It's so hard to say goodbye

Well, it finally happened. Just hours ago, their epic graduation concert ended. Kamei Eri, Junjun, and Linlin are no longer members of Morning Musume. Thankfully, many kind people took pictures, captured video, and wrote reports of their time at the concert. This post will attempt to be a megapost of sorts, to compile nearly everything for those that want it.

First I'll start with the fan reports. JPM member iceymoon has a detailed report of her trip (complete with videos!) on her blog.

Moving on to the pictures.

Outside of the huge Yokohama Arena hours before the concert

 If memory serves me correctly, the last time any H!P act performed at an arena this large was the Elder Club graduation. The energy definitely was high in that building.

Later, a short line begins to form

Yep ladies and gentlemen, they are all there for Morning Musume.

Inside

Tons of flowers from various celebrities to Morning Musume

I'd say Yokohama arena looks pretty full. No one can say Morning Musume can't fill a big arena anymore.

UFA is pulling out all of the stops for this concert

VTR images. First Junjun

Then Linlin

And finally Kamei

6th Gen MC

Morning Musume in action

Aichan singing her solo (hint: it's a Gomaki song)

Linlin's solo

Linlin reading her letter

Bye byez Lin

Green glowsticks for Linlin

Junjun love

Jun reading her message

And finally, a sea of orange for Eri. I didn't expect anything less for such a popular member.

Eri reading her message

So pretty

Oh hey it's snowing indoors

No really, it is.

White glowsticks to represent all three graduating members

And to the main event. One by one, each member talks to the graduates one last time.

They all have their own ways of saying goodbye whether it's a handshake,

a hug,

or a comforting pat on the head.

Now enjoy (or at least try to) some final tearful pictures from the concert.

Wota weren't the only ones that attended the concert.

Former Elder Club members Rika and Yossie were there.

Along with all of C-ute (Airi came prepared with glowsticks!)

as well as Captain and Miyabi.

To make things truly official, UFA has updated the official Morning Musume website.

9th gen, please hurry and get ready. Morning Musume looks too empty.

All of the Morning Musume members also signed official towels, for memories sake.

Also, here is a 3D gif. Don't stare at it too long if you don't have 3D glasses or your head will hurt.

Finally, onto the videos. This concert aired live in 3D as expected and some wota have uploaded some of the performances to Youtube. I doubt UFA lets them stay up for long, so watch quickly.

I won't post them all since this post is long enough, so just click on the link above to go to his channel. Instead, here is one performance: Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game. I picked this performance to show off because there is quite a lot going on during it.



One of the first things of note is the outfits are totally upgraded. They look a lot better.

Aichan's first daaaaaaaaaaaakedo line was, well, different. When you get to it you'll see. It was a pretty cool moment.

At about 1:55, Eri begins fixing her shoes or something.

From about 2:49 on, Aichan shows her amazing range and proves why she is by far H!P's best singer. Seriously, that was an eight second held note sung acapella, completely in tune. Nice.

And at about 4:50, watch Linlin in yellow on the left of the screen as she falls, only to continue to do the hand movements while she's down. True professional. I made it through all of the pictures and this whole performance tear free, but seeing her determination nearly got me.

And just in case anyone was wondering about the setlist:

Yume Miru 15  (S/mileage)
MC
Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama (S/mileage)
Souda! We’re Alive
Hand Made City
VTR
Appare Kaiten Zushi!
MC
Nakidasu Kamo Shirenai yo
Onna ga Medatte naze Ikenai
Tsuyoki de ikouze!
MC (6th gen)
*Solo Medley*
- Watashi No Miryoku Ni Kizukanai Donkan Na Hito – Aika (Jun+Lin backdancers)
- Kira Kira Fuyu no Shiny G – Tanaka Reina
- Its You – Sayumi (Aichan, Kamei backdancers)
- Genki Pika Pika
- Aisaresugiru Koto wa nai no yo

Nanchatte Renai
Ooki Hitomi (6th gen)
Yuugure Sakusen Kaigi  (Risa)
Supping to Namida (Aichan)

MC (Linlin)

Watarasebashi  (Linlin)

MC (Junjun)
Furusato  (Junjun)
MC  (Eri)
Haru Beautiful Everyday  (Eri)
Seishun Collection
Kimagure Princess
Odore! Morning Curry
3,2,1 Breakin’ Out
Guru Guru Jump
MC
Tomo

*Encore*
Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game
MC (Final messages from members to Eri, Junjun, and Linlin)
Ame no Furanai Hoshi de wa Aisenai Darou?
Ai Araba It’s All Right
Namidacchi

There was no mention of the 9th generation auditions, so we'll have to wait until the two Bijou Gaku episodes air on the 16th and 23rd to find out who made the cut (Team Saho ftw!).

To end this massive post, here are a bunch of news sites with bonus coverage (in Japanese of course).
http://mantan-web.jp/gallery/2010/12/15_10/20.html
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/music/83036/full/
http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20101215-714183.html
http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/2010/12/15/0003678109.shtml
http://news24.jp/entertainment/news/1615353.html
http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/news/20101215mog00m200055000c.html