『Meruputi Senbatsu Ketteisen 2026』: 14 Finalists Announced, Legendary OG Members to Appear as Special Guests!

Meet the 14 Finalists!

After fierce preliminary rounds on YouTube, the following 14 members have advanced to the main competition on ABEMA:

Kokomin
Yuri
Kokona
Emiru
Ayumi
Ayuna
Seira
Kotchan
Hiyori
Harume
Yuhi
Reina
Nana
Miyu

These rising stars will compete across various essential influencer elements, including fashion, makeup, expressiveness, and communication skills. It’s sure to be a thrilling journey watching them grow and shine!

Legendary OG Members Join as Special Guests!

Adding to the excitement, three legendary OG members who led Meruputi during its golden age – Yuna Hoshino, Sakura, and Osaki – will appear as special guests! These seniors, who are now active in various fields from TV dramas to apparel brand production, will be there to cheer on the 14 current members as they pursue their dreams.

The OG members shared their heartfelt messages:

Yuna Hoshino: “I hope this selection competition becomes a wonderful growth experience for everyone. I’m looking forward to watching this passionate challenge to the end with all the fans! I’m rooting for you!”
Sakura: “It’s truly wonderful that you’ve bravely taken this step forward. Make sure to fully showcase your individual charms and have no regrets. I’m excited to see you all make my beloved Meruputi an even more wonderful place. I’m cheering for you from the bottom of my heart!”
Osaki: “I was also an early member of Meruputi and still interact with the members regularly, so I’m very happy to appear in the Meruputi Selection Battle! I want all the members to have fun, be themselves, and do their best until the end! I’m really looking forward to seeing their serious expressions and new sides that are a little different from usual! Please warmly support each person’s growth and challenge!”

To celebrate their appearance, a special promotional video featuring the three legendary OGs sending their cheers to the contestants has been released!

Watch the special promotional video here!

Don’t Miss the 『Meruputi Senbatsu Ketteisen 2026』!

This incredible journey of serious challenges and growth will be broadcast exclusively on ABEMA. Mark your calendars so you don’t miss a single moment!

Broadcast Details:

First Episode: Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8 PM JST
Schedule: Broadcast every Thursday at 8 PM JST (free distribution)
Grand Finale: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (live broadcast scheduled)
Channel: ABEMA SPECIAL Channel
Link to Episode 1: Watch here!

(C)AbemaTV,Inc.

About Meruputi

“Meruputi” is a YouTube media operated by VAZ Co., Ltd., featuring female elementary, junior high, and high school influencers who are active mainly on YouTube and TikTok, under the concept of “Let’s start kawaii!”

Since starting video uploads in 2019, the YouTube channel “Meruputi” (434,000 subscribers as of July 2026) has surpassed 710 million total views. It delivers daily content that reflects the real “now” of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, tackling diverse projects aligned with the interests of junior high and high school girls, such as makeup, fashion, romance, dance, and documentaries.

Its annual TEEN influencer audition program, 『Meruputi Senbatsu Ketteisen 2026』, has garnered strong support from its peers, achieving top rankings on YouTube’s trending list and daily live streaming rankings in Japan. Many graduates, including the immensely popular “Sakura” and “Osaki” among teenagers, have gone on to become successful actresses, models, and artists, establishing Meruputi as a gateway for the next generation of stars.

Stay connected with Meruputi on their official social media channels: