The pop idol dramedy iDOLiSh7 will be getting a number of episodes exclusive to YouTube Premium that expand on the first season, with one telling the backstory of rival idol organization TRIGGER. The first part of TRIGGER’s prequel story released earlier this year.
iDOLish7 originally began as a massively popular smartphone rhythm game released by Bandai Namco back in August 2015. Since then, it has received numerous adaptations in the manga world and became an anime during the winter 2018 season - which, incidentally, wouldn’t be the only standout anime being released during the season (see: the Christmas special for Netflix’s Aggretsuko). The iDOLiSH7 anime tells the story of Tsumugi Takanashi, the novice manager of the seven-member boy band iDOLiSH7. The first season followed her attempts to train them, guide them, and help them find success in the entertainment industry.
According to Crunchyroll, three iDOLiSH7 stories, as well as another TRIGGER prequel, are planned, with each being released as an individual episode. The episodes are titled, “The Caught Man,” “PARTY TIME TOGETHER,” “NATSU☆Try!,” and “TRIGGER -before The Radiant Glory- II.” These additional episodes are all packaged as iDOLiSH7 Vibrato. YouTube Premium will begin streaming the new episodes beginning on January 17 via Bandai Namco Arts’ channel.
The idol subgenre has an immense following in Japan that appears to be finding its niche in the West. Between iDOLiSH7 and Zombie Land Saga, it has been a good year for highly regarded idol anime series. The growing global availability and visibility of idol groups like Teen Top! or K/DA, the fictional group made up of League of Legends characters, means that anime series based around the concept of idol creation have become more accessible than ever before.
The potential for idol programs to become one of the next big things is ludicrously high. They combine music, glamor, highlight attractive people, and frequently deal with larger-than-life personalities. Mix all of those together with an overarching narrative and audiences enjoy some fantastic drama.
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New iDOLiSH7 Vibrato episodes begin streaming on January 17, 2019 on YouTube.
Source: Crunchyroll
