[Ranma Matsuri]

When Ai left they found a way to use her graduation to hype up the "Colorful Era" in the media. Risa's graduation, Sayu's succession to leader, and the arrival of 10th gen put even more steam into the hype resulting in this second wind the group has been on.

I think right now they're just trying to figure out how to use the first post-Reina single and 12th gen's arrival to their advantage. New gen is still pulling in their own fans to cushion the blow but doing something attention grabbing with 12th gen would help build up hype.

@XFer: All of the post-Warugaki 1 singles except the past three didn't make it. Which is actually relieving because I just realized there's been ten singles since the first album. O__O Can't believe it's really been that long...

I've become a bigger fan of S/mileage with their 2nd gen, but haven't been too big a fan of the singles over the past year (I loved the last two though). I don't mind them maturing their image what I personally miss is the "themed" singles they used to always do which is what (imo) made them stand out. Atarashii Watashi ni Nare is the first concept single they've had since Please Miniskirt Postwoman and even then it leaves more to be desired in execution. Yattaruchan is great though and I love seeing Kanana up front.