An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which a toner image is formed and a blade retained so as to be capable of coming into contact with and separating from the image bearing member and adapted, when in contact with the image bearing member, to remove residual toner remaining on the image bearing member after image transfer, the blade being brought into contact with or separated from the image bearing member during movement of the image bearing member, wherein the blade includes an edge portion to be brought into contact with the image bearing member and a support portion causing the edge portion to come into contact with the image bearing member, and wherein the hardness of the edge portion is higher than the hardness of the support portion, the hardness of the edge portion being not less than 75 degrees but not more than 100 degrees (JIS-A), the hardness of the support portion being not less than 60 degrees but not more than 85 degrees (JIS-A).