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Uta no Prince-sama

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Uta no Prince-sama
Cover of the first Uta no Prince-sama game, released in 2010 for the PlayStation Portable
Created byBroccoli
Original workUta no Prince-sama
Print publications
ComicsSee below
Films and television
Film(s)See below
Television seriesSee below
Theatrical presentations
Musical(s)Gekidan Shining
Games
Video game(s)See below
Audio
Original musicUta no Prince-sama discography

Uta no Prince-sama (Japanese: うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪, Hepburn: Uta no☆Purinsu-sama♪, lit. "Princes of Song") is a Japanese multimedia franchise by Broccoli. The original game of the same name was first released on the PlayStation Portable on June 24, 2010, and since its release, the game has spawned multiple sequels and rhythm game spin-offs. The series has also been adapted into several manga series.

An anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures began airing in 2011, titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000% (うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ マジLOVE1000％), which was then followed by three sequels, a 2019 animated film titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Kingdom, and a 2022 animated film titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love ST☆RISH Tours.

The franchise has been well received in Japan, with thousands of music CDs sold and charting on mainstream music charts. The games have been awarded "Best Consumer Game" in Dengeki Girls' Style Otome Game Awards 2011.

Gameplay

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Uta no Prince-sama is a comedy and romance visual novel in which the player assumes the character of Haruka Nanami. Uta no Prince-sama follows a branching plot line with multiple endings; depending on the decisions that the player makes during the game, the plot will progress in a specific direction.

There are seven main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, three of which are initially available (four in All Star). Throughout gameplay, the player is given multiple options to choose from, and text progression pauses at these points until a choice is made. To view all plot lines in their entirety, the player must replay the game multiple times and make different choices to change the plot progression. The player must also complete various minigames, which affect the different endings.

Plot

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Main article: List of Uta no Prince-sama characters

With dreams of becoming a composer and someday writing a song for her favorite idol, Haruka Nanami enters the Saotome Academy, a prestigious performing arts school made up of students who are either vying to become an idol or a music producer. Haruka becomes acquainted with six of her classmates, who are all competing to become idols. For her project, she must team up with another student as an idol-producer team, and if they are successful, they will join Shining Agency after graduation. In addition, romance is strictly prohibited at their school.

Media

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Games

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Release timeline
2010Uta no Prince-sama (PSP)
Uta no Prince-sama: Amazing Aria (PSP)
2011Uta no Prince-sama: Sweet Serenade (PSP)
Uta no Prince-sama Music (PSP)
2012Uta no Prince-sama: Debut (PSP)
2013Uta no Prince-sama: All Star (PSP)
Uta no Prince-sama Music 2 (PSP)
2014
2015Uta no Prince-sama Music 3 (PSVita)
Uta no Prince-sama: All Star After Secret (PSP)
2016
2017Uta no Prince-sama: Shining Live (Android & iOS)

Main games

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Spin-off games

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  • Uta no Prince-sama Music was released on November 24, 2011, and is a music rhythm game spin-off of the main series. The theme song is "Welcome to UtaPri World!!" and was performed by Takuma Terashima, Kenichi Suzumura, Kisho Taniyama, Mamoru Miyano, Junichi Suwabe, and Hiro Shimono as STARISH.
  • Uta no Prince-sama Music 2 is the sequel to the first rhythm game spin-off and was released on September 5, 2013. The theme song is "Color Full Music."
  • Uta no Prince-sama Music 3 was released on January 28, 2015, for the PlayStation Vita.
  • Uta no Prince-sama Shining Live is a rhythm gacha game released on August 27, 2017, in Japan for the iOS and Android systems. The Global release was on January 24, 2018. It was co-developed by Broccoli and KLab and saw releases in both Japanese and English.[4] The Global is scheduled to end service on December 26, 2022.[5]

Music

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Main article: Uta no Prince-sama discography

Uta no Prince-sama has seen the release of multiple CD releases, with Broccoli handling the music for the games and King Records handling the music for the anime. All songs in the franchise are produced by Elements Garden.

