THE iDOLM@STER SideM is in a period of active cast transition and real-world collaborations. Koki Ino has succeeded Ayumu Murase as the voice of Kanon Himeno, debuting on the September 1 livestream. The franchise continues its Tokyo Joypolis collaboration through December 6, 2026.
The franchise is navigating a significant cast change for Kanon Himeno, a former child model and member of the kids idol unit Mofumofuen. Ayumu Murase, who voiced the character for over 10 years, announced his graduation on August 18, 2026. Bandai Namco Entertainment framed the departure as amicable, with discussions focused on the character's future. Murase remains attached to two specific upcoming releases: the MONTHLY THEME SONG 10 Mofumofuen release and some performances in the 11th STAGE event. Existing audio in 315 Production episodes will not be replaced for now, though future operations may see some replacements.
On August 28, Bandai Namco announced Koki Ino as Murase's successor. The transition was handled through a formal announcement and a dedicated livestream on September 1, which introduced Ino to fans and featured other cast members. During that stream, cast member Sho Kano gave Ino the nickname "Yukiteru," which Ino accepted. Ino expressed his intention to preserve what has been built while giving his best. Staff also announced Kanon Himeno's future voice schedule and shared details about the FANTASIC BATTLE FES event, in which Ino will appear.
Alongside the cast change, the franchise has expanded its physical presence. The third Tokyo Joypolis collaboration, THE IDOLM@STER SideM in JOYPOLIS 3, runs from September 12 to December 6, 2026, with a renewed 3D live show and rhythm game coaster featuring newly recorded voices. Earlier in the summer, the first dedicated SideM costume exhibition, STAGE COSTUME MUSEUM, displayed about 250 live performance costumes from 2015 to 2025 at Shibuya BEAM Gallery. A summer pop-up shop at Tower Records Shinjuku offered seasonal merchandise, and the Deramasu tourism collaboration in Nagoya assigned individual idols to 13 local businesses from August to October.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
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Facts
- Announced
- third collaboration event with Tokyo Joypolis, THE IDOLM@STER SideM in JOYPOLIS 3, from September 12 to December 6, 2026 · 2026-08-30
- Noted
- High×Joker and Shinsoku Ikkon serve as the Tokyo Joypolis 30th anniversary ambassadors · 2026-08-30
- Noted
- The event includes a renewed 3D live show, an updated rhythm game coaster with new voices, a mini rally, and event-exclusive goods and menus. · 2026-08-30
- Noted
- The third collaboration brings back the well-received rhythm game coaster and 3D live show, renews them with newly recorded idol voices, and adds a voice-based mini rally, extending the franchise's presence at the indoor theme park through the end of 2026. · 2026-08-30
Connections
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6d ago
The Idolmaster SideM special livestream aired September 1 and introduced Ino Yukiteru as the new voice of Himeno Kanon, the former child actor idol in the kids unit Mofumofuen. Cast members Nakamura Shugo, Kano Sho, Yano Shogo, and Furuhata Keisuke posted welcomes on X after the stream. Kano gave Ino the nickname "Yukiteru," which Ino accepted in his own post. Fans praised the new voice and said they look forward to Mofumofuen's next moves.
Aug 30
THE IDOLM@STER SideM and Tokyo Joypolis are holding their third collaboration event, THE IDOLM@STER SideM in JOYPOLIS 3, from September 12 to December 6, 2026. High×Joker and Shinsoku Ikkon serve as the Tokyo Joypolis 30th anniversary ambassadors. The event includes a renewed 3D live show, an updated rhythm game coaster with new voices, a mini rally, and event-exclusive goods and menus.
Aug 28
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 28, 2026 that voice actor Koki Ino will succeed Ayumu Murase as the voice of Kanon Himeno in The Idolmaster SideM. Murase's graduation from the role was announced on August 18, following amicable discussions between both parties about the character's future. Ino expressed his intention to cherish what has been built so far while giving his best in the role. A special live stream to welcome Ino is scheduled for September 1 at 19:00 JST on YouTube and Niconico Live. The stream will feature Shugo Nakamura as Teru Tendo, Sho Kano as Yukihiro Kamiya, Shogo Yano as Nao Okamura, Keisuke Furuhata as Shiro Tachibana, and Ino as Kanon Himeno. During the program, staff will announce Kanon Himeno's future voice schedule and share details about the event 315 Production presents FANTASIC BATTLE FES ~Wanna step in~. The announcement notes that existing audio in 315 Production episodes will not be replaced for now, though some audio may be replaced in future operations. Ino will appear in the upcoming FES performances and related content announced after August 28.
Aug 18
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.
Jul 14
The Idolmaster SideM will hold a "SUMMER SPLASH! POP UP SHOP" at Tower Records Shinjuku from July 17 to July 26, 2026. The event features newly drawn summer costume illustrations of High×Joker, plus mini character goods for W·Beit. A range of merchandise including acrylic stands, badges, and clear files will be available, with purchase bonuses.
Jul 3
HIKE announced the first costume exhibition for The Idolmaster SideM, titled THE IDOLM@STER SideM STAGE COSTUME MUSEUM, at Shibuya BEAM Gallery from July 10 to July 27, 2026. The event displays about 250 live performance costumes from 2015 to 2025, life-sized panels of 49 idols with new artwork, and a retrospective video. Tickets are on sale now.
Jun 28
Meitetsu Kanko Service and The Idolmaster SideM are launching the Deramasu tourism collaboration in Nagoya from August 3 to October 31, 2026. DRAMATIC STARS serve as official ambassadors. Thirteen local businesses each partner with a SideM idol, with accommodation and sightseeing plans offering exclusive goods.