LOVE LIVE! THE SCHOOL IDOL MOVIE

DESCRIPTION

CAST

ANIME MusicLove Live! School idol project 2nd Season
ANIME MusicLove Live! Sunshine!!

REVIEWS

• 

  LiyuuSix

  100/100
  The end of a dream, but the start of an another one. Countless ones. [NO SPOILERS]

  #**Introduction :** This, this is something that I'll never be able to experience again. I truly don't have the words to express what Love Live means to me because it really changed many aspects of my life and helped me improving into becoming a better person. μ's will always be a sweet memory for me and the emotions I felt were unique and by far >the greatest experiment I've ever seen, truly unique. No more introductions, I have many reviews about Love Live where I show my [love ](https://anilist.co/review/9599)for this show and School IdolProject is for sure the greatest surprise in anime terms in my life; no more to say about SIP, let's just end this beautiful story.

  ---

  #**Sweet old girls, our beloved :** This movie is a long lasting farewell of μ's, a really long one, where we are able to see sides of the girls we were never able to see, and the movie itself is lovely to watch as the story goes on and continues to tell us things we never knew about this lovely group. The New York arc is itself incredible if you watch it with Honoka's point of view : being in a place you never visited and you are just amazed of how it is, the people, the not sleeping city, the culture and the variety of everything you can find; starting from the typical american restaurant to a random japanese one where you can feel like at home even if you are not there. Indeed New York is completely different from Akibahara, but at the same time they are the same : it's always alive and every person is connected with you somehow, it could be a quick look, a quick 'hello' or things like that. The girls have even more time to spend with each other as they are invited to show the School Idols all over the world with the Great Final. But it's not a Final at all. We still have something to do. Back in Tokyo. What's the best way to spread the love you feel for something that you actually love? Let's assume that you love racing, the first thing you could think is going to a racing festival full of cars from every era and category right? Then now let's make the greatest stage ever and let's sing for a bright future where we can all love what we do and feel free to do it, because yoou shouldn't feel insecure or ashamed of what you do, you'll never know how it can end and when.

  ---

  **The farewell** The farewell is just a song to let you believe in what you are doing, to make you love what you do and to encourage you in being what you want. >The little bird's wings are now strong and so start flying towards your next goal and do something that I would like to call **a miracle**

  ---

  #**Next level arts :** That's an easy spot for me because I just see the arts as the peak of School Idol Project and they are on a different new level.

  ---

  #**The final music :** Let's stop here for a second. One of the main reason why I love this franchise is because the songs are not random at all as they tell you something, it can be a story and something else. In this movie we have many songs but I'll just take my 3 favourite to avoid spoilers. *Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete* : sung by the first year trio (apart from being a banger) tells us the point of view of the girls in the unknown city, as it is mysterious but fantastic at the same time, they are attracted by this new reality and start feeling like at home. *Angelic Angel* : in this song the group now knows the city and they like it, a lot, as they ask you where are they but right after they answer with saying they've been dreaming for something like that for a long time. And so they ask you to enjoy this moment with them and to live it at the best you can. *Bokutachi wa Hitotsu no Hikari* : the Great Ending finally comes. Hand up, I cried every single time at this song. They are singing their story now, what they discovered, what they felt, how they became a single light in the darkness of the future where you don't know what can happen and NOW they are encouraging you to become what you always wanted and so you will be able to say **"No no noo,This moment is the greatest!"** BokuHika is way more than a song, is a hymn to life and a bright future where you can achieve what you want. Never forget your friends, who you love, your memories and do not ever forget who you really are.

  ---

  #**Conclusions :** Love Live School Idol Project was just, I don't know how to really say it, maybe the only thing that I'll never be able to experience again and forget. Believe in what you do, achieve what you dream for. Love who you love. Story : 10/10 Characters : 10/10 Music : 10/10 Arts and animations : 10/10 Personal enjoyment : 10/10
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• 

  DigiTheMelon

  100/100
  How do you end a dream?

  “Trying to shine as bright as we can within the limited time we have…We love that about school idols."

  

  INTRODUCTION

  Love Live! School Idol Project is a show I should have watched sooner. Under some bizarre strike of inspiration, presumably the result of my adventure into the mecha genre and interactions with idol-like shows, I decided to give it a chance. And, it was definitely worth it.

