Two decades without changing a single member and with openings still echoing in the minds of a community were not enough to last forever. SCANDAL announced on August 24, 2026 that it will end its activities on August 21, 2027, exactly one year after its 20th anniversary concert at Osaka-Jo Hall. Haruna Ono, Mami Sasazaki, Tomomi Ogawa, and Rina Suzuki explained in a joint statement that after touring Japan and the world as a quartet, they feel they have achieved everything they could together.

The decision was difficult, they said, and came from repeated discussions among the four. For the anime industry and anyone who grew up with their songs, the closure marks the end of an era that began in Osaka’s streets and ended with a Guinness record.

The story of this jewel of Japanese pop-rock began in August 2006, when four high school students from Caless—Haruna on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mami on lead guitar and vocals, Tomomi on bass and vocals, and Rina on drums and vocals—started playing on the streets within Osaka Castle Park. They took their name from an adult goods store near one of the school’s campuses, a detail that still brings smiles. They built a following through local gigs and independent releases until their major debut in October 2008 with the single DOLL under Epic Records Japan. The following year, they won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards for Shoujo S, and in 2023, Guinness recognized them as the longest-running female rock band with the same lineup. There were no lineup changes.

Among their most recognized songs are: Shoujo S and Harukaze for Bleach, Shunkan Sentimental for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Pride for Star Driver, a theme from the 2018 season of GeGeGe no Kitaro, a song for the Pokémon movie Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, the original XPICE short by XFLAG and Marza Animation Planet, and work for the 2010 theatrical film Loups-Garous.

The farewell plan is not a quiet shutdown. Starting October 22, 2026, a national tour will begin, covering all 47 prefectures of Japan with 52 shows until early 2027. The Christmas highlight is the BEST★Xmas 2026 on December 24 at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo. The final show is set for August 21, 2027, at Yokohama Arena, a solo concert that will also mark the band’s 21st anniversary. The four promised to cherish every live and every day until then, always performing as the same quartet that started on the streets.

In the statement, they thanked everyone who crossed their path and made it clear they will use the remaining year to deliver strong performances until the last chord. There is no public feud, no manager drama, or last-minute replacements—just the feeling of completing a cycle. For fans of anime music, the void will be felt every time a classic Bleach or Brotherhood opening plays and they remember those voices will no longer perform together on stage. SCANDAL leaves with its lineup intact, the Guinness record, and one last tour across Japan.

Having left behind openings that still define entire sagas and maintained the same quartet for over two decades, do you think this final 52-date tour will become the most emotional farewell the community remembers from an anime-linked band?