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Babymetal Member Yuimetal Officially Leaves Group
posted on by Karen Ressler
The official website for the J-pop/metal band BABYMETAL announced on Friday that YUIMETAL (Yui Mizuno) has officially left the group.
Mizuno had been absent from the group's performances since last December, though a spokesperson for the band told Altpress in May that she was still part of the group. The new post on the official website explained that Mizuno was out due to health concerns, but that she had initially planned to return.
Mizuno posted a message on her agency's website explaining her departure. She said she would like to get back on stage, but is not yet back to 100% health-wise. Furthermore, she said she would like to pursue her dreams as Yui Mizuno. She apologized to fans who are sad because of her departure, but expressed her gratitude for the invaluable experience of being part of BABYMETAL.
The group — which now consists of SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and their backing band — released a new single titled "Starlight" on Friday.
Warner Bros. announced in 2016 that it was producing an original live-action/animated hybrid shortform series based on the group, but the series has not surfaced.
The group initially formed in 2010 as an offshoot of the Sakura Gakuin idol group.
Sources: Babymetal's official website, Amuse, Mantan Web