Gakuen Idolmaster | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | QualiArts |
Publisher(s) | Bandai Namco Entertainment |
Producer(s) | Hidefumi Komino |
Artist(s) |
|
Writer(s) |
|
Composer(s) | Takafumi Satō |
Platform(s) | |
Release |
|
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gakuen Idolmaster (学園アイドルマスター, Gakuen Aidorumasutā, lit. 'Academy Idolmaster') is a Japanese multimedia spin-off series of The Idolmaster, starting with a free-to-play mobile game developed by QualiArts and Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game was released on May 16, 2024, for iOS and Android in Japan.
Premises and gameplay
The game takes place at the Hatsuboshi Gakuen, an idol training school. The player acts as a student in the Producer Department of the school, and produces one of the nine idols studying in the Idol Department, including Saki Hanami (花海咲季) voiced by Aoi Nagatsuki, Temari Tsukimura (月村手毬) voiced by Nao Ojika, Kotone Fujita (藤田ことね) voiced by Hikaru Iida, Rinami Himesaki (姫崎莉波) voiced by Yuri Usui, Sumika Shiun (紫雲清夏) voiced by Miya Minato, Hiro Shinosawa (篠澤広) voiced by Reina Kawamura, Lilja Katsuragi (葛城リーリヤ) voiced by Kana Hanaiwa, China Kuramoto (倉本千奈) voiced by Mao Itō, and Mao Arimura (有村麻央) voiced by Tsumugi Nanase.[1][2]
Development
On July 25, 2023, it was announced The Idolmaster franchise would release a new brand starting with a mobile game, in the live stream web programme "18th Anniversary Colorful Party!!!!!" for the franchise's 18th anniversary. It was also revealed that Hidefumi Komino was the producer of the new brand, and the project had been started since almost five years ago.[3]
The title of the game Gakuen Idolmaster and the first promotional video was revealed in a live stream on March 5, 2024. In the live stream, the staff and cast was revealed as well. The scenario is written by light novel writers Tsukasa Fushimi, Yū Shimizu and Kazuki Amamiya. The characters draft are created by Aki Minamino and Hechima. The game was set to be released in Q2 of the same year.[4]
Cast
The audition for the cast of the nine idols was held in 2021.[5] On March 5, 2024, three of the nine idols and their voice actresses were revealed.[4]
Besides the idols, other cast includes Akio Ōtsuka as Kunio Jūō, the school headmaster, Aoi Koga as Asari Neo, a teacher from the Producer Department,[4] and Minami Tanaka, Yūki Wakai and Yu Serizawa as trainers.[6]
Music
The music works are released under Asobinotes,[4] a record label owned by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The soundtracks in the singles released are different from those used in the live concert scene in the game, which was the idea from QualiArts.[7]
Graphics
According to Hidefumi Komino, the 3D model of a character consists of 60,000 polygons.[8]
Story
It was the first time for The Idolmaster franchise to have notable light novel writers joining the production from the beginning of a project. Tsukasa Fushimi, the author of Oreimo and Eromanga Sensei, not only wrote the story but also was involved in the character design.[7]
Release
Gakuen Idolmaster was released on May 16, 2024, for iOS and Android devices.[1]
Music
Discography
Singles
Title | Release date | Singer(s) | Composer(s) | Lyricist(s) | Peak chart positions | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JPN Dig. |
JPN DL[9] | ||||||
"Fighting My Way" | May 16, 2024[10] | Saki Hanami | Giga[a] | Hiromi | 15[11] | 20 | |
"Luna say maybe" | Temari Tsukimura | Minami | Minami | 22[12] | 27 | ||
"Sekaiichi Kawaii Watashi" (世界一可愛い私) | Kotone Fujita | HoneyWorks | HoneyWorks | 31[13] | 37 | ||
"clumsy trick" | Rinami Himesaki | Shō Watanabe | Shō Watanabe | 29[12] | 36 | ||
"Tame-Lie-One-Step" | Sumika Shiun | Yūta Azuma | Yūta Azuma | 32[13] | 38 | ||
"Kōkei" (光景) | Hiro Shinosawa | Hakushi Hasegawa | Hakushi Hasegawa | 42[14] | 52 | ||
"Hakusen" (白線) | Lilja Katsuragi | NayutalieN | NayutalieN | 39[13] | 49 | ||
"Wonder Scale" | China Kuramoto | Shu Kanematsu | Shōko Ōhmori | — | 74 | ||
"Fluorite" | Mao Arimura | Moe Shop | Kana Yaginuma | 38[13] | 46 | ||
"Hajime" (初) | All nine idols | Sasuke Haraguchi | Sasuke Haraguchi | 37[13] | 45 | ||
"Ivy" (アイヴイ) | May 23, 2024 | Temari Tsukimura | Tsumiki[b] | Tsumiki |
Live event
The first live concert tour namely "Gakuen Idolmaster: Debut Live Hajime Tour" (学園アイドルマスター DEBUT LIVE 初 TOUR) will be held in August 2024.[15]
Other media
A manga adaptation written by Smile Down the Runway's author Kotoba Inoya was announced on May 8, 2024. The manga series is set to begin its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion in the same year. The protagonist will be Kotone Fujita.[16] The illustrator of the manga is not revealed yet.
