What excuse do you have for not playing the Haganai PSP game http://t.co/R6Eq3E9Q 1 hr ago
Atarashii Prelude
28Dec/1137

The iDOLM@STER 25: No iM@S No Life

I remember when I first began watching this show, equipped with what little knowledge about the franchise, thinking it would be K-ON! (in hindsight, a poor comparison, but that was honestly how I felt back then) minus the tea, cake, and school setting, with a bit of character development and insight into the idol industry on the side. In a way, those expectations probably helped set the bar perfectly for this show - I simply did not come in expecting anything quite this amazing. From the way I see it, while the games offer condensed individual characterisation as well as the 'It's like I'm really a Producer' experience, the anime supplements things with its magnificent portrayal and interpretation of character relationships, capturing the very essence of the 765 danketsu - something which even the games didn't pull off quite as well. This is made possible undoubtedly from the love of fans over at the production-side, for us fans.

Best of all, they even succeeded at making Broducer his own character. In terms of outward appearance and personality, he has little about him that stands out, to the point he is almost no different from the faceless protagonist seen in the games. Yet, for a 'blank slate' whose shoes were to be filled by the audience, he emanates an aura of trustworthiness and reliability that makes you feel that everything will be alright, earning him the Broducer moniker that the English-speaking fanbase bestowed upon him. Down to earth at all times, he is a hard worker who exhibits traits like having lots of tact and empathy. Without putting him on some sort of pedestal, they made him a person that you could easily relate and look up to. The end result saw Broducer fumbling and stumbling along the way, while he does his best to manage those under his care, to finally be able to stand tall with the everyone.

Of course, that is merely what I like about Broducer as a person, but what really makes him special in my eyes is his presence in the show. Despite being the sole male character surrounded by a large female cast, Broducer hardly comes off as your typical harem lead. In fact, he's anything but. On the one hand, he does not get overly involved in the girls' issues and problems, therefore not appearing as someone who sticks his nose into other people's business, like you would expect from somebody in his position. Conversely, he is also always there for them, a presence akin to a guardian angel, as I see it. While not performing any miracles per se, the little things he does to help serve as a magical nudge for the girls to help themselves overcome any adversity. However, just like Seth in the City of Angels, even Broducer falls in love, and I don't think there are any pairings that are more one and true than Broducer and Kotori.

As I am still reeling under the effects of Post-iDOLM@STER Stress Disorder, I cannot remember the last time I have ever felt so attached to this many characters at once. As such, it does upset me quite a bit that there will not be anything of that sort to look forward to for quite some time. Then I realised something very important; The iDOLM@STER is far from over. This 7 year strong franchise has churned out so much material that once you think you have depleted everything it has to offer, its creators release a slew of new stuff to milk you dry. As I have mentioned, the anime has always been a big budget advertisement for everything and anything iDOLM@STER, reaching out to the masses who have not already succumbed to surrendering their disposable income for overpriced merchandise :oops: So throw your money hard enough at Scamco's direction and rest assure that they will make full use of it to satiate your hunger for more aidorus.

So where do we go from here? Everything in the finale hints at a continuation of some sort; 765 getting Me Ga Au TOLD by Sir Blackwell while 876 is gaining popularity. For the record, Dearly Stars is about the 876 idols being tutored by the 765 idols after the latter made it big as you see now. Direct material aside, Dearly Stars has actually got writing that surpasses even The iDOLM@STER 2, so in the hands of Nishigori, there is no telling how great it will be. Then there's Puchimasu, which by the way started off as something conceived by the fans, only to be, shall we say, appropriated and turned into an official 4koma series by Scamco. A very Jewish move to say the least, but I don't think the fans actually mind. With pre-existing drama CDs accompanying it, turning Puchimasu into a full-fledged OVA should be well within their means (Does anyone remember which episode it was that the Puchimasu keychains made a cameo?). Either way, Scamco has acknowledged that the possibility of more iDOLM@STER anime lies in director's hands. For the time being, we will have to just make do with the Yayoi x Iori BD special, before anything comes to fruition.

To help yourself bridge the gap between now and the release of episode 26, here's a quick checklist of iDOLM@STER-related material you can look into:

Iori Tier

Play the games (durr); Get a Playstation 3 and a copy of iDOLM@STER 2. There's the option of the XBOX360 with the original game, expansion set and sequel, but you will have to be awfully dedicated to buy that crappy console which will not be able to withstand a iDOLM@STER binge anyway.

