The popular anime series, Himitsu no Aipri, has announced its second season will premiere in April 2025. This news comes with a new promotional video, released by the official website and social media accounts of the series, offering a glimpse of new characters joining the cast. The announcement was made during the first “Himitsu no Aipri Bazrium Live” event held in Tokyo.
A Direct Sequel
Season 2 of Himitsu no Aipri is a direct continuation of the first season, which began airing on April 7, 2024. The series is adapted from the arcade games, “Secret Aipri” and “Aipri Verse”, developed by Syn Sophia. The animation production is handled by Studio OLM and Dongwoo A&E, who are returning for the second season.
New Characters on the Horizon
The teaser trailer accompanying the announcement showcases silhouettes of new characters set to appear in the upcoming season, generating buzz among fans. However, specific details about these new characters remain under wraps for now. More details about the new season are expected to be revealed on February 27th.
Plot Overview
Himitsu no Aipri revolves around the concept of “AiPri,” secret idols who perform in a virtual world called the AiPriverse. The story centers on Himari Aozora, a first-year student at Private Paradise Academy, who is a fan of the popular AiPri, Mi-chan. By chance, Himari discovers an AiPri Bracelet in her dormitory. This leads her through a secret door into the AiPri world, where she makes her debut as an AiPri performer.
Secrets and Friendships
Himari must keep her AiPri identity a secret. Meanwhile, it’s revealed that Mi-chan is actually Mitsuki Hoshikawa, Himari’s childhood friend and roommate, who has also been hiding her identity. The series follows Himari and Mitsuki as they navigate their secret lives as AiPri idols, their friendship, and their adventures within the AiPriverse. Himari’s initial goal is to make 10,000 friends.
Production Team
The first season was directed by Junichi Fujisaku and Kentaro Yamaguchi, with Gigaemon Ichikawa in charge of the series composition. Yuki Nagano designed the characters based on original designs by Hiromi Nashimoto (Sin Sophia). The music is composed by Izumi Mori. It is expected that the same core team will be involved in the second season.
Voice Cast
The first season of Himitsu no Aipri featured a talented voice cast, including:
- Sae Haratsuka as Mitsuki Hoshikawa
- Yurika Kubo as Tsumugi
- Minori Fujidera as Himari Aozora
- Anna Suzuki as Tomaki
- Yo Taichi as Chii
- Sora Tokui as Airi
- Misaki Watada as Rinrin
- Yuriko Hibi as Sakura
The student council members also have prominent roles:
- Sakura Ichijoji, the student body president, voiced by Yuriko Hibi.
- Tamaki Nikaido, the student body vice-president, voiced by Anna Suzuki.
- Airi Mitsuba, the student body treasurer, voiced by Sora Tokui.
- Rinrin Shinomiya, the student body secretary, voiced by Misaki Watada.
The Pretty Series Legacy
Himitsu no Aipri is the fifth entry in the Pretty Series, which has been a popular franchise since its launch in 2010. The franchise began with the arcade game “Pretty Rhythm: Mini Skirt” and has since expanded into anime, manga, and other media. It’s aimed at elementary school-aged girls, focusing on themes of music, dance, and fashion.
Previous Titles
Previous titles in the Pretty Series include:
- Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream (2011)
- Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future (2012)
- Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live (2013)
- PriPara (2014)
- Idol Time PriPara (2017)
- Kiratto Pri☆Chan (2018)
- Waccha PriMagi! (2021)
Himitsu no Aipri follows “Waccha PriMagi!”, which ran from 2021 to 2022.
Anticipation for Season 2
The announcement of Himitsu no Aipri Season 2 has been met with excitement from fans of the franchise. The first season has been well received, and anticipation is high for the new characters, storylines, and musical performances that the second season will bring. The series tagline is “Let’s Strive Hard in Our Unrivaled Concerts! Sparkling Buzzrium Change!”.
The franchise is known for its incorporation of song, dance and fashion, which continue to be central to Himitsu no Aipri. The first season features tie-ins with arcade game machines and toys and is expected to continue with the second season as well.
What to Expect
Fans can expect the second season to further explore the world of AiPri, the relationships between Himari, Mitsuki and the new characters. The introduction of new characters will likely bring new dynamics and challenges to the story. With more details expected to be released on February 27, fans eagerly await further developments. The second season is set to debut in April 2025, continuing the legacy of the Pretty Series with new music, new characters and new adventures.
