How to dress as the Aikatsu Academy idols

Aikatsu has finally made its way into the world of VTubers! Just like IDOLM@STER and Love Live, Aikatsu Academy! features virtual idols. And now that it's officially out, let's celebrate by learning how to become one of these virtual idols ourselves.

Aikatsu Academy!

As Mieru Himeno - Mieru Himeno is a pretty, talkative, and positive idol singer who has a weakness for cute staff as some claim. Anyway, to become Mieru, you first need long pink hair. That's a beginner's task but the tricky part is to replicate her hairstyle. Her braided side parts feature two big red bows and four white small ones each, totaling four big red ones and eight white small ones. The end parts of her pink hair are twirly so do your best not to mess them up. With that sorted, you are now Mieru Himeno. Feel free to decide on the outfits she wore from her campus escapades.

Mieru Himeno

As Meh Mamimu - Meh Mamimu looks like a mysterious cool beauty but she is calm and friendly when she speaks. If you want to cosplay Meh Mamimu from Aikatsu, it's easy to do. Just get short silver hair with a lot of volume and two black faux hibiscus flowers for the hair accessories. No sweat, right?

Meh Mamimu

As Parin Wao - Parin Wao is an energetic leader and an active girl who loves games and fun. Wao's hairstyle is no doubt the most difficult to replicate. She boasts an extra long sky blue hair with orange insides. Replicating the two ribbons from her hair is extremely difficult as it requires professional help from someone you know, although the pigtail from her left takes four rubber bands to match the look. The thin rear tails feature two orange and one blue small bows each. There are other hair accessories as well such as two ribbons, the orange and the blue, a red oval hairpin, a yellow ribbon hairpin, and a green X hairpin. With the herculean task of replicating her hairstyle sorted, you're now officially Parin Wao.

Parin Wao

...and there you have it. How to dress as the Aikatsu Academy idols. These cosplays are sure enough to be Liked and Subscribed by everyone and you should, too.

If you’re an Aikatsu fan, you should definitely try one of these outfits. You’re sure to be the life of the party!

Aikatsu! 10th STORY ~Mirai e no STARWAY~ Vocal & Original Soundtrack

Originally a short movie before last year's Aikatsu Planet movie, Aikatsu! 10th STORY ~Mirai e no STARWAY~ became a full-formed motion picture event that concludes not just the Aikatsu franchise's 10th-anniversary celebration but the entire franchise. The last hurrah saw Ichigo Hoshimiya and her friends return to deliver the greatest performance Starlight Academy has ever witnessed.

Aikatsu! 10th STORY
~Mirai e no STARWAY~
Vocal & Original Soundtrack

The original soundtrack from the movie has arrived and it features BGMs and full-sized insert songs as heard from the movie. A must-have for every Aikatsu fanatic who has witnessed the movie from the beginning to the end.

It's their way of saying thanks for watching the Aikatsu! 10th STORY movie.

TRACK LISTINGS:

01 知らない未来の始まり

02 MY STARWAY

03 久々の打ち上げ

04 考えるべき未来

05 自分の心に正直に

06 つながっていくもの

07 次に会う時のために

08 星空のフロア

09 絶対また会える

10 未来の中の思い出

11 思いやる時間

12 間違いないこと

13 輝きのなかへ

14 卒業ライブ開幕!

15 スターライト

16 Signalize! ～トライスター & ぽわぽわプリリン ver.～

17 受け取ったもの

18 TRAVEL RIBBON

19 みんなへ

20 氷の森

21 SHINING LINE*

22 コスモスライブ

23 大人の日常

Aikatsu! 10th STORY - Mirai he no STARWAY

Originally a short movie before last year's Aikatsu Planet movie, the Aikatsu! 10th STORY is now a full-length movie that tops off the franchise's 10th-anniversary celebration since the franchise began in October 2012.

Aikatsu! 10th STORY -
Mirai he no STARWAY

Aikatsu! 10th STORY - Mirai he no STARWAY, originally a short movie shown before last year's Aikatsu Planet movie, is morphed into a full-length movie that is part of the Aikatsu series' 10th-anniversary celebrations. It's also sadly the last Aikatsu movie, as some say, fans are going to see because of the imminent end of the Aikatsu Planet arcade game and the upcoming AIKATSU! MUSIC FESTA FINAL concert, which is presumably the last Aikatsu live concert ever, rest assured that this movie won't be going quiet because this last hurrah is the peak.

Ichigo Hoshimiya and friends are back for this last hurrah as they are going to deliver the greatest performance Starlight Academy has ever witnessed and whatever happens after that is worth a bucket of tears.

While this is not suitable for newcomers to the franchise, it seems that longtime fans of the franchise are not the only ones who think this movie has a soul. Although dry, the producers behind this movie have the sense that before the Aikatsu franchise dies, they actually want to make it come to life and they did. This 10th-anniversary tribute movie transformed it into a completely different story. It's still just like the Aikatsu TV series but it's emotional and spritely at the same time. Not bad for a curtain call.

This movie is proof that even in its dying moments, the Aikatsu franchise became one of the all-time idol anime greats.

10 Years of Aikatsu!

The first Aikatsu TV series aired on TV Tokyo on the 8th of October 2012. 2022 marks 10 years of the Aikatsu franchise and what a journey has been for the franchise. From Ichigo Hoshimiya's goal to become Starlight Academy's top idol to Hana's road to becoming Aikatsu Planet's top idol, five installments showcased the ups and downs of our favorite school idols.

Time to hop into the "lucky train", kids, because it's time for a quick history lesson on the Aikatsu franchise! Let's begin!

Aikatsu 10th anniversary

Aikatsu! (2012) - The saga began on the 8th of October, 2012, when Bandai launched the Aikatsu! franchise. which are made to appeal the little girls in the form of the TV series aired on TV Tokyo and the DATA CARDDASS arcade game where players can play as their favorite characters from the series or create their own character and take on a series of challenges to win Aikatsu cards to personalize their idols. The TV series centers on the life and times of Ichigo Hoshimiya, a middle-school student who wants to become an idol, just like the renowned Mizuki Kanzaki. That's why she, and Aoi Kiriya, are enrolling at the prestigious Starlight Academy to begin their journey.

Throughout the series, they've met various characters in the academy such as Ran Shibuki, Otome Arisugawa, Yurika Todo, Sakura Kitaoji, Kaede Ichinose, and others, all have in common in the academy; to become the best idols in the class.

What's unique about the Aikatsu franchise is that the singing voices of the characters are different from the seiyuus who did the dialogue for them. As a matter of fact, STAR☆ANIS, the singing group was responsible for the songs from the show. They even held concerts where they performed most of the songs from the TV show as well.

In the second season, the girls from Starlight Academy are facing the students from the rival idol school known as Dream Academy. Seira Otoshiro, Sora Kazesawa, Kii Saegusa, and Maria Himesato came from Dream Academy for some matters with the Starlight girls. Later on, with differences settled, Ichigo and Seira teamed up to form 2wings to take on WM, which comprises the school alum Mizuki and rising star Mikuru Natsuki. Apart from them, this season introduces the young Akari Ozora, who idolizes Ichigo and became the girl we know in the third season.

The third and final season of Aikatsu, labeled the Akari Generation arc of the series, centers on Akari Ozora as the main character of the series, and with Akari replacing Ichigo as the main character of the final season, Akari's accompanied by her new friends Sumire Hikami and Hinaki Shinjo on their journey to become the academy's top idols, no matter what lays ahead of them. She's a changed girl since we first met her in an earlier season.

The final season introduces us to another Aikatsu-related singing group named AIKATSU☆STARS, which, like STAR☆ANIS, is responsible for the songs from the final series.

Throughout the tenure of the original Aikatsu series, they have spawned two films such as Aikatsu the Movie and Aikatsu Music Awards, featuring storylines never seen in the TV series, giving fans a more enjoyable experience in the franchise.

Aikatsu Stars! (2016) - As the original Aikatsu series ended in the end of March 2016, its successor story, Aikatsu Stars!, was launched. , Aikatsu Stars centers on a brand new story of friends Yume Nijino and Rola Sakuraba as they are going to fulfill their quest to become the school's finest idols in the same way the four elite students, called the S4, did with their pride and prestige. Using their Aikatsu Cards, the stage is theirs to amaze the spectators.

The second season sees Yume Nijino's role as one of the members of S4 has been tested when the Venus Ark pays a visit, giving her a brand new challenge to take on. Traveling around the world on the Venus Ark, they've collected the best and brightest students from across the globe to nurture them into elite students unleashing the full capabilities of their talents. For Yume and the others, this is a challenge because they've been to the belly of the beast during the long summer months while reuniting with Koharu. This season introduces the Star Premium Rare dress, a powerful kind of dress representing the planets of the solar system and once all nine SPRs have been unleashed, the legendary Sun dress will be unleashed, and whoever possesses it promises the ultimate power.

It was first aired on TV Tokyo in the spring of 2016 to 2018 for 100 episodes and aside from the TV series, there was a movie version of Aikatsu Stars shown in the summer of 2016. The similarly named AIKATSU☆STARS from the final Aikatsu season has returned to perform songs from this series as well.

Aikatsu Friends! (2018) - After Aikatsu Stars ended in the spring of 2018, its successor, Aikatsu Friends!, took over and the third installment breaks away from the tradition because, for the first time, the seiyuu behind the characters are responsible for the songs on the series. Anyway, this series highlights the life and times of Aine Yuki and Mio Minato, two friends who are destined to be the best friends among the rest. This is about the rise and fall and reborn of the duo they formed as Pure Palette and how their road to the Diamond Friends Cup was tested by numerous rivals among the way.

The second season of Aikatsu Friends!, titled Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel, introduces fans to the brand new Jeweling Dress feature where the chosen ones will unleash their brilliance onstage. At the beginning of the second season, the Pure Palette girls accepted Hibiki Tensho’s mission to reunite with her old friend Alicia Charlotte, the crown princess of the Principality of Solvette. The second season features the new Jeweling Dress system and these new Premium Rare dresses add power to their live performances.

The show lasted for about 76 episodes.

Aikatsu On Parade! (2019) - Aikatsu on Parade! is the most ambitious crossover of the Aikatsu franchise, highlighting seven years of Bandai's hit children's franchise that wooed kidults all over Japan. The biggest Aikatsu crossover stars Raki Kiseki and the Pure Palette in their cross-dimensional adventure across the entire franchise, meeting iconic characters, performing iconic songs, and in due course, finding out what's going on with the cross-dimensional crisis that saw every single Aikatsu character popping up to a different world without reason. The show lasted for 26 episodes on TV, followed by a web anime highlighting Noeru Otoshiro, the sister of Seira, as she's representing Dream Academy in the ultimate battle of the schools.

Aikatsu Planet! (2021) - Aired on TV Tokyo from January to June 2021, Aikatsu Planet is the fourth installment of Bandai Namco's Aikatsu franchise that breaks apart from the franchise traditions. The newest installment is a mix of live-action J-drama (tokusatsu, if you like to refer) and anime sequences and instead of cards, Aikatsu Planet uses the swing system where avatars use swings to tame mysterious creatures known as Dressias, possessing wonderful outfits to use on stage battles. This series is about Mao Otoha, also known as Hana in Aikatsu Planet, and her goal is to become Aikatsu Planet's top idol. A year after the series finale, the movie version of the Aikatsu Planet arrived on July 15, 2022, picking up moments after the series finale.

And there you have it. 10 years of the Aikatsu franchise from the original to Aikatsu Planet, from Ichigo Hoshimiya to Hana. What a wonderful journey this series has been but now that we no longer see them on television and the Aikatsu Planet arcade game ending its service very soon, we don't really know what's next for the Aikatsu franchise.

Anyway, happy 10th anniversary to the Aikatsu franchise!

Gekijouban Aikatsu Planet! no Ongaku!!

The movie adaptation of the hit TV series, Aikatsu Planet!, picks up moments after the series finale. In this movie, Mao Otoha and the gang are staging an Aikatsu Planet festival on the school campus; meaning there will be more fun and games for the girls as they're getting through all sorts of misfits in the name of all things Aikatsu.

Gekijouban Aikatsu Planet! no Ongaku!!

In honor of the movie's release, the original soundtrack from the Aikatsu Planet movie has arrived and it features songs and BGMs as heard from the movie.

In addition to the BGMs heard in the movie, this soundtrack features full-sized versions of new songs as heard in the movie, performed by our favorite STARRY PLANET girls. A fitting closure for those who have witnessed the movie from start to finish.

It's their way of saying thanks for watching the Aikatsu Planet movie.

Aikatsu Planet! (movie)

Aired in TV Tokyo from January to late June 2021, Aikatsu Planet is the fourth installment of Bandai Namco's Aikatsu franchise that breaks apart from the franchise traditions. It features a mix of live-action J-drama (tokusatsu, if you like to refer) and anime sequences and instead of cards, Aikatsu Planet uses the swing system where avatars use swings to tame mysterious creatures known as Dressias, possessing wonderful outfits to use on-stage battles.

The series ended last year but those who are wondering what's next for Hana and the girls wait no more because the movie version of the Aikatsu Planet has arrived in time for the Aikatsu franchise's 10th anniversary, giving fans a much-needed closure.

Aikatsu Planet! (movie)

The Aikatsu Planet girls are back and this time they're on the big screen as the movie version of the said show picks up moments after the series finale. In this movie, Mao Otoha (played by Kahya Date) and the gang are staging an Aikatsu Planet festival on the school campus; meaning there will be more fun and games for the girls as they're getting through all sorts of misfits in the name of all things Aikatsu.

Although appreciated for the return of the STARRY PLANET girls and the classic Aikatsu moment returned in this movie, this movie didn't deliver what the fans wanted; summer uniforms, snowballs, kimonos, and a beach. What a bummer for Aikatsu fans because like the show itself, Aikatsu Planet did break the franchise norms and it's a shame fans didn't get to see what's like when our favorite Aikatsu Planet girls got soaked for summer or whatever the Aikatsu franchise showed in its glorious pasts.

Despite the movie didn't deliver what the fans want for the girls, this movie truly is a fitting start for the Aikatsu franchise's 10th anniversary, even the new songs featured in this movie are proof that it's still Aikatsu. Mind you, there's even a special Aikatsu 10th-anniversary short movie before this and we get to see the original Aikatsu anime characters returned for more.

This movie is a fitting start to the Aikatsu franchise's 10th anniversary and despite lacking the fanservice, their big-screen antics have shown that this is the true ending to the Aikatsu Planet saga...although it hurts saying it this is the peak of the saga has reached. Well done, STARRY PLANET girls.

Now that the Aikatsu Planet movie finally hits theaters, what to expect next in the Aikatsu franchise now that we no longer see them on the telly? Only time will tell...

How to dress as the Aikatsu Planet idols

Aired in TV Tokyo from January to late June 2021, Aikatsu Planet is the fourth installment of Bandai Namco's Aikatsu franchise that breaks apart from the franchise traditions. It features a mix of live-action J-drama (tokusatsu, if you like to refer) and anime sequences and instead of cards, Aikatsu Planet uses the swing system where avatars use swings to tame mysterious creatures known as Dressias, possessing wonderful outfits to use on-stage battles.

In honor of the movie version of Aikatsu Planet, it's time now for another "How to Dress as" segment where it's time to learn how to become your favorite Aikatsu Planet girls!

As Hana - Mao Otoha, known by her avatar name Hana, is the main character of the show. Her goal in life is to become Aikatsu Planet's best idol. To become Hana, you'll need long blonde hair to work on and then decorate it with pink extensions. With her twin tails sorted, you are now Hana and you're free to decide which outfit suits you best. Her signature costume may be recommended but there are other outfits she wore in the series for you to try.

As Ruli - Ruli Tamaki or Ruli is the spokesperson of the Meltyhouse brand. She sees Mao (or Hana) as her rival and a friend at the same time. A semi-long lavender color should be the starting point for your first step to being Ruli. With the said hair color at your disposal, decorate it with some yellow extensions and then give it a twin-tailed look. With the hairstyle sorted, you are now Ruli and you're free to decide which outfit you want to wear, be it her signature outfit or her super-cool onstage costumes.

As Q-Pit - Ayumi Tsukishiro or Q-Pit is Hana's first foe she faced at the beginning of the series. Known for her elegance and her piano skills, Q-Pit is a classy idol that should not be underestimated. To become Q-Pit, you'll need a super-long light green hairdo to work with, decorate it with some baby blue-colored extensions, and give it a twin-tailed look to match Q-Pit's. It's hard work from the start but when you sort it out, you're free to decide which outfit you'll want to wear; be it her normal Aikatsu Planet outfit or her onstage costumes.

As Beat - Kyoko Umekoji or Beat is known for her contrast between her formal manners in the real world and her punkish looks in Aikatsu Planet. Being Beat is a tricky one because her hairstyle is a split between the colors black on her right and magenta on her left. If possible, get magenta-colored long hair to start with and then spraypaint half of it with black. With the tricky part sorted, you're now Beat and you're free to wear whatever costumes she wore in the series.

As Shiori - Shiori Motoya or Shiori is one of Mao's closest friends. She came to Aikatsu Planet as a visitor to witness Hana's progress until Shiori decided to become an idol and join the fun. To become Shiori, you'll need long sky blue hair to work with, decorate it with some pink extensions and then give it a bun-ish look to recreate Shiori's hairstyle. Sounds tricky but with that sorted, feel free to decide which outfit suits your style.

As Ann - Ann Kurimu or Ann is a third-year middle-schooler with a devotion to all things sweet. To become Ann, you'll need long pink hair to start with and then decorate it with some sky blue extensions and then give it some pigtails to match Ann's. With Ann's hairstyle done, you're good to choose whatever outfits Ann wore in the series.

As Rose - Meisa Hinata or Rose deserves no introduction. She's the Aikatsu Planet's professional idol who has the highest rank in the Aikatsu Ranking until Hana defeated her to become the Aikatsu Ranking champion in the end. To become Rose, it's best to prepare a super long reddish hair to work with, give it a ponytail look in a big way, and then decorate it with some light green extensions. Feels difficult to work with from start to finish but with her complex hairstyle sorted, you're now Rose and you're free to choose whatever outfits she wore from the series; be it her default costume or her onstage outfits.

As Sala - Sala Itoi or Sala served as Starlet Promotions' dress designer. Although her designs are top-notch, her Aikatsu Planet debut as an idol gives her the chance to broaden her horizons. A simple long orange hair should do the trick, then decorate it with some purple extensions and give it some curly bits at the lower end. With the hairstyle set, you're now Sala from Aikatsu Planet and you're good to pick whatever outfits she wore from the series.

...and there you have it. How to be one of your favorite Aikatsu Planet idols. Life as an Aikatsu Planet idol can be down-to-earth fun and exciting but can be somewhat challenging from the start. Hey, that's life inside Aikatsu Planet, you know. Life outside Aikatsu Planet, well, that's life.

 Anyway, enjoy cosplaying as your favorite Aikatsu Planet idols any time you can and see what's like to be in the idol system.

Have fun!

Aikatsu Planet! Original Soundtrack: Aikatsu Planet! no Ongaku!!

Aired on TV Tokyo from January to June 2021, Aikatsu Planet is the fourth installment of Bandai Namco's Aikatsu franchise that breaks apart from the franchise traditions. The newest installment is a mix of live-action J-drama (tokusatsu, if you like to refer) and anime sequences and instead of cards, Aikatsu Planet uses the swing system where avatars use swings to tame mysterious creatures known as Dressias, possessing wonderful outfits to use on-stage battles. This series is about Mao Otoha, also known as Hana in Aikatsu Planet, and her goal is to become Aikatsu Planet's top idol, any way she can.

Aikatsu Planet! Original Soundtrack:
Aikatsu Planet! no Ongaku!!

As a way of saying thank you for watching Aikatsu Planet, the original soundtrack has arrived and it features the songs and scores from the 25-episode hybrid series. It's a two-disc soundtrack that features most of the BGMs heard from the TV series as well as TV-size versions of the theme songs including the STARRY PLANET version of Bloomy*スマイル.

It really is the final piece of the Aikatsu Planet music collection that deserves to be collected in order to complete it and with the Aikatsu Planet well and truly over, for now, what's next in the Aikatsu franchise? Only time will tell...

Dreaming Night

As we are prepared to say goodbye to Aikatsu Planet, the final batch of featured songs as heard in the TV series has arrived and these songs bring you back to the moment Mao "Hana" Otoha emerged as the Aikatsu Planet's Planet Princess Grand Prix champion.

Dreaming Night

The final batch of featured songs as heard in the Aikatsu Planet TV series is called Dreaming Night and in this final batch, you will find new versions of Inner Voice, Magical Door, and ココロノトモ, including the song as heard in the episode where Hana battled Rose for one final time and became the Planet Princess Grand Prix champion. That song is titled ファンタジっくイマジネーション and there's your victory lane.

What a way to complete the Aikatsu Planet! Featured Songs range! From the moment Hana entered Aikatsu Planet all the way to become the Planet Princess Grand Prix champion, these featured songs really are the plots that connected the whole series, and with the Aikatsu Planet story now done, it's hard to miss them, and the whole featured songs range are the real memoirs of the series.

Thanks for the memories, Aikatsu Planet!

Twilight Evening

Progressing through the Aikatsu Planet story, we saw the appearance of Rose and Sala and how their appearances impact Hana's goal to become Aikatsu Planet's best but as the determined Hana strived for perfection, she makes it to the final four of the Planet Princess Grand Prix alongside Ruli, Q-Pit, and Rose. While fans are waiting for what will Hana's performance be during the Planet Princess Grand Prix, the third single inspired by the TV series has arrived and there's more to catch up before you know what.

The third batch of featured songs from the TV series is called Twilight Evening and in this latest batch comes with three new songs as heard from the TV series such as Inner Voice, プチプラEveryday (with two versions such as the one with Ann and Sala on it and the other with Shiori and Sala on it), and ココロノトモ. There's also Mao and Meisa's version of レディ・レディ・レディ as heard in one episode where...you know what happened right?

