History Main / TheIdolMaster

''The Idolmaster'' is a multimedia franchise published by Creator/NamcoBandai. You may be interested in the following pages:

If an internal link led you here, feel free to change it to point to the specific article.

* For the first anime, see ''IdolmasterXenoglossia''.

''The Idolmaster'' may designate the following on this Wiki:

* For the original video game and history of the franchise, see ''VideoGame/TheIdolmaster''.

* For the original video game and history of the franchise, see VideoGame/TheIdolmaster.
* For the first anime, see IdolmasterXenoglossia.
* For the second anime and the {{OVA}}, see Anime/TheIdolmaster.

* For the second anime and the OVA, see Anime/TheIdolmaster.

* For the second anime, see Anime/TheIdolmaster.

[[redirect:VideoGame/TheIdolmaster]]

[[quoteright:310:[[YeahShot http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/idolmaster_girls.jpg]]]]

Imagine you can have control of an up-and-coming {{Idol Singer}}. You have to guide them to stardom by deciding what outfits they wear and what songs they sing, and by catering to their... [[{{Moe}} other needs]].

If that sounds like something you'll love, then ''THE iDOLM@STER'' is the game for you. It's a simulation game where you play as an agent for the "765 Production" studio, and you have nine (technically ten in the arcade version, technically eleven in the Xbox version) girls to choose as the company's next big singer.

Incorporating [[MinigameGame rhythm game elements]], DatingSim elements, [[{{Mons}} competitive battling elements]] and fanservice and {{Moe}}, this game from Namco was a big hit in the arcades of Japan. It was even a hit on the Xbox 360, selling for months after going on sale and moving loads of downloadable content. This was enough to get a sequel, ''Live For You''--the same game with new songs, new outfits, and the "management" aspect removed--which is also selling well. A DS version was released in October 2009. Another sequel came out called [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKr8rSGt4sk Idolmaster 2]], featuring updated graphics, new outfits, new hairstyles for some of the girls, and brand new songs. [[NoExportForYou Sadly, these are all in Japan.]]

An anime, ''IdolmasterXenoglossia''- from the makers of ''MaiOtome''- was released in 2007. Rather than being a straight [[TheAnimeOfTheGame Anime Of The Game]], it was instead an {{Elseworld}} RealRobot show that cast the main characters as pilots (or "Masters") of {{Giant Robot}}s called [=IDOLs=] (making them [[IncrediblyLamePun IDOL-Masters]]).

An [[TheAnimeOfTheGame Anime Of The Game]] {{OAV}} which was more closer to the games was released with the ''Live For You'' game.

And now, there's a very faithful [[TheAnimeOfTheGame anime TV series]] in the works. Let's just say [[AndTheFandomRejoiced fans were very "excited"]].

These games are on arcades, the {{Xbox 360}}, {{DS}}, {{PSP}}, and soon, {{PS3}}.

It also has a [[Characters/TheIdolmaster character sheet]], a dedicated fansite called [[http://www.project-imas.com/ Project-iMAS]] which includes [[TheWikiRule a wiki too]]. [[http://www.project-imas.com/w/Main_Page Click here for the wiki]]!

