OUR PLACE TO BE Members Profile 2026: Final Lineup, Profiles & Latest Updates
OUR PLACE TO BE is a five-member Japanese girl group formed through the 2026 survival audition program of the same name, produced by Hibiki, a former member of the co-ed group lol. The final lineup – Minami, Kaho, Riko, Aoi, and Rira – was confirmed on September 13, 2026. The group operates under LOCUSiA, the entertainment company Hibiki established in March 2026. No official debut date has been announced.
Quick Overview
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Group Name | OUR PLACE TO BE |
| Group Type | Japanese girl group (pre-debut) |
| Agency | LOCUSiA (ๆ ชๅผไผ็คพLOCUSiA) |
| Producer | Hibiki (็ซนๆฌ้ฟ) |
| Members | Minami, Kaho, Riko, Aoi, Rira |
| Formation Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Debut Date | Not officially announced |
| Debut Release | Not officially announced |
| Fandom Name | Not officially announced |
| Official Audition Instagram | @ourplacetobe_ |
| Official TikTok | @ourplacetobe |
| Official X | @OURPLACETOBE26 |
| Official YouTube | @OURPLACETOBE |
Table of Contents
Who Is OUR PLACE TO BE?
OUR PLACE TO BE is a Japanese girl group project formed through an audition program of the same name, run by LOCUSiA. The project was announced in March 2026 alongside the establishment of LOCUSiA by Hibiki, a former member of the co-ed group lol.
The group’s name is tied to the audition’s core concept: “creating a place to belong” (ๅฑ ๅ ดๆใๅตใ). Hibiki has stated that the project was inspired by her own experience as a trainee and artist, and by the fans who supported her throughout her career.
Unlike many K-pop and J-pop survival shows, the OUR PLACE TO BEโฆ audition imposed no restrictions on nationality or age (minors required parental consent). Hibiki said the final number of members was not fixed in advance – she left open the possibility of a three-member group, a five-member group, or even a solo debut. The final lineup landed on five members.
As of October 2026, the group has not yet made its official debut. No debut date, debut single, or debut album has been announced.
How OUR PLACE TO BE Was Formed
The project began in March 2026, when Hibiki announced the establishment of LOCUSiA and the launch of a girl group audition. Applications opened on April 7, 2026, and closed on May 31, 2026.
The audition process included document screening, interviews, and practical evaluations. The final audition round was filmed and published on YouTube, featuring 12 finalists performing solo stages and group evaluations. The finalists also performed a song titled “OUR PLACE TO BEโฆ,” for which Hibiki wrote the lyrics.
The final lineup was confirmed on September 13, 2026, and announced via the audition’s official X account. The five selected members are Minami, Kaho, Riko, Aoi, and Rira.
Editorial note: The specific evaluation criteria and scoring system used in the final audition have not been publicly disclosed by LOCUSiA.
Official Debut
Not officially announced. As of October 5, 2026, LOCUSiA has not confirmed a debut date, debut single, or debut album for OUR PLACE TO BE. The group’s official social accounts have teased upcoming activities, but no formal debut schedule has been released.
OUR PLACE TO BE Members
| Member | Birth Name | Official Role | Birth Date | Nationality | Verified Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minami | Watanabe Minami (ๆธก่พบ ๅๆตท) | Not officially designated | November 5, 2001 | Japanese | Former member of nooote and Neo Stella; experienced choreographer |
| Kaho | Inoue Kaho (ไบไธ ๅถๆ) | Not officially designated | August 25, 2004 | Japanese | Former member of SO.ON project Osaka (2020โ2021); attended Osaka School of Music |
| Riko | Hinata Riko (ๆฅๅ ่ๅญ) | Not officially designated | October 25, 2006 | Japanese | Former backup dancer; member of dance teams mariA number and Dignity Number |
| Aoi | Umeda Aoi (ๆข ็ฐ ่ต) | Not officially designated | October 20, 2007 | Japanese | Former member of Marble Angel; participated in Watashi, Debut Suru Cchan! audition |
| Rira | Terakado Rira (ๅฏบ้ ๆกๆ) | Youngest | May 25, 2010 | Japanese | Competitive dance background; competed in DANCE ALIVE HERO’S 2021 |
Note: LOCUSiA has not officially assigned positions (leader, main vocalist, main dancer, etc.) to any member. The “Youngest” designation for Rira is based on birth date and is reported by Kprofiles, not officially designated by the agency.
Member-by-Member Profiles
Minami
Minami is the oldest member of the final lineup, born November 5, 2001, in Saitama Prefecture. She has the most extensive pre-debut career of any member.
She began dancing at around age seven and has trained at Noah Sound Toritsudai Studio, Noa Dance Academy, and World of Dance Studios TOKYO. She was previously a member of the girl groups nooote and Neo Stella. She is also part of the dance crew AtoZ Girls.
Minami has worked as a backup dancer for several artists, including the 42nd Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2026 SPRING/SUMMER, boy group 20th Century, girl group BATTEN GIRLS, and Yuya Tegoshi in the music video for “SUPER STAR”. She has also choreographed or assisted in choreographing for Tsubaki Factory, Da-iCE, ANGERME, and others.
She has modeled for Crocs Japan and Ten Stuck. Her first professional project was with TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE at age 17.
Analysis: Minami’s decade-plus dance training and professional choreography experience give her a technical foundation that likely positions her as a performance anchor for the group, though LOCUSiA has not assigned official roles.
Kaho
Kaho was born August 25, 2004, in Hyogo Prefecture. She attended Osaka School of Music and was a member of the girl group SO.ON project Osaka from 2020 to 2021.
Her stated skills include acting and dancing in heels. She has cited YOASOBI’s “Butai ni Tatte” as a song that motivates her, and she is a fan of XG.
Analysis: Kaho’s music school background and prior group experience suggest formal vocal and performance training, though her specific vocal or dance role within OUR PLACE TO BE has not been confirmed.
Riko
Riko was born October 25, 2006, in Saitama Prefecture. She has trained at Noa Dance Academy Shinjuku, NEXTinDANCE Academy, and En Dance Studio.
She was a member of the dance teams mariA number and Dignity Number, and she worked as a backup dancer for singer Sugimoto Takuya during his “LIVE HOUSE & HALL TOUR 2025ใRE:MAKEใ”. Her stated strength is experience across multiple dance genres.
Analysis: Riko’s multi-genre dance training and professional backup work suggest versatility. Her specific role in the group remains officially unassigned.
Aoi
Aoi was born October 20, 2007, in Fukuoka Prefecture. Her nickname is Achi. She has been involved in entertainment since childhood, working as a kids model under More Agency and acting in musicals.
She previously participated in the audition “Watashi, Debut Suru Cchan!” co-produced by TWIN PLANET and Television Nishinippon, and was a member of the girl group Marble Angel. She also appeared in Nanako Amaya’s music video for “ๅใฏๅใฎๅฅ่ทก”. She performed at Parama Festival 2025.
Aoi has ballet training and states that her strength is matching her expression and performance style to the theme of a song.
Analysis: Aoi’s background spans modeling, musical theater, and group performance. Her stated strength in thematic expression suggests performance versatility.
Rira
Rira was born May 25, 2010, in Ibaraki Prefecture, making her the youngest member of the lineup. She has been dancing since kindergarten and trained at Studio Enkelados and Studio Mila.
She competed as part of a dance team in DANCE ALIVE HERO’S 2021. She has cited “Let It Go” from Frozen as a song that gave her confidence when she was younger.
Analysis: Despite being the youngest, Rira has a competitive dance background that predates her audition. Her age and experience level position her as a development-focused member, though LOCUSiA has not made any official statement about member development plans.
Career Timeline
| Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | LOCUSiA established; OUR PLACE TO BEโฆ audition announced | Confirmed |
| April 7, 2026 | Audition applications open | Confirmed |
| May 31, 2026 | Audition applications close | Confirmed |
| JuneโSeptember 2026 | Audition screening and evaluation rounds | Reported |
| September 13, 2026 | Final lineup confirmed: Minami, Kaho, Riko, Aoi, Rira | Confirmed |
| October 5, 2026 | First YouTube live stream with members (Rira absent due to health) | Confirmed |
Music and Major Releases
No music has been officially released by OUR PLACE TO BE as a group. The audition program featured a song titled “OUR PLACE TO BEโฆ,” written by Hibiki, but this has not been released as a commercial single.
No debut EP, single, or album has been announced.
Major Achievements
As a pre-debut group, OUR PLACE TO BE has no chart achievements, award wins, or music show appearances. The group’s formation itself is the primary confirmed milestone.
The audition program’s official YouTube channel has accumulated over 3,700 subscribers and 37 videos as of October 5, 2026.
Latest Verified Updates
Last Updated: October 5, 2026
- The final lineup was confirmed on September 13, 2026.
- A YouTube live stream featuring the members is scheduled for October 5, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM JST. Member Rira will be absent due to health reasons, as announced on the official X account.
- No debut date or debut release has been announced.
What We Verified
- Official agency: LOCUSiA (ๆ ชๅผไผ็คพLOCUSiA)
- Producer: Hibiki (็ซนๆฌ้ฟ), former member of lol
- Official lineup: Minami, Kaho, Riko, Aoi, Rira
- Formation date: September 13, 2026
- Official social accounts: Instagram (@ourplacetobe_), TikTok (@ourplacetobe), X (@OURPLACETOBE26), YouTube (@OURPLACETOBE)
- Audition period: April 7 โ May 31, 2026
What Is Not Officially Confirmed
- Debut date
- Debut release (single, EP, or album)
- Official member positions (leader, vocalist, dancer, etc.)
- Fandom name
- Official group greeting
- Future promotional schedule beyond the October 5 live stream
Readers should rely on LOCUSiA’s official channels for announcements about these details.
Official Accounts and Sources
- Official Instagram: @ourplacetobe_
- Official TikTok: @ourplacetobe
- Official X: @OURPLACETOBE26
- Official YouTube: @OURPLACETOBE
- Agency: LOCUSiA (ๆ ชๅผไผ็คพLOCUSiA)
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