Image forming apparatus and process cartridge

An image forming apparatus, comprising an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer and a surface protective layer disposed on the electroconductive substrate in this order;

• a charging unit that charges the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor using a toner to form a toner image;
• a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on a transfer medium;
• and a residual toner removing unit that removes the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photoreceptor after transfer of the toner image,
• the surface protective layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor having a surface free energy of from about 10 mN/m to about 30 mN/m,
• the toner in the developing unit comprising silica, and
• the residual toner removing unit comprising a blade member including a base layer and an edge layer having a type A durometer hardness of from about HsA 75 to about HsA 90 at 23° C., the hardness of the edge layer being higher than the hardness of the base layer.