Ready!!

Lore & Background

In the narrative fabric of The Idolmaster, Ready!! is often associated with the moment a producer first meets their idols or when the group prepares for a major debut. It embodies the 'spark' that ignites an idol's career, transforming ordinary girls into shining stars through hard work and belief. The lyrics and melody are designed to evoke a feeling of rushing forward, leaving hesitation behind in favor of action. The song's enduring legacy lies in its ability to bridge different eras and media adaptations. Whether heard in the original arcade rhythm game or during the anime series' climactic moments, it reinforces the idea that every idol starts from zero but possesses infinite possibilities. It is a reminder that the path to stardom is paved with small steps of courage, each one taken together as a team. For the characters of 765 Production, performing Ready!! is a ritual of solidarity. It reminds them of their shared struggles and triumphs, grounding them in the reality that they are not alone on this difficult road. The song serves as an emotional anchor, ensuring that no matter how high they rise or how far they go, they never forget the initial excitement that brought them together.

In Their Own Story

The rehearsal room hummed with a nervous energy that only existed before the first official broadcast. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching the dust motes dancing in the air as the seven girls stood in a semi-circle. Their producer held up a clipboard, taking a deep breath to steady their own racing heart. "Alright everyone," they called out, "let's make sure we're all ready." A chorus of determined nods followed, and then, without a cue, the opening drums kicked in. In that instant, the anxiety melted away, replaced by a shared rhythm. As the first note of Ready!! rang out, the room seemed to expand, filling with the promise of a future they were about to create together.

Reader's Guide

Ready!! serves as the cornerstone track for the original game series and its subsequent anime adaptation. While specific release dates vary across different media versions, the song is most famously associated with the debut era of the main 765 Production cast. The lyrics focus on themes of awakening potential, overcoming fear, and the excitement of starting a new adventure. In gameplay contexts, this track typically features high energy values designed to test rhythm skills while maintaining an accessible difficulty for newcomers. It often appears as a tutorial song or a mandatory selection in early story arcs. Iconic live concerts frequently feature this number as an opener or encore, creating a powerful communal experience where fans and idols sing along, reinforcing the bond between the stage and the audience. The song's impact on the story is profound; it marks the transition from training to performance. Every time the group performs Ready!!, it signifies a milestone in their growth, reminding them of how far they have come since those first tentative steps.

Did You Know?

• Ready!! is widely considered the most recognizable song associated with the entire Idolmaster franchise identity.
• The song has been covered and rearranged numerous times across different spin-off games and media, often featuring different subsets of idols.
• In live events, it is common for fans to sing along to every word, creating a massive wall of sound that rivals the studio recording.
• The choreography for Ready!! in various iterations has become a staple dance routine taught at fan meetups and amateur idol groups.

Production and Creative Team

The 2011 anime adaptation of The Idolmaster represents a significant collaboration between Namco Bandai Games and A-1 Pictures, bringing the beloved rhythm game franchise to television screens. Directed by Atsushi Nishigori, who also handled series composition alongside Touko Machida and character design, the production maintained a cohesive vision rooted in the source material. The visual aesthetic was further defined by art director Kushiro Usui, while sound direction fell under Hiromi Kikuta's expertise. This team adapted the narrative from The Idolmaster 2, focusing on thirteen pop idols at 765 Productions Studios as they strive for national fame. Airing primarily on TBS starting July 8, 2011, with subsequent broadcasts on MBS, CBC, RKB, and BS-i, the series ran until late December of that year. The production extended beyond the broadcast run with an original video animation episode released in June 2012, ensuring the story continued for dedicated fans even after the main season concluded.

The Idolmaster Shiny Festa OVAs

Expanding the franchise's narrative scope, three distinct original video animation episodes were produced under the title The Idolmaster Shiny Festa. These episodes served as bonuses included with individual versions of the PlayStation Portable game released on October 25, 2012, before finding an international audience via the iOS version in April 2013. While all three stories occur within the same timeframe and revolve around a music festival at an island resort, each episode features a different subset of idols selected for the event. This structure allowed creators to explore varied character dynamics without altering the core timeline. The musical centerpiece for these special episodes is "Music" by 765PRO Allstars, tying them together sonically while distinguishing them from the main television series through their unique casting choices and specific narrative focus on the festival experience.

Musical Themes and Vocal Cast

The soundtrack of the anime serves as a vital extension of its identity, featuring songs performed by the voice actresses who portray the thirteen idols. The first opening theme, "Ready!!," debuted for episodes two through twelve, performed by the full ensemble known as 765PRO Allstars. This group includes Haruka Amami voiced by Eriko Nakamura, Chihaya Kisaragi by Asami Imai, and many others such as Yukiho Hagiwara, Yayoi Takatsuki, Ritsuko Akizuki, Azusa Miura, Iori Minase, Makoto Kikuchi, the twin sisters Ami and Mami Futami, Miki Hoshii, Hibiki Ganaha, and Takane Shijō. Later in the season, specifically for episodes 14 through 26 with some exceptions, the show transitioned to a second opening theme titled "Change!!!!". Additionally, the ending themes were unique to each episode, often featuring tracks originally from the video games, ensuring a diverse auditory experience that highlighted individual character songs alongside group performances.

Broadcast History and Release Timeline

The television run of The Idolmaster anime established a clear timeline for its release across Japan, premiering on TBS on July 8, 2011. Over the course of six months, the series aired new episodes until concluding on December 23, 2011. Following its initial broadcast window, the show found additional audiences through delayed airings on other networks including MBS, CBC, RKB, and BS-i. The production schedule did not end with the final television episode; instead, it extended into home media formats to satisfy fan demand. An original video animation episode was subsequently released on June 16, 2012, bridging the gap between the TV series and future projects. This structured release strategy ensured that the story of 765 Productions remained accessible through multiple platforms, from weekly television slots to special bonus content distributed with gaming hardware.