'Idol Incidents' Episode One Review
Idol Government for Idle Government?
From Mages Inc. comes a fun new Idol Anime set in a parallel version of Japan.
When the Japanese government is overwhelmed with growing problems and discontent throughout the land, idols step forward to save the day, as Diet members - to be Dietwomen.
For a first episode, it enthrals and engages the audience. It takes the popular idol genre and adds an interesting element - that of politics. While it has been done before, this light-hearted version is a lot of fun.
Natsuki is charming and lovable as the lead, while Shizuka is a typical tsundere – cold and unfriendly with some elements of compassion. Shizuka’s flashbacks make this character type possible in this episode.
The quality of animation is excellent, though the 3D rendering for the live performance does falter when it displaying the girls’ ‘auras’.
The upbeat show is worthy of the excellent voice actors it casts. Though Sarara does tend to sound like a certain other ruby-haired Idol from another anime at times, she is a delight to hear nonetheless.
Read the episode breakdown below!
SPOILER ALERT!
Our journey begins with Sachie Kondo (voiced by Reina Ueda from ‘Aikatsu Stars’) travelling to find the next Idol Dietwoman. When she stops the car, she is captivated by the energy and performance of Natsuki Hoshina (voiced by Sarara Yashima from ‘Hacka Doll’) who invigorates the workers on her grandmother’s farm.
Sachie invites Natsuki to the trials, a dash up a steep hill - which she wins, making her the next Idol Dietwoman for the Niigata area. As Natsuki was not aware of the political situation, the audience is invited to discover that as an Idol Dietwoman, she is to help boost morale and gain votes from performances and public appearances.
It is then we encounter the Fukuoka Dietwoman, Shizuka Onimaru (voiced by Mai Fuchigami of ‘Girls und Panzer’). Shizuka is unimpressed with Natsuki’s nerves and lack of tact, but takes it upon herself to train the newbie. At Natsuki’s first live performance, she is initially overcome with stage fright, but finds it within herself to perform and gain back the audience’s attention, putting on a charismatic performance. Having won the locals over, Natsuki ends the episode as an official Idol Dietwoman.
What will Natsuki’s new role entail come Episode Two?
Check out ‘Idol Incidents’ (Idol Jihen) now on Crunchyroll.
