22/7 Idol Mei Hanakawa Announces Departure from Group Due to Poor Health

An unfortunate news for those who are following up-and-coming 2.5D idol group 22/7: member Mei Hanakawa has announced via the 22/7 official website that she is set to leave the group by the end of the year. Hanakawa, who voices the character Nicole Saito, explained that her doctor determined that there were no signs of recovery and that she would have difficulty performing on stage. Her announcement did not state her medical condition.

The group’s official website announced last October that Hanakawa will be on an extended hiatus, with plans for her return once she has recovered. She had been on temporary hiatuses the months prior due to poor health, but the group’s staff had made it clear at that time that she was still set to return.

While her return will not push through anymore, Hanakawa is still set to take part in a postponed handshake event on December 28. Fans who were scheduled to meet her last October 20 and November 2 can participate on the said date.

In a personal blog entry, Hanakawa extended her apology to her fans who have been waiting for her to return to the group. She stated further that she felt like she was turning her back on them but explained that her doctor determined that she would not be able to recover from her condition if she had continued to perform.

She also said sorry to her 22/7 character Nicole Saito, whom she was supposed to voice in the upcoming 22/7 anime series this January. She asked fans to continue supporting Nicole and thanked her 22/7 members and her company for still saving her spot and maintaining hope that she will return, until her untimely retirement.

The 22/7 franchise and its idol group is produced by AKB48 founder and producer Yasushi Akimoto. The franchise is commonly described as a “dimension-crossing” idol group, whose voice actresses also perform in real life (commonly called 2.5D idols).

The idol group 22/7 debuted on June 16, 2017. They also perform the anime’s OP theme song “Muzui” (Difficult) as well as the ED song “Sora no Emerald” (Emerald of the Sky). Both songs will debut at the group’s “Birthday Event 2019” on December 24 and will be launched as the group’s fifth single on February 26.

Source: Anime News Network