All indications are that Anime Spring 2023 will prove to be a very exciting season for anime lovers, with a host of new series set to premiere. With each new anime season, fans eagerly await more titles that will provide them with unforgettable thrills and engaging stories. This season, too, there will be no shortage of productions that are sure to interest viewers with different interests and preferences. From new manga and light novel adaptations to original productions, there is something for everyone. In this post, I will present a dozen items from my most anticipated premieres due to start soon.
Winter Season Summary
At the very beginning, a brief summary of the previous season. I recommend that you read the linked post, as here I will list in a nutshell the best spring series, which I would consider a waste to omit. The final commentary and rating of each series listed can also be seen in the aforementioned post on the previous season. If I have decided to review a particular title individually, it will be linked below.
- Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san 2nd Attack
- Oniichan wa Oshimai!
- Kyokou Suiri 2
- Ayakashi Triangle
- Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken
- Tomo-chan wa Onnanoko!
- Kubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai
The disappointment of the season?
Preliminary expectations for the Spring 2023 Anime Season
I would like to point out that this entry will be updated as the first episodes are released. Descriptions, my opinion and screenshots will be available as usual, so I recommend peeking here more often. PVs (preview videos) are listed under the next heading.
Two more points:
- Why do I always start my descriptions with the visuals? Because it’s usually the first thing we see and especially in the case of the first episodes – it’s what’s memorable the most.
- Why am I not describing/watching the X series? After all, it’s so cool and all. I don’t know what’s going to be a commercial hit now, but since I didn’t list it in my post, it means I don’t care about that anime at all. I don’t list such series because I don’t have the time to watch them – thus I don’t recommend them – because as I’ve mentioned many times before – I only recommend what interests me.
My Spring 2023 Anime and PVs List
Leftovers from last season:
Spring 2023 Anime – About the content of this post
Once again, I would like to remind you of the fact that descriptions, pictures, and my opinions about the Winter 2022 Anime will appear on a regular basis as the first episodes are released. Order of descriptions below = order of episode premieres. The full schedule for the Spring 2023 Anime season can be found here, for example.
As in the previous season’s entry, below the description of a given anime will appear my rating (according to the scheme available below) after the first and last episode:
Yes – I believe that the production is noteworthy.
Not quite –In the case of the first episode, it usually means that not enough of the plot was shown in it to recommend the series. In the case of impressions after the last episode – the series is average and can be skipped.
No – I don’t recommend it, it’s a waste of time.
As always, I’ll also report on the quality of the translation. If there’s a better alternative to the official subs from Crunchyroll or Funimation (and thus SubsPlease) for a given series, I’ll make a note after the first episode.
Descriptions, screenshots and reviews of the Spring 2023 Anime season
Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu / 僕の心のヤバイやつ
Ichikawa Kyoutaro looks like an average boy his age, but in his heart he dreams of committing murder. His first target is his class idol, Yamada Anna. Everything changes when he makes contact with her in the school library one afternoon, after she came to eat the snacks she brought with her in peace. From that day on, Kyoutarou gradually begins to realize that he doesn’t want to kill his classmate at all, and that his murderous desires have turned into something completely different….
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The first episode foreshadows a great comedy. It is definitely staying with me for the moment and I sincerely hope that such quality will continue until the end.
I strongly recommend the official translation from Bilibili (B-Global). Much better than the one from Hidive/Sentai. The video quality is also better.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – I didn’t expect this title to be this good. The start of the season at least foreshadowed that it would be something worth spending time on, but with each successive episode my hype was increasing
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Final evaluation
Jijou wo Shiranai Tenkousei ga Guigui Kuru. / 事情を知らない転校生がグイグイくる。
Nishimura Akane is a lonely fifth-grade girl surrounded by a dark aura, and is the target of constant bullying and teasing by her classmates. One day, Takada Taiyou transfers to her school. Hearing her nickname Shinigami, while being unaware of the whole situation, he decides to get to know Akane better, disregarding what others say about her. In time, thanks to his openness, other children also begin to notice that Nishimura’s peculiar facial expression has nothing to do with her character.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – awesome start. I have some complaints about the character design, which really looks cheap. That doesn’t change the fact that I didn’t know when the twenty minutes of the episode had passed. I definitely look forward to the next episodes.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Nie do końca – About halfway through the season, I lost motivation to watch. The starting quality was basically maintained throughout the episodes, quite a few things became too repetitive though.
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Final evaluation
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Punch! / くまクマ熊ベアーぱーんち!
Fifteen-year-old Yuna supports herself and her family by day-trading, which has caused her to give up attending school. She spends all her free time in a next-generation VRMMO game, where one time she receives a one-of-a-kind bear costume, in which she looks super-sweet. After some time, the girl discovers that this outfit gives her great possibilities during combat, and a new kind of bear magic has unlimited possibilities.
Season 2
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The episode kept the level of the previous season, which made me very happy. Also in terms of visuals it was done really well. I look forward to more!
I recommend the official translation from Muse Asia.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – nevertheless, I must make a minor correction. As much as I enjoyed watching the whole thing quite a bit, unfortunately, the quality of season one has not been maintained. This does not change the fact that the continuation is worth watching.
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Final evaluation
Skip to Loafer
Iwakura Mitsumi has always dreamed of leaving her small town, going to a prestigious university and making a positive difference in the world. She is so focused on achieving her goals that she hasn’t completely disregarded the hardships of living in a big city like Tokyo, where she is just starting high school. Fortunately, she quickly befriends a boy named Sousuke, who, like her, is late for the inauguration of the new school year.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – This is exactly what I expect from series from P.A. Works. Although this time it’s a manga adaptation, it still has the feeling that their people worked on it. A great start, strongly urging me to watch more episodes..
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – certainly not the best series of P.A. Works. It doesn’t even come close to being their best. However, it is worth considering that I appreciate their original works the most. In this case, this is a manga adaptation. I had a pleasant time watching this anime and can wholeheartedly recommend watching it..
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Final evaluation
Tengoku Daimakyou / 天国大魔境
In a facility fenced off from the outside world, youngsters are raised and taught by robots. The children are unaware of the existence of anything outside their little patch of land, where they have existed since birth. The world on the other side of the wall is a veritable hell, where mythical creatures prowl and the remnant of surviving humans hide in the ruins of former buildings.
Maru, with the help of Kiruko, wanders through what was once called the city of Tokyo. They are looking for a place called heaven. After a long, grueling journey, they begin to lose hope that they will ever find it. Their moment of doubt is quickly dispelled by a rumor they hear from the mouths of people they meet….
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – It is with great satisfaction that Production I.G. finally showed its former brilliance. Everything looked great. The backgrounds had plenty of detail, the animation impressed me quite a bit. I’m not a fan of this kind of character design, but considering how the whole thing looks, clinging to it would be out of place. The first episode introduced the world of the story well and strongly encouraged me to watch the next episodes. I have a feeling that this will be one of the more interesting anime of the season.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – one of the most interesting series of the season. An item definitely worth watching. Each episode held the suspense. The visuals were kept at a uniformly high level throughout..
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Final evaluation
Watashi no Yuri wa Oshigoto desu! / 私の百合はお仕事です!
Shiraki Hime is a girl with an impeccable reputation, charming character, occupying the top of the lists with academic performance. However, it’s all just a game of appearances, as the whole facade is designed to ensure a prosperous life.
One day Hime stumbles on the stairs, eventually tripping over a passing girl and causing an injury to her arm. It turns out that her name is Mai and she is the manager of a café, with the injury preventing her from working. To preserve her reputation, Hime agrees to replace Mai at Café Liebe. It turns out on the spot that this is a themed café, where the staff are reincarnated as students of a private school for girls from rich families….
