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Bushiroad Head: Idol Boom Is Over, Prepare for Band Boom
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Card and video game maker Bushiroad launched its BanG Dream! multimedia project about an all-female band in January 2015. According to the founder and president Takaaki Kidani, the company could be leading the vanguard for one of the latest trends in Japanese pop culture.
Kidani said in his column on Bushiroad's official website, "I feel that the idol boom that has continued until now is already finished this year. I think that strong content like the 2D The IDOLM@STER and Love Live! will remain. But as for 3D [idols], it's a situation where it will be difficult for a group to even stand out." The Bushiroad president said he believes the idol genre is saturated, and future idol anime and games may not succeed.
He said that he is witnessing the arrival of the band boom and has heard rumors of more projects. Kidani remarked, "I will be happy if BanG Dream! becomes the forerunner for that." Although Kidani had never cried while reading an anime scenario before, he said that listening to the second CD single "Star Beat! ~Hoshi no Kodō~" while reading BanG Dream!'s scenario made him cry three times.
Kidani also noted that the BanG Dream! project Poppin' Party band's "Hashiri Hajimeta Bakari no Kimi ni/Tear Drops" single ranked at #8 on Oricon's daily CD single ranking chart when it debuted on December 7.
Fans may debate whether Kidani's statements about a coming band boom are more marketing strategy than prognostication. However, the "BanG Dream! 3rd Live Sparklin' Party 2017!" concert announced on Sunday that production of a brand-new original video anime (OVA) has been green-lit, and the fourth live concert will be held this August. Bushiroad's band-themed project is currently prospering, whether or not it leads to a so-called band boom.
The BanG Dream! television anime premiered on January 21, and Anime Network Online is streaming the series as it airs. Sentai Filmworks licensed the series for digital and home video release.
[Via Hachima Kikō]
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