Shine Post

Paripi Koumei idol group version??? Idol shows are generally regarded as a niche market with a small target audience. Many people dismissed this show as a typical idol show, including myself, who would never have had the opportunity to watch this hidden gem of a show if I hadn't noticed the show's slow and steady rise in rating as the weeks passed. I definitely enjoyed the show more than I had anticipated. Right away, the idol group TiNgS was on the verge of disbandment due to not being able to attract even 100 patrons to attend the show in the previous 9 months, and a managernamed Naoki was tasked with assisting in attracting 2000 patrons for their upcoming anniversary concert in three months in order to call off the disbandment. Calling in the manager and saving an idol band sounds cliche, but there's a twist here, with Naoki wanting to be anything other than the idol group's manager. He has a reason for not wanting to be a manager, which was explained in the show, and his refusal to be their manager threw the group off. This is how the show started and the initial premise, which didn't have the it factor to attract viewers, including myself, but things only got better from there. As the episodes progressed, we learn more about the idol group, their origins, such as how they were recruited, and the stories behind each and every character, how they were influenced and essentially the reason they wanted to become idols linking to the very same idol, named Hotaru, the similar fate they shared, and how the group they're in is basically their last stand to either achieving stardom or giving up the idol dream. Some may argue that this show incorporates tearjerker and dramatic parts to entice viewers for no apparent reason, but the drama in and of itself is necessary because it is what makes the story more engaging, teaches us more about the characters, their backgrounds, why they chose to be idols, and everything else that entices viewers to tune in for the next episode eager for more. The story is one of the more engaging idol show stories, and it is the show's hook that draws in viewers, as even non-idol fans will enjoy this series. The soft but not overly-dramatic drama effortlessly carries this series, as do the likeable characters and subtle writing, as we can't help but cheer for all of the characters as we see their chances to develop, mature, and finally shine on the big stage. The finale was well-executed, and it was a welcome relief after the group's ordeals. As for the music, given that this is an idol anime, one would expect the show to excel in that department, which it did. I especially liked Rio Seibu's solo, which left me speechless, astounded, and made me want to cheer and root for her even more, and when combined with her personality and traits, propelled her to the top of my list as the best girl in the series. In terms of the characters, one could argue that each character has a trope that the show used to portray them in comedic and wholesome moments, but that doesn't stop them from being likeable and relatively well-written, which the viewers experienced firsthand when we learned more about them. Their accompanied VAs did an excellent job voicing the character archetypes these idols represent, which is not surprising given that the show's selling point should be its sound. The art department, in my opinion, is the weakest link in the show and could use some improvement. I couldn't get used to the art style they used in the show, but it is not really that big of a deal. The show did, however, deliver in the animation department, with the blending and incorporation of 2D and 3D being very smooth, as well as the dance choreography being very good and the dancing being well-animated. Would I recommend this show? HELL YEAH! This show definitely caught me off guard. I wish the show could gain the recognition it so rightfully so deserves. 🙏 :PRAYGE:

