TOKYO (TR) – Morning Musume member Maria Makino, 25, appeared at Roppongi Tsutaya Books on Tuesday to promote her final photo book ahead of her sudden departure from the idol group.
During the session, she remained suspiciously coy about who she first called with the news, reports Sankei Sports (June 24).
The publication, simply titled “Morning Musume. Maria Makino” from publisher Wani Books, was hastily put together following her shock graduation announcement on April 9. Reuniting with a trusted crew of photographers and stylists she has worked with since she was 18, Makino flew to Okinawa in early May to cram 11 outfit changes into a frantic one-day shoot.
“This team knows exactly what makes me look cute, so this is the completed form of idol Maria Makino,” she boasted at the launch event.
When asked about her favorite cut, she singled out a shot of herself posing in a black bikini, saying she was able to show a “mature expression.” She gave the photo book a perfect score of 100 out of 100—though for a highly specific reason: “Because 100 is the retired number of Yoshinori Okoso, the first owner of the Nippon-Ham Fighters,” she said, displaying her well-known obsession with the baseball franchise.
However, the idol stirred up speculation when discussing who she told about her sudden graduation. Makino confessed she broke the news by sending a direct message to her idol, Nippon-Ham manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo and a Line message to group producer Tsunku♂. But when pressed on who received her very first phone call regarding the decision, Makino refused to name names. “That’s a secret,” she teased.
“Dream”
Reflecting on her 12-year stint in the entertainment industry, Makino revealed she hadn’t even considered leaving the group until February. She made the abrupt decision after realizing she had “fully enjoyed” her time in Morning Musume, bowing her head in apology to fans for the sudden exit.
Wearing an outfit honoring the group’s debut track “Morning Coffee,” she called her 12-year tenure a “dream” and the defining period of her youth.
Ahead of her final graduation concert at the Nippon Budokan the following day, Makino promised to leave it all on the stage, dropping a pun on Manager Shinjo’s name by vowing to make it “tanoshinjo” (enjoyable).
As for her post-idol life, Makino showed off her quirky side one last time. Joking about entering the “New World” to become the Pirate King — a nod to the hit anime “One Piece” — she eventually clarified that her real ambition is to pursue a modeling career in the footsteps of Yuri Ebihara.
