The official Twitter account of Idolland PriPara, the smartphone app based on TAKARA TOMY A.R.T.S and syn Sophia’s PriPara franchise, announced on Friday that the game’s highly-anticipated debut is scheduled for August. Originally set to launch in spring 2021, the game has faced multiple delays, first to summer 2021, then to spring 2022, and further pushed to summer or fall 2022. In October 2022, it experienced its fourth delay, followed by another setback in April of this year. Despite these challenges, the game has garnered significant attention, with an impressive 200,000 pre-registrations.
Accompanying the app is the franchise’s first new anime in over three years, which will stream exclusively within the app. Although the regular run of the anime has also been delayed alongside the game, viewers have been treated to online preview screenings of the “episode 0” prequel and episode 1 in October 2021. Subsequently, episode 2 had an online preview screening in January 2022, and episode 3 followed suit with preview screenings in May 2022. To keep fans engaged, these episodes were re-released with new audio commentary tracks in November 2022.
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Developed by syn Sophia, the “virtual idol life app” allows users to unleash their creativity by designing personalized characters set in the PriPara theme park, where everyone has the opportunity to become an idol.
Notably, Makoto Moriwaki, known for their involvement in various PriPara television anime series, returns as the director for the in-app anime, which will be produced by Tatsunoko Productions. Additionally, Michihiro Tsuchiya will oversee the series scripts, ensuring continuity with the franchise. Avex Pictures is also back on board, responsible for producing the captivating music that has become synonymous with the Pretty Series projects.
The Pretty Series, which initially commenced with syn Sophia’s Pretty Rhythm: Mini Skirt arcade game in 2010, has since expanded to include four television anime series, five anime films, and the popular spinoff King of Prism franchise. Following its success, the sequel game PriPara (Prism Paradise) was launched in 2014, spawning four television anime series and four anime films.
Kiratto Pri☆Chan, the first anime season of the franchise, made its premiere in Japan in April 2018, followed by the second season in April 2019. The third season aired from April 2020 to May 2021. Crunchyroll streamed the anime series as it aired, catering to a global audience.
To celebrate the franchise’s milestone 10th anniversary, a new magic-themed television anime, Waccha PriMagi!, debuted in October 2021. The series concluded with its 51st episode in October 2022, marking an impressive 11 and a half years of uninterrupted television anime broadcast history. HIDIVE provided streaming services for the series, and Sentai Filmworks secured the license for its home video release.
Sources | Idolland PriPara app’s Twitter account, Comic Natalie
