Gakuen Idolmaster

Gakuen Idolmaster
Developer(s)QualiArts
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
Producer(s)Hidefumi Komino
Artist(s)
  • Aki Minamino
  • Hechima
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Takafumi Satō
SeriesThe Idolmaster
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)
Release
  • JP: May 16, 2024
Genre(s)Raising simulation, roguelike deck-building[2]
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 published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game was released on May 16, 2024, for iOS and Android in Japan.

Premises and gameplay

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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 ten 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, Mao Arimura (有村麻央) voiced by Tsumugi Nanase,[3][4] and Ume Hanami (花海佑芽) voiced by Ayane Matsuda.[5]

It is a roguelike deck-building game. In a round of raising simulation, the player raises the idol's status through lessons with a deck of skill cards, such that she can pass the mid-term and final exams, and perform in a live concert at the end of production. Each skill card in the deck has different effect including increasing status or energy, and cost stamina when the player use it. The player can also improve the deck, and acquire P-items and drinks through consultation with the teacher,[2] etc.

The game requires the player repeats the simulation. In the process, the player can raise the affection level with the idols and the player's level, as well as obtain new support cards and skill cards and strengthen them.[2]

Development

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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.[6] The untitled brand would be the sixth brand of the franchise,[7] following the original brand, Cinderella Girls, Million Live!, SideM and Shiny Colors.

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.[8]

Cast

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The audition for the cast of the idols was held in 2021.[9] On March 5, 2024, three of the nine idols and their voice actresses were revealed.[8]

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,[8] and Minami Tanaka, Yūki Wakai and Yu Serizawa as trainers.[10]

Music

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The music works are released under Asobinotes,[8] a record label owned by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The soundtracks in the singles released are different from those used in the live concert scenes in the game, which was the idea from QualiArts.[7]

"Campus mode!!" is the ending theme song of the game,[a] and the player can first listen to it when the affection level reaches ten for any idols. When the game was launched, it was difficult to raise the affection level to ten, so within the fanbase mentioning the song itself is considered as a spoiler of the story plot.[11]

Graphics

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According to Hidefumi Komino, the 3D model of a character consists of 60,000 polygons.[12]

Story

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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] The stories of Saki, Temari, Kotone, China and Hiro are written by Fushimi, while those of the other characters are written by Yū Shimizu and Kazuki Amamiya.[13]

Release

[edit]
Gakuen Idolmaster being promoted at Comic Market 104

Gakuen Idolmaster was released on May 16, 2024, for iOS and Android devices.[3]

Music

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Digital singles

[edit]
Title Release date Singer(s) Lyricist(s) Composer(s) Arranger(s) Peak chart positions Ref
JPN
Dig. 		JPN
DL[14]
"Fighting My Way" May 16, 2024[15] Saki Hanami Hiromi Giga[b] 15[17] 20 [18]
"Luna say maybe" Temari Tsukimura Minami Minami, Katsuhiro Mafune[c] 22[19] 27 [20]
"Sekaiichi Kawaii Watashi" (世界一可愛い私) Kotone Fujita HoneyWorks 31[21] 37 [22]
"clumsy trick" Rinami Himesaki Shō Watanabe[d] Shinpei Nasuno 29[19] 36 [23]
"Tame-Lie-One-Step" Sumika Shiun Yūta Azuma 32[21] 38 [24]
"Kōkei" (光景) Hiro Shinosawa Hakushi Hasegawa Hakushi Hasegawa, Arthur Verocai[25] 42[26] 52 [27]
"Hakusen" (白線) Lilja Katsuragi NayutalieN 39[21] 49 [28]
"Wonder Scale" China Kuramoto Shōko Ōhmori Shu Kanematsu[e] — 74 [29]
"Fluorite" Mao Arimura Kana Yaginuma Moe Shop 38[21] 46 [30]
"Hajime" (初) All nine idols[f] Sasuke Haraguchi Dan Miyakawa 37[21] 45 [31]
"Ivy" (アイヴイ) May 23, 2024[32] Temari Tsukimura Tsumiki[g] 25[32] 26[33]
"The Rolling Riceball" June 1, 2024 Ume Hanami Takafumi Satō Akinori Handa 48[34] 56[35] [36]
"Kanaetai, Kotabakari" (叶えたい、ことばかり) June 3, 2024 Temari Tsukimura Tōma Tanaka 18[37] 23[35] [38]
"Campus mode!!" June 10, 2024[39] All nine idols[f] Tomoya Tabuchi[11][h] Shunsuke Takizawa 13[39] 15[40]
"Yellow Big Bang!" June 11, 2024[41] Kotone Fujita Kana Yaginuma Shōtaro Seo 21[41] 21[40]
"Boom Boom Pow" June 20, 2024[42] Saki Hanami Kentz[16][i] Kentz, Ereca 23[42] 24[43]
"Kimi to Semi Blue" (キミとセミブルー) July 2, 2024 Rinami Himesaki, Mao Arimura, Sumika Shiun Itsukioto Hajime Mitsumasu

CD singles

[edit]
Title Release date Singer(s) Ref
"Fighting My Way" August 7, 2024 Saki Hanami
"Luna say maybe" Temari Tsukimura
"Sekaiichi Kawaii Watashi" Kotone Fujita
"Hakusen" August 28, 2024 Lilja Katsuragi
"Wonder Scale" China Kuramoto
"clumsy trick" Rinami Himesaki
"Fluorite" September 25, 2024 Mao Arimura
"Tame-Lie-One-Step" Sumika Shiun
"Kōkei" Hiro Shinosawa

Albums

[edit]
Title Release date Ref
Season Solo Collection Vol.1: Kimi to Semi Blue (Season Solo Collection Vol.1 「キミとセミブルー」) August 14, 2024

