Aikatsu!

Aikatsu! (Japanese: アイカツ!), short for Aidoru Katsudō! (アイドルカツドウ, lit. "Idol Activities!"), is an arcade collectible card game in Bandai's Data Carddass line of machines, which launched in October 2012. The game revolves around using collectible cards featuring various clothes to help aspiring idols pass auditions. An anime adaptation by Sunrise began airing on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2012. A film adaptation was released in December 2014. Three manga adaptations have been published by Shogakukan, along with three Nintendo 3DS game published by Bandai Namco Games. In Indonesia, this anime originally broadcast on RCTI, since Saturday, September 20, 2014. Also in South Korea, this anime broadcast on Tooniverse under title "I am Star (아이엠스타)".

Summary

The series takes place at Starlight Academy (スターライト学åœ', Sutāraito Gakuen), a prestigious school with both middle and high branches, where girls train to become idols and take part in various auditions. such as live, fashion show, and drama. To participate in these auditions, players use Aikatsu cards, special cards which contain digitized dresses and accessories from various manufacturers that are used in their auditions. How well they succeed is often dependent on choosing the right combination of cards. The video games cast players in the role of a new student, who must train to become an idol and reach the top.

The anime series follows a girl named Ichigo Hoshimiya, who becomes inspired by a performance by top idol Mizuki Kanzaki and enrolls in Starlight Academy alongside her best friend, Aoi Kiriya. Along with their classmate, Ran Shibuki, Ichigo and Aoi spend each day training for auditions and aiming to become top idols. The second season starts with Ichigo returning from America to Starlight Academy, as she now befriends and competes with the students from a new idol school, Dream Academy, which has Seira Otoshiro and her fellow idols. The third season focuses on a new generation, featuring Akari ÅŒzora, a young girl chosen by Ichigo to join Starlight Academy, and her companions.

Terminology

Aikatsu Cards (アイカツ!カード, Aikatsu Kādo)

Aikatsu Cards are cards that contain digitised clothes which are worn by idols during performances and auditions. They are divided into four categories: Tops, Bottoms, Shoes and Accessories, with some cards, such as one piece dresses, eliminating the need for others. The clothes come from various types of brands and have varying degrees of rarity. Although most clothes come in specific coordinations, players are also able to mix and match different cards to find a good combination.

Student Cards (å­¦ç"Ÿè¨¼, Gakuseishō)

A student ID that represents a student of Starlight Academy or Dream Academy and is required to access the Aikatsu System. In the arcade game, these are IC Cards used to store a player's history and create original characters.

Aikatsu System (アイカツシステム, Aikatsu Shisutemu)

The system in which Aikatsu Cards are utilised. When performing in an audition or performance, idols step through a dressing room, which requires them to insert their student pass and choice of Aikatsu Cards, where they put on their selected clothes. The stage they walk on is largely digitised, providing various holographic displays and special effects during the performance and allowing people to participate in the audience via online streaming. The system reads the emotions of spectators, along with the online spectators, to rate each idols performance, which determines their success during auditions.

Aikatsu Phone (アイカツフォン, Aikatsu Fon)

A handheld phone issued to each student of Starlight Academy. As well as providing various smartphone functions, such as calls, maps and a social network service, the Aikatsu Phone allows students to schedule and apply for auditions, as well as store and utilise their Aikatsu Cards for various purposes, such as holographically trying out coords. There are also a set of lights that are lit up when a student achieves a symbol pertaining to a certain idol quality.

Special Appeal (スペシャルアãƒ"ール, Supesharu ApÄ«ru)

A Special Appeal is a technique that is used during a performance, bring an illusion the stage. The types of appeal that can be performed vary depending on the types of clothes worn. Normally, idols are only able to perform a maximum of two or three Special Appeals during a performance, but Mizuki has been able to perform four, which considered to be Legends.

Constellation System (星座システム, Seiza)

The brand new line of dresses made from the top designers who teamed up to come up with it.

