Line #14 YMMV/Aikatsu


1	!!YMMV pages for specific shows:
2	* ''YMMV/AikatsuStars''
3	* ''YMMV/AikatsuFriends''
4
5	!! For the franchise
6	* AdaptationDisplacement: Some Western fans aren't aware that the anime series is an adaptation of the arcade games, which are exclusive to the Japanese market.
7	* AmericansHateTingle: The reactions for ''Series/AikatsuPlanet'' varies between Japan and the West. While Japanese fans are more or less forgiving toward the installment and its adaptation and find them to be at least [[SoOkayItsAverage mediocre]], the reactions of Western fans, on the other hand, are more negative, mainly because of the adaptation’s {{Tokusatsu}}[=/=]Anime hybrid format, as well as other issues like the weaker writing and characterizations and unappealing visuals compared to previous entries.
8	* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: With so many songs to choose from, there's a lot to love in the series.
9	* CultClassic: Despite not being as hugely popular and successful as Creator/BandaiNamco’s other [[Franchise/TheIdolmaster idol]] [[Franchise/LoveLive franchises]], Aikatsu still has gained a decent and dedicated fanbase over the years.
10	* FandomRivalry:
11	** The fandom is split between liking or loathing ''VideoGame/PrettyRhythm''. ''VideoGame/PriPara'', a rebranding, has become more well-accepted.
12	** Something similar to the case of ''Pretty Rhythm'' occurs with ''Toys/{{Jewelpet}}''.
13	* FanNickname:
14	** [[FunetikAksent "Eyecuts"]], for the series itself. Though mainly used among Western fans, the use has spread to Japanese fans as well.
15	** Older men who play arcade game is commonly called "Aikatsu-ojisan" (Aikatsu uncles).
16	* FanonDiscontinuity: Some fans treat ''the entire franchise'' after seasons one and, to an extent, two of the original series as if didn't exist.
17	* FirstInstallmentWins: With pretty much everything starting with season 3 having more divisive receptions, the first two seasons of the original ''Aikatsu!'' (especially the first one), also known as "Ichigo Generation", are seen as the best of the anime franchise. Having the best sales of the entire franchise by a long shot also helps with this notion.
18	* MemeticMutation: "Eyecuts" is a meme due to the cast repeatedly saying the {{Catchphrase}} way too fast.
19	* PeripheryDemographic: The arcade game has a fanbase of adults, notably older women, who play alongside their daughters, or are attracted to its clothing designs.
20	* SoOkayItsAverage: There is a handful of fans who see the whole franchise as this. while it has some positive points despite being MerchandiseDriven, such as the colorful character designs and outfits, surprisingly good production value, catchy songs, and the overall feel-good vibe, it suffers from a number of problems that become more apparent as the franchise goes on, like the inconsistent writing and pacing, [[ClicheStorm typical stories]] that focus more on each show's protagonist and their personal triumphs, and characters who, while mostly likable, are seen as either [[VanillaProtagonist simplistic]] or [[FlatCharacter one-note and underdeveloped]]. Not to mention the franchise's tendency of [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot ignoring several of its storylines]] [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter and characters]], a problem even the fans will admit that [[FranchiseOriginalSin keeps getting worse in each show]].
21	* SurpriseDifficulty: Prospective players who watched the anime first beware: while the game itself is easier than most arcade rhythm games, the game itself is ''not'' a cakewalk. Strict timing judgments and quick time events will make careless players fail.
22	* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: It’s safe to say that a lot of fans, especially in the West, disliked changes that were made by ''Aikatsu Planet'', from the live-action/anime format, the artstyle, to the Aikatsu system. and the fact that ''Planet'' is [[FranchiseKiller the final installment in the franchise]] doesn't help.
23	* ToughActToFollow: The first season of the original show is widely regarded as the best season of the series in terms of writing, character development, and world-building in spite of the less-than-stellar animation. Some of the franchise's most iconic songs, namely "Diamond Happy!" and "Calendar Girl", also come from this season. The following seasons and [[Anime/AikatsuStars its]] [[Anime/AikatsuFriends succe]][[Series/AikatsuPlanet ssors]] are generally considered to be significantly weaker in the aforementioned categories despite the improved animation.
24	%%* ValuesDissonance
25
26	!! For the original series
27	* AmericansHateTingle: Mizuki is hugely popular in Japan. In America, she's one of the least beloved characters in the fandom, partially because she is seen as kind of bland and for [[spoiler: her departure to Dream Academy for rather poorly written reasons]].
28	* BaseBreakingCharacter:
29	** The Dream Academy girls are well accepted among the casual crowd, but in serious circles, they are hated, The fact that two of them use already established brands instead of new ones is also a point of contention.
30	*** Sora and Maria. While they ''do'' have their fans, there are some who disliked them for being boring and one-dimensional characters.
31	** Otome's whole schtick is seen as either cute or just annoying.
32	%%** Akari, after [[ReplacementScrappy replacing Ichigo as the Main Character in seasons 3 and 4]].
