Rather than mass graduation (although I think maybe half will leave) I think alot of them just realized that joining is pointless since they won't rank in anyways and don't want to put their fans through the stress.
It also struck me that a seemingly large number of NMB members had chosen not to enter the election this time, and in fact they are the most out of any of the groups (bar overseas). So I had a look at how it breaks down: Team N: Mizokawa Mirai (graduated) Ichikawa Miori (graduation) Yamamoto Sayaka (1st Gen, second year not entering but doesn't need to enter tbf) Koga Narumi (2nd Gen, has never ranked) Hayashi Momoka (2nd Gen, has never ranked) Mita Mao (2nd Gen, has never ranked) Kusaka Konomi (3rd Gen, has never ranked) Team M: Nakano Reina (graduation) Ishida Yuumi (2nd Gen, has never ranked) Uno Mizuki (2nd Gen, has never ranked) Odan Mai (4th Gen, has never ranked) Ando Erina (2nd Draft, has not ranked in 2 elections) Team BII: Yagura Fuuko (graduation) Okita Ayaka (1st Gen, ranked in the last two elections) Akashi Natsuko (4th Gen, has never ranked) Azami Yuki, Tanigawa Airi, Nishizawa Rurina and Murase Sae are the only 2nd Gens to enter. Out of the 10 remaining (including Fuuchan for the moment). So either there is some serious malcontent with all the second gens or, as has been said, they know they won't rank after all these years and aren't going to waste their or their fans' time. For me, the most surprising is Aapon. She has ranked in the last two elections, so it's odd...
I feel like Aapon is in the I don't need to do this anymore camp tho. Like she'll most prob rank but she may also drop a lot. It's probably unnecessary stress. Well Yamarina didn't run last year and she is doing it this year. Can the translators please fill us in if any of them say anything?
^ yea that could be it. I think a lot of girls might be in that camp now if the benefits from ranking in don't add up. Kaotan just sort of reminds me of that. SKE management really doesn't do much with her and she's always ranked pretty high/once got into senbatsu. Aapon is just fine I guess. She's not on management's mind tho.