An image-forming apparatus forms an image by applying a control electric
field having a polarity corresponding to recording information, to a
recording medium having microcapsules including chargeable particles
dispersed in a dispersion medium. The image-forming apparatus includes an
alternating electric field-applying unit for applying an alternating
electric field to the microcapsules. The alternating electric field is
applied to the microcapsules of the recording medium before the image
formed on the recording medium is rewritten. Accordingly, the chargeable
particles are separated from the wall surfaces of the microcapsules and
from the other chargeable particles, making it possible for the chargeable
particles to perform free electrophoresis. The recording medium is
initialized to improve the response performance with respect to the
control electric field for forming a new image. The recording density is
increased, and the blur is reduced.