33	* BrokenBase: Fans are divided with the second season. Some welcome the rival school Dream Academy, its characters who are new, and the competition between the two academies. Others believe that S2 would be better off ''without'' them since they do not give room for the less established fan-favorites from the previous season (Shion, Hikari, Sakura, among others). The fact that [[spoiler: Mizuki transferred to Dream Academy]] gives her haters another reason to loathe her.
34	%%** Heck, ''the entire soundtrack'' can count for this. Including the background music even!
35	* EnsembleDarkhorse:
36	** Judging by the amount of fan art she gets, Yurika seems to be very popular with the fans.
37	** Mikuru, if [[http://aikatsu.com/ranking/vote01.html this official poll]] is to believed.
38	** Raichi and Noelle have been received well by the fanbase, mainly for being surprisingly well-handled by keeping their appearances limited, which keeps them from being [[AnnoyingYoungerSibling completely annoying]] and allows for some very good interactions with the main cast. The latter even [[spoiler: becomes an idol, though to the disappointment of the fans [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot it goes]] [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter to waste]].]]
39	** On forums, there's a lot of good to be said about Johnny Bepp-sensei for his bombastic reactions and his genuinely caring attitude toward his students.
40	** Yuu Hattori had a very limited screentime throughout the series, which was vastly surpassed by the number of fanarts she got.
41	** Sunao Yoshikawa, Ran's former singing voice, still has fans to this day that want her back thanks to her unique mix of cute and mature voices that fit well with the character. The fact that the franchise declined pretty badly shortly after her graduation has made her lack of presence sting all the more.
42	%%** Kaede is also surprisingly popular.
43	%%** Shion, to the point where some wish she had her own brand.
44	* FranchiseOriginalSin: The first 3 episodes of the second season are criticized for reusing the same insert song, which is a rock remix of the second insert song of the first season. This also happens in the first season, albeit that it was the first two songs that get recycled for 3 episodes as well. Thankfully, the third season avoids this.
45	* SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments: The opening to season three's second half shows everyone, the girls and the teachers, celebrating Orihime's birthday and making her happy, cake and all. D'awwwwww.
46	* HilariousInHindsight:
47	** During the New Year's episode, one of the judges was a scary-looking bear as far as this series will go hailing from a horror show. [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys That premise sure sounds familiar...]]
48	** In this series, Soleil consists of three very talented performers who can sing very well. Come ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'', a female mercenary named Soleil is introduced and it's revealed that ''[[DreadfulMusician she can't sing to save her life]]''.
49	** Episode 42, Johnny dresses up as a pirate. Remember the guy is based on [[Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean Johnny Depp]].
50	** In episode 159, the CoolStarship of Starlight Academy is vaguelt turtle shaped, and a plot point involves finding a spy amongst the students. [[VideoGame/AmongUs Sounds familiar?]]
51	* ItsTheSameNowItSucks: How some fans reacted to the Sangria Rosa brand. It's supposed to be a flamenco/Spanish-culture-inspired brand, but it comes off more as the [[SomethingAboutARose rose version]] of Spicy Ageha, which focused more on butterflies but had plenty of coords with roses on their designs (including one Premium Rare, which was Ran's first in the anime).
52	%%* LauncherOfAThousandShips: Ran and Ichigo.
53	%%* LGBTFanbase: A good portion of the female fanbase is lesbian/bi.
54	* LesYay:
55	** Fairly mild but becomes blatant when Yurika is around and when she and Ran (and later Kaede) are together.
56	** Mizuki and Mikuru, especially in one of their early episodes.
57	---> '''Mikuru''': By the way, if we're newlyweds, then which one of us is the wife?
58	** Episode 132 is ''officially'' about Juri and [[spoiler:Hinaki]] forming a unit together. But you don't need to be wearing high-grade ShippingGoggles to see it as this.
59	* MemeticMutation:
60	** The axe scene from the Christmas special is this for many fans. It's not exactly uncommon to find a fanart of Ichigo wielding it for any number of crazy reasons.
61	** [[http://jin115.com/archives/52123496.html "Kiyohara, this is absolutely unforgivable!"]] [[labelnote: Explanation]] During the original airing of episode 176 had a news telop appear about Kazuhiro Kiyohara being released from jail appear during the scene in which [[spoiler: Sumire fails her special appeal]]. Many fans who watched the original airing jokingly blamed her failing on Kiyohara, and even the show's director got in on making fun of it.[[/labelnote]]
62	* MemeticPsychopath: Poor Sumire, Despite being quiet and well-mannered in canon, there are plenty of fanworks that portray her as a [[StalkerWithACrush psychotic]] {{Yandere}} who acts violently towards anyone who gets closer or even simply talks to Akari, particularly Sena.
63	* {{Moe}}: Most of female characters are quite adorable, such as [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold Ichigo]], [[{{Tsundere}} Ran]], [[GenkiGirl Otome]], and later [[PluckyGirl Akari]], [[RoseHairedSweetie Madoka]], and [[SociallyAwkwardHero Rin]] to name a few.
