Aikatsu!


Aikatsu! or Aikatsu! Idol Activity 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 television adaptation by Sunrise began airing on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2012. Two films were released in December 2014 and August 2015 respectively. Three manga adaptations have been published by Shogakukan, along with four Nintendo 3DS games published by Bandai Namco Games. The series was succeeded by Aikatsu Stars! on April 7, 2016.

Plot

The series takes place at Starlight Academy, 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. 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
;Student Cards
;Aikatsu System
;Aikatsu Phone
;Special Appeal
;Brands
;Constellation System

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, was released for the Nintendo 3DS on November 15, 2012. A second 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! Futari no My Princess, released on November 21, 2013. A third 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! 365-Hi no Idol Days, released on December 4, 2014. A fourth 3DS game, titled Aikatsu! 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. 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.
An animated film based on the series produced by Sunrise and distributed by Toei was released on December 13, 2014. 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 Aikatsu! The Targeted Magical Aikatsu Card, was released on August 13, 2016, and a TV Special tied with Aikatsu! The Movie, Aikatsu! Special: Dai Starmiya Ichigo Matsuri Zenyasai!. The second series of the Aikatsu! franchise, Aikatsu Stars! was start on April 7, 2016 to March 29, 2018. The third series, Aikatsu Friends! start on April 5, 2018 to September 26, 2019 and the fourth series, Aikatsu on Parade! start on October 5, 2019 to July 11, 2020. The fifth series also the last series of the franchise called Aikatsu Planet! was announced on August 10, 2020 to start in Autumn 2020.

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
;Anime ending theme songs
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 serialized in Pucchigumi. Six volumes of "Aikatsu! Official Fanbook" has been released under Ciao Mook. A light novel adaptation also began publication starting August 8, 2013, featuring illustrations by Kyō Nagiri.

Events

Events helds for the all Aikatsu series as:
Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network 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.