Record-Breaking 42,000 Applicants: ABEMA to Exclusively Premiere a New Audition Show to Decide the New Member of iLiFE!
ABEMA will air a new show, 'iLiFE! New Member Audition Project i,' starting April 8th. The program documents the largest-ever audition for the popular idol group iLiFE!, which drew a record 42,000 applicants, to select one new member. The show will be broadcast first and fastest on ABEMA before its later release on YouTube.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 01:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 7, 2026 at 16:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:12 (240h 41m after Collected)
The new-future TV 'ABEMA' has announced it will broadcast 'iLiFE! New Member Audition Project i,' a new show closely following the audition for a new member of the popular idol group iLiFE!, for free starting Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 8 PM. The audition will be broadcast first and fastest on ABEMA, with a later release planned on the official iLiFE! YouTube channel.
iLiFE! is a female idol group that creates passionate live shows with their fans, under the catchphrase 'An idol (i) life (LiFE) created by me (i) and you (!).' They have gained explosive popularity, mainly among the youth, through social media buzz and word-of-mouth at their live venues. Their signature song, 'Idol Life Starter Pack,' spread the fan culture of 'calls' to the general public and became a hot topic, especially on TikTok. After successfully holding a concert at Makuhari Messe in August 2024 and at the Nippon Budokan in August 2025, they are now set to perform at their largest venue yet, the K-Arena, on August 26, 2026, gathering attention as one of the most dynamic live idol groups today.
To move to the next stage, iLiFE! has launched 'Project i,' a project to discover a new member. This audition will select one new member to take on the member color 'pink,' currently held by support member Haruka Koihoshi.
The program will closely follow the process from the 3-day audition camp (3rd and 4th rounds of screening) to the final screening and the selection of the new member. A record-breaking 42,000 people applied. The selected candidates will participate in the audition camp. Those who pass the 4th screening will undergo about a month of vocal and dance studio practice before the final selection of just 'one' new member.
ABEMA will provide complete coverage of this entire process, following the candidates as they challenge for their dreams and capturing the real-life drama of growth and elimination as their resolve to stand on stage is tested. What awaits beyond the final screening is the birth of the new 'pink member' who will carry the future of iLiFE!. We will deliver the entirety of this largest-ever audition faster than anywhere else. Please look forward to it.
■ ABEMA 'iLiFE! New Member Audition Project i' Overview
First Broadcast: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM ~ (Airs every Wednesday at 8:00 PM)
First Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/abema-special/slots/CpvxCDYCrX1hWF
*When using images, please include the credits: (C)imaginate Inc. and (C)AbemaTV, Inc.
■ About 'ABEMA'
'ABEMA' is a video streaming business that aims to innovate television as 'the TV of the new future,' celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has operated as an internet TV service that can be enjoyed for free without registration, broadcasting about 25 channels 24/7 across various genres, including a 24-hour news channel, original dramas and reality shows pursuing the 'highest quality or one-of-a-kind,' variety shows, anime, and sports.
In addition to boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes for a domestic video service in Japan (*), it also offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as sports broadcasts and online live events. Viewers can enjoy content anytime without being bound by schedules, through TV or on-demand, and on various devices like smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TVs, providing a viewing experience that fits diverse lifestyles. Furthermore, the 'ABEMA Premium' subscription, for 1,180 JPY (tax incl.) per month, offers exclusive features and content, while the 'ABEMA Premium with Ads' tier, at 680 JPY (tax incl.) per month, allows viewing of 'ABEMA Premium' exclusive content with ads.
(*) As of March 2026, based on our own research.
Please check our official social media for the latest information.
'ABEMA,' the new-future TV where you can enjoy free videos and popular works (https://abema.tv/)
In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, 'ABEMA' will roll out various campaigns throughout the year, including special program broadcasts and the 'ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Grand Thanksgiving Festival,' to celebrate this milestone. Please look forward to 'ABEMA's' 10th anniversary.
