The Portal of Zeta: iDOLM@STER Neo Vision

[Amazing_Grace]

SMOKY THRILL and Nana Iro Button (PS3 version only) are both unlockable in iM@S2. In SP, Overmaster was originally unselectable until it was released as a DLC song.

Stay tuned for Rank F events in Story Mode!

I remember Overmaster is locked in Perfect Sun until you unlock Hibiki in Office mode.

So it's really just Jupiter that has unplayable songs? Hm. Well, I'm still excited to see the rest of this.

[ZetaFlare]

RANK F - Let's Be Idols!

Now that the girls have made their national debut and have become full-fledged idols, Kenji can now produce his unit as he chooses. Lessons to boost their skills, Promotions to gain memories, and Auditions and Live Concerts to boost their publicity and fan count.

As the idols gain more fans, almost enough to reach Rank E, the President decides it’s finally time to let Kenji’s group perform in their first festival. There’s a position open in the White Lotus Festival, where several up-and-coming idols go to perform. Kenji and the President both think it’s a perfect start. The White Lotus Festival gathers people from all over Japan. Perhaps an event like this could lead to even greater publicity and more potential fans.

As the unit arrives at the White Lotus stage for the event to begin, they run into the second group of idols who will perform at the festival: Ai, Eri, and Ryo of 876Pro. While they have gained modest popularity through their solo careers, they’ve only just begun working as a unit. Kenji figures a unit like them will be a decent test of his idols’ training up to this point. Still, they are very friendly and wish Kenji’s unit good luck. After a little cheer, Kenji’s idols take the stage.

FESTIVAL: White Lotus vs 876Pro - "HELLO!!"
This is pretty much meant to be an introduction to Festival gameplay. Ai, Eri, and Ryo will mix up their appeals or go for the current trend, so be ready to defend against anything. Use Memory Appeals to get your Voltage up quickly in order to perform your Burst Appeals. Just because this Fes is easily won doesn’t mean it can be lost. Just perform your best like you would do at a live concert and you’ll do just fine. If you’re playing in Hyper difficulty, 876Pro will become more aggressive with their appeals and target your unit’s weakness. Whatever your unit’s lowest stat is where they will focus their appeals. If your unit is pretty balanced, they will focus on the current trend for bonus points.
You must win this battle to advance the story!
Ai appeals to Vocal
Eri appeals to Visual
Ryo appeals to Dance

Both performances went over well, but ZetaPro was able draw in the bigger audience. Kenji’s unit celebrates their first successful festival performance. Kenji then goes over to comfort Ai after she bursts into tears from the loss.

That evening, the President saw the girls on the news today. They did a phenomenal job. Now for even better news: their performance at the White Lotus Festival gained them enough fans to reach Rank E! This means they will get more job offers and performance opportunities. However, while Kaito is sifting through the mail, he finds an anonymous red letter with a dragon motif. An anonymous writer threatens ZetaPro to disband their unit, saying they are disgraces to the idol world. The idols get a little worried, but Kenji figures it’s probably just blind hate mail from people just trying to get attention. With the mood brightening up once again, the idols head home for the week, eagerly anticipating the new jobs they’ll receive.

Was this angry letter just from a troll? Or is somebody really out to get them?

[ZetaFlare]

Update made! Miku-chan's VA has changed to Hisako Kanemoto (Nonono in Dream C Club, Yayoi in Smile PreCure)

[Amazing_Grace]

Update made! Miku-chan's VA has changed to Hisako Kanemoto (Nonono in Dream C Club, Yayoi in Smile PreCure)

Nonono is awesome. I've never watched PreCure (I want to though, one day) though. But yeah, I can imagine Miku singing like Nonono.

[ZetaFlare]

RANK E – The Invincible Rival

Kenji and his idol unit continue their work as before. This time, more job offers and new festivals become available to them. He might also be able to trigger some special events with his leader to bond and learn a little more about her (these events are required if you’re shooting for the True Ending).

