Best Idol Anime

People who love anime know that the industry has more to offer outside heroic adventures, awesome mecha, and magical girls. Those who want to see delightful anime stories with equal doses of song and dance will likely find idol anime very appealing. A lot of idol anime also feature quite catchy and captivating soundtracks for fans to enjoy.

Along with great performances, the best idol anime are also captivating tales of friendships and persistence in the face of overwhelming challenges. Niche as the genre might be, idol stories come in many shapes and melodies.

Updated October 27, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Fall 2024 is well underway at this point, but does it contain any notable idol anime?

Fall 2024 Idol Anime

Overall, 2024 will not be remembered as a great year for idol anime. Most seasons barely had any shows that fit the theme, be it the male or female version, and the few exceptions were not particularly memorable either. The iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors received two cours (including one that is currently airing as part of Fall 2024), but it is pretty far from one of the best entries in the franchise. Just to be clear, it is still worth a watch for anyone starving for idol content, but their expectations should be kept relatively low. While more of a comedy featuring idols than an idol anime, Nijiyon Animation 2 is harmless fun for the most part. Himitsu no AiPri has produced roughly 30 episodes so far, but the show has barely made a splash. Oshi no Ko is not an idol show.

After three lackluster quarters, Fall 2024 has to save the genre’s year by producing arguably the only notable addition. Is it worth it?

Love Live! Superstar!! Season 3

Love Live! Superstar!! has a somewhat divisive reputation. The first season is regarded as a high point for the idol genre in general, largely thanks to all-around stellar animation and also the inclusion of the franchise’s best protagonist. A three-dimensional figure who drives the story forward and constantly grows throughout the season, Kanon is just a well-written character who complements and enhances the show’s themes. The rest of the main girls are very likable as well, and they even get moments to shine despite being support figures.

Then, the second season happened, and Superstar!! squandered some of its goodwill. Although hardly unwatchable, the sequel dedicated a lot of time to a plot thread that ended up going nowhere, while also shining a light on a “villain” (Wien) who was pretty uninteresting and annoyingly obsessed with Kanon. Despite being great in isolation, Kanon is arguably one of season 2’s weaker aspects, as Superstar!! abandoned any attempts to be an ensemble piece and elevated the protagonist into everyone’s savior.

So, season 3 is in a weird spot. On the one hand, Superstar!! could turn things around with a follow-up so strong that it retroactively improves its predecessor; conversely, another underwhelming entry could reduce the overall series to a disappointing footnote in anime history. Honestly, it is still too early to declare season 3 as a triumph, but there are enough positive signs to be at least optimistic. Wien joining Yuigaoka Girls’ High School and starting an idol club with Kanon might sound convoluted on paper, but it has mostly worked out well. They have good chemistry, and Tomari is shaping up to be a decent new character.

Kanon’s departure from Liella has also enabled the other characters to step out of her shadow, with the third episode doing a particularly great job of rehabilitating them. The music has been good as always.

Now, onto the best idol anime ever…

16 Sekko Boys

MyAnimeList: 6.25

Talk about stone-cold experimental. When Miki Ishimoto starts her job at Holbein Entertainment Co., she begins the huge endeavor of managing a new idol group! As a fresh college graduate, Miki will stop at nowhere to make a career in the entertainment industry, even if her new talents are statues.

Yes, Plaster Boys is about literal statues. Miki becomes in charge of the Sekkou Boys, a boy band consisting of Greco-Roman Sculptures. Its members are Medici, Hermes, Mars, and St. George. Plaster Boys is arguably one of the most hilarious yet adorable releases to ever grace idol anime.

15 Locodol

MyAnimeList: 6.88

Idols always start somewhere. Sometimes, they begin right in their very own hometowns. In Locodol, Nanako Usami gets her world turned upside down when her uncle asks her to become a locodol or a local idol. Nanako gives this a shot, at first teaming up with her senior Yukari Kohinata to create Nagarekawa Girls. They’ve started performing around their town of Nagarekawa in the hopes of promoting it to the world.