  It’s definitely interesting that within the intersection between mecha and magical girls lies the idol genre. As well as how they seem to complement each other. Symphogear, my favorite anime of all time, serves as the perfect example of an amalgamation of all three. As such, it wasn’t impossible for me to end up wanting a taste of the idol genre.

  The instant my torrent displayed the 100% to signal download completion, my Twitter thread opened and I began my watch of Winter 2013’s Love Live! School Idol Project.

  The formation, journey, and tribulations of μ's were epic. From the meager wish to protect their school to the burning desire to win the Love Live, I was enthralled with their ambitions and supported them every step of the way. There was just a certain energy the nine μ's members held. One that I fear is going to be irreplaceable in later entries.

  Every “Horosho!”, “Nico Nico Nii!”, “Big Trouble!”, and “Like the soap brand.” will stick with me. I love these characters. I love Honoka, Umi, Kotori, Hanayo, Rin, Maki, Eri, Nozomi and Nico. They all bounced off each other so well and made something special. I genuinely laughed at their banter and humor and I resonated with their individual arcs.

  Honoka persisted in her selfishness. Umi broke free of her shyness. Kotori followed her heart. Rin embraced her femininity. Hanayo became an idol. Maki acted on her love of music. Eri danced alongside others. Nozomi was part of a miracle. Nico escaped loneliness.

  Yet, it all has to come to an end. The life of a school idol is a fleeting one. μ's, that miraculous group of nine, after reaching the top, decided to disband.

  Love Live! The School Idol Movie shows us how to end a dream.

  ---

  PLOT

  PART 1: HELLO, HOSHI WO KAZOETE

  

  μ's, gaining incredible amounts of popularity, fly off to New York for a show in order to garner attention for the future Love Live! competition. The city is lively and true to its source. As a New Yorker myself, it was fun to see the girls explore the Upper East Side or take a stroll through Central Park. It was a new stage for μ's. And, they flourished in the city of lights.

  This act, as with most first acts, is primarily set-up. We’re delivered a major plot point in the upcoming Love Live! and the need for its exposure, allowing the group to gather once more and sing their swan song– their final song as μ's.

  What seemingly appears as fluff is an opportunity for the cast to be together and interact before the viewers have to bid them farewell. It’s a reprieve. This first act is designed to bring back the same feelings as the show. It’s an unfair decision to remind fans of their chemistry. To make it much harder to see them all go.

  "Hello, Hoshi Wo Kazoete" is a song about embracing freedom and unfamiliarity. The first years conquered their self-image issues and inhibitions and ventured into the unknown. New York is an external metaphor for such. μ's is in an entirely new place, but it accepts them and they make the most of it. It’s emblematic of their future after disbanding.

  Honoka, lost in the big city, lost in how to tackle the future, encounters a nameless singer. She sings a song about eternal love that persists through the ages. It’s a short and sweet piece, but holds a key part of the major theme.

  This interaction is the first of two, and ends with the leading question: “What happens next?”

  It’s a powerful act and an examination of the world μ's entered and created for themselves, concluding the first year’s journey as they embrace sides of themselves that they struggled to set free. The sights are gorgeous and the city is lively. It’s all beautiful and exciting.

  PART 2: ？←HEARTBEAT

  

  In the second act, after reaching Japan the girls have to face reality. It’s a dreamlike one. They’re famous: people recognize them as they walk around, their faces are plastered around Akiba, and Angelic Angel is streamed everywhere. The girls went from an empty stage to being celebrities.

  "？←HEARTBEAT" is a fun, ridiculously catchy pop song (and my personal favorite from the movie) about the merits of fame. Nico achieved her dream of fame and Eri was recognized for her talents. μ's has fans everywhere watching them and waiting for their next big move.

  Following their return, μ's is requested to continue in order to further promote the Love Live! This is the driving conflict for the rest of the movie. They had already decided to disband after Angelic Angel was performed, but there is real investment into the group. To disband would be betraying their fans and the hopes of others; to stay together would betray themselves.

  μ's is the miracle made from the nine girls together as school idols. But, opportunities keep arising– even A-Rise offered the alternative solution of continuing professionally. Maybe it’s best to continue μ's. To keep the dream going. It was fun so far, right?

  Honoka, questioning herself, again meets the nameless singer. The nameless singer continues her ballad: one that holds the answer. She’s telling us to operate on love and passion.

