765 Production Studio manages the unique talents of 13 professional idols as they slowly make their way to the top and become country-wide celebrities. But the girls' journey is far from just fun and games: hard work, sweat, and tears are some of the prerequisites needed to flourish in this industry—and for 765 Pro in particular, a watchful eye out for their rival, the infamous 961 Production. As the girls' fame grows, however, their time together as a family diminishes, and now the very popularity they sought is threatening to tear them apart. A difficult balance of work and bonding must be achieved, or they risk everyone going their separate ways. The personal and professional ordeals of these idols can't be conquered alone, but with each other's loving support, any obstacle or hardship can be overcome!
I used to not be a big fan of idol anime, I used to view it as a high school musical with cute girls genre. Idolm@ster truly opened my eyes to idol heaven. Idolm@ster gives fans a taste on what goes on behind the scenes with our favorite idol groups in a fictional setting. The show flows like a reality tv show or documentary, you see what the girls do on and off stage. In the beginning, the show acts an important question to all the girls, what does it mean to be an idol to you. That question alone allowed the viewer to understand the personality and goal of the idols that belong to production 765. The beginning is kinda slow, but fitting because you get to see how the girls start off with little to no experience and witness them develop into wonderful idols.Once you get to the halfway point, things really pick up from there.I really liked how certain episodes focused on at least one or two girls but it's very clear at the halfway point who the main characters are. The music and visuals are phenomenal, I never felt the need to skip the intros. The music and visuals in the opening complimented each other greatly. I really liked how you could learn more about a certain girl just by watching her sequence in the opening.I also enjoyed how every performance highlights the strength of the individual singer and the subunit. Seeing each girl practice and struggle in practice made seeing the final performance that much rewarding. The story is probably the best I've seen for the idol genre, the girls learn the best methods for being the ideal idol and learn how to work with their other members of their subunits. Even if certain girls didn't get along or act strangely, it revealed more about the group chemistry. The main plot is how 765 productions want to do what's best for their idols and ensure they are in a healthy environment while the opposing production company only carries about efficiency and results over everything else. So towards the halfway point you are watching a big game of playing to your idols' strengths and being transparent vs manipulation & dominating your competition by any means necessary. The only complaint I had about the series was how the idols treated the producer like he was their boyfriend at times, but for the most part it lead to a lot of funny and heartfelt moments.
~~~*All of my reviews contain __spoilers __for the reviewed material. This is your only warning.* ~~~ ----- img880(https://magicplanetanimedesign.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/tglstki.jpg?w=1568) ~~~_“I believe in everyone!”_ ~~~ In the grand scheme of things, the 2010s are only _just_ over. In every artform, at every level of discourse, there are discussions to be had and evaluations to be made. What defined the New ’10s, now that they’re in the rear view? Perhaps more importantly, what deserves to be taken into the future? 2011’s **The Idolm@ster** turns ten next year, but it remains the gold standard by which nearly every other idol anime since has been judged. If it’s not the best idol anime, it can feel, especially at its heights, like the only one that truly matters. The first interesting thing about *Idolm@ster* is how unselfconsciously *normal* it is. This is an idol anime with zero gimmicks, perhaps simply due to being from a time where you just didn’t need one. (Being adapted from an already-popular IP probably helped too.) Instead you have a large cast of characters, a shared dream of stardom among them, and some snappy sugary J-pop to soundtrack it all. img880(https://i.imgur.com/F2hHJQ9.png) Despite these simple and few ingredients (and the aforementioned size of the cast), *Idolm@ster* never really feels like a marketing tool, even though on some level it is. The earnest, unfiltered look into the lives of twelve girls who are, at the start of the show, *working-class entertainers,* conveys a kind of honesty more associated with rock documentaries than it is the idol industry. This is not to say that *The Idolm@ster* is *realistic*–that would be absurd. Rather, it has a kind of focused idealism. *The Idolm@ster* does not depict so much the realities of becoming an idol (though they’re an influence on it), but rather the dream of becoming one. The series imagines a world where the truism that hard work and dedication can lead even the most humble of person to fame and fortune is not just true, but provable. This is an important distinction, because for all the mundanities it does depict, especially in its forehalf, *The Idolm@ster* is interested less in being *about idols* than it is being about people who want to *become* idols. It is a series, at its