Mrs.Green Apple:7 Reasons 2 Mbrs Leave & Aftermath

Mrs. Green Apple Overview: Formed in 2013 as a five-member Japanese rock band, Mrs. Green Apple quickly rose to fame after their major label debut, producing numerous hit songs. Until their hiatus in 2020, they actively performed live and appeared in various media, gaining a massive following among younger audiences.

However, just before their 2021 comeback, the band announced the departure of some members, leaving many fans concerned about what was happening.

This article provides an in-depth explanation of why certain Mrs. Green Apple members left, the background behind their departure, and what followed afterwards. We will explore official announcements, interviews, and reliable sources to offer a professional perspective on the matter.

Until 2020, Mrs. Green Apple had been performing as a five-member band, pausing their activities only when they announced their hiatus.

Many fans are curious about why two members departed from the group.

In this article, we will examine the reasons behind these member departures and discuss the possible factors involved.

Let’s dive right in and explore the details.

[Timeline] Mrs. Green Apple: From Departure to Re-Launch

Year	Main Events
2013	Band formed, led primarily by Motoki Omori
2015	Major debut single “Speaking” gains public attention
2017	“WanteD! WanteD!” becomes a TV drama theme song
2020	Phase 1 concluded, hiatus announced
2021	Right before Phase 2 restart, departure of Ayaka Yamanaka and Kiyokazu Takano announced

Which Members Left Mrs. Green Apple?

Just before resuming activity in late 2021, Mrs. Green Apple revealed that members had officially departed from the band on December 30, 2021.

“As of today, Ayaka Yamanaka and Kiyokazu Takano will be leaving Mrs. GREEN APPLE.

Both of them expressed their wishes to step away, and we have had numerous discussions with other members and staff.

This sudden announcement may be difficult for fans who have been supporting Mrs. GREEN APPLE, but we hope you’ll warmly send them off as they move on from Phase 1.”

Source: https://mrsgreenapple.com/contents/487270

The two members who left are as follows:

Let’s take a closer look at each member’s story.

Ayaka Yamanaka (Drums)

Ayaka Yamanaka was part of the band since its formation and was the only female member in Mrs. Green Apple. With her appealing drum style, she was a standout within the group.

She also contributed charming backing vocals, such as in the song “Zenmai,” where she and vocalist Motoki Omori sing in octave unison, producing an adorable track.

Fans continue to support her even after her departure, often sending birthday wishes on social media.

Kiyokazu Takano (Bass)

Kiyokazu Takano joined Mrs. Green Apple in 2014 via audition, following the departure of former bassist Takumi Matsuo.

He was considered the “cool guy” who supposedly resembled actor Shotaro Mamiya. Despite being the oldest in the band, he was sometimes teased and was once the leader.

Having studied music theory at a specialized school, Takano served as the foundational “backbone” of the band’s sound.

7 Potential Reasons for Mrs. Green Apple Member Departures

At that time, the band was on hiatus, so their official website announcement simply stated that both members would leave. They did not share many details regarding the exact reasons.

Below, we consider why the two might have departed from the band and evaluate seven possible explanations.

Here are the 7 potential reasons often discussed by fans and media:

Let’s look at each possibility more closely.

Creative Differences

“Creative differences” is a common reason cited for band members leaving. However, since Ayaka and Takano left right before the band’s comeback, this scenario may not fully explain their timing.

Mrs. Green Apple is known for thorough discussions during songwriting and ensuring all members share a unified creative vision.

“We place great importance on image-sharing and thorough discussion. We carefully read the lyrics, communicate the concepts we want to express, and confirm them through open dialogue.”

Source: https://www.fashion-press.net/news/90017

Because they likely discussed future plans for Phase 2 together, it’s less likely they suddenly cited “creative differences” at the last minute.

It’s possible they didn’t resonate with the new direction, but overall, this reason alone doesn’t fully account for the timing.

Motoki Omori’s Solo Activities

Some speculate that Motoki Omori, the band’s vocalist, triggered the departures by initiating a solo career during the hiatus, after initially stating he wanted a break.

Omori, however, has shared that his motivation behind the solo project was for the band and its fans.

“I was concerned about leaving fans waiting indefinitely. I didn’t want them to feel betrayed while we were on hiatus. Even if people see my solo work as just a ‘bridge to Phase 2,’ I’m fine with that.”

Source: https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000206821

The aim was to keep fans engaged rather than drifting away, suggesting the solo work was planned as an extension of Mrs. Green Apple. Hence, it’s unlikely to be the main reason behind the two departures.

So, Omori’s solo career probably did not trigger their decision to leave.

Uncertain Roles within the Band

Mrs. Green Apple secured major opportunities soon after forming, launching performances and even a debut before they fully explored their own artistic expressions.

They decided to pause band activities to incorporate elements like dance and specialized training—this included putting aside their instruments temporarily to gain new experiences.

During a TV appearance, remaining member Hiroto Wakai recalled the hiatus, calling it “tough.”

“I got stuck in a cycle of thinking, ‘What am I even capable of?’ and felt cornered.”

Source: https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3873390

Omori also noted that “Both (Yamanaka and Takano) started to wonder how they should exist in the band,” in a blog post.

With the pandemic limiting live performances and normal activities, they may have felt increasing pressure to redefine their roles. Over time, they could have lost their sense of belonging.

Taking a step back to reset by leaving might have seemed like the best option at that moment.

New Personal Goals

Ayaka Yamanaka shared a hint of new aspirations when she announced her departure.