As the girls gain enough fans to reach Rank D, the President finds an opening at the upcoming Sunny Beach Festival. According to the listings, 765Pro has been scheduled to perform there. If Kenji’s idols can perform well against them, their national awareness will increase significantly. The girls are fired up for next week. Just as they take their leave for the week, a couple of shady figures appear to have been eavesdropping on their conversation. They seek to put their plan into motion next week…

On the week of the festival, Kenji is in for a big surprise. Just before his unit arrived at the venue, 765Pro’s time slot was bought out by another idol. The staff does apologize for the sudden change, but ZetaPro will have to perform against this idol instead. Kagura, Maya, or Himeko will show up depending on your unit’s leader. Kenji wishes her good luck, but she claims she doesn’t need luck as the winner of this competition has already been decided (Maya, however, only wishes for a good challenge). Kenji and the idols get a mysterious and powerful vibe from this girl. Still, they really want to get out there and perform their hardest—harder than ever before.

FESTIVAL: Sunny Beach vs. Kagura/Maya/Himeko – Koi wa Sensou/FREEDOM/Kocchi Muite Baby
NAZO’s solo idol is just too powerful to be beaten at this stage of the game. She’ll pile on the points, Memory Appeals, and Burst Appeals like crazy and will likely cause several accidents among your unit.
Much like the first festival against Ryuuguu Komachi in iM@S2, this is a forced loss. Even if you do manage to score enough to defeat her, it still counts as a loss. This loss causes your unit’s tension to drop to dangerous levels.

After ZetaPro’s humiliating loss, their opponent comes along to rub it in their face. Kagura claims they are not taking their jobs seriously, thinking this is just a game. Himeko sees them as lowly “peons” who don’t stand a chance against perfect “royalty” like her. Maya is only disappointed from the lack of a good challenge. According to their producer, it doesn’t really help that Kenji is an incompetent fool who only got this far out of sheer luck. In order to prevent even further humiliation, she demands they disband their unit, claiming them to be complete disgraces as idols. Otherwise, she will come back and crush their unit even harder than before. After the girl leaves, Kenji recalls what she says—it was probably this girl who sent that red letter ZetaPro received not too long ago. Kenji and the idols disappointedly return to the office.

The President is not surprised with the idols’ loss today. It turns out their opponent is actually a member of NAZO. No wonder they couldn’t win. It soon becomes apparent that the morale of the idols is dangerously low, from low self-esteem to arguments to falling-outs. It takes a bit of effort, but Kenji manages to calm his unit down. Just forget about this loss and move on. The idols feel a bit better, but are still a bit depressed as they leave for the week.

That night, Kagura/Maya/Himeko is seen chatting with a mysterious figure, who is apparently NAZO’s producer. He congratulates his idol on a job well done as always. He’s now convinced that he is rid of that “low-class scum.”

Kenji’s really in a jam now. How will he be able to help the idols bounce back? Will he be able to fix their broken bonds? What does NAZO have against ZetaPro? Will Kenji have to face NAZO again?

[ZetaFlare]

RANK D – A Black Omen

After the morale of Kenji’s unit takes a critical blow upon losing single-handedly to a member of NAZO, they manage to turn around in a couple of weeks. It only took the idols a couple of successful performances, lessons, and promotional events to get their enthusiasm back. As they become more and more active in the entertainment world, they feel as though they’ve gotten so much better in such a little amount of time. Was it really from all that practice? Or is there something more? The girls eventually become a hit all across Japan. Soon, they obtain enough of a fan base to achieve Rank C.

That night after the unit’s promotion to Rank C, the President receives a mysterious letter. It’s a writ of challenge from 961Pro! Kuroi meant to demand a showdown between 765Pro and his new unit at the upcoming Black Pearl Festival in order to prove which company is superior once and for all. According to him, these idols make even Jupiter look like amateurs. Unfortunately, the writ was accidentally delivered to ZetaPro instead. Still, the President of ZetaPro believes that the letter was intended for them. Kenji and the idols are a little scared, knowing 961Pro’s reputation for producing some of the finest talent in the market. Still, they are ready to meet the challenge next week.

