It’s been a while, so I thought I would do an update on my favorite anime idols! I really can’t say which one is my number one favorite… I love them all, for different reasons. So, let’s start with THE IDOLM@STER, since it came at the beginning of the anime idol boom (and is still going strong).
Apparently THE IDOLM@STER thinks I should be a cool blue type, because in all three series, my favorite character hands down is the main blue idol. I completely adore all three, and have little interest in most of the other characters. They are calm, hard-working types, and just a little awkward, but once they are on stage, their passion shines through.
Chihaya Kisaragi (THE IDOLM@STER): I originally chose to cosplay Chihaya because I liked how she looked, but she turned out to be a character I loved as well! She has a powerful voice and is the original queen of cool idols. She is dedicated to her work and will do anything to improve her singing. She has trouble expressing her emotions, but in her heart, she really cares for others. She also apparently has an awkward sense of humor, laughing loudly at lame jokes… girl, I can relate. Also the part about her small bust? … yeah, that’s me too.
Rin Shibuya (THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls): While I love Chihaya and her voice, I actually identify more with Rin. Rin is sometimes misunderstood because she can be reserved and serious, and may seem unapproachable, but she will open up to those she trusts. She hesitates at first to become an idol, but once she finds her true passion, she devotes herself to doing her best. She is calm and sensible, but sweet to her friends. I was also excited that her hair style and color were similar to mine with my natural color.
Shizuka Mogami (THE IDOLM@STER Million Live!): I fell in love with Shizuka when she was added as a DLC idol to THE IDOLM@STER: ONE FOR ALL. She immediately caught my attention. Her voice is my favorite in the entire IDOLM@STER franchise, and she has a great image song! She is more fiery than the other main blue idols, and I appreciate her no-nonsense “I don’t have time to mess around” attitude. I also love that she has butterfly motifs in her outfits.
Moving on to Aikatsu! — I have been watching Aikatsu! since day one, and it has become my number one favorite idol anime. I love the IDOLM@STER franchise and music, but when it comes to the anime, Aikatsu! is more fun and captures more of the heart of what I love about idols — they are radiant, sparkling, and an inspiration to others, spreading happiness through their performances. Aikatsu! is also more in line with my aesthetic preferences for cute, fluffy pink idols, although the outfits can be pretty costumey. Since this is a kid’s show, it tends to be more upbeat and light hearted, while still containing lessons about friendship and hard work. The show is like a magical girl series about idols, where the “battle of the day” is a stage performance. Since the main characters are cute types with charmingly irrepressible, hard-working attitudes, they tend to be my favorite.
Ichigo Hoshimiya (Aikatsu!): Ichigo is the perfect idol — cute, energetic, always positive, hard-working, passionate, and kind. She has a natural talent for being an idol, but is always pushing herself to improve and become the best she can possibly be. She is also very considerate of her fans, never forgetting that it is thanks to their support that she has made it so far. The brand she wears, Angely Sugar, is everything I love and almost seems inspired by the over-the-top Sweet Lolita brand Angelic Pretty. The only thing I don’t particularly like about Ichigo is her extremely childish singing voice, but I understand she is probably like that because it’s a kid’s show.
Madoka Amahane (Aikatsu!): As the granddaughter of Angely Sugar’s designer and successor to the brand, it makes sense that I would adore Madoka too. She is the Lolita tea party idol, with puffy pink pigtails. She exudes cuteness and sweetness. Sadly, she is somewhat of a side character, and only ever gets one song (which she shares with the second main character) and one Premium Rare dress. Despite this, she was apparently the most popular second generation Aikatsu! character. People love cute idols! According to the series end rankings, she should be next in line to be Starlight Queen. She also surprisingly has a very pretty voice, which seems out of place considering how squeaky cute types usually are.
Yume Nijino (Aikatsu Stars!): I wasn’t too sure about Yume at first, but through some intense character development, she has become the same kind of positive and hard-working “genius” that Ichigo was in the original Aikatsu! She is strong-willed and never gives up. She is also dedicated to her fans and wishes to spread smiles and happiness to everyone. She is the “rainbow idol” that encourages others and brings people together. Every time she wears a new dress from her brand, Rainbow Berry Parfait, I think “Could this brand be more perfect??” Pink with frills and rainbows! I love her blond-to-pink ombre pigtails, too. But again, like Ichigo, she has an extremely childish voice, which can be a little hard on the ears.
Hime Shiratori (Aikatsu Stars!): Of all the idols listed here, Hime is probably the closest to my own personal idol aesthetic. She is a cute type and has the appearance of a princess (her name means “princess”), but she is more calm and mature like a cool type. She worked hard to overcome the hardships in her idol training and rise to the top. She is also a sweet girl and helps others to do their best. However, as a character she lacks development in the series, so she’s kind of boring. I am also not a fan of her singing voice (too nasal and childish, it doesn’t suit her).
Yoshino Nanase (Wake Up, Girls!): Another blue-haired cool beauty, no surprises here. I was pleased that her image color is actually turquoise this time, since that is my favorite blue. I like Wake Up, Girls! because it gives a more realistic look at the struggles idols face, something I am used to seeing from following real life J-pop idols. At the same time, WUG has some great songs. The voice actresses are very talented at singing and dancing, better than real idols! They are fantastic to watch live. Yoppi is the level-headed and practical leader, doing her best for herself and for the members of her group. She is also a fashion model with a great sense of style. I was devastated when she cut her hair, though. It reminded me of the time Rika Ishikawa, my favorite member of Morning Musume, cut her hair….
Lynn Minmay (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross): If we want to get technical, Minmay was my first anime idol love, before I was even into J-pop and real idols. She is a fun-loving girl who just wants to sing and fall in love, but she gets caught up in an alien invasion and ends up saving the world. People like to criticize her for being “self-centered”, but do you remember what you were like at sixteen years old? I thought her characterization was realistic. Hikaru broke her heart and then asked her to join in the final battle. She overcame her resentment at the unfair position she was put in and did what she had to do. She became a hero AND a beloved idol. I also love Mari Iijima’s voice, and “Ai Oboete Imasu ka?” is one of my favorite songs to sing at karaoke.