Aikatsu! is an anime television series created and produced by Sunrise, Telecom Animation Film, (and later by Sunrise's spin-off studio, BN Pictures) based on a card arcade game by Bandai. The series revolves around Ichigo Hoshimiya, an aspiring idol who enrolls into Starlight Academy and partakes in auditions using special Aikatsu cards. The series began airing on TV Tokyo from October 8, 2012.
The opening theme for episode 1-25 is "Signalize!" by Waka, Fūri, Sunao and Risuko whilst the ending theme is by Waka, Fūri and Sunao. For episodes 26-50, the opening theme is by Waka, Fūri and Sunao whilst the ending is by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko. The ending theme for episode 44 is by Rey. For episodes 51-75, the opening theme is "KIRA☆Power" by Waka, Fūri and Sunao whilst the ending theme is by Waka, Fūri, Sunao, Remi, Moe, Eri, Yuna, and Risuko.[1] For episodes 76-101, the opening theme is "SHINING LINE*" by Waka, Fūri, and Yuna, whilst the ending theme is "Precious" by Risuko, Waka, Fūri, and Mona. For episodes 102-126, the opening and ending themes respectively are "Du-Du-Wa DO IT!!" by Ruka, Mona, Miki, and Waka and "Good morning my dream" by Ruka, Mona, and Miki. For episodes 127-152, the opening and ending themes respectively are "Lovely Party Collection" by Ruka, Mona, and Miki and by Mona, Ruka, and Miki. From episode 153 onwards, the opening and ending themes respectively are "START DASH SENSATION" and "lucky train!", both by Ruka, Mona, and Miki.
The series began release on DVD by Bandai Visual subsidiary Happinet from March 2, 2013, with initial releases of each volume containing bonus cards that can be used with Data Carddass machines.[2] Beginning with the second season on March 4, 2014, the series is also being released on Blu-ray Disc.[3] [4]
See main article: Aikatsu! (season 1).
See main article: Aikatsu! (season 2).
See main article: Aikatsu! (season 3).
See main article: Aikatsu! (season 4).
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes | First-Press Extra Card/s | Regular Edition Extras | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 2, 2013 | 1-2 | DVD original Aikatsu! Card: "Girly Strawberry Ribbon" |
| |||
| 2 | April 2, 2013 | 3-8 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Card: "Emerald Cyber Onepiece" |
| [5] | ||
| 3 | June 4, 2013 | 9-14 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Card: "White Cyber No-sleeve" |
| MV: "Idol Activity!", "Move on Now | " | [6] |
| 4 | July 2, 2013 | 15-20 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Card: "Girly Strawberry Onepiece" |
| ", "Ponytail After School", "Glass Doll" | [7] | |
| 5 | September 3, 2013 | 21-26 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Card: "Girly Strawberry Boots" |
| 6th collection PV | [8] | |
| 6 | October 2, 2013 | 27-32 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Card: "Angely Bear Ribbon" |
| 2014 Series: 1st collection PV. | [9] | |
| 7 | December 3, 2013 | 33-38 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Cards: "Magenta Trio Onepiece", "Tristar High-heels", "Tristar Hair Corsage" |
| [10] | ||
| 8 | January 7, 2014 | 39-44 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Cards: "Sunshine Onepiece", "Sunny Boots", "Sunny Headband" |
| [11] | ||
| 9 | February 4, 2014 | 45-50 | DVD original design Aikatsu! Card: "Starlight Tiara" |
| [12] |
Aikatsu! is not only seen on stations the TX Network across major cities in the Taiheiyō Belt and Hokkaido, but also on other TV networks across the country.