Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight (Revue Starlight)

As preparations begin for Seishou Music Academy's yearly Seishou Festival, the girls of the 99th class are gearing up to perform their very own rendition of Starlight, the tragic tale of two goddesses drawn together by the glow of the heavens but destined to be pulled apart, never to meet again. Created to foster the next generation of theatrical talent, this girls' only school works to improve the singing, acting, and dancing skills of its students.

One student is 16-year-old Karen Aijou, an easygoing girl who has dreamed of performing on stage since she was a child. Her love for theater is further invigorated when her childhood friend Hikari Kagura transfers to Seishou Academy. Through her old friend, Karen stumbles upon a secret elevator leading to a massive theater underneath the school. Hosted by a talking giraffe, this arena serves as a battleground where her classmates participate in duels to determine who among them deserves the title of "Top Star," earning them the right to play one of the lead roles in Starlight. Emboldened by the promise she made with Hikari to someday be stars together, Karen enters these mysterious battles in the hopes of making their dream a reality.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Edit

Background

No background information has been added to this title. Help improve our database by adding background information here.

Edit

Related Anime

Adaptation:	Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight: Overture, Butai Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight: The Live - Show Must Go On
Side story:	Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Specials
Other:	Shoujo☆Conto All Starlight, Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Re LIVE 1st Anniversary PV, 99 Illusion!
Sequel:	Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Movie
Summary:	Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight: Rondo Rondo Rondo

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Daiba, Nana

Main

Koizumi, Moeka
Japanese

Tendou, Maya

Main

Tomita, Maho
Japanese

Saijou, Claudine

Main

Aiba, Aina
Japanese

Kagura, Hikari

Main

Mimori, Suzuko
Japanese

Tsuyuzaki, Mahiru

Main

Iwata, Haruki
Japanese

Hoshimi, Junna

Main

Satou, Hinata
Japanese

Aijou, Karen

Main

Koyama, Momoyo
Japanese

Hanayagi, Kaoruko

Main

Itou, Ayasa
Japanese

Isurugi, Futaba

Main

Ikuta, Teru
Japanese

Kirin

Supporting

Tsuda, Kenjirou
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Iwasaki, Atsushi

Producer

Furukawa, Tomohiro

Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Yamada, Haru

Sound Director

Kojima, Masayuki

Episode Director, Storyboard

Edit

Opening Theme

"Hoshi no Dialogue (星のダイアローグ)" by Starlight Kukugumi (スタァライト九九組) (eps 2-11)

Edit

Ending Theme

	1: "Hoshi no Dialogue (星のダイアローグ)" by Starlight Kukugumi (スタァライト九九組) (eps 1, 12)
	2: "Fly Me to the Star" by Hikari Kagura (Suzuko Mimori) (eps 3)
	3: "Fly Me to the Star" by Karen Aijou, Kagura Hikari (Momoyo Koyama, Suzuko Mimori) (eps 4)
	4: "Fly Me to the Star" by Mahiru Tsuyuzaki (Haruki Iwata) (eps 5)
	5: "Fly Me to the Star" by Futaba Isurugi, Kaoruko Hanayagi (Teru Ikuta, Ayasa Itou) (eps 6)
	6: "Fly Me to the Star (instrumental version)" (eps 7)
	7: "Fly Me to the Star" by Karen Aijou (Momoyo Koyama) (eps 8)
	8: "Fly Me to the Star" by Junna Hoshimi, Nana Daiba (Hinata Satou, Moeka Koizumi) (eps 9)
	9: "Fly Me to the Star" by Maya Tendou, Claudine Saijou (Maho Tomita, Aina Aiba) (eps 10)
	10: "Fly Me to the Star" by Maya Tendou, Junna Hoshimi, Mahiru Tsuyuzaki, Nana Daiba, Saijou Claudine, Futaba Isurugi, Kaoruko Hanayagi (Maho Tomita, Hinata Satou, Haruki Iwata, Moeka Koizumi, Aina Aiba, Teru Ikuta, Ayasa Itou) (eps 11)

More reviews

Reviews

Sep 27, 2018

KANLen09

Recommended

Damn, does this series truly knows no bounds at knowing how to captivate its audience, by showing the weaknesses that breaks you and cultivating that into the strength that makes you better and more spirit-willed with confidence. That's the vibes I got with watching Shoujo Kageki: Revue Starlight, truly a hidden gem, sleeper hit, AND a seriously underrated masterpiece that can compete with the likes of Your Lie In April, in terms of musical development (more on that later). And before you ask, this isn't an idol musical fan-fest anime (like so many that I come to despise over the years).

