King and Prince End Variety Show and Magazine Regulars as Fans Voice Growing Concern

An Early Graduation

It has been announced that King & Prince (commonly known as “Kinpuri”) will graduate from their regular feature in the May issue (released March 21) of Myojo (Shueisha). At the same time, Ren Nagase’s solo serialization “Nichi Nichi Ren Ren” will also come to an end. Recently, the group has seen a string of regular TV and magazine appearances come to a close, and some fans appear to be feeling uneasy.

“Since the days of the former Johnny’s agency, talents from the agency have regularly appeared in idol magazines such as Myojo, Popolo (which ceased publication with its September 2024 issue, Azabudai Publishing), and ‘Duet’ (Home Sha, which will cease publication with its December 2025 issue). However, it has become standard for members to ‘graduate’ from these magazines once one of them turns 30, and many groups have followed this pattern. While former groups may occasionally appear in one-off interviews, the monthly features are mainly focused on younger debut groups and Juniors,” said an entertainment writer.

However, in the case of Kinpuri, Nagase is 27 and Takahashi is 26—both still in their twenties. Because of this, fans have expressed disappointment over the announcement:

“I thought idol magazines were something you graduate from around age 30, so I believed Ren and Kaito still had time I’m sad.”

“Kinpuri graduating from Myojo feels too early. I thought it would be after their 10th anniversary or something.”

“They’re not even 30 yet I don’t want Kinpuri to leave Myojo.”

“Why are they graduating when neither of them is 30?”

With other major idol magazines like “POTATO” (One Publishing) and “WiNK UP” (Wani Books) already having ceased publication, Myojo is the only one left. Fans likely feel a sense of loss knowing they will no longer be able to regularly see Kinpuri in it.

Fans React to the Changes

Speaking of Kinpuri, the group’s regular TV program “Kintore” (Nippon TV) will also end at the close of March this year. Additionally, for Ren Nagase, his first regular MC program “Music Capsule ~Jinsei no Oshi Song~” (TV Tokyo), which started in October 2025, will air its final episode on March 26 this year.

“Kinpuri announced on May 23, 2024, the establishment of their new company, ‘King & Prince Co., Ltd.’ They currently have a group agent contract with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (formerly Johnny’s). Some fans are reacting with confusion, saying things like, ‘I thought the idol magazine regulars were about time to end, but now even the serialization is ending… I hope the radio isn’t affected,’ and, ‘It’s almost two years since the group agent contract started. Will all the STARTO-related work Kinpuri has be ending? The ‘Niwa Radio’ worries me.’ They’re anxious about whether Nagase’s solo radio, ‘King & Prince Ren Nagase’s Radio GARDEN’ (Bunka Hoso), will continue,” said the same entertainment writer.

In February this year, Nagase also launched his personal fan club, “NAGASE REN OFFICIAL FAN CLUB”. In connection with this, the group’s fan club announced that from February 14 onward, announcements regarding individual activities will be handled through Nagase’s personal fan club, which caused fans to express feelings of sadness and frustration.

“At the same time, Nagase’s fan club not only shares information about his magazine appearances but also about the group’s activities. Two weeks after its launch, fans on social media have been saying, ‘I’m so happy with all the detailed notices from Ren-kun’s fan club,’ ‘Ren-kun’s fan club is impressively meticulous,’ and, ‘Ren’s personal fan club is just amazing,’ giving it high praise,” the writer added.

Originally debuting in May 2018 as a six-member group, Kinpuri has gone through member departures to reach its current two-member formation. On the March 13 episode of the talk show “A-Studio+” (TBS), Nagase, appearing as a guest, stated that he is determined to continue performing songs from both the original six-member and the five-member periods.

Fans who continue to support the two-member Kinpuri are shocked to see their TV shows and magazine regulars ending. There is hope that the two will appear together in new media formats in the future.