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| From Debut to Goodbye: J-Pop Group maumau Announces Shock Disbandment After Member Drama |
Barely nine months since their sparkly debut, rising J-pop girl group maumau has announced they’re officially disbanding this coming June — and it’s not exactly a happy farewell. On 25 May 2025, the group’s agency Mimy dropped a bombshell statement confirming that two of the founding members, Meru. and Shinonome Uru, have been dismissed from the group following repeated issues behind the scenes.
According to the agency, Meru. was let go due to “repeated contract violations,” while Shinonome Uru was axed for being MIA — literally. Ongoing no-shows and a lack of communication made it impossible for the team to continue working with her. Ouch.
The remaining members — Runya, Rinne Namu, and Tsumigi Hau — reportedly tried to keep things going, but with the group dynamic shaken and one graduation already on the horizon, the writing was on the wall. After what the agency called “difficult discussions,” the decision was made to call it quits.
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maumau, styled まうまう in Japanese, debuted on 29 September 2024 with five founding members: Runya (Pink), Uru (Blue), Hau (Light Blue), Namu (Purple), and Meru. (White). A sixth member, support idol Hoshimiya Shizuku (Red), briefly joined in October but exited just two months later in December.
Their concept, spearheaded by producer Wataame Au, leaned heavily into soft visuals, pastel aesthetics and light-hearted charm. Fans were hoping the group might find its footing among the sea of indie J-pop acts, but unfortunately, internal chaos had other plans.
The final straw? According to the statement, Meru.’s consistent breaches of contract created too much instability within the group. Add to that Uru’s repeated absences and lack of contact, and the situation became too much to manage — both mentally and professionally — for the others.
As for what’s next: the group’s official disbandment will take place on 28 June 2025, during what will also double as Tsumigi Hau’s graduation concert. That final one-man live will mark the end of maumau as we know it.
The agency closed its statement by expressing regret that the group couldn't reach its first anniversary, but thanked fans for sticking with them through thick and thin. They also asked for continued support for the three remaining members — Hau, Namu, and Runya — as they prepare for their final month under the maumau banner.
💬 "We’ve been through so much," one fan wrote online. "I’m sad, but I’m proud of the girls for making this tough call."
💬 "To be fair, they really tried. You could see it in their lives and posts. Shame it ended like this," another chimed in.
While short-lived, maumau’s run wasn’t without heart — and for many fans, that final stage on 28 June will be a bittersweet farewell to a group that shone bright, even if only for a little while.