Aikatsu! The Movie (Japanese: 劇場版 アイカツ！, Hepburn: Gekijōban Aikatsu!) is a 2014 Japanese musical animated film that is part of the Aikatsu! franchise co-created by Hajime Yatate and Bandai. The film was directed by Yuichiro Yano with Ryuichi Kimura as chief director, written by Yōichi Katō, and produced by Sunrise. Released in Japan on December 13, 2014, the film marked an important milestone in the franchise, celebrating the main character's journey up to reaching the peak of her career as an idol. The film also became an emancipatory transitional moment from Ichigo's generation toward a new era led by Akari Ōzora.
Production and Release
The announcement of the production of the first film of the Aikatsu! franchise was first delivered in February 2014 through episode 71 of the anime series. This project was realized as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the television station TV Tokyo. With an original story focused on the three main characters, Ichigo Hoshimiya, Aoi Kiriya, and Ran Shibuki, the film was produced by Sunrise, the studio that also works on the anime series. The music for the film was handled by MONACA, with theme songs sung by the vocal unit from this series, STAR☆ANIS. The film was distributed by Toei Company, Ltd. and premiered in Japanese theaters on December 13, 2014. Before release, advance tickets were sold with a special bonus of original Aikatsu! cards for the "Sugar Ribbon Coordinate" outfit. The film grossed around US$834,831 at the Japanese box office.
Plot
After a successful concert, the principal of Starlight Academy, Orihime Mitsuishi, asks Ichigo Hoshimiya and her friends to hold a large special concert named "Ichigo Hoshimiya Super Live" or "Dai Star Miya Ichigo Matsuri". This concert will be held at Starlight Stadium, the same place where Ichigo first watched the concert of her idol, Mizuki Kanzaki, and decided to become an idol. During preparations, Akari Ōzora, a new student who admires Ichigo, states her wish to help. Ichigo then asks composer Naoto Suzukawa to write a new song for her concert, but Naoto refuses and recommends a local songwriter named Kanon.
Kanon agrees to write the song after being impressed by the girls' spirit, and they form a bond. However, in the midst of preparations, Ichigo receives a message from Mizuki to meet at the stadium and is told that Mizuki intends to quit being an idol. This news shakes Ichigo, but she does not give up. When Kanon shows the finished song, Ichigo feels that the song is not only for her fans, but she hopes the song can convince Mizuki to remain an idol.
On the day of the concert, various obstacles arise. Ichigo's crystal microphone is stolen by a group of thieves named the "Swallow Thieves", which is later successfully recovered by Shion Kamiya. Meanwhile, Akari is willing to search for Mizuki at fourteen different places to ensure her attendance. On stage, after singing the emotional song "Etude of Radiance", Ichigo invites Mizuki to join. Mizuki, who is inspired again by Ichigo's performance, instead invites Akari onto the stage and the three of them perform together. The concert becomes a turning point, in which Mizuki decides to continue her career as an idol, and as an expression of thanks, Ichigo gives her crystal microphone to Akari, a symbol of the generational baton pass.
Voice Cast
The film features the voice actors from the anime series with additional new characters. The lineup of main voice actors includes Sumire Morohoshi as Ichigo Hoshimiya, Ayaka Ohashi as Ran Shibuki, Azusa Tadokoro as Aoi Kiriya, Shino Shimoji as Akari Ōzora, and Minako Kotobuki as Mizuki Kanzaki. For the singing parts, the voice actors from STAR☆ANIS and AIKATSU☆STARS provide the vocals for those characters. New characters such as Kanon are voiced by Ayumi Fujimura.
Themes and Analysis
Aikatsu! The Movie is not merely an ordinary concert film, but a celebration of Ichigo Hoshimiya's long journey as an idol. The film highlights themes of friendship, cooperation, and the passing on of dreams. All the characters, both from the rival school Dream Academy and from Starlight Academy, unite to support the success of Ichigo's concert, affirming that behind the competition, they are friends who care about one another. Many observers consider the song "Etude of Radiance" sung by Ichigo to be a "love song" addressed to Mizuki, the idol who inspired her. In that performance, Ichigo beautifully expresses her gratitude and admiration.
More deeply, the film functions as a transition point in the franchise. The same stage presents three generations of idols: Mizuki, who represents the past (the peak idol who inspired Ichigo), Ichigo, who represents the present (who now reaches the peak and becomes the number one idol in the world), and Akari, who represents the future (the new generation inspired by Ichigo). The giving of the crystal microphone at the end of the film is a strong symbolization of this "baton pass", marking the start of a new era in which Akari and her friends will become the center of the story. The film's ending, which features a montage of ending songs from Ichigo's era, further strengthens the impression that this is the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one.
References
Wikipedia. Aikatsu! The Movie.
Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia. Aikatsu! The Movie.
Kinejun. 劇場版アイカツ！ アイドルカツドウ！ - 作品情報・映画レビュー.
Anime News Network. Aikatsu Shōjo Idol Anime's 1st Film Unveils New Teaser.
joekerstraightflush.blogspot.com. Aikatsu! The Movie - A Celebration of all things Aikatsu!.
Baidu Baike. 偶像活动剧场版.
TEGASIAN. Mengenang Momen Emosional dalam Film Aikatsu! The Movie.