"Fly to the Future" by Quartet Night and "Ultra Blast" by STARISH sold over 11,000 physical copies within its first week and were both some of the top-selling anime singles of 2018.[6] "Fly to the Future", "Ultra Blast", and "God's S.T.A.R." were certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.[7]

Stage plays

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Uta no Prince-sama has also inspired a series of stage plays, with the characters playing roles in a stage production and select characters appearing in certain plays. Music of the stage productions were later released onto CD. The first series, titled Gekidan Shining (劇団シャイニング), featured the stage plays Masquerade Mirage,[8] Tenka Muteki no Shinobu Michi,[9] and Joker Trap[10][11][12] from 2013 to 2014.[13]

The second series, titled Theatre Shining (シアターシャイニング), featured the stage plays Bloody Shadows,[14] Pirates of the Frontier,[15] and Everybuddy![16]

The third series, titled Shining Masterpiece Show, was screened at Gallery AaMo in Tokyo from February 23 to April 15, 2018, with each of the three stage plays rotating every month.[17] The plays featured were Lost Alice,[18] Trois: Ken to Kizuna no Monogatari,[19] and Lycoris no Mori.[20]

Anime

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Uta no Prince-sama
うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪
(Uta no☆Purinsu-sama♪)
GenreRomantic comedy
Anime television series
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000%
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 2000%
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Revolutions
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Legend Star
Directed byYuu Kou (Seasons 1 & 2)
Yūki Ukai (Season 2)
Makoto Hoshino (Season 3)
Takeshi Furuta (Season 4)
Written byTomoko Konparu (Seasons 1, 3 & 4)
Yuu Kou (Season 2)
Yūki Ukai (Season 2)
Sayaka Konno (Season 4)
Music byElements Garden
StudioA-1 Pictures
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, GTV, GYT, TVA, MBS, BS11, AT-X
Original run July 3, 2011 – December 24, 2016
Episodes52 + 1 special (List of episodes)
Anime film
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Kingdom
Directed byTakeshi Furuta (chief)
Chika Nagaoka
Music byElements Garden
StudioA-1 Pictures
ReleasedJune 14, 2019 (2019-06-14)
Runtime84 minutes
Anime film
Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love ST☆RISH Tours
Directed byChika Nagaoka
Music byElements Garden
StudioA-1 Pictures
ReleasedSeptember 2, 2022 (2022-09-02)
Runtime102 minutes
Anime film
Uta no Prince-sama: Taboo Night XXXX
Directed byAkiko Seki
Music byElements Garden
StudioA-1 Pictures
ReleasedMay 9, 2025 (2025-05-09)

The March 2011 issue of Newtype magazine announced that an anime television adaptation franchise would air during the summer. Titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000%, the series was produced by A-1 Pictures, with Yuu Kou directing the series, Tomoko Konparu supervising the scripts, and Mitsue Mori adapting the game's original character designs.[21] The anime series began its broadcast run on Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV on July 2, 2011 (July 3, 2011, at 12:00 AM). The video streaming service Niconico simulcasted the series to audiences in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.[22]

The second season premiered on April 4, 2013, under the title Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 2000% (うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE2000％) on TV Aichi. The first season was released on January 7, 2014, on DVD/Blu-ray subtitled-only format.[23]

A third season began airing on April 4, 2015, under the title Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Revolutions (うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVEレボリューションズ).[24] On June 27, 2015, following the broadcast of the last episode of the third season, the ending message revealed that a fourth season had been confirmed.[25][26]

The fourth season, titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Legend Star, began airing on October 2, 2016.[27][28] Sentai Filmworks has licensed the first and second seasons for a release in 2014,[29][30] and has also licensed the third and fourth seasons.[31][32] Muse Communication has licensed the series in Southeast Asia and streamed it on Muse Asia YouTube channel.[33]

Films

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During the Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Live 6th Stage event, the staff announced that an anime concert film titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Kingdom has been green-lit.[34][35] Uta no Prince-Sama: Maji Love Kingdom is produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomoka Nagaoka, with Takeshi Furuta serving as chief director. The rest of the main staff and cast from the anime series are returning to reprise their roles. The film was released in theaters on June 14, 2019.[36] The film grossed ¥1.72 billion at box office upon its release.[37] An English subtitled version was screened at Anime Expo 2019.

