Let’s dive into the wild, sparkly world of high school idols, catchy tunes, and more glitter than you thought possible in Love Live! series.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a group of ordinary students suddenly decides to save their school by forming an idol group, well, you’re in the right place.
Created by studio Sunrise, Love Live! follows the journey of the lovable and determined members of the music club, as they sing, dance, and stumble their way to the top of Japan’s idol world.
But here’s the catch – there are more Love Live! series titles than you can shake a glowstick at. Keeping track of them can feel like trying to juggle glowsticks during a concert. That’s why this guide is here: to help you figure out where to start, what to watch next, and why each series is worth your time.
School Idol Project
1. Love Live! School Idol Project (2013)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Winter 2013 |
Otonokizaka High School stands on the border of three cities: Akihabara—a pop culture mecca that’s evolving by the minute; Kanda—a conservative, cultured city where history and tradition reign supreme; and Jinbo—a quiet area reserved for a more mature, sophisticated population. Amidst this culture clash, the school now faces closure due to the enrollment of fewer and fewer students.
With the school planning to close within three years, nine female students come together with one thing in mind—form a pop idol group to revive the school’s popularity and keep it from shutting down. “In order to protect our beloved school, there’s only one thing we can do… become pop stars!”
Their goal is simple: Become an overnight sensation and use their nationwide media exposure to promote their school and bring in a wave of new students to the ailing area. A simple but solid plan, they figure. Naturally, they’re nervous and wonder if this plan can really succeed, but for better or worse their new journey has begun…
“All we can ask for is just a tiny bit of support from you. We truly believe that with your help, we can change the world around us. We will make our dreams come true!”
2. Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season (2014)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Spring 2014 |
The second season of Love Live! School Idol Project.
At the intersection of three cities—Akihabara, Kanda, and Jinbocho—the traditional Otonokizaka High was facing a crisis of being closed down. Second-year student, Honoka Kosaka, decided to become a school idol, a trend that has been growing in popularity, in order to increase the number of students applying for her school. With her childhood friends, Kotori Minami and Umi Sonoda, they combined their efforts to form the group, μ’s.
A while later, Maki Nishikino, a songwriter, Hanayo Koizumi, who always dreamed of being a school idol, Rin Hoshizora, Hanayo’s friend, and Nico Yazawa, the president of the Idol Study Club, joined the group, all with the aim of entering the school idol festival, Love Live.
Additionally, Eli Ayase, the student council president, and Nozomi Tojo, the student council vice president, joined μ’s, bringing the group to a total of nine members. After overcoming many problems, ranging from the closing of the school to Kotori’s study-abroad incident to μ’s going on hiatus, what will the girls aim for next!?
3. Love Live! The School Idol Movie (2015)
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Spring 2015 |
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?
Sunshine!!
1. Love Live! Sunshine!! (2016)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Summer 2016 |
Uranohoshi Girls’ High School, a private school in the seaside neighborhood of Uchiura at Numazu city, Shizuoka prefecture.
A small high school in a corner of Suruga Bay, it is home to nine teens, led by second-year student Chika Takami, driven by one seriously big dream: To become the next generation of bright, sparkling “school idols”!
As long as we don’t give up, any dream can come true… All we have to do now is keep pushing hard for fame and glory! Now their “School Idol Project” begins to make their dreams come true!
2. Love Live! Sunshine!! Season 2 (2017)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Fall 2017 |
After failing in the preliminary tournament of the previous Love Live, the members of Aqours have rededicated themselves to succeeding both as idols and as saviors of their school, making sure their home will never be taken away.
But Mari learns some terrible news about their upcoming school open house event and it seems like all of their efforts will be for naught.
Chika and her friends must find some way to preserve their school and carry on as idols. Either way, it looks like they’ll need a miracle to get through this, fortunately, from µ’s to Aqours, miracles are what idols do best.
3. Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie: Over the Rainbow (2019)
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Winter 2019 |
In the film’s story, Uranohoshi Girls’ High School’s idol group Aqours has won the final Love Live! contest. While preparing to enroll at a new school, the first- and second-year students encounter unexpected trouble.
Also, after heading for a graduation trip, the third-year students go missing. As they are separated, the Aqours members appreciate the weight of their togetherness for the first time. In order to move forward, they must decide how to react to their new situations.
Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
1. Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club (2020)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Fall 2020 |
Nijigasaki High School is known for their diverse subjects and the freedom they give to students.
Second-year student Yuu Takasaki has been turned on to the charms of school idols, so she knocks on the door of the School Idol Club with her friend, Ayumu Uehara.
Sometimes friends, sometimes rivals, the members of this club each contribute their own thoughts and motivations to the group.
2. Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Season 2 (2022)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Spring 2022 |
The second season of Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai.
3. Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club: NEXT SKY (2023)
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Spring 2023 |
A new original video animation.
4. Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Movie 1 (2024)
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Summer 2024 |
The first in a trilogy of Nijigasaki High School Idol Club films that continues the story beyond season two and the OVA.
Superstar!!
1. Love Live! Superstar!! (2021)
| Episodes | 12 |
| Aired | Summer 2021 |
Tokyo’s brand-new Yuigaoka Girls’ High School has no history, no upperclassmen, and no reputation—its first students are starting from scratch!
A team of five girls led by Kanon Shibuya discover school idols, and their hopes to do something with singing begin to grow. They begin the “School Idol Project” with a blank slate and infinite potential.
It’s time for their Love Live to take flight!
2. Love Live! Superstar!! Season 2 (2022)
| Episodes | 12 |
| Aired | Summer 2022 |
The second season of Love Live! Superstar!!
3. Love Live! Superstar!! 3rd Season (2024)
| Episodes | 13 |
| Aired | Fall 2024 |
The third season of Love Live! Superstar!!
And there you have it, fellow idol enthusiasts! Whether you’re ready to dive headfirst into the world of Love Live! or still trying to figure out the difference between μ’s, Aqours, and Liella!, this guide has your back.
From emotional performances that will make you cheer to friendships that will warm your heart, each Love Live! series offers something special.
So grab your glowsticks, warm up those vocal cords, and prepare to be swept away by the charm, drama, and infectious tunes of Japan’s most glittering idol group phenomenon. Remember, in the world of Love Live!, the stage is always waiting – and so are the idols!
