A new promotional video for THE IDOLM@STER Million Live! ~Itsuka, Mannaka de~ OVA (Original Video Animation) has revealed a Blu-ray release date of March 27, 2026, in Japan. The announcement provides further details for fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the idol franchise’s anime adaptation.
New OVA Continues Idol Journeys
The upcoming OVA, officially titled THE IDOLM@STER Million Live! ~Itsuka, Mannaka de~, which translates to “Someday, In the Middle,” promises to expand upon the narratives established in the 2023 TV anime series. This new episode will delve into fresh activities for the 765 Production idols, with a particular focus on Miya, Tomoka, and Matsuri as they embark on an unexpected job request that leads them to a school setting.
The promotional video, which unveiled this crucial release information, follows earlier teasers and trailers that have been generating excitement among the fanbase. A key visual for the OVA and its official title were first revealed during a live stream on June 30, 2025, commemorating the eighth anniversary of THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! THEATER DAYS mobile game. Additional footage, teasing the idols’ performances, was also screened at the “THE IDOLM@STER 765 MILLIONSTARS HOTCHPOTCH FESTIV@L!! 2 DAY2” concert event.
Returning Staff for Familiar Quality
Fans will be pleased to know that the core creative team behind the successful THE IDOLM@STER Million Live! TV anime series is returning for this OVA. Shinya Watada will once again direct the episode, with Yoichi Kato handling the scriptwriting. Animation production will be managed by Shirogumi, the studio responsible for the television series, ensuring a consistent visual style and quality that fans have come to expect.
The television series, which aired for 12 episodes from October to December 2023, depicted the journey of 39 idols, including protagonists Mirai Kasuga, Shizuka Mogami, and Tsubasa Ibuki, as they worked to bring their dreams to life at the 765 Production Live Theater. The series was initially released as a three-part preview film series in Japanese theaters before its television broadcast.
The Enduring Legacy of The IDOLM@STER Million Live!
THE IDOLM@STER Million Live! is a prominent spin-off within Bandai Namco Entertainment’s expansive THE IDOLM@STER multimedia franchise. The franchise, which began with an arcade game in 2005, has grown to include numerous games, anime series, and other media. The Million Live! segment specifically introduced 37 new idols who work alongside the established 765 Production idols, fostering unique interactions and stories.
The mobile rhythm game, THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! THEATER DAYS, launched in June 2017 and remains a central part of the Million Live! experience, celebrating its eighth anniversary in 2025. The anime adaptation, including the upcoming OVA, serves to further enrich the world and character development for both long-time fans and newcomers to the idol-raising simulation genre. Crunchyroll currently streams the THE IDOLM@STER Million Live! TV anime series in various regions worldwide, outside of Asia.
With the release date now set, fans can look forward to March 27, 2026, for the Blu-ray debut of THE IDOLM@STER Million Live! ~Itsuka, Mannaka de~, promising another heartwarming glimpse into the lives and dreams of their favorite idols.
