Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIEPress Notes and High-Res Images from Toei for New Anime Film Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: aikatsu-movie.net (Japan)
Theatrical poster. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIEBandai`s hit AIKATSU! (????!) franchise makes its big screen debut this winter break with AIKATSU THE MOVIE (????????, Gekijooban Aikatsu!). Featuring animation by Sunrise (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM), the film will be released in Japanese cinemas by Toei on December 13, 2014. AIKATSU! began as a collectible card arcade game for the Bandai Data Carddass line in October 2012. Players collect cards depicting various tops, skirts, bottoms, shoes and accessories which can be combined and coordinated for the would-be idols of Starlight Academy to wear during auditions. The game`s launch was tied to the premiere of the AIKATSU! anime series from Sunrise. Marketed towards young grade school girls, AIKATSU! has become a social phenomenon in Japan, appealing to both children and adults. With enthusiasm continuing to grow, the first movie rides a wave of merchandising and promotions, including the "Pizza Hut x Aikatsu! Let`s Aikatsu! at Pizza Hut?" campaign with artwork pizza boxes and collectibles.
Story
Young Ichigo Hoshimiya takes part in Aikatsu (Idol Activities) in the hopes of becoming a Top Idol. A great opportunity to achieve her dreams arrives when Ichigo is given a chance to perform live at the "Great Star Palace Strawberry Festival" at Star Rise Stadium, the same venue where she first saw her inspiration Mizuki Kanzaki in concert. If she succeeds, Ichigo could become a true Top Idol! With the support of her best friends Aoi Kiriya and Ran Shibuki, Ichigo is joined by her Starlight Academy allies and rivals Otome Arisugawa, Yurika Todo, Sakura Kita?ji, Kaede Ichinose, Shion Kamiya, and Akari Ozora. There will be songs, drama, laughter and tears as the greatest stage of Aikatsu begins!
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIECredits
Japanese Theatrical Release: Saturday, December 13, 2014 (Roadshow) Voice Cast Ichigo Hoshimiya: Sumire Morohoshi Aoi Kiriya: Azusa Tadokoro Ran Shibuki: Ayaka Ohashi Akari Ozora: Shino Shimoji Otome Arisugawa: Tomoyo Kurosawa Yurika Todo: Manami Numakura Sakura Kitaoji: Yasuno Kiyono Kaede Ichinose: Yuna Mimura Ayumi Fujimura Mizuki Kanzaki: Minako Kotobuki Staff Supervising Director: Ryuichi Kimura Director: Yuichiro Yano Screenplay: Yoichi Kato Character Design: Hiroko Yaguchi Assistant Director: Keiko Oyamada Planning: Sunrise Original Concept: Bandai Animation Production: Sunrise Production: "Aikatsu! The Movie" Production Committee Distributor: Toei © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIE
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIE
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIE
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIE
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIE
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 SUNRISE/BANDAI, AIKATSU THE MOVIEAbout Toei Company, Ltd. Established in 1951, Toei Company is not only producing and distributing films, but is also one of the major exhibitors in Japan. The company owns two film studios located in Tokyo and Kyoto. The films produced cover wide range of genres, exceeding 20,000 titles. ?