One week later, Kenji’s group arrives at the Black Pearl stage and faces their opponents: Chiyo Tsuchiya, Hotaru Kuroba, and Karen Hoshikawa (though Kuroi has to wake up Hotaru and drag her over to the stage). As Kuroi turns to welcome them, he’s surprised and infuriated that a group of “nobodies” shows up in place of 765Pro. Still, he takes advantage of the situation, wishing to make an example out of ZetaPro and intimidate 765Pro. Kuroi tells his idols that they don’t have to use their full power against these “small fries.” Kenji warns him not to underestimate his opponents, but Kuroi laughs at him, claiming that’s what they all say. Feeling positive that his idols have this match in the bag, he leaves them behind to work on more “important matters.” Chiyo is pretty confident that her group will be able to win without his help. According to Kuroi, all producers are a hindrance to idols, only wishing to fulfill their selfish desires…a painful reminder of how Chiyo was treated by her production staff earlier in her career. Kenji knows it’s going to be tough, but his idols know they have him backing them up. After a pep talk and a cheer, the idols take the stage.

FESTIVAL: Black Pearl vs. 961Pro – Koi no Yokushiryoku
This unit is tough, but not unbeatable. All three members have two specialties they can appeal to. The veteran Chiyo will probably end up doing most of the appeals. A good combination of high levels/stats, a high memory count (for Memory Appeals), the best costume and accessories you can find, and a song that fits the trend will help give you an edge. Strategically time your biggest appeals. Victory may come down to whoever can perform the most Burst Appeals.
Win or lose, the story advances.

Somehow, Kenji’s unit is victorious! Kuroi returns to pick up Chiyo, Hotaru, and Karen only to find out they just lost. He then begins to scold them harshly and poke at their weak points. “Chiyo-san, if you perform like that all the time, now I can see why your career never took off. What if Takuma-san was to see you humiliated like that to a bunch of weaklings?” “Hotaru-chan, need I remind you that you’re forbidden from going back home until you become a superstar?” “Karen-chan, what if Seiya-kun saw your horrible performance today?” Kuroi threatens to fire them should they lose like this again. He takes them back to his van and informs them that not only will they be working overtime on their lessons, but they will be doing it without meals or breaks.

Kenji has had it. He snaps at Kuroi, sick of how he treats his idols like tools. What kind of manager leaves his idols to fend for themselves like wild animals? The reason his unit lost is because not only does Kenji support his idols through thick and thin, but they support each other too. Kuroi grows tired of the charade and drives off with his idols back to the 961Pro building. Kenji tries to go after him, but his idols and Kaito help calm him down. Kenji apologizes. Everyone heads back to the office.

That night after Kenji heads home, he meets Chiyo on a stone bridge. Chiyo knows he is the same producer from the festival and actually expected him to come by. She couldn’t believe he was standing up to her even though they were from rival companies. Kenji apologizes for snapping at her president, but he just couldn’t stand seeing him treat her like a tool. Kuroi was just frustrated after his idols were completely destroyed by NAZO not too long ago. The fact their producer rubbed it in their face and called Kuroi a has-been just added salt to the wound. Chiyo thanks him graciously. All her life, she thought producers were incompetent people and she didn’t need one to be successful. Her experience today made her change her outlook on producers. With that, the two of them head back home for the night.

One week later, the President has a special announcement: ZetaPro has just signed three more idols! Inspired by Kenji’s recent actions, Chiyo, Karen, and (with a little coaxing) Hotaru have terminated their own contracts with 961Pro and have been accepted into ZetaPro with open arms.

Congratulations! You have unlocked Chiyo, Hotaru, and Karen as fully-playable characters!

If you do lose the festival against 961Pro, the story just goes on. No tension is lost, though…961Pro is a tough opponent after all. However, you will lose your chance to unlock Chiyo, Hotaru, and Karen until your next Story Mode playthrough.

NOTE: I do want to have Kuroi say “Muda muda muda muda” during this event (remember that Takahito Koyasu also voices Dio in the new JoJo anime and All-Star Battle).

[ZetaFlare]

Rank D – Challenge of Dragon (after unlocking Chiyo, Hotaru, and Karen)

The Rank D events during “A Black Omen” are the same.”

