Gakuen Idolmaster
{{Short description|2024 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Gakuen Idolmaster
| image = 250px
| caption =
| developer = QualiArts
| publisher = Bandai Namco Entertainment
| director =
| producer = Hidefumi Komino
| designer =
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Aki Minamino|Hechima}}
| programmer =
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Tsukasa Fushimi|Yū Shimizu|Kazuki Amamiya}}
| composer = Takafumi Satō
| series = The Idolmaster
| engine = Unity{{cite web|last=Matsuura |first=Tatsuki |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2407/05/news170.html |script-title=ja: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 |publisher=ITMedia |date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |lang=ja}}
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|iOS|Android}}
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|May 16, 2024}}
| genre = Raising simulation, roguelike deck-building{{cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/kikaku/1594252.html |script-title=ja: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 |work=Game Watch |publisher=Impress |date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=May 31, 2024 |lang=ja}}
| modes = Single-player
}}
{{Nihongo foot|Gakuen Idolmaster|学園アイドルマスター|Gakuen Aidorumasutā|{{lit|Academy Idolmaster}}|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a Japanese video game spin-off of The Idolmaster developed by QualiArts and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was released in Japan on May 16, 2024, for both iOS and Android.
Premise and gameplay
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.
It is a roguelike deck-building game. In a round of the raising simulation, the player raises the idol's stats 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 a different effect including increasing status or energy, and costs stamina when the player uses it. The player can also improve the deck, and acquire P-items and drinks through consultation with the teachers, etc.
The game requires the player to repeat the simulation. In the process, the player can raise their affection level with the idols and their account level. They can also obtain new support and skill cards, and strengthen their existing ones.
Development
On July 25, 2023, during the franchise's 18th anniversary live stream, it was announced The Idolmaster franchise would release a new brand, starting with a mobile game. It was also revealed that Hidefumi Komino was the producer of the new brand, and the project had been started almost five years ago.{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202307/25310869.html |script-title=ja:『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 |work=Famitsu.com |publisher=Kodokawa Game Linkage |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |lang=ja}} The then-untitled brand would be the sixth brand of the franchise, following the original brand, Cinderella Girls, Million Live!, SideM and Shiny Colors.
The title of the game, Gakuen Idolmaster, as well as the first promotional video, were revealed in a live stream on March 5, 2024. In the live stream, the staff and cast were revealed as well. The scenario is written by light novel writers Tsukasa Fushimi, Yū Shimizu and Kazuki Amamiya. The character drafts were created by Aki Minamino and Hechima. The game was set to be released in Q2 of the same year.{{cite web|first=Joanna |last=Cayanan |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-03-05/bandai-namco-unveils-school-based-gakuen-idolm@ster-game-app-slated-for-spring/.208335 |title=Bandai Namco Unveils School-Based Gakuen Idolm@ster Game App Slated for Spring |publisher=Anime News Network |date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024}}
= Cast =
The audition for the cast of the idols was held in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2317130/full/ |script-title=ja:『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」 |work=Oricon News |publisher=Oricon |date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |lang=ja}} On March 5, 2024, three of the nine idols and their voice actresses were revealed.
