The Idolm@ster SideM Announces Japan Film Release and First Console Game
The film opens November 20, while D3 Publisher and Bandai Namco plan an adventure game for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
The Idolm@ster SideM announced a film about 315 Production’s F＠ntastic Battle Fes and its first console game. The game features a new story with 16 units and 49 idols.
Sunday’s second day of “The Idolm@ster SideM 11th Stage ～Ever Ever＠fter～” concerts revealed a film and the sub-franchise’s first console game project.
Gekijō-ban Idolm@ster SideM F＠ntastic Battle Fes ～Who goes first～ opens across Japan on November 20. Its story centers on the titular F＠ntastic Battle Fes involving idols from the 315 Production agency.
Shochiku ODS Jigyō-shitsu will distribute the film. Both regular and “cheering” screenings will begin on opening day, with the latter encouraging audiences to shout and wave lightsticks.
The film’s production team includes:
- Bandai Namco Entertainment: planning, presentation and original creator credit.
- Takanori Urui (ManaMoA): director at hotarubi/SIKAKU.
- Zenta Yamazaki: CG director.
- Asuka Fujimoto: compositing director of photography and editor.
- Takatoshi Hamano: sound director.
- Lantis: music production.
D3 Publisher and Bandai Namco will release the adventure game for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Players will produce and schedule 16 units comprising 49 idols from 315 Production in an all-new story.
The original SideM smartphone game debuted in 2014 and shut down on January 5, 2023. It shared The IDOLM@STER franchise’s concept of idols that players can produce.
The app centered on male idols at 315 Production, pronounced “Saikō Production,” or “Ultimate Production.”
Subsequent smartphone games included:
- The Idolm@ster SideM Live on St@ge!, which launched in 2017 and started winding down service in January 2021.
- The Idolm@ster SideM Growing Stars, which debuted in Japan in October 2021 and ended service on July 31, 2023.
An anime adaptation of the first game premiered in October 2017. A prologue special featuring the Jupiter idol unit’s three members aired in September 2017. Crunchyroll streamed both as they aired.
Sumeragi’s The Idolm@ster SideM Wake Atte Mini! manga began in 2016 and concluded in January 2018. It inspired a 12-episode television anime of shorts that premiered in October 2018, with Crunchyroll streaming it as it aired.
Sumeragi launched the sequel manga, The Idolm@ster SideM Wake Atte Mini! Returns, in Kadokawa’s Dengeki Maoh magazine in September 2018. It ended in January 2019. Its single collected volume shipped in March 2019 with an anime episode bundled.
Sources: The IDOLM@STER franchise 's website via Hachima Kikō via ANN
