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| Fans Shocked as Kannagi Rabbits Announces Sudden Disbandment After Leader’s Departure |
Japanese idol fans were hit with shockwaves this week as Kannagi Rabbits (神薙ラビッツ), the shrine-themed J-Pop group known for mixing traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern electronic beats, confirmed they’ll be disbanding on 21 September 2025.
A Sudden Goodbye After Tough Months
The announcement came via the group’s official X account, where management explained the situation had been discussed deeply with the members before reaching the final decision.
Fans had already sensed turbulence: the same day, leader ayane (綺音) bowed out citing health reasons, and member lio (璃桜) was dismissed for breaching contract terms. The double blow left little room for the group to continue.
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The Concept That Stood Out
Debuting on 24 January 2019, Kannagi Rabbits carved out a niche with their shrine-maiden concept. Each member symbolised a rabbit in service to the gods, tasked with recovering the mystical “Nagi no Oto” (薙の音).
Their costumes often leaned heavily into traditional miko (巫女) attire, layered with neon visuals and an electronic soundscape.
The group even had a younger sister unit, Kannagi -Toki Usagi-, which carried similar mythological flair.
Final Line-Up and Member Journey
The last formation of Kannagi Rabbits consisted of:
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rin (梨, Green) – founding member, sub-leader
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asahi (旭, Purple) – joined 2020, sub-leader
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irina (衣麗月, Crimson) – joined 2021
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shuri (春鴒, White) – joined 2024
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miona (澪奈, Yellow) – joined 2024
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sara (沙來, Indigo Blue) – joined 2025
Over six years, the group had seen several graduations and farewells, from early departures like yuuna in 2019 to long-time faces like mayu (2020), narisu (2024), and aoi (2025).
For many fans, this constantly shifting line-up became part of the group’s bittersweet story.
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Final Concerts
Kannagi Rabbits will close their journey with two farewell lives:
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17 September – GRIT at Shibuya, Tokyo
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21 September – 246 Live House GABU, Osaka
Beyond these, all other planned appearances have been cancelled.
In their statement, the group promised to give their all until the very last performance, thanking their loyal fans—affectionately nicknamed the “Nagi no Oto Expedition Team”—for six years of support.
Reactions online ranged from heartbreak to disbelief. Comments on X included:
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“This feels like water thrown on my face in my sleep—too sudden.”
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“I can’t process it… it’s just shock after shock.”
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“We were just talking about the Budokan dream, and now this?”
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Despite the sadness, many messages celebrated the group’s legacy, with fans sharing photos from past gigs and streaming their songs as a send-off.
Kannagi Rabbits may never have reached Budokan like their story concept dreamed, but their unique blend of shrine-maiden visuals and futuristic electronic music earned them a dedicated cult following in Japan’s indie idol scene.
The September shows are set to be both a closure and a celebration of their six-year journey—one last chance to hear the “Nagi no Oto” together.