As much as I was waiting for it and am glad that Asako is moving on... its still kinda bitter. Retirements are not fun for anyone.

Agreed completely. Even if I'm not a huge Asako fans these days, I know there are others who are and I hate to see my friends in pain.

That being said, she will have had four and a half years by the time she retires. That's not a bad run.

I really wish she hadn't come to the point she had and that she had no partner after Mihoko.

Agreed again. Asako was unlucky enough to get hit with a string of bad show in the beginning. Eventually they got better, but she still seemed worn out.