Wakatabe Haruka (Wakachan) / 1st Generation

Too lazy to hardsub, but here's the sub for the announcement.
Raw > HERE
SoftSub > HERE

 

I'm really sad about this. I was always routing for her to make a return to senbatsu. Even so I wish her the best of luck.

 

Her G+ post about it.


Like said here:

She's probably going to try and come back in the media or something.
The usual duration for undergrad studies in Japan is four years, so what she says makes sense in that way.

My personal view, I'm glad. You clearly saw she was fit for and thinking towards a job like that.
The face of CM campaigns, doing announcing as a baseball reporter, going on TV shows as herself...
And of course how her MC has grown a ton over the last years.

As an idol she probably everything got out of it what she could.
Senbatsu, her own center song, even almost in SSK.
But even more important, found her passion, got experience in it and got friends for life.

She's one of my favs, and I'm glad that she goes with this outlook.

 

Wakachan's Showroom (16-12-22)

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

I know her graduation now. I really liked the friendship between Wakatabe and Shimono. It was real and pleasant, sometimes rather hilarious. And her performance on the stage was also impresive, especially choko-no-yukue, where she performed the cute choreography so lively I remember. In recent years, she has broadened her works outside of the idol world, e.g. served as a reporter of baseball games and became the goddess of the victory for Fukuoka Hawks...
So, it's a shame to know her graduation, but she made a good decision. I hope she will develop her multiple talents in the university life and come back to the entertainment world again.

 

Only just found out about this now and this is really sad for me as a fan. I was really looking forward to us fans giving her a SSK ranking that she so wanted after such a close miss this year but alas that is not to be. It's doubly sad to me because Cap and Waka-chan are my two favourite HKT members (and by that I mean of the whole 48Group) and both are leaving in the same year...

Given the different priorities she must have had, I am glad for her she makes a mature choice that will hopefully lead to greater things for her. All we can do is look back on her memories fondly, thank her for all her hard work and wish her all the best post-HKT Hope we really get to see her a lot in the news in four years time

 

Wakachan's Showroom (16-12-26)

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

Natsumikan and her dad spilled the beans about Wakachan's plans after graduation. it looks like she wants to become an announcer.
it would be great if "cent. Force" agency picks her up

SR 27:50-

 

Wakachan's Showroom (17-01-05)

if the video does not show watch the video here

 

So tomorrow is Wakachan's graduation stage, starting 18:30 jst, here's the line up:
Akiyoshi, Inoue, Ui, Ueno, Okamoto, Kojina, Kodama, Komada, Sakaguchi, Tashima, Tanaka N., Matsuoka N., Yabuki, Yamada, Yamamoto and, obviously, Wakachan

Last handshake on and social media go off on February 5th

 

Wakachan's Showroom (17-01-11)

if the video does not show watch the video here

Her Flower Decoration Stand for her Grad Stage.

 

Sad to see her go. She was one of the first HKT girls I really took an interest in. I wish her the best of luck.

 

She doesn't graduate until February 5. Sure, she's performed her graduation stage, but her last activities as an HKT member and her social media don't stop until then.

 

Wakachan's last broadcast...


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

...Till your next broadcast, Wakachan!

 

She's gone Gonna miss her smile during performances

 

various videos from last handshake event


if the video does not show watch the video here


if the video does not show watch the video here


if the video does not show watch the video here


if the video does not show watch the video here


if the video does not show watch the video here

 

Wakachan and Aoi