It was announced on March 27, 2021, that the a new anime concert film, Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love ST☆RISH Tours, has been green-lit, and premiered on September 2, 2022.[38] A-1 Pictures is returning to produce the concert film, with Chika Nagaoka serving as the director, Maki Fujioka designing the characters, and Elements Garden composing the music.[39][40]

Manga

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Uta no Prince-sama was adapted into several manga series. The first two manga adaptations, Uta no Prince-sama and Uta no Prince-sama Debut, were illustrated by Utako Yukihiro and serialized in Sylph. The gag comic, Uta no Prince-sama PP was illustrated by Kotoko Ichi and serialized in Comic B's Log. Alongside of that, several manga anthologies were also released with contributing fan artists.

No. Title Release date ISBN
1Uta no Prince-samaDecember 22, 2010[41]978-4048701501
2Uta no Prince-sama DebutDecember 22, 2010[42]978-4048911856
3Uta no Prince-sama PPOctober 1, 2012[43]978-4047283886

Reception

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Uta no Prince-sama was the 13th top selling franchise in Japan in 2017, with a total of ¥1,667,975,801 in estimated sales.[44] Part of its wide appeal comes from Twitter accounts run by the characters, where fans are able to be updated on the characters' music and merchandise activities, and are in turn treated like real-life celebrities.[45]

Games

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Uta no Prince-sama Repeat was awarded the Best Consumer Game by Dengeki Girl's Style for the Otome Game Awards 2011, while Uta no Prince-sama: Sweet Serenade was ranked #7 in the same category. Syo Kurusu won Best Character, while Tokiya Ichinose ranked #3 and Masato Hijirikawa as #9 in the same category.[46]

Over 1 million users downloaded Uta no Prince-sama Shining Live upon the first week of its release.[47]

Anime

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Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network praised Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000%, the anime's first season, for its music and fluid animation, while citing its weaknesses in the "ridiculous" plot points, poor choice in color, Haruka's character design, and that the characters never "evolve beyond their types."[48] Bamboo Dong from Anime News Network called the series "entertaining", but felt the character designs made the characters look more like adults instead of high school students and that adapting from the original video game resulted in the "archetypal" characters having "jerky" character development.[49] The voice actors for STARISH won the award for Best Musical Performance at the 6th Seiyu Awards, while Mamoru Miyano won the award for Best Actor in Supporting Roles.[50]

Regarding the series' fourth season, Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Legend Star, Silverman praised the music and character development, but felt that the show became oversaturated with "too many characters", as well as the plot and animation going "downhill."[51] Uta no Prince-sama has also been linked to the Odagiri effect, as seen in the later anime series where Haruka's role has been increasingly diminished in favor of the relationships between the male characters.[52]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work/Recipient Result
2011 Dengeki Girl's Style Otome Game Awards 2011 Best Consumer Game Uta no Prince-sama Repeat Won[46]
Uta no Prince-sama: Sweet Serenade Nominated[46]
Best Character Syo Kurusu Won[46]
Tokiya Ichinose Nominated[46]
Masato Hijirikawa Nominated[46]
2012 6th Seiyu Awards Best Musical Performance STARISH (Takuma Terashima, Mamoru Miyano, Junichi Suwabe, Kenichi Suzumura, Kisho Taniyama, and Hiro Shimono) Won[50]
Best Actor in Supporting Roles Mamoru Miyano
(also for Chihayafuru and Steins;Gate) 		Won[50]

