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Anime Spotlight: AIKATSU!

by Justin Sevakis,
October, 2012 (Japanese Premiere)

Key Staff

Director - Ryuichi Kimura
    (NATSU-IRO KISEKI; Hanamaru Kindergarten as Assistant Director)
Series Composition - Yoichi Kato
    (Miracle Train as Series Composition; Neo Angelique Abyss as Script)
Character Design - Hiroko Yaguchi
    (Un-Go)
Supervision - Seiji Mizushima
    (director of Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Fullmetal Alchemist, NATSU-IRO KISEKI)
Animation Production
SUNRISE






Introduction

What is Aikatsu!?

This is the success story of tenacious young girls aiming to become top idols!

These young idols produce themselves using “Aikatsu Cards”, and work hard to be idols as they challenge countless auditions.

Fashion, entertainment… even love?! You'll get to see everything girls dream of!!

Story

"My hard work as an idol starts now, in Aikatsu!"

Ichigo Hoshimiya is a regular, ordinary middle school girl. But when her best friend Aoi invites her to join the idol training academy, Starlight Academy, her whole world is turned upside down. As she encounters all kinds of rivals and learns what it takes to be an idol, she uses her Aikatsu Cards to challenge countless auditions.

This is the start of Ichigo's new, bright, happy idol career…!

Characters

Ichigo Hoshimiya
VA: Sumire Morohoshi
Ichigo is middle school freshman. Once she joins Starlight Academy, her career as an idol begins. She's a complete novice, but she's also optimistic and works hard to let her talent bloom. She doesn't know much about the entertainment world, so she always has her best friend, Aoi teach her.
  • School Year: 7th Grade
  • Birthday: March 15th
  • Sign: Pisces
  • Blood Type: O
  • Favorite Food: Nori Bento
  • Disliked Food: Nothing!
  • Special Skill: Preparing food..
  • Aoi Kiriya
    VA: Azusa Tadokoro
    Aoi's been Ichigo's best friend since they were young. She's calm, bright, and good at analyzing. She's well informed on the entertainment industry, so Ichigo calls her “Idol Professor”. She joined Starlight Academy together with Ichigo.
  • School Year: 7th Grade
  • Birthday: January 31st
  • Sign: Aquarius
  • Blood Type: A
  • Favorite Food: Sandwiches
  • Disliked Food: Hot food (She has a sensitive tongue)
  • Special Skill: Never forgetting an idol she's met.
  • Ran Shibuki
    VA: Ayaka Ōhashi
    Ran is one of Ichigo and Aoi's classmates. She's been working in entertainment since she was little, so she considers herself a professional and acts mature. She can be a bit of a lone wolf, but she's also very candid with a good, caring personality.
  • School Year: 7th Grade
  • Birthday: August 3rd
  • Sign: Leo
  • Blood Type: AB
  • Favorite Food: Vegetable sticks, Yogurt
  • Disliked Food: Fried fish (she doesn't like removing the bones)
  • Special Skill: Walking, posing.
  • Mizuki Kanzaki
    VA: Minako Kotobuki
    She's the top student at Starlight Academy, priding herself on her ability and the top idol, nationwide. She always has elegant smile. Ichigo admires her.
  • School Year: 8th Grade
  • Birthday: September 18th
  • Sign: Virgo
  • Blood Type: A
  • Favorite Food: Marrons glaces, Fragrant teas
  • Disliked Food: It's a secret!
  • Special Skill: Singing
  • Cast

    Ichigo Hoshimiya
    Sumire Morohoshi
    Aoi Kiriya
    Azusa Tadokoro
    Ran Shibuki
    Ayaka Ōhashi
    Mizuki Kanzaki
    Minako Kotobuki
    Ringo Hoshimiya
    Mamiko Noto
    Raichi Hoshimiya
    Masami Seto
    Orihime Mitsuishi
    Kaya Matsutani
    Johnny Beppu
    Makoto Yasumura

    Staff

    Planning & Original Creator
    SUNRISE
    Original Concept
    Bandai
    Director
    Ryuichi Kimura
    Series Composition
    Yoichi Kato
    Character Design
    Hiroko Yaguchi
    Supervision
    Seiji Mizushima
    Art Director
    Yūji Ōnuki
    Color Design
    Masumi Ootsuka
    CG Director
    Kenya Taniguchi
    Director of Photography
    Junko Miyakawa
    Editing
    Yoshihiro Kasahara
    Sound Director
    Hiromi Kikuta
    Music
    MONACA
    Production
    SUNRISE
    Opening Theme
    Signalize!
    OP Lyrics
    Aki Hata
    OP Composition
    NARASAKI
    OP Vocals
    Waka, Fuuri, Sunao, Risuko
    Ending Theme
    Calendar Girl
    ED Lyrics
    Saori Kodama
    ED Composition
    Hidekazu Tanaka (MONACA)
    ED Vocals
    Waka, Fuuri, Sunao

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