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| Au-chan Says Bye-Bye: Idol Vet Wataame Au Graduates from Ameagari After Final Live |
It’s officially the end of an era. Wataame Au — known to fans and industry heads alike as Au-chan (あうちゃん) — took her final bow with Ameagari ni Shika Niji wa Kakaranai. Yep, you read that right. After one final live with her group, the founding member and long-time scene staple has stepped away from the stage. But don’t panic — she's not disappearing anytime soon.
If you’ve been following the alt-idol scene in Japan over the past few years, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Au-chan’s work, whether you realised it or not. She’s been around the block — not just performing, but creating, managing, and producing too. Basically, she’s a walking idol multiverse.
She kicked things off back in 2019, debuting as one of the original members of Baby♡♡Holic on 29 June. Known for their sweet chaos and genre-bending live energy, Baby♡♡Holic was short but unforgettable. They disbanded on 4 July 2021, but not before making a solid impression in the indie idol underground.
Rather than slowing down, Au did the opposite — she levelled up. By January 2022, she’d launched munen, taking on double duty as both leader and manager. Again, she built something from scratch, pulling together raw new voices and moulding them into something uniquely theirs. That run wrapped in July 2024 — another bold, creative chapter ticked off.
Then came Ameagari ni Shika Niji wa Kakaranai — a poetic name for a project that’s always felt a little like idol therapy through song. She was a founding member here too, continuing her trend of starting fresh but leaving lasting impact. But now, after today’s final performance, she’s officially graduated the group.
Official Group's Statement:
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"Announcement
As of today’s live performance, Wataame Au has officially withdrawn from Ameagari ni Shika Niji wa Kakaranai.
We apologise for the sudden announcement and any surprise it may cause to the fans who have supported her and the group so warmly.
From the 24th onwards, the group will continue activities as a four-member unit.
We kindly ask for your continued support for Ameagari ni Shika Niji wa Kakaranai.
— Ameagari ni Shika Niji wa Kakaranai Management"
Fans took to social media to share throwback pics, sob emojis, and lots of love. “Au-chan’s not just an idol,” one post read. “She’s the blueprint.”
And honestly? They're not wrong.
While she’s stepping away from performing, she’s far from done with the idol world. In fact, she’s already deep into her next chapter — running Mimy, the agency she founded, and producing not one, not two, but three active idol groups: Shijun no Armeria, maumau, and Dura moon. If you’ve seen their aesthetic or caught a live, you’ll know her style’s all over them — dreamy but chaotic, sharp yet sentimental.
Her member colour’s always been white — fitting, really, since she’s been a blank canvas and guiding light for every unit she’s helped shape. While her days holding the mic on stage might be over (for now), she’s still got her hands on the wheel of the industry’s next wave.
So what’s next for Au-chan? More producing? A surprise solo drop? A documentary, maybe? Who knows. But one thing’s clear — wherever she goes, the idol scene follows.