Live event

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The first live concert tour namely "Gakuen Idolmaster: Debut Live Hajime Tour" will be held in August 2024.[44]

Other media

[edit]

A manga adaptation written by Smile Down the Runway's author Kotoba Inoya and illustrated by Yuu Okino was announced on May 8, 2024. The manga series began its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Champion in the same year. The protagonist is Kotone Fujita.[45][46]

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.[47]

Reception

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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.[48]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Information is taken from the ending credits of each idol.
  2. ^ Giga is one of the composers of the songs "Odo" and "Show",[16] and the arranger of the song "Fatal".
  3. ^ Mafune is the bassist of the band Flower Flower.
  4. ^ Watanabe is the creator of the songs "Connect", "Colorful" and "Luminous".
  5. ^ Kanematsu is one of composers of various drama television series, and also anime series including Castle Town Dandelion, Clockwork Planet, My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses and The Kingdoms of Ruin.
  6. ^ a b Ume Hanami is not included.
  7. ^ Tsumiki is the creator of the songs "Phony" and "Bibbidiba".
  8. ^ Tabuchi is the bassist of the band Unison Square Garden, and created songs for various singers including Dialogue+.[11]
  9. ^ Kentz is known for creating songs for various idol groups including NiziU, JO1, Snow Man and Number_i.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Matsuura, Tatsuki (July 5, 2024). 輝け、アイドル──「学園アイドルマスター」を支えるライティング手法とは？　開発元が資料を無料公開中 (in Japanese). ITMedia. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c アイドル育成×デッキ構築型ローグライク!? 「学園アイドルマスター」にハマる理由を「Slay the Spire」との比較で考察. Game Watch (in Japanese). Impress. May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Tai, Anita (May 9, 2024). "Gakuen Idolm@ster Game Reveals May 16 Launch, Opening Animation". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  4. ^ 学園長挨拶. Gakuen Idolmaster Official Website (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Entertainment. July 25, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  5. ^ 『学マス』花海佑芽が6月1日よりプロデュース可能に。花海咲季の妹であり、ライバルでもある存在。誕生日施策も発表. Famitsu.com (in Japanese). Kodokawa Game Linkage. May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  6. ^ 『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.
  7. ^ a b c 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 『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.
  10. ^ 【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.
  11. ^ a b c Sunaga, Kenji (June 15, 2024). 『学マス』へのリスペクトが詰め込まれた田淵智也作詞曲「Campus mode!!」　“新しさ”と“王道”の見事な融合 (in Japanese). Real Sound. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  12. ^ 『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.
  13. ^ どうして、「学園でアイドルマスター」なのか？ 開発陣にぶっちゃけ聞いてしまう、『学園アイドルマスター』ができるまで. Den Fami Nico Gamer (in Japanese). Mare. March 5, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  14. ^ Download Songs [ 2024/05/22 公開] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  15. ^ 『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.
  16. ^ a b c Sunaga, Kenji (June 30, 2024). 『学マス』花海咲季の新曲が話題に　Snow Man、NiziUら楽曲手掛けるKENTZのサプライズ起用の効果 (in Japanese). Real Sound. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 初星学園 「Fighting My Way」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Fighting My Way). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 初星学園 「Luna say maybe」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Luna say maybe). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 初星学園 「世界一可愛い私」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Sekaiichi kawaii watashi). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  23. ^ 初星学園 「clumsy trick」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - clumsy trick). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  24. ^ 初星学園 「Tame-Lie-One-Step」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Tame-Lie-One-Step). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  25. ^ Sogami, Natsume (June 2, 2024). 『学園アイドルマスター』楽曲で体現する“アイドルへの挑戦状”　歴代シリーズと一線を画す異色の作家陣 (in Japanese). Real Sound. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ 初星学園 「光景」Official Music Video (HATSUBOSHI GAKUEN - Koukei). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  28. ^ 初星学園 「白線」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Hakusen). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  29. ^ 初星学園 「Wonder Scale」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Wonder Scale). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  30. ^ 初星学園 「Fluorite」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen - Fluorite). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  31. ^ 【学マス】4K 全体曲「初」ライブシーン （月村 手毬）フル映像【アイドルマスター】. The Idolmaster YouTube channel (in Japanese). April 27, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  32. ^ 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20日～2024年05月26日 21～30位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  33. ^ Download Songs [ 2024/05/29 公開] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  34. ^ オリコン週間 デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング 2024年06月03日～2024年06月09日 41～50位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Download Songs [ 2024/06/12 公開] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  36. ^ 初星学園 「The Rolling Riceball」Official Music Video (Hatsuboshi Gakuen – The Rolling Riceball). Hatsuboshi Gakuen YouTube channel (in Japanese). June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  37. ^ オリコン週間 デジタルシングル（単曲）ランキング 2024年06月03日～2024年06月09日 11～20位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  38. ^ 『学マス』月村手毬の3曲目『叶えたい、ことばかり』は誕生日を迎えたばかりの6月3日0時に公開【学園アイドルマスター】. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). Kodokawa Game Linkage. June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  39. ^ 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06月10日～2024年06月16日 11～20位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  40. ^ a b Download Songs [ 2024/06/19 公開] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  41. ^ 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06月10日～2024年06月16日 21～30位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  42. ^ 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06月17日～2024年06月23日 21～30位 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  43. ^ Download Songs [ 2024/06/26 公開] (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ "【週刊少年チャンピオン、「学園アイドルマスター」の初コミカライズ『学園アイドルマスター GOLD RUSH』を10月3日より新連載！】". PR Times (in Japanese). October 3, 2024.
  47. ^ 「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.
  48. ^ 【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.
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