As of 7/20, Idolm@ster 2 has been [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFauvfeYpXw announced]] for a port to the PS3. Cue AndTheFandomRejoiced for many Western and non-Xbox owning Japanese fans.
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!!This game provides examples of:
* ActorAllusion - [[RieKugimiya Iori]] cried out [[ShakuganNoShana "Urusai urusai urusai!"]] at least once.
* AlternateRealityGame - Touched on this in the arcade version: if you enter your cellphone number into your account, your idol will periodically send you text messages.
** Averted in the 360 game where your idol sends you texts to an in-game cellphone.
* AndYourRewardIsClothes - Although that is largely the point with this game.
* {{Beat}} - From the new version of Danketsu:
--> TAKANE: My name is Takane Shijou. [Beat] [Beat] [Beat] I'm afraid everything else is a secret.
* BewareTheNiceOnes - Sweet, dorky Haruka's image song carries strong dominatrix overtones. Also, have a listen to [[ShrinkingViolet Yukiho]]'s version of Overmaster!
** Hell, in the anime, sweet, dorky Haruka is the one landed the BigBad role in the faux-movie trailer. [[ChewingTheScenery She's apparently having a hell of a time]] [[MeanCharacterNiceActor playing it]].
** In addition, Yayoi and Ryo's speech dialects become very violent when angered.
* BlondeBrunetteRedhead - While very possible to do by yourself(at least in the arcade and 360 versions), it's also probably one of the reasons why 961 has the three idols it has- infact, it's an odd case where the "redhead" of the trio is actually blonde, considering Takane's [[WhiteHairedPrettyGirl silver locks]]. [[spoiler: Unless, of course, you count Miki's hairstyle from after she stops dying it, which is probably closer to being red....]]
** Project Jupiter is a straighter example, albiet the "redhead" has green hair here.
* BlushSticker
* BreakingTheFourthWall - [[LoadingScreen Loaaad]][[GratuitousEnglish ingu]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQr_K-xrYg&feature=feedlik Loadingu!]]
* BribingYourWayToVictory - The downloadable content.
* ButtMonkey - Ryo's motivation for becoming an idol in the first place is to shed his girlyboy image and become more popular with the ladies. Naturally, [[DraggedIntoDrag his producer chooses to parade him onstage in a pink dress.]]
* CatGirl
* ClarkKenting - Ryo's "disguise" consists of boob pads, make-up, and the removal of his glasses.
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience - All of the idols have associated colors, as can be seen [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clvOYaTjhVg here.]]
* {{Cosplay}} - Containing many a ShoutOut.
* CostumePorn
* DownloadableContent
* DroppedABridgetOnHim - Ryo does this to the entire nation of Japan at the end of his story mode.
* ElegantGothicLolita: A few of the costumes.
* EndlessGame - It's impossible to "win" in the arcade game, per se... the goal is to keep your idol's career alive for as long as possible. In the XBox version, you "win" if you last a year.
* EverythingsBetterWithSparkles
* EvilForeigner: The UnfortunateImplications of Project Fairy from the PSP game: Takane is from Europe or the moon, Hibiki is from Okinawa, and Miki is [[PhenotypeStereotype blonde]].
* ExpositoryHairstyleChange - For some of the idols in The iDOLM@STER 2, in particular Mami (who can now be differentiated from her sister Ami) and Makoto.
* TheFaceless - The PlayerCharacter. Also, Mr. Takagi.
* FanService
* FoeYay - Yukiho ''really'' admires Takane. References to how good she smells are made.
* FollowTheLeader - The introduction of the Jupiter trio is probably thanks to Ryo's popularity boom. Apparently, however, the male part of the fanbase is less pleased with male characters who aren't moeblob traps...
* FreudianSlip - From the new version of Danketsu:
--> YUKIHO: I'm Hagiwara Yukiho, 17 years old. [[CharacterDevelopment I'm REALLY fond of boys.]] Ah, wait, I meant to say tea!
* FurBikini - A costume or two.
* GirlishPigtails
* GoingThroughTheMotions
* GratuitousEnglish - Quite a few of the songs. Geetah Solo, come on!
--> TAKANE: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZHrvy4fu1Q#t=37s Haro, mai neemu izu Takane. Hau oorudo aa yuu?]]
* HelloInsertNameHere - Your character is always referred to as "Mr. Producer."
* HeyItsThatVoice - Aside of RieKugimiya as Iori, the names of the idols might sound a little unknown for you, but if you dig hard enough, you'll find some voice actresses from ''BlazBlue'' ([[AsamiImai Chihaya]] is Tsubaki, [[ChiakiTakahashi Azusa]] is Litchi) and ''ArcanaHeart'' (Yayoi is Lilica, [[HiromiHirata Makoto]] is Kamui, Kotori is Mei-Fang)
* HopelessBossFight - [[spoiler:Your first stage 'boss fight' with Project Jupiter.]]
* ImageSong - Each girl has at least one song just for her.
* ImportantHaircut - During one path of her character storyline, [[spoiler:Miki cuts her hair and stops dying it blonde]].
* IntercourseWithYou - Agent Yoru Wo Iku
** Honey Heartbeat may indeed count as this as well. Assuming it is indeed about having sex in the back of a car.
* JigglePhysics - Takane and Azusa bounce quite a lot in the promo videos for 2. Somewhat frustratingly, the girls' hair is still animated far less realistically.
** [[ACupAngst Chihaya]], the flattest girl in the series, also bounces around now. Fans are a [[YourMilageMayVary bit torn]] about this.
* {{Joshikousei}}
* {{Kawaiiko}} - Iori
* LesYay - Usually involving {{Bifauxnen}} Makoto, or Miki.
* {{Level Up At Intimacy 5}} - Idols can draw on pleasant memories to boost their performance during the Audition stage.
* LuckyCharmsTitle
* MinigameGame
* {{Nakama}} - Unity is the theme of THE iDOLM@STER 2.
* NoExportForYou
* NoIndoorVoice - Ai Hidaka.
* NotAllowedToGrowUp - Played straight until THE iDOLM@STER 2, in which everyone is one year older.
* TheOtherDarrin - Many characters were recast for ''Xenoglossia''.
** Also, Yukiho was recast for iM@S 2.
* {{Pettanko}} - 72! 72!　Also, if you [[http://www.google.com/search?hl=ja&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&num=50&q=%E8%83%B8%E5%9B%B2 Google]] for Japanese pages using the search term "" (bustline)...
* PimpedOutDress - All the costumes would count.
* PigeonholedVoiceActor - RieKugimiya as [[{{Tsundere}} Iori]].
* PowerTrio - A major selling point of the game is the ability to mix and match any combination of three idols and decide who sings what lines, customizing the track to your liking.
