Famous Anisong Group ClariS Will Return with Two New Members
The Iconic Anisong Group Expands to Three with New Members Elly and Anna
ClariS, the beloved anisong group known for its memorable anime opening songs, is making a highly anticipated comeback with two new members. After one of the original members departed, ClariS is now set to perform as a trio for the first time in its history. This marks a new chapter for the group, which has achieved widespread popularity both in Japan and internationally. The group’s fans are especially familiar with ClariS’ iconic opening theme "Connect," from the 2012 anime Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica.
The news broke on January 27, 2025, via the Japanese pop culture news site Oricon, and was also shared on the official ClariS Staff X (formerly Twitter) page. Along with the announcement, a short introductory video was released, featuring the new members and giving fans a glimpse of the group’s future direction. The trio’s upcoming song, titled Colorful -season 03-, is set to drop on February 24, 2025.
ClariS’ Mysterious Origins
Founded in 2009, ClariS started as a duo, initially consisting of Clara and Alice, both junior high school students at the time. To maintain their anonymity, the members performed under pseudonyms and were depicted as anime-inspired avatars rather than showing their real identities. This tradition has continued to this day, with their faces rarely being revealed in public. Clara and Alice only made public appearances without their masks on two occasions, once in 2017 and again in 2020. Their faces were also shown in a music video for the song "Connect," produced in 2022.
ClariS first gained attention by posting cover songs on the Japanese video-sharing site Niconico. By 2010, they had signed with SME Records, and later with Sacra Music in 2017. Although the group has released many original tracks, they have become particularly well-known for their contributions to anime soundtracks. Their music has featured in popular anime series like Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai, Nisemonogatari, Nisekoi, and of course, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica.
A New Era for ClariS: Introducing Elly and Anna
Alice left the group in 2014, and shortly after, Karen joined ClariS to continue as a duo with Clara for nearly a decade. However, on September 1, 2024, ClariS announced that Karen would also be departing. She completed her final performances with the group during the ClariS Autumn Tour 2024. At the LisAni! Live 2025 event on January 25, 2025, it was revealed that the group would now expand to three members. The new lineup includes Elly and Anna, both performing under pseudonyms to preserve their privacy.
ClariS’ comeback single, Colorful -season 03-, will be the first release featuring all three members. The announcement video, like previous content, keeps to the group’s signature style by using animated avatars for Elly and Anna. Fans can expect a continuation of the group’s signature sound, which blends upbeat, catchy melodies with emotional depth, in their new track.
Looking Forward to the Future of ClariS
ClariS has long been a staple in the anisong community, performing at major anime events both in Japan and overseas. Their devoted fanbase is eager to see how the new trio will evolve and whether they will contribute a theme to a new anime series in the near future. The group’s return as a trio is filled with excitement and curiosity, with more updates expected following the release of Colorful -season 03- in February.
As ClariS begins this new chapter, fans are eager to see how the addition of Elly and Anna will shape the group’s future. With their solid track record and the promise of fresh, exciting music, ClariS remains a beloved force in the world of anime music.