An image forming apparatus includes a housing including an opening to house a plurality of latent image bearing members for bearing latent images and latent image forming devices for forming the latent images, and an openably and closable holder to hold the latent image forming devices. The holder with one end thereof pivotally supported by the housing moves the latent image forming devices from an engaged position at which the latent image forming devices form the latent images to a retracted position at which the latent image forming devices are separated from the latent image bearing members as the holder moves to an open position at which the opening of the housing is opened. As the holder is opened, at least one of the latent image forming devices, which is closest to a fulcrum of the holder, is positioned at an end of the housing pivotally supporting the holder.