Idoly Pride
Synopsis
The VENUS Program is an idol scoring system that is entirely impartial, using AI and data to rank candidates based on an array of factors. To determine the rising stars of the idol industry, the annual VENUS Grand Prix is held utilizing these algorithms. Among all the idols that have participated, none have been as outstanding as Mana Nagase. However, on the day of the tournament's finals, a tragic accident suddenly ends her career. Kouhei Makino, who previously worked as Mana's manager, continues his career at Hoshimi Productions years after her death. Wanting to build a new team of idols, he accepts interviews from various girls. Unexpectedly, one of the interviewees is Kotono Nagase, Mana's younger sister, who is striving to carry on her sister's legacy under the tutelage of her former advisor. Also auditioning is Sakura Kawasaki, whose voice sounds astoundingly similar to that of Mana. Both Kotono and Sakura pass the evaluations, joining a group of eight other aspiring young girls. Living in a shared dormitory, the 10 members work together to learn more about what it means to harmonize as a team. United by an ambitious endeavor, the girls compete their way to the top as they traverse through the unforgiving world of idols. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions are divided, with some praising the show's emotional depth, character development, and music, while others criticize its predictable plot, underutilized characters, and inconsistent animation. Many appreciate the series' attempts to explore more profound themes than typical idol anime. While some find it a moving and enjoyable experience, others consider it mediocre and formulaic, particularly those familiar with the idol genre.
Strengths
- Meaningful exploration of regret, loss, and redemption.
- High-quality musical performances and songs.
- Good character development, especially Kotono's growth.
- Surprising depth beyond typical idol anime themes.
- Well-executed drama and emotional moments.
Weaknesses
- Predictable storyline and some clichéd character tropes.
- Underutilization of side characters and rival groups.
- Inconsistent CGI animation in dance sequences.
- Formulaic storytelling with little challenge for the protagonists.
- Superficial exploration of the idol industry.