Unlike other idol anime that branch out to rather large plots, Locodol keeps its story and setting very local. The anime gives a rather fresh take on the small-scale local idol industry and a brief look into the trials and tribulations that these idol groups face in their journey to success.

14 Kodocha

MyAnimeList: 8.02

Kodocha just about qualifies as an idol anime. While not telling a conventional story for the genre, the anime’s protagonist is a child actress who is effectively an idol. More importantly, Gallop’s series is great and well worth tracking down, although that might be easier said than done nowadays. This shojo cult classic mostly revolves around Sana’s attempts to keep her classroom functioning normally, which usually involves countering mischief caused by the boys.

On the surface, this might seem to be a fairly typical “boys vs girls” anime, but that would sell Kodocha short. Showing surprising depth and nuance, the series counters its many silly plot threads with grounded and mature themes, which ultimately emphasizes that the characters use the former so they can deal with the latter.

13 UniteUp!

MyAnimeList: 7.02

A few exceptions notwithstanding, idol anime are always fighting an uphill battle for attention, and the male variant tends to have it worse than their female counterparts. UniteUp! did not make much noise when it debuted at the beginning of 2023, at least outside of Japan; however, the show was successful enough to warrant a sequel. As a multimedia project, the franchise utilizes a different marketing strategy than most. The concept launched on YouTube in 2021, and the UniteUp! channel has been very active since then. As such, the anime feels almost like a spin-off rather than the main focus, even if it is still central to this universe.

The story follows three YouTube sensations who are approached by a talent agency and offered the opportunity to form a new idol group. While some of them are hesitant at first, they eventually decide to accept the proposal, starting them down a career path with plenty of upsides but also just as many challenges. While not necessarily “dark” or “gritty,” UniteUp! is relatively realistic, with the characters coming across as genuine. Akira Kiyose is a particularly strong protagonist, and his arc is season 1’s high point. The core trio are all likable, and they are backed by a solid supporting cast.

12 AKB0048

MyAnimeList: 7.35 (Season 1)

If music and friendship can save the world, surely it can save the solar system? In AKB0048, idol groups venture into the future – one where a devastating war forced humanity to start anew. At Star Calendar Year 0000, the Deep Galactic Trade Organization banned things that “disturbed” the heart, such as art and music. But music lovers won’t let such oppression happen and this resistance will cause the legendary AKB48 to resurface anew as AKB0048.

Such begins their rather unique struggle of spreading music in a world where the music itself is treated as terrorism. Viewers will see members of AKB0048 be branded as both heroes and terrorists all the while training hard to live up to their historic legacy.

11 Uta No Prince-Sama

MyAnimeList: 7.02 (Season 1)

Albeit less of an idol anime and more of an idol competition anime, Uta no Prince-sama explores what happens in the early stages of an idol’s life. Aspiring composer Haruka Nanami enters the prestigious Saotome Academy, a performing arts school with students all eyeing to become a music producers or idols. And Haruka’s mission? To create a song for her favorite idol.

She stumbles upon a group of six classmates who all want to become idols. Haruka eventually becomes entangled in the personal lives of these six classmates and their journey to become popular performers.

10 Kirarin Revolution

MyAnimeList: 7.07

Kirari Tsukishima accomplishes what so many people only dream of – pursuing a career in entertainment to pursue their ultimate crush. Kirarin Revolution begins when food-loving Kirari saves a turtle in a tree that belonged to Ships member Seiji.

When Seiji invites Kirari to a concert, a boy named Hiroto warns her to stay away from him. As it turns out, Hiroto is also a member of Ships. Determined to pursue Seiji and see the truth for herself, Kirari buckles up and becomes an idol of her own.

Kirarin Revolution remains memorable for its amazing soundtrack and rather grounded story. While it boasts cutesy graphics typical of a shoujo anime, Kirarin Revolution does give a sneak peek behind the scenes of idol life. These include Kirarin dealing with concerts, production woes, and even scandals here and there.

