Otaku 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.
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These idol anime go well beyond building popularity and performing for audiences. Some of the best idol anime out there also show captivating tales of friendships and overcoming struggles. The many titles within the confines of idol anime can help viewers look for just the kind of story they want to see.
10 Locodol (2014)
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 smaller idol groups face in their journey to success.
9 AKB0048 (2012)
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 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.
8 Uta No Prince-Sama (2011)
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 producer or an idol. 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.
7 Kikarin Revolution (2006)
Kikari Tsukishima has done what other fans have always dreamt of doing - pursuing a career in entertainment to pursue their ultimate crush. Kikarin Revolution begins when food-loving Kikari saves a turtle in a tree — a turtle that belonged to Ships member Seiji.
When Seiji invites Kikari 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, Kikari buckles up and becomes an idol of her own.
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Kikarin Revolution remains memorable for its amazing soundtrack and rather grounded story. While it boasts cutesy graphics typical of a shoujo anime, Kikarin Revolution does give a sneak peek behind the scenes of the idol life. These include Kikarin dealing with concerts, production woes, and even scandals here and there.
6 Aikatsu! Idol Activity (2012)
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 a successful idol. The Aikatsu! anime takes a similar route, albeit with a more grounded take.
In the anime, 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.
5 Sekkou Boys (2016)
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, Sekkou Boys is about literal statues. Miki becomes in charge of the Sekkou Boys, a boy band comprised of Greco-Roman Sculptures. Its members are Medici, Hermes, Mars, and St. George. Sekkou Boys is arguably one of the most hilarious yet adorable releases to ever grace idol anime.
4 Wake Up, Girls! (2014)
Idol anime aren't always about having fun and sharing the gospel of friendship to 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.
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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.
3 The Idolmaster (2011)
Fans of idol anime would likely know The Idolmaster, 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 Idolmaster 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 to rise 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.
2 Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club (2020)
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 that hits closest to home.
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 work together as a unit to save their beloved organization.
1 Skip Beat! (2008)
Fans of idol anime will likely have recommended Skip Beat! to another viewer at some point, as its gripping plot makes it quite an unforgettable experience. Skip Beat! follows Kyoko Mogami and her daily life of supporting her love, Shotaro Fuwa, who pursued a life of being an idol.
Things change when Kyoko overhears Shotaro calling her "boring" and badmouthing her to his manager. Swearing vengeance, Kyoko undergoes a transformation and enters the industry.