Haruka Tier

If you have a PSP, The iDOLM@STER SP: Perfect Sun has been fully translated, so you can go right ahead and produce Haruka, Yayoi and Makoto. There is the option of emulating it on the PC, but from what I gathered, some of the features will not function properly if you do. Also, Dearly Stars itself if you only have a DS.

Yayoi Tier

For iDOLM@STER on the go, there is the Cinderella Girls social game which offers a pretty good experience for the financially-disadvantaged producer. Follow these instructions and you will also be able to access it from your browser. Along with Puchimasu, there are a number of official manga for your perusal:

  • Break: Haruka
  • Relations: Miki (and Chihaya)
  • Neue Green: Ryo
  • Innocent Blue: Eri
  • Splash Red: Ai
  • The World is All One: Haruka, Yukiho and Hibiki
  • Nemuri-hime: Chihaya

There are a bunch of other reading material as well, but the above are the only ones which I am aware of that on the internet and are translated(to some extent).

 

 

About Shin

120% Genki
Filed under: The Idolm@ster Leave a comment
Comments (37) Trackbacks (0)
  1. kevo UNITED STATES
    December 28th, 2011 - 12:43

    No more Idolmaster anime. It’s been a good six months. I know what direction I’m going to take my life now. I will study hard in school, become the CEO of a big company, buy Namco, and release infinite more Idolmaster media.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  2. bluemist UNITED STATES
    December 28th, 2011 - 13:20

    What is that Amagami spoof? Is that a real game?

    To quell my hunger for more IM@S, I’ll probably delve into a Chihaya Tier – listening to audio dramas and more songs.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
    • Shin MALAYSIA
      December 30th, 2011 - 11:17

      I wish it was real too, although the idea of friendzoning Haruka hurts, even if she’s not my favourite.

      Wonder how I missed Chihaya tier, when it is by far the most fundamental means of getting into the franchise :razz:

      Reply – Quote
      ( REPLY )
  3. Crisu 96.19.102.35
    December 28th, 2011 - 13:23

    Puchimasu keychains are in episode 14, around 8:24, during the montage where the idols are showing how popular they’ve become since their first live in ep13. Your Kotori-Broducer story is missing this http://twitpic.com/7zlove particular moment in the timeline that needs some explaining. ;P

    As you know, I caved into Iori Tier and got my iM@S 2 Special Box. I’m still in the middle of my second run, having taken a break for other things. But now that the anime is over, I’ll likely pick it up again to satisfy my cravings.

    I have to hang onto my money and avoid spending it all on those mags, though. :( So many nice covers and posters… I’m holding out for the 9th blu-ray volume since it will have Chihaya’s G4U! — and luckily with the finale episode as well. Maybe they’ll ramp up the graphics on the concert scene even further.

    I toyed with the idea of buying tickets for the 7th anniversary live in June, but airfare to Japan from the US is a ridiculous $2000 right now. I mean, it’s $1350 base fare, but there’s a $550 tax surcharge for some reason…? Extremly bizarre. Maybe if I had a friend I could stay with and not have to expense lodging, it would cushion the blow, but alas…

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
    • Shin MALAYSIA
      December 30th, 2011 - 11:16

      Kotori weeping tears of joy after Broducer proposed to her just as promised once he made the idols big? w

      That’s a long wait for Chihaya’s G4U, I don’t know how you can abstain from other im@s merchandise in the mean time w

      Funny that I too considered flying over to Yokohama for the concert. While the cost isn’t as exorbitant as yours, I don’t want to go alone, since my friend is adamant on going for C82 :oops:

      Reply – Quote
      ( REPLY )
  4. Mushyrulez 173.183.87.93
    December 28th, 2011 - 13:55

    So…

    …worth it, definitely worth it, or something that everybody in the world just must watch right this instant?

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
    • Shin MALAYSIA
      December 30th, 2011 - 11:12

      Worth a shot at least. Not many shows out there actually feature idols and their livelihoods. Then there are the awesome songs, but I guess that’s subject to personal taste. That said, if you like J-Pop, you’ll love this.

      Reply – Quote
      ( REPLY )
  5. Lectro Volpi MEXICO
    December 28th, 2011 - 15:55

    So… is this the end of your IM@S tweet pics and jokes? :cry:

    Sadly I watched this before the episode and could not be surprised, I mean, look at that choreography! :cool:

    I left the technical stuff at Randomc so no need for more of that here. Great show, wanted to give it a 9.