64	* NightmareFuel: Ichigo blanking out during her first major performance with Mizuki. The music suddenly [[MusicalisInterruptus cutting off]] and her [[DullEyesOfUnhappiness blank expression]] is quite unnerving.
65	* OneTrueThreesome: There are a few units that fall into this trope, but Ichigo/Aoi/Ran (also known by their unit name, Soleil) is the most notable example in this show, and arguably the entire franchise.
66	* RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap: Mizuki managed to win some respect from her critics after they watched her background story near the end of season one. She even got more love in season two when she returned with a new partner and an agenda of her own.
67	* RootingForTheEmpire: Non-villain example. Many fans wanted WM (Mizuki and Mikuru) to win the Twinkle Cup instead of 2wingS (Ichigo and Seira). [[spoiler:The former group lost.]]
68	* {{Shipping}}:
69	** While Ichigo[=/=]Aoi is no surprise, Ran[=/=]Yurika is the more obvious and popular. In Season 2 however, fans jumped ship to Kaede[=/=]Yurika after their episode together.
70	** [[ToyShip Raichi[=/=]Noelle]] is surprisingly popular.
71	** Japanese fans take a liking to ship Akari with Sena Tsubasa due to the ShipTease going on with them in seasons 3 and 4.
72	** Likewise, Ichigo[=/=]Naoto remains a pretty popular pairing among fans since season 1.
73	* SpecialEffectFailure: One thing fans can't deny is that the CG models of the first season's concerts, especially in the earlier episodes, look... [[UnintentionalUncannyValley quite off]], to say the least. Thankfully they have improved significantly in the following seasons.
74	* TheProblemWithLicensedGames: Minor example: the first 3DS game, ''Cinderella Lesson'', adapts the anime's setting very well, but the rhythm game part plays like ''VideoGame/TaikoNoTatsujin''. This was fixed in the games following it, starting with the second 3DS game, ''Futari No Princess''.
75	* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter:
76	** One common criticism of the anime (and the franchise as a whole). Some fan-favorites do not get a fair amount of screentime; such as Hikari, who is supposed to be TheRival for Ran but only shows up in a few episodes; and Shion, who is Aoi's partner in their detective show, remains in the supporting role, although she has a couple of episodes dedicated to her.
77	** Akari's roommate from season 2, Yuu Hattori, never really stood a chance. She had some appearances in Season 2 but gets sidelined at the very beginning of Season 3, thanks to a terribly convenient roof leak. Her cool-idol type essentially got given to Sumire while her short blonde hair got passed to Hinaki.
78	** Season 2 also introduced Agent S, a scandal-hunting photographer who is considered TheDreaded among idols. Of his very few appearances, the biggest thing that happened was that he was forced to hold the IdiotBall after catching some massive scandal, was thwarted and bolted. He hasn't been heard from since.
79	** Tsubaki Saionji, ''full stop.'' When the anime episode featuring her was aired, many of the fans were hoping for the development of FriendlyRivalry between her and Akari which was established then. Tough luck, she didn't reappear until the third movie... with her name ''not even appearing onscreen'', unlike nearly ''everyone else's.''
80	** Noeru/Noelle Otoshiro to some extent. When it was revealed in Episode 172 that she was accepted to Dream Academy, there were lots of fans hoping for her performance. But then, there were none.
81	*** She would eventually be the main protagonist of the ''[[Anime/AikatsuFriends Aikatsu on Parade!]]'' 9-minute mini-webseries years later, and regardless [[BrokenBase the opinions]] on the said mini-webseries (or the entirety of ''On Parade''), at least that's something.
82	** Asami Himuro and Michelle Tachibana, forming the unit [=SpLasH!=], both have immediately gathered fans after their debut. The producers didn't care at all, though...
83	** ''All'' the tour characters (except Nina), ''some of them not even making it to the anime.'' Seems justified regarding how the final season was short compared to the previous ones, in order to switch to the spinoff series.
84	** Two background idols from the first season, Yuna Nakayama and Michiru Kurosawa are an interesting case. Yuna [[ADayInTheLimelight managed to get an episode dedicated to her]], while Michiru has been [[HeroOfAnotherStory shown to be a fairly successful idol in later seasons]], and both surprisingly got a fairly significant amount of voiced lines. The latter also has the interesting distinction of sharing the same eye color and surname with the Akari-generation character Rin. However, the kanji for both of them are spelled slightly differently. Nothing ever comes up from these points and both of them fell to the wayside.
85	* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot:
86	** The Summer Tour of STAR☆ANIS, where the eight main characters of the first season travel the country together as a group, lasts...barely two episodes. All the events except the start and the end happen off-screen. What a way to disappoint fans, huh? Especially considering they did an episode and a half of the build-up.
87	** Before she debuted, [[https://tinyurl.com/yadltrcn Juri had a poster released]] that featured her with Raichi and Noel, possibly hinting at some sort of friendship ([[ShipTease or possibly more]]) between Juri and Raichi at least. The two would ultimately never interact in the series proper however.

Context YMMV / Aikatsu