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The Wake Up, Girls! anime series began broadcasting on Jan. 10. To coincide with the beginning of the series, a film adaptation was released as well. What really sets this project apart though is that the rookie voice actors behind the characters are actually performing as the idol group in the real world! Their high level of musicality is already attracting quite a bit of attention. Here, we’d like to introduce you to the fascinating Wake Up Girls! with a review of the first four episodes of the series.
Episode 1
It’s Christmas day, December 2013. In a public park on a tiny stage, the Wake Up Girls (WUG) perform their debut live show. While it is a small scale event, it’s still a success. However, just before the performance, president Tange of Green Leaves Entertainment ran off with the company’s money, making it likely that this show will be their first and their last.
As they welcome the new year, the members can only pass the time and wait to hear word of what will become of their group. What’s for sure is that in their hearts every one of them wants to do what they can to keep WUG alive.
Finally, they receive word from their manager, Matsuda. A well-known local producer, Sudo, has agreed to manage the group. Matsuda and all of the members are inspired to make the best of the chance they’ve been given.
Episode 2
Little did they known what Sudo had in store for them. He has them wear white swimsuits and perform at the Kenko Land Health Center to an all-male crowd, doing various “services” for the fans that border on sexual harassment. Miyu, one of the members, says that she’d rather quit than do this kind of work, before storming off.
Matsuda and the other six members are about to give in, thinking they have no choice but to do what Sudo asks if they want to make it. Just then, president Tange returns and chases away the perverted producer Sudo. After rescuing WUG from their predicament, Tange realizes Miyu is missing, and declares that she will bring her back.
Just as Miyu returns to the group, Tange makes a deal with a local TV station to have the girls perform regularly on a show. Everyone at Green Leaves Entertainment is filled with anticipation.
Episode 3
The television spot that president Tange’s got is about to begin. Minami Katayama ends up taking the spotlight with her gourmet reporting. She gladly scarfs down various foods while repeating her catch phrase, “Unme-nyan!”
The four members charged with reporting the weather in plush toy outfits also get good reviews. After seeing their performance on the show, the TV sets up a mini live show for the girls. However, the day of the performance, Minami’s grandmother, who has always supported her, suddenly falls sick and is hospitalized. Minami heads for the hospital, and Tange decides that the must do the show without her. Once she arrives at the hospital, Minami’s grandmother says that she wants her to perform, so Minami runs back to join the group. WUG’s mini live performance is a success, bringing them one step closer to becoming a top idol group.
Episode 4
The burgeoning WUG get their first radio appearance! All of the members are excited for this chance to widen their audience. In addition, they decide to create a follow-up song to their debut single! In the meantime, a Tokyo TV station asks to interview the group. However, it turns out that the TV producer saw online message board posts about WUG member Mayu Shimada’s return to being an idol, and he has really come to question her about why she quit her former idol group, I-1 club. The producer shows no interest in WUG at all, and only asks Mayu about her past. Sick of the producer’s attitude, president Tange can’t take it anymore, and chases him away.
President Tange then consoles Mayu, who is shaken up after being confronted about her past. The other members read the hurtful online comments about Mayu and worry about her.
In Episode 4, Mayu expresses her apprehensions about becoming an idol again. Could she be thinking of leaving WUG?!
There are so many points of interest in this series, from WUG’s performances to each member’s development to Mayu’s past, which will surely come to light soon. Don’t miss Episode 5!
© Green Leaves / Wake Up, Girls! Production Committee
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
