Idol Anime News Roundup (iDOLM@STER, AKB0048, Love Live!)
Japanese idols are great, except they’re human and, thus, not perfect. 2D idols, on the other hand, are much much closer to the ideal thanks to the combined powers of fiction and your imagination. So it’s no surprise that there are idol anime out there to feed the desires no human counterpart could ever fulfill. Here are some things coming-up for your 2D idol needs:
The iDOLM@STER, an anime based on the iDOLM@STER series of games (which are in 3D, yes, but let’s use the term “2D” to refer to all fictional idols, regardless of whether they are cell painted or rendered) will finish out their home videos with Volume 9. Slated for a June 28 2012 release in Japan, this volume will contain the last two episodes (24 and 25) of this Winter 2011 anime, audio commentaries, and an unaired special-edition episode, the preview of which can be seen below:
Idol juggernaut AKB48, not satisfied with their numerous idol teams and international branches, has decided to expand to the world of 2D as well, with AKB0048. Set in a dystopian future where music is banned, a group of girls rebel against the system by staging guerrilla performances as inspired by the great idols of their past, AKB48 (of course). The first episode just started airing in Japan last April 29 for the 2012 Spring season.
If you’re worried that there won’t be an idol anime after this season, don’t be. A collaboration between Sunrise (Gundam), Lantis (music label), and Dengeki G’s Magazine (Oreimo manga) will ensure that you’ll have a 2D idol group in 2013 via the Love Live! School Idol Project. The twist this collaboration brings is that various aspects of the idols have been determined via fan voting. The project has already produced singles that are currently available for purchase in Japan.
Unfortunately, aside from The iDOLM@STER’s Crunchyroll stream, none of these have been scheduled for English releases yet. Still, if you’re a fan of iDOLM@STER, AKB48, idols in general, or cute virtual girls who sing and dance, you’re likely already looking for opportunities to see and get a hold of these 2D idol shows.
[Via ANN (1, 2). Videos via iMAS anime, AKB48, and GGSGSYGECC. Images via The iDOLM@STER, AKB0048, Love Live! School Idol Project.]
