Hey!

[Nayre]

Hello everyone, I'm Nayre. I discovered Idolmaster through the anime about 2 years back.  I use to call myself an anime fan even though the only ones I've seen were the mainstream ones like Naruto, Bleach, Attack on Titan.  I used to think SAO was the best thing ever.  Then I stumbled upon this blog that listed all the top animes by year, genre, and other sub categories.  So I watched some and was blown away by shows like Madoka, Stein's Gate, Uchouten Kazoku, forever changing my view on anime.  I came across Idolmaster, which was the SoL pick for 2011. Never seen an idol show so I didn't know what to expect.  Thought it was just gonna be a bunch of cute girls singing and dancing to generic J-pop music.  Needlessly to say, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was completely drawn in by the second episode. I remember tearing up a bit after seeing the OP for the first time.  The show had a unique "charm" that I haven't felt in any other anime I've seen before.  I quickly became emotionally attached to the characters, cheering them on up until their big debut concert which was truly a spectacle.  The first 13 episodes alone was enough for Im@s to land a spot in my fave anime of all time(possibly even the top).  I love the immense feeling of joy I got from the series and from the songs especially. 

Right after finishing the anime, I went on a frenzy looking up all the songs. I found out about Im@s2 on youtube and eventually came across this site while trying to look up stuff.  Been using it ever since to look up CDs, master versions, character info.  I didn't know about the forum until a few days ago though lol.  I've still yet to play any of the games, so I'm more of a surface fan right now.  But I'm glad to have found a place where I can share my love for Im@s with others.  It's hecka lonely being a fan here in the US. 

[OniZetto]

Welcome aboard, rookie producer

It seems that the anime draws more attention than the game itself, so who's your favorite girl, may I ask?

If you want to dive into the game itself, One For All will be a good start for you. Basically it's nothing different from iM@S 2, but much easier and the game has no actual end - you can be their producer as long as you wish, even if you beat the Rank-A idol contest.

But if you'd like to buy downloadable contents, don't buy any songs or costumes since they're excessively expensive. Make sure you go for EX Episodes, they expand the story line quite a little, plus it comes with exclusive costumes/image songs for all the girls.

[Vas]

Heyo! Welcome to forums, mate! Glad to have you here. I know how ya feel, being an iM@S fan with little to no people (other than here) to share your interest. :U

[altuixde]

What was it about the second episode of the anime that drew you in, Nayre? I actually gave up on the anime for a while after watching the first episode because it reminded me of reality TV. I don't think that the first episode is so bad anymore, but I'm glad that the whole anime isn't like that.

Anyway, welcome and congratulations on finding the forum! We really ought to make the forum more easy to stumble across from the wiki.

[Nayre]

Welcome aboard, rookie producer

It seems that the anime draws more attention than the game itself, so who's your favorite girl, may I ask?

If you want to dive into the game itself, One For All will be a good start for you. Basically it's nothing different from iM@S 2, but much easier and the game has no actual end - you can be their producer as long as you wish, even if you beat the Rank-A idol contest.

But if you'd like to buy downloadable contents, don't buy any songs or costumes since they're excessively expensive. Make sure you go for EX Episodes, they expand the story line quite a little, plus it comes with exclusive costumes/image songs for all the girls.

Haha thanks!

Well, my initial favorites from watching the anime were Haruka and Miki.  But when I got around to listening to the master artist CDS, Hibiki caught my attention.  I always thought she was an interesting character, but she wasn't featured as much in the anime, mostly taking the role of backup dancer and supporting the others, and her character episode was pretty vague so I didn't have much to go on other than her love for animals.  The only time I heard her singing voice was from her insert song, Brand New Day, which I didn't really like at the time.  So when I heard her DREAM, I was surprised that her voice was so powerful.  It was when I listened to her cover of Nada Sousou that I decided that she was my number 1 fave.  I also really like her range, being able to cover all types of songs really well.  I love how she can sound so sweet in songs like My Song and Nanairo Button, or mature and bada$$ in Overmaster and I Want.  I've also taken a great liking to Chihaya(prolly #2), who also has a pretty good range.  She's surprisingly really good at cutesy songs.  I love seeing her perform songs like Kiramekirari and READY!!(So HNNNNGGG!)  Happy Chihaya is best Chihaya.  Then I have Miki at #3 because she's well, Miki. 
(I have a feeling she doesn't sit too well with the female fans lol.)

Ah ok.  I've been planning on saving up for a PS3 just for the game lol.  Though I feel I won't be able to enjoy the game to the fullest, being not able to understand Japanese and all.  I'll just roll with it I guess. 

