To All My Fans (Maki Kitamura Blog Translation)

On 2/12, Kamen Joshi members Kanon Mori and Maki Kitamura both announced graduation. I’ll write a post on my feelings about it later, but I thought first I’d translate their announcements. You can read Kanon’s here.

Disclaimer: This is a rough translation and I am not even close to an expert at Japanese. Still, I think it’s better than Google Translate and hopefully I can help some fans anyway.

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To all my fans,

Thank you very much for always supporting me.

I have news for everyone.

I, Maki Kitamura, will graduate from Kamen Joshi and retire from Alice Project at a graduation ceremony on 4/7.

It’s an abrupt announcement and I’m very sorry if I surprised anyone.

The reason I’m graduating is because my herniated disc relapsed.

Trying to protect my lower back at lives, I wasn’t able to perform in my own particular way and I became really frustrated. Since I really love dancing, it was so disappointing and frustrating…because continuing like this would make it difficult to heal, I decided to graduate.

I haven’t decided what I’ll do after graduation at all.

Since I was a high school student, I have been standing on stage as an idol. It’s because everyone has supported me that I’ve been able to spend seven fun years as an idol.

Looking back on the four years I’ve spent in Alice Project, a lot of things have happened. They’re all my greatest memories.

In this Alice Project, I have been blessed with forward thinking members who always support me and wonderful songs and choreography. And also, all the fans who have thought about me and supported me no matter what.

I really cannot thank everyone enough. The words “thank you” aren’t sufficient.

When fans indulged my selfish whims and came to see me when they were busy and when they went across Japan and overseas for me, those were really happy times.

I really liked singing and dancing and I wanted to continue aiming for the top as Kamen Joshi like this for a long time. The new Armor Girls will continue their activities after this and I’m very sorry to do this at such an important time.

I’m so sorry for surprising anyone with my sudden announcement.

I thought about various things on my own and came to this decision. It’s really frustrating for me too.

I think people are feeling many different ways, but I want you to come see me when you can and support me as an idol until 4/7.

I want to see a field of red glow sticks until the end.

There’s not much time remaining, but I’ll be happy if you support me.

Kamen Joshi: Armor Girls Maki Kitamura