9 Aikatsu!

MyAnimeList: 7.48

Fans might be surprised to learn that Aikatsu! Idol Activity is actually a collectible card game. Players take on the role of aspiring idols and use special Aikatsu cards to represent accessories and dresses. When used properly, their cards can earn them points to become successful idols. The Aikatsu! anime takes a similar route, albeit with a more grounded take.

In the show, a performance by top idol Mizuki Kanzaki inspires Ichigo Hoshiyama to attempt to become an idol herself. She and her best friend Aoi Kiriya enroll in Starlight Academy and, alongside classmate Ran Shibuki, train to become top idols. Producing 178 episodes, Aikatsu! is a time investment, and the anime takes a while to really hit its stride. Season 1 is probably the weakest of the four seasons, although it is still packed with catchy songs and lovable secondary characters. As the show progresses, it builds up a pretty huge cast since the later seasons introduce a new batch of idols, culminating in an “epic” feeling final act.

Aikatsu Stars!
is also great.

8 D4DJ

MyAnimeList: 7.64 (First Mix)

D4DJ transcends medium. The franchise has produced two manga series, a game, and multiple anime, with the main shows being First Mix and All Mix. Along with a CGI visual style that can take some getting used to, D4DJ‘s main gimmick is that it blends idols with DJs, with the story revolving around a few different groups.

While this might not sound like a huge departure since music is always a big part of any idol story, it does result in a fairly different overall experience than the norm. For the most part, D4DJ is a relaxing watch that rarely introduces significant tension. Most episodes highlight a few different characters, and the music is generally enjoyable.

7 Symphogear

MyAnimeList: 7.03 (Season 1)

Symphogear is impossible to pin down. An action show featuring magical idols who sing as they save the world, the anime is unapologetically ludicrous, and that is a compliment. Consisting of five seasons, Symphogear has a slightly rough start, but it picks up momentum toward the end of its first cour; after that, the show goes from strength to strength.

If a viewer is searching for a traditional idol story, they will not find it here. However, if someone wants to see over-the-top battles between lovable characters who undergo fairly engaging arcs, Symphogear should be perfect. Also, the soundtrack is nothing short of fantastic, arguably ranking among the most consistent in the anime industry.

6 Zombie Land Saga

MyAnimeList: 7.51 (Season 1)

Zombie Land Saga is one of the most important idol anime of recent years, mostly because it attracts a more casual audience than the genre tends to manage. Putting aside the fact the show’s girls are the walking dead, Zombie Land Saga is really not that atypical for an idol anime.

The comedy focuses on the growing friendships between its main characters as they try to come to grips with the situation they find themselves in. There are plenty of dance and song numbers too, and season 2 even has decent animation for these segments. Zombie Land Saga is a great gateway anime into the world of idols, and hopefully, it inspires people to seek out more of the genre’s offerings.

5 Wake Up, Girls!

MyAnimeList: 7.01 (Season 1)

Idol anime are not always about having fun and sharing the gospel of friendship with viewers. In the case of Wake Up, Girls!, sometimes becoming an idol means doing whatever it took to ensure the survival of both their group and their entertainment company.

Green Leaves Entertainment is a small-time production company on the brink of collapse. In a last-ditch effort to save their company, President Junko Tange hatches a plot to recruit seven girls to create Wake Up, Girls!, a new girl group.

Akin more to a drama anime than an idol anime, Wake Up, Girls! expands from the idol performance concept and dwells more into the lives of each member of their group. The anime explores not just the harsh aspects of reality as an idol team, but the many interpersonal conflicts that intertwine in the process of their growth.

4 Macross Series

MyAnimeList: 7.90 (Super Dimension Fortress Macross)

Surprisingly, an old-school mecha show, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, basically created idol anime. Centering around a war between humans and aliens, Super Dimension Fortress Macross has action, political commentary, complex characters, and a virtual idol with an angelic voice named Lynn Minmay.

Over the decades, the Macross series has taken many forms, with idols always serving as one of the franchise’s main pillars. 2016’s Macross Delta pushes idols even more to the forefront than is otherwise typical for the franchise; this entry focuses on the Walküre, an idol group that sings to keep under control a disease called Vár Syndrome.