best moments, of character study, which elevates it above idol anime that come off **[as simply trying to sell something.](https://anilist.co/review/6198)** img880(https://i.imgur.com/Bm1vMCg.jpeg) In an impressive feat of economy, over its 24 episodes nearly every member of its cast (including a few who aren’t members of the core 765 Pro group) gets at least one focus episode, a few get full-blown arcs. Chihaya’s, where she comes to terms with the death of her brother and learns to sing for herself, is probably the best, but several others are also very strong. This includes Haruka’s, also something of a broad-reaching arc for the group itself, which concludes the series. Not all of them quite get the screentime–or the consideration–they deserve, and *The Idolm@ster*‘s few flaws are always somehow tied to this. Makoto’s abbreviated story never reaches any satisfying conclusion; the gap between the masculine way she is sold to her audience and the feminine way she wants to actually present herself is never properly addressed, and it is the series’ sole serious misstep. Importantly though not a single character feels like anything less than a fully-fledged *person*. Even those with somewhat silly personalities (such as Hibiki and her affinity for animals) have layers to them, and the show is keen to show off its writing in this regard. Haruka’s aforementioned show-concluding arc takes a sledgehammer to her surface personality as a hardworking ‘good girl’, only to build it back up with a healthy dose of magical realism (present in a few of the show’s strongest moments) in the penultimate episode. img880(https://i.imgur.com/zGp5Z5l.png) img880(https://i.imgur.com/KDozLST.jpg) But of course, as with everything, technique is only as valuable as the resonance it creates. The thing with *The Idolm@ster* is that even though, statistically speaking, most people watching it are not, and will never be, idols, it is shockingly easy to relate to what these girls go through. I suspect what connects with whom varies somewhat, but, going back to that character writing; every character’s motivation is simple, concrete, and dead-easy to get your head around. That means that when you see them struggle, you can put yourself in their shoes. I love, for instance, ***Zombieland Saga***, but most people are not (say) undead biker-delinquents, and struggles that stem from being one require a lot more levels of abstraction to really hit the audience in the heart. By contrast, and to return to my earlier examples, things like Haruka’s fear that her friend group is drifting apart, Mikki’s simple desire to be the center of attention, and Chihaya’s near-compulsive need to keep singing are all things that will touch different kinds of people in a very immediate and personal way. I write about anime because I love doing it, and I often find myself internally debating whether or not doing it just because of that is okay. Chihaya sings, __[as she eventually comes to terms with](https://anilist.co/activity/108362740)__, because she loves doing it, and struggles with whether or not that’s okay. We are, by any reasonable metric, vastly different people, but *The Idolm@ster*‘s strength of craft is such that I can see myself in someone who is fundamentally very little like me because when she bares her soul at the climax of her focus arc, belting out “Nemuri Hime” acapella, I feel it in mine. What is art even for, if not that? And that, ultimately, is what I intend to reflect here. This is a show that gets it. The appeal of a lot of anime is that everyone, fundamentally, can sometimes use a glimpse of a world where pop music or some other silly thing really can save your soul, and getting there requires a deft touch and a subtle command of high emotion. And *Idolm@ster* is very emotional indeed. So, nearly ten years later, it feels safe to say that we can–and should–bring it with us into the ’20s and beyond. This is the one almost every idol anime since is still vigorously copying notes off of, and it’s easy to see why. Something this focused on looking forward could only age amazingly. “Onward to a sparkling future”, as one of the show’s many songs would put it. __[Are you ready?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4er33Spk10)__ ------ ~~~**Notes & Disclaimers** Usage of Anilist's review feature does not constitute endorsement for Anilist as a platform, the Anilist community or any individual member thereof, or any of Anilist's policies or rules. All views expressed are solely my own opinions and conclusions and should not be taken to reflect the opinions of any other persons, groups, or organizations. All text is owned by me. Do not duplicate without permission. All images are owned by their original copyright holders.~~~