“Right now, I’m pursuing a new dream. It may unfold differently than before, but I’m working hard in hopes we’ll meet again someday.”

Source: https://mrsgreenapple.com/contents/487270

At the time, there was no specific mention of band transfers or public announcements regarding her future plans. Still, it was a positive disclosure, giving fans hope for her next steps.

Needing a Break

As noted, Mrs. Green Apple experienced quick success from their formation, with countless tie-ins to TV shows, movies, and commercials. While it was exciting, it could also be overwhelming.

The group’s major debut track “Speaking” was released early on, and by 2020, they had 29 songs under their belt used as theme songs or commercial music.

While this fame is wonderful, the pace may have left members burnt out emotionally.

Omori once noted on his radio show that it was tough for the other four members when the band first started because they suddenly had live shows booked, connections made through Omori’s solo gigs, etc.

“They had no real gigging experience or time to prepare, yet we started performing monthly right away. It was an amazingly fortunate environment, but probably stressful from their perspective. They felt like they ‘had to do it’ with no room for error.”

Source: https://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/mrsgreenapple/index.php?itemid=14290

Continuously operating in “must-perform” mode could lead to mental and physical exhaustion over time.

Rumors of Disagreements

Some fans speculated that disagreement among members caused Takano’s departure.

Apparently, Takano and Ryoka Fujisawa didn’t travel back home together despite both being from Nagano Prefecture, sparking rumors of discord.

In reality, going home separately is not particularly unusual—traveling together would be the exception. It seems a small joke among fans escalated into a rumor of conflict.

Fan speculation was amplified into a “falling out” rumor without substantial evidence.

Marriage Speculation

At one point, people wondered if Ayaka Yamanaka and Kiyokazu Takano were leaving the band to get married.

Because they left at the same time, fans assumed they might be getting married.

山中と髙野は脱退しました→山中と髙野は結婚しました！その為苗字が髙野になりました→髙野と髙野再加入しました！
ってならない？

— きうい (@kiwi_appooo) December 30, 2021

The rumor gained traction, but there is no truth to them actually getting married.

Generally, marriage is not a typical reason for leaving a band, so the speculation was unfounded.

What Have They Been Doing Since They Left?

We looked into the post-departure activities of Ayaka Yamanaka and Kiyokazu Takano to see how they are doing now.

Ayaka Yamanaka: Now a Certified Labor and Social Security Attorney

Exactly two years after her departure, on December 30, 2023, Ayaka Yamanaka reported on her life during those two years and her future plans.

お久しぶりです。
2年前のあの時は悲しいお知らせをしてしまいましたが、
今回は良いお知らせになったら嬉しいです。

山中綾華 pic.twitter.com/JtFJ9MYWJo

— 山中綾華 (@AYAKA_SR_Dr) December 30, 2023

She candidly admitted she “hadn’t decided on the next step and just needed to rest” at the time of her departure.

According to Yamanaka’s statement, she plans to work as a Labor and Social Security Attorney (sharōshi) while continuing drumming. Passing the notoriously difficult exam on her second try shows remarkable dedication.

She’s posted on social media about preparing drum lessons, indicating she’s gearing up for future activities. Some fans speculate she might form another band, so keep an eye out for her next performances.

Kiyokazu Takano: Still Active as a Bassist

After leaving Mrs. Green Apple, Kiyokazu Takano has continued performing as a bassist.

He joined a group called “Chikashitsu no Kai” (literally, “Basement Society”), consisting of multiple bass players, and regularly appears in live shows.

View this post on Instagram

Post by Shinichi Ichikawa (@shinichikawa)

Additionally, some sources mention he works as an instructor at his alma mater, Nippon Engineering College. We hope to see more of his bass performances in the future, whether at live events or other musical endeavors.

Motoki Omori’s Solo Project & Other Side Activities

While Mrs. Green Apple was on hiatus, Motoki Omori actively pursued his solo project, releasing digital singles and mini-albums. For example, in 2021, he released tracks like “French” and “Saraba”, showcasing a distinct musical style compared to the band’s usual sound.

Meanwhile, keyboardist Ryoka Fujisawa worked on composition and arrangements with other artists. Each member’s individual ventures appear to have influenced the band’s musical direction in Phase 2.

SNS & Fan Reactions: How People Reacted to the Departure

When the departures were revealed in 2021, fans on Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms responded in various ways. Many felt blindsided—saying they were “shocked by the sudden announcement”—yet others expressed they “still love Mrs. Green Apple’s music” and are “excited to follow each member’s future projects.”

“I was surprised by the departure news, but I’ll keep supporting Ayaka’s drumming and Takano’s bass wherever they go!”

from a fan’s tweet

This general sentiment indicates people were less angry about the band’s changes and more inclined to “support their future pursuits.”

Related articles

Mrs. GREEN APPLE: Members’ Ages and Heights (Complete Profile)

Conclusion

In summary, this article explored which Mrs. Green Apple members left, why they may have done so, and where they stand today.

We look forward to seeing how both Ayaka Yamanaka and Kiyokazu Takano evolve in Mrs. Green Apple’s Phase 2 and beyond!

References & Sources

• Mrs. Green Apple Official Site
• BARKS Interview on Motoki Omori’s Solo Activities
• Interview with Hiroto Wakai (Model Press)
• Fashion Press: On Their Songwriting Discussions
• TOKYO FM Official Site

For more detailed timelines and updates on future activities, be sure to check their official site and various social media channels.

※The quoted sentences are translated into English.