Image forming apparatus and image forming method

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a latent image carrier rotating in a predetermined rotation direction;
• a lubricant applying unit configured to bring a conductive contact member into contact with a surface of the latent image carrier at a predetermined application position so as to apply a lubricant;
• a development unit configured to attach toner to the surface of the latent image carrier, to which the lubricant is applied, at a development position located on a downstream side of the application position in the rotation direction so as to form a toner image;
• and
• a conductive blade brought into contact with the surface of the latent image carrier at a cleaning position located on an upstream side of the development position in the rotation direction so as to remove the toner on the surface of the latent image carrier,
• wherein a bias is applied to at least one of the conductive contact member and the conductive blade such that the surface of the latent image carrier is electrified, and
• wherein, as the durability of the conductive blade is prolonged, a ratio of the electrification of the surface of the latent image carrier by the conductive blade and the electrification of the surface of the latent image carrier by the conductive contact member is changed.