PriPara (プリパラ, PuriPara, short for Prism Paradise) is a Japanese arcade game by Takara Tomy and the successor of the Pretty Rhythm series of arcade games, as well as the second entry in the Pretty Series. An anime television series adaptation by Tatsunoko Production and DongWoo A&E, comprising three seasons, aired from 2014 to 2017. A second animation adaption, Idol Time PriPara, premiered in 2017 to 2018. A mobile game, Idol Land PriPara, was released in 2023 along with a web series. There were also four animated films produced.[3]
| PriPara | |
 Cover of the manga's first tankobon volume | |
| プリパラ (PuriPara) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy[1] |
| Video game | |
| Developer | Syn Sophia |
| Publisher | Takara Tomy Arts |
| Genre | Rhythm, Dress-up |
| Platform | Arcade |
| Released | July 10, 2014 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Hitsuji Tsujinaga |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| Magazine | Ciao |
| Demographic | Shōjo |
| Original run | July 2014 – present |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Makoto Moriwaki |
| Written by | Michihiro Tsuchiya |
| Music by | Tsuneyoshi Saito |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production DongWoo A&E |
| Licensed by | |
| Original network | TXN (TV Tokyo), BS Japan, AT-X |
| Original run | July 5, 2014 – March 28, 2017 |
| Episodes | 140 |
| Anime film | |
| PriPara the Movie: Everyone, Assemble! Prism☆Tours | |
| Directed by | Masakazu Hishida |
| Written by | Jo Aoba[2] |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | March 7, 2015 |
| Runtime | 90 minutes |
| Anime film | |
| Fly Out, PriPara: Aim for it with Everyone! Idol☆Grand Prix | |
| Directed by | Nobutaka Yoda |
| Written by | Deko Akao |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | October 24, 2015 |
| Anime film | |
| PriPara: Everyone's Longing! Let's Go PriParis! | |
| Directed by | Makoto Moriwaki |
| Written by | Kazuyuki Fudeyasu |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | March 12, 2016 |
| Anime film | |
| PriPara: Everyone Shine! Sparkling☆Star Live | |
| Directed by | Makoto Moriwaki Masao Okubo |
| Written by | Kazuyuki Fudeyasu |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | March 4, 2017 |
| Video game | |
| PriPara: All Idol Perfect Stage! | |
| Developer | Syn Sophia |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Genre | rhythm, dress-up |
| Platform | Switch |
| Released | March 22, 2018 |
| Anime film | |
| PriPara & Kiratto Pri☆Chan Movie: Sparkling Memorial Live | |
| Directed by | Nobutaka Yoda |
| Written by | Hiroko Fukuda |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | May 5, 2018 |
| Original net animation | |
| Idol Land PriPara | |
| Directed by | Makoto Moriwaki |
| Music by | Avex Pictures |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Released | August 18, 2021 – April 24, 2024 |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Video game | |
| Idol Land PriPara | |
| Developer | Syn Sophia Arc System Works |
| Publisher | |
| Genre | Rhythm, Dress-up |
| Platform | Android, iOS |
| Released | August 17, 2023 |
| Anime film | |
| Other series | |
| |
Plot
editEvery girl finds a mysterious PriTicket which grants them entrance to the world of PriPara, where aspiring idols perform to pass an audition. At the Paprika Private Academy, PriPara activity is prohibited for elementary school students.
Season 1
editFifth grade student Laala Manaka finds a lost PriTicket bag belonging to an idol, Mirei Minami, leading her to PriPara, a virtual world where people transform into their idol alter ego. Laala forms SoLaMi♡Smile, a trio with Mirei and Sophy Hojo, managed by Kuma, a bear-like character who was formerly Mirei's manager. They are joined by Sion Todo, who forms Dressing Pafé with Canadian-Japanese twins Dorothy and Reona West, managed by Sophy's manager, Usagi. Both units had the goal of earning the Paradise Coord.
Halfway through the season, Laala encounters Falulu, a robotic vocal doll born from the desire of many girls to go to PriPara. SoLaMi♡Dressing, composed of both SoLaMi♡Smile and Dressing Pafé's members, competes against Falulu for the Paradise Coord in several idol competitions. The group wins and Laala exchanges PriTickets with Falulu, who falls into a coma. After performing a concert in their Paradise Coords, SoLaMi♡Dressing revives Falulu, who becomes more emotional, expressive, and human-like. When Falulu goes to PriParis in France, SoLaMi♡Dressing disbands back into SoLaMi♡Smile and Dressing Pafé.
Season 2
editWith the grand opening of the Dream Theater, the six idols reform SoLaMi♡Smile and Dressing Pafé. They encounter Aromageddon, an angel-devil themed duo consisting of Mikan Shiratama and Aroma Kurosu. At the same time, the idols are joined by Fuwari Midorikaze from The Palps in EuroPara and Hibiki Shikyōin. Fuwari and Laala aim to win the Summer Dream Idol Grand Prix, only for their Summer Dream Idol Coords to be stolen by Hibiki. Ajimi Kiki, later revealed to be the art teacher of Paprika Academy, forms a dream team alongside Cosmo with the PriPara Police (Laala, Dorothy, and Mikan). Ajimi and Cosmo win the Autumn Dream Idol Grand Prix, but their Autumn Dream Idol Coords are taken by the Masked Genius (Hibiki in disguise).
