Translation of Hajime from here

The first PV teaser and the release PV

On May 16, 2024, Gakuen iDOLM@STER was officially released after it was first revealed as an unnamed project back on July 23, 2023, and promotions began for the game’s release on March 5, 2024. I remember stumbling upon it around this point, and found it to be interesting. At the time, I had been largely playing Uma Musume and assumed that based on Gakumas’ screenshots, it would play out similarly, hence my interest. Thus, I waited patiently for more and more reveals to be made.

Each of the girls were revealed one by one, more and more videos were released, and eventually, the game was released.

While I no longer play the game actively, or at all anymore, given how much time and attention it requires from you in comparison to the other games I played, I enjoyed my time with the game. Like said, the main mechanics appeared to be similar to Uma Musume, but only in the literal stat raising aspect of the game, which makes it similar to other idol raising simulators like iDOLM@STER’s Shiny Colors and Ensemble Stars! Basic. What it instead does differently is the fact that it has a bigger focus on deck building, which, admittedly, is pretty hard given the entire game is only in Japanese. Still, after a while, you get used to it and recognize what each card does. Again, I did quite enjoy it, but my main complaint is in how the game really “requires” you to play a lot in order to progress, with cards being locked behind player levels, and the new scenario locked behind reaching bond level 10 with an idol, which oftentimes require multiple playthroughs to unlock.

Despite all those interesting mechanics, there was one that really stood out to me and a lot of people who were waiting for the game when this news dropped: the idol’s performance in their final live will reflect the stats they received from their training. If their stats are too low, they will not even be able to make it to the grand stage as they stumble and wobble, clearly insecure about their skills. But should you be able to bring them to the top will they finally perform in front of a large audience, and perform at the top of their abilities.

Truly, it is peak idol-hood.

CM of Temari Tsukimura's performance (Luna Say Maybe) depending on her level and a compilation of all of Rinami Himesaki's live performances (clumsy trick) depending on her level

The lives are one of the biggest selling point of this entire game. Produced by the same people who created IDOLY PRIDE, another idol game with some of the best live performances I have ever seen, Gakuen iDOLM@STER follows suit. It is raw, immersive, and captures the beauty and fun that I love so much about Japanese idol performances.

Kotone Fujita performing Sekaiichi Kawaii, Watashi?, Sena Juo performing Tiny Ambition, China Kuramoto performing Wonder Scale, and Lilja Katsuragi performing Kyokkou

Of course, you can’t have the lives without the music. I love so many of the songs that we have received so far. Each of the girls more or less have a general theme that follow their songs, whether this theme be the overall genre and style that they go for instrumentally, or it being the overarching story that is represented through their lyrics. While many of their tracks are orthodox idol music, there is certainly a song for you. Paired with such a great array of music is of course the corresponding music video that is paired with a handful of tracks. With a variety of art direction and styles, each story is presented in a unique manner that makes it such a joy to watch through. It truly is a treat for both your eyes and ears.

MVs of the songs Moon Turtle, Koukei, Sakura Photograph, and Ameagari no Iris

Non-MVs of the songs Two Sides of the Same Coin, Feel Jewel Dream, TSUYO TSUYO STRONGEST EXERCISE, and Howling Over the World

Now, while I have yet to read every single commu (story) of each character (because there is a lot), for the most part, the story is enjoyable. Of course, given that some of the writers on board are…well, you know. There are quite a handful of moments in the story that make me scratch my head and I just move on. In general though, what I love the most are less the interactions you have with your chosen idol as you help them improve, and more the interactions between the girls, whether they just be friends, unit mates, or even literal strangers. These girls are in high school, meaning that they’re at the peak of immaturity with inflated and egos about being an idol. If not egotistic, then they might be complacent about their lack of skills and so on. It’s the perfect setup to really see growth as they chase their dreams of becoming the best idol. It’s all about youth, more than anything. It makes my heart warm whenever I see them all together, enjoying life.

I love all of them so much, and I’m so excited for what the future may bring. Knowing full well that these girls will graduate in real life, following real time progression, means knowing that our time with them is limited. The beauty with idols is the fleetingness of it all. I hope we get to see them in more units, and for us to hear them perform as a unit. Don’t get me wrong, I love their performances as individuals, but there is always just something so beautiful about seeing them as a group, creating such a beautiful blend of voices and colors. I would love to see them interact more with one another through the difficulties of high school and of being an idol.

I cannot, however, in good consciousness, end my entry without mentioning my favorite idol of all time, Kotone Fujita. If you scrolled through my short about page, then you most certainly have seen her in my list of favorites.

Kotone Fujita is a money hungry idol who became an idol to earn more money. Like a lot of money hungry characters, this is driven by the lack of money, one that caused her father to abandon her large family of 7. With the large tuition fees of Hatsuboshi Academy, she turned to juggling multiple part time jobs in order to make ends meet, and in turn, with the pressure and guilt on her back, her grades worsened over time. With the help of you, her producer, she regains her confidence and becomes the idol she’s always meant to be.

And my goodness, she is the best idol to me. She may not be the best, fundamentally, or even objectively, but whenever I feel down, I just have to think of Kotone and suddenly I feel as though the room I’m in brightens and explodes with even more color than it had previously. Truly, she is the cutest in the whole universe.

All of Kotone's solo image songs: Sekaiichi Kawaii, Watashi?, Yellow Big Bang!, Fuwafuwa, Kachidoki, The Cute!!

All in all, Gakumas is a game that is dear to me. To be able to see and help these girls grow into the best version of themselves, all paired with some of the best songs and performances, is there really anything else you want? Here’s to another beautiful one year with Gakuen iDOLM@STER!

Translation of Shirube from here

MV of Hatsuboshi Academy's alma mater, Shirube

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