List of idol anime and manga explained

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

See also: Voice acting in Japan.

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

YearTitleCreator(s)Original mediumAdaptation(s)Tie-in artist<-- List up to 5, otherwise use "various" -->
201522/7Aniplex, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, & Yasushi AkimotoMusic groupAnime television series, manga, video game22/7[19]
2012AKB0048SatelightAnime television seriesMangaAKB48[20]
2010MangaAKB48[21]
2015B-ProjectMages & Love&ArtMusic group Anime television series, manga, video gameKitaKore, MooNs, THRIVE, KiLLER KiNG
2007Bakumatsu RockMarvelous AQLVideo gameAnime television series[22]
2015BanG Dream!BushiroadMusic groupAnime television series, Anime film, manga, video gamePoppin'Party, Roselia, RAISE A SUILEN, Morfonica
2001Chance Pop SessionMadhouseAnime television series
1983Creamy Mami, the Magic AngelPierrotAnime television seriesManga, original video animationTakako Ōta
2007Crash!MangaAudio drama, light novels, anime television series[23]
2020 D4DJBushiroadMusic groupAnime television series, manga, video gameVarious
2015Ensemble Stars!Happy ElementsVideo gameStage plays, anime television seriesVarious[24]
2018fromArgonavisBushiroadMusic groupAnime television series, manga, video gameArgonavis, GYROAXIA, Fantôme Iris, Fujin Rizing, Epsilon Phi
2021Hikaru in the Light!Mai MatsudaManga[25]
2018King RecordsMusic groupManga, anime television seriesVarious[26]
2015I-ChuLiber EntertainmentVideo gameAnime television seriesVarious[27]
2017Idol × Warrior Miracle Tunes!Takara Tomy & OLM, Inc.Live-action seriesManga, novels, video gameMiracle²[28]
1989Idol Densetsu ErikoAshi ProductionsAnime television seriesMangaEriko Tamura[29]
2013Idol DreamsManga[30]
2017Idol Time PriParaTatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television series, mangaIris[31]
2015IDOLiSH7Bandai Namco EntertainmentVideo gameLight novels, manga, anime television series, original video animationIDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, Re:vale, ZOOL[32]
2005The IdolmasterBandai Namco EntertainmentVideo gameAnime television series, anime film, manga[33]
2011The Idolmaster Cinderella GirlsBandai Namco EntertainmentVideo gameAnime television series, anime film, mangaCinderella Project[34]
2013The Idolmaster Million Live!Bandai Namco EntertainmentVideo gameAnime television series[35]
2014Bandai Namco EntertainmentVideo gameAnime television series, manga, radio showVarious[36]
2018The Idolmaster Shiny ColorsBandai Namco EntertainmentVideo gameRadio show, Anime television series,anime film, manngaVarious[37]
2019Idoly PrideCyberAgentAnime television series[38]
2015If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would DieMangaAnime television series[39]
2015King of Prism by Pretty RhythmTatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyAnime filmManga, stage play
2016Tatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyAnime filmStage play
2019Tatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyAnime filmStage play
2004Kirarin RevolutionMangaAnime television series, video games, live-action shortsKoharu Kusumi, Kira Pika, MilkyWay, Ships[40]
2018Kiratto Pri ChanTatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television seriesIris, Run Girls, Run![41]
2020KLab Games & Kadokawa CorporationAnimeVideo game, music, light novel, mangaVarious[42]
2006Lemon Angel ProjectAvexAnime
2014LocodolMangaAnime television series[43]
2010Love Live! School Idol ProjectASCII Media Works, Lantis, & SunriseManga, light novels, anime television series, video game, anime filmμ's[44]
2017Tochigi TVAnime television seriesStage plays
2001Lovely IdolLight novelVideo game, anime television series, original video animation
2013Marginal#4Music groupVideo game, anime television seriesMARGINAL#4, LAGRANGE POINT, Unicorn, Jr.[45]
2013Million DollAiMangaAnime television series
2014Ochikobore Fruit TartMangaAnime television series[46]
2019Paradox LiveAvex & GCRESTMusic groupAnime television seriesVarious
2010Pretty RhythmArcade gameManga[47]
2014Tatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television series, manga, anime film
2011Tatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television series, mangaLisp, Prizmmy[48]
2012Tatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television series, mangaPrizmmy, Puretty[49]
2013Tatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television series, mangaPrizmmy, Prism Box
2014PriParaTatsunoko Productions & Takara TomyArcade gameAnime television series, mangaIris[50]
2016Sekkō BoysLiden FilmsAnime television series
2012Shōnen HollywoodNovelAnime television series[51]
2015Star-MyuASCII Media WorksAnime television seriesManga, audio drama, stage plays, original video animation
2011SymphogearAnime OriginalAnime television series[52]
2014Tokyo 7th SistersDonuts Co. Ltd. & Victor EntertainmentVideo game Anime film777☆SISTERS
2012Tsukiuta: The AnimationMovicMusic projectAnime television series, stage play[53]
2010Uta no Prince-samaBroccoliVideo gameAnime television series, stage plays, anime filmSTARISH, Quartet Night, HEAVENS[54]
2015Venus Project: ClimaxGalatVideo gameAnime television series
2014Wake Up, Girls!OrdetAnime filmAnime television series, original video animationWake Up, Girls!, Run Girls, Run[55]
2015Ani Tore! EXRising ForceAnime television series
2020Oshi no KoAka Akasaka and Mengo YokoyariMangaAnime television series