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The whole thing turned out to be much better than I expected. A lot of references to classic yuri stories (including Strawberry Panic, my first light novel) given in a humorous way. I actually liked the characters after the first few minutes of the opening episode. And then there’s the fact of the stellar cast of voice actresses. Uesaka Sumire, Tamura Yukari, Ogura Yui, Seto Asami, Tanaka Minami, Koichi Makoto. It is worth checking out if only for this reason. On the visual side, the whole thing looks aesthetically pleasing. The color palette is pleasing to the eye.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – I was expecting a laid-back slice-of-life comedy rather than a yuri drama, with just the occasional bits of comedy. It’s not quite what I’m looking for, but I’d be lying if I watched this series badly. Especially considering that in addition to the really good direction, the whole thing looks sensational, and the voice actresses make the reception even more enjoyable.
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Final evaluation
Dr. Stone: New World
One fateful day, all of humanity on the planet is turned into living stone statues. After several thousand years, high school student Tauju emerges from the stone shell covering his body quickly discovering how much the world has changed. Fortunately, he is not alone – he finds his acquaintance from school – the eminent scientist Senkuu, who has been waiting for months for his awakening while simultaneously developing a plan to bring other human fossils back to life. Season 3
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I think that by the third season no one needs to be encouraged anymore. If someone liked the previous ones, they will find exactly the same here.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – The beginning of the third season was rather slow. Everything changed when the crew of the ship of an expedition to find valuable things left behind by Senkuu’s father arrives at the site. The mystery of the green ray causing the petrification of humanity is finally close to being revealed. Season four has already been announced for autumn.
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Final evaluation
Yuusha ga Shinda! / 勇者が死んだ!
Far to the north of the world lies a portal once used by the Demon Lord to invade the human kingdom. Thanks to a hero wielding Excalibur and his loyal band of companions, the portal has been sealed.
Unfortunately, the seal was imperfect and began to weaken, allowing the demons to continue their attack. Worried about the safety of his village, Touka Scott digs traps to defend himself from the demons. Unfortunately, one of his traps caused the death of the hero, who was the only one in the world with the power to fight the Demon Lord. The situation is saved by necromancer Anri Haynesworth. She forces Touka’s soul to inhabit the body of the dead hero. Thus, together they embark on an expedition to annihilate the threat.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I did not have high hopes when choosing this title. My main motivators were Taketatsu Ayana in one of the main roles, the nice character design, and the hope for well-woven fanservice to an interesting story. The first episode heralds that I got everything I expected, so the title stays on the watch list.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – A very difficult series to rate. I had mixed feelings about what rating to give. In the end, however, I find it worth watching. The comedy plots are funny, the protagonist is easy to like, the visuals are pleasing to the eye, the fanservice is skillfully woven into the plot. What prevailed to give such and not another rating is the old-school atmosphere of the whole thing. For me, this is a big advantage.
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Final evaluation
The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls: U149
Tachibana Arisu and several of her female colleagues are embarking on careers as professional idols. Their dream has just come true. They have been assigned a Producer to take care of them and take care of promotions. Girls’ excitement leads them to heavily idealize his image in anticipation of their first meeting. The situation was no different on the opposite side. The young boy, who was assigned the matter of running his first unit, expects to deal with older, experienced idols. After a brief clash with reality, both sides notice considerable determination to act and positive energy in each other, which begins their difficult journey to win the hearts of fans.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – finally, after so many years I lived to see a decent anime in the Idolm@ster universe. CygamesPictures delivers on the visual side, as do the voice actresses themselves, brilliantly chosen for the characters they represent. Even the first episode made me almost certain that the whole thing would be very much to my liking. The song used in the ending (really great by the way) – よりみちリトルスター (Yorimichi Little Star) gives hope that musically this will be a return to earlier installments of Idolm@ster, which makes me very happy too. I look forward to watching future episodes.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – full review available here.