However, once Kenji’s unit reaches Rank C, ZetaPro gets a letter from Ritsuko. She’s heard the news about a young producer who helped guide his idol unit to modest success. She wants to test his skills as a producer against Ryuuguu Komachi at the upcoming Fujisan Rock Festival, one of their favorite festivals to attend. Kenji and the idols know this will be a tough match against the current IU champions, but he accepts the challenge, not willing to disappoint a fellow producer.

On the week of the festival, Kenji’s unit meets Ryuuguu Komachi. However, Azusa is missing. She got the street names confused and got lost along the way (Doesn’t she always?). With time running out, Kenji and Kaito offer to give her a lift to the venue. After receiving her whereabouts via Ritsuko’s cell phone, they pick up Azusa, who thanks them profusely.

Ritsuko scolds Azusa for almost causing RK to miss their performance, but thanks Kenji for his help. Iori is still pretty skeptical about Kenji, claiming that he’s way too young to be a producer. She then asks Kenji’s idols if he has touched them inappropriately or asked them to do anything dirty. The idols defend him, saying he is very generous and that he knows what he’s doing. His guidance is part of the reason why they are so successful right now. Ritsuko wants to believe this too, which is why she wanted to test Kenji’s skills in the first place. ZetaPro wishes them good luck. After a quick cheer, Kenji’s group takes the stage.

FESTIVAL: Fujisan Rock vs. Ryuuguu Komachi – SMOKY THRILL
No surprise that this will be a difficult showdown against the current IU champs, especially if your unit has a particularly weak Visual stat. Iori will probably wind up doing most of the appeals. However, if your unit’s Dance stat is pretty bad, Ami will do some appealing too. Try focusing on Vocal appeals, since this is their worst combined stat. Keep up the appeals and try to prevent Iori from activating too many Burst Appeals and you should be just fine.
You must win this festival to advance the story!

Ritsuko is amazed and impressed. Never before has she seen such a strong sense of unity, even among 765Pro’s idols. Everyone’s parts flow together so perfectly. It’s as if Kenji and his idols are talking to each other through their minds. She then goes over to Kenji and congratulates him on a job well done. Not only was his unit’s performance so special, but he helped out Azusa earlier that day. Even at his age, he truly has the makings of a perfect producer. Kenji does tell her that ZetaPro’s president Yashiro Ryuuzaki taught him the ropes. Ritsuko knows that name too well—President Ryuuzaki was a legendary producer back in his time. All the idols who worked under him became smash hits. He is renowned for his generosity and skill. No wonder his apprentice has become so successful. Iori angrily interrupts, claiming Ryuuguu Komachi was just holding back a little on them. Had they been putting out all the stops, ZetaPro wouldn’t have stood a chance. Ritsuko calms her down, claiming her loss was fair and square. Kenji adds that Ryuuguu Komachi is an amazing unit worthy of their success. One little loss won’t hurt them at all. In fact, he’s a big fan of theirs himself. Iori blushes a little…but still claims he’s only saying that to make her happy. 765Pro’s branch unit takes off, but Ami stays behind. She thinks Kenji is pretty cute and tries to flirt with him, but Ritsuko calls her back to the van, wishing to treat the unit to dinner. Ami is shocked and hurries back to the van. With that, ZetaPro returns to the office.

NOTE: Fujisan Rock is the exact same festival where 765Pro faces off against Ryuuguu Komachi for the second time in iM@S2.

[ZetaFlare]

Rank C – Preliminary Festivities

Kenji’s unit has now attained a major rank and national renown. The President is so impressed by Kenji’s work as a producer that he suggests perhaps trying out for the Idol Ultimate or IU for short, the biggest idol tournament in Japan where many of the nation’s best idols compete for the prestigious title of “top idol.” According to the schedule, a preliminary match is being held nearby in a couple of months. Kenji is willing to give it a shot and decides to change the idols’ big goal—no longer “let’s do our best” but “top idol!”

Kenji uses the next few weeks to prepare for the upcoming IU preliminary competition. Meanwhile, he sets some time aside to bond with his leader and get to know her a little more. Unfortunately, at the same time, a gossip magazine panel bribed by Yamato seems to have been following ZetaPro and spreading slander about its idols and producer in order to create scandals. Luckily for Kenji, most of their fans still remained faithful to his ever-growing unit. Besides, for every fan they lose, they gain at least ten.