Notes and References

  1. News: 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 . ja . . 2020-02-23 . 2020-07-04.
  2. News: 『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!! . ja . . 2018-05-09 . 2020-07-04.
  3. News: Lauren . Orsini . What is a Fujoshi? . . 2016-12-21 . 2019-03-12.
  4. News: Gianni . Simone . From cosplay fan to idol, Yuriko Tiger's journey has been a colorful one . . 2019-02-03 . 2019-02-08.
  5. News: Justin . Sevakis . Answerman: Why Were Anime Budgets So Big In The 80s? . . 2019-01-16 . 2020-07-04.
  6. News: Dan . Grunebaum . As Japan Ages, Pop 'Idols' Aren't as Spry as They Used to Be . . 2010-10-07 . 2019-02-11.
  7. News: Ian . Martin . 'Golden age' of kayoukyoku holds lessons for modern J-pop . . 2011-05-26 . 2019-02-13.
  8. News: Kara . Dennison . Creamy Mami Character Goods Prove Showa Idols Are Forever . . 2019-07-11 . 2020-04-26.
  9. Web site: 「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? . ja . . 2019-01-04 . 2019-03-21.
  10. News: Justin . Sevakis . Why Isn't Idol Culture Bigger in America? . . 2018-09-03 . 2019-03-22.
  11. News: Minoru . Matsutani . Pop 'idol' phenomenon fades into dispersion . . 2009-08-25 . 2019-02-08.
  12. News: 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 . ja . . 2008-07-02 . 2018-12-28.
  13. News: Junko . Yano . 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!』- . ja . . 2006-10-25 . 2018-12-27.
  14. News: Takashi . Saito . 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? . ja . . 2016-08-03 . 2020-07-04.
  15. News: Marie . Minami . 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 . ja . . 2018-01-17 . 2019-03-21.
  16. News: Ian . Martin . AKB48 member's 'penance' shows flaws in idol culture . . 2013-02-01 . 2019-02-08 .
  17. Web site: 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 . 2005-10-06 . 2019-02-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120713033155/http://www.nri.co.jp/english/news/2005/051006.html . 13 July 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  18. News: Fujiko . Itabashi . 「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 . ja . Real Sound . 2016-09-01 . 2019-01-16 .
  19. News: 秋元康氏プロデュースアイドル「22/7」、配役&素顔公開. 2017-05-19. ja. Oricon. 2018-06-30.
  20. News: Egan. Loo. AKB48 Idol Group Gets 1st Anime on Air Next Spring (Updated). Anime News Network. 2011-10-17. 2020-07-05.
  21. News: AKB48週マガでマンガ化、謎のメンバー加入で「AKB49」. Natalie. 2010-08-25. 2020-07-04.
  22. News: Lynzee. Loveridge. Fans Choose Which Male Idol Groups Are Real Stars. Anime News Network. 2018-06-22. 2018-12-31.
  23. News: 「CRASH!」10巻予約で藤原ゆか作詞のイメージ曲配信. Natalie. 2011-06-14. 2019-09-04.
  24. News: Crystalyn. Hodgkins. Ensemble Stars! Game's Website Images List Anime, Stage Play. Anime News Network. 2015-12-04. 2018-12-31.
  25. Web site: Silverman. Rebecca. Hikaru in the Light! GN 1 - Review. Anime News Network. December 9, 2022. June 22, 2022.
  26. Aniplex USA. aniplexUSA. 1202683057087508480. 2019-12-05. 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!. https://twitter.com/aniplexUSA/status/1202683057087508480. 2020-07-07.
  27. News: Crystalyn. Hodgkins. I★CHU Idol Smartphone Game Gets TV Anime. Anime News Network. 2019-04-14. 2020-07-05.
  28. News: Sumiko. Kodama. テレ東"新ジャンル"の女児向け特撮、ヒットの理由. ja. Confidence. Oricon. 2018-04-08. 2018-11-21.
  29. News: 益子寺かおり(ベッド・イン)のルーツをたどる. ja. Natalie. 2020-02-27. 2020-07-05.
