The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Anime Discussion

[SakuraMaxX]

I'm really glad that Haruna Kamijo has a voice now, and that this is her seiyuu's first job.  Glad to see more people getting their careers started/springboarded by iM@S

[DeviantProtagonist]

And so came the bum-rush. It did have quite a thorough lead-in, I've to say. Lets you digest the overall scale of 346 Pro.

But more importantly, whilst I found myself gushing over Anya, that one bit with Kaede pretty much had me like this.

I'm hopeless, aren't I? :3

[altuixde]

Uzuki sounds soo much like Haruka. Familiarity is good, but so is originality novelty.

[Nargrakhan]

The trainer sisters have a naming pattern going.

Aoki Rei = Master Trainer
Aoki Sei = Veteran Trainer
Aoki Kei = Rookie Trainer

Looks like only Trainer is without an official name yet... but given the revelation of her siblings, anyone see the connection of the three given so far, to guess what the fourth might be?
Is it somehow connect to seasons maybe? Master's birthdate is in the winter, Veteran's is in the fall, and Rookie's is the spring... Trainer is the summer. Maybe she's going to be, Mei?

[MetalPredat0r]

I've been giving it some thought: Was the ending scenario too forced?

Mika chose only the NG trio to backup her next live. I've been seeing reactions of this being way too forced and that this is all just A-1 trying to push NG into the spotlight and ignoring everyone else.

I will agree that something as big as this for the first three episodes is WAY too soon and raises a slight red flag in my eyes as this might mean that anyone who isn't New Generation isn't going to get as much importance, but it's still a bit too soon to tell.

Any thoughts? Cuz Episode 2 was okay for me except for that ending which leaves me extremely conflicted.

[altuixde]

I think the ending scenario was a little forced, but not distractingly so.

Personally, I'm worried that Rin, Uzuki and Mio are going to fail during this opportunity, because it's way too early in the series for them to attain great success.

[Nargrakhan]

Hmmm... thinking on it, I disagree.

My reasoning for this: from the background chatter in the episode, it seems the Cinderella Project had been on hold for awhile.  To prove they have the talent and drive... as well as prove the Producer is as incredible scout for talent as he's supposed to be portrayed... Rin, Mio, and Uzuki need to hit the ground running. The fact that the trio were able to successfully pull off their PR shots, though it took a second try because of their nervousness, shows they've got the goods. The other 11 idols are insinuated to have done better... but they're also insinuated to have been with the company longer (and it might have not been their first PR shoot).

Basically they've been given a huge challenge... if they pass it, it will go a long way in furthering their futures... if they fail, it would be an excellent test of how they improve to never repeat the mistake or can handle the stress of failure.

Lots of high risk jobs do this kind of "in the crucible" type training -- the military, hospitals, and air traffic control for example. Being an idol, doesn't put lives in dangers... so it them having to do it isn't unrealistic. If you wanna be the best, you work like the best. 346 Pro doesn't strike me as a company that wants average (considering their like the settings version of an idol megacorp). Pushing the girls like this will prove if they deserve to be a Cinderella Girl.

[zaitcev]

I've been giving it some thought: Was the ending scenario too forced?

Mika chose only the NG trio to backup her next live. I've been seeing reactions of this being way too forced and that this is all just A-1 trying to push NG into the spotlight and ignoring everyone else.

I thought it was quite odd. One explanation that I see is that Mika saw something in the new three that wasn't present in the existing stable. She had an opportunity to evaluate them during the photoshoot. However, the anime made no effort to explain what it was, if anything. It just happened.

If we look at, for instances, AKB0048, things like that were the norm. Understudies were often promoted out of order, when they demonstrated readiness. But it wasn't upon one look.

[ChocoCats]

Here's the preview for Episode 3.

And already, card costume camoes (Mika's are new though) and Rookie Trainer is going to have a voice  .

[Nargrakhan]

Here's the preview for Episode 3.

*squee* Mayu has those, I'm gonna kill every last one of you and no one will ever find the bodies, look in her eyes! How can anyone resist such loveliness?

Sachiko narration for the win! 

***EDIT***
They're really not wasting anytime getting those non-idol support characters more exposure.

Please give us some Staff-san! It would be really great to put a voice/face to the name. 

On a side note... I'm hoping he's featured in the next batch of Master CD drama tracks. That's really the only time he gets to shine, and it kinda bothered me the Producer substituted him in the last set... though I suppose for Mayu it was kinda mandatory.

[Nargrakhan]

For those who felt the New Generation idols were being rushed and/or not ready for the stage, Episode 3 was definitely made for you. Rin's innate talents as an idol even made the Producer shocked for a moment.

Me? I squealed like a girl when Ranko showed up. Looks like Kirari understands Ranko-speak.

Also... poor Anzu. I knew Kirari treats her like a toy, but seeing it animated -- with Anzu's frustrated expression and laziness to not do anything about it -- made me feel a little more sorry for her.

Anya and Miku fans should be happy about their girls getting some lines this episode.

What really caught me by surprise this episode... the Producer visibly expressed an emotion!!!!

***EDIT***
On another note... I REALLY like the Image Songs when they have a "live audience" participating in them. I hope they have lots more of them.

The clock ticking one minute closer to midnight was an AWESOME reference to the original Cinderella story, and symbolism that the girls are one step closer to fulfilling their dreams.

[DeviantProtagonist]

Welp, so much for sleeping tonight.

[Maka]

Welp, so much for sleeping tonight.

At least the concert scene looked nice.



The rest... Well...

Thoughts:
-I kept pausing during the scene in the costume room to try and get all the costume cameos.
-It seems to be moving a bit faster than animemas. Actually, scratch that... Episode 3 of animemas had a concert and stuff.
-The CG is really well integrated. I didn't actually notice it until I watched the concert again.

[DeviantProtagonist]

I'm actually partial of some CG, so long as they don't overdue it like the movie's Kana-Haruka junkfood scene. It really can bring out fluidity; case in point, the concert above. That being said, here's hoping they'll fix up the comparatively sub-par visuals come the blu-ray releases. Not to mention Mayu's wardrobe malfunction. :U

But reflecting more on episode 3 outside of the fanservice spectrum -- and for the emphasis they put on her development -- I really enjoyed Anya's meek, yet earnest outlook which the latter came to be inspirited by Minami. I like that supportive chemistry. Conversely? Anzu remains the literal radgoll.

Also...



Quite the darling, you. Bring on the character episode, already~.

[AkuAkane]

I'm actually partial of some CG, so long as they don't overdue it like the movie's Kana-Haruka junkfood scene. It really can bring out fluidity; case in point, the concert above. That being said, here's hoping they'll fix up the comparatively sub-par visuals come the blu-ray releases. Not to mention Mayu's wardrobe malfunction. :U

But reflecting more on episode 3 outside of the fanservice spectrum -- and for the emphasis they put on her development -- I really enjoyed Anya's meek, yet earnest outlook which the latter came to be inspirited by Minami. I like that supportive chemistry. Conversely? Anzu remains the literal radgoll.

Also...



Quite the darling, you. Bring on the character episode, already~.

The Kana and Haruka scene in the movie looked so weird because it was rotoscoped, not because it was CG. Anya was pretty cute. I'm not bothered by Anzu's "ragdoll status" since she is by far my least favorite Cinderella Girls character. The less she speaks/does things the better; for me anyway.