On the day of the IU, Kenji’s unit is in for a shock once the competition blocks have been decided. They have been placed in the same block as NAZO! Yamato made sure the block drawings were fixed so that Kenji’s unit and NAZO would be in the same block. NAZO confronts Kenji’s unit. Apparently, ZetaPro hasn’t been thrashed enough yet. This time, all three members are performing together. Now NAZO will be able to prove their superiority once and for all. NAZO then leaves to prepare for their audition. Luckily for Kenji, the preliminary rounds accept two qualifiers for the next leg of the tournament. After a quick introduction with the judges and a pep talk with Kenji, the idols are called to perform, although they are a bit nervous…

AUDITION: Idol Ultimate Preliminaries
It’s just like any other audition. Unfortunately, NAZO is at full power and is still way out of your league at this stage of the game. You will have to shoot for second place in order to pass this audition. Other than that, just use regular audition tactics and you should be just fine.
You must pass this audition to advance the story!

Kenji’s unit has passed the preliminary audition and has advanced further in the IU! NAZO easily obtains first place, but are surprised to see that ZetaPro ranked second. Kenji then asks why NAZO wants his unit disbanded so badly. It’s simple. NAZO is a group of elites chosen by fate to stand at the top. Low-class units like ZetaPro and 765Pro are a disgrace to the entertainment industry, picking commoners off the streets to become idols. NAZO then tries to mess with Kenji’s leader’s head, causing some idols to get depressed or even have a falling-out. Kenji, feeling a little on edge, asks them who is telling him these lies. NAZO claims he doesn’t deserve to know. With that, NAZO and ZetaPro return to their respective offices.

The President heard the news about the IU preliminaries and congratulates Kenji’s unit of their achievements, but notices that Kenji is a little concerned. What NAZO told him earlier made him reminisce on past competitions. An old rival of his used to say pretty much the same thing. The President just tells him he shouldn’t worry over such trivial matters. They’re just trying to mess with him. That’s how rivals can be sometimes. Still, the idols (especially the leader) feel a little worried about Kenji.

Meanwhile, NAZO is speaking to their producer. Kenji’s unit is becoming too popular. Plus, his idols managed to advance in the IU along with them. If this keeps up, they might become too big a threat. The mysterious producer decides that now is the time to take drastic measures…

[ZetaFlare]

Rank B – NAZO’s Secrets

Having completed the preliminary rounds of the IU, ZetaPro gets word on what happens next. Contestants for the IU Finals are decided a little differently this year. Among the 18 competitors who have advanced this far, the idols who make the chart’s top 6 will earn a spot in the finals at Tokyo Dome. Two wild card auditions will decide the remaining two finalists. Kenji and the idols will have to work hard to earn a spot in the Top 6…or at least a wild card spot.

As Kenji’s unit reaches Rank B, they are becoming a really big deal. However, NAZO is becoming more and more of a problem for ZetaPro. In fact, when Kenji selects a new song for the girls, NAZO somehow steals their image and manages to release it to the public before ZetaPro could. Kenji is forced to select another song.
(This actually does happen, so do NOT select one of your idol’s image songs beforehand)

As the weeks go by, spies sent by Yamato eavesdrop on conversations between Kenji and his unit’s leader. Information is then passed on to gossip magazines so they can attack her deepest, darkest secrets and perhaps destroy her image. Despite all the slander and image theft going on, Kenji’s idols never falter as their unity grows ever stronger. Through all their hard work, the idols finally reach the prestigious Rank A!

A week after their promotion, the President receives another red letter with a dragon motif. It’s a writ of challenge from NAZO! Claiming the President is a fool and that his methods of running his company are hopelessly flawed, NAZO’s producer has forced his idols to face NAZO in the nationally-renowned Harvest Moon Festival to prove which one is superior once and for all. ZetaPro’s position has already been signed. If they refuse this challenge, he has friends in high places…he will make it a priority to ruin ZetaPro’s image forever. The President is left with no other option—he asks Kenji to prepare for the Harvest Moon Festival. Kenji’s idols have gotten a lot better since the last time they faced NAZO. The girls are still worried, but Kenji knows they have something special within them: a strong bond that cannot be broken.

One week later, Kenji, Kaito, and the idols arrive at the Harvest Moon stage for the main event. NAZO is busy preparing for their performance so they don’t have time to mess with Kenji right now. ZetaPro can hear the crowd going wild as NAZO takes the stage. Kenji reminds the idols not to be intimidated by NAZO…just focus on their own task at hand. The idols do their cheer and take the stage.

FESTIVAL: Harvest Moon vs. NAZO – Koi wa Sensou (forced draw)
Just play this as you would any other festival. Your scores will be much better against NAZO this time around. Around the midway point, though, the performance is interrupted…

ZetaPro performs incredibly. Never before have they shone so brilliantly against NAZO. However, ZetaPro’s pyrotechnics suddenly get out of hand and set the stage on fire. Both idol units are forced to evacuate the back-to-back stages. The concert is cancelled in order to control the fire. Kenji runs into NAZO, who are a bit disappointed from having to cancel their performance after they started getting into their song. NAZO officially declares their match a draw.

Suddenly, NAZO’s producer, hearing the news, shows up. He’s relieved to see his idols are safe. Kenji is shocked to discover that this producer is none other than his childhood rival Yamato Ryuuzaki! Yamato is rather impressed and, at the same time, disgusted that Kenji’s unit managed to make it this far. Kenji got lucky that the concert was cancelled because of the fire. ZetaPro is a joke, a disgrace to idols everywhere, and only got this far because their fans are simple-minded idiots who will listen to anything. It’s living proof that low-class commoners are garbage. Yamato is of the superior upper class…an elite destined by God to stand on top of the world. He can essentially buy the best idols in the market, unlike ZetaPro, whose budget is so tight that they’d literally pluck people off the streets and bribe them into being idols. Despite all the threats Yamato sent ZetaPro, they still foolishly persist. Kenji counters his statement, claiming it wasn’t luck, but hard work and a strong sense of unity that led his idols to success. Yamato pays no attention, claiming he does not listen to commoners. Kenji may have been spared the humiliation today, but he will not stand a chance in the IU. Yamato gives one final warning—save ZetaPro the humiliation and drop out of the IU. NAZO is destined to win. With that, everyone leaves the festival grounds.

That evening back at the ZetaPro office, Kenji tells the President everything that happened. President Yashiro Ryuuzaki figured something like this would happen, so he finally decides to spill the beans. Yamato Ryuuzaki, the producer of the idol sensation NAZO, is really the President’s son. Everyone is shocked.

Once upon a time, when ZetaPro first opened, the President appointed his gifted son Yamato to be the company’s producer. Unfortunately, Yamato wanted to use the position to flaunt his family’s wealth and power. His goal was to ZetaPro into a bureaucracy, destroy lower-budget or privately-owned production agencies (or buy them out if he sees potential in them), and essentially rule the entertainment industry unchallenged. From overpaying idols with “real” talent to buying the most expensive costumes to use for performances, Yamato became obsessed and corrupted with power. The President was so dissatisfied with how his son was trying to run the show that he relieved him of his position. A disgruntled Yamato calls him a nut, claiming his company will never be successful under his weak methods. He then headed over to another production company called RyuuseiPro, bought his way into becoming their producer, formed NAZO, and declared war against ZetaPro. He has also bribed judges, gossip magazine panels, paparazzi photographers, etc. in order to ruin the image of lower-class idols. He has also bribed radio stations to play NAZO's music often.

That is where Kenji comes in. The President knew how back in the day, Kenji and Yamato used to compete against each other in talent competitions, both evenly matched. Kenji also possesses an incredible gift—the ability to bring out the hidden skills of his partners through the power of unity, stronger than the likes of which anyone has ever seen. It easily counters Yamato’s gift of bringing out the absolute full potential of his partners. This is why the President specifically selected Kenji to be ZetaPro’s producer…he’s the only one who can help his idols defeat NAZO and put an end to Yamato’s madness.