  30. News: Rebecca. Silverman. The Best and Most Memorable Manga of 2015. Anime News Network. 2015-12-11. 2019-10-08.
  31. News: Rafael Antonio. Pineda. New PriPara Idol TV Anime Reveals Cast, Staff, Story, Title, Visual. Anime News Network. 2017-01-18. 2020-12-09.
  32. Web site: Tetsuko. Kumase. 「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. ja. Natalie. 2019-10-31.
  33. News: Egan. Loo. The Idolm@ster Game Gets TV Anime Green-Lit (Updated). Anime News Network. 2011-01-10. 2020-07-04.
  34. News: Sarah. Nelkin. The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Mobile Game Gets TV Anime in 2015. Anime News Network. 2014-04-05. 2020-07-04.
  35. News: Crystalyn. Hodgkins. The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Game Gets TV Anime. Anime News Network. 2020-07-04. 2020-07-04.
  36. News: Egan. Loo. The Idolm@ster SideM Game Lets You Produce Male Idols' Careers. Anime News Network. 2014-02-23. 2020-07-04.
  37. Web site: 2024-02-01 . The Idolm@ster Shiny Colors Game Gets TV Anime With Theatrical Screenings This October . 2024-02-02 . Anime News Network . en.
  38. News: Rafael Antonio. Pineda. Idoly Pride TV Anime Slated for January 10 Premiere. 2020-10-01. Anime News Network. 2020-10-01.
  39. News: Jennifer. Sherman. Oshi ga Budōkan Ittekuretara Shinu Manga Gets Anime. Anime News Network. 2018-05-17. 2020-07-04.
  40. News: Lynzee. Loveridge. 6 Idols that Fandom Forgot. Anime News Network. 2015-12-05. 2018-12-31.
  41. News: Rafael Antonio. Pineda. Latest 'Pretty' Anime, Kiratto Pri Chan, Centers on Streaming Idols. Anime News Network. 2018-01-23. 2020-12-09.
  42. Web site: 2023-03-29. Egan Loo. 2019-12-14. KLab, Kadokawa's Magic Idol Anime Lapis Re:LiGHTs Reveals 2020 TV Premiere. Anime News Network.
  43. News: Lynzee. Loveridge. Asami Shimoda, Inori Minase, Maya Yoshioka Join Locodol Anime Cast. Anime News Network. 2014-03-31. 2020-07-04.
  44. News: Bamboo. Dong. Shelf Life: The Sound of μ'sic. Anime News Network. 2014-10-13. 2020-07-04.
  45. News: Crystalyn. Hodgkins. Rejet, Idol Factory's Marginal#4 Idol Unit Franchise Gets Anime Project. Anime News Network. 2016-02-13. 2020-12-09.
  46. News: Jennifer. Sherman. Hanayamata Creator's Dropout Idol Fruit Tart Manga Listed With TV Anime. Anime News Network. 2019-03-26. 2020-07-04.
  47. News: Egan. Loo. Takara Tomy's Pretty Rhythm Shōjo Game Gets TV Anime (Updated). Anime News Network. 2011-01-18. 2019-05-20.
  48. News: Egan. Loo. Pretty Rhythm Shōjo Idol Franchise Launches Pretty All Friends Project. Anime News Network. 2017-12-10. 2020-12-07.
  49. News: Jennifer. Sherman. 2nd Pretty Rhythm to Animate Real Korean, Japanese Idols. Anime News Network. 2012-01-31. 2020-12-07.
  50. News: Egan. Loo. i*Ris Idols Star in Brand-New Pretty Rhythm TV Anime in July. Anime News Network. 2014-03-13. 2020-12-07.
  51. News: Nick. Creamer. Shōnen Hollywood - Holly Stage for 49 . Anime News Network. 2014-08-31. 2020-12-09.
  52. News: Nick. Creamer. Senki Zesshō Symphogear Episodes 1-13 Streaming. Anime News Network. 2015-08-28. 2020-12-09.
  53. News: Egan. Loo. Tsukiuta CDs About Anthropomorphized Months Gets TV Anime. 2014-11-09. Anime News Network. 2020-10-01.
  54. News: Silverman. Rebecca. Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000%. Anime News Network. 2012-02-17. 2019-03-07.
  55. News: Bamboo. Dong. Shelf Life: Rise and Shine. Anime News Network. 2014-03-24. 2020-07-04.