Idol (アイドル, aidoru) anime and manga are a category of Japanese fictional media centered on idols, a type of entertainer in their teens and early 20s marketed to have a close relationship with their fans and commercialized through merchandise. Beginning in the 1980s, anime was used as a vehicle to promote an up-and-coming idol's singing career, but has since then created various anime media mix projects centering on fictional singers.

Themes

Idol-themed series use a media mix marketing strategy.[1] Initially, idol-themed series were used to promote music activities for the singers starring in them. Due to the popularity of the characters, the marketing projects are centered on promoting the characters' music and merchandise in real life.[2] Idol-themed series are linked to the Odagiri effect for featuring attractive people of the same gender interacting with each other, and they are also compared to sports series for using themes centered on team-building and competitiveness.[3]

History

In Japan, the concept of an "idol" singer first came into prominence after the 1963 film Cherchez l'idole was released in the country, with Japanese audiences becoming fascinated with Sylvie Vartan and praising both her musical talent and youthful appearance. Her popularity led Japanese entertainment companies to address young singers who shared her aesthetic as "idols."[4] During the 1980s, the economic bubble in Japan led to more anime being produced,[5] as well as a rapid growth of idol singers debuting, which led the decade to become known as the "Golden Age of Idols."[6][7] As television was influential for idols, anime became one of the mediums used to promote their careers. Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel was the first notable anime series to use a "media mix" marketing strategy to launch Takako Ōta's singing career, where she would provide the voice to the main character and portray her at music events.[8] Idol singer Noriko Hidaka played the lead character, Minami Asakura, in Touch.[9]

In the 1990s, public interest in idols declined, but slowly began regaining popularity near the early 2000s.[10][11] In the 2000s, as more late-night anime was produced, voice actors such as Yukari Tamura, Nana Mizuki, Yui Horie, and Aya Hirano were promoted as idols by their record labels, leading them to be known as "idol voice actors."[9][12] By this time, character songs performed by the actors were common, one example being Morning Musume member Koharu Kusumi providing the voice to lead character Kirari Tsukishima from Kirarin Revolution and releasing music under her name.[13]

The growing number of idol groups active in the late 2000s and early 2010s led to an era that the media named the "Idol Warring Period."[14] Due to the idol fan culture being connected to anime fan culture,[15][16][17] around this time, media properties starring fictional idols also became popular, the earliest ones being The Idolmaster, Love Live!, and Uta no Prince-sama.[18] Some may prefer fictional idols due to them never disbanding, leaving groups, or getting into scandals.[15]