Since this is an original ...

Open

Gift

Sep 27, 2018

RiverRode

Recommended

Honestly, I went into Revue Starlight expecting it to be another idolesque multimedia project trying to recapture Love Live’s success, and once the series actually began, it was swarmed with comparisons to Revolutionary Girl Utena. Unfortunately, these comparisons have been unavoidable in the discourse surrounding this anime, and few people are trying to appreciate the series for its own appeal. So, before going into what makes this series great, here’s a bit of background.

The idea that Revue Starlight is just another Utena-like is mainly based on the director of the anime being Tomohiro Furukawa, who worked under Ikuhara on Mawaru Penguindrum and Yuri Kuma Arashi. ... However, rather than being inspired by works like Utena, it would be more accurate to say that they share the common inspiration of Takarazuka, a form of Japanese theater in which all roles are played by women. These women are sorted into pairs of Otokoyaku (women who play male characters) and Musumeyaku (women who play female characters). In each troupe, one Otokoyaku will hold the position of Top Star, and she and her Musumeyaku will play the leads in all of the troupe’s productions. This system is the foundation of Revue Starlight, but there’s one more thing I need to address before I can get into that.

To credit the direction of the franchise entirely to Tomohiro is to ignore all of the other voices that have had a hand in the formation of the Revue Starlight multimedia project. Though most western fans found out about the franchise through this anime, the stage musical actually preceded it by a year, so it’s worth looking at who was involved, especially since they’ve gone unrecognized by this site. The core trio is made up of Kodama Akiko, Miura Kaori, and Nakamura Kanata, who are the director, screenplay writer, and songwriter for the project, respectively. All three have a background in theater, with Kodama specifically having worked as a writer and director for Takarazuka productions. These women’s love of the stage is the foundation of this franchise, and none of it could have existed without them.

With that addressed, we can finally talk about the Top Star system. There are a lot of things that are unfair about this system, and Revue Starlight is an exploration and critique of its structure. As mentioned above, Takarazuka actresses are sorted into Otokoyaku and Musumeyaku, and only Otokoyaku can become Top Star. However, actresses cannot choose which role to play; it is decided for them based on factors such as their height and voice. Characters like Futaba or Claudine could never become an Otokoyaku, much less the Top Star, and it’s because of factors completely outside of their control. Beyond this, the simple fact that there can only be one Top Star pits the members of the troupe into rivalries with each other, and while this can be good-natured and help both actresses grow (as is the case for Maya and Claudine), it can just as easily be harmful. It is for this reason that the protagonist of the series, Karen, wishes to revolutionize the system, so that she can simply stand beside her friends instead of fighting to stand above them.

Karen is not the only character who challenges the system, but she is the one most suited to changing it, since she is the only one willing to step outside of its bounds. Others try to resist from within, but both the play Starlight and the Revue itself are tragedies, and their actions only serve to perpetuate this cycle. In contrast, Karen does not hold the existing system in the same high regard as her peers, and is willing to break the mold if that’s what’s needed to protect them. This is reflected in her not clearly fitting into either Takarazuka role – she is sometimes framed as Musumeyaku to Hikari’s Otokoyaku, but is also repeatedly shown to be willing to cross the boundaries of that position. She embodies the ideal of the franchise, and while this does unfortunately come at the expense of her own characterization, the message is so earnest and hopeful that I can't bring myself to think too poorly of it.

Considering the amount of this review that I’ve dedicated to discussing Takarazuka, I suppose it’s only right to close on a reflection of whether or not a knowledge of it is necessary to enjoy the series. Starlight is both a love letter and a scathing critique for this form of theater, but in the end, the answer is no – while it’s true that it adds an appreciation for some specific design and directing choices, it’s ultimately interchangeable with any system with a strict hierarchy that forces its participants against each other. With that said, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface of this series, and what you get out of it is proportional to what you put into it. Seeing blogposts and video essays on its subject matter was just as much a part of the experience for me as the show itself, and I doubt this series would have resonated with me as strongly as it did if it weren’t for the fantastic creative community that it fostered.

Whenever a multimedia project is involved, there’s always the worry that the anime is made purely as a commercial for the other elements of the project, without any ambitions of its own. This is not the case for Revue Starlight. If anything, this series was too ambitious – there was a looming fear that the production would crumble, and animators were being scouted on Twitter throughout its run. But despite these worries, the team somehow pulled everything off; these characters are believable and relatable, the animation is stunning in both its presentation of the girls’ grand stage duels and their mundane everyday life, and the music is unlike any other anime I’ve seen. It’s a miracle that this series exists, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not at least give it a chance.

Open

Gift

Sep 27, 2018

Stark700

Recommended

There are so many ideas spawning in anime making these days that sometimes, you wonder if there’s enough. Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight originally gave me the impression of an idol series with musical themes with its promotional material. I’m not going to lie, idol series these days have become very redundant in terms of context. With some exceptions such as Love Live, the majority of anime musicals haven’t impressed me in recent years. Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight soon made its presence for Summer 2018. To my pleasant surprise, it became a showstopper that exceeded my expectations and also left me with an appetite of wanting ... for more.

Right off the bat, I should mention that the series can be deceptive looking at first glance. You wouldn’t be wrong if you’re getting flashbacks from series like Love Live with the all-star female cast and pretty outfits. Still, this show manages to build a story with its cast and being able to hook me from the start. Featuring a group of nine girls, the story tells about these characters competing in stage plays. Not everything gets too far underway though as the first episode had a more lighthearted slice of life mood with character rehearsing for a theatrical play. Soon, the show surprises us with "Revue Starlight", an underground audition program orchestrated by a mysterious talking giraffe. We are also introduced to some of the main characters such as Karen and Hikari. The series makes it clear that they made a promise to each other but fate unites them at the same school. Make no mistake. Seisho Music Academy is more than just about learning the concepts of stage of performance. It’s about making superstars.

There are several selling points in the show that I think are important. The plot itself isn’t too complex but it’s the characters that really create a sensation. Every character establishes themselves throughout the show so it’s not just Karen and Hikari carrying the story. This is important as certain characters aren’t left in the dust and we get to see what others can really do. For instance, there is one episode that focuses on Mahiru, another that showcases what Futaba and Kaoruko’s talents, and even an episode that’s named after the character, Nana. To be clear, Hikari and Karen still get their prominent moments as we see many of their moments together. The most important one revolves around their promise together when they were just kids. By presenting these flashbacks often, it make us want to see how much they can accomplish together. Indeed, the series has the purpose of making this troupe of girls into stage stars. The way characters reaffirms their intention is also noticable through their innate dialogues and narratives.

The more I watched this anime, the more I also felt attached to the character relationships. I’m not just talking about character chemistry but how characters behave on stage and in real life. There’s an abundance of moments between the cast that are worth noting. It sometimes creates a sensation of subtle yuri while other times evoke human feelings and amplifying character personalities. This is mostly characterized by rivalries that are established throughout the show. Maya and Claudine is an example who competes for the #1 spot. Mahiru also has her own personal rivalry with Hikari due to her admiration for Karen. The centerpiece relationship deals with Hikari and Karen at how much they have changed. In some of the climatic episodes, we get to see how much they have improved as kids while revisiting their childhood moments. It’s a principle used for this show that is devastatingly effective. Because let’s face it, the series takes good care of its characters without holding them back. I’ll get to the actual theatric performances later on but some of the characters' inner thoughts speak so much about them.

You’re definitely on the right track if the series gives you an impression of the anime being a bit too gimmicky at times. Combining elements of music, dance, combat, art, theater, and stage performing feels like the show oversells itself at times. However, I want to also mention that it is able to capitalize on its concepts to make it as creative as it can be. It sells its stage performances like a form of art. There’s also psychology with a deep dive into characters’ motivations in the show. We don’t often see musical series like this too often as it’s about a group or individuals just competing against each other. What I think Starlight got right is how much it can make the audience feel attached to its characters. No one is really left in the dust at the end and every character is memorable. The story gets more and more complex but it just made me love it more. If you fancy some slice of life moments outside of the stage, there’s that too.

There’s also one other main selling point of the show and that’s the visuals. To me, it’s like a work of art. The stage performances and theatric character moves is incredibly dynamic even from the very first episode. Director Tomohiro Furukawa should be given praise given the amount of creativity he poured into this work. It reminded me a bit of Mawaru Pengindrum (I mean, that talking giraffe is about as surreal as it can get) at times while also making sure the show didn’t lose its focus. On stage, the characters draw their emotions from their colorful dialogues, theatrical dancing, and human expressions. The unique design of the character costumes are also distinctive with the red fiery capes and uniforms. Every girl in the show also wields a unique weapon as part of their stage combat that includes rapier, cutlass, sword, scepter, bow and arrow, twin katanas, scythe, naginata, and daggers. It brings variety to their stage performances and sets the bar for entertainment.

And stage performances can’t be complete with the music. Everything feels so smooth and synchronized as I watched and more of those performances. The music plays in union with the performances that never loses its momentum. The emotional quality of the soundtrack is definitely outstanding with its style. I should also mention that there is a variety of theme song performances from talented artists and all of them left me in awe.

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight sets the gold standard for a show being able to make an identity of itself. From the stage performances to its valuable character cast, every episode made me carve for more. It has a pacing that perfectly worked well for this anime while also having moments of lighthearted slice of life and comedy. It’s a show that may not be able to attract a general audience so it's not easily recommendable for anyone. It's an underrated gem that may have slipped under the radar but definitely one worth talking about.

Open

Gift

More stacks

Interest Stacks

Gacha anime

by RobertBobert

29 Entries · 29 Restacks

Takarazuka Anime

by RobertBobert

10 Entries · 23 Restacks

Modern anime in a classic or nostalgic style

by RobertBobert

10 Entries · 3 Restacks

More recommendations

Recommendations

View All

More news

Recent News

North American Anime & Manga Releases for July

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for July Week 1: July 7 - 13 Anime Releases Cop Craft Complete Collection Blu-ray Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru? (H...read more

Jul 7, 2020 3:39 PM by ImperfectBlue | Discuss (0 comments)

North American Anime & Manga Releases for April

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for April Week 1: April 7 - 13 Anime Releases After War Gundam X Collection 1 Blu-ray Animegataris Complete Co...read more

Apr 5, 2020 10:06 AM by ImperfectBlue | Discuss (0 comments)

More discussions

Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Sep 27, 2018	83 replies	by Edel-Sama »» May 27, 11:06 PM
Poll: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Episode 11 Discussion Stark700 - Sep 20, 2018	26 replies	by Edel-Sama »» May 27, 11:06 PM
Poll: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Episode 10 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Sep 13, 2018	92 replies	by Edel-Sama »» May 27, 11:05 PM
Poll: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Episode 9 Discussion Stark700 - Sep 6, 2018	48 replies	by Gibsonlespaul96 »» May 17, 12:39 AM
Poll: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Episode 8 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Aug 30, 2018	60 replies	by Destroyer31 »» Apr 8, 10:10 PM

Recent Featured Articles

In Numbers: The Best Anime of the Decade

What's the #1 anime of the 2010s? Which year was the best? What studio had the most hits? We have the answers to all these questions and more!

by Shymander

582,360 views

Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Daiba, Nana

Tendou, Maya

Saijou, Claudine

Kagura, Hikari

Tsuyuzaki, Mahiru

Hoshimi, Junna

Aijou, Karen

Hanayagi, Kaoruko

Isurugi, Futaba

Kirin

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Visit MALxJapan MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-