The ten idols who appear in the game are as follows:
{{Cast listing|
- {{nihongo|Saki Hanami|花海咲季}} voiced by Aoi Nagatsuki
- {{nihongo|Temari Tsukimura|月村手毬}} voiced by Nao Ojika
- {{nihongo|Kotone Fujita|藤田ことね}} voiced by Hikaru Iida
- {{nihongo|Rinami Himesaki|姫崎莉波}} voiced by Yuri Usui
- {{nihongo|Sumika Shiun|紫雲清夏}} voiced by Miya Minato
- {{nihongo|Hiro Shinosawa|篠澤広}} voiced by Reina Kawamura
- {{nihongo|Lilja Katsuragi|葛城リーリヤ}} voiced by Kana Hanaiwa
- {{nihongo|China Kuramoto|倉本千奈}} voiced by Mao Itō
- {{nihongo|Mao Arimura|有村麻央}} voiced by Tsumugi Nanase{{cite web|first=Anita |last=Tai |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-05-08/gakuen-idolm@ster-game-reveals-may-16-launch-opening-animation/.210621 |title=Gakuen Idolm@ster Game Reveals May 16 Launch, Opening Animation |publisher=Anime News Network |date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://gakuen.idolmaster-official.jp/introduction/ |script-title=ja:学園長挨拶 |work=Gakuen Idolmaster Official Website |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |date=July 25, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |lang=ja}}
- {{nihongo|Ume Hanami|花海佑芽}} voiced by Ayane Matsuda{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/article/202405/6773 |script-title=ja:『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 |work=Famitsu.com |publisher=Kodokawa Game Linkage |date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |lang=ja}}
}}
Besides the idols, other cast members include Akio Ōtsuka as Kunio Jūō, the school headmaster, Aoi Koga as Asari Neo, a teacher from the Producer Department, and Minami Tanaka, Yūki Wakai and Yu Serizawa as trainers.{{cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/article/202405/4582 |script-title=ja:【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 |work=Famitsu.com |publisher=Kadokawa Game Linkage |date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |lang=ja}}
= Music =
The music works are released under Asobinotes, 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.{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/article/202404/1765 |script-title=ja: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 |work=Dengeki Online |publisher=Kodokawa Game Linkage |date=April 29, 2024 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |lang=ja}}
"Campus mode!!" is the ending theme song of the game,{{efn|name="ending_credit"|Information is taken from the ending credits of each idol.}} and the player can first listen to it when the affection level reaches ten for any idol. 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.{{cite web|last=Sunaga |first=Kenji |url=https://realsound.jp/2024/06/post-1690981.html |script-title=ja:『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 |publisher=Real Sound |date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=June 16, 2024 |lang=ja}}
= Graphics =
According to Hidefumi Komino, the 3D model of a character consists of 60,000 polygons.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2317128/full/ |script-title=ja:『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 |work=Oricon News |publisher=Oricon |date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |lang=ja}}
= Story =
It was the first time The Idolmaster franchise had 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. 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.{{cite web|url=https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/240523g |script-title=ja: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 |work=Den Fami Nico Gamer |publisher= Mare |date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |lang=ja}}
Release
Music
= Discography =
== Digital singles ==
== CD singles ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Release date ! scope="col" | Singer(s) ! scope="col" | Ref | |||
| "Fighting My Way" | rowspan="3" | August 7, 2024 | Saki Hanami | |
| "Luna say maybe" | Temari Tsukimura | ||
| "Sekaiichi Kawaii Watashi" | Kotone Fujita | ||
| "Hakusen" | rowspan="3" | August 28, 2024 | Lilja Katsuragi | |
| "Wonder Scale" | China Kuramoto | ||
| "clumsy trick" | Rinami Himesaki | ||
| "Fluorite" | rowspan="3" | September 25, 2024 | Mao Arimura | |
| "Tame-Lie-One-Step" | Sumika Shiun | ||
| "Kōkei" | Hiro Shinosawa |
= Albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Release date ! scope="col" | Ref | ||
| {{Nihongo|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 =
The first live concert tour "Gakuen Idolmaster: Debut Live Hajime Tour" began in August 2024, and will conclude in February of 2025.{{cite web|author=Bandai Namco Entertainment |url=https://idolmaster-official.jp/live_event/gkmas_debutlivehajime/information |title=Gakuen Idolmaster: Debut Live Hajime Tour |access-date=January 24, 2025 |lang=ja}}
Other media
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.{{cite web|first=Rafael |last=Pineda |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-05-10/smile-down-the-runway-manga-creator-writes-gakuen-idolm@ster-game-manga/.210679 |title=Smile Down the Runway Manga Creator Writes Gakuen Idolm@ster Game's Manga |publisher=Anime News Network |date=May 10, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000577.000040601.html|title=【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！】|date=2024-10-03|work=PR Times|language=ja}}
A radio show titled {{nihongo|Hatsuboshi Gakuen Ongaku-bu|初星学園音楽部||{{lit|Hatsuboshi Gakuen Music Club}}}} premiered on Apple Music on May 18, 2024. The host is Akihiro Tomita.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/202405170022/ |script-title=ja:「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 |work=Gamer |publisher=Ixll |date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |lang=ja}}
Reception
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2327921/full/ |script-title=ja:【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) |work=Oricon News |publisher=Oricon |date=May 21, 2024 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |lang=ja}}
See also
- Bladedance of Elementalers and The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, light novel series written by Yū Shimizu
- Idoly Pride, another mobile game developed by QualiArts
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://gakuen.idolmaster-official.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{The Idolmaster}}
{{Weekly Shōnen Champion}}
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Free-to-play video games
Category:Japanese idols in anime and manga
Category:Music in anime and manga
Category:Single-player video games