The Idolmaster Million Live!
CD cover art featuring idols from Million Live! from left to right: Shizuka, Mirai, and Tsubasa.
アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！
(Aidorumasutā Mirion Raibu!)
GenreIdol[1]
Game
DeveloperBandai Namco Studios
PublisherBandai Namco Entertainment
GenreSimulation, Social network game
PlatformGREE (iOS, Android, PC)
Released
  • JP: February 27, 2013
Game
The Idolmaster Million Live! Theater Days
DeveloperBandai Namco Studios
PublisherBandai Namco Entertainment
GenreSimulation, Rhythm Game, Social network game
PlatformiOS, Android
Released
  • JP: June 29, 2017
Anime television series
Directed byShinya Watada
Produced byKoichiro Tomita
Yuka Takei
Written byYōichi Katō
Music byTorine
StudioShirogumi
Licensed byCrunchyroll
Original networkTV Tokyo
Original run October 8, 2023 – present
Episodes6

The Idolmaster Million Live (Japanese: アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！, Hepburn: Aidorumasutā Mirion Raibu!, officially stylized as THE iDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!) is a Japanese multimedia spin-off series of The Idolmaster, starting with the game of the same name. The series follows a new group of idols working alongside the idols of 765 Productions with a producer at the 765 Theater Agency.

The original game is a Japanese idol raising simulation video game developed and managed by Bandai Namco Entertainment released on the GREE social network platform February 27, 2013[2] for Android and iOS platforms and for feature phones. A rhythm game titled Idolmaster Million Live! Theater Days was released on June 29, 2017. The original game ended service on March 18, 2018,[3] leaving Theater Days as the main game centered on Million Live. An anime television series adaptation by Shirogumi aired in October 2023.

Overview

Million Live! introduces 37 idols, working alongside the 13 idols of 765 Production; Theater Days adds two more idols and a secretary.[4] Compared to other spin-offs in the Idolmaster series, the new idols work with and interact with the idols of 765. The general design and much of the visual elements are done by A-1 Pictures, the same animation studio responsible for animating several of the Idolmaster anime series.[2]

Gameplay

GREE game

The game was a free-to-play idol raising simulator in which the player, as the producer, trained idols and sent them to work in various locations while also making the idols 765 Production Theater bigger.[2] The idols were obtained through collecting cards ranked by rarity and divided into three categories, Vocal, Dance, and Visual, with a fourth category, Ex, reserved for special cards. Leveling up the cards made the idols stronger, with the higher rarities being able to reach higher levels.

The feature phone version was discontinued on February 2, 2016; a desktop client was released within the same month.[5] The GREE game was shut down on March 19, 2018.[3]

Theater Days

A second game titled Idolmaster Million Live! Theater Days was released June 29, 2017 for Android and iOS platforms. It is a rhythm game and simulation game, with 3D models, periodically released story missions, and multiple choice 'communication' events with the idols in the vein of the original Idolmaster games.[6]

Many of the cards from the original game are reused in Theater Days.

Media

Animations

Seven of the idols from Million Live are featured in the anime film The Idolmaster Movie: Beyond the Brilliant Future!.[7]

Special animation videos for Million Live have been created as anniversary celebrations. The first animation, a video featuring Mirai Kasuga, was created for the first anniversary and streamed in-game.[8] A 10-minute animation was created for its fourth anniversary.[9] Both were animated by A-1 Pictures.

