Kōki Inō Takes Over Kanon Himeno Role in The Idolm@ster SideM

Bandai Namco Entertainment’s The Idolm@ster franchise announced Friday that Kōki Inō will replace Ayumu Murase as Kanon Himeno in The Idolm@ster SideM. The company had announced Murase’s departure, described as his “graduation” from the role, on August 18.

Inō won the role through several auditions. A September 1 livestream will provide further details about the casting change.

His responsibilities will include content and merchandise newly announced after August 28. He will also take the role for the “315 Production presents F＠NTASTIC BATTLE FES ～Wanna step in～” performance.

The company currently has no plans to replace existing recordings, though that could change. Murase will finish recording work for a few projects before leaving.

SideM follows The Idolm@ster franchise’s concept of idols players can produce. Its app centers on male idols at 315 Production, pronounced “Saikō Production,” meaning “Ultimate Production.”

The franchise’s smartphone games have followed these release timelines:

• The Idolm@ster SideM launched in 2014 and closed in January 2023.
• The Idolm@ster SideM Live on St@ge! launched in 2017 and started winding down service in January 2021.
• The Idolm@ster SideM Growing Stars debuted in Japan in October 2021 and closed in July 2023. It also inspired a June 2022 stage play.

An anime adaptation of the original game debuted in October 2017. A prologue special featuring the Jupiter idol unit’s three members aired that September. Crunchyroll streamed both as they aired.

Sumeragi’s The Idolm@ster SideM Wake Atte Mini! manga began in 2016 and concluded in January 2018. It inspired a 12-episode television anime of shorts that debuted in October 2018, with Crunchyroll streaming it as it aired.

Sumeragi’s sequel, The Idolm@ster SideM Wake Atte Mini! Returns, ran in Dengeki Maoh from September 2018 through January 2019. Its single collected volume shipped in March 2019 with an anime episode included.