During the Winter Dream Idol Grand Prix, a spoiled, mischievous vocal doll, Gaaruru, joins Aromageddon, which is renamed Gaarmageddon. The FriendAll team (Laala, Dorothy, Mirei, Mikan, and Aroma) win the Spring Dream Idol Grand Prix and restore PriPara.
Season 3
editDuring the announcement of the Divine Idol Grand Prix, Meganii realizes that the special judge, Jewlie, has gone missing. After giving a tour to newcomer Chili Tsukigawa, Laala finds a mysterious baby named Jewlulu who thinks Laala is her mother. Laala raises Jewlulu with the help of her younger sister, Non. At the same time, Laala encounters TRiANGLE – a trio consisting of Junon, Pinon, and Kanon – managed by Usagi's sister, Usacha. Laala shows Jewlulu to her friends, and Meganii reveals that the baby is Jewlie.
As the tournament begins, Gaarmageddon loses to Dressing Pafé in the first round, while UCCHARI BIG-BANGS loses to Tricolore. SoLaMi♡SMILE defeats both NonSugar and Tricolore and manages to almost win against Dressing Pafé. However, the disappearance of Jewlie and Janis causes the Divine Idol Grand Prix Stage to fail. SoLaMi♡SMILE tries to fix everything, only to fail until all of their friends start singing along, giving them the power to save the world.
Media
editPriPara is a rhythm game which was developed by Syn Sophia. A player can create a character and progress by performing live shows.[4]
A manga adaptation by Hitsuji Tsujinaga began serialization in Shogakukan's shōjo manga magazine Ciao in July 2014.[5]
Anime series and films
editAn anime television-series adaptation by Tatsunoko and DongWoo A&E aired on TV Tokyo and other TXN stations from July 5, 2014, to March 28, 2017.[6] It was succeeded by Idol Time Pripara on April 4, 2017. In the second quarter of 2015, the series could also be seen on three JAITS stations in Nara (TVN), Shiga (BBC) and Wakayama (WTV). During the first season's second story arc, the series began airing on FNN affiliate Sendai Television. On July 5, 2015, PriPara began airing on ANN affiliate SATV. In 2015, the animation for one of the endings was changed after the Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization lodged a complaint for depicting the characters in swimsuits. While the images of the characters in swimsuits were not changed, the ending was edited to remove an image of Sophy Hojo wearing black lingerie, which appeared to be an homage to Marilyn Monroe.[7]
An English-dubbed pilot of the series was produced by William Winckler Productions in 2017.[8]
An animated theatrical film, PriPara the Movie: Everyone, Assemble! Prism☆Tours, was released in March 2015.[9] A second film, titled Fly Out, PriPara: Aim for it with Everyone! Idol☆Grand Prix was released the same year on October 24.[10] A third film, PriPara: Everyone's Longing! Let's Go PriParis!, was released on March 12, 2016. [11] A fourth film, PriPara: Everyone Shine! Sparkling☆Star Live, was released on March 4, 2017.
PriPara: All Idol Perfect Stage!
editPriPara: All Idol Perfect Stage! (プリパラ オールアイドルパーフェクトステージ！) is a rhythm game developed by Syn Sophia for the Nintendo Switch, released on March 22, 2018. Players create a custom character to dance to songs from the PriPara anime, as well as to songs exclusive to the game. Gameplay consists of timing button presses to on-screen prompts. The game also includes a harder difficulty called Gold Mode to add additional green and blue prompts that utilize different buttons. By performing well in the rhythm sections of the game, currency is gained that players can spend to customize their avatar with additional accessories and outfits.
Idol Land PriPara
editA mobile app titled Idol Land PriPara was released on December 6, 2020. In the app, players create and customize characters who can become idols. An anime adaptation was released alongside the app. Produced by Tatsunoko, the anime wass directed by Makoto Moriwaki, Michihiro Tsuchiya supervised the scripts, and Avex Pictures produced the music.[12] Originally set to be released in Q2 2021, the game was delayed five times to August 17, 2023. Soon after launch, however, the game underwent a maintenance until August 23, as its servers were overwhelmed by the number of users. The anime was postponed alongside the game, during which time four episodes were previewed.[3]
References
edit- ^ Foronda, Anthony. "Anime Spotlight Summer 2014 - The List". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ Masakazu Hishida
- ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 19, 2023). "Idolland PriPara Game Delays Full Launch by 6 More Days". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu (March 6, 2015). "'PriPara' Trading Card Arcade Game Earns 7 Billion Yen in 9 Months". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019.
- ^ "PriPara Anime Inspires Manga by Hitsuji Tsujinaga". Anime News Network. June 6, 2014. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
- ^ "Pripara Anime Gets 3rd Season in April 2016". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 24, 2015). "Pripara Ending Edited After BPO Complaints". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- ^ "William Winckler Productions Announces English-Dubbed Pilots of PriPara, Net Ghost PiPoPa Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ "PriPara Idol Anime Gets Theatrical Film Next Spring". Anime News Network. August 9, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014.
- ^ "PriPara Gets 2nd Anime Film in 3D This Fall". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ "SKE48 Idol Group Sings 2016 PriPara Film's Theme". Anime News Network. February 17, 2016. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
- ^ Loo, Egan (December 6, 2020). "PriPara Franchise Gets Idolland PriPara Smartphone App With New Streaming Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
External links
edit- Takara Tomy site (in Japanese)
- TV Tokyo site (in Japanese)
- PriPara (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia