Are you guys into musical anime? I have watched a number of them, like the following:

• K-On!
• Uta no Prince-sama
• La Cordia de Oro
• Tari Tari
• Nodame Cantabile
• Fuuka
• Fukumenkei Noise
• Starmyu
• King of Prism, etc

And yesterday, I added another musical anime on my list which is entitled, "DREAM FESTIVAL". The anime revolves around the life of aspiring idols. They're what you call "rookies" from a certain agency and they are to compete with other units during "Dream Festival". The unit or rookie idol group who'll win during the Festival will be given the chance to debut.

Being exposed to idol groups and the life of idols (since I'm one crazy fangirl), I can totally relate with the anime. You'll see the everyday struggles of the talents and how they're trying to do their best either for personal dreams or satisfaction.

What made this anime different from the other Idol-Musical-type of anime is the use of Dorika. Dorika resembles a card which shows the picture of an idol plus the outfit. Before the idols start performing, fans are going to insert a dorika card into some gadget and send it flying for the idol to catch.

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The "Dorika" determines how loved you are by the fans. The more dorika you receive, the more love you receive from your fans. It's really magical especially during Dorika time. The flying dorikas are sparkling in accordance to their idol's color.

Their transformation is funny though. It reminds me so much of sailor moon. lol.. And their costumes are really idolish. I believe I saw a lot of familiar costumes from Johnny's Entertainment (a popular talent or idol agency in Japan) Let me show you some of their outfits.



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And below is my favorite Japanese idol wearing a similar costume. In their concerts, they change multiple times depending on the song their going to sing! Some might be "overly-fashioned" but, they still look good... and funny..lol Anyway, I love their songs more than their costumes anyway.. :P



^{This is a magazine scan which I edited 8 years ago.. hahaha}


When I was still really crazy about Jpop and NEWS (I'm not as crazy as before), I play their music nonstop from morning 'til night. That was the time when I stopped going to school for a year due to my health. Every day, I spent it listening to music, watching their PVs, concerts, etc. I spent almost all of my time online reading articles about them and checking their newest drama, etc. To be honest, they gave me life that time, so even though I'm busy now, I never ceased supporting and loving them. <3


Going back to the anime Dream Festival, the main group made a song together to present during the event. The song is really meaningful and I want to share the video to you here.. Please check out their final performance below.

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In the first minute of the video, you'll see their "Dorika Time and Sailor Moon-like transformation". The lyrics of the song is really encouraging... Let me paste the English translation below. This is from Dream Festival Wikia.

Here We Go!! (Make the wind roar)
Here We Go!! (Run to the future…)

(Why Not?)
Why does this light that I want to touch but can’t
Grasp at my heart so much? (Never Let Me Go)
My unstoppable emotions (Speed-Up!) become passion for my dream
We already know our destination, don’t we?

(If we’re alone) we can’t talk to each other
(Hating to lose) is also a strength, and now
(Let’s bring our wishes) together as one

Let’s put up the Pleasure Flag (Hey!)
The dazzling (Hey!)
drama (Show!) I want to make with you (Stage!) is about to start
Fly the Special Flag (Hey!)
High into the sky For My Dream!
It’ll bring (Shine!) and it’ll bring (Luck!) closer to me
(If I’m with you, it’ll be a Prize!!)
All right, (now) let’s go beyond the ultimate…

Here We Go!! Bring up the miracle
Here We Go!! Dance while our heart’s throbbing

(What’s More?)
If we keep worrying about wanting and failing to understand each other
We’ll never see the truth (We Don’t Get Away)
I want to express (Always) the feelings that matter most
Clashes are a sign of growing up

(Just by breathing) It’s like I can feel it
(While not knowing) With the tied bonds that got tighter
(Let our feeling) become one!!

Let’s put up the Pleasure Flag (Hey!)
The precious song (Hey!)
I want to (Feel!) feel with you (Smile!) is sparkling
Fly the Special Flag (Hey!)
Become the blue sky Our Dream!
Let’s link it (Joy!) tight (Hands!) and tighter!
(Look forward to the Surprise!!)
All right, (look!) like how our feelings wanted…

Here We Go!!

(What’s Up? Whenever it is, the heart always knows the Answer
Hey All! Yeah, We Cannot Stop!!
Carve our name here Show Time!!)

Let’s put up the Pleasure Flag (Hey!)
It’s because you’re here (Hey!)
The precious (Feel!) song (Smile!) is sparkling
Fly the Special Flag (Hey!)
Become the blue sky Our Dream!
Embrace it (Joy!) tight (Love!) and tighter!
(Let’s put up the Pride!)
All right, (now) let’s go beyond the ultimate… (An endless dream)
All right, (let’s go) the Pleasure Flag with you!!

Here We Go!! (Make the wind roar)
Here We Go!! (Run to the future… Start Dash!!)

This is one thing I love about musical anime. The songs they introduce in the anime are also phenomenal! I like how encouraging the song is. Somehow, it doesn't only reflect the character's life, but also the viewers'. It makes us want to move forward and do our best as well. The song is telling us that even if we are facing something terrible or scary at the moment, it's okay. Let's just express ourselves and be true. Misunderstandings and clashes are part of growing up. These stuff will make us stronger and will allow us to go beyond the ultimate.

This anime has two seasons so far. I am yet to watch the second one, but I'll be expecting more interesting songs and character development. If you're into musical anime, I recommend you this one. You may check out the list I had above of the musical anime that I have watched in the past as well. Thank you and see you next "Anime Time!"