Shunya Hiruma Newly Cast as Kazuki Tsukumo in The Idolm@ster SideM

The official blog for The Idolm@ster SideM franchise announced today that Shunya Hiruma (81 Produce) is newly cast as the voice of Kazuki Tsukumo in place of the character's original cast Tatsuya Tokutake, who retired from all of the entertainment activities on December 31, 2019.

【SideM】九十九一希役の新キャスト決定について→→https://t.co/6j6Lk4vUnf #idolmaster #SideM
— アイドルマスター公式ツイッター (@imas_official) January 28, 2020

Hiruma has also voiced Tomoya Mashiro in another popular male idol-featured franchise, Ensemble Stars!, since 2015. He posted a message to the fans of the franchise and the character on Twitter soon after the announcement:

"While everyone was confused, I was at a loss as to what words I should use for my first greeting. And I kept thinking about how I could avoid betraying the character's image that the franchise had built so far, along with the fans' feeling. Then I realized that what I can do now is to face Kazuki Tsukumo-kun with sincerity. I will do my best to catch up with him who has gained a huge experience as an idol."

アイドルマスターSideM 九十九一希役の引き継ぎの件でお知らせがあります。ご一読いただけますと幸いです。 pic.twitter.com/3wTITlV97V
— 比留間俊哉 (@shun_shuuuun) January 28, 2020

His first voice as Kazuki Tsukumo will be revealed in an inter-mission drama for the social game edition The Idolm@ster SideM and the app edition The Idolm@ster SideM LIVE ONST@GE! at 12:00 on January 28 (JST). Also, he will appear in the live-streaming program "The Idolm@ster SideM Because of You!!!!! -Samui Fuyu wa Kaotasu to Mikan to SideM-" on Nico Nico Live at 20:00 on January 30 to introduce himself to the game's players (producers) for the first time.

Shunya Hiruma / Kazuki Tsukumo: