is an

arcade Arcade most often refers to: * Arcade game, a coin-operated game machine ** Arcade cabinet, housing which holds an arcade game's hardware ** Arcade system board, a standardized printed circuit board * Amusement arcade, a place with arcade games * ...

collectible card game in

Bandai is a Japanese multinational toy manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Taitō, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectables America and Bandai UK, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California and Richmond ...

's ''

Data Carddass is a series of Japanese arcade game machines created by Bandai, which largely focus around the Digital collectible card game, digital use of collectible card game, collectible trading cards. It is an expansion of Bandai's ''Carddass'' collectible ...

'' 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 is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...

television adaptation by

Sunrise Sunrise (or sunup) is the moment when the upper rim of the Sun appears on the horizon in the morning. The term can also refer to the entire process of the solar disk crossing the horizon and its accompanying atmospheric effects. Terminology A ...

began airing on

TV Tokyo JOTX-DTV (channel 7), branded as and known colloquially as , is a television station headquartered in the Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, owned and operated by the subsidiary of listed certifie ...

from October 8, 2012 (Tokyo MX is rebroadcasting the anime in 2019). In 2015, production switched from Sunrise to the studio's subsidiary

Bandai Namco Pictures , also known as BN Pictures, is a Japanese animation studio and production company. It is a spinoff of Bandai Namco Filmworks (formerly known as Sunrise), a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings. The company was formed as a part of the medium-term ...

. Two films were released in December 2014 and August 2015 respectively. Three manga adaptations have been published by

Shogakukan is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, comics ( manga), non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan. Shogakukan founded Shueisha, which also founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the H ...

, along with four Nintendo 3DS games published by Bandai Namco Games. The series was succeeded by ''

Aikatsu Stars! is an arcade collectible card game in Bandai's Data Carddass line of machines, which was launched in May 2016. It is the successor to the '' Aikatsu!'' series of arcade games. The game revolves around using collectible cards featuring variou ...

'' on April 7, 2016.

Plot

The series takes place at , a prestigious school with both middle and high branches, where girls train to become idols and take part in various auditions such as live shows, fashion shows, and dramas. 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. They do their best in both the Partner's Cup & the Great Starlight School Festival. 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. With these meetings, it prepares them for the big event - The Starlight Queen Cup.

Terminology

; :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. ; :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. ; :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. ; :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. ; :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. ; :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 nineteen known brands in the first 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. ; :The brand new line of dresses made from the top designers who teamed up to come up with it. 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.

Media

Video games

The ''Aikatsu!'' arcade game from

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, , was released for the Nintendo 3DS on November 15, 2012. A second 3DS game, titled , released on November 21, 2013. A third 3DS game, titled , released on December 4, 2014. A fourth 3DS game, titled , released on November 26, 2015.

Anime

An anime television series produced by

began airing on

from October 8, 2012, replacing ''

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal , stylized as Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, is a Japanese manga and anime series and the third spin-off of the ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' franchise, after the preceding ''Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's''. The manga began serialization in Shueisha's '' V Jump'' magazine from Dec ...

'' in its initial timeslot. A second season began airing from October 3, 2013, with a third to begin airing in October 2014. Daisuki began 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. The second series of the ''Aikatsu!'' franchise, ''

'' was start on April 7, 2016 to March 29, 2018. The third series, ''

Aikatsu Friends! is an arcade collectible card game in Bandai's Data Carddass line of machines, which launched on April 5, 2018. It is the successor and spin-off to the ''Aikatsu!'' and ''Aikatsu Stars!'' series of arcade games. The game revolves around using ...

'' start on April 5, 2018 to September 26, 2019 and the fourth series, '' Aikatsu on Parade!'', which’s also a direct sequel to ''Aikatsu Friends'', start on October 5, 2019 to July 11, 2020. The fifth series also the first series produced the

Tokusatsu is a Japanese term for live action film or television drama that makes heavy use of practical special effects. ''Tokusatsu'' entertainment mainly refers to science fiction, war, fantasy, or horror media featuring such technology but is som ...

of the franchise called ''

Aikatsu Planet! is an arcade collectible card game in Bandai's Data Carddass line of machines, which launched in December 2020. Unlike the ''Aikatsu!'', ''Aikatsu Stars!'', '' Aikatsu Friends!'', and ''Aikatsu on Parade!'' series of arcade games, it revolves ar ...

'' was announced on August 10, 2020 to start in January 2021.

Films

An animated film based on the series was released on December 13, 2014. and a TV Special tied with ''Aikatsu! The Movie'', ''Aikatsu! Special: Dai Starmiya Ichigo Matsuri Zenyasai!'' A second film, ''Aikatsu! Music Awards - The Show Where Everyone Gets an Award!'', was released on August 22, 2015. An ''Aikatsu Stars!'' film, ''Aikatsu Stars! The Movie'', double-billed with the third film, ''Aikatsu! The Targeted Magical Aikatsu Card'', was released on August 13, 2016, An ''Aikatsu Planet!'' film, ''

Aikatsu Planet! The Movie is a 2022 Japanese hybrid tokusatsu/Anime, animated Musical film, musical dance film based on Aikatsu Planet!, a television series with a same name created by Bandai Namco Pictures, BN Pictures. The film is directed by Ryuichi Kimura, written by ...

'', double-billed with the first 22-minutes of the fourth film, ''Aikatsu! 10th Story: Starway to the Future'', was released on July 15, 2022. and in the same date, it was announced that a complete edition of ''Starway to the Future'' will be released on theaters as a standalone film in January 20, 2023.

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 or AIKATSU☆STARS! 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 and performed in several live concerts. ;Anime opening theme songs * "Signalize!" (Episode 1 – 25) by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, and Risuko * (Episode 26 – 50) by Waka, Fūri, and Sunao * "KIRA☆Power" (Episode 51 – 75) by Waka, Fūri, and Sunao * "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 – 152) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki * "START DASH SENSATION" (Episode 153 – 178) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki ;Anime ending theme songs * (Episode 1 – 25 and Episode 125) by Waka, Fūri, and Sunao * (Episode 26 – 43 and Episode 45 – 50) by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko * (Episode 44) by Rey * (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 * (Episode 127 – 152) by Mona, Ruka, and Miki * "lucky train!" (Episode 153 – 178) by Ruka, Mona, and Miki

Printed media

Three manga adaptations has been published by

. 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 serialized in '' Pucchigumi''. Six volumes of has been released under Ciao Mook. A light novel adaptation also began publication starting August 8, 2013, featuring illustrations by Kyō Nagiri.

Events

Events held for the all ''Aikatsu'' series as: * ''Aikatsu Music Festa 2016'' * ''Aikatsu Music Festa 2017'' * ''Aikatsu Music Festa 2018'' * ''Aikatsu Series 5th Festival'' * ''Aikatsu Orchestra Concert: Orchekatsu'' * ''Aikatsu Stars Special Live Tour 2018: Music of Dream'' * ''STAR ANIS Special Live 2015'' * ''AIKATSU STARS Special Live 2015'' * ''BEST FRIENDS Special Live Tour: Thanks OK''

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". 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 that 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. As of February 21, 2016, it had grossed in South Korea.

References

External links

Official card game website

Official anime website

Official movie website

TV Tokyo's anime website
* {{Ciao 2012 anime television series debuts 2012 video games 2014 anime films 2015 3D films 2015 anime films Anime films based on video games Arcade video games Bandai Namco games Bandai Namco Pictures Bandai Namco franchises Card games introduced in 2012 Japanese 3D films Japanese card games Japanese idols in anime and manga Music in anime and manga Dance in anime and manga Nintendo 3DS games Shogakukan manga Shōjo manga Sunrise (company) TV Tokyo original programming Video games developed in Japan H.a.n.d. games