Oshima Yuko announced her graduation from AKB48

kevinMario January 1, 2014

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So…

I personally don’t think that any of us can say that we didn’t see this coming.

Yuko had a great year in 2012/2013 with a lot of national TV appearances, the highlight of which her being casted with SMAP’s Takuya Kimura as the main characters of the TV drama Ando Llyod.

During last night’s AKB48 performance on the 64th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, right after Koisuru Fortune Cookie part finished and just before Heavy Rotation started, she announced her graduation with a big smile on her face. Just like the one she had after her name was called on 2013’s general election.

“There is one thing that I really want to tell everyone here…”
“I, Oshima Yuko, will graduate from AKB48.”

“..and this is going to be my last stage at Kouhaku. I’ll sing with gratitude for all the supports I’ve received.””

Member reactions on stage

Our soft-hearted soukantoku :'(

Akarin and Rena

Another shot of souchan

Sasshi and Kawaei still in a state of shock

From our Twitter feed:

Takamina instantly burst into tears when Yuko announced her graduation be4 they proceeded to perform Heavy Rotation. pic.twitter.com/kRDPsndCnl — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) December 31, 2013

Graduation Announcement of Idols Maeda @ Concert Itano in Documentary Shinoda in Election Speech Yuko@ Kohaku #AKB48 pic.twitter.com/NmRR1eSwud — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) December 31, 2013

Haruppi: Yuko-san’s graduation came totally unexpected. Too shocked I spat Kombu TeaΣ(ﾟ□ﾟ*) Can’t think of anything. pic.twitter.com/3uS2yhl73C — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) December 31, 2013

No Words can describe it better than K sign. Sayaka posted a pic, just a pic seconds after Yuko announced graduation. pic.twitter.com/lBA9UxmcpE — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) December 31, 2013

Sashihara didn’t hide upset, telling Yuko: “Yuko-chan announced her graduation out of blue!” “Sorry” said Yuko. pic.twitter.com/CFVh26ly63 — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) December 31, 2013

“I haven’t yet decided exactly when I’ll graduate” says Yuko, “But it won’t be too long. I’ll discuss on the timing when the time is right” — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) December 31, 2013

-Do you have any regret about dedicating your life to #AKB? Yuko: I can’t say til the end of my life whether I have regret about it or not. — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) January 1, 2014

Yuko: Thnking about what members are feeling right now, various thoughts go through my head, but as an individual, I’m thrilled to see what- — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) January 1, 2014

@AKB48WrapUp …my solo career is going to be. I didn’t tell about my graduation to anyone. — AKB48WrapUp (@AKB48WrapUp) January 1, 2014

Sashihara Rino 1/1 2014 3:11

Yuko-chan announced her graduation…

It was impossible to hold tears in my eyes.
Now I settled a bit, but am still unable figure out all things happened.

Yuko-chan has been an emotional pillar for all of us in AKB48 Group. When times get tough, Yuko-chan is smiling and leading us from the forefront.
Yuko-chan has been always working frantically, headlining the group, and I Sashihara believes that the fact we have her in this band assures members to have luxury to go with their distinctive characters (and that the whole band won’t go out of balance because of that), not to mention that includes none other than my character itself.

I’m a little bit concerned that AKB48 Group would lose it’s focus and intensity or a sense of tension after she leaves.
We don’t yet know when her actual graduation take place, but we members just need to discuss with each other to unify our opinions and visions.

The rest of the video is watchable on the link below: