Voice actress idol unit i☆Ris announced on Sunday on their official website that they will end their activities at the end of 2027, coinciding with the group's 15th anniversary and marking the conclusion of their 15-year journey.

In a statement, the staff apologized for the sudden announcement and thanked the fans and everyone involved with the group. They said the five members and staff have been talking it over since last year after the group's 10th anniversary in 2022."We will run to the end in true i☆Ris style," the statement read, with gratitude to fans "in our hearts."

The unit consists of Saki Yamakita (green; leader), Yuu Serizawa (blue), Himika Akaneya (purple), Yuki Wakai (red), and Miyu Kubota (orange). Each of them posted a message to fans.

Yamakita, the group's leader, said she originally planned to continue for ten years and was glad to pass that point with all five members. She said the group has yet to achieve a sold-out solo show at Yokohama Arena and wants to reach it in the remaining year.

Wakai said the decision was not prompted by any one person and was made after thorough discussion among the members. She said she began to think about an end to her idol career after the 10th anniversary and chose the 15-year mark to finish while the group is at its peak.

Serizawa told fans who were upset by the news that she was sorry to see them sad and asked them to spend the final year making memories they can look back on for the rest of their lives. Akaneya, who said she usually gets bored of things quickly, called this the longest she has stuck with anything. Kubota said she was a little glad if fans felt sad, because it showed how much the group meant to them. Several members closed with the same line, asking fans to "dream a little longer, just a little more" with them.

The group's 14th anniversary live is scheduled for November 3 at the Yokohama Arena. Kubota asked fans to come with their sadness if they must, but to bring plenty of excitement too. The statement did not announce details of further events before the end of 2027.

i☆Ris formed in July 2012, under the DIVE II Entertainment label by Avex and 81 Produce through the Anison Vocal Audition. The group debuted in November 2012, with the single Color. In addition to their music careers, all five members are also voice actresses, best known for performing songs for the PriPara anime franchise. The idol group also won the Best Vocal Performance Award at the 10th Seiyuu Awards in March 2016.

Over the years, i☆Ris performed theme songs for several anime, including Kenja no Mago (Wise Man's Grandchild), Sousei no Onmyouji (Twin Star Exorcists), Tejina-senpai (Magical Sempai), Mahou Shoujo Site (Magical Girl Site), and Kakegurui Twin, with the recent being Honoo no Toukyuujo: Dodge Danko (Flaming Dodgeball Girl Danko). The group also received an anime movie adaptation, i☆Ris the Movie: Full Energy!!, which premiered in Japan in May 2024 to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Official site: http://iris.dive2ent.com/
Official X: @iris_official_

Source: Oricon News, Famitsu