List of idol anime and manga

Year Title Creator(s) Original medium Adaptation(s) Tie-in artist Ref(s)
2015 22/7 Aniplex, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, & Yasushi Akimoto Music group Anime television series, manga, video game 22/7 [19]
2012 AKB0048 Satelight Anime television series Manga AKB48 [20]
2010 AKB49: Ren'ai Kinshi Jōrei Reiji Miyajima Manga — AKB48 [21]
2015 B-Project Mages & Love&Art Music group Anime television series, manga, video game KitaKore, MooNs, THRIVE, KiLLER KiNG [22]
2007 Bakumatsu Rock Marvelous AQL Video game Anime television series — [22]
2015 BanG Dream! Bushiroad Music group Anime television series, Anime film, manga, video game Poppin'Party, Roselia, RAISE A SUILEN, Morfonica
2001 Chance Pop Session Madhouse Anime television series — — [23]
1983 Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel Pierrot Anime television series Manga, original video animation Takako Ōta [8]
2007 Crash! Yuka Fujiwara Manga Audio drama, light novels, anime television series — [24]
2020 D4DJ Bushiroad Music group Anime television series, manga, video game Various
2015 Ensemble Stars! Happy Elements Video game Stage plays, anime television series Various [25]
2018 fromArgonavis Bushiroad Music group Anime television series, manga, video game Argonavis, GYROAXIA, Fantôme Iris, Fujin Rizing, Epsilon Phi
2021 Hikaru in the Light! Mai Matsuda Manga — — [26]
2018 Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle King Records Music group Manga, anime television series Various [27]
2015 I-Chu Liber Entertainment Video game Anime television series Various [28]
2017 Idol × Warrior Miracle Tunes! Takara Tomy & OLM, Inc. Live-action series Manga, novels, video game Miracle² [29]
1989 Idol Densetsu Eriko Ashi Productions Anime television series Manga Eriko Tamura [30]
2013 Idol Dreams Arina Tanemura Manga — — [31]
2017 Idol Time PriPara Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series, manga Iris [32]
2015 IDOLiSH7 Bandai Namco Entertainment Video game Light novels, manga, anime television series, original video animation IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, Re:vale, ZOOL [33]
2005 The Idolmaster Bandai Namco Entertainment Video game Anime television series, anime film — [34]
2011 The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Bandai Namco Entertainment Video game Anime television series, anime film Cinderella Project [35]
2013 The Idolmaster Million Live! Bandai Namco Entertainment Video game Anime television series — [36]
2014 The Idolmaster SideM Bandai Namco Entertainment Video game Anime television series Various [37]
2019 Idoly Pride CyberAgent Anime television series — — [38]
2015 If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die Auri Hirao Manga Anime television series — [39]
2015 King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Anime film Manga, stage play — [40]
2016 King of Prism: Pride the Hero Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Anime film Stage play — [40]
2019 King of Prism: Shiny Seven Stars Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Anime film Stage play — [40]
2004 Kirarin Revolution An Nakahara Manga Anime television series, video games, live-action shorts Koharu Kusumi, Kira Pika, MilkyWay, Ships [23]
2018 Kiratto Pri Chan Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series Iris, Run Girls, Run! [41]
2020 Lapis Re:Lights KLab Games & Kadokawa Corporation Anime Video game, music, light novel, manga Various [42]
2006 Lemon Angel Project Avex Anime — — [23]
2014 Locodol Kōtarō Kosugi Manga Anime television series — [43]
2010 Love Live! School Idol Project ASCII Media Works, Lantis, & Sunrise — Manga, light novels, anime television series, video game, anime film μ's [44]
2017 Love Kome: We Love Rice Tochigi TV Anime television series Stage plays — [22]
2001 Lovely Idol Kohki Kanoh Light novel Video game, anime television series, original video animation — [23]
2013 Marginal#4 Rejet & Idea Factory Music group Video game, anime television series MARGINAL#4, LAGRANGE POINT, Unicorn, Jr. [45]
2013 Million Doll Ai Manga Anime television series — [23]
2014 Ochikobore Fruit Tart Sō Hamayumiba Manga Anime television series — [46]
2019 Paradox Live Avex & GCREST Music group Anime television series Various
2010 Pretty Rhythm Mari Asabuki Arcade game Manga — [47]
2014 Pretty Rhythm: All Star Selection Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series, manga, anime film — [40]
2011 Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series, manga Lisp, Prizmmy [40]
2012 Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series, manga Prizmmy, Puretty [40][48]
2013 Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series, manga Prizmmy, Prism Box [40]
2014 PriPara Tatsunoko Productions & Takara Tomy Arcade game Anime television series, manga Iris [40][49]
2016 Sekkō Boys Liden Films Anime television series — — [22]
2012 Shōnen Hollywood Ikuyo Hashiguchi Novel Anime television series — [50]
2015 Star-Myu ASCII Media Works Anime television series Manga, audio drama, stage plays, original video animation — [22]
2011 Symphogear Akifumi Kaneko & Noriyasu Agematsu Anime Original Anime television series — [51]
2014 Tokyo 7th Sisters Donuts Co. Ltd. & Victor Entertainment Video game Anime film 777☆SISTERS
2012 Tsukiuta: The Animation Movic Music project Anime television series, stage play — [52]
2010 Uta no Prince-sama Broccoli Video game Anime television series, stage plays, anime film STARISH, Quartet Night, HEAVENS [53]
2015 Venus Project: Climax Galat Video game Anime television series — [23]
2014 Wake Up, Girls! Ordet Anime film Anime television series, original video animation Wake Up, Girls!, Run Girls, Run! [54]
2015 Ani Tore! EX Rising Force Anime television series — —
2020 Oshi no Ko Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari Manga Anime television series Yoasobi, Queen Bee

