Selection Project

Synopsis

The national idol audition reality show Selection Project is held every summer and is said to be the biggest gateway to success for aspiring idols. This year marks the seventh iteration of the show, which follows the nine girls who have won the regional qualifying rounds across Japan as they strive to make it to the finals and ultimately win the audition. Who will be crowned champion and be able to make their debut as an idol?

Background

Selection Project (also known as SelePro) is a mixed media series created by Kadokawa and Doga Kobo themed after “idol x audition x reality show.” The project was first announced in December 2019 with the tagline “Fight to make your dream come true.”

A four-panel manga illustrated by Mokeo titled SelePro-chan! began serialization on Twitter in April 2021, and second manga by Kоji Azuma began serialization on Square Enix's Manga Up! app in July 2021.

A TV anime was announced for the project in December 2020. It is being animated by Doga Kobo and Dandelion Animation Studio and features Daisuke Hiramaki as director with Yuya Takahashi handling series composition and scripts, Kanna Hirayama handling character designs, and Takuro Iga composing the music. The anime’s opening and ending theme songs, “Glorious Days” and “Only one yell” respectively, will both be performed by the anime’s main cast as 9-tie. The anime will premiere in Japan on Oct. 1, 2021 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, TV Aichi, and BS11, and it will be streamed in North America through Funimation.

Characters

Suzune Miyama (Voiced by: Hinaki Yano)
A candidate representing the North Kanto region. She is a cheerful and energetic girl who is always positive and loves to sing. She was born with a weak constitution and spent most of her childhood in a hospital room. She is a huge fan of the legendary idol Akari Amasawa and aims to become an idol just like her who can make everyone smile.

Rena Hananoi (Voiced by: Saku Mizuno)
A candidate representing the South Kanto region. She has been striving to become an idol since she was a child. She tries her best at everything she does and is strict with herself and others. She hides her true self and puts on a courageous face at all times, which sometimes causes her to clash with the people around her or to isolate herself.

Hiromi Hamaguri (Voiced by: Nozomi Nagumo)
A candidate representing the Kinki region. Influenced by her two older brothers, she is a high school student with a tomboyish and competitive personality. In her hometown, she has a reputation for being cool and is especially popular among younger girls. She likes to stand out and has a leadership mentality.

Nagisa Imau (Voiced by: Ruri Arai)
A candidate representing the Shikoku region. Despite her cute demeanor, she is a bright and quick-witted girl. She is very particular about winning and losing and only plays games she can win. She likes chatting and eating cute sweets.

Nodoka Yagi (Voiced by: Hina Yomiya)
A candidate representing the Hokkaido region. She grew up surrounded by lush nature and loves to eat. She has a calm personality and doesn't like to fight. She is a mood maker wherever she goes. She always recommends her beloved Hokkaido gourmet food, but can’t choose which is best.

Ao Yodogawa (Voiced by: Yuka Iwahashi)
A candidate representing the Chugoku region. She is an athletic girl who has participated in national track and field competitions. Full of energy, she doesn't like sitting still and is always on the move. She is serious, polite, and has a refreshing personality.

Uta Koizumi (Voiced by: Mizuna Shirakawa)
A candidate representing the Tohoku region. She is a child actress who has been performing since a young age and is well-known for having starred in dramas. Because she spent her life around adults, she is strong and proud, but she also has a side appropriate for a girl her age.

Shiori Yamaga (Voiced by: Miharu Hanai)
A candidate representing the Chubu region. She is a rich girl born into a prominent family that goes back generations and was given a gifted education from an early age. She has mastered a variety of subjects and is always aiming for the top. She has absolute confidence in herself and is uncompromising in everything she does.

Mako Toma (Voiced by: Shino Shimoji)
A candidate representing the Kyushu and Okinawa regions. As the eldest daughter of a large family, she takes care of her younger brothers and sisters. She treasures her family. She is kind and sincere to everyone and cannot lie to herself. She loves music and often does housework to the beat.

Seira Kurusu (Voiced by: Saori Onishi)
A candidate representing the North Kanto region. She has an American mother and Japanese father who were once both active as models. She is cheerful and innocent, and enjoys doing whatever she can. She has a strong will and isn’t influenced by the opinions of others.

Sumipanda (Voiced by: Daisuke Ono)
The host of Selection Project.

Akari Amasawa (Voiced by: Saori Hayami)
The winner of the first Selection Project. She has attracted the attention of many people with her singing voice and natural charm, and she is now considered a legendary idol.

Music

• Opening Theme Song: “Glorious Days” by 9-tie
• Ending Theme Song: “Only one yell” by 9-tie

• Anime Site (Japanese)
• Twitter (Japanese)
• TikTok (Japanese)

• Original Creator: Selection Project
• Director: Daisuke Hiramaki
• Series Composition/Script: Yuya Takahashi
• Character Design: Kanna Hirayama
• Chief Animation Director: Marumi Sugita (Production I.G Niigata), Mai Matsuura
• Prop Design: Takuya Miyahara
• Art Director: Yuta Sakashita (Studio Easter)
• Art Setting: Yuta Fujii (Studio Easter)
• Color Design: Kei Ishiguro
• Director of Photography: Takehiro Go
• Editing: Kentarou Tsubone
• Music Producer: Yohei Kisara (Stray Cats)
• Music: Takuro Iga
• Sound Director: Takeshi Takadera
• Sound Effects: Kiyotaka Kawada
• CG Production: Dandelion Animation Studio
• Animation Production: Doga Kobo