Enjoy this addition while you are busy catching up with this show!

Aikatsu Planet! airs on TV Tokyo every Sunday morning at 0700 JST.

Sweet Daytime

As Mao Otoha's Aikatsu Planet story continues, the second featured songs collection has arrived in case you are really catching up with this series.

Sweet Daytime

The second batch of songs as heard in the Aikatsu Planet TV series features two new songs such as またまたまたまたまた明日 (which comes with two different versions) and レディ・レディ・レディ by Shiori and Ann. Of course, like the previous batch, you can expect different versions of the Aikatsu Planet classics such as Mao and Ann's version of the series' anthem, HAPPY∞アイカツ！, and Mao and Ayumi's version of FLYING TIPS.

Enjoy this addition while you are busy catching up with this show!

Aikatsu Planet! airs on TV Tokyo every Sunday morning at 0700 JST.

Shiny Morning

When Aikatsu Planet began last January, viewers are enjoying the life and times of Mao Otoha, known as Hana in Aikatsu Planet, in her quest to become the top idol. Her humble beginnings wasn't that easy though because throughout the start of her Aikatsu Planet journey, she met with a handful of personalities such as Ruli Tamaki (Ruli), Q-Pit, Kyoko Umekoji (Beat), and Shiori Motoya (Shiori).

Shiny Morning

As Hana's Aikatsu Planet journey continues, here comes the first batch of songs as heard in the TV series and the DATA CARDDASS arcade. It features four tracks with the latter two are the big focus of this single. 

In addition to Mao and Kyoko's version of the show's closing theme song, Kirari☆Party♪Time, and Ayumi's version of the series' anthem, HAPPY∞アイカツ！, this single features two new songs as heard in the show and game such as FLYING TIPS by Ruli and Ayumi and lastly, Magical Door by Ruli and Shiori.

Aikatsu Planet! airs on TV Tokyo every Sunday mornings at 0700 JST.

Bloomy＊Smile/Kirari☆Party♪Time

Aired on TV Tokyo since early January 2021, Aikatsu Planet is the newest installment of Bandai Namco's Aikatsu franchise that breaks apart from the franchise traditions. The newest installment is a mix of live-action J-drama (tokusatsu, if you like to refer) and anime sequences and instead of cards, Aikatsu Planet uses the swing system where avatars use swings to tame mysterious creatures known as Dressias, possessing wonderful outfits to use on stage battles. This series is about Mao Otoha, also known as Hana in Aikatsu Planet, and her goal is to become Aikatsu Planet's top idol, any way she can.

Bloomy＊Smile/Kirari☆Party♪Time
AIKATSU PLANET ver.

Bloomy＊Smile/Kirari☆Party♪Time
STARRY PLANET ver.

Having enjoyed the latest installment that some called a sacrilege while others called it unique in an Aikatsu kind of way, the opening and closing theme songs from the newest Aikatsu TV series has arrived and you can enjoy the full versions of the said theme songs any time and in addition, there's the insert song as heard in the TV series, titled HAPPY∞アイカツ！, as well in different vocal variations.

Aikatsu Planet! airs on TV Tokyo every Sunday mornings at 0700 JST.

TV ANIME/DATA CARDDASS AIKATSU FRIENDS! BEST ALBUM: Best Friends

Aired on TV Tokyo for two seasons and 76 episodes, Aikatsu Friends! centers on the life and times of Aine Yuki and Mio Minato, the two girls destined to become the best pair on stage as Pure Palette. From all the trials and tribulations they've faced, the Pure Palette duo demonstrated their true spirit of friendship that pushed them further to the top and became the best pair fans witnessed from start to finish.

Having enjoyed all 76 episodes of the Aikatsu Friends! saga, what better way to pay tribute to the third installment of the Aikatsu franchise than this; the greatest hits album.

TV ANIME/DATA CARDDASS AIKATSU FRIENDS!
BEST ALBUM: Best Friends

The Best Friends greatest hits album features all of the songs heard throughout the Aikatsu Friends! saga. From the TV series, DATA CARDDASS arcade game, even the drama CDs as well! Opening themes, closing themes, stage songs, you name it, this two-disc greatest hits album has them all.

What a way to say thanks to Pure Palette and all of the idols of the Aikatsu Friends! saga and be sure not to miss the upcoming Aikatsu installment coming next year on TV Tokyo!

Kimi no Entrance/Idol Katsudou! -On Parade! ver.-

Aikatsu on Parade! is the most ambitious crossover of the Aikatsu franchise, highlighting seven years of Bandai's hit children's franchise that wooed kidults all over Japan. The biggest Aikatsu crossover stars Raki Kiseki and the Pure Palette in their cross-dimensional adventure across the entire franchise, meeting iconic characters, perform iconic songs, and in due course, find out what's going on with the cross-dimensional crisis that saw every single Aikatsu character popping up to a different world without reason.

Kimi no Entrance/Idol Katsudo! -On Parade! ver.-

The cross-dimensional Aikatsu adventure's just getting started and as the grand Aikatsu adventure continues, the opening and closing theme song of Aikatsu on Parade! has arrived and prepare yourselves for the trip of the lifetime.

The opening theme song is titled "Kimi no Entrance" as performed by Raki, Aine, and Mio of BEST FRIENDS!, while the closing theme song is the On Parade! version of the iconic Aikatsu anthem, "Idol Katsudou!", performed by franchise vocal legends Waka, Ruka, and Sena. These theme songs are great to listen while Raki and the gang are busy with their cross-dimensional adventures one door at a time.