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Final evaluation
Edomae Elf / 江戸前エルフ
Koganei Koito performs her duties as a miko at Takamimi Temple, fulfilling the whims of the local goddess – an aged elf named Elda, who loves new technology, games and anime. Unfortunately, the girl has a problem with her. Elda has become so lazy over the past few years that she doesn’t leave the temple walls, even though the local residents adore her. Koito sets himself the task of changing Elda’s approach to life and wants to show her the world around her.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The whole thing looks great from the visual side. This comes as no surprise to me, as basically every series since C2C that I’ve watched has been stunning in execution. The voice actresses brilliantly maintain the atmosphere of the series and made me like basically every character from the very beginning. The song used in the opening was very much to my liking. I look forward to the next episodes.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – a lot of things get repetitive after a few episodes. This problem, however, is made up for by the characters and the overall atmosphere of the series. A perfect anime for slice of life lovers.
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Final evaluation
Tonikaku Kawaii 2nd Season / トニカクカワイイ2nd Season
From an early age, Yuzaki Nasa was the object of ridicule from his peers due to the non-standard reading of his name spelled with the characters 星空 (starry sky), a reference to the US space agency NASA. The boy was doing his best to prove that he could afford a lot – his goal was to qualify to study at the best university in the country. Everything was going according to plan until one evening when he noticed a cute girl across the street. Spurred on by the moment, Nasa ran into the roadway and was almost fatally hit by a truck. He survived only thanks to the help of a beautiful stranger, to whom he momentarily confessed his love. Season 2
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – Here, too, no surprise. Everything that I liked in season one is present here as well. Sensational performance by the voice actors. On the visual side, there is also no change. It still looks quite cheap, but at the same time aesthetically pleasing and does not interfere with the perception of the whole. I am looking forward to the next episodes.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – at some parts, I had the feeling that it was no longer the Tonikaku Kawaii that I saw in the first season. Perhaps it’s just my feelings (and a result of the fact that I started reading the manga after the first season and already knew the course of events), but I still spent time with this title very pleasantly.
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Final evaluation
Otonari ni Ginga / おとなりに銀河
After the death of his father, Kuga Ichirou is struggling to support his two younger siblings through manga drawing. He finds it increasingly difficult to meet his multiplying responsibilities and deadlines, especially after his last two assistants passed away. Just as he is about to break down, he receives a phone call from the agency, where he gets word that they have found a competent assistant to help him. That assistant is Goshiki Shiori, a beautiful 19-year-old girl with an outstanding talent for drawing. However, Shiori hides a secret, which Ichirou discovers rather quickly….
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – the only issue was whether Asahi Production would handle the adaptation, since I know the source material. The directing stands at a really high level. On the drawing side, it could be a bit better (especially when it comes to details), but still the whole thing is quite pleasing to the eye. The first episode gives a lot of hope, so I am looking forward to the next ones.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – I was afraid that the whole thing would become too repetitive in adaptation. Fortunately, I was sorely mistaken. Every episode was equally good. Great characters, voice actors, direction and visuals. A must-see series for fans of sweet romances with a little dose of drama.
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Final evaluation
World Dai Star
After a series of failures at all kinds of theater castings, Otori Kokona decides to put everything on the line and signs up for the World Dai Star qualifiers. A worldwide project that brings together stage artists. The requirements are considerable, but qualifying and entering the ranks of the theater troupe guarantees success and fame.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – I do not know how much emphasis will be placed on stage play. From the first episode I can infer that quite a lot. Despite the fact that theater doesn’t interest me too much, the creators were able to keep my attention. A considerable role was played here, of course, by the voice actresses, thanks to whom the nuances of acting could be heard clearly. I’ll see how the series develops. I didn’t give this title much of a chance, but it’s possible that it will stay with me until the end of the season.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – Despite the fact that there was a strong focus on stage performances, the authors have a lot of respect from me that they managed to keep my attention. Really well-written characters. An interesting idea with the addition of a pinch of fantasy in the form of the supernatural stage abilities of each of the heroines. I am very pleasantly surprised by this title and think it is worth giving it a chance.
