Ayumu Murase Graduates From Kanon Himeno Role in THE IDOLM@STER SideM
The announcement keeps Murase attached to two specific upcoming releases while leaving the long-term replacement plan open, which means the franchise is staging the cast change rather than making a clean cut.
Key Facts
- Ayumu Murase is graduating from the role of Kanon Himeno in THE IDOLM@STER SideM, announced on August 18, 2026.
- Murase voiced Kanon Himeno for over 10 years, according to his comment in the announcement.
- A new cast member will be added to support the kids idol unit Mofumofuen, with details to be announced later.
- Audio already released in 315 Production episodes will not be replaced for now, but some may be replaced in future operations.
- Murase will continue to voice Kanon Himeno in MONTHLY THEME SONG 10 Mofumofuen and some performances in THE IDOLM@STER SideM 11th STAGE ~EVER EVER@FTER~.
Reporting from 4 sources: 4Gamer.net, Denfaminicogamer, Inside, Anime Anime.
Voice actor Ayumu Murase is leaving the role of Kanon Himeno in THE IDOLM@STER SideM, Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 18. Murase's agency, Aster Nine, said the decision came from discussions between both parties with the future of the character and the work in mind, and that the parting is amicable. Murase has voiced the character for over 10 years. Kanon Himeno is a former child model idol and a member of the kids idol unit Mofumofuen, alongside Shiro Tachibana (voiced by Keisuke Furuhata) and Nao Okamura (voiced by Shogo Yano). A new cast member will be added to support Mofumofuen, with details to be announced later. Audio already released in 315 Production episodes and other content will not be replaced for now, though some parts may be replaced in future operations. Murase will continue to provide the voice for Kanon Himeno in the MONTHLY THEME SONG 10 Mofumofuen release and in some performances within THE IDOLM@STER SideM 11th STAGE ~EVER EVER@FTER~. The replacement schedule and the new cast member will be announced at a later date.
- Murase's agency, Aster Nine, published the announcement on August 18, and the official THE IDOLM@STER account posted the cast change notice the same day.
- Murase said in a statement: "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for having been involved with 'THE IDOLM@STER SideM' for over 10 years and for having voiced 'Kanon Himeno.'"
- The management team added: "We sincerely thank you for your dedication over the years, and we wholeheartedly wish for Murase's continued success in the future," and asked fans to "warmly welcome our new companion."
- THE IDOLM@STER SideM launched in July 2014 as the first male idol production game in the series, under the concept "Idols with a reason!" Players produce idols at 315 Productions, with characters drawn from backgrounds like doctors, part-timers, and Self-Defense Force officers.
- The franchise spans merchandise, music, live events, and radio beyond the game itself.
- The decision was made after comprehensive consideration, and the announcement noted that no party bears responsibility, with a call to prevent the spread of misinformation or speculative interpretations.
- Inside's coverage included a solo version of the song "Okanashi na Adventure" and the album "THE IDOLM@STER SideM 49 ELEMENTS -13 Mofumofuen" among related merchandise.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.