References

  1. ↑ "メディアミックスプロジェクト戦国時代が到来？ DJ、お笑い、戦国武将……多種多様に広がるコンテンツの現在". Oricon (in Japanese). February 23, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  2. ↑ "『ラピスリライツ』、Pが語るメディアミックス＆ゲームの見どころ 全キャラボイスも公開!!". Oricon (in Japanese). May 9, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  3. ↑ Orsini, Lauren (December 21, 2016). "What is a Fujoshi?". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  4. ↑ Simone, Gianni (February 3, 2019). "From cosplay fan to idol, Yuriko Tiger's journey has been a colorful one". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  5. ↑ Sevakis, Justin (January 16, 2019). "Answerman: Why Were Anime Budgets So Big In The 80s?". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  6. ↑ Grunebaum, Dan (October 7, 2010). "As Japan Ages, Pop 'Idols' Aren't as Spry as They Used to Be". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  7. ↑ Martin, Ian (May 26, 2011). "'Golden age' of kayoukyoku holds lessons for modern J-pop". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Dennison, Kara (July 11, 2019). "Creamy Mami Character Goods Prove Showa Idols Are Forever". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  9. 1 2 "「アイドル声優」のブームは継続中！ その歴史は意外と深いって本当？". Tokyo School of Anime (in Japanese). January 4, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  10. ↑ Sevakis, Justin (September 3, 2018). "Why Isn't Idol Culture Bigger in America?". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  11. ↑ Matsutani, Minoru (August 25, 2009). "Pop 'idol' phenomenon fades into dispersion". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  12. ↑ "角川とアップフロントがアイドル声優オーディション開催". Oricon (in Japanese). July 2, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  13. ↑ Yano, Junko (October 25, 2006). "月島きらり starring 久住小春（モーニング娘。）『スーパーアイドル・きらりの2ndシングルPV到着！』-". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  14. ↑ Saito, Takashi (August 3, 2016). "全国で3000組がシーンを牽引、"アイドル戦国時代"のその先は?". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  15. 1 2 Minami, Marie (January 17, 2018). "なぜアニメやアイドルに、お金を注ぐの？「沼」にハマる女性たちを描く『浪費図鑑』の作者に聞いた". The Huffington Post (in Japanese). Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  16. ↑ Martin, Ian (February 1, 2013). "AKB48 member's 'penance' shows flaws in idol culture". The Japan Times. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  17. ↑ "New Market Scale Estimation for Otaku: Population of 1.72 Million with Market Scale of ¥411 Billion — NRI classifies 5 types of otaku group, proposing a "New 3Cs" marketing frame". Nomura Research Institute. 6 October 2005. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  18. ↑ Itabashi, Fujiko (September 1, 2016). "「うたプリ」「Bプロ」…女性ターゲットのアイドルアニメ大豊作！ 新時代の覇者は生まれるか". Real Sound (in Japanese). Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  19. ↑ "秋元康氏プロデュースアイドル「22/7」、配役&素顔公開". Oricon (in Japanese). May 19, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  20. ↑ Loo, Egan (October 17, 2011). "AKB48 Idol Group Gets 1st Anime on Air Next Spring (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  21. ↑ "AKB48週マガでマンガ化、謎のメンバー加入で「AKB49」". Natalie. August 25, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Loveridge, Lynzee (June 22, 2018). "Fans Choose Which Male Idol Groups Are Real Stars". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Loveridge, Lynzee (December 5, 2015). "6 Idols that Fandom Forgot". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  24. ↑ "「CRASH！」10巻予約で藤原ゆか作詞のイメージ曲配信". Natalie. June 14, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  25. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 4, 2015). "Ensemble Stars! Game's Website Images List Anime, Stage Play". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  26. ↑ Silverman, Rebecca (June 22, 2022). "Hikaru in the Light! GN 1 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  27. ↑ Aniplex USA [@aniplexUSA] (December 5, 2019). "Break the beat down! The anime for the hit rap idol sensation, "HYPNOSIS MIC -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima," is coming next year! The battle begins in 2020!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