Idol shows are a dime a dozen, they are EVERYWHERE! From the Love Life! series to whatever you can think of being a fan of said genre with its many companies and subsidiaries. But more often a times, they can range from the songs to the drama that just serves as plot device to the overall main product. Such is the case with last season's Extreme Hearts from the creator of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha being somewhat of a letdown being a subtle but mediocre character-driven story that sadly, reeks too much of the counterparts (a la PuraOre! Pride of Orange) that did the formulabetter, but not by much. Instead, it's shows like CyGames's Uma Musume: Pretty Derby franchise that provides the distinction that atop of its horseracing-cum-idol premise, it is a full load-down of its character-driven drama, and this season, it's Shine Post, Konami Digital Entertainment and Straight Edge's mixed-media project that boasts almost as much observance and excitement as it could get for an IP that pretty much only exists in Japan. Despite the premise being oh-so-repetitive towards the idol genre space, the one thing that will bug you is how eloquent the character writing is that it's so distinguished and well-thorough. Well, that's because even though Shine Post is a multimedia project, it got its start being a light novel series, written by Rakuda and illustrated by Buriki. And if you're the AniManga industry insider nut that I am, you'll know that these 2 people got their start with the now famous Bench-kun harem rom-com that is OreSuki. This will immediately tell you that Shine Post MEANS business, and it does not goof around with its character-driven story and realistic drama that's just as tightly controlled and enjoyable as it is in OreSuki. If you're the type of person that ABSOLUTELY hated how saturated the idol genre is now, Shine Post is the anime for you to deviate the setting for actual, greatly concocted characters that'll make you think twice about watching idol shows that have both style and substance to boot, and little of that usual fodder that maligns the genre to this day. Shine Post tells the story of an up-and-coming new idol group called TINGS, made up of 5 girls and stylized by their family names: Kyoka Tamaki, Momiji Ito, Haru Nabatame, Yukine Gionji and Rio Seibu. Out from the cusps of forming yet another idol group to saturate the idol scene even more, it's Manager Yuki Hinase and her ideals of "one's a company, two's a crowd, three's a party". And since more girls can be given their opportunites to be a Shine Post, why not take the plunge? As we all know, being amateur idols is one of the toughest moments because you have to start somewhere, and unforunately for these 5 girls, their spirit of camaraderie and teamwork got off to a wonky start due to distrust and fear of reprisal. That's where the new manager Naoki comes in, the distant cousin of Manager Yuki, and someone who has the ability to see people shining when they lie. Yeah, you think that that angle was weird to see people shining, but in formality, the somewhat unique trope actually works. Also, TINGS didn't start out as the 5-member group that they did, but in yet another stylizing methodology in the form of TiNgS, representing the fallout of members that arose with that same distrust angle (I shall not spoil this since it's something worth noting). While the 5 girls are new to the idol business (except one of them), Naoki is too, and he doesn't really know how to be their manager since his cousin Yuki just threw the job at him, leaving him to his own devices of how he wants TINGS to operate like a an actual professional idol group. But still, he took the plunge, knowing that with proper counselling and advice, he would lead the group to new heights, starting with achieving a 2000-people strong annivesary concert that will make or break (or rather, mold or disband) the group that only achieved at most, double-digit turnouts. And within the heartcries of a group that is immensely struggling to stay afloat, there comes one: leader Haru Nabatame's dream of people like her being idols, being the shining guideposts a.k.a Shine Post, to embrace idols as they are. Knowing Rakuda's exquisite writing ability in OreSuki also should give you an idea that everyone's journey into becoming idols are immensely different yet present their own sets of challenges as well like tough terrain. Some like TINGS's leader Haru Nabatame has for a part of her whole life, knacked into the idol industry with her friends who become one as well with the dream that they would debut and serve alongside each other to the fullest degree, while others like Kyoka and Rio have to start from scratch and learn from whoever's leading the charge at their own know-how. The amount of drama in Shine Post is so realistic, it doesn't try to sugarcoat anything and instead "BAM!"s you in the face about how tough the idol industry is, and the need to push and grow obscenely fast because one slip, and the world moves on without you ever knowing. This is the harsh life being an idol, and there's nothing but advancements as the days passes by, already planned to the next concert. And this is incredibly hard to be a Shine Post. In that stance, Haru's story is the full package here, and it'd be my due diligence to have you watch the anime as it covers practically the entire show's rhythms. Shine Post's production didn't skimp out either, and instead it embodies the entire idol setting to make it as grand as it could be. This is thanks in part to director Kei Oikawa, who he has helmed the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime adaptations of its now 2 seasons under P.A Works and Studio Kai, and knows well enough on what make idol shows work the charm. The latter holds much regard since it's the studio chosen to adapt this idol drama series, and I'm ostensibly glad that Shine Post got the Uma Musume treatment of a high-quality production that highlights the same exact tones with what Uma Musume Season 2 has been laid upon. So, it's experience that makes Shine Post look the way it is: as grandiose with lustre and eye-popping visuals to look the cut. Even the CG moments can feel worrisome, but in Shine Post you can rest easy because they too look great. Same goes with the songs, from the OP/ED and the OST, you can be assured that they also sound just as good from a star-studded staff team behind the scenes. With so few numbers following this show, I'm actually surprised that it never caught on towards the general audience, most possibly so because it's an idol show on hindsight, and I can already see the numbers dwindling because of that alone. However, Shine Post is the perfect example of defying expectations while using an almost universal premise to execute its objective. Ultimately, as Anatole France quotes it this way: "It is in the ability to deceive oneself that the greatest talent is shown.", in the exact same way, we got deceived by Shine Post thinking that it'll be the same-old, same-old, generic idol series, when in spirit and in truth it doesn't feel that way and has a certain charm that sticks on you from the get-go. If there has to be one idol show that stands out in the unlikeliest of situations, it's gotta be Shine Post. And I can finally say for certainty that Shine Post is THE idol show that I can recommend to those not to keen towards the idol genre. It's a cult following, but I'm glad to be part of that cult, it's the idol show to end all idol shows.

First up I am really happy that one clip exploded onto the whole Anime Social Media Community, this show would most likely never gotten as much attention as it has. In this Anime you are immediately introduced to some very fun Characters you think you've completely seen through within the first few minutes but discover as you watch that you weren't even close to understanding them. I was extremely impressed by the writing of this Anime, a less talented team couldve easily made this a 5/10 show. The way different obstacles were presented and the way they have been dealt with really sometimes makes you think"Hey, that might just be what I should do to fix xyz in my life" I genuinely belive if you watch this show with an open mind you can grow significantly as a person and learn some valuable lessons... Or I mean you can just watch it because you saw cute girls dance in Instagram :)

Wow i really like the anime animation was great character were really good looking Only one this comes in my head why is this anime didn't get that mush popularity it has a really good story and plot i really enjoy this anime and giving it a rating i didn't even think twice it's a 10 out of 10 i really didn't hope for the anime to end like this i wish i can see more...really wanna know what happened next i wish we will get another season of this great anime. tho mostly i don't know anything about dancing...somehow i still enjoy this anime. I espiceally likethe girls but other characters were also good....what can i say ima boi