I am not a huge fan of idols. I had a rocky start with this show. In a music, hobby, or even sports anime, I can generally at least understand what the characters' goals are and why they would want to achieve them. This was not the case with Idolmaster, as I wasn't really sure what "top idol" was supposed to mean, and to the extent that I understand what an idol is I'm generally very cynical towards the concept. Now admittedly, it's a bit of a foreign concept to me as a non-Japanese in the first place, and I can't deny there might be some unfair cultural biases as play. From my understanding and a cursory glance at Wikipedia: being an idol means singing, dancing, modeling, marketing, and profiting off a carefully cultivated parasocial relationship. It is commodifying a personality (that is not necessarily, and perhaps ideally completely disconnected from, your own -- the girls in Idolmaster don't know this, but more on that later). Again, this is very cynical, but it's how I see things, and from a certain materialist perspective that is just a clear-eyed description of this phenomenon. Is this description really that different from influencers, or even celebrities in general? I don't think so. I had to think quite a bit about why idols specifically were eliciting so much aversion for me when a lot of celebrity culture just inspires indifference. In this show (and from what I can tell this is a bit reflective of real life idols) the fact that most of these girls are very young and naive paired with the depiction of their fanbases as being predominantly adult men definitely adds a layer of discomfort, I think. This, and the aforementioned inherent distaste for the heightened commodification aspect, were the causes of most of my issues with this show. Ironically, though, it's this very aversion that made me realize what I really love about this series, but I'll get to that later too. But yeah, episodes like the one where Chihaya and Haruka have to fend off cameraman looking up their skirts, or the horrific panopticon of the Idol Olympics episode, had me questioning what the hell I was doing here. And while these issues are somewhat alluded to, they are never really addressed. We get hints of it, like how Makoto struggles with the gap between how she is marketed and how she wants to be seen. Chihaya and Takane both have run ins with the Paparazzi, and all the girls have to wear disguises to avoid prying fans. But in the show, none of those issues can't be solved by simply being authentically, completely, yourself. The lack of privacy, pressure from fans, and the inevitable alienation that comes from being both a person and a product never come in to play. But you know what? Maybe that's a good thing. Ultimately, the problems I have with this show come from the fact that the characters, as goofy as they are, feel real, and I got attached to them. I don't want them to have to deal with this stuff. I don't want them to be subject to the horrors of idoldom. All this is to say, it worked! This show succeeded in its goal. I have developed a parasocial relationship with these cartoon characters. I deeply want them to succeed as idols and achieve their dreams. As an audience, we can have the parasocial relationship, we can enjoy the girls-as-idols while not supporting the girls-as-product, everyone can succeed and find their niche by just being their authentic selves, and for the most part, there is no guilt involved. It's a victimless crime. Idolmaster is a fantasy where you can have it all, all the good things about idols and none of the bad stuff. And maybe that's not such a bad thing? Look, I still felt uncomfortable at many points throughout the duration of the show. I still don't like idols. But I was able to indulge in the fantasy and have a great time nonetheless. Now, here's everything that's great about this show: I love almost all the characters. Hibiki feels a little one-dimensional, and Yuukiho and Yayoi's voice performances are maybe a little bit over the top (just a smidge), but the entire cast succeeded in fleshing out their own unique personalities and a few of them even had full character arcs. The first episode felt incredibly voyeuristic and uncomfortable, but once producer-san was revealed, I immediately loved him too. The character designs are amazing. There are some episodes with really lively and interesting directing (for example, the one where Ritsuko becomes an idol; Yuukiho's episode; or, my favorite episode in the show, Makoto's first episode). The OPs and EDs are good to great, and most of the performance sequences are too. There's some serious sakuga character animation. I teared up at the conclusion to Chihaya's and Haruka's arcs. The show as a whole is incredibly satisfying, as we see the characters grow and develop and achieve their dreams in a way that feels natural and believable. I really think the peak of this show was episode 8, and again, I think this is the key to the whole appeal of this show and why it works. In this episode, Azusa and Makoto are just doing their job at a photoshoot and get involved in a masterfully constructed caper. What really works here is that the characters are or become idols essentially as a consequence of just being themselves, i.e. wonderful larger than life personalities (which is beautifully encapsulated when a taxi driver asked Makoto if she is a detective, and she responds that no, she is an idol). And it is precisely through this authenticity, through being themselves, that they will all eventually succeed. That's all they need to do. Now, let's come back to my original question. What is an idol? I gave another answer before, but the characters give their own responses in episode 21. Chihaya simply says an idol is "someone who brings happiness into the hearts of others." And if you can just strip away all the cynicism, and just close your eyes and get carried away by this fantasy, I think she's totally right. I'm not sure this show totally cleared away all my issues with its very premise. But if its purpose was just to bring happiness into my heart, honestly, I can't say it failed.
Over the years, I’ve watched Idol anime from time to time to try and understand the appeal. I haven’t really been a fan of the genre as everything just seems to follow the exact same formula time and time again. At the same time though, I know there's a lot of people who really like idol shows and I’ve always wanted to come to some sort of an understanding why. Recently, I decided to watch The Idolm@ster on recommendation from a lot of people I know. Now that I’ve finished it, I can finally say “I get it”. The Idolm@ster was truly the first idol anime I’ve seen that I thoroughly enjoyed and there is a lot that makes it special that elevated it above other series in its genre. This is why The Idolm@ster does the idol genre right! ~~~img500(https://i.imgur.com/Sbtukqj.png)~~~ ~~~__The Plot__~~~ As always, a brief summary. The Idolm@ster follows an idol agency called 765 Productions that works with professional idols. As the show begins, the company's 13 idols are largely without work doing what they can to get by as a group. With the hiring of a new producer to arrange their events, the group begins their journey to stardom. I know, it doesn't sound that crazy and unique, but it's everything else that The Idolm@ster does that makes it as special as it is. To stay on topic with the story, The Idolm@ster can be split roughly into 2 halves, the first of which where they aren't famous, and the second half where they are. The first half to me wasn't all that spectacular to me. For most episodes, they focus on one girl and whatever shenanigans they get into working various jobs or they have a larger event with the whole group be it a beach episode or whatnot. While the first half isn't amazing, it certainly isn't bad as it uses this time to steadily introduce its characters on a slightly deeper level, and maybe subtly hinting at later developments, while remaining an overall good time. It’s the show's second half where I think The Idolm@ster really hit its stride. In this half, the show transitions to focusing in on some of the more deep characters that were established in the first half while bringing attention to the effect that becoming overnight sensations have on the group and its members as individuals. Through this, The Idolm@ster is able to feel that much more deep and I dare to say realistic than other idol anime. It got me really interested in the characters and their struggles and I’ve never really felt that nearly to this extent with other anime of its genre. ~~~__The Characters__~~~ While the plot actually has substance, it's through The Idolm@sters characters that the show is able to truly become special. Right off, there are numerous characters in the group that don't really have that much of a role aside from being fun characters. This isn't bad by any means but it's kinda clear somewhat early into the show that they aren't going to be doing all that much aside from having fun moments from time to time. On the other hand, many of the remaining characters offer a lot more and bring the show to a whole new level. In particular, I thought the best characters of The Idolm@ster were Miki, Chihaya, and Haruka. While I wouldn't really say any character is the true main character over the others, I would say that these are the three that have the most “main character energy”. I'll talk briefly about them in the spoiler tagged section below but to keep things spoiler free here, I'll just say that I felt that all three of these characters showed the most character growth over the series and whose journeys provided a surprising emotional investment for me. ~! Miki - Of the 3, Miki is the weakest of the three but at the same time, I feel like she is one of the ones who changes the most. Miki starts off as being the carefree character who takes everything easy. She doesn't have that much ambition to do things her own way and believes that she will succeed without that much effort. Through the middle section of the show though, she goes through a lot of change. She learns to take pride in her work and the value of giving it her all. By the end, of the group, I would almost say that she is the one who puts in the most effort, in hopes of earning the respect of her coworkers and producer Chihaya - Chihaya I feel like was the most on the nose tragic but they handle her story in a clever way. Of the cast, I would consider Chihaya to be the most musically talented. She has a very strong sense of purpose when it comes to music that it gets to the point where she is largely disinterested in work that isn't singing related. In the second half, her tragic past is exposed to the world all at once and we finally see what makes Chihaya the person she is. Through her bond with her coworkers and a newfound sense of purpose, she's able to evolve as a musician and bounce back from the low place she ends up at. I know that was probably cliche after cliche but they do a great job of telling it. Haruka - Haruka is the most “main character” of the group though I feel like she doesnt do all that much in the first half. Haruka is extremely positive and is the biggest team player of the group. It's this aspect that makes the change that arrives in the group upon becoming famous that much more hard hitting. Now that they’re famous, everyone is now busy at all times and off working largely on their own. Haruka, being the member who wants to do things together as a group the most, takes this shift the hardest and goes through a lot of struggle. It's through her that the rest of the group realize how important the group is to them and it's what brings everyone together in the end. It was just nice to see.!~ ~~~img500(https://i.imgur.com/618Iocn.jpg)~~~ ~~~__The Production__~~~ On the production side, The Idolm@ster was created by A-1 Pictures, a studio that I consider to be pretty good. The animation is nothing special but it is very clean and nice overall. Additionally, the stage performance scenes look pretty good. I’ve seen other idol shows that have really wacky CGI that is kinda jarring. The Idolm@ster doesn't have that. Of course, the music of The Idolm@ster is a big plus point. Both opening themes are very catchy and every episode has a unique ending theme which is really nice to see. All the insert songs are very nice too although most don't play in their entirety which was a little weird but is fine I guess. Overall, there is a lot to like on the production side. ~~~img500(https://i.imgur.com/kDowvv3.png)~~~ In conclusion, The Idolm@ster is an idol anime that does it right. They are able to fully embrace the aspects that are staples for the genre while creating an identity that is uniquely its own. It has a cast of varied characters, many of whom show actual growth through the series that allowed me to become that much more invested in them. While the first half isn't all that special, it's able to successfully take what it establishes and grows it into something so much more in its second half. I’ve never been a fan of idol anime but I like to watch one from time to time to try to maybe find one that will click for me. If you also don't really get the appeal of idol anime, I encourage you to maybe give The Idolm@ster a chance. It changed my mind and maybe it’ll change yours? Now that I've watched it, I can now say with confidence that The Idolm@ster is the idol anime for me!~~~~~~