** [[BlondeBrunetteRedhead Haruka, Miki, and Chihaya]] are frequently put together in non-canonical works, such as drama [=CDs=] and the OVA.
** Miki, Takane, and Hibiki, each specializing in a certain stat.
* PrettyInMink - A few of the outfits have fur trim.
* PunnyName - President Kuroi of 961 Production ("961" can be read as ''ku-ro-i'').
** The 765 in 765 Studios is pronounced "na-mu-ko", from "nana" (7), "mu" (6, for counters), and "go" (5, which "go" and "ko" are the same character, mostly). If you still don't get it, this is how Namco is pronounced in Japan. This reference can also be found in other works by Namco, the RidgeRacer and AceCombat series being good examples.
** Also, for the DS game's 876 Production is read as "ban-na-mu", "ban" (8), and the "na-mu" part is the same as above. "Bannamu" is a portmanteau of "Bandai Namco", and is indeed a common short form for it.
* RelationshipValues
* RuleOfCute - [[FridgeLogic How can the girls]] [[BlushSticker blush on cue]] during the stage proformences? [[{{Moe}} Who cares!]]
* ScoringPoints - The number of fans your idol has.
* SexySantaDress - In ''Live For You''.
* SoundEffectsBleep - From the new version of Danketsu:
--> AMI: I'm a little sister character! So my popularity with [[{{Lolicon}} lo]][[PacMan *wakawaka*]] [[LampshadeHanging is]] [[TokenLoli guaranteed]]!
* StacysMom - Ai becomes a victim of this. Her mother, an ex-idol herself, becomes nostalgic for the glory days when Ai makes it big and decides to make a comeback. Ai is shortly overshadowed in the public eye by her still incredibly hot mom.
* TrainingFromHell - The iDOLM@STER 2 will have something like this. According to a magazine: "Under some situation, if the idols have extremely low energy, or lost the audition multiple times, they will have to join 765Pro's traditional "Hell Training". Because of the training contents are confidential, therefore it has not been shown to the public, but one thing for sure, the idols' strength rapidly rises."
* TheCameo - According to this [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt95eP0oVZ4 trailer]], [[spoiler: [[{{Vocaloid}} Hatsune Miku]]]] will appear in iDOLM@STER 2. In addition, [[spoiler: her clothes]] are among the [[AndYourRewardIsClothes items]] the original idols can wear.
* UnlimitedWardrobe
* VideoGameCaringPotential
* VirtualPaperDoll
* WhiteHairedPrettyGirl - Either the moon's bleached Takane's hair, or she's rich enough to pay for silver-tipped hair. Or she just dyes it.
** In ''2'', Ritsuko implies that it's Takane's natural hair color at one point.
* WholesomeCrossdresser - Ryo
* WhoWritesThisCrap - from the new version of Danketsu:
--> RITSUKO: Eh? You want me to be an idol? I guess... if I could just be your very own idol, then... Wait, why do I have to say such embarassing lines?!
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair
* YouLoseAtZeroTrust
* ZettaiRyouiki: A few of the costumes.
----
!!The anime provides examples of:
* AscendedMeme - In the seventh episode, a Nonowa doll can be seen on the floor next to Yayoi's little sister's leg.
** As of episode 15, [[SuperRobotGenre Robo-Chihaya]] (guest starring [[EvilTwin Black Haruka]]) is now a reality. Or at least [[ShowWithinAShow a movie]].
* AnAesop - The second episode teaches Ami, Mami, Yayoi, and Iori about individuality.
** The seventh deals with running away, although it's not any of the idols who runs away[[hottip:*:And even then, the one who did run away was just hiding.]]
* ArtShift - Whenever Kotori gets into an ImagineSpot, this happens. Thus far, the art sometimes shifted into Shojo style, or JoJosBizarreAdventure style.
* BeachEpisode
* TheCameo - Touma makes a brief appearance in episode 2.
** 876Pro's Ai, Eri, and Ryou show up for The Big Talent Agency Sports Competition in episode 10. Jupiter makes an appereance as well.
* CharacterFocus - With episodes around the [[FanNickname Loli Trio]] (Ami/Mami, Yayoi, Iori), Yukiho, and Chihaya.
* CookingDuel: An ''IronChef''-esque version in episode four.
* CryCute - Yayoi
* EndingTheme - Subverted. Each episode has a different song, one already from the series.
* EpicFail - Episode 15, Makoto tried to wear a cute MagicalGirl-style dress and 'cutefy' herself (call herself 'Mako-rin' and make up cute sounds). The audience is not amused. (At least until Yukiho fixes her to a more boyish outfit and the audience instead {{Squee}}s like crazy)
* {{FoeYay}}/{{LesYay}} - In episode 10, one of the idols of a rival team gains an instant crush on Makoto. And she wants to go out with her. And she doesn't care Makoto is a girl.
* GirlsAreReallyScaredOfHorrorMovies - Yukiho naturally, and, unusually, Makoto, get freaked out by Iori's scary stories.
* InTheNameOfTheMoon: Parodied by Ami and Mami in episode 9.
* MaleGaze: The cameraman on ''Ribbit Ribbit Kitchen'' certainly knows where he's aiming.
* {{Mockumentary}} - The premise of episode 1 [[spoiler: and the Producer's introduction.]]
* OncePerEpisode: The frontal shot of the 765 Pro office building.
** Except for the 13th episode, when they're[[spoiler: doing their first large-scale concert]] and were nowhere near their office.
* ShoutOut: There's probably some staff from ''SoraNoWoto'' working on the series, given Sister Yumina's appearance as a minor background character (the photographer's assistant) in Episode two.
** In episode 6, Miki is wearing a Mr. Driller T-shirt in one scene.
** The Oil Baron's henchmen who fought in the epic kung-fu fight with Makoto atop the ladder in episode 8 looks very much like one of the Bakusa brothers from TengenToppaGurrenLagann.
** In episode 10, a possible reference to {{Music/Perfume}} is made with the "three member technopop unit Barium." One of the members is even named Necchi.
** There is a Taiko no Tatsujin arcade booth in episode 12, and also a logo of Mr. Driller is been seen.
* ShowWithinAShow - "Ribbit Ribbit Kitchen" from episode 4 is a frog-themed cooking show on Frog TV. Episode 15's "Are We Live?" is a variety show hosted by all of 765's idols.
* StealthPun: In episode 5, there's a scene where Azusa and The Producer are drinking, while Ritsuko is there too but doesn't drink. As The Producer and Ritsuko converse, one can hear the tipsy Azusa going "Neko neko nyan nyan~ Neko nyan nyan~" in the background.[[spoiler: Doesn't that make her [[KOn Azu]][[DontExplainTheJoke nyan?]]]]
* TenMinuteRetirement: Miki stops showing up when she finds out she's not going to get into Ryuuguu Komachi. The Producer does make sure to get her back, though.
----

