>>90688700No.
Merch can be marketed and disposed, long after graduation or termination. Lots of precedent in Holo JP. There is however no point restocking merch for a character no longer around to push it.
The timing of the "affiliate" innovation suggests it was a reaction to the sudden stock price dip after Onion dipped out. Keeping the name on the roster is a measure to avoid calling a graduation a graduation, when realistically, it is.
Neither manochan or coco required awarding "affiliate" status when Tanigo explicitly offered them a reentry option, precisely because all they'd have to do is sign a new fucking contract.
Bottom line is, if the talent wants out ...bad enough to actually get out, they're not likely coming back.
