Risa Watanabe: Her exalted 52nd post....

 

 That 52 is an extremely high amount of solo posts for an Idol yet this is her first one in fourteen weeks, longest gap ever for her between posts. So that means I've never had the chance to talk about her graduation which was announced two months but there really isn't much to say about it. Was slightly surprised Risa did announce it, knew it was coming but seeing as how there were two departures in December thought she'd be staying until at least the Summer but that's not to be. So for now have no idea what Risa's plans are after leaving Keya(Sakura), no date has been set but it's supposed to be after the promotions for the group' next single are done so probably some time in May. Risa is popular but mainly just with '46' fans so have clue what she would be doing, know Keya has done so little over the last two years but least it was a steady paycheck. So will wait a while before talking more about the graduation, hopefully she has some definite plans and retirement better not be a part of those plans!

 This elongated slow stretch for Keya has affected everyone and that's a large reason for so many graduations these past two years. So have mentioned a few times how I would be doing the second 'Top Twenty Faves of All Time' list later on this year, August probably. So not doing nearly as much as she once did hasn't helped Risa's position on that list and for so long thought she had a shot at being my #1 of all time, I really do like her more than any other women I post about. But being number one won't happen but with a somewhat busy period over the next few months would definitely mean a top five spot for her, also hoping she'll make the yearly faves list for the fifth year in a row.

 A busy stretch just may be coming up, for a while thought her departure may be a quiet one but perhaps not. On May 17th Risa's second photobook will be coming out, it's a memorial one with the pics being taken in Hokkaido and Okinawa. So that should mean some new mag spreads, some interviews, promo pics and other activities for the book, it's the first time a Keya member has had a second PB. So that will be something to look forward to but so far not much other info has come out about the book and just this one pic so far.

 There are a good amount of pics for today but seeing has how this is her first post since mid December it's really not all that many. Risa just opened her own Instagram page and hope she uploads many pics which wasn't the case for her on the group 'Diary' blog. These are the first ones she's uploaded, some are from the March 16th 'Showroom' and have the link to the video, still can never understand why the audio is so low for that show which has been the case for years: March 16th Showroom

 Her mate in the bottom pic hasn't had a post since the first week in December but will have one for her soon. My top two Idols the past few years are both from Keya and that did happen once before as my top two Idols from 2014-17 were both from C-ute. Have some brand new promo pics for the 'Uni's on Air' web game, top four are from February while the others are for Easter.

 Keya's next single comes out on April 6th, it'll be Risa's final one for the group but she will be the center for the second time on one of the coupling tracks. Haven't looked to see if the video is on YT, if so may have it at the bottom of the post. One huge disappointment is the lack of mag spreads the past two years, not just for Risa but most other Keya members which is why there's been so few group posts but will have one next week. She will be the cover girl for the next issue of Non-no but that's the only mag she's been in since last June, some ultra fabulous new pics from the site.

 So seeing as how there's been zero mag spreads for eons let's go back in time for this terrific set and Risa was the cover girl for the June/July 2020 issue of Entame.

 The Spring 'Tokyo Girls Collection' show took place on the 21st at the Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium, once again no fans were allowed but the show was streamed live. Risa has appeared at close to twenty of them over the years and will this be her final appearance at one of these shows? Certainly hope not and have some super pics from the show though she has looked a bit more alluring at older shows. Her solo stroll took place on the Junky Mood stage and as you can see four members were also promoting the group's new credit card for AEON. Odds are good the video following the pics will be deleted so watch it quick, it's from yesterday's show and Risa's stroll on the catwalk was one of the longer ones.