Macross illustrates how diverse the idol genre actually is. Some anime are comedies, others are dramas, and a handful feature mecha and zombies.

3 IDOLiSH7

MyAnimeList: 7.71 (Season 1)

An adaptation of a mobile game developed by Bandai Namco Online, IDOLiSH7 revolves around a teenager, Tsumugi Takanashi, who is put in charge of managing a male idol group. Although overwhelmed at first, Tsumugi quickly becomes enamored with her group, although their future isn’t all sunshine and catchy songs.

IDOLiSH7 is straightforward in the sense that it focuses on the group’s rise in fame, which is hardly new ground for idol anime. However, IDOLiSH7 sets itself apart through the sheer strength of its characters and story, as the anime explores the darker side of the industry.

2 The IDOLM@STER (2011)

MyAnimeList: 7.61

Fans of idol anime would likely know The IDOLM@STER, the multimedia franchise revolving around games that had players take on the role of a production manager that has to manage an idol group. Despite its many anime incarnations, the 2011 iteration of The IDOLM@STER gives a more down-to-earth, hilarious, and yet grounded take on the complex lives of idol members.

Granted, its plot still revolves around the members of the core idol group rising to the top. The show also explores how these members need to manage their overall presentation, fan pressure and reception, and rivalry even among friends.

The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls: U149

iDOLM@STER is such a massive franchise that it, naturally, has inspired a few spin-offs. Cinderella Girls shakes things up by focusing on a group of grade schoolers who are taking their first steps into the idol industry. While the original show is decent, U149 is superior in nearly every way, and it does not require the audience to have any prior knowledge of iDOLM@STER.

Idol anime can be a hard sell to the uninitiated at the best of times, but that goes into overdrive when the cast consists of almost nothing but young children. U149 gets over this by walking a fine line between wholesome fluff and realism. While the girls face genuine challenges that most people preparing for a life in the spotlight go through, the show predominantly maintains a positive outlook and tone. Consequently, the anime manages to highlight the appeal of becoming an idol without coming across as sugarcoated propaganda.

1 Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club

MyAnimeList: 7.50 (Season 1)

Anyone who’s ever loved idol anime will likely remember Love Live! and its penchant for idol games. It’s only about time for Love Live! to eventually get anime adaptations. Out of them all, Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club is the most complete.

Set in Nijigasaki High School in Tokyo, the anime talks of the struggles of the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club in a school of extremely diverse majors and “free school style.” To make matters worse, the school is already in the process of shutting down their club. The eleven members of the club, all solo idols, now have to work together as a unit to save their beloved organization.

Honorable Mention: Oshi No Ko

Due to its popularity as both a manga and anime, Oshi no Ko might be a lot of people’s first exposure to idol culture. However, while the story features idols to an extent, it is not a traditional entry in the genre. An argument could be made that Oshi no Ko is not an idol anime at all since the story does not deliver many of the tropes or thrills associated with these types of releases. As such, the series is not a great introduction to this anime subset.

That said, Oshi no Ko is fantastic by most metrics, and its more grounded and cynical interpretation of the entertainment industry serves as a refreshing departure from most shows’ sterilized presentations. Balancing dark themes with humor and splashes of hope, Oshi no Ko was one of the best anime of 2023.

Season 2 focuses specifically on a theatre adaptation of a shonen manga, and it has very little to do with idols.

Honorable Mention 2: Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue is an all-time great movie, be it anime or otherwise. While one of the most famous stories to feature an idol, the film cannot be classified as part of the genre and should only be watched by people craving a psychological thriller. Satoshi Kon created an uncomfortable tale of obsession and fragility, with the former being represented by a terrifying stalker who follows the former idol protagonist.

Seeking to leave the idol industry behind and become an actress, Mima Kirigoe goes through a radical change in presentation, one that is not received well by her fans. Perfect Blue shows the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry and fandom in general, all wrapped up in a powerful character study.