** As of episode 14, [[SuperRobotGenre Robo-Chihaya]] (guest starring [[EvilTwin Black Haruka]]) is now a reality. Or at least [[ShowWithinAShow a movie]].

* ShowWithinAShow - "Ribbit Ribbit Kitchen" from episode 4 is a frog-themed cooking show on Frog TV. Episode 14's "Are We Live?" is a variety show hosted by all of 765's idols.

* ShowWithinAShow - "Ribbit Ribbit Kitchen" from episode 4 is a frog-themed cooking show on Frog TV.

* PortmanteauSeriesNickname - iM@S

* FoeYay/LesYay - In episode 10, one of the idols of a rival team gains an instant crush on Makoto. And she wants to go out with her. And she doesn't care Makoto is a girl.

As of 7/20, Idolm@ster 2 has bee [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFauvfeYpXw announced]] for a port to the PS3. Cue AndTheFandomRejoiced for many Western and non-Xbox owning Japanese fans.

** In episode 6, Miki is wearing a MrDriller T-shirt in one scene.

** One of the Oil Baron's henchmen from episode 8 looks very much like the Bakusa brothers from TengenToppaGurrenLagann.

** 876Pro's Ai, Eri, and Ryou show up for The Big Talent Agency Sports Competition in episode 10.

* NoExportForYou - [[TheKhan NAAAMCOOOOO!]] %%is this an example of the camera trick? If it is, please update the link to avoid the redirect. If not, please remove the link entirely. Thanks!

* FetishFuel

* {{Moe}} - The foundation on which the game is built.

* {{Pettanko}} - 72! 72!　Also, if you [[http://www.google.com/search?hl=ja&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&num=50&q=%E8%83%B8%E5%9B%B2 Google]] for Japanese pages using the search term "胸囲" (bustline)...

* Cry Cute - Yayoi

** In episode 6 Miki is wearing a MrDriller T-shirt in one scene.