The Most Popular Idol Anime, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the idol anime you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:40
Anime enthusiasts often find themselves in heated debates about which idol anime series truly captures the heart of the genre. With a variety of shows each presenting unique characters and engaging storylines, it can be a challenge to pinpoint which ones stand out amongst fans. Ranking these series not only fuels engaging discussions but also aids new viewers in identifying where to start their journey.
This site lets you cast your vote and see how your favorite idol anime stack up against others in real time. By participating, you provide valuable insight that helps shape the collective opinion of the community. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the world of idol anime, your opinion counts here, so join in and help determine the community's top favorite!
What Is the Most Popular Idol Anime?
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152votes
Love Live! School Idol Project
Sakurako KiminoThis franchise is one of the most popular idol anime series, with a huge fan following and successful music releases. It follows a group of high school girls who form an idol group to save their school from closing down.Love Live! School Idol Project is a popular idol anime series that tells the story of a group of high school girls who form a music idol group to save their school from closing down. The series follows their journey as they overcome various challenges and work towards their goal of becoming top idols.- Genre: Idol, School, Music
- Original run: January 6, 2013 – March 31, 2013
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Sunrise
- Theme songs: μ's - 'Bokura no LIVE Kimi to no LIFE', 'Snow halation', 'START:DASH!!'
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232votesThis anime follows a group of aspiring idols as they try to achieve their dreams and become successful in the industry. It has a large cast of characters, each with their own unique personality and story.The Idolmaster is a popular idol anime series that centers around a group of aspiring young girls who aim to become successful idols in the competitive entertainment industry. The story follows their journey as they train, perform, and develop their skills while facing various challenges and obstacles along the way.
- First aired: July 7, 2011
- Genre: Drama, Music, Slice of Life
- Number of seasons: 6
- Number of episodes: 296 (including spin-offs)
- Main characters: 765 Production idols, including Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, and Miki Hoshii
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328votesThis anime series focuses on a group of girls attending a school for idols. They learn how to perform, design costumes, and compete in various competitions. It has a large merchandise line and a successful mobile game.Aikatsu! is a popular idol anime series that revolves around the competitive world of idol training and performances. The story follows young girls who attend Starlight Academy, a prestigious school that specializes in nurturing idols. Through rigorous training, auditions, and various challenges, the girls work hard to fulfill their dreams of becoming successful idols.
- Genre: Music, Slice of Life, School
- Original Run: October 8, 2012 - March 31, 2016
- Episodes: 178
- Main Protagonist: Ichigo Hoshimiya
- Studio: Sunrise
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412votesThis anime follows a group of girls from a small town who dream of becoming idols. It explores the harsh realities of the industry and the struggles they face to achieve their goals.Wake Up, Girls! is a popular idol anime series that revolves around the struggles and triumphs of a group of seven girls pursuing their dreams of becoming top idols. The story begins when the struggling talent production company, Green Leaves Entertainment, recruits these young girls to form the idol group known as Wake Up, Girls!. Together, they face various challenges and obstacles in their journey to fame and success.
- Genre: Idol, Music, Drama
- Original run: January 2014 – March 2014
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Ordet and Tatsunoko Production
- Director: Yutaka Yamamoto
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513votesThis anime follows a group of seven aspiring idols who work together to achieve their dreams. It has a popular mobile game and successful music releases.Idolish7 is a popular idol anime that follows the story of a group of seven aspiring male idols who are brought together by a talent agency. The anime explores their journey as they overcome various challenges and work together to achieve their dreams of becoming top idols.
- Genre: Music, Slice of Life, Drama
- Original Creator: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Director: Makoto Bessho
- Character Design: Arisa Matsuura
- Animation Studio: Troyca
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68votes
Bang Dream!
BushiroadThis anime follows a group of girls who form a band and pursue their dreams of becoming successful musicians. It has a popular mobile game and successful music releases.Bang Dream! is a popular idol anime that revolves around the story of a group of girls who form a band to fulfill their dreams of becoming successful musicians. The series combines elements of music, friendship, and drama, showcasing the challenges and triumphs that the characters experience on their journey.- Genre: Idol, Music, Slice of Life
- Original Run: January 2017 - present
- Episodes: 3 seasons: 39 episodes
- Studio: Xebec, Sanzigen, Issen
- Music Production: Elements Garden
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78votesThis anime follows a group of zombie girls who are brought back to life to form an idol group and save their town from economic decline. It is known for its unique premise and humor.Zombieland Saga is a popular idol anime that fuses the genres of comedy, music, and the supernatural. It revolves around a group of girls who are brought back to life as zombies in order to form an idol group and save the declining Saga Prefecture's entertainment industry.