Yeah, I heard the DLC is pretty pricey, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.  It's inevitable since a lot of the songs I like ended up being DLC. 

[Nayre]

Heyo! Welcome to forums, mate! Glad to have you here. I know how ya feel, being an iM@S fan with little to no people (other than here) to share your interest. :U

Thank you, thank you!  Yeah, I've yet to meet another Im@s fan in person around where I live.

What was it about the second episode of the anime that drew you in, Nayre? I actually gave up on the anime for a while after watching the first episode because it reminded me of reality TV. I don't think that the first episode is so bad anymore, but I'm glad that the whole anime isn't like that.

Anyway, welcome and congratulations on finding the forum! We really ought to make the forum more easy to stumble across from the wiki.

Oh, what I meant was, by the end of the first 2 episodes, not entirely the 2nd episode itself.  But yeah, I really liked how they focused on the individuality of the idols especially in the 2nd episode where they showcased all their good qualities using the photo shoot.  It helped me get a good feel of the characters and made me care about each of them, an aspect I thought they handled pretty well considering the large cast of 13 girls.
Haha, I did the same too after watching about halfway of the first episode initially.  I think I just wasn't in the mood of watching something I thought was just gonna be a cute girl show at the time.  Oh yeah, a little something I found that sums up the first ep pretty nicely. 

Thanks! I'm glad I finally stumbled upon it lol.

[Amazing_Grace]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm also a lonely iM@S fan in the USA. I managed to turn my closest friends and my little sister onto it, but I hardly see any of them anymore so it's still lonely.

We'll make it somehow.

[mariokirby]

Welcome.  We are a small, but friendly forum.  Glad you liked the anime.  I liked the anime, so I started playing the games right afterwards.

I highly recommend playing the console games.  We have guides for either Idolm@ster 2 and Idolm@ster One-for-All (this is the newer game).  But, since you're new then people here would suggest starting with One-for-All and watch youtube videos for Idolm@ster 2 story.

In my opinion, I think you will love the franchise even more by playing the console games.  But, be prepared to spend more money on a game than ever.

If you want to start Idolm@ster One for All as well, which came out last year. 

http://idolmasterofa.wikia.com/wiki/IDOLM@STER_One_For_All_Wiki

If you want to start on Idolm@ster 2, then use this guide.

http://imas2.wota.info/home

Please, don't let lack of Japanese stop you from playing the games.  I don't know Japanese except some words and phrases from watching anime.

[SideM]

Hello and Welcome!! I also discovered discovered the series through the anime, and I definitely agree with you about it having a unique charm and quickly becoming attached to the characters.

So after looking up all the songs, which became your favorites?

[Nayre]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm also a lonely iM@S fan in the USA. I managed to turn my closest friends and my little sister onto it, but I hardly see any of them anymore so it's still lonely.

We'll make it somehow.

Thanks! 

Haha, I tried getting my sis into it too, but she's more interested in korean stuffs.  Might've worked around 7-8 years ago when she was still going through her weeaboo phase.  Wow, thinking back actually, I remember she used to dance and sing along to Go My Way back before either of us even knew about Im@s.  It stuck with me and I think that was the first song I've heard.  Lol! If I only knew...   

Welcome.  We are a small, but friendly forum.  Glad you liked the anime.  I liked the anime, so I started playing the games right afterwards.

I highly recommend playing the console games.  We have guides for either Idolm@ster 2 and Idolm@ster One-for-All (this is the newer game).  But, since you're new then people here would suggest starting with One-for-All and watch youtube videos for Idolm@ster 2 story.

In my opinion, I think you will love the franchise even more by playing the console games.  But, be prepared to spend more money on a game than ever.

If you want to start Idolm@ster One for All as well, which came out last year. 

http://idolmasterofa.wikia.com/wiki/IDOLM@STER_One_For_All_Wiki

If you want to start on Idolm@ster 2, then use this guide.

http://imas2.wota.info/home

Please, don't let lack of Japanese stop you from playing the games.  I don't know Japanese except some words and phrases from watching anime.

Thanks for all the feedback! I wasn't expecting all these responses and this quick!

[OniZetto]

Haha thanks!