A radio show titled Hatsuboshi Gakuen Ongaku-bu (初星学園音楽部, lit. 'Hatsuboshi Gakuen Music Club') premiered in Apple Music on May 18, 2024. The host is Akihiro Tomita.[17]
Reception
According to Oricon, Gakuen Idolmaster ranked first in the weekly ranking of the number of downloads among free-to-play games on the App Store platform in its first week of release.[18]
See also
- Bladedance of Elementalers and The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, light novel series written by Yū Shimizu
- Idoly Pride, another moblie game developed by QualiArts
Notes
References
- ^ a b Tai, Anita (May 9, 2024). "Gakuen Idolm@ster Game Reveals May 16 Launch, Opening Animation". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ 学園長挨拶. Gakuen Idolmaster Official Website (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Entertainment. July 25, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ 『アイマス』シリーズ新ブランドが発表。ゲームはスマホアプリとして展開。企画始動から5年弱でプロデューサーは小美野日出文氏が担当. Famitsu.com (in Japanese). Kodokawa Game Linkage. July 25, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cayanan, Joanna (March 5, 2024). "Bandai Namco Unveils School-Based Gakuen Idolm@ster Game App Slated for Spring". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ 『学園アイドルマスター』主要キャストに長月あおい・小鹿なお・飯田ヒカル オーディション合格からの3年に誇り「ゼロから一緒に作り上げてきた」. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. March 5, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ 【学マス】『学園アイドルマスター』サービス開始日が5月16日に決定。ゲームシステムやトレーナー陣のキャスト情報も公開. Famitsu.com (in Japanese). Kodokawa Game Linkage. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b インタビュー:『学園アイドルマスター』誕生のきっかけやガミPからの教えとは? 小美野日出文さんに直撃取材. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). Kodokawa Game Linkage. April 29, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ 『学園アイドルマスター』小美野日出文P、描きたいのは「成長」 圧倒的ポリゴン数の3Dライブ&革新的なシステムを導入. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. March 5, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ Download Songs (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ 『学園アイドルマスター』早くもサントラ&ソロ曲がサブスク配信中!楽しい時、苦しい時も共に過ごしたアイドルとの日々を思い出せる楽曲たち (in Japanese). Inside. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ オリコン週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2024年05月13日~2024年05月19日 11~20位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b オリコン週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2024年05月13日~2024年05月19日 21~30位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e オリコン週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2024年05月13日~2024年05月19日 31~40位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ オリコン週間 デジタルシングル(単曲)ランキング 2024年05月13日~2024年05月19日 41~50位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Bandai Namco Entertainment (May 2, 2024). 「学園アイドルマスター」花海咲季、月村手毬、藤田ことねの1stシングル8月7日発売決定!DEBUT LIVE 初(はじめ) ツアー情報解禁!MV毎日公開予定!. Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael (May 10, 2024). "Smile Down the Runway Manga Creator Writes Gakuen Idolm@ster Game's Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ 「学園アイドルマスター」の音楽にフォーカスしたオリジナルラジオ番組「初星学園音楽部」が5月18日より配信決定!初回は長月あおいさん、小鹿なおさんが登場. Gamer (in Japanese). Ixll. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ 【App Store iPhoneゲームチャート】アイドル育成シミュレーション『学園アイドルマスター』が初登場1位(5/13~19). Oricon News (in Japanese). Oricon. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)