Love Live! School Idol Project

Otonokizaka High School is planning to close within three years. However, nine female students come together with one thing in mind—form a pop idol group to revive the school’s popularity and keep it from shutting down. 'In order to protect our beloved school, there’s only one thing we can do...become pop stars!'

Love Live! School Idol Project (2013-2014) is a Japanese animated school idol series created for TOKYO MX and produced by Sunrise, following nine female students at Otonokizaka High School who form a pop idol group to keep their threatened school from closing. The story centers on Honoka Kōsaka (Emi Nitta), whose determined drive pushes the group forward, with Umi Sonoda (Suzuko Mimori), Kotori Minami (Aya Uchida) and Maki Nishikino (Pile) supplying contrasting temperaments and friction within the ensemble. The engine of the show is practical and emotional at once: the girls must rehearse, write songs, stage live performances and win over an indifferent audience, while their friendships are tested along the way. The series runs two seasons across 26 episodes, with each episode built around a concrete performance goal rather than a sprawling mystery. Set in a contemporary Tokyo school, it carries a cheerful, sincere, slice of life register with music at its heart. Its earnest optimism and coming of age warmth will appeal to fans of K-On! and The Idolm@ster, and viewers who enjoy uplifting school stories and idol culture will find it an easy, comforting watch.

Audiences rate the series positively, praising its cute, upbeat charm and the warmth of its idol-group friendships.

• Idolm@stershared upbeat music-driven school idol premise and slice of life tone
• K-On!shared coming of age friendship arcs and music-centered group performance
• Bakumanshared underdog school revival through competition and ensemble friendship

Release Date

2013-01-06

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (91)

What is Love Live! School Idol Project about?

Nine students at a struggling Tokyo high school form a pop idol group to save their school from closing.

What is Love Live! School Idol Project like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Love Live! School Idol Project as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Love Live! School Idol Project violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Love Live! School Idol Project.

What did critics think of Love Live! School Idol Project?

Audiences rate the series positively, praising its cute, upbeat charm and the warmth of its idol-group friendships.

Which shows are like Love Live! School Idol Project?

Shows with a similar feel include Idolm@ster, K-On!, and Bakuman.

How long is Love Live! School Idol Project?

Love Live! School Idol Project: 2 seasons, 26 episodes.

Is Love Live! School Idol Project still running?

No, Love Live! School Idol Project has ended.

Where can I watch Love Live! School Idol Project?

In United States, Love Live! School Idol Project streams on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel.