Group Profile
- Group Name: ME:I (ミーアイ)
- Debut: April 17, 2024
- Current state: Active
- Years Active: 2024–present (2 years)
- Entertainment Company: LAPONE GIRLS
- Fandom: YOU:ME
- Group Color: Pink
- Members: Momona Kasahara, Rinon Murakami, Ayane Takami, Miu Sakurai, Suzu Yamamoto, Keiko Shimizu, Tsuzumi Ebihara
- Oldest Member: Momona Kasahara
- Youngest Member: Tsuzumi Ebihara
- Most Popular Member: Ayane Takami
- Notable Albums: WHO I AM (2025)
- Country: Japan
- Generation: 4th gen J-pop idol (Gen 4)
- Leader: Momona Kasahara
ME:I (Japanese: ミーアイ, pronounced: Miiai) is a Japanese female Idol group under LAPONE Entertainment, managed through its women’s artist division, LAPONE Girls. The group was formed through the survival audition program PRODUCE 101 JAPAN THE GIRLS.
ME:I debuted on April 17, 2024, with 11 members, all of whom are Japanese nationals. On December 22, 2025, LAPONE Entertainment announced that four members—Cocoro, Ran, Shizuku, and Kokona—had left the group. Following this change, ME:I continues its activities with 7 members: Momona Kasahara, Miu Sakurai, Ayane Takami, Keiko Shimizu, Rinon Murakami, Suzu Yamamoto, and Tsuzumi Ebihara.
Meaning of ME:I
The name ME:I carries the message of becoming the “idols of the future.” The Japanese pronunciation ミーアイ (Miiai) combines two elements: “Me” representing the individuality of each member and “I” symbolizing a vision toward the future. This message is also reflected in the slogan Mirai no Idol (未来のアイドル), meaning “Idols of the Future,” which the group has used in promotional activities since their debut.
Fandom & Lightstick
The official fandom name for ME:I is YOU:ME. This name signifies the bond between the group and their fans, where “YOU” represents the fans and “ME” represents the members. The naming reflects the concept of two-way interaction between the artists and their audience. The group’s official lightstick, named the ME:I OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK, was released in August 2024. The lightstick features the cat mascot ME:EYE (pronounced: Myai) as its head design. The device supports Bluetooth connectivity with iOS and Android apps to synchronize lighting effects during live performances.
Influence
ME:I has built a significant fanbase primarily in Japan, especially among younger audiences. The group has participated in numerous major music events in Japan, such as: Tokyo Girls Collection (Yoyogi National Stadium), KCON JAPAN 2024, Rakuten GirlsAward 2024 S/S, ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024, and ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2025.
Awards
On November 22, 2024, ME:I received the Favorite New Asian Artist award at the 2024 MAMA Awards held at the Kyocera Dome Osaka. In December 2024, the group won the New Artist Award (新人賞) at the 66th Japan Record Awards. On December 31, 2024, ME:I performed at the 75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, one of Japan’s most prominent annual music programs.
Musical Style
The music of ME:I is primarily J-pop, incorporating choreography styles influenced by K-pop. Their early singles, such as Click and Hi-Five, feature bright pop sounds with fast tempos. By 2025, the group transitioned to a more powerful style with the single MUSE and their debut album WHO I AM, which was released on September 3, 2025. The album compiles previously released singles along with new tracks including Royal Energy, Summer Magic, and Million Stars (English ver.).