Constellation Appeal (星座アãƒ"ール, Seiza ApÄ«ru)

A Constellation Appeal is a technique that is used during a performance like a Special Appeal but is only performed when wearing Constellation dresses. This is performed when the performer has maxed out the audience's voltage meter before they can perform the appeal.

Brands (ブランド, Burando)

Fashion companies, each managed by a top designer, who design clothes for idols and convert them into Aikatsu Cards that can be used by the Aikatsu System. There are currently fifteen known brands in the series; Angely Sugar, Futuring Girl, Spicy Ageha, Happy Rainbow, Loli Gothic, Aurora Fantasy, Love Queen, Magical Toy, Swing Rock, Bohemian Sky, Vivid Kiss, Love Moonrise, Dreamy Crown, Sangria Rosa and Sakurairo Kaden.

Media

Video games

The Aikatsu! arcade game from Bandai began appearing in Japanese arcades from October 2012 as part of its Data Carddass line. The game revolves around using collectible cards to help idols pass their auditions. A handheld title, Aikatsu! Cinderella Lesson (アイカツ! シンデレラレッスン, Aikatsu! Shinderera Ressun), was released for the Nintendo 3DS on November 15, 2012. A second 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! Futari no My Princess (アイカツ！ï¼'人のmy princess, Aikatsu! My Two Princesses), released on November 21, 2013. A third 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! 365-Hi no Idol Days (アイカツ！365日のアイドルデイズ, Aikatsu! 365-Nichi no aidorudeizu), released on December 4, 2014.

Anime

An anime television series produced by Sunrise and Telecom Animation Film began airing on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2012, replacing Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal in its initial timeslot. A second season began airing from October 3, 2013, with a third to begin airing in October 2014. Daisuki will begin streaming the series from September 4, 2014. Sunrise's director, Masayuki Ozaki, has stated Aikatsu may be considered for a US release if fans are vocal enough about it. An animated film based on the series produced by Sunrise, Bandai and Toei was released on December 13, 2014. In Indonesia, RCTI Will begin this series since September 20, 2014, Every Saturday at 06:30 am.

Music

Main music and most of the songs are composed and arranged by monaca. Most of the insert songs also written by Saori Codama, Aki Hata, and uRy. Various CDs has been released during the series.

STAR☆ANIS and AIKATSU☆STARS!

STAR☆ANIS is a Japanese idol unit who are the featured performers for the songs in relation to the Data Carddass Aikatsu! game, as well as the Aikatsu! anime adaption. Each of the members provides the singing voice of at least one idol in the Aikatsu! universe, and are credited only by their given name written in hiragana.

Official Members

• Waka Kirishima (霧島 若歌, Kirishima Waka) as Ichigo Hoshimiya
• FÅ«ri Uebana (上花 æ¥"裏, Uebana FÅ«ri) as Aoi Kiriya and Seira Otoshiro
• Yuna Ichikura (市倉 有菜, Ichikura Yuna) as Kaede Ichinose, KÄ« Saegusa, and Ran Shibuki (as of Episode 101)
• Remi Mitani (美谷 玲実, Mitani Remi) as Otome Arisugawa, Yurika Tōdō (as of Episode 89), and Miyabi Fujiwara
• Eri Aino (愛野 えり, Aino Eri) as Sakura Kitaōji, Maria Himesato and Sora Kazesawa (as of Episode 91)
• Risuko Sasakama (ささかま リス子, Sasakama Risuko) as Mizuki Kanzaki and Kanon (Movie)
• Mona Tomoyama (å·´å±± 萌菜, Tomoyama Mona) as Mikuru Natsuki
• Ruka Endō (遠藤 ç' é¦™, Endō Ruka) as Akari ÅŒzora

Additional Listed Members

• Yuniko Morishita (森下 ゆにã", Morishita Yuniko) as Hikari Minowa

Additional Unlisted Members

• Eimi Naruse (成瀬 ç'›ç¾Ž, Naruse Eimi) as Miya / Ringo Hoshimiya
• Risa Aizawa (相沢 梨紗, Aizawa Risa) as Hime / Orihime Mitsuishi
• Nemu Yumemi (夢眠 ねむ, Yumemi Nemu) as Guppy

Graduated Members

• Sunao Yoshikawa (吉河 順央, Yoshikawa Sunao) as Ran Shibuki and Sora Kazesawa (formerly). Graduated on December 28, 2013.
• Moe Yamazaki (山崎 もえ, Yamazaki Moe) as Yurika Todo (formerly). Graduated on December 28, 2013.