Well, my initial favorites from watching the anime were Haruka and Miki.  But when I got around to listening to the master artist CDS, Hibiki caught my attention.  I always thought she was an interesting character, but she wasn't featured as much in the anime, mostly taking the role of backup dancer and supporting the others, and her character episode was pretty vague so I didn't have much to go on other than her love for animals.  The only time I heard her singing voice was from her insert song, Brand New Day, which I didn't really like at the time.  So when I heard her DREAM, I was surprised that her voice was so powerful.  It was when I listened to her cover of Nada Sousou that I decided that she was my number 1 fave.  I also really like her range, being able to cover all types of songs really well.  I've also taken a great liking to Chihaya(prolly #2), who also has a pretty good range.  She's surprisingly really good at cutesy songs.  I love seeing her perform songs like Kiramekirari and READY!!(So HNNNNGGG!)  Happy Chihaya is best Chihaya.  Then I have Miki at #3 because she's well, Miki. 
(I have a feeling she doesn't sit too well with the female fans lol.)

Ah ok.  I've been planning on saving up for a PS3 just for the game lol.  Though I feel I won't be able to enjoy the game to the fullest, being not able to understand Japanese and all.  I'll just roll with it I guess. 

Yeah, I heard the DLC is pretty pricey, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.  It's inevitable since a lot of the songs I like ended up being DLC. 

One simple word to describe Miki: Sleeping xD And if you like Chihaya's adorable songs, make sure you don't miss "choco fondue!" from Petit! Idolm@ster album.

[Amazing_Grace]

Thanks! 

Haha, I tried getting my sis into it too, but she's more interested in korean stuffs.  Might've worked around 7-8 years ago when she was still going through her weeaboo phase.  Wow, thinking back actually, I remember she used to dance and sing along to Go My Way back before either of us even knew about Im@s.  It stuck with me and I think that was the first song I've heard.  Lol! If I only knew...   


Thanks for all the feedback! I wasn't expecting all these responses and this quick!

My sister was already an anime fan and we discovered iM@S together, so we made it a law to watch every episode together. We did, and it was awesome.
So that definitely helped.

We're a pretty friendly place. :3

[Nayre]

Hello and Welcome!! I also discovered discovered the series through the anime, and I definitely agree with you about it having a unique charm and quickly becoming attached to the characters.

So after looking up all the songs, which became your favorites?

Thanks.  I started rewatching some episodes and I'm loving it! 

I love just about every Im@s song out there and how there's a ton of variety.  But there's a few that hold a special place in my heart.

Top 3 765 Pro songs

i - My first ever fave from the anime.  They used it for the ED montage for ep 13, right after their debut concert and also as an instrumental version for several emotional scenes throughout the show.  So whenever I listen to this song, I feel a rush of nostalgia and a strong case of "the feels" because it always reminds me of their journey to being top idols.  Hoping it eventually becomes DLC for OFA, or they give Hibiki a master version. 

Nijiiro Miracle - THIS. These are the kinds of songs that I love about Im@s.  Songs that fill you with joy, full of hope, that inspire you to do your best in life. 

Music♪ - I don't know how to describe it, but this song just hits me hard every time. 

Top 3 Image/Personal songs

Sora - Fell in love with this song the first time i heard it.  I'm kinda hoping they release an all-star version of this, sorta like what they did in their concert last year, where all the idols sang the last chorus together.

Shiny Smile - Being a Hibiki fan, I sure you saw this coming!  I used to listen to this song before bed.(im@s2 Hibiki solo) Any other fans shed tears of joy when they found out they were finally giving her a master version in the latest master artist album? I know I did.

Suteki Happiness - So I was watching all the EX songs one day...I thought Makoto's was really cool, Iori WOULD sing something like that <3, Yayoi being adorable as always, as expected Chihaya never ceases to amaze, Island themed song for Hibiki? Heck yes!...I was pleased with the songs they gave each idol, however I was still hesistant to listen to Haruka's.  I thought hers was gonna be so generic, since when it comes to songs I always thought she got the short end of the stick.  Was about to hand over the medal to Pon De Beach, but then I noticed her vid got more views than all of the others so I was like hmmm? Decided to watch it.

I was so mesmerized.  I liked Haruka as a character but singing wise I felt like she was never given a song to truly shine.  This was exactly what I was looking for; a song that fully brings out her personality.  Whew, damn.  My eyes were sweating happiness like there was no tomorrow.  Go Haruka!

I feel like there's more that deserves special mention like Uzuki's super warm S(mile)ing!, and Anna's Happy Darling, but I don't wanna drag this post on any longer than it already is. 

Hmmm...Spoiler tags for images don't seem to work. 

[Nayre]

One simple word to describe Miki: Sleeping xD And if you like Chihaya's adorable songs, make sure you don't miss "choco fondue!" from Petit! Idolm@ster album.

Haha, so true.  She also has a strong presence.  Like whenever I think of "blond anime girl", the first character that always comes to mind is Miki.  Alrighty, I'll go check that out when I get the chance.