    I will wait for your Amagami post next year for sure so be consistent you faggot. :wink:

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  6. Yi TAIWAN
    December 28th, 2011 - 17:14

    I’ve decided to pick this up only just recently after seeing all the hype and good things floating around. I wonder if I’ll feel the same level of attachment…

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  7. Setsuna-san MALAYSIA
    December 28th, 2011 - 18:30

    Iori tier broducer reporting in. In fact higher than Iori tier since I got jewed into buying the damned sexbox360 as well. :roll: :roll:

    Can’t wait for the BD version of the concert episodes. Hope they ramped the animation up a notch.

    Also, what this guy said http://twitpic.com/7ugymh

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  8. yaku UNITED STATES
    December 29th, 2011 - 02:23

    If I were a middle aged salaryman with no tomodachis and no prospects for the future I’d empty my savings account on getting all Im@s I could get, that’s how much I’ve come to like Im@s :cry:

    From what I’ve seen from the games compared to the anime, I rather prefer the second one due to the excellence of the animation and art style (those round cute mouths hhhhnnnnngggg.jpg)

    I hope there’s a second season where the trap and Broducer have significant moments, if you know what I mean :wink:

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  9. kevo UNITED STATES
    December 29th, 2011 - 03:20

    Also, I appreciated the group appeal during the concert scene. That was mad hype.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  10. Someone AUSTRALIA
    December 29th, 2011 - 15:11

    Why do the worst characters always get the bonus episodes?

    And I need to get myself motivated to play the game. Must get the worst ending for stupid sexy Haruka.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  11. Kah AUSTRALIA
    December 29th, 2011 - 20:47

    Broducer was totally intent on taking his place by Kotori’s side for the last photo – before Miki ganked him!

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  12. nice UNITED STATES
    December 30th, 2011 - 06:46

    I’ve been always visiting this site after every episode of im@s, now what’s more to come? your reviews are always worthwhile reading and damn interesting unlike other reviews which are too serious considering that this type of anime should be taken while high.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  13. Koji Katsuragi JAPAN
    January 1st, 2012 - 19:59

    I like this show and you can really see they put a lot of heart and effort into it like they said they would. (From the pre-production interviews I read in Dengeki G’s.) The Im@s girls are a very memorable and are up there with the Tokimeki Memorial 1 and 2 cast and Sakura Taisen cast as far as memorable large casts of female characters go.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
    • Shin MALAYSIA
      January 4th, 2012 - 19:56

      Funny you mentioned Sakura Taisen since that was something Xenoglossia could have been, if they had just retained the personalities of each individual girl. Music and mecha have proven that they be mixed, so I don’t know where they went wrong.

      Reply – Quote
      ( REPLY )
  14. Taka 50.105.11.187
    January 2nd, 2012 - 12:46

    You forgot the Im@s porn. How could you.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
  15. Kinny Riddle 180.0.50.144
    January 22nd, 2012 - 01:28

    I haven’t been visiting this blog lately as my computer broke and had to spend time getting it fixed, but I come back and it’s pretty much dead.

    At first I thought you weren’t serious as I remember you once going crazy about Amagami. Well, the second season for that show has started but I find it strange that there’s completely no activity here.

    So you’re actually serious in killing yourself now that iM@S is over? :roll:

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )
    • Shin MALAYSIA
      January 23rd, 2012 - 12:49

      Well, just like Miura, I’m taking a ‘short’ break from blogging to concentrate full time on iDOLM@STER. I’d probably post something sometime soon, but chances of me doing any proper postings this season is unlikely :oops:

      Reply – Quote
      ( REPLY )
  16. Akira UNITED STATES
    February 8th, 2012 - 08:09

    Kotori’s gonna get NTRd, miki’s too carnivorous.

    Reply – Quote
    ( REPLY )

Leave a comment


:!: :?: :mrgreen: :thx: :kiss: :swt: :neutral: :twisted: :arrow: :shock: :???: :cool: :evil: :idea: :oops: :razz: :wink: :cry: :lol: :mad: :roll: :smile: :grin: :eek: :sad:

Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree

No trackbacks yet.

» «

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

  • Crisu: *piccolo solo* pluspamtofillupspace
  • westrim: That is, the song it’s set to, not the images. I have since learned it’s the OP for Spongebob.
  • bluemist: I don’t watch this show, but this is so wrong.
  • Kah: I’m so glad i came back to see this! xD
  • Skribulous: This is why I still stalk you.

Blogroll

Resources

Categories

Blog Hits

  • 1340
» wp.com stats helper

Follow Me!