Starpola Member Relu to Graduate in April 2026

Five-member utaite group Starpola announced on December 1, 2025, that member Relu will graduate from the group on April 2, 2026, marking the group's fifth anniversary. The announcement also confirmed that Relu will end all talent activities on the same day.​

The decision came after Relu expressed his desire to pursue musical expression beyond the utaite and 2.5-dimensional idol format. According to the official announcement stream, Relu told his fellow members he wanted to dedicate himself fully to studying music and realizing his artistic vision in ways that the current framework could not accommodate. The five members held countless discussions over an extended period, exploring every possibility to continue as a five-member unit, but ultimately chose to respect Relu's determination and ambitions.​

During the emotional announcement broadcast on Starpola's YouTube channel, member Coe. expressed the group's anguish over the decision, acknowledging both the desire to continue together and the need to support Relu's chosen path. Kuni admitted feeling his "head go blank" upon first hearing the news, struggling to process the reality while thinking of fans who had supported Relu. Kisaragi You spoke honestly about his ongoing feelings of frustration, describing Relu as both a teammate and family member with whom he had shared countless hours pursuing the same dreams. Though he couldn't immediately accept the news, You resolved to send Relu off as a fellow creator who values their own artistic vision, asking fans to witness the final moments of the five-member group. Kottaro conveyed deep frustration at being unable to achieve all their shared dreams as five members, but recognized Relu's resolve to pursue something he felt compelled to do.​

Following the announcement stream, the members shared additional reflections on social media. Coe. described his relationship with Relu as being like real twins in both their closeness and occasional conflicts, comparing the departure to losing another version of himself. Kottaro acknowledged the difficulty of accepting sudden change, admitting he was initially speechless when first hearing the news, but expressed determination to remain someone fans could trust. Kuni and You both emphasized their commitment to moving forward together with fans, asking for patience as everyone processes their feelings.​

Relu's final live performance with Starpola will take place on January 31, 2026, at Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall. All scheduled events and activities through April 2, 2026, will proceed as planned with all five members. The group emphasized that Starpola will continue in a new formation after Relu's departure and will not disband.

In his personal statement following the announcement, Relu expressed gratitude to fans who had supported him and to members who ultimately encouraged him to follow his path despite their close bond. "I want to walk my own path without regrets," Relu wrote, adding that he would make the remaining four months meaningful and successful. He emphasized that his decision was not due to dissatisfaction with members or management, and asked fans to continue supporting Starpola.

Starpola, which boasts over 630,000 YouTube subscribers, has been active since 2021. The group's remaining members—Coe., Kuni, Kottaro, and Kisaragi You—pledged to honor the remaining time as five members with Relu and deliver bright, energetic performances to fans.​

A Personal Note

As chief editor of The Once Times, I write this with a heavy heart as a longtime Starpola supporter. Relu's original song "変光星 (Variable Star)" has been a constant companion, a track I've returned to countless times for its emotional resonance and artistry. While this news brings sadness, I will continue to support Relu's activities in Starpola until the very end and wish him success in his future endeavors. Starpola's journey continues, and I remain committed to supporting the group as they move forward into their next chapter.