Anime Original by Sunrise
Simulcast on Crunchyroll

Premise: After learning their school is closing due to low enrollment, three girls decide to form an idol group to bring in new students.

Jel’s Verdict: For Idol Addicts Only

I was actually quite impressed with the technical quality of Love Live!, with its pretty character designs (the same artist responsible for Denpa Onna), clean animation, and catchy insert songs. I guess my only hang up is I’m not into the whole Idol thing, and obviously any attempt at a story is just a contrivance for that. I’m sure there’s a market for it but even as an outsider looking in I’d have to think Idolm@ster’s more eclectic cast or AKB0048’s Pre-teen Macross histrionics would be more appealing. If you’ve had your fill of those however, Love Live! looks like a great way to get your next fix.

Lifesong’s Verdict: Well Built

This anime is pretty much everything you could want from an Idol anime. Catchy music with lots of cute schoolgirls and it’s all executed very well. Love Live! isn’t breaking out of the mold here but if you came for the idols you will not be disappointed. I am kind of fascinated by the way this type of entertainment is target at men. It confuses and fascinates me all at once. I will probably keep watching if only because of how well IdolM@aster turned out in the end.

Marlin’s Verdict: For Idol fans but not for everyone.

I agree with Jel completely. The production in and of itself was very pretty, but without any investment in the idol genre I really had no emotional stake in this show. It did at least have a few funny parts, I really liked the beginning when they implied the entire OP occurred in Honoka’s head. Still, the entire premise seems absolutely quixotic, as I don’t understand how they would be able to resurrect their school after it’s already made an official notice of closure. Sure, maybe that’ll be some kind of dramatic plot line or something, but it still doesn’t stop the whole thing from feeling awful silly.