Voice Actor Ayumu Murase Stepping Down from Role as Kanon Himeno in The Idolmaster SideM
© Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
Bandai Namco announced on Tuesday that voice actor Ayumu Murase will be leaving his role as Kanon Himeno within The Idolmaster SideM franchise. While Murase will step away from the character, the company confirmed that a replacement to fill the vacant spot in the Mofumofuen idol unit will be revealed at a later date.
Regarding past recordings, Bandai Namco stated there are currently no plans to re-record Murase’s existing voice lines, though that policy is subject to change moving forward. Before officially retiring from the role, Murase will finish up remaining voice work commitments for a select few upcoming projects.
Background on The Idolmaster SideM Franchise
The The Idolmaster SideM Growing Stars mobile game originally debuted in Japan in October 2021 before officially concluding its service in July 2023. Prior to its shutdown, the smartphone title also inspired a theatrical stage adaptation in June 2022.
The broader The Idolmaster SideM app first launched in 2014 and ran until its service ended in January 2023. Operating under the franchise’s signature “idols you can produce” philosophy, SideM centers around the male talents managed by 315 Production (read as “Saikō Production” or “Ultimate Production”). An additional spin-off app, The Idolmaster SideM Live on St@ge!, debuted in 2017 before winding down operations in January 2021.
The franchise’s very first game inspired a television anime adaptation that premiered in October 2017, preceded by a special prologue focusing on the Jupiter idol trio in September 2017. Both the anime and the prologue were simulcast by Crunchyroll as they aired.
Additionally, the property expanded into manga. Creator Sumeragi launched The Idolmaster SideM Wake Atte Mini! in 2016, running it until January 2018. A sequel titled The Idolmaster SideM Wake Atte Mini! Returns debuted in Dengeki Maoh in September 2018 and wrapped up in January 2019, with its single collected volume bundling an exclusive anime episode in March 2019. The original spin-off manga also received a 12-episode short anime adaptation that premiered in October 2018 and was streamed globally by Crunchyroll.
Source: Idolm@ster Official Website via Otakomu