Aikatsu!

Aikatsu!
The cover art of Data Carddass Aikatsu! Official Binder 2016 Series
アイカツ!
Game
Data Carddass Aikatsu!
Developer	Bandai
Publisher	Bandai
Genre	Collectible card game
Platform	Arcade
Released	October 2012
Anime television series
Directed by	Ryuichi Kimura
Written by	Yoichi Kato
Music by	monaca
Studio	Sunrise, Telecom Animation Film (2012-2015) BN Pictures (2015-present)
Network	ANN (TV Asahi), TXN (TV Tokyo), BS Japan, AT-X
Original run	October 8, 2012 – ongoing
Game
Aikatsu! Cinderella Lesson
Developer	Bandai Namco Games
Publisher	Bandai
Genre	Rhythm
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Released	November 15, 2012
Manga
Written by	Banbi Shirayuki
Published by	Shogakukan
Demographic	Shōjo
Magazine	Ciao
Original run	December 2012 – ongoing
Volumes	2
Manga
Written by	Shiori Kanaki
Illustrated by	Akane
Published by	Shogakukan
Demographic	Shōjo
Magazine	Pucchigumi
Original run	January 2013 – ongoing
Game
Aikatsu! Futari no My Princess
Developer	Bandai Namco Games
Publisher	Bandai
Genre	Rhythm
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Released	November 21, 2013
Light novel
Written by	Sunrise, Bandai, Yōichi Katō
Illustrated by	Kyō Nagiri
Published by	Shogakukan
Demographic	Female
Imprint	Ciao Novels
Original run	August 8, 2013 – ongoing
Game
Aikatsu! 365-Hi no Idol Days
Developer	Bandai Namco Games
Publisher	Bandai
Genre	Rhythm
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Released	December 4, 2014
Anime film
Aikatsu! The Movie
Directed by	Yuichiro Yano
Written by	Yoichi Kato
Studio	Sunrise
Released	December 13, 2014
Anime film
Aikatsu! Music Award: Minna de Shō o MoraimaSHOW!
Directed by	Shinya Watada
Studio	BN Pictures
Released	August 22, 2015
Game
Aikatsu! My No.1 Stage!
Developer	Bandai Namco Games
Publisher	Bandai
Genre	Rhythm
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Released	November 26, 2015

Aikatsu! or Aikatsu! Idol Activity (アイカツ! アイドルカツドウ, Aikatsu! Aidoru Katsudō!) 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.^[1][2] A film adaptation was released in December 2014. Three manga adaptations have been published by Shogakukan, along with four Nintendo 3DS games published by Bandai Namco Games.

Summary

The series takes place at Starlight Academy (スターライト学園, 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 Ōzora, a young girl chosen by Ichigo to join Starlight Academy, and her friends. The fourth season centers around Akari's new unit with Sumire Hikami and Hinaki Shinjo, Luminas, going on a nationwide tour and meeting with idols from all over Japan.

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 (学生証, Gakuseishō)

A student ID that represents a student of Starlight Academy, Dream Academy, Himezakura Private Girls' Academy or Étoile 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.

In the actual arcade game, student cards are represented by Data Carddass (DCD) System's IC cards with Starlight Academy pattern. Players may use DCD IC cards to save gameplay and create avatar character.

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 (スペシャルアピール, Supesharu Apīru)

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 Shisutemu)^[1]

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

Constellation Appeal (星座アピール, Seiza Apīru)

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 eighteen 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, Sakurairo Kaden, Dance Fusion, Retro Clover, Dolly Devil and Mecha PaniQ.

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.^[3] A second 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! Futari no My Princess (アイカツ！２人のmy princess, Aikatsu! My Two Princesses), released on November 21, 2013.^[4] 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. A fourth 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! My No.1 Stage! (アイカツ！My No.1 Stage!), released on November 26, 2015.

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.^[5][6] A second season began airing from October 3, 2013, with a third to begin airing in October 2014.^[1][7] Daisuki began streaming the series from September 4, 2014.^[8] Sunrise's director, Masayuki Ozaki, has stated Aikatsu may be considered for a US release if fans are vocal enough about it.^[9]

An animated film based on the series produced by Sunrise and distributed by Toei was released on December 13, 2014.^[10] A second film, Aikatsu! Music Award: Minna de Shō o MoraimaSHOW!, was released on August 22, 2015.^[11]

Music

The series contains a variety of theme songs and insert songs. Many of the songs are composed and arranged by monaca, and performed by members of the Japanese idol group STAR☆ANIS who provide the singing voices for the characters. Some of the insert songs are the theme songs but sung by different members from the opening or closing. The songs have been compiled into several albums.

Anime opening theme songs

• "Signalize!" (Episode 1 – 25) by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, and Risuko
• "Diamond Happy" (ダイヤモンドハッピー, Daiyamondo Happī) (Episode 26 – 50) by Waka, Fūri, and Sunao
• "KIRA☆Power"^[12] (Episode 51 – 75) by Waka, Fūri, and Sunao / Fūri, Yuna, and Eri (Cute Look)
• "SHINING LINE*" (Episode 76 – 101) by Waka, Fūri and Yuna
• "Du-Du-Wa DO IT!!" (Episode 102 - 126) by Ruka, Mona, Miki, and Waka
• "Lovely Party Collection" (Episode 127 - 151) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki
• "START DASH SENSATION" (Episode 153 - present) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki

Anime ending theme songs

• "Calendar Girl" (カレンダーガール, Karendā Gāru) (Episode 1 – 25 and Episode 125) by Waka, Fūri, and Sunao
• "Hirari/Hitori/Kirari" (ヒラリ／ヒトリ／キラリ) (Episode 26 – 43 and Episode 45 – 50) by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko
• "Kiss of the Alice Blue" (アリスブルーのキス, Arisu Burū no Kisu) (Episode 44) by Rey
• "Original Star☆彡" (オリジナルスター☆彡, Orijinaru Sutā☆彡) (Episode 51 – 75) by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko
• "Precious" (Episode 76 – 101) by Risuko, Waka, Fūri and Mona
• "Good morning my dream" (Episode 102 - 124 and Episode 126) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki
• "Tutu・Ballerina" (チュチュ・バレリーナ) (Episode 127 - present) by Mona, Ruka, and Miki
• "lucky train!" (Episode 153 - present) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki

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 the 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".^[13] Theron Martin also from ANN described it as "essentially a complement to a like-named card game aimed at teen and preteen girls".^[14] 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."^[15] 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.^[16]

The film earned ¥172,727,250 at the Japanese box office on its first weekend.^[17]

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