AIKATSU☆STARS! Members

• Ruka Endō (遠藤 ç' é¦™, Endō Ruka) as Akari ÅŒzora
• Mona Tomoyama (å·´å±± 萌菜, Tomoyama Mona) as Sumire Hikami
• Miki (みき) - as Hinaki Shinjō
• Miho (みほ) - as Juri Kurebayashi

Theme songs

Opening Themes

• "Signalize!" (Episode 1 - 25) by Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, and Risuko

JKT48 (RCTI)

Waka and Risuko (Episode 17 insert)

Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (Episode 40 insert)

• "Diamond Happy" (ダイヤモンドハッãƒ"ー, Daiyamondo HappÄ«) (Episode 26 - 50) by Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao

Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (Episode 37-39, Episode 45-46, Episode 87 and Movie insert).

• "KIRA☆Power" (Episode 51 - 75) by Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao / FÅ«ri, Yuna, and Eri (Cute Look)

Waka and FÅ«ri (Episode 63 and 65 insert)

• "SHINING LINE*" (Episode 76 - 101) by Waka, FÅ«ri and Yuna / Waka, FÅ«ri, Yuna, Remi, Eri, and Ruka (Movie)

Waka, Remi, Risuko, Mona, FÅ«ri, and Eri (Episode 91 and 92 insert)

Ruka, Waka, FÅ«ri, and Yuna (Episode 101 insert)

• "Du-Du-Wa DO IT!!" (Episode 102 -) by Ruka, Mona, Miki, and Waka

Ruka (Episode 107 and 116 insert)

Ruka and Mona (Episode 111 insert)

Ending Themes

• "Calendar Girl" (カレンダーガール, Karendā Gāru) (Episode 1 - 25) by Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao

JKT48 (RCTI)

Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (Episode 22 and 50 insert)

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, and Moe (Episode 25 insert)

Yuna (Episode 55 insert)

• "Hirari/Hitori/Kirari" (ãƒ'ラリ／ãƒ'トリ／キラリ) (Episode 26 - 43 and Episode 45 - 50) by Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko (Episode 41-42 and 45-46 insert)

• "Kiss of the Alice Blue" (アリスブルーのキス, Arisu BurÅ« no Kisu) (Episode 44, Episode 11 insert) by Rey
• "Original Star☆彡" (Episode 51 - 75) by Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko

Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (Episode 54 and Movie insert)

Remi and Eri (Episode 74 insert)

Waka and Ruka (Episode 77 insert)

• "Precious" (Episode 76 - 101) by Risuko, Waka, FÅ«ri and Mona

Risuko (Episode 75 and 91 insert)

Risuko and Mona (Episode 99 insert)

• "Good morning my dream" (Episode 102 -) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki

Miki (Episode 105 and 113 insert)

Insert songs

• "Idol Activities!" (アイドル活動!, Aidoru Katsudō!) by Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (First Live, insert 29 and 44) / Waka and Ruka (Pop Assort, insert 80)

Waka (Episode 1 and 6)

Waka and FÅ«ri (Episode 2 and 4)

Sunao and Yuniko (Episode 8)

Risuko and Waka (Episode 16 and 17)

Ruka (Episode 76)

• "Move on Now!" by Risuko, Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao

Risuko (Episode 1 and 3).

Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (Episode 9).