TV Anime

An anime television series adaptation of Million Live! was announced during the Theater Days 3rd anniversary livestream.[10] It is animated by Shirogumi and directed by Shinya Watada, with series composition and script by Yōichi Katō, and character designs for animation by Tetsuya Ishii and Kaori Tsuta.[11] The series premiered on October 8, 2023, TV Tokyo and other networks.[12] Prior to its television airing, the series is being released theatrically in three parts. The first part was screened from August 18 to September 7; the second part from September 8 to 28; and the third part from September 29 to October 19.[13][14] Crunchyroll licensed the series.[15]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal air date
1"My Very Own Dream Just for Me"
(Japanese: たったひとつの自分らしい夢)		Daisuke ShioyaYōichi KatōShinya Watada
Yōhei Arai
Junichi Umezawa
Kaori Tsuta
Shuuta Hase		October 8, 2023 (2023-10-08)
Mirai Kasuga is a high school girl trying to find a dream to follow. After trying out various school clubs and sports teams, she decides to attend a concert hosted by 765 Productions. While there, she encounters Shizuka Mogami and they quickly bond over their mutual admiration for idols. Meanwhile, Tsubasa Ibuki arrives at the concert and meets one of 765 Pro's producers to watch the concert as well. All three girls are inspired by the performance the 765 Pro idols, and Mirai suggests she and Shizuka audition to 765 Pro together. However, Shizuka remains reluctant, due to her father's disapproval and her own low self confidence, but she is eventually won over by Mirai's enthusiasm. Later that night, Mirai, Shizuka, and Tsubasa all apply to audition to 765 Pro.
2"Auditions Are the Doorway to Dreams"
(Japanese: 夢のとびらはオーディション)		Sō YamamuraYōichi KatōYōhei Arai
Kaori Tsuta		October 15, 2023 (2023-10-15)
Mirai and Shizuka spend the next two weeks rigorously practicing in preparation for the final round of auditions. However, since Tsubasa was scouted by the Producer, she is allowed to bypass the auditions. The Producer meanwhile tries to decide what kind of unit to create for all of the newly recruited idols, and both the President and Chief Producer advise him that he needs to find a vision for what he wants his unit to achieve. Once the final round of auditions begin, Mirai and Shizuka arrive and meet the 765 Pro staff and idols. Since the third member of their group failed to appear, the Producer has Tsubasa fill in, and Shizuka is shocked at how naturally talented she is. During the audition performance, Shizuka begins to falter when she suffers a bout a stage fright, but she is able to pull through thanks to encouragement from both Mirai and Tsubasa. Their performance ends up entrancing the judges and the audience and gives the Producer the inspiration he needs. Mirai and Shizuka pass the audition and officially become idols for 765 Pro while the Producer decides to name his new unit "Million Stars".
3"Sparkling World! Our Theater!"
(Japanese: きらめく世界！私たちのシアター！)		Kazufumi TenjōYōichi KatōMasanori Takahashi
Kaori Tsuta		October 22, 2023 (2023-10-22)
The President reveals that the Million Stars will debut at 765 Pro's newest venue, the 765PRO Live Theater, and designates the Producer as the lead manager of Million Stars. While touring the site, Mirai, Shizuka, and Tsubasa meet several fellow idols, and the Producer explains that Million Stars consists of 37 idols so that rotating performances can be scheduled while the ALLSTARS are on a national tour. The Producer is then called away on a sudden matter, so he assigns Yuriko Nano to help mentor the trio. However, Yuriko notices that she can barely keep up with the newer idols. Meanwhile, the Producer asks the Chief Producer how he can better help his idols prepare for their debut in two months, and the Chief Producers advises him to work together with his idols to move forward. The idols then tour the still under construction theater and Yuriko takes them to the roof to show them the nighttime view, talking about her passion to become an idol. Returning home, Mirai reflects on how all of the idols she met were so eager to debut, and she comes up with the idea that Million Stars can debut right away on the empty field next to the theater.
4"We're Putting On a Concert in a Field?!"
(Japanese: 原っぱライブ はじめます⁉)		Takamitsu HirakawaYōichi KatōYōhei AraiOctober 29, 2023 (2023-10-29)
Mirai suggest to the Producer and the other members of Million Stars to have a concert in the empty field next to the theater. The Producer and most of the idols are supportive, but a few remain skeptical that such an ambitious event can be done on such short notice. In addition, poor communication and organization lead many of the idols to have misunderstandings about the nature of the field concert, while the Producer struggles to put together the schedule and resources needed. After Roco Handa is nearly hurt when one of her artworks collapses in a sudden storm, the Producer gathers all the idols together to set the record straight. The various idols voice their concerns, such as conflicting schedules, how to attract an audience, and how some of them don't feel ready to perform yet. Momoko Suō also points out as idols, they shouldn't be organizing their own events and should focus on preparing for the theater's opening instead. The Producer then meets Mirai backstage and asks her why she wants the field concert to happen. Mirai explains that she can see everybody's dream is to debut on stage, and she wants to make it happen so they can all realize their dreams. The Producer assures Mirai that he plans to work together with all of idols to make the concert happen. Tsubasa secretly broadcasts their conversation over the theater's speaker system, inspiring all the other idols of Million Stars to band together and make the field concert happen.
5"Our Incomplete Thank You!"
TBATBATBANovember 5, 2023 (2023-11-05)
With the concert rebranded as a theater pre-opening event, the idols of Million Stars all band together to make preparations over the next 12 days. Mirai, Shizuka, and Tsubasa end being part of the team that will perform on stage, while the other idols advertise the event or plan to host their own booths and events to show off their skills such as guitar playing, magic tricks, and cooking. Roco works on the decorations, and comes up with the idea for an elaborate tent to decorate the stage, though progress is slow since the tent must be sewed by hand. Despite the intensive work, the idols are able to work together to finish it on the eve of the pre-opening. The next day, the President hires on two new staff, Kaori Sakuramori and Tsumugi Shiraishi, and he recommends they attend the pre-opening. Meanwhile, the pre-opening event proves to be a huge success with a large turnout of guests. Kaori and Tsumugi arrive in time to catch the last performance, where Mirai and her team perform an incomplete version of Million Stars' first original song "Thank You". Kaori and Tsumugi leave with fresh inspiration. However, Shizuka's father then arrives and asks Shizuka if she truly wants to be an idol.
6"The Dream Gets Rolling: Live Theater Project!"
TBATBATBANovember 12, 2023 (2023-11-12)
Shizuka's father allows her to stay as an idol, but only until she graduates middle school. Despite this, the Producer and the other idols promise to fully support Shizuka. Afterwards, the President and Chief Producer congratulate the Producer on the success of the pre-opening event, and prepare to move on to the Live Theater Project. Meanwhile, Mirai and her friends come across a lost Tsumugi and help her find her way to the theater. They also meet Kaori there, and learn that she is a former music teacher until she was recruited by the Producer for her singing talent. The Producer then announces that there will a press conference to celebrate the opening the theater, and that all of the Million Stars will make their official debuts as teams with their own unique songs. Team1st which will debut at the press conference will consist of Satake Minako, Kitazawa Shiho, Mochizuki Anna, and Tenkubashi Tomoka. With Shizuka deciding to stay for more practice, Mirai, Tsubasa, Kaori, and Tsumugi return home until they discover Tsumugi assumed they were all living in a dorm and didn't make any living arrangements. While the Producer tries to find accommodations, Mirai decides to host Tsumugi at her own home. Shizuka meanwhile asks Shiho for advice, and Shiho tells her to focus on being the idol she wants to be rather than worry about her father's approval. On the day of the press conference, Team1st performs their debut song "Star Impression" to kick off the opening of the theater.
7"Shocking! Midsummer Sea Debut Battle!"
TBATBATBANovember 19, 2023 (2023-11-19)
Team2nd, consisting of Kosaki Umi, Makabe Mizuki, Fukuda Noriko, Shinomiya Karen, and Momose Rio along with Team3rd consisting of Tanaka Kotoha, Yuriko, Tokoro Megumi, Toyokawa Fuka, and Ogami Tanaki, are set to debut on a tropical island, where they must compete against each other in various games and contests, with the winner earning the opportunity to perform their debut song after the event. The only rule is that any idol that falls into the sea will be immediately disqualified. As the idols move through various games and obstacles, they are steadily eliminated until it is only Umi, Kotoha, and Megumi left. While climbing a rock wall, Umi is about to fall off when Kotoha and Megumi sacrifice themselves to ensure she can reach the top, despite being on opposing teams. Umi is then able to clear the final obstacle and win the race. With Umi's win, Team2nd performs their debut song, "Sea Breeze and Castanets". Afterwards, the idols from both teams spend the rest of the day having fun on the beach.
8"A Performance for Change"
TBATBATBANovember 26, 2023 (2023-11-26)
Million Stars prepares for the debut of both Team4th and Team5th, who will be performing simultaneously at two different locations. Konomi Baba leads Team 4th, consisting of Momoko, Roco, Arisu Tachibana, Nao Okamura, and Chizuru Nikaidō while the Producer goes to manage Team5th. Team4th arrive at the venue at an amusement part, but are dismayed to discover their intended stage has been flooded by a broken water pipe and they must perform at a dilapidated backup stage instead. Unfortunately, the backup stage's remote location at the edge of the park also means there isn't enough foot traffic to attract an audience. Konomi comes up with an idea to renovate the stage and use a staged street performance starring Momoko in her old role as a child detective to attract a crowd to the stage. The act proves to be a huge success for Team4th. The Producer thanks Konomi for her work while Konomi returns her thanks for scouting her to be an idol.

