is a 2014 Japanese animated

musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...

based on an anime television series with a same name co-created by

Hajime Yatate is a pseudonym for the collective contributions of the Sunrise animation staff. Name "Hajime Yatate" is considered to be named after a quote of Matsuo Bashō's ''Oku no Hosomichi'': Credited series This collective entity is credited as the o ...

and

Bandai is a Japanese multinational toy manufacturer and distributor headquartered in Taitō, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectables America and Bandai UK, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California and Richmond ...

. The film is directed by Yuichiro Yano with Ryuichi Kimura as chief director, written by Yoichi Kato, and produced by

Sunrise Sunrise (or sunup) is the moment when the upper rim of the Sun appears on the horizon in the morning. The term can also refer to the entire process of the solar disk crossing the horizon and its accompanying atmospheric effects. Terminology Al ...

. The film was released in Japan on December 13, 2014. The film focuses on Ichigo and the others preparing for "Ichigo Hoshiyama Super Live" event.

Plot

After performance at a live concert goes successful, the school headmistress, Orihime asks Ichigo and her friends backstage to hold a special live event: "Ichigo Hoshimiya Super Live". After the press conference, Akari decides that she wants to help Ichigo and the others for the event. Ichigo asks Naoto to write a song for her, but declines and suggest Kanon, a local singer and songwriter. Kanon agrees, and briefly bonds with the girls with a supreme strawberry parfait. Later that night, Ichigo receives a message from Mizuki to meet her at a stadium, who surprisingly tells her that she'll stop being an idol. While disappointed, the girls continue to plan the event with help from others. As the three are practicing, Kanon comes and tells them that the song is ready. As Ichigo realizes that the song shouldn't be just for the fans, she hopes that it'll convince Mizuki to continue being an idol. During the performance, Ichigo's crystal mic gets stolen by Swallow Thieves, which Shion helps it get it back in time. While Kaede, Sakura and Yurika manages to get the premium cards back in time, Akari also brings Mizuki in time, after searching for her in fourteen places. During Ichigo's performance, Akari tells Mizuki to join the performance, but she asks Akari to join with her. After the event, Mizuki tells Ichigo that she'll continue being an idol, and as a thank you gift, Ichigo gives Akari her crystal mic.

Voice cast

* Sumire Morohoshi as Ichigo Hoshiyama *

Ayaka Ohashi , known simply as Ayaka, is a female Japanese singer, songwriter and record producer formerly signed to Warner Music Japan. Born in Osaka, she moved to Tokyo to pursue a singing career. She married actor Hiro Mizushima on February 22, 2009. B ...

as Ran Shibuki *

Azusa Tadokoro is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is affiliated with the talent agency HoriPro International and signed to record label Lantis. She participated in an audition sponsored by this agency. Her notable roles include Aoi Kiriya in ''Aikats ...

as Aoi Kiriya *

Shino Shimoji is a Japanese voice actress from the Okinawa prefecture, affiliated with Aoni Production. She debuted as a singer in 2016 by performing the opening theme song for ''Magic of Stella''. Filmography Anime television *'' Abarenbō Rikishi!! Matsutar ...

as Akari Ōzora *

Minako Kotobuki is a Japanese actress and singer. She played Tsumugi Kotobuki in the anime series ''K-On!'' about a high school girl band. The show launched her music career as she performed the opening and ending themes, and joined three other voice actresse ...

as Mizuki Kanazaki *

Kiyono Yasuno is a Japanese voice actress and singer from Miyagi Prefecture. She attended voice actor training classes of the Avex Artist Academy before becoming affiliated with Avex Planning and Development. She is known for her role as Megumi Katō in the a ...

as Sakura Kitaōji *Yuna Mimura as Kaede Ichinose *

Yui Ishikawa is a Japanese actress and voice actress who was previously represented by Sunaoka Office but now works for mitt management. Prior to becoming a voice actress, she worked mainly on stage. Her specialities are classical ballet, jazz dance, and ta ...

as Hinaki Shinjō *

Toshiyuki Toyonaga is a Japanese actor and singer. He began working on television and stage as a child actor. Following his debut as a voice actor in 2002, he currently works with the Super Eccentric Theater Inc. He played Mikado Ryugamine in '' Durarara!!'', Yuri ...

as Naoto Suzukawa *Ayumi Fujimura as Kanon *Kaya Matsutani as Headmistress Orihime Mitsuishi *

Makoto Yasumura is a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Sigma Seven. Filmography Anime *''AKB0048'' - Leader *''Aikatsu!'' - Johnny Bepp *''Aikatsu Friends!'' - Masamune Yūki, Penne *''Rec'' - Fumihiko Matsumaru *''AKB0048 Next Stage'' - Leader *''A Certain ...

as Johnny Bepp

Production

On February 2014, it was announced that a first film for the ''

Aikatsu! is an arcade collectible card game in Bandai's ''Data Carddass'' line of machines, which launched in October 2012. The game revolves around using collectible cards featuring various clothes to help aspiring idols pass auditions. An ani ...

'' series was in development, with an original story focusing on the main three characters: Ichigo, Aoi and Ran.

Release

The film was released in theaters in Japan on December 13, 2014.

Reception

Box office

The film opened at number 5 out of top 10 in the Japanese box office in its opening weekend, and ranked number 1 on viewer statisfaction ratings on its first day.

Notes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Aikatsu! The Movie 2010s Japanese films 2014 anime films Aikatsu! Sunrise (company) Music in anime and manga Anime films based on video games