  Surprisingly this act avoided the plague that befalls most second acts. It’s fast, yet deep and contemplative. It kicks off excitingly, and slows to give us all the opportunity to think along with Honoka. Running off the first act’s high is an introduction to the story’s emotional core.

  PART 3: THE THEME OF JUMPING

  

  The movie began with a young, spirited, and determined Honoka jumping, only to fall short into the puddle. But, she faced the challenge head on again. At that moment, she flew.

  The jump, a leap over a seemingly insurmountable obstacle to the other side, is an omnipresent metaphor throughout the film. If anything, the film– no, their entire journey–was one big jump.

  Honoka ran towards every obstacle and overcame every single one of them. μ's leaped, taking on every challenge and conquered.

  After closing her eyes, Honoka as if she was nothing but a wide-eyed, dreaming little kid jumped. No, she flew yet again. She flew past all her doubt as she heard the words of her friends.

  A jump ends when you touch the ground, and a dream ends when you wake up. So, as she opens her eyes, Honoka makes her decision.

  μ's loved being school idols. It was the conduit for their growth, passion, and dreams. They shone brightly. They went from being driven to save the school to their honest, and true love for being idols. That’s why their swan song is to be a love letter to the world that fostered their dreams.

  PART 4: FUTURE STYLE

  

  The final act, the climax, and the end.

  Honoka presents a goal for μ's: the greatest concert ever held. One that incorporates school idols everywhere. From the most popular groups like A-Rise to the ones you could find anywhere, it will be an event that houses everyone.

  "Future Style" marks the end of the second year’s journey. Honoka leads Umi and Kotori throughout the song, beckoning back to their childhood and general dynamic. She's the leader who takes them to sights they would never see alone. They did their best, jumped, and created a miracle. μ's is their Love Live! It’s the result of their dreams. But there’s one more thing needed before they wake up: “Your voice.”

  PART 4.5: SUNNY DAY SONG

  

  μ's conclusion. It’s a song that beckons for us to go towards the future.

  To end a dream is to pass it on to someone else. To inspire others. To take everything you’ve learned and carry it with you.

  Ending a dream is accepting the future in stride.

  PART 5: BOKU WA HITOTSU NO HIKARI or THE END OF LOVE LIVE!

  

  This is goodbye. Our conclusion.The plot is teaching us to let go of μ's. It was masterfully crafted the whole way here. The plot of the film is easily a 10/10. It’s the greatest sendoff these beloved characters could receive.

  Everything works in tandem to deliver an unforgettable, ultimate experience that reminds us of how far these girls have gone and how far we as viewers have gone with them. Delivering the characters, themes, and plots at their best, the movie produces the rawest, most beautiful story μ's could participate in.

  A good movie wraps the plot up nicely: a great movie inspires. This great movie inspires us to become active and reach toward a dream. And when that one ends, to move towards the future and inspire others.

  ---

  CHARACTERS

  

  Love Live! The School Idol Movie, as I’ve demonstrated through a discussion of the plot, concludes each set of characters in each act. It brought along the conclusions of each major character, as each set came together to sing their final songs and as a complete group ended it all. Yet, one character persisted as the true “center” throughout the film.

  Love Live! The School Idol Movie is Honoka’s last hoorah. She has to see what she started to an end. She has to take a leap. She has to wake up.

  Honoka is the group’s determined, selfish, and endlessly passionate leader. μ's would have been impossible without her. It was her patience, persistence, and ability to see the best in each person that brought them this far. Yet, she’s also the most average member of the group. She can’t design clothes, write lyrics, or choreograph dances. All she can do is follow her heart–something no other μ's member is able to immediately do. That’s why her magnetic personality lies at the heart of μ's.

  It’s why it’s ultimately her decision when it comes to the groups disbanding. We see her struggle yet again. In New York, we see her lost. She was lost in the unfamiliar future. At home, she’s afraid to bring an end to the miracle she brought about. She could have taken an entirely different road and forced the group alive, despite the conflict it would have risen. But, her growth throughout the series in how she learned to stop and listen to others and cultivate that within her own selfishness empowered her into making her final decision.

  Honoka has always felt human. She lives on her desires and thirst for excitement and adventure. Seeing her bring an adventure to an end is showing that she grows up. Remembering how to fly was only the first part of her journey, but teaching others how to do so in her wake was the brilliant climax only she could create by indulging in her selfishness and dragging others with her.

  She’s an amazing character, the best written out of all of μ's and one of the best protagonists in all of anime.

  ---

  PRODUCTION

  

  Stellar. The pacing is incredible and enables the tonal shifts. The songs and visuals are stunning. Choreography was on point and the use of 3D felt well-placed and consistent. The delivery, as in the structure and musical segments, were fun, dynamic ways of having performances and creating a sort of play-like atmosphere to the movie.

  The entire film felt like a straight upgrade from the show. Which is to be expected due to the higher budget. But, that’s the praise that comes quickest to me here. It’s all beautiful: the background design, directing, character animation, dances. Everything.

  ---

  CONCLUSION

  

  Love Live! The School Idol Movie is a pure, heartfelt cinematic masterpiece. I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. If I were told that I would come to love the Love Live! movie of all things a while back, I would have laughed at you. Yet, here I am. Singing its praises and treating it like a master class work of art. It is, though. And so much more.

  It’s the finale to the series that kicked off a massive franchise. It’s a literal gamechanger. What I watched was not only the efforts of everyone involved, but the hope that it will continue into the future. Which sounds horribly ironic considering how corporate the idea of Love Live! sounds, but the execution has a ridiculous amount of SOUL. It's incredibly how impactful and emotional this movie still has me feeling. I'm not ready to let go of it all just yet, but in time I'll also wake up.

  I love this movie and will continue to do so. It stole my heart and set it ablaze. All I could really say after this is

  Thank you, Love Live!

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• 

  Anim3Life

  100/100
  Let's show them how awesome School Idols are!

  So i just finished rewatching for the second time the Love Live Film, and I decided to openly tell you my opinions. Before we begin, I want to warn you that this review contains MAJOR SPOILERS about the film _____ Let's start talking about the PLOT: 9.6/10 Although μ's, the defending champions of the school idol tournament, plans to dissolve their group after the graduation of their senior members, they receive news that leads them to holding a concert event! The 9 girls continue to learn and grow in this new and unfamiliar world. What is the last thing that these girls can do as school idols? With the clock ticking, what kind of meaning will the μ's members find in performing the most exciting live performance? The film opens with a small glimpse of the past of Honoka, Umi and Kotori when they were little girls who look at Honoka "fly" to perform a miracle. So, we can divide this film into 4 mini arcs, namely: - America - Return to Japan - Sunny Day Song - Final act -Starting from the mini arc "America" our μ's fly to America to try to realize the next Love Live at the Dome, given that after their victory in the finals they have gained a lot of popularity. In addition to the Sol scenes (which humble has made really top) the μ's decide which place to perform, in this small arc a person comes into contact with Honoka, in a short time they make a friend and asks him this question "Why do we sing?", and until the end of the trip Honoka had this thought in his mind. -Back in Japan, after their performance I think in Times Square, it is also broadcast in live stream in Japan where finally the μ's become just famous Idols. But a huge problem arises: the public wants the μ's to continue singing, since they had not announced their disband to the public. Honoka tormented by this enormous weight along with the others remain of their idea: The μ's are only them 9 not one more nor one less. -SUNNY DAY SONG So they decide to hold one last concert together with A-rise, but with a small condition: they will have to sing all the school idols, To show how awesome school idols are. By contacting all the school idols they make this huge project possible, announcing their retirement. Officially, μ's has disbanded.

  -Final Act Towards the end we have a 3-year-old Time Skip where we see Yukiho (honoka's sister) and Alisa (Eli's sister) at 3rd year old where they tell and pass on the story of the μ's. _____ Let's talk about ALL Insert, Op and Ed included: -"Angelic Angel" by μ's 8.5/10 "Future Style" 8/10 "Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete" 8/10 "SUNNY DAY SONG" by μ's 10/10 "？←HEARTBEAT" by μ's 8.5/10 ____ Final thoughts: I must say that rewatching the film, I did not feel the heaviness as the first time I saw it, indeed it flew literally and this for me is something fantastic, it means that this film really took you. I really loved Love Live! and it really hurts to tell him once again Goodbye, but I know we will see each other again soon ...... Obviously finished the rewatch of the whole franchise. THANK YOU LOVE LIVE! THANK YOU.............μ's! _____ One last thing: HONOKA'S FATHER TRUE CHAD
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