Aikatsu Friends!

Aikatsu Friends! (アイカツフレンズ！) is an arcade collectible card game in Bandai's Data Carddass line of machines, which launched on April 5, 2018. It is the successor to the Aikatsu! and Aikatsu Stars! series of arcade games. The game revolves around using collectible cards featuring various clothes to help aspiring idols pass auditions.

An anime television adaptation by BN Pictures aired from April 5, 2018, to September 26, 2019, replacing the Aikatsu Stars! series.[1] A manga adaptation by Chihiro Komori began serialization in Shogakukan's shōjo manga magazine Ciao from April 3, 2018.[2] On October 5, 2019, the series was followed by a spin-off titled Aikatsu on Parade!.[3]

Plot

Aine Yūki, an ordinary student at Star Harmony Academy's normal division, meets Mio Minato from the idol division, who invites her to fulfill her goal of making friends. Joined by other idols, including Maika Chōno and Ema Hinata, Aine and Mio form a pair of best friends to become the bright Diamond Friends.

Characters

• Aine Yūki (友希 あいね)
• [4]
• Aine is a first year high school student who belongs to Star Harmony Academy's idol division. A bright and positive girl with a kind heart, making friends is her specialty.
• Mio Minato (湊 みお)
• [4]
• Mio is a first year high school in Star Harmony Academy's idol division. With her extraordinary fashion sense, she serves as both the designer and muse of her own brand, Material Color.
• Maika Chōno (蝶乃 舞花)
• [4]
• Maika is a first year high school student who belongs to Star Harmony Academy's idol division. A passionate girl who loves festivals, she has good reflexes and also enjoys popularity as a model.
• Ema Hinata (日向 エマ)
• [4]
• Ema is a second year high school student who belongs to Star Harmony Academy's idol division. Being one year older than the other idols, she serves a reliable big sister figure to them.
• Karen Kamishiro (神城 カレン)
• [4]
• Born into the noble Kamishiro family, Karen received special education from a young age. Attentive and always smiling, she is an idol overflowing with love.
• Mirai Asuka (明日香 ミライ)
• [4]
• Mirai is a fashion leader with a love for things that are "cunique" and often takes pictures and uploads them on Friendstagram.
• Sakuya Shirayuri (白百合 さくや)
• [5]
• Sakuya is one of the first year high school students who belongs to Star Harmony Academy. She is an easygoing girl constantly spoiled by Kaguya, who often deals with her personal matters.
• Kaguya Shirayuri (白百合 かぐや)
• [5]
• Kaguya is one of the first year high school students who belongs to Star Harmony Academy. She formed the Friends Reflect Moon with her older twin sister, Sakuya.
• Wakaba Harukaze (春風 わかば)
• Mirai's "hidden child" the winner of "Mirai's Miracle Audition", Wakaba aspires to be an idol like Pure Palette. Her cute voice and sponge-like ability to take in new things are of note.
• Hibiki Tenshō (天翔 ひびき)
• Hibiki is an Aikatsu! artist who suddenly appears before the other idols. Charismatic and mature, she has a rivalry with Love Me Tear and competes with them whenever they meet.
• Alicia Charlotte (アリシアシャーロット)
• Alicia is princess of Solvette with whom Hibiki formed Friends with. A kindhearted girl with a distinctive atmosphere, she captivates people who see her.

Media

An anime television series produced by BN Pictures began airing on TV Tokyo on April 5, 2018, succeeding the Aikatsu Stars! anime series in its initial time-slot. A second season, subtitled ''Aikatsu Friends! Kagayaki no Jewel'', aired from April 4 to September 26, 2019.[6]

External links