The first iDOLM@STER film, released in January this year to much fanfare to fans of the anime series. To promote The iDOLM@STER Movie: Kagayaki no Mukougawa e!, life-sized cardboard cutouts of the 13 main idols were available for purchase for ¥1,500 (~ $150) each. One person has purchased all 13 of them.
The iDOLM@STER Movie: Kagayaki no Mukougawa e! is the first movie based on Bandai Namco’s iDOLM@STERseries. In promotion of the movie, Aniplex+ were selling life-sized cardboard versions of the 13 main idols from 765 Productions. The cutouts are all signed by their respective voice actress and are priced at ¥1,500 (~ $150) each. They were only available from May 15th to the 31st.
One person, kaneko on Twitter, has finally received his cardboard cutout. The thing is, is that he has purchased all 13 variations, which cost him ¥195,000 (~ $1,950.00 USD). And he has decided to share images of him and his new idols online:
The cutouts are of the 13 idols of 765 Productions in their movie attire:
- Haruka Amami, voiced and signed by Eriko Nakamura
- Chihaya Kisaragi, voiced and signed by Asami Imai
- Yukiho Hagiwara, voiced and signed by Azumi Asakura
- Yayoi Takatsuki, voiced and signed by Mayako Nigo
- Ritsuko Akizuki, voiced and signed by Naomi Wakabayashi
- Azusa Miura, voiced and signed by Chiaki Takahashi
- Iori Minase, voiced and signed by Rie Kugimiya
- Makoto Kikuchi, voiced and signed by Hiromi Hirata
- Ami and Mami Futami, voiced and signed by Asami Shimoda
- Miki Hoshii, voiced and signed by Akiko Hasegawa
- Hibiki Ganaha, voiced and signed by Manami Numakura
- Takane Shijou, voiced and signed by Yumi Hara
Each cutout are life-sized to the characters’ exact height, eg. Haruka Amami is 158cm in the anime and her cutout is also 158cm. Each character is on a 5mm thick styrene board and is printed on using CMYK 4-Color Process Printing. Each cutout also comes with a paper stand.
The Idolm@ster started off as a 2005 video game developed by Bandai Namco for Japanese arcades, where the player would manage the idol’s schedule to train them, talk to them or have them perform, all through various mini-games. Since then, there has been a direct sequel and numerous spin off games on various gaming platforms. The games have also inspired three anime series produced by A-1 Pictures (Fairy Tail, Sword Art Online), eight manga adaptations and a light novel series. The series also received an anime film adaptation earlier this year titled The iDOLM@STER Movie: Kagayaki no Mukougawa e!. The entire franchise has earned over 10 billion yen as of 2013.
Here is a synopsis of the film followed by the film’s key visual:
The idols of 765 Production continue on their neverending journey—towards a new stage, towards a bright and shiny future!
The girls and their producer have gone through thick and thin, and have stood face to face with all kinds of difficulties.
It’s time again for the girls to foster their friendship, and through great discipline, they step forward to their starry future.
A total of ¥195,000 (~ $1,950.00 USD) was spent on 13 life-sized cardboard cutouts based on The iDOLM@STER Movie: Kagayaki no Mukougawa e!. Would you spend that much on a set of products for any anime?
You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.idolmaster-anime.jp/
And follow their Twitter: @imas_anime
Source Article – Yaraon
Source Images – kaneko’s Twitter
“IDOLM@STER”, “The iDOLM@STER Movie: Kagayaki no Mukougawa e!”, images, video and all associated brands and titles © 2014 Bandai Namco Games Inc., A-1 Pictures and PROJECT iM@S