Aikatsu on Parade! airs on TV Tokyo every Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM JST.

7 years of the Aikatsu franchise

Aikatsu On Parade! premieres TODAY and in honor of the pilot episode of the biggest Aikatsu experience ever, it's time to have a quick history lesson on the hit idol franchise that got the whole little girls and some unexpected fans into all things Aikatsu, from the original to Friends, leading up to the most ambitious crossover in the Aikatsu franchise.

Aikatsu On Pardae!

The saga began in the 8th of October, 2012, when Bandai launched the Aikatsu! franchise. which are made to appeal the little girls in the form of the TV series aired on TV Tokyo and the DATA CARDDASS arcade game where players can play as their favorite characters from the series or create their own character and take on series of challenges to win Aikatsu cards to personalize their idols. The TV series centers on the life and times of Ichigo Hoshimiya, a middle-school student who wants to become an idol, just like the renowned Mizuki Kanzaki. That's why she, and Aoi Kiriya, are enrolling at the prestigious Starlight Academy to begin their journey.

Throughout the series, they've met various characters in the academy such as Ran Shibuki, Otome Arisugawa, Yurika Todo, Sakura Kitaoji, Kaede Ichinose, and others, all have in common in the academy; to become the best idols in the class.

What's unique about the Aikatsu franchise is that the singing voices from the characters are different from the seiyuus who did the dialogue to them. As a matter of fact, STAR☆ANIS, the singing group were responsible for the songs from the show. They even held concerts where they performing most of the songs from the TV show as well.

In the second season, the girls from Starlight Academy are facing alongside the students from the rival idol school known as Dream Academy. Seira Otoshiro, Sora Kazesawa, Kii Saegusa, and Maria Himesato came from Dream Academy for some matters with the Starlight girls. Later on, with differences settled, Ichigo and Seira teamed up to form 2wings to take on WM, which comprises of the school alum Mizuki and a rising star Mikuru Natsuki. Apart from them, this season introduces the young Akari Ozora, who idolizes Ichigo and became the girl we know in the third season.

The third and final season of Aikatsu, labeled the Akari Generation arc of the series, centers on Akari Ozora as the main character of the series and with Akari replacing Ichigo as the main character of the final season, Akari's accompanied by her new friends Sumire Hikami and Hinaki Shinjo on their journey to become the academy's top idols, no matter what lays ahead of them. She's a changed girl since we first met her in an earlier season.

The final season introduces us to another Aikatsu-related singing group named AIKATSU☆STARS, which, like STAR☆ANIS, are responsible for the songs from the final series.

Throughout the tenure of the original Aikatsu series, they have spawned two films such as Aikatsu the Movie and Aikatsu Music Awards, featuring storylines never seen in the TV series, giving fans a more enjoyable experience to the franchise.

As the original Aikatsu series ended in the end of March 2016, its successor story, Aikatsu Stars!, was launched. , Aikatsu Stars centers on a brand new story of friends Yume Nijino and Rola Sakuraba as they are going to fulfill their quest to become the school's finest idols in the same way the four elite students, called the S4, did with their pride and prestige. Using their Aikatsu Cards, the stage is theirs to amaze the spectators.

The second season sees Yume Nijino's role as one of the members of S4 has been tested when the Venus Ark pays a visit, giving her a brand new challenge to take on. Travelling around the world on the Venus Ark, they've collected the best and brightest students from across the globe to nurture them into elite students unleashing their full capabilities of their talents. For Yume and the others, this is a challenge because they've been to the belly of the beast during the long summer months while reuniting with Koharu. This season introduces the Star Premium Rare dress, a powerful kind of dress representing the planets of the solar system and once all nine SPRs have been unleashed, the legendary Sun dress will be unleashed and whoever possesses it promises the ultimate power.

It was first aired on TV Tokyo in the spring of 2016 to 2018 for 100 episodes and aside from the TV series, there was a movie version of Aikatsu Stars shown in the summer of 2016. The similarly named AIKATSU☆STARS from the final Aikatsu season have returned to perform songs from this series as well.

Those who are missing the original Aikatsu series got the chance to continue their stories with the Aikatsu Photo on Stage app game, where players collect their favorite idols from the franchise and play through new stories and songs never seen or heard from the TV series. Sadly, with the STAR☆ANIS and AIKATSU☆STARS! groups bid farewell as the February 2018 concert at the Budokan, the app game got discontinued in July 11, 2018.

After Aikatsu Stars ended in the spring of 2018, its successor, Aikatsu Friends!, took over and the third installment breaks away from the tradition because for the first time, the seiyuus behind the characters are responsible for the songs on the series. Anyway, this series highlights on the life and times of Aine Yuki and Mio Minato, two friends who are destined to be the best friends among the rest. This is about the rise and fall and reborn of the duo they formed as Pure Palette and how their road to the Diamond Friends Cup were tested with numerous rivals among the way.

The second season of Aikatsu Friends!, titled Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel, introduces fans to the brand new Jeweling Dress feature where the chosen ones will unleash their brilliance onstage. In the beginning of the second season, the Pure Palette girls accepted Hibiki Tensho’s mission to reunite with her old friend Alicia Charlotte, the crown princess of the Principality of Solvette. The second season features the new Jeweling Dress system and these new Premium Rare dresses adds power to their live performances.

The show lasted for about 76 episodes of course and with the Aikatsu Friends saga well and truly over, all eyes are on the most ambitious crossover in the Aikatsu franchise happening today and with new character Raki Kiseki leading the charge, Aikatsu On Parade is an all-star ensemble fans will get hooked right at the start. From iconic dresses, greatest hits, and returning cast of characters, this will be the biggest Aikatsu experience where everyone's invited.