  28. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 14, 2019). "I★CHU Idol Smartphone Game Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  29. ↑ Kodama, Sumiko (April 8, 2018). "テレ東"新ジャンル"の女児向け特撮、ヒットの理由". Confidence (in Japanese). Retrieved November 21, 2018 – via Oricon.
  30. ↑ "益子寺かおり（ベッド・イン）のルーツをたどる". Natalie (in Japanese). February 27, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  31. ↑ Silverman, Rebecca (December 11, 2015). "The Best and Most Memorable Manga of 2015". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  32. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 18, 2017). "New PriPara Idol TV Anime Reveals Cast, Staff, Story, Title, Visual". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  33. ↑ Kumase, Tetsuko. "「アイドリッシュセブン」特集、種村有菜インタビュー" [Idolish7 special feature, interview with Arina Tanemura]. Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  34. ↑ Loo, Egan (January 10, 2011). "The Idolm@ster Game Gets TV Anime Green-Lit (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  35. ↑ Nelkin, Sarah (April 5, 2014). "The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Mobile Game Gets TV Anime in 2015". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  36. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 4, 2020). "The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Game Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  37. ↑ Loo, Egan (February 23, 2014). "The Idolm@ster SideM Game Lets You Produce Male Idols' Careers". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  38. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 1, 2020). "Idoly Pride TV Anime Slated for January 10 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  39. ↑ Sherman, Jennifer (May 17, 2018). "Oshi ga Budōkan Ittekuretara Shinu Manga Gets Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Loo, Egan (December 10, 2017). "Pretty Rhythm Shōjo Idol Franchise Launches Pretty All Friends Project". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  41. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 23, 2018). "Latest 'Pretty' Anime, Kiratto Pri Chan, Centers on Streaming Idols". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  42. ↑ Egan Loo (December 14, 2019). "KLab, Kadokawa's Magic Idol Anime Lapis Re:LiGHTs Reveals 2020 TV Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  43. ↑ Loveridge, Lynzee (March 31, 2014). "Asami Shimoda, Inori Minase, Maya Yoshioka Join Locodol Anime Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  44. ↑ Bamboo, Dong (October 13, 2014). "Shelf Life: The Sound of μ'sic". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  45. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 13, 2016). "Rejet, Idol Factory's Marginal#4 Idol Unit Franchise Gets Anime Project". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  46. ↑ Sherman, Jennifer (March 26, 2019). "Hanayamata Creator's Dropout Idol Fruit Tart Manga Listed With TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  47. ↑ Loo, Egan (January 18, 2011). "Takara Tomy's Pretty Rhythm Shōjo Game Gets TV Anime (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  48. ↑ Sherman, Jennifer (January 31, 2012). "2nd Pretty Rhythm to Animate Real Korean, Japanese Idols". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  49. ↑ Loo, Egan (March 13, 2014). "i*Ris Idols Star in Brand-New Pretty Rhythm TV Anime in July". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  50. ↑ Creamer, Nick (August 31, 2014). "Shōnen Hollywood - Holly Stage for 49". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  51. ↑ Creamer, Nick (August 28, 2015). "Senki Zesshō Symphogear Episodes 1-13 Streaming". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  52. ↑ Loo, Egan (November 9, 2014). "Tsukiuta CDs About Anthropomorphized Months Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  53. ↑ Silverman, Rebecca (February 17, 2012). "Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000%". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  54. ↑ Dong, Bamboo (March 24, 2014). "Shelf Life: Rise and Shine". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
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