• "Angel Snow" by Remi (Episode 11)

Waka and Remi (Episode 10)

• "Growing for a dream" by Waka (Episode 18 and 23, minor appearance on Episode 29)

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, and Eri (Episode 30 and 79)

• "prism spiral" by FÅ«ri (Episode 5, 7, 56, and 71)
• "Trap of Love" by Sunao, Waka, and FÅ«ri (Episode 13, 15, and 57)
• "Midnight Skyhigh" (真夜中のスカイハイ, Mayonaka no Sukaihai) by Risuko (Episode 14)
• "Thrilling Dream" by Sunao and Risuko (Episode 21)
• "Glass Doll" (硝子ドール, Garasu Dōru) by Moe (Episode 20, minor appearance on Episode 49)

Waka and Moe (Episode 19)

• "fashion check!" by Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, and Moe (Episode 32 and 86)
• "Take Me Higher" by Risuko, Yuna, and Moe (Episode 38)

Waka, FÅ«ri, and Sunao (Episode 33 and 35)

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, and Yuna (Episode 34)

Risuko, Sunao, and Yuna (Episode 36, minor appearance on Episode 37)

• "Ponytail After School" (æ"¾èª²å¾Œãƒãƒ‹ãƒ¼ãƒ†ãƒ¼ãƒ«, Hōkago PonÄ«tÄ"ru) by Remi (Episode 24 and 60)
• "Shining Sky on The G String" (G線上のShining Sky, G Senjō no Shining Sky) by Waka and Remi

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, and Risuko (Episode 27)

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, and Risuko (Episode 28)

Waka and Risuko (Episode 28)

• "Clockwise Wonderland" (右回りWonderland, Migi mawari Wonderland) by Waka and Sunao (Episode 43)
• "Happiness on the same Earth" (同じ地球のしあわせに, Onaji ChikyÅ« no Shiawase ni) by Eri (Episode 26 and 30)
• "Wake up my music" by Risa and Eimi (Episode 47 and 48)

Waka and FÅ«ri (Episode 31)

Waka and Eimi (Episode 31)

• "Moonlight Destiny" by Risuko (Episode 49)

Risuko and Waka (Episode 50)

• "New・Chocolate Case" (新・チョコレート事件, Shin・ChokorÄ"to Jiken) by Yuna (Episode 59)
• "We wish you a merry Christmas AIKATSU Ver." by Sunao (Episode 12 and 62)
• "Idol Activities! （Ver.Rock）" (アイドル活動! （Ver.Rock）, Aidoru Katsudō! （Ver.Rock）) by FÅ«ri and Waka (Episode 53)

FÅ«ri (Episode 51 and 91)

Waka (Episode 52 and Movie)

• "Kira・pata・shining" by Sunao (Episode 61, 67 and 91)
• "Magical Time" (マジカルタイム) by Remi and Yuna (Episode 58)

Yuna (Episode 66).

• "Dance in the rain" by Waka (Episode 64 and 91)
• "Smiling Suncatcher" (ç¬'é¡"のSuncatcher, Egao no Sankyatchā) by Risuko and Mona (Episode 78, 81, and 88)
• "Sweet Sp!ce" by FÅ«ri and Waka (Episode 82 and 94)
• "CHU-CHU♥RAINBOW" by Remi and Eri

Remi (Episode 83 and 91)

• "Eternally Flickering Flame" (永遠の灯, Eien no Tomoshibi) by Remi and FÅ«ri

Remi (Episode 89 and 91)

Ruka (Episode 106)

• "Aurora Princess" (オーロラプリンセス) by Eri and Waka (Episode 69)

Eri (Episode 68 and 91)

• "The Only Fascinating Treasure!" (ミトレジャーノ！, Mitore Ja-no!) by Waka and FÅ«ri (Episode 70)
• "Shining☆Days" (キラキラ☆デイズ, Kirakira☆Deizu) by FÅ«ri and Waka

Waka (Episode 103)

• "Happy Crescendo" (ハッãƒ"ィクレッシェンド) by Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao, Remi, Yuna, and Eri

FÅ«ri, Sunao, Yuna, and Eri (Episode 72 and 95)

Waka, FÅ«ri, Sunao and Remi (Episode 73 and Movie)

