Uta no Prince-sama

Uta no Prince-sama (うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪) is a 2010 Japanese dating game series targeted towards female gamers published by Broccoli. The game has been adapted into manga and anime series.

Plot

With dreams of becoming a composer and someday writing a song for her favorite idol, Haruka enters the Saotome Academy, a prestigious performing arts school. If successful there, she'll be able to join the Shining Agency after graduation. However, it won't be so easy when Haruka is already surrounded by potential idols and composers. On top of that, her homeroom teacher is a current idol, the headmaster was a record-breaking singer, and the academy itself is a chaotic place where anything can happen. In the end at graduation, two students are to be paired up by the students' choice, one taking the idol role and the other the composer role. After being paired up, the "pair" will sing a song that was both composed, written and sung by the pair. If successful, the pair will join and take the spot as the new Shining Agency debut artists. To make things more difficult, romance is prohibited in the school! Which prince of song will be paired up with Haruka? Uta no Prince Sama is an exciting, coming-of-age romantic comedy that will be like sweet music to your eyes and ears!

Characters

Main characters

• Haruka Nanami (七海 春歌) Voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro

Wishing to compose a song for her idol, Hayato, to sing someday, Haruka enrolls into Saotome Academy. Prior to her enrollment, Haruka has no experience in reading sheet music despite being able to play the piano (it was taught to her by her grandmother). As the story progresses, she shows that she has talent in composing songs. Because of her caring personality, she has the ability to move people's hearts. Haruka was a sickly child and moved in with her grandmother in the country while she was young because the city made her "dizzy".

• Tokiya Ichinose (一ノ瀬 トキヤ) Voiced by Mamoru Miyano

A student in S Class, he bears a strong resemblance to Haruka's idol, Hayato. He's said to be Hayato's identical twin brother and seems to bear a complex from being in his brother's shadow. He appears to be cold and aloof, as well as being a perfectionist. His character is reflected in his song, both his pitch and rhythm are perfect, but he gets criticised for having no "heart" in his music. However, everything is the fruit of his hard work. Tokiya is Otoya's (Class A) roommate. It is soon revealed that he is actually Hayato. Later in the story, he develops a genuine concern for Haruka.

• Otoya Ittoki (一十木 音也) Voiced by Takuma Terashima

Haruka's classmate in A Class, he's a friendly and positive person who enjoys singing. He shares a room with Tokiya from Class S. In the anime, he stands up for Haruka when she was barred from taking the entrance exam due to being late. He is always straightforward and honest. Despite his age, he is seen acting like a child. He cares for Haruka and believes that he will reach his goal with her at his side.

• Masato Hijirikawa (聖川 真斗) Voiced by Kenichi Suzumura

Student of A Class, The oldest son and heir to the Hijirikawa Group. He was raised in a strict environment, making him very serious. His way of thinking is a little old-fashioned, and he’s unable to show his real self due to his serious nature. He seems to have some form of rivalry going on with Ren, whom he shares a room with. He plays the piano. Masato shows his soft side when Haruka is involved.

• Ren Jinguuji (神宮寺 レン) Voiced by Junichi Suwabe

Student in S Class, he is the third son of the Jinguji family, making him rivals with Masato, who is also his roommate. He is very flirtatious, and plays the saxophone. However, his character runs deeper than the superficial. In the anime, he, along with Otoya, helps defend Haruka when the officials refused to let her take the entrance exam. Ren affectionally calls Haruka, "Little Lamb."

• Syo Kurusu (来栖 翔) Voiced by Hiro Shimono

Another student of S Class, he is nicknamed "ochibi-chan" due to his short stature, much to his chagrin. He's very cheerful and energetic, and plays the violin. He has a twin brother, Kaoru. Syo is Natsuki's roommate and childhood friend as well. When he was five years old, he almost fell from a very high tower while being chased by Natsuki and developed a fear of heights, but is later cured of his acrophobia with help from everyone.

• Natsuki Shinomiya (四ノ宮 那月) Voiced by Kishou Taniyama

Another of Haruka's classmate, he plays the viola, though he used to play the violin. He has an extreme fondness for cute things, leading him to take a liking to Haruka. He believes that she is the only person who understand his music. In the anime, upon his first encounter with Haruka he calls her Elizabeth, saying that she reminds him of his dog. He shares a room with Sho, whom he claims to be as cute as Haruka and is very affectionate towards him. He likes cooking, yet his food are usually disastrous. He has a split personality and suffers from "gemini syndrome", his other and darker side goes by the name of Satsuki and is a very violent person, having put over 50,000 people in the hospital. However, he has a talent for composing and is considered a "genius" in this field.

Supporting characters

• Tomochika Shibuya (渋谷 友千香) Voiced by Yuka Imai

Haruka's best friend, classmate, and roommate.

• Ringo Tsukimiya (月宮 林檎) Voiced by Yuuichi Nakamura

The teacher assigned Haruka's class, Class A. He's a male idol who likes to crossdress as a female.

• Cecil Aijima (愛島 セシル) Voiced by Kousuke Toriumi

The prince of Agnapolis who was cursed and turned into a black cat.

• Ryuuya Hyuuga (日向 龍也) Voiced by Kouji Yusa

The teacher assigned to Class S. He's also an actor as well as Syo's idol.

• Kaoru Kurusu (来栖 薫) Voiced by Yūki Kaji

He is said to be Syo's younger twin brother.

• Shining Saotomoe (シャイニング早乙女) Voiced by Norio Wakamoto

The principal of the Saotome Academy, a prestigious idol school. He was an idol, and it was possible to build Saotome Academy because of his hit single, "Owing to Love". He has a habit of spying on students and popping up at random times.

Anime

The March 2011 issue of Newtype magazine announced that an anime television series based on the romance game franchise would air during the summer. Titled Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000% (うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％) the series was produced byA-1 Pictures under the direction of Yuu Kou with Tomoko Konparu supervising the scripts and Mitsue Mori adapting the game's original character designs. The anime series began its broadcast run on Tokyo MX and Gunma TV on July 3, 2011 at 12:00am. The video streaming service Niconico.com is simulcasting the series to audiences in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.