Kenji’s goal becomes clear. He must make it into the IU Finals to have any hope of stopping NAZO. The idols will really need some time to prepare for the big moment when the Top 6 is revealed.

Meanwhile, Yamato is on the phone with one of the tech crew from the festival, thanking him for adjusting the pyrotechnics in order to interrupt the concert and promising his pay tomorrow morning. He thanks his lucky stars that the fire occurred. He noticed ZetaPro’s idols performed at a much higher level than before, potentially enough to defeat NAZO hadn’t the pyrotechnics interfered. Perhaps when the IU comes around, it will be time to break out his secret weapon…

[liza94]

Perhaps when the IU comes around, it will be time to break out his secret weapon…

Could it be... Kagura's solo song?!

[ZetaFlare]

Could it be... Kagura's solo song?!

Actually, I plan to have NAZO perform God knows... for the final showdown. Kagura does perform Northern Cross during the Sunny Beach Festival (the forced loss) depending on your leader. You'll find out after I get to the IU Finals. The secret weapon does involve both Yamato and Kenji's leader...

[ZetaFlare]

Rank A – The Home Stretch

In ten weeks, the IU Chart’s Top 6 will be revealed. Those six units will automatically earn a spot in the IU Finals. ZetaPro uses the time to train, make memories, arrange concerts, and get as many hits as possible.

Ten weeks later, Kenji, the President, and the idols anticipate the announcement of the Top 6…

If Kenji’s unit makes the Top 6
Success! We’re moving on to the finals! Next week, all the finalists will meet at Tokyo Dome once the wild card spots have been decided.

If Kenji’s unit does not make the Top 6
It’s not over yet! In order to earn a spot in the finals and have a shot against NAZO, the idols will have to participate in next week’s Wild Card audition.
AUDITION: IU Finals Wild Card Match
This audition will be very tough. All of your competitors are pretty much willing to kill to get that Wild Card spot. You have to land the top spot to advance.
You must pass this audition to advance in the story!
With the second Wild Card slot selected, the group immediately heads to Tokyo Dome to meet their opponents.

ZetaPro arrives at Tokyo Dome for the IU Finals introduction ceremony. Aside from Kenji’s unit, the following units appear:

• Namco Angel
• Ryuuguu Komachi
• Project Fairy
• Jupiter
• 876Pro
• 573Pro
• NAZO

As each unit is called up, they give a bit of an introduction. As NAZO shows up, Yamato states that his unit has already won. Considering all the success NAZO has been having, the emcee and audience, believing that claim came from sheer confidence, applaud him tremendously.

That night, though, one of NAZO’s members appears to be troubled. Kenji and his unit’s leader try to talk with her to see what’s going on. Over time, they get to know about their rival’s true intentions (i.e. Kagura’s desire to please her parents and Yamato). NAZO’s member isn’t moved, though, claiming they are still enemies and they must win the IU to fulfill their true wishes. As she runs off to find her producer, ZetaPro heads back to the office.

The finals will be held at Tokyo Dome in five weeks. Kenji uses that time to bond with his unit’s leader and give her enough moral support to get through the finals.

[Amazing_Grace]

Just dropping by to say I still love this and everything you're doing with it. I love how much you've thought everything through. You're prepared for every possible outcome. Keep up the good work!

[ZetaFlare]

Just dropping by to say I still love this and everything you're doing with it. I love how much you've thought everything through. You're prepared for every possible outcome. Keep up the good work!

Thanks a lot for your continued support, Grace! I'm pretty much on the last leg of the main story now with the IU Finals.

Oh yeah. Speaking of "every possible outcome," I have three options (inspired by SP) to determine what to do if you wind up failing a festival/audition you need to pass to advance the story. After somewhat of a mini-Bad Ending, you can...

• Go back to the beginning of the current week and take the event over again (this will affect your final score)
• Go back one week and be forced to undergo Training from Hell (this will slightly affect your final score)
• Give up entirely and go back to square one. Kenji will be able to keep the EXP he gained in this route, though.

[MetalPredat0r]

I'm very impressed with this project, Zeta! It's as if developing the next main series Idolm@ster game (while I may as well be making the next console spin-off). Very well-done and keep up the good work!