!" Seeing the new members, 9th generation Sayashi Riho commented, "We are close in age, so there is a sense of affinity." Meanwhile, Suzuki Kanon said, "We will grow together with the four 10th generation members!"

As Takahashi sang the solo song, "Denwa de ne", in the middle of the stage, the stadium lit up with the glow of hundreds of yellow lightsticks. Seeing this, Takahashi showed a happy expression, and her voice trembled with emotion. Then, the audience joined in to sing the final song, "Bravo", with the girls. During the song, Michishige Sayumi gave Takahashi a kiss, expressing the strong bond between the members.

While waiting for the encore, an "Ai-chan call" sounded from the audience, and Takahashi finally walked out onto the stage. Kicking off her graduation ceremony, she� began to read a letter to her fans and fellow members. In the letter, Takahashi shared her memories on passing the auditions, and on her activities as a leader.

She declared, "I'm really glad I got to be a Morning Musume," and "With�this treasure, I think I am able to do my best from now on." Turning to Niigaki Risa, she said, "Gaki-san, I'm sorry to graduate before you." Afterwards, Takahashi sang her solo song, "Jishin Motte, Yume Motte, Tabidatsu Kara", and enlivened the fans as she ran around the stage.

The graduation ceremony kicked into high gear with the participation of every member, who each offered congratulatory messages to Takahashi. Kudo Haruka reflected upon her days as a Hello! Pro Egg, and commented, "Thank you for all the good memories." As for Sato Masaki, she couldn't articulate her words and started crying.

The four 9th generation members also thanked Takahashi while thinking back on their 9 months together. Fukumura Mizuki asked Takahashi, "The 9th generation members decided not to worry you until your graduation. How did we do?", bringing laughter from the crowd.

Mitsui Aika, who fractured her left ankle, came onto the stage for the first time in a while to support her senpai. Bursting into tears, she said, "I wanted to absorb Ai-chan's good qualities more. After getting hurt, our time together has shrunk, but I'm very happy to be able to celebrate your graduation here today." Tanaka Reina also expressed, "The things I wanted to say, but couldn't say, I'll say it now.�Ai-chan, thank you!"

Michishige also cried on stage, but she found the strength to say, "It's because Ai-chan was the leader that we have Morning Musume. From now on, Gaki-san will be the leader, and we 6th generation members will lead our juniors." Niigaki nudged Takahashi's back as she said, "Until now, you put everyone else above you as a priority, so I hope that you will move forward for yourself starting tomorrow." Then the girls sang "Tomo", and overcame their tears as they all laughed together for the last time.

Morning Musume then re-appeared on stage for a double encore, and sang the last number, "Namidacchi". At the end, Takahashi stood on the stage by herself, and threw her hat, sweatshirt, and wristbands into the audience. She left the stage after bowing to the crowd numerous times.

Although the concert was officially over, fans stayed in their seats, and continued their "Ai-chan call". Takahashi appeared on stage once again, and thanked the audience one final time. "Today is a weekday, but there are those who took a day off to come to this place. Thank you very much! When I think of how everyone will be here to support me, I feel I can do my best. Bye-bye. I love you all!" With these final words, Takahashi Ai's graduation concert came to an end.

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Source + Photos: natalie

  1. MORNING-MUSUME
  2. HELLO-PROJECT
  3. TAKAHASHI-AI
  4. MORNING-MUSUME-CONCERT-TOUR-FALL-2011-AI-BELIEVE-TAKAHASHI-AI-GRADUATION-SPECIAL
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