- Genre: Idol, Comedy, Music, Supernatural
- Original Run: October 2018 - December 2018
- Episodes: 12
- Director: Munehisa Sakai
- Writer: Shigeru Murakoshi
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82votes
BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Pico
BushiroadThis is a spin-off of Bang Dream! and focuses on the daily lives of the members of the band. It is known for its chibi-style animation and humor.BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Pico is a spin-off series of the popular idol anime BanG Dream! It features chibi versions of the characters from the main series, focusing on their hilarious daily lives and comedic interactions.- Genre: Comedy
- Original Work: BanG Dream! by Bushiroad
- Studio: DMM.futureworks / Sanzigen
- Director: Masashi Yamaguchi
- Episodes: 26
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97votes
The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
A-1 PicturesThis anime follows a group of girls who are selected to become idols and compete in various competitions. It has a large cast of characters and successful music releases.The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls is a popular idol anime series based on The iDOLM@STER video game franchise. It follows a group of aspiring idols who train and compete to become the top idols in the entertainment industry.- Original Release Date: January 9, 2015
- Genre: Idol, Drama, Music
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Main Protagonist: Uzuki Shimamura
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
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105votesThis anime follows a group of girls who are part of a futuristic idol group that rebels against a government that has banned music. It features music from the real-life Japanese idol group AKB48.AKB0048 is a popular idol anime set in a futuristic universe where entertainment is banned. The story follows a group of aspiring girls who join AKB0048, a rebel idol group, and fight against the oppressive government to bring back music and hope to the galaxy.
- Genre: Idol, Science Fiction
- Original network: TV Tokyo
- Original run: April 29, 2012 – July 22, 2012
- Episodes: 13
- Directed by: Yoshimasa Hiraike
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Ranking factors for popular idol anime
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Popularity and RatingsLook for the anime's popularity across various platforms like MyAnimeList, IMDb, AniList, and Crunchyroll. Higher ratings and reviews indicate that the anime has resonated with many fans, making it a popular choice.
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Sales and MerchandiseConsider the sales of the anime's DVDs, Blu-rays, and merchandise. The success of these products usually demonstrates that the anime has a loyal and dedicated fan base, which contributes to its overall popularity.
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Music and SoundtrackIdol anime is heavily focused on music, so evaluate the quality and popularity of its songs, albums, and soundtracks. Check whether the series has released any hit singles or albums, and if its music has received awards or major recognition.
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Character Development and StoryA well-written plot with engaging characters is essential for a popular idol anime. Look for anime with standout characters and strong storylines that have resonated with fans.
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Art and AnimationEngaging art and animation quality can significantly contribute to an anime's popularity. High-quality visuals and production values may result in a more enjoyable watching experience for fans.
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Reception and AwardsAssess the reception of the anime by fans and critics. Check if the anime has won any awards or recognition, indicating its excellence in the genre.
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Social Media PresenceAn anime's popularity can also be gauged by its social media presence. Look for dedicated fan pages, hashtags, and discussions about the series on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit.
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Longevity and Spin-offsA long-running anime or one with multiple spin-offs indicates its sustained popularity over time. The longer the anime has been in circulation, the more likely it is to be popular.
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International AppealConsider the anime's success outside of Japan. International popularity can be an indicator of a series' mass appeal and the overall success of the idol anime genre.
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Availability and AccessibilityAssess if the series is easily accessible through legal streaming platforms, DVDs, or Blu-rays. More widespread availability and accessibility can contribute to an anime's popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular idol anime. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or idol anime is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1460 views
- 165 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each idol anime once every 24 hours. The rank of each idol anime is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular idol anime
Idol anime refers to a genre of Japanese animation that revolves around young idols and their journey to stardom. The popularity of idol anime has been on the rise in recent years, with many series gaining a massive fan following both in Japan and worldwide. The genre typically features themes of music, dance, and drama, often showcasing the struggles and triumphs of the main characters as they pursue their dreams of becoming successful idols. Some of the most popular idol anime series include Love Live!, The Idolmaster, and Aikatsu!. With the genre continuously evolving, it's no surprise that there are always new and exciting idol anime series to discover and enjoy.
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