Kо̄ki Inо̄ Replaces Ayumu Murase as Kanon Himeno in The Idolm@ster Side M Franchise

Voice actor chosen through audition

Bandai Namco Entertainment's Idolm@ster franchise announced on Friday voice actor Kо̄ki Inо̄ will take over the role of Kanon Himeno from Ayumu Murase in The Idolm@ster SideM franchise, after the company announced on August 18 Murase would "graduate" from the role. The company chose the new voice actor through a series of auditions and will announce more details about the casting change in a livestream on September 1.

Inо̄ will take over the responsibilities from Murase beginning with newly announced content and merchandise after August 28, as well as the "315 Production presents F＠NTASTIC BATTLE FES ～Wanna step in～" performance.

There are currently no plans to replace previously recorded audio, but that may change in the future. Murase will complete recording obligations for a few projects before his departure.

The Idolm@ster SideM Growing Stars smartphone game launched in Japan in October 2021, and ended service in July 2023.

The game inspired a stage play in June 2022.

The Idolm@ster SideM smartphone game launched in 2014, and ended service in January 2023. Like other games in The Idolm@ster franchise, SideM is built on the concept of "idols you can produce." The app focuses on the male idols at the agency 315 Production (pronounced "Saikō Production" or "Ultimate Production"). The Idolm@ster SideM Live on St@ge! smartphone game launched in 2017, but it began winding down service in January 2021.

The first game's anime adaptation premiered in October 2017, after a prologue special about the three Jupiter idol unit members aired in September 2017. Crunchyroll streamed both anime as they aired.

Sumeragi launched the The Idolm@ster SideM Wake Atte Mini! manga in 2016 and ended it in January 2018. Sumeragi's The Idolm@ster SideM Wake Atte Mini! Returns sequel manga then launched in Dengeki Maoh in September 2018 and ended in January 2019. The sequel manga's one compiled volume shipped in March 2019, and bundled an anime episode. The first manga inspired a 12-episode television anime series of shorts that premiered in October 2018. Crunchyroll streamed the show as it aired.

Sources: Idolm@ster franchise's website, Anime! Anime!