April Famitsu Shiny Colors interview (GamiP/PapayaP)

We hit up the supervisor of the "iDOLM@STER" series, Yozo Sakagami, as well as "Shinymas" Producer Yusuke Takayama. They talk about the new unit "noctchill" and what to expect from the future of this work.
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The systems and visuals which go under intense scrutiny for the depiction of the idols' "stories"


- Congratulations on "Shinymas"' 2nd Anniversary. What kind of year was the 2nd year?

Takayama: For this year we've adopted the theme of "challenge", and of course not just the visual side, but we expanded the breadth of our presentation of the scenario and music side, and we've been striving toward making the idols feel more attractive and charming. The Producers have received our efforts favorably; that's how I feel from the response we've received.

Sakagami: Originally for "Shinymas", the contents were created on the foundation of the experience and know-how fostered from the "iDOLM@STER" series. That's why we were able to break into the 2nd year, and it's honestly great that we were able to recognize our history (laughs). And in this past year, when the staff wanted to do something, and the performers and the production staff understand and create it, then the various Producers reliably and steadily receive it, this is when I feel the level of completeness of our team.


- What kinds of things do you place intense scrutiny on in the "iDOLM@STER" series?

Sakagami: In many idol games and anime, the main characters are usually the idols that appear. However, in the "iDOLM@STER" games, the Producer is the main character. Therefore, the content must clearly depict the relationship between Producer and idol, and this point is something we are very particular about.


- It's a given for the scenario side, but the illustrations of "Shinymas" are usually held in high regard, but please tell us about the overall concept, and the things you must keep in mind when creating the illustrations.

Takayama: When viewing all of the cards, whether it be applying a expression technique-like retro-pop style filter, or a toon-style, I feel that you can enjoy a wide range of presentations. In addition, we are conscious of the depiction to the point where you can imagine the story behind the illustrations, even at a single glance. This kind of pickiness is what I think is "Shinymas"-like.


- Above all, I have a strong impression that they cut out a piece of everyday life. Is this also "Shinymas"-like?

Takayama: Indeed. By configuring a depiction where you can view the lives of the idols, it creates an effect where you can deeply feel their relationship with the Producer. This relationship between idol and Producer, the tone and manner is consistent throughout the series.


- Their relationships are quite deeply depicted, aren't they.

Takayama: In "Shinymas", the strong focus on "units" is the defining characteristic, and this was due to our intention to steadily depict the relationships between the idols.


- For the visual side, the animations are a focal point, but is there anything that you are particular about when creating those?

Takayama: In the first place, the things depicted in the illustrations are scenes that we "want to show", but when we want them to have stories, there are parts that we can't just express with a single picture. In order to supplement those parts, we often use animations.


- The new function to train R idols to SSRs, "IDoLRo@D", has just been announced. Please tell us the details on how you came to implement this.

Takayama: In a system where "rarity" exists, the number of situations where practical usage of R idols has decreased, which is why we decided to do something about the current situation. Also, since this is our 2nd Anniversary, there will be many new Producers coming in, so it should be useful to assist them to get to the starting line.

Sakagami: If you keep doing missions, the R becomes an SR and beyond, and further training will make them even stronger.

Takayama: With that, the function was designed with the belief that, by further training the idols, the Producers' attachment to the idols will grow stronger.


- Along with that and the "True End Training", there are many types of content designed for new users, but are there any measures in place for the veteran users?

Takayama: Of course we've thought about those. For the "IDoLRo@D" system, when done to the end the Trust limit will increase, and we have considered many updates to the current Fes function. Also, we're planning to add a new Produce Area, so for those "I have nothing else to do......" people, we'll add that content so that there won't be such people.


- Of the various type of abundant content, one of them is the 4-koma manga drawn by Gimmy-sensei. Is this something also supervised by you, Takayama-san?

Takayama: For the 4-koma, I basically leave it to Gimmy-san. The contents are not really specified in detail, but we give an overview of the Scenario Event that occurs during that time, and information on which idols are featured in there, and he surmises it and draws it out. I then share the finished product with the Art and Scenario Directors and check it. But, I don't really give any special instructions. There are comedic ones, but then there are quiet stories and serious stories, which strikes a good balance.

Sakagami: At first, it was a "let's do this until release" kind of project, but then it became very interesting as reading material, and I feel that we've created a light-hearted medium which Producers can enjoy that can't be completed anywhere else. Not only "Shinymas", Gimmy-sensei really like "iM@S"-related things, and since he had helped us out a lot previously, we felt that just ending our collaboration there would be such a waste, which is why we decided to continue the series.



The possibilites of creating new "dramas" with the new unit "noctchill"


- Around the 2nd Anniversary, the new unit "noctchill" became a big topic. First of all, could you tell us about the concept of the new unit?

Takayama: The concepts are, as described in the unit description, the "feeling of transparency" and "refreshing". Visually, surfacing from a deep ocean where the light can't reach, the time when your face emerges into a vivid white light, then the blue spreading out after......that kind of refreshing spectacle was the image that we created the unit's settings around.

