Bandai Namco Entertainment (Formerly Namco) created a Japanese media franchise in 2005 called “The Idolm@ster.” It is a rising simulation and rhythm video game. The main focus of the series is the career of a producer who works at the talent agency “765 Productions (765 Pro)”. The producer works with a group of prospective pop idols. Players can manage and train a group of female pop idols in the game.
The Idolm@sters game was originally released as an arcade game on July 25 in 2005. As the popularity grew, the game branched out to other ports like an Xbox 360 port on January 25, 2007. Since then, the franchise has expanded its scope to multiple ports, with numerous sequels and spin-offs, including many social network games. The franchise has been developed into many other kinds of media as well, like – anime with the same name, print media, audio dramas, Korean dramas, and radio shows.
The main characters of the franchise include Haruka Amami, a cheerful and optimistic girl with the dreams of making it big as an idol, and her fellow trainees, including Chihaya Kisaragi, Miki Hoshii, Yukiho Hagiwara, Ami and Mami Futami (who work as a pair), and Makoto Kikuchi, among others. The theme centralizes on the struggles an aspiring idol must go through to get into the brightest spotlight. The game also focuses on the interpersonal relationships of the idols, producers, and rivalries that follow the idols into stardom.
The Idolm@ster Shiny Colors: Song for Prism – Everything there is to Know
In the new idol-training and rhythm simulation game, the player once again plays as a producer of the 283 (Tsubasa) Production Agency. The player is responsible for the idols’ career, which includes lessons and gigs, as well as following the beats of the songs of the idols. As of 26th April, along with Luca Ikaruga, who’s the latest joiner (2nd April), the game includes a total of 26 idols belonging to the 283 (Tsubasa) Production Agency.
The gameplay is pretty simple. It has players tapping the screen to the rhythm of the songs with varying difficulties. The players can unlock new songs and characters with the progression of their gameplay. In “The Idolm@ster Shiny COlors: Song for Prism,” players can collect and train their favorite idols and form a team to compete against other players.
Ranging from upbeat pop songs to emotional ballads, the game has a vast array of songs that are featured from the anime or were originally made for the game to suit the players’ palette. “Tulip” and “Spread the Wings” are some of the most loved songs in the game.
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Events of all kinds are regularly held in the game where the players can participate to win numerous rewards such as exclusive characters and skins. The events usually consist of a setting where the players are required to work together on some limited-time songs to reach their goals. There are various in-game purchases available for the player too. Although it is not necessary to make these purchases for an enjoyable gaming experience, they can help the users progress faster and unlock new features in the game.
The players who are already registered in the “Idolm@sters Shiny Colors” browser game can sign up to test the new game’s demo anytime till May 7. Between May 19 and May 23, around 80,000 players can enjoy the demo version of the gaming experience. The game, which was in 2D up until now, will be featured in 3D this time. The new game will be available for free on iOS devices on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store for Android devices.
The browser game “Idolm@sters Shiny Colors” was launched in April 2018. It was reported that about 5 million people were playing the game in September 2022. The current game on smartphones follows the same gameplay as the browser game, where the players are involved in training and making the idols’ careers. In addition to the game itself, the project resulted in concert events, goods, CDs, and radio programs.
The anime version of the browser game is set to premiere in the spring of 2024. Prior to the television premiere, the anime (12 episodes) will screen in theaters starting on 27 October. 75 theatres in 47 prefectures throughout Japan will feature in three parts.
