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With The iDOLM@STER Side M fast approaching I found the perfect excuse to start talking about The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls

So this anime is the 2nd generation in the iDOLM@STER series, with no relation to the original iDOLM@STER anime outside of a few posters in the background. 765 Production had their time, and now we follow a new agency called 346 Production. More specifically, we follow a new venture under 346 Production called the Cinderella Project

And just immediately the anime sets a much better first impression than the original show did. Like the first anime started hard and fast introducing more characters than it could handle. This one on the other hand, no, we start small, we start personal, with start with just a trio in Uzuki, Rin, and Mio and the dynamic between them just clicks. Whether it was Rin's softspoken nature or how they managed to distinguish the earnestness of Uzuki and Mio, these girls gelled together so well and to my surprise their chemistry mixes better later on the series

But after this initial introduction, early in season one we're introduced to the rest of the Cinderella Girls, bringing up the count of main characters not counting the Producer to 14. Yep. 14. I started getting worried at this point, thinking here we go again! and bracing myself for more characters than the show could handle. Now, I ain't gonna lie. I started watching this anime for Uzuki and Anastasia. But I'm not one to save or elevate an entire series for 1 or 2 characters (RIP in peace Chihaya Kisaragi), especially in an ensemble like this

I'm so glad this anime proved my doubts wrong. It managed to focus on everyone by personalizing the spotlight on a few characters at a time, mixing and matching dynamics and letting the personalities stand out because of who they're playing off of. It's also got a way of making everything cohesive, like it never forgets the other characters are there no matter where the spotlight is. Like one success spurs on another, or helping one another through some difficult times. The Cinderella Girls as a whole become close friends both factually and sentimentally, both because of and despite the enclave of personalities from the lazy af Anzu to the precocious Rika

Controversial opinion alert: I find it hard to hate Mio for this certain kerfacle in season 1 because the girl is such a bro everywhere else, especially in season 2. And speaking of season 2, this was when the anime went from a series I was actually really enjoying for almost every episode to holy crap when did you start becoming so emotionally stronk?. Season 2 knows just how far to push itself without feeling overblown (unlike this kerfacle in season 1...) or it's got levity in all the right places. Season 1 is definitely the "fun" season while 2 is srs bznzz, but the exact moment I knew s2 was something special is early on, when they made a legitimately strong episode out of cat ears and bunny ears. I was like wow, you did that with THAT premise. Okay Cinderella Girls. Okay.

And from then I was just on board with this anime. 100% going from "this is really fun!" to "I am legit invested and what have I been missing all this time". And this, to me, is the de facto start of The iDOLM@STER series. If the 765 story is the rocky start, the Cinderella Project is the refinement. And honestly, I struggle to give this anything else because my problems are literally limited to one episode and Kanako and Chieri being basically the same character. Compared to just having a blast and elevating into a real connection with this cast. And so with that, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls is


A.W.E.S.O.M.E.T.A.C.U.L.A.R


Sooo, The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls. Have you seen it, what did you think about it? Ooor what's your favorite idol series? Are you looking forward to SideM? I'll stop asking questions now

Yep, I'm back...

But anyway, I have not watched the Cinderella Girls, or the original iM@s anime, but I am somewhat familiar with the franchise through the massive collection of fanart on Pixiv, as well as having watched some of the scenes from the mobile game on Youtube. Essentially, much like Kantai Collection, I essentially treat the series' official art as well as the fanart as an artbook of characters I find aesthetically appealing.

That being said, I may watch the series at some point, both the original and Cinderella Girls. As for other idol series, I have watched Love Live, both the original and Sunshine and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would- I'd definitely say it is a stand out in the slice of life/comedy genre.

With regard to my use of iM@s as essentially an artbook, nice Anastasia avatar, she is one of my favorites as well- I particularly like her Starlight Stage (I think) outfit- the one that looks vaguely inspired by a 19th century military uniform with a sort of fantasy twist to it- really fits well with her androgynous "handsome girl" look. Speaking of said outfit, when they added Anastasia as a playable character in Granblue Fantasy in that iM@s crossover thing, I'm not saying that the outfit they gave her was bad, but they really should have used the Starlight Stage outfit, have her look something like this. That and give her a shashka instead of that rapier they gave her!