Aikatsu On Parade! airs on TV Tokyo Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM JST.

How to dress as Aikatsu Friends characters...again

Tonight is the series finale of Aikatsu Friends and while fans are going to miss this show when it ends, you can expect a lot of comments about just how great the final episode will be but don't shed so many tears because even though Aikatsu Friends ends, the characters will return in next month's Aikatsu On Parade TV series, the series' 7th anniversary present to the fans.

It's hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful but pointless installment of the Aikatsu franchise in fact, you can expect a lot of cosplays to remember the moment. Anyway, in honor of the series finale and without the help from Coco this time, it's time for instructions on how to be your favorite Aikatsu Friends character from the first to the second season!

Aikatsu Friends

As Aine Yuki - Aine Yuki is one of the stars of the show and a member of Pure Palette. In the first series, she and Mio Minato formed Pure Palette and they've been through different obstacles in the hopes of becoming the Diamond Friends champion against Love Me Tear. She bears the Sugar Melody brand. In the second series, she bears not just the Diamond Jeweling Dress but also the All Jeweling Dress she and Mio had. being Aine is as simple as a long pink hair with some added yellow gradient to it (airbrushing on the bottom is recommended) and a baby blue ribbon to your right. With that settled, do whatever you want in the choice of outfits, be it the Star Harmony uniform or her standard onstage costume, not to mention the Miracle Dress from the first series, the Diamond Jeweling Dress, and ultimately the All Jeweling Dress.

As Mio Minato - Mio Minato is also one of the stars of the show and a member of Pure Palette. A young girl with a keen sense of fashion, she bears the Material Color brand. She and Aine formed Pure Palette and together, they've conquered through every obstacle to become the Diamond Friends Cup champion in the first series. In the second series, she bears the Sapphire Jeweling Dress. Anyway, her semi-long hairstyle is sky blue with a purple gradient below and has braids on the back. Once done, feel free to do whatever outfit you want for your Mio Minato cosplay, from her Star Harmony uniform to her All Jeweling Dress.

As Maika Chono - Maika Chono is a member of Honey Cat. A feisty young girl, Maika is the kind of idol who won't let anyone stand in her way. She bears the Dancing Mirage brand. To be Maika, make sure the hair is somewhat long and somewhat lilac, not to mention the Yohane-ish round part on the right side of the hair. With the Maika look set, feel free to don whatever outfits she wore.

As Ema Hinata - Ema Hinata is a member of Honey Cat and a member of the school's lacrosse club. She sees Maika as both a friend and a rival and that's how their friendly rivalry brought them together as Honey Cat, travelling around the globe to get their names known. She bears the Colorful Shake brand. To be Ema, first you need to get a very long blond hair and make two pigtails out of it, making sure that the pigtails you're doing is as slim as Ema's. With that, the outfits are up to you!

As Karen Kamishiro - Karen Kamishiro is a member of the legendary duo Love Me Tear. She is known for her elegant nature and her philanthropy known the world over. She bears the Classical Ange brand and in the second series, she bears the Aquamarine Jeweling Dress. To be her, one long blond hair is needed to work on but approach with caution, folks, because her hairstyle looks like a squid of some sort. It's a tricky job so you'd better be careful with the hair your working on while trying to mimic Karen's. Once done, feel free to pick whatever outfits you want.

As Mirai Askua - Mirai Asuka is a member of the legendary duo Love Me Tear. Unlike her mate, Mirai is somewhat of a mischief who loves to poke fun not just Karen but also Aine. In the second series, she served as a mentor to her apprentice idol, Wakaba Harukaze. She bears the Milky Joker name and the Garnet Jeweling Dress. If you want to be Mirai, first, get a long red hair and make sure the pigtails you're working on matches Mirai's look. It may sounds intermediate but feel free to do some outfits when you're done sorting out Mirai's hairstyle.

As Sakuya Shirayuri - Sakuya Shirayuri is somewhat a young girl with a mystery. Fortune-telling is her hobby and she always predicts the fortunes of everyone who come across. She and her twin sister Kaguya formed Reflect Moon and they were responsible for the downfall of Pure Palette at the Brilliant Friends Cup but later lost to Love Me Tear at the Diamond Friends Cup. She bears the Luna Witch brand. Being Sakuya is a long order because you have to work on the dark blue gradients on the half of your long, whitish hair but the gradient needs to be below because if went backwards, then it's a Kaguya hairstyle, which is exactly I'm going to mention it later on. With Sakuya's hairstyle set, time to work on her signature headband and once done, feel free to work on her outfits.

As Kaguya Shirayuri - Kaguya Shirayuri is Sakuya's twin sister and a member of Reflect Moon. Unlike her twin sister Sakuya, Kaguya is a rather brash, sassy girl who often runs into trouble wherever she goes. She bears the Moon Maiden brand. As mentioned above, the dark blue gradient will be on the top side of your long white hair instead of the downside that Sakuya had. After that, you can put two red ribbons on each side. With Kaguya-sama's hairstyle set, feel free to work on her outfits of your choosing.

As Hibiki Tensho - Once a member of the legendary duo I Believe, Hibiki emerged from outer space and asked the Pure Palette girls for help. A strict but welcoming personality, Hibiki's always in charge of almost everything. She bears the Heavenly Perfume brand and the Ruby Jeweling Dress. Hibiki's hairdo is somewhat challenging because while it requires a long orange hairdo with some red gradients on it, trying to match her hairstyle will take several hours to perfect it. Once perfected, feel free to select any outfit she wore, especially her Ruby Jeweling Dress that set the stage on fire, literally.

As Alicia Charlotte - Alicia Charlotte is the crown princess of the Principality of Solvette. Ever since her mother, the queen, died of an incurable illness, Alicia decided to abandon her idol life and choose to reign the snowcapped kingdom instead. That meant breaking up Hibiki for good but thanks to the Pure Palette girls and Hibiki, Alicia finally re-opened her heart to be an idol and henceforth, I Believe is revived. She bears the Glorious Snow brand and the Emerald Jeweling Dress. For anyone wishing to cosplay Solvette's crown princess, consider finding a long, pale turquoise-colored hair, make the hairstyle a bit Aria Futaba-ish, and then work on the braids on the right side. After finishing the hardwork to match Alicia's hairdo, feel free to work on her outfits. Crown Princess' orders.

As Wakaba Harukaze - Wakaba Harukaze is a young girl who passed Mirai's audition and serve as her apprentice idol. She is a big fan of Pure Palette and she wishes to follow their footsteps one day. She bears the Humming Leaf brand and the Topaz Jeweling Dress. Wakaba's hairstyle is somewhat long, brown, and has two pigtails on it. That sounds easy but working on her signature hair accessory adds some challenge to it. Once done, feel free to work on her outfits from her style dress to her Topaz Jeweling Dress. Mirai will definitely approve your Wakaba look.

...and there you have it. With the hairstyle set and with the outfit of your choosing, you can have your own Aikatsu Friends cosplay anytime you want.

The series finale of Aikatsu Friends airs tonight on TV Tokyo at 6:25PM JST. Don't miss it!

TV ANIME/DATA CARDDASS AIKATSU FRIENDS! DRAMA CD 2: YUKEMURI! ONSENRYOKOU NO MAKI

The series finale of "Aikatsu Friends!" is happening this Thursday and before we say goodbye to the story of Pure Palette, fans of the hit TV series will have one last hurrah with the second drama CD featuring an all-new storyline never before seen in the TV series.

TV ANIME/DATA CARDDASS AIKATSU FRIENDS!
DRAMA CD 2: YUKEMURI! ONSENRYOKOU NO MAKI

In the second drama CD based on the hit TV series, attention is shifted towards "Love Me Tear" and "I Believe" as the two sides still had something in store for them after the drama at the Jeweling Festival at the Principality of Solvette. The audio drama parts in this CD will uncover more from these two sides in a very Aikatsu way and by understanding their so-called legendary relationships by the two sides, this is a must-listen to those who are catching up in the Aikatsu Friends saga. 

After experiencing all the drama from the audio drama parts, you can listen to three music tracks such as their rendition of Dear ALL FRIENDS! 愛をこめて!, and Ema and Sakuya's take on the first ending theme, Believe it. This drama CD is the ideal send-off to the Aikatsu Friends saga as fans are prepared for the series finale or not.

The series finale of "Aikatsu Friends!" airs this Thursday on TV Tokyo. Don't miss the finale and be sure to watch out for "Aikatsu On Parade!" happening this October 5th.

TV ANIME/DATA CARDDASS AIKATSU FRIENDS! ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK: AIKATSU FRIENDS! NO ONGAKU!! 02

The second series of Aikatsu Friends!, titled Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel, is approaching not just the season finale but also the series finale because of the upcoming installment coming this fall, titled Aikatsu on Parade!, and as the story of Pure Palette is approaching its climax (hard to believe this season's short, huh?), the original soundtrack from the Kagayaki no Jewel saga has arrived.

TV ANIME/DATA CARDDASS AIKATSU FRIENDS!
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK:
AIKATSU FRIENDS! NO ONGAKU!! 02

From Star Harmony academy to the Principality of Solvette, the soundtrack from the second season covers pretty much everything with music courtesy from the people from DIGZ MOTION SOUNDS and apart from listening to every BGM from the second season, there's also a new rendition of Aikatsu Friends!, performed by Aine, Mio, Maika, and Ema of BEST FRIENDS!, as heard from the Season 1 finale.

As always, those who pre-ordered the soundtrack will receive a special card for use in the DATA CARDDASS Aikatsu Friends! arcade game.

It's a fitting end to a wonderful but sacrilegious saga but it's a prelude to the biggest Aikatsu experience to come so don't shed so many tears just yet just because the Aikatsu Friends saga is nearing its climax.

Aikatsu Friends! airs on TV Tokyo every Thursday nights at 6:25PM JST and be sure to keep an eye out on the biggest Aikatsu experience ever, Aikatsu On Parade!, coming to TV Tokyo this Saturday, October 5th!

SPECTACLE JOURNEY Vol.II

So far, in Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel, we've seen Hibiki and Alicia reunited after several years of separation after all the drama at Solvette, sparking the revival of I Believe. Then, Wakaba Harukaze, Mirai Asuka's apprentice idol, finally achieved the dream of becoming an idol just like Aine and Mio. The story keeps going on but what's next in Aikatsu Friends!?

SPECTACLE JOURNEY Vol.II

As the Kagayaki no Jewel saga continues, the second mini-album of this saga has arrived and in this installment, Mirai, Karen, Wakaba, and I Believe got their songs, as heard in the TV series, all lined up for you. First up, Mirai performs Niceなto meet you. Next,  Wakaba performs この世界はすばらしい. Later, Karen performs 強く優しく美しく. And finally, the I Believe duo performs 新たなるステージへ.

As always, there's a special card for those who pre-ordered it and can be usable in the Data Carddass Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel arcade game.

Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel airs on TV Tokyo every Thursday nights at 1825 Japan Standard Time.