EDITORIAL: Jupiter (IM@S)

This is my first attempt at an editorial. Feed back is encouraged! 

JUPITER (Idolm@ster 2) 

So as many of you know, I am an Idolm@ster fan. I suppose half of it is that there is some good music (music always drives me to like a series or game) Another part, is that up until IM@S 2 there were no boys. I know it is a game for guys but hey, throw us a bone once in a while! Bandai Namco did, they entered three boys in their own unit. (We’re not counting Aki because he lives his life as a girl.) JUPITER is made up of three guys from 961 (kuroi) productions. They have two group songs. "Alice or Guilty" and "恋をはじめよう" (koi wo hajimeyou) [Lets start love] 

                                                      English subtitled trailer for Jupiter. 

Touma Amagase - 17 (voiced by Takuma Terashima) 
The leader of Jupiter 

Touma hates to be defeated by anything. Especially in the music department. Even so, he will not stoop to dirty methods and believes his boss who tells him that 765 idols always use dirty methods. In the game version he develops a crush on Haruka. In the anime he has a borderline crush on Chihaya because of her dedication to music and their group. He is convinced by their producer Kuroi that 765 uses underhanded methods to get in the limelight. While he insists that Jupiter can beat them with their music alone, he unwillingly participates in the pans to foil 765’s idols only to have found that his own company is guilty of dirty practices… 

Character song: Bang X Bang 

Hokuto Ijun - 20 (voiced by Daichi Kanabara) 
The play boy of Jupiter

Hokuto is a rich boy who hates when things inconveinance him. Music, Money, and Ladies have always come to him easy. He hits on every girl that talks to him. He even hits on Makoto who he originally thinks is a boy. In the game he develops a crush on Makoto intent that he can help her find her girlish side. In the anime he is the first to suspect that 761’s producer is up to no good. Voicing so causes him and Touma to argue. 
Character song: 結晶 ~Crystal Dust~ (Kesshou) [Crystalized] 

Shouta Mitarai - 14 (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) 
The little brother of Jupiter

Shouta’s goal in life is to have fun. He hates when things get serious. Often leaving when people argue or just ignoring them. He identifies with those who are younger than others around them. Saying that it is easy for adults to decide things with out considering others. In the game he develops a crush on Yayoi. With her being one of the youngest. He admires her for her personality that hasn't changed despite her home situation. In the anime, Shouta stays mostly agrees with Hokuto or Touma. He joins the Jupiter coup when Touma leaves. He says that as a group he believes in their potential.
Character song: On Sunday

                                                   A video with clips of all Jupiter songs

Now, I quickly grew fond of Jupiter. I had hoped that their entrance would mean a spit off game. While I am a fan of of the game series "Uta no Prince Sama" they aren't equivalents. Idolm@ster focuses more on the raising of the idols rather than dating them. Jupiter became the main antagonists in "The Idolm@ster" anime. Unfortunately, the animation of the members was poorly done with odd body proportions. Despite my disappoinment at their appearance in the anime, I enjoyed how the story provided more in depth information about Jupiter's role in the 961 scandals. 

Game Jupiter vs Anime Jupiter 

Jupiter was Bandai Namco's answer to the huge popularity of "Uta no Prince sama" Which the games are very different, Jupiter has managed to bring female fans to the mostly male audience of Idolm@ster. Jupiter's popularity hasn't gone un-noticed. Jupiter released one album and As of now, Jupiter currently has its own manga series in a monthly magazine known as "Hana to yume" called "D@YS of JUPITER". With all this talk, many fans have been clamoring for a spin of game but Bandai Namco games has given no indication or recondition of any projects. 

D@YS of JUPITER manga

So why all this now? With the popularity of "Uta no Prince-sama" on the rise, I personally feel like it is time for Bandai Namco to stand up to the plate. While Uta no Prince-Sama is a dating sim, Idolm@ster is a raising sim. They are as different as night an day. Games such as "Hakuoki" and "Tokimeki Memorial Girl's side" are more competition than an all male cast Idolm@ster. And while they might seem like competition, for the female fans of Idolm@ster, this has been a cry that has been ignored for too long. Even now I still have my hopes up for that day.