http://loudwire.com/yuimetal-left-babymetal-new-song-starlight/
Her written statement also confirms her physical condition as having played a role in her decision to leave the band. As I had commented about before, my biggest concern is how their grueling tour schedule all over the world would end up taking a physical and/or mental toll.
Part of this as I had written in a preceding 2013 posting is really part and parcel, an issue with the Japanese geinokai especially with idols which various interests (talent agencies) try to get the most out of. And once BABYMETAL took off, it really was off to the races to keep the machine going (television appearances, interviews, live tours in Japan and around the world). Plus the girls were also having to perform their school work via correspondence.
The physical toll is not surprising because of the amount of moves the girls do (and all it takes is just a slightly off balanced one to throw out your back). The obligation portion of her statement is something that clearly weighed on her mind but its not something that I haven’t seen before with other Japanese talent who have to make similar decisions when they had become both physically and mentally drained from the crazy schedules that are part of the business.
I believe even now, the iteration of BABYMETAL that exists is being put on a road to implosion by not pulling back on the scheduling and thinking about the actual physical and mental health of the two remaining originals. Also, idols know what they are signing up for so it’s not like they are being coerced into this frenetic lifestyle. My point is that the pace BABYMETAL has been going over the past few years is well beyond the usual norm to where the other two girls will eventually reach that burn out stage.
What may end up happening before then though is a slow loss of interest in the group itself as the post-Yui Mizuno concept of the band evolves. One of the original main appeals of BABYMETAL was its fusing of kawaii idols with metal. I would say that fusion is what drew initial curiosity and interest which evolved into this much deeper fandom based on the chemistry of the three girls plus the Kami band when they performed live. There will be those who stick with them as the changes happen BUT there will be others who will lose interest as it moves further away from its origins.