Sakagami: When I first heard the name, hearing the unfamiliar word "Nokuchiru?" was quite surprising (laughs). I don't oppose the name itself, but for the Producers, I told Takayama-san that he should firmly explain the origins behind that name.

Takayama: Truth is, we coined the name from the luminescent insect, "noctiluca". Ever since the announcement, even the Producers have correctly predicted the origin of the name.


- Since this is the sixth unit, what are the special characteristics for these girls?

Takayama: The setting is that all 4 members are childhood friends. For the previous 5 units, the members of each idol unit, their relationship only grows after they get to know each other. But for noctchill, everyone is already acquainted with each other. With that, we look forward to creating drama with a different foundation than those of the other 5 units.


- noctchill is the first unit to have an even number of people, in this case 4. Was this something you were aiming for?

Takayama: It absolutely was. With 4 people, it'll be easier to establish relationships between pairs. For example "the classmates Toru and Madoka", we can easily make a horizontal relationship, or "Toru and the one who yearns for Toru, Hinana", we can easily make a vertical connection if we have pairs of 2 to 2. This balance would be much harder if it was an odd number.


- By the by, are there any rules in the series for how to name the idols?

Sakagami: There aren't really any fixed rules, but rather some general ones for the series. It's widely known that some of the members of 765 Pro are named after ships. Actually, for "Million Live!", at first I thought to name them after the interchanges on the Japanese expressways. But, as the number of people increased, it got a lot harder to think about, and at some point it didn't really matter anymore (laughs).

Takayama: In this case for "Shinymas", although we though about names that were probably realistic, since the names might have too strong of an impact, we decided to stick to more familiar names.


- I'd like to ask what points you were conscious of when creating noctchill's songs.

Takayama: Even though they have a band-like sound, we try to be conscious of their "feeling of transparency", "refreshing" visual image like the idols. The title song of the CD releasing on September 16th, "Itsudatte Bokura wa", has a refreshing sound with a feeling of transparency and a feeling of sprinting, and that's the direction we're aiming for as a unit.


- The Producers also keep asking, "Will you not be releasing solo songs?"

Takayama: For solo songs, we recognize the desire for them. I don't think that "we won't do it", but I think we need to do it with a sense of timing that matches the long-term themes.

- In that same sense, there have been many requests for collab songs that go beyond the boundaries of the units......

Takayama: With regards to collabs, we plan to increase them in the future. The reason we haven't delved too far into that, at first we thought that the unit's impression or their characteristics weren't too widely known. However, we've sowed the seeds for 2 years, so please look forward to whatever's to come.

Sakagami: For solos and collab songs, I think that it's important that we feel we want to do it, but not in such a shape that it feels forced. I'd want to do it once everyone's imaginations have thoughts of "that'll be fun".


- Continuing after the 2nd year's theme of "challenge", what theme are you thinking of for the 3rd year?

Takayama: The new CD series starting on April 8th is named "GR@DATE WING". The word "gradate" manes to gradually change colors, and in that sense, the idols themselves are growing, and the way they think is changing. This expression of changing colors, is something we consider when depicting them in songs and stories.

Sakagami: For these last 2 years, the phase we were in was to deliver content that basically tells the Producers "what is Shinymas". From now on, however, I believe the content will be such that "Shiny Colors" would lead the the "iDOLM@STER" series to further growth.

- 5 people from "Shinymas" will appear in "The iDOLM@STER Starlit Season", but how did you decide on them?

Sakagami: At first, we weren't able to decide. However, we considered "How would the original organizer, President Takagi, choose?" Then, we would consider the kids in each Production with a similar role, and we also considered the idols' growth. With that idea in mind, we decided on which idols to use, by consulting with the Producers of each title.

Takayama: With regards to the selection, we discussed it with Mr. Kutaragi (Hayato, Producer of "Starlit Season"), and thought about who would be best to send out to create drama. For example, the youngest idol in 283 Pro, Kaho, could do things with the idols close to her age, like Ami, Mami and Yayoi. For Tenka, we could depict the relationship between "older sisters" with Mika Jougasaki. From there, we chose 5 people to create such drama.


- How about the modelling in "Starlit Season"?

Takayama: It's cute (laughs). I did ask them to show me videos and screenshots from the game, but usually we don't see the appearance of things from behind, so the extent of what was depicted is quite fresh.


- Lastly, please deliver your aspirations for the 3rd year to your fans.

Takayama: Not just those who play the game, but to those Producers who buy the CDs and and attend the events, its thanks to all of you that we are able to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary. Receiving your voices, sometimes warm, sometimes strict, it was that encouragement that I feel allowed us to reach this point. The performers included, the production team feels the same way. For this 3rd year, I would like to earnestly strive for greater heights.

Sakagami: This year, "Shinymas" will enter its 3rd year, and "The iDOLM@STER" will also celebrate its 15th Anniversary. The contents consist of the collective efforts of the staff, performers and all the creators gathered together. With the addition of all the Producers, we were able to continue up until today. It's wonderful to think that this isn't just some miracle. I feel that I would like to continue to do my best, along with everyone.