References

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  1. ^ "話題の乙女ゲー『うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪』の制作発表会開催！主題歌＆出演の宮野真守さんと音楽プロデューサーのElements Garden・上松範康さんが出席。メディア展開も発表". Animate (in Japanese). October 9, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  2. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 10, 2016). "Uta no Prince-sama PSP Games Get PS Vita Ports". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  3. ^ Nelkin, Sarah (February 28, 2014). "Uta no Prince-sama All Star After Secret PSP Game Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  4. ^ Morrissy, Kim (November 3, 2017). "Explaining the Mobage Phenomenon". Anime News Network.
  5. ^ "NEWS｜Utano☆Princesama Shining Live Official Site". www.utapri-shining-live.com. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  6. ^ Loo, Egan (February 2, 2019). "Top-Selling Anime CD Singles: 2018". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  7. ^ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会" (Enter "ST☆RISH" or "QUARTET NIGHT" in the アーティスト parameter and then click 検索). Recording Industry Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  8. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ 劇団シャイニング マスカレイドミラージュ". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  9. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ 劇団シャイニング 天下無敵の忍び道". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2019.
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  17. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Shining Masterpiece Show 企画展【終了】 Gallery AaMo 東京ドームシティ" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 8, 2019.
  18. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Shining Masterpiece Show Lost Alice". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  19. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Shining Masterpiece Show トロワ-剣と絆の物語-". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  20. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪Shining Masterpiece Show リコリスの森". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  21. ^ Loo, Egan (February 6, 2011). "Uta no Prince-sama— Idol Romance Game Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  22. ^ Loo, Egan (June 30, 2011). "NicoNico to Stream BLOOD-C, Uta no Prince-sama Free in English". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  23. ^ "Sentai Filmworks To Dub Maria Holic for Blu-ray". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  24. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama Anime Gets 3rd Season in 2015". Anime News Network. December 1, 2013. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
  25. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama Revolutions Ends With 'See You Next Season'". Anime News Network. June 27, 2015.
  26. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama Anime's 4th Season Confirmed". Anime News Network. July 6, 2015.
  27. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama 4th Season's Title, Visual, October Premiere Revealed". Anime News Network. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  28. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Legend Star Anime Premiered on October 1". Anime News Network. September 1, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  29. ^ "Sentai Filmworks Adds Uta No Prince-sama Anime's First Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  30. ^ "Sentai Filmworks Adds Uta no Prince-Sama Anime's 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  31. ^ "Sentai Filmworks Adds Pleiades, Re-Kan, SNAFU Too, Hello! KinMoza, UtaPri Season 3, Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon and Food Wars". Anime News Network. April 4, 2015.
  32. ^ "Sentai Filmworks Adds Uta no Prince-sama Legend Star Anime". Anime News Network. September 26, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  33. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama 1000% [English Sub]". YouTube. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  34. ^ "New Uta no Prince-sama Anime Revealed as Brand-New Film". Anime News Network. May 28, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  35. ^ "完全オリジナル『うた☆プリ』初の劇場アニメ、2019年公開". Oricon (in Japanese). December 24, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  36. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Kingdom Anime Film Reveals Teaser, Visual, Staff, June 14 Opening". Anime News Network. December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  37. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama Film Earns 1.72 Billion Yen After 17 Weeks". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  38. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love ST☆RISH Tours Film Opens on September 2". Anime News Network. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  39. ^ "Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Anime Gets New Film in 2022". Anime News Network. March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  40. ^ "「うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪」劇場版最新作が9月2日公開！ ムビチケ、ST☆RISHニューシングルも発売". AnimeAnime (in Japanese). January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  41. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  42. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ Debut" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  43. ^ "うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪pp" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  44. ^ Loo, Egan (June 23, 2017). "Top-Selling Media Franchises in Japan: 2017 (First Half)". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  45. ^ "「うたプリ」アイドルのTwitterが1日限定復活 新プロジェクト公開を記念". KAI-YOU (in Japanese). November 18, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  46. ^ a b c d e f "『電撃Girl'sStyle』乙女ゲームアワード2011授賞式をレポ". Dengeki (in Japanese). Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  47. ^ "「うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ Shining Live」100万ダウンロード突破記念スペシャルログインボーナス実施決定". Akiba Souken (in Japanese). September 1, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  48. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (February 17, 2012). "Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 1000%". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  49. ^ Dong, Bamboo (May 19, 2014). "Shelf Life: The Little Princes". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  50. ^ a b c Loo, Egan (March 1, 2012). "6th Annual Seiyū Award Winners Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  51. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (January 6, 2017). "Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love Legend Star". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  52. ^ Orsini, Lauren (December 21, 2016). "What is a Fujoshi?". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
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