Writing this in 2016 wants me to say this: This is the future.
Wake Up, Girls! is this kind of idol anime that started from literally nothing into something. It's about seven girls aiming for a spotlight at Tokyo's booming idol industry. And so I rate.
Story: 8/10
While I enjoy watching this without watching the prequel movie first, this anime is something that will make you think. "Is this how AKB started? Is this how the folks at 765 Pro and 346 Pro started? Why is it so different from any idol anime currently available on this time and age?" A journey of seven girls and a (startup?) production company will literally take you to a journey that will make you feel like you're a part of it. They might not be school idols saving the school from closing, but they will definitely save themselves from quitting being an idol.
Art: 7/10
While I'm still in it, the fact that the story was great doesn't mean the artwork was good. I haven't watched the TV release, so I heavily relied on BD's I have. I think the same problem on every anime remains: when the character is away, the animators have the tendency to minimize the drawings on the background, making the characters at the back look like stick drawings with color in it. And it's still there at the Blu-rays. Nevertheless, the colors were nice, and the right colors were shaded on the parts that it requires it so well, you might think of it as an anime released during Summer 2016 (I'm looking at you, ufotable.)
Sound: 9/10
I expected the ED to be an upbeat, but instead it's a melodic song that will instinctively tell you that "these idols might be graduating from WUG!", or something like that. The OP got me, though. "7 Girls' War" is something to be looked upon. It's an upbeat song that will make you feel like you're watching Lucky Star! or something similar that has a bubbly, kawaii and moe plot along the way. But, it's common knowledge to viewers that their song, "Tachiagare!" stands out the most. The moment I laid my ears on this song, I instantly knew that I'm into a great, great cruise while watching the series. I wish for them to create more songs that will stand out among all idol animated series for a long time.
Character: 8/10
I rate the character like this because the development of the characters were explained and shown properly, even for me who haven't watched the prequel beforehand, which is quite impressive. Folks might not understand the first few episodes, but as it progresses, you will realize how they struggled to reach their goal: Kouhaku Uta Gassen (in reference to White vs. Red that some of them are talking about). I wish for them to reach it someday. That aside, the drama, and their struggles had made a solid impression that they are not just your everyday idols. They are someone to admire for, and someone that will inspire someone to aim high no matter how hard the stones life has been throwing at you. "Eh, but isn't that kind of biased? Anyone can do better than that, right?": It isn't. This is a genuine struggle. This is life teaching you how to dream, and how to achieve that dream. I've never seen such anime series executed the same wave of drama before, and it surely hits home whenever I recall some parts of it.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Of course, it's an idol anime, after all. And that all idol anime must be enjoyable no matter how they executed it. (Remember that I'm writing this in 2016, so.) Love Live! might make you laugh and cry, but it will never have the same enjoyment as Wake Up, Girls!. It's been written in such a way it will distinguish itself from the rest of the anime universe for quite a long time until it fades from the spotlight. It is, truly, a worth of a watch. And worth of a journey too, when you're at it. It isn't your world-class entertainment, but it's your everyday entertainment that you will enjoy every day.
Overall: 9/10
This is the future. It might be underrated today but I'm sure that they will make it bigger in the future. With the right formula and charisma, I'm sure of it. I will keep watch until the end, since I finally found an idol anime worthy of laying my life upon.
They will make big. If they don't, the fans will make it happen. "Let's do our best! Wake up, Girls!"
