As you’d expect, there were plenty of reactions to Goto Maki joining Avex. I’ll be spreading out the reactions over the next few posts.

Goto Maki Signs with Avex! [Update: Official Website] (Totally Hello!Project)
Goto Maki signs with Avex! (Hello!Girl)
Is it Fate? (H!P Fangirling like Nobody’s Business)
GomAvex! Goto Joins Avex (TokioZimmer’s Blog)
The “Go To” Gal (The J-Pex)

Totally Hello!Project reiterates the news.

Hello!Girl chastises Hello!Project. I feel it is an accurate point when the entry claims that Maki “seems to be the one person from Momusu everyone in Japan names immediately once you say you are a fan or Morning Musume.” I know that the story today is talking about what Maki could possibly do in Avex, but I still feel it is relevant to discuss her departure from H!P.

DJ_MaiMai has what appears to be translated stories on the story. It is really emphasizing that singing is something Maki wants to focus on from here on out. After reading this, it makes it ever the more apparent the difference between idol and non-idol. DJ_MaiMai also muses on the connection between Maki and Koda Kumi.

Ryou of TokioZimmer has the news and lots of pictures to boot.

JPex considers possible avenues for Gocchin. It is definitely interesting to see someone who doesn’t think Maki will turn into the next Koda Kumi. There is an implication in here that there are some people who would be against such a direction and, well, I’d like to meet these people. Pex has an interesting theory on what Maki could become instead of the Koda Kumi clone.