Atsuko Maeda's words were like a thunderbolt, piercing the sky and hitting Kiyoshi Sakamoto's heart.

His brows couldn't help frowning, and his expression gradually became serious.

"This thing ... Does Akimoto-san know?"

"Well, I talked to Mr. Akimoto a few months ago, about graduation... ”

"So early?!" Kiyoshi Sakamoto's eyes opened slightly, as if he was a little surprised by Atsuko Maeda's idea of wanting to graduate a long time ago.

After all, AKB at this time has just become the overlord of the idol industry, and there is at least a long time to go to its peak.

As AKB's ACE, at this time, I want to graduate?!

Kiyoshi Sakamoto is a little puzzled...

However, seeing the tiredness on the girl's face and the weakness in her tone, he probably thought of the reason.

In his memory, in 2010, AKB's sixteenth single "Ponytail and Hair Ring" was the work that really began to enter the eyes of the general public in Japan.

Whether it is in the MV of this work or in the various performances during the promotional period, Atsuko Maeda's whole person exudes an unparalleled light, and the period called "full power" Ah Sauce is accompanied by the golden selection of 16 people with a ponytail and a hair ring, which can be said to be one of AKB's best memories.

However, as the exposure increases, it comes the busyness of the upper members.

From 10 to 12 years, I am afraid that it was the busiest two years of Maeda's life.

moved to SMA, so that she got more film and television resources. This is a great help for her on the actress route.

But, inevitably, the workload also increases exponentially.

After all, even if she emigrates, she is still the ACE standing in the center of the AKB, and she is still obliged to participate in AKB-related activities.

Therefore, the busy work schedule has made her whole person in a state of crazy physical pressure all the time.

When the vitality was squeezed out little by little, Atsuko Maeda's face became worse and worse, and by the time she finally announced her graduation, her entire face was so bad that even makeup could barely hide it.

In addition, she considers the rest of AKB and does not want her shine and high popularity to hinder the progress and development of her juniors.

At the same time, I also want to chase my dream of being an actress.

Perhaps, that's why, a few months ago, she had the idea of graduating...

In this way, Atsuko Maeda's graduation may already be an inevitable reality...

Thinking of this, Kiyoshi Sakamoto did not ask her why she graduated, but asked directly:

"What did Akimoto-san say?"

Of course, the affairs of AKB are still decided by Yasu Akimoto.

Even though AKB is no longer just Yasushi Akimoto, as a producer, he still has a huge right to speak.

The girl leaned back on the soft sofa, put her hands on her thighs, and said in a flat tone, "He has no objection to my graduation, it's just... Ask me to stay a few more months and get him ready before announcing his graduation... ”

In other words, the deadline for these months has come ... When are you going to announce your graduation?"

"Hmmm... I discussed it with Mr. Akimoto, and I plan to make the news public at the concert at the end of the month. ”

In the girl's tone, there was a vague sense of relief that she was about to leave AKB.

"yes, I see. After speaking, Sakamoto paused before saying to Atsuko Maeda in a very powerful tone: "Don't worry! The company and I will always stand behind you and support you!"

"Thank you, Sakamoto-san... ”

After A-chan left, Kiyoshi Sakamoto, who was sitting on the sofa, did not return to work again, but fell into deep thought...

A-chan's graduation made him think of a feature of the neon idol girl group: the graduation system.

AKB's graduation system was borrowed from the earliest Good Morning Girl Group, but under the improvement of Yasushi Akimoto himself, it has its own school.

You are pretty, and there will always be more beautiful than you. You are young, and there will always be younger than you.

Today's girl groups in South Korea and even Asia have invariably homogenized, and this homogenization is destined to doom a girl group to not live long, and the day when the freshness is lost is the day of Flop.

AKB48, on the other hand, is different.

Strictly speaking, this girl group is fundamentally different from other girl groups today.

Because, through this girl group, Yasu Akimoto sells an idol concept of the cultivation system, and it is a process in which the girls sweat and dream in their hearts and keep moving forward.

It can also be said that the AKB group is a dream starting point for many girls.

Through this platform, everyone can play to their strengths, find what they are best at, and with the advantage of their age, they can accumulate popularity and practical experience before flying solo through AKB. So as to realize their dreams, such as voice actors, radio actors, graphic models, hosts, singers, actors.

It can be said that graduation is not the end, but a new beginning...

What's more, the existence of the graduation system is also a matter that outweighs the disadvantages for the group.

After all, a single selection of members is just a few people.

There are so many resources in the village, and the old man can't push new people if he doesn't retreat.

Then when the popularity of the old man reaches its end, the idol will have no freshness, and the popularity will begin to stagnate or even regress.

Then, it is better for the old man to graduate and give way to the newcomer.

When the core members graduate one by one and the group can still maintain a certain degree of fans and attention, new people will be promoted to fill the vacant positions, so that the renewal can be achieved and the group can continue to be popular.

The back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, and if the front waves don't get out as soon as possible, they will definitely be shot to death on the beach!

Therefore, graduation is a better choice for the future of Atsuko Maeda or the future of AKB.

。。。。。。

A week later.

On March 25, 2012, AKB's Fudo ACE, as the center of Atsuko Maeda, held a "business contact" at Saitama Super Arena. At the "Saitama Super Arena" concert, he announced his graduation from AKB48!

This news even made an otaku at the scene take out a utility knife and try to redeem Atsuko Maeda's decision by killing himself.

Of course, that is not possible ...

"I, Atsuko Maeda, am graduating from AKB!"

This simple sentence was deeply felt not only by Atsuko Maeda, but also by the AKB members present, and even by the tens of thousands of spectators in the audience.

Atsuko Maeda became the first person in the overlord of the girl group AKB48 and graduated from the big TOP!

At the same time, he is also the first member of the Seven Gods to announce his graduation!

For a time, Atsuko Maeda's graduation announcement caused an uproar!