The Idolmaster watch order
Bandai Namco's idol-producing game series has spun off several separate anime, each following a different talent agency: 765 Production, the huge 346 Production of Cinderella Girls, the all-male 315 Production of SideM, the 765 Pro Live Theater of Million Live and 283 Production of Shiny Colors. Most stand alone.
First time? Start with the 2011 THE IDOLM@STER TV series and its movie, or jump straight into Cinderella Girls. Every other series works on its own, so pick whichever cast appeals; skip Xenoglossia unless you want a mecha oddity.
First-timer order
The 2011 series and its movie are the classic way in, then Cinderella Girls. After that, each series stands alone, so the order is just a suggestion: pick the agency you're curious about. Shorts and game bonuses come last.
- THE IDOLM@STER
A-1 Pictures' adaptation of the original games: a rookie producer joins the small agency 765 Production and helps its idols go from empty schedules to real stardom. The classic starting point.
- The Idolm@ster: The Story of 765 Pro (optional)
An extra episode (765 Pro to Iu Monogatari), effectively episode 26: light everyday vignettes with the 765 idols after the series. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE: Beyond the Brilliant Future!
A direct sequel to the 2011 series: 765 Pro prepares for its biggest concert yet, with a group of trainee idols as backup dancers. Those trainees are characters from Million Live, which later got its own anime.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
A separate continuity at the giant 346 Production: Uzuki Shimamura, Rin Shibuya and Mio Honda join the new Cinderella Project and debut alongside its other members. No earlier anime needed. Episode 7.5 is a cast-hosted recap special you can skip.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls 2nd Season
The second half (episodes 14–25), picking up straight after the first as the Cinderella Project's idols face changes at the agency.
- Cinderella Girls: Anytime, Anywhere with Cinderella. (optional)
Episode 26, a bonus episode released with the ninth Blu-ray/DVD volume in 2016. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls U149
CygamesPictures' adaptation of the U149 manga: a new producer looks after the agency's youngest idols, all under 149 cm. A fresh, separate take rather than a sequel to the 2015 series, so it can be your first Idolmaster. A two-part OVA followed on Blu-ray.
- THE IDOLM@STER Million Live!
Shirogumi's 3DCG series about the new idols of the 765 Pro Live Theater, led by Mirai Kasuga, Shizuka Mogami and Tsubasa Ibuki. Same world as the 2011 series, with the original 765 idols appearing, but it's made to work on its own. Shown in cinemas in three parts before airing on TV.
- Million Live!: The Backstage (optional)
A 21-minute extra episode released in March 2024, after the TV series. Optional.
- Million Live!: Itsuka, Mannaka de
A new OVA episode released on Blu-ray in March 2026, following the TV series.
- THE IDOLM@STER SideM
The male-idol branch: men who left other careers join 315 Production. Starts with episode 0, a prologue about Jupiter, the rival group from the 2011 series, then 13 episodes. Works without the 2011 series.
- SideM: PASSION of the PASSION (optional)
A 25-minute bonus episode released in June 2018, after the TV series. Optional.
- THE iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors
Polygon Pictures' series about the idol units of 283 Production. Fully standalone. Shown in cinemas in three chapters from late 2023 before its TV run.
- THE iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors Season 2
Continues season 1 directly. Like season 1, it played in cinemas in three parts before airing in autumn 2024.
- Shiny Colors 2nd Season: SHHis (optional)
A 20-minute extra episode about the unit SHHis, released in March 2025 after season 2. Optional.
- The Idolm@ster: Shiny Festa (optional)
Three music-focused episodes that came bundled with the three Shiny Festa rhythm games for PSP, one per game. Game tie-ins. Optional.
- Puchim@s! Petit Idolm@ster (optional)
Gag shorts about the 765 idols living with tiny, strange look-alike creatures called puchidols. A second season, Puchim@s!! (2014, 74 shorts), followed. Not tied to the story. Optional.
- Cinderella Girls Theater (optional)
Three-minute comedy shorts with the huge Cinderella Girls game cast, over four seasons (2017, 2017, 2018 and 2019's Climax Season). Not part of the TV story. Optional.
- Cinderella Girls: Spin-off! (optional)
A six-minute standalone short released online. Optional.
- SideM Wake Atte Mini! (optional)
Three-minute chibi comedy shorts with the SideM cast. Optional.
- The Idolm@ster: Live For You! (optional)
A 17-minute bonus animation from the limited edition of the Xbox 360 game. Not part of the 2011 series' continuity. Optional.
- Idolm@ster: Xenoglossia (optional)
Sunrise's mecha series that reuses the 765 girls' names as pilots of giant robots called iDOLs. An unrelated alternate universe; skip it unless you're curious.
- Idolm@ster: Xenoglossia Specials (optional)
Five-minute extras for Xenoglossia. Optional.