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Final evaluation
Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia / 君は放課後インソムニア
Nakami Ganta suffers from insomnia. During the day, he suffers from severe headaches and inability to focus due to exhaustion. As a result, he is perceived as someone rude who is not worth dealing with. One day he is asked to bring cardboard boxes from a room that once belonged to the school’s astronomy club. The place is shrouded in a dark aura due to urban legends circulating around the school about the mysterious deaths of several people. Genta doesn’t believe in paranormal phenomena, so he heads to the place. To his surprise, the room is located in a little-used part of the school, so it’s perfect for someone like him to relax. It turns out that he wasn’t the only person who came up with a similar idea. For he finds his classmate there, also suffering from a similar affliction, which makes it easier for them to find common topics. From that moment on, his life changes beyond recognition.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – definitely one of the best starts of the season. Great direction, very well written characters. Although I’ve fortunately never had a problem with insomnia, I’m sure I’ll be following the fate of the characters each week with great excitement.
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – A phenomenally conducted story. Brilliantly written main pair of characters. Beautiful both visually and from the direction. A must-see series for enthusiasts of good romances.
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Final evaluation
【Oshi no Ko】 / 【推しの子】
Sixteen-year-old Hoshino Ai is a talented and beautiful idol adored by her fans. She is the epitome of an innocent young girl. Appearances, however, are deceiving. Amemiya Gorou is a village gynecologist and a big fan of Ai. So when the pregnant idol shows up at his hospital, he is very surprised. Gorou promises her a safe delivery. What he doesn’t know yet is that an encounter with an enigmatic person like Ai will result in his untimely death.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – If I’m honest, I can’t remember the last time something made such an impression on me. I didn’t expect this adaptation to be so perfectly done. Admittedly, I’ve only read one volume of the manga so far, and it ends almost exactly where the opening episode did, but if I’m being honest, the anime struck me even more, and that’s despite the fact that I knew what was going to happen. I would dare to say that this is one of the best, if not the best, launch episodes I’ve seen. And I’ve really seen quite a few over the years (last year the count crossed 1,000). This episode was a perfect representation of what I love Japanese storytelling and characterization for. There’s room for comedy and there’s room for sharp drama. Two genres that in theory are at odds with each other seasoned with unfathomably well-written characters. Within the same series.
By the way, as if anyone wants to read, I recommend the Yen Press release, a splendid translation and a very extensive notes section at the end. And then there is the question of voice actors. Takahashi Rie. Hands down, this is her best role. The way she took on the role of Ai only showed how talented an actress she is. Something wonderful.
I recommend subtitles from MTBB (necessarily 2nd subtitle track).
Do I recommend it after the last episode? Yes – full review available here.
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Final evaluation
Ao no Orchestra / 青のオーケストラ
From an early age, Aono Hajime admired his world-famous violinist father, who inspired him to take such a career path himself. However, after his parents divorce, he decides that he will never play the violin again and chooses an undirected high school with no idea of life.
During physical education class, Aono is hit in the face with a ball and ends up in the school infirmary. There he meets Akine Ritsuko, who starts playing the violin, believing she is alone. After a past incident, rumors surfaced claiming Akine was a bully, which isolated her from her peers – a fact Aono was unaware of.
Akine dreams of enrolling in a school with an orchestra club, but her amateurish playing and lack of musical knowledge don’t offer her a sizable prospect. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity, their teacher suggests that Aono teach Akine how to play the violin, which Aono strongly opposes. However, as the pair spends more time together, they quickly learn to understand and help each other – and Aono himself quickly rediscovers his lifelong passion.