• "Adult Mode" (オトナモード, Otona Mōdo) by Risuko and Mona (Episode 93)

Mona (Episode 84 and 91)

• "stranger alien" by FÅ«ri and Yuna

FÅ«ri (Episode 90)

• "Arabian Romance" (アラãƒ"アンロマンス) by Eri and Waka (Episode 85)
• "Melody of the Heart" (ハートのメロディー, Hāto no MerodÄ«) by Eri

Ruka (Episode 97)

• "Dancing☆Baby" (ダンシング☆バイãƒ"ー, Danshingu☆BeibÄ«) by Eri and Yuna
• "Friend" (フレンド) by Waka and FÅ«ri (Episode 98, 100, and Movie)
• "Let's Aikatsu!" (Let's アイカツ！, Let's Aikatsu!) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki / Waka, Risuko, and Ruka (Movie)

Ruka and Mona (Episode 102)

Ruka and Miki (Episode 104)

Waka (Episode 112)

• "Etude of Radiance" (輝きのエチュード, Kagayaki no EchÅ«do) by Waka (Movie)
• "Tarte Tatin" (タルト・タタン) by Mona (Episode 103, 108, and 117)
• "Passion flower" by Miho and Mona

Miho (Episode 110 and 115)

• "Hello! Winter Love♪" (はろー! Winter Love♪, Harō! Winter Love♪) by Miki, Ruka, and Mona (Episode 114)
• "Lovely☆Bomb" (ラブリー☆ボム) by Miho (Episode 109)
• "Light Crimson Day Tripper" (薄紅デイトリッãƒ'ー, Usubeni Dei Torippā) by Remi and Miho

Remi (Episode 118 and 119)

Remi and Eri (Episode 121)

• "Poppin' Bubbles" by Miki and Mona

Miki and Miho (Episode 120)

• "Blooming♡Blooming" by Ruka (Episode 123)
• "Enchanting Party" (é­…æƒ'のãƒ'ーティー, Miwaku no PātÄ«) by Mona and Ruka (Episode 122)
• "Summer Summer Vacation!" (さまさまばã'ーしょã‚"!) by Nemu (Episode 40)

Printed media

Three manga adaptations has been published by Shogakukan. Two series illustrated by Banbi Shirayuki were published in Ciao and the Official Fanbook respectively. A third series, written by Shiori Kanaki and illustrated by Akane, was serializaed in Pucchigumi. Six volumes of "Aikatsu! Official Fanbook" (アイカツ！公式ファンブック) has been released under Ciao Mook. A light novel adaptation also began publication starting August 8, 2013, featuring illustrations by Kyō Nagiri.

Reception

Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network (ANN) commented that anime series is "really a half-hour commercial for a card game aimed at elementary-aged girls, or at least it seems that way", but despite this she noted "there's something fun about this show and its toy-bright colors". Silverman said Aikatsu! is a show for someone "looking for some brainless fun with a toe-tapping yet saccharine soundtrack, you're a seven-year-old girl, or if you just really like the color pink". Theron Martin also from ANN described it as "essentially a complement to a like-named card game aimed at teen and preteen girls". ANN's Carlo Santos agreed about it's a commercial-like anime, but also criticized the animation, saying the "quality is barely enough to get by, and the character designs look oddly outdated." Carl Kimlinger's opinion was less negative as he said Aikatsu! "isn't terrible by any stretch, but it doesn't make even a desultory effort to differentiate itself from the dozens of other shows that use aspiring idols to sell games and figurines and god knows what else" and that "character designs also have a lovely shōjo flavor, and the whole series looks just as pink and pretty as can be." He finished telling it will be "a highly tolerable diversion" for those who like this kind of anime.

The film earned ¥172,727,250 at the Japanese box office on its first weekend.

References

External links

• Official card game website (Japanese)
• Official anime website (Japanese)
• Official movie website (Japanese)
• TV Tokyo's anime website (Japanese)
• Aikatsu! (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia