[SPOILER] The series does have problems like when few of their friends went debut first while the others still need to improve their skills, the burden of main heroine—Haruka Amami—who wants to spend time with their friends but none of them can make it so they can't be together after long time separately do their own jobs, and shed-tears moment when one of the member's scandal goes public.
The amount of problems they have there taste like a spicy flavour in a crispy fried chicken. The slice of life characters and humours mixed with the matters are a good combination as if tickles flavour yet savory, tempting, from freshly fried chicken. It has its main story, the goal they set as the self-conceptualization to be top idols, this undeniable resolve become the benchmark for the whole laughing nor sad matters and actions unlike the chicken fillet which is boneless and easy to chop. (Uh huh I'm hungry, don't you agree the parable of chicken usage here is easy to understand? lol)
I'm glad to comment about the visuals. Since the show is about slice of life, there's no action such as fighting and chanting magic spells like any other action and supranatural anime series. All of the impressive visuals then replaced by the idol performances on stages. Still it is not an action but the graphic there is so beautiful, accompanied by melodic songs angel-like voices in this show, also nice character designs. I am not into 3D animation at the time when musical groups in anime series perform, so this show offers the best idol group performance on stage, it's not so 3D, at least The iDOLM@STER is less 3D than Love Live! or AKB0048 or PriPara.
The characters development is not comprehensive, looking at mammoth amounts of characters, it's not questionable. I'd rather pick this story as it is than wanting it to change for thoroughgoing characterization. See it as a whole and it would be near perfect, the bond of every characters as 765 Pro is the best. Alongside Amami Haruka and her idol friends, there are a producer, ex-idol like a manager, and an assistant whose later known as an outstanding soloist in a Café. Focusing on few major characters, the characterization does well here.
No need to ask the theme songs, basically as a layman—who haven't watched the series yet—will assume the theme songs aspect is the key here. And happily it happens to be true. The show offers so many theme songs, insert songs, character songs, tons of songs will surely fill your playlist (*☌ᴗ☌) Most of them likeable and very likely to be listed on your favorite songs list. Thumping heart rhythm, elegant songs, even rip your heart off melodies and lyrics are available to listen. 申し訳ありません, I can't listed all of the theme songs, especially the ED theme because it all too much. Two OP themes, "READY!!" by 765PRO ALLSTARS and "CHANGE!!!!" by 765PRO ALLSTARS will be uploaded to my mp3 storage publicly immediately, find it there as instances for the nice songs I mentioned.
I rate iM@S series 9! and waiting for The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls which is airing on this season (Winter 2015) お楽しみに ! !
Pros:
Nice visual, especially when they're performing
Theme songs are awesome~
The characters are charming and have unique characteristics