Comics

Aside from comics available alongside the games themselves, Million Live! has several published manga.

A manga adaptation titled Idolm@ster Million Live! was published in Monthly Shōnen Sunday from August 2014 to October 2016, created by author Yuki Monji and Bandai Namco Entertainment.[16] The collected volume editions came with original CDs.

Another manga series titled The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Blooming Clover was published in Dengeki Maoh from February 2017 to October 2023, crated by Kakuya Inayama.[17][18]

Music

Million Live has image songs published by Lantis[19] (later a label for Bandai Namco's Bandai Namco Arts).

The music was integrated into the gameplay of Theater Days.[6]

Sales of the CDs and concert Blu-rays had surpassed a combined one million units by 2017;[1] the CD The@ter Generation 01 Brand New Theater! received a Gold certification from the RIAJ.[19]

References

  1. 1 2 Komatsu, Mikikazu (June 2, 2017). ""The Idolm@ster Million Live!" Franchise Has Shipped One Million CDs/Blu-rays". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Saeki, Kenji (February 27, 2013). "GREE「アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！」サービス開始！". GAME Watch (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Mr. Qoo (January 15, 2018). "[Qoo News] THE iDOLM@STER Million Live! Comes to an End on 19th March!". QooApp. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  4. ↑ Liong, Jessica (June 2, 2017). "New Idols Debut in Idolm@ster Million Live! Theater Days". ComicsVerse. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  5. ↑ "バンダイナムコ、フィーチャーフォン版『アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！』のサービスを16年2月に終了 PC版を16年初旬にリリースする予定". Social Game Info (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Romano, Sal (April 30, 2017). "The Idolmaster: Million Live Theater Days first details, second trailer". Gematsu. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ Nelkin, Sarah (November 2, 2013). "Million Live Idols Appear in The IDOLM@STER Movie Promo". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  8. ↑ Loo, Egan (March 9, 2014). "The Idolm@ster Million Live's Animated Anniversary Video Posted". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  9. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 12, 2017). "Idolm@ster Million Live! Celebrates 4th Anniversary in New Anime Video, Game". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. ↑ "『アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！』テレビアニメプロジェクトが始動！". Famitsu. July 4, 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  11. ↑ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 4, 2020). "The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Game Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  12. ↑ Loo, Egan (March 9, 2022). "The IDOLM@STER Million Live! TV Anime Planned for 2023". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. ↑ Loo, Egan (January 14, 2023). "The IDOLM@STER Million Live! TV Anime's New Teaser Unveils August Debut in Theaters, More Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 8, 2023). "The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Anime's Visual Reveals October 8 TV Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  15. ↑ Cayanan, Joanna (October 10, 2023). "Crunchyroll Adds The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Anime to Fall 2023 Season Lineup". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ "アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！". ゲッサンWEB (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  17. ↑ Ressler, Karen (January 27, 2017). "The Idolm@ster Million Live! App Gets New Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ Cayanan, Joanna (September 1, 2023). "The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Blooming Clover Manga Ends in 2 Chapters". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Komatsu, Mikikazu (August 14, 2017). ""The Idolm@ster Million The@ter Generation 01" Certificated as "Gold Disc" in Japan". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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