With the world being in the state it is currently in, it is more than a little refreshing to enjoy anime that focus on heart-warming developments and personal growth. With Japan’s Spring 2023 anime season almost at a close, I can happily say that The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls U149 has been that for me over the last couple of months – bundling copious amounts of heartwarming-ness with great music and loads of cuteness.
The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls U149 concluded its first season this week, and while overall the show was mostly self-contained 1-episode plots around each of the nine “U149” idols, it shifted into a two-episode finale which packaged everything together nicely and served as a fitting conclusion to not only the season, but if they opted to, the series.
But a post-credits scene indicates there may be more to come in the future, with the Producer revealing four additional members to the group – two of which have been unvoiced in the series to date – Kozue Yusa, Yukimi Sajo, Chika Yokoyama and Mai Fukuyama. All four joined the official manga’s cast post-launch, and up until the final seconds of Episode 12, had received little more than cameo appearances in the U149 anime.
While the quartet could be featured as part of the upcoming OVA to be included with the fourth Blu-ray volume of the anime, with at least the former two more or less locked in, it would be understandable if some may interpret this as the team at CyGames Pictures planting the seeds for a second season. I am all for more light, fun watching – so hope this proves true – as with only one episode to focus-in on each main character, especially those who have been undervalued through in-game events, there is a lot more surely to explore.
The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls U149 is an anime adaptation of Kyouno’s original manga, which focuses in on the younger recruitable and playable characters in Bandai Namco Entertainment and CyGame’s rhythm game – The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage. It commenced airing in 5 April 2023, with the twelfth and (currently) final episode airing this week. The full series is available to officially stream in English via CrunchyRoll.
About The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls U149
These small girls are ready to make it big! All under 149 centimeters tall, this group of aspiring pop idols dream of performing for thousands of people. But with zero experience, they’ve got a lot of work to do. Not to mention there’s a distractingly cute prince in town! With the help of their rookie producer, who’s just as short, can they stay focused and make it to the top?