Story order
There's no single timeline. This lists each line in order: 765 Pro (with Million Live, set in the same world), Cinderella Girls, U149, SideM and Shiny Colors, then the unrelated Live For You and Xenoglossia.
- THE IDOLM@STER
A-1 Pictures' adaptation of the original games: a rookie producer joins the small agency 765 Production and helps its idols go from empty schedules to real stardom. The classic starting point.
- The Idolm@ster: The Story of 765 Pro (optional)
An extra episode (765 Pro to Iu Monogatari), effectively episode 26: light everyday vignettes with the 765 idols after the series. Optional.
- The Idolm@ster: Shiny Festa (optional)
Three music-focused episodes that came bundled with the three Shiny Festa rhythm games for PSP, one per game. Game tie-ins. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE: Beyond the Brilliant Future!
A direct sequel to the 2011 series: 765 Pro prepares for its biggest concert yet, with a group of trainee idols as backup dancers. Those trainees are characters from Million Live, which later got its own anime.
- THE IDOLM@STER Million Live!
Shirogumi's 3DCG series about the new idols of the 765 Pro Live Theater, led by Mirai Kasuga, Shizuka Mogami and Tsubasa Ibuki. Same world as the 2011 series, with the original 765 idols appearing, but it's made to work on its own. Shown in cinemas in three parts before airing on TV.
- Million Live!: The Backstage (optional)
A 21-minute extra episode released in March 2024, after the TV series. Optional.
- Million Live!: Itsuka, Mannaka de
A new OVA episode released on Blu-ray in March 2026, following the TV series.
- Puchim@s! Petit Idolm@ster (optional)
Gag shorts about the 765 idols living with tiny, strange look-alike creatures called puchidols. A second season, Puchim@s!! (2014, 74 shorts), followed. Not tied to the story. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
A separate continuity at the giant 346 Production: Uzuki Shimamura, Rin Shibuya and Mio Honda join the new Cinderella Project and debut alongside its other members. No earlier anime needed. Episode 7.5 is a cast-hosted recap special you can skip.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls 2nd Season
The second half (episodes 14–25), picking up straight after the first as the Cinderella Project's idols face changes at the agency.
- Cinderella Girls: Anytime, Anywhere with Cinderella. (optional)
Episode 26, a bonus episode released with the ninth Blu-ray/DVD volume in 2016. Optional.
- Cinderella Girls Theater (optional)
Three-minute comedy shorts with the huge Cinderella Girls game cast, over four seasons (2017, 2017, 2018 and 2019's Climax Season). Not part of the TV story. Optional.
- Cinderella Girls: Spin-off! (optional)
A six-minute standalone short released online. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls U149
CygamesPictures' adaptation of the U149 manga: a new producer looks after the agency's youngest idols, all under 149 cm. A fresh, separate take rather than a sequel to the 2015 series, so it can be your first Idolmaster. A two-part OVA followed on Blu-ray.
- THE IDOLM@STER SideM
The male-idol branch: men who left other careers join 315 Production. Starts with episode 0, a prologue about Jupiter, the rival group from the 2011 series, then 13 episodes. Works without the 2011 series.
- SideM: PASSION of the PASSION (optional)
A 25-minute bonus episode released in June 2018, after the TV series. Optional.
- SideM Wake Atte Mini! (optional)
Three-minute chibi comedy shorts with the SideM cast. Optional.
- THE iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors
Polygon Pictures' series about the idol units of 283 Production. Fully standalone. Shown in cinemas in three chapters from late 2023 before its TV run.
- THE iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors Season 2
Continues season 1 directly. Like season 1, it played in cinemas in three parts before airing in autumn 2024.
- Shiny Colors 2nd Season: SHHis (optional)
A 20-minute extra episode about the unit SHHis, released in March 2025 after season 2. Optional.
- The Idolm@ster: Live For You! (optional)
A 17-minute bonus animation from the limited edition of the Xbox 360 game. Not part of the 2011 series' continuity. Optional.
- Idolm@ster: Xenoglossia (optional)
Sunrise's mecha series that reuses the 765 girls' names as pilots of giant robots called iDOLs. An unrelated alternate universe; skip it unless you're curious.
- Idolm@ster: Xenoglossia Specials (optional)
Five-minute extras for Xenoglossia. Optional.
Release order
Xenoglossia came first, in 2007, but has nothing to do with the later idol series. Million Live and Shiny Colors each played in Japanese cinemas in three parts before their TV broadcasts.
- Idolm@ster: Xenoglossia (optional)
Sunrise's mecha series that reuses the 765 girls' names as pilots of giant robots called iDOLs. An unrelated alternate universe; skip it unless you're curious.
- Idolm@ster: Xenoglossia Specials (optional)
Five-minute extras for Xenoglossia. Optional.
- The Idolm@ster: Live For You! (optional)
A 17-minute bonus animation from the limited edition of the Xbox 360 game. Not part of the 2011 series' continuity. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER
A-1 Pictures' adaptation of the original games: a rookie producer joins the small agency 765 Production and helps its idols go from empty schedules to real stardom. The classic starting point.
- The Idolm@ster: The Story of 765 Pro (optional)
An extra episode (765 Pro to Iu Monogatari), effectively episode 26: light everyday vignettes with the 765 idols after the series. Optional.
- The Idolm@ster: Shiny Festa (optional)
Three music-focused episodes that came bundled with the three Shiny Festa rhythm games for PSP, one per game. Game tie-ins. Optional.
- Puchim@s! Petit Idolm@ster (optional)
Gag shorts about the 765 idols living with tiny, strange look-alike creatures called puchidols. A second season, Puchim@s!! (2014, 74 shorts), followed. Not tied to the story. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE: Beyond the Brilliant Future!
A direct sequel to the 2011 series: 765 Pro prepares for its biggest concert yet, with a group of trainee idols as backup dancers. Those trainees are characters from Million Live, which later got its own anime.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
A separate continuity at the giant 346 Production: Uzuki Shimamura, Rin Shibuya and Mio Honda join the new Cinderella Project and debut alongside its other members. No earlier anime needed. Episode 7.5 is a cast-hosted recap special you can skip.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls 2nd Season
The second half (episodes 14–25), picking up straight after the first as the Cinderella Project's idols face changes at the agency.
- Cinderella Girls: Anytime, Anywhere with Cinderella. (optional)
Episode 26, a bonus episode released with the ninth Blu-ray/DVD volume in 2016. Optional.
- Cinderella Girls Theater (optional)
Three-minute comedy shorts with the huge Cinderella Girls game cast, over four seasons (2017, 2017, 2018 and 2019's Climax Season). Not part of the TV story. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER SideM
The male-idol branch: men who left other careers join 315 Production. Starts with episode 0, a prologue about Jupiter, the rival group from the 2011 series, then 13 episodes. Works without the 2011 series.
- SideM: PASSION of the PASSION (optional)
A 25-minute bonus episode released in June 2018, after the TV series. Optional.
- SideM Wake Atte Mini! (optional)
Three-minute chibi comedy shorts with the SideM cast. Optional.
- Cinderella Girls: Spin-off! (optional)
A six-minute standalone short released online. Optional.
- THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls U149
CygamesPictures' adaptation of the U149 manga: a new producer looks after the agency's youngest idols, all under 149 cm. A fresh, separate take rather than a sequel to the 2015 series, so it can be your first Idolmaster. A two-part OVA followed on Blu-ray.
- THE IDOLM@STER Million Live!
Shirogumi's 3DCG series about the new idols of the 765 Pro Live Theater, led by Mirai Kasuga, Shizuka Mogami and Tsubasa Ibuki. Same world as the 2011 series, with the original 765 idols appearing, but it's made to work on its own. Shown in cinemas in three parts before airing on TV.
- Million Live!: The Backstage (optional)
A 21-minute extra episode released in March 2024, after the TV series. Optional.
- THE iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors
Polygon Pictures' series about the idol units of 283 Production. Fully standalone. Shown in cinemas in three chapters from late 2023 before its TV run.
- THE iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors Season 2
Continues season 1 directly. Like season 1, it played in cinemas in three parts before airing in autumn 2024.
- Shiny Colors 2nd Season: SHHis (optional)
A 20-minute extra episode about the unit SHHis, released in March 2025 after season 2. Optional.
- Million Live!: Itsuka, Mannaka de
A new OVA episode released on Blu-ray in March 2026, following the TV series.
Explained
Do I have to watch them in order?
No. Apart from the 2011 series and its movie, and the two-part runs of Cinderella Girls and Shiny Colors, each Idolmaster anime follows a different agency and stands on its own. Watching the 2011 series first adds a few nice cameos and callbacks elsewhere, but nothing depends on it.
Which one should I start with?
The 2011 THE IDOLM@STER series is the usual recommendation: it's the original cast and still the best known. Cinderella Girls (2015) is the other popular entry point. U149, SideM, Million Live and Shiny Colors were all made to welcome newcomers too.
How are Million Live and the 2011 series connected?
Million Live is set in the same world as the 2011 series: 765 Pro opens a theater for a new group of idols, and the original 765 idols appear. Several of its idols first showed up as trainees in the 2014 movie. It isn't a direct sequel, though, and it explains everything you need.
What is Xenoglossia?
A 2007 Sunrise mecha series that borrowed the original game's character names for a story about girls piloting giant robots. It shares nothing else with the idol series and isn't a good introduction. Watch it only as a curiosity.
What about the shorts, and is anything new coming?
Cinderella Girls Theater, Puchim@s and SideM Wake Atte Mini! are comedy shorts, and Shiny Festa and Live For You were game bonuses; all are optional. The newest brand, Gakuen Idolmaster, had no anime series announced as of October 2026.