'ABEMA' 10th Anniversary Site URL: https://contents-abema.com/10th/
iLiFE! is a female idol group that creates passionate live shows with their fans, under the catchphrase 'An idol (i) life (LiFE) created by me (i) and you (!).' They have gained explosive popularity, mainly among the youth, through social media buzz and word-of-mouth at their live venues. Their signature song, 'Idol Life Starter Pack,' spread the fan culture of 'calls' to the general public and became a hot topic, especially on TikTok. After successfully holding a concert at Makuhari Messe in August 2024 and at the Nippon Budokan in August 2025, they are now set to perform at their largest venue yet, the K-Arena, on August 26, 2026, gathering attention as one of the most dynamic live idol groups today.
To move to the next stage, iLiFE! has launched 'Project i,' a project to discover a new member. This audition will select one new member to take on the member color 'pink,' currently held by support member Haruka Koihoshi.
The program will closely follow the process from the 3-day audition camp (3rd and 4th rounds of screening) to the final screening and the selection of the new member. A record-breaking 42,000 people applied. The selected candidates will participate in the audition camp. Those who pass the 4th screening will undergo about a month of vocal and dance studio practice before the final selection of just 'one' new member.
ABEMA will provide complete coverage of this entire process, following the candidates as they challenge for their dreams and capturing the real-life drama of growth and elimination as their resolve to stand on stage is tested. What awaits beyond the final screening is the birth of the new 'pink member' who will carry the future of iLiFE!. We will deliver the entirety of this largest-ever audition faster than anywhere else. Please look forward to it.
■ ABEMA 'iLiFE! New Member Audition Project i' Overview
First Broadcast: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM ~ (Airs every Wednesday at 8:00 PM)
First Broadcast URL: https://abema.tv/channels/abema-special/slots/CpvxCDYCrX1hWF
*When using images, please include the credits: (C)imaginate Inc. and (C)AbemaTV, Inc.
■ About 'ABEMA'
'ABEMA' is a video streaming business that aims to innovate television as 'the TV of the new future,' celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has operated as an internet TV service that can be enjoyed for free without registration, broadcasting about 25 channels 24/7 across various genres, including a 24-hour news channel, original dramas and reality shows pursuing the 'highest quality or one-of-a-kind,' variety shows, anime, and sports.
In addition to boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes for a domestic video service in Japan (*), it also offers a rich lineup of new movies, popular domestic and international dramas, and trending anime, as well as sports broadcasts and online live events. Viewers can enjoy content anytime without being bound by schedules, through TV or on-demand, and on various devices like smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TVs, providing a viewing experience that fits diverse lifestyles. Furthermore, the 'ABEMA Premium' subscription, for 1,180 JPY (tax incl.) per month, offers exclusive features and content, while the 'ABEMA Premium with Ads' tier, at 680 JPY (tax incl.) per month, allows viewing of 'ABEMA Premium' exclusive content with ads.
(*) As of March 2026, based on our own research.
Please check our official social media for the latest information.
'ABEMA,' the new-future TV where you can enjoy free videos and popular works (https://abema.tv/)
In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, 'ABEMA' will roll out various campaigns throughout the year, including special program broadcasts and the 'ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Grand Thanksgiving Festival,' to celebrate this milestone. Please look forward to 'ABEMA's' 10th anniversary.
'ABEMA' 10th Anniversary Site URL: https://contents-abema.com/10th/
FAQ
What is 'iLiFE! Project i'?
It is a documentary program on ABEMA that closely follows the audition process to decide one new member for the popular idol group iLiFE!.
When and where can I watch it?
It will be broadcast for free on ABEMA every Wednesday at 8 PM, starting April 8, 2026. It will also be released on the official iLiFE! YouTube channel later.
What is the scale of the audition?
From a record-breaking 42,000 applicants, only one new member will be chosen after a 3-day training camp and about a month of lessons.