Love Live! School Idol Project

Otonokizaka High School is in a crisis! With the number of enrolling students dropping lower and lower every year, the school is set to shut down after its current first years graduate. However, second year Honoka Kousaka refuses to let it go without a fight. Searching for a solution, she comes across popular school idol group A-RISE and sets out to create a school idol group of her own. With the help of her childhood friends Umi Sonoda and Kotori Minami, Honoka forms μ's (pronounced "muse") to boost awareness and popularity of her school.

Unfortunately, it's all easier said than done. Student council president Eri Ayase vehemently opposes the establishment of a school idol group and will do anything in her power to prevent its creation. Moreover, Honoka and her friends have trouble attracting any additional members. But the Love Live, a competition to determine the best and most beloved school idol groups in Japan, can help them gain the attention they desperately need. With the contest fast approaching, Honoka must act quickly and diligently to try and bring together a school idol group and win the Love Live in order to save Otonokizaka High School.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Nishikino, Maki Main

Pile Japanese

Yazawa, Niko Main

Tokui, Sora Japanese

Toujou, Nozomi Main

Kusuda, Aina Japanese

Minami, Kotori Main

Uchida, Aya Japanese

Sonoda, Umi Main

Mimori, Suzuko Japanese

Kousaka, Honoka Main

Nitta, Emi Japanese

Hoshizora, Rin Main

Iida, Riho Japanese

Ayase, Eri Main

Nanjou, Yoshino Japanese

Koizumi, Hanayo Main

Kubo, Yurika Japanese

Kira, Tsubasa Supporting

Sakuragawa, Megu Japanese

Saitou, Shigeru Producer

Hirayama, Tadashi Producer

Makimoto, Yuki Producer

Kyougoku, Takahiko Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Jun 12, 2024

lycoping

Recommended

This anime is more than the sum of its parts. Each individual part of this anime is silly, trite, unrealistic, a waste of time... all those things and more besides. But put them all together and you get an enjoyable story that is all about following your dreams, and, not to bury the lede, I really enjoyed it.

This anime follows Honoka and her friends as they start a "school idol group" to bring some much needed students to their school, which is about to close if nothing's done. They surpass many obstacles and disappointments on their way to fame, glory, and most ... importantly to them, keeping the school they love open.

The core treatise of this anime is to follow your dreams, no matter where they might lead, and no matter what stands in your way. The characters are likable and have realistic motivations, and are also cute and well drawn. The art is great, and although a lot of people were upset about the CGI, it didn't bother me at all - having done my own CGI projects I understand that sometimes it's the best way to do what is needed, and it is fluid and well done. The music, while not a work of art, is fine and gets the job done. The story is excellent. Basically, if you take this anime for what it is, there's nothing at all wrong with it, and it's even enjoyable.

It's not perfect, though. For me, the biggest issue with this anime was how unrealistic it is. The whole premise is based on the idea of "school idols", idol groups that are formed as school clubs and get together in regional and national competitions. The members of school idol clubs must make their own music, their own costumes, their own choreography, and their own *amazingly complex* stages. And this is the aspect of this anime that managed to destroy my suspension of disbelief multiple times. You mean to tell me that a bunch of high school girls managed to create a stage so complicated that it would have taken skilled craftsmen with experience in the field *months* to design and create? No, that's not happening. And there are several *glaring* plot holes, most of which revolve around impossibly quick change costumes..

But, there is a saving grace to this, and that's in realizing what this anime actually is, because it's not meant to be realistic. It's a musical, and musicals lean into the unrealistic. And looking back on it, anime and musical should go together a lot more than they usually do, because the medium of animation seems custom built for the whimsical nature of musical productions. So at the end of the day, I can look past these imperfections, but they're still imperfections, and they're still somewhat difficult to get past, particularly for a rational person like me. It would have been more realistic for one of the stage walls to fall down...

Also, At least one of the characters were also somewhat annoying (I doubt I need to tell you which one I'm thinking of), but even she manages to be a little likable, if egotistical and difficult to get along with.

And, if I'm being honest, it's really kinda trite. Other than the core message of friendship and following your dreams, there's really nothing deep here at all. It's about what you'd expect from a pile of girls doing girl things. Or, maybe more accurately, cute girls doing cute things. Oh, wait, funny how that works.

Is this anime going to change your life? Other than perhaps inspiring you to do a little better for a little while, no. Is this a great work of art? No. Is this full of amazing music and dancing? No. Everything in this anime is Just Good Enough. But Just Good Enough is, well, just good enough to have an enjoyable time and to not consider your time wasted.

A recommend from me.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Dec 18, 2023

Desaturate

Mixed Feelings

I am speaking for the entirety of the School Idol Project

I was honestly expecting an intense competition between school idols before I watch the show. It did have one but its safe to say that it wasn't the main point of the show. The music wasn't bad in fact I really love some of them especially "A song for you! you? you!!" and "Snow Halation". But the way it was presented it almost feel like they focused more in the dance which makes sense since they're idols, pretty standard for an idol.

Their performance is good its replicatable in real life but it always felt lacking ... on something imo. Some of their performance isn't as lively as how I would expect an idol to be. Their performance isn't boring or bad in some way its just that the way it is animated didn't give emphasis to their performance. The way their performance is presented focused on the choreography of the dance itself, The performance are realistic its not overexaggerating. its almost as if it was performed by actual people. which could be a good thing for some people. But I'm more on the flashy and iconic type that is almost a music video type of animation. So I'd say it would be better if there are more flashing lights, visual effects, and livelier performance. which what the Love Live Nijigisaki Gakuen was able to pull off

It does have CGI but it isn't as horrendous as the ones typically seen in standard shonen. I'd describe the CGI as similar to a video game type.

Overall its a chill SoL with lovable characters. The characters in this anime has to be one of its strong points. Each of them has their own personality and tropes and overtime they feel like they're needed for the show. Muse just won't be the same even just one of them is gone. oh yea and Kotori Minami is hot

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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May 23, 2023

Beast-Shugo

Not Recommended

Funny

Love Live and its sequels are a true treasure in the world of anime. From the moment I saw the vibrant and colorful animation, the originality of the art and character design, I knew I was about to embark on an exciting adventure. The incredibly well-produced music should win awards if it weren't for the rest of the music world not wanting to be overshadowed by it. It combines with the energetic performances of the girls, creating an atmosphere full of joy and positive energy. The animation feels fluid and uses meticulous traditional animation; there is never any cost-cutting with 3D or simplified or undrawn ... backgrounds.

Although the characters may seem stereotypical at first glance, I have discovered that each of the Love Live girls has her own charm and distinctive personality. As the seasons progress, we can see how these talented young girls face challenges and grow as individuals, developing strong relationships among themselves. They have realistic and profound encounters and dialogues about the intricate problems they must face. Their determination captivates me, and anyone can appreciate that the special bond they share is related to a conflicted and scarred past.

The script is never predictable; it has an exciting pace that keeps my attention at all times. The main plot of saving the school through music is completely innovative in the anime industry, and the anime manages to add twists and touching moments that keep me glued to the screen.

The cast of characters is the most diverse I have ever seen in an anime. Each character shines in a unique way and represents different aspects of maturity and personal growth. The subtle romantic relationships between the girls serve as unexpected and novel glue. Obviously, the reason for their presence is to enrich the plot further, and the only reason they don't fully consolidate is simply because there hasn't been enough time to tell the story.

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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