Aikatsu!

Aikatsu! (アイカツ!, Aidoru Katsudō!, lit. "Idol Activity!") is a multimedia franchise originating from Bandai's Data Carddass arcade card game. It revolves around the theme of "idols" and spans various forms, including anime, manga, and games. The anime adaptation, produced by Sunrise, premiered on October 8, 2012, and tells the story of a group of young girls pursuing their dreams of becoming idols at Starlight Academy. Through their idol activities (Aikatsu!), they grow and develop. The main character, Ichigo Hoshimiya, is inspired to become an idol after seeing top idol Mizuki Kanzaki perform. She enrolls in Starlight Academy with her best friend, Aoi Kiriya. The story focuses on their journey to become idols, showcasing friendship, competition, dreams, and hard work. The series is popular for its diverse characters, catchy songs, and beautiful costume designs, and has spawned several sequels, such as Aikatsu Stars! and Aikatsu Friends!. The arcade card game allows players to collect cards, coordinate outfits, and experience the idol stage performance.