Industry
Bandai Namco launches new band IP with voice actress audition
Four female musicians are sought for vocals, guitar, bass and drums; the winners are also meant to voice characters in the new project.
Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Music Live are jointly launching a new band IP project and are looking for four musicians for it, who are also planned to voice the project's characters. Applications for the audition have been open since August 26, 2026, and according to the current schedule close on October 14, 2026 at 23 Japan time.
The two companies are each seeking a lineup for vocals, guitar, bass and drums. For vocals, a combination with either guitar or bass is planned. According to Bandai Namco, the successful applicants are to perform not only as a real band but also voice characters of the new IP project, which has not yet been described in detail. The project thus combines live music and voice acting in a shared media project.
A similar interplay of real performing bands and fictional characters is already known from projects such as BanG Dream! Ave Mujica. However, what form the new Bandai Namco project will take has not yet been announced; an official title is also still missing.
Selection runs until early 2027
Women residing in Japan who were born between April 1, 2001 and April 1, 2011 may take part. The selection begins with an application including photos, a self-introduction and a singing or instrumental video. This is followed by an online round and two in-person rounds, in which acting is tested alongside singing and instrument playing.
The final selection is planned for January 2027, with results to be announced from late January to early February. According to the official announcement, the band's activities are scheduled to begin in spring 2027. Lessons and coaching by professional musicians are also announced for selected members.
For Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Music Live, the project is thus explicitly designed as a new IP and not merely as a classic band audition. Whether it will become an anime series, another animation format or initially a music project is currently open. Bandai Namco has not yet named a production format, a release plan or further character or story details.