Dogs can also hit an anime if they walk. No.15] Dedicate yourself to what you love!　Believe in tomorrow and work on yourself "Aikatsu!

We want to meet more and more anime that excite our hearts, anime that will cheer us up tomorrow, and anime that we will always love!　We will introduce you to anime that are hot at the moment, regardless of whether they are new releases or long-term favorites.

Idol anime for girls, "Aikatsu! is currently in its 4th season. The new series "Aikatsu Stars! will start in April and the current series will end in March. Before the climax, we take a look back at this work that has aired for three and a half years.

A "work" anime featuring junior high school students

Making a job out of what you love" is apparently a keyword that is attracting a lot of attention these days. In the world, there are those who choose to do what they love as their job, as a matter of course, and those who choose work as a job separate from what they love. For those who work while putting up with things they don't like, the phrase "doing what you love as a job" has a very seductive ring to it. It may make you think, "I wish I could do that, too," or "No, no, the world is not that sweet.

The idol anime "Aikatsu! is a school industry sports anime in which girls who have "turned what they love into a job" devote themselves to idol activities (i.e., Aikatsu) in order to achieve self-fulfillment through their work.

The setting is an idol school, Starlight Academy. The main characters are active idols enrolled in the middle school. They work hard in lessons to become idols at school, develop their own charms, and grow as "idols. The behind-the-scenes story of the industry of making TV programs, commercials, and magazines is also told. In other words, although the main characters are junior high school students, it is also a "work anime.

Even adults who watch "Aikatsu! may make you wonder, "What is work? "Am I really giving this much effort to my work? What does it mean to shine as yourself? And sometimes, they may even reflect on their own lives. At times, you will be moved by the idols' dedication to their aikatsu and be inspired to do your best as well.

One of the key words of the work is "self-produce. The idols in "Aikatsu! idols do not have managers. Starlight Academy, their office, handles job offers, but does not tell the students what to do or force them to do it. Each idol is expected to improve himself/herself, to create his/her own image of who he/she wants to be, and to set his/her own goals to achieve those goals.

Isn't this a very sophisticated goal?　It is not enough to just do what you are told to do, nor is it enough to simply copy others. You may admire the top idols of your seniors, but it does not mean that you can catch up by doing the same thing.

We all understand that the way to become a top idol is different for all 10 of us. And everyone is very dedicated and hard working.

Ichigo, the unconventional and natural genius, and Akari, the hardworking and dedicated genius.

The seasons that have aired so far can be roughly divided into the first half (1st and 2nd seasons), in which Ichigo Hoshimiya is the main character, and the second half (3rd and 4th seasons), in which Akari Ozora is the main character. In addition, as the last episode of Ichigo Hoshimiya Story, "Aikatsu the Movie! (released in 2014) was produced as the last episode of Ichigo Hoshimiya Story.

Aikatsu! was largely determined by Ichigo Hoshimiya, the first main character of the series. Ichigo is an energetic, positive, and natural girl who is not easily daunted. She is the daughter of a lunch box shop owner and her favorite food is strawberry parfait. In fact, it is revealed during the story that her mother was also a former legendary idol.

She also climbs a cliff to meet a dress designer and cuts down a giant tree with an axe to make it into a Christmas tree. Is that really a necessary ordeal for an idol?　This strangeness and silliness spices up "Aikatsu! spices up the story. Incidentally, the friends who accept Ichigo with a smile and say, "It's Ichigo after all," are also quite a big deal.

The last unforgettable episode of the first season was the 50th episode, "Memories in the Future," which was the last episode of the season. After competing with her idol, Mizuki Kanzaki, in the Starlight Queen Cup, Ichigo leaves Starlight Academy to study abroad in the United States for a year. The ending theme "Calendar Girl" plays there. The lyrics, "Every ordinary day is an irreplaceable treasure. ......," have a deep meaning for the departure and parting, and became a legendary episode that made the viewers cry.

The second main character, Akari Ozora, appeared as Ichigo's junior, three grades below her. Akari was a newcomer whose talent was discovered by Ichigo at an audition, but at first she was a failure in both singing and dancing, and was unable to perform the "special appeal" (a kind of on-stage performance) that all idols are required to perform, so she had to spend her summer vacation in detention for special training.

Basically, "Aikatsu! does not depict negative emotions such as "pain," "self-loathing," and "tears," but Akari's depression at this time was pitiful to watch. Akari cries in the face of the reality that she does not have the necessary strength and that she may not have any talent. What can Ichigo, who has been able to do everything, say to Akari, who can't do it no matter what she tries?　There was a sense of tension at this moment, as the work always unfolds in a cheerful manner.

Episode 97, "The Secret Letter and the Invisible Star," was written by series director Yoichi Kato, and it went very close to the theme of the work.

What should we think about when we seem to lose sight of our own little light?

What should I do when I try and try and try, but the results don't come?

What can you do to be there for someone who is trying hard in a situation different from your own?

What does it mean to support and empower them?

In the face of the harsh reality, each word spoken and each feeling conveyed reminded me of my own difficult times, and I couldn't help but be moved by them.

How should an idol live?" is another theme that runs through this work like a bass guitar. The theme of "how idols should live" is one of the themes that runs through the film. The words and actions of Mitsuki Kanzaki, the long reigning top idol, make us think about what idols who have made it to the top think about next, and even about the life that lies ahead of them after they stop being idols.

The baton passed from seniors to juniors in the school and the feelings that connect them were also depicted many times in various episodes. Ichigo Hoshimiya, who admired Mizuki Kanzaki, moved to Starlight Academy and became a top idol, and Akari, who admired Ichigo and became an idol, climbed up the ladder to the top again.

Akari, who admired Ichigo and became her idol, also climbed up the ladder to the top. She did not compete with anyone but single-mindedly improved herself to reach the top. But the path is not a solitary one. The idols who strive for aikatsu are rivals and friends at the same time, and it is because each one of them is independent and moving forward that they are able to remain friends.

Ichigo and Akari, who are sharpening themselves, have given me many good words that will help me in the real world. This is one of the reasons why this work attracted not only little girls but also adults.

Thank you" for three and a half years of work that has brightened and cheered up those who saw it.

According to an interview with series director Yoichi Kato, the concept of this work was born from the Great East Japan Earthquake. While watching and listening to the news in real time, he felt the need for a work that would "make everyone laugh together, feel a renewed sense of happiness in their daily lives, and have the strength to believe in tomorrow and dream about the future.

Director Ryuichi Kimura said he wanted to make a comedy about good guys in a world where there are no bad guys. (All of the above are from Gakken Publishing's "Aikatsu!　Official Complete Book.)

Self-production means relying on one's own persona to refine one's individuality and make a name for oneself in the world. Needless to say, as an idol, you need to have the right looks. However, looks are not admired in the play, nor are they the deciding factor.

Winning or losing cannot be a decisive factor in determining the evaluation of an idol. There are stage events as a structure to enhance the drama, but there is only honor for the winner, and defeat is never a shame or a setback. Although rankings are assigned, they are merely a passing point, and the idols simply continue to train themselves without hesitation.

They will not look away. They just continue to do what they need to do every day and evolve tirelessly. It is like the world of a top athlete.

In this way, winning or losing was not always a happy ending to the story of "Aikatsu! Now, the climax of the 4th season is the "Starlight Queen Cup" competition.

The Starlight Queen is an event to determine the top girl in Starlight Academy's middle school, and the idol who comes out on top gets the title of "Starlight Queen" and joins the ranks of the top idols in the country. Until now, this title has been held by idols who have honed their skills and are the best of the best, but Ichigo, the first main character, was defeated by Mizuki Kanzaki and never won the title.

Now Akari, the second protagonist, is about to challenge that title.

Winning or losing is not everything, but I still want her to win. However, Sumire on the ice and her friends are also trying to give their best performances with sincerity, and I want them to win as well. I feel as if I am watching an Olympic medal competition.

What kind of climax is the warm and positive world that has been pieced together over the past three and a half years about to reach?

In the play, "aikatsu" (idol activities) is not only a job, but also synonymous with a way of life.

─ ─ Everyone can shine with their original light if they make the most of their good qualities, polish their attractiveness, and honestly and sincerely engage in what they love to do. Let's shine our own light, even if it is a small light. Let's shine our own light and light up others. TM.

What will the ending of this message, which has been conveyed many times in the film, look like? I hope to see it out while enjoying the time I have left with the characters I have grown accustomed to.

(Text by YAMAYU)