Do I recommend it after the first episode? Yes – The first few minutes didn’t exactly entice me to watch. However, as soon as Ritsuko appeared on the screen and the main character began to open up a bit more, I knew I would stay with this series until the end. Sensational direction, visuals and acting. I can’t wait for the next episodes.
I recommend the subtitles from [anon]. Excellent work.
Waiting for Anime Spring 2023 episode releases
Best Openings and Endings – Spring 2023 Anime Season
It’s similar to the year-end recaps, namely – I recommend what I consider awesome in my opinion. Below is a list of my favorite songs from the openings and endings (all of them I consider noteworthy, but the ones I particularly love are marked in bold, while the ones I consider as even more outstanding are marked in green, bold font). The scheme is clear, but I will clarify it:
Artist – Title (Artist in romaji – Title in romaji) | Anime Title
Spring 2023 Anime Openings:
- 和久井優 – Near Stella (Wakui Yuu – Near Stella) | Otonari ni Ginga
- 天城サリー, 長谷川育美, 石見舞菜香, 長縄まりあ, 大空直美, 佐々木李子 – ワナビスタ! (Amaki Sally, Hasegawa Ikumi, Iwami Manaka, Naganawa Maria, Oozora Naomi, Sasaki Riko – Wanna Be Star!)| World Dai Star
- U149 – Shine In The Sky☆ | The Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls – U149
- 中村カンナ, 咲々木瞳, 徳井青空 – Glorious Moment! (Nakamura Kanna, Sasaki Hitomi, Tokui Sora – Glorious Moment!) | Uma Musume: Pretty Derby – Road to the To
- オーイシマサヨシ – 死んだ! (Ooishi Masayoshi – Shinda! ) | Yuusha Ga Shinda
- ナナヲアカリ – 奇縁ロマンス (Nanawo Akari – Kien Romance) | Edomae Elf
- 石崎ひゅーい – ワスレガタキ (Ishizaki Huwie – Wasuregataki ) | Dr.STONE NEW WORLD
- 鬼頭明里, Neko Hacker – 刹那の誓い (Kitou Akari, Neko Hacker – Setsuna no Chikai) | Tonikaku Kawaii
- YOASOBI – アイドル (YOASOBI – Idol) | Oshi no Ko
- BiSH – innocent arrogance (BiSH – innocent arrogance) | Tengoku Daimakyou
- 小倉唯 – 秘密♡Melody (Ogura Yui – Himitsu♡Melody) | Watashi no Yuri wa Oshigoto desu!
- Van de Shop – 贅沢な匙 (Van de Shop – Zeitaku na Saji) | Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi
Spring 2023 Anime Endings:
- DIALOGUE+ – にゃんぼりーdeモッフィー!! (DIALOGUE+ – Nyanbori de Moffy!!) | Kawaisugi Crisis
- 渕上舞 – ファンタジック・パートナー (Fuchigami Mai – ファンタジック・パートナー) | Majutsushi Orphen Hagure Tabi: Urbanrama Hen
- 佐藤ミキ – ドラマチック (Satou Miki – Dramatic ) | Megami no Cafe Terrace
- ASOBI同盟 – 誰も彼も何処も何も知らない (ASOBI Doumei – Dare mo Kare mo Doko mo Nani mo Shiranai) | Tengoku Daimakyou
- 女王蜂 – メフィスト (Ziyoou-vachi – Mephisto) | Oshi no Ko
- 佐藤亜美菜, 米内佑希 – お願い! シンデレラ (Satou Amina, Yonai Yuuki – Onegai! Cinderella) | The Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls – U149
- 久野美咲 – みんなのきもち (Kuno Misaki – Minna no Kimochi) | The Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls – U149
- 黒沢ともよ – Romantic Now (Kurosawa Tomoyo – Romantic Now) | The Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls – U149
- 照井春佳 – 愛の讃歌 (Terui Haruka – Ai no Sanka) | The Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls – U149